Native Americans

A

Academy of Science of St. Louis Records, 1856-1959 (S0001)
4 cubic feet, 61 folders, 3 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

The records contain meeting minutes and copies of its journal, "Transaction of the Academy of Science of St. Louis." Established in 1856 by twelve prominent St. Louis residents, the Academy of Science's mission was to promote the advancement of science.

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O.K. Armstrong Papers, 1912-1987 (C4056)
150.75 cubic feet (151 boxes), 2 audio discs, 1 film strip, 9 oversize items

 Finding Aid

The papers of O.K. Armstrong, a journalist, author, and politician from Springfield, Missouri, contain correspondence, manuscript drafts, subject files, speech material, research notes, and political material.

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Edward Everett Ayer Reminiscences, 1924 (C2694)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains reminiscences of his first trip away from home, and itinerary across the plains to California, and descriptions of people met, work in the mines, enlistment in the army and subsequent service, and the return home in 1864.

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B

Royal Baldwin Account Book, 1858-1877 (C0225)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder), 1 volume

 Finding Aid

Record of a general merchandise firm in Kennekuk, KS. Baldwin was manager of the Kickapoo Indian Agency in 1858. Cancelled checks, letters, and miscellaneous papers.

George Bent Letters, 1906-1928 (K0201)
0.02 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Abstracts of letters written by George Bent, son of Indian trader William Bent, to George E. Hyde, "Dean of American Indian Historians", reporting his memories and others he interviewed concerning the activities and conditions of the plains Indians from roughly 1860 until about 1875, when the warfare between the whites and the Indians on the Southern Plains had effectively ended. A few of Bent's original letters are included.

Blumenhorst Family Papers, 1586-1959 (S0442)
1.2 cubic foot, 117 folders

 Finding Aid

The Blumenhorst Papers contain correspondence, bills of sale, wills, and a diary, chronicling the histories of the Craig, Lewis, Watts, Wallace, and Woodson families from 1586 to 1959.

Thomas E. Breckenridge Papers, 1894, 1950 (C0691)
0.1 cubic feet (5 folders)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The papers contain Breckenridge’s petition for a pension in 1894; "The Breckenridge Memoirs,” consisting of a typed account of Breckenridge’s expeditions with John C. Fremont, and a term paper by University of Missouri history student, John Mitchell, in 1950, where he argues the importance of the Breckenridge manuscript.

Mary J. Briscoe-Riesberg Papers, 1993-2015 (CG0030)
0.8 c.f.

 Finding Aid

The Mary J. Briscoe-Reisberg Papers includes papers, maps, photographs, and audio cassettes related to the Missouri Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association from 1994 to 2015.

James Bullard Diary, 1876-1878 (C0219)
0.06 cubic feet (3 folders)

 Finding Aid

Transcript of a diary kept by Bullard on a trip from the Dakotas to Mexico. Subjects include prospecting, weather, game, Native Americans, ranches, and Mexicans.

C

B.B. Cannon Journal, 1837 (C1946)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

A day-by-day account of the journey of a band of Cherokee being forced West by the U.S. government, written by the conductor of the party, October 13-December 30, 1837.

Carl H. Chapman Papers, 1944-1984 (CA4619)
61.3 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

Papers of a prominent archaeologist and professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Includes correspondence, research, and teaching materials.

Eleanor F. Chapman Papers, 1964-1980 (C4497)
0.7 cubic feet (11 oversize folders)

 Finding Aid

Photostats of original works as well as hand drawn illustrations created by Eleanor F. Chapman for Missouri archaeological monographs and journal articles.

John A.J. Chapman Records, 1845-1863 (C2987)
1 roll of microfilm

 Finding Aid

Account book and ledger for mining and smelting operations at Rose Camp and for mercantile operations at Independence, Wayne City, and St. Joseph, MO. Memoranda of personal accounts, medical remedies and farming; surveys; plats; and maps. Notes about the Civil War and jayhawking on the Missouri-Kansas border.

