This cabinet card portrait features a young couple and their baby. Mom and dad are wearing Salvation Army uniforms. Note the “S” pin on dad’s collar. Alongside the couple are instruments of their trade, a trumpet and a squeeze box. A newspaper is displayed on the floor. The newspaper is entitled the “War Cry” and was the Salvation Army’s official newspaper which they began publishing in the US in the year 1881. It is clear that this couple strongly identified themselves with their Salvation Army service. This cabinet card photograph was taken by J. G. Wagner of Brainerd, Minnesota. (SOLD)
A wonderful service to devote your life to in the face of huge corporate “charity” organizations that rake in the dough. There’s a spiritual light in the faces of these people. Hard times, as there was a Depression at that time rarely referred to because of the Great Depression that followed. Today’s economy brings a lot of new faces to the lines of needy people as well. I have witnessed formerly “middle class” folks in line with their poorer neighbors. I donate anything I have to their service.