The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-28
War on Kodak Eiends.

Last Sunday two of the Eagles repor-
torial force went 70 Bliss, o. T., to wit
ness the annual sun Dance of the Ponca
Indians. One had a camera and this lit
tie black box caused the two to lead
most strenuous life the entire day. The
camera flend accidentally had learned
that if the time catch was moved but
half way. the shutter would catch and
thus leave the lens open. This knowl-
ledge stood him in good stead several
times during the trip.
on the train and before they reached
the camp grounds several people told
them that cameras were tabooed by the
Indians and there would be a Carrie Ma
ton bout before the day ended. Sure
enough before they entered the gate
greasy, lazy Indian policeman walked up
and wanted toiexamine the camera. He
told the reporters that there was nothing
doing in the kodak line that day. The
camera fends had decided on plan of
action, however. He set the time catch
half way, opened the shutter and then
explained that something was the matter
with the mechanism Of the machine; that
Il would not close and, OF course, that
would spoil picture. The Indian was
apparently satisfied when he tried TO press
the button and the shutter would not
close. The reporter stuck the camera
under his arm and walked away with a
disappointed look He went through the
same rig-a-ma-role with half a dozen
more Indians and then fixed the shutter
TO close at the proper time and put the
films in.
Ee took a dozen pictures during the
day. but every time the shutter snapped
The cold chiIls chased themselves up and
down his spinal column for fear some
Indian had heard the snap and was max
ing tracks for him. There was no stop
ping to focus The camera was carried
under the arm, the reporter got the range
throung the finder and let her go lie
walked along as if nothing had happened
When the dozen were exposed and safe
on the inside pocket of the amateur.
sense Of relief passed over him and the
two could have turned dozen somer-
saults for JOY.
Several cameras were confscated and
the plates broken or spoiled. one young
fellow walked in front of crowd ana
began focusing his machine when
scuaw slipped up behind him and put her
arms about him in a loving embrace.
The scare was so bad that the young
man pulled the trigger Then he began
figuring how 10 get out of the old gal
clutches. for he found that she was not
after him particularly. but wanted his
little black box, maybe for needle tray
or spool box. He wrigslcd and squirmed
and twisted and turned and finally slip
ned away and cut for free lapd and tail
timber. He made the grass sing with his
running and the Indian was right after
him. The young man was the swifter and
got away. running down the railroad
track and the balance of the afternoon
he perched on a tie. not daring TO SO
back.
4 girl who had a camera. got out IN
front Of the crowd of Indians and was
ready to take a picture when big In
dian policeman with a heavy cane IN has
hand. hit the camera a terrible whack'
knocking il out of the young woman
hand and partially crushing the box
The finder was cracked and some of the
mates were broken in it. The Indian
never smiled. but turned on his heel and
walked away. The girl. when she picked
m her camera and examined IT, tried
hard 70 keep the tears from showing
hut could not. and after getting away
from the crowd. cried as If her heart
would break.