E. J. Stiefel worked for Great Northern as a surveyor and crew chief from 1900 to 1910. An avid camera buff, he apparently developed photographs in the dormitory work car, using glass plate negatives. The Great Northern Railway cut a new grade through Hancock in 1906 to reduce a hill which was stalling freight trains. The new cut was known locally as the Subway. This image includes a proof print and a postcard.
With gun: George E. Maughan; in back seat of buggy: Robert Colyer, Mrs. W.L. Colyer; in front seat of buggy: Mrs. George E. Maughan, daughters Louise and Kathryn. Photograph possibly donated by J. George Maughan.
Great Northern (?) engine stuck in snow. Note on back by J. George Maughan reads: "Morris 1917 blizzard[.] Engine stuck in snow directly south of Eagles Ball Park entrance." Exhibit: Weather or Not May 2001 -
Great Northern engine stuck in snow. Note on back by J. George Maughan reads: "Morris 1917 March blizzard" but this might be the February 1917 blizzard.
Mary Kane was mail carrier out of Morris (possibly RR 2). She delivered mail in the early 1900's. Mary left Morris early in the mornings. The picture shows her winter "rig". This is the Jessness house in Swan Lake Township, 10 miles out of town. When she reached the Carlson place she would stop and have "coffee", no doubt plenty of a "little lunch" with it. The Carlsons had a good sized "soap stone" in the oven so it was hot. Mary would trade her cooled stone for the hot one & tuck the hot well wraped [sic] stone under the robe, put her feet on the cozy bundle & be on her way. The next day the same process.