"The Southern Oregon Historical Society is being practical and prudent by selling valuable artifacts that have no local significance. The society's decision to sell a rare Cheyenne shirt dating from the early 1800s angered some who felt the collection should belong to the Cheyenne tribe, but the society was within its rights to auction the item.

The shirt's only link to Southern Oregon was Benjamin Bones, a Grants Pass resident who donated the shirt in 1957. An ancestor of Bones obtained the shirt at Fort McPherson, Neb., near modern-day North Platt.

The shirt and several other artifacts were sold at auction in San Francisco on Monday, bringing nearly $370,000 to the historical society — money the struggling organization badly needs after losing its tax base.

Cheyenne tribal officials criticized the sale, saying the shirt should be returned to the tribe."

Get the Story:
Editorial: The only responsible choice (The Medford Mail Tribune 12/8)

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Indian artifacts a tough sell for SOHS (The Medford Mail Tribune 12/4)