Chapter 41

10 Little Indians

Wed, Sep 9, 1970

Regular Season, Game 142, at Baltimore Orioles. (Nite) We Won * 1-0.

Derek & the Dominos & Bob Seger System, Day 2 of 6 @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 8pm.

“Can you remember the times
That you have held your head high
And told all your friends of your Indian claim
Proud good lady & proud good man
Your great-great grandfather from Indian blood sprang
And you feel in your heart for these ones

Oh it’s written in books and in song
That we’ve been mistreated & wronged
Well over & over I hear the same words
From you good lady and you good man
Well listen to me if you care where we stand
And you feel you’re a part of these ones

When a war between nations is lost
The loser, we know, pays the cost
But even when Germany fell to your hands
Consider dear lady, consider dear man

You left them their pride and you left them their land
And what have you done to these ones

Has a change come about Uncle Sam
Or are you still taking our lands
A treaty forever George Washington signed
He did dear lady, he did dear man
And the treaty’s being broken by Kinzua Dam
And what will you do for these ones

Oh, it’s all in the past you can say
But it’s still going on here today
The government now want the Iroquois land
That of the Seneca & the Cheyenne
It’s here and it’s now you can help us dear man
Now that the buffalo’s gone.”

Now That the Buffalo’s Gone
By Buffy Saint-Marie

I had asked Buffy Saint-Marie to join a few of us, way out on Long Island. Buffy was in Town early, as she was due to Play Radio City, the following Tuesday.

In 1929, William F Ladd, built Ocean Castle, on 8.2 Acres of Sand Dunes, in Southampton, Long Island, NY. It had 500 Feet of Atlantic Ocean Frontage on it’s East Side.

Across Beach Road, to the West, are Wetlands facing Shinnecock Bay. Beach Rd is now called Meadow Lane, but I think Beach Road is better. Meadow Lane is also called “Billionaires Row,” due to those who now have “Beach Cottages” there.

In 1970, Ocean Castle was pretty much abandoned, only being used for Pool Parties.

The Roof & Foundation had been damaged by Storms over the years, & the current Owner had given up on it.

In 1978, a Flamboyant Producer named Roy Rabin, would pay $300,000 for Ocean Castle. He would throw wild Parties there, often out of Control.

In Apr, 1980, a Woman was found Unconscious on the Train going to Penn Station from Southampton. She claimed to be have been abused at a Party at Ocean Castle.

The Facts remained hazy, but Rabin lost control of Ocean Castle.

That won’t happen now, as we had just bought Ocean Castle, as well as the Estate to the North, as well as to the South. Both had small Homes built on those Lots already. The one to the North was a cool Modern Style home, like I used to see in Playboy, as a “Batchelor Pad.”

We had also bought, as much of the Shinnecock Bay Wetland, across Beach Road, as we could too. Most of it was unusable Wetlands, but there was a small stretch that was Raised up enough for a Home. It was where Heady Creek, narrowed the Bay.

We thought we’d build a Boathouse-Guesthouse there, facing Heady Creek. We’d build a nice Dock there too, as it was Protected from the Wind & Waves. We’d keep a few Boats tied up there, & we could tie up our Seaplanes there too. Shinnecock Bay, would be perfect to Land Seaplanes in, as it was big enough to Land in any Wind Direction.

In 1970, there were only a couple Homes between Ocean Castle & Shinnecock Inlet to the South, which was about 2 miles away. We were able to Buy most of the Empty Lots, that faced the Atlantic.

We were toying with the idea, of putting some of the Vacant Lots into one of our Parks Conservation Fund Trusts.

Most Beach Houses along Beach Road, were rarely used in 1970, only on weekends. Although Ocean Castle wasn’t able to be Slept in yet, we all took Rooms in the Batchelor Pad to the North, as well as the Farmhouse to our South.

The North House, had 5 Bedrooms, while the South one had 6 Bedrooms.

Ocean Castle has 19,000 SF of space, with 15 Bedrooms & 12 Baths.

There was a curved Drive, leading to the round Front Entrance Court.

As I drove up, I got the feeling go being in a Gangster Film, meeting all the Family Heads.

I also loved the Enclosed Motor Court, that had 6 Garage Stalls, with Living Quarters above.

The whole place looked like it was part of a French Beach house, with the Waves crashing upon the Shore beyond. The Dunes went on forever, to the North & South.

After exploring all over, we went to the Town Center of Southampton. We ate at a great Pizza Parlor, dating from 1953. It was the local Hangout, which allowed us to meet many Town Fathers. They were happy we were resurrecting Ocean Castle, as it was Southampton’s pride & joy.

Buffy Saint-Marie was recognized by a couple Tribal Elders, from the local Shinnecock Indian Tribe.

We invited them to join us, along with their Families. There were 3 Tribal Elders, with 4 Daughters of the 3 Elders. Between the 4 Moms, there were 10 Kids. All the kids were learning Traditional Ways, by their Grandfathers. They asked Buffy question after question, about her Tribe & experience.

