Monday, February 17, 2014

calling all photo sleuths!



Two months ago, I offered you a challenge -- to identify the smiling man in a photograph that hangs on a wall in the men's room of Rooster's Restaurant (we don't need another hero).  You met the challenge by identifying him as President Francisco Madero's brother and chief adviser, Gustavo. 

The photograph is a masterpiece of the Revolution -- with Gustavo between Victoriano Huerta on his right and Pancho Villa on his left.  Within a year Gustavo would be dead at the hands of Huerta.  Three years later, Huerta would be dead in a Texas jail.  Soon to be followed by the assassination of Pancho Villa.

You did such a good job on your first task, I thought I would give you a second chance.

The photograph at the top of this post is from the same men's room.  But a different wall.  And I think a different guy.  Though, it is rather hard to tell.

There are clues.  The photograph was taken during the Revolution.  And the chances are very good that the man is a commander in the Division of the North.  Perhaps another Madero brother.  Or The Man himself.

I did a quick Google search and found nothing.  During our last scavenger hunt, Kim mentioned that there is a Google Images search function where a photograph can be be dropped into a box and matching photographs will captions will magically appear.  Perhaps a photographic version of Milton Friedman's black box model. 

I hate to admit it, but I have no idea how to do that.  Perhaps one of you can.

One of the side benefits of these searches is that we all have an opportunity to learn a bit more about Mexican history.  Especially, the single event that seems to baffle most observers -- the Revolution.

Put on those thinking caps.  I suspect I am about to learn something new.


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