788

Colonel D.F. Powell Photograph, 

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:350.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 700.00 USD
Colonel D.F. Powell Photograph, 

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
a studio portrait of army scout, physician, and showman Colonel David Franklin Powell or White Beaver, as identified below the image, described on recto as Int. Friend of Col. W. F. Cody / died May 8th 1906., taken in 1900 at Pryor's studio in La Crosse, Wisconsin, according to verso manuscript, with the photographer's imprint below image; 3.75" x 5.5", matted on cardstock, 6" x 7.25".

D.F. Powell (1847-1906), born in Kentucky, studied medicine at the University of Louisville, and practiced occasionally at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Powell also dealt in Indian remedies, was an expert shot, and was a faithful drinking companion to Buffalo Bill Cody. He took part in at least one Indian fight with Cody. Powell served as an army contract surgeon at Fort McPherson and North Platte Barracks, Nebraska, as well as Fort Laramie and Camp Stambaugh, Wyoming. Apparently, he saved a daughter of a Sioux named Rocky Bear, and was therefore given the name White Beaver. He also claimed membership in the Beaver clan of the Seneca Indians because he was one-quarter Seneca. In 1876, Powell was considered chief medicine man of the Winnebagos because he pulled Wee-noo-sheik through a serious illness. Powell was depicted as a hero in approximately 40 dime store novels and was linked with Cody in many promotional schemes. According to the 1906 obituary that accompanies the photograph, Powell died of heart disease near El Paso, Texas on an east-bound train from Los Angeles [Thrapp, 1988, 1168]. 

Condition: Some scratches on image; even toning; light edgewear to mount; upper left corner of paper on back of mount removed.