Join us on the 6^th Trail of Death Commemorative Caravan for the 175^th anniversary of the 1838 Trail of Death. To all our friends in the 26 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas on the Trail of Death:

Every 5 years we have traveled as a Trail of Death Commemorative Caravan since 1988. Since our last caravan was in 2008, here it is time to go again. Shirley Willard has been busy calling the places to visit and motels. She has put together a schedule, and our president George Godfrey and map maker Rich Meyer have approved it. No doubt there will be some changes as the time gets closer.

We will dedicate two new historical markers: Heritage Park, Olathe, for the campsite near Spring Hill, Kansas, and Trading Post, Kansas. Also we will dedicate new historic highway signs at Danville and Monticello, Illinois, and Brunswick to DeWitt, Missouri.

Here is the itinerary for the 2013 caravan. We hope to see you as we travel. You are welcome to come travel with us as far as you wish, for half a day or all the way. Because of time constraints, we will not be able to stop at all the Trail of Death historical markers. If you are waiting for us and we have to go on by, one of us will stop and talk to you for a few minutes and then catch up to the caravan. We hope you understand that we really care about meeting with you and we deeply appreciate all your support and help in this project.

Someone in our committees will give a program for your group this coming year if you request it. We will continue to work on getting donations to erect the Potawatomi Trail of Death Regional Trail highway signs across all the counties. And we hope to see each of the county museums on the Trail make a permanent display about the Trail of Death. So please stick with us. Thanks.

George Godfrey 217-636-8120, cell 217-502-9340

Shirley Willard, Rochester IN 574-223-2352, Bill Willard’s cell 574-239-3431

John Gebhardt, Quincy, IL 217-223-9078

Don & Mary Riddle, Brunswick, MO 660-548-3451

Sister Virginia Pearl, Concordia, KS 620-923-6136

This is the itinerary for the Trail of Death Commemorative Caravan Sept. 23-29. This is subject to change as plans are finalized. We wish the distances we travel each day could be the same but there are not motels in the smaller towns, and we have new signs and/or markers to dedicate in some places. We are trying to visit places that our caravan has not visited before, and of course, several of the places we previously visited. We appreciate all your help and hospitality.

Mon. Sept. 23 - Rochester to Chief Menominee’s monument at Plymouth to Lafayette, IN: 99 miles

Tue. Sept. 24 - Lafayette, IN to Decatur, IL: 143 miles

Wed. Sept. 25 - Decatur to Quincy, IL: 152 miles

Thu. Sept. 26 - Quincy, IL to Moberly, MO: 83 miles

Fri. Sept. 27 - Moberly, MO to Independence, MO: 126 miles

Sat. Sept. 28 - Independence, MO to Spring Hill, Paola, Osawatomie, Trading Post, KS: 100 miles

Sun. Sept. 29 - St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial Park (Sugar Creek Mission) in rural Linn County

You must call and make your own reservations at each motel. Ask for whatever discounts you are eligible for. Tell them you are with the Trail of Death caravan. Call the motel’s local number, not the 800 number. All have free continental breakfast.

Sept. 23 Mon. Lafayette, IN - Super 8 Motel, 4301 SR 26, ph 765-447-5551 $61.59

Sept. 24 Tue. Decatur, IL - Country Hearth Inn, 3141 N Water St., ph 217-877-8888 $56

Sept. 25 Wed. Quincy, IL - Eagle Nest Hotel (former America's Best Value Inn), 300 Gardner Expressway, (300 S. 3^rd St.), ph 217-224-7733 $62.97

Sept. 26 Thurs. Moberly, MO - Super 8 Motel, 300 Hwy 24 E, ph 660-263-8862 $59.60

Sept. 27 Fri. Independence, MO - Quality Inn & Suites East, 4200 S. Noland Rd., ph 816-373-8856 $66.81

Sept. 28 Sat. Osawatomie, KS - Landmark Inn, 304 Eastgate Dr., ph 913-755-3051 $66.45

Sept. 23

Lunch Cass County Museum, 1004 E. Market St., Logansport, IN.

Supper at St. Lawrence Church, 1916 Meharry St., Lafayette, IN.

Sept. 24

Lunch at Danville, IL - Vermilion County Museum, 116 N. Gilbert St., Danville IL.

Supper Decatur, IL - Bob Evans Restaurant, 3020 N Water St., 217-875-4577.

Sept. 25

Lunch with New Berlin Area Historical Society at Island Grove Church, west of Springfield on Old Jacksonville Road.

Supper at Quincy IL in Quinsippi Island Park, hosted by Friends of Log Cabins Assn.

Sept. 26

Lunch at Madison, Mo, Becky’s Restaurant, 401 W Broadway, 660-291-3695.

Supper at Moberly, MO, Funny Pages Caf, 1714 N Morley St., 660-263-5233.

Sept. 27

Lunch at DeWitt, MO Community Center, DeWitt Town Park, 7^th and Jefferson streets, provided by DeWitt Community Club and others.

Supper in Independence, Mo, Courthouse Exchange Restaurant, 113 W. Lexington Ave.

