This transcription was created by the Harvard-Diggins Library
from original document held by MHS (#SC 1274)

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Lame Deer, Montana
via Rosebud Montana
September 26, 1897

My own true loving little wife,

Received a letter from you and glad to hear from you. I wish you were here my dear to see the Cheyenne Indians. They are the most savage Indians I have seen yet and act so wild, but I and having fine luck with them.

I am working in a Cheyenne Indian log house and the (2) room is just chuck full of Indians all the time and they stick their heads in the window. I have finished two of my very best pictures here Chief American Horse and Chief White Bull, and Chief Two Moons comes tomorrow. The fine thing about these Indians are they look just as you would imagine an Indian to look.

Chief American Horse
1897
Northern Cheyenne
Oil Painting
Courtesy: The Newberry Library, Chicago

American Horse is a big tall fellow 6 ½ ft. and as straight as an arrow and he has a long eagle (3) feather stuck right up straight on his head. He paints his face yellow and paints two rows of white straight lines on his forehead to make him look more savage. But if I can only get Chief Little Chief to sit for me I will feel fine. He is the cussedist, wildest, most savage looking Indian ever have seen. He always has himself fixed up in war paint and carries a tomyhawk with him always which has several notches on it indicating scalps he has taken and he looks at one as though he would like one more scalp. He heard of me and out of curiosity came where I was working. When he came in he never said a word and looked at me very xxxxx (4) I got up and went over to him and we shook hands. I took his tomyhawk and examined it. He says he won’t sit. he has no use for white people. But I am sure I will get him.

I have more fun with the Indian children. They are as wild as deer. Now & then I catch one, and I generally have candy with me, so now I catch them easy. If you want to get on the right side of an Indian just be good to their children.

I saw a Cheyenne war dance at night the other eve. They have built a log house 300 ft in circumference and cut a hole in center 12 ft. square and they build a big fire and have their dances. It is a weird sight as they are all fixed up and war paint.

Mr. Grennell of the Forest & Stream magazine is here writing a history of the Cheyennes. He has a phonograph (recorder) (5) with him and has the Indians sing in it. Then he gives the song back to them in the phonograph and it is fun to see the expression on their faces when they hear their own voices in the instrument.

Chief American Horse said to me, "You big medicine man". They say that is the biggest honor an Indian can pay a white man.

I go to bed at 8:30 as there is no place to go to or any thing to do, but this is the most ideal Indian country and a fine place to get the very best Indian subjects.

Goodnight darling. Your own true loving husband.

Lots of love, hugs & kisses,

Elbridge