Real photo postcard, circa 1910.
This circa 1910 unsent, real photo postcard shows a large family camping out in the woods. We assume it’s a family but the subjects are unidentified so no guarantee. Not that their scribbled title isn’t descriptive, but we wished we knew their names and where they came from. Sadly, we know nothing about the family, place or circumstance. These real photo postcards often have frustratingly specific images, with no written information. They were produced by local photographers or family members and not commercially available.
Still we can see that from three-year-olds to grandparents, no one stayed home. The young equestrian ladies are the only ones mounted, and they are sporting long guns. Females are often shown as active participants in Ozark fishing and hunting.
As for the steeds, according to Crystal’s brother, equine surgeon Dr. Jay Merriam, “The small middle one is probably a mule. The big one standing sideways on the left is probably a Mammoth Jack of a type well known in Missouri. When bred to a horse mare, they would produce a wonderful, large, strong mule that could provide for a family for 20+ years. A real prize. This family is going to prosper.”
Their rude lodging runs from several tents (one like a teepee) to a sawmill shack. The trees are bare and everyone wears a coat. It must be a winter hunt. The Ozarks as a sporting mecca goes way back in time.
Vintage Ozarks is a feature we provide to River Hills Traveler, a monthly publication. Our company, Lens & Pen Press publishes all color books on the Ozarks. James Fork of the White: Transformation of an Ozark River is a 352-page all-color book that looks at the effect of development on a famous float stream and our efforts to protect riverine resources. The book is available for $31.50 postage paid. Click on Buy Our Books to order.
