OTTUMWA —
If the statue nicknamed “Chief Wapello” is to tour the county, the whole figure has to be together.
That’s why Wapello County Supervisor Jerry Parker said someone had to go to the top of the five-story Wapello County Courthouse, and grab the Chief’s boot — which was all that was left behind when the statue fell during a recent severe storm.
The majority of the statue is resting in a county workshop awaiting restoration.
On Tuesday, Ottumwa Fire Department Assistant Chief Mike Craff and Master Firefighter Ron Klein were 75 feet above Fourth Street. They were going after the foot, which the firefighters later said appeared to have had been the only thing that had held the statue in place for more than a century.
When the OFD firetruck bucket lowered the firefighters to the ground, they handed the metal boot to Parker. He said the last time the 118-year-old chief was at ground level in its entirety was 1950.
“So most of the people alive right now have not had a chance to see the statue up close,” he said.
What people have asked the Board of Supervisors is when the familiar Native American figure will be put back.
Parker said the supervisors hope to receive the contractor’s report this week with both a cost estimate for the restoration of the statue and an estimated timetable.
In the meantime, Parker said, they’ll be taking “Chief Wapello” on tour over the course of several weeks. The Walk on Art Street in September may be the first official appearance, while parades in towns around the county, Oktoberfest in Ottumwa and the Chief Wapello historic grave site near Agency are all likely places for an appearance.
By then, the restoration company should be ready to go to work. The supervisors have discussed putting the 11-foot-tall sculpture in the courthouse for a time, especially if the repair work is completed in winter.
As Parker carried the big boot off for safekeeping, he said residents have been very interested in the rescue and restoration. The tour and potential display, he said, will give them a rare chance to see “something so historical so close.”
Local News
Chief Wapello: Coming to an event near you
Rescue of foot brings full sculpture together for restoration and display
- Local News
-
-
To the Skies
OTTUMWA -- Ottumwans will turn their eyes to the sky this weekend as hot air balloons float above the city. The 36th annual Ottumwa Pro Balloon Races kicked off Wednesday night with carnival rides, Ottumwa Shrine Club's barbecue pork dinner, Ottumwa
-
Pheasant population outlook 'dismal'
OTTUMWA — Hunters may have some trouble finding pheasants this fall. Pheasant numbers are expected to decline this year, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "Following a harsh winter, which is what we had, combined either singly or
- Keosauqua council to consider hotel renovation project KEOSAUQUA — Owners of a Keosauqua business have approached the City Council in regards to a major project involving the Hotel Manning. John and Sonia Stookesberry have owned Village Cup and Cakes for the past 10 years and started Starwest Cable in th
- City to purchase radios, antennas OTTUMWA — New communications equipment will soon sit atop the Memorial Park water tower. At its meeting Tuesday night, the City Council approved the emergency purchase of new radios, antennas and related equipment to be secured on the water tower. Af
-
New communications tower assembled
OTTUMWA — Ottumwa's newest 250-foot structure was constructed in just more than four hours.
-
Storefronts to get a big facelift
OTTUMWA -- A fresh set of facades in one city block could build momentum for the revitalization of downtown Ottumwa. The city has received conditional approval for a $500,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's downtown master facade
-
Tenco productivity increases thanks to new equipment
OTTUMWA — There's nothing like good partners who team up and improve the world around them. Tenco Industries and John Deere Ottumwa Works have teamed up to improve the way Tenco workers handle all the containers they receive for recycling and other
-
Date set in Pam Ward retrial
A date has been set for the retrial of former Ottumwa Transit Authority Director Pam Ward.
-
SLIDESHOW: Communications tower assembled
Crews assembled the new 250-foot communications tower Tuesday in just more than four hours.
-
Body of Fairfield boy recovered
FAIRFIELD -- Authorities in Montana say they have recovered the bodies of a grandmother and two grandchildren after the car they were in rolled into the Clark Fork River, including that of a Fairfield resident. Authorities were called Friday after a
- More Local News Headlines
-



