May 27, 2006



To Whom It May Concern:

Hello. My name is Teresa Phipps Lane, and I recently discovered that I am the great-granddaughter of Joseph Muncie Phipps of Washington State. I am writing to you because I learned of something very interesting about my great-grandfather that I am desperately interested in. I am a student of Anthropology and Linguistics focusing on indigenous cultures. Until now, no one else in my family shared this strong interest in, and love of, indigenous culture and language. A few months ago I discovered who my great-grandfather was, and that he had worked with the Yakima/Yakama Indians in Toppenish. The little bit of information I received stated that he was so well loved and/or respected by the Yakima/Yakama people, that when he died in 1952, after the traditional Christian funeral ended and all of the people left, the Yakima/Yakama people held a special Native American burial for him. I am very interested to learn more about him, what he did, and to see if any photos still exist of him. I have always been the blacksheep of my family and this is the only family connection I feel strongly about. It would mean so very much to me if I could find ANY information about my great-grandfather, Joseph Muncie Phipps. Here is the only information I have on him:

Joseph Muncie Phipps, born May 4, 1874 in Sparta, North Carolina
Died May 27 or 28, 1952 in Yakima, WA. Funeral at Hopkins Mortuary Chapel, buried in Toppenish Cemetery. He was a carpenter. Had a wife named Ruth. Obit was in Yakima Herald, 5/31/1952. Lived at 601 So. Beech St., Elmwood.

I would also love to know if he had children and if any of his descendents are alive today in the Toppenish area. I can be reached via email at: terrylanepittsburgh@yahoo.com. I will gladly reimburse for copies and postage.

Thank you for your assistance and time.
Teresa “Phipps” Lane