The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-03-17
By John Mix Staniey-IsES

part in several engagements which marked ths
phase Of the Mexican war that was fought in
California.
Going north the next year Stanley found some
more excitement awaiting him, for he narrowly
escaped being in the Whitman massacre when
that famous missionary, his wife and IL others
were killed by malcontents of the Cayuse tribe.
He had another narrow escape from death q
short time later when he returned 10 San Fran
cisco to take certain ship for the return to
New York via Cape Horn He barely missed
the ship before 1t sailed and 1t was lost at sea
and never heard Of again. Next Stanley went to
Hawaii where he painted the portraits Of the
famous King Kamahameha III and his queen,
which now hang in the government museum,
formerly the royal palace, in Honolulu
Returning to this country In 1850 Stanley ex-
hibited his pictures in various eastern cities
and In 1853 he was appointed artist TO the ex-
petition sent by the government to explore q
route for Pacific railroad from St Paul TO
Puget sound. Before starting on this expedi-
ton he deposited his collection Of Indian paint
ings in the Smithsonian institution. Various at
tempts were made TO have congress purchase the
collection for the nation but nothing came of
them. The pictures remained the property of
the artist, so when all of them except FIVE were
destroyed in the January, 1865, fire In the Smith
sonian. Stanley suffered great personal loss.
list of early painters Of the Indians would
not be complete without including in II the name
of Carl Bodmer, a Swiss artist who accompanied
Prince Macmillan Of Wied-Neuwied, when that
distinguished German scientist made his journey
up the Missouri in 1924. Bodmer not only
left posterity priceless heritage Of Indian por-
traits and pictures but he also. like Catlin,
made drawings of forts fur trading posts, bat
tie scenes. etc, which are invaluable historical
records In the picture by Bodmer which is re-
produced above are shown three typical war
riors of the plains (from left TO right Mis-
souri,. an Otto and Ponca-
Until few years ago there was living In New
York city another early painter of the Indian
whose work takes rank with that of the artists
previously mentioned He was william De La
Montague Cary New Yorker who in 1851 with
two companions made his way up the Missouri
river from St Louis and during the next Is
years put down on canvas scenes from the fast
vanishing frontier which are among the most
valuable records Of life in those DAYS which we
have
space prevents discussion of their contributions,
are: Capt Seth Eastman a teacher of drawing
at the United States Military academy at West
Point who saw service in the Indian country
and was chosen to illustrate Historical and
Statistical Information Respecting the History.
Condition and Future Prospects Of the Indian
Tribes of the United States" issued by the gov
eminent In 1850: Carl wimar. German artist
who lived among the Indians for six months In
1857 and some Of whose paintings are preserved
In bis adopted city. St Louis: r. o. C. barley.
the leading illustrator OF books and magazine
articles three quarters Of century ago: and
George DeForest Brush who is stilI living and
whose studies Of the Indian have helped to e.
tahlish the redskin In an important place In the
art history Of America
&C BY Western ssxspapsr unssu,