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Memories from the Homestead: Hall photo postcard No. 336

     It's such a beautiful spring morning here at Old Matt's Cabin. The view into Mutton Hollow is just gorgeous; it's been a wonderful spring. Today I bring another Shepherd of the Hills series postcard out for ya'll to see, from photographer George E. Hall, who photographed much of Taney and Stone County from 1906 to 1918.

 

     Hall figured out a way to make some extra income by doing a themed photo series on the landmarks described in Harold Bell Wright's 1907 novel "The Shepherd of the Hills." I have written about a few of these images in the past (July 2023) and just recently, a postcard dealer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sold to me a few more of the vintage Hall photos from his 1909 era Shepherd of the Hills series. Let's take a look at No. 336, "At the Deer Lick."

 


At the Deer Lick (Photo submitted by John Fullerton)
At the Deer Lick (Photo submitted by John Fullerton)

     The Deer Lick is mentioned several times in Wright's novel. It's first revealed to readers in chapter six, "The Story."  On page 56, Old Matt explains to Dad Howitt the memories of his deceased daughter Maggie, who had a lot of similarities to Sammy Lane. Matt stated to Howitt, "Well, one day, when we was out on the range a ridin' for stock - she'd often go with me that way - we met a stranger over there at the deer lick in the big low gap, coming along the Old Trail."

 

    This is important in the storyline because Maggie meets for the first time this stranger, an "artist fellow" as Matt called him. They became quite the romantic item, were together often, but he later disappeared. Matt reveals to Howitt that Pete is their boy, and that Maggie died after his birth.

 

     The Deer Lick site is mentioned later in the novel in chapter nineteen, "The Drought." On page 169 it reads, "The day came at last when Sammy found the shepherd in the little grove, near the deer lick, and told him that she and her father were going to move."

 

     As you can see in the Hall photo, there is definitely a wagon trail to the right. The rider on the horse isn't identified, but the real mystery here is identifying the exact location. Where could this be?  Did Hall go out in the woods somewhere and just make up this spot, knowing that he could get sales when marketed to "Shepherd" readers? Probably not, he wasn't in the area when Wright worked on the notes for the novel and all the locations in the storyline were well established before Wright came for his visits (1897-1905). The scene is likely within a short distance of Mutton Hollow, possibly on the hillside south, below Old Matt's Cabin.  

 

     And for those of you that don't know what a deer lick is, let me explain. Around here in the Ozarks we have natural areas where the ground can have a rich mineral content, and it provides a salty taste for wildlife, providing nutrients for their diet that they might not get otherwise. These areas can be along streams and rock formations or a typical glade. Today artificial salt blocks are available just about anywhere and provide the same results.

 

     Back to Mr. Hall: He gave up his photo business by 1920 and became involved in other things to make a better living. It's quite a thrill when these super rare images show up on eBay. There's just a handful of us collectors out there chasing them down. I feel honored to grab these links to our past and share them with ya'll. 

 

     Happy trails, everyone!

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