American Indians--Delaware

BIBLIOGRAPHY

DELAWARE INDIANS IN KANSAS 1829-1867

The sources cited here can all be found within the collections of the Kansas State Historical Society.

Adams, Richard C. “A Brief History Of The Delaware Indians”. U.S. 59th Cong. 1st Session. Vol. 8, no. 501. (Serial Document 4916 no. 501).

Adams, Richard C. “History of the Delaware”. (Microfilm MS 1097).

[Written by a Delaware of the Alluwe territory, this article in addition to the history, describes the property holdings, including acreage, personal property, and the estimated worth of same.]

Connelley, William Elsey. “The Emigrant Indian Tribes of Wyandotte County.” An address delivered before the Kansas City, Kansas High School on Tues, Nov. 12, 1901. (K978.1/-W97/Pam v.1/no. 16/pp. 3-9).

[A descriptive narrative concerning the Delaware tribes in early Kansas, as seen by European-American settlers, Washington Irving, and newspaper articles.]

Connelley, William Elsey. “The Delawares”. A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1918. (K978.1/C76/1918/Vol. 1/pp. 244-251).

[A general overview of the Delawares in Kansas, but with more specifics relating to their movement to Oklahoma.]

“Constitution of the Delaware Squatter Association embracing all the laws passed by the Different Squatter Meeting From June 10, to Dec. 2, 1854”.
(Port. Vault/K342.73/D376/pp. 2-8).

[Descriptions of the various office holders, articles pertaining to the purpose of the Association and the rules set out to allow people to settle on the Delaware lands.]

“Correspondence and papers of the Rev. Isaac McCoy, Baptist minister, Indian missionary, and author”. Isaac McCoy Papers, 1808 – 1874. (Microfilm MS 604-616).

[Rev. McCoy was one of the earliest proponents of moving the eastern tribes to the west, to avoid “contamination” by the European-American man. These papers offer an excellent view into the need for the Delaware, and other tribes to have their own land and own way of life.]

Cutler, William G. “The Delawares or Lenapes”. History of the State of Kansas. Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1883. (K978.1/An 2/Vol. 1/pp. 68-69).

[An overview of the Delaware Indians history, including their movement west and many of the treaties which forced them west.]

“Delaware and Shawnee Indian Tribes. Registers, Rolls, and Publications".
9 (Microfilm MS 1097).

[Although the census was taken in 1898, after the Delaware tribe’s movement to the Oklahoma Territory, the data demonstrates the diminishing numbers of Delawares, from previous census.]

DeVoe, Carrie. Legends of the Kaw, the Folk-Lore of the Indians of the Kansas River Valley. Kansas City, Missouri: Franklin Hudson Publishing Co., 1904. (K970.8/D 49/pp. 103-126).

[Interesting compilation of the Delaware folklore and how much of it, relates to English Biblical teachings, and folklore assoc. with other tribes throughout the plains.]

“Diminished Delaware Reservation”. Field Notes and Correspondence Regarding Indian and Military Reservations, 1855-1861. (Microfilm MS 1046 pp. 1-52).

[While difficult to read at times, an in depth way of surveying the Delaware land is noted, but a result of an increase or decrease in reservation size in not mentioned.]

Farley, Alan W. The Delaware Indians In Kansas, 1829-1867. Kansas City, Kansas: 1955. (K970.3/F.229).

[A concise, history of the movement of the Delaware tribes into Kansas, their battles with other tribes, and their support for the United States prior to, and after the Civil War, until their exodus from Kansas.]

Forman, Grant. The Last Trek of the Indians. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1946. (K/970.5/F761L/pp. 182-201).

[An excellent overview of the some of the difficulties the Delaware tribes had with other tribes, the various treaties and cessation of land to the European-American settlers, and includes a map of the large area for a reservation of the Delaware to the final tract of land prior to the moving to the Oklahoma nation.]

Gowing, Clara. “Life Among the Delaware Indians.” Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, 1911-1912. (SP906/K13/Vol. 12/p. 183-194).

[An account of one woman’s view of the Delaware, having worked in the Baptist Mission from 1859-1864. Interesting from her perception of the methods used to assimilate the Indian into the European-American man’s world.]

Hall, Jesse. A. and L.T. Hand. History of Leavenworth, Kansas. Topeka, Kansas: Historical Publishing Co., 1921. (K/978.1/–L48/H14/pp. 100-103).

[A description of the area around Leavenworth, Kansas giving to the Delaware Tribes by various treaties, and adaptation of the tribe to its new surroundings.]

“History –Delaware Indians 1857-1861”. 1906. Apr. 14-23. (History—Delaware Indians Manuscript Collection).

[A collection of records from the General Service Administration, containing correspondence between land office secretaries and Delaware agency leaders concerning land grants, letters from Pres. Lincoln to Wm. Dole, Indian Commissioner, and a letter from a Fred Woodard, stating the treaty of 1860 being unfair to the Delaware with statistical facts to support claims.]

Hughes, J. Patrick. Fort Leavenworth, Gateway to the West. Newton, Kansas: Mennonite Press, 2000. (Ref. SP906/K13/H874fl/2000/pp. 45 – 47).

