This photo on our first bottled wine features Harriet Allen (McKinley), Jim's Grandmother and Elaina's Great Grandmother. The scene dates back more than 90 years to the spring of 1921. It was taken in Smith’s Ferry, Idaho, on the North Fork of the Payette River near McCall. It was here that Mrs. Allen and her newlywed husband settled into their first home together after World War I.
"Number One" is displayed on the label as an exact scan of Mrs. Allen's handwriting, precisely as it can be found on the back of the original photograph. It is believed that this photo, along with several others, was sent to her parents inside a letter sharing news of this joyful new beginning. Numbering the photos made it easier to properly reference them in correspondence.
Harriet Allen (McKinley) is Jim Allen’s paternal grandmother and Elaina’s great grandmother. She was born in 1892 in New Mexico. Her mother was named Harriet (Hattie) Emma Bull. Her father, Charles Lincoln McKinley, was highly instrumental in developing the railroad from Wisconsin to the west coast. Although no documented evidence exists, it is firmly believed that Charles McKinley was cousin to the President. In Harriet’s words, “They looked so much alike they could have been brothers.”
In appreciation for his dedication to the railroad, Mr. McKinley and his family were given passage to Oregon as well as an entire boxcar for their belongings. This blessing is one of the main reasons we have discovered so many treasured heirlooms and memorabilia.
On a voice recording made in her later years, Harriet described their travels westward:
"We arrived in Portland on a Tuesday morning. I remember Dad was absoutely thrilled as the train came down on the Oregon side. That road was new. The curves were pretty sharp. Dad was so thrilled with the beauty of it all. He and I were watching it with my brother Charlie who was very nearsighted. Oh how I really wanted him to see all that pretty."
The family settled into a tiny farmhouse situated on 50-acres a few miles north of Vancouver, Washington. It was here where she spent the reminder of her childhood.
At the age of 23, Mrs. Allen graduated from Good Samaritan College of Nursing. Shortly following, she served four years with the US Army Nurse Corps in France during World War I.
The photo of featured on our wine bottle dates back more than 90 years ago to the spring of 1921. It was taken in Smith’s Ferry, Idaho, on the North Fork of the Payette River near McCall, Idaho. Mrs. Allen and her newlywed husband, Judson Linsworth Allen, made their first home here after marrying the prior New Year’s Eve.
While the photo itself is lovely, there is something alluring and unusually compelling about the image. Perhaps even more so once we discovered the words “Number One” was written on the back. The image on the bottle is a scan of her actual handwriting, just as it was found.
From what we’ve gathered this was her way of referencing the photograph in a letter. Presumably this correspondence was addressed to her parents to let them know she is happily married and that they have proudly settled down in their first home. While this letter has not yet been discovered, other inscriptions on the back of this photo reads, “Our First Home. Not much to look at, but full of happiness.” On another one she writes, “Can you see why I love it so much?” She seemed very proud about the fact that she has married and had created a home for herself to start this next phase of her life. This was her a new beginning.
This overarching theme shines through in the photo when view it with that perspective. Perhaps most heartwarming about this story is that what she’s actually living in essentially a canvas tent - a rustic wood frame, with no running water or electricity.
If you look closely you can see the canvas wall by the photos and decorative elements. She has essentially built herself a beautiful home inside a camping tent.
The happy couple was said to have married on New Year’s day. We believe this photo was taken in the early spring of 1921. Jim’s father (Elaina’s grandfather) was born in at the end of October of 1921. So we’re pretty sure Charles (Charlie) Linsworth Allen, although unseen or unspoken, holds a very special place in this scene as well as her correspondence.
In 1981, at the age of 89, Mrs. Allen was honored by the Y.W.C.A. and the Clark County Historical Museum for her service and contributions to World War I. Later that year she donated her nurse's uniform to the museum for a special exhibit displaying posters and other wartime memorabilia.
For additional photos of Mrs. Harriet Allen, and her family, please visit the online photo album by clicking here.