Chief Henry Red Eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chief Henry Red Eagle
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Portrait of Chief Henry Red Eagle
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Henry Perley
1885 |
| Died | November 15, 1972 (aged 86–87) |
Henry Perley (1885 – November 15, 1972) was an Algonquin actor, entertainer, wilderness guide, and author. He was also known by his special name, Chief Henry Red Eagle.
Henry Perley became a licensed guide in Maine when he was just 14 years old, making him the youngest ever. While attending Greenville High School, he earned money by making snowshoes and working in lumber yards. He was the first full-blooded Native American to graduate from Greenville High. He was also the class president and the top student in his class of 1902.
Henry's family came from the Maliseet Reservation in Tobique, New Brunswick, Canada. His parents, Gabriel and Philomen Tomah Perley, were Malecites who moved because there wasn't enough game to hunt in the 1870s. Henry was the oldest of four children. He met his wife, Wanna Eagle, at Coney Island's Dreamland. Wanna was a professional diver and swimmer. She later moved to Greenville, Maine, with Henry. There, she started a special swim camp called Eagle Haven on Sugar Island. This camp helped people who had polio recover. Henry Perley passed away in Greenville, Maine, on November 15, 1972, at the age of 87. He is buried in the Greenville Cemetery.
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Henry Perley's Performance Career
After graduating from high school, Henry Perley worked at a drugstore for several years. In the 1910s, he began traveling around the United States and Great Britain with different shows.
Joining Traveling Shows
Henry Perley first performed with the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Show. He wore traditional tribal clothing for his performances. Later, he joined an Indian troupe and performed in Great Britain in 1911 and 1912. When he returned to the United States, he became part of famous shows. These included Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In these shows, Perley often played roles that were common for Native Americans at the time.
From Stage to Screen
While working with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and Barnum and Bailey's Circus, Henry Perley caught the eye of people from Hollywood. They wanted him for movies to make their films seem more real. He appeared in many silent films alongside famous actors and actresses. Some of these stars included Mary Pickford, the Gish Sisters, Rudolph Valentino, and Richard Dix.
Broadway Plays
Because of his movie appearances, Henry Perley got roles in six different Broadway plays. One of these was Cole Porter's musical comedy See America First in 1916. He also appeared in Lo, The Poor Indian. Before he stopped performing, he was part of a Native American show at the Chicago World's Fair.
Henry Perley's Writing Career
Henry Perley began writing in 1910, using the name "Henry Red Eagle." He wrote short stories for popular magazines. These included Argosy, Top-Notch Stories, and All-Story Weekly.
Returning to Maine
In the 1930s, Perley moved back to the Moosehead Lake Region in Maine. He worked there as a wilderness guide. He also worked seasonally as a counselor at Camp Morgan in Washington, New Hampshire. He became well-known as a great storyteller. He also spoke out about protecting the environment. He retired from the camp in 1966. During this time, he wrote for local publications like In the Maine Woods and the Moosehead Gazette.
Stories of the Northeast
Henry Perley's stories were often about lumbering and the adventures of wilderness guides. He focused on the New England area. He often wrote about the presence of Native Americans in these areas. He wanted to show that they had not disappeared from the northeastern United States.
In 1997, 25 years after Henry Perley passed away, his niece and granddaughter published a book of some of his writings. It was called Aboriginally Yours.
Film Appearances
- Tongues of Flame (1924)