Moses E. Clapp Letters, 1907-1918 (C0256)
0.04 cubic feet (2 folders)

 Finding Aid

Replies of prominent men to Clapp about invitation received or favor requested from them. Letter from a group of Crow Indians explaining problem on reservation lands; from Theodore Roosevelt about future of Progressive Party; from Roosevelt about shipping bill which President Wilson and Secretary of State Bryan proposed to Congress.

William Clark and Meriwether Lewis Memorandum Book, 1809 (C1076)
1 volume

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Journal of a trip from St. Louis, MO, to Washington, D.C. It contains the list of debts due by Clark; the trip expenses from St. Louis, MO, and Louisville, KY; a memorandum of instruction by Meriwether Lewis with a list of private debts; and memoranda of drafts and transactions with Indian agencies. Microfilm copy available for loan.

William Clark Letter, 1818 (C1545)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To William Christy, Jr., St. Charles from St. Louis, Oct. 6, 1818. Clark authorized Christy, clerk of the St. Charles Circuit Court, to issue a license to Jacob Laphart & Company for trade with Sac, Fox and other Indians below the Des Moines River. Microfilm copy available for loan.

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William Clark Memorandum Book, 1819-1825 (C1077)
1 volume

 Finding Aid

A public account book of William Clark's, April 1819-1 March 1825, used while he was governor of Missouri Territory and U.S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Microfilm copy available for loan.

William Clark Memorandum Book, 1826-1831 (C1078)
1 volume

 Finding Aid

This book contains rules for Indian agents and lists of 134 drafts drawn between 5 April 1826 and 6 June 1831. Microfilm copy available for loan.

John B. Collier Letter, 1858 (C0508)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To his family in Virginia from northern Missouri, Feb. 28, 1858. Comments on Native American problems, educational facilities in Missouri, family matters, and mention of the “Mormon or Utah war.”

D

Pierre-Jean DeSmet Papers, no date (C1521)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Fragment of article written by Father DeSmet about the early inhabitants of the Mississippi Valley and Indian civilization. Population, agriculture, pottery, use of metals. Refutation of Timothy Flint.

John Dougherty Letter Book, 1826-1829 (C2292)
0.1 cubic feet (1 volume), 1 roll of microfilm

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The Dougherty letter book contains letters from Dougherty, fur trader, interpreter, and Upper Missouri Indian agent, to William Clark, superintendent of Indian affairs at St. Louis, various U.S. Army officers, Indian agents, interpreters and fur traders, U.S. War and Treasury Department officials, Missouri politicians, and private citizens.

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"Dr. Emmet Starr," Micah Pearce Smith, 1930 (C2106)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Biographical sketch of a Cherokee Indian educator, physician, Indian expert and clerk at the Book World, a second-hand book store in St. Louis, MO.

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Daniel Burns Dyer Papers, 1866-1941 (K0168)
0.75 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Civil War veteran, Indian Agent, first mayor of Guthrie, OK, real estate investor, owner/president of the Augusta, GA Street Railway Company, publisher, Dyer was a nationally known collection of Native-American artifacts. Included are newspaper clippings, pamphlets, some correspondence and memorabilia, and three scrapbooks of similar materials dealing primarily with Dyer's life and interest in primitive cultures.

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E

Francis Marion Emmons Civil War Letters, 1862-1864 (C2375)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Written by a member of Company I, 7th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, in southern Missouri and Arkansas to his parents and sister Cassie at LaPlata. Mentions his brother Riley, supplies, prices, morale, Indian regiments and rebel forces, burning of steamboats and gun boat, and duel of General Marmaduke and Colonel Walker.

F

Fort Osage Records, 1808-1815 (K0147)
4 MR

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, reports and other documents found in the National Archives pertaining to the establishment and operation of Fort Osage, near what is now Sibley, Missouri.

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G

William Houston Gallaher Journal, 1865 (C3924)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The 1865 journal of William H. Gallaher, kept during his journey from St. Charles, MO, up the Missouri River to Montana Territory, and while living in southeast Montana.

