Group portrait of Native American students who attended the Forest Grove Indian Training School and/or Chemawa School. Twelve girls and seven boys are present, all dressed in school-issued clothing. It may have been taken soon after the students enterered the school; several of the girls have shaved heads. The building in the background looks like one of the dormitory buildings on the Forest Grove campus, but the location is not certain. The photographer, Henry DeGroot, operated in Corvallis from 1884-1886.
A studio portrait of “Colonel” John Lee and two Native staff members from the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. The Chemawa Indian School was a boarding school for Native American students that was run by the Department of the Interior. Lee served as Chemawa’s superintendent from September 30, 1885 through March 20, 1889. The two men flanking him are most likely two Native alumni of the school who were on the payroll as staff. Their identities, based on the government employee register for 1887 and comparison with other extant photographs, could be: Henry Steve (or Steeve), Snohomish; Frank Charley, Puyallup; James Maxwell, Nez Perce; Lewis Charles, Puyallup; Philip Wash, Port Madison/Suquamish; or George Piute, Paiute/Warm Springs. Based on other similar photographs in the Pacific University Archives and on the dates when the photographer was active, this photograph was most likely taken in Salem between 1886-1888. (See: Robinson, Oregon Photographers, 1993, p. 394.)
Portrait of three small children, including one in a baby buggy. They are likely the children of David and Katie Brewer, who both attended the Indian Training School in Forest Grove, and continued to work at Chemawa School after graduating. If this is the case, the oldest girl is Gertrude, the middle child is Ernest, the baby is Katie Jr., and the photograph would probably date from 1891. Their father was from the Puyallup tribe and their mother was an Alaskan Native, most likely Tlingit. The photographer, Myra E. Sperry, was a woman who worked in Salem between 1889-1899 (Robinson, Oregon Photographers, 1993, p. 611). See also PUApic_008308 and PUApic_008365 for other images of the children in this family.
Portrait of three students who attended the Forest Grove Indian Training School and/or Chemawa Indian School in Salem: Josephine Allard, Christina (or Christine) Allard, and Joseph Allard. Josephine and Christina entered the Indian School in August, 1884, according to its roster. Joseph's name is not recorded in the roster for Forest Grove; he may have been admitted after the school moved to Salem. The Allard children were members of the Snohomish tribe. This photograph was probably dates from around 1889-1891, based on the ages of the children and the active dates of the photographer, who was a woman named Myra E. Sperry (Robinson, Oregon Photographers, 1993, p. 611).
Letter dated January 16, 1880 from Capt. M. C. Wilkinson to Joseph W. Marsh. Marsh was a professor at Pacific University and was functioning as its interim president. At the time of writing this letter, Wilkinson was preparing to open the Forest Grove Indian School where he would serve as its first superintendent. He tells Marsh that he would be bringing two Native Alaskan chiefs to visit the school site. He explains that because of their visit, he would postpone a trip to Puget Sound. (This postponed trip did indeed take place in February 1880, and resulted in the first group of Native students being brought to the Forest Grove school.) Wilkinson also notes that he had talked to Mrs. Huff of Oregon City about being hired as the school's matron. The letterhead on which this note is written is printed with the addresses of both Pacific University and the Indian Education Department of the Department of the Interior because Wilkinson was working for both of them at the time.
Portrait of three students who attended the Forest Grove Indian Training School and/or Chemawa Indian School in Salem: Mary Ann Nelson, Sarah Nelson, and Andrew Nelson. According to the school's roster, Andrew and Mary Ann entered the training school in August, 1884. Sarah's name is not recorded on the roster, though another Nelson girl recorded as 'Joanna' does appear -- possibly an alternate name for the same person. They were members of the Puyallup tribe. This photograph was likely taken around 1889-1890 based on the ages of the children and the active dates of the photographer, who was a woman named Myra E. Sperry (Robinson, Oregon Photographers, 1993, p. 611).
Portrait of Anna (or 'Annie') Pierre, a member of the Tututni tribe who came from the Siletz Agency. She attended the Indian Training School in Forest Grove and its successor, Chemawa School, from September 1884 through April 1889, according to the school's roster. This photograph was printed in November 1886, probably soon after she moved from Forest Grove to the school's new site in Salem. For another undated portait identified as Anna Pierre, see PUApic_008379. For an image of a relative who attended with her, Sarah Pierre, see PUApic_008377.
Portrait of an infant boy named Ernest Brewer, who was the son of David and Katie Brewer. David Brewer was a member of the Puyallup tribe who was among the first group of students to attend the Forest Grove Indian Training School in 1880. Katie Brewer, an Alaskan Native, was also a student at the school. Both parents worked at the Chemawa School for many years after graduating. The photograph was most likely taken in 1888, based on the age of the child and on the dates when the photographer was active in Salem (See: Robinson, Oregon Photographers, 1993, p. 173-174).
