Family Ties

The War Years

Found this yesterday in the newspaper. I'd never seen it before and it is not included in any of Mom's clipping files. 

 

The Caddo Herald

April 6, 1944

 

The Day Before V-Day

By Della Springer

 

‘Twas the day before V-Day,

And all thru Berlin,

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even the men.

 

Old Hitler was crouched

In a pillbox with fear,

Knowing that the Yankees

Were fast drawing near.

 

The Germans were huddled

With fear in their faces,

They resembled anything

Besides super-races.

 

In a quivering voice

Heard above the din,

You could hear Hitler groaning,

“Oh, Don’t fence me in.”

It's complicated...

I have uploaded the “first phase” of my homes album. I didn’t think about what an enormous undertaking it would be to document 51 moves. However, it’s something that I consider a worthwhile challenge, if for no other reason than my own satisfaction.  I’m certainly enjoying most of the memories attached to these photos.

I’m sure there are already mistakes in dates and details. I’ll continue to address those as I complete phase two.

Back to the Hill

The Caddo Herald

February 19, 1939

Liberty Hill News

John L. Springer is in Durant at a hospital for an appendectomy performed Sunday. He is reported doing nicely. (read on)

Death last week called to her reward Grandma Smith of near Liberty. She was 88 years old, and leaves two boys and two girls to mourn her loss. Mrs. J. Ben Smith and Miss Esther are daughters; one son, Edgar, was at her bedside when she passed away; one son could not be located. Should have had this in last week’s paper.

The Community Canteen has gone haywire, but we did not go broke. We owe no man and no man owes us. We simply did (not) get enough business to justify the venture. We take this way to thank our friends for what trade they gave us.

The school is the best we’ve had for ten years, thanks to our efficient faculty.

Sunday School was rained out the last two Sundays. Hope it is not fatal for there was some interest being manifested some time back. When weather fairs up maybe we can have a Sunday School yet.

W.O. Springer and wife, and Miss Fay Springer, were in our midst last Sunday. Their visit was spoiled by the unexpected attack of appendicitis that developed upon their son, John L. Springer, while here.

Had about 4 inches of snow last week and now (Sunday) it is raining, making plenty of old black mud. Good for crops. Rufe Bolts

Beauty from a Skein of Yarn

My Grandma Bea was a magician. I sat mesmerized many evenings as she took balls of colorful yarn and a little metal hook and created lovely blankets, sweaters, and even toys. Her fingers flew through the familiar movements and I marveled at the way she could work, talk, and also look at me. Pure magic!

In her younger days my grandmother used crochet thread to make doilies and to trim handkerchiefs and table runners. Her mother and her sisters also crocheted and often collaborated on large projects like tablecloths or bedspreads. Each would create a square and then one of them would stitch them together like a quilt. Or they made matching, coordinating items to give as gift sets. One of them even crocheted clothing for a tiny pair of dolls.

I still have the baby sweater that my grandmother made for me. She also made afghans for each of my children and a bedspread that I have used each winter for twenty-five years. She could read and follow most pattern instructions and she also created simple designs on her own.

When I was a young wife and mother I finally sat down and paid attention long enough to learn a few simple stitches. Gran was very patient, but it was clear that I would never master anything but the basics. However, even those have served me well and I’ve managed to make a few nice afghans and wraps. My daughter apparently received the crochet gene and inherited Gran’s expertise with a hook. She can read directions and recreate elaborate patterns.

As her eyesight began to fail and her hands became bothered by arthritis Gran put aside the thinner threads and made more and more items from yarn. She began to work a bit more slowly, but her projects were still beautiful and expertly made. Even when she moved into a nursing home and could no longer walk, she continued to crochet afghans for the nurses and other patients.

Each time I make my bed with the spread she lovingly made for me I recall the many evenings spent watching her work her magic on a simple skein of yarn.

School Days

I've previously posted several pieces about my days in school and today I'm adding some photos from my school years to an album. I don't think any aspect of childhood has more influence on our lives than school, and the people we encounter there can be far more important in shaping our future than our parents. I'm way up there on the top row and my boyfriend is next to me. 

Maurer=Power

I’d never read this before- guess I was too busy moving and making plans to attend school.

 

The Durant Daily Democrat

July 27, 1980

White House Choices Are Slim

By Della Springer

Well, bless us all, one convention over and one more to go, then the election. I hope this doesn’t drag on until we miss seeing what happens to J. R. Ewing!

From where I sit, looks as if we will have a choice to elect either a peanut farmer or an old retired western movie star. Back when Ronald was playing in the movies you knew from the start the GOOD guys would win out. But not so these days. No use having fantasies about winning out of this mess because we are good guys (and of course we are).

A couple of young guys and friends of ours dropped by Tuesday afternoon to see about us. They were Judd Faudree and his cousin Tom Faudree. So nice of young men to care that much. Judd had been out to help battle the fire that took quite a bite out of Harry Parker’s cow pasture.

Our grandchildren, James and Sheryl Holaday and children James, Jeremy, April, and Jay of Amarillo, Tex. visited her parents, Curtis and Clariece Springer, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Holady for a couple of weeks.

Another or our granddaughters, Mary Maurer, and her husband Gary and children Karen, Katrina, and Robert, have found a nice place to live near here. In case you don’t know the pronunciation of her last name, it sounds like POWER- or that’s my idea about it. If I am wrong she will correct me (yes she will).

Mary and one of our daughters, Betty Ann Owens, are starting to college. They have both enrolled in creative writing and psychology.

My, my, what a bunch of smart we are about to get in our family! Bless you both. I’m rooting for you.

 

Roses are red, violets are blue.

