Name/Title
Letter from Harry George to William A. Light.Entry/Object ID
Q1430.635.9cDescription
Vol. II, pg. 9c
Letter from Harry George to William A. Light of the Hayward Indian Training School, Wisconsin, describing information and baskets he has secured from sources of tribes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. Includes many names of sources including agencies and specific tribal members.
Mr. William A Light,
Hayward Indian Training School,
Wisconsin,
Dear Sir:
Many thanks for yours of July 5th which throws some light upon some matters I do not know very much about: that was, the kind of baskets that the Indians of Wisconsin and Michigan would be likely to make. Several letters I have received from that part of the country speak of them as being made of ash splints. I felt afraid to take hold of these baskets for the reason they were a commercial basket but were of no value to the collector. However if anything could be found that would be of strictly Indian design I would be of interested in the same.
Among the letters received from Minnesota and Wisconsin is one from E.J. Bost Wittenberg, Wis, who speaks of baskets being made of ash splints by the following named Indian women: Mrs. Too Crow, Mrs. JimPine, Mrs. Decora, and Anna Bell, Wittenberg. These baskets are Winnebagoes. If you are a collector you might write to Mr. Bost.
From the Supt. of the Mr. Pleasant Indian School, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. I received the following addresses: Mrs. Julia Walker, Rural Free delivery #3 Rosebush, Michigan. Mrs. Sarah Francis, Gooheart Mich. Morrison & Dains, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, dealer in Indian baskets. During my travels I have picked up several sweet grass baskets and know what they are like. During my last trip to Canada I purchased a birch basket filled out by the Nova Scotia Indians with what is called Porcupine quills and colored Moose hair. I have a specimen of birch bark work made by the Chippewas. If you have anything in your collection that is a duplicate that you would like to part with I would be glad to hear from you.
Drummond & Kulander, Post traders Walker, Minn. might help you to get some specimens.
The Supt. of the Leech Lake[?] Agency at Onigum, Minn. writes me that under his care are chippewas, Leech Lake, Casa Lake, Winnebagoshish and White Point reservation.
The Principal of the White Earth Indian School, White Earth, Minn., writes me that the Indians of his reservation make baskets of sweet grass only. If you will write to John Lecky, B. L. Fairbanks & Son, Mrs. L. L. Lynch of White Earth, some spicmens might be had from them. I have gathered a great deal of information which I will be glad to give to [remainder of page cut off]
The agent at Lapoint Indian agency, Ashland, Wis. writes that the Chippewas under his care are bark workers. Also the agent at Oneida, Wis. says that the Indians under his care make some splint baskets. This is about all the information I have in regard to baskets such as you have been buying, and I take pleasure in sending same to you. I know that as a collector any information that you get would be welcome.Subject
George, Harry L.
Light, William A.
Hayward Indian Training School, Wisconsin
Baskets
ChippewaSubject Person/Organization
Harry L. George CollectionCollection
Harry L. George Collection
