What's special about Fort Scott, the Class of 1949

I am going to begin a series about Fort Scott that indirectly began with a question from a classmate, Fred Clem.

He asked, "What was so special about the Class of 1949?" Which evolved also into, "What was so special about Fort Scott?"

I wrote him a letter and told him what the Class of '49 meant to me and also about growing up in Fort Scott.

After writing my letter and sending it to him, I thought, "Why not make it a chain letter and send it to all of the '49 classmates in my email address book, and add them and their thoughts to it?" We had a good time reading each others letters and had a wonderful trip down that trail called Memory Lane. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and join us on that trail that happened once upon a time. Sometimes it will bring a smile to your face or maybe even tickle your funny bone or maybe bring a tear to your eyes.

Here we go with the first letter from Fred:

Hi Marilyn,

I always wondered what was so special about the Class of '49. What was there about it that, even now, we all feel so close and that our classmates are still important to us? Maybe it was a combination of things like getting through the big war; you know we all seemed really fond of each other. Tell me what you think.

All the best,

Fred

Hi Fred,

And now to your question: What was so special about our class? I have given it a lot of thought and will try and convey it to you.

We were born and lived during the great depression. We were depression kids. Everyone was poor as church mice, but the nice thing is, we didn't even know it. We were all poor. It may sound strange to say, but those depression years were one of the best times in history. It was before all of the social programs and give-aways had come into existence. Our folks worked for a living and didn't expect the government to support them. We lived a very Spartan existence.

It was before Dr. Spock and his book on babies and raising children. He led millions of mothers down the wrong path. I deserved every spanking I ever got and then some. I knew my mama loved me even when she gave me a spanking. I knew I deserved it.

And this brings me to Fort Scott. It was a small town that was like Mayberry Junction. It was a Utopia. It was main street, USA; it was what everyone dreams of and hopes to live in such a town. I personally think that growing up in Fort Scott in my formative years was absolutely fabulous. If I were given a choice of where I wanted to live, it would have been Fort Scott. When we went outside to play we were told to be home by supper time. No worries about being abducted or kidnapped. Unheard of. We played games out in the street 'til dark. Kids five and six years old up to high school age.

We lived in a small house, with a coal stove; my mama made and baked 'most everything we ate, and what a cook. We slept with a brick that was wrapped in flannel and put under the stove to heat up. It kept us toasty. In the winter there was frost and ice around the windows when we woke up; no insulation then.

Mama washed on a wash board and had lines strung throughout the house with clothes hanging on them. She also took in washing and ironing to make a few extra nickels and dimes. We never owned a car; we walked every where we went. We were taught manners; no sassin' back to our elders. We had chores to do, with no grumbling, thank you.

I loved school, from the first grade on through high school. Back then when a student excelled they were given an A for it. Now, "no grades"; it might make those that were too lazy to work for a good grade feel bad. Poppy cock! I really liked all of my classmates. We were just like one big happy family. I do think that it wasn't just the Class of '49, as Bob's class and other classes feel just like we do about our class. I think that living in Fort Scott had a lot to do with it.

We have met lots of people over the years and most of them look at me like I am crazy when I tell them we are going home to our high school class reunion and haven't missed very many of them. Our own children don't attend their class reunions and hardly keep in contact with any of them. The secret: They didn't grow up and live in Fort Scott. When our class gets together, time just seems to catapult back to our youth and weare again care-free kids lovin' every minute of being together.

Now Fred, I'll bet you wish you hadn't asked me that question!

Love ya, Marilyn

Next week another chapter.