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Thomas Prosch Indian photograph albums, approximately 1864-1912
Overview of the Collection
- Collector
- Prosch, Thomas Wickham, 1850-1915
- Title
- Thomas Prosch Indian photograph albums
- Dates
- approximately 1864-1912 (inclusive)18641912
approximately 1880-1910 (bulk)18801910 - Quantity
- 123 black and white photographic prints in 2 albums
- Collection Number
- PH0018
- Summary
- Photographs of Washington and British Columbia Indians, circa 1898-1903
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access restricted. Original albums are not available to the public. Photocopies of the albums are available for viewing.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Thomas Prosch was a journalist and civic booster who had a great love of history. Prosch focused much of his energy on recording and preserving the history of the region and on civic improvement. He spent time walking through the town of Seattle photographing and documenting its history. He assembled the photographs he made and collected from others into annotated albums depicting various topics--Seattle, Washington State, Indians. He also assembled a dictionary of Chinook trade jargon and an extensive private library of Northwest history materials. He was frequently asked to speak at historical events. Prosch and his wife died in a tragic automobile accident in 1915 when the car they were in went off the road and into the Duwamish River as they were returning from a meeting at the Washington State Historical Society.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Two albums of photographs depicting Washington and British Columbia Indians taken by a number of early photographers, including Dr. E.H. Latham, Henry Fair, S.G. Morse, Anders Wilse, E.S. Meany, Webster and Stevens, B.C. Collier and Theodore E. Peiser. Indian tribes represented include Columbia River Indians, Nez Perce, Yakama, Chelan, Clallum and Indians of Puget Sound in general. Also included are images of Chief Joseph, Chief Seattle and Angeline. Photos date from circa 1864 to 1912.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format
Photocopies of the albums are available for viewing.
See also Native American Microfiche (NA 1284-1391)
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Album 1Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Album | item | ||
1 | 1-1 | Columbia River Indian camp Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
July 1903 |
1 | 1-2 |
Nez Perce Chief Joseph in ceremonial
dress on painted horse Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Before the Chief would pose for this
picture, he exacted $10 from the artist.
|
1903 |
1 | 1-3 |
Chief Joseph in war costume with
rifle Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
July 4, 1903 |
1 | 1-4 |
Chief Joseph near horses and
tepees Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
Fall of 1903 |
1 | 1-5 | Chief Joseph's winter quarters
tepee Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
1903 |
1 | 1-6 | Nez Perce woman
Check-a-ma-poo Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Said to be the oldest of Nez Perces, 100
snows and more, in the Indian war of 1877, when Joseph led her tribesmen, she
carried a gun, and fought like a man.
|
1903 |
1 | 1-7 | Young Nez Perce woman, Alice, daughter
of Yellow Wolf Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1905 |
1 | 1-8 | Nez Perce camp and hills,
Nespilem Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Nez Perce War Parade.
|
July, 4 1901 |
1 | 1-9 | Nez Perce camp, Nespilem,
WA Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
July 4, 1901 |
1 | 1-10 | Tepees in Nez Perce camp, Nespelem,
Washington Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
July 1903 |
1 | 1-11 |
Crowd of Nez Perce gathered around
medicine dancer Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: The great Doctor Two Moons is pictured as
dancing on right of group.
|
between 1900 and 1905 |
1 | 1-12 | Nez Perce man on horse with painted
spots Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: The spots painted on shoulder and flank
show where the balls struck the horse when it was shot from under the
rider.
|
between 1901 and 1903 |
1 | 1-13 |
Three Nez Perce men near
tepees Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Walla-qua-mit, Chu-ya (Umatilla), Jim White (the younger brother
of White Bird).
