These are the four Ice Men of Crook County, Oregon who had the task of supplying the locals with slabs of ice extracted from a hillside cave and hauled up a chute for onward transport to the nearby town of Bend. There was no shortage of ice in the winter months but in summer it commanded a premium price. This activity ended in 1920 when electricity became locally available. Up to then, the ice had been delivered to the local saloon-keeper who sold it on to the townspeople at a profit for refrigeration. Between them these two postcards tell the story of the ice gatherers and it’s pleasing that their gaunt and weary faces have been recorded and preserved for posterity. A local museum has a more detailed account here.
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