Queen City Heritage Mutual Infatuation: Rosebud and Cincinnatians

Susan Labry Meyn

As early as 1832 George Catlin, the famous painter of Indians, stated that Cincinnatians no longer thought of themselves as living on the fron- tier. Many felt that "Our town has passed the days of its most rapid growth, it is not far enough West."1 Like Catlin Cincinnatians yearned for the Far West, "untamed" country that fascinated (and still fasci- nates) "civilized" society. Some sixty years later, in the summer of 1896, officials at the Cincinnati Zoological Society brought the West to the East in a series of educational programs illustrating frontier and pioneer life — actu- ally historical plays, advertised as "The Only Genuine and Legitimate Wild West Show and Congress of Rough Riders of the World In or Near Cincinnati This Season."2 The spectacular event last- ed three months and featured eighty- nine Sicangu Sioux men, women, and children, who after signing the federally approved contracts with the zoo's offi- made friends with several Sicangu who corresponded cial representative, Assistant Manager Fred E. Nevin, with him after their visit. Meyer's collection of pho- left their homes on Rosebud Reservation in South tographs, glass negatives, Indian artifacts, and letters Dakota and traveled south to Valentine, Nebraska, to are in the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History.4 board a train for Cincinnati. Two boxcars transported The ex-president of the Cincinnati Camera Club, their tepees and horses.3 The Sicangu camped at the Thomas H. Kelley took additional photographs which zoo and participated in reenactments of legendary illustrate an unpublished manuscript written by battles, an attack on a , war James Albert Green, a longtime trustee on the board dances, Indian pony races, and scenes zoo officials of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton thought typical of Cincinnati one hundred years earli- County.5 Rookwood artists, who often used pho- er. When Cincinnatians visited the zoo that summer, tographs of Indians as a source of authentic inspira- they traveled vicariously through time and space. tion for their painted pottery, had access to a third Curiously, no one seems to have thought it unusual group of pictures taken by an unknown that Plains Indians portrayed Eastern Woodland photographer.6 Other Cincinnatians documented the Indians. Indian visit in newspapers and in correspondence Fortunately some Cincinnatians wrote with officials in Washington, D.C. Decades later about, sketched, and photographed the Sicangu that Bessie Hoover Wessel, a local artist, acquired Meyer's summer. One young photographer, Enno Meyer, glass negatives and used them as a guide for her oil

Susan Labry Meyn, a doctoral Rookwood artists who used candidate in interdisciplinary photographs of Indians as a studies at the University of source of inspiration for their Cincinnati, has presented painted pottery had access to programs on this event at a group of pictures taken by Rosebud Reservation. an unknown photographer. (CHS, Photograph Collection) Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians paintings, "Portraits From The Plains." In 1971 A. B. Artists like George Catlin and Karl Closson Jr. Company's gallery exhibited and sold Bodmer painted images that have left indelible Wessel's paintings.7 The fascination with the West impressions of the "pure," untamed West. Their continues to the present and the author enjoys a depictions of the Plains Indian in long fringed leather warm relationship with many contemporary Sicangu garb astride a horse pursuing buffalo on the run who have helped resolve problems associated with an became synonymous with the "real" thing. Stories almost forgotten event. about and David Crockett and their near- The excitement Cincinnatians felt in death adventures on the frontier reinforced the stereo- 1896 was typical of that gripping the entire nation type. Author Ned Buntline's dime novels made around the turn of the century when thousands a national hero, whetting everyone's rushed to see similar sponsored by appetite to see how it "really was." William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), Pawnee Bill, Texas Smart speculators like Buffalo Bill capi- Jack, and others. Buffalo Bill's 1893 frontier spectacle, talized on this image and included live Plains Indians staged on a huge lot adjacent to the Columbian in their programs. Indians traveled far and wide with World's Fair in , delighted fair goers and circuses, wild west shows, and medicine shows. They earned more than $700,000/ When his show appeared participated in national and international fairs and in Cumminsville in Cincinnati in the spring of 1896 expositions. Their flowing feathered headdresses, after an absence of eight years, it sold out.9 Even imprinted on minds and pennies, typified the Indian.10 though Cincinnatians had never fought with Plains The idea of the Far West spread its charms over the Indians in the Queen City, they wanted to experience nation and the Cincinnati Zoological Society. The the romantic, imaginary West with Buffalo Bill, the former army scout, who looked the part. His show's AMUSEMENTS. successful tour of Europe had only increased his popu- 5EW CINCINNATI 1IA&E-BALL PARK larity in the United States. O3NTE5 Many factors, both national and regional, By Special Request, Commencing THIS (MONDAY) AfTEBftOON. caused the Wild West mania. Americans realized that Owing to the continued success of the "untamed" zone separating unsettled areas from occupied zones along the western border ceased to exist when the census bureau officially closed the frontier in 1890. According to the bureau's definition the population density had exceeded six people per square mile. In addition the legendary battles with Kit Carson and General George Custer were over. The most tragic encounter, the Massacre at Wounded Knee, which occurred near a creek in South Dakota in December 1890, ended Indian wars. At the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, a young historian, Frederick

