1976 Bi-Centennial Trip to Summers, Arkansas

In 1976, our family celebrated by hopping on an airplane for a two-week vacation.  

The first week, we went to the East Coast and met up with Mom's sister and her family in Annapolis, Maryland.  We rented a huge van that said "Rent Me" on the side, and took in the sights.  We went to Westpoint, New York.  We stayed overnight in Brooklyn, and took the subway and ferry to the Statue of Liberty.  We were lucky to be able to climb up into the torch.  We went to Washington D.C. on two different days, and also went to tons of other historical sites.  I have some photos of that part of the trip someplace, and Mom has the rest.  But, this post is about the second week of that vacation.

A side note ... the next year, 1976 was the year that I graduated from high school.  Somebody gave this two dollar bill in one of my cards.  I think that it is an anniversary edition.  I'll bet you two dollars that it is!

Anyway, back to the second week of our fun trip.  Our plane landed in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  My Grandma and Grandpa were already in Summers, and so was my Uncle Kenny and my cousins Chad and Nicola.  Uncle Kenny came to pick us up at the airport in somebody's station wagon.  We were about an hour away from where we would be staying for the next week, with our Arkansas family in Summers.

On the way to Aunt Mabel's that night, we all got the low-down of how we were supposed to behave during this visit.  Mom had to smoke out back, behind the outhouse.  I had to wear a bra the whole time, unless I was in my p.j.'s.  Uncle Kenny would have to join Mom as she was puffing away, if he wanted to drink a beer.  Dad had quit smoking and drinking by then, but I bet the rest of us told him that he couldn't cuss.  That was one rule we were probably all happy about.  You might imagine ... we were rebels out here in Oregon, and from the little hippie town of Eugene to boot.

Here are some of the photos that I have in my photo album:

Me riding Uncle Cecil's horse in 1976.

Aunt Mabel and Grandpa Delmar

My Oregon Cousins:  Chad and Nicola

Geneva, Suzanne and Wayne

Grandma Agnes and Geneva

Aunt Laura, Uncle Joe (George) and Jason

Shirley

Aunt Chloe

I loved this storm cellar ... I think it is at 
Aunt Chloe and Uncle Cecil's

We had a wonderful and relaxing time with our Arkansas family.  They were all so NICE.  Nice and polite; friendly and warm.  We visited, shared, and ate and ate.  We were not used to all that food!  A huge breakfast, a huge lunch, and probably a huge dinner.  We were staying on a farm, and those working men had to eat.  The aunties would say, girl, you need to eat some more!  None of us were used to that much food, but boy it was good.  Here it is 35 years later and I'm still talking about it!

One day, we drove into Fedville.  The sign on the outside of town said "Fayetteville", so I was a bit confused, but they are both one and the same.  I remember it being such a pretty town, with brick and trees. 

Another day, we had a picnic/family reunion with a bunch more relatives, out in a huge park by water and big trees.  It didn't look so different from Oregon to me.  It was so fun, and once again the food was wonderful.  I also remember that at least once, we went to Siloam Springs and visited family there too.

So, those are a few of my memories.  This week, through my blog and the help of others, some of my Arkansas cousins have contacted me and we are getting to know each other.  I feel so very blessed!  They are telling me that it was pretty weird to see their family on somebody else's blog ... and it would be, wouldn't it!

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.

Sepia Saturday #68, Post #2 of 2: Happy Birthday Dad!

These photos are family treasures and are copyrighted on my blog, along with all written text.  I'd sure hate to see them show up elsewhere.  All rights reserved!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My Dad and Me
If you enjoy this post, please go on over to The Johnsons of Summers, Arkansas by CLICKING HERE when you are done.

Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Dad, I love you lots!

Here is his baby book, that my Grandma Johnson worked so hard on.  I love it, and I hope that you will enjoy it too.  I transcribed it just as Grandma wrote it:

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

To Ralph Lee,
From Aunt Neata
With Lots of Love

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Thursday, April 1, 19--  2:45 O.clock. PM
9 lbs
At Home
Dr. James Rabison
Nurse Grandma Johnson, Grandma Summers 
and Mrs. Mat Smith

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Ralph Lee Johnson

Parents:
Mr. Delmer Johnson
Mrs. Agnes Johnson

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My foot, 23 days old, April 24

I blew a whistle for the first time the day I was 10 months and 2 weeks old.

When I was 10 months old I would pat a cake and then hol up my hands to give Mama and Dad a bite.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My hand, April 11, 10 days old.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I received letters from Aunt Ora Dunivan, Aunt Juanita Summers, Maxine Barnett, Uncle Ben and Aunt Bessie Summers, and almost all the neighbors in the neighborhood came to see me.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Me at 2 months old, and with my
Mama, Agnes, at 6 months old.

