, 1872-12-27
George Cn71in.

From tho Ne,o York Tribune, Dec q.
The art circles of America and Europe have
lost ono of their oldest and most esteemed mem
bers. George Catlin died yesterday morning at
half-past s o'clock, in tho Darcy Building, Jer-
sey City. He had suffered for many years from
disease Of the kidneys, which finally oyercame
his strength, and gradually sappcd his long and
useful Lille.
Mr. Catlin was born in 1856, at Wilkesbarre,
Luzerne County, Penn, known in oldon times rs
tho Valley Of tho Wyoming. His father sent him
to Reeves Law School, in Litchheld, Conn.
There young Catlin remained for two years,
bending all his energies to the mastery OF law
Then LIE proceeded to Philadelphia. where he
practiced in his profession for two years but
notwithstanding his legal studies, he had for
several years devoted his leisure moments to the
art of painting, for which he had always enter
tanned passionate admiration, long before ho
lett his fathers roof.
Art was his idolized profession. So strong did
his passion for art become that he finally aban-
doned the law, and came TO New York, where ne
was soon engaged III the painting Of portraits
and miniatures. In 1929, being then SO years
old, Mr. Cat1n had his attention called to tho
fact that the pure American race WAS disappear
ing before the march Of civilization. He th9re~
foro resolved, if possible, to rescue from obliv-
ion tho types and customs Of the unfortunate
Indians
From that moment dated the commencement
Of his life-study, to which he chung through the
remaining years OF his existence, in good or evil
fortune. From that day George Catlin was
public bonefactor, and his subsequent career
| was devoted to the cause Of art anu history, to
which LIE Las added 4 chapter that cannot bo
undoryalucd.
| In 1891, Mr.. Catlin, though discouraged By his
friends and by the Government, accompanied
| Governor Clark, Of st. Louis, then Supei1nten~
dent of Indinu Affairs. in Western tour among
| tue Winnebagos and Alenomonies, the Shawa-
nos Secs ard Foxes, aud with these interviews
| began the series Of Ills Indian paintings. Aftor
tho close Of the 81 Black Hawk War" he visited
Black Hawk and five Of his warriors, prisoners
| at jefferson Barracks, where be painted their
| portraits.
In tho following year he descended the Mis-
| souri, River, from the mouth of tho Yellowstone
! to St. Louis, in n canoe, with two men, q dis
tanco Of 1000 miles, steering it the whole way
| with his own paddle; and in that campaign Wis
tied and painted tho Mandans, Crows, DlacAfoet,
| K'nisteneux, Assinnoboins, Minatarrcs, Reccar-
rees, Sioux, Puncas, and Iowas. During these
:. voyages he was the correspondent OF tho New
! York Spectator
These letters and others written during subse-
quent trips to the West were collected and pub
lished in 1871, the volume being entitled - 'GSt-
Inns Life Among North American indians" The
portraits of. all tho Indian celebrities. and OF
representatives Of every well-knoHn or obscure
tribe, led him into many dangers, and he travel
led thousands Of miles in bark canoe and on
Union, and Wac. doubtless, the best-informed
man in the world Oh Indian life and customs.
He married aud went to Europe in 1s4o, taking
with him lis collection Of paintings, which he
exhibited in London for three years de after
wards went to Paris whore his wife suddenly
died, leaving three daughters who!are yet living
while tho French Revolution turned him ou1
"neck and heels" as he expressed it in hi<
book In 1852 he sailed to Vonezuela, and for
several years WAS employed in exploring the IN.
nermoBt parts of South America, interviewing
scores Of tribes of wild Indians.
"Last Rarnbles in North and South America,
from his pen, is q graphic description OF his hft
in tho wilderness Of those countries. he alst
, wrote little book entitled, "Lifted and Sub
sided Rocks Of America u based on his GPe,5s9 P,9
work. :sNorth American Folio,' containin'
twenty-five plates of hunting scenes, was pub
ished by him in London.
, AS an author, Mr. Catlin WAS peculiarly talent
ed, and his books all exhibit unusual merit. A
. an artist, he excelled and the fidelity Of hi
. drawings was highly commended by Lewis Cast
, Humboldt, Schoolcraft, and others. His paint
ings are spirited and accurato, the portrait
= being remarkable lkenesses, while tie lant