Idaho cold case of outlaw missing since 1916 solved by DNA, genetic genealogy

Fox News ^ | 01/01/20 | Robert Gearty

[Artemis Webb]

DNA and genetic genealogy have helped investigators solve a century-old Idaho mystery.

Outlaw Joseph Henry Loveless was killed and dismembered in 1916 and buried in a shallow grave in Buffalo Cave outside Dubois. At the time, Loveless was wanted for escaping from a jail where he was being held for killing his wife with an ax.

Loveless’ remains were found in the cave four decades ago—but not his head--and they remained unidentified until just recently.

Lee Bingham Redgrave, a genealogist with the nonprofit DNA Doe Project, determined the remains belonged to Loveless after painstaking research that included constructing an elaborate family tree of Loveless' extended relatives.

[21twelve]

So not a photo, but a sketch based on witnesses it sounds like? Interesting the wider eye and upturned lip on his right side. Either the artist couldn’t draw, or perhaps it was some health issue? Maybe even something related to mental illness which played a part of him killing his wife???

[Bob434]

i think so, the wetplate ones used glass i believe- but I’m not that familiar with that kind of photography- I do know they used a bunch of dangerous chemicals, and it was a long drawn out process- and so it went out of fashion for many as soon as new photography techniques came along

[nwrep]

They only did that for dead people, not for people who were alive. That photo is a composite reproduction.

[Bob434]

sorry but they didn’t ‘only do that for dead people’ - you can find all kinds of info on how rigorous getting photos done back then was- the folks had to stay as still as possible for a long time, and often they had to be propped to keep their head from moving because of the length of time it took-

[Bob434]

“Posing for a daguerreotype wasn’t trivial: because the exposure time is about 15 minutes, the subject’s head had to be held still with a clamp!”

https://www.neatorama.com/2006/08/29/the-wonderful-world-of-early-photography/

[Bob434]

 

Device to hold heads still during the long exposure time required to make a daguerreotype portrait

link

Not sure why you are suggesting they only did that for dead people- long exposure times were very common in the old days and peopel often had to have soemthing to rest their heads agaisnt to keep from moving as best as possible- you will also note that not al ot of folks were smiling in the old photos- which likely was because they couldn't hold the smile for that length of time without moving their lips or mouths- it is claiemd- which is entirely possible. Also- photographers used heavy makeup

[nwrep]

Long exposure times were, of course, for everybody. Only the dead were all made up to look like weird dolls. Living people who were photographed were not made up. They just had to sit still. That is my contention.