George Eben Bent photograph collection, circa 1890-1930
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- George Eben Bent photograph collection
- Dates
- circa 1890-1930 (inclusive)18851939
- Quantity
- 75 photographic prints (1 box and 1 folder) ; sizes vary
- Collection Number
- PH0133
- Summary
- Photographs of George Bent family and friends, mining and gold rush activity in Alaska and the Yukon, and views of Mexico and England. Many of the photographs have attached tissue-paper tags on the back with descriptive information and page numbers as if being prepared for publication. No related book could be located.
- Repository
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University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
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Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
George Eben Bent (1861-ca. 1926) was born in Bath, Maine. His father was a blacksmith in Nova Scotia for much of Bent's life, but he and his brothers turned to mining. George's elder brother, Gardiner, was a mining engineer in Mexico, and his younger brother, James, joined him in Rodman Bay, Alaska, first with the Baranof Exploration Company, then with the Rodman Bay Company. Throughout his career as a gold miner in the Yukon, Bent made trips to New York and London to raise money and support for his companies.
George E. Bent could not make a profit with his ventures in Rodman Bay. A news article, which ran in the Seattle Daily Times in November 1903, stated that more than $500,000 had been lost to the ventures in Rodman Bay. He was sued, several times, for the repayment of loans. He couldn't satisfy his lenders, both in his enterprises and his repayments. He was fired from the Rodman Bay Company, but he did not give up his hope of running a successful mill. Bent had interests in mines in South America and Australia, but his last years were spent in Arizona as the general manager of the Boston-Arizona Copper Company. He died in October at the age of 65, months before the projected opening of the Duplex gold mine in Searchlight, NV.
Content Description
Photographs of George Bent family and friends, mining and gold rush activity in the Yukon and Alaska including Rodman Bay, and views of Mexico and other travels in Europe.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Probably donated by Sverre Arested. He taught in the University of Washington's Scandinavian Studies Department from 1934 to 1972.
Processing Note
Processed by Cindy Porter, 2009; processed by Erin Mettling, 2011; revised by Stefanie Terasaki, 2012. Originally accessioned as the Sverre Arestand photograph collection. Name changed to the George Bent photograph collection in 2012 to accurately reflect the content of the collection.
Bibliography
Patricia Roppel, "The Gold of Rodman Bay." Alaska History magazine. Vol. 8, No. 2, Fall 1993. Pages 20-35.
Patricia Roppel, biographical notes and timeline on George E. Bent. Sent to Cindy Porter via electronic mail March 11, 2009.
Detailed Description of the Collection
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George E. and Florence Bent
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George Bent
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Description: George Eben Bent in ChicagoL. Alman, New York City and Newport, R.I. (photographer)
Written on verso: Bent - 1890.
This photograph appears to be taken on the same date as photograph 2, but typed note has a different date.
Dates: 1887Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1 -
Description: George E. BentL. Alman, New York City and Newport, R.I. (photographer)
Written on verso: Bent taken 1900.
This photograph appears to be taken on the same date as photograph 1, but typed note has a different date.
Dates: 1895Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 2 -
Description: George E. Bent in New YorkL.Alman, New York City and Newport, R.I. (photographer)
Written on verso: Bent spring 1889.
Dates: 1889Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 3 -
Description: George E. Bent in LondonLafayette, London (photographer)
Written on verso: Bent in london 1900.
Dates: 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 4 -
Description: George E. Bent in New YorkAlman & Co, New York City and Newport, R.I. (photographer)
Written on verso: Bent in 1909.
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 5 -
Description: George E. BentAlman & Co, New York City and Newport, R.I. (photographer)
Written on verso: Bent in 1909.
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 6
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Florence Bent
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Description: Florence Bent in New YorkL. Alman, New York City and Newport, R.I. (photographer)
Written on verso: Mrs. Bent Florence in 1890.
Dates: 1893Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 7 -
Description: Florence Bent in Washington, D.C.
Written on verso: Mrs. Bent Florence Washington D.C. in 1901.
Dates: 1901Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 8 -
Dates: February 1933Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 9
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Edward Harrison Power and Elaine Eilson Power, 1901-1902
Edward Power and George Bent were investors in the gold mine. Power later fired Bent as manager.
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Description: Edward Harrison Power and Elaine Eilson PowerLafayette, London (photographer)
Written on front: To Dear Mr. Bent With best wishes of Mr & Mrs Power. May 31st.
Written on verso: This picture was given to Mr. and Mrs. Bent in 1902.
