Descriptive Catalogue


Source:

Descriptive Catalogue, Photographs Of North American Indians

. United States Geological Survey of the Territories, 1877 by W. H. Jackson, Photographer of the Survey, F. V. Hayden, U. S. Geologist.

Dakota or Sioux Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

The word Dakota means united, confederated, or many in one, and designates the tribe from which the family takes its name. They seldom or never willingly acknowledge the title Sioux first given them by the French, and now by all whites. There are many theories as to the origin of this latter name, the most acceptable of which is that it is a corruption of the word Nadouessioux a general Chippewa designation for enemies which was gradually applied by missionaries and traders, through an imperfect understanding of the language, to the tribes thus designated. Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, thought that … Read more

Dakota Family

A large family of North American Indians, embracing the Assiniboine or Stone Sioux, the Dakotas proper, or, as they are called by the Algonkin, Nadowesioux, from which is derived the word Sioux; Omaha, Otoe, Osage, Ponca, Iowa, Kansas, Missouria, Minataree, and Crows. Until quite recently they occupied the larger portion of the country bounded on the, east by the great lakes, on the north by the British Possessions, on the west by the Rocky Mountains, and on the south by the Platte River. According to their traditions they came eastward from the Pacific, and encountered the Algonkin about the headwaters … Read more

Crow Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

The Crow, or, as they call themselves, Absaroka, meaning something or anything that flies, when first known occupied the Lower Yellowstone and the valleys of the Big Horn and Tongue Rivers, but roamed over much of the surrounding country, carrying their incursions even to the plains of Snake River and to the valley of the Green. Were originally one with the Minataree or Gros Ventre, but separated from them, and were afterward driven from their territory by the Ogalalla and Cheyenne, settling finally about the head of the Yellowstone, dispossessing ‘in their turn the Blackfeet and Flatheads. Are divided into … Read more

Creek Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

Paddy Carr, Creek Interpreter

The Creek are known in their own language as the Muskogee or Muskogee and occupied originally the greater part of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Their traditions say that they emigrated from the Northwest until they reached Florida, when they fell back to the country between the headwaters of the Alabama and Savannah rivers. As this was full of small rivers and creeks it was called by the early settlers the creek country, hence the name of the Creek Indians, who, when first known to the whites, were living there. Those remaining in Florida were called the Seminoles or Isti-semole (wild … Read more

Comanche Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

A roving, warlike, and predatory tribe of Shoshone descent, roaming over much of the great prairie country from the Platte to Mexico. Their traditions and early history are vague, but they claim to have come from the west. They call themselves Naüni (live people), but the Spanish called them Comanche or Camanche (Les Serpents), the name adopted by the Americans. Procuring horses from the Spaniards at an early day they became expert riders, which, united with their daring and aggressiveness, made them noted and feared throughout the Southwest. Engaged in long and bloody wars with the Spaniards, but were subdued … Read more

Choctaw Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

The Choctaws, or Chahta, at the time of De Soto’s visit in 1540, were living south of the Chickasaws, and west of the Creeks. Unlike the surrounding tribes, they were peaceably disposed, and a nation of farmers, and much farther advanced in civilization than any of their neighbors. Coming in contact with the French, Spanish, English, and Americans, they have never been at war with any of them. Commenced moving west of the Mississippi in 1801, and by 1830 had exchanged all their lands for other in the Indian Territory. By 1861 had advanced far in civilization, numbering with the … Read more

Chippewa Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

Migrating from the East late in the sixteenth or early in the seventeenth century, the Chippewa, or Ojibwas, settled first about the Falls of Saint Mary, from which point they pushed still farther westward, and eventually compelled the Dakotas to relinquish their ancient hunting-grounds about the headwaters of the Mississippi and of the Red River of the North. Were first known to the French, about 1640, who called them Sauteux, from the place of their residence about Sault Ste. Marie, a name still applied to them by the Canadian French. They were then living in scattered bauds on the banks … Read more

Chickasaw Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

When first known the Chickasaws were located north of Mississippi on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. Were mixed up in the early French and English wars, remaining loyal to the English up to 1783. Operated with the Americans against the Creeks in 1793. Commenced to migrate west of the Mississippi early in the present century. Sold their lands to good advantage and amassed considerable wealth, and were in every way a prosperous, progressive nation. They purchased a large tract of land from the Choctaw, a tribe speaking the same language, and affiliated with them in all tribal affairs. In 1855, … Read more

Cherokee Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

This article contains the Cherokee photo descriptions from the Descriptive Catalogue, Photographs of North American Indians. United States Geological Survey of the Territories, 1877 by W. H. Jackson, Photographer of the Survey, F. V. Hayden, U. S. Geologist.

Caddo Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

The Caddo, or Cadodaquious, at present a small remnant of a tribe that once ranged over the Red River country, where they were first met with in 1687 by Jontel and other survivors of the La Salle expedition. They are now consolidated with Waco, Wichita, Keechie, Tawaconie, Ionie, and Delaware, and number 552, occupying the Wichita reservation of about 1,200 square miles in extent between the branches of the They have now well-managed farms, and are noted for industry and general intelligence. List of illustrations. 159-160. Sho-E-Tat. Little Boy. English name, Geo. Washington. Born in Louisiana in 1816. Is probably … Read more

Bannock Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

The Bannack, Bonnack, or Pannaque, a small, scattered tribe of Shoshone stock, roaming over the desert plains of Idaho and portions of the surrounding Territories, were first found about the Blue Mountains. In 1833 Bonneville met them on the Snake River, near the mouth of the Portneuf, “numbering about 120 lodges. They are brave and cunning warriors, and deadly foes of the Blackfeet, whom they easily overcome in battle when their forces are equal. They are not vengeful and enterprising in warfare, however, seldom sending parties to attack the Blackfeet towns, but contenting themselves with defending their own territories and … Read more

Athabasca Family

Athabasca A family of North American Indians, comprising two large divisions, one living in the British Possessions, between Hudson’s Bay and the Pacific, and the other along the southern boundary of the United States, in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, with some smaller bands along the western coast, north of Oregon. The name of the family is derived from Lake Athabasca, a Cree word, meaning “cords of hay.” They are supposed by many to be of Tartar descent, and their language has been found to be somewhat analogous to that of Thibet. Their traditions point to an emigration from the … Read more

Apache Indian Tribe Photo Descriptions

One of the most numerous branches of Athabascan stock are the Apaches, a fierce, nomadic nation, roaming over the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona, and Sonora and Chihuahua. Always a scourge and a terror to settlers, they have held in check for many years the civilization of the country covered by their depredations. In 1831 Gregg wrote of them: “They are the most extensive and powerful, and yet the most vagrant, of all the savage nations that inhabit the interior of Northern Mexico. They are supposed to number 15,000 souls, although they are subdivided into various petty bands and … Read more

Algonquian Family

Early in the seventeenth century, the Algonkin were the largest family of North American Indians within the present limits of the United States, extending from Newfoundland to the Mississippi, and from the waters of the Ohio to Hudson’s Bay and Lake Winnipeg. Northeast and northwest of them were the Eskimos and the Athabasca; the Dakotas bounded them on the west, and the Mobilian tribes, Catawba, Natchez, &c., on the south. Within this region also dwelt the Iroquois and many detached tribes from other families. All the tribes of the Algonkin were nomadic, shifting from place to place as the fishing … Read more