Herstory of Patricia Marilyn Cline Long
I, Patricia Marilyn Cline Long, was born on April 5, 1933, the day before my Aunt Vera Finley turned 40. Perhaps for that reason, we shared a special relationship. I was born at 7:52 p.m. but my Mom always said I was born at 8 of 8! I weighed 7#, 10 ounces. My parents were Samuel Leslie Cline and Gladys Marie Walker Cline and I was their much loved fourth child. The rest of my family, at that time, consisted of Frederick Walker Cline (born February 1, 1924), Eleanor Elaine (Gammon) born on Sept. 25, 1925 and Kathryn Diane (Noland) who had earlier arrived on the scene on June 25, 1929.
To be the fourth child and still have a baby book faithfully kept was a labor of love for which I'm thankful. The book was given to be my by Grandmother Cline (Flora Baker) on Dec. 25, 1934. According to this book, I was born at Galesburg Cottage Hospital with the physician in attendance Dr. R. A. Moffett, a man I remember fondly (though not on my birthdate!).
I was named Patricia (Mom's choice) Marilyn (Dad's choice) so you can see who had the most influence! "My first ride was in Daddy's car in a freshly painted basket and the ride was to my new home with Mother, Daddy, Frederick and Eleanor (where's Diane??). Brother and sister sat in the back seat with me to be sure that my basket wouldn't tip off".
These are gifts listed in my book:
"$1 for my 1st saving (they taught me well!!) Daddy and mother
Aunt Vera--dress and later in the year 12 dresses and 5 sun suits Isn't she some aunt?
Aunt Wanda--dress and Martha a rattle
Aunt Berniece--little cap and Robert--material for dress
Aunt Gertie--cap
Imogene Wise--pink sweater and bootees
Bonnie Hopkins--blue sweater
Dixie Cramer--kimona
Mrs. Ed Cramer--kimona
Aunt Ollie and Eula--bootees
Mrs. Eva Steele--pink & white shawl
The Fairchilds from Texas--little pink crocheted slippers-they were so sweet!
Ruby Killingsworth--a little basket to sleep in, lace cap, silk jacket and coat and several dresses"
Under The Christening, Mother writes, "When just a few weeks old I started to Sunday School and have missed scarcely a Sunday.
Was always a good baby and many times staid on through church. Some of the church folk said they didn't know I could cry until I was nearly 2 years old but I bumped my head on the seat and ouch!, it hurt and I had to just let the tears roll."
At age 1 I weighed 20 pounds and by the time I was 3, I was way up to 25! I first laughed out loud on June 14. "I had two teeth come at once. They were down below and mother discovered them November 17 when she was feeding me my cereal for breakfast." I began to creep on Feb. 26 and took my first step on March 18.
My mother describes the first merry xmas this way, "My first Christmas was spent at home with all of mother's relatives. Her aunt, her girls and their families and also her uncle and wife besides Aunt Wanda's, Uncle Claire and Dorothy and Aunt Bernieces.
I enjoyed a chicken bone for dinner. I liked the tree especially when Diane would turn the lights on and off so much.
I received oh so many things--rattles and other toys and several dresses."
The First Birthday Mother describes thusly, "Yes, I had a cake with one candle (there's one pictured in my book) on it too. Aunt Wanda and Aunt Berniece each baked me one besides the one mother fixed. Brother and Eleanor and Diane all wanted to blow the candle out once each so they got to. I'll have enough wind to do my own blowing next year."
Under Little Sayings, Mother writes, "My mother wishes she had remembered to write in all of our sayings". These are ones she did remember to write down.
"One day after coming home from Sunday School, I said to Mother 'Why do they talk about Jesus and God all the time...I get tired of hearing about them'. 'I was eating some English walnuts and when I cracked one and found out it was all dried up, I said to Mother, "Well would you think they would raise this kind of nuts in England?!'. Diane was saying her prayer one night by the bed (I was already in) and she said at the close 'And I thank you especially for Mother and Daddy. Amen'. I raised up on my elbow and said, "Well don't you have some sisters and a brother?."
We grew up in the little community of Delong, Illinois, population around 100. When Mom and Dad were married on February 14, 1923, they moved to a farm south of Delong. Fred was born at Cottage Hospital and Eleanor and Diane were born at home. Farming wasn't too profitable so when Dad had the chance to become a rural mail carrier, he took it! At that time the roads weren't too good, especially in the spring and winter, so there were times when Dad made his deliveries on horseback. He took great pride in being punctual and wanted his patrons to see him and know exactly what time it was! There was a small post office building in Delong and Carl Howerter was postmaster most of the years Dad worked. Carl's arm had been severed when he fell under a train and it was amazing to see him tie things up using his one arm and his teeth! He was the original Grumpy Old Man! Nettie Horr was postmistress during some of those years & Dad was reluctant to tell people he worked for a Horr! Ordinarily Dad would go to the post office around 8:15 and be home by 11:30. Mail came from Abingdon on a "star route" twice a day and Dad was able to sort, deliver to around 100 boxes covering 65 miles in that length of time. He worked as a rural carrier from 1930 to 1969. The last few years he was based out of Gilson when the Delong post office closed as an austerity mesure! In the afternoon he would work at the ten acres or the farm which they retained and rented to Guy Bates who eventually purchased the farm in .
