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#AKP-22 - “Tug of War between White men and Indians - July 4, 1900” - $75.00 One of more than 100 photos we purchased from the estate of Mrs. W. B. Whitfield, who, in 1900, traveled to Ketchkan, Alaska with her dentist husband, who set up practice in that city. According to her daughter she was also the photographer. The photo measures 4.25” x 6.5”. It is one of 3 similar photos taken at the same event on the same day. The title above is part of a caption type-written on the back side of the card. The full text of the caption reads: “Mrs. W.B. Whitfield - 401 Oxford St. - Portland - Oregon” in pencil, and “Tug of War between white men and Indians - July 4, 1900 - Note sign Dr. Whitield - Dentist - Upstairs - I was engulfed by crowd just below it. - HWR” (possibly Mrs. Whitfield’s daughter, from whom I bought these photographs... though I hadn’t read this caption until much later, and hence never asked her) The photo shows the same two groups of 9 men each, though viewed this time from the Indian end of the contest, and again straining against each other. Two to three foot-long “cleats” appear to have been nailed to the boardwalk, along the full length of the rope, in order to provide more or less equal purchase against which to hold a position... until their arms or legs give out, that is! In this view, there are several Indian men and women, in “western” dress, watching their contingent. The other aspect of this photo are the commercial buildings and signage in view. Starting at the far left, “(M)arket” appears on the obverse of the sign which from the other direction read “Meat M-----”. No other signs are visible on that side of the boardwalk in this photo. On the right one sees the back side of the “Ketchikan Restaurant” sign... with the letters reading backwards. Also visible are “Dr. Story - Up Stairs” and “Dr. Whitfield - Dentist - Up Stairs”. No other signs are seen on that side of the boardwalk. However, on both sides much bunting and many flags are visible. Again, the majority of the people in the photo are looking towards the camera. The condition is Good+, with bumping and rubbing at the corners and edges, small creases and chips at the corners, a small piece of the UL corner is detached but still present, and a there are a couple of other creases as well. The most notable fault is the under contrasting and sepia-toning of the image... much like the first image (from the other direction).