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George W. Ingalls Photograph Collection: Finding Aid
photCL 275  
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Table of contents What's This?
  • Overview of the Collection
  • Access
  • Administrative Information
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content
  • Related materials in the Huntington Library
  • Arrangement
  • Indexing Terms

    • Overview of the Collection

    Title: George W. Ingalls Photograph next hit Collection
    Dates (inclusive): approximately 1869 - 1915
    Bulk dates: 1870s
    Collection Number: photCL 275
    Collector: Ingalls, George W., 1838-1921
    Extent: 1,126 previous hit photographs next hit in 36 boxes: 598 prints and copy prints, 475 glass negatives, and 53 copy transparencies + notes and ephemera
    Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Photo Archives
    1151 Oxford Road
    San Marino, California 91108
    Phone: (626) 405-2191
    Email: reference@huntington.org
    URL: http://www.huntington.org
    Abstract: A collection of glass plate negatives and prints collected by Major George W. Ingalls, a United States Indian agent, 1872-1875, who worked among Paiute and other tribes in the American West, as well as among Great Plains, Great Basin and Eastern tribes relegated to Indian Territory. Many of the previous hit photographs next hit were made in the early 1870s, including several original wet-plate glass negatives made by Powell expedition photographer John K. Hillers, and by Charles M. Bell. The collection illustrates Indian reform practices of the late 19th century, including views of Indian children attending seminary schools; portraits of tribal leaders in western suits; missionaries and churches in Indian Territory. There are also portraits of Indian delegates in Washington D.C.; portraits taken at Council meetings; and early views of Reno, Nevada.
    Language: English.
    Note:
    Finding aid last updated on May 26, 2015.

    Access

    Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

    Administrative Information

    Publication Rights

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    George W. Ingalls previous hit Photograph next hit Collection. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Provenance

    Purchased from Mrs. Elizabeth A. Ingalls, 1923.

    Technical Details

    The glass negatives are various sizes: 4 1/8 x 6 1/2 inches, 5 x 7 inches, 5 x 8 inches, and 8 x 10 inches. There are both wet plate and dry plate negatives; double-thick and plain glass; stereographs; and some with broken edges or cracks. Note that there are some original exposures on glass (by John K. Hillers, Charles M. Bell and possibly others), but many are also copies -- previous hit photographs next hit of previous hit photographs next hit or other types of reproductions.
    The prints are also a mixture of reproductions and originals. In cases where there is a negative and no print, a modern copy print was made from the negative by the Huntington Library, ca. 1980s-1990s, and interfiled with the other prints.

