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
Related Photos
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Wapello County Supervisor Jerry Parker thanks city firefighters for recovering Chief Wapello’s foot. That will allow restoration to commence on the popular sculpture. Mark Newman/The Courier
Chief Wapello: Coming to an event near you
Rescue of foot brings full sculpture together for restoration and display
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