Yellow Nose (also known as Little Face, Hehuwesse, and He-her-we) (1848-1910) was a Ute captured as a young boy by Dives Backward and raised within Northern Cheyenne society by his adopted father Spotted Wolf. He is recorded to have participated in the Battle of Rosebud (June 17, 1876) and the Battle of Little Bighorn (June 25-26, 1876) where he reportedly 1) lost a famous shield made by Whistling Elk; 2) captured the guidon of the 7th Cavalry; and 3) strangled George Armstrong Custer to death with his bare hands. After the Battle of Little Big Horn, Yellow Nose traveled with a group of Northern Cheyenne led by Little Wolf and Dull Knife, eventually making camp along the Powder River. The group was attacked by General Ranald McKenzie in the Battle of Crazy Woman Fork (November 20, 1876). During this battle Yellow Nose distracted the U.S. soldiers, allowing the women and children to escape, and sustained a shot to the chest. Eventually, the group, including Yellow Nose, was captured and removed to the southern Cheyenne reservation in present-day Oklahoma, where Yellow Nose remained for the remainder of his life.
Heinrich (Henry) Richert Voth (1855–1931) was an ethnographer and Mennonite missionary and minister. Voth was sent by the Mission Board of the General Conference Mennonite Church to work among the Arapaho and the Hopi people, and was stationed at the Darlington Agency, Indian Territory from June 1882 to January 1892.
The collection consists of a ledger book, now disbound and laminated, containing 85 drawings of warfare, courtship, hunting, and ceremony. The pages are numbered 1-113, with the following numbers missing: 5-6, 27-28, 31-32, 69-70, 93-96. An endpaper is inscribed "Cheyenne Agency, Darlington Ind[ian] Terr[itory]" and an additional laminated sheet contains the original collector's tag, an associated note, and an early museum label. The drawings are by several artists, the most prominent being Yellow Nose. When possible, individual drawings have been assigned to Yellow Nose on stylistic grounds by comparison to his other known work.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.
The specimen tag indicates that the book was collected by H. R. Voth in 1889 from H. Spotted Wolf. Voth acquired it on the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation in Indian Territory, where he served as a missionary from 1882-1893. The book was purchased from Voth by the Bureau of American Ethnology through James Mooney on January 25 1893 as a part of a larger collection of Cheyenne and Arapaho materials for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. (USNM Accession 26674). The book was transferred from the object collections of the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives in 1970.
NAA MS 166032
USNM Accession 26674
Book of Cheyenne drawings by Yellow Nose and unidentified artists (MS 166032), National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
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Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 001
NAA INV 08701500
OPPS NEG 57,128-A
Inscription states "This name Her-go-more." Drawing was most likely completed by two artists. Numbered page 1.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of pink-colored horse
NAA MS 166032 002
NAA INV 08701600
OPPS NEG 57,129-A
Numbered page 2.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 003
NAA INV 08701700
OPPS NEG 57,131-A
Inscription reads "Shall-go-thee-a." Numbered page 3.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of two women standing in front of trees
NAA MS 166032 004
NAA INV 08701800
OPPS NEG 57,132-A
Image includes shadow of a third figure either drawn on paper lightly or transferred from other page. This may be half of a two-page drawing, with facing page missing. Numbered page 4.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 005
NAA INV 08701900
OPPS NEG 57,133-A
Inscription at top reads: "Yellow Nose Big Chief." Numbered page 7.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with figures outside building connected to horse with travois by line of footprints
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with figures outside building connected to horse with travois by line of footprints
NAA MS 166032 006 NAA INV 08702000
NAA INV 08702100
OPPS NEG 57,134-A
OPPS NEG 57,135-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 8 and 9.
Published in:
Ewers, John C. "The Horse in Blackfoot Indian Culture."
