PEOSTA

Peosta's gravesite.

PEOSTA. Believed to have been the father of POTOSA, a FOX woman and wife of Julien DUBUQUE, who made several discoveries of LEAD in the area of the MINES OF SPAIN.

Bones believed to be the body of Peosta were discovered in 1897 when the DUBUQUE EARLY SETTLERS ASSOCIATION began construction of its monument to Julien Dubuque. The workmen found the bones of a short white man, a tall Native American and the skull of a Native American woman. Those directing the work including Richard HERRMANN presumed the bones to be those of Peosta because the Fox chief had asked to be buried with his white friend. The skull was believed to be that of Potosa.

With the completion of the monument, Dubuque's bones were reburied, but the remains of Peosta were wired together and kept in the HERRMANN MUSEUM. (1) They were later displayed at the HAM HOUSE Museum.

On May 12, 1973, the remains of Peosta were reburied near their original resting place. On August 20, 1973, the headstone, donated by the Light Quarries of Dubuque, was placed on the grave.

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Source:

1. Dahlinger, Mark. "Peosta's Skull Still Hangs in City Home," Telegraph Herald, August 8, 1954, Dubuque News, p. 1