Hans Georg Gutekunst, A Williamson Revolutionary War Veteran and Rumors Concerning our Tie to Williamson, West Virginia.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

It is a Good Sunday in Pleasant Grove,
I spent far too long on the computer today puzzled over a statement written in a family history saying that our common Williamson grandfather (George Matthew Williamson) was the brother of Benjamin Williamson, the founder of Williamson West Virginia. You may have heard the same rumor at family gatherings.
Unfortunately that rumor is false. It it were true the barrier blocking further research along the Williamson name would be shattered. I traced the Williamson family that founded Williamson West Virginia and George Matthew is not listed anywhere as a family member.

That takes those of us that are tracing the family ancestry back to square one. We can't get beyond the parents of George Matthew. My dad (Charles) says my dilemma proves his point that this family of ours comes from outer space. Yes, his logical reasoning is slipping as he advances into his 70's :)

The next step is to have dad participate in a national Williamson DNA database search. We're going to take a swab from the inside of his mouth and have his DNA analyzed. It will be sent to a research organization hoping to trace the origins of the Williamson line. Dad hopes his DNA sequencing will prove he isn't of this Earth.

OK, with that said, we move on to today's other research. We have a family member that many of the older Williamson already know about who served in the Revolutionary War. He is my 5th Great Grandfather along the Williamson line as outlined below:

Hans Georg Gutekunst (B. 1732 Germany. D. 1784 Frederick County VA)
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Ann Mararetha Goodykootz
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Anabella Phlegar
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Margaret Ann Willis (Married to George Matthew Williamson)
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William J. Williamson
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The Nine Williamson Children
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Dad’s Generation (Charles Williamson)
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My Generation.

Hans George Gutekunst was born in Haiterback, Wurtemberg Germany on February 6, 1732. He landed at Philadelphia PA on September 29, 1750 on the ship “Osgood” under the command of William Wilkie. The ship sailed from Rotterdam after making a required stop at Cowes. There were 480 passengers. They took the oath of allegiance to the British Crown on the day of landing.

Hans George and his family eventually moved to Fredrick County, Virginia

The Revolutionary War Service of my generation’s 5th Great Grandfather Hans Georg Gutekunst.

On January 18, 1777 Hans George was in the 5th Company of the 2nd Battalion Commanded by Capt. Peter Trexler Jr. of the Northampton Penn. Militia. The returns show that the Battalion marched from Northampton on January 4, 1777 and on January 18, 1777 was again ready for the march to Col. Geiger’s Camp.

On August 16, 1777 Hans George took the oath of Allegiance (Under PA statute) to the new colonial government. On May 14, 1778 he was in the 3rd Battalion, Northampton Militia commanded by Col. Geo. Breinig and Capt. John Morritz. On August 4, 1778 he was in Capt. Peter Trexler’s company.

Of course with this information all members of our family are eligible to join the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution.

Well, its time to move on to other things before I lose this day off completely.

Simply,
Victor

Life in Rapid City in the Early 1960's

Charles and Luella Williamson lounge on the sofa in 1966. Luella was 27. Charles was 30.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Saturday's Virtual Family Reunion

Hello to Everyone!
Welcome to tonight's virtual family reunion. I've got the WayBack Machine set to the early 1960's. We'll travel to Rapid City South Dakota to visit the Charles Williamson family living at 39 East Signal Drive in a two bedroom duplex on a hilltop overlooking Robinsdale. We had a room with a view!

Joining the Williamson's will be their good friends, the Soderquists.

This picture was taken when Janice and Jon were, well I'm not a very good judge of infant's ages but I'd say they were 6 months? So this would have been sometime in the winter or spring of 1966. Luella says Janice is the baby on the left. Jon is next to her and the third infant is a Soderquist baby. I remember that carpet to this day. It was rose colored with a leaf pattern.
Strange the things you remember.


Here we are in a heavily staged photograph. I'm on the left holding Jon. I'm five, nearly six. Soderquist child one is next. Two / three year old Kevin comes in at the third position wearing his cowboy boots. He's holding Soderquist baby two. Kim is on the far right holding Janice. Doesn't she look the demon in this picture? Yikes........ This is one of those rare pictures that captured Kim's darker side. She could be a real sweetheart if treated right, but if you crossed her you'd better run because she wouldn't stop the hunt until you were hurt. I think this picture captures that mood nicely.