Jackson Turner, presented his theory about the dis- Co. tinctive features of the process of civilizing the nation The manngement have decided to remaln another week. • in a paper entitled "The Significance of the Frontier in Afternoon at 8 O'Oloolac REDUCED /ADMISSION *s AND BO CENTS American History." As the century closed and t CHILDRECHILD N is This places tHe Century's Novelty within the reach of all. America spread its domain past the frontier, the citi- Street Cars right to the Rate. Doors open at 1 o'clock. zens' love affair with frontier events grew, thus GRAND STREET PARADE THIS MORNING immortalizing the vanished frontier and the mythical LOCAL NOTICES. West. JWTSOLID GOLD and finMt rolled gold AMENDED PLAT NO. 111.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West show was very popular with Cincinnatians who wanted to experience the romantic, imaginary West. (CHS, Photograph Collection) Queen City Heritage Society, like other speculators, was unconcerned In 1895 Cincinnatians had been offered a about costs, believing that the 1896 Sicangu Sioux kaleidoscope of events including the first Indian program depicting life on the frontier would increase encampment — a Cree village at the zoo. A band of gate receipts. Cree had been abandoned by the Beveridge Montana One newspaper reporter approved of the Wildest West show in June.13 When the show owner Society's entrepreneurial spirit claiming, "It is a grand fled, some of the poverty-stricken Cree remained on illustration of the enterprising policy of the present the former show site in Bellevue, Kentucky, across management — a policy which, if kept up, will not the river from Cincinnati. The Cree's refusal to leave only place the Zoo upon a safe basis, but make it one caused consternation and stress for both Kentucky of the most profitable amusement institutions of the officials and the Cree.14 The zoo solved the problem by United States."11 The Society said that "the attrac- inviting the Cree to camp near their beloved buffalos tions offered by the animals alone were hardly suffi- and bears. cient inducement to the public to bring the receipts The Cree village was not the only ethno- up to the amount of running expenses, quite ignoring logical attraction Cincinnatians saw at the zoo. The the expense of annual repairs to the buildings, etc., 1895 program included an Oriental village with permanent improvements and the replenishment of Arabian, Kurdish, Armenian, and Egyptian families animals, they determined to inaugurate other attrac- camping in their ethnically diverse tents.15 In his 12 tions." The Society had good reason to speculate report of January 1, 1897, John Goetz, Jr., President of because the first Indian encampment at the zoo in the Zoological Society, boasted that the extra attrac- 1895, combined with the other cultural attractions, tions in 1895 increased receipts by more than $25,000. had done precisely this. This unprecedented success led to future ethnological

Cree men posed for a photo- Plains clothing presented a graph in their camp in 1895, "more acculturated" style. the zoo's first Indian exhibi- (Picture courtesy of the tion. The hairstyle (short Cincinnati Museum of bangs in front) of Cree men Natural History) was different from that worn by Sioux men and their Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians 33 Cincinnati, which had hired Indians as part of its 19 CINCINNATI ILLUSTRATED BUSINESS DIRECTORY. entertainment. Heck first served as press agent and in 1893 as assistant manager when the museum was at 218 Vine.10 Between 1894 and 1897 Heck was the general manager of the Zoological Office.21 In 1899 he was the Manager of Heck's Wonder World and Theatre located at 526-28 Vine." In 1896 Heck had an The Largest and Best Equipped in the World. ')c>t assistant manager, Fred E. Nevin, whom he knew 45 ACRES'OF BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE. I from his days at the Kohl and Middleton Dime Museum.23 Heck, Stephan, and other zoo officials saw

MOST OOMPL£TE OOI LECTION the abandoned Cree as a fortuitous addition to their 1895 schedule. Together they brought world's fair style entertainments and ethnological exhibitions to IN EXISTENCE. the Queen City's zoo. Listing himself as the contact person, Manager Heck invited Cincinnatians to attend a

EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHTS IN IUNE, JULY AND AUGUST. ••' •> '•'.** kaleidoscope of "Delightful Summer Night Fetes, Every Tuesday and Friday Nights in June, July and August" and "Lavish Spectacular and Vaudeville CONGEHTS BY FULL MILITARY BAND. Entertainments on other Nights of the Week" at the FORTY GREAT ARTISTS. Gardens, "The Largest and Best Equipped in the 24 Lavish Spectacular and Vaudeville Entertainments on other Nights of the Week World." Heck offered special rates to churches, schools, and other groups and requested that any

X? »*rr-o To Churches, Schools and Societies desiring to- inquiries be addressed to him. No doubt the advertis- t\ATE£ hold Outings at the Zoo. j-, ing stemmed from the successful 1895 series of pro- ' ";••. » For further information, call on or address grams. WILL S. HECK, •• Manager Zoological QaWenli •.^|,^; But federal officials, humanitarians, and 624 educators wanted to prohibit Indians from participat- ing in these shows. Not only were they concerned about the welfare of the Indians but proponents of exhibitions.16 assimilation felt the plays glorified an unacceptable It is difficult to say exactly who first former life-style. Civilizing Plains Indians and teach- realized that inviting the Cree Indians to perform in ing them to farm was felt to be critical to their liveli- an improvised wild west show would infatuate and hood. These shows, they said, only allowed the attract Cincinnatians and thus fatten the zoo's cof- Indians to see whites applauding the very way of life fers. Decades later Sol Stephan, superintendent at the they fought to abolish. Show owners, who knew that time, claimed he originally had the idea to exhibit the fortunes could be made quickly, countered that Cree and that he had opened negotiations with Indians wanted to escape the monotonous life on the them.17 To him the idea may not have seemed far reservations. Indians, especially those on the Plains fetched because at this time Indians traveled with cir- reservations, were spiritually and economically cuses, and Stephan, as a young man, had worked for depressed. Indians desperately needed the income the Great Eastern Circus.18 He probably had the sup- show owners promised them. But sometimes these port of William S. Heck, the zoo's general manager in scheduled events flopped, leaving Indians, like the 1895 and 1896. Heck had earlier been employed by 1895 Crees, abandoned and penniless in remote cor- the Kohl and Middleton Dime Museum in ners of the globe.

