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THBVigilantes Of Virginia City Photo Negatives (36)
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About Auction
LiveJan 18, 2025
Join us for our Photography of the West: D.F. Barry, Huffman & Antique Beadwork—January 18th, 2025 Auction here in Bozeman, Montana. Including 100's of images from the ex-C.M. Russell Museum collection of D.F. Barry Photographs as well as a large Western Antique and Beadwork collection. North American Auction Company tucker@naabid.com
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- Lot Description
For your consideration are thirty-six photo negatives showing a reenactment of sorts put on by members of the Vigilantes of Virginia City and the first mayor of Virginia City, Paris Pfouts circa 1900-1910s. These photos come from the C. Owen Smithers photo collection, a renowned photographer in Butte, Montana. C. Owen Smithers was born in 1893. He grew up in Kalispell, where he learned the skill of photography and the usage of a darkroom while working in his father's drugstore. He enrolled in the University of Montana's new School of Journalism in 1914, becoming one of the first press photographer students. During World War I, he served as a mess sergeant in France under General Pershing. During World War II, he returned to active duty as the Army Signal Corps Photography Chief, stationed in New York City, where he oversaw all Army Photography Sections in New York, New Jersey and Delaware. Smithers arrived in Butte in 1921, after serving in World War I. From 1921 to 1923, he was the Chief Photographer for the Anaconda Standard, where he captured the ever-changing panorama of Butte, Montana, on the streets and in the mining yards. Smithers collaborated with Frank Ward and Tom Manning between 1923 and 1924, before establishing his own photography studio in 1926. From the 1930s until his retirement in 1972, Smithers photographed every President of the United States, from Herbert Hoover to Richard Nixon. He passed away in 1973, just a year after retiring. The Vigilantes of Virginia City were a group of citizens who formed a secret committee in 1863 to bring order to the gold fields of Montana. The Vigilantes' actions included hanging road agents, leaving signs for suspected gang members and keeping a sort of law in the area. By 1867, the Vigilantes had become unpopular and were forced to disband after townspeople accused them of funneling information to the road agent gang. The photo negatives show various members dressed up as Western Pioneers and Native Americans as they do a mock battle and hanging. Groups of people pose for photos and are photographed as they dance, drink and converse with each other. Photos of Paris Pfouts are present as well as he stands with his Secretary and two other men. Also included in the photos is a photo of a stone cabin owned by J.A. Slade. J.A. Slade was the Division Superintendent for the Overland Stage and Mail Company before he was captured and hung by Paris Pfouts and the Vigilantes of Virginia City in 1864 for killing one of his subordinates, Andrew Ferrin, in 1859. The photo negatives show fair to good condition with wear present from their age and use over the years. Fading, scratches and creases are present. The photo negatives measure from 3 5/8" L x 6 1/8" W to 4" L x 5 1/4" W. They have a collective weight of under 6 ounces.
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