File:Winnebago Chief Little Priest's whip.jpg

Information = Quirt; Belonged to Winnebago Chief Little Priest

Description = Winnebago whip owned by Little Priest (seven scalp marks are on it).

Collected by D. Charles Bristol, known as "Omaha Charlie". Bristol was born in Canandaigua, New York on March 17, 1834. Before he was 21 years old, he established a trading post 20 miles east of Black River Falls, Wisconsin where he traded with the Chippewa, Miami, Pottawattomie and Winnebago. In 1855 he married Mary Thompson. They later divorced. In 1867, he came to Decatur, Nebraska. He lived on the Omaha and Winnebago agencies, Pine Ridge, Gordon, Rushville and Homer. In 1881 he married Lettie Hunter, a Winnebago woman, and they had four boys. In 1883 he bought a farm in Homer. He died September 14, 1923.

In the 1870s Omaha Charley began exhibiting his collection of Native American materials in various cities. "he secured the services of Indians to wear the costumes and use the implements for the entertainment of his audiences, and toured most of the larger cities of this country with his show." (See NSHS donor file). His troupe appeared in theaters and they traveled to Europe. They were known as "Omaha Charley and His Wandering Band of Sioux" (See banner #3458).

According to a 1906 newspaper article, Omaha Charlie received $50.00 per week in cities like Chicago, ST. Paul and Minneapolis for showing his collection in Museums.

Omaha Charlie's Scrapbook (See NSHS Archives) shows that he exhibited in Paxton, Illinois in October of 1891. In December of 1891 he gave a lecture on his curios and travels at Kohl & Middleton Museums in Chicago. Huber's Palace Museum in New York offered him four weeks at $40.00 per week starting February 29, 1892. In April 1893 he exhibited at the Welker Building, open 1-10, admission 10 cents. He had with him "two squaws and a papoose".

A handbill from Three Rivers Michigan, December 20, 1892 or 1893 advertises "An Exhibition of Indian Relics collected by men of 40 years experience among various Indian Tribes". It lists D.C. Bristol and Captain R. Miller as the exhibitors. The text on the poster states "Secured by Omaha Charlie with dexterous hands. Aided by Captain Miller in Indian lands".

Source = Nebraska State Historical Society, D.C. “Omaha Charlie” Bristol Collection

Date = Unknown

Author = Unknown

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