On Oct. 6, day 33 of the forced march from their Indiana homeland, 850 Potawatomi Indians camped nearby after traveling 18 miles that day. Because the barren land allowed only one choice for encampment, the site was named Hobson's Choice. Water along the route was found only in stagnant ponds. Beef and potatoes were the evening rations. A child died that evening, one of 40 people lost to typhoid and stress during the 660 mile march to Kansas.