Overview
Sylestine, James Ludwell
Davis.
Papers
[17--]-1989
(bulk 1900-1980s)
These records are the
research files and writings of James Sylestine. These records consist of
published and unpublished reports (some written by Sylestine, others by various
authors), theses; correspondence, primarily between Sylestine and various state
and federal officials and agencies; bylaws and charter of the Alabama-Coushatta
tribes; minutes of Council meetings; articles, clippings, brochures and other
printed materials; transcripts of historical documents; biographical sketches
of several individuals (most are non-Indian and are connected to the Indian
Presbyterian Church) maps and sketches of the reservation; transcripts of
deeds; Attorney General opinions; church records; census rolls; copies of
legislation; and reel-to-reel tapes of songs recorded in 1932 and stories told
in 1962 by tribal members. They cover a period from the 1700s to 1989,
primarily from 1900 to the 1980s, and reflect historical and contemporary
topics concerning the Alabama-Coushatta tribes and the reservation, including
early interaction with white men, establishment of the reservation, tribal land
claims, state and federal legislation affecting the tribes and/or reservation,
state and federal trusteeship of the tribes, religion--including the work of
the early missionaries and establishment of the Indian Presbyterian Church,
folklore, education on the reservation and in off-reservation schools, alcohol
and health problems of the tribes, housing, tribal politics, military service
of tribal members, oil and gas revenue, increasing the self-sufficiency of the
tribes, and current issues facing other Indian tribes.
2.47 cubic
ft.
English.
Restrictions on Access
None.
Restrictions on Use
Under the Copyright Law of 1996 as amended in 1998, unpublished
manuscripts are protected at a minimum through December 31, 2002 or 70 years
after the author's death. Researchers are responsible for complying with the
Copyright Law.
The Texas State Archives does not have playback equipment for the
reel-to-reel tapes.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), James Ludwell Davis Sylestine Papers. Archives
and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission.
Biographical Sketch
James Ludwell Davis Sylestine was born on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian
Reservation, near Livingston, Texas. He was a full-blooded Alabama Indian, the
son of former Chief Bronson Cooper Sylestine and Mossane Sylestine. He entered
the military in 1943, served 31 months and fought in several Pacific
engagements, including the battle for Luzon. After the war he attended college
(Austin College in Sherman and the University of Texas at Austin) then entered
the Austin Presbyterian Seminary. He withdrew from the seminary after several
years and re-entered the military, where he spent more than 20 years before
retiring. He died on January 29, 1990, at the age of 65 and was buried at Fort
Sam Houston in San Antonio.
Because James married a non-Indian (Mildred), he was not able to live
on the reservation after his retirement (bylaws of the tribe state that if
marrying a non-Indian you could not live on the reservation but were maintained
on the off-reservation rolls). He maintained close contact with the tribes,
serving as the secretary or chairman at some council meetings. He was also very
active with the Indian Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder of the church.
He periodically wrote articles concerning the tribes or reservation which were
published in local newspapers, and he frequently wrote Congressmen or pertinent
officials concerning legislation which would affect the tribes. He was a
life-long student of the history of his people and spent a number of years
compiling information to write a history on the Alabama-Coushatta, but he did
not complete it before his death.
Scope and Contents of the Records
These records are the research files and writings of James Sylestine.
They reflect historical and contemporary topics concerning the
Alabama-Coushatta tribes and the reservation, including early interaction with
white men, establishment of the reservation, tribal land claims, state and
federal legislation affecting the tribes and/or reservation, state and federal
trusteeship of the tribes, religion-including the work of early missionaries
and establishment of the Indian Presbyterian Church, folklore, education on the
reservation and in off-reservation schools, alcohol and health problems of the
tribes, housing, tribal politics, military service of tribal members, oil and
gas revenue, increasing the self-sufficiency of the tribes, and current issues
facing other Indian tribes.
