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Post by brentnvicki on Mar 21, 2008 21:07:41 GMT -6
David Humphreys Miller
I am currently researching Mr David Humphreys Miller. He was the author of "Custer's Fall" The Indian Side of the Story. He was also a painter of 72 Indian Survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn. I am currently seeking documentation from the family members of the LBH Survivors, regarding any information that Mr. Miller might have given them while he was living and painting on the reservation back in the 30's and 40's. The Miller estate is currently being authenticated. The plan is that is to be donated or sold to the Montana Historical Society or to the South Dakota Historical Society. Mr. Miller is from my home town in Van Wert, Ohio. I am doing everything in my power to see that this collection stays intact.
He interviewed these 72 Survivors. He painted a brilliant collection that is now in private hands. What remains are his field paintings from life of the Native Americans. All can be viewed on John Western Gallery web site (www.johnswesterngallery.com). There is also a large collection of items that Mr. Miller collected over the years that is also available for either Montana or South Dakota. This collection can not be broken up. This is a National Treasure that belongs to the Native Americans first and to the rest of us second. But it needs to be seen and owned by all. This collection is documentation from the Native side, of how the battle was fought. You may be a fan of this book or you may be dead set against it. Either way it would be a disaster to let this history be buried and lost. This story as told in Mr. Miller book comes to life when it is seen with the paintings of the those who told the story. We need any body's help that can provide information. I need newspaper articles of visits Mr. Miller made to the Plains between 1935 and 1942. I would like any letters or documents from LBH Survivor families, that can prove the paintings that Mr Miller did in the 30's and 40's are from life.
We have some selling to do with the historians who have placed doubt on the Miller story. I am also looking for documentation on Lew Miller who is David Humphreys Miller's Father. He also traveled west and painted "One Bull" from life and "Joseph White Cow Bull" from life while he was visiting his son in 1939.
This collection is close to being sold at auction in a piece meal fashion, if we can't prove Mr. Millers Story better than the documentation that exists today. We need accounts from the families. Please email me with any idea's on how I might dig up more information to help with collection. If you know any body from the South Dakota Historical society or the Montana Historical society. Email them and let them know you want to keep this collection in tack.
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Post by brentnvicki on Apr 6, 2008 18:47:37 GMT -6
Well it looks like the Montana Historical Society is going to pass on the David Humphreys Miller collection. Brian Dippie has done his job according to Brian Dippie. No David Humphreys Miller in Montana. Why is my question? Despite pictures of David Humphreys Miller painting White Cow Bull in 1939, Despite Letters to David from Black Elk which the Montana Historical Society have seen [/img] Mr. Dippie is shedding doubt on Mr. Miller. What would be his motive? It sounds like the State of South Dakota and the Historical Society have interest in Mr. Miller Collection. Francis White Bird understands how important this collection is and wants to protect it for the Native American people. Mr. Miller wrote "Custer Fall" from the Indian Point of View. His plan was never to publish a book or books on what he learned over the years. He had lots of questions after learning about the LBH in his Van Wert, Ohio history class. So at the age of 15 he left for Montana and South Dakota. His mother and father where both artist and they gave him permission ....at the age of 15 ...to drive out to Montana by himself and answer his own questions about the LBH. He figured some of the survivors would still be alive back in 1935. His mother had some old friends out west so she asked them to help David find an Indian to guide him around. That first summer was the key to David finding out the real story. He found out that the only way to get the full story was to learn their language. At the age of 15 he decided that to much of the story was being lost to interpretation. He continued to go out every summer and ended up painting and hearing the stories of 72 survivors. He was not planning on writing a book until he married Jan Boheme. She worked for Ralph Edwards "THIS IS YOUR LIFE". 1954 was the year they where married. Davids book was published in 1957. Because all the survivors had died at this point he has been chastised by some who said he waited until they all died so they could not dispute what he wrote. This is simply not true. Some of the stories had been told prior to David but he was the first to ask their side of the story and tell it exactly as it was told to him. David gave credit in his book for any information that was used that was not heard by himself. Help Keep this collection together. Write,Email or Call the Montana Historical Society or the South Dakota Historical Society. Let them know this collection needs to be viewed by the public.
