Erie's Indians

George Caitlin. Joc-O-Sot (The Walking Bear), a Sauk Chief from the Upper Missouri. 1844.

left boulder is of Chief Thunderwater, stone on right and broken slab is for Joc-o-sot

Joc-O-Sot *1810, 1844† was born in Iowa. He fought and was wounded in the Black Hawk War 1832. He went east to Cleveland and became a hunting guide. He joined a traveling actor's, Dan Marble, troupe. In England he became sick, and returned to America and died. His original stone was broken in vandalism. A new gravestone was added in 1907. His grave may have been long empty, a victim of resurrection men (corpse thieves that sold to the medical trade).

Visitors left tokens (stones, coins and a post card) on top of his marker. Now, that the redman is gone it safe to show him some respect and fondness.

Next to his grave is that of another Indian, Oghema Niagara, Chief Thunderwater *1865, 1950†. He was born near Lewiston New York. He toured in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show beginning with the centennial. After 1900 he lived in Cleveland, and ran a business selling cleaning products, and herbal 'medicines'. He promoted Indian rights, and was considered a 'militant' by the Canadian government.

In 1917 he helped revive the Iroquois Confederacy. He became the 'official' Indian of Cleveland. Oghema Niagara was involved in saving Erie Street Cemetery from developers. Once a year he led ceremonies at Joc-O-Sot's grave site. He is now buried adjacent.