These records consist of published and unpublished reports (some
written by Sylestine, others by various authors), theses; correspondence,
primarily between Sylestine and various state and federal officials and
agencies; bylaws and charter of the Alabama-Coushatta tribes; minutes of
Council meetings; articles, clippings, brochures and other printed materials;
transcripts of historical documents; biographical sketches of several
individuals (most are non-Indian and are connected to the Indian Presbyterian
Church) maps and sketches of the reservation; transcripts of deeds; Attorney
General opinions; church records; census rolls; copies of legislation; and
reel-to-reel tapes of songs recorded in 1932 and stories told in 1962 by tribal
members.
The last item in the collection is a compiled volume of documents and
reports, containing transcripts of letters concerning the Alabama and/or
Coushatta Indians; transcripts of early incidents on the reservation;
reminiscences of tribal members; excerpts of the histories and lives of the
Indians by Sylestine and others--including the condition and needs of the
reservation, progress made, the 1936 elections, etc.; and minutes of the tribal
and general council meetings.
Throughout his files he refers to the tribes by both the current
tribal names -- Alabama and Coushatta Indians -- and by the more historic or
Indian names -- Albamo and Kossati Indians. These
records date from the 1700s to 1989. Most files concern the period from 1900 to
the mid 1980s.
To prepare this preliminary inventory, the described materials were
cursorily reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents
lists, to provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record
types.
Arrangement of the Records
The files are arranged alphabetically by title.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog the
records. The terms can be used to find similar or related records.
Subjects:
Alabama Indians.
Koasati Indians.
Alabama Indians--Legal
status, laws, etc.
Alabama
Indians--History.
Alabama
Indians--Religion.
Alabama Indians--Government
relations.
Koasati Indians--Legal
status, laws, etc.
Koasati
Indians--History.
Koasati
Indians--Religion.
Koasati Indians--Government
relations.
Places:
Alabama-Coushatta Indian
Reservation.
Document Types:
Correspondence--Texas--Alabama and Koasati
Indians--1800s-1989.
Reports--Texas--Alabama
and Koasati Indians--1800s-1989.
Minutes--Texas--Alabama
and Koasati Indians--1800s-1989.
Clippings--Texas--Alabama
and Koasati Indians--1800s-1989.
Transcripts--Texas--Alabama and Koasati
Indians--1800s-1989.
Maps--Texas--Alabama and
Coushatta Indian Reservation--c. 1900-1989.
Audio
tapes--Texas--Alabama and Koasati Indians--c. 1932-1962.
Related Material
The following materials are offered as
possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by
the records. The listing is not exhaustive.
Texas State
Archives
Texas Indian Commission, Records, 1957-1989, 49 cubic
ft.
Records relating to Indian affairs, Alabama-Coushatta
Indians, 1839-1880, 1918-1934, 1957, 0.1 cubic ft.
Processing Information
Laura K. Saegert, October 1990
Accession Information
Accession number: 1990/106
These papers were bequeathed to the Texas State Archives by James
L.D. Sylestine and donated following his death by Max W. Schlotter, on March 8,
1990.
Detailed Description of the Records
Papers,
[17--]-1989
(bulk 1900-1980s),
2.47 cubic ft.
1990/106-1
1.
263 Acre Dispute
1990/106-1
2.
Alabama Indians, letter of William S. Wyman
1990/106-1
3.
Alabama Indians of Texas,
by William Looker
1990/106-1
4.
The Alabama Indians of
Texas, by Harriet Smither
1990/106-1
5.
The Alabama Indians and Their
Music, by Frances Densmore
1990/106-1
6.
The Alabama-Coushattas, by
Dorman Winfrey
1990/106-1
7.
The Alabama and Coushatta in the
Confederacy
1990/106-1
8-9.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians
1990/106-1
10.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, a report by Roy
Nash
1990/106-1
11.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, articles
[contemporary]
1990/106-1
12.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, agent's letter to
[contemporary]
1990/106-1
13.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, drafts of Sylestine's
papers
1990/106-1
14.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, history and present way of
life
1990/106-1
15.
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, materials from Reverend and
Mrs. C.W. Chambers scrapbook
(on file at Sam Houston State
University)
1990/106-1
16.
The Alabama-Coushatti Indians of
Polk County, by James Sylestine
1990/106-1
17.
Alabama-Coushatta tribes suing the United States
government
1990/106-1
18.
