Robert Henry Chandless photograph collection, approximately 1898-1930s

Written on verso: Coolies wear cloths on their heads to keep dust off.

Written on verso: Mr. and Mrs. Chandless on visit to comprador's house. Head comprador on right with his daughter. Screens on doors behind the party were summer screens.

Written on verso: Scaffolding of bamboo over compound (courtyard) during summer heat to provide shade for workers.

Written on verso: Hauling cart of cargo from company offices to river/rail for shipment. One man pulls, and if very heavy cargo, another pushes.

Written on verso: Baled cargo stacking in compound yard.

Written on verso: Porter carrying load of baled cargo to cart for transport to lighter at river.

Written on verso: Tientsin, cargo coolies for Chandless Co.

Written on verso: Compound of wool company. Logs under baled wool to keep wool off ground during summer rains. Chandless & Company.

Written on verso: Man standing in middle is foreman. Laborers shaking wool to remove sand. After this, it went to another room where it was willowed (cleaned by beating), then baled.

Written on verso: Office building of merchant Batouieff, a Russian citizen who supplied Russian troops in 1st WW with grains and meats from Shantang. Bouriet-half Russian, half Mongolian.

Building has a sign on the side written in Russian.

Written on verso: Transshipment of grain from Shantung en route to Russia under the agency of Russian merchant Batouieff.

Written on verso: Harbin in winter. Collection depot. Food for Russian troops, which had been shipped up from China by Mr. Batouieff.

Written on verso: Harbin. During 1st World War, supplies for Russian troops en route from Shantung to Russia in depot of Batouieff Co.

Written on verso: Tientsin, personnel of Nichols Rug Co. Mr. Nichols with white hair, front row.

Written on verso: Nichols rug which was made for wedding present to Elizabeth of England when she married Philip.

Yuan Shih-Kai was a Chinese general and politician.

Written on verso: These girls were daughters of a riverboat man. They professed to have the gift of clairvoyance and had a prominent place in the Boxer organization- every night they had visions which they told to throngs (?) of believers in the powers of spirits that was directing the Boxer movement. They strengthened the faith by relating how all over the world thousands of Barbarian Foreigners were being killed. These were the visions they saw while in a trance state and receiving messages of encouragement that this Boxer war was to rid the world of Barbarians and the Chinese would be in full possession. These girls were captured and put in charge of Dr. and Mrs. Temayo (?). La Huang Chang said "better behead them." When I was calling at the Temayos (?) I asked the girls to stand still while I took their picture. They jumped on the bed and buried their faces in the bed clothes. I took a snap shot of them. Later by a promise of giving them a picture and Mrs. Temayo (?) persuasion I got this picture. I ----them --- prints (?) I never heard of the girls after the Chinese took over the government from the Provisional government of the Allied nations who took charge when the court fled.

Written on verso: From your "Vice"-Alden Ames.

Written on photo: Best wishes for the New Year, [illegible].

Written on verso: U.S. Marine guard at U.S. Consulate, Tientsin before siege. Later left with Seymour expedition for Peking-were beaten back and managed to reach Tientsin with many wounded. Mr. James Ragsdale Consul General; Mrs. Ragsdale; Mrs. Ragsdale Jr., wife of Bertrand Ragsdale, Vice-Consul; Effie 12 yr; Earl 14 yrs; wife and child of Marine Commander; usual crowd of curious Chinese in gate.

This appears to be a page from a book.

Written on front: To Miss Ragsdale...[illegible] Ernest Morrison, Times correspondent.

This is the same image as J53a.

Written on verso: Later Vice President at Peking.

Written on verso: Effie Louise Ragsdale getting ready to go "calling" in her new rubber-tired rickshaw-dresses in blue brocade, given to her by Yuan Shi Kai as a New Year present, sable coat.

Written on verso of copy of photo: Taken before going to reception given by the Empress Dowager after her return to Peking after the Boxer Rebellion.

Written on verso: The two Britishers of our household.

Written on verso: Badly focused-March 5th, 1908 at Mrs. Gumpert's. Ladies are Mrs. Gumpert, Misses Hopkins, Morling, Patterson, Brush, Ragsdale, Hillier, Palmer and Mrs. Wade. Men-Messrs. Wade, Shaw, Howard, Edkins, Chandless, Gumpert, Bandinel & myself.

Written on verso: Closer view of the prize-winners.

