Box 3584B

Folder #1: Autobiography

            The first page is labeled “Autobiography of Mary C. Collins in her handwriting.” The manuscript is undated, but was written sometime after August 1911. In her autobiography, Mary comments on the various problems and challenges of being a missionary among the Indians and on Indian customs.

Folder #2: Biographical Manuscripts

            These manuscripts were not written by Mary Collins. Several were apparently written by family members. Several were written after Mary’s death.

Folder #3: Diaries, Journals, and Notebooks

            Fragmentary entries for the time period 1865-1905 are included. Many of the entries contain little, if any, detail. The value of these diaries is less than that of the autobiography.

Folder #4: Documents

            An undated carbon copy of Mary Collin’s will. Also included is a copy of her minister’s certificate dated October 30, 1899.

Folder #5: Bills and Receipts

            Bills and receipts from various periods of Mary Collins’ life, being largely from the missionary period. They are mainly for supplies purchased for the missionary work on the Standing Rock reservation.

Folder #6: Clippings

            Assorted news paper clippings dealing with Mary Collin’s life and activities. Many of the clippings are undated and unidentified.

Folder #7: Correspondence 1860-1879

            Included are assorted letters from 1860-1879. One letter appears to have been written by Mary Collins. The others are miscellaneous.

Folder #8: Incoming Correspondence 1880 and 1886

            Letters received by Mary Collins between 1880 and 1886. Subjects include mission work, personal matters, and the Indian land severalty bill of 1886. No one correspondent predominates.

Folder #9: Incoming Correspondence 1887-1889

            Letters received by Mary Collins between 1887 and 1889. Correspondents include James McLaughlin, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, A.L. Riggs, James Franklin Cross of the Rosebud Agency, and S.C. Armstrong of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. Subjects include affairs at the Standing Rock Agency, teaching in the Sioux vernacular, and affairs of the

American Missionary Association.

Folder #10: Outgoing Correspondence 1882-1889

            Letters written by Mary Collins between 1882 and 1889. The letters deal mainly with mission affairs. One letter, dated January 14, 1886, describes traditional Teton Sioux life and how the whites are attempting to civilize the Sioux.

Folder #11: Outgoing Correspondence—Missionary Letters—1886-1889

            Letters written by Mary Collins for the American Missionary Association. The letters describe mission activities and events.

Folder #12: Miscellaneous Correspondence 1880-1889

            Assorted Correspondence by various writers. Many of the letters either mention Mary Collins by name or refer to her work.

Folder #13: Miscellaneous Correspondence – Missionary Letters – 1888

            Missionary letters written in 1888 during Mary Collins’ absence from Standing Rock Reservation.

Folder #14: Miscellaneous Correspondence – Collins family – 1880-1889

            Letters written to and from various members of Mary Collins’ family. Mary Collins is both writer and recipient of some of the letters. Her mother and her nieces, Edith and Ethel, appear to be among the correspondents.

Folder #15: Incoming Correspondence 1890-1899

            Letters received by Mary Collins between 1890-1899. A number of the letters deal with the Ghost Dance period of 1890-1891. One of these letters is from Agent James McLaughlin and describes the arrest and death of Sitting Bull. Several letters deal with an attempt to obtain a pardon for a Sioux imprisoned at the South Dakota State Penitentiary. There are letters from the American Missionary Association.

Box 3585A

Folder #16: Incoming Correspondence—Mary P. Lord – 1893-1899

            Letters written to Mary Collins by Mary P. Lord, a fellow missionary among the Sioux. Many of the letters are addressed to “Winona,” Mary Collins’ Indian name.

Folder #17: Outgoing Correspondence 1891-1899

            Letters written to Ethel Collins and Elias Jacobsen by Mary Collins.

Folder #18: Outgoing Correspondence – Missionary Letters – 1890-1899

Monthly missionary letters written between 1890 and 1899 by Mary Collins for the American Missionary Association.

Folder #19: Miscellaneous Correspondence 1890-1899

            Letters written between 1890 and 1899 that generally refers either to Mary Collins or to her work. Topics and correspondents vary.