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Post by clw on Apr 7, 2008 8:57:01 GMT -6
I mean no disrespect, but I have to assume this is about money? Surely neither historical society is refusing a donation.
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Post by brentnvicki on Apr 8, 2008 19:15:13 GMT -6
None Taken.... there is always money involved ,but this is not the point of contention as I see it. As I understand the Millers Estate is now owned by a friend of the family. It was going to be sold at an auction in Montana this time last year. Someone found out about this auction and decided that it would be a mistake to break it up. The news paper said it was a doctor from San Fransico ....can't remember his name. The current owner wants to keep the collection together so agreed to hold off selling it because this gentleman wanted to buy it as a whole and donate it to the Montana Historical Society. While appraisels where being done on the collection, I was told Mr. Brian Dippie made statements regarding the authentication of this collection. Once someone of his postion makes a statement like that, it quickly cooled the desire of the Montana Historical Society to obtain the collection in my opinion. My goal as stated before is to help keep this collection together. Mr. Miller is from my home town so his life and family is very familier. That is why it took me by suprise when some one questioned what or if he did any of these things. I found this forum and thought there might be some people who liked Mr. Millers Books or are family members of the survivors that might have documentation. While not asked I have been trying to varifiy as much information as I can regarding Mr. Miller's life between 1935 and 1942. I have collected over 80 news paper articles, I have interviewed Family members, I have pictures of David painting Josheph White Cow Bull in 1939. I am trying to generate as much provenance as I can to authenticate his collection. One home town boy trying to help out another. As you can tell I am passionate about this topic. I just need more information to help. Regarding your question of money..yes there is money involved. I believe the collection that remains is valued at around 4 million. I could be a little high. If I had 4 million I would buy it and donate it...but I don't, so I am trying to help those that do ,understand the significance of this collection by proving its historcial importance. Thank you for reading my post. I have never done this before as you can probably tell. Any ideas on places to look or people to talk to would be welcomed. This is a great site. I am amazed at how many people have interest in the Battle of Little Big Horn so many years past. I had a post out on the internet and one of the members of this site suggested I post here. Thanks for his or her recommendation.
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Post by crzhrs on Apr 9, 2008 10:55:09 GMT -6
Miller used to have an excellent web site with his bio, photos, artwork, history of his time with the Indians, etc.
Apparently it's not available anymore--too bad it was an excellent site with all kinds of info.
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Post by Diane Merkel on Apr 11, 2008 21:59:01 GMT -6
Once in cyberspace, always in cyberspace. You can access the old site here: tinyurl.com/6eqcnfThe pages are very slow to load even on a cable connection. You might want to save or print the information you want so you don't have to go back there again. I didn't try every page, but the few I tried worked.
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Post by brentnvicki on Apr 12, 2008 19:39:33 GMT -6
Diane, Thank you for the web site. I had made copies of a few things off of this site years ago, but I had forgotten about the black and white photos. Thank you for finding this information. [/img]
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Post by Diane Merkel on Apr 12, 2008 22:57:19 GMT -6
My pleasure.
I noticed the copyright is held by his estate. I suppose they didn't think people would care about the website any more, but they are mistaken. I'm glad it was archived for those of us who respect his work.
