The majority of the photographs in the William A. Jones Papers document the agencies, schools, reservations, and Native Americans under the jurisdiction of Jones while he was U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1897-1905. There are several images of Jones and others, possibly family members or friends. Also in the collection is an image of new enlistees in Troop L of the 1st United States Cavalry, part of the Rough Riders. Many of the members of Troop L were Native American. The majority of the photographs date between 1897 and 1901.
The photographs are organized into four series. Series 1 (items 1-296) is arranged by state and then by agencies, schools, and, in some cases, by subject; the states are grouped roughly by geographic region. Series 2 (items 297-311) is a series of photographs of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition and Indian Congress held in Omaha, Nebraska in 1898. Series 3 (items 312-371) consists of portraits of Native Americans arranged by tribe. Series 4 (items 372-387) includes photographs of William A. Jones and others.
Descriptions in quotes in the inventory were taken directly from the photographs. Bracketing was used to indicate information in the quotes supplied by the processor or information needed for further clarification of an image or description. Albums found in the collection were kept in their original order. All the information from the albums was transcribed as part of the inventory.
Series 1: Geographic Regions (items 1-296)
Images in Series 1 document the agencies, reservations and educational institutions for Native Americans while Jones was Commissioner. The Indian Industrial Training School at Carlisle, Pennsylvania (items 1-18) is an example of one of the schools included in this series. The photographs of the school include an image of a sloyd shop for wood cutting projects; tin, harness, and carpentry shops; and a printing office which was used to produce publications such as The Red Man and The Indian Helper. The Indian Industrial Training School was a large, non-reservation boarding school which provided training for Native Americans from throughout the United States.
The Pueblo Indian Day Schools album (item 141) provides a contrast to the Indian Industrial Training School. This album illustrates the conditions that existed at 11 schools in the Acoma, Isleta, Jemez, San Juan, Santa Domingo, San Ildephonso, San Felipe, Cochiti, Laguna, Pahuate, and Zuni pueblos. In 1898, published reports to Commissioner Jones describe these schools as being without adequate plumbing, heating, ventilation, furniture, or equipment. Under one of the images in the album is written, “How can we teach civilization in such a den as this?” and under another “Now, don't you think we need some new School houses?”
Another group of images in Series 1 which deal with the education of Native Americans are three photographs showing “uneducated” and “educated” Creek (items 45-47). Photographic series such as this were produced by the government to show the benefits of educating Native Americans.
Also included in Series 1 are several series of photographs of events which occurred while Jones was Commissioner. The Ojibwa-Pillager Battle at Sugar Point on Bear Island at Walker, Minnesota, is one of these series (items 173-193). These images document the events at the site of this battle in 1898. The battle on Bear Island was a result of a dispute between the Ojibwa-Pillager tribe and the Federal Government over timber sales, and the practice of several United States marshals furnishing liquor to the Ojibwa and then arresting them in order to collect fines. The Cavalry was sent to arrest Bug-u-ma-ge-sik, the leader of the Ojibwa-Pillager tribe on Bear Island. Eventually Commissioner Jones went to the Leech Lake Agency, near Walker, to help resolve the dispute. Included are photographs of cavalry troops arriving in Walker, Minnesota, setting up camp, and departing by boat to Bear Island. The series also includes images of Bug-u-ma-ge-sik, the Ojibwa-Pillager leader; William A. Jones' arrival at Bear Island to settle the dispute; and the Council at Leech Lake Agency in October 1898.
Another group of photographs in Series 1 documents the construction of the Big Horn Ditch on the Crow Reservation in northeast Wyoming (items 178-190). The Big Horn Ditch was constructed as part of an irrigation system to provide water to the reservation and nearby farms. It was said to be the most expensive structure of its kind in 1900 (construction costs were $66,000). The federal government considered the project to be a great advancement for the Crow because they were paid to work on the construction project rather than giving the money in annuity payments.
Series 2: Trans-Mississippi Exposition and Indian Congress, Omaha, Nebraska, 1898 (items 297-311)
These images are of the Trans Mississippi Exposition and Indian Congress at Omaha, Nebraska, 1898. The exposition was intended to show the traditions and customs of Native Americans to the general public. Images in the series include Native American participants and their exhibits, the opening dance, tepees, canoe construction, meal preparation, and the use of bows and arrows as well as images of Native Americans in their traditional dress. The tribes represented in these photographs of the Congress include the Sioux (Dakota), Apache, Sauk-Fox (Meskwaki), Cheyenne, and Chippewa (Ojibwe).
Series 3: Native American Portraits (items 312-371)
This series consists of portraits of Native Americans divided by tribe. Many of the images show tribal members in traditional dress. Tribes represented include the Cayuse, Cherokee, Choctow, Comanche, Creek, Kiowa, Nez Perce, Osage, and Otoe. Also included in this series is an image of Tom Meagher (item 333) who was a bugler in Troop L of the 1st United States Cavalry, part of the Rough Riders.
Series 4: William Arthur Jones and Miscellaneous (items 372-387)
The fourth series includes images of William Arthur Jones and others who may be family members and friends.
