Primary Source Sets
Native Americans in Tejas : An Overview
The resources in this primary source set are intended for classroom use. Click on a thumbnail image to view the original resource and download link for viewing and saving. Click on the caption next to the image to view the bibliographic record, share on a network, or print. PDF documents are available for download and use in your classroom discussions.
16th Century Engraving
Sixteenth century engraving illustrating the special dogs, called mastiffs, used by the Spaniards to tear apart uncooperative Indians. Moscoso is said to have used the mastiffs on a Nondacao guide who misled the expedition. PDF
Indian Horsemen
A pictorial of Native Americans on horses. PDF
Indian Life
A pictorial featuring a drawing of Native Americans. PDF
Kicking Bear
Native American Painting from the Star of the Republic Museum. PDF
Running Bear
Native American Painting from the Star of the Republic Museum. PDF
Tunison's Texas and Indian Territory
Texas and Indian Territory Map with an inset showing the "Western Part of Texas. PDF
Democratic Telegraph, 1850
Weekly newspaper from Houston, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with extensive advertising. In this printing, there is a section pertaining to stolen horses. The Wichita are named as potential culprits. (Use with the Intermediate Student Worksheet)
County Map of Texas and Indian Territory
This map shows the state of Texas and Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). Texas counties are shaded in various colors and labeled. Major cities, roads, bodies of water, and geographic features are marked (with relief shown by hachures). PDF
The Waco Daily Examiner, 1875
Daily newspaper from Waco, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising. PDF
Map of Texas and Indian Territory
Hand drawn color map showing Texas counties, cities, towns, roads, railroads, rivers, creeks, quarries, mills, and topographical features in 1879. Towns and geographical features of the Indian Territory are also included. PDF
West Central States Map, 1887
This map shows the southern U.S. states and surrounding areas including Texas, Oklahoma (still labeled "Indian Territory"), Arkansas, and Louisiana. Each state is colored and has major cities, rivers, and geographic features marked (relief shown by hachures). PDF
The San Saba County News, 1893
Weekly newspaper from San Saba, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising. The highlighted section features the future of Kickapoo Indian land. PDF
Buffalo Herd
Photograph from the Cattle Raisers Museum of a herd of buffalo walking across snow-covered land. PDF
Moot-pope Tsokone and Chappy Poot-py-bitty
Moot-pope Tsokone and Chappy Poot-py-bitty standing. PDF
Ponca Indians Meeting
Photograph of the Ponca Indians at a meeting. The men are sitting on horses with headdresses. There are multiple teepees in the background. PDF
Portrait of an Armed Yaqui
Copy negative from the El Paso Public Library of an armed Yaqui Indian in brush. PDF
Mow-Wi, 1874
Photograph of a group of American Indians outside of a teepee. There is a child in the entry way to the teepee. There are animal skins hung up behind the group and a teepee in the background. Front of photograph: "Scene in camp of Mow-Wi. Last battle at Palo Duro Canyon. PDF
Scouts, circa 1880
Photograph of Indian scouts and horses on a reservation. The photograph was taken during a winter in the early 1880s. There are snow patches on the ground and teepees in the background. PDF
Acoyli and Big Buffalo, Warriors
Indian Warriors: Acoyli and Big Buffalo. Photo circa 1890. PDF
Dosino, Kiowa from Hummingbird's Family, 1890
Dosino, from Hummingbird's Kiowa family, is pictured.
Family Portrait, 1890
A Native American family portrait. The man is seated and wearing a suit and hat. The woman is standing and wrapped in a traditional Indian blanket. They both are wearing moccasins. PDF
Hummingbird's Daughter, 1890
Hummingbird's daughter, Mohicahgoy, on a horse.This photograph is from the Resuing Texas History collection. PDF
Hummingbirds Daughter, Mohicahgoy, 1890
Hummingbird's daughter, Mohicahgoy, sitting next to a teepee.This photograph is from the Resuing Texas History collection. PDF
Hummingbird and Kiowa Family, Pt 1, 1890
Hummingbird and family from the Kiowa.This photograph is from the Resuing Texas History collection. PDF
Hummingbird and Kiowa Family, Pt 2, 1890
This family portrait is a part of the same series of photographs taken as the photograph above. Hummingbird's family from the Kiowa tribe are pictured, including Dosino on the left. This photograph is from the Resuing Texas History collection. PDF
Kiowa Belles, 1890
This photograph is of three Kiowa belles of Anadarka from the Resuing Texas History collection. PDF
Kiowa Woman with Papoose, 1890
This photograph is a portrait of a woman with a baby in a papoose.This photograph is from the Resuing Texas History collection. PDF
Moohie Tatsuh, Comanche Warrior, 1890
This photograph from the Clay County Historical Society features Moohiee Tatsah. PDF
Naleyeacah, with Horse, circa 1890
Indian with horse. This photograph is from the Clay County Historical Society. PDF
Oitant, circa 1890
Indian Warrior, Oitant. This photograph is from the Clay County Historical Society. PDF
Ospurn, Kiowa Boy, 1890
He is wearing the traditional Kiowa men's leggings of the period. PDF
Police of Anadarko, circa 1890
Indian Police. Oitant, a warrior, is pictured on the right. This photograph is from the Clay County Historical Society. PDF
Quanah Parker, Comanche Chief, circa 1890
Comanche Chief, Quanah Parker. This photograph is from the Clay County Historical Society. PDF
Quanah Parker with Two Wives, circa 1890
Comanche Family: Quanah Parker and two wives. Topay is on the left, and Chonie is on the right. PDF
Woman and Papoose, 1890