Sept. 28

Lunch hosted by Miami County Historical Society at Beethoven’s Restaurant, 110 W Peoria, Paola. 913-294-3000. World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Supper at Long Horn Restaurant, 22932 E 2200 Rd, LaCygne KS 66040, 913-757-6699, along 69 on East, about 5 miles north of Trading Post.

Sept. 29

Lunch carry-in (potluck) lunch at St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial Park, (Sugar Creek Mission), hosted by Linn County Historical Society Kansas.

A Registration blank to go on the Trail of Death Commemorative Caravan is on this web site. Please print it out and send in.

Sept. 23 Monday

7:30 Meet at Fulton County Museum to get organized;

8:30 Leave FCHS, drive to Menominee statue on Peach Road.

9:00 Ceremony at Chief Menominee statue.

10:00 Start on caravan, going through Twin Lakes, then on Michigan Road south through Argos.

10:30 Stop at Tippecanoe River on Old 31 (Michigan Road) north of Rochester, first night’s camp on Trail of Death.

11:15 Stop at Trail of Death historical markers at Rochester courthouse, parking on Main Street or nearby side streets as needed.

11:30 Drive by Trail of Death at Mud Creek, through Fulton. Drive by the Trail of Death marker at Logansport hospital.

12:00 Eat lunch at Logansport with Cass County Hist. Soc. museum which is Dr. Jerolaman’s house. He was the doctor on the Trail of Death. Location: 1004 E. Market St., Logansport, Ind.

1:30 Follow Trail of Death through Georgetown along Wabash River, stop at Winamac’s Old village on Tow Path Road, Burnett Creek Arch, Pleasant Run, drink water at Pittsburg flowing well,

3:00 Stop at battle Field Park, Battle Ground, drive by Prophets Rock,

4:00 Visit Tippecanoe County Hist. Assn., 1001 South Street, Lafayette, to see George Winter files,

6:30 Eat at St. Lawrence Church, 1916 Meharry Street, Lafayette. Coming from the Tippecanoe County Hist. Assn. we will go up the hill on South Street, turn left on 18^th Street & go down hill to Greenbush Street. Turn right on Greenbush, then left on 19^th Street. The church is on right side, just past the school. Supper provided by National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture. We will also meet with students of Purdue Native American Center.

Spend night at Super 8 Motel, 4301 SR 26 E, Lafayette, Indiana, ph 765-447-5551.

Sept. 24 Tuesday,

7:30 Breakfast in Super 8 Motel, Lafayette.

8:00 Follow Trail of Death and drive by Trail of Death markers in Lafayette, 9:00 Lagrange, 9:30 Independence,

10:00 Stop at Williamsport at Old Town Park on Main & Old 2^nd St.

11:00 Drive by Gopher Hill cemetery on 900 W which is 1 ½ miles east of Indiana-Illinois state line.

12:00 Lunch at Danville - Vermilion County Museum, 116 N. Gilbert St.

1:00 Dedicate new Trail of Death historic highway sign in Danville at Turtle Run Golf Course, 332 E Liberty Lane.

1:30 Follow Trail of Death through Danville’s Ellsworth Park, walk to bridge to see TD marker.

2:00 Drive by Trail of Death markers in Catlin, Sidney, Sidorus.

3:00 Dedicate new Potawatomi Trail of Death historic highway sign at Monticello, Subway parking lot on Market & Livingston streets.

4:00 Sangamon Crossing marker, recently restored from accident that rolled it over. Thanks to Cheri Hunter and Linda Morrell of Stephen Decatur Chapter of Daughter of American Revolution.

4:30 Drive by Trail of Death marker in Mueller Park, Decatur.

4:30 Visit Decatur - Macon County Museum & Prairie Village, 5580 North Fork Road. Admission $2.

7:00 Supper at Decatur, Bob Evans Restaurant, 3020 N Water St., 217-875-4577.

Spend night at Country Hearth Inn, 3141 N Water St., Decatur IL, ph 217-877-8888.

Sept. 25 Wednesday,

7:30 Breakfast in Country Hearth Inn, Decatur motel.

8:00 Drive through Niantic

9:00 Walk around Old State Capital plaza in Springfield to see Trail of Death plaque in Kiosk.

10:00 Visit Riddle Hill and Island Grove markers.

11:00 Lunch with New Berlin area Historical Society at Island Grove Church.

12:00 Drive by Robert Hitt farm which has huge trees that were there in 1838, TD marker by driveway.

12:30 Visit Jacksonville’s Foreman Grove Park and town square.

Drive by Trail of Death markers at 2:30 Exeter, 3:00 Naples,

3:30 Visit Perry, 4:30 Liberty.

5:30 Visit St. Boniface Church in Quincy - Trail of Death marker out front.

5:45 Drive through the Mounds Park to see Trail of Death plaque.

6:30 Community potluck picnic at Quinsippi Island Park, thanks to Friends of Log Cabins Assn., led by John Gebhardt of www.logcabinvillage quincyil.com. 1-800-978-4748 or 217-223-9078.

