1848 Original Hand colored lithograph of O-POTH-LE-YO-HO-LO, SPEAKER OF THE COUNCILS, plate 34, from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America (OPOTHLEYOHOLO)
McKenney & Hall, History of the Indian Tribes of North America,
O-POTH-LE-YO-HO-LO, SPEAKER OF THE COUNCILS
Hand-Colored Octavo Lithograph after Charles Bird King, Plate No 34.
Publ. Rice, Rutter & C. 1848-50
Paper size 10 1/4 x 6 5/8" (26.2 x 16.6 cm). Great condition and color.
This original, hand-colored lithograph comes from the octavo edition of McKenney & Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America, published by Rice, Rutter & Co and the plate number of this lithograph is No 34.
An admirer and supporter of the American Indians, Thomas McKenney spent his tenure in office fighting for their cause and preserving their legacy through a gallery of paintings that were commissioned by various artists. Unfortunately, the original paintings burned in a fire, and all that is left to remember these Indians are the lithographs found in History which were modeled off the paintings.
This print is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction, from History of the Indian Tribes of North America. It is authentic. Due to its age, it may have slight imperfections such as foxing so, please, examine the octavo carefully to be satisfied, as photos tell better than words.
Opothleyahola, also spelled Opothle Yohola, Opothleyoholo, Hu-pui-hilth Yahola, Hopoeitheyohola, and Hopere Yahvlv (c. 1778 – March 22, 1863) was a Muscogee Creek Indian chief, noted as a brilliant orator. He was a Speaker of the Upper Creek Council and supported traditional culture. Also called '"Lamochatte"' after the battle of horseshoe bend where he jumped with his horse from an embankment with a 40 foot drop.
Although known as a diplomatic chief, as a Red Stick traditionalist he led Creek forces against the United States government during the Creek Wars. Later he tried to overturn the Treaty of Indian Springs, but was forced to make a new treaty with the federal government in 1832. He was commissioned as a colonel and led forces against remaining Lower Creek and the Seminole in the first two wars of the US against them. Despite his efforts, he and his people were among the Seminole and others forced to remove to Indian Territory in 1836, where they settled in the Unassigned Lands.
Despite this, during the American Civil War, Opothleyahola was among the minority of Creek in Indian Territory who supported the Union. Because of rising conflict within the tribe, he led his followers to Kansas as a refuge, and they had to undergo three battles along the way. This became known as the Trail of Blood on Ice, because the people suffered harsh conditions. Some people were housed at a federal fort, others in refugee camps in Kansas. All suffered from inadequate supplies, disease, and harsh winters. Opothleyahola died during the war at one of the refugee camps in Kansas.