History Documentation:
LETER ON GRAVE REMOVAL - June 14, 1924
Department of the Interior
United States Indian Service
Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation
Reserve, Wisconsin
June 14, 1924
Received Stamp June 16, 1924 – Hayward Indian School, Hayward Wisconsin
TO: Mr. James P. Ryder, Superintendent
Hayward Indian School
Hayward Wisconsin
Dear Mr. Ryder:
Enclosed herewith is a list of people buried on what was Tribal
Land at old Post, which had been flooded by the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light
and Power Company. I still have not heard from you with reference to our
telephone conversation, regarding a tract of land up north of old Post,
some claim there is a tract of land there and others claim that it is not.
If the tract is tribal land there are more graves on that tract, which
are not include in the list that is herewith enclosed.
George James of New Post has accused me of working for the Company in gathering up the names, and that I was getting a list of names to hinder the progress of the attorney who was hired by the Catholic Church, to look after the graves in the church cemetery. He has told a number of people this and it does not leave a good impression with the people there. What his idea was with reference to making this assertion, I do not know, I asked him what mistake I made in gathering the names enclosed and he stated he did not say anything to anybody about this matter, but Mr. Henry Thayer and some more told me he did. It is a hard enough matter to get at this thing without anybody trying to hinder them from giving these names. If you could come over sometime in the near future we might again see the parties that have given these names and ascertain whether they wanted them sent into the Office or not. This might avoid a misunderstanding in the future; if the attorney makes a report that he could not do anything for them on tribal land.
I am enclosing what names I have been able to collect.
Very respectfully,
George L. Gruber
Government Farmer
Reserve, Wisconsin
List of Graves on Tribal Land at Old Post
1. Son of Oganawijijib – Brother of Mr. Jockey
2. Ed LaRush – son Mrs. John LaRush
3. Pelky – daughter of Sophia LaRush Pelky
4. Hallie Bluesky – relative of Mrs. Alex James – daughter of Frank
Bluesky (deceased)
5. Lawrence Bluesky – relative of Mrs. Alex James – son of Frank Bluesky
(deceased)
6. Obaba – relatives of Antoine Mustache
7. John Connors – relatives of Antoine Mustache
8. Mrs. John Connors – relatives of Antoine Mustache
9. Ogamabines – relatives of Antoine Mustache
10. Owashequance – relatives of Antoine Mustache
11. Chizwiaw – grandparents of John and Sophia Mustache
12. Wife of Chizwiaw – grandparents of John and Sophia Mustache
13. Son of John Mustache – Grave staked
14. Josie Carrol Mustache – Grave staked
15. Soslin Nickins – Grandmother of Michael Nickins
16. Shabogijig – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave marked)
17. Wabiskewanab – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave marked)
18. Peter Shabogijig – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave marked)
19. Son of Shabogijig – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave marked)
20. Bashegoish – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave marked)
21. First son of Bashegoish – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave marked)
22. Second son of Bashegoish – relative of Mrs. Alex Slater (grave
marked)
23. Mark, son of Wabiskewanab and Bishiki – relative of Mrs. Antoine
Slater
24. John, son of Wabiskewanab and Bishiki – relative of Mrs. Antoine
Slater
25. Alex, son of Wabiskewanab and Bishiki – relative of Mrs. Antoine
Slater
26. Thomas, son of Wabiskewanab and Bishiki – relative of Mrs. Antoine
Slater
27. Francis, daughter of Wabiskewanab and Bishiki – relative of Mrs.
Antoine Slater
28. Mary Rose, daughter of Poskin and Peter Rose – relative of Mrs.
Antoine Slater
29. Willie LaRock, son of Bat LaRock and Obegijigokwe – relative of
Mrs. Antoine Slater
30. Kwagibawekwe – daughter of Aneqwe Bluesky
31. William Yankee Joe – no living relatives buried by Henry Thayer
32. Makingwan – relative of George Jockey
33. Ozamashequay – relative of George Jockey
34. Ogagiash – relative of George Jockey
These are all the names handed to me at the Post, but it is very probably that there are more they could not think of at this time.
Very respectfully,
George L. Gruber