Folder #20: Incoming Correspondence 1900

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1900. Several letters form J.W. Davis concern rations for the Indians and the position of the Indian Commissioner on reductions in those rations. Some letters deal with affairs on the Standing Rock Reservation.

Folder #21: Incoming Correspondence 1901

Letters received by Mary Collins in 1901. The letters all deal with either Indian or mission topics. Correspondents include A.L. Riggs, F.P. Woodbury or the American Missionary Association, missionary James Cross, U.S. Senator James Kyle, S.M. Brosious of the Indian Rights Association, and C.J. Ryder of the American Missionary Association.

Folder #22: Incoming Correspondence 1902

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1902. A number of letters relate to the investigation of charges made against Indian Agent George H. Bingenheimer. There are several letters from S. M. Brosious of the Indian Rights Association and members of the Riggs family.

Folder #23: Incoming Correspondence 1903

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1903. The main correspondents are S.M. Brosious of the Indian Rights Association and Indian Agent J.M. Carignan. Some of the Carignan letters deal with Indian Schools.

Folder #24: Incoming Correspondence 1904

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1904. The bulk of the letters deal with affairs on the Standing Rock Reservation, J.M. Carignan being the main correspondent. A letter from C.J. Ryder of the American Missionary Association urges Collins to take a long rest form the constant strain of her work.

Folder #25: Incoming Correspondence 1905

           Letters received by Mary Collins in 1905. The letters are mainly concerned with affairs at the Standing Rock Reservation and the Indian Rights Association. Correspondents include S.M. Brosious of the I.R.A. and Indian Commissioner F.E. Leupp.

Folder #26: Incoming Correspondence 1906

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1906. With several exceptions, the letters are either from Indian Commissioner F.E. Leupp or the Indian Rights Association.

Folder #27: Incoming Correspondence 1907

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1907. Many of the letters are form the Indian rights Association, the Indian Commissioner, and the International Committee of Young Men’s’ Christian Associations.

Folder #28: Incoming Correspondence 1908-1909

            Letters received by Mary Collins in 1908 and 1909. Correspondents include Doane Robinson of the South Dakota Department of History , F.E. Leupp and C.F. Larrabee of the Office of the Indian Commissioner, J.W. Copper of the American Missionary Association, and Rev. Charles M. Daley of the Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society.

Folder #29: Outgoing Correspondence 1900-1904

            Letters written by Mary Collins between 1900 and 1904. Most of the letters are from 1904. Most of the letters are written to either Mary P. Lord, a fellow missionary, or to Indian Commissioner W.A. Jones.

Folder #30: Outgoing Correspondence – Missionary Letters—1900-1908

            Missionary letters written by Mary Collins between 1900 and 1908 for the American missionary Association. The letters deal mainly with mission affairs.

Folder #31: Miscellaneous Correspondence 1900-1908

            Assorted letters written between 1900 and 1908. Many letters either mention Mary Collins or refer to her work or to Indian matters in general.

Folder #32: Incoming Correspondence 1912-1917

            Letters received by Mary Collins after her retirement as an active missionary. This folder contains three letters.

Folder #33: Miscellaneous Correspondence 1912-1914

            Two letters, one from 1912 and one form 1914, that do not mention or refer to Mary Collins. One of the letters is a Missionary Letter.

Folder #34: Writings – Manuscripts

            Various handwritten manuscripts by Mary Collins. Indian customs and the problems of Indian missions and Indian life are the dominant themes.

Folder #35: Writings – manuscripts

            Various handwritten manuscripts by Mary Collins. Indian missions, Indian life, general commentaries on the state of the Indians, and personal reflections comprise the major subject areas.

Folder #36: Writings – Manuscripts

            Various handwritten manuscripts and typescripts written by Mary Collins. The subjects include Indian affairs, Dakota geology, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Folder #37: Writings—Manuscripts

            Various manuscripts written by Mary Collins. Poetry, Indian stories, Indian religion, and several sermons preached by Collins are among the subject matter. This folder includes a translation of a Ghost Dance song.