Yellow Nose drawing of two men wrestling
NAA MS 166032 007 NAA INV 08702200
OPPS NEG 57,136-A
Numbered page 10.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 008 NAA INV 08702300
OPPS NEG 57,137-A
Drawing was most likely completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered page 11.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of two feathered headdresses
NAA MS 166032 009
NAA INV 08702400
OPPS NEG 57,138-A
Numbered page 12.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 010
NAA INV 08702500
OPPS NEG 57,139-A
Drawing was most likely completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered page 13.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of man with stick approaching two dogs and two people courting wrapped inside blanket
NAA MS 166032 011
NAA INV 08702600
OPPS NEG 57,140-A
Drawing was most likely completed by two artists. Numbered page 14.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 012
NAA INV 08702700
OPPS NEG 57,141-A
Blanket on finished male figure has "US" inscribed on back. Numbered page 15.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with horse with travois shown
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with horse with travois shown
NAA MS 166032 013
NAA INV 08702800
NAA INV 08702900
OPPS NEG 57,142-A
OPPS NEG 57,143-A
One drawing on two leaves. Drawing was most likely completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered pages 16 and 17.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with tipi and tethered horse shown
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with tipi and tethered horse shown
NAA MS 166032 014 NAA INV 08703000
NAA INV 08703100
OPPS NEG 57,144-A
OPPS NEG 57,145-A
One drawing on two leaves. Drawing was most likely completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered pages 18 and 19.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with horse waiting nearby
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with horse waiting nearby
NAA MS 166032 015 NAA INV 08703200
NAA INV 08703300
OPPS NEG 57,146-A
OPPS NEG 57,147-A
One drawing on two leaves. Drawing was most likely completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered pages 20 and 21.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with tipi and horse waiting nearby
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with tipi and horse waiting nearby
NAA MS 166032 016
NAA INV 08703400
NAA INV 08703500
OPPS NEG 57,148-A
OPPS NEG 57,149-A
One drawing on two leaves. Drawing was most likely completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered pages 22 and 23. Inscriptions read "Me-Thow-You-us-a," "Clyde C. Bear Robe," and "Owl Bare Billy."
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunter chasing rabbit
NAA MS 166032 017 NAA INV 08703600
OPPS NEG 57,150-A
Numbered page 24.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of two Indian men holding fans and one holding rattle
NAA MS 166032 018 NAA INV 08703700
OPPS NEG 57,151-A
Inscribed "Yellow Nose." Numbered page 25.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of two men riding together on a pinto horse
NAA MS 166032 019
NAA INV 08703800
OPPS NEG 57,152-A
Numbered page 26.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, figures next to tent with brush windbreak and large unidentified animal
NAA MS 166032 020 NAA INV 08703900
OPPS NEG 57,153-A
Inscribed "Cheyenne girl This name Do-do-ie," "Osa," and "I am Starr." Numbered Page 29.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunting scene with buffalo calf shot
NAA MS 166032 021
NAA INV 08704000
OPPS NEG 57,154-A
Numbered Page 30.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of horse tied to tree
NAA MS 166032 022
NAA INV 08704100
OPPS NEG 57,155-A
Probably half of 2-page drawing, facing page missing. Numbered page 33.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunter shooting at three turkeys
NAA MS 166032 023
NAA INV 08704200
OPPS NEG 57,156-A
Numbered page 34.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 024
NAA INV 08704300
OPPS NEG 57,157-A
Numbered page 35.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of mounted warrior with shield and rifle wearing feathered headdress
NAA MS 166032 025
NAA INV 08704400
OPPS NEG 57,158-A
Numbered page 36.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of warrior with shield and lance striking woman and child with saber
NAA MS 166032 026 NAA INV 08704500
OPPS NEG 57,159-A
Inscription reads "Cheyenne good men," "Yellow Nose," "His Indian Name He-her-ne-[...]." Numbered page 37.
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior in feather warbonnet on horseback
NAA MS 166032 027 NAA INV 08704600
OPPS NEG 57,160-A
Numbered page 38.
Yellow Nose drawing of woman and man with shield under fire from US soldiers
NAA MS 166032 028 NAA INV 08704700
OPPS NEG 57,161-A
Numbered page 39.
