C. H. Barstow Papers

Collection

Identifier: VAULT-Ayer-MS-3014

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Collection

Mainly correspondence, 1870-1891.

There are 18 letters written by C.H. Barstow at the Crow Agency in the Montana Territory to his sister Eliza, his brother Rogers L. Barstow, and his cousin Sarah, in Massachusetts. Of the other 14 letters, there are several from Barstow’s wife Lizzie to his sister and brother, and a few other miscellaneous letters among family members and friends. Also, three small clippings and a November 10, 1887 issue of The Montana Stock Gazette reporting a skirmish at the agency between the Crow Indian followers of Crow-Bannock Indian, Sword Bearer, and the U.S. Army.

Subjects covered in Barstow’s letters include the observance of the tenth anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn and a visit by battle participant Frederick William Benteen; Barstow’s heavy workload; arson attempts at the agency’s Rosebud location prior to its 1884 move to the Little Big Horn Valley; Indian Service politics and officials; agency appointments and Barstow’s own job problems; his marriage and Lizzie’s illness and the care of their daughter after Lizzie’s death; and legal transfers of Barstow Kansas farm property.

Dates

Creation: 1870-1891

Creator

Barstow, C. H. (Charles H.), -1908 (Person)

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The C. H. Barstow Papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The C. H. Barstow Papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Biography of C. H. Barstow

United States Indian Service employee.

Stationed at the Crow Agency, Montana Territory, C.H. (or Charlie) Barstow, originally from Mattapoisett, Mass., served at the agency from Dec. 7, 1878, through at least 1891. A clerk until 1885 when he and the agent were forced to resign, Barstow was reinstated as an issue clerk and allowed to remain at the post. Barstow married Lizzie (or Libbie) Chandler, whose family also resided at the Crow Agency. She died in 1891, leaving a daughter, and Barstow died in 1908 in Billings, Montana.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 box and 1 oversize folder)

Additional Description

Abstract

United States Indian Service employee stationed at the Crow Agency, Montana Territory. Mainly correspondence, 1870-1891, mostly written by C.H. Barstow at the Crow Agency to his sister, Eliza, and brother, Rogers L. Barstow, in Massachusetts. Also several letters from Barstow’s wife, Lizzie, to his sister and brother, and a few miscellaneous letters of Rogers Barstow, other family members and friends, 3 small clippings, plus a November 10, 1887, issue of The Montana Stock Gazette.