Folder #38: Writings—Publications

            Various manuscripts written by Mary Collins. Poetry, Indian stories, Indian religion, and several sermons preached by Collins are among the subject matter. This folder includes a translation of a Ghost Dance song.

Box 3585B

Folder #39: Publications – American Missionary Association

            Laws, bills, treaties, and committee hearings devoted to Indian affairs.

Folder #40: Publications – American Missionary Association

            Assorted pamphlets published by the American Missionary Association ant three issues of The American Missionary magazine.

Folder #41: Publications—Indian Rights Association

Various publications of the Indian Rights Association, including one issue of the Indian Truth magazine.

Folder #42: Publications – Riggs Family

            Sketches and other published items concerning members of the Riggs family and their missionary careers.

Folder #43: Publications – Santee Normal Training School

            Publications relating to the Santee Normal Training School run by the Riggs family on the Santee Reservation in Nebraska.

Folder #44: Publications – Society of American Indians

            Membership brochure, statement of beliefs, and the constitution and by-laws of the Society of American Indians.

Folder #45: Publications – The Outlook

            Two issues of The Outlook magazine from 1902 and loose pages of the magazine form 1904.

Folder #46: Publications – Miscellaneous

            Miscellaneous publications form a variety of sources.

Folder #47: Sioux Vernacular Material

            Manuscripts and correspondence written in the Sioux vernacular. The authorship of much of this material can probably be attributed to Mary Collins.

Folder #48: Wild West Shows

            Articles, manuscripts, correspondence and newspaper clippings portraying reactions to Wild West Shows and their effects on the Indians. The material concentrates on the 1891 Wild West Show of Buffalo Bill Cody.

Box 3586 A

Folder #49: Indian Trust Fund Controversy of 1905

            Material dealing with the controversy in 1905 over the use of Indian trust funds to support sectarian, especially Roman Catholic, schools among the Indians. Much of the material deals with speeches and hearings concerning the 1905 Indian appropriation bill.

Folder #50: Sectarian Garb in Government Schools Controversy of 1912

            Letters, legal briefs, and pamphlets concerning the 1912 order of the Indian Commissioner prohibiting the wearing of sectarian costumes by employees and Government Indian schools.

Folder #51: Collins Family Genealogy

            Notebooks, pamphlets, clippings, certificates, Bible records and manuscripts concerning the history and relationships of the various branches of the Collins Family.

Folder #52: Miscellaneous

            Assorted items including clippings, manuscripts, maps, and engraved name cards. Included is an account of the Battle of the Little Big Horn allegedly from Crazy Horse.

Folder #53: Photographs

            Assorted photographs relating to the work of Mary Collins or her family. There are landscapes as well as portraits. Most of the photographs are labeled and appear to be from Collins’ Standing Rock Period.

1) Mission school room and native teacher’s home at Running Antelope’s village on Grand River, Dakota, ca. 1885. School and church bell on post in front.

2) Mrs. Collins portrait ca. 1875

3) Mrs. Edwin Phelps – with two children. Elizabeth Winyan’s Daughter in law. Wiese children are great-great-grandchildren of Sleepy Eye.

4) Elias Gilbert and family. He was a missionary, previously he was arrested and in prison at Mankato after Minnesota uprising but was found not guilty and was released.

5) Three girls in native dress as they appeared when they first came to school at Oahe about 1880.

6) Grave of Mary Collins- Keokuk, Iowa

7) Elizabeth Winyan- Sleepy Eye’s grand-daughter.  Native Missionary on the Cheyenne River.

8) Drawing of Oahe Mission made about 1887.

9) Ft. Sully n. d. - Bird’s eye view.

10)  Two women and a little girl- not identified or dated. Barry photo.

11)  One Bull- Full front view and seated

12)  His Scarlet Horse- Head and shoulder front view.

13)  J.L. Canby home- 1880’s Kokuk, Iowa.

14)  Plan of Oahe Boarding School- 1885- 19?? (Dim and will not reproduce very well).

15)  Mrs. Lizzie Lewis (George’s wife) and children.

16)  Ephraim and Margaret Collins graves- Keokuk, Iowa.

17)  Delegation of Indians came from Cheyenne River Reservation to enact the Custer fight to amuse the white people 1908-09.

