Erwin Watkins-Simeon Whiteley papers
Abstract
Erwin Watkins and Simeon Whiteley worked for the Office of Indian Affairs in the 1870s and 1860s, respectively. 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.
Dates
- Creation: 1863-1920
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1863-1878
Creator
- Whiteley, Simeon, 1831- (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Erwin Watkins and Simeon Whiteley worked for the Office of Indian Affairs in the 1870s and 1860s, 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 advice 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 and 2 oversize boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Papers organized by type of material: orders, reports, communications, papers, photographs. Arranged chronologically within each category.
Ownership and Custodial History
Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library).
Processing Information Note
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.
Subject
- Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) (Organization)
- Evans, John, 1814-1897 (Person)
- United States. Office of Indian Affairs -- Officials and employees -- 19th century -- Sources (Organization)
- Hayt, E. A. (Ezra Ayres), 1823-1902 (Person)
- Watkins, Erwin C., 1839-1911 -- Correspondence (Person)
- Smith, Edward Parmelee, 1827-1876 (Person)
- Smith, John Quincy, 1824-1901 (Person)
- United States. Office of Indian Affairs. White River Agency (Colo.) (Organization)
- Whiteley, Jane, 1836-1907 (Person)
- Whiteley, Simeon, 1831- -- Correspondence (Person)
Genre / Form
- Correspondence -- Colorado -- 1851-1900
- Correspondence -- Washington (D.C.) -- 1851-1900
- Photographs -- Colorado
Topical
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Colorado -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Indian agents -- Colorado -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Indian inspectors -- West (U.S.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Indians of North America -- West (U.S.) -- Government relations -- 19th century -- Sources
- Women -- West (U.S.) -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Status
- Catalog Record Only
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org