[NATIVE AMERICANS] -- [HENDERSON, Daniel B. (1862-1940)]. An archive of letters and documents mostly related to Henderson's work representing Native American interests of tribes near Fort Peck and Fort Belknap, Montana, including:

Approximately 70 documents, spanning ca 1910s - 1920s. Documents in the collection primarily consist of personal letters addressed to attorney Daniel B. Henderson from members of the Assiniboine tribe living in the vicinity of Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations (approx. 60 letters). Tribal representatives write to Henderson, who has been enlisted as the tribe's representative in prosecution of their claims, to determine when he will be visiting Montana, the status of their claims, and at times with questions and concerns over the actions of certain tribal members who were perceived to not be acting in the interest of all members. Documents in the collection reflect issues that were increasingly being pressed by Native peoples via the courts, particularly with regard to allotments and land claims. Correspondents include Henderson, various tribal representatives, a Commissioner of the Department of the Interior, and more.

Letters to Henderson from Assiniboine tribal members are primarily written by Isaac Blount, Henry Archdale, and Growing Four Times, with additional correspondence from Simon Firstshoot, Raymond Feather and James Archdale. Some interesting documents in the archive include the following: a letter from growing Four Times to Henderson, 18 Janaury 1923, cautioning Henderson about some actions of James Archdale which were undertaken without input from the tribe; a letter from James Archdale to Henderson, 6 May 1920, indicating that tribal matters are at a stand still, and advising Henderson of factional differences among the Indians which he hopes Henderson can help address; a letter from Simon Firstshoot to Henderson, 26 September 1917, commenting about their contract and the delegates being sent for discussions, and indicating the importance of having "equal Body of Delegates from both Reservations."

[With:] A group of correspondence (7 letters) written between Daniel B. Henderson and fellow attorney R.J. Powell of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Powell similarly represents Native American interests in the courts, and his letters contain a particularly interesting discussion of a jurisdictional bill and treaty rights pertaining to claims of the Grand Portage Indians in Isle Royal (Michigan).

[Also with:] A group of 2 topographical maps, comprising: "Texas-Indian Territory / Denison Quadrangle," ca 1904, and "Texas-Indian Territory / Gainseville Quadrangle," ca 1914.

Daniel Brosius Henderson, Sr. (1862-1940) spent the bulk of his career litigating on behalf of America's Native peoples. He was born in Hancock, Maryland, attended the University of Virginia, and by the late 1800s had established a law practice in Kansas City, Missouri. After more than a decade in Missouri, Henderson and his growing family returned to Virginia in 1901. It was in Washington, DC, where the young lawyer would distinguish himself as a prominent attorney with a specialization in Indian claims litigation. Over the course of a decades long career, he represented the claims of multiple tribes in disputes against the US government.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.