The Ford and the Flood

The monumental flooding in Louisiana prompted this memory of my grandparents in the 1920s. In no way does my humorous approach to this family story diminish the devastating losses to the affected residents of Louisiana. Instead may we be prompted to pray and give to organizations that are actively providing relief and ongoing support in this ravaged region of our nation.
The Flood and the Ford

                As with many families in the 1920s, my maternal grandparents bought a used Model T Ford for their first car. My mother, Bernyce Smith Gates, described the car as a buggy with a motor. As she told about their first vehicle, I imagined its size was similar to the buggy my paternal grandmother had used to cross the swollen creek. The efficient, small Model T had a gas engine. In contrast, the strength of Old Fancy, the reliable horse, pulled Grandma Gates to safety. To read about Old Fancy’s prowess and Grandma’s determination, access the posting at: http://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/07/she-wouldnt-turn-around-or-wait.html 

Henry Ford’s affordable car owned by Mother’s family featured a roof, windshield, and two doors, but no window glasses were in the doors. The wind and rain could readily come in on the driver and the passengers. Mother said my grandpa, Calvin Callcayah Smith, characterized its tires, “about like bicycle tires.” To her astonishment, she and her parents traveled innumerable miles in that car on those tiny tires! To access another posting about this same little car, see: https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/12/ralstons-tie-with-founding-of-oklahoma.html

A Ford Model T Advertisement from 1924. It was priced at $265. Their Model T
                       seemed smaller and not as flashy, according to Mother's memory. Of course,
       Grandpa bought theirs used.  Mother recalled it was sold for $7!
           From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Grandpa drove a team of horses pulling a buggy or a wagon until he was at least 30 years old. So driving a motorized car provided a fun adventure each time he got behind the wheel. Angie, my sister, and I recounted his driving protocol. He first donned his leather driving gloves. Then he spit on his gloved hands – maybe hearkening back to his pitching days in baseball. Finally, we were ready to take off.

Grandpa liked to drive fast. One day he picked up a man who frequently hitchhiked to Ralston. Following a ride with Grandpa driving his black Dodge pickup (a later vehicle he owned), the obviously shaken man was heard to exclaim as he escaped from Grandpa’s pickup, “That old man’ll kill you!”

As we laughed over our memories of Grandpa’s driving, I said, “Remember,  Mom, that Marilyn (the younger cousin who had lived with them for a time) would always brace herself on the dashboard and say, “Uncle Cull, I’m ready for a crash landing!” Marilyn loved the riding excursions each day to Belford Grade School. (To read more about Marilyn Rainey’s time with my grandparents, access at: http://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2014/11/when-little-brown-eyed-durgan-lived.html  )

Mother remembered one time, as a preschooler, when the Arkansas River flowed angrily out of its banks. Anyone who lived in the north central area of Oklahoma, prior to the construction of the Kaw Dam, vividly recalled those days when schools were cancelled due to flooded bus routes, endangered homes in the river bottom were evacuated, and stranded livestock demanded courageous rescues.

Mother and her parents planned a shopping trip to Fairfax by way of Ralston. They crossed the Ralston Bridge spanning the flooded Arkansas River. Of course, the river was swirling in the river bottom east of the bridge, lapping the shoulder of the dirt road. That dirt road is now Highway 18. Grandpa drove slowly as they rounded the curve and headed north to Fairfax.

The Smith family made their purchases in Fairfax, loaded them into the Model T Ford, hopped in themselves, and headed south. No one will know what possessed Grandpa to amp his speed – maybe it was the anticipation to get back to the Big Bend or perhaps it was just to get Grandma, Gladys Rainey Smith, a little riled. Well, if getting a rise out of Grandma was his intent; let’s just say, according to Mother, he nailed it!

The tiny Model T driven by my fun-loving grandpa approached what is now the junction of Highway 18 and Highway 20. Grandpa had the Model T humming a little faster on their return trip. Grandma cautioned, “Slow down, Cull! We have this little girl in here.”

Grandpa chuckled and held his speed steady as he prepared to round the curve. Grandma’s anger flashed, sparks flew, and before anyone knew what had happened, Grandma grabbed the key out of the ignition and flung it into the muddy Arkansas River, churning just feet away from the vulnerable Model T! The puttering motor stalled and died.  All was quiet except the fury of the massive body of water seething with the sickening odor reeking from the murky boil. Grandpa exited the early-day car in silence and started walking toward the Ralston River Bridge, making his way into Ralston.

