FW: Translation from Curtis chair.

[Rankin, Robert L]

Dear Colleagues,

I have this from Rich Doerner in Washington regarding his research into the
Curtis chair.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: Doerner, Rich (Secretary)
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 11:59 AM
To: Rankin, Robert L
Subject: RE: Translation from Curtis chair--ADDITION


My thanks to you and your team for your work in translating the carved
Native American words on the chair; truly incredible research and detective
work.  I tend to agree with the bottom translation probably being his Indian
name for the following reason.  A 1929 article appeared in the American
Mercury journal on Curtis titled "Heap Big Chief" by a Washington
correspondent. The chair is mentioned in the article as follows:

...What is probably one of the most curious throne chairs in the world faces
it.  Its back is almost six feet in height and of carved and filigreed wood.
At the top, in gilt letters, are the words, "The Chief."  In the center is a
plaque of carving.  Around the rim of this piece of artistry is inscribed,
also in gold lettering, the fact that the chair is the gift of the Original
Curtis Boys and Matthew Quay Glaser. Within are the mysterious words:
KO-TNA-U-CA-SHE-THI-CE-XTSI-MO-KO-ONTHIA-ETTO-N, apparently in some secret
code, understood only by Charley and his brother tribesmen." In the same
article, Curtis explains other things in his office, but it seems to be
implied that Curtis did not want to reveal the translation to the author for
some reason when he conducted a tour of his office.

In the meantime, I am reading 7 books from the Library of Congress on Curtis
in the hopes that there may be some reference to his early Indian name.
Also, interestingly, the chair no longer has the carving "From the Original
Curtis Boys..." on it.  In fact, I located a 1932 photograph of Curtis in
the chair without the carving; so sometime between 1929 and 1932 the carving
was taken off for some reason.  Also, I located Matthew Quay Glaser name in
a New York Times article when he was invited to a Curtis speech; he is
referred to as a New York businessman.  Again, I can't thank you enough for
all your help.  I will keep you informed of our research and findings.

Best,
Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: Rankin, Robert L [mailto:rankin at ku.edu]
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 9:25 PM
To: Doerner, Rich (Secretary)
Subject: RE: Translation from Curtis chair--ADDITION


Mr. Doerner,

One small addition to what I sent earlier.  I said I was checking on
Curtis's Indian name.  We have not found it yet, but Crystal Douglas, the
staff archaeologist at the Kaw Nation tribal museum, is checking the 1860 or
1865 tribal rolls.  This was the period when young Charlie moved to the
reservation at Council Grove, KS to live with his Indian grandmother.  We
may be able to locate the name on tribal rolls if you are unable to locate
it in the available literature you are researching.

The phrase at the bottom of the medallion may have a meaning like
"Charges-his-enemies", or "Attacker" or "Charger".  The Osage verb KONTHA
means "to charge one's enemies" or "to threaten, menace", so if we find that
young Charles Curtis had a name of roughly that meaning in English, then we
have solved the puzzle.  Otherwise, the bottom line on the carving is
probably "It is our wish", as I suggested earlier.  The upper inscription is
as I reported before.

I'll let you know if I find out anything.

Best,

Bob Rankin
Univ. of Kansas