Original Photograph Of Little Raven, Head Chief Of The Southern Arapaho

C. C.-PHOTOGRAPHER STOTZ

Publication: C C Stotz, 1888-1889, El Reno, Oklahoma Territory

Original Photograph of the head chief of the Southern Arapaho for 34 years , from 1855 until 1889. A Cabinet Card. Image:4" x 5.5". Mount: 4.25" x 6.5". A clean, clear image. Little Raven is shown from the chest-up, taken from a front oblique angle. His hair is long, braided in two braids to the front, and at least one braid visible at his back. Simply attired in a shirt with buttons and a little over-shirt or jacket, with collar. Son of an Arapaho chief, Little Raven became head chief in 1855 at 45 years of age. Until the pressures brought on after the Colorado Gold Rush, Little Raven led his people to be peaceful, with other tribes and the few settlers. Though he was the first to sign the Fort Wise/Fort Lyon, Colorado Treaty of 1861, he was quickly disillusioned with the translation and the failure of the whites to live up to its promises. Accordingly Little Raven was known to lead his hostile men during the mid-1860's. He signed the 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty, accepting reservation. Chivington claimed to have killed Little Raven at Sand Creek, but that was false, as Little Raven was not there, and lived until 1889, leading the progressive element of his tribe for his last 20 years. Photograph shows some minor fading, but is clean and clear. The mount has some very light edgewear along bottom edge. White mount with gilt rule along the perimeter, printed along the bottom portion of the mount is C. C. Stotz El Reno. Oklahoma. Terr. On verso previous owner has handwritten: Little Raven Arapaho (Oh-hos-tee) Head Chief of the Southern Arapahoes, was notoriously hostile. Sand Creek 1864. A very scarce image of a major Chief of the Arapaho tribe.