Historic Hood River
Staring Contest
6-27-2025
Notes
This W. F. Laraway image has plenty of great detail, but I think the facial expressions are the best part. What do you think Laraway’s instructions were to his friends?
The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
jn
Any idea what the insignia is on the chain? Do you have enough resolution to zoom in on it?
jn
Two types of ties and collars of the day.
BethH
The middle gentleman has his hands on the knees of the other two….
Has he been told something shocking?
Stock market dropped?
Or…?
Arthur Babitz
Sorry jn, not additional detail on the insignia. I see different insignias on almost every photo we have of W.F.
Thorn
“Brethren, I’ve decided to shave my mustache”
nels
I think Beth is right. There is a conversation of some import going on.
Arthur do you have a date for this photograp?
L. E.
I am making the guess the photo was taken in Glenwood, Iowa and Laraway is telling his friends that he and his family will be moving out west to Hood River, Oregon.
Alan B Winston
I think they are family. Earlobes tend to be a good indicator, as are general ear patterns and nose shapes. Father and sons?
Wendy Burrow
Alan, neither of these men are his sons; the guy on the right looks familiar and may have been in some other photo or two taken by Laraway. They are also closer to his contemporaries in age. If I had to guess on the insignia, it might be Mason/Freemason.