18)  Oahe Mission Chapel October 1883. Shows Mary Collins along with 12 other people, in front of a chapel.

Folder #54: Photographs

            Assorted photographs relating to the work of Mary Collins or her family. There are landscapes as well as portraits. Most of the photographs are labeled

and appear to be from Collins’ Standing Rock Period.

19)  Dr. A.L. Riggs and Dr. J.P. Williamson. n. d.

20)  Miss Collins house at Little Eagle ca. 1913

21)  Ethel Jacobsen- 1904

22)  Mary C. Collins- about 18 years old

23)   Messiah Chapel at Little Oak Creek, SD near Grand River at time of Mission Meeting Sept. 1920

24)  Little Oak Creek, SD. Indian Mission meeting. Left of center mess tent where the white people, Missionaries and visitors ate. Food was prepared in a log house adjoining by Indian women.

25)  Hilltop Cemetery at Little Oak Creek, SD. Flag is at the grave of Jack One Bull, grand nephew of Sitting Bull who died in military training camp.

26)  Margaret Lewis Collins about 1880, and dog Gyp, a pet for many years.

27)  Indian family- unidentified. Man, woman and three children.

28)  Running Antelope’s Village 1890. American Native sitting on porch.

29)  Ruth Collins with horses, Frank and Daisy, Grand River.

30)  W.L. Collins home- Decaterville, Mo.??

31)  Council at Oahe- several people seated on steps. Postcard dated 1907.

32)  Group of people seated on steps of building. No location or date.

33)  The government Indian Boarding School near Little Eagle. Used only a few years, and then torn down on account of poor water supply.

34)  Elizabeth Winyan standing, Mary C. Collins seated and Elida Scott on the right. Studio photo by Kelly.

35)  Santee Normal School.

36)  Standing Rock- Congregational Mission Chapel.

37)  Indian Home –on Grand River 1890.

38)  Ft. Yates- Congressional Mission, Hospital, and Chapel – south of Agency.

39)  Mission meeting Booth- Congregational Mission Ft. Yates c. 1892.

40)  Ration Day at Standing Rock Agency.

41)  Izuza Grindstone, wife and sons, Little Eagle ca. 1892.

42)  Mission Meeting at Standing Rock Agency 1892. Shows a few men sauntering around, camera, American Flag, tree limbs covering a shelter.

43)  Home of Mary Collins at Little Eagle, SD from 1885 to 1910. First known as Running Antelope. Photo taken about 1893 (Excellent quality)

44)  Home of Mary Collins at Little Eagle, SD (Poor quality) different angle from above photo

45)  Cr. A.L. Riggs and Dr. J.P. Williamson. May be a duplicate of a previous listing.

46)  Home of Aunt Abigail Collins Hill.

47)  Little Eagle- Indian Policeman. Killed at Sitting Bull’s capture and death on Grand River, 1890.

48)  Ethel, Arthur and Edith Collins about 1878. Studio photo.

49)  Pupils and teachers 1908-09 sitting on steps at Oahe.

50)  Family group at ration time. American Native in buffalo coat, two women and three children in front of tent home. Good photo.

51)  Government Boarding School- Little Eagle n. d.

52)  Last home of Ruth Collins Canby and Mary C. Collins, Keokuk, IA. Both died 1920. “they dearly loved this place”

53)  Izuza Grindstone- Little Eagle August 1891. Village herald. Friend of the Missionaries.

54)  Burt Foster Howard, Ethel Collins and Mary C. Collins at Little Eagle, 1891. Photo taken in Mary Collins sitting room.

55)  The old chief Grindstone- one of the men who fought Custer. Friend of the Mission at Little Eagle (Running Antelope’s Village)  Grand River, SD

56)  Bird’s eye view of Indian Village, Grand River 1891. Runny Antelope’s, later called Little Eagle. White buildings are the government day school and teacher’s house. Miss Collins home and Indian houses.

57)  George Fire Cloud (Yuhamni’wan) Died about 1891 at Little Eagle Village.

58)  House at Oahe Mission- first occupied by W.L. Collins family 1884. Ruth was born here in 1885.