A Native American woman standing next to her papoose baby. She is wrapped in a traditional Indian blanket. PDF
End of the Trail, 1893
Photograph of the "End of the Trail" bronze sculpture on exhibition at the opening of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. It was created by James Earl Fraser when he was 17 years old. PDF
Kiowa Woman Carrying Papoose, 1899
Kiowa woman with papoose. This photograph was taken in Oklahoma and is a part of the Rescuing Texas History collection. PDF
Kiowa Woman with Papoose, 1899
Kiowa woman with infant. This photograph was taken in Oklahoma and is a part of the Rescuing Texas History collection. PDF
Child, circa 1900
Indian child. This photograph was taken in Oklahoma and is a part of the Rescuing Texas History collection. PDF
Comanche, 1900
Bert Seahmer, Utah, and Children, Treetop in Indian territory. PDF
Family, 1900
This photograph is of a family. The person standing on the left is also featured in a portrait photograph. These photos are a part of the Rescuing Texas History collection. PDF
Hollow Horn Bear, Brule Sioux Chief, 1910
Hollow Horn Bear, Brule Sioux Chief, standing in front of teepee, holding a pistol. This photograph was copyrighted in 1910 by Edward Bates. PDF
Thomas Crow, Sioux Chief
Thomas Crow, Sioux Chief standing by his teepee. PDF
Yaqui Indians on Lookout
Photograph of two Yaqui Indians standing atop a small hill partially covered by brush looking off into the distance. Many Yaqui Indians participated in the Mexican Revolution, fighting alongside revolutionaries as they rebelled against the many abuses the Mexican Government had inflicted upon them throughout the years. PDF
Minnie Black, Comanche, 1911
Minnie Black, Comanche in full Indian costume. 600 elk's teeth used as ornaments. The teeth of elk sewn on womens dresses were a sign of fertility and wealth. A dress adorned with the two eye teeth of elk was a sign of a good hunter in the family. PDF
Ermoke and Kiowa Raiders
This image may be found in the book titled "Life and Adventures of 'Billy' Dixon, of Adobe Walls, Texas Panhandle," a narrative which described many things relating to the early Southwest. It includes accounts of the fights between Indians and buffalo hunters at Adobe Walls and the desperate engagement at Buffalo Wallow, for which Congress voted the medal of honor to the survivors. PDF
Fight at Adobe Walls, 1914
A painting by Miss Gwynfred Jones of Hansford, Texas illustrates the fight at Adobe Walls and is featured in a biography of Billy Dixon, detailing his life on the Texas frontier. PDF
Satank, The Old Tiger of the Kiowas, 1914
This image may be found in the book titled "Life and Adventures of 'Billy' Dixon, of Adobe Walls, Texas Panhandle," a narrative which described many things relating to the early Southwest. It includes accounts of the fights between Indians and buffalo hunters at Adobe Walls and the desperate engagement at Buffalo Wallow, for which Congress voted the medal of honor to the survivors. PDF
Group with Nora Parker, Commanche, 1950
Mrs. Jimmy Oheim, Nora Parker (Commanche), Baldwin Parker, and Donley Suddath in a group photo. PDF
Folk Arts, 1985
"The folk arts are not separate from everyday life, but entirely central to it." This article is featured in the Texas Historical Foundation's Texas Heritage magazine from Winter 1985. PDF
Caddoan Women Making Pottery, 1992
Caddoan women try their hand at making pottery. PDF
Adobe Brick Construction
This image from the Heritage shows the north wall of a kiln and an example of adobe brick construction. PDF
Adobe House
Photograph of an adobe house and several people sitting and standing around it. A child is standing by the door. A woman holding a baby animal is standing near the side of the house. Three adults and two children, who are also holding animals, are sitting and standing on the roof of the house. The house was built into the side of a cliff. A note in the lower right corner says, "Duncan Photo 1442 The Rio Grande." PDF
Atakapan Arrow Heads
Photograph of six small Atakapan Indian arrow heads in a man's hand. These small arrow heads were used for fish and birds. PDF
Atakapan Indian Tools
Five Atakapan Indian tools found along the Neches River in Orange County, Texas. PDF
Buffalo Hide Tepees
Indian camp with buffalo hide tepees. This photograph is taken from the book titled "Life and Adventures of 'Billy' Dixon, of Adobe Walls, Texas Panhandle." PDF
Canine Artifact
This is a photograph of an oval, white Indian artifact plaque in the shape of a small canine. PDF
Indian Petroglyphs
Photograph of Indian petroglyphs, or cave paintings. This photo was included in a research paper by Nancy Edwards for an American History class at Marfa High School in April 1968. PDF
Indian Rock Paintings
This is a section of bluff painted by an unknown group of American Indians on their campgrounds. The town of Paint Rock is associated with this genre of painting. PDF
Indian Stone Carving
Photograph of Indian stone carving from west Texas. This photo was included in a research paper by Nancy Edwards for an American History class at Marfa High School in April 1968. PDF
Jumanos Pueblo in Big Bend
Ruins of a Jumanos pueblo. PDF
Metate and Mano
Photograph of a metate and mano, a tool used to grind food by Native Americans. PDF
Metates and Manos
Photograph of some metates and manos, tools used to grind food by Native Americans. PDF
Kiowa and Comanche Camp
Indian Village, Fort Sill. Photo taken in 1890: Indian Territory. PDF
Scout and Teepee
Photograph of an Indian scout next to a large teepee. Back of photograph: "typical early-day Indian reservation scene in the southwest." PDF
Sitting near Teepees
Photograph of a group of American Indians sitting in front of a teepee. There are multiple teepees in the background. The people are seated on the left. PDF
Wichita Indian Grass Hut
Photograph of the grass huts of the Wichita Indians. Similar grass huts were used by the Caddo. PDF