Spend night in Eagle Nest Hotel (former America’s Best Value Inn), 300 Gardner Expressway (300 S. 3^rd St.), Quincy, IL, ph 217-224-7733.

Sept. 26 Thursday,

7:00 Leave motel and cross Mississippi River to West Quincy, MO. Get gas at the 2^nd Ayerco station - this is the one that has the Trail of Death marker.

8:00 Stop at Trail of Death marker near Palmyra, MO.

8:30 Breakfast at Hardee’s Restaurant in Palmyra, MO with Heritage Seekers.

9:30 See the spring at Palmyra where the Potawatomi camped in 1838.

10:00 Visit Clifford & Josephine Gander (deceased) now Alice Gander farm overlooking trail of 1838.

11:00 Follow Trail of Death through county - 2 TD markers - to Paris.

12:00 Stop at Paris courthouse Trail of Death marker.

1:00 Eat lunch at Becky’s Restaurant, Madison MO, 401 W Broadway, 660-291-3695.

2:00 Give program at Madison School, has 230 students K-12.

3:00 Visit Little Dixie Library. Madison, MO.

5:30 Dedicate Moberly Trail of Death marker at new location, Rothwell Park between the Moberly Aquatic Center and Howard Hills Athletic Complex. It is set right near the highway on the paved walking trail. The best place to park would be at the Moberly Aquatic Center (100 Rothwell Park Road) which is at the corner of Rothwell Park Road and Highway 24. Folks can then cross Rothwell Park Road and follow the walking trail to the west and the monument is right along the trail probably 200 yards down.

6:30 Eat supper at Funny Pages Cafe, 1714 N Morley St., in Moberly, 660-263-5233.

Spend night at Super 8 Motel, 300 Hwy 24 E, Moberly, MO, ph 660-263-8862.

Sept. 27 Friday,

7:30 breakfast in Super 8 Motel, Moberly, MO.

8:00 Follow Trail of Death through Huntsville, drive by TD marker at courthouse,

9:00 Visit Chariton County Museum, 115 E 2^nd St., Salisbury Mo, 660-388-5911.

9:30 Go through Keytesville.

10:30 Dedicate new signs between Brunswick and DeWitt., beginning at Brunswick boat ramp and bank.

11:30 Eat lunch at DeWitt Community Center, DeWitt Town Park, 7^th and Jefferson streets.

1:00 Drive by Carrollton - Carroll County Museum, 510 N Mason St.

2:00 Drive by Trail of Death marker at Richmond High School, 551 E South St. Homecoming parade brings big crowd so we cannot stop.

2:30 Cross Missouri River, see Trail of Death marker beside Madonna of the Trail in Lexington.

3:00 Drive by Wellington and Napoleon,

4:00 Near Buckner - go back lane to see Trail of Death marker at Fire Prairie Creek Wetland Park,

4:45 Lake City Bicycle park - walk over bridge and on path to Trail of Death marker.

5:30 Visit historical marker & cabin at Pioneer Spring Park in Independence.

6:30 Eat supper in Court House Exchange restaurant, 113 W. Lexington Ave., Independence.

Spend night at Quality Inn & Suites East, 4200 S. Noland, Independence, MO, ph 816-373-8856.

Sept. 28 Saturday,

7:30 breakfast in Quality Inn & Suites East, 4200 S. Noland, Independence, MO.

8:00 Follow Trail of Death through Grandview, MO, stopping at the Red Bridge, Trail of Death marker.

10:00 Dedicate new marker at Heritage Park, 13833 W 159^th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66062 (This is the same marker researched by Deb Sims, Spring Hill Middle School librarian, KS.).

12:00 Lunch in Beethoven’s restaurant, 110 W. Peoria, Paola, hosted by Miami County Historical Society. See Trail of Death marker in Park Square across the street. Walk down the street to visit the Miami County Swan River Museum, 12 E. Peoria St.

3:00 Visit Old Land Office on North 6^th St., Osawatomie, KS.

4:30 Visit Trading Post museum.

5:30 Dedicate new Trail of Death historic marker at Trading Post.

7:00 Eat supper at Long Horn Restaurant, 22932 E 2200 Rd, LaCygne KS 66040, 913-757-6699, along 69 on East, about 5 miles north of Trading Post.

Spend night at Landmark Inn, 304 East Dr., Osawatomie, KS. 913-755-3051.

Sept. 29 Sunday,

7:30 breakfast in Landmark Inn, 304 East Dr., Osawatomie, KS.

8:00 Follow Trail of Death to St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial Park (Sugar Creek Mission) in rural Linn County. We will have time to walk the grounds, seeing all the historical markers, the seven crosses with the names of Potawatomi who died there, the 14 Stations of the Cross, and down the steep rocky trail to Sugar Creek to see the Indian well.

11:00 Mass at St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial Park, 1525^th Road (former Keokuk Road).

12:30 Potluck lunch at noon - hosted by Linn County Historical Society. In the afternoon all will say farewell and head for individual homes. We pray all will have a safe journey. Blessings to all.

Please notify me if there are any errors in the addresses or phone numbers. Shirley Willard 574-223-2352,