Articles (Mostly Concerning Wis- of Some of His Duties to Complete the Scholar, a Conscientious Worker, and an Consin History and Politics), Encyclo- Mcwhorter Book

From Treasure Room to Archives The McWhorter Papers and the State College of Washington

trevor james bond

n September 1944, Virgil Mc- cially since you state he has given to land’s successors kept the college’s Whorter visited the Yakima, Wash- you all of the material needed to com- promises to Lucullus V. McWhorter Iington, home of his ailing 84-year- plete this book.”4 McWhorter did not and his heirs, publishing the elder Mc- old father, Lucullus V. McWhorter. complete the manuscript before his Whorter’s lifework under the title Hear Surrounded by Indian bows, war clubs, death in October, and in 1945, Virgil Me, My Chiefs! in 1952 and completing and regalia, bundles of papers, and McWhorter and President Holland the processing of the collection in shelves jammed with books, the Ya- came to an agreement. The college 1959. In turn, these efforts pushed kima rancher, advocate for Indian would find someone to finish writing WSC to professionalize its curatorial rights, and collector put down the the history and then publish the work, oversight over its manuscript collec- magnifying glass he used to read and and the McWhorter family would do- tions, with the college moving the col- spoke with his son. Both men knew the nate to the college the remainder of lections from the Treasure Room, elder McWhorter did not have much Lucullus V. McWhorter’s Nez Perce where manuscripts and rare books time (he would die within a month). collection and library. were kept haphazardly, to a profession- They discussed McWhorter’s unfin- ally staffed archives repository. The ished lifework: a monumental volume After various setbacks, President Hol- challenges in publishing McWhorter’s of Nez Perce ethnography from an In- dian perspective that the elder man Lucullus V. McWhorter with his beloved collection in his Yakima home. (L. V. McWhorter called his “Field History.” The history Photograph Collection, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections [masc], Washing- was to center on the Nez Perce but ton State University [WSU] Libraries, Pullman) would include information that Mc- Whorter had collected over the previ- ous four decades on other Plateau In- dians as well.1

Before entering the hospital shortly after this meeting, the elder McWhorter willed that some of his Nez Perce collection, his manuscripts, and his old letters be given to the State College of Washington (WSC) in Pullman, Vir- gil’s alma mater.2 He also asked his doctors to give him “just six more months to complete his book.”3 Should McWhorter be unable to finish the book, his son was to contact Dr. Ernest O. Holland, president of WSC, for help in completing the manuscript. Shortly before his father’s death, Virgil did get in touch with Holland, who assured him that if his father was unable to complete the book, “We shall make arrangements here at the State College for the most competent person on our faculty to complete this volume, espe-

Spring 2011 67 fill several museum cases; he was un- aware of the true scope of what Mc- Whorter had assembled.

Holland and his colleagues, of course, wanted to be sure that the college would receive McWhorter’s Nez Perce collection and continued to maintain good relations with the McWhorter family over the next few years. Profes- sor Herman J. Deutsch wrote to Mc- Whorter on October 9 asking to excerpt four pages from appendix A of Yellow Wolf, now published, for a course reader, citing the appendix as “one of the best descriptions of Indian life of which I have any knowledge.”10 Deutsch then told McWhorter that “it would be a real service to anthropology” if he would keep all of his papers A photo taken by McWhorter of a Yakama woman carding wool, 1918. (McWhorter “together in one container and to add Photograph Coll., masc, WSU Libraries) at random notes on points which come to mind but of which you have never manuscript and processing his collec- see the collection, he learned that made a record. In the event you should tion, and the collection’s influence on Lucullus V. McWhorter’s book Yellow be too pre-occupied with other mat- the creation of an enduring archives Wolf: His Own Story would soon be ters, you could make some reputable program at WSC, will be the focus of published.6 Ever eager to expand the depository the beneficiary.”11 Of course, this essay. college’s collections, Holland told Vir- Deutsch already knew of just such a gil, “I think it would be splendid if he “reputable depository.” McWhorter’s The college’s courting of Lucullus V. could give us this manuscript a little immediate reply, dated “Falling Leaf McWhorter began in earnest on later for our Treasure Room.”7 Moon, 10 Suns, 1941 Snows,” was en- April 16, 1940, when President Hol- thusiastic. “I prize your comments land wrote to Virgil McWhorter, In May 1941, Holland received good more highly than the general output. news from Virgil McWhorter. . . . You have my unqualified permis- Several persons have told me recently about sion to make use of Appendix A.”12 In a great collection of Indian relics, including My father has carefully considered your the end, Deutsch opted not to include a number of baskets, which your father has letter of February fourth concerning the the excerpt in his reader.13 collected during the past fifty years. . . . It is presentation of his Nez Perce Collection to also my hope that some arrangement can be the State College of Washington. It is my made whereby your father would be willing Father’s wish (my Brother and I concurring), Holland, the indomitable, hands-on to release this great collection for permanent that this rare collection be given to your president of WSC, kept up the wooing deposit in our splendid museum here on the college. Father is ready to proceed with the of McWhorter by inviting him to the college campus.5 transfer of part of this collection as soon as 1941 commencement banquet. As part the college has made suitable arrangements In reply, Virgil indicated that he would to receive the same. He desires, however, to of the ceremony, Holland conferred consult with his father regarding the retain a part of the collection which he upon McWhorter a certificate of merit deposition of his Nez Perce collection. cherishes so much, for the present. . . . Father and presented Washington’s governor, Initially, President Holland thought desires to visit the college and confer with Arthur Langlie, with an autographed that this and the rest of McWhorter’s those who will prepare the cabinet to receive copy of McWhorter’s recently pub- the collection.8 collection consisted primarily of ob- lished Yellow Wolf.14 McWhorter was jects (Indian relics and baskets). He The use of the term cabinet points to deeply touched by these contacts and would soon learn that it also included the expectation of the McWhorter the prestige conferred by WSC: Mc- a vast trove of manuscripts, correspon- family that the collection would be Whorter’s formal education had ended dence, and photographs. As Holland permanently displayed on the WSC by age 12. In September 1941, Mc- corresponded with Virgil to arrange a campus.9 President Holland, for his Whorter donated 32 Nez Perce arti- visit from a WSC faculty member to part, thought that the collection would facts, including the Nez Perce warrior

