Name/Title
Letter from Leo Frachtenberg to Harry GeorgeEntry/Object ID
Q1430.634.141DDescription
Letter from Leo Frachtenberg to Harry George discussing Harry George's decision to collect more than baskets, that he will help secure materials from certain tribes, and discussing linguistic work. Vol 1 P. 141D
Dear Mr. George:-
I could not answer your letter of July 15th and 19th, respectfully, any sooner, as I was busy with my scientific work.
I am very glad to hear that you collect other things besides baskets. As I understand it now, you want a specimen of material culture of every possible Indian tribe. This will facilitate matters a great deal. As a matter of fact, baskets are not a very good criterion of judging material culture, because in small areas different tribes are not to make identical baskets. I have, therefore, ordered from the Coos people such specimens as were more characteristic of their material culture than baskets. I enclose copy of a letter sent to Mr. Egbert by a Coos Indian which will explain the matter fully. In explanation, I beg to inform you that if a suit made of Tule grass could still be obtainable, it would be of immense value to you, and I urge you by all means to get it regardless of cost. I believe that $25.00 is a very reasonable price for such a suit. Of course, I may be able to get it cheaper. At any rate I'd advise to send an additional check of $25.00 to Mr. Egbert.
I am making arrangements to get you a Siuslaw basket, but you will have to wait,
H. L. G. -2-
because the Indian whom I instructed this work is searching for roots.
In regard to the Siuslaw family, I beg to inform you that the same consists of two distinct dialects: one called Siuslaw, and the other Lower Umpqua. The Siuslaw was spoken on the Siuslaw River as far as tide water (the sight of the present village Napleton ). The Lower Umpqua Indians lived on the lower part of the Umpqua River as far as Scottsburg. My reasons for naming this family Siuslauan and not Umpqua were a desire to avoid misunderstandings.
You, undoubtedly, know that the language spoken on the upper course of the Umpqua River belongs to the Athapancan group. The two Siuslauan dialects are pretty much nearly alike. My grammar deals chiefly with the Lower Umpqua dialect.
Yours very truly,
Additional handwritten notes add context to its academic or historical significance.Subject
Leo Frachtenberg
Smithsonian Institution
Bureau of American Ethnology
Washington, D.C.
Siletz, Oregon
Baskets
Knott Egbert
Siuslaw
Lower UmpquaSubject Person/Organization
Harry L. George Collection, Leo Joachim Frachtenberg
