. . . But while I stood and wondered what he spoke, There came a meaning like a spirit flame; And then I saw the man was not the same. He burned until his body was all light; And if he were a brown man or a white, I did not think at all. I only knew How all that we had heard was coming true; But all I knew no tongue can ever say. "The Song of the Messiah"

The Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia is home to the papers of the poet of the American West and of the Native American, John G. Neihardt. Highlighted here are selected letters, manuscripts, research materials, photographs, drawings, and other documents from the Neihardt papers. The papers are open to the public and available for research.
Any transmission or reproduction of these images beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia and the copyright owners.