68 Pacific Northwest Quarterly Yellow Wolf’s Winchester rifle, war tary account of the Nez Perce War time set McWhorter apart from others whistle, and war club to the college from an Indian perspective. Mc- writing about this group of people.19 museum.15 In November of the follow- Whorter and Yellow Wolf’s cousin, Peo He voraciously collected multiple ver- ing year, he gave the college the manu- Peo Tholekt, lobbied the U.S. govern- sions of the same stories and never script for Yellow Wolf.16 So it was natu- ment for the return of the Nez Perce’s threw anything away. His collection ral that shortly before his death, homeland in the Wallowa country of also contained extensive correspon- McWhorter would instruct his dutiful eastern Oregon.17 In 1914, McWhorter dence with other early northwest his- son, Virgil, to contact President Hol- began a long-term collaboration with torians such as the moralizing Clifford land so that McWhorter’s last, great Mourning Dove, whose book, Coge- Drury, who studied the Protestant book would be published. wea, the Half-Blood (1927), was the missionaries, and Helen Addison first novel by a Native American female Howard, author of War Chief Joseph hy did Deutsch and Holland ever published. (1941). Wwant the collection so badly? First, McWhorter was a well-known McWhorter also arranged Indian The third reason Deutsch and Holland authority on Indian history in the Pa- shows for northwest fairs and rodeos, were so interested in the collection was cific Northwest. He supported the such as the Walla Walla Frontier Days, that it was well documented. Unlike Eastern Washington State Historical to supplement his income (and the in- most other collectors of American In- Society and spearheaded the fundrais- comes of his Nez Perce friends). In this dian materials, McWhorter was careful ing efforts for a gravestone for Yellow capacity, said his biographer, Steven to differentiate among tribes and to as- Wolf and a colossus statue (never real- Ross Evans, McWhorter “hired many sociate the objects he collected with ized) for the Nez Perce leader Chief of the people he hoped to interview.”18 their creators, the result of his close in- Joseph. After playing Wild West for the crowds volvement with Columbia Plateau during the day, he would question his peoples and his understanding of the Second, McWhorter’s collection was fellow performers in the evenings. Liv- nuances of Indian relations. Mc- large and extremely rich. McWhorter ing among the Nez Perce for weeks at a Whorter cared deeply about accuracy had begun acquiring the collection in 1905, when he had assisted the Yakama Peo Peo Tholekt’s drawing and description of his encounter with a grizzly bear is pre- in their struggle against legislation that served in McWhorter’s papers. “I held him off while he tore my clothes from my breast attempted to divert water from their and sides. He scratched me badly, for his claws were long and hard. We struggled but I reservation. To win public support for could not press the bear down, nor could he get his teeth in me nor pull me to him. . . . his position, McWhorter collected While we fought, two of my Sioux friends rode hard towards me and . . . shot at the bear.” documents from Indian agents and (“Peo Peo’s Fight with Grizzly,” n.d., Lucullus V. McWhorter Papers, masc, WSU Libraries) Yakama sources and conducted interviews with Indians and non-Indians for a series of pamphlets—The Crime against the Yakimas (1913), The Con- tinued Crime against the Yakimas (1916), The Discards (1920)—that he published on behalf of Yakama rights. Because of these efforts, the Yakama adopted McWhorter and invited him to tribal deliberations, where he lis- tened and took notes.

McWhorter’s close relationships with individual Plateau Indians further en- riched his collection. In 1907, Mc- Whorter met and befriended Yellow Wolf, who had fought in the 1877 Nez Perce War. Over the next three decades, McWhorter and Yellow Wolf collabo- rated on Yellow Wolf: His Own Story, which told the Nez Perce version of the conflict. It was the first published mili-

Spring 2011 69 both in the documentation of artifacts spired, his meticulous note taking, and northwest historical collections. To in his possession and in the verifica- his passion for antiquarian details had raise money for these efforts, Holland tion of oral Indian accounts with other resulted in a rich collection of books, founded the Friends of the Library in evidence. For example, though many manuscripts, photographs, and objects. 1938 and pressured campus adminis- American Indian collections include trators and faculty to join. He also col- artifacts, such as pipes, these objects Acquiring the collection meant a great lected artifacts for a future northwest are often poorly described. McWhort- deal to President Holland. When the history museum on campus, one that er’s pipes, however, were accompanied first installment of the McWhorter col- would hold objects from pioneers, by rich, multilayered provenances, as lection arrived at WSC in 1941, Hol- missionaries, and Indians. Those items the following example typed on a scrap land had served as president for 25 not on display in Science Hall were of paper indicates: years. During his exceedingly long ten- stored in closets around campus. Re- ure, Holland devoted his life to the col- sponsibility for administering this col- This cube-like pipe with its bone-bead stem, lege. As a teetotaler and a bachelor who lection fell to Herman Deutsch, who in was given Frank Parker as he was departing prided himself on personally answer- addition to his teaching, service, and with an important dispatch, Nez Perce War, 1877. The donator was a half-blood Nez ing every letter he received, Holland research worked with the library on Perce, also a scout for General Howard. Park provided a model of dedication few the development of its historical col- was starting on a night ride in August, exact could match.21 He knew all of the stu- lections. Though Holland keenly de- date unknown. Pipe was “carried as a dents and faculty and closely moni- sired a history museum, he did not 20 keepsake” by the half-blood scout. tored every aspect of college adminis- wish to fund it. In an interview decades tration, noting, for instance, any days later, Deutsch reflected with bitterness This provenance demonstrates Mc- missed by staff members and en- that Holland had refused to look at the Whorter’s obsession with details. Mc- suring that their pay reflected these rest of a proposal for the museum that Whorter’s writings, especially the col- absences. he had spent considerable time on af- laboration with Yellow Wolf, reflect his ter seeing the museum’s set-up cost penchant for marshaling all available Throughout his tenure, Holland ($9,000-$10,000). “But that, of course,” information to corroborate his Indian sought to increase the size and stature said Deutsch, “is the way Holland fre- sources. His interviews, the trust he in- of the college’s library, particularly its quently proceeded. He liked to throw his weight around.”22

