Administrative History Note
Biographical Note
Related Materials
Arrangement
Scope and Contents
Custodial History
Processing History
Conditions Governing Use
Conditions Governing Access
Acquisition
Preferred Citation
Contributing Institution:
Library and Archives at the Autry
Title: Northern California Indian Association newsletters and bulletins
Creator:
Northern California Indian Association
Identifier/Call Number: MS.1311
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(2 folders)
Date: Early 20th Century
Abstract: The Northern California Indian Association, formed in 1894, was a branch of the Women's National Indian Association, which
formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1879. The Northern California Indian Association, based in San Jose, CA, campaigned
for "the physical, moral, and educational advancement" of the California Indians. This collection consists of newsletters
and bulletins from the Northern California Indian Association in the early 20th century. Many of the items focus on the Zayante
Indian Conferences held annually in Mount Hermon, California beginning in 1906. There is also information about the Association's
efforts to start an industrial school for Indians and a report from the Indian Board of Co-Operation.
Language of Material:
English
.
Administrative History Note
The Northern California Indian Association, formed in 1894, was a branch of the Women's National Indian Association, which
formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1879. The Northern California Indian Association, based in San Jose, California, campaigned
for "the physical, moral, and educational advancement" of the California Indians. The organization considered itself non-denominational
Christian.
In 1901, the national organization's name changed to the National Indian Association, though its membership remained mostly
female. The following people were officers in the San Jose branch: Mrs. Josephine Gilchrist, Mrs. Mary Edwards, Mrs. Jessie
Knight Jordan, Mrs. E.D. Van Denburgh, Miss Jennie Farwell, Mrs. Fred Smith, Mr. Charles E. Kelsey, Mrs. Edith Beasly, Miss
Cornelia Taber, Mrs. Mary Bacon, and Mrs. Ed Williams.
Biographical Note
George Wharton James (1858-1923) was born in Gainsborough, England. He became a preacher for the Methodist Church before coming
to California in the 1880s. While in California, James abandoned the ministry and traveled throughout the United States. He
was well known as a writer, explorer, book collector, artifact collector, and an Indian civil-rights activist. Like Charles
F. Lummis, James was considered an eccentric of the American West. The two men had a notable rivalry though James served as
editor of Lummis'
Out West magazine beginning in 1912.
Reference:
Wild, Peter.
George Wharton James. Boise, Idaho: Boise State University, 1990.
Related Materials
George Wharton James Papers, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West; Los Angeles, California, MS.4.
MS. 2119,
Cornelia Taber papers (1906-1926), California Historical Society, San Francisco, California.
Caroline Maria Seymour Severance Papers (1830-1980), The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
MS2,
John Bidwell Papers, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico, California
David Starr Jordan Papers (1794-1950), Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford University, California.
BANC FILM 1022,
C. Hart Merriam Papers, Volume 1: Papers Relating to Work with California Indians (1850-1974), (bulk 1898-1938), The Bancroft Library, University
of California Berkeley, California.
- Folder 1: Northern California Indian Association, Zayante Indian Conferences
- Folder 2: Liquor Problem Among the Indians
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of newsletters and bulletins from the Northern California Indian Association in the early 20th century.
Many of the items focus on the Zayante Indian Conferences held annually in Mount Hermon, California beginning in 1906. There
is also information about the Association's efforts to start an industrial school for Indians. A report from the Indian Board
of Co-Operation is also included. The document in Folder 2 was found along with Folder 1, though the creator and date of this
document is unknown.
Custodial History
This collection was part of the George Wharton James Collection donated to the Southwest Museum Library in 1928.
Processing History
Initial processing and finding aid created by Natalie Sims, 2010. Final processing of collection and publication of finding
aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Conditions Governing Access
Acquisition
Donated by Edith E. Farnsworth as part of the George Wharton James Library, 1928 November 28.
Preferred Citation
Northern California Indian Association Newsletters and Bulletins, Early 20th century, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.1311; [folder number] [folder title][date].
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Zayante Indian Conferences
Bulletins
Newsletters
Indians of North America -- California
Indians of North America -- California -- Economic conditions
Indians of North America -- Education
Indians of North America -- Alcohol use
Indians of North America -- California -- Social life and customs
Women's National Indian Association (U.S.)