Yellow Nose drawing of two men, one carrying a rifle and the other carrying a bow and arrow
NAA MS 166032 029 NAA INV 08704800
OPPS NEG 57,162-A
Numbered page 40.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of battle scene
NAA MS 166032 030 NAA INV 08704900
OPPS NEG 57,163-A
Inscription reads "Man On The Clould [sic]. Cheyenne." Numbered page 41.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of battle scene
NAA MS 166032 031 NAA INV 08705000
OPPS NEG 57,164-A
Numbered page 42.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of warrior fighting U.S. soldier
NAA MS 166032 032
NAA INV 08705100
OPPS NEG 57,165-A
Numbered page 43.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of pinto horse
NAA MS 166032 033
NAA INV 08705200
OPPS NEG 57,166-A
Numbered page 44.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of battle with U.S. soldiers, with warrior with shield taking bridle from fallen horse
NAA MS 166032 034
NAA INV 08705300
OPPS NEG 57,167-A
Numbered page 45.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of horse decorated with feathers
NAA MS 166032 035 NAA INV 08705400
OPPS NEG 57,168-A
Numbered page 46.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of battle with US soldiers
NAA MS 166032 036
NAA INV 08705500
OPPS NEG 57,169-A
Numbered page 47.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of warrior counting coup on U.S. soldiers with captured guidon and fallen enemy nearby
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of warrior counting coup on U.S. soldiers with captured guidon and fallen enemy nearby
NAA MS 166032 037 NAA INV 08705600
NAA INV 08705700
OPPS NEG 57,170-A
OPPS NEG 57,171-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 48 and 49.
Yellow Nose drawing of men with rifles and warrior with shield lancing Euro-American enemy
Yellow Nose drawing of men with rifles and warrior with shield lancing Euro-American enemy
NAA MS 166032 038
NAA INV 08705800
NAA INV 08705900
OPPS NEG 57,172-A
OPPS NEG 57,173-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 50 and 51.
Yellow Nose drawing of wounded warrior facing U.S. soldiers
Yellow Nose drawing of wounded warrior facing U.S. soldiers
NAA MS 166032 039
NAA INV 08706000
NAA INV 08706100
OPPS NEG 57,174-A
OPPS NEG 57,175-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 52 and 53.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of horse with war paint and reins
NAA MS 166032 040
NAA INV 08706200
OPPS NEG 57,176-A
Numbered page 54. This drawing may relate to the scene on the facing page, NAA INV 08706300.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of battle against US soldiers and their scouts, one warrior with shield and another with bow-lance
NAA MS 166032 041
NAA INV 08706300
OPPS NEG 57,177-A
Numbered page 55. This drawing may relate to the scene on the facing page, NAA INV 08706200.
Yellow Nose drawing of battle scene showing U.S. soldier and warriors with shield and military society lance
Yellow Nose drawing of battle scene showing U.S. soldier and warriors with shield and military society lance
NAA MS 166032 042 NAA INV 08706400
NAA INV 08706500
OPPS NEG 57,178-A
OPPS NEG 57,179-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 56 and 57.
Yellow Nose drawing of Indian man scalping two Whites with wagon
Yellow Nose drawing of Indian man scalping two Whites with wagon
NAA MS 166032 043
NAA INV 08706600
NAA INV 08706700
OPPS NEG 57,180-A
OPPS NEG 57,181-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 58 and 59.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of four fallen US soldiers
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of four fallen US soldiers
NAA MS 166032 044
NAA INV 08706800
NAA INV 08706900
OPPS NEG 57,182-A
OPPS NEG 57,183-A
One drawing on two leaves. This drawing was probably completed by Yellow Nose and another artist. Numbered pages 60 and 61.
Yellow Nose drawing of battle scene with U.S. soldiers and an Indian warrior pullling man in buckskins from horse
Yellow Nose drawing of battle scene with U.S. soldiers and an Indian warrior pullling man in buckskins from horse
NAA MS 166032 045
NAA INV 08707000
NAA INV 08707100
OPPS NEG 57,184-A
OPPS NEG 57,185-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 62 and 63.
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior overcoming a series of US soldiers
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior overcoming a series of US soldiers
NAA MS 166032 046 NAA INV 08707200
NAA INV 08707300
OPPS NEG 57,186-A
OPPS NEG 57,187-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 64 and 65.
Yellow Nose drawing of U.S. soldiers
Yellow Nose drawing of U.S. soldiers
NAA MS 166032 047
NAA INV 08707400
NAA INV 08707500
OPPS NEG 57,188-A
OPPS NEG 57,189-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 66 and 67.