My hair when I was three weeks old.
This is my hair when I was one year old.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I went to Grandmother Johnson's on April 30.
I went to Grandmother Summers on May 5th.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

First week: 9 1/2 pounds
Second week: 10 1/2 pounds
Third week: 10 1/2 pounds

Weight at birth: 9 pounds
1 month: 12 pounds
2 months: 14 pounds
3 months: 14 pounds
4 months: 16 pounds
6 months: 18 pounds
1 year: 21 3/4 pounds
2 years: 28 1/2 pounds

Height:
1 month: 24 1/2 inches
3 months: 26 3/4 inches
6 months: 27 1/2 inches

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I had my first tooth five days before I was five months old. When I was seven and a half months old I had six teeth. When I was 10 months old I had 8 teeth.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

When I was five months old I scooted half way across the floor. When I was 7 months old I could scoot on my stomach. But I never did crawl.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My first word was Bye-bye, Dad-Dad and Mom-Mom. I spoke these words when I was 9 months old.

My first sentence was "I won't bite, I won't dink."

My first prayer was "Now I lay me down to sleep."

When I was 2 years and one month old I said grace at the table, "Our padder we tink de food. Amen."

I spoke my first speech at a Christmas tree when I was 4 months old.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Five days before Christmas my Daddie brought in a little Christmas tree, and my Mother put it in the corner of the room and decorated it. Two days before Christmas my parents took me to a Christmas tree, where I saw Santa. He gave me a piece of candy.

Yellow Doggie from Mother and Daddie
Rifes Dollie from Aunt Mable
Rubber Humpie Dumpie from Aunt Lillian
Little Red Car from Grannie and Granddad
Tinker Toy from Aunt Laura
Pair of supporters from Granny J.

I was 8 months, 23 days old.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

My first Birthday I went with my mother to Weddington. There I played with Genise and Ida Joe, Billie June and Lara May Oxford and Jaice Deen Cuppor.

My Mother and Daddie got me a wagon for my birthday present.

For my second birthday I got a toothbrush from Granddadie Summers and a gun and a little homes from Ruth Lee and Marry Belle. And for my third birthday I got a little hat and now I look like a little man.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I made my first step when I was 10 months and 11 days old. But I took sick in a few days with consalidas and then the measles and I did not walk until I was 14 months old. I had the measles when I was 11 months old and it made me slow down about walking.

I laughed at Aunt Mabel when I was three weeks old. I rolled over when I was three months old. The day I was 4 1/2 months old I set up for three minutes. When I was 6 months old I could set up pretty good.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

I went out after the cows with my mother and father when I was seven weeks old. I went on my first picnic when I was 14 months old. I went to Teamster playground three miles out from Gentry Art.

When I was seven months old I went to Tulsa with my parents.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

April 7, 1937
Pair of moccasins from Edna Thurman.

April 11, 1937
A wool sweater from Treadwells

April 21, 1937
A Baby Record Book from Aunt Juanita

A layette of clothes from Aunt Chloe Boggs

Grandma Summers gave me a pair of mittens when I was 7 1/2 months old. A new pink dress from Aunt Juanita in November.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

April 23. A rattle from Grand Father Summers. Wayne gave me a rubber hippopotamus. Mary Belle and Ruth Lee gave me a rattle, nursery chair, spoon and Tinker Toy. A teething ring from Charley Brantley. A rattle from my Mother.

The slide show above was taken from scans of a book that my dad's great-aunt made for him.  Remember, this was made during WWII, and the sentiments about the war were what many Americans were feeling back then.  I debated on whether or not to put the words on here, but this is some fascinating history, so I am going ahead and posting it.  I'm definitely not trying to offend anybody.  I transcribed the book just as Aunt Maude wrote it:
 

"Ralph, when you read this, remember your Father's nick name was DAD. When he was a little boy, he got a new pair of overalls that said made like DAD. They nick named him DAD. He wouldn't answer until they called him DAD. 

Ralph Lee. He was just a tiny tot when his parents moved to the Henry Wright place on Norwood Prairie from the Craig place near Wedington where he was born. They then moved from the Wright place to the Edgar Moss place on highway 16. While living on the moss place, Kenneth Dewayne came to be Ralph Lee's little brother. But they didn't stay but a year till they took high fever to go west. And there they went landing at Long View, Washington. While there another visit from the stork bringing Ralph Lee this time a little sister. They call her Loveta Carrol. 

