Professor Henry Tanner — Bell Barn Society

1850s or 1860s - A young William Bell portrait

Probably taken in Ontario - Possibly the earliest known photograph of William (Bill) Bell, taken around the time that he enlisted in the military, or earlier.

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1860s - Capt. W.R. Bell in uniform (centre) with two companions

Probably taken in Ontario in the mid to late 1860s or early 1870s.

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1860s - Capt. [later Major] W.R. Bell next to a desk

This photograph of Captain Bell in military uniform was probably taken some time between 1865 and 1875, reportedly an officer of the Montreal Infantry.

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1870s - Sherwood Ambler Bell

Son of Major W.R. and Catherine (Elwood) Bell - Sherwood Ambler Bell (1868-1870) was born in Elizabethtown, Ontario in approximately June 1868.

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1870s - William Robert Bell as a young man

This photograph was likely taken after Major Bell left the military, as he seems more mature (moustache) than he does in his uniform images.

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1871 - Capt. W.R. Bell at Wimbledon, England

Major Bell: fourth from left, front standing row, with badge on sash.

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1880s - Duck Hunters - View # 1 - possibly near the Bell Farm

A hunting party with their canoe, dogs and catch of birds, possibly at the south edge of the Qu'Appelle Valley, north of the Bell Farm in the 1880s.

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1880s - Duck Hunters - View # 2 - possibly near the Bell Farm

A second view of the Duck Hunters includes this inscription on the back: "Major Bell with W. Crawley Ricardo, Compliments" This notation could indicate that Crawley took the photo, and sent a copy back to Major Bell.

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1880s - Major W.R. Bell (left) and a friend

Photographed at the John Ross Studio, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Major Bell (left) and an unidentified man, photographed around 1882.

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1882 - Major W.R. Bell around the time he established the Bell Farm in 1882.

Formal portrait of Major W.R. Bell in the 1880s.

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1883 - Major W.R. Bell (centre) and two other people at the Bell Farmhouse

Major Bell [centre] and others at the doorway of the Bell Farmhouse, 1883. Major Bell is wearing a pith helmet that is visible in several historic photos.

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1884 - Mrs. Katherine Ann (Elwood) Bell

Major Bell's first wife, photographed at the Bell Farmhouse, Indian Head, 1884.

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1891 - Jack McKee

Jack McKee was the nephew of Major and Catherine Bell. He lived at or near Barrie, Ontario, and is recorded by the "Northern Advance", published in Barrie, as going to the Bell Farm for the autumn in August, and returning in December, 1891, to visit his Aunt at Indian Head.

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1893 (ca.) - Major W.R. Bell posed in a Calgary studio photo

Major Bell, posing in a studio between 1893 and 1894, when Robert Randolph Bruce took a number of photos of important western personalities at his photographic studio in Calgary.

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1893 - Major Bell's London, England apartment - 33 Wimpole St.

Major Bell's Apartment during his 1894 trip to England.

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1894 - Sketch of Major W.R. Bell

It appears that this sketched image of Major Bell may have been taken from a photo taken the same day as the view where the Major faces directly into the camera. Note the similarity of the suit and tie, as well as his hair style.

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1890s - Major W.R. Bell with an Indigenous woman on the Bell Farm

Major Bell in 1911, three decades after starting the Bell Farm Major Bell is visiting with one of the Indigenous women of the region, standing at the base of the large flagpole in front of his Farmhouse.

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1896 - Major W.R. Bell Sketch - in tophat

Side view sketch of Major Bell wearing a top hat.

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1900s - Major Bell, far left, with five business friends

Possibly taken in Winnipeg - Major Bell, far left, with five unidentified men, possibly members of the Qu'Appelle Valley Farming Company, or just friends who have gathered for a social get-together and an opportunity to have this group photo taken.

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