Alabama-Kossati tribes, members killed in World War
II
1990/106-1
19.
The Albamos and the Runaway Scrape, and
Death of Chief Sunkee, both by James
Sylestine
1990/106-1
20.
Albamo Indians, articles [contemporary]
1990/106-1
21.
Albamo Indians, remnants of tribe, U.S. House,
Resolution 4453
1990/106-1
22.
Alcohol. Patterns of Alcohol Use
on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, by Janet E. Maier,
[thesis]
1990/106-1
23.
Alcohol, request for legalizing sale of on
reservation
1990/106-1
24-26.
American Indians [contemporary]
1990/106-1
27.
Archaeological Research Lab Report, Coushatta
Tribe
1990/106-1
28.
Biennial Report of State Board of Control
[historic]
1990/106-1
29.
Big Thicket Indians Know Secret
of Corn, by Joseph M. Dawson
1990/106-1
30.
The Bright Path Ahead, by
James Sylestine
1990/106-1
31.
Broemer, Walt, superintendent of reservation,
controversy concerning
1990/106-1
32.
Chambers, Caleb Wallace and wife, Emma [biographical
data and sketches]
1990/106-1
33.
Chants [primarily for healing for prevention of
something]
1990/106-1
34.
Charter of Alabama-Coushatta Indians
1990/106-1
35.
Christianity. How Christianity
Came to the Albamo and Kossati Tribe of Indians, by James
Sylestine
1990/106-1
36.
Collateral of reservation
1990/106-1
37.
Comments Concerning the Occupation
of Alcatraz by 115 American Indians, by James Sylestine
1990/106-1
38.
The Community Bell of the Albamo
and Kosatti Indian Village, by James Sylestine
1990/106-1
39.
Community Cemetery on Reservation
1990/106-1
40.
Congress. House bills pertaining to the Alabama Indians
[historic]
1990/106-1
41.
Constitution and Bylaws of the
Alabama-Coushattas
1990/106-1
Correspondence, James Sylestine:
1990/106-1
42-43.
James Sylestine [general files]
1990/106-1
44.
National Archives to James Sylestine
1990/106-1
45-46.
Letters re: Indian Presbyterian Church
1990/106-1
47.
Letter to Senator Morris Udall
1990/106-1
48.
Letters to editors
1990/106-1
49.
Letters to President
1990/106-1
50.
Council meetings, general and tribal,
minutes
1990/106-1
51.
Criminal cases, Kossati (?) Indians
1990/106-1
52.
Criminal records of the Albamo-Kossati
tribe
1990/106-1
53.
Death of Chief Sunkee, by
James Sylestine
1990/106-1
54.
Deeds, Alabama-Coushatta Reservation
[transcripts]
1990/106-1
55.
Democracy in America, by
Alexis de Tocqueville
1990/106-1
56.
Diet, Health, and Culture of Older
Alabama-Coushatta Indians, by Joy Gianolio [thesis]
1990/106-1
57.
Donley, Linda, research on Alabama-Coushatta
tribes
1990/106-2
1.
Eastern Texas Presbytery, minutes
[historical]
1990/106-2
2.
Education of Alabama-Coushatta Indians
1990/106-2
3.
Election of 1936 [of Chief Cooper
Sylestine]
1990/106-2
Federal trusteeship:
1990/106-2
4.
[bingo concerns]
1990/106-2
5.
Clippings
1990/106-2
6.
U.S. House, Resolution 1344
1990/106-2
7.
[Garlic clippings]
1990/106-2
8.
Gas and oil on the Alabama-Coushatta
Reservation
1990/106-2
9.
Gibson, Tom [story concerning]
1990/106-2
10.
Government Paternalism, by
James Sylestine [papers, clippings, memos]
1990/106-2
11.
Grievances [handled by James Sylestine]
1990/106-2
12.
Hazardous waste incinerator
1990/106-2
Houston, Sam:
1990/106-2
13.
letter to Joseph L. Ellis
1990/106-2
14.
letter to Texas Indians
1990/106-2
15.
Hunter, Kermit, letter from
1990/106-2
Indian Presbyterian Church:
1990/106-2
16.
