"MESCALERO APACHE POLICEMAN WITH BOW AND ARROW CASE – ca. 1880-84. Great cabinet card of a named Mescalero Apache Native American policeman – “Bontelia” (sp.) by noted photographer Ben Wittick. The badge on his hat is the rare nickel-silver Indian Police badge with four-pin back. Although his clothes are decidedly transitional, he has a fine traditional bow and arrows with a decorated case. Reverse of card details Wittick’s views of the Southwest, partnership with businessman Russell, and Albuquerque, N.M. address. Unusual stereoview card mounted albumen photo, measures 4” by 7”. Sgt. Willard M. Burleson Collection. . THE SGT. WILLARD M. BURLESON PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION – 6TH U.S. CAVALRY - FROM FORT UNION, N.M. TO WOUNDED KNEE, S.D. – ca. 1887-1891. This historic archive of 19th century photographs offers a rare glimpse into the frontier life of a late Indian Wars soldier, Sgt. Willard M Burleson, Troop G, 6th Cavalry. There are 36 photographs overall, 22 of which are originally inscribed with Burleson’s signature, rank, and his own historical notes, spanning the Apache campaigns of Arizona and New Mexico, to Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The collection includes a rare un-published image of Fort Union, N.M., a series related to the attempted capture of the “Apache Kid” an ex-scout who became the Southwest’s most wanted renegade, and a series related to the infamous Wounded Knee campaign. These photographs all have an extremely unique historic provenance, besides the series that were dated, identified, and inscribed by Burleson himself over 120 years ago; there are numerous other Southwestern images from the Burleson Estate.Sgt. Burleson was born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1868, and enlisted as a private on May 2, 1886 in 6th Cavalry, Troop G, serving five years. Also enlisting in 1886, General John “Black Jack” Ketchum was serving in 6th Cavalry, Troop L, and participated in the same Apache Campaigns. After his return to Michigan, Burleson attended Medical School and eventually became the owner of the noted Burleson Sanitarium in Grand Rapids, MI., one of the largest sanitariums in the world during that time. In an interesting note, Willard Burleson III, a noted Brigadier-General at the Army’s Mission command Center of Excellence in Leavenworth, Kansas, is directly related to Sgt. Willard M. Burleson."

As seen, some wear as expected for age. Condition listed in description.