William S. Heck, the zoo's general manager, Sol Stephan, and other zoo officials brought world's fair style entertainments and ethnological exhibitions to the Queen City. (CHS, Printed Works Collection) 34 Queen City Heritage The Cree encampment brought an accul- turated West to Cincinnati. The Cree wore pseudo- Plains clothing in untraditional ways and decorated themselves with feathers that fell from some of the birds at the zoo. Their hair styles, with short front bangs, were not typically Sioux.25 Despite this, Henry F. Farny and John Rettig went to the zoo to sketch them.26 In addition Cincinnati artist and photographer Enno Meyer, who frequently photographed the ani- mals and buildings at the zoo, took pictures of the Indians, documenting a little known event in Cree history and one almost forgotten in the zoo's history. After settling in at the zoo, the Cree staged a typical wild west show appearing in war dances, medicine dances, scalp dances, and the "Wonderful Sun Dance."27 Additional frontier portray- als included the burning of a prisoner at the stake and the massacre of the inhabitants of a frontier cabin. Cincinnatians also witnessed Cree activities in other sections of the city. When Hidden Bird, a Cree man, died his funeral mass at St. Xavier Church aroused much curiosity. The cortege walked solemnly through the city's streets to St. Joseph Cemetery where he was buried.28 A July 7, 1895, Enquirer headline told Cincinnatians that admission receipts would be used in "transporting these Waifs of the West back to their homes in Far-Off Montana."29 The article urged local citizens to rush to the zoo and bid farewell to the Cree, who were to the zoo officials relief, finally leav- ing on July 15.30 Hundreds of Cincinnatians responded by attending the zoo's wild west show and other eth- nic events, thereby prompting one newspaper to com- pare the programs to the Columbian exposition: "What the World's Fair Was to Chicago the Zoo Is to Cincinnati!"31 At the time, zoo officials did not consid- er these human or anthropological exhibitions extra- Arabians, or any wild or strange people now in exis- neous to its mission. The following year, 1896, John tence, we are simply keeping within our province as a Goetz, the President of the Cincinnati Zoological zoological institution."32 Zoo officials thereby aligned Society, justified the zoo's decision to illustrate life on themselves with other promoters. the Plains with a living Indian village. In the Annual Although the Cree encampment had Report of 1896 he wrote: "The exhibition of wild peo- been a large undertaking, the three-month Sicangu ple is in line with zoology, and so, when we exhibit Sioux visit in 1896 took months of preparation and Indians, or South Sea Islanders, or Esquimaux, or represented a tremendous commitment for the

