The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-07-02
The JEFFERSON PAINTINGS.
Mrs. NRrcissa Oven Writcs Of Her
Paintings at Worlds Fair.

Following is the full textcfa letter
Received by the Chieftain from Mrs
Narcissa Owen, who has on exhibition
In the Indian Territory building at
The Worlds Fair her famous paintings
representing six generations Of Thos.
1elIerson's family
The Chieftain's kindly notice last
winter Of our patriotic art studies Tor
the Louisiana Purchase exhibit in the
Indian Territory building at st. Ltsais,
reprenting SIX generations OF Thomas
Jefferson family, lstruly appreciated,
lthough through erroneous informal
lion The Chlefialn made three Of our
PORTRAITS to represent persons of one
hundred years OF more ago, while ln
(reality they we're the only artists
slnodels Of the entire group, al others
baYing been paint ID from black and
white studies obtained from the Car
negie library, Washington, D. C,.apd
Two family photos in 20 session ofMfs,
Dohn S. Morris, formerly Of Menti-
Relioranch in Cooweescoowee district,
ii. Al, but now Of Washington, u. @.
"On portrait picture No, will be
found:
1903, Thomas Jefferson.
1903. Mrs. Thos. Mann, Randolph.
1860 Thomas Jefferson Ran lolph.
ION portrait picture No. ?,
1870, Mrs. r. G, H. Kean, Lynch
burg, Va.
1856, Mrs. John E. Morris, Lynch
burg, Va
1904, Misses Pattie and Adelaide
Morris, born at Monticello ranch, ]. I.
TO the lady In the pretty lace dress
and her very nice Indian Territory
blttle girls we leave the Chieftain 70
do the amende honorable.
ITO the reporter who mentions the
artist as an old Indian woman Of So
sears, we extend our most gracious
pardon. for the reason that he must
admit that many ofthe Cherokee In
dams Of eighty-thus years ago we're
not only civilized but cultured Even
al nncultnred Cherokee invented a
marvellous alphabet which enables any
Cherokee speakerin one months study
read or write anything written in
Yhis language.
"a reporter for the Century Magd-
Alzine in 1880, who yis ed the Fems le
Seminary, Tahlequah, mentioned hay
lng heard ella sic music, and saw IN the
windows beautiful exotics, evidently
cared for by the hand Of some dlsky
maiden. II seems that poets are not
the only class Of licensed writers.
I'VE give you, dear Chieftain, this
opportunity to take a few hundred
years OIL tie heads Of the modern day
Jehegson ladies'. And now 10 return
10 the portrait pictures Of three gen
eratIons each. Your mistake in regard
Ia them Is p.oof that we have not
been understood as doing patriotic
honorto Indian Territory, ourcountry,
and 70 Prt ideut Thomas JeIeson
and his family in the painting OF the
two pic. ures.
These paintings have not been
hung in a way 10 show the historical
connecticn. as they should have Eeen;
but are used as house decorationson only.
lThey are placed on different noors Of
the building, regardless Of the authors
wish TO have item hung together,
Showing the order Of dates from 1903
Ito 1904. Z
There are Others Of the jefferson
kdescendents who are worthy OF a place
on any canvas, but my work did not
kbeein until last November aud the
slme did not admit Of carrying out
any great afListicaspirations, which
Asad not posses beyond a desire to do
ny part as patriotic woman Of the
Cherokee Nation and lover Of old
Virginia, the home Of a much honorcd
mother and OF my friends Pattie Kean
Morris and family
Thanking you again for your Kind
words, l am,
Respectfully yours,
NARcIssA OWEN"