Joy Neal Kidney's Blog, page 37

Daniel Sheridan Wilson, Born 100 Years Ago, Stuart, Iowa

Daniel Sheridan Wilson, likely named for his grandfathers, was born in the Chittick house at 515 Gaines Street in Stuart May 21, 1923.

He was Clabe and Leora Wilson’s sixth child, named for his grandfathers, Daniel Ross Wilson and Milton Sheridan Goff (called “Sherd.”)

Thanks to Stuart Historian Bob Cook for this May 25, 1923, notice in the Stuart Herald!

Clabe Wilson was the Stuart nightwatchman during those years, which was a concern since the one right before him had been killed in a bank robbery attempt.

Danny was a baby when the family moved to a farm near Dexter later that year.  Darlene is on the left, then nearly five-month-old Danny, and Dale, October 7, 1923.

A favorite photo of Danny Wilson, 1925

—–

Bricks at the restored Stuart Depot remember Danny’s birth, as well as older twins Dale and Darlene. One remembers their father’s years as the nightwatchman.

—–

Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots

Danny is one of the Wilson brothers remembered on the Dallas County Freedom Rock. All five served. Only two came home. He was KIA and is buried in France.

—–

Danny Wilson 1934Danny Wilson, valedictorian Washington Township Class of 1941Lt. Daniel S. Wilson, P-38 pilot, 37th Fighter Squadron near Foggia, Italy, late 1944

Pollywogs Become Shellbacks

Envelope from Donald Wilson, on the same South American Cruise

Delbert Wilson to his folks, Clabe and Leora Wilson of Dexter, Iowa.

“At Sea, May 18, 1936 – a few knots north of the equator, and steaming south”

“Dear Folks:

“The deadline for us ‘lowly pollywogs’ is set for Wed. at 10:00. The stern will be set on the ‘line’ [Equator] and the skull and crossbones hoisted. Will be a lot of fun. . .”

Delbert and Donald Wilson were about to be part of a very old ritual for sailors crossing the Equator for the first time. According to The Big Shot Review, Eastern Cruise Edition, 1934, the tradition of initiating pollywogs, who hadn’t yet been over the equator, was to let King Neptune pay a visit with his court to see if the “Royal accommodations were satisfactory.” The pollywogs attempted to “qualify for entrance into the domain of Neptune.” Delbert describes the hazing:

“May 20 – Oh, my! How sore I am. It’s all over and I said ‘shellback’ and ‘shellback’ again, or they would have drowned me or electrocuted or humiliated to death. Last night everyone received his summons from Davy Jones to appear before the court. They were all dressed up like admirals or old. Everyone received some kind of funny and strange charges. I received only one besides being a pollywog. Charge: ‘This proud muscle bound beauty has no use for medical officers’ lectures. He should exhibit his favorite post to His Royal Highness.’ They charged all of us weight men with something like that. They didn’t make me do it, though.

Delbert Wilson, 1930s

“This morning about8 o’clock everyone was sounded to quarters, the ‘Skull and Bones’ hoisted, the saluting guns fired, and the ‘screws’ stopped. Last night the whole fleet shot off about twenty different rockets apiece. After quarters we all gathered around the ring of torture, on the well deck, to welcome His Royal Highness, the king and queen, princess, nurse, royal baby, and all the rest of them. They were fixed up pretty well. . . . They all received a real welcome, but we should have booed ’em since we all received the supreme penalty anyway. The higher ranking officers got off easy, most of them with a song or a prayer and a $10 fine. From the Lieuts. down, everyone practically received the supreme penalty.”

Delbert wrote the rest with no paragraphs. I added them for easier reading:

“Here it is: First you went in the stocks where they hit you in the ‘rear’ with dummy clubs and made you dance by touching your bare feet with a charged devil’s fork.

“Next you went before the judge, who read your sentence. Everyone had the same lawyer who always got mad and turned against you. Before the bench was a charged piece of metal. They would tell you to stand still and keep jabbing you with the fork. It was impossible to stand still.

