As time passes on most memories of places are gone, but newly discovered pictures let us see and discover what was in our once busy town. Sometimes just a few clues are all that are needed to identify people and places. With a little work using older maps, address directories, and older newspapers, the unknown photo can tell a story. So, I enjoy the challenge, and to be able to tell the story behind the picture.
(Photo courtesy of the Charles E. Roudebush collection)
Possibly shown could be an exact date the photo was taken, as this photo could have coincided with a newspaper article of Dosch Transfer Company purchasing the truck.
This was a great improvement over the method of horse drawn carts prior to the use of this auto dray truck. The draying business was moving of freight or goods for short distances. The Dosch family engaged in this for several years which included the moving of household items when families changed residence.
With Robert West Moorhead passing away in 1916, the motor company had a short life. One of the advertised vehicles sold was the Overland. Several brands of tires and mechanical repairs were offered by the company.
Before the transformation to the automobile the horse and buggy was used traveling into and about town. The need for the blacksmith provided for the horseshoeing during this time period. This was a long-standing business but faded as the automobile and trains became the main methods of transportation. Most likely one of the few remaining was one a few blocks south of the Moorhead Motor Co. This was in the area of the Kittanning Borough Building parking lot. This was operated by Jeff J. Lasher.
Dan Brown who grew up on the adjacent Mulberry St. and remembers visiting Mr. Lasher. The railroad tracks ran behind the shop and several crossways required the use of the train whistle. Dan told me the story of a time when Mr. Lasher was shoeing a horse, a train whistle blew he got knocked down, and the horse held him with a hoof on his chest for a period of time.
From time-to-time photos are drop-off for me from Justin Carney and others. When he is doing some cleanouts of family homes, at times photos are left behind or discarded. It is a passion of mine to identify and possibly locate family members that have been unaware of the circumstances. A chance for them to discover photos of their past generations. With digital scanning and computer facial recognition, pictures of unknown people can be discovered if a known identified photo exists. Basically, our face is like a fingerprint with unique features. So, I’m always willing to accept those unknown and unattached pictures.
More about the people mentioned
Jeffery John “Jeff” Lasher (1875-1957) – Find a Grave Memorial
Excellent read Pete Thx Mr