Johnson and Co. with Scalp. Albumen photograph of Ute Braves involved with the Battle of Milk Creek. Ca 1870s.

7 1/2 x 5 1/8 in. albumen photograph on 13 x 18 in. cardstock mount with applied paper label in lower margin including manuscript title. Unmarked but attributed to W.G. Chamberlain, Denver, Colorado, ca 1870s.

A studio portrait of three "Ute Braves," including Medicine Man and Chief Canavish (also identified as "Johnson") standing in the back, holding a pistol and a pair of human scalps on a staff to his side.

The Battle of Milk Creek and the "Meeker Massacre" occurred on 29 September 1879, both eruptions of tensions in the Ute Indian territory of the White River Valley in northwest Colorado. The so-called massacre was aimed largely at Indian Agent Nathan C. Meeker, upon whose appointment the Bureau of Indian Affairs had adopted a new policy providing that Ute men must participate in agriculture or have food withheld from them. This policy and other threats made by Meeker fueled resentment among the Ute men, culminating in the events of 29 September that ended in the death of Meeker and 11 of his employees, and the capture of women and children at the agency. That same day, Major Thomas Thornburgh, who had been sent to White River from Fort Steele in response to heightened Ute hostility, engaged with Utes just after crossing Milk Creek into the reservation. Thornburgh, along with thirteen of his men, were killed in the battle.

Chiefs Canavish, Quinkent, and Colorow were involved in the events that played out on 29 September, damaging the relationship between the White River Utes and the US government, leading to their ultimate removal from Colorado to reservation lands in Utah.

Chief Canavish was at the White River Indian Agency during the Battle of Milk Creek and the Meeker incident. He would testify after the fact that he traveled south as soon as the first shots were fired.

The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Johnson and Co. with Scalp. Albumen photograph of Ute Braves involved with the Battle of Milk Creek. Ca 1870s.

Johnson and Co. with Scalp. Albumen photograph of Ute Braves involved with the Battle of Milk Creek. Ca 1870s.