Jean Baptiste Chandonnai is mentioned in several Midwest history books and a footnote in several more. Most stories portray him as a hero who honorably served the United States and claim he was the nephew of Chief Topinabee. LaPorte County, Indiana, named a bridge after him. However, those histories failed to dive deep into records and relied on a few unreliable sources. Nearly all of them contain false information. When we examine multiple first-hand sources and refrain from whitewashing history, we discover a darker, more complex character. Chandonnai’s story provides a glimpse into the relationship between Native Americans, white settlers, and the will of the United States government. Read More