July 3, 2012 -- Jamestown, ND to Akaska, SD

One step closer to the much-awaited Black Hills, we stopped over in Akaska, SD, population 52. (No kidding, we personally increased the population of the town by one percent by staying over.) The highlight of today's travel was our visit to the Sitting Bull and Sakakawea monuments near Mobridge, South Dakota.


(panoramic view from the hill where both monuments are located)

The Sitting Bull Monument was carved by the late Korczak Ziolkowski, the same sculptor who spent most of his career designing and carving the Crazy Horse Monument, and is actually made from a chunk of stone that was removed from Crazy Horse Mountain. Here is the text from the plaque beside the monument, and (of course) photos:

1834-1890

SITTING BULL
TATANKA IYOTAKE

Sitting Bull was born in Grand River a few miles west of Mobridge (SD). His tragic end came at the very place he was born. He was shot when being arrested because of his alleged involvement with the Ghost Dance Craze.

Sitting Bull was originally buried at Fort Yates, ND. On April 8, 1953, surviving relatives with the aid of the Dakota Memorial Association moved his remains to the present location and dedicated the Memorial Burial Site April 11, 1953.

1876 - Victorious at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
1877 - Sought asylum in Canada.
1881 - Returned to the United States.
1885 - Toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.


Near the Sitting Bull Monument is an obelisk and plaque dedicated to Sakakawea (aka Sacagawea), who accompanied (and saved the butts of) Lewis and Clark on their explorations westward. Here is the text that appears on the plaque, followed by some photos of the monument itself:

SAKAKAWEA

Sakakawea won her place in history as the indomitable guide of Lewis and Clark on their trip to the Pacific in 1805. She was a member of the Shoshoni tribe dwelling near the Big Horn mountains in Montana. In one of the frequent tribal conflicts she was captured and taken to North Dakota as a war captive. Here she was purchased by a fur trader named Tousant Charbonneau, who, according to custom, made her his wife. Lewis and Clark, in search of an interpreter for their trip west, tried to hire Charbonneau, but he would not go unless his wife was permitted to accompany him. The explorers reluctantly gave their permission. This was a fortunate decision for Lewis and Clark. By her courage, endurance and unerring instinct, she guided the expedition over seemingly insuperable obstacles. The leaders frequently gave her credit for the success of the venture. After returning east, Charbonneau and Sakakawea settled down at Fort Manuel, about 30 miles north of here near Kenel, South Dakota. On December 20, 1812, it was recorded in the daily journal of events at the fort that Sakakawea died of a putrid fever. There is no further record of her but it is safe to assume that this remarkable woman's grave is somewhere near the site of old Fort Manuel. Sakakawea is, beyond question, the most illustrious feminine representative of the Indian race.