Mexico Ledger from Mexico, Missouri • Page 9

Family Lives In Sod House Tired, after having moved eight times in five years, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Ramsey, right, and their three children, Bonnie Jean, 4, far left; Joe and Junior, 10, are completing work on the sod house they are building on the outskirts of Codeil, Kans. Ramsey, a 32-year old carpenter, is being helped on the job by his father-in-law, Martin Lovin, left foreground, 62, of Goodiand, Kans. The Ramsey family is living in the 18 by 48-foot building which is tiled with 14 by 18 inch sod clods.

The house Is expected to cost between $50 and Teiephoto) Jim Sftertter's Heeds Shine Shakespeare said a good deed shines in a naughty world. To get away from the news- making naughtiness, let's let some of the good deeds shine a little more brightly. They happen every day, in every block, and they're not really news. But they're nice. There's the man who bought the -local business firm and is honoring some commitments made by the former owner any question.

He wouldn't have to in this case, and they're not all favorable to him, by a long shot, but he is doing it. Just as a matter-of-course too. There's the generally party who is an easy touch for whatever the kids are tickets or whatever. Matter of fact, he'd just about as soon give them the money. There's the fellow who doubled his shift of work to.

take, care of the job of a man sick. Done all the time? Sure, but sometimes it gets overlooked. Overtime? Yeah, but that's not the real rea- son. There's the man from the country who is always bringing in butter, and cream, and eggs, just to share with friends. There's the merchant who cheerfully opened his store for you after hours, and was just as cheerful about it when you found he didn't have what you wanted, after all.

There's the bus driver who waited the other morning for a minute to save a late-comer a long walk. There's the truck driver who confided he was always super careful along a certain street because of the kids. You can add your own dozen or so, to prove that not all the people are full of cussedness all the time. Speaking of good deeds brings up, again, that idea of endorsing over gas refund checks for a swimming pool. It'll be a few weeks yet before the checks are due, but a good many have already said they plan to endorse them over.

It's easier to give this money that you've already spent once. And it's simple to do it. When that check comes, just endorse it on the back "Pay to Recreation Commission, for swimming pool" and sign. The postoffice men say they'll be happy to deliver them properly if addressed only: Recreation Commission, Mexico, Mo. That's all there is to it.

And if you want- a refund on your 3c stamp, this column will be happy to take care of that. 799 POLIO VICTIMS HELPED NEW YORK total of 799 infantile paralysis patients were cared for by the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation during the fiscal year that ended last Sept 30. It was a greater number than in any of the previous 20 years of the foundation's existence, according to Basil O'Connor, foundation president. The 59th Audrain County Fair will be held August 17-20. Frank 9 Why Conventions? NEW Conventions are remarkable things.

Their main result is to review the mistakes of the past' year and resolve to do nothing about it. They are somewhat of an American institution as now run. Nevertheless methinks the first convention was a two-man affair attended by a couple of our ancestors in the Garden of Eden. Anyway those two boys set an early pattern for conventions; since out of them usually comes a quite similar aftermath. Half of the conveners get trigger and stronger.

The other half may not meet Abel's fate but they often dissolve into impotent competition if not into true oblivion. It wouldn't be much use to review the solid accomplishments of conventions. There's rarely a deviation. One who owns a proceedings report of the first convention he attended need never tote home another. TJie same bird with the same phobia makes the same speech he made last year, offers the same palliatives and gets the same The committee on ways and means suggests the same ways; no matter how meagre may be the means to grease the ways.

At the tail end of the proceedings, the closing session on the last day, when the few yet able to get out bed assemble among the empty when the only new thing happens. The necrology committee reports. True, the resolutions are the same ones that Sam Taber wrote back in 1886; but the names are different. About the only thing certain to be new at a convention comes when everybody bows in memory of the departed brothers. Agenda makers haven't yet found a way to have a member die more than once.

So why do conventions flourish? There are several appealing, if not profitable, reasons. First off, far from the meeting hall, in a dark corner of a newly-found hide-out, a member from Albuquerque has another from Chillicothe hanging on the ropes. From copious quantities of spirits frumenti to which he's not accustomed. The New Mexico delegate is trying to get a trade secret from a competitor by an age old process not yet outlawed by the fair practice act. Whether or'not he gets it, he does get himself a comfortable snootful on the firm's money and strengthens his boasted acquaintance in the trade.

Knowing somebody has kept many a guy on a pay roll. Than there's another attractive thing about conventions. The boys all get vacations with pay but they're on their own then. They pick inexpensive places to go and'there's no way to get big dinner checks on an expense account. So they have -their real vacation on the boss at convention time and use their own vacations to recuperate.

