Finding Aid of the Chester E. Faris Papers, 1860-1956

The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for Southwest Research

Center for Southwest Research
Zimmerman Library
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1466
Phone: 505-277-6451
Fax: 505-277-0530
Email: cswrref@unm.edu
URL: http://www.unm.edu/~cswrref/



©2000

The University of New Mexico



Collection Summary

Title Chester E. Faris Papers
Dates (Inclusive) 1860-1956
Creator Faris, Chester E.
Collection Number MSS 229 BC
Size 1 box (.20 cu. ft.)
Repository University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.
Languages English

Biography

Chester E. Faris, a federal Indian administrator, was a leading authority on Indian history and lore. Most of his work was with Southwestern and Plains Indian groups. He was born in October, 1877 in Tunnelton, Indiana. After studying at Indiana normal schools and teaching until 1902, Faris moved to Wyoming to work for the Forest Service. In 1906 he joined the Indian Service and began his career at the Wind River Agency (Shoshone and Arapahoe) in Wyoming, serving, 1908-1916. From 1918-1923, he was superintendent of the Jicarilla Apache Agency at Dulce, N.M. From 1925-1926 he served as Superintendent of the Pima Agency, then became district superintendent-at-large for the Southwest, including Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. In 1930, the Santa Fe Indian School and the Northern Pueblos Agency were consolidated under Chester E. Faris as superintendent, with administrative jurisdiction over both the school and the pueblos. Faris served in this capacity until 1935 when he was assigned to administer the Consolidated Navajo Agency. He worked as a field representative for the Indian office until his retirement in 1943. After this he was an executive for the Indian Rights Association in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until 1947 when he returned to New Mexico. He died in Albuquerque, N.M., on January 24, 1957.


Scope and Content

This collection consists of 131 items in three folders. The first folder contains printed material including Christmas cards and postcards, resort and publicity brochures from New Mexico, Arizona, Indiana and Florida, as well as miscellaneous programs. Most of the correspondence, articles and other papers in the second folder relate to Faris' career with the United States Office of Indian Affairs and the Indian Rights Association. There is also material about Chief Washakie and Sacajawea, whom Faris researched extensively, along with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The third folder contains crayon drawings of Jicarilla basket designs. Photographs have been transferred to the CSWR Pictorial Collections.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.


Preferred Citation

Chester E. Faris Papers (MSS 229 BC), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University of New Mexico Libraries.


Separated Material

Photographs have been transferred to the Chester E. Faris Photograph Collection.


Related Material

Sophie D. Aberle Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

Santa Fe Indian School: The First 100 Years Project, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

William Zimmerman Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

John Collier Papers, microfilm edition, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

Elizabeth Willis DeHuff Family Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

Erna Fergusson Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

Glenn Leonidas Emmons Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Michael Steck Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico

Willam Zimmerman, Jr. Papers Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico


Access Terms

Apache baskets -- Designs

Faris, Chester E.

Indian Rights Association

Indian agents -- Arizona

Indian agents -- New Mexico

Indian agents -- Wyoming

Indians of North America -- Government relations -- 1869-1934

Indians of North America -- Government relations -- 1934-

Tourism -- New Mexico

United States -- Office of Indian Affairs


Contents List

Description Container

Miscelaneous programs, etc... 

 

Publicity brochures, N.M.. Florida, Illinois, Indiana, etc. 

Box 1 Folder 1

nd - State Republican Candidates, printed card slip signed by Harry Wilson, Candidate for County Commissioner

Box 1 Folder 1

nd - Christmas card of Hogner design signed by Dorothy & Nils Hogner, Proctor -on-Hudson, NY

Box 1 Folder 1

nd - signed presentation promotional piece, two colors, of Saveli Walevitch, Russian & Gypsy Folk Song artists, with picture and endorsements.

Box 1 Folder 1

nd Christmas card of Kenneth Adams given by Eileen & Bennett Foster

Box 1 Folder 1

Postcards and scenes of various places 

 

Card of Yellow Calf by George Caldwell with note on verso 

Box 1 Folder 1

Card, Wind River, Wyoming to Mrs Lewis S Reymon at Ft Ritner, Laurenclo, Indiana with note from John Will Faris to his grandmother. 

Box 1 Folder 1

Card of Taos, N.M., Don Fernando Hotel, with note about its fire in 1932. 

Box 1 Folder 1

Calling cards identifying Charles E. Faris as Indian Rights Association, Phila, General Secretary; Dist. Supt U.S. Indian Service, Albuquerque; another to Mr. AF Keskes, Berling N.J. 

