October 11, 1846 Arrival in Cincinnati

Content Warning: This post discusses specific names of Myaamia people impacted by Removal. It is possible that you may have a personal connection with some of those individuals.

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During this sixth day on the canal boats, Myaamiaki passed through Middletown and then Hamilton, Ohio. They could not see Miami University only about 13 miles to the northwest, but students were attending their MU classes at that very time. The students were very likely not aware of the passage of Myaamiaki so nearby. Little could they know that more than a century later, their university would begin forming a relationship with the descendants of these Myaamiaki.

The only reported accident on the canal boats occurred that night. Captain Jouett wrote, “…two of the Indians were sleeping in the baggage on deck and in passing under a very low bridge they were considerably though not at all dangerously hurt.” We must wonder how much they would have had to have been hurt for Jouett to consider their injuries dangerous. This report also informs us that the military force did not remain behind in Peru, but they were on the boats with Myaamiaki, presumably to ensure that no one escaped.

During that night, four canal boats arrived in Cincinnati. We can imagine that the Myaamiaki on the boats must not have slept that night, eagerly anticipating getting off the boats and simultaneously anxious about what lay ahead for them.

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In the next installment, to be posted on October 12, we will learn of the experiences Myaamiaki had in Cincinnati, as we continue to follow this story of the Myaamia Forced Removal.

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Post written by Diane Hunter, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Diane can be contacted at dhunter@miamination.com.

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