|
between 1901 and 1903 |
1 | 1-14 | Nez Perce tepees in summer Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1901 and 1903 |
1 | 1-15 | Nez Perce tepee in winter surrounded by
snow Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
1901? |
1 | 1-16 | Nez Perce camp, Nespelem,
Washington Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
July 4, 1903 |
1 | 1-17 | Nez Perce camp and hills at
sunrise Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
July 1903 |
1 | 1-18 |
Five Snake River Indian women and one
man in front of tepee Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1905 |
1 | 1-19 | Quiotsa, dressed as a medicine man with
sacred scarf Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
A brother of Chief Moses who was the head chief of the Yakamas
for forty years.
|
1903? |
1 | 1-20 |
Sister and grandchild of Chief
Moses Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1905 |
1 | 1-21 |
Four grandchildren of Chief
Moses Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1905 |
1 | 1-22 | Two views of a young woman, with
"winged" dress and dress with shawl, carrying beaded bag Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: An Aristocrat among the Columbia Valley
natives.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-23a | Two children in dresses Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-23b | Pasco Sam, with his grandson and
horse Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: A very noted Columbia River Indian.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-24 | Two Columbia Valley Indian women in
blankets Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-25 | Three Columbia Valley Indian
girls Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-26 | Group of Columbia Valley Indians in
front of tepee Edward H. Latham (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Half-breed on the right hand.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-27 |
Okanagan woman and baby Dr. Edward H. Latham (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-28 | [no photo] |
|
1 | 1-29a | Thrace, a Wenatchee girl B.C. Collier (photographer)
|
between 1902 and 1912 |
1 | 1-29b | A Wenatchee mother with baby in
cradle M.P. Spencer (photographer)
|
1902 |
1 | 1-30 | Indian in Wenatchee jail who committed
suicide Handwritten on photo: Sin, shame, suicide. Tragic end of an
Indian in the Wenatchee in the Wenatchee jail, slow and deliberate self
strangulation.
Possibly a set up photo.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-31 |
Using Indian fish trap in Tumwater
Canyon, Wenatchee River to catch fish B.C. Collier (photographer)
|
between 1902 and 1910 |
1 | 1-32 |
Indian in camp, near Wenatchee,
Washington B.C. Collier (photographer)
|
between 1902 and 1910 |
1 | 1-33a-c | between 1900 and 1910 | |
1 | 1-34a |
Wapato John and wife, Julia
Bob Handwritten on photo: The Wapato family is one of much local
distinction. John is very old, blind and religious. He preaches every Sunday,
usually twice or thrice."
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-34b | Julia Bob, member of a well-known
Chelan family, and a man on horseback |
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-35 | Camp in Wenatchee Valley B.C. Collier (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Tents, wagons, all, indicate travelers
moving and living comfortably.
|
between 1902 and 1910 |
1 | 1-36 |
Indian camp with two tepees Wilse (206) (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Tenting on the old campground. Familiar
scene in Eastern Washington.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
1 | 1-37 | Nez Perce Indians in temporary camp on
the Lapwai Reservation, Idaho Henry Fair (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Nez Perce Indians in temporary camp on the
Lapwai Reservation. Idaho; poor, dirty and wretched, but not much more so than
white campers.
|
1906? |
1 | 1-38 | A Lapwai Indian grandfather Henry Fair (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: A Lapwai grandfather surrounded by the
works and marks of civilization-his clothing, the electric pole and barbed wire
fence-he is an Indian still, too old and fixed to conform to all the conditions
and ways of the white men he sees and knows.
|
1906? |
1 | 1-39a | Lapwai or Nez Perce Indian
woman Handwritten on photo: One of the older, more primitive,
kind.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-39b | Lapwai or Nez Perce Indian
women Handwritten on photo: Two of the younger, more modern kind.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-40 | Indian man on horseback Henry Fair (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: A present day Indian, in the prime of
life, mounted on his favorite animal, the horse, in the land of his people, the
Lapwai.
|
1906? |
1 | 1-41 | Man giving the boy a lesson in
horsemanship Henry Fair (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Probably the same Indian [in previous
photo], giving the boy a lesson in horsemanship, acquainting him with the
country, and making of him a brave, worthy son of a worthy father.
