FAMED WASHOE BASKET WEAVER DAT SO LA LEE (LOUISA KEYSER) DIED
Born in 1829 near current-Schurz, Nevada (NV), Dat-So-La-Lee was known initially by her given name, Dabuda. In her earlier years, she washed clothes and cooked for miners and their wives. In 1871, she went to Monitor in Alpine County, California and worked as a servant. Married in 1888 to Charlie Keyser, Dabuda took the name Louisa Keyser. She is best known for her degikup, or “day-gee-coop” baskets. They begin with a small, circular base that extends up and out to a maximum circumference before becoming smaller until the opening at the top is roughly the same at the base. Her crafting came to Abe Cohn’s attention in 1895 when he bought 4 willow-covered bottles she had made. He later became her sponsor, business manager, and press agent. Around 1899, Dabuda, became known as Dat-So-La-Lee and traveled with Cohn to arts and crafts exhibits. In return for free room and board, Cohn received Dat-So-La-Lee’s baskets. Last of the famed Washo basket-weavers, she died in Carson City, NV.
Source: “Dat-So-La-Lee,” Nevada Women's History Project. Retrieved 6/14/2022, DAT-SO-LA-LEE – Nevada Women's History Project Photo: Author unknown, 1900. Public Domain. Source: Nevada National Historical Society (http://museums.nevadaculture.org/new_exhibits/nhs-expeople/eth100.htm)
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