A picture of Iron Shell whom the zoo agreed to pay $40.00 a month was taken for the Rookwood artists. (CHS Photograph Collection) Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians 35 Zoological Society. They sought and eventually Heck told Smith that Fred E. Nevin, a representative of obtained federal permission for the Sicangu Sioux to the Zoological Society, would start for Rosebud come to Cincinnati. To guarantee the safety and well Reservation on May 31.4O being of the Sicangu, the Society had to post a $10,000 On June 11, Charles E. McChesney, U.S. bond.13 In addition it had to underwrite the transporta- Indian Agent at Rosebud Reservation, wrote the tion and care of the Indians' horses, thereby increasing Commissioner of Indian Affairs."I have the honor to the financial obligations of the Society. transmit herewith fifty-nine Articles of Agreement Obtaining government approval for the between Fred E. Nevin, duly authorized representative Indians to leave their reservation proved difficult. On of the Zoological Society of Cincinnati, Ohio, and April ii, 1896, Heck wrote his first letter requesting sundry Indians of this agency. These agreements cover Indians from "Western Reservations" for the purpose 89 persons, who left this agency for Cincinnati, Ohio, of exhibitions.34 On April 16, he wrote to Hoke Smith, today."41 the Secretary of the Interior, stating that he knew that In addition to paying each Sicangu an William F. Cody had an arrangement by which he agreed upon salary the Society promised, secured Indians for his show. Heck said that the to supply the said party of the second Zoological Garden, "having been founded and main- part with proper food and raiment, except one suit of tained by philanthropists as an educational institution Indian clothes to start with, and moccasins, head- — as a field of object lessons for the study of Natural dress, etc., and to discharge all their traveling and History" would be a natural place to "illustrate during needful incidental expenses from the date of leaving the summer season, the various races of men."35 He said Agency until their return thereto, and to protect offered John G. Carlisle, Charles P. Taft, and Jacob H. the said party from all immoral influences and sur- Bromwell as attestors to the high character of the roundings, and to provide all needful medical atten- Society.36 Bromwell and Taft followed through and dance and medicine, and do all such other acts and helped the Society obtain permission "to show an things as may be requisite and proper for the health, Indian tribe."37 After receiving official permission "to comfort and welfare of the said party of the second engage the services of, not to exceed one hundred, part, and to return them to the said Agency within Indians/' Heck inquired about salaries and wrote the the time specified by the Interior Department from Indian agents at Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservation the date hereof, without charge or cost to the said in South Dakota. Albeit, he noted that the final deci- party of the second part or to the United States. The sion rested with the Executive Committee.38 On May party of the second part agrees to keep sober and 11, J. George Wright, the Indian Agent at Rosebud, obey the rules and regulations of the Zoological wrote Heck regarding the salaries. The average salary, Society of Cincinnati, O., failing to do so he will be Wright said, was "$25.00 per month for each individ- returned to Agency, forfeiting salary due him.''1 ual male Indian; $10.00 and $15.00 per month for each The contract was paternalistic and woman, and $5.00 per month for each child. Chiefs or placed a serious financial responsibility upon a rela- head men would probably demand $30 or $35.00, or tively small institution. Goetz justified his decision in possibly $50.00 per month." Wright told Heck that the the Annual Report when he said that the Board of Indians would bring their "native costume, feathers, Directors believed that the $25,000 earned in 1895 etc." and that he, Heck, "would have no trouble what- "could be kept up and probably exceeded."43 The ever in controling [sic] these Indians, provided strict Board was banking on the fascination of discipline was maintained, and they not [sic] permitted Cincinnatians to offset any deficits. 39 to obtain liquor under any circumstances." The After agreeing to participate in the zoo's Society decided to "engage the services" of the Indians educational program, the Sicangu posed for an official and Heck forwarded the required $10,000 bond to photograph by John A. Anderson, who documented Smith, the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs. numerous other Sicangu activities. The men looked 36 Queen City Heritage splendid in their Plains Indian finery; many astride One addition featured Sicangu horsemen their horses with women and children seated on the and a band of "revengeful Bedouins" on horseback ground in front.44 By Saturday, June 20, Queen City thundering together around the arena in "a grand residents knew that genuine, legitimate Indians were combination drill of horsemen from the wild West at the zoo, living in a "picturesque village" where and the wild East."51 Now, the show staged in the zoo- aboriginal life could be seen first-hand.45 The Board of logical gardens of a mid-western river town, resem- Directors felt that this event "gave a rare opportunity bled Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough of showing the character and mode of life of the Riders of the World. Even Major John Burke, the gen- Indian tribes" to Cincinnatians.46 eral manager of Buffalo Bill's show felt compelled to Valentine McKenzie, a Sicangu who was compliment the zoo's program.52 educated at Carlisle Indian School, served as inter- But, the zoo had competition. Even preter when the contracts were signed and when local though the government discouraged Indians from par- newspaper reporters toured the encampment. The ticipating in shows without contracts, Indian agents Indian village was located in the northeastern portion had no authority to prohibit them. Defying the of the zoo's garden, near present day Forest Avenue authority of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and Dury Street. "The village is diversified by hill and approximately twenty Indians surreptitiously left the dale, and plain and valley. The tepees, whose sides are and Indian Agency in Darlington, covered with rude pictures, showing the Indian's pas- Oklahoma, on June 23, 1896, on the 6:00 a.m. train for sion, if not his talent, for drawing, are distributed Cincinnati and another wild west show organized by with a charming disregard for symmetry and distance Major Gordon Lilly, "Pawnee Bill."53 over the grounds."47 Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show, at During their initial adjustment to Chester Park on the north side of Spring Grove at Cincinnati's summer and to living under the inquisi- Platt Avenue, rivaled the events at the zoo. Every spe- tive eyes of the visiting public, Sicangu presented two cial frontier show the zoo planned, Pawnee Bill imi- educational frontier shows daily. The site of the enter- tated and advertised one week later on the same page tainments, one at 3:00 p.m. and the other at 8:30 p.m., that described the zoo's activities. Pawnee Bill left was the amphitheater south of the lake. (Today, this Chester Park in mid-July but the park's management is the parking area near the present-day elephant continued to give the zoo competition. The zoo's house.)48 After the zoo closed for the evening, the "Historical Cincinnati" program was copied and Indians would begin rehearsing Indian shows. The renamed "Cincinnati One Hundred Years Ago" com- goal of the entertainments (best described as wild plete with another elaborate set replicating Fort west shows) was to illustrate the stirring scenes con- Washington. It is uncertain who portrayed the nected with pioneer and frontier life, albeit, not Indians.54 Frustrated zoo officials repeatedly claimed always accurately or realistically.49 The expanded that their Indians were the only ones acquired "honor- entertainments included reenactments of well- ably" through a bond agreement with the government known, stereotyped, events in Indian-White relation- and with signed contracts with the Sicangu. They ships: the Massacre of Wounded Knee, the Battle of boasted that their Indians, fresh from South Dakota, Little Big Horn, an attack on a frontier stage coach, were members of the Great Sioux Nation and embod- and the proverbial burning of the prisoner at the ied the Indian qualities described by James Fenimore stake. The U.S. soldiers were represented by a compa- Cooper.55 Thus, Cincinnatians also enhanced the ny of the First Regiment of Infantry from the Ohio myth of the Wild West. National Guard.50 These sensational dramatic attrac- Each week the highlights of the Wild tions, complete with electric and pyrotechnic lighting West changed trying to lure local residents to see the and red-fire effects were the highlights of the zoo's former frontier in action.56 However, when the zoo program,- but the zoo's officials added others. officials decided to reenact the Ghost Dance and the Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians 37 Massacre at Wounded Knee there was disagreement created for the reenactment.61 Enno Meyer acquired a among the Sicangu. In his manuscript Green nearly identical shield that is in the Cincinnati explained that "An Indian has very little imagination Museum of Natural History's Collections.62 The pro- and it took a long time to get the idea of what was grams continued to change and Indians were busy wanted into their heads."57 The real reason, however, making props. may well have been that many of the Sicangu vividly "Historical Cincinnati," a very innova- remembered the 1890 tragedy and the last days of tive entertainment, portrayed scenes and incidents their Nation. One newspaper claimed that some of that had occurred in the Cincinnati area more than the visiting Sicangu had actually participated in the 100 years earlier. The Sicangu, wearing Plains cloth- battle.s8 Finally with the assistance of interpreter ing, became Eastern Woodland Indians, and staged a Valentine McKenzie, a compromise was reached and sham battle before gigantic scenery depicting Fort the Indians made the appropriate costumes for the Washington. The thrilling climax was the attack on presentation.59 Green stated that "after they had once the fort and its defense by brave frontiersmen.63 Zoo or twice rehearsed the Battle, they took most kindly officials embroidered Cincinnati history when they to it and gave the performance with a vim and energy asked Indians to storm and attack Fort Washington that was startling."60 because the fort was never attacked in a serious man- Ghost dance shields, replicating those ner — and never by Plains Indians. The only signifi- used by participants in the movement, were part of cant Indian attack in the vicinity of Cincinnati was the traditional attire. In one photograph a Sicangu is on Dunlap Station on the Great Miami in 1791.64 shown holding his shield, a prop he or someone else Incidents in the lives of famous frontiersmen, such as

Goes to War, brother of Iron In contract number 36 the Shell, was one of the Indians Cincinnati zoo agreed to pay photographed by Thomas H. Little Bald Eagle $40.00 a Kelley to illustrate the James month. (CHS, James A. A. Green manuscript. (CHS, Green Manuscript Collection) James A. Green Manuscript Collection) Queen City Heritage

Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, James Smith, and Shell's daughter wore while shopping and what she Colonel Crawford, were also illustrated. The play- purchased — large cotton handkerchiefs, beads, a wrights at the zoo together with the Sicangu feather duster, some sticks of peppermint candy, a red enlivened and embellished Cincinnati history. and yellow work basket, and a majolica beer mug.67 Even though the Sicangu were busy par- The returning travelers had unusual stories and anec- ticipating in two programs daily, they, like other dotes to tell as well as unique souvenirs to show to tourists, enjoyed the pleasures of shopping for sou- the welcoming delegation of relatives at the train sta- venirs. 'They delighted in visiting the city proper and tion in Valentine, Nebraska. One reporter stated that finally the spectacle of an Indian, all togged out in his everyone celebrated with a "great pow wow" and that native finery, going solemnly and stolidly down the the Sicangu who went to Cincinnati held "their heads streets carrying his purchases done in the regulation as high as cameleopards."68 brown paper parcels, became so frequent that not even Even though the reporters and others in the small boy turned his eyes to follow."65 They Cincinnati described Sicangu activities in great detail, learned to shop in the largest and best stores and pur- there was one story that none of the Cincinnati jour- chased intelligently; they were fond of colored shirts, nalists writing in English reported. But, a German silk Windsor ties, and red blankets.66 On August 20, newspaper, the Tagliche Abend-Presse, and The The Enquirer let everyone know what Chief Iron Kentucky Post told all. Somehow the Sicangu discov-

Sicangu Sioux from Rosebud at the Carlisle Indian School. Reservation posed at the (Picture courtesy of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Cincinnati Museum of Garden in 1896. The man in Natural History) the white hat, Valentine McKenzie, served as the interpreter and was educated Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians 39 ered, probably by someone reading the local press to they soon demanded the choicer cuts of sirloins and them, that on January 31, 1896, a few months before porterhouses. "Then they wanted more vegetables and they arrived in Cincinnati, a young woman named expressed a preference for cabbage. Later they wanted Pearl Bryan had been murdered. Her headless body blackberries and watermelons while nothing in the had been found on Lock Farm near Fort Thomas, the bake-shop came amiss."72 There is no doubt that military post, in Campbell County, Kentucky. This Cincinnatians and Cincinnati chefs learned about brutal act came to be known as the "murder of the Indians that summer. century." Numerous mistrials, resulting in no convic- In addition to participating in the daily tion, were held during the period the Sicangu were in wild west shows and frontier plays and maintaining a Cincinnati. On July 15, the Indians went to view the public campsite, the Sicangu frequently posed for pho- site of the murder and asked to see the murderers. tographers. Enno Meyer photographed the Sicangu This request was refused. Instead they were taken on lounging on the grassy knolls at the zoo, resting com- a tour of police headquarters and city hall and intro- fortably on the park benches located there, standing duced to Cincinnati Mayor John A. Caldwell.69 Thus, casually under trees, or seated on the stone walkway. zoo officials upheld their part of the federal contract The men enjoyed their leisure hours, as Meyer's pho- which promised "to protect the said party from all tographs attest, and usually spent them relaxing and immoral influences and surroundings."70 talking. The contract between zoo officials and This, however, does not present a com- the Sicangu also specified that the zoo authorities plete picture of their activities because the Sicangu would be responsible for "proper food." At first this also participated in special events at the zoo. They did not appear to be a problem, because the authori- paraded in a spectacular grand entry when the ties had been told, presumably by the Indian agent, McKinley Club opened the Republican campaign at that a simple diet of meat and potatoes would satisfy the zoo.73 Campaign buttons were popular souvenir the Indians. The chefs employed by the zoo opted for items, even among the Sicangu, and when T.H. Kelley inexpensive meat "cut from pretty close behind the took a picture of Goes to War, he was wearing his horns."71 What the chefs did not realize was that the McKinley button pinned beneath his United States Sicangu were accomplished hunters and butchers so Indian Police badge. At least five other Indians posed

Zoological officials rewrote Washington. (Sketch from the Cincinnati and Northern Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Plains history when they Garden Archives) decided to include in their wild west educational events a play that showed the Sicangu Sioux storming Fort Queen City Heritage

The Sioux enjoyed and later courtesy of the Cincinnati treasured the photographs Museum of Natural History) Meyer took. In their corre- spondence with him after the visit the Indians asked for additional photographs of one another. (Picture Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians

Families, as well as single third phase "Chief's people, camped for three Blanket" for Meyer and months at the zoo's garden in others. (Picture courtesy of 1896 and allowed the Cincinnati Museum of Cincinnatians to stroll Natural History) through their "living" village. This woman displayed her 42 Queen City Heritage for Kelley's portrait photographs.74 Some Indians trav- the nation's economy, but felt "the real and principal eled downtown to Meyer's studio where, according to cause of our loss this year was the unprecedentedly William Meyer, Enno's nephew, they had their pic- rainy season." He said that it rained forty-six of the tures taken which probably accounts for the plain one hundred days of extra amusements and when it background seen in many of Meyer's images75. was not raining, the sky was "cloudy and threaten- Someone else took candid photographs of the Sicangu ing." To make his point he prepared a table comparing and gave them to the Rookwood photograph collec- the attendance and receipts of 1895 with those in tion.76 1896 for twenty-four of the rainiest days of the season. This treasure trove of information, com- "On these twenty-four rainy days, the total atten- bined with the documentation in the National dance was 25,490 and the receipts were $5,670.65; the Archives, shows that the Zoological Gardens planned total attendance for the corresponding days of 1895 an unusual program that summer. Nonetheless, in was 77,180 people . . . and the receipts were spite of the Zoological Society's high expectations, its $14,724.50. . . ,"78 Another disadvantage was streetcar 1896 speculative endeavor failed to generate the antic- facilities which did not provide easy access to the ipated funds. President Goetz admitted that the Zoological Gardens.79 No doubt Pawnee Bill's show, "expense of exhibiting these Indians . . . exceeded by imitating the zoo's programs, also attracted some of several thousands of dollars our receipts."77 He blamed the zoo's potential clientele. Chester Park's shows

