Controversial Creek Name to Remain, For Now
By: Jacob Long & Andrew Barra, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: February 11, 2012
De PUE - The name of a controversial creek in Bureau County will be staying the same, at least for right now.
The creek runs between De Pue and Cherry. It's formal name is Negro Creek, after the county's first black settlers.
We told you last month how two groups of people are at odds over the creek's name.
Those groups came together Saturday in De Pue to try and come up with a compromise.
One side wants the creek's name changed, saying too many people refer to it using racial slurs.
The other side wants to leave the name alone because they say it has historical value.
Ultimately, no solution was finalized Saturday. However, both sides were able to reach some common ground.
They agree a sign should be put up stating the creek's name and detailing more about the county's first African Americans.
Chad Errio of Seatonville is against changing the creek's name. He said, "The area's got a really deep and rich history with the Underground Railroad and the Love-joy Homestead. Just to see everyone actually get together, and we may not agree on the issues at hand, but we are trying to work together to find something we think is the right thing."
Phillip Mol of De Pue started the push to rename Negro Creek. He said, "If it stays Negro Creek and a plaque goes up, that could be very acceptable to me. Really, the conversation I wanted to see started anyway is 'do people think about using the 'n-word'?"
Another meeting is in the works for this time next month.
If the creek's name were to change, it would require approval from the U.S. Geological Society.
The creek runs between De Pue and Cherry. It's formal name is Negro Creek, after the county's first black settlers.
We told you last month how two groups of people are at odds over the creek's name.
Those groups came together Saturday in De Pue to try and come up with a compromise.
One side wants the creek's name changed, saying too many people refer to it using racial slurs.
The other side wants to leave the name alone because they say it has historical value.
Ultimately, no solution was finalized Saturday. However, both sides were able to reach some common ground.
They agree a sign should be put up stating the creek's name and detailing more about the county's first African Americans.
Chad Errio of Seatonville is against changing the creek's name. He said, "The area's got a really deep and rich history with the Underground Railroad and the Love-joy Homestead. Just to see everyone actually get together, and we may not agree on the issues at hand, but we are trying to work together to find something we think is the right thing."
Phillip Mol of De Pue started the push to rename Negro Creek. He said, "If it stays Negro Creek and a plaque goes up, that could be very acceptable to me. Really, the conversation I wanted to see started anyway is 'do people think about using the 'n-word'?"
Another meeting is in the works for this time next month.
If the creek's name were to change, it would require approval from the U.S. Geological Society.
