.
By Carol Berthold
Collection Overview
Title: Robert and John Bitzer Chief Illiniwek Papers and Artifacts, 1938-2007
ID: 26/20/258
Primary Creator: Bitzer, Robert (1923-1996)
Other Creators: Bitzer, John (1952-2023)
Extent: 6.0 cubic feet
Arrangement: The materials are organized in two series: Series 1) Personal Papers and Series 2) Chief Illiniwek Artifacts and Headdress Box. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by subject. Series 2 is unarranged.
Date Acquired: 04/05/2024
Subjects: Alumni, Beta Theta Pi, Boy Scouts, Chief Illiniwek, Marching bands, Marching Illini, Music -- Illinois, Native American, University of Illinois
Formats/Genres: Clothing and Textiles, Papers
Languages: English
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Consists of correspondence, publication news clippings, yearbooks, and photographs collected by and artifacts designed and worn by Robert and John Bitzer, documenting their role as Chief Illiniwek at the University of Illinois. Of note are the hand-made moccasins, pants, coat, and headdresses, created by Robert Bitzer.
Biographical Note
Robert L. Bitzer was born on March 30, 1923 in East St. Louis, IL and passed away on July 18, 1996 in Shelbyville, IL. As a child, Bitzer became interested in Native American lore and crafts through his time as a boy scout. In the late 1930s, Bitzer became an Eagle Scout, earning a silver palm in the organization. Bitzer attended the First Annual Boy Scout National Jamboree in 1937, where he and Indian lore specialist Carl Hubbard danced together in Native American regalia for the national assembly of scouts at the Commanche Trail Council Indian Camp. In 1938, he joined the Piasa Society of St. Louis, Mo., a group that was interested in Native American dancing traditions. Following this, Bitzer served as Chief Kahok, the mascot of Collinsville High School in Collinsville, IL from 1938 to 1941. After graduating, Bitzer was accepted at the University of Illinois, where he majored in business administration. He was, at the time, selected to serve as first alternate to Glen Holthaus for the role of Chief Illiniwek. After a year of studies, Bitzer was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a B-24 and B-29 pilot during World War II. At the end of the war, he returned to his studies at the University of Illinois. Bitzer became a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and in his first year back on campus earned the role of Chief Illiniwek. He would hold the position from 1945 to 1947, leading the Illini in their win over UCLA at the Rosebowl in 1947.
Following his time at the University of Illinois, Bitzer worked as the president of Bitzer-Tagart Motor Co., an auto dealership in Shelbyville and Sullivan, IL, for over forty years. He also served as a real estate and insurance broker in Central Illinois until he passed in 1996.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Access Restrictions:
The artifacts may not be not be displayed for public exhibitions but may be used for scholarly research. Please contact the Director of the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music for further information.
Acquisition Source:
Maryann Bitzer
Acquisition Method:
Gift.
Related Materials:
For more on Chief Illiniwek see: Richard Brooks Papers and Chief Illiniwek Triptych Panel Mural (26/20/204), University Bands Collections (12/9/93), Lester Leutwiler Chief Illiniwek Headdresses, Costume, and Accessories (26/20/262).
Related Publications:
Documentary Film In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports, https://www.kanopy.com/en/illinois/watch/video/157323/11034937.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010],
[
Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Artifacts and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970],
[All]
- Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010
- Consists of publications, notes, news clipping, articles. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order. Of particular note are Robert Bitzer's photographs and yearbooks from Collinsville High School.
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Book - The Removal of the Cherokee Nation, ed. Louis Filler & Allen Guttmann, 1962
- Folder 2: Chief Illiniwek: History, undated
- Publications, texts, drafts of statements
- Folder 3: Chief Illiniwek: A Tribute to an Illinois Tradition; News Gazette, 2007
- Publication with text and photographs.
- Folder 4: Correspondence about Chief Illiniwek, 1970-1991
- Folder 5: Donald Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, undated
- Folder 6: Handwritten Notes about Chief Illiniwek, ca. 1970s
- Folder 7: John Bitzer - English II Journal, 1967-1968
- Also contains comments from teacher.
- Folder 8: John Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, ca. 1970s
- Folder 9: Note Cards about Chief Illiniwek, undated
- Folder 10: Newspaper Articles about Chief Illiniwek, 1970s-2007
- Folder 11: Newspaper Article about Collinsville High School Kahok Indian, 1971
- Folder 12: Periodical Articles about Chief Illiniwek, 1970s-2007
- Folder 13: Printed Materials about Chief Illiniwek, undated
- Folder 14: Publications- Boy Scouts "Indian Lore," Merit Badge Series, 1942, 1959
- Folder 15: Publications - Native American History, undated
- Folder 16: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Freshman Year, 1938
- Folder 17: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Sophomore Year, 1939
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Junior Year, 1940
- Folder 2: Robert Bitzer - High School Year Book, Senior Year, 1941
- Folder 3: Robert Bitzer - Newspaper Articles about, 1948-1980s
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Photographs - Family & Chief Illiniwek, undated
- Folder 2: Bitzer Family Photo Album, 1968-1970s
- Folder 3: Newspaper Article about Native American History, 1995
- Folder 4: LIFE Magazine, "Our Indian Heritage", July 2, 1971
- Folder 5: Newspaper Articles about End of Chief Illiniwek Mascot, Feb. - Mar., 2007
- Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Artifacts and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970
- Consists of hand-made leather, bead, and metal crafts, a pipe, hand-painted headdress box, and spare materials used for the repair of the artifacts. The artifacts and objects in this series are unarranged.
- Box 4
- Item 1: Jacket, undated
- Accession No.:2024.2620258.001
- Item 2: Pants, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.002
- Item 3: Gloves, undated
- Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.003a; 2024.2620258.003b
- Item 4: Moccasins, undated
- Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.004a; 2024.2620258.004b
- Item 5: Moccasins, undated
- Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.005a; 2024.2620258.005b
- Item 6: Moccasins, undated
- Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.006a; 2024.2620258.006b
- Item 7: Moccasins, undated
- Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.007a; 2024.2620258.007b
- Item 8: Belt, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.010
- Item 9: Straps, undated
- Accession Nos.: 2024.2620258.013a; 2024.2620258.013b; 2024.2620258.013c; 2024.2620258.013d; 2024.2620258.013e
- Item 10: Headdress, undated
- Accession No. 2024.2620258.022
- Item 11: Rabbit Pelts, undated
- Accession No. 2024.2620258.023
- Item 12: Spare Feathers, undated
- Accession No. 2024.2620258.024
- Item 13: Tandy Leather Company - Indian Lore Imitation Eagle Feathers Right, ca. 1950
- Accession No. 2024.2620258.025
- Item 14: Tandy Leather Company - Indian Lore Fluffy Plumes, ca. 1950
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.026
- Box 5
- Item 1: Chest Plate, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.008
- Item 2: Pipe, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.021
- Box 6
- Item 1: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.014
- Item 2: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.015
- Item 3: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.016
- Item 4: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.017
- Item 5: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.018
- Item 6: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.019
- Item 7: Bells, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.020
- Item 8: Belt, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.009
- Box 7: Headdress Box, n.d.
- Accession no. 2024.2620258.012.
- Item 1: Headdress, undated
- Accession No.: 2024.2620258.011
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Personal Papers, 1920-2010],
[
Series 2: Chief Illiniwek Artifacts and Headdress Box, ca. 1950-1970],
[All]
Holdings 
Submit request (Aeon)
Email us about these papers
Print this information