Eye of the Beholder

Ever since Esther Mendenhall handled her first camera, she dreamed of photographing the American West.  She shared her vision with one other person, Bridie Callahan – her best friend.

 

Esther reached adulthood just as America became embroiled in a tumultuous era of change, called the Progressive Era.  This new society suited Esther well as she had no desire to assume traditional female roles – wife, mother, caregiver or teacher.  Educated in the public school system, trained as a photographer by her father, and blessed with natural business sense, Esther worked along side her father in his Custom Engraving and Photography Shop.  Then circumstances changed; Esther's father died and her mother – unable to live without a man to take care of her – married hastily.  In a matter of months, Esther's stepfather – a petty thief – nearly ruined her father's shop.  In the wake of the tragedy, Esther almost gave up on her dream.

 

Help came from an unexpected source – a wealthy land owner from Texas who had met Esther and her father at a charity auction.  Esther and her father photographed the event.  Willa was the only other person, besides Bridie, who knew about Esther's dream.  Willa McKinnis sent her condolences and asked Esther if she wanted to come to Gales Creek Ranch to photograph the land and its people.  Humphrey- her stepfather, for reasons of his own -insisted on escorting Esther to Texas.  He also demanded Esther introduce him as her father's partner and fellow photographer.  In a matter of days after he arrived at the ranch, Willa discovered Humphrey's scam – to charge higher fees because of his so-called expertise.  She sent him packing.  Willa became Esther's mentor and financial backer.  She, also, sent for Bridie Callahan, Esther's best friend.  That spring and part of the summer, while Esther photograph the Gales Creek Ranch and its people, Paco – Willa's favorite wrangler – train Bridie and her to survive in the West.  When they went out on their own, they were fully equipped – thanks to Willa's generosity.

 

Esther's journey took her and Bridie from the deep canyons and spectacular deserts of the Southwest to the deep blue lakes and snowcapped mountains of the Pacific Northwest.  Along the way, they met exceptional people who eagerly shared their part of the American West with them.  Archaeologist, Native Americans, pioneers, conservationist, immigrants and guides help them understand the complexity of the land.  One such person was Samuel Bidderman, owner of A Traveler's Magazine, who introduced Esther and Bridie to the newly emerging tourist industry – aimed at the expanding middle-class.  A group of people who now found themselves with leisure time and extra money in their pockets and readily accessible transportation – like the railroad.  Esther and Bridie, also, shared Samuel's interests in conservation – he even devoted space in his magazine for the subject.  Samuel hired Esther as the lead photographer for his magazine; along the way, he and Esther fell in love.

 

Then in 1906 at the height of her career, Esther and her photographs disappeared from the public's view.