|
1906? |
1 | 1-42a | Two Indian women Handwritten on photo: Friends, possibly Sisters. Such as these,
women of the Twentieth Century, are to be seen daily in the towns of
Washington.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-42b | Indian woman. Handwritten on photo: A young beauty.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
1 | 1-43a | Native American family posed for studio
picture in Western dress Handwritten on photo: An Indian family well advanced in
industry, thrift, enlightenment. Compares favorably with many white
families.
|
1900? |
1 | 1-43b | Rev. Henry H. Spaulding Handwritten on photo: Who in 1838 came with Marcus Whitman and
established to A.B.C.F.M. mission at Lapwai.
|
1900? |
1 | 1-44 | Blank page |
|
1 | 1-45 | A Spokane Indian man |
between 1900 and 1908 |
1 | 1-46a | Yakama man and woman |
between 1900 and 1908 |
1 | 1-46b | Young Yakama woman |
between 1900 and 1908 |
1 | 1-47a | between 1900 and 1908 | |
1 | 1-47b | Indian Man |
between 1900 and 1908 |
Album 2Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Album | item | ||
2 | 2-1 | Chief Seattle E.M. Sammis (photographer)
Copied by Boyd and Braas
Handwritten on photo: Seattle was large, strong and commanding
in his youthful days, a warrior of success and fame. He was also an orator of
ability. In his later years he was bent, feeble and poor. This photograph, by
Sammis, is the only picture take of him in life.
|
1864 |
2 | 2-2a | Chief Seattle's grave, Indian cemetery,
Port Madison Reservation Seattle Camera Club (photographer)
|
May 30, 1901 |
2 | 2-2b | Chief Seattle's grave with American
flag Edmond S. Meany (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Flag by Thomas W. Prosch
|
May 30, 1903 |
2 | 2-3 |
Angeline, daughter of Chief
Seattle Curtis (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: She was the daughter and last surviving
child of Chief Seattle. Her maternal parent is not known, as her father had
several wives. She also had at least two husbands, Her Indian name is reported
to have been Kakiisilma, by Miss E.L. Denny. It is also said to have been
Wewik. One of Seattle's wives is recorded in Catholic Church baptisms as
Hewyik. Some white person called her Angeline; she accepted it, and the name
thereafter became fixed, entirely displacing the original name, which was lost
to the general public.
|
1896 |
2 | 2-4 | Angeline, daughter of Chief
Seattle. Theodore Peiser (photographer)
Photograph taken not long before her death.
|
1890 |
2 | 2-5a | Port Madison Indian Reservation seen
from water Edmond S. Meany (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: At this place and in this "Old Man House"
Seattle lived and ruled, and Angeline and his other children probably were
born. Seattle died here, Angeline lived here later years in the town of
Seattle.
|
May 30, 1903 |
2 | 2-5b | Last fragment in the historic Old Man
House at Port Madison Reservation Edmond S. Meany (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: This house is said to have been 520 feet
long, 60 feet wide, 15 feet high in front and 10 feet high in rear.
|
May 30, 1903 |
2 | 2-6 | Angeline's tombstone in Lakeview
Cemetery, Seattle Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: No spot in this beautiful city of the dead
is more sightly, more sought and more remarked.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-7 | Indian canoe and steamer ship in Puget
Sound Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Indian canoe sailing up Puget Sound, while
loaded sail ship is towed by steamer down Sound.
|
1900? |
2 | 2-8 | Puget Sound Indian woman weaving
baskets Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Seated on beach with three twined baskets; perhaps taken at West
Seattle.
|
1899? |
2 | 2-9 |
Canoe and basket makers at
work Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: He makes canoes and she makes baskets to
sell to white people on the beach at West Seattle.
|
1899? |
2 | 2-10 |
Indian Village, Neah Bay,
WA Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: The only commercial resource of these
people seems to be fish.
