Croft, Thomas, 1849-1909
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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Kiowas, Undated
A cabinet card depicting a Kiowa woman with two children. Ink stamp of T. Croft, Oklahoma City on back. "10" and "Hoyt" written on back in ink. Lacks the Croft imprint on front
Little Bow's Teepee. Kiowa, Undated
A cabinet card depicting a plains lodge, or tipi. "14" and "Hoyt" written on back in ink. Croft imprint on front.
Moncah-Godle, Kiowa Girl, Undated
A cabinet card depicting a Kiowa girl with a doll. Note that some other versions of this image describe her as Mohicahgoy (the daughter of Hummingbird). "26" and "Hoyt" written on back in ink. Croft imprint on front.