A descriptive catalogue of Catlin's Indian gallery : containing portraits, landscapes, costumes, &c., and representations of the manners and customs of the North American Indians. Collected and painted entirely by Mr. Catlin ... Exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London.

  • Catlin, George, 1796-1872.
Date:
[1840]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A descriptive catalogue of Catlin's Indian gallery : containing portraits, landscapes, costumes, &c., and representations of the manners and customs of the North American Indians. Collected and painted entirely by Mr. Catlin ... Exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, London. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    GATLIN’S INDIAN GALLERY INDIAN PORTRAITS. SACS (SA'U-KIES). A Tribe of Indians residing on the Upper Mississippi and Desmoines rivers. Present number about 5,000. The smallpox carried off half the population a few years since; and a considerable number were destroyed in the “ Black Hawk War” in 1832-3. This tribe shave the head, leaving only a small tuft on the top, which is called the “ scalp-lock.” [The acute accent is used in the spelling of the Indian names merely to denote the emphasis.] 1. Kee-o-kule, the Running Fox; present Chief of the Tribe. Shield on his arm and staff of office (sceptre) in his hand; necklace of grizzly bear’s claws, over the skin of a white wolf, on his neck. This man, during the Black Hawk War, kept two thirds of the warriors of the tribe neutral, and was therefore appointed Chief by General Scott, in treaty, with the consent of the nation. 2. Muk-a-tah-mish-o-kah-kaik, the Black Hawk; in his war dress and paint. Strings of wampum in his ears and on his neck, and his medicine bag (the skin of the black hawk) on his arm. This is the man famed as the conductor of the Black Hawk War. Painted at the close of the war, while he was a prisoner at Jefferson Barracks, in 1832. 3. Nah-se-us’kuk, the Whirling Thunder; eldest son of Black Hawk. A very handsome man. He greatly distinguished himself in the Black Hawk War. 4. Wa-saw-me-saw, the Roaring Thunder; youngest son of Black Hawk. Painted while prisoner of war. 5. ( ), wife of Kee-o-k6k (No. 1); in a dress of civilized manufacture, but ornamented with silver broaches. This woman is the eldest of seven wives whom I saw in his lodge ; and, being the mother of his favorite son, the most valued one. To her alone would he allow the distinguished honour of being painted and hung up with the chiefs. 6. Me-sou-wahk, the Deer’s Hair; the favorite son of Kee-o-kuk, and by him designated to be his successor.