Durante, Indian Commissioner, commented that it was a unique situation because of the conflict between two groups of Wyandot over the land. Only one had federal recognition for legal responsibility. He suggested it was up to the Department of Justice and Federal troops to solve it. Congress' decision In 1913 Congress repealed the bill authorizing the sale of the cemetery. The dispute between those wanting to preserve the cemetery, and those wanting to develop the land continued. One year Lyda Conley was arrested for shooting a policeman in the Huron Indian Cemetery. Although she lost in the Supreme Court, Conley persevered in her fight, gaining support for preservation from women's clubs and civic associations in Kansas City. In 1916 Kansas Senator Charles Curtis introduced a bill in Congress (and secured its passage) that precluded sale of the cemetery and designated it a federal park. Later life With the land protected, Conley acted as a guardian over the property, extending her care to its birds and squirrels. She often walked from her home at 1816 North Third street to carry water and nuts to them. The federal government had agreed to keep the cemetery "improved" by entering into a 1918 contract with Kansas City to forever maintain, protect and provide lighting and police protection to the cemetery. In June 1937, Conley chased some people from the cemetery. She was charged by the police with disturbance. A young judge gave her choice of a $10 fine for disturbing the peace or a 10-day jail sentence. Proudly Conley served the sentence. A newspaper item of June 16, 1937, headed "Miss Lyda Conley Leaves Jail", was the last article about her until the notice of her death in 1946. Conley died on May 28, 1946, and was buried near other family members three days later in the cemetery she had fought so hard to protect. Lyda's good friend, Wilma Kollman, stated that the evening before she died, Lyda was coming home from the library when a man jumped from the bushes, whacked her on the head with a brick, and stole her purse, which contained only 20 cents. Lyda died within 24 hours. Final resolution Groups continued to press for development. In 1959 the Wyandot Nation of Kansas was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, but still had no control over the Huron Cemetery. It has been seeking federal recognition. Over the decades Kansas City