Written on verso: Feb. 28th, 1908. Same group as other picture except for Wallace in my place.

Written on photo: Class was taught by Miss Labres. Left to right: Betty Reed, American; Earl Ragsdale, American; Anna Poulsen, Danish; Effie Ragsdale, American; Roy Labres, British; Suzanne Vidal, French.

Written on verso: Mrs. Frankland and Daddy. Pei Tai Ho.

Identified on verso: Mother, Father, Earl, Aunt Nellie from Iowa, Florence Winters, Harry P. Winters, Doris and Faith Sanford, bridesmaids, ushers and guests.

Earl Ragsdale and Nina Batouieff were married in December 1910.

There are eleven small photographs mounted on the front and back of a card. Identified people include: Effie, Gertie, Nina, Earl, Anna Paulsen, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Von Hanneken.

There are three photographs (85a-c) mounted on a card.

Written below photo: Mr. Conger (left) American Minister and General Miles (right) leaving legation for audience with the Empress Dowager.

Written below photo: General Miles gave order against looting of palaces after Boxer Rebellion. Audience given to thank him.

Written below photo: Mrs. Conger, Mrs. Miles and Mr. Ragsdale were received at another audience and each presented with good luck characters written by Empress on red Imperial paper.

There are seven photographs (86a-g) mounted on a card.

Written below photo: Effie M., Mrs. Allen, wife of Jardines #1.

Written on verso: Picture taken from train window, taken by Mrs. Ragsdale.

Photo mounted on card; written on front of card: Home of Nina Batouieff. Nina married Earl Ragsdale in 1910. Written on verso: Foreign residence Tientsin.

Written on verso: Tientsin 1922-1925. Rented (ca 1920) by Mr. and Mrs. Chandless. Built by Chinese shipping magnate in European style for his family. Two story servants quarters. The shipper's family didn't like European style, and wouldn't live in it.

This photo is part of a calendar from The Kodak Shop in Tientsin.

Photo is mounted on mat board.

Photo is mounted on mat board.

Written on verso: With the bean children.

Written on verso: Picnic with Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell and Florie. Note the Qui Lore [?], a samovar type water boiler heated with just a few twigs.

Written on verso: Visiting friend of the Chandlesses riding in specially made rubber-wheeled rickshaw belong to Mrs. Ragsdale. At front gate of American consulate in Tientsin.

This photo is the same image as K12.

This photo is the same as K18.

Written on verso: Mr. Wintour, Mr. Bethell, Mr. Ferguson, Miss M. Carrall, Miss E. Drew, Miss K. Carrall, EMR, (Effie M. Ragsdale), Mrs. Hansard, Mr. DeLuca.

Written on verso: We went to Mr. Wintour to tea and then we went to the observatory. Mrs. Hansard, Miss K. Carrall, Miss E. Drew, Miss M. Carrall, Mr. Wintour, Mr. Bethell, Mr. DeLuca, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Von Strauch, EMR.

Written on verso: Mrs. Hansard, Miss K. Carrall, Miss E. Drew, Miss M. Carrall, Mr. Bethell, Mr. Wintour, Mr. DeLuca, EMR.

Written on verso: Mr. Wintour, Mrs. Hansard, Mr. Bethell, Miss Elsa Drew, Mr. DeLuca, Miss Maud Carrall, Mr. Ferguson, Miss Kathleen Carrall, Mr. Von Strauch, Effie M. Ragsdale.

Written on verso: Miss Myres, Miss Brazer, Miss Gipperich, Mr. Mackowen, Mr. Wagner, Effie Ragsdale.

Written on verso: Mr. Bethell, Mr. DeLuca, Mr. Wagner, Mr. Mackowen, Miss Maud Carrall, Miss Elsbeth Gipperich, Effie Ragsdale.

Written on page: Belgians who had been in interior manning stations of Belgian-built railroad. They were smuggled out at night during Boxer uprising, aided by friendly Chinese.

Written on page: Besieged British and other diplomats and civilians who defended British Legation. Practically all of the foreign community were besieged in this Legation.

