There are no cows or markets in this photograph, but it IS an interesting building with an interesting group of people in front of it.
This group of people are posed in front of the Dental Office of my great-grandfather, Watson Emory (Frederick) Webster.
Yes, you’ve heard of Frederick before. He is also known as The Traveling Dentist and as an inventor in previous posts on my blog.
Frederick is the one seated to the far right with his arm around his son (my grandfather Debs Warren Webster).
This photograph was taken in Louisiana in 1926. The back of the photo actually lists the people in the picture, so in case there are any of their descendants reading this post, I’ll go ahead and list their names:
Now for some curious observations about this photo:From Left to right:
Sitting - Alice Jaques, Esther Allen, Alice Pickett, Geo. T. Pickett-General Mgr., Pauline Vanhorn, Dr. F. E. Webster, Debs Webster.
Standing – W. J. Hoag, Douglas Briger, Esther Jacobson.
If you look closely at the lady seated in the middle of the picture, she is holding what looks like a dental teeth model.
Also, take a look at those beehives that are sitting right in front of the group. Yikes!
On the back of the photo is typed the phrase, “Hiven (sic) wiht (sic) 11 Caucasian and Carniolan Queens in them to take to Brazil.” It looks like the first two words had some typos in them and are supposed to read “Hives with.” I did a Google search and Caucasian and Carniolan are types of bees.
I don’t know about you, but I would NOT want to be sitting that close to beehives! Oh, and I would NOT want them as traveling companions on my way to Brazil either!
Thanks for reading!
Copyright © Jana Last 2012
Absolutely it is a great building! A dentist in the family too! How wonderful...I've always wondered how far back it was when dentist began....I have seen some of their old tools and chairs and the sink and stuff...kind of scary some of it!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, thanks for stopping by my blog! Yep, we had a dentist in the family with my great-grandfather. And my grandfather, Frederick's son, became a dentist too. I remember him working on my teeth when I was a girl. Oh, ya, and one of Frederick's brothers became a dentist as well. :)
DeleteA very interesting picture indeed. There is so much to see! Do you know what his connection with Brasil is? I also notice a lady with a Dutch sounding name: Pauline Vanhorn. Is she related to you? I happen to know (:)) that @jeanne_eckman (blog Genealogical Gems) is interested in that surname.
ReplyDeleteHi Peter! Thanks for reading my blog! Actually Frederick's connection with Brazil is that he lived there for a time (my grandfather and mother were born there) and Frederick died there as well.
DeleteAs far as Pauline Vanhorn is concerned, I don't have any indication that she is related to me.
I don't know what's worse - going to the dentist or being stung by a bee. How odd this photo is. And the lady holding the dental plate. Too funny.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this truly unique photo from your family.
Hi Barbara and Nancy! This is an interesting photo to say the least, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI thought they looked like beehives, before I read the post. What an extraordinary photograph to have in your family collection. You never would think to put false teeth and beekeeping together. The sign above suggests it was a post office and general store, but the windows look boarded up, so perhaps the dental surgery took over during some hard times. A great share, thank you Jana.
ReplyDeleteHi Brett! Thanks for stopping by my blog! You are right about the oddity of beekeeping and dentistry in the same photo. Very strange indeed!
DeleteVery interesting. Were the bees used for medicating dental patients? Wax used for teeth molds? I wonder if you have your grandfather's or great-grandfather's dental tools.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy! Those are some interesting questions which sadly I can't answer. :) Oh, if only my grandfather were still alive so I could ask him.
DeleteUnfortunately I do not have any of my grandfather's or great-grandfathers dental tools. Those certainly would be interesting items to own for sure! Thanks for stopping by!
A photograph which asks more questions than it answers; for instance, why is a dentist taking bees to Brazil? There must be a story here somewhere.
ReplyDeleteHi Little Nell! Thanks for stopping by! You are right. This photo begs more questions to be asked doesn't it? Like why did they have beehives in the first place and why and how were they taking them to Brazil. Sadly, I have no answers to these questions.
DeleteThis is fascinating! I enjoyed learning about your family and the idea of a traveling dentist is great. I'm sure that he helped out many, many people who would not have otherwise received help. Great photo, and I like how you broke it down for better viewing. I wonder if bee allergies were less common in those days?
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Hello! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog! I'd like to think that my great-grandfather did help out a lot of people. He certainly did travel around a lot. Thanks for the kind thought about him. :)
DeleteWhatever next? A dental teeth model, bees and Brasil all in one post and picture. Fine post.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, who would have thought all of those elements would be in one photo right? Leave it to my great-grandfather to create a very interesting conversation piece of a photo. :)
DeleteWhat an interesting family photo with so much to see! I'm curious about the bees and Brazil. I wonder if you googled various phrases with the date if you could come up with something. It's worth a try.
ReplyDeleteHello Queen Bee, I also am curious about those bees. I just did a little google search and so far no luck. I'd love to hear the story behind this photo. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
DeleteThis is an amazing photo for all the reasons you mention. The building in itself is quite interesting and to have all those people's names is phenomenal, but throw in teeth and bees and you have a bizarre story! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow Teresa and for commenting on my post! I agree with you that the combination of bees and teeth is rather bizarre. I wish I had the whole story behind this photo.
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