The Sioux participated in two wild west shows daily. In between they posed for photographs, toured the city, and shopped in local stores. (Picture courtesy of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History) Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians 43 must have been somewhat successful because the Francis Prucha wrote that the last third of the nine- magangement was still advertising its Cincinnati teenth century when Indians were impoverished and frontier program in late August.80 In addition, the enduring radical changes was the most critical in the monthly salaries of the Sicangu added to the expenses. entire history of Indian-White relations.84 Escaping the The amount for each man was noted on his contract depressing environment and earning money must (59 men, hence 59 contracts); women and children have been a relief for the Indians. For years the Sioux probably received a small salary, in the range Agent expressed concern over the fact that railroad compa- Wright had recommended. The contracts in the National Archives list: two men at forty dollars a month, Valentine McKenzie at thirty dollars a month, and the rest at either twenty-five or fifteen a month. At that time, the salaries must have been a tremen- dous financial commitment because in 1903 the cus- tomary starting wage for a keeper at the zoo was forty dollars a month.81 All of the expenses agreed to in the contracts, plus the reasons Goetz gave, resulted in a tremendous deficit for the 1896 season. This burden was not relieved by the 1897 season and the Zoological Garden went into receivership the follow- ing year. Even though the deficit was enormous, Goetz continued to believe that ethnological villages should be scheduled because they had "vast educa- tional value" and were a "profitable investment."82 How did the Sicangu and other Indians feel about participating in these so-called educational programs? Fortunately, some Sicangu corresponded with Meyer after their visit. In addition to asking him to tell "Farnning" [sic] and "Sharp" hello, they requested copies of Meyer's photographs of their friends or relatives (pictures of women were popular), asked for Heck's address, colored ribbons, and eagle tail feathers from the birds at the zoo. Two Sicangu asked whether another visit to Cincinnati was being (or might be) planned. In December 1896, in May 1898, and again in August 1898, Good Voice Eagle asked Meyer when the zoo was going to schedule another show. Good Voice Eagle said that Arthur 83 Little Stallion also wanted to know. They were anx- nies and cattle ranchers hungrily sought their land. ious to have a commitment because they were desti- Eventually, with the passage of the Dawes Severalty tute. Good Voice Eagle said that he was not able to Act in 1887, government officials were able to rob the answer one of Meyer's letters because he had no Sioux of millions of acres. During this period, eco- money and could not buy a stamp. Good Voice Eagle nomic and spiritual depression were pervasive on the was not exaggerating about the hardships he or other Plains reservations. Participating in wild west plays Indians experienced on the reservations. Historian was probably a respite.

In one of the Rookwood source photos a Sicangu is shown holding his shield, a prop he or someone else created for the enactment of the Ghost Dance and the Massacre at Wounded Knee. (CHS, Photograph Collection) 44 Queen City Heritage Indians who joined the shows realized Earning a monthly salary was not the that they often had to endure the insensitive com- only reason Indians chose to sign on. Some offered ments of whites and that frequently the entertain- other explanations. Black Elk, who was an ment program was little better than a midway specta- Sioux holy man, said that he enjoyed participating in cle. At times even the government's scientifically cor- the scenes planned by Indians more than those rect anthropological exhibits planned for world's fairs planned by whites. He gave his reason for joining 85 and expeditions degenerated into tasteless displays. Buffalo Bill's tour of Europe. ". . . I thought I ought to For the Columbian Exposition, the government gave go, because I might learn some secret of the Wasichu permission for Indians to participate in a living (white people) that would help my people some- anthropological village illustrating how the Indian how."86 , a Sioux who traveled to appeared when America was discovered, in an exhibit England with Buffalo Bill, described the fatigue one replicating an Indian industrial boarding school, and felt after presenting two shows daily and the problems in Buffalo Bill's spectacular wild west show. It's hard associated with moving a large camp from one site to to believe that Indians did not recognize the govern- another and erecting their tepees in "wet and muddy ment's lack of consistency. They knew that being an weather." He complained that white spectators were actor in one of these performances was hard work. not really interested in knowing how things really are. Without a doubt it took a secure personality and They only wanted to see a stereotype.87 Yet, wild west strong integrity to withstand the public's curiosity shows served a purpose, enabling the Indians to and relentless questions day after day. observe white ways unchaperoned, without the pater- nalistic guiding hand of the Great White Father or an Indian agent. When eighty-nine Sicangu consented to participate in an educational program in Cincinnati, they committed themselves to an event that brought the romantic western frontier East. The Sicangu's presence in Cincinnati infatuated numerous residents who left a legacy of important historical information in scattered places. This documentation enables the Sicangu to reclaim a forgotten historical event for their own archives and tells Cincinnatians that for three months in 1896 Queen City residents were allowed to relive, in mythical fashion, the frontier days that they already felt nostalgic about when George Catlin visited the city in 1832.

I would like to thank the Sicangu, particularly Lorraine Walking Bull, Seth Big Crow, Simon Broken Leg, Emil Her Many Horses, Ollie Napesni, Sherry Red Owl, Jerry Kills in Water, and Francis Paul Two Charger and his wife, Marie Kills Plenty-Two Charger for assisting with the identification pro- ject. Mike Her Many Horses, an Oglala, graciously shared his considerable knowledge about old photographs and wild west events. The administration and staff of Sinte Gleska University and Charles Hill, the former Director of the Lakota Archives and Historical Research Center on Rosebud Reservation were invaluable. On my most recent trip in June 1993, Marcella