“Next they took you over to kiss the ‘baby’s’ knee or the queen’s foot. When you leaned over they would whack you and you almost take a bite of the knee or foot.

“Next was the electric chair. If the juice didn’t affect you, they would wet the seat of your pants, then it did. Next was the operating table where you were stretched out, belly bare, and a large charged butcher knife run across the belly. An anesthetic of salts, etc., was given before the operation.

Donald Wilson aboard the USS Chicago (CA-29), 1930s

“Next was the black coffin. Locked in so you couldn’t move, they shocked man’s most delicate part. Some of the fellows said they just about went crazy in there.

“Next came the barber chair. They just clipped in spots, made them look mangy. Next came the lamp black. Covered you all over, hair and all, and dumped you over in a canvas tank of salt water. Several of the fellows would grab you and duck you till you yelled ‘shellback.’

“After being set you ended up with a run through the line with all of them smacking you. Some of the boys have to sit on one side yet. If we aren’t shellbacks, we never will be. Everyone had a lot of fun. Had a holiday dinner.

“When we stopped the ship, a big shark kept swimming around the ship. He must have been big because the fin stuck out of the water about 15 inches.”

I’ll bet Delbert’s younger brothers especially enjoyed hearing their mother read this letter!

This article about Herbert Hoover watching a ceremony in 1928 also tells about the tradition.

Delbert and Donald Wilson joined the Navy in 1934, during the Great Depression. More about their service aboard the USS Chicago is told in Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression.

The Newlyweds left the altar to “Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder”

Wilson-Neal Nuptials Performed Sunday May 16

Miss Doris L. Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clabe Wilson of Minburn, became the bride of Lieut. Warren D. Neal of Marfa, Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Neal of Dexter. The single ring ceremony was performed in the First Presbyterian church in Dexter at 4 o’clock Sunday May 16, 1943 with Rev. S. C. Wadding officiating.

Mervin Wells (husband of Warren’s sister Betty), Warren and Doris, and Doris’s sister Darlene Scar

Miss Nadine Neal, sister of the groom played at the [pump] organ the Bridal chorus from Lohengrin as the young couple marched down the aisle accompanied by Mrs. Alvin Scar, sister of the bride and Mr. Mervin Wells, brother-in-law of the groom. After the bridal party took their places at the altar decorated with Lilacs and tulips, Miss Nadine Neal accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Mervin Wells sang the beautiful strains of “I Love You Truly.”

The bride wore a two piece aqua suit with white accessories and carried a white Bible. Her matron of honor wore a black and white checked suit with beige accessories. Both wore corsages of gardenias and pink roses. The groom wore his army officers uniform and the best man wore a brown pin stripe suit with white boutonniere. Mothers of the happy couple wore beautiful yellow rose corsages.

After the ceremony the bridal party left the altar to the refrain of the Army Air Corps song to be congratulated by the immediate families present. Immediately following the ceremony, Lieut. and Mrs. Neal left for a short trip before their return to Marfa, Texas, where he is an instructor at the Army air force advanced flying school.

My great grandparents O.S. and Nellie (Keith) Neal, grandparents Ruby (Blohm) and Kenneth Neal, parents Warren and Doris (Wilson) Neal, grandparents Leora (Goff) and Clabe Wilson.

Those atending [sic] were Mrs. and Mrs. Claeb [sic] Wilson and Junior of Minburn, Mrs. and Mrs. Kenneth Neal, Marian, Scotty and Nadine, Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Scar, Mrs. S. C. Wadding, Mr. and Mrs. O. S Neal, grandparents of the groom and Mrs. Willis K. Neal, all of Dexter and John O. Shepherd, USCHR of Accomae, Virginia.

[Newspaper clipping from May 1943, unknown source] [Warren’s brother Willis was in the Army Air Force. Their sister Nadine would soon marry John Shepherd.]

Doris and Warren had dated off and on since high school. Doris later said that they really got better acquainted through letter writing during the war. With four brothers already in the service, and calls for women to enlist to help with “the cause,” Doris collected recommendations from teachers and had begun the process to apply for the WAVES, the WWII women’s branch of the Naval Reserve.

