The herald., 1898-12-24
-FOUR WAMPUM BELTS
THE SUBJECT OF A SUPREME
COURT SUIT
New York State University Naturally
Desires Possession Of the Ancient
Indian Relics

SYRACUSE, N. Y, Dec. pa wampum
case is on trial before Judge Frank S. His
cock in the Supreme Court. Four wam-
pun belts, which are the subject of the con-
troversy, were spread out on the attorneys
table. Heaps of documents and books &C
companied them.
John Boyd Thacher, former Mayor of Al.
bany, possessed the four wampums which
the plaintiffs are trying to obtain. The
most valuable is the Hiawatha belt, said to
commemorate the confederation by Hiawa-
tina in the sixteenth century of the five ma
tions now forming the Iroquois. The other
belts are supposed to symbolize other great
events in Indian history.
Mr.. Thacher bought the belts for $500
from Rev Oliver Crane of Boston. Mr.
Crane purchased them from General Henry
B. Darlington, who took the federal Indian
census in 1891. General Darlington got
them from the late Thomas Webster of the
Onondagas. Mr.. Thacher exhibited the
wampums at the Worlds Fair. Soon after
suit was brought against him in the name Of
the Onondaga nation by TehHes-La, an
Fort, and others of the tribe. The conten-
tion was that the wampums we're national
records and cousd no more properly be pur-
chased than marriage certificate on file in
county clerks office.
1t is said that the University of the State
of New York is really plaintiff in the suit
as it was last February voted official wan.
pum-keeper for the five nations. A bill Of
sale of all wampums in existence was given
at that time by the Indians to the university
which now has all the wampums, except the
four which Mr.. Thacher says he intends to
keep.
Washington's treaty with the Indians and
other points in their history are involved in
the suit. In arguing along this line Edward
Winslow Paige, attorney for the plaintiffs
referred to court of appeals decision that
records.
Gen. John S. Clark of Auburn, an arche.
ologist, was the only witness called by Mr.
Paige. General Clark testified that he was
told by Daniel La Fort and other Indians
that Chief Webster was the officiaD wan
pum-keeper and kept the belts under his
bed. John Delahanty Of Albany, attorney
for Mr.. Thacher, objected to this course and
declared that La Fort and others mentioned
should be brought to testifi to. the facts
which it was attempted to prove By General
Clark.
Mr.. Paige introduced the designation Of
the University of New York as wampum.
keeper, signed by representatives of all five
nations. Mr.. Desahanty objected that there
was no such official position as wampum.
keeper; that persons signing it had no right
to make the designation, and that they were
paid for SO doing, which invalidated the act
if it did mean anything. Mr. Paige also
introduced the bill of sale of the wampums
to the university for $500.
Mr. Delahanty thereupon moved to dis
miss the complaint. He said the Onondaga
nation had no standing in court and that the
individual Indian plaintiffs have no author.
ity to bring such suit. He took the posi-.
tion that the belts were ordinary chattels
and must be treated as such, but testim ony
was continued.
Rev. John Sanborn, who had charge Of