The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 15, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 April 1986 — Page 15

Grandpa was a hard taskmaster

By DON KAISER Guest Feature Writer My grandfather, Amos Bowsher, came to Kosciusko County before the turn of the century. He was a bom pioneer for he first saw the light of day in a log cabin along the Ohio River in 1860. He often told me tales about his childhood in the log cabin; how he woke up in his sleeping loft on a cold winter’s morning, finding his bedclothes sprinkled with snow ; how his mother made soap from wood ashes and grease mixed with water < adding a little sassafras to give the soap a nice aroma); and how. when a light was needed at night, his mother sopped a rag in animal fat, then, lit the rag and the grease burned for hours. Grandpa also informed me that, although he was only five years old at the time, he could still remember when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and how he had stood at the railroad station watching the train pass through as it carried Lincoln’s body toward its final resting place in Illinois. When Grandpa and Grandma Bowsher first came to Leesburg, he bought a big, antiquated, frame building at the north end of Jefferson Street for his family of eight. The structure had been used as a creamery and it sold cheap. Therefore, since money was scarce with Grandpa, he purchased the creamery for living quarters. The dwelling was just a pile of rough, unpainted clapboards, with no insulation and the rooms were almost impossible to heat in winter and were unbearably hot in summer For some years after Grandpa Spring's beauties Spring officially began March 20 and many of spring’s flowering bulbs will show their glory to celebrate the occasion Flowering is quite dependent on the weather so the timing of the blooms varies from year to year according to B Rosie Lerner, Purdue University extension horticulturist. But. regardless of the weather, the sequence of plants coming into bloom should remain the same Early April brings on some of the daffodils and spring beauties (Claytonia). As April progresses, more daffodils, grape hyacinth (Muscari). and even some of the early tulips will grace flower gardens. Lerner says these times are most typical for central Indiana. Southern Indiana gardeners may be treated to these delights up to several weeks earlier, while northern Indiana gardeners may have to wait a bit longer. Bulbous plants have a distinct advantage over some other types due to the large amount of food reserves stored in the bulbs. These plants usually have enough reserves to see them through the spring blooming season But. if these bulks are to be kept health} and productive in the years to come, they have to be given some help Lerner says. Although bulb foliage may not be very attractive, it is absolutely essential that it be allowed to grow so it can manufacture the food reserves which are transferred to the bulb for storage. The leaves should never .be cut off before they’ve begun to yellow and wither on their own. Bulbs can be planted among ground cover plants or intermingled with annual or other perennial flowers to focus attention away from the bulb’s foliage. According to Lerner, a light side-dressing of nitrogen fertilizer helps keep the foliage thriving for high carbohydrate production. Apply about one pound of ammonium sulfate (21 percent nitrogen) per 100 square feet or adjust the rate accordingly for other fertilizer analyses. A balanced, low analysis fertilizer poses less risk of burning the bulbs. The fertilizer should be placed alongside the bulbs, but not directly on the foliage. If the bulbs are to be moved to another spot in the garden, wait until after the foliage fades to dig * them up. This prevents the plant T from drying out while the bulb ♦ establishes new roots. It’s best to • replant as soon as possible to pro- * tect the bulb from exposure, to • light and excessive drying, 4 Lerner says.

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moved to Leesburg, he spent weeks away from home laboring over a straw bailer somewhere down near Shelbyville. He managed to make a decent wage to take care of his family, coming home only now and then, mainly on a weekend. Years later, after Grandma’s early demise and all my uncles and aunts had married and left home, my mother and father decidied on divorce. Therefore, at the age of six, I moved in with Grandpa. I stayed with him for 17 years, attending Leesburg school from which I graduated in 1938. It was during my childhood years with Grandpa, when, on cold, blustery nights in winter, he would tell me stories about his youth. We sat next to the room stove, all cozy and warm, each of us with a big dish of hot, buttered popcorn, while either Grandpa told me stories or I would read to him from one of my school books. You see. Grandpa was illiterate. During his lifetime, he had had only a few days of schooling. Therefore, he could neither read, nor write, nor figure on paper. So, whenever he received a business letter or a bill or wanted to know the full particulars about a news item in the daily paper, I would read aloud to him that information. When it came to occupational matters, the fact that he was illiterate seemed to be of small importance. At the time I went to live with him, he had taken up cement work. Years later, after having graduated from Leesburg High, I became second banana in trying to help him with his vocation. My grandfather was an excellent mason. I guess he worked by instinct, for strangely enough, he could figure out a slide rule and a square and he could manipulate a plumb bob. Furthermore. when it came to mixing concrete. Grandpa couldn’t be excelled. He never applied a particle more of cement or gravel or a drop more water to a batch of concrete than what the formula called for. Therefore, due to Grandpa’s resourcefulness, the old mixer drum turned out a perfect batch every time. I worked with Grandpa, but I’m afraid - that there were occasions when I cursed the day for being in his employ. As I say. he was a perfectionist. He demanded a perfect job, not only from himself but from whomever assisted him.

