The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 12

fftOtTWBLVB BLYTHEVTLLE (ARK.) COURIER OSCEOLA NEWS 'At Last: Texas Takes a Back Seat; Ray Morgan. Likes Osceola Better Texas might be first among the states in size, farm acreage, miles of railroads, first in- production of cotton and wool, first in raising more cattle, mules, sheep, goats, and turkeys and a dozen other firsts, but it might come as a surprise to a folks and especially Texans that it doesn't come first in the heart of one of its countrvmen, who was born and reared and did bis first voting there. All of my life. I've looked for a Texan who didn't try to convince me titie seven.wonders of the world were scattered over the plains and prairies of their beloved state, and now after years and years of searching, I have found one who likes the delta of Arkansas better. where people know more, grow jnore and owe more.

This young man. Ray Morgan, is the biggest booster for Arkansas I've yet to meet Ray was born in Wichita Falls 35 years ago. Before he finished high school, he had attended nine grade schools, four junior high schools and six high schools. After that he had no desire to go to college. With all the moving around throughout the state, the family moved back io Wichita Falls, where Ray attended his first school and was graduated there when he was 17 years old.

During the years between 1919 and 1936, the depression came along even HI Texas. Ray's father was in the lumber business which was a bad business during the depression. He got a job with Singer Sewing Machine Company, going through the country trying to find somebody who had enough money to make a down winter in North Dakota, Ray jumped at the South America deal. wai the only Army man on that ilow boat to Brazil and traveled in stlye. His state room was equaled to that of the captain's and being one of those 90-day wonders, he felt his importance.

The people in South America take life easy and that was another thing to Ray's liking, prom Belem, Brazil, he was sent halfway down the coast to San Louis on down to jumping off place for the Air Force. After two weeks there, he went out to an emergency field, carved out of the jungles to wait for a plane going north. FREDERICK MARCH and his troup stepped off the plane that Ray boarded. The pilot was still feeling exuberant over flying the movie stars to their destination and shot up in the air and started putting on a one-man air show for the troup below. Ray said he wouldn't have given one of the Texas grass-hoppers for his life.

Ray landed in Miami, without the Army knowing where he was. He wanted to come home and see his wife but was too scared to take that chance so he went on back to New York, instead of landing there, on Oct. 1, 1943. He had been in South America, where all you needed was a mosquito net and had sent his winter uniforms back home. New York gets awfully chilly in October so he sent for his clothing and asked his commanding officer if there would be a chance for a leave to go home and get his clothes and see his wife.

STARR GAZING 'on this date, David Pair-City, which had been 40 years in' child, botanist, was born. He largely responsible for planting the flowering cherry trees in Washington. He married Marion Bell, second daughter of Alexander Graham Bell. The Mormon Temple, Salt Lake BAY WENT along selling machine needles and machine oil and did a better job a-t that than his fattier did selling machines. Ray said he guessed wonien felt sorry lor him is why he sold so many.

"You teiow, a small boy out selling machine supplies kinder got next to them." His father was too proud to call on those he knew, so they would drive out through the country every morning before the neighbors got and would stay out until they were sure the neighbors couldn't sec drive in with a sewing machine tied to the back of their old car. His lather was a long time sell- log his first machine but after tfcat. it came easy and the company made him district supervisor, giving him one-fourth of Texas for his territory. That was the reason for the family making so many moves. His father held that position for 15 years.

During those years Mr. Morgan was transferred to Memphis. Ray's first paying job was usher in a picture show in Wichita Palls during his high school days. He finally worked up to assistant manager, which was all title and little money, but at that time he was quite proud of hearing a title of any kind, whether it meant anything or not. He held the job for three years, giving it up to move to Memphis.

He was fed up with picture shows and swore he'd never work in another one but when he moved to Memphis, he went straight to the manager of Lowe's State and sorted reeling off his past experiences in Texas, and got a job. While working there for two weeks, he put in his application in an employment agency and got a call to come into the office for an Ray Morgan out-of-town interview for keeping job. a book- to be a brother of Eddie Begenold of Armorel, S. A. Regenold.