A lot of 'em have found how to take the wife to conventions at minimum cost. Some wouldn't take her along on a bet for reasons of their those who would do pretty well. If they can drive, that takes care of her transportation. The bargain convention hotel prices let her slip in double while the old man's expenses get turned in at the higher per capita single rate. It's a legitimate way to give friend wife a swell time pretty cheap.

The ladies of the entertaining city take the wife in tow, keep her off his neck, and if she's smart she brings back an armful of souvenirs or prizes she's won in a bridge tournament or something. Encouraged by a famous horseshoe pitcher not to worry about how old yarns are, braves me to recall the habitual convener who had a terrifically homely wife. For years he had attended alone. Then one year he took her. A pal with whom he had drunk his way through scores of conventions, approached him in the hotel lobby and said: "My God, Joe, I just passed the homeliest women I ever saw in my life.

She stands right over "That's my wife," said Joe. Bill was profuse with apologies, which went over okay because he and Joe had so much on each other. By way of explanation Joe proclaimed: "It's like this, Bill. Every year when I came away I had to bid her farewell. I ain't as strong as I used to be and when I thought of having to go through it again, I decided I'd rather bring her along than kiss her goodbye." Hal Boyle's Ape Ate fit Waldorf NEW YORK Fred Sandman used to'en joy lunching with a big ape at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

"The meals were always on the house when we showed up," he said. The ape, who expected and got the best of service, was Jennie, a chimpanzee. To Sandman, who also helped raise Gargantua, the circus gorilla, Jennie was perhaps the most intelligent creature he handled in 31 years with wild animals. She typewrite, eat at a table a napkin more daintily than the average night club gorilla of those days. She could also play the piano by ear ear.

"Whenever Fannie Brice saw us at a hotel, she'd have Jennie come over and sit in her lap," Sandman chuckled. Today as supervisor of the Park Zoo Sandman is host to 450 caged animals and birds every day, to 50,000 human visitors every Sunday, and to novelist Fannie Hurst once a month. "She brought me a crow that been hit by an automobile," he said. "She's always bringing me animals she picked up. Once she brought in two orchid-colored chicks somebody had turned loose in the park after Easter." Each month Miss Hurst comes by to see how her "Nevermore" after Foe's Raven faring.

He can walk but hadn't grown back enough tail feathers to fly. "People bring in all kinds of animals to the zoo." Sandman said. "They get to be a problem. At least 20 rabbits they bring me each summer. "Sonny wants to keep them at home but his mama doesn't.

I turn them loose in our bird sanctuary here. Then one night some boys climb over the fence, and the next morning the rabbits are all gone." Sandman takes particular pride in two the swaybacked lion, and "Charles one of the world's few tiglons. Leo had rickets as a cub, and his legs never developed well. Now he walks like Charlie Chaplin and his body looks like a tawny dachshund. The tiglon's father was a tiger and his mother a lioness.

"He has a nervous habit of chewing off his tail," said the supervisor. "Done it twice now. Probably frustration. He just can't figure out how he ever happened." Many well known figures visit the Central Park Zoo. Dan Topping and Arline Judge used to come regularly.

This was before Arline switched to Dan's brother, Bob Topping, who recently switched to Lana Turner. "Lupe Velez liked to come here," said Sandman. "I'd have the chimps put on a special act for her because she was so fond of them." The zoo has three gorillas and four chimpanzees, but they haven't taken the place in his heart held by Jennie, now dead. Jennie had a short gay fling with a millionaire before her death. "He paid me $3,500 for her 1 Sandman smiled.

"He'd send his chaffeur and car over for us. We'd go to his home and Jennie would go through her tricks for him. "He got a big laugh out of watching her. Afterward they'd play tag, running around the room like a couple of kids. Finally, I guess he got tired.

He gave me Jennie back as a gift." I suppose the is that it doesn't pay to monkey with a millionaire. LEDGER REVIEW OF MEXICO OLD OR YDS That Old Gang Of McMillan '18 Look 9 Was 'Old Look 9 tor High School Girls of '18 That new look is really the old look for the McMillan 1918 high school dresses that year were 13 inches above the floor. And the demure miss, who raised shy eyes to her marching partner 30 years ago on graduation day was patriotically wearing the same dark pleated skirt and the white middy blouse she had worn all year long. But the girls voted it was carrying patriotism just too far not to have a new black tie to wear when Paul Rosser of Fayette gave the stirring commencement address, "A Lesson on the Flag." Only class members were allowed to attend the Junior-Senior Prom, and fellows, you drew names for your date in those days. William Barre drew a queen that night.