59)  Hospital, Mr. Reed’s house and chapel- Ft. Yates, ND July, 189-

60)  “Ark of the First Man” –Ft. Berthold Reservation, NE 1933. Catlin called it the “Big Canoe”

61)  “Camping Out” Horses in background, wagon on the right, Mary Collins standing by tree on the left. Two men and two women seated on ground with picnic lunch.

62)  John Jacobson’s claim later E.J.’s ….Dog Hollar, Peoria Twp. Hughes County. 1894-95

63)  Mrs. Little Eagle- Grand River.

Folder #55: Photographs

            Assorted photographs relating mainly to the work of Mary Collins or to her family. There are landscapes as well as portraits. The pictures are not limited to Indian and mission subjects.

64)  Mary C. Collins – portrait in later life

65)  Mrs. Collins and Lewis. Fiske photo

66)  Mary C. Collins- portrait (late teens or early twenties)

67)  Miss Mary Collins- Missionary among Dakota Indians 1874-1908

68)  Home of Mary C. Collins at Running Antelope’s Village (Little Eagle) on Grand River, SD about 1895. House built for her in 1884 or 1885. She lived there until 1910.

69)  Mary C. Collins- portrait in later life.

70)  Mary C. Collins- Portrait (probably in her twenties)

71)  Bessie, Gumbo, Miss Collins and Barnably at Standing Rock Agency (on buckboard)

72)  Mary C. Collins- portrait in later life

73)  Horses at Oahe

74)  Ruth C. Collins- Canning, SD

75)  Arthur Collins seated at right with four other men and a covered wagon on the left of photo. Grand River boarding school in background on right of photo.

76)  In front of Oahe Chapel 1883. Chaplain, G.D. Crocker, Ft. Sully in doorway and daughter by him. W.L. Collins in hat. Mary C. Collins with striped scarf. Indian women of neighborhood.

77)  Edith Collins- Portrait in graduation gown and cap.

78)  Mrs. Ethel Jacobsen and Margaret Collins

79)  Mary C. Collins- 1880

80)  Mary C. Collins- November 2, 1878.

81)  Former home of M.C. Collins, Little Eagle, SD. Occupied by her from 1885-1910. This picture was taken by her niece, Margaret Collins October 14, 1937, when she and her sister Ethel Collins Jacobsen re-visited the place.

82)  Home of M.C. Collins- located on Grand River. n. d.

83)  Oahe mission Station about 1890- shows the barn, mission home, chapel, old school house and the boarding school. (good picture)

84)  Miss Collins cottage at Little Eagle Mission. (good picture)

85)  Miss Mary Collins- Mission Station on Grand River. (good picture)

86)  Photo taken in front of Oahe Chapel 1883- Arthur Collins on horse, Baldy Standing, Mrs. Lauderdale, wife of doctor form Ft. Sully, Miss Lane, Ethel Collins, Edith Collins, wife of an officer at Ft. Sully, Theodore Riggs on horse, San on the right of photo. Seated is Mrs. W.L. Collins holding Lewis, Samuel Smiley, Tall White Man, Ellen Spotted Bear, and Mary C. Collins.

87)  * 8 snapshots- all unidentified and not of much interest.

Box 3586B

Folder #56: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            The diary of Ethel Collins Jacobsen, a niece of Mary Collins

Folder #57: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            Various assorted writing of Ethel Collins Jacobsen.

Folder #58: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            Correspondence of Ethel Collins Jacobsen between 1891-1937.

Folder #59: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            Diaries of Elias Jacobsen, husband of Ethel Collins.

Folder #60: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            Various writings and correspondence of Elias Jacobsen

Folder #61: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            Various family records for the family of Ethel and Elias Jacobsen.

Folder #62: Ethel Collins Jacobsen

            Various miscellaneous items.

Folder #63: Helen W. Meigs

            Helen W. Meigs is a daughter of Ethel and Elias Jacobsen. This folder contains miscellaneous items from Mrs. Meigs’ several donations that were accessioned in 1975. Much of the Meigs material was put in other parts of the collection when several Mary Collins donations were combined.