Yellow Nose drawing of U.S. soldiers firing from prone position, with horses nearby
Yellow Nose drawing of U.S. soldiers firing from prone position, with horses nearby
NAA MS 166032 048
NAA INV 08707600
NAA INV 08707700
OPPS NEG 57,190-A
OPPS NEG 57,191-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 68 and 71.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of display of feather warbonnet and military society lance
NAA MS 166032 049 NAA INV 08707800
OPPS NEG 57,192-A
Numbered page 72.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of horse with saddle and body paint
NAA MS 166032 050 NAA INV 08707900
OPPS NEG 57,193-A
Numbered page 73.
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior in full body paint using bow lance to strike two enemies whose horses are tethered nearby
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior in full body paint using bow lance to strike two enemies whose horses are tethered nearby
NAA MS 166032 051
NAA INV 08708000
NAA INV 08708100
OPPS NEG 57,194-A
OPPS NEG 57,195-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 74 and 75.
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior with shield riding down two enemies, while another is shown in a tipi camp with a woman and child
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior with shield riding down two enemies, while another is shown in a tipi camp with a woman and child
NAA MS 166032 052 NAA INV 08708200
NAA INV 08708300
OPPS NEG 57,196-A
OPPS NEG 57,197-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 76 and 77.
Yellow Nose drawing of woman warrior dressed only in breechcloth and male warrior striking an enemy
Yellow Nose drawing of woman warrior dressed only in breechcloth and male warrior striking an enemy
NAA MS 166032 053 NAA INV 08708400
NAA INV 08708500
OPPS NEG 57,198-A
OPPS NEG 57,199-A
OPPS NEG 89-4691
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 78 and 79.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of two women sleeping beneath a tree with an owl perched on a branch
NAA MS 166032 054 NAA INV 08708600
OPPS NEG 57,200-A
Numbered page 80.
Yellow Nose drawing of warrior with shield striking enemy with a lance
NAA MS 166032 055 NAA INV 08708700
OPPS NEG 57,201-A
Numbered page 81.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of mounted hunter wearing a capote firing pistol at a bear
NAA MS 166032 056 NAA INV 08708800
OPPS NEG 57,202-A
Numbered page 82.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of warrior wearing a military society sash striking an enemy with a lance
NAA MS 166032 057
NAA INV 08708900
OPPS NEG 57,203-A
Numbered page 83.
Yellow Nose drawing of woman warrior wearing only breechcloth and cartridge belt and male warrior in full body paint striking an enemy
Yellow Nose drawing of woman warrior wearing only breechcloth and cartridge belt and male warrior in full body paint striking an enemy
NAA MS 166032 058
NAA INV 08709000
NAA INV 08709100
OPPS NEG 57,204-A
OPPS NEG 57,205-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 84 and 85.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunter dressed in capote shooting deer
NAA MS 166032 059
NAA INV 08709200
OPPS NEG 57,206-A
Numbered page 86.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunter dressed in capote shooting deer
NAA MS 166032 060
NAA INV 08709300
OPPS NEG 57,207-A
Numbered page 87.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunter shooting buffalo with arrow
NAA MS 166032 061
NAA INV 08709400
OPPS NEG 57,208-A
Numbered page 88. Inscription reads "Thomas Starr."
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with woman emerging from tipi with quilled ornaments
NAA MS 166032 062
NAA INV 08709500
OPPS NEG 57,209-A
Numbered page 89. Inscription reads "Come out a minit [sic] if you please."
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 063 NAA INV 08709600
OPPS NEG 57,210-A
Numbered page 90.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of buffalo bull
NAA MS 166032 064 NAA INV 08709700
OPPS NEG 57,211-A
Numbered page 91.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of two men on horseback, both finely dressed with fur turbans, hairplates, and blankets with beaded strips
NAA MS 166032 065
NAA INV 08709800
OPPS NEG 57,212-A
Numbered page 92.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of shield hanging on a tree flanked by heads of an elk and a buffalo
NAA MS 166032 068
NAA INV 08709900
OPPS NEG 57,213-A
Drawing is probably a representation of a visionary experience. Numbered page 97.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 069
NAA INV 08710000
OPPS NEG 57,214-A
Drawing probably completed by Yellow Nose and another unidentified artist. Numbered page 98.
