Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-08
JOHN SMITH, .
OLDEST INDIAN,
PASSES AWAY
"Chief Wrinkled Meat Sue.
curnbs to Pneumonia at
Age of 1877 Years.

Cass Lake, Mimi, Feb. S.-Arrange-
n were to be completed today for
the funeral of Ga-be-Nah-Gewn-
'Wonce, Chippewa Indian said to have
been 1877 years old. who died here
yesterday.
It is planned to hold services in the
Catholic church here Thursday. The
aged Indian, also known as "Wrinkled
Meat" and John Smith, joined the
church several years ago. According
to present plans there will be only
simple services with no Indian cere-
monies.
Wrinkled Meat died. not of old age,
but Of pneumonia contracted a week
ago. When the end came he lay on
the floor. holding out to the last
against being placed in a bed, which,
he contended, was no place for a
husky warrior.
Most Of his life was spent in north
ern Minnesota in the vicinity of Cass
Lake and his birthplace near what Is
now Pokegama.
For 100 years of his life he had
been married, having had eight wives.
The only survivor, however. is Tom
Smith, a step-son, at whose home he
died.
Cass Lake. Mimi, Feb. S.-Ga-Be-
tNAh-Gewn-Wonce, also known as
ooAAA oAAAASA " SoAPRS"o AA~A0A -
puted to be 1877 years old, died here
Tuesday after q weeks illness with
pneumonia.
Smith. whose Indian name meant
"wronkled meat" had been very ac-
tive in late years. A year ago ne be-
came totally blind, blu his mind re-
NAMED clear to the last and he often
recalled the days when he was q scout
for the Chippewas in the wars with
| thn Gi0VNv H0 o1So opno~ hQraH
events of the war of 1912. One of
his boasts was hat he had never
fought against the white man.
Up to four years ago he had never
visited a big city. His first trip Of
this kind was to the Twin Cities.
Later he visited the automobile show
At Chicago.
A year and a half ago he returned
to the north wood Of Minnesota to
in Lake Of the Woods in the same
waters hat he fished more than a
century ago
Observation-Disclosures had been
married eight times. He had no chill
dren and the only survivor is Tom
Smith, an adopted son, with whom,
he lived.
Funeral Thursday.
Funeral services will be held here
Thursday at the local Catholic
church, which he Joined eight years
ago. There will be no tribal .cere-
monies.
orally known among the white people
was active until six months ago, since
(which time he had not been seen out
side his adopted sons house. Before
that time,she had made it a practice
TO meet all trains entering the village
and offer postal cards for sale.
He claimed to have met the School
craft nj Cass exploration party
i which passed through hero about 10t
OF the name Of b lake. then know
: Is Red Cedar Lake to Cass Lake, II
honor Of one OF the leaders. of thu
; expedition.
!, Was . Movie Star" f.
Two years ago he took the centra
part in moving pictures taken Of In
Ga-Be-Nah-G ewn- Wonce." an which
have been exhibited all over tn
United States.
Soon after prohibition was put int,
? effect, some bootleggers sold .Old
Indian" what they claimed to be
quartet whtskey, but which provet
: to be water. "Old Indian did no
j gay aIyvNAI18, UuL I1ESc llONlOS -laLS
the same b~ootleggers purchased i.
hind quarter OF "venizon" from him
: This turned out to be a portion OF al
Oh old horse. belonging to John, tina
4 had died.
To illustrate his vitality, it is re
I lated that seven years ago, when 10
years Of age. the ""O1d Indian" wa
knocked down by q aW:tch engin
while crossing . railroad track. III
injuries confined him to hospita
= for only three weeks, after which Ii
9 suffered no i'll effects.
He was born at Rokegama.efu Pin
9 county. rss
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