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THE McHSN&Y PLMNDEALKR ran Hint Thursday, September, 12,1935 -- "PLAYING WITH BROKEN TOYS" St. Paul, Minn. Aschel Stevens, I heard from him efgfet years ago last January, when my € ft. 4 in. son was in the Marines, and was stationed at Great Lakes. Aschel had a fine tenor voice, dressed well, and he and Walter Besley had the only white collars among the boys in town. No; I'm mistaken, Ed Bishop wore a collar and red neck-tie, when he stepped out. A\ high-life vest, and neatly arranged in its pockets were displayed a comb, a toothbrush, a bone toothpick, * nail file, and a pen and pencil. That was in the "gay nineties," and he sure looked good! I think his brother, Joe, was the cleverest fisherman who fever jerked a red horse, or caught a bass. When the *red horse" ran in the month of May, we arrived at the old iron bridge at daylight, and then sold the eight to twelve pounders for two for a quarter. Think of that. Truth is that, personally, I never cared much about Ashing, or eating fish. Sorry when the fishfor brain food idea was exploded. I Always had thought that my poor memory was due te my lack of fish intake. Now I don't know what to lay it to. Well, I got to mention an Owen again. Back in 1895, 0. N. had his apple grove just wtest of Leonard Bonslett's, planted to late potatoes. The season was dry, and the spuds did not promise much of a crop anywhere, and selling at a dollar and a half a bushel. Long about digging time, Herb and I met 0. N. one day, and he made Us a proposition to dig and deliver the spuds for five dollars, or lake half for ourselves. Well, we took it fifty-^ifty, paid dug thirty-six bushel. I mention it, because I believe that was the only time that 0. N. failed tof make a good bargain for himself. By the way, the apples in that orchard were the best I ever ate. While we are in that neighborhood let's wave to Mr. Bonslett, Sr., and his good wife and go down and call on the Beckwiths and Howards. Yes, there is Hattie, and Edna and t>elia playing together. Smell those skunk, and other hides curing in the sheds? The Owen house across from them was the second place that the Bennetts lived after coming to McHenry iif '81. So Herb and I played with those kids across t)je road and Boone "crick" kissed our back yard. I was three years old about that time and mother went to church one night and left me with the Beckwiths, and I bawled all he time she was gone. A year later, I tried to saw wood and drove a splinter through the skin on my forehead. Still living there at six. my blond curls were cut off and nuiiier cried. I still have those curls. , On Dad's fiftieth birthday, and I Was five the saune month, he tried to jump m<r the ironing board, set up out in the yard, but landed on top of it, and smashed it doT.n to the llKIRtC inexpsm - ( Ask about the low rates ground. Also at six, I had saved up a dollar, and my sisters borrowed it to go to a show in the school house. Paid 50 cents to get in and lost the rest. Next yard east of Howard's was C. W. Owen's large beautiful -yard, anq home. « I wish my Old Man's grandfather had taken up a section of that land but he went and died up in Vermont July, 10, 1836, when Pad was three years old so how could he? At the end of the lane lived George Beckwith's father and mother, in a white house with green blinds. All mighty fine people, even if C. W. did used to bait my dad. on certain matters of Bible. Hello, Gib Howard out there at Sturgis, S. D. How's a-boy? Have you got another horse that you can love as much as the one you had to shoot ? Say young fellow, I remember the day you were bofhf, Have to tell you about - it. Kind of refresh your memory. The Bennetts lived -in the Taboir house that summer. What was your idea being born in hot weather? I'll bet you won't do it again: My sister, Clara was "visiting" your mother at the time, and the news came that the Howards had a baby boy. 1 had just put on my first pair of long pants. Mother made them out of a pair of Dad's. How she ever got the photograph chemicals out of them is a mystery to me. Dad used to stand them up beside the chair when he went to bed. But they looked darn good to me, and when the news came, I lit out to see you. Ran down past Hank Wightman's, over tha fence, and in trying to cross the mill race, fell in all over. Got across the creek all right, after, that, and soon took a peek at you. Your mother asked me if I didn't think that you were a pretty baby, and .what I said and thought were two different things. Suppose, Gilbert you write me how you enjoy the 0).d Timers' Club. Better yet, Write for the Plaindealer. I wish I could remember C. E. Owen. He must have ducked the old town, before I was three years old Suppose you go Way