by Clara Jean Orander Stokes
Born October 5, 1928 at Crumpler, West Virginia. I am of Scotch-Irish descent. Needless to say, I will try to give to the best of my ability the most important things in my life.
Of the three children in our family I am the youngest and only girl. I had two brothers older than I who died in childhood.
When I was one year old(two in another story she wrote of this incident, see end of story) a tragic accident happened to me in which my legs were severely burned leaving scars which I will carry through life by being placed on an extremely hot radiator heater by my brother not realizing the danger.
My first vivid memory is the time I went to see Santa Clause who was appearing at Northfork. Being a very timid child, I would not tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas. So I decided to write him instead. Being only four years old I could neither read nor write but I had been informed by my brother that Santa Clause could read any kind of writing. So I wrote the letter and decided I would pay Santa for bringing some of the things. I enclosed ten dollars in the letter of which I had been saving. After mailing the letter, I told my brother I hoped Santa would appreciate the money I sent him. Incidentally my brother reached the post office just as the post mistress was preparing to destroy the letter.
In the same year a thrilling event was to take place. My first birthday party!! I remember very little about this except mother took pictures of the ones at the party. I still have the snapshots but I must not have enjoyed the party as I was crying in both pictures.
I can not distinctly remember ever playing or being with my older brother Kermit as he was sixteen years older than I. However, I can well recall being with the younger brother Don as he was only five years older than I.
At an early age I became fond of pets. My favorite pets were cats but I was fond of most any kind of animal. I had goldfish, dogs,birds,ducks,rabbits,white rats and an opossum. As I grew older my favorite pets became turtles. I had fun playing with them. My favorite animals are still cats and turtles, however. I have a black chow and a pair of love birds which I think a lot of.
September 16, 1934 school began. I was very eager to go to the place where I had heard my brothers talk so much about. I became very fond of school and did not want to stop when the summer vacation came. Most of my summer vacation was spent at home.
In the second grade I was very fond of my teacher. My favorite subjects were drawing and writing. One day the teacher told me one of my drawings was so good I could go show it to the principal. I was so proud I felt as if I would almost burst. I still enjoy trying to draw and paint. I successfully passed to the third grade although I had missed many weeks of school because of illness.
In the third grade I became interested in books. Many pleasant hours were spent reading and I found it very helpful. I still love to read. Also in that year my older brother got married.
Entering my fourth school year I began taking music lessons under the direction of Mr Paul Lawrence. I soon learned to play the piano and played in several recitals. The Better Music Club was organized of which I was a member. I took music lessons for two years and I now regret that I ever discontinued them.
In my fifth year at school there was an epidemic of scarlet fever. In the first few weeks of the epidemic I was very proud of the fact I was one of the few in my class who did not take it but much to my disgust three weeks later when all by other friends were recovering I found I had it. I remained at home for three weeks. Not being able to have visitors I spent most of my time bed reading. In the same year my brother Don graduated from Crumpler Junior High and would enter Northfork High the coming term.
In the sixth grade I was eagerly looking forward in getting my diploma that meant I was promoted to the seventh grade, my first year in Junior High School. Soon that much awaited day arrived. I could hardly wait until the summer vacation was over.
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| Richard Martin Orander |
In July as father had to go to Charleston on business the family accompanied him. I enjoyed seeing the Capitol. I went to the dome and to many of the other rooms. The part that interested me most was the museum on the bottom floor. I could hardly get over the sight of two fleas dressed as a little boy and girl. While there I took a few snapshots of the Capitol and the Governor's mansion.
Also in that same year I was enrolled as an intermediate scout. Miss Georgia Sprinkle became my leader. Our troop became very fond of her. We first learned our laws and promise, learned to lay trials, cook a simple meal, first aid. After doing this I became a Tenderfoot scout.
In 1940 soon after our Scout Troop was organized we gave a three act play under the direction of Miss Sprinkle. The name of it was "Where's Grandma". I had a part in it. We gave it at Crumpler School and the Ashland Theater.
To become a Second Class Scout we had to pass one requirement for ten different fields which were out of doors, homemaking, arts and crafts, community life, sports and games, nature, health and safety, Literature and Dramatics, music and dancing. I became a second class scout in 1941.
In different phases ten requirements were passed in order to obtain proficiency badges. In the year 1941 I passed requirements of seven badges which were clothing, cook, hostess, housekeeper, Junior citizen, reader, drawing and painting. In 1942 I became First Class after passing requirements of more badges which were childcare, bookbinding, bibliophile, handy woman, weaving and world knowledge. I was awarded a certificate at the Girl Scout Rally held at Camp Houston.
Later Miss Johnson and Mrs Tandy became our leaders. We took as our project in scouting "Out of door life". We went on many hikes, learned out of doors. The greater part of our work was done for needy people of the town and nearby. At Christmas we gave baskets of fruit. We made a quilt and sent food to a family who lost their home during a fire. We collected papers for the scrap drive. Also tin cans and fats. On November 25, 1942 we sold war bonds and stamps. We sold over $200 worth. Our troop not only helped others but we learned to do many useful things such as spatter printing, weave and knit. We also gave some parties for our mothers and ourselves. We learned many songs and folk dances.
