Actually, we have only scratched the surface of the opportunity given us by Gary White in regard to "CV Memories". Certainly, that which has been published has been very interesting and is a good start. At the same time, so many folks that were instrumental to the town have been largely ignored and it is time to reflect upon their early efforts to establish a good place to live. Some of the folks may not be remembered but others will ... or our parents or grandparents may have possibly regaled us glimpses of the folks of those early times.
There are also many individuals during the time while we were "growing up" that are important to the overall story. Many of them have been mentioned and could be expanded upon but many of our contemporaries have been forgotten at this point. Should you have stories on some of these folks you need not have dates and/or statistical information to back your story but just your memories. Should a need for correction arise most likely others among us will offer our own reflections of the report.
Here are a few individuals that would qualify (in my mind) as good prospects for illumination:
L. C. Adams, W. R. Babb, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Baird, George Beuoy, H. L. Cox, Eva W. Dale, J. M. Dosbaugh, Kenneth and Faxine Dunn, Jess Foster, L. N. Guthrie, Dr. and Mrs. L. C. Hays (and those important to the hospital), Swain House, Frank Hubbard, W. M. Jones, John Murphy, Lincoln Robinson, Clyde Shaffer, Dr. Josh Stone, Nellie Study, J. P. Tabler, Stella Walker, Kale Williams, and J. J. Willson.
Even a completion of this listing would most likely allow many important stories of our past to remain untold. For instance, it seems that I do somewhat remember Jim Hutchins (as noted in Rick Hollister's story concerning Hooser). At the same time, I'm not sure that my memory is accurate ... and more information on Jim and others of the times would be interesting and give future generations a more complete indication of what it was like during our era. Very little about the depression and the war years has been revealed to indicate the conditions of our early lives. Though our children or grandchildren have possibly "rolled their eyes" when some of our personal stories have been told may later wish to know more about the times that helped in the development of our personalities. When they want to know (and many of them will) this spot will be available for their study and for others having some interest.
Other individuals of importance would be those that went to school in the area and later attained fame, fortune, or even achieved some bit of important negativity. There are those that read these reports that are rich sources of information and your input would allow this venue to be even more comprehensive. There are others that you should wish to invite to join our motley crew.
7 comments:
Good idea Phil, lets see if this snowballs.
Okay, Phil, here goes. Because I am the author of this letter, surely it will be okay to share it and it will be alright with Madison and Marilyn.I kept a copy of it for my children.
March 5, 1996 - Dear Margaret, Madison and Marilyn, We had a note from Undene (Littrell Kygar) after Christmas and she told us that your Mother died on December 21st at the age of 98 - two years older than my Granddad Akin was when he died in 1964. I have been intending to write you since hearing from Undene and perhaps today is the day I will get that done....I want you to know how much I admired your Mother and what she and all the Webb family meant to me when I was growing up. It might be hard to come up with anything specific that I remember the most because there are so many wonderful memories. I was truly blessed to grow up the Cedar Vale Church of Christ....All of the Webb ladies were so wispy to me. I think that is the best way to describe them, so feminine and delicate....well, just wispy, but so strong in their service to their families and to God. I never did get to know Grace, but I'm sure she was much the same...Your Mother was so sweet and always had the sweetest smile and was so interested in my family and me when we were back to visit. (You are the same way, Marilyn). Lucile had such a beautiful voice and I remember that sometimes I wouldn't sing just so I could listen to Lucile Holroyd sing. Of course, she was always so pretty, but the picture of her in the Chautauqua County History book is just beautiful. No wonder your Dad fell in love with her. Then when he realized what a sweet spirit she had, he was no doubt hooked...I'll always remember Virginia making the beautiful flower arrangements for the church building. And, I remember the pure white, starched linen cloths she took care of for the communion service - one on the table and one to cover the service. I was always unhappy with the men if they spilled some of the juice on the cloth. More work for Virginia, but I bet she never complained. Virginia had such a sweet voice and was always so interested in what was going on, despite her hearing problem. I treasure the two water colors I have that she did in 1909. I also have some individual salt dips that my Grandma Pate (Anna) had, (added: Grandma bought them for my father, Ernest Pate, to use in school when he did water colors) and then I have a sugar and creamer that Virginia gave me after I was married in 1949. All items, china, of course, and all handpainted by her. I have told my Martha and Tim about Virginia and they have such admiration and will treasure the