I’m about roasted, what about you?

 

Amazed and Grateful

I’ve finally begun creating my own photo albums for this site and I have to take a moment to express my gratitude to my parents for taking and preserving as many photos as they did. When I look back on their early life of poverty and constant moving I am truly amazed that there are any photos of my childhood that survived.

The photos are not dated, and at some point I may take time to “guesstimate” some of them. But you can get a general idea of my age and I think that’s all that is really needed. (Album in left column.)

I still love looking at these because they evoke such happy memories.

High School, 1968

Gary said yesterday that it’s time for me to upload my own photo album to this site, so I plan to do that this afternoon. In the meantime, here is a high school photo that a friend posted on FB this week. I do not have the 1968 album, only the 1966, so I had not seen this. I’m on the right. Yes, I made that dress.

Box Suppers

Thomas Anderson Alexander was born in Wayne County, Tennessee on May 10, 1848. He and Rhoda Whitworth were married in 1868. He died in 1925. He was also known in town as “Uncle Tom” and/or “Marse Alec”. “Marse” is an old Southern slang term for “master”.  They were my great-great grandparents. I had read and posted the first item a few years ago, but I did not know, until I read the following items, and some others about Mr. Moore, that they took turns being auctioneers for various events.  

 

The Caddo Herald

February 25, 1910

The box supper at Freeny last Friday night is pronounced a success by all who attended and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, a good crowd attended and aided in making the affair a success. Mrs. Mace of Denver, Colo. was present and favored those present with several vocal numbers. Jim Moore of Caddo, was chosen auctioneer and a right good one he was. The proceeds of the sale of cakes netted something over $30.00. A $5.00 shirt waist donated by the Bass Co. to be given to the most popular young lady present was awarded to Miss Lillie Arp. The pair of baby shoes donated by H.G. Huffman and which were to have been given to the prettiest baby were sold, as there were no babies present, to Mr. Chas. Price, the highest bidder. A fine cake was offered to the ugliest man in attendance; only two entered this contest (others knew that it would be useless to try): Judge Freeny and “Marse” Tom Alexander. The race was hotly contested and was the cause of much merriment, the cake finally being awarded to Mr. Alexander. Mr. Freeny, though sorry that he lost the cake, frankly admitted that he believed by rights Mr. Alexander to be the ugliest of the two and justly entitled to receive the cake.

 

December 23, 1910

Box Supper

Mr. T. A. Alexander reports a box supper at Lane’s School house north of town, at which he and Jim Moore were present. The supper was given for the purpose of raising funds to pay for the organ and they succeeded in making enough to lift this indebtedness. The new receipts from the supper were $27.50. A big, jolly crowd was present and there were plenty of good well-filled baskets to go around.

 

May 19, 1911

A box supper was given at Midway School last Saturday night. The attendance was good and a neat sum of money was realized. T. A. Alexander of Caddo was the auctioneer and others from town also attended; among them was noticed J. A. Moore.

 

June 30, 1911

Freeny Chapel

The box supper Friday night was a success in every way. The sum of $33.85 was raised. We appreciate the help from Caddo visitors. Miss Jennie Moffatt was voted the most popular Miss in the community and received a beautiful compliment for the Bass Co. Cecil Wright carried off the prize for good looks for the men present and smoked a box of cigars given by H. Edwards while Uncle Chet smoked a pipe donated by Lake Brewer for being the homeliest man. Shave and cut your hair next time Uncle Chet and you will get the cigars. Uncle Tom Alexander and Jim Moore of Caddo made things interesting at the box supper. Sam Jed and Walter Morris and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Turnbull of Caddo were present at the box supper.

 

Back to the Springers

Came across this yesterday while researching for someone else. Couldn't resist posting even though I'm currently still working on the Simmons side of our family. 

The Caddo Herald

March2, 1934

Liberty Hill News

 

If you miss the program March 9^th you’ll miss something real funny,

For you will not get to hear Sallie get her proposal from black Johnnie.

 For Sallie Grindstone shore can act; of her we are quite proud,

 And the goofy stunts of Johnnie will make you laugh out loud.

 

Girls be shure and bring a pie, here is the reason why;

Your boy friend may be there and get some other girl’s pie.

 

Boys come and bring your best girl and try to win a cake

For there will be some good ones, the best that we can make.

 

Another word before I go; we have a quilt to sell,

It might be just what you want.

So till March 9^th farewell.

 

By the Liberty Canning Club

(Note: various groups at Liberty put on plays and entertainments. Many were written or directed by Della Springer.)

 

March 16, 1934

The program and pie supper at Liberty Friday night was a great success; a large crowed and good behavior and everybody in a good humor.

The sales netted the Ladies Canning Club nearly $15.00; almost enough to pay for the pressure cooker and a few more efforts like this one and the job will be done, proving my prediction that the women will beat the men in a  business way. While the men are trying to run the government the women are mending the leaks around home.

We want to thank Mr. Bradshaw for selling our pies; also Charlie Maxwell and John Shoemake for their presence and liberality and to all other visitors for their presence. You are always welcome at Liberty. We will try to remember you later for your presence and help. We are sorry that our teachers were both absent. It would have been a good advertisement for them.             

 

Misses Beatrice Smith and Veda Mae Jordan of Caney brought pies for the supper at Liberty. Thank you girls; such help is very much appreciated; come again.

 

The Liberty Farmer’s business club continues to grow in interest. Some important business has been transacted, such as the distribution of free seed and filing petitions. Other business is in prospect.

 

We will just say to the candidates for office: you will find us in session any Thursday night. Come out and air your learning. We will listen to your spiel any time. Rufe Bolts