As my father would say about Mother in crises, “She just sits quiet.” Even though she was not school age yet, that is exactly what she did. To my amazement, Mother said my grandmother said nothing either. My grandmother who had an incredible mind may have been questioning why she jerked the key and threw it or probably Why was Cull driving like a fool?  Fear and trepidation must have permeated her thoughts as she sat that closely to the swollen river with her only little girl.

Grandpa eventually returned with a "universal" Ford key obtained from O.J. Cales' Ford Garage (Bob Hopper had a feed store there in more recent history) just north of the bridge in east Ralston, started the engine, and the three of them were on their way. At age 91, Mother still remembers seeing the key fly into the flooded river.

My mother reminded me that my grandparents were not Christians at that time. Grandma was a spitfire in terms of her temper. After accepting Jesus, she learned to rely on Him to help her control it. However, she was aware of its explosiveness and its destructive ramifications in the lives of her loved ones. Mother said the incident showed the necessity  for people to think about the consequences of their behavior before doing something rash.

My mother dearly adored her father.  He never crossed her in word or deed during any time of her life.* Yet Mother said her father should have listened to Grandma’s fear of the raging river and slowed down, showing his mindfulness of her concern.

Just as being born into the world is an instantaneous event, so is coming into God’s family through trust in Jesus. On the other hand, growing and learning is a ever-changing journey in our physical lives after our birth, so is growing in the knowledge of who Jesus is and wants to be in our spiritual lives. May our desire be to honor Him in our “thought-through” actions,  as well as our sensitivity of others. In this way, we can be assured to positively impact the lives of those around us.

*Grandma always said Grandpa never corrected Mother. Grandma said when Mother was quite small, she cried because she didn't want them to spend the night at Grandma Rainey's house. Grandpa placed her in the Model T Ford and drove around "the square" until Mother drifted off!  Then he carried her back into Grandma Rainey's home and spent the night there.

The Pet Taxi Predicament and People's Problems

Learning from Constraints

                The time rolled around for the orange and white Manx cat, dubbed by some – the Prince of Belford – to see Doc Reavis for his annual checkup and shots. During Dad’s convalescence, my sister had conveyed Bob, the most pampered cat on the hill, to all of his previous appointments, except the emergency surgery visit. To read about that emergency vet visit, see the blog post at:  http://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-emergency-last-september.html 

Angie, my sister, had several experiences with Bob’s vocalizing while in a vehicle – well to be more accurate – while restricted to a carrier. So she had prepared me for his trip to the vet.

                Mother cautioned me as I closed the door to load Bob, “Keep your mind on your driving. Don’t let him distract you.” As soon as I had Bob loaded in the “Pet Taxi,” his meowing began.  This is quite unusual, since he hardly makes any sounds unless he is trying to convey that he agrees with me, that he is ready to eat, or would like to go outside. Singing, talking, whispering, playing music, or quietness had no effect on the “cat in the carrier” – all the way to Pawnee.

The dreaded Pet Taxi. Bob meowed 95% of his
 time in this container. As smart as he seems, he 
was unable to realize a visit to Doc Reavis was 
for his good.

His behavior did not surprise me. When Bob and his littermate reached about six months old, Bob “set up such a howl” (as my Mother characterized it) when he and Tailer were placed in their “kitty condo” for the night. Mother became so annoyed by his meowing as well as his awakening Tailer, that she said, “Put them out on the porch!” Bob immediately stopped making any sounds and seemed content. 

When Doc Reavis inquired how “we” were, I indicated we were doing ok, except Bob was unhappy with being restricted to the carrier. Then I said, “But it certainly gave me writing material.”

In the backdrop of Bob’s incessant meowing to express displeasure at being constrained, I mused about how much we are like that orange and white cat. Whenever God allows limitations to invade our lives, we frequently complain incessantly like Bob. Those painful limitations may be due to our own health issues or caring for loved ones with illness. Our work often places unrealistic demands on us, robbing us of any sense of satisfaction. Stress in family, personal, and business relationships can sap joy and peace from our beings.

Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;…We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (Berean Study Bible) . God will give us strength and endurance as we rely on Him when we find ourselves in uncomfortable, unexplainable circumstances. As we rely on Him and His infinite wisdom, instead of our own inadequate strategizing, we are astounded to see that just as the heavens are higher than the earth so are His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

Bob, undoubtedly, would have escaped from the “kitty carrier” if only the door had been left unlatched. Had the car door then opened, he would have scurried out. Even though it would have meant being on the highway, he might have bolted right out into traffic. He so detested the confines of the carrier, in his “cat” mind, escaping from it had to be an improvement over that horrible place. How often we want to avoid tough times even if it means getting into worse situations. Ironically, we also rush from a bad predicament to embroil ourselves in a even more perplexing difficulty.

The only way Bob likes this Pet Taxi. Bob, much
like we humans, fails to realize some discomfort
will eventually be much better for us down the road.

                In the Biblical account of Job, his wife encouraged Job to “curse God and die” when devastating calamity befell his livestock and children. Job indicated that was foolish thinking. He said if one welcomes the good that comes in life, shouldn’t the trials be accepted as well?

                Yet what a cherished promise from God to those who love Him and are seeking Him is found in Isaiah 41:10, Fear not for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Lord, when we are faced with stresses that press, squeeze, constrain, and nettle our very souls, let us lean wholeheartedly on You and rest in Your love that upholds us. Even when we don’t feel like it, may our trust in Your promised faithfulness sustain and uphold us. May this indominatable assurance during our trials bolster our faith in who You are and underpin us in the bedrock of the knowledge of Your power and presence in our lives.

Getting Kids to School in the 1940s

Bus Drivers in the 1940s

                My mother, Bernyce Smith Gates, attended her first year of high school at Ralston and her final three years at Burbank High School. She spent much time on the school bus during those four years so the bus drivers and the lengthy bus routes stood out in her mind even after over 70 years!

                Adult men from the community served as the bus drivers during Mother’s high school tenure. Some of them had their own children as bus riders.

                As a freshman, Mother rode the bus to Ralston with Red Hainlen as her driver. He had a route that picked up students in the Bend at Asa Snow’s Store near the Belford River Bridge. Red then drove into the communities of Masham and Oak Grove. The bus then wound back around to Ralston with a load of high schoolers. No students in the first grade through eighth grade rode the bus since grade schools in those rural communities were still teaching students. As unusual as it may seem in the 21^st century, no rural high school students drove cars or pickups to school in that era.

Mother recalled one day when “big” boys started cutting up on the bus. Red had corrected them, but that had no effect on their behavior. He slammed on the brakes, got off the bus, and demanded them to get off as well and settle it with him. The boys, both much bigger than Red, remained sheepishly in their seats. Red boarded the bus. The remainder of the bus ride was uneventful.

                Newt Frank held the position as the driver who had the most control each day as he drove them to Burbank. Both of his sons, Gale and Harmon Lee, rode the bus, too. His daughters were Betty Jo (Wayman) and Linda. Since Newt’s height was considered “tall” for men of that time, none of the riders challenged his authority. Newt’s riders knew he said what he meant and meant what he said.

Jewel Dean and Melva (Smith) Frank, Ada (Armstrong) and Newt Frank with
their youngest daughter, Linda, in front.
Photograph from the collection of Judy Franks Magers, granddaughter of Newt
and Ada Frank.*

                On the other hand, the last bus driver during Mother’s time at Burbank High School, was easy-going and docile compared to Newt’s strict expectation of his riders’ adherence to rules. Mother found herself angered and astonished at his tolerance of horrible behavior. She was appalled that he allowed unruly riders to throw clumps of mud onto the windshield.

                The policy changed after her graduation. Older students who were responsible and reliable began driving the bus. Mother worked a temporary position at the Burbank First National Bank for a limited time. Virgil Rice, her cousin, picked her up and provided her transportation to Burbank High School. She then walked down the hill to work at the bank.

                During my father’s stroke convalescence, Basil and Fern (Hight) Myers visited him several times. Basil had grown up just north of my parents’ farm. He told of his stint as a student bus driver while attending Ralston High School. He picked up students in the Bend and then drove across the Belford River Bridge to pick up high schoolers in Pawnee County. He wound back around picking up students living west of Ralston. Basil related about his driving in this account below:

                At the age of 17, I started driving the Ralston High School bus in the fall of 1945. I took over after my older brother, Harvey, left high school to enlist in the U.S. Army. This part-time job continued through the spring of 1946. I began my second year as bus driver in the fall of 1946, with it concluding at my graduation from RHS in the spring of 1947.

