Old memories from the class of '49, Fort Scott

This story was written by Lawrence Allen, Class of '49.

Hi Marilyn: I have really enjoyed the letters from our classmates, and always enjoy your regular articles in the Tribune. I have a lot of memories and will tell of some of them, and if you need to shorten my comments please do so as I am sort of windy in my old age.

I too was a depression kid, and dad worked on many of the local WPA projects to provide for a family of six counting us four boys. Some of the projects were: 1. the stadium 2. the band shell 3. the swimming pool and 4. the filter plant which is still a part of our water plant. All are still standing although the band shell is covered by the Buck Run Community Center and can barely be seen.

I had some great experiences growing up here. At that time, we took years one through six at grade school, grades seven through nine at junior high, and grades 10 through 12 at the high school, which also housed the junior college in the same building on so. Main. A lot happened during those 12 years, and I can't begin to mention all of them so won't try. A great memory of junior high was playing softball on that little diamond east of the school on National Ave. Mr. Paul Sellers, our principal, got out and played with us kids every day, and I will never forget him for that. Paul was the father of Harry, Ronald, and our fellow classmate, Garland.

One sad note that comes to mind during high school was the drowning of Buck Sims, one of our classmates, in Elm Creek Lake, and the courageous effort to save him by Woody Kramer, our high school coach.

I had a Tribune bicycle route growing up, and we had to collect for the papers if we expected to get paid. On a good week I would make about $6 to $7 dollars, which was 10 percent of my collections. The Tribune was 15 cents a week then, so times have sure changed. I still remember Mr. Cowan, our circulation manager who would have weighed about 80 pounds soaking wet. He was a real gentleman and treated us kids better than we deserved.

Fred Clem mentioned Claude Huff whom we all remember well. Another that stands out in my mind was Lucas Johnson, who everyone called "whistling Lucas." That gentle man loved all kids and could whistle like an angel, if angels whistle. I expect Lucas is still whistlng in heaven and it would be great to hear him once again.

We had three movie shows: The Yale on Market Ave., the Empress on no. Main, and the Liberty on so. Main. Ticket prices were: Yale 10 cents, Empress 12 cents, and Liberty 14 cents. The Yale was always known as the "Rat Race." I wonder why? Those pennies were hard to come by back then, so I'll admit I sneaked into the Yale whenever I could. Looking back, I think they saw me every time, but felt sorry for me and let me go on in. On Saturday afternoons they always ran a Western feature, usually with Buster Crabbe, Charles Starett, or Tom Mix. They also ran the world news, a cartoon, and a good serial that kept us coming back week after week, all for a dime.

One of my fondest memories, was working for Wayne and Bonnie Meek at the Meek Grocery from the time I was about 12 until after I was married. They were two of the nicest people I have ever known, and treated me like I was something special. At that time, there were over 20 grocery stores in Fort Scott, mostly of the mom and pop variety. It seems there was one on about every corner on Wall St. and more on the West side and Belltown. They have all died out with the arrival of the supermarkets.

Another great memory was eating at my sisters restaurant, the Kozy Kitchen, just South of the old YMCA. It was owned and operated by Grace Pulliam then, now Grace Anders of Helena Mt. Grace served a great plate lunch for 25 cents, including a drink, and a big piece of home-made pie for a nickel. I remember her great roast beef dinners, and the milk she gave me right out of a bottle from our local dairy. That sure beat that old cows milk we had to drink at home. Grace will be 98 in June and we love her very much.

I think I will close this finally, Marilyn. Thanks for listening to my memories, and I look forward to seeing you at the all class reunion this coming June. Hope you and Bob can be there.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Allen

Class of 49

I would like to invite all of you who either grew up in Fort Scott or attended the Fort Scott schools or both, to join us in writing your memories of Fort Scott. It doesn't matter what class you are, the more the merrier. You can send your story to me by e-mail, my e-mail address is at the top of this column or send your story to: Marilyn Miller, 6665 Hwy 13-73, Vesper, Wisc. 54489.