Ray got the job and worked in the main office of Lee Wilson and company for six months and was then moved out to the packing plant at Wilson as bookkeeper. After eight months there, he quit and went back to Memphis full of pa.cking house experience and applied for a job with Cudahy Packing Company. Ray had been promised a salesman's job by the biggest liar this side of (pardon the expression) Texas, When he went to work, the morning after his arrival, he was sold a of S3.50 coveralls. Ray thought they were part of a meat salesman's equipment so he rigged himself out, looking quite chic, he thought, and asked which car he to travel in. Somebody trying to be cute said.

"Allow me the privilege of offering you mine," and everybody laughed. His job was to salt down salt meat. He worked there one day and all the fellows around said that was the impression all the new ones had and salesman jobs came later. Ray and Miss Juanita Greer, IHHMAIK AfiTHUTK VICTIMS A WfmM Cotud Tabkt. Moot from totntinv.

WB Mvwta. nrit acid, flflfeJt, lowr iMdnf relief to IJL INLAID LINOLEUM New Lower Prices Armrtrong Standard inlaid $2.75 Cementing and laying .75 Total (8q. Yd.) $3.50 Hubbard A Son Furn. who was working in the office at Wilson, were married in 1940. Ray said when he went to Memphis to go to work for Cudahy Juanita used her head and kept her job.

When he came back to Wilson, Mr. Regenold came by and asked him to come back to work for the company in the Wilson Insurance Department. Ray said he didn't know an insurance policy from a billy goat but he wanted a job and since he was young and his wife had a good job, he knew he wasn't going to lose anything, so he told Mr. Regenold he'd try it. IT WAS in this business that Ray really found himself'.

He liked it from the day he started. Working in a big company like Lee Wilson, every known kind of insurance is sold and Ray gained a world of insurance knowledge along with good pay. Fourteen months later, on Apr. 1942, he was inducted into the Army. He was sent to Jonesboro where he was given his medical examination.

He and a group of other boys, were herded on a train and sent to Camp Robinson, arriving there early in the morning. They were told to go to bed and be ready for you know what shots. Twenty minutes after they got in bed, the bugle blew for them to get up. Ray realized then he was in the Army. After three day of shots for everything from dandruff to sleepwalking, Ray was told he had 10 days to straighten up his business back home.

Upon return to Camp Robinson, Ray and three other Arkansas boys were sent to Camp Crowder. where he was signed to the M.P. detachment of the camp. The only way Ray figured he was qualified for an M.P. was that his grandfather was chief of police in Wichita Falls.

This was a pretty good deal at that. M.P.'s were a lot scarcer than 2nd lieutenants and they let them skip their basic training. As Ray said in that old Texas brogue, "that was just plain dog- luck." After a week of walking his beat of the streets of Joplin, there was an opening for a typist in the post headquarters and Ray was the only typist for miles around. He had banking hours with his job, 8 to 5- After two months of living it up, he sent for Juanita. She got a civilian job with the Quarter Master Corps and her hours were the same as Rays.

Ray was or in Army language made the rank as staff sergeant. BOTH OF them made $166 a month and Ray said that was the first and last time he was ever out of debt. "I knew this set-up was too good to be true," Ray said, "and sure enough, on Jan. 1, they brought in Wacs for those easy jobs and I had to get out and start drilling." Ray put in for OCS and Was sent to Fargo, N. D.

When he got there snow was banked so high he could hardly see the buildings. The Army had taken over North Dakota State Agriculture College and he lived in one of the dormitories. There were 900 soldiers there at the time and some of them were marching in parade nearly every day. Most of their boys had gone off to war and their unit had been slaughtered on Guadalcanal. Every soldier who was every lucky enough to be hi Fargo, was treated royally.

They were the most patriotic people, Ray said he had ever met. Every Saturday and Sunday were thrown open to all the boyt on any special holiday they couldnt do enough for the soldiers. Even the stores in that city of only 2S.OOO made special concesiioni to a man in uniform. Qtt out occasion, 3Uy had Bted of having a foot pad fitted in his was after the Wacs took over the sitting down jobs. When Ray went to pay the man for it, there was no charge.

