Original Photograph Of Bug-Ah-Na-Geshig, Chippewa Chief And Warrior

JAMES S.-PHOTOGRAPHER DRYSDALE

Other works by JAMES S.-PHOTOGRAPHER DRYSDALE

Publication: Quam And Drysdale Photographers, 1899, Walker, Minnesota

Large original photograph of Bug-ah-na-geshig, famous Chippewa leader in the Battle at Sugar Point, at Leech Lake, Minnesota on October 5, 1898. Image: 6" x 8". Mount: 9" x 11". "Bug", as he was called by many, was arrested in April, 1895 for selling liquor and was taken to Duluth to stand trial, but was released for the witness not appearing, yet was forced to WALK all the way back to Leech Lake. He continued to sell liquor, and in 1898 he was subpoenaed as a witness to a murder, but ignored it, rather than risk having to walk from Duluth to Leech Lake again. In September, 1898, Bug was arrested for failing to appear, but as the Marshal's were leading him away he called to his young men, "Where are all my boys?". He was immediately taken from the officers and rescued by his men. It resulted in 21 Chippewa's being wanted for rescuing Bug. U.S. troops gathered in Walker and on October 5, 1898 crossed Leech Lake by steamboats to Sugar Point, and began to arrest some of the wanted men. The Battle of Sugar Point is the result, in which 6 soldiers were killed, 9 wounded, 1 Indian policemen was killed, and 7 citizens wounded. Bug hid out in the woods, likely assisted by his brother, Red Hair, and was never arrested again. It was the last of the Indian Wars! He eventually returned to occasional visits to Walker, and even appeared in a local parade. The photograph was taken at Red Hair's Sugar Camp on Boy Lake on April 7, 1899 by James S. Drysdale. Colonel James Drysdale and Colonel M. J. Quam were partners in the photographic studio on Main Street in Walker, opened in March, 1898. The large photograph is quite striking as Bug stands, full-length in the center of the photograph. He wears a dark hat, has a plain blanket draped over one shoulder, wearing pants and a shirt. He looks straight into the camera, cradling his Winchester in his left arm, with a loaded ammunition belt around his waist. He wears the two-stranded necklace made of empty Krag-Jorgensen shell casings that he gathered from the battle areas at Sugar Point, a necklace that he frequently wore in his old age as he spent time in Walker. The photograph is in excellent condition, is somewhat dark due to setting in wooded area of Red Hair's sugar camp. The mount shows some wear at the corners, a tiny thumbtack hole in the center of the upper edge, and some soiling, not affecting the image. Printed across the bottom of the mount is: Bug-ah-na-geshig, Chief Warrior in Battle at Sugar Point, Leech Lake, Minn., Oct. 5, 1898. On verso is printed a description of Bug, the problems that led to the battle, and much about the Battle at Sugar Point.

Inventory Number: 54112