It happened . . . in North Webster

10 YE ARS AGO. APRIL 7,1976 Orbie Soden and his wife Judy are the enthusiastic new owners of the Palace of Sweets in North Webster. Soden, a former city policeman in Anderson for seven years resides at 58 East Shore in Syracuse with his wife, son Jim, 18, a Wawasee high school senior, and one-year old son, Sket. 20 YEARS AGO, APRIL 6,1966 Mrs. Stanley Vanator attended a surprise carry-in dinner honoring her sister, Mrs. Alice Wolf of Columbia City on her 71st birthday. Also present were two other sisters. Mrs. Pfeister and Mrs. McKowen, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Ben Fruchey, a niece Kathleen Kistler and three daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Sheets and daughter, Carla, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shoda, a granddaughter, Mrs. Ronald Smith all of the Columbia City area and a daughter-in-law, ■> Mrs. Paul Wolf and son, Bill Wolf, and his family of Larwill. Mr. and Mrs. John Kinsey and children of Elkhart visited Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pifer and family last Monday night. John Pifer returned with them to Elkhart spending the night and the next day. Saturday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Krouse were their son Gen and family of Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. George Staples entertained Sunday honoring Mrs. S. E.. Marvin on her birthday. A birthday supper honoring members of the Hi Neighbors, having birthdays during this

Deb Mangas, V.P. Operations EXCESS BAGGAGE If purchases abroad are excessive, excess-baggage charges, calculated on one of two systems, may be encountered. Flights directly in and out of the U.S. z are on the piece system. Each passenger is allowed two reasonably sized bags plus one corry-on piece. The rest of the world is on the weight system. One only is allowed 44 pounds. It can, however, be distributed in more than two bags. Anything over 44 pounds is charged at approximately one percent of the firstclass fare per kilo (2.2 pounds) for that sector of the trip. For instance, if the firstclass flight from Frankfurt to London costs S4OO. 10 kilos (22 pounds) of silverware over the 44 pound limit will cost S4O. When large items are involved, it is best to use a shipping company. For your travel needs and wants come to the abc TRAVEL SPECIALISTS (269-6771.269-1415 or 1 -800-342-5221). We are your local full service travel agent that can easily handle your fun os well as your business trips for you. Visit us at 1301 N Detroit St. or the Holiday Inn. Monday thru Friday 9-5:30 and Saturday 9-1. Most major credit cards are accepted. Hint: To felly insure expensive carry-oa purchases, buy special baggage insurance.

There were times with Grandpa really put me through the mill, especially when he made cement blocks. You see, cement blocks are released from the block machine on trays; thus, trouble usually started for me whenever I carried a tray over to the wide plank on the floor where the blocks were lined up to dry out and become firm and hard. How, whenever anybody carries a fresh cement block, he must hold it perfectly still on the tray or it will crack. So, many was the time my unsteady grip ruined a block while carrying it to its destination which meant that I had to lug the imperfect block back to the machine then Grandpa had to to it over. Well believe me, I soon wore myself out carrying those 40 pound blocks back and forth and my morale also took a beating from listening to Grandpa while he raked me over the coals for my ineptness in handling his precious blocks. On weekdays, back in the summer and fall of the 30s and early 40s, Grandpa involuntarily served as an “alarm clock’’ for Leesburg people. He arose before dawn and about 4:30 a m. he started for work in his Model A Ford, the cement mixer hitched on behind. The wheels on the mixer were just plain, hard-rimmed steel with no tires. So. the bare metal wheels grating against the harsh brick street in the still early hours of the morning certainly played a pretty tune in the ears of those folks who were trying to sleep. Grandpa always prepared himself well for a day’s work. To give strength to his lean, muscular frame, he ate a hearty breakfast. On the menu was either a huge bowl of oatmeal, several strips of fried mush or a pancake the size of a dinner plate, plus two eggs, three thick slices of bacon cut from a slab and a cup of hot water merged with milk, butter and sugar. (Grandpa was no coffee drinker. He claimed that the hot water concoction was far better for human consumption than coffee and a good cathartic as well.) My grandfather worked with cement and built brick chimneys until he was 83 years old. His work was his whole life. Then, in the late fall of 1943, while on the job, he developed pneumonia and succumbed on the second anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, December 7,1943.