Here we are in front of our duplex. Don't you find the cars interesting? This picture was taken in the summer of 1966. You see Kim and I in the background. Kevin is standing next to a Soderquist boy. Kevin is in the blue/white trunks.

Yes, that's me reacting to the ice cold sprinkler water. Yes, you guessed it. Water was colder in those days :)

The young lady on the left belonged to the Soderquists. Jon sits next to her with Janice at the end. Jon is captivated by the flash of the bulb. He was easily distracted and accident prone, a real menace to himself and others for sure. Janice has her hands in her mouth. I'm guessing she's found some tasty bit of lint off the carpet considering everything she got her hands on went straight into that black hole.

And finally as we leave this happy gathering we pause to say goodbye to the children that are permanently stuck to the sofa. A Soderquist child sits on the left. Then me with the cute smile doing my best to outdo my sister Kim next to me. Try as I did I was never able to steal the adjective "cute" from her. Her smile beat mine by every comparison. I was OK with that but that didn't keep me from trying from time to time. I have to laugh at Kim's hair do. That is the mid 60's for you. Kevin sits on the far right.

Hoping this finds everyone well. I've just returned from another camp. I'm tired and tend to drift off while typing but doing well myself. The weather is beautiful in the valley as the sun sets on this Saturday evening.

Simply,
Victor

The Williamson's, Pioneers of Crook County Wyoming

William and Effie's Wedding Picture. February 11, 1887

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
I'm just about to drive down the hill to the school to get things ready for the Space Center's weekly overnight camp program. Before I leave I thought I'd post this to the blog. It is a short biography on William Jonathan Williamson written by granddaughter, Carol Stephenson, for inclusion in a book titled Crook County Pioneers published by members of Wyoming Historical Society.
For a refresher on the family line:

George Matthew Williamson and Margaret Ann Willis
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William Jonathan Williamson and Effie Victor
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Their 9 children from which we make our extended Williamson family.

And now cousin Carol's article:

W.J. and Effie Victor Williamson became acquainted when their families both lived and farmed near Corning, Iowa in the late 1880's. He was the eldest son of George and Margaret Willis Williamson. They married February 13, 1887 and soon after came to the Black Hills, Dakota Territory to find their fortune. They became parents of nine children, five girls, Vennie, Della, Inez, Ethel and Josie, and boys, Emmett, Walter, Charles and Maurice. Eventually George and Margaret followed their son out west where homesteads were established by both families just west and south of Rapid City, South Dakota. In the early 1900's they relocated to the Sundance, Wyoming area where W.J. began his lifetime work as a grocer. He bought into the firm of Davies and Purvis in 1913 and later was employed by the Rochdale Company where he ran a grocery in Buelah for several years. In 1927 he opened his own grocery and filling station located at West and Cleveland streets. The Sundance Times printed this on December 22, 1927 regarding W.J. and his Westside Grocery. "Genial W.J. Williamson always meets his customers with a pleasant voice no matter when, how or where and it will pay you to look in on him for one of the famous cakes he has recently stocked." After serving several years as city councilman as well as school board treasurer, W.J. was elected Mayor of Sundance. His tenure was two terms. The newspaper reported in 1928 "that Mayor Williamson and his council have conducted the governmental affairs of Sundance in a conservative and business-like manner to further the welfare of the city and its citizens." His daughter Josie served as clerk of the city council and later as clerk of the District Court. Walter followed W.J. into the grocery business with a store in Deadwood, South Dakota. Charles and Maurice were salesmen for a wholesale grocery firm. Emmett ran a well-known bakery in Custer, S.D. The Sundance Times reported W.J.'s death on December 14, 1934 from cancer. Effie kept the grocery open for two more years and then sold it. Her final years were spent with daughter Vennie in Spearfish, S.D. She passed away April 9, 1944. They rest together next to his parents in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Sundance. They can be included as pioneer members of Crook County but are remembered by their families as hard working, civic-minded, yet fun-loving residents of Sundance. A family reunion held July 2007 in Spearfish brought together over 200 descendants from all over the country.

George and Margaret Williamson's Missing Child and Civil War Service.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Tonight from the Fortress overlooking a rainy valley and overcast sky I bring you additional information on our common ancestor George Matthew Williamson, father of William Jonathan Williamson.

