We will upload the photo of Baby McDonald over the next few days. Thank you for sharing the photo.

At sometime in future, would you be able to scan in the back of the cabinet photo of Baby McDonald. We are trying to accumulate a collection of the photographer's studio stamps whom were taking photos in the Black Hillls during the early years. Daniel Sedgley Mitchell  operated a tent in 1876 and took some very early photos of Deadwood when it was just a camp.

I am enclosing a bio for you at the bottom from Nebaska Historical Society

http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/timeline/mitchell-d-s.htm

"D. S. Mitchell

Among the papers of Capt. John G. Bourke in the archives of the Nebraska State Historical Society is a collection of Indian portraits taken by D. S. Mitchell. These striking photographs, many printed as stereoscopic cards, depict prominent Oglala and Arapahoe leaders from the Red Cloud agency in northwestern Nebraska just after the close of the Sioux War of 1876-77. The famous Oglala chief Red Cloud is included, as are the lesser known Little Wound, Young Man Afraid of his Horses, and American Horse. "Capturing the Lakota Spirit, Photographers at the Red Cloud & Spotted Tail Agencies," by Ephriam D. Dickson III, in the Spring/Summer issue of Nebraska History magazine, includes information on eight such photographers, including Mitchell, as well as reproductions of their famous photographs.

Born in 1838 in York County, Maine, Daniel Sedgley Mitchell began his photographic career as an errand boy in a daguerreotype gallery at the age of nine. During his early years he worked in a number of photographic galleries before going West about 1874. By January 1876 he had established a studio in Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming Territory and an important jumping-off point for the Black Hills. He soon moved to the Hills, arriving in Deadwood in June where he was reported to be taking excellent views of the scenery. He returned to Cheyenne in October but left again in the spring of 1877 with another photographer, Joseph H. McGowan. The two moved from town to town along the Union Pacific Railroad, setting up a temporary tent studio to produce portraits of townspeople and area views. He probably traveled to the Red Cloud Agency some time in September or October 1877.

In the spring of 1878 Mitchell and McGowan located permanently in Omaha, where they published three sets of views: Mitchell's Indian portraits, taken at the Red Cloud Agency; his earlier Black Hills views; and a third series by photographer-soldier Charles Howard. The partnership of Mitchell, McGowan and Co. (possibly with Howard as a partner) dissolved in the fall of 1878, when Joseph McGowan moved to North Platte and Howard was transferred to Fort Sanders, Wyoming. Mitchell then opened the Bee Hive Studio in Omaha, in partnership with May J. Cannell, whom he later married. He next opened a studio in Norfolk, then one in Galesburg, Illinois, and finally in 1889, moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, where he produced an important photographic series of the land rush. Mitchell died in Guthrie in 1929.

While Mitchell's negatives have not survived, a number of his original prints are known. The largest single collection of his Indian portraits was preserved by Capt. John G. Bourke, longtime aide to Gen. George Crook. They are now distributed among the Nebraska State Historical Society, the Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point."

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James McDaniels was a seasoned Theatre Manager whom booked variety artists for the theatre circuits in Cheyenne, Denver, and Leadville. Baby McDonald may have had her picture taken in Cheyenne for her peformances in McDaniels' Cheyenne Theatre and for her future appearances with the McDaniels troope as they performed the circuits in Denver and Leadville, Colorado. 

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Deadwood Genealogy Research Team

I have posted your image of "three gentlemen" taken at the Locke & Peterson Studio, Deadwood, S. D. to

http://identifythisdeadwoodimage.blogspot.com/

All that I can say about this photo is to give you a date of when it might have been taken.

June 2, 1892, J. Peterson of Wahoo, Nebraska, being a former employee of the J.C.H. Grabill studio in the summer of 1891, returned to take charge of the Locke & McBride studio.

What information is written on the back of this cabinet card that would indicate the individuals in the photo are brothers?

Deadwood Genealogy Research Team

Baby McDonald's time in Deadwood was brief in 1877. It appears the variety troupe had been in the hills as early as March 1877 from the Denver newspaper article below.

If you care to share a copy of your photo of Baby McDonald, we would love to place a face to her somewhat sad life story to our Deadwood Genealogy site. We recently identified a photo of Baby's contemporary, "Little Pearly", another child peformer who was appearing at the same time during the height of Deadwood's vaudville days.

Little Pearly's photo may be viewed at

http://identifythisdeadwoodimage.blogspot.com/

If you wish to share your photo, you may mail the photo as an attachment to

blogdeadwood.contact@blogger.com

Please place your copyright on the photo or let us know how you would like the copyright to appear on the photo if you do not have the capability of doing so.

Please let us know what photographer and studio took the photo of Baby McDonald for our records.

