She definitely was. Notice the moccasins in the corner of the room on the wall. Even the middle pillow appears to be of an indian. Can you get a closer picture of the large indian picture in the back? That is a drop down secretary right behind her chair.

Have a feeling there is quite an indian story linked with this. Only wish that we knew who she was???

Charlott on 24th May 2012 @ 7:05am

It was so common to rob Indian grave sites, back in the early days, but this photo appears to be more of a collection of Native art.
If there were Indian baskets everywhere, I would wonder if it was Anne Lang.

I think that is a kerosene lamp on the table, so maybe before electrical power, except it looks like an electric cord on the back wall.

l.e. on 24th May 2012 @ 7:23am

I scanned this cellulose nitrate negative from the Davidson Collection. I think that the woman in this photo might be Ella Mae Davidson. There are many great interior scenes in the Davidson Collection, but Arthur's right, many are not as attractive. Unfortunately, due to the deterioration of the analog material, access to the collection will be limited. In the near future, the Davidson Collection (and many others) will be virtually accessible.

Matt Carmichael on 24th May 2012 @ 8:35am

I'm not great with faces, but this might be the same woman as the one in the middle of the back row in this one: http://historichoodriver.com/index.php?showimage=251

Arthur on 24th May 2012 @ 9:14am

I zoomed in to the background, and the stack of magazines behind her head includes a few issues of "The American Magazine" and "Pacific Monthly" Volume 19 #5, which I believe was published May 1908.

The large poster seems to be a print of a woman draped in a blanket. It has a signature and some notations in the bottom corners, but none are legible and the print itself is not very clear. There is a symbol along with the signature-- looks like a tree in a circle-- which an expert might recognize. I'll post it when I have some time.

Arthur on 24th May 2012 @ 9:29am

If you would like to read what she was reading, here's the Pacific Monthly, Volume 19: http://books.google.com/books?id=JmQyAQAAMAAJ&dq=the%20pacific%20monthly%20volume%20XIX&pg=PP15#v=onepage&q&f=false

Arthur on 24th May 2012 @ 9:50am

Any resemblance to the lady in photo #259?

Thanks Matt for your work on the photos.

l.e. on 24th May 2012 @ 9:21pm

I can't be sure without a closer look. But the one beaded bag hanging on the wall with the stag looks just like one in the museum collection. When I get back from Kentucky I will take a closer look.

connie on 27th May 2012 @ 6:28am