SAM WATKINS

Sam Watkins’ Little Grove Stock Farm in central Illinois, about 1892. In front of the magnificent barn and well-maintained fences are family, hired hands, broodmares and stallions. From the left, numbered:

Sam’s daughter Hattie Watkins Thompson on a mare nicknamed “Old Bird” (who might in reality be Nora M, Sam’s oldest broodmare).

Hitched mare (might be the twoyear-old Mollie D, Nora M’s daughter said to be by TB Tennyson but probably actually by Dan Tucker).

In the chaise are Sam’s son Walter with toddlers Lillian and Marie Thompson, Sam’s granddaughters.

Doc Thompson, Sam’s son-in-law, husband of Hattie; holding the very fast mare Butt Cut. The curious foal at foot, sniffing at the wagon wheel, might be Hi Henry.

Hired hand Crit Atterbury holding broodmare Bird; the foal at foot might be Pira (by Duke of the Highlands).

Sam’s cousin Hugh Watkins.

Sam’s son Edgar holding the stallion Dan Tucker.

Sam Watkins holding the stallion The Hero.