Box 1 Folder 1

Papers 

 

nd. copy of a speech?

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. from Tubby to Pop about personal items of family

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. from we 3 to CE about personal items, 2p. handwritten

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 5 typed pages about the Morris Family,Abel Trueblood, Picket Pin

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. copy of 2 p. response to W. A. Keleher presentation of copy of Turmoil in NM by CMB (Mrs. Charles Barret)

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 1 typed, both sides, story of Indians

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 2p. typed bibliography on Florida Seminoles by George H Dacy

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 6p. typed story of Indians

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 1p typed about Sacajewa

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 3p. book review, corrected, on Churchill, South of the Sunset

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 4p. mimeo, with map, Treaty with the Navajo, 1868

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. chapter 7 of Sheridan's personal memoirs, copied, typed.

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. mimeo map of NM with Pueblos

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 2 copies of Gerald Cassidy by Ina Cassidy, printed, both sides

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. 1 p. mimeo of brief story of America

Box 1 Folder 2

nd. Christmas card photo of Paul & Edna Burney, Wyoming to Chester E. Faris note about no cows in Wyoming.

Box 1 Folder 2

May 21? from Bert to Chet Choteau about family news.

Box 1 Folder 2

9.20.1860 Enrollment of vessel, Equality of Louisville, document, sealed

Box 1 Folder 2

5.1.1869 reprint of story on Hudson Bay, by William Forsyth.

Box 1 Folder 2

1898 autograph of William McKinley on executive mansion card with note on back from Elsie E Mathis, Budford, Indiana

Box 1 Folder 2

1900 reprint of article on George Graham West

Box 1 Folder 2

Nov. 1921, map of Lee Co.Florida

Box 1 Folder 2

May 25, 1923- The Sand Paintings of the Navajo at Gallup & Santa Fe, 4 p. printed brochure autographed by Chester E. Faris

Box 1 Folder 2

5.23.1925- Brigham Young, The Man and Leader, copy, by Preston Nibley

Box 1 Folder 2

1927- Dept. of Interior, Office of Indian Affairs Bulletin 15- The American Indian in the World War

Box 1 Folder 2

12.6.1927- from Grace Raymond Hebard, Laramie, Wyoming to Chester E. Faris about help with a manuscript

Box 1 Folder 2

8.12.1927 Grace Raymond Hebard, about manuscript

Box 1 Folder 2

2.8.1930 Grace Raymond Hebard manuscript, Chief Washakie

Box 1 Folder 2

3.3.1935- hand made calling card from Dr & Mrs Lewis Brodnar?

Box 1 Folder 2

7.22.1935 from Ruth Richards to Chester E. Faris about old fort, card.

Box 1 Folder 2

1932 - Memorandum of Dr. J. Carson Ryan.

Box 1 Folder 2

2.4.1933- from H.L. Scott, N.J. State Highway Com. to Chester E. Faris about their mutual Indian concern, Mescalero, Navajo, etc. 4p. handwritten

Box 1 Folder 2

12.12.1934- from J. F. Zimmeran of UNM to State Planning Board about proposed Coronado celebration with hand written note of Chester E. Faris

Box 1 Folder 2

7.27.1934- Koshare presentation at Kate & Kenneth Chapman yard in Santa Fe, program.

Box 1 Folder 2

7.26.19334- mimeo copy of lecture of Prof. Castetter of UNM on ethnobiology,

4p.

Box 1 Folder 2

4.17.1935 from Chester E. Faris to Paul Coze, Paris, France, about his doing paintings for the Indian School

Box 1 Folder 2

June 1935- Indian Truth V 1 12, No 6,

Box 1 Folder 2

Jan. 1, 1935, reserved seat card at inauguartion of Gov Tingley

Box 1 Folder 2

10.1.1935 blueprint of Navajo Capitol

Box 1 Folder 2

2.28.1936 from A. B. Guthrie, Choteau, Montana to Chester E. Faris at Wind River, Wyoming asking if they are known to each other

Box 1 Folder 2

3.10.1936 Faris reply to above- a brief biographical sketch of Chester E. Faris

Box 1 Folder 2

nd, handpainted San Juan Pueblo card of deer dance with note from Pat & Isabel & Kids about weather in NM

Box 1 Folder 2

7.8.1938, report of field trip of M.K. Sniffen, secretary of Indian Rights Assoc.

8p.

Box 1 Folder 2

12.4.1939- map of Indian reservations in US.

Box 1 Folder 2

1942- Indian Rights Assoc letter /circular for support, with notes on back about Isabel Cruz.