[A concise description of how the troops stationed at Fort Leavenworth were there to protect the Indian lands, but through government policy changes, the task was redirected to assist the pioneers moving west.]

“Indian Claims Commission. Delaware Tribe.” 1955. (K 970.5/D37/no. 27A, 2-54, 3-54, no. 241).

[Claims of the Delaware Tribe in a series of law suits of the Delaware Tribe vs. The United States of America, pertaining to monies owed to them from previous treaties from 1854 to 1867, with specific areas of lands, including maps, that are called in question. Various past treaties are also detailed.]

“Indian and Military Reservations. Field Notes and Correspondence 1839-1883.” (Microfilm MS 1046.4).

[These hand-written notes describe the exact measurements, how they were marked, and charted, pertaining to the Delaware reservations, and the names of all individuals involved in the surveying.]

Jefferson County, Kansas, Register of Deeds. “Deed Records 1856-59”.
(Microfilm AR 4998 Vol. A & B).

[While the Delaware Trust Lands, are mentioned numerous times, no records of verification for sale of lands, by the Bureau of Indian Affairs could be located in the registry.]

Kraft, Herbert C. The Lenape, Archeology, History, and Ethnography. Newark, New Jersey: New Jersey Historical Society, 1988. (970.3/–D37/K855).

[A well-researched history of the Delaware Indians, from their earliest times to their present state in 1988. An excellent bibliography is included.]

"Laws of the Delaware Nations of Indians". (K970.1/Pam v. 7/no. 9).

[Laws of the Delaware tribe adopted by the Chiefs and Counselors in 1862 ranging from murder, rape, horse theft to marriage of a European-American man and disposal of property.]

Leavenworth County, Kansas, Register of Deeds. “U.S. Patents Record, Vol. J. 1864-1887”. (Microfilm AR 7124).

[Contains deeds to the sale of the Delaware Lands by the Office of the Kanzas Land Trust. Interesting, shows the ever-diminishing Delaware lands.]

"Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-1881". Delaware Agency, 1855-1873 and 1858 – 1864. (Microboxes 298-299).

[Sometimes difficult to read, but provides some information of settlers attempting to move onto Delaware lands, and the Delaware’s leasing many of their lands to settlers for a nominal fee. Includes the need for the Indian Affairs Office to approve all transactions. Also includes some references to special monies given to Indians who became U.S. citizens.]

“Letter from the Secretary of the Interior relative to the Claim of the Delaware Indians for stock stolen from them by the whites since the treaty of 1854”. U. S 42d Congress, 2d Session. (Ex. Doc. No 169/Serial Doc. 1513/no. 169).

[A letter pursuant to swift compensation for losses attained.]

“Letter(s) from the Secretary of the Interior, Reports in reference to the carrying out of treaty stipulations with the Delaware Indians”. 33d Congress, 2d Session. House of Representatives. Ex. Doc. No. 50. (K970.1/Pam. v. 10/no. 22).

[Letters concerning the 1854 Treaty with the Delaware, including military failing to protect the Indians from squatters, from military officers selling lands independent of the treaty, and warnings to all squatters.]

McCoy, John C. “Survey of Kansas Indian Lands”. Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society Embracing the Fifth and Sixth Biennial Reports, 1886-1888. (SP906/K13/Vol. 4/pp. 302-306).

[An account of the survey of the western Delaware boundary line beginning in Sept. 6, 1830, giving an brief incite into the area surveyed and the methods of the survey. Also denotes the abundant land of wildlife.]

Mooney, James. “The Passing of the Delaware Nation”. Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical Association for the Year 1909-1910. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Torch Press, 1911. (973.06/M69/Vol. 3/1909/pp. 338-340).

[Gives a census of the Delaware tribe in 1845, and the census in 1867, prior to their removal to Oklahoma.]

Neibarger, Walt. Tonganoxie and The Last of the Delawares in Kansas. Tonganoxie, Kansas. (K970.3/Pam v. 2/no.1).

[An historical narrative about Chief Tonganoxie and the area so named Tonganoxie, Kansas.]

“Office of the Kanzas Land Trust. No. 3 Winter Street, Boston, 27th Oct. 1856.” (K970.1/Pam v. 12/no. 26).

[A statement from the Trustees appointed for the purchase of the lands of the Government in the Kansas territories, their duties and administration of same. This pamphlet also contains extracts from the 1854 Delaware Treaty, the proclamation by Pres. Pierce opening the sale, and one of the best maps of the Delaware lands.]

“Petition of the Chiefs of the Delaware Indians in Kansas”. U. S. 37th Congress, 2nd Session. (Misc. Doc./no.100/Ser. Doc. 112/no. 501).

[A petition that the United States that bonds issued to the tribe in 1860, have been used by other states, and no interest has been paid to the tribe for 2 years.]

Pratt, J. G. (John Gill). Condition of the Indian Tribes: Report of the Joint Special Committee, Appointed Under Joint Resolution of March 3,1865. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1867. (970.5/Un3j/pp. 483-484).

[Reply of John Pratt, U.S. Indian Agent, to J.R. Doolittle, Chairman Joint Special Committee outlining a list of answers to questions proposed by the chairman.]

