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October 1939. "He brought his family to the West in a homemade trailer from Texas five months ago. Photograph made after supper. Boy sick. Father has work now in potato field. Merrill, Klamath County, Oregon. In mobile unit, FSA camp." Photo by Dorothea Lange for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
That tag hanging out of the Dad's pocket is from a smoking tobacco pouch. Don't judge him too harshly, because smoking was cheaper before the heavy taxes were placed on tobacco.
Also visible in his pocket is a box of Luden's Cough Drops. The formula has probably changed since this photo was made, so it's difficult to comment on whether they were more- or less-effective back then.
I wonder if the boy went on to be enlisted in World War Two?
Thank you for this photo, Dave (and Dorothea Lange). Whenever I'm tempted to think my crappy little problems have some consequence, photos like this one always set me straight.
Happy Father's Day to all the Shorpy dads out there. And to all our dads who have passed on, we remember you with love and gratitude.
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