Diane
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Post by brentnvicki on May 3, 2008 7:08:06 GMT -6
Here is a press release for David Humphreys Miller Showing of the Survivors During Victory Week in Montana. The plan is then to ship the paintings to South Dakota. For Immediate Release Contact: Doug Johns 8 May 2008 Johns Western Gallery 250 Sutter Street #350 San Francisco CA 94108 (415) 837-1656 dcjohns@sbcglobal.net Van Wert, Ohio to the Little Big Horn & Beyond: An Exhibition of David Humphreys Miller Sketch & Oil Portraits of Sioux, Crow, Cheyenne & Blackfoot Warriors. A remarkable free exhibition of art and artifacts documenting the era of the Plains warrior culture will open at Pacific Galleries, 901 Ninth Street North, Great Falls, Montana, on June 21 and continue through June 29. This week is recognized as “Victory” week by tribes celebrating their triumph over Gen. George Armstrong Custer on June 25, 1876. The exhibit includes over 100 original portrait sketches including Little Big Horn survivors and their contemporaries as well as 24 painted portraits of prominent Blackfoot and Crow warriors. All of the artwork is by the late David Humphreys Miller and the artifacts represent items gifted to Miller by portrait subjects. The portrait sketches were all drawn from life by then teenager Miller in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Also on exhibit will be a number of period photographs from the same era. All is the result of a young David Miller’s curiosity about the Battle of the Little Big Horn that first brought him to Pine Ridge, South Dakota from Van Wert, Ohio in 1935 to interview and sketch the old warriors who participated in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Miller’s interviews became the source for his 1957 book, Custer’s Fall: The Indian Side of the Story. While doing research for a later book, Ghost Dance, Miller interviewed and painted Blackfeet, Flatheads, Crows and Northern Cheyennes to document the spread of the “messiah” movement in the late 1880’s culminating in the Wounded Knee massacre. The oil portraits date from the era immediately following World War II. Van Wert native, Brent Stevens, and his wife Vicki have been instrumental in searching out documentation confirming Miller’s early life and presence on the South Dakota reservations in the 1930s. The Little Big Horn & Beyond exhibition is presented by Johns’ Western Gallery of San Francisco, California, and Wrangler Gallery of Sun River, Montana. Questions about the exhibition may be directed to Doug Johns at 888-543-9378 or Brad Hamlett at 406-799-5885. To preview all of the sketches and paintings, go to johnswesterngallery.com and click on Gallery & Bookshop, then click on Little Big Horn & Beyond: Miller Collection. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Links to hi-res tiff artwork: www.johnswesterngallery.com/images/Joseph-White-Cow-Bull.tifwww.johnswesterngallery.com/images/DHMIller-JWhite-Cow-Bull.tif
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Post by brentnvicki on Jun 12, 2008 20:04:05 GMT -6
Does anyone have suggestions on how or who might be interested in buying this collection and donating it to the Montana or South Dakota Historical society. I just think it would be ashame for this collection to be broken up. I have been working hard trying to get Johns Western Gallery to sell this as an entire collection. Open for suggestions. I think the Native American's should do something with this collection since Mr Miller wrote about their side. I can't think that if we contact the right people and make them aware of this collection that they would want to preserve their history. Any contacts I might be able to call that people in this group might think worth while? Is there another group, like this,that focuses on the Native Americans?
The Little Big Horn & Beyond: David Humphreys Miller Sketch & Oil Portraits of Sioux, Crow, Cheyenne & Blackfoot Warriors.
One hundred original portrait sketches from life of Sioux, Blackfeet Crow, Cheyenne and other tribal members ca. 1935-41 including One Bull, White Cow Bull, Mountain Chief, John Sitting Bull, Iron Hail, Juniper Old Person, Black Elk, etc., etc.
Twenty-five oil and mixed-media portrait paintings of Across-the-Mountain, Sam Helper, Chewing Black Bone, Chief Lazy Boy, etc.
Hundreds of photographs, primarily of Indians in South Dakota and Montana ca. 1930’s-50’s.
Artifacts including a teepee.
Documents and reference files.
Over 2,000 items offered as a single collection at $1.8 million.
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Post by brentnvicki on Jun 12, 2008 20:34:32 GMT -6
Here is another question I am trying to answer as it related to David Humphreys Miller. I have found out while doing my research that after Mr. Miller passed away his wife fell into hard times. Mr Miller painted one specific collection of paintings titled " THE SURVIVORS" .This collection was appraised at $5,000,000. Even though the Millers had declared bankruptcy several times Mr. Miller would not sell the collection. After his death. Mrs Miller had no choice. She was contacted several years ago by a gentlemen by the name of Jerry Forsythe who is an INDY CAR OWNER and He ended up purchasing the paintings from her for a very small dollar amount and then a payment to Mrs. Miller every month for the rest of her life. As it turns out she only lived about 1 year.
Here is my question....this has been troubling me since I found out about this gentleman. Is he any relation to the Colonel James W. Forsyth of the Seventh United States Cavalry. This is the Colonel in charge of the Hotchkiss guns that Custer sent to patrol west ...I believe ...and was not involved in the battle that day on June 25th. This is the Colonel that killed all the Indians at Wounded Knee. It is important for me to find out if this gentlemen is any relationship to Colonel Forsyth. If he is then I am interested in knowing his intentions for purchasing the Paintings of the LBH SURVIVORS, many of which are Wounded Knee survivors. He could have no connection and it might just be a coincidence. I am hoping that's the case. I will be very disappointed if he is related. It would not sit right in my mind for him to own this collection unless he is planning on doing the right thing with it. I have called him several times with no return call. If you know the answer to this question please let me know.