Back When and tell us all about it. You started this Old Timer, C. E. Join up. - "Memory is- a nursery, in which children who have grown ©Id* play with their broken toys." Harry Wightman threw a bag, and his wife and family into his car, and came to see me for a scant day, andthen back home again. It was a wonderful thrill for me, my old play mate, my first little friend, when we came to McHenry in '81. We put up at the Riverside Hotel. Hank Wightman proprietor. Yes, we were both three years old, and we both remember the rocking horse of Harry's, that he let Herb and me ride. Schoolmates from primary through high school. Same old Harry, subborn as Henry, Clay, when he thinks he is right, and honest at Old Abe. We didn't have time to any more than dust off some of the Good Old Times, but my jaws still ache from laughing. And what a mimic he is, and what a memory. Harry half promised to come again next year and stay a couple of weeks. If he does I'm going to take notes and write a best seller. I tried to get him to .promise that he would write a letter for the club, and if he will but write like he talks, what a treat for all of us "Old People." And you, too, write just as you would tell it, and we can all have a good time this fall and winter. Once^again, ' FRANK BENNETT. royally by him and his estimable family. They were fine people and received the poor and the rich alike. Some of us might never have seen the World's Fair of *93 were it not for their kindness and generosity. »I remember when Mrs. George Smith was elected to serve on the school board in her response to a rousing serenade she said that th^ey had a well of the finest water in town and that she'd agree to pump for everyone that wanted to drink. There were, at that time, eleven licensed saloons in McHenry. Hank McLean has been referred to many times, though my stories may not possess the power of amusement as those previously told I'll scribble them anyhow. Once Father O'Neil told him whenever he wanted a sack of flour to go to Dick Bishop's mill and get it. He said, "No, Begad, you'll have to bring it to me." At one time he was brought before the court for killing a sheep and he swore that he killed it in self defense! The most docile of all domesticated animals! 1 The Attorneys agreed that it was just a good joke and if he would settle the costs and reimburse the owner, that the case would be dismissed. "But say," he says, "that would kind of spoil the joke, wouldn\ it?" Margaret defines old age as "just an idea" and we went to the same school. Many times as Paddy Whalen and his wife, Betty, sat on the stoop he'd try to relate the news to us, but he stuttered and before he got very far he'd say* "Y-y-y-you t-tell it, Betty." You're wondering, Frank, why the old timers don't come through and join up with the club. Well, they're out playing golf. You and Harry and. Albert agreed that there were more oddities in McHenry thane? in any other place. I think every small town has its quota.. Lincoln said, "God must like odd people, he made so many of them." Wally Wodburn and his precious little helpmate were here for dinner one evening recently arid he related mo»3 tricks and dc/iltry that went on in his boyhood than you could publish without a supplement. Remember seeing the Bennett boys on their return from the Spanish- Amrican War. Their tongues were certainly furred. -Was Darwin Granger the name of that soldier you tried -to recollect, Albert? Well, he's a retired mail carrier now and happy as ever with his doting wife and family. He lives where Beckwiths used to live and E. Knox's widow lives in the Oliver Owen house nearby, I'm afraid that I'm rambling too far, but I must say a word about my dear ancestors who kept the faith and happily for us we have a pastor at St. Patrick's who merits the respect and esteem of all, the Rev. Wm. A. O'Rourke. Years ago on the 17th of March there were cracked heads when McHeiwy and Johnsburg met. We are all closely related now and some of the best, timbers in McHenry grew up in Johnsburg. The Smith Brothers, Stephen H. Freund and many others whom I would like to commend in a later issue, if this jumbled missive entitles me to a membership in the Old Timers' Club. God blees my dear old friends, not great in earthly wealth,' but in patience and charity. (MRS. JACK) LORETTO WALSH. SPEND $1,000 MONTH ON DIONNE BABIES WELCOME, OLD TIMER! West McHenry, 111. Mr. A. H. Mosher, •"*'"•«. " * Editor, Plaindealer) Under ordinary circumstances' letter writing cannot be called a task, l>ut when a student like Bennett submits such classics I'll admit he has some of us old timers stopped. To me, they ai-e most enjoyable contributions. My connections with the Plaindealer (while the Irish were winning the War) brings back memories