                Not many part-time jobs for students beat it for pay. I earned $40 per month that averaged out to $2.00 a day.** My bus route varied. It ranged from 45-55 miles, one way. I drove over 100 miles on some school days! I even drove the bus for out-of-town basketball games, even transporting the team to the regional and state tournaments! Thankfully, Emory Hight, a well-respected mechanic, kept the problem-proned bus running. At that time, I had no idea his daughter, Fern, would be my wife today.

My bus driving/school day began around 6:30 a.m. from our home in the Bend since I was allowed to park the bus there each evening. If it had rained or was raining, I had to allow for “busting the ruts” of the 3-mile stretch of ungraveled roads from our house to Clark’s Store. I turned west to the river bottom, picking up Frosty Goad. Then I went south to get Bethelea Peters, who I would later be married to for 52 years until her death. I turned back east to pick up Ruth Ann Mitchell, who would later marry my brother, Troy. On that stretch, I picked up the Dooleys, Leon and Lola Lynn, then turned back north to let Ruth Schubert board the bus. When I got to the Belford side of the Bend, I picked up more students. I drove the bus across the Belford River Bridge and headed into Pawnee County to pick up Wilbur Wheatley and Sylvester about a half mile west of the “crooked bridge.” (I had to make Sylvester sit in the front seat because he couldn’t keep from pulling the hair of anyone sitting in front of him!) I picked up Delcie Robbins north of the home of her parents, Dora and Ernest Robbins.

                One morning, just as I approached the “crooked bridge” near the Panther home, located about a mile east of the Belford Bridge over the Arkansas River, Sylvester left his seat and put his hands over my eyes! I managed to jerk one of his hands off and make it across the bridge. I gave him a piece of my mind, but it ran off him, so I told him, “You go back there and sit with Ruth Schubert.” Ruth stepped out and let him on the inside seat.

 I drove on to pick up Wilma Dee Moffit and later the Summy kids. Then I turned north of town to pick up the Roysters, the Urchisons, and the Mitchell boy.

I don’t know how long it took to get from the “crooked bridge” to the school, but when I let the kids off, Sylvester was still crying. I never knew what Ruth said to him, but it improved his behavior!

One morning, I stopped to pick up Frosty Goad. He boarded the bus and broke into his own rendition of “The Great Speckled Bird.” Frosty, as with many of us Benders, had listened to Roy Acuff on the Grand Ole Opry on the radio on Saturday night. That started my morning off right!

Photograph of Juniors and Seniors of 1947 Seated: Gene Brien, Bob Walls, Jack Martin, Larene Bernet,
Velma Wood, Hollis Brown, Monte Summy, and J.G. Stark
            Standing: Buster Armstrong (Jr. class sponsor), Fred Summy, Raymond Royster, Leon Lynn, Basil
             Myers (the Bend student bus driver), Jay Cox, Wilbur Wheatley, James Cavett (drove the Masham
bus route), Monroe McKill, Charles Butler, Doris Stevens (Sr. class sponsor)
photograph courtesy of Basil Myers

                The job of our school administrators, teachers, support personnel, and school board becomes increasingly more demanding and challenging each year. Maybe recalling the simpler days of over sixty years ago, will prompt us to daily pray and support those who are willing to train and educate the younger generation.

A Ralston School Bus with Tub Venable on the left and Beulah Brien Culbertson
Ball (Graduate of RHS 1943) in the dark dress. The others are unidentified. Dottie 
Culbertson Kizziar gave me a copy of the photograph that had been given to her by
 Elaine Venable Banning. (As my dad loved to say, "It's a small world." I have known 
Elaine all my life since both our families attended Masham Baptist Church. My mother 
recalled picking her up on that long bus ride when they both attended Ralston High 
School.)

*Readers may question why Judy and her brother, Jerry, spell their surnames "Franks" and their grandfather spelled his "Frank." I asked Judy for an explanation. She explained,  "The last name originally was Frank. Newt was adamant! Jewel always used Frank. Because my dad had a last name for a first name..... "Harmon", and a first name for a last name, when he was in the army he started using Franks. He said this was because names were used in reverse order and he was "yelled" at a lot for using Frank, Harmon. I noticed in some of the old newspaper clippings I've seen that they were often referred to as Franks but, Newt and Jewel always used Frank.  Jerry and I have Franks on our birth certificates but when referring to grandpa, I think Frank is appropriate."

**Basil told me that his bus driving salary helped pay for his daily lunch of chili and a Pepsi at John Holder’s café – Mr. Holder’s family continues to operate the Ralston Café. Prosperity, brought about by the end of World War II, made possible a daily afternoon stop at Jim Clark’s store. Basil and his riders each had the dime to buy a “pop” from Mr. Clark.