    Biographical Note

    George W. Ingalls was born in Massachusetts in 1838. He became a member of the Baptist Church, and as a young man went to Illinois, where he worked as a merchandise clerk and proprietor. He married Jennie Roberts in 1866, with whom he had three children. In 1870, he was working as a life insurance agent in Springfield, Ill., while also becoming increasingly involved in Indian affairs through the American Baptist Home Mission Society. In 1872, President Grant appointed Ingalls U. S. Indian Agent for Nevada, Utah and Southeast California. In 1873, he was made U.S. Special Indian Commissioner, along with John Wesley Powell, to investigate the condition of the Indians of the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Ingalls, Powell and photographer John K. Hillers travelled from Kanab to St. George and then to Las Vegas in the fall of 1873 to previous hit photograph next hit Paiute Indians.
    In 1874, the U.S. government published the "Report of Special Commissioners J. W. Powell and G. W. Ingalls on the Condition of the Ute Indians of Utah; the Paiutes of Utah, Northern Arizona, Southern Nevada, and Southeastern California; the Go-Si-Utes of Utah and Nevada; the Northwestern Shoshones of Idaho and Utah; and the Western Shoshones of Nevada…"
    Ingalls, Powell and Hillers were together again in 1875, when Hillers was making previous hit photographs next hit in Indian Territory, Oklahoma, for the Smithsonian's display at the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia. Hillers' diary of 1875 mentions Ingalls several times.
    In 1874, Ingalls was appointed the first agent in charge of the Union Agency of consolidated Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw and Seminole Indian tribes. He resigned as agent in 1875, but continued with religious and educational work among the Indians.
    Ingalls' first wife died in 1875, and in 1879 he married Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, a graduate of Michigan University who was a missionary physician among the Indians in Indian Territory.
    Ingalls moved to Arizona in 1880 and organized the first Territorial Exposition of Arizona, 1883. He turned his attention to mines and organizing civic expositions in Oregon, and eventually returned to Nevada in 1901. He became Secretary of the Nevada Chamber of Commerce at Reno, and in 1909, was chosen probation officer of the Juvenile Court. He resigned in 1912 and spent his time writing articles and giving lectures on his experiences among the Indians. He lived his last years in San Diego, and then Redlands, California, where he died in 1921.
    In his later years, Ingalls wrote to the Smithsonian’s Bureau of Ethnology, asking for copies of specific previous hit photographs next hit (many of which are in this collection). In a July 25, 1914, letter, he wrote “… in 1873 and 4, I was with the late Major J. W. Powell, Special Indian Commissioner and served in making investigations of the condition of Indians in Utah, Nevada, Northern Ariz., S. E. California & Southern Idaho, and taking a census of same … Jack Hillers made previous hit photographs next hit of Indians at the time … I desire 8x10 and stereoscopic size for illustrating my experiences of 40 years among Indians and New Legends never in print of Paiutes and Washoes. Have started a new crusade of Indians (Temperance)…and have 1,000 signers to Anti-Liquor League. I want above named photos for use stated, also for lantern slides for my lectures among Indians and Whites...” On May 30, 1919, Ingalls wrote from San Diego, California, requesting more photos for a “revised new book on wild & civilized Indians … the following photographic prints 8x10 size that were made under Mr. Jack Hillers 1871-2-3 when with J.W. Powell and G.W. Ingalls … also by Jack Hillers - Oklahoma 1875 for G.W. Ingalls, Supt. 1875 in Oklahoma.” The BAE reply says: “we have the original negatives of 80 subjects listed by you … we will have to have the works printed privately, 50 cents each without regard to size - total: $40. The prints will be made on glossy b&w paper suitable for engraving or copying.”
    Sources consulted:
    • Fleming, Paula Richardson. Native American Photography at the Smithsonian: The Shindler Catalogue. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian, 2003.
    • Ingalls, G. W., letters to Superintendent, Bureau of Ethnology, Dept. of Interior, 1914, 1915 and 1919. Source: National Anthropological Archives, Bureau of American Ethnology correspondence, Box 180, Letters received 1909-1949 -- Ingalls, G. W.
    • Fowler, Don, ed. "Photographed All the Best Scenery": Jack Hillers's Diary of the Powell Expeditions, 1871-1875. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1972.

    Scope and Content

    A collection of glass plate negatives and prints collected by Major George W. Ingalls, a United States Indian agent, 1872-1875, who worked among Paiute and other tribes in the West, as well as among Great Plains, Great Basin and Eastern tribes relegated to Indian Territory. Many of the previous hit photographs next hit were made in the early 1870s and include previous hit photographs next hit by John K. Hillers made during expeditions with John Wesley Powell in 1873 and 1874; views of Indian children attending seminary schools; portraits of tribal leaders in western suits; missionaries and churches in Indian Territory. There are also portraits of Indian delegates in Washington D.C.; portraits taken at Council meetings; and early views of Reno, Nevada, from the early 1900s.
    The majority of tribes represented are from Great Basin and Great Plains regions, but there are also Southwest Indian previous hit photographs next hit by A. C. Vroman; and views of Northeast and Southeast Indian tribe members living in Indian Territory or attending annual council meetings. Notably, there is a view of a skull showing an example of head flattening (Folder 33, Item 1).
    Many of the original prints have ink captions in Ingalls’ hand. Ingalls’ captions often mention if the Indians pictured are Christians or otherwise “reformed.” There are previous hit photographs next hit of Indian graduates of seminary schools, and views of institutional buildings and churches with native and non-native people. Missionary families are shown in their houses, as well as native preachers in their new wooden houses. Additionally, there are also descriptions in pencil on the backs of original prints and copy prints that are, for the most part, taken from Ingalls’ original negative envelopes. At some point after acquisition, Ingalls’ handwritten identifications on the original negative envelopes were transcribed to the backs of the prints and the envelopes were discarded. A few still survive, and are filed with the prints --see Folder 23 (3), to see an example.
    This collection is a mixture of original and copy prints and negatives, as well as a few pieces of ephemera and some manuscript previous hit photograph next hit lists and possible lecture notes by Ingalls. There are many original exposures among the glass negatives, which Ingalls may have received directly from the photographer(s). Others are copies that Ingalls may have borrowed to be photographed for his own collection, or he received from elsewhere. The Smithsonian's Bureau of Ethnology received letters from Ingalls asking for copies of certain previous hit photographs next hit , indicating he did receive some copies this way. A May 30, 1919, letter from Ingalls’ to the BAE refers to Hillers’ previous hit photographs next hit “for” him in Oklahoma, 1875, supporting the idea that Hillers gave Ingalls some original negatives.