Folder #64: Wheeler- Howard Act of 1934

            Several items pertaining to the Wheeler- Howard Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.

Folder #65: Miscellaneous Publications

            Several miscellaneous pamphlets, booklets, and magazines that did not fit into the collection elsewhere. Among the items in this folder is an issue of North Dakota History and a centennial booklet for First Congregational Church of Pierre, South Dakota.

Several Folders of Unprocessed material

Box 3328 C            

Mary Collins Photo Album

Photo 2: Yellow Hair and Good Women

Photo 3: Scarlet Women and Walking Whirlwind

Photo 4: Emily Dupree and White Women

Photo 5: Mrs. Flying By and Daughter, Grand River

Photo 6: Ellen Spotted Bear, about 1885

Photo 7: Eli Spotted Bear, 1885

Photo 8 and 9: Unnamed, The Yates Picture

Photo 10:  White Bull, aged 90, lived near Ft. Yates

Photo 11: Medicine Man dressed for Grass Dance

Photo 12: White Bird enlisted soldier 12 Inf. Ft. Yates 1891

Photo 13: Indian Women in civilized dress

Photo 14: Crow Eagle

Photo 15: Grass Dancer

Photo 16: Kate Howard about 1885

Photo 17: Spotted Horn Bull- Killed with Sitting Bull

Photo 18: Mary Patterson Lord

Photo 19: One Bull as a young man

Photo 20: Unnamed photo

Photo 21: Louis De Witt

Photo 23: Mrs. James McLaughlin

Photo 25: Little Eagle

Photo 27: Grindstone

Photo 28: Crawler and Friend

Photo 29: Oscar One Bull

Photo 30: Standing Soldier’s Daughter

Photo 31: Mato        

Photo 32: Running Antelope’s village later called Little Eagle, about 1891

Photo 33: White Shield’s Home

Photo 34: Miss Collins’ home at Little Eagle

Photo 35: Flying By’s Home

FB 286

Folder #64: Oversize Items

Collins, Mary C.  “Our Native Americans, The Indians,” Congregational Work,

June 1905 and “A Peep at the Natives of Alaska,” Congregational Work,

Vol. III, No. 4, April 1899.

Financial Report for the quarter ending March 31, 1904, for Grand River Field, Little Eagle, South Dakota.

“Favors to the Catholics/ Manipulating Indian Trust Fund Accounts,” New York Evening Post, February 15, 1905.

Certificate of appointment and commission of Mary C. Collins as Postmaster at Oahe, South Dakota, July 22, 1891.

Attendance record of Grand River Day School for April, May, and June 1887.

Quarterly Report of Little Eagle Day School, Standing Rock Agency, for the quarter ending December 31, 1891. Ethel L. Collins, Teacher.

Obituaries and eulogies for Mary C. Collins in the September/ October 1920 issue of The Word Carrier (Iapi Oaye).

Issue of The Word Carrier for February 1886.

November 1876 issue of Iapi Oaye (The Word Carrier) published in the Sioux vernacular.

Quarterly report of Indian schools for Oahe Indian Boarding School for the quarter ending September 30, 1890. Elias Jacobsen, Principal. Ethel Collins, teacher.

Grand River Barding School, Standing Rock Agency, Quarterly Report of Sick and Injured for quarter ending December 31, 1904.

Assorted Indian pictographs, paintings, and drawings. The art is executed in several different mediums. Many of the pictures are done on old ledger book pages.

Welsh, Herbert. “Demoralizing the Indians,” New York Evening Post, April 27, 1891.

Blank report form for recording the transfer of pupils from an agency to an Indian school.

Page from the Boston (Mass) Evening Transcript of March 8, 1934, showing the officials and members of the various branches and departments of the United States government as of February 1934.

Article by Stewart H. Holbrook entitled “Annie Oakley: She Was the World’s Best Women Shot.” The article is circa 1946 from either Life or the Saturday Evening Post.

South Dakota State Historical Society

900 Governors Dr.,

Pierre SD  57501-2217  

phone 605-773-3458 fax 605-773-6041

 archref@state.sd.us