           

Influenced by an Experience ...

...Grounded in God's Word

I wrote this in the fall of 2012, after visiting with Janice Funkhouser Goad following the funeral service for Marian Gayle Rice Stoneman. My family was just beginning our journey of caring for Dad following his first stroke. Janice shared the following account with me that day.

This past week I encountered a morning with stressful issues, making me want to throw up my hands, burst into tears, and give up. Janice's story and the Bible verse came to mind. Before I even arrived at the house from the pasture, I had received courage by realizing God was with me and wanted me to be strong in trusting Him.

His Command – Be Strong

Discouragement, frustration, and a feeling of frazzled emotions consumed Janice at that moment.  Recently she had given her life to Jesus, confessing and repenting of her sins, and receiving His wonderful forgiveness. In that way, she began her walk with the Lord.

         Disheartened, aggravated, overwhelmed were words that were describing her life that particular day. Their teenage son’s rebellious attitude was perturbing her. Their two daughters just a few years younger than him were focused on their own needs and self-serving wishes leaving Janice upset at them for not doing their part to make her day a little better. The care for their precious baby daughter was overwhelming as she dealt with these family issues by herself since her husband was calf roping until midnight each evening.
         An internal invitation to engage in a self-pity party arrived at her heart's door that day. After all, anyone would agree with her. Nothing was working in her favor and no one was trying to help.

         Realizing she needed a walk, Janice shoved open the back door angrily. Her feet pounded down a path on their rural property. She knew very little about being a Christian, but she had certainly thought it would be much easier than this.

         Suddenly, as she walked, she sensed God saying to her, Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

         This was one of the verses she was memorizing. Even as a young believer, she knew she should get God’s word in her heart and mind. She was trying to memorize as many verses as she could. The Lord brought Joshua 1:9 to the forefront of her mind.

         At that point, Janice sensed the Lord emphasizing these words in her heart – Have I not commanded thee? Be strong… He was telling her that it was His command, not a suggestion, not a recommendation but a command, a non-negotiable imperative. He was demanding that she be strong. She couldn’t crumple and collapse at these difficulties in her family. God commanded her to be strong and courageous. He didn’t want the fearful thoughts to dominate her time, leading to debilitating discouragement. He promised to be with her no matter where her life journey would lead.
          Janice later reflected on how impacted she felt by the unbelievable power from God's Word. Recalling and applying the verse in Joshua pulled her from despondency and depression that had been initiated by her self pity. That day marked the first time she experienced the power of God's Word intervening in her life. The joy and peace that God's Word brought to her that day would be repeated over and over in her life as she fought self-destructive thoughts with memorized scriptures.

          Little did she know before their only son reached his fortieth birthday, she and her husband would stand by his grave on snow-covered ground with heavy hearts and arms around their three daughters attempting to draw strength and comfort from each other. Their family and friends reached out with sympathetic words and deeds, but only God brought peace and comfort to their minds and hearts.

          One day their youngest daughter, a bride of four years planning with her husband to begin a family, stopped by to visit. Janice was so moved at that moment by how pretty her daughter was and told her just how beautiful she was. Never would she fathom that they would soon be notified of her fatal car accident.* Nothing prepared her and her husband to stand next to her casket and see that youthful face as though she was only sleeping. Amidst Janice’s heart-wrenching grief she could hear the Lord whisper, “As I promised, I am with you. Don’t be afraid because I will be with you wherever you go.”

Sam Goad and Janice Funkhouser, chosen as the "cutest couple" for the RHS
Tiger, the yearbook published in 1965. One day during Dad's stroke convalescence,
I met Sam while in town. His words about some of his trying experiences and
how God led him through them provided much needed encouragement to me
on that very day.

                Frequently people tell us how strong we are. If we appear strong it is because we know God has been and will continue to be with us. We know no matter where the path of our lives leads us, God is with us. We can be strong, courageous, casting our fear onto our heavenly Father because He is walking right beside us assuring us as we go.

                Father, as we face the unknown and heal from the grief of the past, may we obey Your command to be strong and courageous, walking in the power of Your presence forever with us, wherever You may lead us. Thank You that we can rest assuredly that You will be with us, giving us strength as we rely on the promises from Your Word.

*A blog tribute on the third anniversary of Summer Goad Novotny's death can be accessed at:bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/09/remembering-summer-jalyn-goad-novotny.html