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Post by Robert Braun on Oct 3, 2005 9:38:07 GMT -5
Larry-- please give us your report of the festivities!
I was inspired by Larry's post. I make a concerted effort to get out to PdC to see this new statue. This past Sunday looks to be the best day, and while we would miss the formal dedication program, we would still get to view the statue.
Alas for good intentions! My crew wanted to hike the Ice Age Trail instead... and as an indulgent father who tends to spoil his children, I obliged them.
It was a beautiful afternoon... few on the trail and the woods practically to ourselves. armed with guidebooks on trees and wildflowers, we spent several hours getting to know the names and natures of a variety of plants that we ordinarily pass by each summer with nary a glance, much less a thought.
I know... I know... "the road to H*** is paved with good intentions." We'll make it to PdC soon to view the new sculpure. For this past Sunday, half of my kidlings and I stood quietly in the classroom of the Natural Order.
Best,
Bob.
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Post by Larry Koschkee on Oct 9, 2005 21:45:31 GMT -5
Saturday morning, October 8th -
Daybreak at the cabin was cool (37 deg.) and still. Reddish-pink slits formed in the black/gray morning sky. Will Storrs and Les Adamson begin to stir in their bunks as I turned the grate shaker in the old wood cook stove. Newspaper, kindling and a single stick match brought the stove to life. Opened a stove top lid and placed the coffee pot over the direct flame assuring hot coffee - pronto.
Storrs cooked a hearty breakfast of eggs, slab bacon and toast topped with his wife's homemade black raspberry jam.
I filled the stove with wood and closed off the damper... out into the fresh morning we went. Splitting and hauling firewood was the chore of the day. Later, solar showers in the bath house rendered the workers fit to socialize in public.
We arrived at St Ferriole Island - Prairie du Chien at about 2:30 p.m. There was quite a crowd gathered already. The three of us chose a place to sit by the newly constructed masonary "fire circle." The event started about 3:00 p.m. Temperature was 55 - 57 degrees with a brisk north-east wind. There was the usual introductions and announcements. All the while the crowd was staring at a black veil. The south-western sun shown thru the thin black material exposing parts of the object underneath. A local Boy Scout Troop had been invited to perform the un-veiling of Black Hawk. When the veil was drawn the crowd reacted with awe and delight upon the revealing of the statue. As if on cue a north-east wind blew wood smoke from the "fire circle" across Black Hawk. A large black bird appeared overhead, just slightly north of the ceremony. Some onlookers (pilgrim's) declared it was an eagle. For a moment there we all thought it truly was an omen. To the trained eye though, it was just a soaring Turkey Buzzard.
Chloris Lowe, Jr., past President of The Ho-Chunk Nation blessed the sculpture and park with an impressive ceremony of tobacco offerings and sage incense burning. Spencer Lonetree, Ho-Chunk Elder, gave a concluding benediction in the Ho-Chunk language. After the ceremony, I asked two Native Americans in the crowd if they knew the focus or theme of Lonetree's benediction. Edward Pettibone, a Ho-Chunk replied: "Waaksik Te Hikpa Wira" "The human beings and long knives meet - a collision of cultures." He asked the "Earth Maker" to instill harmony in the world and heal the wounds of centuries of conflict between people.
Careful, but wanting to ask more questions of Edward Pettibone, I asked: What does the sculpture of Black Hawk mean to you? He was a Sac, you are Ho-Chunk, why did you willingly honor him today? His reply: "I came to honor a un-defeated Human Being. Most or all of the people here today came to recognize or celebrate the first of many historical sculptures to be placed in this park. Over 173 years ago my people brought Black Hawk to this place. We befriended him and allowed him to surrender with dignity and grace befitting a un-defeated Human Being. As then and now the Ho-Chunk present him to the "Long knives" with dignity and grace."
The Black Hawk sculpture, the image that Florence Bird has created is life-like - realistic. At times many of us think of Black Hawk as larger-than-life and as a result our expections of a sculpture is to be larger-than-life. Anthropologically, the features of the sculpture are Indian, but that aside, I would describe the sculpture as a proud, stoic "Human Being." Yes, I think Florence Bird has captured the image of what Edward Pettibone was talking about. A "Human Being." - undefeated.
---Larry Koschkee, Black Hawk War Correspondent---
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Post by Robert Braun on Oct 13, 2005 16:05:47 GMT -5
Larry... a great report! Many thanks.
I must confess my complete confusion over the quote from Mr. Pettibone:
"Over 173 years ago my people brought Black Hawk to this place. We befriended him and allowed him to surrender with dignity and grace befitting a un-defeated Human Being. As then and now the Ho-Chunk present him to the "Long knives" with dignity and grace."
Hmmmm... They allowed an "un-defeated Human Being" to "surrender."
Mr. Pettibone is certainly welcome to his opinion. I for one don't understand what it is.
That being said, I am MOST interested in my own sojourn to PdC to see this artistic rendition of Black Hawk! I am glad this project was seen through to conclusion.
Best always, Bob.
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Post by Larry Koschkee on Nov 6, 2005 20:46:00 GMT -5
On October 21 the Black Hawk statue was vandalized resulting in extensive damage. A 23 year old suspect responsible for the act has been identified and is facing Criminal Damage to Property charges. Prosecution and restitution is being sought.
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Post by Robert Braun on Nov 7, 2005 8:39:30 GMT -5
I sincerely hope that the purpetrator is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
We can certainly debate the issues and facts, but personal opinions aside, there is NO excuse for the deliberate vandalism/destruction of such memorials.
Throw the book at the &$%@!
Bob.
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Post by Larry Koschkee on Nov 7, 2005 11:16:44 GMT -5
When I first learned of the vandalism, I was in disbelief. Several phone calls later showed that a cross-section of the Prairie du Chien community did not have mixed feelings on the matter, rather they were unanimously appalled.
The motive question for running over the statue with a pick-up truck was answered by the suspect: "I don't know."
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Post by Robert Braun on Nov 7, 2005 11:30:15 GMT -5
When I first learned of the vandalism, I was in disbelief. Several phone calls later showed that a cross-section of the Prairie du Chien community did not have mixed feelings on the matter, rather they were unanimously appalled. The motive question for running over the statue with a pick-up truck was answered by the suspect: "I don't know." Ran it over with a pickup truck? What an idiot! Bob.
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Post by Larry Koschkee on Nov 27, 2005 17:28:36 GMT -5
The statue has been repaired at a cost of $2,000 and re-installed at the park. I visited the site last Friday and the Black Hawk statue appears to be good as new thanks to the tenacity and generosity of many volunteers.
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Post by Robert Braun on Nov 28, 2005 8:55:44 GMT -5
This is great news! There is simply no excuse for the damage and vandalism caused on this monument.
I am most pleased to learn that the momument has been restored. Our sincere thanks to the generous volunters and workers who made the restoration possible!
Bob
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