"In the summer of 1879, the newly founded Bureau of American Ethnology in Washington, D.C., sent a research expedition to the Southwest. Its mission was to study the religion and sociology of New Mexico's Zuni Pueblo and collect cultural artifacts, especially ceremonial objects.

Noted ethnologist James Stevenson, the expedition's head, was accompanied by his wife, Matilda (Tilly) Coxe Stevenson, 22-year-old Frank H. Cushing and the eminent photographer J.K. Hillers.

The party rode to the end of the railroad line, in Las Vegas, N.M., and from there traveled by horse-drawn vehicle to Santa Fe. In the capital, Gen. Edward Hatch, commander of the Military Department of New Mexico, furnished the party with wagons, supplies and tents.

Ten days later, the expedition arrived at Fort Wingate and was made welcome by its commander, Gen. George Buell. After a brief rest, the eager easterners hastened on to Zuni, 45 miles beyond the fort.

Upon arrival, James Stevenson attended a special council meeting of village elders and religious leaders. Using an interpreter, he explained the expedition's purpose and asked the council's cooperation in his collecting of information and physical items such as fetishes, stone tools, jewelry, pottery and fabrics.

Over the years, the Zunis had greeted visitors warmly. A band of mountain men, for example, had staggered into the pueblo in 1827 after some bad luck, more dead than alive.

They were fed and nursed back to health, prompting their leader to declare the residents of Zuni to be "a kind and humane people.""

Get the Story:
Marc Simmons: Trail Dust: Hospitality enables D.C. researchers to take Zuni relics (The Santa Fe New Mexican 11/13)

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