Dad also purchased a small home in Delong where my Grandmother lived, known as "the ten acres" or "the little place". His father (Frederick Eli) had been mortally wounded in an accident involving a team when Dad was 14. Dad, the middle of 3 sons, was the apple of his mother's eye and the clear favorite. This did not endear him to his brothers, Leroy and Clair. Perhaps because Dad was the favorite, no woman would ever have been good enough for him and the relationship between my Grandmother and Mother was strained. Grandmother was deaf and wore a hearing aid with a large battery which was encased in a pocket in her dress. I'm not sure how much good it did and think she mainly relied on lip reading and missed a lot of what people were saying. Fortunately she loved to read. To me she seemed like a cold, austere person. We were seldom invited to have meals with her and she wasn't a frequent guest at our home. When we kids stopped in to see her, she almost always had raisin cookies for us and when there for a meal, we had devilled eggs as she knew I liked them. She usually had newspapers down on the floor to keep the floor clean! She was widowed at an early age but never remarried. After my Grandfather was killed, they continued to live on the farm til they lost it in . She worked at the Blue Bell factory in Abingdon which made clothing and after that, stayed in peoples' homes to look after them. She lived with the Vander Werts in Abingdon for a number of years after Mrs. V. died and Van was left to raise Frank (my age) & younger twin girls. When she wasn't staying with anyone, she was in Delong and relied on Dad to take her places since she never drove. Mother's Day was the worst day of the year for Dad as whichever place he was, "the other woman" was mad. At one time Dad rented the house next door to us as a place for her to live and apparently that didn't work out too well! That was before I can remember.
Dad's older brother, Roy, lived west of Abingdon on a farm. He was married to Gertrude and they had one daughter, Virginia, who never married. Roy died years ago, Gertie is still living and we saw Virginia at Louise's 70th birthday party. We rarely got together with Roy's family.
Clair, Dad's younger brother, moved to California when he was in his late teens or early 20's. He lived in Sierra Madre CA and worked in a pottery. Glada was his wife (all 3 Cline brothers married wives with names beginning with G) and they had a son, Gene and, many years later, a daughter, Linda. Rarely did they come back to visit. Gene had found a way to control his parents. He had eczema and if things didn't go his way, he threatened to scratch! It must be more than 40 years since I've seen any of that family, except Clair. Glada and Clair have died. Fred keeps in contact with Linda.
Mother was one of 6 children of Etta Robertson and Bird Walker. Sam's middle name is a combination of their names, Burdette. Both died before I was born but from what I've been told, I'd have loved them both.
We had a great deal more contact with Mother's family, especially Aunt Wanda and Aunt Berniece. Vera Enna was the eldest and had met Glenn Holly Finley when she went to St. Francis, Kansas. Her parents had promised to give a diamond ring to their daughters who waited until age 25 to marry and Vera was the only one to qualify. She was engaged to Lester Tinkham at the time she went to Kansas to visit relatives but apparently Hol, a salty talking little rooster of a guy, stole her heart. With the diamond he gave her, she had a ring with 3 diamonds in it! As a young teenager, Vera had been injured and her hip joint compacted. Medical science wasn't to the point of dealing with such an injury then--no x-ray even--so Vera was quite crippled. She never returned to school but was an expert seamstress and would go to the homes of people and stay there for a length of time making clothes for the family. She did beautiful work and I still have the dresses she made me when I was a flower girl at a wedding (matching panties!) and a Girl Scout outfit when I was far too young to actually be one. Notice how much sewing she did for me when I was born! Vera and Hol were married on her 31st birthday and had one child, Lila. They lived on a farm near St. Francis, milked cows, separated the milk. It was a hard life and they eked out a living.
Claire (2 Uncle Clair{e}s!) was next in line and the only son. He married Josephine (Giddings) and lived on a farm near Berwick. They had 4 daughters, Lois (Floyd Stegall), Margaret (Carroll , Dorothy and Norma (Ron Daum). It was a disappointment to him that he had no son to carry on the family name.
My mother was especially close to Wanda, her next sibling. She was such a fun loving person and loved having her nieces and nephews come to visit...and we were there a lot, especially when Mom and Dad went on trips. She married Guy Gillett and they also lived on a farm near Berwick. Their only child was Martha. Farming was not too lucrative for them but they had many, many friends and a happy life. Wanda developed heart problems at a fairly early age. They went to Mayo Clinic, on the cutting edge medically for that time, but they were unable to help her. She died the day that Eric, Diane and Al's son was born, March 8, 1952. She and Mom had talked by phone daily and been so close. Mom missed her terribly, as did lots of other folks.
Mom was next, born on September 12, 1900, the only one of our immediate family to live in two centuries. Berniece followed her, a dark haired child after 4 red headed ones. She became enamored of Russell Blevins at an early age and they were married, much to the sorrow of some family members. Russell was the son of a family which had been rich but lost their money during the depression. He worked at farming...sort of...but they lived in some pretty sorry housing and he became quite a drinker so Berniece did not have an easy time. Robert was their only child. Even before Bob was called into WWII, his wife and baby moved in with Russell & Berniece and they lived together for years...til Bob left the family and got a divorce. Russell left Berniece which was devastating for her as she loved him so. He married another woman who he'd been interested in for quite some time, according to good sources! Berniece worked at the commissary at Galesburg State Research Hospital for years. I stayed with her often and experienced playing Bingo for money, (such fun!), and we had many evenings of playing Flinch & rummy.