of a deAr old Ostend correspondent who related the news of her neighborhood in a way , all "her own. Subscribers mourned her passing away. * Items such as the "sudden death" of a relative who "had been ill since childhood." A friend broke his leg "between Jecks' and Bassett's corner". As a bride I came from the Irish Prairie to the village of McHenry to live in 1900, and recall many happenings. The Bennetts were classmates of Brother Ed. Walsh. I have JieaTxl hrm speak of them in his school day reminiscing. A very historic letter said that Mike Sugareau fell off from a horse and broke his neck. That was Mike O'Brien, Delia, I was at his burial. Sugareau was a harmless vagrant, very droll, and once composed a rhyme entitled "Fire". I recall some of the lines, which follow: "Fire, Fire," says Neddy Dyer, ?• Where? Where?' 'says Johnnie ' Fair, * Tis " in mine store," says Fred Schnorr, " Tis at the Town Hall," say. Big Rhaul, " Tis hay in the mangttv" says F. K. Granger, " Tis over town," says Dr_J|rown, "The Lord save us," says Billie Davis, *' Tis all a slander," says Colon O'- Strander, "Let's have a 'snit', says Henry Smith. The Hon. F. K. Granger home which is still occupied by his daughiter, Mabel, w%s well known for its hospitality. Celebrities were always at home than and were sntertaine# •v • 7 • . ^ JOIN OLD TIMERS* CLUB Interest is increasing in the Old Timers' club and we are happy to add several new names to our list of-members. We hope to receive more letters this week as these communications are much enjoyed by our readers. It is our aim to increase the membrship of the club rapidly and the only admission fee is a letter from you, so do not delay but send in your letters now. Hie membership of the club to date is as folows: Frank Bennett, St. Paul, Minn.; Delia Beckwith. McHenry, 111.; Margaret McDonald, 1221 S. St. John Avenue, Highland Park, 111.; Albert Holly, Genoa, 111.; Mrs. Amy Owen C ha pell, 1328 N. Denver Ave, Tulsa, Okla. Fashion on the Ctmpus A suit that combines three fabrics-- the mannish coat is gray tweed to match a line In the clan plaid skirt of rreen, blue and gray. The shirt la toft, white flanoelwttfc a cm vat on tie plaid. Famous Quintuplets Financially Independent, Callander, Ont.--Through their, physician, Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, the Dionne quintuplets ' recently gave a message to the world. They said: "Thanks for all your help, and we want you to know we are now selfsupporting. We say this because so many persons and organizations helped us when we were not able to take care of ourselves. Now we are making enough money to meet all our needs and allow us to save some. We thought you would like to know." Doctor Dafoe sat back In a deck chair on his front lawn and elaborated on the statement The girl babies of OUva and Elzlre Dionne are not nearly as wealthy as Aaany persons believe. They have $45,- 000 in bonds and cash, and contracts now In force probably will bring them another $50,000. In their 14 months of life the youngsters have spent a lot of their own money. How much, the doctor declined to say. The Canadian Red Cross paid for the nurses for a year and, with the Ontario government, helped out in various ways. In the last four months the children have paid ail their own expenses-^and expenses of quintuplets are large. No figures have ever been given out, but salaries of the doctor and nursei probably total $450 a month. Other salaries, for an Orderly, two maids and two guards, take perhaps $250 more. That total of $700 does not Include upkeep of the hospital, which must be large, as all the staff, but the doctor, have their meals there. Everything the babies eat and drink is of the best and their food bill is large. In addition there are many extras, which all go to make $1,000 a conservative estimate of the babies' monthly expenditure. One of their chief assets is their home, valued at $20,000. TJhe small Dafoe hospital that was opened a year ago has been enlarged to a 13-room building with three baths. The babies' $45,000 in bonds and cash has come from4 endorsements of products they use--milk, tomato juice and the like--and motion picture and newspaper photograph contracts. Scotland's Gretna Green Still "Marrying" ToiWI Gretna Green, Scotland.