Between 1887 and 1892, John C.H. Grabill sent 188 photographs to the Library of Congress for copyright protection. Grabill is known as a western photographer, documenting many aspects of frontier life — hunting, mining, western town landscapes and white settlers’ relationships with Native Americans. Most of his work is centered on Deadwood in the late 1880s and 1890s. He is most often cited for his photographs in the aftermath of the Wounded Knee Massacre on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

“The Deadwood Coach” Side view of a stagecoach; formally dressed men sitting in and on top of coach. 1889

Villa of Brule A Lakota tipi camp near Pine Ridge, in background; horses at White Clay Creek watering hole, in the foreground. 1891

Ox teams at Sturgis, D.T. [i.e. Dakota Territory] Line of oxen and wagons along main street. [between 1887 and 1892]

The last large bull train on its way from the railroad to the Black Hills Summary: Train of oxen and three wagons in open field. 1890.

Freighting in “The Black Hills”. Photographed between Sturgis and Deadwood Full view of ox trains, between Sturgis and Deadwood, S.D. 1891.

Freighting in the Black Hills A woman and a boy using bullwhackers to control a train of oxen. [between 1887 and 1892]

At the Dance. Part of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian Grass Dance on Reservation Group portrait of Big Foot’s (Miniconjou) band and federal military men, in an open field, at a Grass Dance on the Cheyenne River, S.D.–on or near Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. 1890.

Indian chiefs who counciled with Gen. Miles and setteled [sic] the Indian War — 1. Standing Bull, 2. Bear Who Looks Back Running [Stands and Looks Back], 3. Has the Big White Horse, 4. White Tail, 5. Liver [or Living] Bear, 6. Little Thunder, 7. Bull Dog, 8. High Hawk, 9. Lame, 10. Eagle Pipe Posed group portrait of Lakota chiefs standing in front of tipi–probably on or near Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. 1891.

U.S. School for Indians at Pine Ridge, S.D. Small Oglala tipi camp in front of large government school buildings in open field. 1891.

“Hostile Indian camp” Bird’s-eye view of a large Lakota camp of tipis, horses, and wagons–probably on or near Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. 1891.

Indian chiefs who counciled with Gen. Miles and setteled [sic] the Indian War — 1. Standing Bull, 2. Bear Who Looks Back Running [Stands and Looks Back], 3. Has the Big White Horse, 4. White Tail, 5. Liver [Living] Bear, 6. Little Thunder, 7. Bull Dog, 8. High Hawk, 9. Lame, 10. Eagle Pipe Group portrait of Lakota chiefs, five standing and five sitting with tipi in background–probably on or near Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. 1891.

What’s left of Big Foot’s band Group of eleven Miniconjou (children and adults) in a tipi camp, probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. 1891.

Indian Council in Hostile Camp Rear view of a large semi-circle of Lakota men sitting on the ground, with tipis in background, probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. 1891.

“Home of Mrs. American Horse.” Visiting squaws at Mrs. A’s home in hostile camp Oglala women and children seated inside an uncovered tipi frame in an encampment–most are looking away from the camera–probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. 1891.

“Red Cloud and American Horse.” The two most noted chiefs now living Two Oglala chiefs, American Horse (wearing western clothing and gun-in-holster) and Red Cloud (wearing headdress), full-length portrait, facing front, shaking hands in front of tipi–probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. 1891.

The Great Hostile Camp Bird’s-eye view of a Lakota camp (several tipis and wagons in large field)–probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. 1891.

“Little,” the instigator of Indian Revolt at Pine Ridge Little, Oglala band leader, full-length studio portrait seated between two Euro-American men who are standing on either side of him; Chris Mathison (?) on left. 1890.

Deadwood Central R.R. Engineer Corps Outdoor group portrait of ten railroad engineers and a dog, posing with surveyors’ transits on tripods and measuring rods, on the side of a mountain. Most of the men are sitting; all are wearing suits and hats. [1888]

“A pretty view.” At “picnic” grounds on Homestake Road Distant view of a train engine and several cars against a large wooded area. 1890.

“Horse Shoe Curve.” On B[urlington] and M[issouri River] R’y. Buckhorn Mountains in background Bird’s-eye view of a train on tracks, just beyond a marked curve. 1891.

“Hot Springs, S.D.” From the Fremont, Elkhorn and M.V. Ry. bridge looking north to Fred T. Evans residence and plunge bath Bird’s-eye view of a developing small town with railroad track running through it. Large buildings on hilltops in background. 1891.

“Giant Bluff.” Elk Canyon on Black Hills and Ft. P. R.R. A two-car train in front of a steep cliff; several passengers are posing in front of the train. 1890.

Happy Hours in Camp. G. and B.&M. Engineers Corps and Visitors Small group of men and women and two deer in front of a tent. Some of the men are playing musical instruments. 1889.

[Engineers Corps camp and visitors] Row of fifteen people and two deer in front of a tent. Some of the men are holding measuring poles and or standing next to surveyors’ transits on tripods. 1889.

General Miles and staff Six military men on horseback on a hill overlooking a large encampment of tipis. 1891.

“Comanche,” the only survivor of the Custer Massacre, 1876. History of the horse and regimental orders of the [7]th Cavalry as to the care of “Comanche” as long as he shall live Side view of horse and front view of a uniformed man holding its bridle. 1887.

“Grand review.” U.S. troops after surrender of Indians at Pine Ridge Agency, S.D. Very distant view of a line of military men on horseback. 1891.

