BARRY, David F. (1854-1934), photographer. Two photographs of US Indian Agents, incl. James McLaughlin and R.H. Pratt.

8 3/8 x 6 1/4 in. photograph on 11 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. mount, with Barry's blindstamp on print and mount and manuscript identification in lower margin. A studio portrait of four US Indian agents taken during a meeting at the Rosebud Agency in 1888. Subjects include, from left to right: Major James McLaughlin (Indian Agent for Standing Rock Agency), Reverend William J. Cleveland, Judge John V. Wright of Tennessee, and Captain Richard Henry Pratt, Chairman of the Commission. The Commissioners met at Rosebud Agency in an attempt by the US government to divide the Great Sioux Reservation, with the ultimate goal of procuring more Western land. The government viewed the Sioux as uncooperative when the act was proposed, and subsequently the Sioux refused to sign. However, in 1889, another commission, given the same task, was able to successfully acquire the required signatures of three-fourths of Sioux leaders and obtain the land. (Information obtained from the Denver Public Library website.)

[With:] 5 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. (sight) photograph of Major James McLaughlin posed with photographer, D.F. Barry, matted and housed in 9 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. folio. Mat includes Barry's blindstamp at lower right and is inscribed with the names of the subjects, possibly written in the hand of Barry and McLaughlin.

Together, 2 photographs, both including Indian Agent, Major James McLaughlin, who is best known for ordering the arrest of Sitting Bull on 14 December 1890, which resulted in his death the following morning.

The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

This lot is located in Cincinnati.