Pratt, J. G. (John Gill) Papers, 1837-1870. (Microfilm MS 628 – 639).

[Manuscripts and documents, including letters, land grants, deeds, contracts, and government papers, relating to his many years as the Indian agent and friend of the Delaware Indians. See guide for specific topics.]

“Registers, Rolls, and Publications of the Delaware and Shawnee Indian Tribes, 1898.” (Microfilm MS 1097).

[An excellent description of Delaware census in 1898, in the Oklahoma territory, including a description of the tribe’s autonomy and their self-governing laws.]

“Report of The Secretary of War, a resolution of the Senate, of Feb. 10, 1855, calling for correspondence relative to the military reservation at Fort Leavenworth”. U.S. 33rd Congress 2nd Session. (Senate Documents, Vol. 7, 1854-1855, no. 50. p. 19-32.

[A written documentary between the Sec. of War, the Sec. of the Interior, and various military official at Fort Leavenworth, with respect to discernment of land to the Delaware tribe and military officers who were selling the land without authorization.]

“Resolution of the Legislature of Kansas.” U. S. 41st Congress. 3d Session. (Misc. Doc. No. 77).

[The passage of an act authorizing the issue of patents for the lands allotted to children of members of the Delaware Tribe.]

Schindler, Henry. “The Fight Fort Leavenworth Had for Existence.” Leavenworth Weekly Times, November 24, 1910. (K355/L48/Vol.1/pp. 28-35).

[Discusses the Manypenny treaty of 1854, the treaty of 1860, and how each was relevant to the Delaware tribes and the forming of Fort Leavenworth.]

Schindler, Henry. “Manuscript of the History of Fort Leavenworth.”
(K978.1/–L48/Sh63hf/pp. 79-131).

[A well-written manuscript, by a former Chief Clerk, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, which describes the various treaties of the Delaware Indians and the U.S. Government, the men who worked to help the Delawares, and the names of many persons who re-wrote treaties to force the Delaware farther west and eventually out of Kansas.]

Schindler, Henry. “The Why of Leavenworth and Riley.” Kansas City Star, November 27, 1910. (K355/L48/Clipp. Vol. 1/pp. 36-43).

[Describes efforts to close Fort Leavenworth and open Fort Riley, and the effect on the Delaware Indians.]

Self, Huber and Homer E. Socolofsky. Historical Atlas of Kansas. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972. (K911/So13/pp. 13–18).

[Maps of Indian reservations, 1846, Pacific Railroad Survey, 1855, Indian Missions, and Indian Treaties signed in Kansas. Offers incite as to how the Delaware tribe was moved due to westward expansion.]

Treaties Between the United States and the Delaware and Pottawatomie Tribes of Indians, Acts and Amendments in regard to the Construction 0f a Railroad and Telegraph Line. St. Louis: George Knapp & Co., Printers and Binders, 1865. (K970.1/Pam. v. 3/no. 5/pp. 1-51).

[Description of the lands ceded to the railroad. the amount of monies paid.]

“Treaty Between The United States of America and the Delaware Tribe of Indians.” July 4, 1866. (970.1/Pam. v. 8).

[The treaty, written in 1866, signifying the responsibilities of both the United States government and the Delaware Indians.]

United States Department of the Interior. Office of Indian Affairs. St. Louis Superintendency papers, 1807-1855. (MS 94-99 and MF-3166). [*Also known as the “Clark Papers”.]

[Easy to read records of William Clark, and other superintendents of Indian Affairs, including field notes, plats of Indian lands, treaties, and records of correspondence between many agents and the U.S. government. Detailed information on roads, education, and claims among the many Indian tribes in Kansas, including the Delawares.]

Unrau, William E. Indians of Kansas. Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society, 1991. (SP906/K13/Im1/no. 3).

[Examines all Indian tribes in Kansas, from the prehistoric settings, to the expulsion of many tribes, including the Delaware. He also brings to light, why the Indian Tribes were destined to move further west. Includes maps of reservations, westward expansion trails.]

"The Value Accruing From A Knowl’Eg of Local History". Kansas City Sun, June 18, 1915. (K978.1/-W93/Clipp. Vol. 5/pp. 123-123e).

[A brief newspaper describing a few of the Delaware Indian Chiefs who lived in Wyandotte Township and the growth of the Township.]

Weslager, C.A. (Clinton Alfred). The Delaware Indians: A History. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1972. (970.3/–D37W/pp. 359-399).

[A description of the lands ceded to the Delaware Indians, the monies paid. Includes an excellent bibliography.]

Zeisberger, David. Delaware Indian and English Spelling Book for the Schools of the Mission of the United Brethren with Short Historical Accounts from the Old and New Testament and other Useful Instructions for Children. Philadelphia: Mary Cist Press, 1806. (CK970.7/Z3).

[Interesting adaptation of the Delaware language into English to educate the children of the tribe to speak a new language and thus offer religious teachings.]

The sources listed are available in our reference room, some through interlibrary loan. You may contact the reference staff with questions.

Completion of this bibliography was made possible by volunteer John Liezert.