Idaho Homestead 1911

Photos taken in Hollister, Idaho, June 1911.  The John Bresslers and the Charles Cravens of Wayne, Nebraska are homesteading in Idaho.  Charles Craven was the local photographer in Wayne and I think he took these photos (he’s not in any of the photos).

Charles M. Craven homestead, Hollister, Idaho, June 1911. In doorway: Mrs. Hattie Craven. L-R: Ruth Bressler, Mrs. Julia Fair Bressler, Dorothy Bressler, Ruth Ringland, Joe Ringland, Mrs. Harvey S. Ringland, Harvey S. Ringland, and John T. Bressler. Ringland was an officer in the Bressler bank in Wayne, Nebraska.

I have posted photos of the Bressler house in Wayne here.  You can see they are used to more luxurious surroundings.  Within a year of this picture, Ruth Bressler had married Amos Claycomb and moved to Illinois.  I believe the Bresslers did not complete the requirement for homesteading.  I don’t know much about the Craven family.

Hollister, Idaho, June 1911. Ruth Bressler shack. Dorothy Bressler in hat.

John Bressler was a banker and politician (unpopular combination) – This is him standing at an irrigation gate.  Dressed very nicely for working in the fields.
These are the families in front of the Bressler homestead with their wagon.  Ruth Bressler’s ‘shack’ (her words) marked with a blue check behind the wagon; a barn is at the far left.  The barrel on the wagon is to transport water.

John T. Bressler homestead, Hollister, Idaho, June 1911.
L-R: Mrs. Hattie Craven, Mrs. Julia Fair Bressler, Dorothy Bressler, Ruth Bressler, John T. Bressler.

Here two of the women are leaving for Idaho Falls.  Some are actually staying.  That looks like a bleak existence.  And how many trunks of clothes did they bring so that they could dress like this?  The houses must have been full of trunks.

Holllister, Idaho, June 1911. Mrs. Julia Fair Bressler and Dorothy Bressler leaving for Idaho Falls.
L-R: John T. Bressler, Dorothy Bressler, Mrs. Julia Bressler, Ruth Bressler, and Mrs. Hattie Craven.