Cemetery and Wicks Mill
CALDWELL, WICKS
Posted By: M. Knight (email) In Response To: Re: Old Catholic Cemetery Council Bluffs (Leo McFarland)
Date: 1/11/2004 at 20:43:06
The old mill, started by Billy Caldwell and managed by Stutley Wicks is shown on a map of the area drawn about 1916 and published on page 7 of the "Early Days at Council Bluffs" which I mentioned earlier. The book states that "The first saw and grist mill was built by the Pottawattamie Indian Chiefs in 1841 from their own funds, the government having failed for more than three years to keep its promise to them in this respect. It was located on Mosquito Creek, about two and one half miles north and east from the site of Billy Caldwell's village and the old block house, and was known as the Pottawattamie Mill while operated by or for the Indians. Afterward it was called Wicks Mill and finally Parks Mill. Stutely E. Wicks was a white member of the tribe, through marriage with an Indian woman. The Wicks family lived in the area for many years.
I believe that several years ago, someone in Council Bluffs (either the Historical Society or another organization or group) made an attempt to find the original location of the Wicks Mill, along Mosquito Creek, to place a commemorative stone or plaque. I'm not sure of the outcome of that search or if any further work was done.
I don't have the St. Joseph cemetery books but perhaps someone on the Pott. Co. list does.
Pottawattamie Queries maintained by Karyn Techau.
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