George Matthew Williamson (Great Great Grandparent)
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William Jonathan Williamson
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The Nine Williamson Children (Charles was my Grandfather)
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Charles Williamson
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Me

In the family reunion book The Williamson Legacy, it says that George and Margaret had 13 children but only 10 are known. My goal tonight was to try to locate the three missing children. We know that William (our common grandfather) was the second eldest. We have a record of this large family in the 1880 US Census. The actual entry in the Census form for our family is below (click on the image to enlarge).

Click to Enlarge

Here you'll count 10 children. According to the family book George and Margaret. My next stop in this search for our missing Great uncles or aunts was the next US Census I could find a listing of George and Margaret - the 1860 Census when the family lived in Illinois. The image of the actual page from the Census is below:

Click to Enlarge

Yes, there is a missing child. You'll see Selina as the eldest, then William and there he is, our missing relative - Abraham, only 2 months old. We must assume then that Abraham died as a child. That leaves two more to find.

One other thing of interest in tonight's post. I found a South Dakota record from the year 1900
listing Civil War veterans living in the Black Hills (for the federal pension). This is the page listing George as a Civil War Vet.

Click to Enlarge

You'll see his name on the top of the page listed on the 12th line. Then look at the very bottom and match two 12th lines. In George's description you'll read that he was "wounded badly in the right arm, badly disabled".

I'm wondering if anyone in the family has information on his Civil War Service. We know from the 1860 census that George and Margaret (age 26 and 25) were married with three children. We must assume that George fought on the Union side (considering he was living in Illinois) and that he left his family to fight.

Any other information?

Simply,
Victor

The Cunningham Clan Will Gather in September.

From the Fortress of Solitude

Pleasant Grove.

Hello Clan,

A quick post tonight celebrating our tie to the Cunningham Scottish Clan through our 8th Great Grandmother Elizabeth Cunningham. The link to me, and therefore you, follows:

Elizabeth Cunningham 1680-1746 (8th Great Grandmother)
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John Hunter
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Martha Hunter
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Ann Williams
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Martha Cantwell
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Frances George
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Eldora Elizabeth Fiddler
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Walter Edwin Pierce
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Violet Mattson
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Luella

to
Me

The Following is a Letter to All Members of the Cunningham Clan:

Clan Cunningham International Unites World Members 

Welcoming Cunningham descendants from around the world, the Board of Directors of Clan Cunningham USA has unanimously voted to change the name of its organization to Clan Cunningham International (CCI). The change is effective immediately. The Board considered the resolution after consultations with the Court of the Lord Lyon, members of The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, several Cunningham armigers and interested Cunninghams outside the United States. The two leading candidates for Chief (family head) of Clan Cunningham have also endorsed this new venture. 

“It is exciting to be part of a growing and vibrant Clan Cunningham organization that is forward thinking and always looking to promote our shared heritage,” said David Pickens, President of Clan Cunningham International. 

During the Clan’s recent trip to The Gathering in Scotland, it became clear that Cunninghams living outside the United States wanted to see the current organization expand to include a wider audience. As a result, Clan Cunningham International was born. 

“The quickest vehicle to accomplish this request was a Board Resolution to change our name to welcome international members. It will give members of Clan Cunningham anywhere in the world an organization to join in celebration of our great heritage. It will also allow our genealogical base to grow and cover Cunningham lines from around the globe,” said Steve Cunningham, Vice President of Clan Cunningham International. Steve Cunningham was in charge of studying the proposal and made the recommendation to the Board. 

Key Scottish leaders, both at home and abroad, have endorsed the former Clan Cunningham USA as the preeminent Cunningham organization needed to lead Clan Cunningham to an international level. CCI has; therefore, adopted a By-Laws Committee for the purpose of transitioning the organization from a national to international platform. Members of the committee will include members of the new Clan Cunningham International (CCI, formerly CCUSA), members of the Clan Cunningham Society of America (CCSA), and Cunningham armigers from England and Scotland. 

Clan Cunningham International welcomes all Cunningham descendants and friends to join this new and exiting organization. For more information, please contact clancunninghamintl@gmail.com

Clan Cunningham International
United Worldwide - Together Worldwide
Join our Worldwide Family!

Information on the Clan Gather...........

