POTOSA

Bdeing researche

This monument in Jackson Park showing Potosa was part of a fountain given in 1913 to Judge Benjamin Lacy by his three sons. Photo courtesy: http://dubuque-tour.tripod.com/

POTOSA. Potosa was believed to have been the wife of Julien DUBUQUE although his marital status is uncertain. In personal letters, Dubuque referred to a "Madam Dubuque." It is believed this was Potosa, the daughter of Chief PEOSTA.

In 1909 an unidentified writer for the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald wrote of the association of Julien Dubuque, Peosta, and Potosa. In the article, the author stated that Dubuque returned many times to the the Iowa shore to visit Peosta and brought many articles of trade to ingratiate himself. When he was accepted by Potosa and lived a year in her wigwam as was customary of her grooms, he was accepted by the tribe. He was then granted a grand council, according to this writer, at Prairie du Chien on September 22, 1783 at which he was given sole mining rights. (1)

In 1910 Richard HERRMANN stated that Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery PIKE in his journey along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER landed on what became the Iowa side of the river and questioned Dubuque about his activities. In his records, Pike also mentioned, according to Herrmann that he had spoken with Dubuque wife, Potosa, and chiefs of the tribe. In the same article, Herrmann noted that the renowned artist George CATLIN brought back with him stories gathered from the Native Americans. These stories included the death of Dubuque and burial; the burial beside him of Peosta, the chief, his friend, and father-in-law; and still later the burial of Potosa, Peosta's daughter. Herrmann stated that through the marriage with Potosa, Dubuque gained the rights to mine [LEAD]] that he had been unable to obtain in the previous three years. (2)

In 1897 local residents constructed the JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT. The bodies of Dubuque, Peosta, and Potosa were all exhumed, but only Dubuque's was re-interred. The bodies of Peosta and Potosa were left to Richard Herrmann who was collecting Native American artifacts and had helped build the monument. When Herrmann died, the artifacts and bones were given in 1966 to the DUBUQUE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Peosta's body had been wired together. Potosa's skull was displayed, but the rest of the bones were placed in a bushel basket in the basement of HAM HOUSE.

Changing times led to the to attend to the desire to treat the remains of Peosta and Potosa in a much better manner. Burying them with Dubuque was impossible since his grave had been covered with concrete to prevent vandalism. Questions on how these bodies were to be buried were shared with the residents of the Tama reservation. Potosa could not be buried with her father because of Native American custom requiring chiefs to be buried separately. (3) As the title of the article suggests, consideration for Potosa was still given less thought.

No mention of a wife was made during the months settling his estate has led many to consider that if a wife existed she was a Native American who returned to her tribe after his death.

She is believed to have been the mother of ROLLING CLOUD.

Source:

1. "Anniversary of Julien Dubuque," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, January 10, 1909, https://tharchive-carnegiestout-org.ezproxy.carnegiestout.org/ResCarta-Web/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=76d75574-3467-4ecf-9df4-c2b7da149f1e/ResCarta/00000013/00000222

2. "How the Remains of the Late Julien Dubuque Were Brought to Light," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 24, 1910, p. 12 https://tharchive-carnegiestout-org.ezproxy.carnegiestout.org/ResCarta-Web/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=76d75574-3467-4ecf-9df4-c2b7da149f1e/ResCarta/00000005/00000450

3. Brimeyer, Jack, "Seek Final Resting Place for Peosta," Telegraph-Herald, September 17, 1972, p. 1