Ray said he could recite several instances like that ana he will never forget Fargo. and the hospitality in that snow-bound country that Was equal to anything you could find below the Mason-Dixon Line. Benson Ford, young brother of Henry Ford H. was -in Ray's class at OCS in Fargo and the two were just like that. ON JTttfE 23, 1943, Ray was graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant the transportation corps.

With a 10-day leave before going overseas, Ray came home for a visit. By the time he arrived in New York on July 4, lost as a country boy could possibly be, the Army had thought up a new deal for Ray called cargo security officer. That was another one of those high sounding titles to make you feel important. His job was to ride Liberty ships and cargo ships. He was put in charge of the cargo on the ships, loading and unloading on the other side.

Instead of being sent overseas, he was kept in New York watching the procedure for several weeks. Every now and then an officer would be pulled out and sent overseas. Finally Ray was assigned to an old lumber boat built during Caifomia to Alaska. Eight knots an hour was its speed. Then Ray had his choice of England or South America.

After that immediately assigned to a Liberty ship going to Casablanca. Juanita came up tb New York to see Ray off which seemed to be a regular procedure. Ray had never had a chance, growing up in Texas, to learn to swim and it seemed everyplace Uncle Sam sent him was by boat. On the trip to Casablanc they ran into a storm and. the shi did everything, as Ray said, bu the bunny-hop.

He was transpor commander on that trip and the only man on board who coulc n't swim. IT SEEMED Uncle had nab of changing Ray's job, the entir time he was in service. By the tim he fulfilled one assignment, Uncl started a completely new course fo him. He had made two trips transport commander when he go the word he was to go transpor commander school and then all th shots to begin over again. He said he was shot for thing up to that tune that ther were diseases for, but he couldn tell the Army that so he started a over again with them.

It got to th place that everytime he saw any thing with a point, he began ro ling up his sleeves and pants leg As long as we've got to have'an arm. we've got to be on the receiving en of shots and with that in mind, Ra knew darn well it didn't do an good to argue with his superiors. wasn't as important as a genera but those shots hurt just as bad. Ray was one of the 10 needed fill the quota for overseas duty an was sent to England. This was hi third trip overseas.

When he finall landed in Normandy, he was made mess officer in a replacement bat talion. Up to now, he had neve fried an egg in his life but Uncl Sam has a way of teaching even bride how to cook after four month of mess officers school. Ray was a good cook, almost as good as his mother. All the othe training and different jobs he wa given didn't amount to a hill Texas blue bonnets. RAY WAS a mess officer for a year when the Army changed mind again and came out with an order making Ray eligible for a promotion.

He became 1st lieuten and was transferred to an infan fantry replacement center in Brit ant and was transferred to an in hundred men were trained then every six weeks. Rays job was to unload the trains and trucks and as- sgin the men to their campany and battalions. He stayed there for three months and the depot was moved to a camp TVsef CROSLEY SUPER-V tht "Hit Poradt" mirack ToUs wp UM light carry Circuit Front oH of 3 fini.hw -feMtt ffcfc-fft jwn fcr $1459 Mbu ctn SM ft on CROSLEY "Save More At Moore's T.V. Rtpair Services Easy Terms 306-310 I. Main Phone 2660 between Troy, and Chanlon.

On Ray's third anniversary in the Army, he received the Bronze Star for his outstanding work in this training center. It came as one of the great- e.st surprises of his life. He was standing around at the railroad station waiting for the train to be unloaded and two big husky HP's walked up to him, grabbed him by the arms and escorted him to their jeep. Ray was thinking fast of what he had done wrong from the time he had gotten that first shot to the first egg he had fried. All the things he had done all of his life were running through his head the jeep pulled up in front of headquarters.

A bunch of high ranking officers were standing like to be saluted. Ray was shaking so he doesn't remember whether he saluted or not. General Lear walked up to shake his cold, cold hand and Ray froze in his tracks. The General kept telling Ray to Stop shaking so he could pin the Bronze Star on his manly chest. Ray thought to he tells me! THAT BRONZE Star caused a lot of jealousy among the other men but not for long.

On the day of Nov. 11,1945, Ray landed New York and was met there by his wife. After he was processed at Jefferson Barracks. Ray and Juanita came to Memphis where he was met by his parents and the 15-months old son he had never seen. After six weeks of resting up and getting acquainted with his son, he came back to Wilson and.

got his job back in the Wilson Insurance Office. On Mar. 1, 1947, he came to Osceola to manage Osceola Insurance Company in the Mississippi County Bank. After a year, he bought out S. G.

