Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
1883-1895, 33 items.
A physician with lengthy service in the federal government, Valentine McGillicuddy first arrived in the Dakota Territory in 1875 as Chief Topographer for the survey of the Black Hills and he remained there as surgeon of the 2nd and 3rd Cavalry during the Big Horn expedition, and later as Indian Agent at the Pine Ridge Agency (1879-1886). During his time at Pine Ridge, McGillicuddy developed a strongly mixed relationship with the Indians under his charge, with the Oglala leader Red Cloud becoming a particularly bitter opponent. As the mutual enmity between the men grew, Red Cloud lobbied Washington to have McGillicuddy removed for alleged fraud and mismanagement of funds, eventually badgering Pres. Cleveland into replacing McGillicuddy. McGillicuddy then moved to Rapid City to become president of the Lakota Banking and Investment Co., and VP of the Black Hills National Bank.
And there he was when the Ghost Dance began to sweep the northern Plains. Believing that a new messiah would arrive to the Indians, signaling a return of the buffalo hunt and freedom from white oppression, feeding discontent on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Agencies, which had suffered from mismanagement by the BIA for years. The governor of South Dakota called upon McGillicuddy to return to Pine Ridge, where troops were already sent, to assess the situation.
McGillicuddy was told that the Ghost Dancers wished to continue their dances through the winter, but the many whites felt the dances were a threat and could not abide their continuance. Sensing the danger of the situation, McGillicuddy corresponded in short order with everyone from the governor to the Indian Rights Association to the President seeking a way to calm the tensions. Pres. Harrison refused to appoint McGillicuddy to mediate with the Indians and the military, and even as request for ammunition and guns came flying in, the President refused to allow McGillicuddy to step in.
The denouement came that winter. After Gen. Nelson Miles ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull for fear he would join the Ghost Dance, the Chief was killed on Dec. 15, 1890 while resisting arrest. With the threat of violence in the Badlands, on Dec. 28, a Miniconjou and Hunkpapa Sioux surrendered at Wounded Knee Creek, agreeing to move to Pine Ridge, but while turning in their arms, a dispute with a deaf tribesman over surrendering his rifle quickly escalated into shots fired and then into a full scale massacre of over 300 men, women, and children.
The collection of documents relates to McGillicuddy’s tenure as agent at Pine Ridge and to the panicked time leading up to Wounded Knee. Five documents frame that infamous incident:
• McGillicuddy ANS on US Indian Service letterhead, Feb. 8, 1882, stating “Chief White Bird will take charge of surplus lumber at his village school house.”
• Partially printed receipt for supplies issued to the “scholars” at the Pine Ridge boarding school, 1885
• A fascinating and quite legendary printed notice from July 12, 1884, expelling H.C. Clifford and Todd Randall (both identified as “Squaw men”) and T.A. Bland (“Philanthropist”) from the Pine Ridge Agency and threatening “Residents of either the Nebraska or Dakota portion of the Pine Ridge Reserve, other than Indians of full blood, harboring any of the above parties," with removal. This little piece of spite and revenge is aimed at three of the leading supporters of Red Cloud in his dispute with McGillicuddy.
• Theodore Roosevelt TLS to McGillicuddy, Oct. 22, 1892, “there never was any single act which worked worse effects to the Indian Service than your removal from Pine Ridge Agency.”
• Frank C. Armstrong TLS to McGillicuddy on Dept. of the Interior letterhead, Sept 1893, agreeing to recommend him as superintendent should school be built in Rapid City.
The most significant items in the collection, however, are found in a series of 10 telegrams to McGillicuddy demanding his help and documenting his frantic efforts to quell the troubles brewing at Pine Ridge in November 1890, and revealing the paranoia and terror that formed the background to the Massacre. The series begins Nov. 27 with a petition from “seventy leading Rapid Citizens” for guns to be distributed for “protection;” and is followed by another from H.W. Tinker, sheriff at Rapid City, stating: “Arms here city full of scared Ranchers all wanting arms what shall I do.” There is also a request for McGillicuddy to arrange for 10 wagons for the 6th Cavalry. Also worthy of note is a telegram from Herbert Welsh in Philadelphia (President of the Indian Rights Association), informing McGillicuddy that Pres. Harrison had refused to appoint him mediator, but assuring him that he would continue to press the case.
The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana
Condition:
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
Payment Details:
The purchase price for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Payment may be made with cash, personal or traveler's check, Visa or MasterCard.
Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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Buyers are required to pay any applicable state and local sales tax.
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Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
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Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
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