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First Blood
- Creator:
- Chas. Shober & Co., Prop's Chicago Lithograph Co.
- Location:
- Illinois, Chicago
- Origin Date:
- 1862-1900
- Materials:
- paper
- Measurements:
- overall: 17 in x 15 1/8 in
- Item ID:
- 71.2009.081.2856
- Holding Institution:
- Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
- Available for Viewing:
- No
- Category:
- Fine Art
Description
This tinted lithograph depicts incidents which occurred on August 18, 1862, in the town of Acton, Meeker County, Minnesota, which was the beginning of the 1862 Indian Massacre in Minnesota. Four scenes are shown depicting the events that engaged the Baker, Webster, and Jones families who were gathered at the Baker home. The scenes are labeled: "No.1, The Approach.";" No.2, Cabin as now Stands.";"No.3, The Massacre.";"No.4, The Trial of Guns." Scene number one is in the top left corner of the image and shows the Indians shaking hands with Mr. Baker while two of the women are standing in the cabin doorway. Scene number two in the upper right corner depicts the cabin as it stood at the time of the printing of the image. Scene number three is the central image which shows the Indians firing on the Bakers, Websters, and Jones families. Scene number four depicts the area where the target was posted when the Indians challenged the Minnesota men to a trial of target shooting which occurred just before the Indians opened fire on the men as they walked toward the cabin. Narrative text printed below the title in the bottom margin explains the images and ends with the statement that nine hundred men, women and children were slaughtered by the Indians in Minnesota. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum