The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-14
Rival Photographers Raise a Pretty
Rumpus Over Small
Job Of Work.
Both Wanted to Take a Picture OF
the Patent Centennial
Delegates.
The Crafty Device OF Ono of Thorn After n
Fair compromise Had Been
Arranged.


cident occurred at the interior department
this afternoon in connection with the pat
ent centennial. The delegates to the CEN
tennial celebration had arranged to have
their pictures taken by photographer
named Brady, and this afternoon they as
sembled on the east portico of the interior
department and prepared to be photo
graphed in group. The artist had arrang-
ed his camera in the street, in front of the
building, and crowd had collected
around him to watch the performance
About this time rival photographer named
Prince arrived with his camera. He plant
ed his instrument near that of Brady and
arranged also to take "a shot, at the dele
gates Brady saw the movement and nat
urally grew indignant at the encroachmsnt
upon his prerogative. He appointed his as
sistant to 90 over and stand in front of
Princes camera in order to obstruct the
view, and the colored man did SO
with great alacrity. Prince demonstrated,
but all to no purpose, and the crowd in tho
street cheered its appreciation of the con-
troversy. Prince then retaliated by direct
ing his attendant to 20 over and stand in
front of Bradys camera. He did SO, and
for a moment it looked as though the
group to be photographed by each artist
would consist of one colored man, life
size.
Meanwhile. the crowd of delegates stand
ing on the steps grew impatient. and then
they grew anxious, and finally very much
embarrassed. Secretary Noble and Com
missioner Mitchell and some other interior
department officials were in the group, and
they, too, grew uneasy and restless at the
delay. The two artists kept up their quar-
rel in the street and the surrounding
crowd, which was evidently anxious to see
fight, interrupted the vituperations with
occasional cheers. Brady said his colored
man should remain in front of Princes
camera a weekif necessary. and Prince de-
clared that his ebony assistant should for
ever obstruct the view which Brady hoped
to get. Finally Secretary Noble detailed a
messenger to go and call the police, and
| in few minutes the patrol wagon came
rolling up.
Then the artists concluded that q COM
promise might be arranged, and at Byady's
suggestion it was agreed that he should
take photograph OF the group, and then
Prince would be permitted to "shoot" the
| delegates. The colored obstructionists
| were Withdrawn and Temporary truce
established. The crowd in tho street
cleared away and b a ly's camera was di-
rected at the expectant group ON the steps.
In an instant the "impression'' had been
taken, and Immediately Brady threw up
his hands and exclaimed to the delegates,
THAT will do" At this sign | they began
to disperse, supposinp, of course. that all
was over. Prince stepped forward to take
his picture, but the delegates were depart
ing, and in the confusion he was unable to
again attract their attention. He grew in
dlgnant at the trick which had been played
upon him, and endeavored to assault
Brady. The police rushed in and the
crowd cheered, and the patrol wagon rolled
away with the artists and their assistants
and their cameras The two photographers
were taken to the station and required to
put up collateral for their appearance to-
morrow. Meanwhile Secretary Noble. his
sub-officials and the visiting delegates, in
great disgust turned away from the har-
rowing scene and resumed the labors of the
patent centennial celebration.