jun 27, 1959 - Statements to the Comittee

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June 27. Descendants of the Wyandotte Indians and persons from throughout Kansas City urged retention of Huron cemetery as a burial ground and historic Monument. Chief Lawrence Zane of the Wyandotte tribe of Oklahoma said that the Oklahoma Wyandottes were not concerned about who purchased the ground as long as they were compensated for it. Under questioning by the committee, he declined to elaborate on the tribe's position, saying only that the law provided for the sale. "I did not come here to rehash what has already been said," he declared. Following the reading of his statement, Chief Lawrence Zane and the six other representatives of the Oklahoma tribe left the hearings. With this exception, the 100 persons present favored preservation of the historic burial ground. (WNK)

1959 Chief George Zane, Chief of the Wyandotte Nation of Kansas, said, "let the dead rest in peace." He said that he felt that he had as much right to say what happens to the cemetery as any of the Oklahoma Wyandottes, many of whom have never seen the cemetery." He is a cousin of the Chief of the Wyandotte tribe, but was not included in the roll. He added, "I don't think the government did a very good job of establishing the roll. Descendants of persons buried in the cemetery challenged the federal register roll of the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma as being incomplete, alleging they were not advised of the roll's being undertaken until it was too late to make an application. (WNK)

Clifford B. Zane told the committee: "It is a terrible thing the government is putting on us. I have three sons, a father, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother buried there. I don't think there is a person in this room who would like to see his relatives dug up." (WNK)

Frank A. Northrup pronounced himself "unalterably opposed to the sale of the cemetery." (WNK)

Mrs. Edith Yunghans remarked "I am here to represent the dead of mine who are in the cemetery. It was hallowed ground to them. It was where they went to commune with their God. I hope someday that I can go lie down beside them. " (WNK)

In response to a question by Haley, several in the audience stated they wished to be buried in the cemetery. K.C. Times and K.C.Kansan (WNK)
Ralph A. Fulton, a funeral director, told the committee the cost of moving the bodies in a respectable manner would be about $300 each. He added that present-day requirements of the board of health concerning permits for reburial would be almost impossible to meet. It was estimated that 400 Wyandots died of communicable diseases and were simply wrapped in blankets and placed in unmarked graves. (only the graves of chiefs were marked in the early days) K. C. Kansan. (WNK)

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