Bus Howdyshell (20th Century)
‘Luke Cowapoo’ (April, 1955)
sepia photograph
(actual) 10” high x 8” wide
Description: Original black and white photograph depicting Co-Chief Luke Cowapoo (Nez Perce/Cayuse, 1885-1954) sitting on a fence at the Pendleton Round-Up, Pendleton, Oregon, taken by Bus Howdyshell, and printed prior to 1955.
Notes: Cowapoo artifacts can be found in Museums across the continent and his portrait is included in the Catalog of American Portraits, National Portrait Gallery.
“Luke Cowapoo, b. 1885/6. A great grandson of Chief Lawyer of the Nez Perce Indians; he is also a grandson of George Eumolers, one time chief of the Cayuse. He is Nez Perce and Cayuse. Cowapoo is a powerful man physically, proud and admits that he is the best-looking person on the Umatilla Reservation. Cowapoo farms intermittently, but he finds greater pleasure in riding horse-back at the roundup.”
(Source: Inscription for back of Cowapoo’s portrait at the National Portrait Gallery originally commissioned for Washington State College 1935-36.)
Markings: inscribed verso, “Luke Cowapoo / Co-Chef of the Pendleton Round-up / died July 5, 1954 aged 69 / April 1955”; stamped verso, “NOT FOR PUBLICATION EXCEPT / BY WRITTEN PERMISSION / BUS HOWDYSHELL, PENDLETON, ORE. / 625 N. W. 8th STREET”
Dimensions: 10” high x 8” wide
Condition: Excellent Condition
