The back of the 'Howard Family' photo possibly
indicates that it's not a Howard Family at all. It appears to be signed
and as close as we can gather, it says:
"Sar(ah) To H Howard and family ~19-28~"
Meaning that the photo is from Sarah to the "H"
Howard family.
However, it could also be "Sar(ah) Howard and family"
just as easily, or
"Sar(ah Bailey) Taft Howard and family".
Further, on the back of the photo is this
information:
"This is a genuine BORDER Fox (Texas)" stamp that
also says, "Made By"
"Fox Co. San Antonio, Texas"
"Copyrighted by (?) Carl (?) Newton"
It is also stamped with the number 31 297. The number
D136 - 589 is then written
on the back of the photo as well.
On May 22, 2001, Mitchel
Collins wrote:
"The Howard picture I sent you , we think is
Sarah Ann [Conley] Howard,
that was married to William [Doc. Bill] Howard.
But we think the man
in the picture's name is Wile Howard.The kids
names, from left side
we think, Audrey ,tall girl in white dress,
young boy next to her is Fair
Howard, the bigger boy in back is Lewis
Howard and was accidently
shot and died at the age of 17. The
girl to the right of Lewis is Luedie,
a sister to the rest of them. The young girl
standing in front of the man
is Martha. WE don't know the baby's name or
who the baby belongs to.
The picture was taken on Howard's Branch where
Sarah lived
most of her life. Martha married Ed Slone."
~*~
(The fact that 'Doc' isn't in the picture
is not surprising if Mitchel's analysis is correct, for it is widely known
that 'Doc' married a fifth wife after his fourth bride, Sarah Ann Conley
and now Wiley is in the picture.)
(Click on this photo back
for an enlarged view!)
~*~