--Hundreds of couples still come to Oretna ,Green to be married, for even today an air of romance clings to It and Its old reputation for runaway weddings. Until the marriage act was passed In 1856, making It compulsory for one of the contracting parties to reside In Scotland at least 21 days before the ceremony, Gretna Green was the destination of elopers from all over England. Their carriages came dashing into the village at all hours of the day and night, for once they were through the toll gate and Into Scotland, they could be married, and no questions were asked. Likely as not, the Irate father or guardian came galloping up a few minutes later, only to meet the happy couple leaving the Blacksmith's Forge. This building, where hundreds of marriages were performed, is now a curio shop, with books, postcards and "Romances of Gretna Green" for sale. Many Americans traveling In Scotland make It a point to visit the village, as it is off the beaten track and therefore all the more Delightful. The blacksmith, who once did a thriving business In marriages, has become a legendary figure. It is said that he performed three marriage ceremonies on h*l8 deathbed, and that he died with the fees tightly clutched In his hand. SLOCUM'S LAKE Mrs. Harry Matthews was a business caller at McHenry Friday, Arthur Wackerow spent last Thursday at the Elkhorn Fair. •_/ Mrs. Celia Dowell and daughters were business callers at Woodstock Saturday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Converse and daughter, Frances, were business callers at Woodstock Saturday evening. Mrs. Emily Smith and daughter, Ruth Frances, of Edison Park were supper and" evening gueststs last Wednesday at the home of Mrs. Clara Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Felmenten an|l son of McHenry and "Leslie Foss were Sunday dinner guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Berg. Mrs. B. C. Harris of Wauconda spent Friday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Page Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Converse and daughter, Frances, were supper guests Monday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs.'WDavis in honor of Mrs. Converse's and Mrs.' Davis' birthdays. ; Mr. and* Mrs. Harvey Bailey of Hill«dale spent Tln.is.lay and Friday at the home of the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Darrell. Before visiting here they visited at the home of Mr. and Mrs. LaDoyt Matthews at Forest Park. Otis Phillips spent Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Larabee at Bristol, Wis. • -Mr. and Mrs. Elmer. Esping were business callers at Barrington Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. John Blomgren, John Nestad, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nordmeyer and Son, Russell, Mr. and Mr> Harry Matthews attended the Elkhorn Fair last Wednesday. Mrs. Ray Dowell and daughter, Dolores, spent Friday evening at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Davis. Mt\ and Mrs. W. Woodmanse antj Mrs. Alice Wells of May.wood, Mrs. Marvin Wells of DesPlaines, and Mrs. Rena Wells of Ripon, Wis., visited at the home of Mi\ and Mrs. Willard Darrell last Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Dowell and daughter, Dolores, visited at the Gilbert Harris home near McHenry last Wednesday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Esping attended Worthy Matrons and Worthy Patrons night at Nunda Chapter, O. E. S., at Crystal Lake last Friday evening. Mr. Matthews filled the station f.f Secretary for the evening and Mr. Esping appeared on the program in whistling solos. A large bouquet of flowers were sent home to Mrs. Willard Darrell as a gift itom JHLrr. Emil Pearson. Radio in Arctic Aids in Birth of. a Boy Dixon Island, U. S, S. R.--Communication by radio enabled a surgeon here to conduct a difficult case of childbirth many miles away. Doctor Flrsov of Cape Desire, on the Novaya in the Arctic ocean, was attending the case there, bht because It presented unusual difficulties he sbuglit the advice of I^octor Nikltln of Dixon Island. Radio connection was established and the doctors discussed the case "for three hours. After hea^ig the details, Doctor Nikitlb gijve his instructions^ Three hours later he received another message--this time from the proud father of a son thanking him and the radio operators for their aid. Archer Kills Sn^ke . With Bow and Arrow Fresno, Calif.-^Spinners of fanciful rattlesnake yarns often wander further from the truth than fishermen, but Arthur H. Shipley, deputy county superintendent of schools, vouches for this one: Shipley spied a 3-foot snake along the roadside one day. Anxious to get a set of rattles, he searche.l for something with which to kill the reptile. Clods of dirt served only to enrage the snake. Finally he thought of the bow and arrow in the back of bis car With only three shots Soipley pinned the rattler to the ground In three different places. A fourth arrow pierced the head and killed the snake. Shipley has a set of rattle# as evidence.. Par«nt« Mail Couwt Christening or confirmation of children In Russia without the consent of parents will bring a penalty of up to one year's hard labor and confiscation of property. i DUortry of TypWd Bacfltw Tho typhoid bacillus was first