==========

To obtain copies of the Deadwood historical newspaper articles for Baby McDonald and James McDonald

Contact Deadwood Public Library for search and newspaper microfilm reproduction. Fees may be charged for these services.

The Deadwood Public Library
435 Williams St
Deadwood, South Dakota, 57732

Telephone 605-578-2821

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This is an early record of Baby McDonald being in the hills

Publication: Colorado Transcript (Golden, Jefferson County)
Date: March 7, 1877
Section: None
Page Number: 3

McDanlel's Great English Star Combination

This famous oganization, which has just returned from a most successful
trip to the Hills, and plays here tonight prior to a season of three nights
in Denver, bears a most enviable reputation as a first class show in every
respect. Composed of artists, each at the head of the profession in his or
her specialty, it cannot fail to draw many and please all. The Vaidis Twin Sisters,
Baby McDonald, M'lle Cerito, Rose and Willie Gill and Jas. McDonald, are well
known names in every first class theatre in the east and individually they are
always certain of securing a cordial patronage.

The entertainment is most refined in its character, and we doubt not but everyone
who visits it tonight will remember it for a long time as a most delightful treat.

================

Deadwood Historical Newspaper Articles that you may obtain copies of

Article Title     McDonald, Baby wonderful child Gem Theatre 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Pioneer May 19 1877, p.4 , col.4 

Article Title     McDonald, Baby gifted child, Gem Theatre 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Pioneer May 26 1877, p.4 , col.1 

Article Title     Swearenger, Al will get Baby McDonald & James McDo 
Subject     Swearinger, Albert E. 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Jun 09 1877, p.1 , col.4

Article Title     McDonald, James Champion skate & clog dancer 
Subject     McDonald, James 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Jun 09 1877, p.1 , col.4   

Article Title     McDonald, Baby & James appear at Gem Theatre 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Jun 12 1877, p.4 , col.1 

Article Title     McDonald, Baby 7 years old, phenomenon at Gem thea 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Pioneer Jun 17 1877, p.4 , col.3 
   
Article Title     McDonald, James skate dancing, Gem Theatre 
Subject     McDonald, James 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Pioneer Jun 17 1877, p.4 , col.3 

Article Title     Versatility of our baby at Gem Theatre 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Champion Jul 23 1877, p.1 , col.6 

Article Title     McDonald, James of Bella Union has son 
Subject     McDonald, James (needs to be verified if same James McDonald, skate dancer)
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Aug 09 1877, p.4 , col.1 

Article Title     McDonald, Baby & James volunteered for Vaidis Be 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Aug 11 1877, p.4 , col.1 

Article Title     Language of "just that kind of hairpins" 
Subject     Baby McDonald 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Champion Aug 13 1877, p.4 , col.6 
 
Article Title     McDonald, Baby receives a benefit at Central City 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Aug 22 1877, p.4 , col.1 

Article Title     McDonald, James & Baby leave for Cheyenne 
Subject     McDonald, James 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Aug 30 1877, p.1 , col.3 

Article Title     McDonald, James in Deadwood 
Subject     McDonald, James 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Oct 17 1877, p.1 , col.2 

Article Title     Father of Baby McDonald, might hang for murder 
Subject     McDonald, Jim 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Sep 16 1878, p.4 , col.4 

Article Title     Now in Newark, N.J. with Jim McDonald 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Feb 05 1879, p.1 , col.4

Article Title     With Baby McDonald, now in Newark, N.J., acquitted 
Subject     McDonald, Jim 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Feb 05 1879, p.1 , col.4 
 
Article Title     Performing to crowded houses in Denver 
Subject     McDonald, Baby 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Jul 17 1879, p.4 , col.5 
 
Article Title     Sentenced to 1 yr. 1 mo. at hard labor in Detroit 
Subject     McDonald, James (needs to be verified if same James McDonald, skate dancer)
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Aug 01 1880, p.4 , col.4

Article Title     Death, variety actor shot by Leadville man 
Subject     McDonald, James 
Source     Journal: Black Hills Daily Times Jun 18 1881, p.1 , col.7 

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Deadwood Genealogy Research Team
 

AN ACTOR SHOT AT LEADVILLE. Leadville, June 17.-The Chronicle says this evening: Ex-Alderman John McComb shot and probably fatally wounded James McDonald, the well known variety actor. McComb's buggy was hitched before the house, when McDonald requested and he claims received permission to take some children out riding. He put several children in the buggy and drove round the block. On his return McComb was in a rage, and regardless of the children fired twice, one ball striking McDonald in the head. McComb has been prominent in politics, having been a Ïrominent candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Mayor, and last spring as nominee for CityTreasurer.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/819194

August 18, 1881 Page 1 Supplement: Third sheet to The Maitland Mercury articles

Publication: Leadville Daily and Evening Chronicle (Leadville, Lake County) Date: May 14, 1887

Section: None Page Number: 3

First Prize Ideals Like all places of amusement in Leadville, the Opera House was crowded both up-stairs and down, with the fun loving people of the city. From the time the curtain rose till it dropped the audience was kept in a laughable mood. The rapid changes of Miss Ella Werner and her imitation of a "dead drunk" took the house, she being called back several times. The contortionist's twists and turns are truly marvelous, being as limber as a serpent. The performance on the horizontal bars was something well worth seeing, both men making some very extraordinary turns and jumps.