The starry- eyed Priscilla Sannebeck (Mrs. Roy Creasey) was chosen May Queen by popular vote to reign over the party. And although dame fashion insisted on roses for milady, one young blade held the courage of his conviction and sent pink carnations. Three 1918 class members attend graduation services this year with more interest in the class than the others, for their children will receive their diplomas. They include Jack Harrison, son of Mrs.

Roy W. Harrison (Nannie Weidler), who is a member of the MHS class; Rose Marie Dobyns, daughter of Ben Dobyns, who will graduate from St. Brendan high school; and Frances Barre, daughter of William Barre, who is a senior at the Auxvasse high school. There are four members of the junior class whose mother or father graduated 30 years ago. They are Thelma Gifford, daughter of Mrs'.

C. J. Gifford (Lucy Pulis), Rosemary Creasey, daughter of Mrs. Roy Creasey (Priscilla Sannebeck) and Louise Beamer, daughter of Alvin Beamer, and Pat Dermody, son of Robert Dermody. O.

D. Austin, a member of the freshman class is the son of one of the graduates of more than a quarter of a century ago. His father is O. D. Austin.

"Four Years in Germany," the attraction that had been blocking traffic when shown at the Rialto, received no better press notices than "The Man Who Married a Dumb Wife," the class play that year. The Ledger reported it as "an above average production staged by amateurs." Frank After school, the kids gathered at Gus Kokenos', Happy Blattner's Sweet Shop or Buckner's Drug Store to talk about the happenings of the day or maybe get a date to the movie that evening. At night, those i few who had access to a car drove out on the south rock gravel road (now Highway 54) or took a spin around the Lackland Loop (around the fairgrounds area). But cars were as scarce as paved roads that year and each borrowed car carried more than 'its full quota of couples. The really gay picnics were held at Powell's Ford or at the Auxvasse creek and then the braver of the girls pulled off their long stockings for wading.

Members of the class and information concerning them is as follows: Willie Beagles now Mrs. Frank Wilfley of Laddonia whose husband farms. They have three children, Miss Ida Lucille, who is employed in Mexico, Frank Wilfley of Laddonia and Sgt. J. D.

Wilfley, who is in service, stationed at Chanute Field, HI. Miss Virginia principal at McMillan school. Rilla Mrs. Thomas Utterback of Rosemary Lane in Columbia whose husband is president of the students' bank at Stephens college in Columbia. Has one daughter, Mrs.

Ralph Zinaker of Texas. Dora Cawthorn now Mrs. Marion Boulware of Mexico Every pretty senior who could whose husband Js beg or borrow a ukulele, crawled onto a wagon and strummed her way around the square. Another bond. Another tune.

That was one of the chief reasons the Liberty bond drive was such a success. However, McM seniors took World War I seriously. For under the direction of Miriam Glandon (Mrs. Alden Hays) the girls turned out a quantity Cross work that year. of Red the machine department of the MFA and is also an electrician.

Mother of three sons, George and James Reed Boulware of Mexico and Paul Boulware of Paris. Mable Mrs. Harrison Martin, of near Mexico whose husband farms. Mother of four children, Harrison Martin, J. W.

Martin, Mrs. Wayne Giles and Bobby Martin, Mexico. Bennetta Mrs. E. W.

Fisher of Reginia, South The class members entered Saskatchewan, Canada. Husband r.tt_- A IM notatrt VtTicinocc T-Tac many fields of work with two of them returning to McMillan as teachers: Miss Virginia Botts, principal, and Mary Frances Rowland (Mrs. George Robertson) who is fourth grade teacher; Ross D. Ferris, principal at Hardin Junior high school, and Miss Clarice Painter, a teacher of music in Manhattan, for a number of years. Frank Houston is a well known author, Elwood Douglas is managing editor of Hygeia.

Two of the class, Guy Pitts and Robert Dermody, have responsible positions at the A. P. Green Fire Brick company and the Mexico Refrac- company, and three members have gone into the ministry, in real estate business. Has two sons, Jimmy and Gale. Lucy Harrison now Mrs.

Eweli B. Martin of Route 3, Mexico. Mother of one son. Blanche Mrs. Phil Rouse of Perry whose husband is employed in Farber.

Mother of one daughter, Mrs. Jack Long. Elizabeth Mrs. Troy Smith of Kansas City whose husband teaches in the K. C.

Junior College. Has three children, Mary Bell, David and Garrett. Phoebe married and living in Illinois. The former Mrs. Eugene Tomlinson.