quarter, was held at the Mock school house Friday night. Approximately 30 persons attended the carry-in dinner with Mrs. Ralph Coy and Mrs. Lester Stabler acting as hostess. 50 YEARS AGO. APRIL 9.1936 Fee Ullman and Sallie Laurence of Huntington. visited Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mayer, Sunday. Willis Mock and family are now occupying the John Sechrist property. The North Webster Independents played the Leesburg Independents J Monday. Basketball score was Leesburg 49, North Webster 41. Mr. and Mrs. James Crouch and son, John, and Mrs. Stanley Miller were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Lewallen, Wednesday. Mrs. Elmer Baugher and daughter Carolyn, and Mrs. Robert Bowser and baby Claudette, visited Mrs. Elmo Shock, Wednesday. Mrs. Charles Hall visited Mrs Charles Ringgenberg, one day last week. Mr. and Mrs. Milford Gose and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Roberts were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Lewallen, Sunday. Jonas Cripe, and Mrs. Elizabeth Shock were Thursday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Shock, of near Warsaw. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weimer and Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Kuhn were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Shock, Sunday.

North Webster News BY MARY LEE WILLMAN

Club to have booth at festival zT’redonna Custer read a poem 'entitled, “Prelude’’ on April 2 when Tippy Lee Club members met at the home of Mary Strong with Irene Robinson as assistant hostess. Claudia Archer served as secretary pro tern due to the absence of Jan Barger. Mrs. Strong gave the treasurer’s report and Dorothy Dye led group singing of, “The Sound Os Music.” Reports were given by Pat Long, health and Safety, cooking tips; Veva Shepherd, gardening, notes for new gardeners; Cheryl Criswell, citizenship, taxation; Mrs Robinson, cultural arts, “The Slocum Trail. ” Claudia Archer presented the lesson, “Marketing Crafts For Profit. ” It was announced that the club will have a food booth at Leesburg Lakes Festival Days being held July 11 and 12. Claudia Archer and Joan Archer will serve as co-chairmen of the booth. The club trip to Fort Wayne on April 19 was discussed. It was also announced that a basketball is being donated to the Kosciusko County Juvenile Shelter. - It was noted that the club will not have a booth at this year’s county fair. Mrs. Custer reported on the President’s Council meeting. The business session closed with the Home .Demonstration Club prayer and collect being repeated in unison. Refreshments of angel food cake and fruit with whipped topping was served by Mrs. Strong and Mrs. Robinson. Marilyn Hartman will be hostess for the May meeting. It Happened in —

King Arthur's Town

BOUQUETS TO Nicole Haskins for winning the poster contest sponsored by the North Webster Friends of the Library. Nicole is a fifth grade student at Leesburg Elementary School. GRANDMOTHER SAYS, “How lovely is spring! The winter is past, the snow is gone; the flowers are reaching for the sun. the birds are singing and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” $ Sloth The sloth, which travels upside down through the trees, rarely descends to the ground, sleeps hanging from a branch, and spends nearly its whole life hanging upside down

“Couldn’t have done it without you!” Hv This year we're pledged to finding more Americans SKI the biggest tax refund OLA/vl\ they have coming. What can we find tor you? ’““““^?Ss!£sJ S St. Rd. 13S — Syracuse Open 9 A M. 6P M Weekdays. 9AM SP.M. Sa*. — Phone 457-2685 Appointments Available Master Card And Visa Accepted A* Mos* Area Locations DEVELOPMENT f FBH| COMPANY R. 5, Box 310. Syracuse. IN 46567 Builder • Developer • Realtor Model Open Saturdays 1-4 P.M. 1 Block East Os CR 300E In Lendonway Terrace Subdivision. West Side Os Dewart Lake Three Bedroom. One Bath. One Car Garage. Basement. Access To Dewart Lake , 54,900 Lots At: Lendonway Terrace ! Cindonway Shores Dealer > Camelot Lake Many Plans To Choose From Don Bucher, Broker 658-9305

