Freighting in "THE BLACK HILLS." Photographed between Sturgis and Deadwood

John C.H. Grabill. Freighting in "THE BLACK HILLS." Photographed between Sturgis and Deadwood, Copyright '91 by Grabill, P. & V. Co., Deadwood, S.D.

Albumen photo measuring 6.5 x 9 inches on printed mount of 6 7/8 x 9 7/8 inches with beveled gilt edge. Light soiling evident, especially on mount. Date stamp on verso mostly unreadable. Photo is fairly sharp with strong contrast. Very Good Condition.

Iconic photograph by well-known photographer John C.H. Grabill, dated 1891 and copyrighted by the Grabill Portrait and View Company, Deadwood, South Dakota.

The legend in the negative states the photo was shot between Sturgis and Deadwood, South Dakota and shows at least nine wagons and six teams of oxen. At least three sets of wagons were pulled in tandem. Electrical wires and a pole is visible behind the teams. The trees in the background indicates a creek bed situated in front of a low barren bluff.

John Grabill worked the minefields of Colorado in the early 1880's before transitioning into photography. Eventually he had studios in Buena Vista, Colorado, Sturgis, Deadwood, Lead City and Hot Springs, South Dakota and Chicago, Illinois. He also served as the official photographer for the famous Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, S.D. and for the Black Hills and Fort Pierre Railroad. Grabill documented the gruesome scene at the Wounded Knee massacre in 1890.