The bulk of the photographs the Kolbs sold consisted of pictures of people astride the famous Grand Canyon mules. It was not an idle boast by Emery to say he had “taken more pictures of men and mules than any other living man.” This was not an easy task, considering the only clean water was located at Indian Garden, four and a half miles (7 km) down the Bright Angel Trail and three thousand feet (914 m) below the rim. The mule trains carrying “dudes,” as mule-riding canyon visitors were called, were first photographed and later passed by a little man (either Emery or Ellsworth) running by with a pack full of glass plates, en route to the nearest clean water. Hours later as the mules lurched and swayed up the trail they were again passed by the same little man, sweating in the afternoon sun, racing up the trail with the finished prints. These daily trips to Indian Garden continued until 1932 when the Kolbs gained access to clean water on the South Rim. NAU 568-8410   ca. 1904 NAU 568-1206   1911

NAU 568-5372		ca. 1903

The rapport between Emery and Ellsworth was never very strong. After Emery married Blanche Bender in 1905, the brothers’ relationship became strained. With the birth of Emery and Blanche’s only child Edith in 1908, Emery began spending most of his time with his family. The business partnership between Emery and Ellsworth dissolved during the summer of 1924. Emery later claimed his brother suffered a nervous breakdown which made working (and living) with him impossible.

NAU 568-773   ca. 1950

The brothers flipped a coin to determine which brother would leave the canyon. Emery won the coin tosses (two out of three) and the rights to the studio. Ellsworth received a monthly allotment as a settlement, but was forced to move. He died in Los Angeles in 1960, where he had made his home since 1924.