i dont believe theres such a thing as enough cats. ones living situation may dictate that some amount is too much, but it always manages to fall far short of enough.

Real question: what did people feed cats in that day, before kibble? Constant stream of chicken and fish?

You can clearly see the economy back then was much better, as I can only financially support just 3 cats.

With that dress in 1890, it seems she had the wherewithal and independence to have all the cats she wanted.

Kate Birdsall Roberts had her beat, though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Wife%27s_Lovers (I went looking and the only pictures I could find of Kate show her much more simply dressed than OP's cat lady.)

Time is a flat circle.

I could get myself killed trying to get my 3 cats together for a family photo.

I'm no expert, but my gut feeling tells me she liked cats.

Not a lie if the cats are the ones saying it though.

My landlord thinks I have one cat.

She looks part native or Asian.

But that corset dress, oof! I cant breath just looking at her.