351

Letter of Introduction for White Bird, an Oglala Sioux Chief

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Letter of Introduction for White Bird, an Oglala Sioux Chief

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
1p, ALS by H.D. Gallagher, Pine Ridge Agency, 20 Feb. 1889, on U.S. Indian Service letterhead. The bearer White Bird, is a recognized Chief of the Ogalalla Sioux. He is one of the progressive Indians of the Agency. Has always been friendly with the Whites. Any kindness shown him will be worthily bestowed.

Very little information is available on White Bird, probably because he was friendly. Far more is available on hostiles! He is thought to have been born about 1841 and died in 1896. there are, however, several individuals by that name who overlap temporally, including a Northern Cheyenne and one who is listed as Brule, possibly the same individual as this one.

Gallagher took over Pine Ridge as Indian Agent on 1 Oct. 1886 after McGillycuddy left. [see lot 349] Where the earlier Indian Agent had worked to set up schools and self-governing agencies on the reservation (such as Indian police), Gallagher did not continue these practices. As a result, he alienated a number of leaders who had worked with McGillycuddy. One of Gallagher's goals was to abolish the Sun Dance and eventually the Ghost Dance. The friction was so intense that he was replaced in the fall of 1890 by Daniel Royer, another political appointee who knew nothing of those he came to govern. Royer called for soldiers to police the reservation and maintain order, so as the fateful month of December 1890 approached, there were plenty of fresh troops on hand at Wounded Knee. Some historians think McGillycuddy could have prevented the massacre. Gallagher probably increased friction between Indian and white, and the powder keg finally blew under the newcomer, Royer. 

The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana

Condition: Moderately toned, some separation at folds, especially along margins, with tape repair on verso of upper fold. Minor damp stains that occurred while folded.