‘Master William’ is bundled up for winter photo with a goat
By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian
There are no two ways about it. This is a cute picture taken with that intent. The quality and character of the photo would suggest it was done around 1890.
Arthur Harris, the photographer, lived in Albion around that time. Someone with pen and ink wrote on the back of the picture, “Master Wm. Dawson ‘Two Willies.’” By that we know it is William Dawson in the little sleigh and that the goat was called “Willie” just like “Willie” Dawson.
Note on this cold winter day the little chap is covered up with a fur robe as he holds the reins to the harnessed goat. Notice the outhouse behind the goat in our scene.