Ernest Holland (at far right) and his sister, Edith Gifford, hosting a Sunday dinner for the he next major installment of Mc- undergraduate students Walter Wallace, Richard Passage, and Irwin Newell in 1933. (WSU Whorter’s Nez Perce collection, Photographs Subject File, masc, WSU Libraries) T which the college had secured in ex- change for its promise to complete and publish McWhorter’s manuscript, arrived at WSC in August 1945, nearly a year after the death of L. V. McWhorter and the first year of President Hol- land’s retirement. Retirement had not come easily to Holland: the WSC re- gents had had to purchase him a new house because he had refused to leave the president’s mansion when his successor, Wilson Compton, arrived in Pullman.23 The college had also provided him an office in the library and a secretary. Holland devoted most of his retirement to enriching the college library’s collections.24

Virgil McWhorter had spent nearly a year organizing and packing the bulk of his father’s papers and library, which consisted of approximately 580 books and 680 pamphlets.25 Shortly after re-

70 Pacific Northwest Quarterly ceiving the materials, Deutsch wrote to McWhorter to assure him that the donated books would have “proper book plates put on the inside covers,” that manuscript materials would “remain intact and be administered according to standard archives practices,” that one of two “Class A Buildings” would house the collection, that no one would “be permitted to publish any manuscript . . . without written autho- rization from your family,” and that the papers would be “processed promptly.”26 Holland and Deutsch now needed to find an author-editor to complete the “Field History,” the most pressing issue, and someone to process the collection. Both tasks proved to be difficult.

The following year, on January 19, World War II caused a dramatic labor shortage on the WSC campus. No male students are 1946, Holland informed Virgil Mc- visible in this 1944 photograph of the library reading room. (WSU Buildings, masc, WSU Whorter that the “highly trained man” Libraries) he and Deutsch had had in mind to complete his father’s manuscript The hope that Dr. Deutsch might complete dertake this task . . . and if he can do it, would be unable to do the work. How- the history has never left me. The history is you can rest assured it will be splen- ever, Holland was “quite sure that a original research and comes directly from didly done.”32 Deutsch’s letter to Mc- the Old Nez Perce Indians concerned. Father number of the GIs who will enroll here knew them all and they trusted him and told Whorter was less enthusiastic; he gave either in February 1946, or September him everything. I feel much good will come no indication that he was interested in 1946, will be keenly interested in his- to the college through what it is doing. It completing the book. Deutsch assured torical studies and research work” and would be fitting indeed for its History McWhorter, “We haven’t lost sight of that “we have not forgotten for a mo- Professor to complete the work. Is there any the need of expediting the completion possible chance that he might be given time ment the important task that you have by the College to do this?30 of your father’s book.” He added, set for us here at the State College of vaguely, “There are certain things in Washington. In the end I am sure we In the next paragraph of the letter, the wind which might enable us to shall be able to do a very satisfactory McWhorter offered this tantalizing make a definite recommendation in a piece of work.”27 Holland and Deutsch possibility: week or so.”33 were not alone in their struggles to find a “highly trained man,” or even a You may be interested in knowing that I Nor could Deutsch report much prog- hold intact all of the history and papers woman, for the job; World War II had Father had concerning the Yakimas. . . . I ress on processing the collection. The created a dramatic labor shortage shall keep these documents in my safe for college had hired someone to do this across the WSC campus.28 the present. Should the State College not be work—Norma Berg, a graduate in disappointed in the historical data pertain- political science with no archives expe- The college’s inability to find someone ing to the Nez Perces, and find that the rience—but she could not continue to complete the book led Virgil Mc- material is desirable for its library, I have in mind to give all of the Yakima papers to my because she was pregnant. According Whorter to press Holland to hire Her- Alma Mater, which college honored and gave to Deutsch, Berg would, however, be man Deutsch to do the work, an idea much happiness and recognition to my willing to persuade an unnamed that McWhorter had apparently har- father while he was yet alive.31 “young married woman” from the bored for quite some time. After all, nearby town of Colfax to agree to fin- Holland had told him in 1940, “We Both Holland and Deutsch responded ish processing the collection.34 Four shall make arrangements here at the to McWhorter’s letter. In his letter, more years would pass before any tan- State College for the most competent Holland told McWhorter that if gible progress on the collection was person on our faculty” to complete the Deutsch “could be relieved of other made, thereby straining the relation- volume.29 duties I would be happy to see him un- ship between Holland, Deutsch, and

Spring 2011 71 State College of Washington of the 1940s was not a research institution. Faculty members such as Deutsch had significant teaching and service obliga- tions. In his 1946 activity report, Deutsch noted that he spent 11 hours a week teaching, 20 hours preparing lec- tures, 8 hours correcting student work, 2 hours sitting on committees, 5 hours doing research, and more than 7 hours meeting with students, for a total of 53 hours per week. Deutsch indicated in the comment section of the form that his 7 hours of weekly meetings with students was “very conservative in view of size of classes and returning veterans.”39

