1902: The more paint and feathers he has and the wilder he is the better the exhibition from the promoter's viewpoint.

At the end of 1902, the effort to convert Native people into white people continued. The controversy started with the planning of the 1904 World's Fair (The Louisiana Purchase Exposition), to be held in St Louis, Mo. It was to host a variety of LIVING EXHIBITS, which are pretty much like zoo animal attractions, and this didn't sit well with Commissioner of Indian Affairs, William A. Jones.

In 1902, $40,000 was appropriated towards the "Indian Exhibit" -- the largest and most comprehensive Indian exhibit ever attempted - for the Fair (about $1,124,815.00 in today's money.) Geronimo was promised to appear in August, 1902, "now more than 70 years of age.. is never permitted to leave his reservation except under guard." An Indian village was also promised, representing various "Indian dances, snake dances, dog feasts and other incantations in which the Indians appear in the gaudily decorated and fantastic garbs will be presented actively and effectively than has been attempted off reservation." Of course, "There will also be a sham battle and other exhibitions of the early frontiersman, including the council of war, the massacre and the pipe of peace." At least 1000 Indians were supposed to live at the World's Fair, representing over 50 tribes, and grouped on the exposition grounds, living in tepees. "Some of them will be the uncivilized, while others will be from those who have been educated and are in ever respect equipped for citizenship."  (Source: 1902, Aug 20. The Vicksburg American,)

1902, Nov 1 Star Tribune 

Commissioner of Indian Affairs opposed a "Wild West" exhibit, saying "I am aware that there is little interest in the educational progress of the red man, but it is our purpose to exhibit at St Louis along educational lines, and to convince people who visit the fair that something has been done by Uncle Sam to civilize and educate the Indian.
          "A Wild West exhibition would probably be more popular, as people expect and desire to see the Indian garbed in the blanket and feather headpiece and painted grotesquely.
          "Such exhibitions are harmful to the Indian, and it is the settled policy of the government to break them up if possible."

Commissioner Jones continued his position, and on November 8th, this article was published in The Inter Ocean:

Worried by Indian Exhibit

          The character of the Indian exhibition at the St Louis world's fair seems likely to cause a considerable disturbance in the Department of the Interior, as opinion among the departmental officers differ widely on the subject.
          The exposition managers wish to have this show... spectacular and picturesque ...
          Commissioner Jones, however, opposes this plan on moral grounds.
          "I realize," said he today, "that the people at large are only vaguely interested in the education of the Indian for civilization; they are curious about his life and habits in his wild state. They way to see foot races, fire dances, Indian games, and that sort of thing, and will not care to look at him unless he is wrapped in a blanket and decked out with paint and feathers. They overlook the fact that the Indian of their fancy does not exist any more.
          "It has been the experience of the department that these exhibitions work a great deal of harm to the Indians. Take a gang of bucks, who have been forced to work and dress like white men, and place them on dress parade for six months and they are utterly worthless for months to come." ....  (Source: 1902, Nov 9. The Inter Ocean. ) 

 

Passing of the Indian

                                                                         1902, Dec 6 The Wellington Daily News

Washington, Dec 6 - Indians in blankets, war paint and feathers will not be part of the government's Indian exhibit at St. Louis in Indian Commissioner Jones is permitted to have his way about it. Every energy of the Interior department has been expended in an effort to civilize the Indian. Money by the millions has been expended and learned dissertations about the civilizing influences of soap distributed at government expense. Blanket Indians who would wear trousers have been coddled and Indian instructors who knew how to sew and could impart this information to the women of their tribes have been able, practically, to command their salaries from the government.

          "Nobody wants to see an Indian in citizens' dress," said the Indian commissioner this morning. "For all exhibition purposes the Indian must have a tomahawk in his hand and grease on his face. He must be a savage of the old fashioned type and do a war dance. The more paint and feathers he has and the wilder he is the better the exhibition from the promoter's viewpoint. I am opposed to the Wild West shows and all of the usual Indian exhibits. They are absolutely demoralizing and every time a few braves are paraded we lose ten years in the development of the particular tribe from what they come. The Sioux are the greatest show Indians." 

(Note: William A. Jones was Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1897 to 1904 - the St. Louis World's Fair was in 1904, and it had an extensive Indian Exhibit.) 

1902, Nov 9. The Inter Ocean. 

1902, Dec 6 The Wellington Daily News