Group portrait of fifteen men and women who were associated with the Indian Training School in Forest Grove. They are sitting in front of one of the buildings used by the school. Most of those depicted were probably teachers and staff members. A note on the back of the photograph identifies the man sitting on the center of the steps as Samuel A. T. Walker, who was the school's shoemaking instructor. The man in the lower left hand corner is Dr. Henry Minthorn, who served as the school's superintendent from 1883-1884. The woman resting a hand on his shoulder is probably his wife, Laura E. Minthorn. The Native man on the right may be David Brewer, who served as the school's disciplinarian. The Native women in the back were probably students who were serving as the girls' workshop leaders. They may include Katie Loulin Brewer, Emma Kahama, Lillie Pitt, Jennie Fletcher, or others.
A group portrait of seven boys who came to the Forest Grove Indian Training School from the Spokane tribe. This portrait likely depicts the seven Spokane boys who arrived together at the school in November, 1880: Charles Abraham; George Secup; George (Pas-cot) Dorn; John Williams; Oliver Lot; Fred Pratt; and Obed Littlewilliams. The picture was taken I.G. Davidson, a photography studio based in Portland who also produced other group portraits of students at the school. The group portraits appear to emphasize the Western clothes and manners of the students, who were required to behave according to white societal norms.
Letter dated November 13, 1879 from Capt. M. C. Wilkinson to Joseph W. Marsh. Marsh was a professor at Pacific University and was functioning as its interim president. Wilkinson was, at the time of writing this letter, serving as an aide-de-camp under General O.O. Howard with the U.S. Army Department of the Columbia, and also teaching military drills at Pacific University. Several months later, Wilkinson would begin working as the first superintendent of the Forest Grove Indian Training School, while concurrently serving as a professor of military science at Pacific University. In this letter, Wilkinson reports on sending a telegram after having consulted with Dr. Atkinson. Atkinson was the Secretary of Pacific University's Board of Trustees and was assisting with getting the Indian School started. Though this letter does not state to whom the telegram was sent, he may be referring to communications with the Office of the Secretary of the Interior about the Indian School. Wilkinson also tells Marsh when he will next be in Forest Grove to do drills.
A group of eight boys who attended the Forest Grove Indian Training School, from the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs tribes. This is one of several group portraits by the I. G. Davidson studio that depict 'before and after' views of students at the school. These photographs show that the school dressed the students and taught them to behave according to the norms of white society. The students depicted in this image are probably the eight boys who arrived together from the Warm Springs Agency in July, 1880: Benjamin Miller (Wasco); William Miller (Wasco); Jerry Hollaquilla (Wasco); George J. Piute (Paiute); George Pinouse (Wasco); William Skitus (Wasco); Frank Meachum (Wasco); and Melville Rex (Wasco).
A group portrait of the second group of Spokane students taken to the Forest Grove Indian School from the band of Chief Lot. This photograph was taken in March 1882 at the Forest Grove Indian School campus after they had been enrolled there for seven months. Their names as given on the school roster were: Alice L. Williams; Florence Hayes; Suzette (or Susan) Secup; Julia Jopps; Louise Isaacs; Eunice Madge James; James George; Ben Secup; Frank Rice; and Garfield Hayes.
The Forest Grove Indian School Superintendent had this photograph made for fundraising and promotional purposes. It was intended to be paired with the "before" picture he had taken of the students when they enrolled in the school (see PUApic_008608.jpg). The intention behind the pair of photographs was to show how the school was assimilating Native children into white society, erasing their Native customs. Sadly, one girl in the first photograph, Chief Lot's daughter Martha Lot, died before this photograph was taken.
The general public could buy copies of this photograph for 50 cents per print, with the school earning 10 cents on each sale. The number "63" that appears on this photograph refers to the I.G. Davidson catalog, from which more photographs could be ordered. Tiny numerals written on the photograph apparently refer to a list of captions that no longer exists.
A view of the boy's dormitory in the Forest Grove Indian Training School. The caption notes that this was number 64 in a series of photographs by I.G. Davidson, a photography studio based in Portland. The building and the furniture in this image were constructed by the boys who lived there. The girls at the school sewed the bedding and the uniforms that are hanging on the walls. The photograph was probably intended to show how the students at the school were being taught practical trades and the manners of white society. The picture most likely dates from 1881 or 1882.
A group portrait of students from the Umatilla tribe at the Forest Grove Indian Training School. The students are probably those who arrived as a group from Umatilla lands in October 1881: Haley (or Hallay) George; Emma Winnum; Tina Lowry; Winnie Abrahams; Albert John; Charley Wilhelm; William Barnhart; Moses Price Minthorn; Hugh [Minthorn?]; and Roy Cook. The caption notes that this was number 35 in a series of photographs by I.G. Davidson, a photography studio based in Portland. The photograph is one of several group portraits of students at the school, which were intended to demonstrate how the school dressed the students and taught them to behave according to the norms of white society.
A news article advertising a presentation on the Indian Training School by Pacific University alumna Cynthia Straughn in 1992. Straughn's research led to the inclusion of several copies of documents being added to the Indian Training School Collection at Pacific. Note that the caption for the image in the article identifies the white man as Samuel Walker; this may not be correct. The article appeared in a newsletter, the 'Old College Hall Messenger,' which was issued by the Pacific University Museum.