Even with the demands on his time, Herman J. Deutsch in his office in 1949. masc( , WSU Libraries, 2564) one wonders why Deutsch so ada- mantly refused to finish McWhorter’s work, given his interest in northwest McWhorter. Nor could Deutsch do the work in the history. It is possible that he felt over- summer, as Holland had suggested, be- whelmed by his responsibilities, pre- The relationship was further strained cause President Compton had already ferred his own research, judged the by Deutsch’s decision not to complete made plans for Deutsch during the manuscript too much work, or re- the manuscript himself, in spite of be- summer. Therefore, Johnson wrote, sented the pressure from Holland and ing pressured to do so by Holland and “Deutsch and I with great regret” could McWhorter. It is also possible that he McWhorter. Deutsch met with the not follow Holland’s “very proper was not yet ready to write a book: his head of the Department of History suggestions.”37 resumé indicates he had not yet pub- and Political Science, Claudius O. lished a book at this time. His scholarly Johnson, to discuss a response to Hol- Johnson did, however, have a solution. output from 1932 to 1946 consisted of land’s request that Deutsch be relieved A certain Mrs. Gross who is a “trained five articles (mostly concerning Wis- of some of his duties to complete the scholar, a conscientious worker, and an consin history and politics), encyclo- McWhorter book. In a memorandum able writer[,] having done consider- pedia and dictionary entries, and book that reflected the chafing at Holland’s able work for the American League of reviews.40 micromanagement (during his retire- Women Voters,” would “be glad to do” ment, no less) felt by many at the col- the job “for a reasonable compensa- But he may have had other concerns lege, Johnson explained to Holland tion.” Indeed, she would do the work at regarding McWhorter’s scholarly cre- why Deutsch could not do the job. “much less cost to the college than if it dentials. When McWhorter’s manu- Johnson conceded, “We should do no should be done by Deutsch.”38 What script was at last published in 1952, fudging about the McWhorter papers” happened with Gross is unclear; she Deutsch was asked to write the intro- and “the book we have agreed to com- never worked on the manuscript. But duction. In the very first paragraph, he plete should be completed by a thor- the memorandum to Holland is a fas- noted that although the book had “the oughly competent person.”35 However, cinating document. Though retired, benefit of scholarly attention, it re- Johnson explained, Deutsch could not Holland still exerted enough influence mains folk history in most of its essen- be released from his teaching load be- over the WSC faculty that Johnson and tial aspects.”41 By judging McWhorter’s cause of understaffing and a record en- Deutsch felt compelled to respond to work “folk history”—seemingly con- rollment. Even if Deutsch were re- his directives in a two-page, single- noting that it was popular rather than leased from his teaching, Johnson spaced memorandum. academic history—Deutsch was dis- added, he would still be too busy with tancing himself from McWhorter. committees and advising, with the re- The reasons they gave Holland for why Whereas McWhorter ended his formal sult that the “McWhorter materials Deutsch could not complete the man- schooling after the third grade, Deutsch would be left practically untouched.”36 uscript did indeed have merit. The held a doctorate degree in history from

72 Pacific Northwest Quarterly the University of Wisconsin. Deutsch’s all of Father’s papers and offered to inquiries, on May 17, 1949, Bordin Pacific northwest history course mate- complete immediately and publish the responded, rials provide further clues on his view book. I still feel I have not erred in of history and thus shed light on his placing it with your college.”47 By the I apologize for saying that your letter was opinion of McWhorter’s work. While following spring, Virgil McWhorter disappointing in that most of the dozen or so inquiries that have found their way into McWhorter valued cultural history, was growing impatient. On March 7, the half dozen or so letters I wrote you from with oral history as a primary source, he sent Holland a letter requesting that January to March are still unanswered. I had Deutsch preferred economic and legal his father’s papers and manuscripts be delayed in sending the manuscript hoping data. Though Deutsch devoted three “processed on or before January 1, you would answer them, but there seems to 52 weeks of his course to Indian topics, he 1950.”48 be no point in waiting further. did not have his students read Mc- Bordin eventually gave up on Deutsch Whorter on Columbia Plateau Indian A week later, Deutsch told McWhorter and finished the manuscript as best she culture or on the Yakama and Nez that he finally had a recommendation could. She mailed the final draft of the 42 Perce wars. for a candidate to finish the “Field His- manuscript to Virgil McWhorter in tory”: Ruth Bordin, the spouse of the October 1949.53 hen it became clear that Deutsch head of WSC’s counseling services.49 Wwas not going to agree to finish The College Committee on Research Bordin’s work pleased McWhorter. On the manuscript, Holland shared the endorsed Deutch’s proposal, as did the October 24, 1949, he wrote to Bordin 50 news with Virgil McWhorter in a letter dean C. C. Todd. Bordin was hired to thank her for her “splendid” work 43 marked “personal.” He then added: and received an appointment as a half- on the book. “I only hope that any dis- time research assistant at $1 an hour, turbing memories you may hold per- Confidentially, Virgil, Deutsch is not a good or $117 a month, for 18 months. taining to the detail of the difficult detail man, and some of us must be Meanwhile, WSC library staff made constantly working with him to get certain chapters will be softened by the gain I things done. But he is eminently qualified to progress on the McWhorter Papers. had in learning first-hand about this complete your father’s book, and you and I Before she left, Norma Berg had man- injustice to the Indians themselves, hoped that he could be permitted to accept aged to start an inventory of the collec- which gain I know you must share.”54 this important assignment. However, we tion, and Freda Galligan had acces- The “injustice” McWhorter was refer- have failed. Deutsch will be back in a few sioned it—that is, prepared documents ring to was likely the story of the Nez days from his vacation, and again, we will outlining the transfer of the collection urge him to find an unusually competent Perce’s dispossession, now told from person to complete your father’s manuscript. from the McWhorter family to the col- the Indian perspective. Though the In the end, we shall succeed.44 lege. However, she was waiting until draft of the manuscript was now com- Bordin had completed the manuscript plete and submitted to Caxton Print- In a 1974 interview, Deutsch indicated to organize the collection and create a ers, also the publisher of L. V. Mc- that he did not always appreciate Hol- guide for it. The McWhorter family Whorter’s Yellow Wolf, Bordin would land “constantly working with him” to did not wish the general public to see soon have to create an index and se- get things done. Deutsch said that in the McWhorter manuscripts until cure permissions for quotations from addition to his teaching load he con- Bordin had finished the book. copyright holders. tended with “other distractions that Holland created. He [Holland] was in Over the next three years, Bordin, who eanwhile, Holland continued to on everything in a capricious manner. had moved from Pullman to Ann Ar- Msnipe at his colleagues, probably He did not respect one’s time, Satur- bor, Michigan, in July 1948, struggled frustrated that in his retirement he 45 days, Sundays and evenings.” to finish the manuscript, now tenta- could no longer dictate his wishes. On tively titled “Nez Perce History and November 22, 1949, Holland told Vir- Virgil McWhorter took the news of Legend.” Much of her difficulty in gil McWhorter, Deutsch’s refusal to complete the man- completing the project resulted from Mrs Bordin went through the material in uscript with resignation, telling Hol- her inability to consult McWhorter’s preparing her part of your father’s manu- land, “I know it will not be possible to papers and books, which remained in script, with no thought of keeping it in the get someone to do the work like Dr. Washington State. Thus, she relied original order when it arrived from your Deutsch would have completed it, but greatly on library staff and Herman hands, and I may add that at that time it was regardless of this fact the work must be Deutsch. Though Freda Galligan in good condition. I am not criticizing her but I am simply stating a fact.55 done.”46 To spur some activity at WSC, promptly answered her questions, Virgil concluded his letter with, “I Deutsch proved a poor correspondent. So much for Deutsch’s promise to keep think I have already told you the Ore- After receiving an “abject apology”51 the papers “intact.” Holland, however, gon Historical Society solicited me for from Deutsch for not replying to her was not finished. “As I have told you,