Hilltoppers to attend SA Night Monroe Hilltoppers Club met April 2 at the home of Dodie Kreger with Tammy Wise as assistant hostess. The lesson, “Evaluating antiques” was given by Betty Cotton. Lennis Wise gave a mini-lesson entitled, “Pantry Pests.” Mrs. Kreger gave devotions. A helping hand emergency committee was appointed with Cindy Slater as chairman. Other committee members are Thelma Beery, Lennis Wise and Norma Engleberth. It was announced that members will attend Spring Achievement Night in May instead of holding a regular club meeting. A rummage sale is planned for June. The hostesses served refreshments of fruit cup, angel food cake, pink heavenly hash and corn chips. Betty Ellenwood will be hostess for the June meeting. Abuse of children discussed at dub Julia Badskey led group singing during the May 2 meeting of Sechrist Sixty Five Club held at the home of Ann Engle. Barbara Goodpaster discussed the abuse and neglect of children. Janet Allen gave the cultural arts report on “The Slocum Trail.” Roll call response was. “How I know when spring is here.” The lesson, “Marketing Crafts For Profit” was presented by Joan Moore. It was announced that the group has donated needed items to the county youth shelter. Mrs. Badskey received the door prize. Chocolate ice cream dessert was served as refreshments by Mrs. Engle.

IN OBSERVANCE of National Library week, overdue books may be returned to the North Webster Library without a fine. April 7 through April 12 is designated as National Library Week. MIRIAM CIRCLE members w ill meet April 14 at the home of Irene Garner. Hilda Mock was hostess for the April 8 meeting of Lydia Circle. This morning. April 9. Esther Circle members met at the home of Helen George and Rebekah Circle members met w ith Marian Steedman. ; J NEW BOOKS. Children’s fiction: Curious George Takes a

The May meeting will be held at the home of Laura Custer. Auxiliary has carry-in dinner The April 2 meeting of the Hoosier Auxiliary of Barbee Conservation Club was held at Barbee Conservation Club building. Hostesses for the day were Ethel Elston and Marjorie Penrod. A carry-in dinner was served at noon. The tables were decorated with colorful bouquets of spring flowers. Cheryl Studebaker. Fort Wayne, was a guest. Pledge to the American flag was repeated in unison. The treasurer’s report was given by Edna Lawson. Maxine Gaston served as secretary pro tem. It was noted that the club bylaws have been revised. Members of the bylaws committee are Mrs. Gaston, Mrs. Penrod and Alice Bemish. Mrs. Elst>n gave the flower committ $e report. Hoosier club members will be helping during clean-up day at the club building on the first Saturday in May. They will also be assisting with the April 19 Conservation Club ham and bean supper. Mrs. Lawson announced that the group will be preparing meals for the election board in May. The business session closed with Mrs. Penrod giving a reading about, “Worry.” The afternoon was spent playing games. A sale of White elephant items, crafts, plants and baked goods is planned for the May meeting. FOL announce poster winner North Webster Friends of the Library met April 2 at North Webster Church of God. Starting

Job, Curious George Files A Kite, Curious George Learns The Alphabet, and Curious George Rides A Bike, all by H. A. Ray. Adult fiction: River of the Sun by James Ullman; Blue Cornelia by Frances Keyes; Death at the Isthmus by George Coxe; The Bannaman Legacy by Catherine Cookson; April’s Grace by Susan Howatch; Surrender in Moonlight by Jennifer Blake. Adult nonfiction: Input Output by Time Life; and A Hunger For Meaning by Calvin Miller. TILL NEXT week. . .

REMEMBER? I l llf y frlffT ’ . . . anything interesting about the history of Milford? Maybe someone you know does. Why not put these memories down on paper and enter them in the: MILFORD SESQUICENTENNI AL “I REM EMBER” CONTEST . . . Sponsored By The Mail-Journal! , , Handwritten Or Typed Entries Are Both Acceptable, With A 600 Word Limit, Please PRIZES AWARDED 1 Ist Place - *25", and Place - *2o,3rd Place - s ls Send Your Memories To: ' “I REMEMBER” CONTEST The Mail-Journal P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MAY 2

Wed., April 3,1386 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

now and continuing through the summer season, meetings will be held at the church instead of the library. It was announced that Nicole Haskins, a fifth grade student from Leesburg, is the local grand prize winner in the National Library Week poster contest. She used three dimensional art to depict an, “Alice In Wonderland” theme. Nicole will receive a subscription to. Young Miss Magazine, will be guest of honor at a luncheon sponsored by the contest committee and will have her picture taken with Dean McFadden, librarian, as he presents her with the award. National Library Week is being observed from April 7 through April 12. Members were asked to

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remember that the FOL will be having a bake sale in conjunction with the Ki warns Club chicken barbecue on May 24. AU proceeds from the bake sale will go toward support of the library. A wide variety of baked goods will be available: noodles, bread, cakes, pies, cookies, and tarts. A nominating committee was chosen to select a new slate of officers. Committee members are Betty Hinton, Marty Crawford, and Pete Black. Following the business session, Helen Wichern served refreshments of homemade bread and cookies. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a m.. May 7, at North Webster Church of God. Guests and prospective members are always welcome.

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