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jun 13, 2008 22:52:46 GMT -6
This is Gen. James W. Forsyth. The photograph was taken between 1855 and 1865.
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Post by Scout on Jun 16, 2008 10:17:25 GMT -6
" ...If he is then I am interested in knowing his intentions for purchasing the Paintings of the LBH SURVIVORS...It would not sit right in my mind for him to own this collection unless he is planning on doing the right thing with it."
No offense old bean but if the man OWNS the collection he is free to do what he desires with it without your permission. I don't mean for that to sound harsh but he apparently was in the right place at the right time...and nothing you or I can do can change that fact. Perhaps a softer approach to him would be more beneficial. But I do share your interest in Miller's work and expect its value to rise in the future. Good luck.
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Post by brentnvicki on Jun 16, 2008 15:36:22 GMT -6
I don't think I am being harsh. Just asking the question. I realise he owns it. Right now what I am trying to do is just get some more varification on Mr. Millers entire collection. My phone message with Mr. Forsyth was simply to find out if he collected anything other than the paintings from Mrs. Miller. As for his relationship with Col or General Forsyth he may not even be the same blood line. I just think if he is... it is bad form. As for his timing you are correct. Right Place Right Time. I do find that what I type and how I say something in person comes off completely different. I will have to work on that. Thanks for the response.
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Post by brentnvicki on Jun 16, 2008 19:38:58 GMT -6
NEWS ARTICALE FROM THE "GREATFALLS TRIBUNE"
"This may be the only time the public has a chance to see this collection," said Brad Hamlett, who is working with the estate of David Humphreys Miller, author of the 1954 book "Custer's Fall," which told the story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn from the Indians' point of view.
"And we particularly want Native Americans to be able to see it because it's an important part of their culture," said Hamlett, a Square Butte rancher and owner of the Wrangler Gallery.
The Montana Historical Society passed up a chance to acquire the collection, Hamlett said, but a pair of curators from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman will evaluate it this week.
Portraits on display Among those featured in the 95 sketches and 25 oil paintings on display at Pacific Galleries will be:
Black Elk, subject of the book "Black Elk Speaks," the Sioux warrior who adopted Miller as his son;
American Horse, the last chief of the Sioux Nation, who also gave Miller his last ceremonial tepee;
John Sitting Bull, adopted son of the Sioux chief who led the attack on Gen. George Armstrong Custer's forces at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in the southeastern corner of Montana on June 25, 1876;
Chewing Black Bones, the Blackfeet warrior for whom the campground near St. Mary is named;
Juniper Old Person, father of Earl Old Person, chief of the Blackfeet Nation; and
Joseph White Bull, who told Miller that he killed Custer in hand-to-hand combat. The body was identified after the battle by an Indian woman who had been captured by Custer and bore him a son, White Bull told Miller.
Many of the portraits painted by Miller between 1935 and 1941 are of the 70 surviving Indian warriors from the Battle of the Little Bighorn quoted in "Custer's Fall."
"Those are remarkable portraits," said Ginger Renner of Paradise Valley, Ariz., one of the nation's foremost experts on the late "cowboy artist," Charlie Russell.
She said she exhibited about 70 of the portraits for a season more than 40 years ago at a gallery she operated in Palm Desert, Calif.
"They attracted a lot of attention from people who came from all over and spent hours examining them," Renner said.
Although some people have questioned how a young white man could become so close to elderly Indian warriors, Renner finds it quite plausible.
"He was as sincere as any man I've ever known," she said. "He became intrigued with the Battle of the Little Bighorn — as many of us did — and he devoted his life to it.
"I liked him," she added. "I found him very devoted. He was as poor as a church mouse when I knew him in the mid '60s."
Although the sketches and oil paintings are an important part of the collection, there's much more to it.
