Bio: Carimon, George Greengrass
Poster: Lani Bartlett
Email: prolixiam@sbcglobal.net
 

George Greengrass Carimon

George Greengrass Carimon was born about 1853 and was a member of the Winnebago Indian Tribe. He lived around the Dells Dam area. On 9 Aug 1934 he was severely beaten in a brutal assault by Harry Swallow and suffered a possible skull fracture, and severe bruises to his eyes and mouth. He was treated at the Krohn Clinic in Black River Falls, WI and moved to the home of Pete Pettibone at Dells Dam. His condition worsened during the night when he began bleeding from his right ear and he was taken to the hospital at Neillsville, WI and placed under the care of Dr H.W. Housley. Mr. Greengrass Carimon said he had no idea of the reason for the attack. Mr. Swallow about 35 years old was locked up in the Clark County Jail and Mrs. Ruth Blackhawk age 22 was said to have been a witness to the attack.

George Greengrass Carimen died 2 March 1936 at the age of 82,at Neillsville Hospital, Neillsville, Clark Co, WI. He was one of the oldest Winnebago’s in the area, having been born on the banks of the Black River, south of Neillsville and lived in the area all of his life.

He was also very religious and in the summer of 1934 when the drought was at its’ worst he said that in running his memory back over 70 years he had never seen so destructive a drought. He held to the theory that mankind; especially the white race had become so puffed up with pride of their accomplishments and had forgotten their dependence upon God that the drought had been sent to humble their pride.

His wide died many years before him and a son James Carimon, who served overseas during WW I and had been gassed on the battlefield had died a few years later. He left a widow and and a young son. Government insurance left by James Carimon to his father had kept him in Comfortable circumstances till his death.

About five weeks before his death he had become ill and was cared for at the Neillsville Hospital until his death. Burial took place in the Indian Cemetery near Dells Dam with the Indian ceremony being used. respecting his wished his body was wrapped in deerskins and a hole made through the rough box and coffin so that the spirits could enter with food. The funeral rites included four days of feasting, friends of Mr. Greengrass assembling each evening to feast at sundown and eulogize his memory. On the fourth evening the feast and services lasted all night with the men playing cards and other games while the women spent the evening in visiting.

The obituary also stated “”During the Worlds’ Fair of 1893 at Chicago, Illinois Mr. Greengrass was a member of the… (next three remaining lines cut off)

Lani note/ March 2006 I researched the Falls Dam Indian Cemetery online and the only Carimon listed is James Carimon. I could find no burial information for George Greengrass Carimon. James is listed as follows:

Carimon James H no birth dated 10 April 1921 WI Corp 128th Infantry 32nd Division

Sources:

Bio: Greengrass, George (9 Aug. 1934) 

George Greengrass obit http://wvls.lib.wi.us/ClarkCounty/clark/data/1/bbs18

Original obit Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 5 March 1936