Women and children partici- Navajo women, indicated pated in the educational that its wearer was a wealthy program and wore their best woman with considerable blankets for Meyer's status. (Picture courtesy of photographs. The blanket on the Cincinnati Museum of the right, a second phase Natural History) "Chief's Blanket" woven by Cash, the Archivist at the Center, Assistant Archivist Terry Cassidy, Hilda Gilbert, Lory Greenland, and Susan Hughes, Gray, and Marlene Whipple, the Director of the Rosebud Sioux Cincinnati Museum of Natural History volunteers, served as Tribe Elderly Nutrition Program, suggested creative ways for research assistants and valuable critics, and Judith Daniels edit- me to elicit additional information. ed the manuscript. The Sicangu are able to enjoy all of Enno Meyer's photographs because R. Howard and Janet C. Melvin, and Monte P. and Mary Louise Melvin donated duplicate 8xio 1. George Catlin, Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, prints to the Lakota Archives and Historical Research Center, and Condition of the North American Indians, Written During the offical repository for Sicangu history at Sinte Gleska Eight Years' Travel Amongst the Wildest Tribes of Indians in University on Rosebud. The Melvins' encouragement and North America, In 1832, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39. Two vol- enthusiasm helped bring this article to fruition. umes. Third Edition. (London, England, 1842), Vol.1, p.62. The Museum of Natural History funded my 2. The Enquirer, June 20, 1896, p.6; June 28, 1896, p.19. 1993 trip to Rosebud. Librarians, Anne B. Shepherd at the 3. Charles E. McChesney to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Cincinnati Historical Society and M'Lissa Kesterman and June ii, 1896, Letters Received 1896 #22637, Record Group y5; Claire Pancero, in the rare book department at the Public National Archives, Washington, D.C., Note #22637 is stored Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, made my task eas- with #20489. The Republican (Valentine, Nebraska), June 19, ier. David Ehrlinger, the Director of Horticulture at The 1896, p.1. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, and William Meyer, 4. The Enno Meyer collection is the result of two separate dona- Enno Meyer's nephew, clarified numerous fine points. Marci tions, one from R. Howard and Janet C. Melvin, and Monte P.

Two men, dressed in ceremo- bandoleer decorated with nial finery, sat on a bench in round mirrors acquired from the zoo's garden for their traders. (Picture courtesy of portrait. In addition to their the Cincinnati Museum of feather military headdresses, Natural History) each is wearing a hair pipe breastplate and a fur 46 Queen City Heritage

and Mary Louise Melvin; the other from Mr. and Mrs. Robert 25. Susan Labry Meyn, "Who's Who: The 1896 Sicangu Sioux H. Wessel, who located and donated the glass negatives. The Visit to the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens," Museum Sicangu are able to enjoy all of Enno Meyer's photographs Anthropology: Journal of The Council for Museum because the Melvin Family donated duplicate 8xio prints to the Anthropology, 16:1 (June 1992), pp.21-26. Lakota Archives and Historical Research Center, the offical 26. The Enquirer, June 23, 1895, p.19. repository for Sicangu history at Sinte Gleska University on 27. The Enquirer, July 4, 1895, p.5. Rosebud. 28. The Enquirer, June 22, 1895, p.5. 5. Cincinnati Historical Society, James Albert Green manu- 29. The Enquirer, July 7, 1895, p.19. script collection; Mss G797U Box 2. Green submitted his manu- 30. The Enquirer, July 16, 1895, p.9. script to Harper and Brothers. There is no date on either the 31. The Enquirer, July 7, 1895, p.19. manuscript or the refusal from Harper, but the date is definitely 32. Twenty-third Annual Report of the Zoological Society of 1896 because the names Green mentioned are the same as Cincinnati, for the Year 1896, 1897^.15. those on the contracts in the National Archives. In the folder is 33. Op. cit., End note #3. The bond agreement is #20489. an envelope dated 1895, but this is not the date of the visit. 34. Heck to Carlisle, April 11, 1896; Heck to Lamont, April 11, 6. Cincinnati Historical Society, Rookwood Photograph 1896; Letters Received 1896, #15220 (both letters); Record Collection, SC 148, Box 6, Source Material. Group 75, National Archives, Washington, D.C. 7. Cincinnati Museum of Natural History Ethnology 35. Heck to Smith, April 16, 1896; Letters Received 1896 Collection, Bessie Hoover Wessel file. There is a photocopy of #15237; Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C. the invitation to the exhibition held at Closson's gallery in the 36. Ibid. file. 37. Bromwell to Browning, April 22, 1896; Letters Received 8. Don Russell, The Wild West or, A History of the Wild West 1896 #15327; Record Group 75; National Archives, Shows (Fort Worth, Texas, Amon Carter Museum of Western Washington, D.C; Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Art, 1970), p.43. Zoological Society of Cincinnati, for the Year 1896, 1897. p.10. 9. Cincinnati Times-Star, May 4, 1896, p.10.; The Cincinnati 38. Heck to Smith, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, May Post, May 5, 1896, p.2. 2, 1896, Letters Received 1896 #16705; Record Group 75; 10. John C. Ewers, "The Emergence of the Plains Indian as the National Archives, Washington, D.C. Symbol of the North American Indian." In Annual Report of 39. Wright to the Zoological Society, May 11, 1896; Outgoing the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, Showing Correspondence for Rosebud, 1878-1910, Book 25; Record the Operations, Expenditures, and Condition of the Institution Group 75; National Archives, Kansas City Branch. for the Year Ended June 30, 1964. Publication 4613, 40. Heck to Smith, May 30, 1896; Letters Received 1896 (Washington D.C., 1965), pp.531-545. #20489; Record Group 75, National Archives, Washington, D.C. 11. The Enquirer, June 23, 1895, p.19. 41. McChesney to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, June 11, 12. Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Zoological Society of 1896. Letters Received 1896 #22637. The letter and the con- Cincinnati for the Year 1896 [sic] p.6. The year of the report is tracts are stored with #20489. Record Group 75; National incorrect; it should be 1895. Archives, Washington, D.C. 13. The Enquirer, June 20, 1895, p.6. 42.Ibid. 14. The Kentucky Post, June 17, 1895, p.6; June 18, 1895, p.6. 43. Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Zoological Society of 15. The Enquirer, July 11, 1895, p.6. Cincinnati, for the Year 1896, p. 10. 16. Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Zoological Society of 44. Henry W. Hamilton and Jean Tyree Hamilton, The Sioux of Cincinnati for the Year 1896, p.10. the Rosebud: A History in Pictures[ Norman, Oklahoma, 1980), 17. The Cincinnati Times-Star, January 2, 1931, p.8. Pi.96. Even though the caption under the photograph reads 18. The Cincinnati Post, March 29, 1944, p. 15; I am indebted to 1897, this is incorrect because there was no Indian exhibit at David Ehrlinger, the Director of Horticulture, at the Cincinnati the zoo that year. This photograph is also reproduced in Paul Zoo and Botanical Garden for sending me a copy of this article. Dyck's book as Plate 21. Brule: The Sioux of the Rosebud, 19. Herbert Welsh to Morgan, June 4, 1891, Letters Received Flagstaff, 1971. The captions are different in the two books 1891, #20212; Morgan to Herbert Welsh, June 13, 1891, Land- because they are derived from different sources. See: Meyn, op. Vol 109, Record Group 75. Commissioner Morgan sent Welsh cit. p.26, note 3. the replies of the various Indian agents to an Indian Office cir- 45. The Enquirer, June 20, 1896, p.6. cular calling for information on the effects of wild westing. 46. Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Zoological Society of Charles E. McChesney at Cheyenne River Agency to Thomas Cincinnati, for the Year 1896,. p. 10. Morgan, November 15,1889, #33536. 47. The Enquirer, July 26, 1896, p.19. 20. Williams' Cincinnati Directory, 1893, p.680. 48. The Enquirer, June 21, 1896, p.19; The Enquirer, July 12, 21. Ibid., 1894, p.667; 1895, p.718; 1896, p.650; 1897, p.680. 1896, p.19. 22. Ibid., p.713. 49. The Enquirer, June 20, 1896, p.6. 23. Ibid., 1892, p.III2; 1893 p.II45; 1894 p.II22; 1896 p.IO92. 50. James Albert Green, unpublished manuscript, The 24. Cincinnati Illustrated Business Directory, 1896, Fifteenth Cincinnati Historical Society, p.a. The Enquirer, July 12, 1896, Annual Edition, frontispiece. p.19. Spring/Summer 1994 Rosebud Sioux and Cincinnatians 47

