Herman Schnitzmeyer (1880-1939), photographer. Portrait of Kootenai Chief Koostahtah. Hand-colored albumen enlargement. Polson, Montana: Johan W.  Rode, photographed 1922, later printing, circa 1926. 19 1/4 x 11 1/2 in. Stamped "J.W. Rode, Polson, Mont. / Successor to H. Schnitzmeyer." to verso.

A dramatic view of Chief Koostahtah of the Kutenai (alt. Kootenai, Ktunaxa, Kootenay) people native to western Montana, Idaho, and southern British Columbia. Here he is posed at the"Royal Gorge" at the head of the Flathead River. The image was taken by homesteader and photographer Herman Schnitzmeyer (1880-1939). He worked as a freelancer taking images of the Northern Pacific Railroad and throughout the Pacific Northwest. He also took portraits of the local Native Americans, with several known views of Chief Koostahtah. 

In 1926, Schnitzmeyer sold most of his equipment and negatives to Johan W. Rode, who began printing massive enlargements that Schnitzmeyer was never able to achieve. When he first began his enterprise, his stamp read "Successor to H. Schnitzmeyer." 

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