Warren was afraid they’d get separated forever so he convinced her to “join the wives” instead.

Doris found her wedding outfit in downtown Des Moines. The aqua suit cost $25.45 (.50 tax included) at Taylor’s, Seventh and Walnut, “Where Des Moines Shops With Confidence.” And white ankle-strap, peep-toe shoes for $5.61 at Baker’s on Seventh.

Warren arrived home on a Saturday. They were married the next afternoon, May 16, at the Presbyterian church in Dexter, where Warren’s family attended. 

Warren didn’t own a car yet, so the newlyweds caught a ride to Texas with another couple.

Story from Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II.

Marilyn Marie Bode (1945-2023), a Friend Gone Too Soon

A favorite photo of Marilyn (left) and her daughter JillMarilyn Lawson was a grade behind me in school, but we farm girls rode the same bus through high school. She was Cousin Judy’s seatmate, but when basketball season arrived, Judy and my seatmate (Emily Nevitt) stayed for practice, so Marilyn and I shared a bus seat.We were both members of the Penn Gwens 4-H club and did at least two demonstrations together (one giving us a chance to do it at the 1962 Waterloo Dairy Cattle Congress.).Both of us were in the French horn section of the Earlham band..After high school, Marilyn and I were mainly “Christmas card friends” for a few decades, but when she returned to Iowa, she not only became a beta reader for the first two “Leora books,” she also hosted me for two book clubs (at Dexter and Minburn).Delta Kappa Gamma at the Dallas County Freedom Rock in Minburn, 2021. I’m in red, Marilyn is at the right.I knew that Marilyn was a polio survivor but she never talked about it during our growing up days. Years later she wrote a book about the experience for her children and grandchildren. Both the Dexter Museum and the Dexter Library have a copy of it, called My Mean Mom , because of the arduous physical therapy they endured after weeks in the hospital..Marilyn shared her polio journey as part of the Senior Speaker Series in Earlham, and was a finalist at the the 2021 Our American Stories event in Des Moines.Marilyn often shared cheerful stories on Facebook about their too-active dog Skippy, piano pieces, and even her early attempts with her new marimba. I miss those..How I’ll miss this delightful and generous friend.Marilyn’s obituary.—–The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. – Deuteronomy 33:27

Ever Hear of a Kissel Kar?

The US declared war on Germany April 6, 1917. Selective Service for men ages 21-39 began in May for what was called the Great War, or even the War to End All Wars. Clabe Wilson’s name was among those subject for the draft, as well as three of Leora’s brothers–Merl, Wayne, and Jennings.

Nevertheless, both Merl and Jennings bought Kissel Kars.

The Kissel Company was founded by Conrad Kissel (who came to Wisconsin in 1857 from Prussia) and his four sons in 1906. They produced 35,000 automobiles in Hartford, Wisconsin, before the Great Depression and mounting losses forced them into bankruptcy in 1931.

Jennings Goff’s Kissel Kar (note the pennant under the roof at right): Jennings Goff, Clabe Wilson with Donald, Leora Wilson, Delbert Wilson is with Leora’s brother Perry Goff. May 20, 1917, Wichita, Iowa

That March, those optimistic Goff boys bought “the Powell ranch on Beaver Creek” and began planting a crop, mostly popcorn. Two months later their draft notices ordered them to report to Camp Dodge. 

Jennings, who had bought a Kissel Kar the year before, “put it to good use” the day before leaving home. Then he asked Pa to sell it for him, which he did. For $1100.

From Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots.

 

 

The Library at the Hotel Pattee

This note was such a lovely surprise.

The hotel’s library

Historic Hotel Pattee has been renovated, with each of 40 rooms decorated to reflect something of local or Iowa history. The building itself has a fascinating history.

The hotel also has a bowling center, a full service dining room and lounge, and its own dedicated library. That’s where Mark Hilliard found a copy of Leora’s Letters. 

