Photo exhibit for new book ‘Last Rides’ at Pinedale Library during May
Reception for author Paul Jensen at Pinedale Library May 25th
by Media release by Paul Jensen
April 27, 2017
Last Rides by Paul Jensen tells the stories of the dissolution of the once proud and free Plains Indians, the life and death of George Armstrong Custer (a transitional figure from the Civil War to the Indian Wars), the emergence of the cowboy as the new American hero, the end of the frontier, and the beginning of the New West. The stories are told by three 19th century photographers who used their lives and photographs to illustrate the pivotal events of that era and set the stage for the 20th century.
The book, Last Rides, will be published in the next few months includes 66 photographs.
The photo exhibit, which features the work of three 19th century western photographers, will have its debut on Monday, May1, 2017 and run through May 31. The photos (29 representative ones) will hang on the gallery wall in the Pinedale Library’s new addition. A reception and discussion will be held on May 25, 2017 in the Library’s Lovatt Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The first photographer is David Francis Barry, who was based in Dakota Territory and had his main studio in Bismarck. His specialty was rare photos of Native America leaders such as Sitting Bull and the Calvary, particularly the 7th Calvary. The second is John C.H. Graybill, who was based in Sturgis and Deadwood in Dakota Territory. However, he took photos in Wyoming and Colorado. Graybill was an eclectic photographer who took photos (among others) of hot springs, Devils Tower, and railroads. However, he became defined by such photos as the Cheyenne Deadwood Stage, gold mines, a few iconic shots of cowboys, and ranch life in the 19th century. The final photographer is L.A. Huffman, who built his career in eastern Montana, and his studio was in Miles City. His photos of Indians, the buffalo hunters, Yellowstone National Park were eye-catching, but his most important photos of working cowboys give us a rare portrait of life in the Old West.
After May 31, the exhibit will move briefly to Rendezvous Pointe, then special presentation will be given at BOCES (possibly at the Library), and finally, it may travel to the Big Piney Library.
Paul Jensen is the author of three other books – Hard and Noble Lives, The State of Equality in the Equality State, and All in a Day’s Ride. All were published by Pronghorn Press.
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