Fort Vancouver, Columbia River, A.L.S. 4p. Regrading his collecting activities, travel in Hawaii, experiences on his trip. Refers to fishes. Mentions sending Chinook person's jaw bone.
Written from Astoria, Oregon. Discusses Indigenous ancestors' remains taken by Tuttle in southern coastal Oregon, and others not yet taken, that he is offering to Boas.
The activities described in this letter may be extremely difficult to read, especially for Indigenous researchers from the communities described. This letter address the shipment of Indigenous ancestors' remains from multiple communities on Vancouver Island, obtained by grave robbing conducted by William and James Sutton, sent to Franz Boas at his direction. The letter mentions Lewkungen (referred to as "Songeesh") and Cowichan remains, and others from Esquimalt. Specific locations of burial sites are not disclosed.; This letter was previously cataloged as from "Anonymous," as the second page with signature is missing. The letter was identified as from William Sutton by Brian Carpenter in June 2019.
Pitcher gives route for Mr. Conrad (conchologist) to go west, tells of migration of Choctaws, road, and explorations for land for them. Has a Creek skeleton he will send when the river gets high enough.
(Warning: Includes disturbing description of grave-robbing and destruction of sacred sites in the midst of conditions of epidemic disease.) Fort Vancouver, Columbia River, A.L.S. 8p. Consists of Townsend sending extensive listing of "specimens" being sent in a trunk. List and description of birds, mammals, and other items he is sending, including Indigenous human remains of Chinook and Klickitat people. Freeman Guide 728.
The activities described in this letter may be extremely difficult to read, especially for Indigenous researchers from the communities described. This letter details the activities of William and James Sutton in acquiring a large amount of human remains from several Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island for shipment to Franz Boas and at his direction. The letter mentions the Kwagu'ł ("Kwakiutl," Kwakwaka'wakw) community of Fort Rupert in particular, though the Suttons were known to engage in grave robbing from the Cowichan community and elsewhere as well, so the letter may describe activities in other places as well. Specific locations of burial sites are not disclosed.
English translation of Franz Boas' diary of letters written to his parents during his fieldwork trip to British Columbia from September 18 to December 16, 1886.
