Original Photograph Of Satanta, Hostile Chief Of The Kiowa Tribe.

PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN

Other works by PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN

Publication: 1867-1868, NP

Original Photograph. Carte-de-visite (CDV). 2.375" x 3.875". A rare image of this notorious leader of hostile Kiowa Indians. Satanta (Set-Tainte), White Bear Person, became a prominent warrior in the early 1860's, raiding into Texas and along the Santa Fe Trail. In 1866, upon the death of Big Mountain, Satanta became the leader of the hostile, war faction within the Kiowa tribe. He spoke at the Medicine Lodge Treaty in 1867, becoming known as "The Orator Of The Plains". Satanta was among the large raiding party that attacked the Warren Wagon train in north Texas, killing most of the party, and missing General Sheridan's inspection party by a couple of hours. Upon return to Fort Sill, Satanta and others bragged openly of the raid, resulting in his arrest, along with Satank and Big Tree, and their sentence of imprisonment in Huntsville, Texas. Satank was killed along the way, but Satanta and Big Tree were imprisoned until they were paroled in 1873 through the influence of Indian rights groups. The Kiowas and Comanches continued to raid in 1873, 1874, and 1875. In October, 1874 Satanta surrendered and was quickly reimprisoned in Huntsville, where, disbarring of ever being released, Satanta committed suicide by leaping from the upper floor of the hospital in October, 1878. In this photograph Satanta sits in a wooden chair, wearing only a cloth robe, open at the chest and the full length of his legs. He wears no moccasins. He wears a large peace medal said to have been received by him at the Medicine Lodge Treaty. His expression is stern and unsmiling. Some very light soiling and missing the lower right corner of the mount, not affecting the image. A very rare image of this important hostile leader of the Kiowa Indian tribe. Provenance: The Collection of Robert G. McCubbin.

Inventory Number: 53948