|
1897 |
2 | 2-11 | Indian Village on beach,
Washington Ozette village near Cape Alava; remains of ship Austria, wrecked
in 1887, in foreground.
|
1880 |
2 | 2-12 |
Four men in a canoe off Cannonball
Island, near Flattery Rocks Cannonball Island, Ozette village, near Cape Alava; remains of
ship Austria wrecked in 1887.
|
1880? |
2 | 2-13 | A fleet of Neah Bay whale hunting
canoes Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
|
1900? |
2 | 2-14 |
Native whale hunters, Neah Bay,
WA Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: The whale hunter's story.
|
1900? |
2 | 2-15 |
Makah man who was called "Young
Doctor", a canoe maker Samuel G. Morse (?) (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: This native son knows enough good fish
stories to fill a book
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-16 | Makah mother and child, Neah
Bay Samuel G. Morse (?) (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Posing for a picture on the ocean coast of
Washington
|
between 1891 and 1900 |
2 | 2-17 | Group of Makah in large sea-going
canoe Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Afloat on the Pacific; looking for seals,
whales, halibut.
|
1900 |
2 | 2-18 |
Makah couple landing canoe with fish,
Neah Bay Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Fishing is a partnership or family matter
on Puget Sound; he catches, she cleans, she sells, he takes the money.
|
1900? |
2 | 2-19 |
Indian couple in front of
dwellings Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Real old settlers. Typical Indian
habitations.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-20 |
Portrait of Blakely Jim Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: A well known Puget Sounder.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-21 | Four children on beach (West
Seattle?) Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Sand fleas.Handwritten on photo: Fair specimens of the present
Generation.
|
1899 |
2 | 2-22 |
Temporary camp in North
Seattle Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Temporary Sojourners in Seattle in the
1880s.
|
between 1880 and 1890 |
2 | 2-23 | between 1897 and 1900 | |
2 | 2-24a | Bodies wrapped in blankets on Hudson
Bay Handwritten on photo: Camps of British Columbia Indians in
1880
|
1880 |
2 | 2-24b | Man constructing a canoe
frame Handwritten on photo: Camps of British Columbia Indians in
1880.
|
1880 |
2 | 2-24c | Two Indians in tent Handwritten on photo: Camps of British Columbia Indians in
1880.
|
1880 |
2 | 2-24d | Burial ground |
1880 |
2 | 2-24e | Totem pole |
1880 |
2 | 2-25a | Two girls in hop pickers camp in White
River Valley Asahel Curtis (photographer)
|
1902 |
2 | 2-25b | 1890 | |
2 | 2-26 |
Woman carrying burden basket on her
back Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-27 | "Tasha" seated in a tent Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-28 | Young Indian boy Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
|
1900 |
2 | 2-29 | Mother and baby Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: A proud Puget Sound mother and her
exuberant, hilarious young one.
|
1900? |
2 | 2-30 |
"Wahoolit" or "Yelm Jim" holding gun,
seated next to human skull Handwritten on photo: "Wahoolit," or "Yelm Jim," a Nisqually
Indian. He fought with Leschi in 1855-56. He killed Sluggia, Leschi's betrayer.
Sentenced to be hung he was pardoned on the day set for execution.
|
between 1880 and 1900 |
2 | 2-31 | Elder mother and blind son in
city Handwritten on photo: Old Betty and her blind son-to be seen in
Olympia any day. She leads him with a stick, using the other as cane for
herself.
|
between 1890 and 1900 |
2 | 2-32 | Elder mother and blind son in
city Same mother and son as previous image.
Handwritten on photo: After standing for the picture taker, the
bent-over old Indian woman and her unfortunate son moved on up the Olympia
street to their humble place of abode.
|
between 1890 and 1900 |
2 | 2-33 | Family sitting around canoe on
beach Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Three generations: Grandmother, father and
mother, two little ones. These are Puget Sound Indians.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-34 |
Family of Puget Sound
Indians Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: This represents a comfortable, well-to-do,
half civilized family of Puget Sound Indians. Few Indian families are there
with five living children.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-35 | Burial ground on Puget
Sound Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: An old-style burial place, on Puget Sound.
