Stolen basket uncovered

A 230-year-old Native American basket that was stolen from Stanwood’s D.O. Pearson House Museum in 2006 has been returned to its original owners.

The case remains under investigation, said Ty Trenary, Stanwood Police chief. Although police have strong suspects, no charges have been filed.

The basket was recovered from a dealer in Seattle in June 2008, he said. It was returned to the Stanwood Area Historical Society this May.

Police had kept it as evidence in the case, Trenary said. The hope was that the unique piece would lead to suspects.

However, when the historical society approached the police and requested the return of the basket, police gave it back.

The Husby family donated the basket to the Stanwood Historical Society in 1999. The donated basket was on display at the museum so the family and the public could view it, said Carol Ronken, of Stanwood, a member of the

Members of the Husby family, (L to R) Calene Curry, Calvin Husby and Carol Ronken, are pleased with the recent return of the 230-year-old Native American Basket family.

SEE BASKET, PAGE A12

However, Ronken discovered it was missing when she took a visiting family member to view it. The basket was stolen from the unlocked display case between Oct. 10 and 13 in 2006.

After the theft, Ronken requested that the museum add a video surveillance system. Since a system has not been installed, the family requested the basket back and has plans to donate it to the Upper Skagit Tribe.

“It needs to be seen,” said Calene Curry, Ronken’s cousin.

The basket belonged to Jennie Whittier, a member of the Upper Skagit Tribe, and Ronken’s great-grandmother. It was made by Whittier’s mother and gifted to her in 1876, when she married Gardner Goodridge.

The watertight basket was used for cooking, Curry said. The basket was made out of the root of a cedar tree.

“It’s a lost art,” she said. “There isn’t anybody who knows how to do that anymore.”

Curry said she has researched the family’s Upper Skagit roots. She was especially interested in Whittier, who lived on Thomle Road.

Curry said she was so glad to see it, she had to touch it. It’s the family’s only physical connection to Jennie Whittier.

“It’s our heritage,” she said.

The family members would like to express their appreciation to the person who turned it into the police.

Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629-8066 ext. 125 or kpihl@scnews.com.