While there December 1941 Pearl Harbor was attack by the Japs. Then the U.S. join in the game. In the town Ralph Lee and his father, mother, brother, sister live in was so close to the enemy (the Japs) they practiced the Black Out System in case the enemy came over the lights would be out and the town could not be so easily found and blowed up. As there were several Arkansasians there they all began to think of home so strong, back to Arkansas they landed. It wasn't long till: Ralph Lee landed in Arkansas with brother sister paw & maw. Dad working in Washington about a year; He quit the lumber mill with trembling fear. Of the Japanese who made a rade - that caused the Arkansawins to be afraid. For the Arkies could not get about in a town with lights all out.

So the Arkies quickly loaded their cars, filled the tanks and pumped the tars. Back to old Arkansas we heard them comin. "Home Sweet Home" they were hummin. They stayed with home folks a little while. One day Dad said with a smile; "I am going back for there is not a Jap, that I can't whip", said Ralph Lee's pap. So out west they were found to go, loading their cars till the springs went low. They did not stop till they got to St. Helen; Gee, I'll bet they are "biggens" Dad is tellin. I can see Ralph Lee looking up at his Paw saying: "Daddy when are we going back to Arkansas?" You must be contented said Ralph Lee's paw. We are never going back to Arkansas. Away the child turns he is a very sweet boy, he is to his Mother & Dad a bushel of joy. He has a brother and a little sister too. They don't tear up their faces crying boo, hoo. But most of the the day laughing having a good time. Say folks, don't you think they are just fine?" 

Also, I hope that they don't mind, but I am going to post this as my second post to Sepia Saturday this week.  Please CLICK HERE     to go and see what everybody else is doing with their old photos on that cool website!  To read my first Sepia Saturday post that I submitted this week, please click here.

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.

Sepia Saturday: The Johnsons of Summers, Arkansas

Summers, Arkansas is not far from 
Siloam Springs and Fayetteville

Wikipedia's Link to Summers, Arkansas

This is the house where my Dad, Ralph, was 
born, in Summers, Arkansas.  

I was there for a visit in 1976.  My Grandpa Delmar's sister, Aunt Mabel, still lived there then.  I don't know what things are like there now in Summers, Arkansas, but back then, this house was on a country lane and was surrounded by family farms.  

On my Mom's side of the family, there are no stones unturned regarding family history.  We visit the graves each year retelling the stories.  Some ancestors are reduced to odd little tidbits, such as, "Now, here is Grandpa's baby sister.  She died when she was two, of eating matches."  Sad story, but it makes you never want to try eating matches when you are little.  Of course, once they got over here via covered wagons, this side of the family stayed put.  They settled in Drain, and didn't go much further than Medford, Eugene or Portland.  They are easy to find.  I do hope that the word will get out about this post to them, so that they may enjoy the photos too.

On my Dad's side, they were a bit more casual about this sort of thing, and so it was a big score when I found a few choice items as I sorted through things awhile back.  Like my great grandpa J.C.'s obituary, below.

Most of  Dad's side stayed put too, in Arkansas, except for my Grandma and Grandpa, Agnes and Delmar.  They kept in close contact with their family, but as life went on and they died, I have many unanswered questions about that side of the family.  I think that I need to get in contact with of some of them pretty soon.  I'll add that to my list of projects.

Here is my great grandfather's obituary:

J.C. Johnson

"John Chapman Johnson was born March 8, 1879, three miles south of Wedington and lived there to the age of 54 years, one month, 15 days, when our blessed Master, who doeth all things well, saw fit to call him to rest on the morning of April 23,  1933.  

On September 2, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Hunton.  To this union were born nine children, four of whom have proceeded him in death.

He is survived by his wife and five children:  George, Mrs. Mabel Henderson, Carl, Delmar and Chloe, and three grandchildren.  He also leaves three brothers and two sisters besides other relatives and many friends who morn his departure.

He professed faith in Christ in his earlier days and joined the Methodist church, but through neglect he drifted from God, but later in life there came a message from the Father above, calling his prodigal son to come home.  He accepted this great invitation, which was proven by the many wonderful testimonies that were witnessed during his illness.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church of Wedington conducted by Brother Dees.  After two songs.  Death is "Only a Dream"  and "Swing Open the Gates of Heaven." which was his favorite song, a wonderful message was delivered from the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes.  Pyeatts funeral service took charge and he was laid to rest."

Until I read this, I never knew that my Grandpa had four siblings who died.  That is so sad.  I wonder how they died?  Also,  this serves as a reminder not to backslide if you live in Arkansas; they just may print it in your obituary!

P.S. - LD Burgus left a comment wondering what the house looked like in 1976, and I was wondering the same thing too.  I have only two partial pictures of it then when we were visiting.  My Grandpa Delmar and Great-Aunt Mabel are standing in front of it:

I am entering this post into Sepia Saturday.  Please "click here"         to go see more great old photos.

If you miss a day, you miss a lot!  Don't miss out on the news ... Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.