Katherine Jenkins now Mrs. Ernest Herrold, whose husband Selby Swift, Glen Williams and is a minister of a Christian 'Harold Willis. The stirring war years brought many changes in Mexico. Mary Margaret McBride left the Ledfor Washington, D. to do church in Ohio.

Effie Mrs. Clarence Galvin of 113 N. Knight Chicago. Her husband is connected with the J. E.

Bennett com- KCI -LUX vv dailJJlt: lull, uw special writing and eventually Pany that and her only become the highest paid woman radio commentator. But Dr. A. A. Wallace, Wilkins and Brown shoe store, Dry and Sappington and Llewellyn and Sons continued to do business at the some old stand.

The class has scattered into 10 Houston played the leading roll I states and Canada to make their with Ralph Garrett and Margaret Wilson (Mrs. Albert Mudkins) as other leading characters. Frank Houston was valedicto- homes with 35 of them residing in Missouri and 14 of that number remaining in Mexico. Only two members of the class have XiUUOlUJl VVCIO i Jllt.lliul,l.3 rian of the class of 55 members, died in the 30 years since grad- and was also honor student. nation.

son, Harry, is in medical school. Ruth Lavender now Mrs. Price Hale of near Martinsburg, whose husband is a well known stockman. Has two sons, Billy and Don. Grace Mrs.

Garth Castlio of 2012 Hearn Blytheville, whose husband is a stock raiser. Has two daughters, Wanda Jane and Leta Rose. Leta Mrs. Guy Gwynn of St. Louis, whose husband is in the department of the Collector of United States Internal Revenue.

Has two. daughters, Ranch House Is Urban-Rural Favorite 1 BATH BD aa Magazine Section You Can Reach All The Family Every Day In The Ledger MEXICO, THURSDAY MAY 20,1948. Its likable informality and its good looks have made the modern ranch-style home a fayorite for both rural and urban living. This example was designed by Walter T. Anicka, 617 South Forest Ann Arbor, Mich.

Planned to fit on a 50-foot city lot as easily as on large country acreage, the house is 45 feet wide. It contains 1,185 square feet, ample for the comfort convenience of the average family. In the interest of economy, the design does not include a basement but does have a utility room with sufficient space fo'r a heater, laundry, equipment and storage. Added economy is achieved by the architect's choice of wide clapboards for exterior sidewalls and a roof of fire-resistant asphalt shingles. The architect recommends white siding with roof shingles of a contrasting color.

The terrace in the rear and the porch in front provide facilities for outdoor living. The terrace, living room and adjacent dining room combine to make an integrated unit. A built-in breakfast corner is part of the kitchen. Both bedrooms have cross ventilation. Interior doorways are located so that any room is easily accessible from, any other part of the house.

(Detailed -plans and specifications are available from Walter Anicka, 617 South Forest Ann Arbor, by referring to his Plan No. 612.) Mrs. Charles Smith and Anna Lou, who is in grade school. Georgia now Mrs. Russell Scranton of Monroe City.

Mr. Scranton is with the A. E. Staley Manufacturing company. Has one daughter and one granddaughter.

Mary Charles Miller now Mrs. M. C. Buckley of St. Louis who is in the advertising business.

Has one son, junius Miller of San Francisco, who writes for a syndicate. Ocie Mrs. Harry Duff of 6719 Dillenburger, St. Louis, whose husband is a hardware salesman. Clarice teaching music in Kansas at Manhattan, Kans.

Mary Katherine Potts- now Mrs. Turner Lewis of Columbia. Mr. Lewis operates the City Service station there. Helen Plunkett- -now resides at 214 E.

Monroe Mexico. Lucy Gifford Mrs. C. J. of Route 3, Centralia.

Husband employed at the Mexico Refractories company. Two children, Thelma, who is a member of MHS junior class, and C. a seventh grade at Pleasant Grove school. 3Iary F. Mrs.

George Robertson, who is a member of the faculty at McMillan school. Mr. Robertson is in the machine shop at the A. P. Green Fire Brick company.

Priscilla Mrs. Roy Creasey of Mexico, whose husband is merchandise manager of the A. P. Green Fire Brick company. One daughter, Rosemary Creasey, a member of the junior class at Mexico High School.

Katherine Sannebeck now Mrs. Arthur Sames, whose husband is in the grocery business in Centralia. Has two daughters, Miss Mary Ann Sames, who is in Washington, D. and Miss Suzanne Sames, a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia. 3Iargaret Albert Mudkins of St.

