ItemsStolenfrom Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Museum in Gering, Nebraska, July 7-8, 2007 Now Recovered
Investigators working in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS) have found a duffle bag containing items that were stolen from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument last week. The specific location where the duffle bag was found has not been disclosed, except that it was in northeastern Colorado. a Museum Curator from the National Park Service Intermountain Regional Office in Denver, CO assisted with conducting an inventory and assessment of the bags contents. At this time, all of the items have been accounted for and appear to be undamaged.
Park Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky said, “The items that were taken from the collection are priceless. They are important pieces that tell part of the story of American history.” She added, “The staff here at Agate would like to thank all the agencies involved for their hard work and vigilance in recovering these artifacts.”
On Tuesday July 10th, maintenance workers at the park arrived at work to discover that sometime during the previous evening the Visitor Center had been burglarized. Items from the James Cook-Red Cloud Collection had been taken from the museum display cases.
Two brothers, Gary Paul Garihan and Maxwell M. Garihan, are being held in federal custody in Denver, Colorado. They have been charged by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado with Interstate Transportation of Stolen Goods, in violation of Title 18, United States Code. Both men will be in court next week for additional court proceedings.
Special Agents and Law Enforcement Rangers from both the NPS Intermountain and Midwest Regions have been coordinating their efforts along with the other agencies due to the large geographic and multi-state area this crime occurred in. The investigation and recovery effort has been a collaborative effort with numerous law enforcement agencies including: the National Park Service, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Park Police, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Logan County (Colorado) Sheriffs Office, Sioux County (Neb.) Sheriff, Omaha (Neb.) Police Department and the United States Attorneys Offices for the Districts of Colorado and Nebraska.
Here follows the ATADA posting on this theft –
During the weekend of July 7-8, 2007, there was a major theft from the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Gering, Nebraska. We do not have pictures of all of the material that was stolen. Initially, it appears there may also be about 4 pairs of moccasins, an Indian saddle and a few bags missing. a more complete inventory is being completed and will be forwarded as available.
Stolen Agate Fossil Beds Nat Monument – Cook Exhibit, Foyer Case Now Recovered
AGFO # 739 – Colt Single Action Army Revolver “Peacemaker” pistol, serial number 110865, catalog description: “Cook’s personal revolver. Ornate floral patterns engraved on all parts. Bone grips right grip was plain, left grip had a carved design in the appearance of a steer head. Serial numbers present. Highly polished, light patina on surface, grips are off white to light brown bone. Pistol appears to be functional, related to cartridge belt & holster in case (AGFO # 63).” 1986 & 1991 appraisals are in catalog entry value pistol between $950.00 & $1500.00.
AGFO # 63 – Holster & Cartridge Belt for Cook’s Pistol, catalog description: “Cartridge belt and holster used by J. H. Cook. Manufactured in Cheyenne, Wyoming. D. Meade: Belt was used by J. H. Cook with the related revolver (AGFO# 739), which he called his “Texas peacemaker” and which also had carved bone grips.” 1963 accession re cord gives an appraisal value of $200.00.
AGFO # 2807 – Cook’s various medals & insignias (2): 7th Cavalry Insignia, catalog description: “CROSSED SWORDS ONE – 7 AB OVE, “K” SUSPENDED.” given a 1971 appraisal value of $0.00 U.S. Army Scout badge, catalog description: “1 METAL PIN – 2 PIECES HING ED – ABOVE “J. H. COOK” BELOW “SCOUT/AND/GUIDE U.S. ARMY” given a 1971 appraisal value of $0.00.
AGFO # 2599 – Binocular Case, catalog description: “MATERIAL: LEATHER, METAL BUCKLES, RIVETS. DESCRIPTION:COLOR:B ROWN DECORATION: STAMPED “J. H. COOK/ ALMA/ NM” . FORM: OVAL, WITH CARRYING STRAP. DIMENSION: HEIGHT: 119MM. CONDITION: GOOD.” 1971 appraisal value of $0.00.