Lockhart's interest in the agency and is a partner with Andrew and George Florida in the insurance business. Ray is strictly an Osceola booster. Osceola for there is no better liked The seven years he and his family have lived here, he added a lot to person, Texas or otherwise- in this town than young Ray Morgan. Ray and Juanita have three children, Robert Ray, III, 10, Mary Kathryn, 7, and Jimmie, 5. Ray is on the board of the Christian Church, is now serving as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Kiwanis Club, the American Legion and the only three social clubs in town for couples.

His mother lives in Little Rock. His father died two years ago. He has one sister, Mrs. Ned Scales of Little Rock. the building, was dedicated Apr.

6, 1863. Nine years ago this coming President Franklin D. Roosevelt died in Warm Springs at the age of 63- I noticed an article in the newspaper from Whynot, Miss. That name is a natural for a collector of post marks from unusual sounding which I am, and I must send to the posmaster for a cancellation. The place is near Meridian, in case you're interested.

I think Cure" All, would be a nice place to go for what ails you. If you're interested in changing jobs, New Diggings, might be what you're looking for. Omemee, N. D-, is about the way I feel. For the little girl, I'm sure she would love living in Cinderella, W.

Va. I guess Ti, has the shortest name of any town. The one us rebels like is Mason and Dixon, Pa. Bird in Hand, is worth On the Social Church Circles Meet Circle One of the Women of the Presbyterian Church met at the home of Mrs. R.

C. Bryan Monday with 11 members present. Mrs. Lloyd Godley gave the devotional and Mrs. Harold Ohlenuorf gave the program on "What to Talk About." Plans were completed for the cir- tapers flanked the centerpiece.

Guests were from Osceola and Little Rock. Gives Surprise Party Mrs. Ray Mann surprised her husband with a birthday dinner and canasta party Friday night. Six couples attended the affair. A birthday cake on a musical plate was used for the dining table cen- two in the bush, so I've been taught.

I William Bard Edriugton. cele- cle to visit the hospital here twice Spring were used a week to take magazines, flowers and gowns to the patients. The projects began today with Mrs. Don Blodgett and Mrs. Bettye Nell Stan- making the initial visit.

The project will continue for the remainder of the year. During the social hour. Mrs. Bryan served raspberry parfaits and cake. Circle Two met at the home of Mrs.

A. J. Crostwaite with 13 members present. Mrs. David Laney, Mrs.

H. E. Phillips and Mrs. Dick Cromer had charge of the program. This circle is acquiring furnishings for the nursery at the church.

During the social hour, Mrs. Crast- waite served a dessert plate. Celebrates Birthday WHITE SHOULDERS The Perfect Fragrance For Your Easter Parade! The Gift Shop ON MAIN For the gourmet you can have the choice of Hominy. Bacone, Tomato, (I believe the office there is closed) Corn, Strawberry, Chili, Hamm, Cucumber, W. Butters, N.

C. Not very hungry? Try Sandwich, 111., I'll take Cash, and Free Soil, Mich. Cuttyhunk, Mann's Choice, Pa-, Peculiar, and Embarrass, must cause a lot of questioning. Bowlegs speaks for itself as does Battiest, Okla. It you've got spring fever, I'd recommend Houstonic, Mass.

If you're having a hard go of it why not Startup, Tuweep, wouldn't interest me, but Needmore, W. Va-, might. If you're a crap-shooter, why not try High Rolls, N. I'll stop here with Climax, Colo. I'm the very one who loves flowers planted around trees.

I can think of nothing more beautiful than bright colored flowers growing beneath a beautiful green tree and now I've got to go out and buy up some red, pink, and white ger- anums (my week) and plant around the Immense walnut tree in my yard. For a finished look of what I'm hoping to do, take a look at the cover in the latest issue of House Beautiful. Pretty, eh? These magazines keep my nose to the grind stones. How's this 'for a piece of homespun philosophy? "If I isn't what I is, then I isn't what I The man who has no secrets from his wife either has no secrets or no wife. The fellow who is too old to learn probably was always too old to learn.

brated his 10th birthday Friday by having a party for 30 of his friends. A picnic menu was served, followed by a theater party. Colemans Entertain Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Coleman entertained 16 for luncheon at the 50 Club Saturday in honor of Mr.

