Pacific University Historic Photographs

Chemawa Indian School Superintendent John Lee and two Native staff members

A studio portrait of “Colonel” John Lee and two Native staff members from the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. The Chemawa Indian School was a boarding school for Native American students that was run by the Department of the Interior. Lee served as Chemawa’s superintendent from September 30, 1885 through March 20, 1889. The two men flanking him are most likely two Native alumni of the school who were on the payroll as staff. Their identities, based on the government employee register for 1887 and comparison with other extant photographs, could be: Henry Steve (or Steeve), Snohomish; Frank Charley, Puyallup; James Maxwell, Nez Perce; Lewis Charles, Puyallup; Philip Wash, Port Madison/Suquamish; or George Piute, Paiute/Warm Springs. Based on other similar photographs in the Pacific University Archives and on the dates when the photographer was active, this photograph was most likely taken in Salem between 1886-1888. (See: Robinson, Oregon Photographers, 1993, p. 394.)

W. P. Johnson, photographer, Salem, Oregon

Off-reservation boarding schools

Native American Studies

Chemawa Indian School

PUApic_008313.jpg

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Forest Grove Indian School Collection, Pacific University Archives

Still Image