Butler purchased this portrait in November 1901 according to Sharp's sales ledgers. (Sharp Papers)

This is one of two nearly identical portraits that Sharp spoke about to the Helena Record in August, 1901, saying that after three years of effort he had finally accomplished the task of painting Curley. For the other version, see related image, #125. One of the portraits was published in the Cincinnati Enquirer in January 1902.  It would appear that Sharp copied whichever version came first in order to produce the second portrait.

Sharp made sure to photograph the illusive Curley when he finally came to pose.  See related image, #337a. Curley reputedly refused to come to Sharp's studio, so the artist was forced to photograph him in the Babcock store at Crow Agency.  (see Fenn, 2007, 149)