Letter dated October, 1879 from Capt. M. C. Wilkinson to Joseph W. Marsh. Marsh was a professor at Pacific University and was functioning as its interim president. Wilkinson was, at the time of writing this letter, serving as an aide-de-camp under General O.O. Howard with the U.S. Army Department of the Columbia, and also teaching military drills at Pacific University. Several months later, Wilkinson would begin working as the first superintendent of the Forest Grove Indian Training School, while concurrently serving as a professor of military science at Pacific University. In this letter, Wilkinson explains that he cannot make it back to Forest Grove in time to do drills because he had obligations in Portland. He asks Marsh to excuse him.
The first issue of 'The Indian Citizen,' a small newspaper containing articles on the Baseball Club, letters to the editor, and local news written by students of the Indian Training School.
Letter dated September 17, 1879 from Capt. M. C. Wilkinson to Joseph W. Marsh. Marsh was a professor at Pacific University and was functioning as its interim president. Wilkinson was, at the time of writing this letter, serving as an aide-de-camp under General O.O. Howard with the U.S. Army Department of the Columbia, and also teaching military drills at Pacific University. Several months later, Wilkinson would begin working as the first superintendent of the Forest Grove Indian Training School, while concurrently serving as a professor of military science at Pacific University. In this letter, Wilkinson is excusing himself from going to Forest Grove because he was suffering from an attack of rheumatism. He explains however that he will continue to pursue some sort of university business with Dr. Atkinson, who was the Secretary of Pacific University's Board of Trustees. He may be referring to discussions related to starting the Indian School in Forest Grove.
Letter dated September 14, 1879 from Capt. M. C. Wilkinson to Joseph W. Marsh.
Marsh was a professor at Pacific University and was functioning as its interim president at the time of this letter.
Wilkinson was the founder of the Forest Grove Indian School. He was a U.S. Army Officer who had formerly served as an aide-de-camp to General O.O. Howard. At the time of writing this letter, he had been granted a "special detail" assignment by the U.S. Army, which allowed him to serve for three years as a Instructor in Military Science at Pacific University. This role allowed him the time to open the Forest Grove Indian School under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Indian Affairs.
In this letter, Wilkinson asks Marsh to put him in contact regarding 'Indian Affairs' with Dr. George H. Atkinson, who was the Secretary of Pacific University's Board of Trustees. He is likely referring to discussions related to starting the Indian School in Forest Grove, which would open in February, 1880. Wilkinson mentions that he will soon be attending the wedding of General O.O. Howard's daughter, and thus will not be present at Pacific University for several days. Wilkinson provides a schedule for when he will next be in Forest Grove to teach military drills.
Letter from Peter Stanup to Joseph W. Marsh, who was Pacific University's first librarian and functioned as interim president between others serving. He regretfully informs Marsh of his inability to attend Tualatin due the decision of his doctor and the Presbytary to not permit his departure at the time. Peter Stanup was a Puyallup native student who was admitted to the Forest Grove Indian Training School at age 21. Though he married and returned to the Puyallup Agency, he later sought admittance to Tualatin Academy in order to become a preacher and contacted Marsh. He was unable to enter due to eye problems; however, he was later licensed as a Presbyterian preacher in 1883.
Letter from Peter Stanup to Joseph W. Marsh, who was Pacific University's first librarian and functioned as interim president between others serving. He informs Marsh of a Presbytery he must attend concerning his poor eyesight, which may delay or prevent his attendance of Tualatin Academy. Peter Stanup was a Puyallup native student who was admitted to the Forest Grove Indian Training School at age 21. Though he married and returned to the Puyallup Agency, he later sought admittance to Tualatin Academy in order to become a preacher and contacted Marsh. He was unable to enter due to eye problems; however, he was later licensed as a Presbyterian preacher in 1883.
Letter from Peter Stanup to Joseph W. Marsh, who was Pacific University's first librarian and functioned as interim president between others serving. He discusses his concern for securing board during his time at Tualatin Academy, though he sought the help of Captain Melville Wilkinson, the founder of the Forest Grove Indian Training School. Peter Stanup was a Puyallup native student who was admitted to the Forest Grove Indian Training School at age 21. Though he married and returned to the Puyallup Agency, he later sought admittance to Tualatin Academy in order to become a preacher and contacted Marsh. He was unable to enter due to eye problems; however, he was later licensed as a Presbyterian preacher in 1883.
Letter from Peter Stanup thanking Joseph Marsh profusely for his letter and requesting information on work and books. Joseph W. Marsh, Pacific University's first librarian and the brother of its first president, functioned as interim president between others serving. Peter Stanup was a Puyallup native student who was admitted to the Forest Grove Indian Training School at age 21. Though he married and returned to the Puyallup Agency, he later sought admittance to Tualatin Academy in order to become a preacher and contacted Marsh. He was unable to enter due to eye problems; however, he managed to study enough theology to be licensed as a Presbyterian preacher in 1883.
