Edward E. Ayer U.S. Board of Indian Commissioners files
Collection
Identifier: VAULT-Ayer-MS-911
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, minutes, reports, memoranda, bulletins, 1912-1922, relating to Edward E. Ayer's work as a commissioner. Dating primarily from Ayer's period of active service, 1912-1917, there is both incoming and outgoing correspondence with commission members and officials (H.C. Phillips, W.K. Moorehead, G. Vaux, F.H. Abbott, M. McDowell, W.H. Ketchum), the secretary of the interior (F.K. Lane), the commissioner of Indian affairs (C. Sells), the foreman of the Menominee sawmill (A.S. Nicholson), and senators and congressmen (R. La Follette, etc.). Minutes of annual meetings, office reports, memoranda, bulletins, annual reports, and special investigative reports issued by the commission are included. There are also mimeographed circulars of the Office of Indian Affairs. Topics include political struggles between the commission and other government agencies responsible for Indian affairs, Indian appropriation bills and other legislation pending in Congress, conditions on Indian reservations throughout the country, and the Menominee investigation conducted by Ayer.
Dates
- 1912-1922
Creator
- Ayer, Edward Everett, 1841-1927 (Person)
Historical note
From Nov., 12, 1912, to June 29, 1919, Edward E. Ayer was a member of the U.S. Board of Indian Commissioners, an advisory body established by Congress in 1869 that was authorized to visit and investigate any Indian reservation or branch of the Indian service.,An active commission member, Ayer during 1913-1914 investigated the administration of the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin and the operation of the sawmill there. On his trips west he frequently visited and reported on the Indians of Arizona and Southern California. He also lobbied for subjecting Indians on reservations to the provisions of state laws and for better pay and working conditions for Indian service employees.
Extent
2.1 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Correspondence, minutes, reports, memoranda, bulletins, 1912-1922, relating to Edward E. Ayer's work as a commissioner. Dating primarily from Ayer's period of active service, 1912-1917, there is both incoming and outgoing correspondence with commission members and officials (H.C. Phillips, W.K. Moorehead, G. Vaux, F.H. Abbott, M. McDowell, W.H. Ketchum), the secretary of the interior (F.K. Lane), the commissioner of Indian affairs (C. Sells), the foreman of the Menominee sawmill (A.S. Nicholson), and senators and congressmen (R. La Follette, etc.).
Arrangement
Organized in two sections: Correspondence, reports, etc., 1912-1922; and Menominee Indian Reservation investigation records, 1913-1914.
Correspondence, reports, etc., arranged chronologically.
Menominee Indian Reservation investigation records arranged by type of document.
Ownership and Custodial History
Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
Bibliographic References
Butler, R.L. Checklist of Mss. in the Ayer Coll. ,911
- Abbott, Frederick H., 1872-1932
- Ayer, Edward Everett, 1841-1927
- Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)
- Federal aid to Indians -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
- Indian reservations -- United States -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
- Indians of North America -- Economic conditions -- Sources
- Indians of North America -- Government relations -- Sources
- Ketchum, William Henry, 1868-1921
- La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925
- Lane, Franklin K.
- Manuscripts, American
- McDowell, Malcolm
- Menominee Indian Reservation (Wis.) -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
- Menominee Indians -- Economic conditions -- Sources
- Menominee Indians -- Government relations -- Sources
- Nicholson, Augustus S.
- Phillips, Harry Clinton
- Sawmills -- Wisconsin -- Menominee Indian Reservation -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
- Sells, Cato
- United States. Board of Indian Commissioners
- United States. Office of Indian Affairs -- History -- 20th century -- Sources
- Vaux, George, Jr.
Creator
- Ayer, Edward Everett, 1841-1927 (Person)
- Status
- Catalog Record Only
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org