Yellowstone Kelly--Original Photograph Of Luther Sage "Yellowstone" Kelly

S. J. MORROW-PHOTOGRAPHER

Publication: S J Morrow, Circa 1870's, Yankton, Dakota Territory

Stereoview Photograph. Each Image 3" x 3". Mount 3.375" x 7". Original stereoview photograph of this famous hunter, trapper, and scout. Printing on left end of card: "Photographed And Published By S. J. Morrow, Yankton, Dakota." Printing on right end of card : "Photographic Gems From The Great North-West." Luther Sage Kelly was born in 1849 in Geneva, New York. He enlisted in the army in March, 1865 in the !0th Infantry at Rochester, New York. Though he joined the Volunteers, he was retained after the Civil War and ordered west to Fort Wadsworth where he worked out his enlistment. Thereafter, Kelly traveled the Yellowstone country as a hunter and trapper. For a time he was a dispatch bearer, making monthly round trips between Fort Union and Devil's Lake. In 1873 Kelly served as guide and scout for Major George A. Forsyth on a reconnaissance up the Yellowstone River, and was discharged upon their return to Fort Buford. Kelly was Chief Scout for General Miles from 1876-1878, serving on numerous campaigns: one against Sitting Bull, another versus Sioux and Cheyenne Indians on Tongue River, at Cow Island versus the Nez Peace in 1877, and he claimed to have first located Chief Joseph in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana, where Chief Joseph and many of his people surrendered to Miles. Kelly was also in Colorado in 1880 during the conflict with the White River Utes. A great image, Yellowstone Kelly is seated and shown from the waist up, dressed in a button-front shirt with a collar and a heavy coat. A twisted kerchief is tied loosely below the collar, and the ornate strap of a bandolier bag is suspended from his shoulder and across his chest. A clean, clear image of Yellowstone Kelly in the prime of life!

Inventory Number: 52874