pictures and china as I have....How can I remember Virginia without remembering Emmett? He was such a dear and was always very thoughtful to include my Mother (if she was off work and could go), Billy Lou and me when they would go out of town to a church function. I remember one evening we had gone to Winfield to a special church meeting with them. Coming home I had to go to the bathroom so bad and finally told Mother that I just couldn't wait. She told Emmett and he stopped by the side of the road so I could "go". This was probably the summer after my father died so I must have been almost 10 ! I was so embarrassed, but Emmett never let on, ever, about the incident. I remember the parties they had when they still lived in Dexter. Well, I remember a few of them because I didn't always get to attend. There was never anyone else at church, my age, and SOMETIMES the "older" crowd let me tag along....One had to know Loverne Webb to understand what a perfect person she was. There is just no describing it so one could fully understand. I'm sure you know my Aunt Loverne was her namesake? Also,did you know she loaned her car to Billy and Rodney for their honeymoon? She also took movies of their wedding which I believe you have since given to Billy and she had them put on video cassette. And, of course, you know the story about Loverne and my Uncle Percy being engaged and after World War I when Uncle Percy came home someone told untruths and Uncle Percy went to Kansas City, met Helen Mae Hyer, and married her. I know our family missed out by not having your Aunt Loverne for our Aunt Loverne, also, but of course, she was very much a part of our church family.(added: and Aunt Helen Mae was a dear). Shortly after I was married in 1949 Lovenre was in town (Fort Worth) for a Library Conference. We picked her up at her hotel on Sunday morning and she went to church with us and also to lunch.....The two Webb men I knew also bring sweet memories. I was always so impressed with Fay and Osa - they always looked do elegant. And, Fay loved to tease. I remember they drove ALL THE WAY from Sedan for church before a congregation was established there. Osa was one of my Bible school teaches - as was Tessie West and Maltida Dudgeon....And, Ferdie. What a mess he was ! I can shut my eyes and see him teasing me, and his Helen just watching and smiling. They were both such dear people. After my children were born Ferdie wrote such sweet letters. He sent Martha a book that he wrote in and she still has it, as I have the letters. Dale (note: Rollin's son) and I dated some one summer when he was visiting. Ferdie really got a lot of mileage out of that brief dating situation, loved teasing us both about it....I mentioned that I did not have the privilege of knowing Grace, nor did I know Rollin, but Virginia, Lucile, Loverne, Fay and Ferdie were very much a part of my growing up, as were their spouses. When I see today's parents thinking they have to worship where there are programs for their children and where there are other children the same age, I just remember back when I lived in Cedar Vale. Of course, we didn't move there until the summer I turned nine, and it was then the church became a part of my family. What could a youth minister, any children my age, any program geared especially for me possibly have done to make my spiritual life any better than it was. I learned from Virginia and Emmett Ward, Lucile and Madison Holroyd, Ferdie and Helen Webb, Fay and Osa Webb, the Starks, the Dudgeons, the Fosters, the Hestands, Stella Mundy, Frank White (even though his "sermons" at the Communion table really used to upset me). And, at Hewins, I had Herb and Rosalyn Kygar and my Granddad Akin. What a treasure. How could it have been any better?....I did not mean to ramble on so, but have thought about this since receiving Undene's letter. We'll be in Cedar Vale in May for the CVHS Alumni Banquet. This is my 50th year out of high school and some of us are working on having a brunch the morning before the banquet and are using the church basement....I've tried to relate just a little about how dear to my heart the church in Cedar Vale is. Please accept the enclosed contribution as my "thank you" for all the memories, the Christian examples, and as a memorial to Madison and Lucile, Virginia and Emmett, Loverne, Ferdie and Helen and Fay and Osa. In Christian Love, Pat Pate Molder
Pat, what wonderful memories and history of so many of the names that are important to your strong church and to Cedar Vale. This is a beautiful letter as you have an ability to weave a fine and testimonial story.
Thank you for this important document, Pat!
A wonderful document Pat. Maybe Phil will get some more of us stirred to action. Some of my memories have made it here to our blog, but there are more lurking in my mind if I can just get motivated. I think I have some material about my paternal grandparents (that would be H.L. Cox and Alice Meyer Cox) that might be of interest. I'll get it blogged--not promising when.
Don Shaffer - Didn't you live in the Webb house at one time....the one next to the Church of Christ building?
Great start, Pat. I'm listening in from Spain to all those golden CV memories. Keep them coming!
And if you want your contribution to show up better, put it in as a post and we'll all see it headlined. If you are not yet a contributor, let me know and I'll get you set up. Email me anywhere in the world at:
tchbth@mac.com
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