51. The Enquirer, June 28, 1896, p.19. 55. The Enquirer, July 12, 1896, p.19. 52. The Enquirer, June 30, 1896, p.7. 56. The Enquirer, July 19, 1896, p.19. 53. Woodson to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, June 23, 1896, 57. Green, unpublished manuscript, p.2. Letters Received 1896 #23925; Record Group 75; National 58. The Enquirer, July 9, 1896, p.7. Archives, Washington, D.C. 59. Green, unpublished manuscript, p.2; The Enquirer, July 15, 54. The Enquirer, August 16, 1896, p.19; August 23, 1896, p.19; 1896, p.7; July 16, 1896, p.7. August 25, 1896, p.10. 60. Green, unpublished manuscript, p.2.

Even though the contracts in label many of his corresponded with Meyer the National Archives give photographs. This man, after he returned to Rosebud. the English names of the however, had his Indian (Picture courtesy of the Sioux men who traveled to name, Blokaciqa, tattooed on Cincinnati Museum of Cincinnati, it is still difficult to his upper left arm. He was Natural History) identify precisely who was also known as Arthur Belt who because Meyer did not and Little Stallion, and 48 Queen City Heritage

71. Green, unpublished manuscript, p.3. 72.Ibid. 73. The Enquirer, August 20, 1896, p.10. 74. Green's unpublished manuscript contains six photographs taken by T.H. Kelley. 75. William Meyer to Meyn, personal communication following meeting on April 27, 1990. 76. Op. cit., Rookwood Photograph Collection. 77. Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Zoological Society of Cincinnati, for the Year 1896, p.10. 78. Ibid., p.11-13. 79. Ibid., p. 13. 80. The Enquirer, August 26, 1896, p.5. 81. Sol A. Stephan to W. Kesley Schoepf, April 30, 1903. 82. Twenty-Third Annual Report of the Zoological Society of Cincinnati, for the Year 1896, p.15. 83. Letters to Enno Meyer are in the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, Ethnology Department, Enno Meyer Collection, TT4899 - TT4906. 84. Francis Paul Prucha, American Indian Policy in Crisis: Christian Reformers and the Indian, 1865-1900 (Norman, Oklahoma, 1976), p. v. 85. James Mooney, "The Indian Congress at Omaha," American Anthropologist, 1 (1899), pp.126-149. Robert Rydell, All the World's a Fair: Visions of Empire at American International Expositions, 1876 - 1916 (Chicago, 1984). 86. John G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux (Lincoln, Nebraska, 1988), pp. 214-215. (Reprint of the 1932 edition. First Bison Book edition,

87. Luther Standing Bear, My People the Sioux (Boston, 1928), p.260.

61. Rookwood Photograph Collection. Even though the photo- graph is undated, it is 1896 because the child wearing the bead- ed vest is shown in an identical sketch in the zoo's archives and the vest is in one of Meyer's photographs, AI 126.001. 62. Personal Communication, George Horse-Capture to Meyn. Horse-Capture agreed that the ghost dance shield, CMNH A13391, in the Meyer collection was most probably a prop cre- ated for the zoo's plays. 63. The Enquirer, August 12, 1896, p.io,- August 16, p.19. 64. Richard Scamyhorn and John Steinle, Stockades In The Wilderness: The Frontier Defenses and Settlements of Southwestern Ohio, 1788-1795 (Dayton, Ohio, 1986), pp.65-74. 65. Green, unpublished manuscript, p.3. 66. Ibid., p.4. 67. The Enquirer, August 20, 1896, p.6. 68. The Valentine Democrat, (Nebraska) September 10, 1896, p.8. 69. Tagliche Abend-Presse, July 16, 1896, p.2, unpaginated; The Kentucky Post, July 16, 1896, p.6. 70. Op. cit. See original contract note #41. Even though zoo officials tried to protect the Sicangu, Sol Stephan, reminiscing thirty-five years later, claimed that some of the Sicangu left sur- reptitiously at night and obtained liquor from a local "salon- keeper." The Cincinnati Times-Star, January 2, 1931, p.8.

The man on the left is Robert of the Cincinnati Museum of Jackson, a scout and inter- Natural History) preter, who performed with the Cree in the wild west plays at the zoo's garden in 1895. The other man is not identified. (Picture courtesy