"The Gay Nineties...

"An interesting view of young ladies at play is afforded by this Gay Nineties view of life in Corning.  Joe Thomas, the lad astride the donkey, is the owner of the cart and has been persuaded to let the three young ladies pose.  In that early day Mrs. Estes was the Corning milliner and it is a safe guess that the Spring hats came from her shop.  The fancy parasol is another scenic prop that adds the Gay Nineties to the picture.

"One will notice the unpainted plank fence, the wooden sidewalk, the unpainted house in the background, physical characteristics of pioneer Corning.  Joe's cart was built by his father, D. N. Thomas, who was a carpenter."

Submitted by Danny Moore