Potawatomi Indian Chief. His real name was Wahbememe. He befriended a small village of white settlers. However, the other tribes in the area were uneasy about his relationship with the white settlers. He was called to what is now known as the Detroit area for a Meeting with the Council of Chiefs. While at this meeting, he overheard an Indian tribal chief explaining how they were going to a "white" village. They made several attempts to convince Chief White Pigeon to betray his white friends, but he had given the white settlers his word of friendship and his protection. He is quoted as saying "to betray my village of the white people is to betray my self". He immediately left the meeting to warn his white friends, running the entire way back to the village (at least 150 miles). His timely intervention saved the village from the pending attack, but he died of heart failure from the exhausting trip.
Potawatomi Indian Chief. His real name was Wahbememe. He befriended a small village of white settlers. However, the other tribes in the area were uneasy about his relationship with the white settlers. He was called to what is now known as the Detroit area for a Meeting with the Council of Chiefs. While at this meeting, he overheard an Indian tribal chief explaining how they were going to a "white" village. They made several attempts to convince Chief White Pigeon to betray his white friends, but he had given the white settlers his word of friendship and his protection. He is quoted as saying "to betray my village of the white people is to betray my self". He immediately left the meeting to warn his white friends, running the entire way back to the village (at least 150 miles). His timely intervention saved the village from the pending attack, but he died of heart failure from the exhausting trip.
Inscription
IN MEMORY OF WAHBEMEME CHIEF WHITE PIGEON WHO ABOUT 1830 GAVE HIS LIFE TO SAVE THE SETTLEMENT AT THIS PLACE
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