Box 1 Folder 2

7.15.1942 U.S.Department of Interior, Indian Affairs to Lawrence E Lindley, 3p answer.

Box 1 Folder 2

7.1.1943- John Collier of USDI to Senator Elmer Thomas about public presentation of Indian cause, 7 mimeo pages.

Box 1 Folder 2

6.28.1943 Bond report for June 1943

Box 1 Folder 2

7.12.1943- to Anne Woesha Cloud, Athens, Ohio. about Indian arts & crafts- incomplete letter

Box 1 Folder 2

7.2.1943 copy, noted, Mission Council to John Collier about seeing an Indian monument and reminding him of Chester E. Faris motto.

Box 1 Folder 2

7.2.1943- Bertha W Eckert, YMCA Indian Work to Chester E. Faris about IRASS and its merit for YMCA support- pencilled, noted.

Box 1 Folder 2

6.8.1943- Jonathan M Steere to IRA noted

Box 1 Folder 2

7.10.1943- to USDI Chester E. Faris about a Wind River visit

Box 1 Folder 2

5.21.1943- copy of UDI memo about age of Chief Washakie, 3p. typed

Box 1 Folder 2

6.1.1943 10 typed pages of reports on various Indians, personally.

Box 1 Folder 2

6.20.1944- Chester E. Faris to Mr. Towers about business of IRA, etc.handwritten

2p.

Box 1 Folder 2

9.3.1945- from M at College Camp, Wisc. to Chester E. Faris, card

Box 1 Folder 2

1946- printed brochure about Urgent Navaho Problems

Box 1 Folder 2

12.3.1947- Invitation to IRA meeting, printed with Chester E. Faris notes on back

Box 1 Folder 2

5.18.1947 Chester E. Faris to Guthrie about books, travel. biographical

Box 1 Folder 2

1125.1947- Harolds Jurshevskis about travel, stamps, documents, etc.

Box 1 Folder 2

9.13.1947- HC Pannell Rotary to John Will Faris, Alamogordo

Box 1 Folder 2

5.30.1947 copy of 2.p. typed letter of personal memories

Box 1 Folder 2

5.30.1948- Complimentary catalog of Ernest L. Blumenschein exhibt at Santa Fe.

Box 1 Folder 2

1.25.1948 from L.M. Stone to Chester E. Faris from Utah about US Govt reitrment

Box 1 Folder 2

6.12.1949 program, "The Eternal Light- A Dreamer's Journey"

Box 1 Folder 2

8.17.1949 from Chester E. Faris at Alvarado to "Boy"

Box 1 Folder 2

7.29.1950 from Chester E. Faris in Norman, Okla to Emmett Seay about son to college

Box 1 Folder 2

1.4.1950 Congressional Record, "Wards of the Goverment," underlined.

Box 1 Folder 2

12.11.1951 from Lawrence Lindley to Chester E. Faris about mismanaged store in Dulce, N.M.

Box 1 Folder 2

4.11.1951 USDI promoting Lonnie Hardin & Carnal

Box 1 Folder 2

12.1.1952- Indian Education Bulletin

Box 1 Folder 2

11.11.1952- Feliz S Cohen of Washington DC office to Chester E. Faris, personal

Box 1 Folder 2

12.26.1952- letter from Chester E. Faris to Mrs Charles about her book on Indians

Box 1 Folder 2

10.1954- program of dedication Bernalillo County Indian Hospital

Box 1 Folder 2

2.5.1954- Chester E. Faris to Mrs Rhoads about Indian advancement, handwritten.

Box 1 Folder 2

8.14.1954- Chester E. Faris to Dema Reynolds, Santa Barbara, Calif. about his winters in Calif, with notes

Box 1 Folder 2

6.7.1955- Ruth M Bronson, National Congress American Indian Scholarship Committee to Galen Weaver, Estes, Park Colorado, Chester E. Faris is NM Scholarship person

Box 1 Folder 2

4.15.1955- 4p. typed letter to brother about personal items

Box 1 Folder 2

2.3.1955 invitation to IRA, program.

Box 1 Folder 2

8.5.1956- card to Chester E. Faris from Forrest & Eliz

Box 1 Folder 2

4.13.1956- USDI Information service about land lease to Indians, 2 parts

Box 1 Folder 2

Jicarilla basketry crayon drawings, designs. 

Box 1 Folder 3

Relevant Secondary Sources

Hyer, Sally. Remembering Santa Fe Indian School, 1890-1990. Ph.D. diss., University of New Mexico, 1994.