The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-19
MlNNEsoTA's MURAL PAINTING.
"The Signing of the Treaty Of Trav-
erse Des Sioux" for New Capitol.


From the Minneapolis Journal.
The suggestion. which originated with
the Minnesota Historical society and has
since been elaborated by one of its mem
bers, Gen J. 7 Baker, that several mural
paintings, ILL., rating important events
in the early i. Dry of Minnesota, be
placed In the new state capitol has met
with hearty approval. The treaty made
at Traverse des Sioux In 1851 with the
Sioux Indians is regarded by the majority
as entitled to first place in the states art
gallery. And that scene, which can be
produced from a sketch made on the spot
by Frank B. Meyer. will probably be the
first one painted. The sketch is crude 1t
illustrates that part of the treaty which
took place in the bower. but 1t does not
and evidently was not intended, to show
faithful likenesses of the principal par
ties to the treaty.
Frank Blackwell Meyer. who painted
the sketch, was born in Baltimore, Md.
December n, 1927 and died at Annapolis
January %, 1899. Soon after he began his
art work he went to Paris and studied and
| painted in the studios there for several
years. Upon his return to the United
States he Travelled out into the great west
in order that he might paint primitive
rangements were perfected for the treaty
and In company with Governor Alexander,
Ramsey went to Traverse des Sioux and
remained there until the party returned
to st. Paul.
The treaty was made July %, 1851. At
that time Mr.. Meyer also made some In
dividual sketches which he intended to
work into a large painting, expecting that
commission to execute II would be given
nv "a efa4- ~ IT, 20 10
sketch now In possession of the Minnesota
Historical society is the only pictorial
record of the event, and 1t naturally fol-
lows that whatever artist is given the
order to paint the large picture will be
somewhat handicapped by the erideness
of the original. Photographs of Governor
Ramsey, taken during the Dos are In ex-
istenee, and 1t Is probable that picture
of Luke Lea, who was the other commits
sioner, can be procured. Fortunately, sew
eral prominent Indians who bartered
away their lands and that of their people,
were photographed on other occasions.
and these can be introduced into the paint
ing where they will be most effective
1t will be absolutely necessary for the
artist to whom the commission is given to
visit Traverse des Sioux, which is three
miles from st. Peter, on the Minnesota
river, and familiarlze himself with the
typographical conditions at that place, be-
fore he can complete the work.
There are three or four Indians still liv-
ing who were present at the signing of
the treaty. Rev. Jack Crawford of the
Sisseton Sioux, who is now a Presbyte-
rian clergyman at the Sisseton agency in
South Dakota. being one of the number
One result of the treaty was to make
Traverse des Sioux a town of some Inn
portance until the land company owning
St. Peter diverted trade and population
to that point. At the present time there
are about six houses on the site OF the old
town, and there are perhaps two or three
people living, nephew of Louis Robert
being one Of them, who are able to desig-
nate the spot on which the bower was
built.