Doris was the youngest of the 6. She also was dark haired and a good musician. She went to live in Chicago and there met Archibald Swann who she married. She developed tuberculosis and died at a young age. (I believe she and my grandparents all died within the period of one year.) "Swann", as he was known to the family, was a taxi driver and continued to come and visit after Doris' death. Later he married Bea and she was not fondly remembered, as was Swann.
When Fred and Eleanor were small and the family financial situation was shaky, Dad went with a crew, including Claire Walker, to Canada to thresh wheat. Mom and children went to live at Uncle Claire's and help Aunt Josephine. It was not a happy time for Mom. I don't know what their relationship was before then but after that time, Mom and Aunt Josephine didn't seem to enjoy being together.
Another time when they were in serious financial straits, Dad worked in Chicago in the post office.
Mom, Dad and their three children moved to a house in Delong in. It was 2 story with a basement. Many games of pingpong were played in that basement! The ceiling was low and sometimes the ball went into the fruit cupboards (& spider webs) on the east side but it served us well. There was a furnace room and fruit room (where apples, potatoes, etc. were kept) in the basement The back porch housed the Maytag wringer washing machine (purchased when Eleanor was a baby) and tubs and eventually a large deepfreeze plus some cupboards. The large kitchen was on the southwest side, the dining room to the north. The bathroom adjoined the dining room (the bedroom and bath were added after the house was built). The living room and hall took up the front of the house. A stairway ran along the south side from the hall leading to the 2 bedrooms and hall upstairs.
There was a porch across the front of the house which later was glassed in. The house faced east and the garage was on the north side. To the south there was a lot with some fruit trees, referred to as "the orchard". There was a garden at the back, northwest side with rhubarb and asparagus and to the southwest, a barn and chicken house. At one time there was a play house in the back yard (later moved behind the garage for storage) and a privy (later removed). The garage only held a car and the barn was converted to another garage. Dad kept his tools there & they weren't in very good order (known as organized confusion) but he knew where things were!
For a number of years, we had a cow which was pastured behind the barn and required milking twice a day. This was a source of irritation to Mom as when we'd go visiting on Sunday, we had to leave in order for Dad to get the cow milked! Mom skimmed the milk and then the cream was used in many ways--butter, whipped or just added to cereal or fruit(!). We don't know how Dad stayed so slender when he used so much cream. Making ice cream was a favorite activity, especially in the summer. When we'd go to "town", (usually Galesburg), we'd often get ice. Mom would've made the custard ahead of time and then we'd make ice cream. Umm, good! When we went on picnics, we often took ice cream and our friends thought that was an extra special treat.
At one time there was a haymow in the barn and we had fun playing there. There were quite a number of youngsters our age--2 sets of Cramers, Hopkins, Lundburgs, 2 sets of Howerters, Jean Ann McCoy and earlier the Steeles--and sometimes we'd play "cops & robbers" using slingshots which used rubber bands. Diane and I would sometimes walk through the fields to play with Sally & Frankie Hopkins and we would have sleepovers with Helen and Marilyn Cramer.
Since Diane and I were closer in age, we often played "house", using wooden doll furniture and china animals--Kitty and Jack particularly stick in my mind. Paper dolls were popular too. I had a tricycle but don't remember having a bike of my own. Fred had started a Chicago Daily News route and when he "outgrew" it, it passed on to Diane and then to me. I don't think I ever had more than 10 customers.
Diane and Eleanor took piano lessons from Arla Ecklund who apparently thought I was so cute that she asked that I be flower girl at her wedding. That was Sept 7, . I don't remember much about it except that I was wearing my dress made by Aunt Vera and stood in the receiving line. I was supposed to sit at the bridal table but by that time, wasn't feeling well (nerves!). Arla gave me 2 Indian bracelets which I lost. Darn! I still remember them.
Later Gladys Palmer became our piano teacher and I may have taken lessons but they didn't "take". Ellie and Diane became very proficient..so it wasn't the teacher! Often the Cramer girls, Diane and I would go to Knoxville for lessons at the same time & then stop for cones at Vedell's Dairy. Sometimes there was a contest to see whose come would last the longest! We would get books from the library in Knoxville, particularly in the summer, & I "got hooked" on Grace Livingston Hill..too bad somebody didn't lead me to the classics-- I'd have no doubt become a rocket scientist!?
A friend, May McCoy Harrison, would give Diane and me kittens each year--white for Diane, blue-grey for me--and each year they died (had "fits"-distemper?). We had a little dog named "Perky" who was hit by a car. Dad never pretended to have affection for pets but in reality, he did. When Perky got hit by a car and appeared to be dead, he was left in the back yard on a gunny sack and Dad intended to bury him later. What a relief when "Perky" raised his head and recovered!
Diane had always been wild about horses and one day we were surprised to have a young woman ride up with a pony. Dad had arranged to buy "George" , who'd worked in a mine and been "retired". Diane was absolutely thrilled. She spent hours brushing & currying "George" and would get the bridle and saddle on so we could go for a ride. "Geroge", clever fellow that he was, would puff out his stomach and as soon as we got on, he'd let the air out, loosening the cinch and the saddle would slide from top to bottom, with us on it...for a moment. Riding was never a big pleasure for me! We also had a cart which George pulled and that was much safer! Diane retained her interest in horses and had them for years and still loves to ride.
