A notable warrior and leader, Washakie brought many of the Eastern Shoshone together to resist the imposition of other tribes. Enemies of the Eastern Shoshone included the Blackfeet, Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and for the most part Crow. Washakie was well known as an ally to the white man and became a significant diplomat for the Eastern Shoshone people in dealings with the United States government and military. During the frontier unrest of the 1850s-1890s, Washakie committed many of his warriors to service with the Federal government as scouts and soldiers. Washakie himself served as scout and advisor to many non-Indian operations against other tribes. He also assisted white trappers, miners, and entrepreneurs. He worked for the Hudson's Bay and American Fur companies. By the Ft. Bridger Treaty of 1863, Washakie settled most of the Eastern Shoshone population on the Shoshone Indian Reservation (later the Wind River Reservation). Washakie died in 1900.
Benjamin Sheldon worked as an attorney in Lander, Wyoming, in the late 1800s. Benjamin's eldest daughter, Alice Sheldon worked as his secretary. From 1890 through 1900, Chief Washakie often secured Sheldon's legal council and always showed his appreciation by giving Alice Sheldon a present. Over the ten-year period, Alice Sheldon's collection of gifts became quite substantial.
From the description of Alice Sheldon's Washakie artifacts collection, 1890-1900. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 62387661