Written on page: Allied Generals and their Chiefs of Staff stationed with their troops in Tientsin after the siege of 1900. Japanese, German, British, Russian, French, Dutch,, Austrian. These men were termed the Provisional government of China and were in Tientsin for about two years. Allied troops were stationed in Tientsin for many years to guard the railways and guarantee the safety of the diplomats in Peking. Seated: 2nd from left: German Field Marshall Von Walden, 3rd from left: British General Seymour O'Creigh (Irish), 4th from left: Russian, 5th from left: French, 6th from left: Italian, 7th from left: Austrian. Standing: Aides de camp of seated leaders.

Written on page: Hunt Club paper chase in Peking.

Written on page: Wedding of Sadie, widow of Bert Ragsdale, to Captain David Young, brother of Mary [?] Young at American Consulate. Officer in Gurkha Regiment. A.D. C. to Gen. Seymour O'Creigh during Tientsin occupation by Allied troops after Boxer Rebellion. Consul Ragsdale, Mrs. Ragsdale, Effie Ragsdale, Gertrude McLeish, Dr. Terney, Cd. Stockwell.

Written on page: Picnic given by Mr. Stockwell in Chinese graveyard outside of Tientsin. Party went by horseback and by boat on the water.

Written on page: Before siege when news of Boxer activities alarmed foreign diplomats.

Written on page: Native city after the siege.

Written on page: Few Chinese Christians brought in to Legation to save their lives, proved very helpful as all servants had fled.

Written on page: Race meeting held in Temple of Heaven Park, Peking.

Written on page: View in Tientsin native city station.

Written on page: Taken the day the Viceroy of Chihli came to call on British General Creagh.

Written on page: The General's Tonga and General's house rented from retired Russian tea merchant Mr. Batouieff.

Written on page: Duck hunting in Tientsin marshes.

Written on page: Chinese used long pipes loaded with bits of iron and stones killing more ducks at one blast than foreigners could with shotguns.

Written on page: Photos taken at Launch picnic given by General O'Sullivan (center with white hair and mustache).

Written on page: Mr. Jamieson's number one boy who accompanied him on all of his trips into the interior of China. It was this boy who made all arrangements for our trip to the Great Wall.

Written on page: Chinese soldiers from Wei-Hai-Wei [?] regiment-a British trained force.

Written on page: Lama Temple built by Mimg Emperor for first visit of the Living Budha from Tibet.

The photos on this page appear to be from printed material.

Printed on photo: A Sowar (trooper) 16th Bengal Lancers at Peking. Keeping the ground at the assault at arms in the Temple of Heaven.

Printed on photo: At the races in theTemple of Heaven, Peking. This gives an excellent idea of the cosmopolitan character of the troops gathered in Peking.

Printed on photo: Group of priests in the Lama Temple in Peking. Most of them have their heads shaved. They quite appreciated being photographed and thought it a great joke being arranged on the steps.

Printed on photo: The burning of the Winter Palace at Peking. A view of General Schwarzkop's house the morning after the fire, which was still smoldering.

Written on page: Empress Dowager used money for Chinese Navy for this boat, really a pavilion.

This is a composite of two photos.

Written on page: Concessions were shelled from this fort.

Written on page: A Tientsin hero: rode during the night through enemy lines to bring messages to allied troops in Taku and guided a relief force to the relief of Tientsin which had been under siege for two weeks.

Written on page: Food for the Indian troops.

Written on page: A cold water shower bath.

This photo appears to be from printed material.

Printed on page: Enormous bronze in the Forbidden City, Peking. This curious dragon-headed tortoise is only one of the numberless carved figures in the Imperial Palace.

This photo appears to be from printed material.

Printed on page: The Tientsin Railway under British Adminstration. The Chinese are now very glad to avail themselves of it and crowd the trucks in astounding numbers.

Written on page: Duck shooting in China. Showing the flat-bottomed boats in which the Chinese go up and down the canals and on the marsh.

Written on page: Bronze pieces from France and installed by Jesuit priests. Looted by Germans and sent to Germany but later returned.

Written on page: Troops had to scale this wall against firing of Chinese troops from within before receiving foreigners.

Written on page: After fire and looting by Boxers and Chinese troops before fleeing from advancing reserve forces.

Written on page: French cathedral in North-City-Peking under siege with hundreds of Chinese converts.

Written on page: Wool warehouses or godowns were used as barracks.

Written on page: Loot from Chinese city indulged in by all. Later forbidden by British Provost Marshal under threat of shooting if caught.

Written on page: After relief of Tientsin and taking of Tientsin city before marching to relief of Peking.

