STARRING, William (1841-1889). An archive of letters, documents, and photographs relating to the noted Lakota lexicographer, 1860-1889. Over 100 items, various dimensions.

AN ARCHIVE OF OVER 100 ITEMS DOCUMENTING THE RICH CAREER OF THE LAKOTA LEXICOGRAPHER AND CAREER ARMY OFFICER

Upon Starring's death in 1889, the Adjutant General of the Department of the Columbia (in the Washington Territory) lauded Starring for his "honest, faithful and zealous service," and his path-breaking work with the Plains Indians, "especially the Sioux." He noted the "great assiduity and care" with which Starring compiled "a valuable dictionary of their language."

The archive includes:
Starring's appointment to West Point, signed by Secretary of War Simon Cameron, 6 April 1861 -- Some 14 West Point Conduct Reports, 1860-1863, including some signed by Robert E. Lee's eldest son, George Washington Custis Lee. -- 3Presidential commissions signed by Andrew Johnson (stamped signatures): 20 April 1866 and 23 April 1866, making him First Lieutenant in the 18th Infantry Regiment; and 11 April 1867, making him a First Lieutenant in the 36th Infantry Regiment.

Also with one commission SIGNED BY RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, 26 June 1879, making Starring Captain of the Ordinance Department, the rank he held through his long service in western postings.

Also included is a small archive of correspondence. In one letter to his sister, written from the Colorado Territory in March 1866, he jokes that he has "my scalp yet [and] don't propose to lose it easily. As my hair is rather long our Noble Red Bretheren will get a good one if they take it now." Yet his 28 May 1888 letter (written just months before he died) expresses his great contentment living "in this wonderful country," close to the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Also included are a pair of spurs with straps, 5 printed receipts for Black Hills Mining District claims, 8 CDVs, a letter-book comprising Starring's official Army correspondence, and several manuals of West Point's rules and regulations.

Property from the Collection of Dr. Brant Mittler