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Thomas Downs Dakota Indian Agent Collection

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Native Americana Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Thomas Downs Dakota Indian Agent Collection
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This lot of four artifacts represents an irreplaceable portion of history surrounding the American Indian Wars of the late 19th century. 1) A 4" x 5.5" photograph on 4.5" x 6.5" cardstock mat, showing Captain Thomas Downs wearing his uniform and officer`s dress cap from the Spanish-American War. Downs was born in Lawrenceburg on March 31, 1845. As a young teen he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 54th Indiana Infantry. During the Spanish-American War, Downs was called into action and spent the rest of his life working for the government. In 1903, he resigned from the military to accept a commission as Special Indian Agent. Downs traveled and worked throughout the west from 1903 to 1910, his biggest engagement was in 1907 when he faced a rebellion by Ute Indians at Thunder Butte on the Cheyenne Agency. He died in 1911 [Thomas Downs Papers, 1862-1938, University of Michigan, Rob S. Cox, March 1997. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clementsmss/umich-wcl-M-3122dow?view=text]. The photo is in good condition, and was produced by Goldsmith Studio of 1012 Olive Street. 2) An Officer`s hat, similar to the one in Downs` photo. Marked a size 7 1/8, this hat is fully lined, and the sweatband is brown leather. The hard leather brim features two gold tone buttons with Eagle and star details, holding a twisted cord across the front of the brim. A green canvas hatband is sewn around the diameter of the hat. Blue felt. The front features a 3-dimensional embroidered eagle with a shield, ribbon, and 13 stars. "The M. C. Lilley & Co" made the hat in Columbus, Ohio. The MC Lilley & Co specialized in military and fraternal hats and regalia from about the Civil War through WWI. 3) A 7" x 5" photograph on 8" x 10" grey cardstock mat, showing a group of Native American men seated before Euro-American men and women. Two of the Native men have medals pinned on or hung or around their necks. Indian peace medals served the purpose of symbolic peace between Native and Euro-Americans, usually presented at ceremonies. The U.S. Government produced peace medals from 1789 to 1889. [Lubbers, Klaus. Born for the Shade: Stereotypes of the Native American in United States Literature and the Visual Arts, 1776-1894. Editions Rodopi. 1994]. 4) "English and Dakota Service Book: Being Parts of the Book of Common Prayer set forth for use in the Missionary Jurisdiction of Niobrara" published in 1900 by the Indian Commission of the Board of Missions, Committee of Clergymen appointed by William H. Hare, Missionary Bishop of Niobrara. Verso in English and recto in Dakota. Covers main prayer activities of the Episcopal Church. Inscribed from Mr. Ashley as a Christmas gift to Mrs. Downs, December 24, 1906. 135 pages, excellent condition in its leather hardback covers.

City:
State: North Dakota,
Date: c1889, c1899, 1900

FHWAC#: 2633