Spring 2011 73 Deutsch is one of the finest men I have (though they are unsigned), pointedly that faculty had and one month of ever known but he is a procrastinator did not mention, let alone thank, vacation.65 and as a result, he postpones many Deutsch. Virgil McWhorter, however, things that should be done.”56 Luckily was pleased with Deutsch’s part in The library hired its first professionally for all involved, Virgil McWhorter completing the book. In a letter of trained archivist, Mary W. Avery, in would receive more positive news from thanks sent to Deutsch, McWhorter 1957. Avery held a master’s degree in Caxton Printers. quoted his daughter, Judith, who had history from WSC and was certified as said, “Anything Dr. Deutsch does will an archivist by American University in wo anonymous reader’s reports be well done. Any person he selects to Washington, D.C.66 Avery was among Tfor Caxton Printers survive. Both complete the book will be a capable the first librarians with a professional recommended publication of the party.” Virgil closed his letter, “I cannot certification to be hired at WSC, set- book, though one noted that it would pay you a better tribute than did my ting a precedent for later hires. The “probably not have a wide commercial daughter and will simply not try.”62 head librarian at WSC for the entire appeal.” The second reader’s report Holland administration (1916-44), suggested re-publicizing Yellow Wolf Bordin’s requests to locate specific William Wirt Foote, did not have a col- rather than putting out a “slow-selling documents, as well as similar requests lege degree, let alone a library degree. book merely for prestige.”57 Armed made by Virgil McWhorter that in- His training had come from the head with these reports, J. H. Gibson, presi- volved hours of searching by Deutsch librarian at Oberlin College. This dent of the press, negotiated a $3,000 and the associate librarian, Clifford preparation was enough to land Foote subvention from Virgil McWhorter to Armstrong, led the library to hire an two head librarian positions prior to publish the manuscript. As part of the archivist to oversee its northwest col- his appointment at WSC. However, agreement, Virgil McWhorter pre-pur- lections. On March 14, 1947, Deutsch Foote’s successor, G. Donald Smith, chased 500 copies of the book. Though informed Virgil McWhorter of this held a doctorate from the University of his father had left a modest estate, Vir- development. Chicago.67 gil had the financial means to subsidize the publishing of the manuscript and You will be interested to note that the library ith budgeting for an archivist in the processing of the papers: between budget makes provision for the employment 1948, dedicated space in WSC’s of an archivist who will be given responsible W the mid-1920s and World War II, Virgil charge of all State College papers and new library (construction started in had built the family sheep business manuscripts. This is one of the most forward 1948), and the hiring of Mary Avery in into one of the biggest in the Pacific looking moves undertaken by a Pacific 1957, the college was at the forefront of Northwest.58 Northwest college and will centralize the a regional trend of Northwest institu- responsibility of the college to donors of 63 tions establishing archives programs. In November 1950, Bordin asked D. M. materials. To place the transformation of the O’Neil, the press’s editor, to be relieved Rather than immediately hiring a pro- WSC archives in a broader regional of the responsibility of creating the in- fessionally trained archivist, however, context, University of Washington es- dex and securing permissions.59 How- the library assigned the duties to Freda tablished a manuscripts section in ever, she ultimately finished these Galligan. 1958 to bring “some order” to its col- tasks. The following year, O’Neil en- lections, though the university did not couraged her to not give up on schol- At the same time, working conditions establish its present “system of intel- arly work. “This has been quite a grind for WSC librarians were beginning to lectual control” over the collections for you, and I hope the upshot will not improve. Before 1945, library employ- until 1962.68 Oregon State University be to sour you entirely on research, ees did not enjoy the benefits college established a university archives in writing, and selective organization.”60 faculty did, earning lower salaries, 1961. The university’s first archivist, working 44 hours a week (or more), Harriet Moore, did not receive any for- With the contract signed, the manu- and receiving less vacation time (two mal training until 1963, when she at- script completed, and the title finalized weeks a year).64 But in 1945, after the tended the Modern Archives Institute, to Hear Me, My Chiefs! Deutsch wrote retirement of President Holland and a course in archival practice offered by the introduction. In it, he praised Ruth larger appropriations from the Wash- the Library of Congress.69 The Mon- Bordin’s “alacrity and scholarly acu- ington State Legislature, college em- tana Historical Society hired its first men,” assessed L. V. McWhorter as a ployees, including librarians, received trained archivist in the early 1970s.70 historian, and outlined the structure of pay increases, and professional mem- The City of Seattle established its mu- the book—McWhorter wrote the first bers of the library staff received “rec- nicipal archives in 1985.71 21 chapters and Bordin the final 9.61 ognition of academic standing,” which Bordin, in her acknowledgments included the same voting privileges Largely responsible for the transfor-

