Late 1700s-Early 1800s

Captain Williams Wells Letter Box

William Wells, Apekonit (1770-1812)

As a young boy, Kentucky born William Wells was taken captive by the Miami during a raid. He was adopted by Chief Graviahatte (Porcupine), given the name Apekonit (Wild Carrot) and later married Chief Little Turtle's daughter Manwangopath (Sweet Breeze). Wells fought for Chief Little Turtle and remained loyal to the tribe until U.S. soldiers captured his wife and children. He then agreed to serve as a spy (a scout) for Anthony Wayne's army and became known as the "Chief of Spies," providing valuable information on area tribes.

In 1797 Wells became an Indian Agent in Fort Wayne and helped with many land negotiations be-tween the government and tribes and tried to help the Miami keep as much land as possible during treaty negotiations. He was killed on 9 October 1812 by a band of Potawatomi while escorting garrison soldiers and several civilians from Fort Dearborn, near present day Chicago, to Fort Wayne during the War of 1812. This little trunk or letter box belonged to William Wells.