Stories from the First Cathedral 39

Last week, I mentioned the new book about Enmegahbowh. In the book is the story of Bishop Whipple's special friendship with Enmegahbowh. Henry Whipple had many rich friendships with Indigenous people in Minnesota and around the country. Another important relationship was with a man named Taopi. 

"The story of Taopi is particularly [tragic]. He had not only been chief of a Mdewakanton village of "Famer Indians" before the 1862 conflict; he was also in line to succeed Little Crow, the leader of that catastrophe. He always carried this note: 'The bearer, Taopi ("wounded man") is entitled to the everlasting gratitude of the American people for having, with other Christian Indians, during the late outbreak, saved the lives of nearly two hundred white women and children. HH Sibley Colonel Commanding.' Taopi would die in a few years, in extreme poverty, a nearly broken man. Yet in his last minutes, he was able to say to the Bishop, "I am not afraid to go. Jesus has walked in the trail before me. I shall not be lonesome on the road." (The First Cathedral by Venerable Ben Scott and Mr Robert Neslund. 1987). 

Taopi spent his last days in Faribault, MN because of an invitation from Bishop Whipple. Taopi is buried in Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault. The cemetery is on the SW side of Faibault and one can visit Taopi's grave anytime. There are special signs giving direction to the site.