Fanning The Embers (6)
From birchyHistory
(Created page with "'''MEMORIES OF EARLY DAY MILES CITY''' By Frank Wiley Fanning the Embers, 1971, Range Rider Reps, Miles City, Montana I have many childhood recollections of incidents a...") |
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I noted on repeated visits that there seemed to be no limit to the candy supply, and my mother noted a lack of appetiete by me at mealtime. With motherly suspicion, she followed me one afternoon and terminated my visits with those friendly people by vigorous and repeated paddling all the way home. It was some years before I understood her unreasonable attitude. | I noted on repeated visits that there seemed to be no limit to the candy supply, and my mother noted a lack of appetiete by me at mealtime. With motherly suspicion, she followed me one afternoon and terminated my visits with those friendly people by vigorous and repeated paddling all the way home. It was some years before I understood her unreasonable attitude. | ||
| − | The first automobile in town received a lot of comment and attention, and it wasn't long until the motor car became a status symbol. Ownership of the first car was claimed by Hank Greenway, a rancher up Tongue River; George Ulmer, a merchant; and Doctor Andrus. The Lakin Brothers, who owned a general | + | The first automobile in town received a lot of comment and attention, and it wasn't long until the motor car became a status symbol. Ownership of the first car was claimed by Hank Greenway, a rancher up Tongue River; George Ulmer, a merchant; and Doctor [[W. W. Andrus]]. The Lakin Brothers, who owned a general dry goods store, were agents for the Maytag Automobile. They built an inclined ramp of planks on the Main Street and would demonstrate this red hill-climbing marvel by taking customers for a ride up the steep ascent of the ramp, all accompanied by much racing of engine, burning of clutch and brakes, smell and smoke. |
| − | The transition from "Whoa!" to a | + | The transition from "Whoa!" to a foot brake was quite a problem for many ranchers, and the operating expense of the automobile included the repair of both the cars and the gates in their fences. |
My stepfather had a 1903 red Ford and then a Winton, that he acquired from George Burt of Ismay. Allie Jordan of Jordan's Store had a Winton, also Carl Calvin. My uncle had a 1908 Buick. Two people sat in front and one behind in a single jump seat. Kenneth McLean of the 54 had a Hupmobile, two-passenger, neat little roadster, distinguishable by a big, high radiator cap. On Sunday, everyone who had a car that would run drove out to Fort Keogh, on the only graded road, and around the parade ground and back to town. This Sunday drive was always an adventure and an opportunity to see who had a new car, a flat tire, a broken spring or a motor failure. | My stepfather had a 1903 red Ford and then a Winton, that he acquired from George Burt of Ismay. Allie Jordan of Jordan's Store had a Winton, also Carl Calvin. My uncle had a 1908 Buick. Two people sat in front and one behind in a single jump seat. Kenneth McLean of the 54 had a Hupmobile, two-passenger, neat little roadster, distinguishable by a big, high radiator cap. On Sunday, everyone who had a car that would run drove out to Fort Keogh, on the only graded road, and around the parade ground and back to town. This Sunday drive was always an adventure and an opportunity to see who had a new car, a flat tire, a broken spring or a motor failure. | ||
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As I turned the horse, to go behind a man on a crosswalk by the First National Bank, the horse's feet went out from under him and he fell on top of me and my batteries. This was on the first block of paving on Main Street, which was made of hardwood blocks and new to both me and the unshod horse. | As I turned the horse, to go behind a man on a crosswalk by the First National Bank, the horse's feet went out from under him and he fell on top of me and my batteries. This was on the first block of paving on Main Street, which was made of hardwood blocks and new to both me and the unshod horse. | ||
| − | The next thing I knew I was in the hospital and a nurse was preparing me for the operating room where Doc Andrus was going to put me back together. I watched the nurse, who with a sickly grimace, felt of my ribs and looked at one leg which pointed off in an unnatural manner. She looked away and jerked my shirttail up, resulting in the batteries plunking out on the floor. I had to laugh as I told her that she sure must have thought that I was really broken up. | + | The next thing I knew I was in the hospital and a nurse was preparing me for the operating room where Doc [[W. W. Andrus|Andrus]] was going to put me back together. I watched the nurse, who with a sickly grimace, felt of my ribs and looked at one leg which pointed off in an unnatural manner. She looked away and jerked my shirttail up, resulting in the batteries plunking out on the floor. I had to laugh as I told her that she sure must have thought that I was really broken up. |
| − | Doc Andrus, with no x-rays, put my leg back together good enough so that I later ran the hundred yards in 10:2, but I never could begin to beat his son, Edson, who was a close contender for Charlie Paddock in the Olympic trials in Pennsylvania and a record holder at the University of Montana. | + | Doc Andrus, with no x-rays, put my leg back together good enough so that I later ran the hundred yards in 10:2, but I never could begin to beat his son, [[Edson Andrus]], who was a close contender for Charlie Paddock in the Olympic trials in Pennsylvania and a record holder at the University of Montana. |
My first job was driving a delivery wagon for Harry Horton, who operated a meat market on Main Street. The delivery horse knew every customer and would stop in the alley and wait without being anchored while I ran to the back door with the pork chops. | My first job was driving a delivery wagon for Harry Horton, who operated a meat market on Main Street. The delivery horse knew every customer and would stop in the alley and wait without being anchored while I ran to the back door with the pork chops. | ||
