Historic Hood River
In a Desperate Hurry
8-22-2019
Notes
This image reminds us why the automobile caught on so quickly and transformed our society. The caption in Dr. Marion Shaw’s photo album says, “In a Desperate Hurry.” Dr. Shaw was no doubt rushing to a patient’s home, which meant he had to hook up his carriage to his horse and prepare the horse, which required constant care, for the trip. The bicycle and then the automobile could start up virtually immediately, and required much less care between trips.
You are probably familiar with the Shaw-Dumble house which still stands overlooking 9th Street at Sherman. I don’t think the current garage is the same as this one.
L.E.
Hard to imagine now, keeping a horse stabled at 9th and Sherman.
Winter travel had to be the biggest transformation.
Although, I have heard stories of the doctor sleeping while the horse took him back home. Cars don't have that ability perfected yet.
nels
That particular address must have led to some precarious downhill trips when there was ice or snow or mud.
Always love your horse and buggy/wagon pictures Arthur. Have come to realize that the quality/style of your horse is similar to our choice of quality/style of our present day transportation.
Gladys
This reminds me of a story that came down in my family. My great-great grandmother's brother was a doctor in Wisconsin. He got a call one very wintery Wisconsin night to go quite a ways from home to attend a patient. She said being it was so nasty her father decided to go with him. She said the hours past and her mother became very anxious when they didn't come back, at least when she thought they should be. My great-great grandmother said every chance she got she turned the clock back a little bit……………She said they had lamps in all the windows and at long last they did make it back through a blizzard. They said it was almost too much for the horses to get through with the wagon that they had……