Name/Title
Waupun's 125th Jubilee, News Release, Guest, Chief John Big Tree, Page 3, 1964Scope and Content
Waupun's 125th Jubilee
Indian Guest Page 3
He did not know when or where the statue and it was not until a change of events in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition two years later that he saw the work in San Francisco. As part of the Wild West show at the Exposition, the acts made daily parades through the grounds to attract crovids to the arena. One day the parade route was changed for the first time and he saw his likeness in the massive plaster statue.
He has probably the most well-known forehead, eyes and nose in the country as these features were used in making the profile on the now scarce nickel. A Sioux chief and a Cheyenne chief were the other Indians used to complete the composite for the commissioned coin. His complete facial features are also used as a trade-mark on the Pontiac car.
Between public appearances around the country, Chief Big Tree lives with his wife on the Onondaga Reservation near ayracuse, New York. His wife of fifty-five years makes costimes and beadwork for his various visits.
Probably the two most prized possessions in his collection of mementos would include the first Indian head nickel minted by the government and a miniature of The End of the Trail in bronze.
Mr. Beske gave much of the credit for the contact with the Chief to John Kirkpatrick, co-publisher and ad manager of The Leader-News, Waupun's weekly newspaper. "While John was serving as last year's president of the Chamber of Commerce, he began tracking down several leads, but a cover story in a national magazine helped bring the two of us together for the Chief's appearance at our celebration," BIr. Beslie stated.
Other visitors of note at the Jubilee will include
More----(see 2007.0007.0007)
Found in museum's collection in the file cabinets in office upstairs.Acquisition
Accession
2007.0007Source or Donor
Collection of items found in Museum Filing CabinetAcquisition Method
Found in Collection