Louis, whose husband is in the advertising business. Nannie Weidler now Mrs. Roy W. Harrison of Reedsville. Has three sons, Cecil, Jack and Russell.

Jack is a member.of the senior class at MHS, and Russell is a freshman. S. C. working in a door and sash factory in Kansas City. William of Auxvasse and employed at H.

Richards and Sons Hardware. Has two children, Samuel Barre, who is in the Air Corps, and Frances Barre, a member of the graduating class at Auxvasse High School. Alvin of near Molino where he farms. Has three children, Mrs. Ralph Mollet, Louise, a member of the Mexico High School graduating class, and William.

Glenn Blackmann now of Kansas City. Frank and lives in Eliabeth, N. J. Robert Dermody now purchasing agent of the Mexico Re- fractories company. Married Miss Rita Barnes, a graduate of MHS in 1922.

Has three sons, Robert, who is a freshman at Rolla School of Mines, Pat, who is a third year student at MHS, and Ned. Ben Dobyn.s—now retired from business. Father of five children, Mrs. Francis Walker, Mrs. 'Raymond Fecht, Rose Marie, who is a member of the graduating class at St.

Brendan High School, Ben, and Sharon Lee. Elwood of Chicago, managing editor of Hygeia, magazine of the American Medical Association. Ross D. principal at Hardin Junior High. Married Miss Marjorie Smith.

Has one son, John Byron. Charles Franey resides in Mexico. Nolan the former Miss Mamie Bailey of Mexico and resides in Longmont, Colo. Ralph associated in the drug store business in Chicago. Has one son.

Frank of Los Angeles, an outstanding writer, formerly in the advertising business in Kansas City. Byron of 216 S. Landrum street of Mt. Vernon where he is employed. Married and has one daughter, Jane Ann, who is 10 years old.

Wesley of Manhattan Beach, Calif. Married. Hall Kerr superintendent 01 schools at Madison. Frank Raymond Claggett Offutt now of Springfield in the weather striping business. Married.

Bruce a construction engineer at Vallejo, Calif. Volunteered in the Navy in 1942 to rebuild Pearl Harbor. He and Mrs. Powell have recently adopted two refugee children, one five- years old and the other three years old. Guy with the A.

P. Green Fire Brick company as domestic territorial sales office manager. Married and has two sons, Neal and Gordon Alan. Selby the Rev. Mr.

Swift, pastor of the Baptist church at Clearfield, Harold the Rev. Mr. Willis, pastor of a Christian church in Ohio. Married and has two children. Edwin in.

government work in San Francisco, Calif. Father of five children. Glen the Rev. Mr. Williams, pastor of the Presbyterian church at IrontoriTTepn.

Father of three children, Carol June, a Junior in high---school, Margaret Joyce and Glen Rose. Theodore Winans now Dr. Winans of Osborn, O. Father of four children. James now with' the G.

M. O. railroad. Veteran', of World Wars I and II. O.

Austin of Austin's Recreation. Married and has two children, Miss Pat Austin, a student at Culver-Stockton college in Canton, and O. D. Austin, a freshman at MHS. Small Town Place To Find Lost Money MARCELINE.

May With $10 and $20 bills floating around on a stiff May-morning breeze, it pays to live in a city small enough to be O. E. Downing, who with his son. Glen Downing, and operates the Downing market here, was short $275 when he went to make" his intended deposit of $470. Knowing he had place on business, less than a block away, with that amount in currency and endorsed checks.

Downing was unable to account for his loss. However, a few minutes later, a check that had been found across the street from the store was returned to Downing. He knew then a strong wind had blown the currency and checks out of a bank book he was carrying in his hand. A small boy found $100 in currency and some checks and took them to the city hall. Soon all except $50 had been returned to its owner.

'Newspaperboy' Is One Word While the term "newspaper- boy" has been adopted generally in the newspaper business there is still some confusion as to the spelling of "newspaperboy." Thn proper method is the one word spelling, just as the word "newspaperman" is one. word. As most newspapermen know, newsboys are the boys who sell papers to the public at a designated spot. Newspaper vendors, generally adults, maintain stands and are not, in every instance, exclusive handlers of newspapers. In many instances, they sell in addition to newspapers, magazines and other articles.

'Parasite' Fighter Is Tested This plane has no landing gear, because it will make all its takeoffs and landings in flight. It's the McDonnell XF-85, a "parasite" fighter designed to fit in the bomb bay of a Consolidated Vultee B-36. The 15-foot-long plane is now undergoing ground and wind tunnel tests on a special dolly. The wings fold, and the tail is especially designed for its unique job..