State Monument, Indian Massacre, 1857. In 1857, the Sioux Tribe attacked the 40 settlers who had newly arrived at Spirit Lake (by what is now Arnold’s Park). They killed 36 and took three women and one girl, Abigail Gardner, hostage. Abigail and one other woman survived; Abigail published a book about her experiences and used the proceeds to buy land and a cabin by Spirit Lake. In 1895 she convinced the State of Iowa to construct a monument to commemorate the massacre.
Comments:
State Monument, Indian Massacre, 1857. In 1857, the Sioux Tribe attacked the 40 settlers who had newly arrived at Spirit Lake (by what is now Arnold’s Park). They killed 36 and took three women and one girl, Abigail Gardner, hostage. Abigail and one other woman survived; Abigail published a book about her experiences and used the proceeds to buy land and a cabin by Spirit Lake. In 1895 she convinced the State of Iowa to construct a monument to commemorate the massacre.