The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
HIS EARLY EXPERIENCES
1t Was Not Always Easy to Secure Pic
lures OF the Savages, but They Like
It Better Now-The Standards
Indian Page

Indian Is DIS leHdclOuS OIL lie DIS his
white brother. The early experiences
of the amateurs of Missoula in at
tempting to secure the likenesses of the
reservation people We're not encourag-
ing. 1t almost invariably occurred that
the Indian, just at the moment the
camera was ready. would cover his
head with his blanket and no amount
of persuasion would induce him to dis
close his face. In those days the surest
way of getting rid of a crowd of In
d1anS, whose presence around store
was a nuisance, was to pick up a small
box and go through the motions of
taking their pictures. They would scat
ter at once.
But there is no longer existent
among the Indians this suprestitious
dread of submitting to the photograph
er. On the contrary, the aborigines are
getting so that they enjoy the process
and, if they are assured that they will
receive a copy of the photograph, they
will pose all day if it is desired. The
camera no longer repels them-it at
tracts. They have learned that the art
Of photography is harmless and they
are glad of the opportunity to secure
| l1keneSSes of themselves at the slight
| cost of a pose. They now enjoy seeing
| themselves in print and if a photo
| graper possesses their confidence, they
will do almost anything for him.
! One of the most successful photo
| graphers of Indians in the country is
DR.. c. w. Lombard of Missoula. The
| doctor was among the first to enter
the interesting field of Indian photo
| graphy and the results of his work are
| fine specimens of. the art in which he
1 has become master, aside from the
| fact that they possess a deep interest
| from the peculiar traits and character
| istics that they portray. The doctors
| early attempts were chiefly in the ma
| ture of snap shots, taken on the SLY.
| He would find an interesting subject
and get his picture unawares. If the
| result was good. he would show it to
| the Indian, who was almost always
pleased, despite his fear of the camera.
The gift of one of these pictures would
, make that Indian the doctors friend
and willing model so that, in course OF
| time, there was no lack of material for
| fine pictures. Some of the half-tone il
Illustrations in the supplement of this
| issue of the Standard are from DR..
Lombard's pictures and they attest to
the excellence of his work.
Dr. Lombard's Office and residence
are favorite resorts for the Indians who
visit the city The squaws bring their
children, and the children bring their
dolls-all anxious for picture. The
bucks look on indulgently, but all the
same they are just as eager to form a
|
camera as their wives and children.
When some of the doctors models OF
long standing have visitors in town
they Invariably take the guests to DR..
Lombard's office to show them the al
buns of Indian pictures that are to be
seen there The doctor ruefully shows
the tattered stubs that represent what
were full leaves in his albums, the
leaves having been torn out by the In
dams for keepsakes. One Indian APP
propriated an entire album to present
| to a friend
The doctors growing intimacy witt
the Indians has at times caused Mrs
Lombard considerable annoyance. One
Sunday afternoon the doctor had per
suaded family to go over to his house
in order that he might have them II
his orchard for a group picture. The
women refused to pose themselves OF
their children unless they could battle
their faces and brush their hair. The
doctor had gone so far that he did moi
want to give up then, SO he took bucks
and squaws and papooses into the
house. When Mrs. Lombard discovered
them the whole band was in the LON
bard bathroom, using the towels
| brushes and combs with Indifference
But the doctor got the picture, and il
was a good one.
| One of the best Indian pictures thai
DIR. Lombard has taken is the "Vapol
Bath a copy Of which is presented II
the Standard to-day. The Indians re
gard this bath as veritable cureal
and they take the treatment for al
forms of ailments They make dome
shaped form of willow branches, which
/ they cover tightly with blankets o
skins. These structures are Away
built upon the bank of a stream ant
the framework of one of them is
common sight to travellers among thu
Tn
side this covered framework are placed
round stones, heated to a high degree
Then the Indian crawls in beside tn
hot stones and pours water upon them
Dense clouds of steam fill the bati
house and the Indian remains inside a
long as he can breathe. He inhales tn
steam and he is covered with profus'
perspiration. Then he crawls out anc
plunges into the icy waters of thu
nearby stream. This process is re
| peated several times and then the In
dian dries off in the sunlight. DR.
Lombard has caught two bucks. ole
and young, in the midst of this drylnf
process. The bath house is seen iii tnt
background and the Missoula rive
flows beyond. The sinewy forms of thu
Indians are a splendid study and thu
| picture is one of rare merit.
Other pictures of the group i1raasen
different phases of Indian life. The
one WnlCn SHOWS the lnQldn ldlHel
. tending his baby is rather an unusua
: one. 1t is generally the maternal par
ent who cares for the children, but thi!
father does not seem embarrassed ovel
being caught in the role of nursemaid
There is true paternal pride depicted
upon the face of thee other father
! whose picture is taken with rifle ant
son. There may be some doubt as t
whether he feels the greater pride il
the rifle or the boy, but he is unques
tionably proud. The picture of the gil
with the doll baby shows that there i!
not, after all. so much difference il
races. The summer camping picture
depicts a scene that is a common ont
around Missoula. The Indians usual!
leave the reservation valleys for
summer outing and camp along th
river below Missoula or else wander VI
the Bitter Root. The card game seen
shows that civilization has brOugh
something beside religion to the rec