In the summertime we had lots of picnics with friends and often went to the country club where we were members, Lake Bracken (now closed for swimming due to polluted water!!). There was a tennis court and we used to go and whack the ball around. Dad liked to play golf once in awhile. We would usually go to the outdoor movies held on Sunday nights. Our picnic often consisted of Spam and cold pork n beans...but they tasted very gourmet in that setting!? When it was dark, the movie was shown but usually the film was so dark that we couldn't see anything...or the film would break or... Just going and being together was enough! Sometimes Dad would suggest going to swim on weekday evenings...or, while sitting at the table after supper, suggest we go to a movie in Knoxville & we'd all jump up and go!
I don't remember much about my first few years. I was always dressed appropriately and had plenty to eat so didn't know funds were tight as a result of the depression. Dad had a good car to drive as a by product of his job. Living in Delong wasn't expensive! We had a big garden and always had lots of meat from the pigs Dad raised or from sharing halves of beef when people butchered. We had a locker in Knoxville where we kept meat and frozen garden produce til we got our freezer.
Our usual vacation was to drive to Kansas to visit Aunt Vera. I can't remember thinking it was an awful trip tho' it was a long one--the aim was to drive it in daylight and beat Bruce McMeen's (Martha Gillet's husband) record! Usually the county fair would be on when we were there and we'd attend it. Aunt Vera said I was so neat and if I was going to sit on the ground, would look for a piece of paper to sit on! I remember going swimming in the community pool with Mayetta . We visited Scoby relatives but I don't remember them.
I do remember when Mom, Dad, Eleanor & Fred went to visit Uncle Clair's and on to San Francisco, California in '39...and Diane and I stayed at Aunt Vera & Uncle Hol's. Aunt V. had a birthday party for Diane and made a housecoat for her as a gift. I had to pay for the one she made me out of my allowance! What a dear lady! They lived near the Republican River which, in the summertime, was usually so low you could walk across it. While we were there, we drove to St. Francis and over the river. It was raining hard and when we got back, the water was almost up to the bridge! Scarey! We were used to putting sugar in our iced tea but were reprimanded when we did so there. Uncle Hol said to put a little in and "stir like hell"! We were very happy to see our family back and return to Illinois. We heard of our family's experience on a roller coaster at the World's Fair. Dad & Eleanor were riding together and it went out into the bay. Eleanor thought she'd bail out & Dad had his hands full keeping her in...and was relieved for that ride to come to an end!
I broke my wrists at the end of that summer. We'd been to a picnic the night before & I'm sure I was very tired by the time we got home...or maybe fell asleep on the way home. In the night, I realized it was raining & intended to close the window. Somehow I pushed out on the screen instead! (Not too bright, huh?) I fell through the open window, rolled down the roof & landed in the bushes planted in front of the porch. I don't remember falling but no doubt landed arms first, thus breaking my wrists. I made it up on the porch but couldn't get the door open and that's where Mom and Dad found me. After cleaning me up, I slept with them and after Dad took the mail, we went to Dr. Moffett's. He took x-rays & then put casts on both wrists and told my folks that they'd have to do everything for me. Hmph! I was very self sufficient. I did get lots of attention and presents. After we left the doctor's office, 2 Hershey bars were purchased for me! Wow, what an occasion! It was almost worth it!?
Soon after that, I started to school--first grade as there was no kindergarten. The school was made of brick with 2 large rooms in the upper part and a large basement. There were 2 privys outside--one for each gender. Four grades were taught in each of the large rooms. When I started school, I had 3 classmates--Sally Hopkins, Judy Stomberg (whose family lived in the farm house on the farm owned by us) and Wendell Cramer. Occasionally a child would move in & join my class but usually not for long. Sally moved to Knoxville after 6th grade and by the time I was in 8th, I was the only one in my class!--valedictorian, dunce, whatever, I was "it". Except for 7th grade, I had very good teachers. Mom and Dad were so displeased with that teacher that, at the end of the first semester, I went to Abingdon Junior High School and rode there with Diane who, at the time, was a junior in high school. I enjoyed that and had a chance to get acquainted with kids I'd meet again when I went back for high school.
With 4 classes in a room, it was hard to "tune out" to recitations of other classes so this was an advantage during the "younger" grades as I learned along with the older kids. It was important to our parents to do well in school and they rewarded us with money according to how many "A's" we got. That was an incentive!
There were parent-teacher evening meetings periodically and there was group singing, usually led by Harley Steele, and entertainment; sometimes provided by "out of towners". How I envied those kids with their fancy outfits and tap shoes! I especially liked playing rythmn band instruments and, when I was in 8th grade, got to direct! The refreshments were a change from our mother's wonderful homemade fare. I'd go for those chocolate covered marshmallow cookies or other such delicacies! At holiday time we'd have a program and each said a "piece"--at the church programs too. One year Mom had velvet dresses made for Diane and me by Vera Underwood--maroon for her and dark blue for me. We really felt snazzy! Vera's daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was musical and arranged some trio music for Eleanor, Diane and me and we did quite a lot of singing. Sometimes Eleanor accompanied us and sometimes Lewis Thorton. Fred sent me programs from eighth grade graduations in May of 1941 and 1942 when the Cline sisters were on the program.