[primarily contemporary materials]
1990/106-2
17.
The Centennial Year of the Indian Presbyterian
Church
1990/106-2
18.
[program for centennial celebration]
1990/106-2
19.
Family Church Record
1990/106-2
20.
Field notes for church membership
1990/106-2
21.
Writings of missionaries and pastors
1990/106-2
22.
Indian Voices, comments on
the Formation and Declaration of Indian Purpose,
1963
1990/106-2
23.
The Indians of Texas: An Annotated
Research Bibliography, by Michael L. Tate
1990/106-2
24.
Inter-marriage list
1990/106-2
25.
Kossati tribe
1990/106-2
26.
Landry, Oscar Fitzallen [biographical data and
letters]
1990/106-2
27.
A Legacy in Pieces, Texas
Historical Commission, Office of the State Archaeologist
1990/106-2
28.
The Legend of the Rabbit [various tales, by James
Sylestine]
1990/106-2
29.
Map. Alabama-Coushatta Reservation [shows residences
and buildings]
1990/106-2
30.
Maps. [Ball Field, Property Intruding on A/C
Reservation, First Family Settlements, Creeks and Streams, Cemeteries, Types of
Soil, [historical migration of tribes], [routes of DeSoto and Moscoso], Homes
and Buildings on A/C Reservation]
1990/106-2
31.
Marks and brands, Polk County
1990/106-2
32.
The Mission Era: The End of the
Spanish Regime, 1780-1810, vol. V, Carlos Castenada
1990/106-2
33.
Missionaries to Alabama-Coushatta Indians
[historical]
1990/106-2
34.
Mutual Help Homeownership Program
1990/106-2
35.
Native American Right Fund
1990/106-2
36.
Oklahoma Albamos
1990/106-2
37.
Opinions of the Attorney General [primarily
JM-17]
1990/106-2
38.
Opinion of the Attorney General, letters concerning,
through Indian Presbyterian Church
1990/106-2
39.
Publications
1990/106-2
40.
Presbyterian concerns for the Indians
1990/106-2
41.
Presidential policies on American Indians
[contemporary]
1990/106-2
42.
Price, Reverend Byron, contract with
1990/106-2
43.
Rendezvous In The West
Baffled, incomplete
1990/106-2
44.
Research articles, historical
1990/106-2
45.
Returning the Albamos and the Kossatis back to
Indianess
1990/106-2
46.
Rowe, R.J., letter to Governor E.J. Davis
1990/106-2
47.
Sam Houston Memorial Museum [promotional
materials]
1990/106-2
48.
Scrapbook
1990/106-2
49.
Sex Life of the Albamo and Kossati
Indians, by James Sylestine
1990/106-2
50.
Smith, William Albert [letter by former pastor of the
Indian Presbyterian Church]
1990/106-2
51.
The Suggested Program II,
by James Sylestine
1990/106-2
52.
Swallow tale
1990/106-2
53.
Sylestine, Chief Bronson Cooper [biographical
notes]
1990/106-2
54.
Sylestine, Clenson [election to tribal
council]
1990/106-3
1.
Tales of the Albamo tribe
1990/106-3
2.
Tales but not Tales of the Albamo
1990/106-3
3.
Tapes - songs sung by Chief Charles Martin
Thompson
1990/106-3
4.
Tapes - stories by various individuals
1990/106-3
5.
Tax exemption for the tribe
1990/106-3
6.
Ten Boom, Corrie [biographical article]
1990/106-3
7.
Tenney, Samuel Fisher [biographical data and
sketches]
1990/106-3
8.
Tenney, Samuel Fisher, negative
1990/106-3
9.
Termination of Federal Supervision
Over Certain Tribes of Indians, [Congress. Joint Hearings, S. 2744, H.R.
6282, H.R. 6547, contemporary]
1990/106-3
10.
The Texas Indian Commission and
American Indians in Texas, Texas Indian Commission
1990/106-3
11.
Texas Indians, by Bennett [articles from Houston
Post]
1990/106-3
12.
Trail of Tears
1990/106-3
13.
Tribal land claim
1990/106-3
14.
Compiled history volume