Come To The Highlands of New Hampshire!

Clan Cunningham International Triennial Meeting

September 17, 18, & 19, 2010

Come to the Triennial Gathering of Clan Cunningham and business meeting of Clan Cunningham International, September 17, 18, 19, 2010 at the NH Highland Games in Lincoln, New Hampshire. The NH Highland Games is the largest gathering of Scots within the New England region and takes place over a three day period in September. Last year more than 60 Scottish Clans and other organizations along with 30 pipe bands were in attendance, including the Colum Cille Pipes & Drums of Cape Cod who wear the Cunningham Modern tartan.

Every three years Clan Cunningham gathers to celibate their common heritage, renew old acquaintances, make new ones, and set the agenda for the next three years. At the business meeting on Saturday afternoon, we will be voting on Bylaw changes and electing Officers for the next three years.

The next gathering of the Clan will take place in 2013 out in California so if you live close to the Northeast, here is your opportunity to attend a Clan Gathering close to home.

The Northeast Regional Tri-Annual Meeting Committee is already hard at work planning for this event. If you would like to volunteer to assist the Committee, please contact Steve Cunningham at ccusane@comcast.net

Preliminary Schedule of Events

Friday, September 17th

l 8:30 AM Set-up the Clan Cunningham Tent and Reception Center in the Clan Village

l 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM NH Highland Games Open

l 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Cocktail Reception (free) – Steve & Bonnie Cunningham’s Condo

(RSVP acceptance only to: ccusane@comcast.net )

Saturday, September 18th

l 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Games Open

l 11:00 AM Clan Parade & Roll Call – Gather at the Clan Cunningham Tent @ 10:45 AM

l 12:00 PM Opening Ceremonies & Massed Pipe Bands

l 3:00 PM Clan Cunningham International Business Meeting – Clan Cunningham Tent

l 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Clan Cunningham Dinner – Green House Room Beacon Resort, Lincoln, NH

$35 per person. Entertainment - Colum Cille Pipes & Drums of Cape Cod, highland dancing and maybe a surprise or two! (RSVP by 9/1/10 to Steve Cunningham ccusane@comcast.net )

Sunday, September 19th

l 10:00 PM – 4:00PM NH Highland Games Open

l 10:00 AM Worship Services – Kirkin’ O’ Tartans

l 4:00 PM Closing Ceremonies – Time to say good-byes

For a complete list of activities and entertainers at the 2010 NH Highland Games visit their web-site.

Area Hotels:

The Beacon Resort - 1-800-258-8934

Comfort Inn & Suites - 1-888-589-8112

Franconia Notch Motel - 603-745-2229

Indian Head Resort - 603-745-8000

Visit NH Scot for a complete list of area accommodations. Rooms book fast so don't put it off!

Grandma Mattson's Early Life

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Dear Clan,
I've spent the last several posts working on the Williamson line so I decided to return to the Mattson side of the family for a few posts.

This is Grandma Violet Mattson when her name was Violet Mae Pierce. Luella thinks Violet is two in this picture. The picture was taken in Rapid City. Violet was born in Torrington Wyo. in 1918. Her brother's name was Walter. He's the little blond boy next to her. He was three years her senior. They were the only children born to Great Grandma Vesta Dennis Pierce and Great Grandpa Walter Pierce.
Violet and Walter always referred to each other as Brother and Sister. They never called each other by their names.


This is a picture of Violet's father, our Great Grandfather Walter Pierce. They separated when Violet was around three years old. Walter disappeared from their lives until Violet was five years old. He came to visit when she had her tonsils removed. After that he out of their lives completely. News of his death arrived in 1956. He was living in Sunnyside Washington when he died.

Violet's mother Vesta, was a single mother with two children in the early 1920's. There were very few opportunities for women at that time. The family moved from Wyoming to Rapid City where Vesta worked as a waitress. Their first home in Rapid City was a chicken coop. Sometimes they wouldn't have any food. Violet and Walter Junior would make gravy with just flour and water. That's all they had to eat. Because of those dire times, Vesta took her two children in tow and moved into several homes where she would become the housekeeper for single male homesteaders in Montana. It wasn't easy but Vesta was able to keep food on the table and a roof over her children's heads.