Baby McDonald was received with long and loud applause and danced and sang as of yore, coming back in answer to several encores. The blind cornetist played well and pleased everybody. To-night the last performance of this company will be given. Go and see them.

Publication: Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Lake County)

Date: November 4, 1880

Section: None

Page Number: 4

A Card McDaniels' New Theatre Leadville, Colorado, October 30, 1880

To James McDaniels

Dear Sir-We, the company and employees of your theatre, having the highest regard and esteem for you as a man and our manager, in consideration of your late troubles and severe sickness, to prove our appreciation of your uniform kindness, do with the greatest pleasure in the world, tender you our services for a benefit to take place on any early night that it may be your pleasure to appoint.

Signed: Charles Green

Bobby Gaylor

Eugene Holman

Millie Christine

Viola Clayton

William Gerkey

Nolile Robinson

Minnie Wallace

Susie Foster

Annie Chamberlain

Charlie Bland

Lillie Raymond

J. Lathrop

Frankie Whitcomb

Lena Elmore

Maurice Crump

J. Johnson, Texas

Sam Davis

James Staln

Willie Burns

Baby McDonald

Henry Liarria

S. V. Schlensinger

Laura Wagner

Katie Rhinehart

George Wagner

Mollie Archer

Monte Holman

Kitty Sheedy

George Serth

Reply Leadville, November 1, 1880

Ladies and Gentlemen I assure you that I full appreciate your kindness and generosity in tendering me a benefit, and indeed thank you. I have always endeavored to make you my friends, as well as to amuse and entertain a genorous public. I accept with gratitude your kindly offer and name Monday the eighth of November as the date on which it would be agreeable for me to receive the benefit you offer and my God grant us success.

Yours truly, James McDaniels.

==========

Name: James Mcdonald Home in 1880: Denver, Arapahoe, Colorado

Age: 33 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847

Birthplace: England

Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)

Spouse's Name: Mary Mcdonald

Father's birthplace: England Mother's birthplace: England

Occupation: Performer

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Gender: Male

Household Members: Name Age

James Mcdonald 33

Mary Mcdonald 32

 Mary A. Mcdonald 12

James Mcdonald 3

The Daily Democrat: Leadville, Thursday, February 3, 1881

Advertisement

M'Daniel's Theatre

Pantomime

of

The Faithful Postillion

Wash Antonio.

Baby Mc Donald

The Buisley's

Will Appear

Obituary of Baby McDonald

"Baby" McDonald's Death.

"In 1882," said Gus Vogus to a reporter for this journal, "when I was manager of Wood's opera house on Chestnut street, 'Baby' McDonald, who met with such a horrible death at Providence, R. I. last week, made her first appearance on this stage in this city as a singer and dancer, her father Jim McDonald was a famous skate dancer, resided in a cabin located on the corner of State and Spruce streets for over a year. During 'Baby's' stay in this city she was a great favorite among the leading people of the camp and worked for Messrs. Kemp, Nuttle and Goldsmith. It was about 1884 when 'Baby' McDonald surprised not only the people of the camp but also her parents by marrying a young miner by the name of Alexander Martin, whom the father did not like, and on several occassions drove him from the house with a shot gun.  In the winter of 1885, 'Baby' and her husband had a dispute while living at Robinson, and the former started at midnight to walk to this city in a blinding snow storm and later secured a divorce. Her last appearance in this city was about one year ago with Lanter and Williams "Mo and Jack' company."

Last week while stopping at the City hotel at Providence, R. I., she had been unable to sleep, and had lighted the gas at 8 o'clock, with the intention of reading until she grew tired.

She threw the match on the floor beneath her dress, which ignited. She tried to smother the flames with a woolen dress, but had cleansed this garment with naphtha, and instead of being a non-conductor of flame, it was the most dangerous thing she could have used.

In an instant she became enveloped in flames and the young woman ran down into the office screaming for help. The night clerk seizing a blanket extinguished the fire, but Miss McDonald died five hours later.

"Baby" McDonald was widely known in the theatrical profession. When 3 years old she made her first appearance on the stage, being known as "Baby" McDonald. She has been identified with Hallen & Hart, Tony Pastor, Charles McCarthy and in several first-class variety combinations on the road.

For four years she has been connected with Lester and Williams. Her mother and relatives in Kansas City and Chicago were notified and took charge of the body.