in memory of Do-Hum-Me, daughter of a Sac Indian chief
Hoodoo
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/07/05/backpage/7405200032.txt
NEW YORK (AP) ---- During a decade of tending the grounds at
Green-Wood Cemetery, Isaac Feliciano learned the sad tale of the
American Indian princess buried on a slope overlooking Sylvan
Lake and the heartbroken husband she left behind.
The story of Do-Hum-Me, a sensation in the mid-19th century, is
rarely recalled anymore. But honoring her life became important
to Feliciano following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
which claimed his own wife. Now, he is donating thousands of
dollars in his wife's memory to spruce up the Indian princess' grave.
Do-Hum-Me was the daughter of a Sac Indian chief, raised in what
later became Iowa by a single parent after her mother's untimely
death. She came east with her father, Chief
Nan-Nounce-Rush-Ee-Tol, to represent the Sacs in treaty negotiations.
She married a young man from another tribe and became an instant
sensation in P.T. Barnum's American Museum ---- only to die
tragically five weeks later, felled in 1843 by a deadly infection
at age 18.
She was buried at the Brooklyn cemetery, her grave marked by a
magnificent marble monument bearing a sculpture of her weeping
husband.
While Feliciano tended the resting places of Green-Wood's 600,000
occupants, his wife, Rosa Maria Feliciano, worked in Manhattan,
on the 96th floor of the World Trade Center's north tower.
The 30-year-old woman was at her desk when a plane hit the tower,
and Feliciano had her buried in Green-Wood. He was left with two
young daughters.
Earlier this year, the cemetery set out to raise funds to restore
Do-Hum-Me's monument, which had become eroded, pitted and
stained, but only $410 was raised.
Then Feliciano decided to honor the memory of his own wife by
saving the one created for the princess: He put up $4,500 in
Rosa's memory to restore the site.
"He was thinking of his wife," said Green-Wood President Richard
Moylan. "She, like Do-Hum-Me, was a young bride. And she died young."
Do-Hum-Me was recalled as "ever gentle and good-humored, the idol
of her father and the favorite of her tribe" in an 1847 history
of Green-Wood. Her father showered her with attention and
affection -- "no sacrifice (was) too great to be endured for
her," according to "Green-Wood Illustrated."
"She was an overnight sensation," said Green-Wood historian Jeff
Richman. "She was the 19th century version of the '15 minutes of
fame.' She was invited to all the hot soirees. She was like a
comet through society, and then she was gone."
After making his donation in April, Feliciano was stunned when
the city medical examiner's office identified more of his wife's
remains, cemetery officials said. He took a leave of absence and
has refused to speak about the situation or his contribution.
Brooklyn's sprawling Green-Wood Cemetery, founded in 1838, is the
final resting place of such notables as composer Leonard
Bernstein, newspaperman Horace Greeley, "Wizard of Oz" actor
Frank Morgan and corrupt politician "Boss" Tweed.
--
It's a big old goofy world. - John Prine
Kathi
>Princess, 9-11 victim united in Brooklyn cemetery
>
>http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/07/05/backpage/7405200032.txt
>
>NEW YORK (AP) ---- During a decade of tending the grounds at
>Green-Wood Cemetery, Isaac Feliciano learned the sad tale of the
>American Indian princess buried on a slope overlooking Sylvan
>Lake and the heartbroken husband she left behind.
>
>The story of Do-Hum-Me, a sensation in the mid-19th century, is
>rarely recalled anymore. But honoring her life became important
>to Feliciano following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
>which claimed his own wife. Now, he is donating thousands of
>dollars in his wife's memory to spruce up the Indian princess' grave.
What a nice story. Thank you for posting it.
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Hoodoo
> What a nice story. Thank you for posting it.
You're welcome. I thought it interesting as well. It is nice to
see someone long-forgotten receive recognition, although in this
case, it was unfortunately spurred on by the loss of the donor's
wife.