Violet remembers her childhood wasn't ideal by any stretch of the imagination. Violet was treated well by Vesta's employeers but her brother Walter wasn't. He was another mouth to feed. Vesta may have kept house for up to five different ranchers during this time.

In the mid 1920's Vesta kept house for Henry Deaver at his ranch 2 miles outside of Pinele Montana. They ended up getting married. Violet and Walter attended the one room school house in Pinele. Pinele was about one mile from the Mattson Ranch. Violet Pierce and Walter Mattson met each other while they attended the one room school.

Violet could out run everybody in the school, including the older boys. They made her stop running in the competitions because she could beat everyone. She loved to sing and play the piano.

The Depression hit in the 1930's accompanied by the terrible drought (the dust bowl). Vesta would hang clothes out to dry and return to find them eaten by grasshoppers. The grasshoppers were eating the fence posts they were so hungry.

The Deaver family of Henry, Vesta, Violet and Water moved from Montana to Pamoana California about the time Violet was 16.


In this picture you see Great Grandma Vesta and her two teenage children, Walter and Violet. This picture may have been taken in California.

Luella is talking non stop and I'm running out of time so I'll wrap this post up with more stories to follow at another time.

Simply,
Victor

A Possible Breakthrough in one of the Williamson's Greatest Mysteries.

This Picture of George and Margaret came from the Williamson Legacy Book
Obtained at the Family Reunion

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

I’ve been looking into the Willamson family line for several weeks now. Every time I do I run into the same problem. Our Williamson name begins and ends with George Matthew Williamson’s parents, Matthew and Selina Williamson.

We know that George was Born on the 15th of October, 1834 in Lynchburg VA. He was married to Margaret Ann Willis.

My dad (Charles) tells me that his searches for the parents of Matthew Williamson (George's dad) have proven fruitless. It seems we’ve drawn a blank. So, without a direct line to trace I start looking to secondary evidence to find the ancestors with our Williamson name.
Today I may have come across something and would like to present it for your opinions.

Cuthbert Williamson

There is history of a certain Cuthbert Williamson who lived and died in Charlotte County, Va., near Rough Creek.

Evidence 1:

Notice how close Rough Creek (A) is to Lynchburg VA.

As you can see, Rough Creek Virginia is very close to Lynchburg where our ancestor George Williamson was born in 1834. Given that people rarely travelled great distances in the early 1800’s, and knowing the name Williamson is not that common of a name (check your phone book and you’ll see) I’m thinking that this Cuthbert may be related in some way - although not directly but indirectly.

Cuthbert Williamson was born near Richmond VA about 1740 and in 1765 purchased land in Charlotte County, again near Lynchburg. Curthbert had 16 children 14 of whom married. His first wife is thought to have been Miss Price. He had three children by his first marriage, John, Rebecca and Elizabeth. His second wife was a Miss White, and by this wife he had the following children:- Charles, Mary, Martha, Nancy, Samuel, Cuthbert, Susan, Kate Francis, William B., Daniel M., Matthew and Sallie; Kate died young, unmarried; Sallie died when a child.
(Evidence 2: Cuthbert had a son named Matthew)

More on this Williamson Family History

John Williamson, a descendant of Sir Joseph Williamson, came to Virginia and settled opposite Jamestown. 1st. John Williamson, born 1687, married Rebecca Chamberlayne. They had three sons, Thomas, John and Cuthbert.

Now the Cuthbert born around 1740 was most likely the son of Cuthbert mentioned above. Again I’m going with reasoning (since there is nothing else to go on at the moment). Even if Cuthbert isn’t directly on our line, then surely the John Williamson who came to Virginia and settled near Jamestown must be considering this Willaimson line came to Virginia around 1630.
From the Jamestown area the many members of the family settled near Rough Creek, which we’ve already established as very close to Lynchburg, home of our Williamson line.

OK, what do you think of my reasoning so far? Would you agree?

I’m doing more research on this line of Williamson's and will continue to post new developments. Perhaps we have a breakthrough and can finally, although perhaps without ever finding absolute proof that this is our Williamson line, trace our family line back to England.

Fingers Crossed,

Simply,
Victor

The Weather from the Pleasant Grove

Pleasant Grove Weather for Sunday
Written in the English Style :)

As you slept snow accumulated to the depth of one inch in most places around the Shire. Temperatures will struggle into the 40's by your mid day meal. Decreasing snow in the P.M. with a darkened sky into evening. Wind is hushed with whispers at times.
Enjoy your Sunday.

