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Fred B. Hackett papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ayer-Modern-MS-Hackett

Notice of Culturally Sensitive Indigenous Materials

This collection contains content identified by the library as Culturally Sensitive to Indigenous People(s): Box 1, folder 2 contains a description of the Sundance Ceremony, and folder 8 contains a photograph depicting the Sundance ceremony. Folder 9 contains more photographs depicting Sun dancers during the Sundance ceremony and folder 12 contains images depicting a ceremonial burial. For more information please see the Newberry Library’s policy on Access to Culturally Sensitive Indigenous Materials.

Scope and Content of the Collection

The Fred B. Hackett Papers consist of a report of the proceedings of the council held on September 22, 1903 at the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota between Congressman E.W. Martin and the delegates of five different tribes, relative to the Black Hills Treaty of 1876; a typed description of the Sun Dance ceremony held at Pine Ridge in 1929 to which Fred Hackett was witness; there are also a series of black and white photographs Hackett took of the Sundance Ceremony. There is a total of approximately 180 photographs, most are original silver gelatin with a handful of reproductions. The majority of the photographs consist of identified and unidentified Oglala Lakota people in South Dakota with a large majority being of women. Photographs of Wasú Máza (Dewey Beard), who fought in the Battle of Little Big Horn and other prominent Native American people such as Iron Tail (1842-1916), are depicted. Other photographs show Hackett’s wife, Lila Hackett. The photographs range from as early as 1882 to as late as 1963.

Dates

  • Creation: 1882-1963

Creator

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The Fred B. Hackett papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The Fred B. Hackett papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org

Biography of Frederick B. Hackett

Frederick B. Hackett (c. 1884-1975) was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of a Western scout. As a boy, he had listened through the bedroom keyhole to conversations between Colonel William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his father. Tantalized by colorful stories of the American West, he ran away from home at the age of sixteen and spent a period working as a cowboy and guide on a ranch in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Some years later, he is reported as having worked as a ration clerk at Pine Ridge Agency, South Dakota. In 1905, Hackett married his wife Lila and settled in Chicago, working as an elevator safety engineer, a career he maintained for many years until retirement. He died on February 16, 1975, and was buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.

Through his early contact with the legendary Wild West showman, William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody’s, Hackett finally took up the offer of working with his Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World. Both Hackett and his wife Lila signed up for the 1914, 1915 and 1916 seasons. In 1944, he was among the founding members of the Chicago Corral of the Westerners -- an organization dedicated to preserving the history, heritage and traditions of the American West.

Over the years, Hackett built up a sizeable collection of historical American Indian and Western artifacts, photographs, and ephemera. His summers were usually spent at Pine Ridge, where he had many Oglala Lakota friends, many of whom were veterans of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Biography of Wasú Máza (Dewey Beard)

Wasú Máza or Dewey Beard ("Iron Hail", 1858–1955) was a Minneconjou Lakota who fought in the Battle of Little Bighorn as a teenager. After George Armstrong Custer's defeat, Wasu Maza followed Sitting Bull into exile in Canada and then back to South Dakota where he lived on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Iron Hail joined the Ghost Dance movement and was in Spotted Elk's band along with his parents, siblings, wife and child. He and his family were present at the Wounded Knee Massacre, where he was shot three times, twice in the back and some of his family, including his mother, father, wife and infant child were killed. He recounted his experiences in an in-depth interview with Eli S. Ricker for a book Ricker planned to write. He was a member of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for 15 years.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1 box)

Abstract

Materials pertaining to Fred B. Hackett, a member of the Chicago Corral of The Westerners, who, for a time, lived and worked among the Oglala Lakota people at the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The material includes a report of the proceedings of the council held on September 21-22, 1903 at Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota between Congressman E. W. Martin and the delegates of five different tribal representatives, relative to the Black Hills treaty of 1876; a typed description of the Sun Dance ceremony held at Pine Ridge in 1929 to which Fred Hackett was witness; and approximately 180 photographs, most original silver gelatin with a handful of reproductions. The majority of which portray individuals from the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The photographs range from as early as 1882 to as late as 1963.

Organization

Materials are arranged by type of material.

Location

3a 55 11

Provenance

Gift, Dan J. Lipinski, 2003.

Processed by

Analú López, 2022.

Title
Fred B. Hackett papers, 1882-1963
Status
Completed
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
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Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
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