In 1970, the Shinnecock Tribe, were still fighting for their Rights & Land. It wasn’t until 2005, when the Tribe finally Sued, to have 3,500 Acres of Shinnecock Land returned to the Tribe.

It was sad to hear, but the 4 Fathers of the Kids, were all Deadbeat Dads, succumbing to the White-Man’s-Poison, Whiskey. The 3 Elders, were putting the 4 Families up, but it was crowded, & never enough to go around. They were barely making it.

Buffy had brought a couple Guitars to Ocean Castle, so we invited our new Tribal friends back for the evening, which they gladly accepted.

While the kids ran along the Dunes, playing with Ryder & Pug Red, the rest of us got to know each other.

I asked the Elders, if they wanted to Partner with us, setting up a Conservancy Trust Fund, to protect & monitor the Shoreline of Shinnecock Bay. They loved my idea, but had no money, or power then, in 1970.

I said we’d Pay all Costs, we just needed them to work with us. I’d create some High-Speed Aluminum Landing Craft, to Patrol The Shoreline.

It was sad to hear, but the Fathers of the Kids, were all Deadbeat Dads, succumbing to the White-Man’s-Poison, Whiskey. The 3 Elders were putting the 4 Families up in their Homes, but it was crowded, & never enough to go around. They were barely making it.

When I found out how crowded their Living Conditions were, especially for the kids, I proposed that the 4 Families become some of our Host Families. When Ocean Castle was fixed up, we would have 3 Homes that needed Host Families.

Would they like to move into our Homes? They would live there for Free, plus any expenses would be covered. Also, I wanted to have the 3 Elders consider that our Ocean Castle Complex, be an extension of the Tribe. Anytime they wanted to use it, feel free. We’d share it with them.

They were overwhelmed, but quickly accepted my offer, actually with watering eyes.

Fawn & Dove were twin Daughters, both 28yo. They were the Daughters of the Head Elder, Flying Hawk, 57yo. Frying Hawk’s wife was Little Deer, 54yo.

Fawn had 4 girls, Babbling Brook, 9yo, “Brooke;” Rain, 7yo; Moon, 6yo & Mouse, 4yo.

Dove, had 2 boys & 2 girls: Andy, 10yo, Judy, 9yo; Jill, 6yo & Mikey, 5yo.

They both chose the North House, with Fawn, moving into Ocean Castle when renovated. They would be fine, all living together, until then.

The other 2 Elders, each had 1 Daughter.

Screaming Eagle, 46yo, had Shimmering Fish, 44yo as his wife. Their daughter was Opal, 25yo, who had a son, JoJo, 7yo.

Trigger, 52yo, & his wife, Inca, 51yo, had a daughter, Hattie, 21yo. Hattie had a daughter, Silly, 3yo.

Opal & Inca, & their kids would move into the South Farmhouse.

It was decided that everyone would start Moving the next day.

The Elders & I would explore the Bayshore, as I was wanting their advice on the best place to build a Boathouse & Dock. I was offering them use of it too, as we could Dock our Patrol Boats there. They said that would be awesome.

They stayed long into the night. Lets just say, it wasn’t Tobacco in the Peace-Pipe. As they were leaving, we had to carry the kids out to their Pickup Trucks. We hugged, saying we’d get together after breakfast.

Thur, Sep 10, 1970

Regular Season, Game 143, at Baltimore Orioles. (Nite) We Lost 1-2.

Derek & the Dominos & Bob Seger System, Day 3 of 6 @ Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 8pm.

“Ten little Indians standing in a line
One stood looking at another man’s wife
Then there were nine

Nine little Indians
Their hearts were full of hate
One took another’s goods
Then there were eight

Eight little Indians
They just got down from heaven
One told a lie about another’s best friend
Then there were seven

Seven little Indians
All trying to get their kicks
One thought he’d found another way
To get to heaven, then there were six

Six little Indians
All trying to stay alive
One took another’s life
Then there were five

Five little Indians
All trying to find the door
One pulled his mother down
Then there were four

Four little Indians
All thinking that they gotta be free
One little Indian forgot to say his prayers
Then there were three

Three little Indians
Deciding what they’re gonna have to do
One took the name of God in vain
Then there were two

Two little Indians
Thinking that they oughta have some fun
One took a liking to a picture of himself
Then there was one

One little Indian
Out looking for the sun
At six o’clock, the moon came out
Then there was none”

10 Little Indians
By Harry Nilsson

The 3 Elders & their Families arrived at 8am sharp, as they couldn’t get started fast enough.

Their Pickups were piled high with Clothes & Possessions. We helped unload their things. While the Women & the Kids took their things inside each Home, the 3 Elders, Buffy, Ali & I walked the Wetlands. Ryder & Pug Red went with us, enjoying splashing in the Tide-pools.