Hog Butchering Day with the Hammer Family of Spiceland

Description:	The Hammer Family, Willis and Josie and daughter Lela May can be seen in this hog butchering scene in 1898. The carcases are hanging from scaffolding, and the kettles and crocks are ready to process the meat and lard. This scene is taking place in the fall in the vicinity of North 6th Street in a section of town called Oklahoma. The generation of Hoosiers born at the end of the 19th century faced a range of challenges and opportunities unknown to their 19th century forebears. Some rural families were still self-sufficient and the women cared for the house, children, garden, and sometimes extended family. Butchering took place in the colder months so the meat wouldn’t spoil before it was processed. Women were often in charge of cleaning the entrails for use as sausage casings and then preserved the rest of the meat.
Origin:	1898
Created By:	Cephas M. Huddleston
Publisher:	Digital Image 2008 Indiana Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Source:	http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/cephas/id/181
Collection:	Cephas M. Huddleston Glass Plate Collection, ca. 1890
Copyright:	This image may be printed or downloaded by individuals, schools or libraries for study, research or classroom teaching without permission. For other uses contact: mailto:visualcollections@indianahistory.org
Geography:	Indiana--Spiceland
Subjects:	Families Home food processing Swine Kettles Pottery

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