Newberry Library - Erwin Watkins-Simeon Whiteley papers, 1863-1920

Title Erwin Watkins-Simeon Whiteley papers, 1863-1920

Creator Watkins, Erwin C., 1839-1911

Date 1863-1878

Subjects Frontier and pioneer life, Indian agents, Indian inspectors, Indians of North America, United States

Description Photographs include: Simeon Whiteley, Gov. John Evans, and Major J.W. Powell's camp near the Green River.
Maps, newspapers, some photographs and Jane Whiteley's account in oversize portfolio.
Formerly known as Ayer MS 964a.

Summary While the Watkins papers contain mainly official government reports and correspondence, the Whiteley papers consist of mostly personal correspondence accompanied by several photographs, three maps, and two issues of a Wyoming newspaper. The Watkins papers include: incoming correspondence and instructions from the Commissioners of Indian Affairs and other officials, copies of Watkins reports regarding his agency visits and investigations, and papers relating to travel arrangements and assignments. The Whiteley papers include: outgoing letters to his wife, Jane Whiteley, from Denver in 1863, some official correspondence, and miscellaneous letters after Whiteley's departure from government service. There is also a copy of Jane Whiteley's account of her trip by stagecoach to Denver in the fall of 1863 to join her husband.

Biographical/Historical Note Erwin Watkins and Simeon Whiteley worked for the Office of Indian Affairs in the 1870's and 1860's, respectively. Following military service as an officer in the Civil War, Watkins was appointed an Indian Inspector in 1875. In that capacity he visited various tribes throughout the western states and territories reporting on their conditions to the Office of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. Following his resignation in 1878, he returned to Michigan and pursued several different lines of work. Simeon Whiteley, on the advise of Gov. John Evans, was commissioned as an Indian agent to the Colorado Middle Park Indian Agency in 1862, later named the White River Agency. He resided in Denver until 1865 serving both as Indian agent and as editor of a daily newspaper called the Commonwealth. Returning to Racine, Wisc. he established the Whiteley Insurance Agency.

Extent 6 linear feet (2 boxes, 2 oversize boxes)

Format Correspondence, Photographs

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection

Link to Catalog View record

BibID 135811

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

Size 1415px × 2206px 8.96 MB

File Created 10/29/2013

Filename 991358118805867_Ayer_MS_3024_BX01_FL023_00006.tif

Unique Identifier NL1V4DG