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Description
Bart Essen sits outside his self built house and horse stables. His dogs and rifle are next to him. On either side of the door hang his metal wash basin and his dipper (ladle) for drinking water. The door appears to be held closed with the pole propped against it. Early settlers often quickly built temporary dwellings to enable them to begin planting crops right away As they were sure they would thrive, more permanent homes were built. Note on the far right of the photo is visible a hand pump with a metal pail hanging on the water spout. The partially roofed lean-to would shelter the horses while the fence, visible behind the saddled horse, would create a corral area behind it. There also appears to be a covered stack of hay behind the fence. A buggy sits to the right of the saddled horses, all of which people could pay to use. During this time period many potential settlers arrived on the train and needed transportation to view acreage that was for sale. Automobiles were not yet an option.
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