Croft, Thomas, 1849-1909

Person

Staff Only

Biography

Thomas F. Croft moved to Arkansas City from Illinois in 1885. In 1894 he likely took the famous photograph of the Land Run Opening the Cherokee Strip for settlement while working for a photographer named Prettyman. In 1896 he took the first known image of a tornado in action during a visit to Oklahoma City. He regularly traveled to Indian Territory to shoot images of Native Americans, such as the one we are examining. Later on in his career he moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Indian Ghost Dance, approximately 1895

Item — Box 1: [Barcode: 000023279575], item: 7

Identifier: 2016-007-7

Scope and Contents A cabinet card depicting Two flags, one the United States of America, the other unidentified, are in the center of a large circle of people seated outside. There are gaps in the circle where there is no one sitting. A single tree is within the circle to the right of the flags. "Indian Dancers" are likely Otoe and/or Osage, and the location is near Hominy, Oklahoma. "7" and "Hoyt" written on back in ink. Croft imprint on front.Title taken from front of photograph. Printed on...

Dates: Other: approximately 1895

Found in: The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives / Esther Hoyt Cabinet Cards, approximately 1885-1900

Otoe Indian Police, 1892

Item — Box 1: [Barcode: 000023279575], item: 15

Identifier: 2016-007-15

Scope and Contents

A cabinet card depicting ten mounted Oto police, eight with weapons. Research suggests that this group might be: John Morris, John Crazy Horse, William Morgan, Alfred Murie, Samuel Thomas, James R. Murie, Frank High Eagle, and John Riding Up. "19" and "Hoyt" written on back in ink. Croft imprint on front.

Dates: Other: 1892