A Present to the ''Hired Girl"
This is a picture of Clara Dore, daughter of John S. Dore, who built the mansion on Pleasant Ridge. It is loaned by Emma Riedel, and came to 'her from her mother, Susan, who was "the hired girl" in the Dore family. The fact that Susan was given this picture is evidence of that warmth of relation which existed between the members of families and "hired girls" of- the olden days. They were valued members of the household, who loved the children and were loved by them. This picture is a revelation, perhaps the most interesting of all the pictures presented here. Note that Clara was all dressed up for the picture, but was barefoot. She wore pantalettes, as is amply evident. Her little hat caps the climax. On the floor behind her is an object, understood only by old-timers. It is the base of a contrivance used to keep the subject still during a photographic exposure. From the base extended upwards a slender metal rod, upon which ran up and down a fork- like gadget which fitted around the base of the subject's head and was held in position on the rod by a thumb screw. Thus re-enforced the subject could be kept still during the long exposure of early photography.
Source: "The Book of Years"--Clark Co. Centennial (1853-1953)
