Some times the way my mind works is a marvel. The daily posts than really evolve, some quickly and other over months. Initially, I was going to focus on the Blunck homestead, which was yesterday’s featured photograph. Today, just indicates how twisted my mind can function.

Over the years, I have corresponded with a lot of people. One of which was Gladys Goodfellow Scott (1905-2003) who grew up in Willow Creek Valley. In one of those letters, she wrote about various homesteads, and one known as the Shep place. It was so named for Shep Thomas who took over from Blunck circa 1918. Gladys went on to send the picture featured today.

Examining the photograph it appears they are part of a road crew. Back then one could pay a road tax, or volunteer several days of labor. I will go into that tomorrow. I do want to point out, Levi Conklin, featured in the photograph was a long time resident of Dry Valley, between Grasshopper Valley and the Madeline Plains. He is one of the few named known individuals to be buried in the Dry Valley Cemetery.

Tim