Warrior Society takes obelisk marking border

HOGANSBURG — Federal authorities will investigate the removal of a large stone obelisk that marks the border between the United States and Canada through the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.

Franklin County District Attorney Derek P. Champagne said Monday he notified the U.S. attorney's office about the incident. He was told federal authorities would investigate the matter.

"The members of the Warrior Society dug up a border monument, which depicts the international boundary between the U.S. and Canada," Mr. Champagne said.

The marker on St. Regis Road was dug up with a backhoe Friday afternoon, a video posted to YouTube shows. The edited 10-minute video then displays the massive obelisk loaded on a trailer and driven away. A wooden pole, with two purple and white flags waving in the wind, was placed at the marker site.

Mr. Champagne said St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police stopped the truck, but officers didn't confiscate the massive marker and allowed the truck to leave after a discussion with Warrior Society members.

The video shows several tribal police cars surrounding the truck and trailer on St. Regis Road near Route 37. An unidentified man wearing a dark hat, sunglasses and yellow gloves in the video says the obelisk will be sliced into several pieces. Those small sections would be sent to several dignitaries, including the pope, President Barack Obama and Gov. David A. Paterson.

"Tell them to sit on it," the man says.

An unidentified police officer later proposes the obelisk be taken to the police station for storage, the video shows. The same officer says police were called out after dispatchers received numerous calls about the obelisk being moved.

The group had planned to move the marker to Cornwall Island, but decided to take it to another site. The location of the obelisk isn't known.

David T. Staddon, director of public information for the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, refused to comment Monday night until he could talk with tribal police about the situation.

ON THE NET

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsNap5EyQnk