On This Date in Minnesota History: April 5

April 5, 1920 - John Smith of Cass Lake, the noted Chippewa whose age is given as 135 years or more and well known as a friend of the whites in the days of the Sioux outbreaks, came to Deer River from Bena today and met old friends with whom he still likes to joke. Capt. John Smith is stooped and his eyes are fast failing, and he has had to be led about the streets.

Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Oldest Human Being ‘Is Going Blind,’ ‘Tis Said”; April 5, 1920; p. 1.

Ga-Be-Nah-Gewn-Wonce, also known as John Smith

from a postcard