At recess we played outside, weather permitting and inside otherwise. I can still remember playing "Upset the Fruit Basket". Usually we just played in the basement. I usually walked home just a block away, for lunch, except in bad weather, . Girls didn't wear slacks then so I remember wearing ugly brown long stockings in winter and, when it was really cold, snow pants.
The year I was going into third grade, we learned there was to be an addition to our family! What a surprise! We were thrilled! Samuel Burdette was his name and he was born 23 days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Dec. 30, 1941. That was to have a great effect on our elder brother!
Fred went into the service after 2 years at Blackburn. Jack, from Alabama, was sent to Knox in Galesburg (thank goodness or we wouldn't have had him for a brother-in-law!) and Fred was sent to Tuscaloosa, Alabama! Fred had hoped to be educated as a veterinarian but too soon he became an infantryman under Patton. He was good to write when he was in Euope but it took a long time for correspondence to reach us and of course he couldn't say where he was or what he was doing and I can't imagine the uncertainty that Mom & Dad (and Fred!)went through. I remember he ordered gifts to be sent to us from a catalog and one year got a whole box of Hershey candy bars. Wow! I still have jewelry sent to me by him, a doll from France and a hand made wooden jewelry box with my name on it. What a brother! During those years of anxiety, it was a good thing Mom had a little one to take care of and sometimes take her thoughts off of his older brother, (known as "Son" for many years). When the wear ended in Europe, Fred was moved to the Philippines where he served with the military police. He returned home just before Mom & Dad's anniversary in 1946. They & 2 sons went to Galesburg to celebrate & got caught in a blizzard! Unfortunately that same night was the music contest in Abingdon and Diane couldn't get there to compete. Her vocal solos had won previously.
I was "little mother" to my baby brother and that was fine til he started having a mind of his own! After that there were contentious years and it was with a sigh of relief that he finally saw me leave home to enter nursing school in 1951.
Adolescent years are seen by some people as the golden ones...but not for me. Much of the time I felt like an ugly duckling and I felt "out of it" since my transportation schedule kept me from entering into after school activities. Unlike my older brothers and sisters, I rarely drove to school but usually rode with factory workers or "the star route lady", Dorothy Whitsitt. I did participate in "in school" things, such as choir and made some good friends. Marvin Wolford took a shine to me in my freshman year, even invited me to the prom when I was a sophomore.
That sophomore year was the really traumatic one. The schools redistricted and began to provide bus transportation...and Delong was in the Knoxville district! Oh woe is me! Knoxville and Abingdon had been rivals since at least the time Mom and Dad were attending Abingdon! They didn't even teach geometry at Knoxville so I never had that class (don't know how well I'd have done if they had!). I heard a lot about being from Abingdon that year! There were some nice kids there so it wasn't all bad. Eleanor and Jack were married in 1948 and lived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The following springs after that, we went to visit them (and got out of school for a week). Going through Cairo, Ill., I was first made aware of poverty. It was a trip, mileage-wise, similar to going to Kansas--around 650 miles. In '49, we went on to Pensacola, Florida where we first tasted shrimp, which became a family favorite. We also visited Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, AL. As I recall, price of admission seemed so steep that only Diane and I "made the tour". It was beautiful...camellias and azaleas everywhere and a lovely mansion. We appreciated seeing Springtime twice during those years. When we went to Birmingham, I had my first experience with segregation--drinking fountains and rest rooms with "White only". What a sheltered life I'd led!
On his birthday in 1948, Sam developed a rash (he was known for getting sick on his birthday!) and, since Mom and Dad were planning a New Years Eve party & didn't want to expose their friends to something contagious, they took him to the doctor who told them he had scarlet fever! That meant a 3 week quarantine! Dad went to stay at Grandmother's (stuck his nose in at home frequently to see if anything was needed) so he could keep working. Diane & I were to be quarantined a week (in case we developed the disease) so we went to Aunt Wanda and Uncle Guy's. We slept in their unheated upstairs and would run up, jump under the covers, head and all! Brr!! We dressed next to the stove downstairs in the morning! New Year's Eve Day, we broke the rules! Dad came for us and we went to the Orpheum in Galesburg to see "The Paleface". It was so funny that our stomachs hurt from all of our laughing! Laughter is good medicine. I still like to see that movie when it's on TV...brings back memories!
After our week there, Diane returned to Blackburn and I moved in with Bill, Imogene, Billy and Clark Wise for the next 2 weeks. Imogene wasn't sure how the boys, younger than I, would accept a girl but no problem. We played basketball in the barn and generally had a good time. The biggest drawback to living there was that they didn't have indoor plumbing. Again, brr!! They were wonderful surrogate parents but I was glad to get back home...and didn't miss classes at Knoxville during those days--wouldn't want to do that!?
Diane and Al and Fred and Louise were married in 1949.
Mom and Dad wanted me to return to Abingdon which I did my junior and senior years. Mary Phyllis Smith was in the opposite situation so the school districts allowed us to "trade". Nice! I was in the girl's sextette and had one of the leading roles in the junior play, "Mother Is A Freshman". During play practice, I often stayed overnight at my good friend's, Jean Roberson (who later married Marvin Wolford and they spent most of their married life as missionaries in Zaire). Jean had trouble (?) getting up in the mornings and I well remember her mother calling, "Elinor Jean!!" about 50 times each day! I was asked to be "in charge" of the junior-senior prom as a junior and that was a lot of responsibility. We used a Hawaiian theme, had dinner at one of the churches and back to the gym to dance. I went with Larry Ashley.
