About this collection

In the very early hours of New Year's Day 1975, a group calling themselves the Menominee Warrior Society broke into the caretaker's cottage at the site of the Alexian Brothers former Novitiate near Gresham, Wisconsin in Shawano County, taking the caretaker and his family hostage. Thus began a 34 day siege, which drew national attention.

During the next month, harsh words and even gunfire were exchanged between the local white population and the Indian community. Negotiations between the Indians and the Alexian Brothers were trying for both sides.

The Menominee Warrior Society claimed they had treaty rights to the property and wanted the Alexian Brothers to turn over the 64 room monastery to the Indians for use as a hospital or school facility. The land that the Novitiate is on was purchased in 1940 by Mrs. Jeanie Peters, a wealthy widow. She built the original mansion on the property for her daughter, who died shortly before she was to move into the house. In 1950, Mrs. Peters donated the home and grounds to the Alexian Order. The Alexian Brothers added an addition on in 1954 and ceased using it in 1968.

An agreement was finally reached whereby the Alexian Brothers would turn the abbey over to the Menominee tribe for "$1 and other considerations". Costs incurred from the siege estimated above one-half million dollars.