74 Pacific Northwest Quarterly mation of WSC’s archives was Presi- dent Emeritus Holland, who died on May 30, 1950. According to Holland’s sister, Edith Catherine Gifford, the president’s last words were the question, “Do you love Washington State College as I do?”72 The McWhorter Pa- pers represented his last major acquisi- tion on behalf of the library. Shortly before his death, the university decided to honor him by naming its new library after him. The Ernest Holland Library, completed in 1950, had dedicated facilities on the first floor for the Archives, Special Research Collections, and Rare Books Division, including se- cure space for collections and a reading room.73 Holland’s dream of a history museum was abandoned during the Compton administration. Though the McWhorter artifacts remained on campus in the anthropology museum, most of the other artifacts were dis- tributed to regional historical societies, with the Eastern Washington State Historical Society receiving the bulk of the items.74 would be preferable to display specimens from the collection when courses In 1951, Virgil McWhorter wrote Pres- on “the American Indian are being of- ident Compton regarding 31 objects fered” and to store the collection, pertaining to the Nez Perce War of “properly identified as to donor and 1877 that Lucullus V. McWhorter had carefully boxed and protected,” when donated to the college in 1941. These not displayed.76 According to Stephen- objects had been removed from dis- son, “This method of alternating display in 1950. A subsequent gift of 47 play and storage . . . can be expected to additional items in 1945 remained un- prolong significantly the life of the cataloged and in storage. specimens of the collection.”77 Mc- Whorter replied that, after consider- The McWhorter family desires that this ation, “the matter has been cleared to entire collection of great historical value our entire satisfaction.”78 remain with the college if it is intended to process it and place it on permanent exhibit in the museum. . . . On the other hand it is Luckily for the college, in addition to desired that the entire collection be returned his $3,000 subvention to Caxton Print- [to] us if it is unsuited for permanent exhibit ers, Virgil McWhorter paid for the pro- for the college museum. The Yakima Valley cessing of his father’s collection. He Junior college will accept it to be placed on Top: The Treasure Room in Bryan Hall exhibit in the Larson museum along with my also donated to the Friends of the Li- during Holland’s administration. The Father’s Yakima Indian collection already brary 380 of the remaining 500 copies books are improperly stored on their sides, there on exhibit.75 of Hear Me, My Chiefs! that he had and no book cradles are visible on the desk purchased.79 In 1952, Nelson Ault, an (where there is room for only one scholar). S. Town Stephenson, dean of faculty, English professor at WSC, negotiated a The dangling electric cord is also a hazard. (WSU Buildings, masc, WSU Libraries) responded to McWhorter on July 10, rate of $2.50 an hour to process the Bottom: Mary Avery in 1956, the year 1951, indicating that the college would McWhorter Papers (which as of this before she earned her archivist certifica- like to retain all of the collection, but time had only been accessioned); Ruth tion at American University. (masc, WSU that given the lack of display space, it Bordin earned only $1 an hour for her Libraries, 26753)

Spring 2011 75 work on Hear Me, My Chiefs!80 It is dis- tifacts.86 For decades, historians have hazardly keeping collections in a “trea- tinctly possible that this difference in mined the collection for Nez Perce and sure room” under the management of pay was related to gender. This is not to Yakama sources, particularly because it untrained staff would no longer suf- say that processing the McWhorter Pa- provides researchers an Indian per- fice. The complexities of curating the pers was easy. As Ault notes in his in- spective totally absent in the literature McWhorter Papers resulted in WSC troduction to The Papers of Lucullus V. of that time.87 As Clifford Trafzer hiring professional archivists who not McWhorter, the guide to the collection, notes, McWhorter wrote the new west- only administered the papers, but also McWhorter lacked a “systematic ap- ern history in the 1930s and 1940s, developed the facilities and procedures proach in matters of collecting, pre- long before recent converts found their for collecting, describing, and making serving, and arranging data.”81 Ault way to believing that “Native Ameri- accessible thousands of other collec- adds that McWhorter’s “lifelong habit cans should have a voice in historical tions. In their planning for the new Er- of jotting down a dozen notes on a accounts.”88 Elliott West describes the nest Holland Library in the late 1940s, dozen disparate subjects, all on the McWhorter Papers as the “most valu- they dedicated prime space on the first nearest scrap of paper, made any filing able” source “by far” of Nez Perce views floor of the new building for the Ar- system impossible.”82 on the 1877 war and its aftermath.89 chives, Special Research Collections, According to McWhorter’s biographer, and Rare Books Division. The State The guide to the McWhorter Papers Steven Ross Evans, “not only histori- College of Washington was at the fore- was a significant achievement for the ans, but folklorists, ethnologists, and front of a trend of regional research fledgling archives program at WSC. It anthropologists have taken advantage institutions adopting professional ar- first appeared in 1958 in installments of this vast collection.”90 Literary chival standards after the establish- in the Research Studies of the State Col- scholars have also used the collection ment of the National Archives and Re- lege of Washington, a journal founded to explore McWhorter’s relationships cords Administration in 1934 and the in 1929 as a “quarterly devoted to the with Plateau Indians, particularly founding of the Society of American publication of research by the faculty Mourning Dove.91 The collection was Archivists in 1936. When researchers and advanced students of the State even consulted by a team of research- visit archival repositories in the North- College of Washington.”83 This is the ers from the Pleasant Company prior west, they can do so in part because first publication of a guide to a manu- to the release of the Nez Perce Ameri- institutions followed the lead of WSC script collection at WSC and likely the can Girl doll, Kaya. Evans also notes in properly caring for their collections. earliest in the Northwest.84 Virgil Mc- that the McWhorter Papers were Whorter then paid to have the install- Washington State University Libraries’ Trevor James Bond is head of Manu- ments of the guide gathered together most-used collection at the time he scripts, Archives, and Special Collec- and published in 1959 as The Papers of wrote his biography, in 1996; this re- tions at Washington State University Lucullus V. McWhorter. With the Mc- mains true today.92 (WSU) and a Ph.D. student in the Whorter Papers as a model, the WSC WSU Department of History. He is library would publish subsequent The significance of the McWhorterPa - working on a dissertation on collectors guides to ensure broad access to its pers, however, extends beyond the ar- of Indian culture on the Columbia Pla- collections.85 chive’s merits as an individual collec- teau. The author would like to thank tion. President Holland, Dr. Deutsch, Jeffrey Sanders; his advisor, Robert The McWhorter collection now com- and their colleagues had to scramble to McCoy; and his colleague, Cheryl prises 51 boxes of manuscripts, 20 complete McWhorter’s “Field History” Gunselman, for their suggestions over boxes of photographs, 360 books and to process the papers, making cups of strong coffee. (mostly annotated), and numerous ar- WSC administrators realize that hap-

