From Koleta Flanagan:

Rear: Bob Thrasher, Joe Lee Thrahser, Mary Thrasher, Clarence Thrasher (in Mary's arms), Joe Flanagan, Mae Flanagan, Loren Flanagan

Front: Mervin Thrasher, Raymond Thrasher, Rosella Thrasher, WJ Flanagan, Jack Flanagan

Theses two families knew each other when they lived in the OK Panhandle and went to church together. Joe and Mary Thrasher and their family had moved to Arkansas at the time the picture was taken. A fire destroyed everything that they had: the wagon with their belongings and the new house they had just built.

Joe and Mae Flanagan and 3 sons were traveling through Arkansas. We think they had been on a trip to visit Grandma (Mae) Flanagan’s family in West Plains, MO. It could have been at this time that the Flanagan’s offered for the Thrasher’s to live in their dug out (where Daddy was born) should they want to return to the OK Panhandle.

The Thrashers did return and lived in the dug out for a year, and the families harvested wheat together.

It was about a year after this picture was taken that Grandpa Joe Flanagan died of kidney disease.

Of course this picture doesn't have all of Mother's (Rosella) brothers and sisters (there were 11 in all). Both Mother (Rosella) and Daddy (Jack) were about 2 ½ to 3 years old here. (the little ones in front J)