Family News of Interest

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Dear Clan,
Ashly is back on Dancing with the Stars! Ashly Costa is the daughter of Kim Williamson Delgrosso, Grandaughter of Charles and Luella and Great Granddaughter of Charles Williamson.
She is rehearsing with Buzz Aldrin (second man to walk on the moon) in New Zealand at the moment. The press release is below. Be sure to watch the show and vote for Ashly.

Simply,
Victor

DANCING WITH THE STARS - BUZZ ALDRIN - Astronaut, scientist/inventor, bestselling author, advocate for man's future in space, Buzz Aldrin is considered one of the greatest heroes of space exploration. He partners up with ASHLY COSTA (formerly DelGrosso), who returns for her fourth season. The all-new cast of celebrities and their professional partners hit the dance floor on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" with the highly anticipated two-hour season premiere, MONDAY, MARCH 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/RICK ROWELL) BUZZ ALDRIN, ASHLEY COSTA

Recent Family News of Interest

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

This is Bob's newest painting finished over Christmas. Bob is married to Lisa Williamson Coronato, daughter of Charles and Luella and granddaughter to Charles Williamson. His commentary of the painting is below.

Russell Means
Lakota name: Oyate Wacinyapi "Works for the people"
"An upside down flag is an international signal of distress... now we, the Indian nations, are in distress. I will wear this flag upside down as long as my people are in distress!" R. Means
by Bob Coronato
size 36 5/8 74 1/4
Oil on Canvas

