The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-06-09
NUMBER l9.
PICTURES OF PRIMITIVE LIFE

Recently we were given an oppor-
tunity to inspect work of art that is
worthy Of more than passing mention.
1t was an album of beautiful hand
colored photographs, entitled INA
i've Americans from, the Land of the
Dacotahs," the handiwork of Mrs.
Julia (. Tuell OF this place. Mrs.
Tuel is real artist, and as she has
lived among the Indians of Dakota
and Montana for the past twenty
years, she has been able to gather to-
gether a collection OF photographs
that are really artistic and many of
them are valuable, because of the fact
that the subjects have passed from
this life, OF the custom practiced has
been prohibited by edict Of the ma
tional government. For instance, the
sun dance, as practiced by the Indians
OF this section was prohibited by the
government several years ago, but
Mrs, Tuell was fortunate enough to
get fine collection of sun dance pic
lures while in Montana several years
ago. Then there are number of fa-
nous chiefs of whom she has excellent
photographs, who have since passed
on to the Happy Hunting Ground.
Mrs. Tuell is not only an artist with
her camera and tint brush but she is
also an expert penman, and in pre-
pairing the album which we had the
privilege of inspecting, each picture
is given a name or title, done in
beautiful hand lettering, and there are
several pages of hand lettering quot
ing the sayings of some famous chief
to his people. The book we inspected
contained some fifty full-page pic.
lures, and many Of the most beauti-
ful scenes are from Nellette county.
For instance, there is moonlight
scene. taken near Wood that certainly
is an admirable piece of work, as is
"On The Trail" and "The Indian
Round-Up." The pictures being act
ual photographs aud beautifully
tinted in their natural colors makes
such work invaluable az keepsake.
To add to the value Of such book
the author accompanies type-writ-
ten history and description Of each
picture. Mrs. Tuell has one Of the
largest collections Of Indian pictures
to be found in the country and is con-
tihually adding to her collection. She
recently was given commission to
furnish the illustrations for a series
Of three articles written on Indian life
by c. H. Blakely of White River,
that are appearing in the Dakota
Farmer, and she also has calls for her
work to illustrate other writings by
other authors in magazines Of national
circulation. This art work of hers is
rather side issue with her, but few
people see her work but what there
swells within them desire to possess
some of her pictures Of the life OF
Oul UlOot udIlNC AACA PAS-
lures may be found in some of the
most aristocratic homes of the east,
in the homes Of ex-governors and
other public officials. There is little
doubt that Mrs. Tuell could with the
proper sort Of publicity, in
few years, build up business right
here in Wood that would be one of
the leading industries of the town.
You do not have to go to the effete
east or to highbrow college town
to find real talent, you can find it
even ont here on the prairies of the
Dakotas. This is not an advertise
ment, but merely recognition that
we believ is due the artist, and we are
proud to number among the citi-
zens of this little village people OF
such talent and artistic tastes.