Coleman's father, Charles Coleman, on his 85th birthday. The guests were seated at a banquet table which was centered by a silver tureen filled with yellow tulips. Silver candelabra with white is that it will change. Fellowship in joy, not sympathy in sorrow, is what makes friends. Never claim as a right what you can ask as a favor.

Youll never get hurt by anything you didn't say. "WIND" Wind, moody child of nature. All thorugri the long, lonely You keep roaming restlessly, Although all else is quiet. I hear your mournful howling. Its a wierd and eerie sound, And I am very disturbed As you mercilessly pound At all that's within your path, Tirelessly throughout the night, And you force the mighty oak, With seeming fiendish delight, As saplings to bend and sway.

You, often a gentle breeze, strip All the foliage from the trees. Gwendolyn Smith to decorate the entertaining rooms. Personals Dr. and Mrs. Don Blodgett had as their guests over the week end Dr.

Blodgett's mother, Mrs. T. G. Blodgett, and his sisters, Miss Helen Blodgett and Mrs. Ed Faulkner of Little Rock.

Miss Sue Quinn Wilson and Miss Jeanette Collison of Memphis, accompanied by Miss Wilson's mother, Mrs. Jack Wilson, and Mrs. Wade Quinn of Memphis, drove to Columbia, Saturday where the girls attended a dance at Columbia Military Academy as guests of Wade and Johnny Walker of Dallas. They returned Sunday night. Mr.

and Mrs. Curtis Williams and daughters, Carolyn Faye, Janet and Diane, of Itta Bena, Were week end guests of Mrs. Williams" mother, Mrs. H. J.

Levenstein and family. Mrs. Ray Mann is spending several days in Memphis this week. The Samba Club is meeting with Mrs. A.

F. Williams this afternoon. Miss Jeanette Bowen and Lavonne Posey. students at Mississippi State College, were home over the weekend. Mr.

and Mrs. Paragould were Frank Potter of overnight guests Friday of Mr. and Mrs. T. P.

Florida. Becky Quinn and Barbara Lowe of Memphis spent the week end with Becky's grandmother, Mrs. Ed Quinn. Miss Billie Gaines Mann, student at puachita College, spent the week end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.

V. G. Mann. Maraschino cherries are bleached white with sulphur dioxide, then dyed a brilliant red or green with pure vegetable dyes. NOTICE $3.25 Hyde Park BEER All Brands 25c Phillip Applebaum Liquor Store 110 So.

Fifth Phone 9641 The only sure thing about Luck itch of Common Skin Rash Don't stand such torment any longer! Just smooth Resinol Ointment on your irritated skin at once. See how quickly its 6 actix'e ianolin restful, lingering relief. NOTICE My Office Has Moved to 527 N. 6th Street W. W.

WORKMAN, M. D. PHONE 8118 Make your own proving ground" test The new 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door iedan. With 3 grseaf seriei, Chevrolet offen the rnotf beautiful choice of models in its fieJd. and we know this is what you'll find Chevrolet is out ahead in powerful performance You can easily tell the difference between engines when you and the difference is all in Chevrolet's favor! That's because Chevrolet's great engines horsepower where it on the road.

What Chevrolet -promises, Chevrolet delivers! Chevrolet is out ahead in economy ofor mort fat any effor cerl There's new power, new performance and new economy both 1954 Chevrolet "Blue-Flame 125" in Powerglide models and the "Blue-Flame 115" in gearshift models. And they bring you the highest compression ratio of any leading low-priced car. That's why they can deliver a big gain in power, acceleration and all-around performance, along with important gasoline savings! Your cor 1 naJy We'll be glad to have you compart the smooth, quiet performance of this new Chevrolet with any other car in its field. Come in and put it through any kind of "proving ground" test you care to, and judge its performance fot yourself. Your test car's ready now and we hope you are, too.

SULLIVAN-NELSON CHEVROLET CO. 301 West Walnut Phone 4578.