My grandfather, Baby Lone, was a traveling
medicine man in Newark, NJ in the 20's and 30's. My mother, who
is now deceased, recalled visiting his medicine shop where he would
treat sick folks with herbal medicines. She remembered collecting
herbs such as dandelion leaves with him for his medicinal concoctions.
I believe he met my grandmother, Rose, while treating her for an
ailment. I would love to hear more stories about this long haired,
dark skinned Kickapoo native american. Perhaps someone had visited
him at his shop or remembers seeing him driving in the neighborhood
selling his medicines. We only have two photos of him, one in full
head dress.
My aunt remembers going to school one day, dressed in her indian
garb and made to parade around the school playground to show all
the kids her outfit.
I believe he had run-ins with the police, since he was dispensing
home made medicines. And as is common with many native americans,
he had an alcohol problem. I found studies that concluded that Native
Americans do not have the genes required to process alcohol. Many
cannot tolerate alcohol and become heavily influenced and addicted
which accounts for the tragedy of so many native americans loosing
their battle with alcohol.
Other than this, I am trying to piece some stories together about
him and his mysterious death in 1942. His service was held at Galante
Funeral Home in Newark, NJ. He was cremated.
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