Battle of Sugar Point, Leech Lake Indian Reservation, 1898, Eleven Photographs, Incl. View of Chief Bugonaygeshig

Lot 346

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6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

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About Auction

American History Auction by Cowan's Auctions

Live

American History Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-11-18 10:00:00 2016-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-auction-1870 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Lot of 11 photographs, ranging in size from 3.5 x 3.5 in. on 5 x 5 in. mount (1), to 3.75 x 4.75 in. on 5.25 x 6.25 in. mount (9), plus 7.5 x 9.5 in. on 10.5 x 14 in. mount (1). Accompanied by booklet entitled, Battle of Sugar Point, Oct. 5, 1898, by Cecelia McKeig, which describes the battle and associated history in great detail, plus additional research.

The Battle of Sugar Point, also known as the Battle of Leech Lake, was fought on October 5, 1898 between the 3rd US Infantry and members of the Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians in a failed attempt to apprehend Pillager Ojibwe "Chief" Bugonaygeshig, "Old Bug" or "Hole-In-The-Day", because of a dispute with Indian Service officials on the Leech Lake Reservation in Cass County, MN. "Old Bug" had refused to show up in a Duluth, MN court approx. 150 miles away to face charges, including supplying liquor to the reservation. Minnesota National Guard units were called out to arrest him and several others. Battery B of the MN National Guard, shown in several of the photos offered here, was also called out as a police unit and sent to Deer River, MN. A standoff occurred at Sugar Point on Leech Lake in northern Minnesota. The shooting began when a soldier of one of the units dropped his weapon, which discharged and started a gunfight between the members of the tribe and the MN National Guard unit. As a result of the shootout, five soldiers were killed, including a Major Wilkinson as well as two Indian tribal police, while no Indian lives were lost. The matter was later resolved in court where ten members of the tribe received short sentences. However, "Old Bug" was not pursued after the battle, and he went on to live another 18 years, dying on May 17, 1916, between 77 and 81-years-old.

Each of the photographs offered in the lot features penciled notes on verso and a reference to Frank P. Bruce, who was a 1st lieutenant with Battery B of the MN National Guard, which indicates that he may have taken all of the images. Highlights from the collection include: a rare photograph of "Old Bug" seated on a log, surrounded by newly fallen timber and stumps, with two cabins in the distance, identified on verso as Bugos at his Cabin, and dated 1898. This was likely taken on the Leech Lake Reservation a year or so after the land was cleared. The white painted cabin at left may have been the Indian Agency manager's cabin, while "Old Bug's" is a low, trapper-style cabin; a second view of what looks to be Leech Lake Indian Reservation in 1898, showing a two-story building at left, possibly home to an Indian agent or supply building, and a trapper style-cabin at right. This may be one of the only views of this area in existence; photo of 1st Lieutenant Frank P. Bruce and Captain C.C. Bennett of Battery B, MN National Guard, posed in front of "Old Bug's" cabin, captioned and dated 1898 on verso; group shot of 12 soldiers and the captured chief, "Old Bug" in front of the same cabin; slightly smaller 3.5 x 3.5 in. photo of what looks to be a supply wagon for the unit at a camp site, captioned on back, 1895-1898, Deer River, MN, Officer's Camp; view of Captain Bennett and 1st Lieutenant Bruce with others, mounted on horseback at Camp Lakeview, August 1898; an action shot showing a line of approx. 20 soldiers from the MN National Guard police unit standing along a railroad track, in the midst of target practice; 3 group shots of the MN National Guard police unit; and 7.5 x 9.5 in. studio portrait (with some condition issues) of 1st Lieutenant Bruce, Captain Bennett, and 2nd Lieutenant N.P. Nelson, on 10.5 x 14 in. mount.

A fine collection of photographs related to what is considered by many to be "the last Indian Uprising in the United States."

Condition

Light soiling to photos, some have lightened a bit. Wear to mounts, especially along corners and edges. With some loss to corners of mounts, likely a result of stickers previously affixed to mounts. Although intact, large photograph of three officers very brittle, has split from top edge (close to right corner) through middle of image to bottom edge (near center of edge).
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