76 Pacific Northwest Quarterly 1. Steven Ross Evans, Voice of the Old Wolf: 24. Landeen, 450. Nov. 22, 1949, folder 325b, box 33, Lucullus Virgil McWhorter and the Nez Perce 25. Nelson Ault, The Papers of Lucullus Virgil McWhorter Papers. Indians (Pullman, Wash., 1996), 166-67. McWhorter (Pullman, 1959), 8. 56. Ibid. 2. The State College of Washington is now 26. Deutsch to Virgil McWhorter, April 5, 1945, 57. First and second referee reports, known as Washington State University folder 3072, box 19, Deutsch Papers. Oct. 26, 1949, V. O. McWhorter file, Caxton (WSU). 27. Holland to Virgil McWhorter, Jan. 19, 1946, Press Collection (unprocessed), masc, WSU 3. Virgil McWhorter to E. O. Holland, folder 325a, box 33, McWhorter Papers. Libraries. Sept. 30, 1944, folder 306a, box 31, Lucullus 28. Clarence Clifford Gorchels, “A Land-Grant 58. Evans, 171. Virgil McWhorter Papers, Manuscripts, University Library: The History of the 59. Bordin to D. M. O’Neil, Nov. 21, 1950, Archives, and Special Collections (masc), Library of Washington State University, McWhorter file, Caxton Press Collection. WSU Libraries, Pullman. 1892-1946,” Ph.D. dissertation (Columbia 60. O’Neil to Bordin, Nov. 23, 1951, ibid. 4. Holland to McWhorter, Oct. 4, 1944, ibid. University, 1971), 343. Far from being “soured” on research and 5. Holland to McWhorter, April 16, 1940, ibid. 29. Holland to Virgil McWhorter, Oct. 4, 1944. writing, Ruth Birgitta Anderson Bordin 6. Lucullus Virgil McWhorter, Yellow Wolf: His 30. Virgil McWhorter to Holland, Feb. 17, went on to become curator of manuscripts Own Story (Caldwell, Idaho, 1940). 1946, folder 325a, box 33, McWhorter at Michigan Historical Collections (now 7. Holland to McWhorter, July 5, 1940, folder Papers. the Bentley Historical Library) at the 306a, box 31, McWhorter Papers. 31. Ibid. University of Michigan in 1957. In 1967, 8. McWhorter to Holland, May 10, 1941, ibid. 32. Holland to Virgil McWhorter, Feb. 20, 1946, she joined the history faculty at Eastern 9. Displaying art and other curiosities in a folder 325a, box 33, McWhorter Papers. Michigan University, returning to the cabinet was an older collecting model, 33. Deutsch to Virgil McWhorter, Feb. 20, 1946, Bentley Historical Library in 1980. She from the 19th century. Christian F. Feest, ibid. wrote several books, including Pictorial “European Collecting of American Indian 34. Ibid. History of the University of Michigan Artifacts and Art,” Journal of the History of 35. Claudius O. Johnson to Holland, (1967) and biographies of Frances Willard Collections, Vol. 5 (1993), 2. March 20, 1946, folder 307.2, box 19, and Alice Freeman Palmer. See the Ruth 10. Herman J. Deutsch to Lucullus V. Deutsch Papers. Bordin Papers, Bentley Historical Library, McWhorter, Oct. 9, 1941, folder 306, box 36 Ibid. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 19, Herman J. Deutsch Papers, masc, WSU 37. Ibid. 61. Deutsch, introduction to Hear Me, My Libraries. 38. Ibid. Chiefs! xxii. 11. Ibid. 39. Herman Deutsch, “Faculty Teaching and 62. Virgil McWhorter to Deutsch, 12. Lucullus V. McWhorter to Deutsch, “Falling ‘Work-Load’ Report, State College of Oct. 24, 1949, folder 325b, box 33, Leaf Moon, 10 Suns, 1941 Snows,” folder Washington,” 1946, folder 936, box 54, McWhorter Papers. 306, box 19, Deutsch Papers. Deutsch Papers. 63. Deutsch to Virgil McWhorter, 13. The 1941 and 1944 editions of 40. Resumé, Nov. 8, 1952, Herman Deutsch March 14, 1947, ibid. Herman J. Deutsch, History and personnel file, box 4, Faculty Personnel 64. Gorchels, 403-404. Government of the State of Washington: Files, masc, WSU Libraries. 65. W. W. Foote, “State College of Washington An Outline with Supplementary 41. Herman J. Deutsch, introduction to Hear Library Annual Report, 1945-1946,” p. 4, Readings (Pullman), do not include any Me, My Chiefs! Nez Perce Legend and Washington State University Publications. contributions from McWhorter, nor does History, by L. V. McWhorter, ed. Ruth 66. From the 1950s to the 1970s, professional Herman J. Deutsch, History of Washington Bordin (Caldwell, Idaho, 1952), xv. archivists were generally expected to have and the Pacific Northwest: History C464 42. Neither Yellow Wolf nor Hear Me, My completed a course in archives theory (Seattle, 1968), a reader Deutsch compiled Chiefs! was among the 19 primary texts and practice, as Avery had. Currently, for a correspondence course. Deutsch reserved for his course History there is no universally agreed-upon 14. Evans, 160-61. 455: History of the State of Washington and credential for archivists. Most archivists in 15. Connor Museum accession catalog, 1939- the Pacific Northwest. Hear Me, My Chiefs! academic libraries hold a master’s degree 58, photocopy of manuscript, Washington does appear on a supplemental reading in library and information science, with State University Publications, masc, WSU list for History 455. Syllabi and course a specialization in archives management Libraries. assignments, 1961-62 and undated, folder from a program accredited by the American 16. Holland to McWhorter, Nov. 14, 1942, 880, box 51, Deutsch Papers. Library Association. Many archivists who folder 306a, box 31, McWhorter Papers. 43. Holland to Virgil McWhorter, Aug. 1, 1946, work for the state or federal government 17. Evans, 33. folder 325a, box 33, McWhorter Papers. have a master’s degree in history or a 18. Ibid., 55. 44. Ibid. related field and are certified by the 19. Ibid. 45. Deutsch quoted in “Herman Deutsch and Academy of Certified Archivists. 20. Typed label, n.d., folder 5, box 1, Museum Pacific Northwest Manuscripts,” p. 9. 67. According to Gorchels, as late as 1930 of Anthropology Lucullus McWhorter 46. Virgil McWhorter to Holland, “eleven head librarians in land-grant Collection Administrative Records, masc, Aug. 11, 1946, folder 325a, box 33, libraries did not have a college degree and WSU Libraries. McWhorter Papers. more than twenty had no library school 21. William M. Landeen, E. O. Holland and 47. Ibid. training” (p. 399). the State College of Washington, 1916- 48. Virgil McWhorter to Holland, 68. Marilyn Priestley, comp., Comprehensive 1944 (Pullman, 1958). The letters may be March 7, 1947, folder 325a, box 33, Guide to the Manuscripts Collection and found in Office of the President: Ernest O. McWhorter Papers. to the Personal Papers in the University Holland Records, masc, WSU Libraries. 49. Deutsch to Virgil McWhorter, Archives (Seattle, 1980), v. 22. Deutsch quoted in “Herman Deutsch March 14, 1947, ibid. 69. Lawrence Landis, e-mail message to author, and Pacific Northwest Manuscripts,” 50. Deutsch to Virgil McWhorter, May 1, 1947, April 4, 2011. interview by Terry Abraham, Nov. 13, 1974, ibid. 70. Ellie Arguimbau, e-mail message to author, transcript, p. 9, folder 106, box 5, Deutsch 51. Deutsch to Ruth Bordin, May 13, 1949, April 4, 2011. Papers. folder 308, box 19, Deutsch Papers. 71. Anne Frantilla, e-mail message to author, 23. Bob Sandberg, interview by William 52. Bordin to Deutsch, May 17, 1949, ibid. April 4, 2011. Stimson, May 22, 1987, transcript, p. 67, 53. Virgil McWhorter to Bordin, Oct. 24, 1949, 72. “Tribute Paid to President Emeritus box 16, Centennial Oral History Project, ibid. Ernest O. Holland,” Powwow (Pullman), Oral Histories, 1982-1988, masc, WSU 54. Ibid. [Vol. 40] (June 1950), copy available in Libraries. 55. Holland to Virgil McWhorter, masc, WSU Libraries.

