"A FAR-SEEING, PROGRESSIVE CHIEF WHO WAS KILLED"

PRESIDENT COOLIDGE NOW HAS AN INDIAN NAME:  'BEAR RIBS'

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 31, 1925, The Washington Times reports The White House has been informed by letter today from the Standing Rock Indian Agency at Fort Yates*, North Dakota that President Calvin Coolidge has been given an official Indian name, "Bear Ribs."

It seems Bear Ribs was a "far-seeing, progressive" Indian chief who taught his tribe that the way of the white man might bring peace.  Unfortunately, according to the Times, Bear Ribs' teachings were objectionable to the tribe and he was murdered.

Not to worry, the Hunkpapa Sioux have seen the error of their ways and now honor the teachings of Bear Ribs.  They are grateful to the president for bestowing citizenship to them.

They sent along a pipe and beaded tobacco bag for Mr. Coolidge in honor of his new Indian name.

JFK+50 NOTE

There is no information in the Times article to indicate what President Coolidge said in response to learning of the honor, but given his well-known personality, it probably wasn't much.

*Fort Yates is the tribal headquarters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe located in North Dakota.  Originally it was to house a US Army garrison to oversee Indian bands.  In 1878, it was named in honor of George Yates who was killed at Little Big Horn.  Sitting Bull was originally buried here.

SOURCE

"Indians Give Coolidge 'Bear-Ribs' Name," The Washington Times, March 31, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Sitting Bull National Monument

Fort Yates, North Dakota

PD

I DO CHOOSE TO WEAR AN INDIAN HEADDRESS

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1989

COOLIDGE ADOPTED INTO SIOUX TRIBE 89 YEARS AGO TODAY

Fort Yates, North Dakota (JFK+50) President Calvin Coolidge was adopted into the Sioux Tribe here at Fort Yates*, located at the south-central border of North Dakota, eighty-nine years ago, June 23, 1927.

The President was given a grand ceremonial feathered head dress by Sioux chief Henry Standing Bear.  You can see in the photograph below that Coolidge looks somewhat odd wearing a full length Indian headdress with a suit and tie.

The idea to make Coolidge an honorary Sioux came from Chauncey Yellow Robe, a descendant of Sitting Bull and Indian school administrator.  According to the Sioux County Pioneer, Chauncey Yellow Robe extended a "most sincere and hearty welcome" to the president.

President Coolidge had signed into law the Indian Citizenship Act** in 1924 granting automatic United States citizenship to all American tribes.  Despite being a strong supporter of tribal rights, however, the Coolidge administration continued the policy of assimilation in which "all Indian children were placed in federally funded boarding schools...separated from their families and stripped of their native language and culture."

In 1928, the President vetoed two pieces of legislation that would have given tribes standing to sue in the Court of Claims.

*Fort Yates, located in Sioux County ND, was the tribal HQ of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.  It was established in 1863 to supervise the Hunkpapa and Blackfeet bands.  The fort was later named in honor of Captain George Yates who was killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876.

**Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 (a.k.a. Indian Freedom Citizenship Suffrage Act) was proposed by Representative Homer P. Snyder (R-NY) and supported by the Indian Rights Association.  It was hopeful that the law would reward those Native Americans who served in the US armed services during WWI.

SOURCES

"Coolidge," by Amity Shlaes, Harper, 2013.

"Newspaper reveals Coolidge will be adopted into Sioux tribe," This Day in History:  June 23, www.history.com/

Coolidge Adopted into Sioux Tribe

June 23, 1927

Library of Congress Photo

JFK ENDORSED FOR SENATE

JFK WON SUPPORT OF BOSTON'S MAYOR FOR US SENATE 62 YEARS AGO TODAY

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Boston's mayor, John B. Hynes*, gave his endorsement to 11th District Congressman John F. Kennedy for the United States Senate 62 years ago today, June 23, 1952.

Hynes, who served as the mayor of Boston from 1950 to 1960, called JFK...

 "one of the finest young men to come into public life in the last two decades."

The Mayor's endorsement was presented before 500 supporters at the Parker House Hotel here in Boston.

*John B. Hynes (1897-1970) served as Boston's mayor from 1950 to 1960.  His father was born in County Galway, Ireland.  JBH graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1927 and served as city clerk under Boston mayor J.M. Curley.

Joe Hynes

Mayor of Boston

www.mass/gov

JOE JR. GRADUATES FROM HARVARD

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., graduated from Harvard 76 years ago today, June 23, 1938.

Joe Jr., who received his Bachelors of Science degree, majored in government with an intended vocation in business.

Joe participated in basketball, football, swimming and rugby.  He was also a member of the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770.

Joe Jr., Joe Sr.,and JFK

 Southampton, England

 July 2, 1938

 JFK Library Photo

CALVIN COOLIDGE ADOPTED INTO SIOUX TRIBE

Fort Yates, North Dakota (JFK+50) President Calvin Coolidge was adopted into the Sioux Tribe here at Fort Yates* 87 years ago, June 23, 1927.

The President was given a grand ceremonial feathered head dress by Sioux chief Henry Standing Bear.

 The idea to make Coolidge an honorary Sioux came from Chauncey Yellow Robe, a descendant of Sitting Bull.

Coolidge Adopted into Sioux Tribe

June 23, 1927

Library of Congress Photo

Fort Yates, located in Sioux County ND, was the tribal HQ of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.  It was established in 1863 to supervise the Hunkpapa and Blackfeet bands.  The fort was later named in honor of Captain George Yates who was killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876.

Fort Yates was once the resting place of Sitting Bull.

Sitting Bull Monument

Fort Yates, N.D.

June 23, 1963

JFK ARRIVED IN BONN 51 YEARS AGO TODAY

Bonn, West Germany (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy arrived here in Bonn 51 years ago today, June 23, 1963, for the first day of a ten day European journey.

This was the eighth trip abroad for President Kennedy.

He arrived at 9:50 a.m. local time and was greeted by West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

In a short speech at Wahn Airport, JFK said...

"Together we look forward to a new future.  Former foes have become faithful friends.  Your safety is our safety, your liberty is our liberty."

JFK and Konrad Adenauer

Later at Market Square in Bonn, the President declared...

"The city of Bonn is the capital of the free world."

And at Cologne's Rathaus, JFK said...

"I come to Cologne to see the best of the past and the most promising of the future."

JFK concluded his remarks with the old Rhemish saying "Koelle Alaaf".

                    

Rathaus

Cologne, Germany

Foto Marburg

Art Resource, New York