Anonymous Cheyenne unfinished drawing of two upright feather bonnets, one with ermine tassels hanging down
NAA MS 166032 070
NAA INV 08710100
OPPS NEG 57,215-A
Numbered page 99.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of man playing flute outside a painted tipi
NAA MS 166032 071 NAA INV 08710200
OPPS NEG 57,216-A
Numbered page 100.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of hunter with broken bowstring next to wounded rabbit
NAA MS 166032 072
NAA INV 08710300
OPPS NEG 57,217-A
Numbered page 101.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of men outside a tent and a woman emerging with a stick in her hand
NAA MS 166032 073
NAA INV 08710400
OPPS NEG 57,218-A
Drawing probably completed by Yellow Nose and another unidentified artist. Numbered page 102.
Yellow Nose drawing of man dragging buffalo skulls by thongs pierced through his back, probably for a sacrifice undertaken in association with the Sun Dance
NAA MS 166032 074
NAA INV 08710500
OPPS NEG 57,219-A
Numbered page 103.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 075
NAA INV 08710600
OPPS NEG 57,220-A
Numbered page 104.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 076
NAA INV 08710700
OPPS NEG 57,221-A
Numbered page 105.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 077
NAA INV 08710800
OPPS NEG 57,222-A
Numbered page 106.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 078 NAA INV 08710900
OPPS NEG 57,223-A
Inscription reads "Ga-high-na-a," "War-star-a," "White Bird," "Yellow Nose." Numbered page 107.
Yellow Nose drawing of hunter shooting buffalo bull, cow and calf
Yellow Nose drawing of hunter shooting buffalo bull, cow and calf
NAA MS 166032 079
NAA INV 08711000
NAA INV 08711100
OPPS NEG 57,224-A
OPPS NEG 57,225-A
One drawing on two leaves. Numbered pages 108 and 109.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 080
NAA INV 08711200
OPPS NEG 57,226-A
OPPS NEG 91-19222
Inscription reads "Nina Living(?) Bear," "Thomas B[ear] Robe." "No 1885" Numbered page 110.
Yellow Nose drawing of ceremonial figures with full body paint and carrying decorated bow, shield, and pipe
NAA MS 166032 081 NAA INV 08711300
OPPS NEG 57,227-A
OPPS NEG 57,219-A
Numbered page 111.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene, with howling dog nearby
NAA MS 166032 082
NAA INV 08711400
OPPS NEG 57,228-A
OPPS NEG 91-19222
Inscription reads "Yellow Nose," "56 Years Old Good Men to Yellow Nose," "Power (?) Man His Dog," "Indin Girl He-Her-We-Star-A," "Cheyenne Boy," "He-V-See-A (Hehuwesse ?)." Numbered page 112.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of four U.S. soldiers
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of four U.S. soldiers
NAA MS 166032 083
NAA INV 08711500
OPPS NEG 57,229-A
Unruled endpaper of book, verso numbered 113. Inscription on verso reads "Arthur Adams," "He-we-see-a."
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of mounted warrior charging U.S. soldier
NAA MS 166032 084
NAA INV 08711600
OPPS NEG 57,233-A
Inscription reads "Yellow Nose." Dark face color of soldier may indicate an African American.
Yellow Nose drawing of scene of mythological or visionary figures
NAA MS 166032 067 NAA INV 08711700
OPPS NEG 57,231-A
#5 written in corner. Drawing depicts a male figure with body painted red receiving pipe from female who is half human/half bison, and eagle and rattle snake in tree nearby. Original page number missing, probably page 93.
Anonymous drawings of African lion and rabbit
NAA MS 166032 066 NAA INV 08711800
OPPS NEG 57,230-A
#6 and #84 written in corners. Original page number missing, probably page 94.
Anonymous Cheyenne drawing of courting scene
NAA MS 166032 085
NAA INV 08711900
OPPS NEG 57,232-A
OPPS NEG 91-19221
Drawing was probably completed by Yellow Nose and another unidentified artist. Unruled endpaper. #50 written in corner. Faintly inscribed "Owl ..."