Spring 2011 77 73. Washington State College, Library htm (accessed Oct. 26, 2011). Yakima Valley Museum in 1956. Handbook: Preliminary Edition (Pullman, 83. Nelson A. Ault, “The Papers of Lucullus 87. For books that rely heavily on the 1952), 10, copy available in Holland Virgil McWhorter,” Research Studies of the McWhorter Papers, see Alvin M. Josephy, Library, WSU Libraries. State College of Washington, Vol. 26, nos. 2, Jr., The Nez Perce Indians and the Opening 74. Museum Committee papers, 1935-1960, 3, 4 (1958), and Vol. 27, nos. 1, 2 (1959). of the Northwest (Lincoln, Nebr., 1979); and folders 1040-1042, box 58, Deutsch Papers. 84. University of Washington Libraries Robert R. McCoy, Chief Joseph, Yellow Wolf, 75. Virgil McWhorter to Wilson Compton, published a series of guides to manuscript and the Creation of Nez Perce History in the May 12, 1951, folder 326b, box 33, collections between 1958 and 1967, with Pacific Northwest (New York, 2004). McWhorter Papers. the first issue devoted to the Isaac Ingalls 88. Clifford E. Trafzer, ed., Grandmother, 76. S. Town Stephenson to Virgil McWhorter, Stevens Papers. The University of Oregon Grandfather, and Old Wolf: Tamánwit Ku July 10, 1951, ibid. Libraries began mimeographing and Súkat and Traditional Native American 77. Ibid. binding finding aids during the 1960s. Narratives from the Columbia Plateau (East 78. Virgil McWhorter to Stephenson, Oregon State University Libraries created Lansing, Mich., 1998), 12. Aug. 4, 1951, folder 326b, box 33, the archive’s first printed finding aid circa 89. Elliott West, The Last Indian War: The Nez McWhorter Papers. 1966. Perce Story (Oxford, Eng., 2009), 326. 79. Virgil McWhorter to Deutsch, 85. A sampling of finding aids published in the 90. Evans, 181. Dec. 19, 1952, folder 310, box 19, Deutsch 1960s includes Jacquelyn M. Gaines, Three 91. See, for example, Laura G. Godfrey, Papers. Centuries of Mexican Documents: A Partial “Mourning Dove’s Textual Frontier,” 80. Virgil McWhorter to Nelson A. Ault, Calendar of the Regla Papers (Pullman, Arizona Quarterly: A Journal of American Oct. 4, 1952, folder 310, box 19, Deutsch 1963); Washington State University Library, Literature, Culture, and Theory, Vol. 62 Papers. William Compton Brown: A Calendar of His (Spring 2006), 65-83; and Alanna Kathleen 81. Ault, 8. Papers in the Washington State University Brown, “Looking through the Glass Darkly: 82. Ibid. Between 1992 and 1995, masc staff Library (Pullman, 1966); and idem, William The Editorialized Mourning Dove,” New rearranged the McWhorter Papers, and in Edward Carty: An Indexed Register of his Voices in Native American Literary Criticism, 1998 they revised the collection’s finding Papers, 1898-1963, in the Washington State ed. Arnold Krupat (Washington, D.C., aid and posted it online. A finding aid for University Library (Pullman, 1967). 1993), 274-90. the McWhorter Papers is available online at 86. The McWhorter family also donated 152 92. Evans, 181. masc, WSU Libraries, http://www.wsulibs. artifacts to the Yakima Valley Community wsu.edu/holland/masc/mcwhortr/Mcwh1. College, which were transferred to the

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78 Pacific Northwest Quarterly