discovered by Eberth in 1880 in the glands of the mesentery and In tho spleen. It was not, however, ontyl 1884 that Gaffky obtained tho or* ta pore Twice Told Items of Interest Taken From tine Files of the Plalndeakr- ir of Years Ago FIFTY YEARS AGO Our Public SchooT* opened on Monday with the following corps of teachers. J. J, Vasey, Principal; Miss Clara Wightman, intermediate Department; Miss Nettie Page, Primary and E. W. Wheeler; teacher of the West McHenry Division. . Keep one eye open on bargains. All Wool Suits. $5.00; Fine Dress Suits, $16.00; Fine all-wool pants, $2.00 and $3.00; Odd wool coats, $2,00 and vests at 25 cents at E. Lawltfs. . r $1.00 buys a good heavy wool wine colored suit at Bonslett and Stoff«J's. ^ FORTY YEARSAGO The new safe for the Bank of Perry and Owen has arrived and will' be put in "position in a few days. It is a monster, weighing about four tons, has the improved Time Clock and is withal a model bank outfit. We learn that 47 tickets were sold at this station for the Joliet excursion, on Tuesday morning. Peter Thelen had the misfortune to be kicked by a worse on Sunday last, breaking his right arm between the wrist and elbow. The Board of Education^ have done a wise thing in retaining the services of John R. Brents, as Janitor of the Public School building for the com ing year. will be rushed to completion. ; On the board of trade Monday, butter was declared to be worth 31 cents after a bitter dispute. Most of the summer resorters have left the river and Pistakee' Bay for their winter homes elsewhere. . The season just closed has been one of the best in years. , Nick Bohr has disposed of fhis beautiful home on North Green stfett to Joseph Justen, and will build himself a new home in the Kelter sub* division to McHenry on Broad street , - "Npj? • TWENTY YEARS AGO Butter on the Elgin board of trade sold at 26 cents per pound last Saturday. i , Lew Baker is".how operator at the Air Dome, having succeeded Billie Moore. * The McHenry public school opened with a good attendance on Monday morning of this week, so did St Mary's parochial school. Miss Curr, graduate of Royal Col» lege of. Music, London, England, muf resume her classes shortly on her i*«; turn from sunny southern California. •',v /'. "i:3i TWENTY FIVE Ymti&U Nick Weber, one,of the best natured farmers the town of McHenry hus ever known, expects to be nicely settled in a beautiful new home about December 1. Work on the new residence has already been started and & TEN YEARS AGO ' Approximately $2:500 will be„ tJMS net proceeds from the McHehry Homecoming and Labor Day celebration according to, the chairman the finance committee, Carl W. Stenger. " *" Frank W. Blake, who acquired .the Wattles farm recently, is moving into the Page home in West McHenry. Another sale of ground along the Chicago and Northwestern tracks in West McHenry was made Tuesday by C. W. Stenger, to the McHenry Sash and Door Co., being that belonging to the Woodard Pickle Co. • K , : , % * * ' A ' -- i.. *.V - Tall Men Lir* Longer Statistics show that tall sten 1W14 longer than short men, thin men longer than fat, married men longer than bachelors and vegetarians longer than carnivorous "animals." Named for Motek Ctev^tattd ; Cleveland was named for MOSM Cleveland who organized the settlement in Say you read it !n THE PLAINDEALER.. Soma Btlim ThUi • wart will leave a person If a lock 4PT hair be cut from the nape 6f his neck without his knowledge. Mrs. Harry Alexander of ,,Hebron spent Thursday with her sister, Mr3. Robert Thompson. 4® Central Garage jbBot Phone 200-J Fred J. Smith. Prop. Johnsburg The best equipped garage in Northern Illinois. We can take care of any kind of an automotive repair job and guarantee our work. v Standard Service Station 24-Hour Towing Service (Handy Location for Summer Residents) FRED SMITH, Prop. .twits 's EVERY ONE who steps into the Ford V-8 for the first time is surprised at its roominess. There's exceptional seat room, leg room and head room in all fccdj types -- the whole car gives you H feeling of substantial sise. The Ford gives yon extra body room |»ecaase of the compact design of the iK-8 engine -- an exclusive Ford feature at a low priee. litis V-8 engine |akes np less space in the hood and |terinita more of the car's length to be |aed for passenger comfort. Many a JQOIIL 111 FORD v-8 ear selling at a higher price does not give yon as nmcli uitcrio* Ford V.& Rear seals are wide and restful. • • three people can ride comfortably In the front seat of the Ford or Sedan* Fordor Touring Sedan, Convertible Sedan and Phaeton, and in the Coupes and Roadster. The seat of the Ford V-8 Roadster is 52 inches wide. A ride in the Ford V-8 will show that it coaa* bines tim»*»n»l body room with performance, safety and comfort.