AGFO # – Cook’s Binoculars
AGFO # 98 – Knife & Beaded Knife Case, Catalog description reads: “Knife with companion leather sheath. The knife h as a very thin blade that curves up and is stamped “Thomas Wilson, Shear Steel” . The sheath is decorated in blue, red and orange beading. One large tassel extending from the bottom of the sheath is decorated with metal tassel that have dyed (eagle breath ?) feathers.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Beaded Awl Case AGFO #20 Now Recovered
AGFO # 20 – Beaded Awl Case, catalog description reads: “Leather awl case with beading, quill work and metal decorations. Cone shaped awl case has beading wrapped around girth to form three white bands, alternated with two bands of green bordered by red and blue. Four loops (L 1.2 cm) of green, blue and white beads are attached at the tip of the case. Two long tassels are attached at the tip as well. These tassels each consist of two leather strips, approx 6.2 cm long, one attached to the tip of the case, one attached to the other strip. These strips are wrapped in red quills, with two metal cones with red feather remnants at the bottom of the strip, giving an overall length of 15 cm. The triangular flap is edged in green and white beads, a band of beads around the outer edge of white bands alternating with green bands bordered in red and blue. Two tassels wrapped in red quills are attached to the tip of the flap. Also attached to the tip of the flap are two single loops of white, green and blue beads. a single strand of larger, clear red and blue beads is attached at the top of the case and has an ivory ribbon tied to it. Given by the Cooks as gifts to their cousins, the Wattles.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Bladder Bag AGFO #135 Now Recovered
AGFO # 135 – Bladder Bag, catalog description reads: “Quill bag made of the tanned bladder of a buffalo, used for carrying porcupine quills utilized for decoration. Bag has rawhide trim beaded in white, red, blue, green and yellow. Beading has an arrowhead design with the bottom being beaded in white and blue. “*Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Beaded Lizard Amulet AGFO #6 Now Recovered
AGFO # 6 – Stuffed and Beaded Lizard Amulet, catalog description reads: “Beaded turtle (lizard?) made of two leather panels, back and belly, sewn together and stuffed. Two pieces of leather cut into the shape of a turtle or possibly a lizard with legs splayed out. Back panel is beaded with a center stripe of alternating blue and white strands. Down the sides and legs of top are alternating strands of green and yellow. Head is white with blue eyes and mouth. Blue beads border perimeter. Belly panel is five segments of beads, alternating strands of green and white. Two beaded loops of green and blue are attached at the chest. All stitching and bead work is done with sinew thread. Given by the Cooks as gifts to their cousins, the Wattles.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Beaded Moccasins AGFO #5 Now Recovered
AGFO # 5 – Beaded Moccasins, catalog description reads: “Pair of child’s leather moccasins beaded in green, blue and white. The upper is made of tanned leather, soles are rawhide. Tongue is triangular shaped with a V notch at the top. Beads are in checker boxes, forming an overall chevron pattern across the top. Majority of checker boxes are green, second row from the toe is of white with a dark blue border. a solid band of beads extends from instep, around toe and to the center of the heel. Band is green with several blue bordered white squares. Ties are present on both cuffs. a cotton stitch is present, holding traces of red trade fabric to the cuff. All other stitching is done in sinew. Given by the Cooks as gifts to their cousins, the Wattles.” *Physical Photo Provided*
AGFO # 265 – Beaded Moccasins, catalog description reads: “Pair of leather moccasins decorated with porcupine quills in red, green, yellow and white. Moccasins also decorated with strip of beading in baby blue around the bottom of each moccasin, accented with dark blue, red and white geometric designs. The top of the moccasins are bound in yellow cloth.” *No Physical Photo Available*
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Stolen Beaded Moccasins AGFO #290 Now Recovered
AGFO # 290 – Beaded Moccasins, catalog description reads: “Pair of leather moccasins made in youth size. Decorated with beading in a purple and blue checkered design also having a blue boarder. Moccasins trimmed in green cloth at the top.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Beaded Moccasins AGFO #301 Now Recovered
AGFO # 301 – Beaded Moccasins, catalog description reads: “Pair of leather moccasins decorated with beading in a multi-colored design. Further decorated with a white beaded boarder having red and blue accents.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Beaded Club AGFO #___ Now Recovered
AGFO # _ _ _ – Beaded Club w/ stone head
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Stolen Watch Pouch AGFO #109 Now Recovered
AGFO # 109 – Watch Pouch, catalog description reads: “Leather bag (watch pocket) with young eagle design on the obverse, “J. H. Cook from Good Cloud” on reverse in quill work. Further decorated with quill work tassel and beaded ball in red and green.” *Physical Photo of Reverse Provided*
AGFO# 115 – Watch Pouch, catalog description reads: “Rawhide watch pouch beaded in blue, orange and red along edges of bag. Central quill work reads “Wanbli Cikala” meaning Little Eagle, the Lakota name for Cook. The name is edged in yellow and blue beading.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Beaded Moccasins AGFO #366 Now Recovered
AGFO # 366 – Canvas Moccasins, catalog description reads: “Pair of canvas moccasins beaded in red, blue and gold beads with gold trim. Green beading trim is present on the toe. The toe and sole are made of leather and the top is trimmed in white and blue cloth.”
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Stolen Parfleche AGFO #317 Now Recovered
AGFO # 317 – Bag (Parfleche), catalog description reads: “Parfleche bag in the shape of an envelope type. Decorated with black and clear beads around the outside edges. Further decorated on two corners with red beads that have white ends. No other decoration otherwise. Clear beads also act as a binding.” *Physical Photo provided*
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Stolen Parfleche AGFO #89 Now Recovered
AGFO # 89 – Bag (Parfleche), catalog description reads: “Rawhide bag painted with green, blue, red and yellow designs in a rectangular shapes. Bag is bound with red trade cloth and sinew.” *Physical Photo Provided*
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Stolen Saddle AGFO #79 Now Recovered
AGFO # 79 – Indian Saddle, catalog description reads: “Indian saddle of plain decoration (paint) with small wooden stirrups and metal ring cinch. Small knob at front for saddle horn. Stirrups constructed of rawhide covered wood.” *Physical Photo Provided*