Faro and Doris Caudill, Homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico, October 1940
This picture speaks volumes doesn't it?
I expect they are not really that old. She stands very straight, but you can see life is hard.
If I did not know the date, it looks more like a depression era photo, but I guess in many areas 1940 was still in the throws of the depression.
You think of all those immigrants that flocked to the States for a better life. For some it was, but for many you do wonder if they would have been better off staying put, of course with WWII on the brink I guess not. It's the isolation of these places and the vastness of the States.
Look at the old prints on her dress and apron. I love the apron.
Homesteading was such a hard life. My son had to read Ethan Frome for school, by Evelyn Wharton, an American Classic, in the leaf there is a quote from her autobiography, where she says "I had wanted to draw life as it really was in the derelict mountain villages of New England... The snow-bound villages of western Massachusetts were grim places, morally and physically; insanity; incest and slow mental and moral starvation were hidden away behind the paintless wooden house fronts of the long village streets." I think that passage could be applied to many areas of the States at that time.
Christy
I am sure some came for a better life. Many though came because they were starving at home and therefore it was worth the risk. My father's family first immigrated to Russia to work a farm that was to be theirs after so many years. The government changed and so this did not happpen. (They had been starving at home in Germany.)
ReplyDeleteSo they went to Wisconsin. By then my great great grandfather had many children. Times were tough and he adopted some out of his children out or they would have starved.
Very difficult times--unimaginable.
I cannot imagine immigrating twice in one's lifetime. There are those that would enjoy the sense of adventure or wanted to have a better lift but for many they just felt there was no other way.
Don't know if any of this makes sense...
Hi Cristy! So nice to find you (after you found me on MY blog!). You have a lovely blog:) HOpe you had a wonderful Christmas!
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