Dates: 1902Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 10 -
Description: Elaine Power in ChicagoNuma Blancfils, Cannes, Aix-Les-Bains (photographer)
Written on verso: To Mr & Mrs Bent Sincerely, Elaine Power.
Dates: 1901Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 11
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Acquaintances of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Bent, circa 1900
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Dates: 1895Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 12
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Description: D.D. Conover, president of the Florencia Co., and Mrs. ConoverW. Kurtz, New York (photographer)
Inscribed on verso: Compliments of Mr & Mrs D.D. Conover Augt 11th 1890 (Pres. Florencia Co.).
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 13 -
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 14
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Description: Lionel Dashwood
Written on front: London.
Written on verso: Lionel Dashwood manager of Childs Bank.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 15 -
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 16
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Dates: 1889Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 17
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Description: Young boy and dog, possibly Joe MedellE.C. Berryman, Midland, Michigan (photographer)
Written on front: James Gillespie Blaine.
Written on verso: Joe Medell and Blaine 1900
Dates: 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Item 18 -
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box folder:oversize OS1, Item 19
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Description: William A. PinkertonMorrison, Chicago (photographer)
Inscribed on verso: To Geo. E. Bent With best wishes of Wm. A. Pinkerton. Chicago Oct 5th 1895.
Dates: 1895Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 20 -
Description: Henry G. SladeBrown, Barnes & Bell, Photographers to the Queen, London (photographer)
Written on verso: In pleasant memory of Camp Sewey. Nov 1899 H.G.S.
Dates: 1899Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 21 -
Description: Margaret StewartLoryea, Spokane, Washington (photographer)
Written on verso: Margaret Stewart -In a private theatrical costume.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 22 -
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 23
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Item 24
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Landmarks on Bent's travels to Gold Rush Alaska, circa 1900
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Description: Alert Bay, British Columbia
Written on verso: Alert Bay in B.C., Stopped her on way to Alaska in 1898.
Dates: 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 25 -
Description: Coastline of AlaskaDates: circa 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 26
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Description: Belle Belle, British ColumbiaDates: circa 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 27
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Description: Revenue cutter in waters off Alexander Archipelago, near Sitka, Alaska
Written on verso: Wheeling, Revenue Cutter in foreground.
Dates: circa 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 28 -
Description: Scow in Whitehorse RapidsDates: 1899Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 29
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Description: Juneau, Alsaka from the head of Seward St.Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 30
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Description: Lake Lindeman Tent City
Written on verso: Lake Lindeman Inferior-on White pass road in Canada during gold rush.
Attached to photo: Gold rush city of tents, Lake Lindeman, within Arctic Circle in 1898.
Dates: 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 31 -
Dates: 1898Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 32
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Description: Le Roi Mine, Rossland, British Columbia
Written on verso: Rossland B.C. The Le Roi No. 1 mine in foreground, managed by Bent.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 33 -
Description: War Eagle Mine, Rossland, British Columbia
Both photos captioned: War Eagle Mine- Rossland, Trail Creek, B.C.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Item 34a-b
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Rodman Bay, circa 1900
Rodman Bay was an area of interest for British gold-seekers. After the onset of the Yukon Gold Rush, many wanted to try their luck in Alaska. Rodman Bay is an outcropping on a narrow arm of the sea, 30 miles north of Sitka. The winters were long and harsh, and the claims staked on the Bay never came to much fruition. The original members of the Seattle-based Alaska Baranof Exploration Company were: James R. Bent, George Eben Bent, Constantine Lomak Webb (all of Seattle), Will Nichols (Idaho), Charles K. Poteet and Andrew William Anderson (Juneau). They left Seattle for Alaska in 1898. Over the next decade, the exploration company changed hands several times and was part of several lawsuits over ownership, the repayment of loans and stocks.
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People at Rodman Bay
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Description: George Bent, Charlie Poteet, Philpotts at shore house
Written on verso: Geo. Bent Charlie Poteet, Philpotts- At shore house and shore- Rodman Bay.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 35 -
Description: Mrs. Davidson and Georgina Bent on porch of a tent
Written on verso: Charles Davidson's tent, wife and baby, Georgina Bent - Bent's sister.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 36 -
Matthew Fox
Fox and his wife, Mary, ran out of supplies in early January 1901. On the way to gather more food, Fox broke through the ice, and "froze his feet." He did not survive the hike back to the couple's homestead nad was thought to have been murdered.
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 37
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 38
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Description: Chinese man named Haw at RodmanDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 39
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Description: Charles Meiner, Bookkeeper for Rodman Co.
