"White Man's Quackery" Key Ring

Native American tribes have often had their names and reputation linked with bogus and underhanded schemes to defraud others of their money. The Kickapoo company is perhaps the best-known of all the Indian medicine companies. Steward Holcomb, in his book, The Golden Age of Quackery, devotes an entire chapter to this company and its famous Indian Medicine shows. As much as has been written, it is surprising that so little is known about the beginnings and fate of the largest Indian medicine company. Under the auspicious names and the management of Healy and Bigelow, two con men of the day, the business flourished. At one point they got the idea of putting on medicine shows. They employed Indians, supposedly Kickapoo's, to tour the country demonstrating Indian life, and selling the medicines. It has been estimated that as many as three hundred Indians were living in the "principal wigwam" the winter quarters, in New Haven in the late 1880's. The Wigwam was located at 521, 523, and 525 Grand Ave., which is now Connecticut Route 22.