I have been researching and planning this painting for over 10 years. I First heard about Russell Means when I moved into the Black Hills and learned how much controversy there was around him in the "Hills". There were some that viewed him negatively and there were those that held him as a hero. I wanted to learn more for myself because it was a dramatic chapter in the history of the west that took place in my lifetime. With the rise of AIM, the American Indian movement, was critical in changing the lives of many. The armed Siege of Wounded Knee in 1973, was truly the last of the Indian Wars, and Russell and several hundred others along with him, fought the Government in a armed stand off, prepared to die as free people, just as there ancestors had.
I was inspired 15 years ago by my best friend, and artist Tom Waugh, who talked about Russell Means, Dennis Banks, The yellow Thunder case and all the different American Indian Movement activities. Tom was closely related to that time because he was married at the time to a woman that was Sioux and involved with AIM, and he was the chief of police at Hot Springs at the time of AIMs rise. He had valuable insights into both sides of the conflicts, and protests. Tom was First law enforcement on the scene of the federal Agents murder, and fired upon at Jumping Bulls Camp. Tom boxed, partied, and lived with AIM members and others that were closely related to the people involved with wounded knee 2. This first hand resource was inspiring to me, and He encouraged me to follow my heart, research the subject and paint about that time. As I traveled with him through different saloons in the Black Hills, heard the stories, met the people involved, I wanted to record in paint some of the leaders of this movement.
I began to research in-depth the entire AIM movement, I really wanted to meet Russell Means and paint his portrait. I didn't want to paint him as an "Pop Icon" like Andy Warhol, but as a revolutionary and important leader of his people, in a traditionl portrait.
Tom and I have an American Indian Museum in Hulett Wyoming, and we started a section in our museum dedicated to AIM. As I searched out Artifacts from the time, and followed the path to finding things from the Wounded Knee takeover in 1973, I met and talked to lots of the individuals involved on both the Feds side and AIM. eventually AIM members came in to see it and shared there thoughts. It created quite a stir, and evoked many passionate conversations pro and con, depending on the person. This was very valuable in understanding the time, the struggle and what changes were made.
Russell Means as well as others in the movement, stood up for unfair racism, and abuses against Indians and made definitive stands against the tierney of the cops, government, racist judges and citizens who felt that Indians were second class. Meeting the people involved gave me a very clear view of how the events of the 70's and the American Indian Movement had a very deserved place in history of the West. Russell Means is one of a group of people who really changed the way American Indians are treated.
The Black Hills of SD/Wyo is the heart of the Lakota lands, their "sacred lands" and living there in a time that is only 100 + years after it was Indian only, gives me a very clear picture of what developments the last 100 years brought. Wounded knee in 1890, is memories of the grandparents of the people currently living on pine ridge. The stories and wounds are still felt. Even as an outsider, I run into people that share stories and have strong feelings about the entire mishandling of the Indian People.
I was very persistent, and passionate about researching and digging for info, even going to remote places in the Hills to find people involved, meet with anyone that had an opinion about what transpired and even getting my nose broke around 2008. I remember one time in 2007 breaking a guys nose in the Ponderosa Saloon because I was talking to some people about AIM and how I was very excited because I just found a 30-30 carbine used at wounded knee 1973 and how I would incorporate it in a painting. I bought the gun from a family member of the owners of the wounded knee trading post that got burned down buy AIM, and I dug it out of a trunk, in a old barn, still with the FBI tags on it from the court case. Apparently the subject is still touchy and some cowboy didn't think it was something to paint about and away we went.
If Russell was not completely appreciated in this era because the fresh feelings of those hurt by the armed rise of AIM, surely, history would hold him in high regard.
I finally tracked down Russell and shared in an e mail my desire to paint him in a traditional manner as a important historical figure. It took several years, but eventually I got an invite to come to his house and prepare for a portrait. I had to drive to his house on Pine Ridge because he had an arrest warrant in Rapid City at the Time. We talked for a few hours about politics, reservation life, and what kind of thoughts that I had for the portrait. Russell seemed worried that I wanted to put him in a war bonnet and paint him as if he was living 100 years ago. I explained how I would use imagery that was very specific to "his time." He said to me "Im a late 20th century Indian" and "that's how I want to be portrayed." I was on the same page, and incorporated the traditional vest, hair pipe choker and the watch as the description of his time. Russell grew up in a time when as a kid, they still used horse and wagons on the reservation, (he was born 1939) elders who remembered the old ways were still alive, and he had seen tremendous change from the time of the elders, to the current. He was sending a tweet out on his twitter page as we talked. He is in a Limbo of those that grew up in a time where few traditional practices were left because of the governments attempts to squelch a people and a time where some had the desire to return to the some more traditional ways. The watch and tee shirt describe how Indians are not the idea of old Hollywood westerns or to be thought of as "in the past" but a people very much of today, and with a rich history.
The L.A. Times referred to Russell Means as the most important American Indian since Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. If your not familiar with all the things he helped change along with the other members of AIM, I highly recommend his Autobiography Where White men fear to tread. He inspired and lead people to stand up be proud to be Indian, and fought for the rights of All Indian people. After years of fighting the uphill battle of many of the injustices, and failures of the U.S. government, AIM made some strong headway to improving how Indian people are treated today. His Life is one of sacrifice, giving up freedom, personal relationships, family and selflessly fight for the rights of Indian people. although the situation still needs to be improved His efforts have had great impact for posative change.
In 1972 in Gordon Nebraska, Russell remembered how in high school he had done a report that described how the upside down flag was used by the navy as a distress signal, and in a AIM protest he decided to wear it and hang all the flags in town upside down, as AIM went there to protest the miss-handleing of the murder of an Indian, where the police were going to mearly slap the wrist of the white boy that killed him. This upside down flag left such an impression it soon became a symbol of AIM and was used everywhere they went. I said to Russell "you got approached by a woman that thought it was anti government and you explained how it was a signal of distress and that your people were in distress" I asked how he felt today.....
He looked out the window of his house at Porcupine and with a saddend voice said, "my people are still suffering." I asked if he would wear the flag for the portrait, and he agreed.
The failures of the US government have not been fully addressed or repaired, but Aim, Russell means, Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt and many others started many policy's that have lead to more freedoms and sovereignty for Indian nations around the country. AIM demanded that the Us government honor, and live up to its own laws, treaties and agreements with its people.
The ideas of AIM were critical in changing the oppressive ways that were excepted in the early 1900's up until the 1970's. Russell and Aim fought then and he fights today for the government to allow the Indian people to be "free and independant, free to be responsible"
In the words of Chief Joseph, the credo of the American Indian Movement and words held dear to Russell Means,... Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade were I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk , think and act for myself--- and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.
It was a highlight in my life to meet, become friends with and paint one of a few revolutionaries in US history. A true icon and leader Russell means is a person that history will hold in high regard.
All Rights Reserved to the Artist
Bob Coronato