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
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 - 05 Feb 1891
Girard (KS) Press - 12 Feb 1891
Pittsburg (KS) Weekly World - 07 Dec 1893
Walnut (KS) Journal - 06 Apr 1894
Girard (KS) Daily World Sun - 16 Sep 1894
Girard (KS) Daily Press - 09 Mar 1895
Girard (KS) Press - 12 Mar 1896
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
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.
City Hall Bldg, Wier City, KS
example from auction site
Girard, KS
example from auction site
Girard, KS
example from auction site
Girard, KS
example from auction site
Girard, KS
example from auction site
Girard, KS
example from auction site
Girard, KS
example from auction site
Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's
INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in
LOST GALLERY are listed there.
This is a work always in progress.
Aditional information and new examples are always welcome. Any
additional information will help narrow the time that these precious
antiques were made.
All submissions should be free of glare and shadows.
Do not crop.
Leave a border around each card. The edges
are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.
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.
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