Christmas of 1950 was my most unusual. Jack had graduated from the U. of Alabama earlier that year and taken a job with Singer Sewing Machine in Truman, Arkansas. Finances were tight and seasonal employment was readily available in Galesburg so Eleanor, Nancy and Tom came to stay with us at Thanksgiving and Eleanor worked at and Mom took care of the 2 little ones. Jack, driving an ? Studebaker which had belonged to Dad, came a few days before Christmas to celebrate with us and then take his family back home with him. He had to be back at work on Dec. 26 so it was necessary for them to leave Christmas Day. Mom, Dad, Sam(my) & I went to Aunt Wanda's to celebrate with them. We hadn't been there long when Jack called to say the car had thrown a rod in Jacksonville so they were stranded. Dad said he'd leave right away and I volunteered to go with him. We drove a Frazer which was a very elegant car so sailed right along. When we got hungry, we discovered no restaurants were open (and there were no McDonald's then!) so we had candy bars for a Christmas feast. We were soon in Jacksonville and picked up our passengers (who'd been rescued by the Storey family and had a lovely Christmas meal with them) and headed for Truman. Ellie, Nancy, Tom & I sat in back & the kids were so good. It was late when we got to Truman, we went to bed immediately, got up and headed back to Illinois! Didn't see much of Truman! That was my first time in Arkansas! Dad had determined that we'd tow the Studebaker back home so when we got to Jacksonville, he attached a tow rope and homeward we started. We took turns driving and being towed...the speedometer in the Frazer wasn't operational and the heater in the Studebaker didn't work! Rarely having guided a car being towed before and certainly not for a distance, I had the unfortunate habit of getting onto the shoulder and, when the car came back on the pavement, it "jerked" the Frazer. Dad didn't like that! It was a long, windy, hilly ride between Jacksonville and Delong and got dark before we got there. I drove the last stretch and Dad suggested that I move right along...so I did. He reported the speedometer in the Studebaker was registering 90 at times! The Lord was with us! We met a car at the summit of a hill going at that speed and I wondered if we were going to make it intact. Fred, Sam and Mom were waiting when we got home and by the time I got inside, I was hysterical!
The summer after I graduated from high school, I detasseled corn, along with Sally Hopkins. We travelled by bus from field to field and I learned some new songs during those rides! Either I was allergic to corn pollen or ? or I got a sunburn on my lip and it stuck out like a 3rd eye for a very long time...thought it was never going to get well!
When I had my interview prior to being accepted to nursing school at Cottage Hospital, I said I wasn't interested in science (wasn't that dumb?). One guy was professor of chemistry at Knox & I'm sure that didn't go over too well but I was accepted anyway.
On September 19, 1951, I headed to Cottage Hospital to start a new adventure. We had a picnic at Lack Storey that evening with big/little sisters. Elaine Larsen (Smith), who I knew from high school and I were roommates. Mom didn't want me to shave my legs so, on that first night, I asserted my independence and shaved my legs (later she started shaving hers!!).
On September 21, we got news that Diane, Al and Bruce were moving from New Jersey to Los Angeles. In November, Diane and Bruce were with us a few days before they headed to their new home in California.
Our classes at Knox began on Sept. 24th and we did lots of walking back and forth to chemistry and biology classes there. On Oct. 25 we got cats to dissect, (ugh!) and continued to "work on" them til the next March. When we had physicals, I learned I had a heart murmur. Later, when the examining doctor was teaching medical nursing, he did an EKG and used me as a subject.
Blue and white checked uniforms arrived on Nov. 16; we already had our white shoes and hose and next day we began working on the "floor". I began to have some anxiety...what if I did something wrong & someone died as a result? I overcame it!
We went to Aunt Wanda's for Christmas...and got to stay this time!
In January of 1952 we got the horrifying news that cousin Claude Davis' wife, Mary had hanged herself. His sister had committed suicide too & his only child died during childhood so he had many sadnesses.
I was surprised and pleased to be elected president of our class. We had happiness and sadness on the same day, March 8--Eric was born, Aunt Wanda died. The 11th was Aunt Wanda's birthday. Aunt Vera was here and went with Aunt Berniece, Cliff and Kathryn Rice and me to the service for her. I helped with the flowers.
Our class was saddened to lose Pat Harris, Elaine Larsen and Maggie Mortland in March because of grade problems. We were delighted to receive our caps in a special ceremony on March 30th.
Mom, Dad, Sam & I went to visit good friends George and Ruby Killingsworth (I had a crush on their son, Alan) in Quincy (they lived most of their years in Galesburg) and then visited Mary Anna (Nelson) and her family in Griggsville the next day. We celebrated my birthday that weekend.
Right after that, I started passing medications--more responsibility--and Nancy Leigh and I became roomates and good friends. One of the nurse teachers asked me to come with her and give talks about nursing to a Baptist youth group, The Kiwanis Club, The Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club! Those must've instilled in me a dread of public speaking which I retain to this day (don't remember that it bothered me then!)
We got word in June that Al's sisters, Claree and Anna May Noland were in a serious automobile accident. I wrote to Claree often and went to visit her in the hospital in Peoria several times and then at home. She decided to become a nurse, as a result (later married an MD and they now live in La Jolla, CA.)