Such places were common in the 1860s. Another manner was to place the body in a
small canoe, and then hoist and hide the same in the branches of a tree. The
present day Indian buries his dead the manner of his white neighbors.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-36 | Members of the Clallum tribe on Juan de
Fuca Strait Anders B. Wilse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: The man (and father) is giving his boys
lessons in the arts of fishing and navigation. They are eager students. Soon
they will be experts in both lines.
|
between 1897 and 1900 |
2 | 2-37a |
Steve Wilson at a Seattle
wharf Webster and Stevens (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
2 | 2-37b |
Prosch with arm around older Indian
woman Edmond S. Meany (?) (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: No explanation of this scene is
required.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
2 | 2-38 | Indian town at Eagle Harbor Webster and Stevens (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
2 | 2-39 | Eagle Harbor view Webster and Stevens (photographer)
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
2 | 2-40 | Group of Indians in front of general
store Webster and Stevens (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: After a day in town these old Indians are
on the Colman wharf, waiting for the steamer to take them back to Eagle
Harbor.
Left to right: Doctor Peter, Charlie Yukon, Mrs. Chief Jacob,
Chief Jacob Wahalchu, unknown, Mary Adams.
|
between 1900 and 1910 |
2 | 2-41 |
Indian women selling crafts on a
dock Webster and Stevens (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: Indian women exhibiting and offering for
sale their skin, bead and other fancy work articles. These Indians are from the
north of Washington [probably Tlingit].
|
between 1904 and 1910 |
2 | 2-42 |
Women cleaning fish on beach in
canoe. Webster and Stevens (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: The women here appear to be doing the work
and attending to the business. The men are at the saloon, maybe, the sign of
which shows.
|
between 1904 and 1910 |
2 | 2-43 | Women rowing in canoe Handwritten on photo: Here are more women at work. They have
their rolls of matting and other articles for sale. They are not pleased at or
with the photographer.
|
between 1895 and 1910 |
2 | 2-44 | Woman with child strapped on her
back |
between 1895 and 1910 |
2 | 2-45a | Two young Indian women
seated Handwritten on photo: North Pacific Coast Indians: women and
girls.
|
between 1895 and 1910 |
2 | 2-45b | Woman with four children Handwritten on photo: North Pacific Coast Indians: women and
girls.
|
between 1895 and 1910 |
2 | 2-46a | Three boys on beach, fish drying in
background |
between 1898 and 1910 |
2 | 2-46b | Four boys seated One wears beaded mukluks, another plays the violin.
|
between 1898 and 1910 |
2 | 2-47 |
Weisub and Neisub, Makah Indians,
making baskets Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
1898? |
2 | 2-48a |
Okutter, a maker of wooden
figures Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
1898? |
2 | 2-48b | Quidessa, a Makah woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
Handwritten on photo: A native of the coast.
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-49 | Yaddebassa, a Makah wood carver, totem
or toy maker Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-50 | Kalappa, an Indian woman of Neah
Bay Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-51 | Owatta, a Makah woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-52 | Aschadaback, or in English, Peter
Brown, Chief of the Makah or Neah Bay Indians; also policeman or
sheriff. Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-53 | Ketub, an Indian woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-54 | Neisub, the basketmaker of Neah
Bay Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-55 | Yadaquit, Makah woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-56 | Wassobad, a Makah woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-57 |
Neclel, Makah woman holding
staff Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-58 | Hartsquee, Makah woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-59 | Yarlado, an Indian woman Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
2 | 2-60 |
Makah Indians: Atlu holding carved
wooden staff, Barike standing and Cheeka sitting, Samuel G. Morse (photographer)
|
between 1894 and 1900 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)