READ THIS FIRST

If you've gotten this far, then you will care about the origins of this collection of ideas and images. First, let me apologize for GOOGLE's formatting, which drives me crazy. These free blogs do not allow for any breathing space... especially the traditional space between paragraphs, or gaps of visual "silence" as in speech- to allow the reader to follow along with comfort. So the information comes at you like a newspaper classified section; an endless barrage of words. I do not think or speak or write like that... But that is what you get for free.******* So I use a string of asterisks to create those pauses... ******************************************************************************************************************************** Second, I want to quickly explain the images. Most of them are antique tintypes from my personal collection. And when they are, I have branded each one, as you will soon observe, with a red boutonniere. This is so you will be reminded that they are mine, are legally protected, and any use of them must be granted. But it is also a historical disclaimer, so that when they are pirated, and I am sure they will be, by a thousand Junior High School researchers, who will cut and paste them without ever understanding their ownership, or their context, those seeing the images, over time, will recognize the source and the unproven (as of yet) provenance. These images with the red boutonnieres have never been seen before, other than the Internet auction where they were acquired, on any publication or website. I have no provenance to prove they are who they are presented to be. They are used here as illustrations, and very adequate ones, which I HAVE PERMISSION TO USE. Yes, I believe that every one that is labeled is the person alluded to. I think I have discovered then most significant photographic treasure of this Century. Or (which is less likely) the most incredible gathering of Victorian look-alikes ever assembled. And************************************************** THIRDLY, I have spent years of collecting and studying, as an artist and historical illustrator, and done literally tens of thousands of square feet of historical and wildlife murals in Texas, for schools and museums, and have applied computer technology to reduce my doubts to where I am comfortable using them as 95% accurate representations- if not totally authentic, even if some may be "dopplegangers." I am sure that a larger percentage of my historical tintype portraits are correct than many books you will find on the subjects. I will delve a little into the mistakes historians of the past have made in desperate attempts to provide photographic illustrations. And yes, someday my tintypes will be for sale, when you and I are through having fun with them! So enjoy Hidetown- enjoy my amazing "Dopplegang," and your visit inside the netherworld of swirling dust devils, lost in time- but found right here.