The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-18
OFFERS 5000
INDIAN RELICS
WI TIL TEMPLE
Rare Collection Owned by Vic.
tor ]. Evans to Be Gift to
Nation If Congress Accepts
$780, 900 EDIFlCE PLANNED
Curios cataIogued by Govern
ment Expert Show Skill and
Art Of Many Western Tribes

An Indian relic temple, housing
. rare collection of 5000 curios,
and which will cost approximately
$3.50, 900, is to be offered to Con-
gTess when it convenes in Decenn-
Der by Victor j. Evans, patent at
torney, and chief counsel for most
ct the Indian tribes in the United
States.
YUCATAN TEMPLE DESIGN.
The building, as planned by Major
George Oakley Totten, jr., architect.
viii be replica OF the Yucatan
temples. TO be erected on a high
hill, preferably in the National
geological Park. Mr.. Evans said
that the plan under consideration
provides FOR q terra Gotta structure
thfrty.five feet square. The only
provision III Mr.. Evans offer is that
the Government donate the ground
FOR its construction.
DR.. Walter Hough. OF the Ma.
tionaI Museum, already has cata-
logued the curios which Mr.. Evans
proposes to give to the Government.
While many Of the relics now are
housed In the Victor building, where
Mr.. Evans has g large suite Of
offices, q number are ct the mu.
scum.
COUNSEL. FOR TRIBES.
Ten years ago Mr.. Evans was Sc.
lected at d conference Of the Indian
CHIEFS Of the various tribes as their
chief legal counsel to represent the
tribes in their negotiations with the
Government.
II investigating claims Of the In.
dams, Mr.. Evans has made numer.
Gus visits 70 their camps. He mott
ffes the chief of the particular tribe
to be visited, and upon his arrival
IL met ut the station by q group Of
mounted Indians, in all their paint
and feathers and fantastic garb.
! always get great welcome, =
said Mr. Evans yesterday, as soon
as step from the train and am
recognized Then lead the process
sion into camp on be6ecked and
saddled horse.
GETS GIFTS or RELICS.
ARRIVING at the camp. the In
dams kill steer ana We have q
FEAST. Then We set down TO bust.
ness. But before I leave the camp
am always given numerous gifts.
some OF them relics OF ancient
tribes.
''I have been overwhelmed with
the generosity of the Indians, and
feel thai the curios have collected
through these gifts should be given
ia the public Most Of them are rare
and nearly all of them have a legend
Or story Of keen interest attached
to them.
II baiieve.u ore Of the most ex.
tensivA collections OF Indian curios
owned by any one man in the world.
The Government may have II free.
Further, I am willing to construct
and nay for the temple which / pro-
pose to offer TO members Of Con.
gress when they convene in Decem.
Der.
WILL INTEREST TOURISTS.
"The collection. am certain. will
not only be OF interest to Washing.
tonians. but to the thousands OF Wis
itors to the Capital"
In the collection are specimens of
the ancient tribes skill in pottery
and painting, heavily beaded cloth.
ing, saddles, fine needlework and
basketry, all sorts Of hunting and
war implements. peace pipes,
blankets and rugs. gorgeous fAath.
ers, many trophies, including
dressed Scalps. and other curios that
have caused Dr. Hough. of the Ma.
tional Museum. to say II is one OF
the most unique collections Of any
private individual in the United
States.