Perry is also on the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail.

Mark Hilliard actually listened to the Audible version of Leora’s Letters on his way to Florida (and learned that I’m just a few days older than his mother). After he returned to Iowa, he made another trip to Perry, this time to find the Wilson stones in Violet Hill Cemetery.

Mark also visited the Dallas County Freedom Rock at Minburn, where all five Wilson brothers are remembered. Minburn, just ten miles from Perry, or just seven if you take the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail.

The Wilsons were tenant farmers not three miles southwest of the Freedom Rock until late 1944. After all five sons had left to serve in WWII, Clabe and Leora Wilson bought an acreage near Perry.

You can see Mark’s truck in both photos.

Surely Mark’s notes and photos were an answer to a long-ago prayer that Clabe and Leora Wilson’s family sacrifices and stories would not be forgotten. Thank you Mark Hilliard.

He plans to donate his copies of the “Leora books” to his local library. What a nifty idea!

—–

My favorite chauffeur and I stayed at the handsome Arts and Crafts Style Hotel Pattee for our 50th wedding anniversary and, two years ago this month, for our 55th. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, we also took flowers to remember the Wilson family at Violet Hill Cemetery. Perry is only an hour’s drive for us now, but life with fibromyalgia has curtailed several treasured customs.

 

Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink

The Book

Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink explores a thirty-year friendship between two women: one who had never learned to cultivate female friendships, and the other who had managed to gather and maintain a large group of friends throughout her adult life. The fact that thousands of handwritten letters between them tethered these two together is just part of the intriguing story.

 

The Authors

Mary Potter Kenyon graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Psychology and is widely published in magazines, newspapers, and anthologies. She is a popular speaker and workshop presenter for women’s groups, libraries, community colleges and writer’s conferences. Her public speaking repertoire includes the topics of caregiving, couponing, writing, utilizing your creativity in your everyday life, and finding hope and healing in grief.

This prolific author with Familius has written several other books: Coupon Crazy: The Science, the Savings, and the Stories Behind America’s Extreme Obsession, Chemo-Therapist: How Cancer Cured a Marriage, Refined By Fire: A Journey of Grief and Grace, Expressive Writing for Healing: Journal Your Way from Grief to Hope, and Called to be Creative: A Guide to Reigniting Your Creativity.

She and her husband Nick Portzen, Sr. live in Dubuque, Iowa. They are codirectors of this summer’s Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference. Check out her website. Please visit her Amazon Author Page.

Mary Jedlicka Humston, a former high school teacher, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in English Education. She has had over 150 poems and essays published at the local and national level in newspapers, magazines, books, and online. One of her poems was chosen to be projected on the Krakow City of Literature UNESCO Poems on the Wall in 2014. Mary has presented programs on cancer, dealing with chronic illness, prayer, writing, and the Little Free Library movement. She is a member of National League of American Pen Women and The University Club Writers of Iowa City. She lives in Iowa City with her husband Jim. Mary will be one of the presenters at the Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference.

My Thoughts

This lovely book is the memoir of a compelling decades-long friendship between two women and the hundreds of letters they wrote each other as lifelines, journaling to share with another kindred spirit.

Both Marys shares their stories for each chapter–on friendships, mothers, mean girls, babies, serious writing, illnesses, worry, losses, faith, and personal questions. Each chapter also includes a related guest essay. This delightful memoir includes the added bonuses of resources and discussion questions.

I met “the Marys” at the 2014 Cedar Falls conference, and look forward to seeing them there this June. Both have been so supportive and encouraging, during my early years of the first manuscript and through all three “Leora books.”

Here’s more about winsome encouragement from Mary Jedlicka Humston, while sitting in what she calls her “queen chair.”

You might like to check out the speakers and topics for this year’s Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference.

 

“Leora” Readers’ Selfies

It’s been delightful to receive selfies of people with Leora’s stories. This was the first one, a son of Louise Hartman, who has been an encourager since the beginning. She said he read Leora’s Letters in just one day.

