#4-2021. Favorite Photo
With the genealogy collections that I have inherited, there are MANY pictures. Choosing a “Favorite Photo” is a challenge. And difficult because there are too many excellent, interesting pictures that brought up memories and stories.
This picture of my grandmother, Della Rae Kurtz Shaffner, bring up questions, research and memories. And I have always looked at wishing for more...
Della Rae Kurtz Shaffner, and Jerry
Donnee Shaffner Stibal wrote on the album page, "Jerry and Grandma. She rode him from Custer, Mont to Dillon”. Donnee was the granddaughter of Della & John, and worked with Grandpa to label pictures as well as write some of the family history. I am sure there is more to the story that Grandpa told her. I wish I had that information!
Della & John married in 1913 in Dillon, Montana; returning to Sims, North Dakota were he was the telegrapher. The first son was born in 1914 in North Dakota. The second son, Walter, was born in Dillon, Montana in 1917.
What I do know, is that Jerry is the horse purchased by Grandpa, John F. Shaffner in North Dakota. I have the original bill of sale. He final payment of $10.00 was made on 18 January 1915. Jerry was a Hamiltonian gelding that gave the family many memories.
He applied for a homestead in Beaverhead County, Montana on 21 October 1915 and filing for additional acreage on 9 Feb 1916, meanwhile still living in North Dakota. Della spent the summer while proving it up. The first summer, Della & George lived in a tent. I am not sure when the first cabin was built.
I do know that Grandpa served as a telegrapher in Custer, Montana. He left the employ of Great Northern Railway in June of 1917. He went to work for the Oregon Short Line Railroad in November of 1917.
What year did Della ride the horse from Custer to Dillon? Maybe 1917. The mileage would have been about 320 miles. How many days? Where was George? Where did she stay at night?
And where was the picture taken?
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