William Gillis and Mary Ann Gillis Troost Estate Records, 1869-1907 (K1238)
0.25 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Gillis, an Indian trader, was one of fourteen investors who platted the original Town of Kansas. Mary, his niece married to Dr. Benoist Troost, had an estate used to support the Gillis Home for Orphans. Includes tax bills, receipts, and legal documents used in the settlement of the estates.

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David William Graves Autobiography, 1916 (C0158)
0.06 cubic feet (3 folders)

 Finding Aid

Autobiography of a Montgomery County, MO, farmer, schoolteacher, and Baptist missionary and minister. Donor-compiled index included.

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Kate Leila Gregg Papers, 1950 (K0357)
0.75 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Noted historian Gregg's hand written research notes concerning Fort Osage and the three major routes (the Santa Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the California Trail) to California during the 1800's. It includes personal histories, Indian affairs, the California Gold Rush, Missionaries, various wars, the Walker family and other related subjects.

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John Grey [Ignace Hatchiorauquasha] Collection, 1995 (K1014)
0.02 c.f

Grey, was an Iroquois Leader, explorer, and mountain man. Manuscript, John Grey: Most Spirited of Mountain Men, written by Ellen Carney.

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H

Robert Hambright Letter, 1845 (C3238)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a letter to John Hambright, Fort Osage, MO, from Fayetteville, AR, May 23, 1845, concerning the emigration of Choctaw Indians from Mississippi to Arkansas; and a newspaper clipping announcing the sale of slaves by Commissioner John Hambright, brother of Robert Hambright.

Henry W. Hamilton Papers, 1923-1985 (C4585)
2.0 cubic feet (45 folders)

 Finding Aid

The papers of a farmer and amateur archaeologist, including correspondence surrounding his publications, research materials on Upper Missouri River forts, information on his activities, personal papers, and general correspondence.

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T.M. "Ted" Hamilton Papers, 1922-1984 (C3073)
1.5 cubic feet (538 photographs), 14 rolls of microfilm (317 folders)

 Finding Aid

The papers of a farmer from Saline County, Missouri, who was also an enthusiast of historic and prehistoric weaponry contain correspondence on archaeological and historical topics, as well as personal, business, and local civic affairs. Also includes photographs, notes, organizational materials, publications, and manuscripts on Hamilton's archaeological interests.

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Harmony Mission Annual Reports, 1825-1827 (C1731)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Photostat copies of annual reports sent to Secretary of War James Barbour from Nathaniel B. Dodge, superintendent, on the Native American School at Harmony Mission, Osage Nation. Reports on teachers and other personnel, number of students, amount of Missouri property, expenses, receipts, progress of students, health, and relations with the Osage Nation.

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Elijah Preston Howell Diary, 1849 (C1675)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder, 1 roll of microfilm)

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a diary, May 6-September 24, 1849, of a journey across the plains from Athens, Gentry County, MO, to the Sacramento Valley during the California gold rush. Topics include members of company, description of wagon trains, countryside, wild game, vegetation, provisions, Native Americans, cholera, travel guides, landmarks, defense, wagon train problems and Mormons.

I

Indian Census, Missouri Territory, 1817 (C1628)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Names of tribes, number of adults and children, towns, roving bands, where situated, type of homes, occupation, diet, and degree of civilization.

J

Johnson Family Collection, 1880-1971 (SP0085)
12 cubic feet (8 folders, 15 volumes)

 Finding Aid

The Johnson Family Collection consists of photographs, postcards, personal papers, and scrapbooks related to the Johnson and Wood families of Greene and Taney counties. The scrapbooks contain materials related to development sites in southwest Missouri, including the Powersite Dam, the James River Power Station, and the town of Hollister.

K

M. Slade Kendrick Papers, 1951-1973 (C0628)
0.2 cubic feet (9 folders)

 Finding Aid

Letters written to a professor of public finance at Cornell University by his friend, the poet John G. Neihardt (1884-1973), and related items.