On July 26, Mom, Dad Sam(my) & I left on vacation, stopping over in Canton,OH (they had such nice rest areas in Ohio!). On we went to Gettysburg, PA where we got a guide who rode around with us, explaining everything. On we went to Washington DC where we visited the Capitol, House of Representatives, Washington Monument (Sam & I went to the top), Smithsonian, Pan Am Building, Arlington, Mt. Vernon, the Jefferson & Lincoln monuments. We stayed nearby in a cabin Next day Fred met us and we went through Baltimore (where we heard jet airplanes for the first time) on our way to Brooklyn where Fred, Louise and Patti were living. Fred had determined that if ever Uncle Sam needed him again, he'd prefer to be an officer so, through the reserves had become one. When the Korean conflict came along, he was called to serve so had to leave his vo ag teaching position in Kewanee, sell the house & furniture they'd just acquired & move to N.Y. We did so many things while we were there--had tickets for "A Night In Venice" at Jones beach Marine Stadium and it was spectacular--gondolas, swimming, pigeons, 500 people! We went to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform and the movie, "Ivanhoe", ate at an automat (such fun!), rode the subway, went to TV shows, "Information Please" & "Celebrity Time" (I guess they weren't permanent hits!). When we went to Coney Island, I wanted to go on the parachute jump. Noone else was excited about going but my big brother agreed to go. We hadn't gone very far up when I decided it wasntt a good idea...but it was too late then!
As we left N.Y. on Aug. 4, we saw the SS United States in the harbor (Mom and Dad had heard it come in in the night). We went to New Haven, CT and looked around at the Yale campus. On to Boston where all we saw was the Bunker Hill Monument. Dad didn't fancy city driving and said if we didn't like where he was going, we could decide and drive. Mom was for hitchhiking home! I was mad at both of them. It wasn't a pleasant trip home! We went on to Portland Maine and stayed at Old Orchard Beach. We stayed outside Keene, NH. at the Snow White Cabins. Which cabin did we have?? Grumpy! We got home Aug. 7.
I was surprised to learn on Sept. 11 that Louise was admitted to Cottage Hospital. Their baby wasn't due til Nov.! A spinal tap revealed that she had polio--and her "count" was high! What a scare! She received two pints of blood. We were fearful that she'd be paralyzed. She came through with no problems. PTL She was in isolation and I spent a lot of time with her--was working in the diet kitchen at the time.
Later in the month, I was elected president of the Student Nurses Association and in October, Carolyn Tingley and I went to the SNA convention in Springfield with our director of nursing and one of our teachers. In November, Mom went with me to Chicago on the Denver Zephyr where I attended the district SNA meetings.
Eisenhour was elected president that year, I got my first high heels, watched my first delivery (Nancy was working in OB so I was waiting for her). Unfortunately the patient had a ruptured uterus & I, who was working in OR, was called out to assist with an emergency hysterectomy during the night.
The next delivery I saw turned out much better--Sheryl Louise was born at 10:30 on Nov. 19. Louise had come in at 6:30, & used trielene anesthesia during her labor.
For Thanksgiving we went to Gammons in Louisville and Dad and I saw a performance of "Les Miserables". Quite a show!
Grandmother, Fred, Louise and girls joined us for Christmas. Mom and Dad then left for California and Grandmother stayed at their house.
Mom & Dad were in a bridge club with Killingsworths, Edythe and Ray Saxer (Shirley), Bess & Ted Endter (Dale and Mary Lou), Forrie and Myrt Carlburg (, Bill & LaVeta McLennan (Janet and Inez), Eileen & Harry Pearson (Don and Bob). Some of the guys were railway mail clerksThey were known as "the gang" & had many wonderful times together, not just playing cards.
Other families we sometimes got together with were the Porters, Martin & Mary Elizabeth & their mother and Cora & Dick Nicely
After our graduation from Cottage, Nancy, Pat and I rented an apartment near the hospital and continued to work there. We took our state board exams. We worked til Dec. 20 and then took a few days off before Nancy & I headed for a visit with Diane and Al in California. The Gammons came for Christmas & we were together Christmas eve & day. Nancy's family dropped her off at our house the 27th and we took the train to Chicago the 28th. We went to VA Research hospital for an interview and physical. Jim met us and took us downtown for dinner and to see "The King and I". We stayed at the Y. My bad experiences in flying began on Dec. 29 when we went to Midway Airport for our flight and spent 11 hours there. It was snowing! We finally got out at 10 but our flight ended up at International Airport instead of Burbank. Al went to meet us at the latter & then had to drive to the other. We got home at 4:30 a.m.--a short night for him! Next day they took us to Palm Springs via the San Barnardino mounains & the desert We saw lots of citrus groves, date palms and vineyards. On New Year's day, Al dropped us off so we could see the Rose Parade and then came back for us. It's one of the few years when it rained on the parade. We thought it was beautiful anyway! All of us had intended to go to San Diego but Eric got sick so Diane insisted we go anyway. Al took us to the harbor and pointed out ships of interest, we went to the zoo and he took us to Florence Chadwick's for lunch. Whatta guy!
