National Anthropological Archives

Guide to MS 4452-a Two books of Cheyenne and Arapaho drawings, circa 1880

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS4452A
Creators:
McDonald, David N.
Dates:
circa 1880
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
2 Volumes
disbound and laminated; 100 drawings
graphite, colored pencil, and ink
12.5 x 7.25 inches
1 Folder
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of two (2) ledger books of Cheyenne and Arapaho drawings, as well as related correspondence and notes.
Vol. 1: 46 drawings of war scenes on leaves of ruled and numbered paper from a ledger book. The book was disbound and laminated; the covers have been retained. The inside of the cover is inscribed "D.N. McDonald, US Army."
Vol. 2: 54 drawings on leaves of ruled and numbered paper from a ledger book. The book was disbound and laminated; the covers were not retained. Scenes are primarily of warfare, but also include horse raids, courting, and two maps. Several pages are inscribed "Washee," a name recorded among both Cheyennes and Arapahoes in the 1880s. Misreading of this as "Nashee" led to erroneous speculation that the drawings were associated with the Apache leader Naiche.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
David N. McDonald graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1877. He served at Fort Sill, Indian Territory in 1878 and at Fort Reno in 1878-1881. He was subsequently posted in New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Administration

Custodial History
The ledger books are reported to have been collected by Capt. David N. McDonald, US Army circa 1880-85 in the western United States. They were purchased from McDonald's estate by W.E. Myer, who consulted with the BAE regarding their identification in the 1920s. Mrs. Annie Lee Myer Turner and Mr. W.H. Myer donated the books to the BAE in 1952 in memory of their father. It is not clear from the correspondence whether the collection history applies to both books or only to one.

Digital Content

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Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
MS 4452-a Two books of Cheyenne and Arapaho drawings, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
NAA MS 4452-a
NAA 4552A 000


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Ledger drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Works of art Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Inunaina (Arapaho) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
North America Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fort Reno (Okla.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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