Willard Keyes Journal, 1817-1855 (C2748)
0.06 cubic feet (3 folders)

 Finding Aid

Travel to Wisconsin and Illinois from Newfane, Windham County, VT, 1817-1820; occupations and experiences on frontier; description of Indians, wilderness, logging operations on Mississippi and Black Rivers; travel from Quincy, IL, to New England by stage, boat, and train with itemized account of expenses, 1852.

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L

"La Decouverte du Missouri et L'Histoire du Fort D'Orleans (1673-1728)", 1925 (C0886)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Printed copy written in French. Early history of Missouri and the founding of Fort D'Orleans. Also partial translation.

Walter E. Lackey Letters, 1805, 1827 (C3145)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains typed copies of a letter from John B. Treat to Henry Dearborn, 1805, describing Arkansas, the fur trade, Indian trouble, climate, population, and industry of the area; and an nspection report written by C. Groghan from Jefferson Barracks, September 1827.

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Jacob Lanius Diaries, 1833-1842 (C1147)
0.4 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

Diaries of an itinerant pastor for the Missouri Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church. Concerns church locations, members, revivals, meetings, ministers, and living conditions. Includes an edited transcription, with background information, by Theodore H. Wolff.

"Legend of Princess Watt-Wa-Na of Locust Creek, Linn County, Missouri," William Sissons, no date (C2105)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Poem relating legend of an Indian princess who fled from an unwelcome marriage and was turned into a tree.

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Ethelbert Wallis Lewis Letters, 1837-1851 (C1674)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

To his brother, William W[alker] Lewis, Culpepper County, VA, from Missouri. Lewis emigrated from Virginia in 1836. Howard County; 1837 Missouri legislature; comparison of Missouri and Virginia; and Missouri life in general.

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Meriwether Lewis Astronomy Notebook, 1805 (C1074)
1 volume

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Set of formulae prepared by Robert Patterson of Philadelphia for Lewis to use in determining geographical locations by astronomical observation. Also includes a "sketch given us by Yallept, the principal chief of the Wollah-wollah nation," and a drawing, probably by Lewis, Microfilm copy available for loan.

Living Treasures Oral History Collection, 1983-1985 (S0456)
0.4 cubic foot, 32 folders, 112 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The St. Louis Living Treasures Project documented the life and artwork of older folk artists in the St. Louis area. The folk artists shared techniques learned from their cultures of origin in oral history interviews conducted by OASIS. The 31 artists who participated include African Americans, Native Americans, Asian immigrants, and European immigrants.

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Louis Lorimier Will, 1808 (C2124)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains a typed copy of the will of Lorimier of the District and Town of Cape Girardeau, Louisiana Territory. Lorimier named as his executor and heir the Shawnee woman with whom he lived, Pemanpich. The will lists names and ages of their six children.

Louisiana Territory, District of St. Charles Tax Book, 1805 (C1225)
0.05 cubic feet (1 volume)

 Finding Aid

List of taxable property within the District of St. Charles for assessment purposes.

"Lumbering in Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin, in Pioneer Times," William W. Bartlett, 1930 (C2695)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains descriptions of early lumbering events beginning with the Treaty of Prairie du Chien in 1825, Indian troubles, early successes and failures, description of logging camp and operations, persons involved, and the Beef Slough feud and Chippewa Dam fight.

Lykins Family Papers, 1841-1950 (K0294)
0.16 c.f.

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Scrapbooks and other items, chiefly clippings, documenting Mrs. Lykins' promotion of the establishment of the Home for Widows and Orphans of Confederate Soldiers: an account book kept for the Potawatomi Baptist School and Mission, which Lykins, missionary, businessman, mayor of Kansas City, MO, took over from his first father-in-law, Isaac McCoy; an account book by Lykins and Brent; and clippings of material written by Mrs. Lykins, Lykins, and others.

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