Saturday, March 12, 2016

1923 Native American medicine pouch

A recent discussion about Idaho 'Belles' eventually got around to my grandmother Francis Beardsley Wood Steunenberg and bronc riding rodeo queen Bonnie McCarroll. That got me pulling out a couple family items from the china cabinet as Bonnie was frequently a participant in the Pendleton Round-up in the 1920's. I have a small, what I am calling a Native American medicine bag, purchased by my grandfather Julian Steunenberg for my then five year old mother Brenda at the Round-up in 1923. At the time, Julian, Francis and the kids were living over in Walla Walla, WA. I pretty much had forgotten about this bag as was buried in back of the cabinet and for me out of sight is out of mind. 

I want to more research to perhaps determine tribal origin and also take a closer look at who was in Pendleton for the round-up that year. I am going ahead with posting a photo now and I will be back if I find more information. I hope any of you will feel free to comment or email me if you have any thoughts on the matter.


Bronc riding queen Bonnie McCarroll
My mother, Brenda Steunenberg Richards c 1923-4



  





















My grandfather Julian circa 1905.
My grandmother Frances Beardsley Wood Steunenberg c1904-5























Other Related:

McCarroll Rodeo Photographs

Mary Ellen "Bonnie" Treadwell McCarroll

Pendleton Round-Up