Company “C,” 3rd U.S. Infantry, caught on the fly, near Fort Meade. Bear Butte in the distance Thirty five soldiers walking in a line with rifles. 1890.

People of Deadwood celebrating completion of a stretch of railroad Street parade with numbers “1888″ in foreground. 1888.

Deadwood. Grand Lodge I.O.O.F. of the Dakotas, resting in front of City Hall after the Grand Parade, May 21, 1890 Group of uniformed men posing in front of a large brick building.

The Columbian Parade. Oct. 20th, 1892. Forming of parade on lake front. 100,000 people in sight. Section No. 1 Spectators lined up along street; buildings and street lights decorated with flags.

Lead City Mines and Mills. The Great Homestake Mines and Mills Distant view of mining town; hills in background. 1889.

Colorado Three buildings with signs reading: Grabill’s Mining Exchange, Photographs, and El Paso Livery; river and houses in middleground; mountains in background. 1888.

Galena, S. Dakota. Bird’s-eye view from southwest Bird’s-eye view of a small town (main street and buildings) surrounded by hills. 1890.

Custer City. Custer City, Dak. from the east Distant view of small town; field in foreground and hills in background. 1890.

“Hot Springs, S.D.” Exterior view of largest plunge bath house in U.S. on F.E. and M.V. R’y Large building with several horses and carriages in front. 1891.

“Hot Springs, S.D.” Interior of largest plunge bath in U.S. on F.E. and M.V. R’y Interior view of plunge bath; bathers and spectators standing beside pool. 1891.

“Hotel Minnekahta,” Hot Springs, Dak. Front view of hotel with men and women posed on the porches and balcony. 1889.

Camp of the 7th Cavalry, Pine Ridge Agency, S.D., Jan. 19, 1891 View of military camp: tents, horses, and wagons.

Deadwood, [S.D.] from Engleside Overview of homes and commercial buildings in small city; trees and mountains in background. 1888.

The old cabin home Five men sitting in grass, in front of log cabin. [between 1887 and 1892]

Tallyho Coaching. Sioux City party Coaching at the Great Hot Springs of Dakota Horse-drawn stagecoach carrying by formally dressed women, children, and men. 1889.

The Officers’ Line. Fort Meade, Dak. Homes, lawns and a few military men in residential area. 1889.

Wells Fargo Express Co. Deadwood Treasure Wagon and Guards with $250,000 gold bullion from the Great Homestake Mine, Deadwood, S.D., 1890 Five men, holding rifles, in a horse-drawn, uncovered wagon on a country road.

Mines and Mills. The Caledonia No. 1, Deadwood Terra No. 2, and Terra No. 3. Gold Stamp Mills, located at Terraville, Dak. Three prominent lumber mills and stacks of lumber. 1888.

The Interior. “Clean Up” day at the Deadwood Terra Gold Stamp Mill, one of the Homestake Mills, Terraville, Dakota Interior of saw mill; men working on equipment. 1888.

De Smet Gold Stamp Mill, Central City, Dak. Large mill; five smaller buildings in foreground. 1888.

Wood shooting in the air, De Smet Mill, Center City, Dak. Large pile of timber next to a building. 1888.

Capt. Taylor and 70 Indian scouts Long row of military men and Lakota scouts on horseback in front of tipi camp–probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation. 1891.

The Interview. Standing Elk, No. 1; Running Hog, No. 2; Little Wolf, No. 3; Col. Oelrich, No. 4; Interpreter, No. 5 Three Cheyenne men wearing ceremonial clothing and holding rifles, greeting a Euro-American man in a suit and his interpreter in front of a building. [between 1887 and 1892]

“Branding cattle” Six cowboys branding cattle in front of a house. 1891.

Round-up scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887 Cowboys and cattle on range.

Cowboys, roping a buffalo on the plains Three cowboys on horses roping a buffalo. [between 1887 and 1892]

“Roping gray wolf,” Cowboys take in a gray wolf on “Round up,” in Wyoming Five cowboys on horses roping a wolf. 1887.

Devil’s Tower Distant view of Devils Tower and reflection of tower in stream in foreground. 1890.

“Lake Harney Peaks,” near Custer City, S.D., on B. & M. Ry Close view of peaks; hikers sitting and standing on ridges. 1891.

“We have it rich.” Washing and panning gold, Rockerville, Dak. Old timers, Spriggs, Lamb and Dillon at work Three men, with dog, panning for gold in a stream. 1889.

Montana Mine Eight men, holding pick axes and shovels, standing in front of entrance to mine. 1889.

“Gold Dust.” Placer mining at Rockerville, Dak. Old timers, Spriggs, Lamb and Dillon at work Three men placer mining with shovels, picks and pan. 1889.

Open cut in the great Homestake mine, at Lead City, Dak. Distant view of mine entrance; four men posed on or near three mining cars on tracks. 1888.

“Mills and mines.” Part of the great Homestake works, Lead City, Dak. Bird’s-eye view of mining factory, Homestake Works. 1889.

“The shepherd and flock.” On F.E. & M.V. R’y. in Dakota Flock of sheep at pond of water. 1891.

“Wild Bill’s Monument.” James B. Hickoc [i.e. Hickok], alias “Wild Bill,” born May 27, 1837 at Homer, Ill. Killed by Jack McCall at Deadwood, S.D., Aug. 2, 1876, where his body now lies Headstone on Wild Bill Hickok’s grave; sculpture of head and shoulders on tall monument. 1891.

“Spearfish Falls.” Black Hills, Dak. Man standing below two waterfalls. 1889.

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