Hamlett and his partner, Doug Johns of Johns' Western Gallery of San Francisco, also plan to exhibit American Horse's 16-foot canvas tepee with beaded medallions facing the four compass points.
"The quillwork on this tepee signifies that he was a bundle holder" or medicine man, said Lyle Heavy Runner, president of the All Nations Pishkun Association.
Most of the artifacts, including two of American Horse's eagle-wing fans, are stored in Helena, as the two dealers for the estate search for a public institution in which they can be permanently displayed.
Among those artifacts are Black Elk's ceremonial staff, medicine rattle, fringed parfleche medicine bundle and a carved peace pipe. The collection also includes a 1945 letter from Black Elk to his adopted son, Miller, telling him that the Sioux planned to hold an honoring ceremony for him when the lieutenant returned from service in World War II.
Another highlight is an eagle-feather headdress with a 6-foot train of feathers down the back — a gift from Joseph White Bull, who wore it during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
"Each feather represents a war honor, and each one of them had to be verified by others," Hamlett said.
There also is a rare Ghost Dance Shield, given to Miller as a wedding gift on July 4, 1954, by Sam Helper, who survived the Ghost Dance massacre, also known as the Wounded Knee massacre, in December 1890.
"This collection is more than just the artifacts," Hamlett said. "It's more about the trust the Indians had in telling their stories to him and entrusting their treasures to him."
There also are a couple of small collegiate notebooks in which Miller recorded his interviews. They contain information not found in his books.
For example, he interviewed Old Eagle, then 77, at his home in Dupre, S.D., and was told that not all of the U.S. soldiers died quickly on the field of battle.
Miller's handwritten notes read: "Captured couple of soldiers. Stripped them. Group of boys allowed to shoot these soldiers with bow and arrows. Tortured them. Stabbed with knives. Half scalped 'em."
There also are photographs and negatives of hundreds of Indian leaders in the Miller collection. Each negative is housed in a manila sleeve containing the subject's name, age, and the place and date the photo was taken.
Many of those photos will be displayed at Pacific Galleries.
It's a collection independently appraised at $3.7 million. Johns and Hamlett are optimistic donors will come up with the nearly $1 million needed to cover estate costs, allowing them to gift the entire collection to a museum.
Their first choice was the Montana Historical Society in Helena, but those negotiations fell through this spring.
"It's a very interesting collection of art and artifacts," said the society's director, Richard Sims. "We just felt we didn't have the resources to purchase it and manage it."
The decision surprised and disappointed Johns.
"We had someone who was considering gifting the collection outright to the Montana Historic al Society, but they dropped the ball badly," he said last week.
The society apparently already has its hands full.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer said last month that the state would buy Helena's Capital Mall as a site for a new $40 million history museum if supporters raise $27 million in private funding — with the first $13 million meeting a mid-November deadline.
"It'll be a Herculean effort," said the governor, with former first lady Betty Babcock at his side.
For years, the Historical Society has been trying to get a larger facility to display more of its art and artifacts currently stored in the basement and a warehouse.
"The Montana Historical Society was almost the divinely sanctioned place for this collection," Johns said. "But when that fell through, there wasn't another clear choice."
Russell Museum CEO Anne Morand said that facility doesn't have the resources to handle the Miller collection.
"The ultimate worth of that collection is huge," she said. "(Miller) was one of the last people to have spent time with the Indians and research them, so it's a very important collection."
She suggested the Museum of the Rockies or the University of Montana as institutions better suited to house the collection.
"Our museum doesn't have the money to buy it or the resources to study it, but I think the University of Montana might," Morand said. "And it's an important enough collection that I'd like to see it stay in the state."
Hamlett said two curators specializing in arts and artifacts from the Museum of the Rockies would examine the artifacts Monday in Helena, then come to Great Falls to view the paintings and the remainder of the collection.
"Our goal is to keep the collection together and get it into a public institution, if possible," Hamlett said.
However, that might not be in Montana, Johns said.
"We wanted to give everyone who is interested the chance to see this collection before it leaves Montana," he said. "It's not a certainty that it will leave, but I think the chances are pretty high that it's not going to wind up in Montana."
Reach Tribune Projects Editor Eric Newhouse at 791-1485, 800-438-6600 or enewhouse@greatfallstribune.com
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