Sunday, May 24, 2020

James R Bell





Photographer: Bell
Eastside Square, Girard, Kans.
probably finished by James R Bell between 1888 and 1896

In the late 19th century, there were TWO photographers named Bell in the tiny town of Girard, KS,: Zelda M Bell and James R Bell.

And there were four people named James R Bell living in eastern Kansas in the late 1800’s. There was a preacher, a cattleman and a publisher as well as the “east side” photographer James R Bell. Keeping them separated was no mean task.

James R Bell
(1859-1924)

1859
Indiana, various records, James R Bell is born
1888
Girard, KS, news item from 1890 Jun 12, says Bell was operating as photographer at this time
1890 Jan 09, 16
Girard (KS) Press, news items say J R Bell of Girard, KS, is opening a branch studio in Erie, KS
1890 May 20
Lyons (KS) Republican item describes J R Bell as publisher
1890 Jun 12
Girard (KS) Press, J R Bell as the “east side” photographer

1894 Apr 06
Walnut (KS) Journal news item says J R Bell studio is taken over by George C Rager
1894 Apr 15, 19, 24, 26
Girard (KS) Daily World, small ad puts J R Bell, East Side Gallery, at northeast corner of square
1894 Sep 16
Girard (KS) Daily World, news item says J R Bell, East Side photographer has opened a gallery in Pittsburg, KS
1896 Mar 12
Girard (KS) Press, item says J R Bell has redecorated the Girard gallery
1896 Apr 30
Girard (KS) Press, item says J R Bell has installed a Merry-go-round at his studio
1896 Dec 04, 05, 15, 17, 19, 29
Weir City (KS) Daily Sun, small display ad for J R Bell studio over post office
1897 Feb 04
Pittsburg (KS) Daily Tribune, item indicates Mrs Bell, who was apparently running the Pittsburg studio, has sold the studio
1899 Jul 07
Yates Center (KS) Woodson County Advocate, item says J R Bell is now living in Columbus, KS

1899 Dec 21
Columbus (KS) Modern Light, news story shows J R Bell is now working for the Columbus Marble Works but apparently maintains the photography business
1902 Feb 25
Cherryvale (KS) Republican, news item says J R Bell, the photographer is on a business trip to Elk City, KS
1902 Mar 15
Cherryvale (KS) Republican news item says Nina daughter of Mr and Mrs J R Bell was ill
1902 Mar 27
Cherryvale (KS) Republican news item says Bell and Doyle Marbel dealers have been succeeded by J R Bell and son
1903 Apr 22
Cherryvale (KS) Republican, small display ad for Bell’s Studio, NO ADDRESS SHOWN
1906 Apr 26
Arcadia (KS) Times, news item says J R Bell and Miss Della Kalm are married on 20 Apr 1906
1914 Jun 24
Alva (OK) Daily Pioneer, news item says that W A Bradley who worked at the Bell Studio for about 2 years is now leaving the city


1919 Jan 08
Parsons (KS) Daily Sun item says Mrs J R Bell and daughter Harriet came from Mound Valley (KS) to winter with other daughter Mrs S L Busby of Parsons. KS
1919 June 05
Atoka (OK) Indian Citizen Democrat item says J R Bell is in law suit with S W Cole
1921 Jun 24
The Claremore (OK) Messenger item says Mr and Mrs Bell of Bell Studio are visiting Springfield MO
1921 Dec 01
Holdenville (OK) Hughes County Tribune, item says J R Bell is being treated for injuries from explosion
1923 Oct 11
Claremore (OK) Messenger item says J R Bell of Bell Studio is in Mineral Springs, TX, for health
1923 Oct 11
Claremore (OK) Messenger item says J R Bell of Bell Studio departed Tuesday for Old Mexico where he will spend the winter for health
1923 Oct 25
Claremore (OK) Messenger item says J R Bell has returned to Claremore from Mineral Wells, TX
1924
Claremore, OK, J R Bell dies at age 65

Girard (KS) Press - 16 Jan 1890

There were many news blurbs and small ads. Only a few are presented here.

So it can be shown that James R Bell operated a studio in Girard, KS between 1888 and 1896. There may have been a Bell studio in Girard a bit before and a bit later too but only these dates can be documented. The photograph here is embossed “East Side Square” so it is a good bet that it was done by J R Bell and not Zelda Mary Bell.

Girard (KS) Press - 12 Jun 1890


Girard (KS) Press - 05 Feb 1891


Girard (KS) Press - 12 Feb 1891

Girard (KS) Press - 12 Mar 1891


Pittsburg (KS) Weekly World - 07 Dec 1893


Walnut (KS) Journal - 06 Apr 1894

Girard (KS) Daily World - 24 Apr 1894


Girard (KS) Daily World Sun - 16 Sep 1894


Girard (KS) Daily Press - 09 Mar 1895


Girard (KS) Press - 12 Mar 1896



Girard (KS) Press -
30 Apr 1896


Pittsburg (KS) Daily tribune -
20 May 1897


Weir City (KS) Daily Sun -
05 Dec 1896


Pittsburg (KS) Daily tribune -
04 Feb 1897

Columbus (KS) Modern Light - 21 Dec 1899

Cherryvale (KS) Republican -
27 Mar 1902


Cherryvale (KS) -
22 Apr 1903


Claremore (OK) Messenger -
24 Jun 1921


Claremore (OK) Messenger -
25 Oct 1923





photographer: Howard and Bell
Girard, KS
example from pinterest

The card at the left is by Howard and Bell, photographers at Girard, KS. It is not known at this time which Bell, James or Zelda, this was. It has not been determined which Howard this is either. There are a couple possibilities.

The card at the right is from the genealogy site of
OLD PHOTOS SAVED FROM TRASH CAN. The blog is currently searching for relatives associated with the photographs.

This card is imprinted with "East Side of Square" a location found in some of James R Bell's advertisements.


photographer: Bell's Studio
East side Square, Girard, KS
example from Opening Doors in Brick Walls

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Old stuff here...

About Me

My photo
I am 4' 3", eat small insects, dress in the dark and take annual showers. phase65@yahoo.com