Bob and Dick Scar are the two older sons of Darlene Wilson Scar, whose twin was Dale Wilson, one of the three brothers lost during the war. Bob (born on page 285 of Leora’s Letters) bought all of of those copies and donated them! He sent them to fellow Marine veterans and friends and gave a copy to whoever wanted one. Dick, my only older cousin (born on page 78), received his copy as a gift.

I hope Jerry was reading and not dozing. Wintering in Florida.

I met Rifet as a 5-year-old when I visited Bosnia with his Aunt Zlatka and family in 2001. Even then, Rifet tried so hard to communicate with me. Since then, he’s become bilingual and has been a delight to correspond with (through Instant Messaging).

Jay received a copy for Christmas.

Rod read the first book in Florida, the second one back in northern Iowa. (Then he visited the Dallas County Freedom Rock at Minburn!)

Darren Gilbert is the author of a delightful family-friendly book called Adirondack Bear Tales: True Bear Encounters in the North Woods, and a good sport for the selfie! (He also reviewed it on Amazon, etc.)

Ramiz and Ferida are entrepreneurs who came to Iowa two decades ago as refugees of the Bosnian war. We were among their ESL teachers and they took us to dinner at the Machine Shed Restaurant (which carries autographed copies of the Leora books).

Ladies must be more shy, but here is Mary in her “queen chair.” 

Bread and Gravy for Supper, Crackers and Milk for Dessert

Have you ever enjoyed bread and gravy for supper? I certainly enjoyed it as a child, but was it just our family’s custom? Just a slab of bread smothered with gravy. Delish!

Dad enjoyed his crackers and milk dessert often at this Formica table. Mom delighted in the Youngstown kitchen cabinets. This was taken around 1970–Guy bought the big spoon and fork when he was overseas.

Dad enjoyed crackers and milk for dessert. Mom said the first time he did that after they were married, she thought he was still hungry and she hadn’t cooked enough food. No, it was something he’d enjoyed when he was a child.

Grandma Ruby’s parents were German. Was this a German treat? Grandpa Kenneth’s folks came from Tennessee and Indiana. No clues there. Or was it just a Neal family invention?

Crackers and milk never caught on with me, but bread and gravy sure did. At least until I ended up with a gluten allergy. Gluten-free bread and gluten-free gravy just doesn’t have the same texture, the same “comfort factor.”

Does your family have an unusual or interesting food quirk?

Clarinda State Hospital: Georgia Wilson

After Dan Wilson died in 1909, his widow Georgia and younger daughters (Verna age 2 and Fonnie, 6) moved into Panora. By then, daughter Alice was married, and Rectha married soon after. Georgia had lost both parents, her mother just a few weeks before the birth of Verna. Clabe Wilson was still at home, helping care for his younger sisters, even diapering baby Verna. He may also have moved into Panora with them, but in 1914, he married Leora Goff and moved to Monteith.

Clabe and Leora Wilson in front of the home of his mother, Georgia Wilson, in Panora, Iowa. 1914

Georgia had some kind of “attack” in June 1917. The next month she was admitted to The Retreat in Des Moines with Fonnie and Verna. The Retreat was a private mental health center where a parent could keep children with them. By October, a guardian was appointed for her daughters.

 

Georgia was admitted to Clarinda State Hospital November 9, 1917. Her granddaughter (my mother Doris) requested the her records from the hospital. Case No. 8179 Ward Notes: Nov. 24, 1917 – “Was in depression when she entered hospital and remained in this condition; would not answer questions put to her and did not pay any attention to things going on around her. Took nourishment quit well, but gradually grew weaker and more depressed and did not respond to medical aid and passed away at 8 p.m. The cause of death being exhaustion from manic depressive – depression. The remains were sent to Stuart, Iowa.”

Georgia Wilson was 53 years old. Her funeral was held at Dale City and burial was at Morrisburg Cemetery.

I’ll tell more stories in the morning at the Panora Library, which isn’t far from Georgia Wilson’s house in the background of the cover photo of Leora’s Early Years.