Written on page: Offices of Municipal Council- British Concession and police headquarters. Many social events took place there in the large ballrooom. Balls, amateur theatricals, bazaars, and concerts. Victoria Park in foreground. Beautiful bronze plaques were put there in memory of troops of all nationals killed in the defense of Tientsin and relief of Peking after Boxer attack. These plaques were melted by the Japanese during the second World War.

Called "Detring's Folly." During siege of Tientsin, the community took refuge here.

Written on page: Leaving Peking after Spring house party at Sir Roberts, 1902, Taken at the station.

This refers to photos 1a through 4b.

Written on page: The moat.

Written on page: House party at Sir Robert's (October, 1902) It was at this time we were presented to the Empress Dowager at the Summer Palace.

Written on page: 1st Lieut. Wel Fusiliers, became youngest British General in 1st world war.

Written on page: Tiffie party at the Shui Yuan mess (Customs mess).

Written on page: Tiffie party given by bachelor members of Chinese Customs foreign staff. A farewell party because I was soon to leave for boarding school in Switzerland.

People identified: Mr. Fergeson, Lucy Drew, Esme Simpson, Elsa Drew, Mr. DeLuca, Mr. Konovaloff, Prince Rospigliosi, Mr. Wilger, Mr. Straight.

Written on page: Picnic given by Mrs. Conger, wife of American Minister to Peking.

Written on page: Italian picnic given by Lieutenant Severola at the Yellow Temple.

Written on page: Spring house party at Sir Robert's, photos taken in his garden.

Written on page: Walk in Sir Robert's garden where we strolled with him after tea.

Written on page: Two visiting young men seeing the world had introductions to Sir Robert.

Written on page: Just because she made these goo goo eyes.

Written on page: As usual we were visiting Sir Robert.

Written on page: Paidza party-wonderful place for holding hands under fur rugs. Sleds on runners pushed with pole from behind back boards.

Written on page: Taken Tientisn May 27th, 1903-my 16th birthday.

Written on page: Dressed for part in a play-"Box and Cox." Tientsin, winter of 1902.

Written on page: Peking railway station, after my return from Switzerland, we went to Peking to attend a dance given to open the new Russo-Asiatic Bank.

Written on page: Daughter of commanding officer, American Legation Guard.

Written on page: Western Hills where I spent 2 weeks with Brewsters at their temple outside Imperial City wall Peking.

Written on page: Major White's Paidza sled on ice pushed from behind, generally by Chinese coolie.

Written on page: Royal Medical Corp. British Army.

Written on page: In the Gullie.

Written on page: Aunt Nina's (?) girlhood home in background, rented to British general. Indian Hill carriage drawn by mules.

Written on page: "We" and "Us".

Written on page: Major Brewster was Commander of American Legation guard in Peking. Rented Temple in Western Hills where I visited them summer of 1902.

Written on page: A.D.E. to Gen. Cragh.

Written on page: I rode this horse on trip to Great Wall, Indian syce came along on foot.

Written on page: Lieut. Herlsher, Mr. Doveton, Mother, Alice Young, Mr. Ridgeway, Miss Young, Ruby Fabris, Mr. McCleverty, Capt. Kaye, Mr. Graham, Miss Fabris, Capt. Beaunish.

Written on page: British garrison at Lutai to guard railway. Station halfway to Tongshan, big coal mines were at Tongshan.

Written on page: Commanding General of British forces sent to China after Boxer Rebellion.

Written on page: Sadie-first husband was Bertrand Ragsdale, my first brother-married Gen. Creagh's A.D.C. in Tientsin.Left for India Feb. 1903. Capt. Young was officer in Gurkha regiment, killed in action in France 1915.

Written on page: Mr. Jameson, American friend of family; engineer employed by Chinese government.

Written on page: Off to pay calls, Mother's rubber-tired rickshaw was a great luxury.

Written on page: House party at Lutai.

Written on page: Specialized in pigs bristles, tung oil and other products from South.

Written on page: First home leave post, Roland Bandinel.

Written on page: Tientsin Volunteer Mounted Corps.

Written on page: Dog cart and Mafoo standing outside consulate, Batouieff house in background.

Written on page: Coolies pulling heavy cargo carts.

Written on page: Tientsin Volunteers, Mounted Infantry, Summer uniforms.

Written on page: Spent winter at consulate as guest.