Sepia Saturday 105: Bringing Home the Bird

Charles W. Stratton II and unknown companion, ca 1986-1906

The Sepia Saturday prompt for this week shows a delightful array of wonderful Christmas treats including several fowl dishes. (I think I will pass on the pigeon pie!)

Charles W. Stratton II (1876-1945), on left, is shown bringing home a bird for dinner. Prior to medical school, Charles' favorite past-time was hunting.  Much of his free time was spent hunting with friends and training and breeding hunting dogs.  He had developed a reputation for his skill with dogs.  In 1899, he was offered $100 for his dog, Jack, but turned it down.  Jack was an orange and white English Setter born in 1897.

The following year Charles noted, "Getting a reputation as a dog doctor.   A fellow from Stockbridge to see me about his dog." [diary, 4/2/1900].  In December, 1899, he wrote an article for Field & Stream [diary, 12/28/1899].  A collection of Field and Stream Cover Images is available online but I've not yet found the article or confirmed its publication. In another place and time, Charles might have become a veterinarian instead of a physician.

The photograph above is on a card with no photographer identification on either the back or front making dating the photograph problematic. Charles appears to be fairly young - perhaps in his 20s giving the date as ca 1896-1906. Charles diaries cover this time period and there may be a mention of the photograph in them. The guns and dogs might also provide clues. Who would have thought that dog photographs and licenses might be the key to providing a more exact date!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the date of this photograph as it might be a critical clue in identifying Charles' companion. I suspect that Charles' cousin, Harry Mallory, might be the other gentleman in the picture.

See Sepia Saturday 105 for more takes on the theme. There are certain to be some posts that will inspire your holiday meal planning that won't require a hunting trip! 

Charles W. Stratton II has been featured previously as the husband of Mira Rockwell (Main) Stratton in The Best Medicine -- New Clues; as a young boy in Just Another Cock and Bull Story; and as one of The Horse-and-Buggy Doctors of Lee Massachusetts.

Sources:
Stratton, Charles W., II. "1899 Diary." MS.  Lee, Massachusetts, 1899.  Privately held by Liz Stratton, [ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL USE,] Cincinnati, Ohio. 2011.

Stratton, Charles W., II. "1900 Diary." MS.  Lee, Massachusetts, 1900.  Privately held by Liz Stratton, [ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL USE,] Cincinnati, Ohio. 2011.

Stratton, Charles W., II and unidentified hunter.  Portrait.  Ca 1986-1906.  Cardstock.  Privately held by Liz Stratton, [ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL USE,] Cincinnati, Ohio. 2011.