    Related materials in the Huntington Library

    • Horatio N. Rust previous hit Photograph next hit Collection (photCL 11)  
    • A.C. Vroman previous hit Photograph next hit Collection (photCL 86)  
    • previous hit Photograph next hit album of Southwest Pueblos and portraits of Indian leaders (photCL 190)  

    Arrangement

    The collection is organized into 4 series:
    • Original and copy prints
    • Ephemera and notes
    • Glass negatives
    • Copy negatives (transparencies)
    The previous hit photographs next hit are organized by tribe and listed loosely by geographic and cultural region: Southwest, Great Basin, California and Plateau, Great Plains, Southeast, and Northeast. Some sections include views of non-Indians, towns, and buildings taken in vicinity. Following tribe names, there are sections for: Artifacts; U.S. Indian Agents and Missionaries; Miscellaneous and Unidentified.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Huntington Library's Online Catalog.  

    Subjects

    Hopkins, Sarah Winnemucca, 1844?-1891 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ingalls, George W., 1838-1921 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Joseph, Nez Percé Chief, 1840-1904 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Journeycake, Charles, 1817-1894 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Montezuma, Carlos, 1866-1923 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Newlands, Francis G. (Francis Griffith), 1848-1917 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ouray, Ute Chief, approximately 1833-1880 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ross, William P. (William Potter), 1820-1891 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Shanks, John P. C. (John Peter Cleaver), 1826-1901 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Sitting Bull, 1831-1890 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Washakie, approximately 1804-1900 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Winema, Modoc Chieftainess, 1842-1932 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Wovoka, approximately 1856-1932 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Wright, Allen, active 1873-1880 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    University of Nevada, Reno -- History -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    African Americans -- 1870-1880 -- previous hit Photographs next hit . [TGM]
    Apache Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Arapaho Indians-- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Arrowheads -- North America -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Artifacts -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Baptists -- Missions -- Indian Territory -- History.
    Caddo Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Cherokee Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Cheyenne Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Chickasaw Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Chinook Indians – Craniology -- previous hit Photographs next hit
    Choctaw Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Clergy -- United States -- History -- 19th century -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Comanche Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Creek Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Crow Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Delaware Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Delegations -- Washington (D.C.) -- 1870-1880 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Delegations -- Washington (D.C.) -- 1880-1890 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Expeditions & surveys -- West (U.S.) -- 1870-1890 -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- West (U.S.) -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Hopi Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indian Territory. General Council -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indians of North America -- Cultural assimilation--Indian Territory.
    Indians of North America -- Education -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indians of North America -- Great Basin. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indians of North America -- Great Plains. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indians of North America -- Indian Territory. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indians of North America -- Southwest, New-- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Kiowa Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Modoc Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Navajo Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Nez Perce Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Off-reservation boarding schools -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ojibwa Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Osage Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ottawa Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Paiute Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Pawnee Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ponca Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Pueblo Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Sac & Fox Nation, Oklahoma -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    School children -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Seminole Indians -- Oklahoma -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Shoshoni Indians- - previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Sioux Nation -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Ute Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Washoe Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Winnebago Indians -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Eureka Springs (Ark.) -- History -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Fort Totten Indian Reservation (N.D.) -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Indian Territory. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Nevada -- History -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Reno (Nev.) -- History -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Walpi (Ariz.) -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Truckee River (Calif. and Nev.). -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Osage Agency. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Pine Ridge Agency. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .
    United States. Office of Indian Affairs. Union Agency. -- previous hit Photographs next hit .

    Forms/Genres

    Glass negatives.
    previous hit Photographs next hit .
    Cartes-de-visite.
    Stereographs.
    Portraits.
    Ephemera.

    Additional Contributors

    Barry, D. F. (David Francis), 1854-1934, photographer.
    Bell, C. M. (Charles Milton), approximately 1849-1893, photographer.
    Brady, Mathew B., approximately 1823-1896, photographer.
    Gentile, Carlo, 1835-1893, photographer.
    Hillers, John K., 1843-1925, photographer.
    Moorhouse, Lee, 1850-1926, photographer.
    Randall, A. F. (A. Frank), photographer.
    Savage, C. R. (Charles Roscoe), 1832-1909, photographer.
    Shindler, A. Zeno (Antonio Zeno), 1823-1899, photographer.
    Vroman, A.C. ( Adam Clark), 1856-1916, photographer.

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    [Online Content] Collection Contents
    [Online Content] Container List
    Original and copy prints [19 hits]
    Ephemera and Notes [5 hits]
    Glass Negatives [1 hit]
    Copy negatives (transparencies) [1 hit]
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