Written on verso: Charles Milner bookkeeper of the Rodman Co. at Rodman. This is an enlargement of a snap-shot taken by Florence Bent. She had asked him to look pleasant, hence this response.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 40 -
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 41
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Item 42
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Nature and Landscape of Rodman Bay
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Description: Back of MineDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 43
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 44
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Description: Buildings at Rodman Bay
Written on verso: Boarding House and other buildings at Rodman Bay.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 45 -
Description: Dog in snow by the water
Written on verso: Dog-field spaniel. Bent dog in Alaska "Cook."
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 46 -
Description: Erecting a building
Written on verso: building a 120 Stamp Mill at Rodman.
Typed note pasted to the back of the photograph has been changed by hand to read: Building a 60 stamp mill at Rodman Bay.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 47 -
Description: Falls in Rodman BayDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 48
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Description: Houses on the beach at Rodman BayDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 49
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Description: King salmon
Written on verso: 33 lb King [salmon] caught by Mrs. Bent at Alaska.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 50 -
Description: Man on railway tracks in the snow
Written on verso: Boarding house and Bunkhouse Engine house on Beach Rodman.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 51 -
Description: Railroad at Rodman Bay with workersDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Item 52
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Description: Railroad along beach at Rodman
Written on verso: Railroad along the Beach Rodman this road is about 10 1/2 miles long from wharf to mine.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 53 -
Description: Railroad BridgeDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 54
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Description: Rapids through the woods
Written on verso: Up Pike Gulah from Rodman Bay--Falls emptys into Rodman Creek.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 55 -
Description: Rodman Bay at Sunset
Written on verso: Tyee Bay after Storm Rodman Bay Alaska at Sunset.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 56 -
Description: Snow at Rodman BayDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 57
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Description: Store and Boarding houseDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 58
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 59
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Description: TheTonquin ShipDates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 60
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 61
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Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/8, Item 62
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Mr. and Mrs. George B. Hudson, circa 1900
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Description: George B. HudsonDickinson, London (photographer)
Hudson was a memeber of the House of Commons in London, and one of the original shareholders on the Rodman Bay claims.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 63 -
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 64
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George B. Hudson's Home and Estate, Frogmore Hall
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Description: Front of the Hudsons' home, Frogmore HallAlbert G. Bishop (photographer)
Written on verso: Front view of Hudson house Frogmore Hall.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box folder:oversize OS1, Item 65 -
Description: Rear view of Hudson house, Frogmore HallAlbert G. Bishop (photographer)
Written on verso: Honoravle George B. Hudson House near London Rear View Frogmore Hall.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box folder:oversize OS1, Item 66 -
Description: Hudson house and estate, Frogmore HallAlbert G. Bishop (photographer)
Written on verso: Honoravle George B. Hudson House near London Rear View Frogmore Hall.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box folder:oversize OS1, Item 67
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Mexico, circa 1890
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Description: President DiazValleto y Cia, Mexico (photographer)
Written on verso: This picture given personally by Diaz to Mrs. Bent in 1895.
Dates: 1895Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 68 -
Description: Dona Carmeila Rubio de DiazValleto y Cia, Mexico (photographer)
Written on verso: Also given to Mrs. Bent by Diaz--Diaz's wife.
Dates: 1895Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 69 -
Description: Dona EulaliaDates: circa 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 70
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Description: Don Estevan and famliy
Written on verso: -Don Estevan -Son Mariano -Daughter Marie -Wife Dona Eulalia
Dates: circa 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 71 -
Description: Manager of Cuautla plantation and familyV. Wolfenstein Sucrea, Mexico (photographer)
Written on verso: Manager of plantation and wife and son. Taken on the veranda of the hacienda (The names of this family Mrs. Bent has forgotten.)
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 72 -
Description: George Bent and his brothers in CuautlaV. Wolfenstein Sucrea, Mexico (photographer)
Written on verso: 1890 Top Row-Uncle George, McManus- Bottom Row: Mr. Whitmore, Guy Bent (in sombrero), George Bent, Jim Bent. They were here at plantation.
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 1/9, Item 73
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European Travels, circa 1900
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Description: Regina Hotel, Paris, France
Written on verso: Regina Hotel where Bents staid in Paris. Joan of Arc monument in foreground.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/10, Item 74 -
Description: Windsor Castle, London, England
Written on verso: Dolly McMicken Mrs. E.E. Kane. Two friends of Mrs. Bent. This is an enlargement of a snap shot taken by her.
Dates: circa 1900Container: Box/Folder 1/10, Item 75
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographs
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