I'd encouraged Dad to have his hernia repaired "since it's such simple surgery" so he decided to do that. Since I had a spinal anesthesia when I had my appendectomy, he thought he'd like that for anesthesia...but it didnt work for him so they had to use general in addition! Afterward he went into shock & I was very concerned but he came out of it OK. I determined not to talk people into doing things! Shortly thereafter, in January, 1955, Nancy and I went to work at VA Reserach Hospital, she worked on a "chest" ward and I worked on a neuropsychiatric ward. They didn't ask our preference, they just put us there! Nancy worked very hard & I didn't!
We'd determined that we'd go back to school to get a BSN so applied to Illinois, left Chicago in August and went to Champaign-Urbana in Sept. Dorm housing wasn't available so we stayed in the T dorm--temporary buildings which were "suites"-a bedroom with 2 bunk beds and a common room for studying. There was a communal kitchen so we cooked many meals there.Pat, Nancy and I were joined in our suite by Marie Weishaupt who'd been to Hillsdale College and really liked it there!!
"Poetry" written by me while in grade school
Daddy Mother
My father is the finest man There is no one like mother dear
In all the world, you see When she is near, you have no fear,
He's always been kind and patient Who took care of us thro' infant years?
And busy as a bee. Thro' smiles and lots and lots of tears.
He's help to kill the pigs for meat When there were bumps and falls
And also make the gravy And all the other alls
His hair is straight but strange to say Thro' every weather
His brother's hair is wavy. We've been together.
He's had three kids (I mean mother) Thro' years of sorrow
(I don't mean goats) Thro' years of tear
We have a pony Their isn't anyone
But not a boat. Like Mother Dear
He's been very dear Washington
Thro' lots of sorrows
He's helped every year. Washington was a wealthy lad.
Who? My Dear Father. It seems he shouldn't of ever been sad
He cut down the cherry tree
And he was as truthful as could be.
Washington saw a robin out it's nest
And took it and put it 'neath its mother's breast
Washingon always kept his ground
He helped the world grow big and round.
Washington lived a long, hard life
But even then he had a wife. Her name was Martha Washington And glory was always with her.
Poem written for me my my Mom To "My Maryland"
A great event was April 5th of 1933
For on that night Patricia Marilyn was born to Sam and me.
To see Dr. Moffett that afternoon, in haste we took the trip
"The time has come," he said. "You'd better pack your grip".
Back home again, in springtime rain, to plan for children 3,
The Youngs said, "We'll come--and stay all night--if that the need may be".
A scare they had when Diane-3- down the steps did fall--
Said, "I help get 'tatoes and I can work even tho' I'm small".
To the Cottage Hospital we went-where you now spend your nights and days,
Nurses then, as well as now, deserve a world of praise.
At 5 o'clock, when we arrived, supper was served that day.
With work to do, I cared for none, for it would cause delay.
So, bye and bye, you did appear, the time was 8 of 8-
To see their sister-the 3 at home thought they just couldn't wait.
Just a good little babe-and you gained on Carnation milk
Your eyes were blue and your curly hair was just as soft as silk.
While very young, you'd often stay with "Aunts" for many days.
I've often thot' without them how you five we'd ever raise?
If a trip to 'here' or a trip to 'there' on them at once we'd call.
"Just bring them on", they'd say, "we like to have them all".
When in June of '39, a trip far west to see Uncle Clair's
With your Aunt Vera's you staid, to add to her many cares.
A 10th birthday party for Diane gave tho' she was very busy,
Made a housecoat for Diane and one for you, her sewing made one dizzy.
Back home-2 weeks til school-you took your turn at falling;
One stormy night of pouring rain, we thought we heard a-calling.
'Twas you! our little girl of 6, who'd taken quite a-mauling
With 2 broken arms-to our front door so bravely did come crawling.
Out the window-off the porch roof-you really were a sight.
So wet and muddy! We cleaned you up to sleep with us that night.
Tho we little knew of broken bones then-you were so uncomplaining
To Doc's next day we hurried-our delay needed explaining.
He set those bones with you so brave-but Diane cried on unrestraining.
Then school began-the casts were off-to be careful you must try.
But go you must-You loved it all-This no one would deny-
8 grade school years flew by and 1/2 of one to Abingdon you must go--
A poor excuse of teacher here-how to teach she didn't know.
You liked it there-the alma mater of we others--
Your dad, your mom, your sisters 2 and oldest of your brothers.
Four high school years slipped by-as you have found they do-
One of which to Knoxville you went-a change you surely rue.
Many memories you have-of all those years-to fill between these lines-
Your rides to school-friends over there--sad and happy times.
To be a nurse-was your own choice of work-following graduation
And now you are one for you passed the state examination.
Nearly 3 years have gone by since I started to make these rhymes
Now to finish them I'll need to add a few more unmetered lines.
Two special friends are Nan and Pat--You've known them since '51.
And through these 6 years, good pals you have become.
When through at Cottage, an apartment with them you did share.
To California with Nan you flew (Now Pat's work takes her out there).
Next to the Windy City, with work for all 3
As all made plans for a B.S. degree.
There to U. of I barracks that fall you went, where you must clean and cook,
'Til a place at Busey was vacant, which you quickly took.
Activities that never end kept you busy and happy I'd guess
But the day you met Cliff at McKinley is one you'll always bless.
Most wonderful dreams are fulfulling to bring you happiness.
After titles of RN & BS comes the finest and it soon will be--MRS.
These few years you've been with us were happy and we feel we were lucky & blest
And both us us join now to wish that your future will be filled with the best.
Website maintained by Andy Long.
Comments appreciated.