Another scout and I were selected from our troop to go to Northfork High School to display some of the sewing and knitting we had done during the year. We were given a banquet afterwards which I enjoyed very much.
During the summer our scout troop with our leader Mrs Tandy spent a week-end at Camp Houston. Mrs Tandy had it well planned. We went by a schedule as we would at the Girl Scout camp. We went on hikes, cooked our own meals, went in swimming and had camp fires at night. Not any of us wanted to go home when our week-end was up but we enjoyed the trip home in the company truck. This week-end at camp means much to me.
By the next Scout Rally our troop had uniforms of which we were very proud. At this rally I was selected as hostess. Our troop presented a pageant.
In September 1942 Girl Scouts were asked to pledge their services to the country's war effort. We were to pledge so many hours weekly to the Red Cross. Two representatives were to be selected from each troop in McDowell County. Evelyn Wood and I were chosen to represent our troop. An impressive candle-light service was presented at the county Red Cross office. At the close of the ceremony we were given a white service candle which we were to light at our homes that night which meant that we had designated our time and energy to the service of our country. Our picture was published in the Welch Daily News, which not only gave us a surprise but a laugh.
Later a Girl Scout Festival was held at Northfork in which all troops in the county were represented and each gave a stunt. I participated in a folk dance which the Crumpler troop presented.
Mrs Tandy and Miss Johnson later left Crumpler and they have been missed by all of us as we were very devoted to both of them. The Senior Service Scouts was later organized with Mrs Walker as our leader. I was made treasurer of the troop. I have enjoyed scouting alot and it has proved to me that scouting can be very worthwhile.
Entering the seventh grade I began to enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I became acquainted with the pupils from Ashland who were now enrolled at our school. More interested in my classes my favorite subjects were English and Science.
Each year a Halloween party was given at the school and a girl was elected from each class to run for popularity contest. I was chosen from the seventh grade. My rivals were Patty Powers-eight grade and Mabel Liddle-ninth. We had two weeks in which to gain votes. My friends and I worked very hard those two weeks and we were rewarded for our efforts as I was made Queen with approximately 2,500 votes. One of the teachers presented me a very pretty gold bracelet. The seventh grade seemed to go too quickly and I was very disappointed when summer vacation came.
During the summer of 1941 I went to Camp Beckwith (a Presbytery Camp at Fayetteville, W Va) with Evelyn Wood. Each morning we had morning dips, morning devotions, breakfast, classes in which I took Bible, home missions and Church history. They were taught by well informed instructors, swimming, lunch, rest hour, tribal meetings, recreation,(choice folk dancing, softball, tennis, track and hiking), swimming, free time, dinner and vespers. Each night we had something different. One night a surprise which was watermelon. Indian council in which everyone dressed as Indians, stunt night. Our last night in camp we had a sacred camp fire and a candle light ceremony on the hillside in which everyone carrying a candle formed a cross which was very beautiful. After these activities we had our evening devotions. Then taps. I enjoyed this camp experience immensely.
The same summer I went to Virginia and stayed a week with my relatives who lived on a farm. I had a grand time watching and helping my cousins in their farm labors.
I was now ready for the eight grade. It was in that year I learned I needed glasses. I did not want to get them but I knew it would be necessary that I did as it had become difficult to see anything from any distance. I disliked wearing them very much but knowing I could not do without them I tried to make the best of it and I soon became accustomed to wearing them.
In our West Virginia History class we were given a test in which the three making the highest grades would compete in the Golden Horse shoe contest in Welch. The three that won there would go to Charleston. I was one of the three that made the highest grade and went to Welch. Peggy Hedrick was one of the three who went to Charleston to be highest and receive the Golden Horse Shoe. Our class officers were chosen and I was elected secretary of our class.
In the same year I took clarinet lessons under the direction of Mr Bergraph. A small band was organized in which we gave a concert. My younger brother Don graduated from Northfork High School in the class of 1941.
My summer vacation was spent at home but I was kept busy with my scout activities. In 1942 I was ready for the ninth grade which has been by far my most important and most enjoyed school year. Our class was organized and I was again elected Secretary of our class.
For the first time our school organized and etiquette and library club and victory corps. I was elected President of the etiquette club.
A small band was again organized. During the year we gave one concert and played several times for P.T.A.
Evelyn Wood and I was chosen by our scout leader to be messengers during black outs for the civilian defense organization at Crumpler.
Our Victory Corps was very active. We collected fats for explosives, books for service men and nylon and silk hose to be used for parachutes. We also delivered all notices concerning rationing to all the homes in Crumpler and any announcements by our principal.
I took part in a panel discussion, a speech for Red Cross and was on several of the assembly programs.
In the latter part of the year the ninth grade gave its annual class play titled, "The heirs get the air" under the direction of Miss Earl. I had the part of Minnie Petty a thin, scraggy, gray-haired woman in her early fifties-a busybody hopelessly addicted to gossip. We gave a matinee and a night performance.
But the most important event was the Commencement Exercises. In the preceding years the graduating classes has worn evening gowns or white dresses but our class was the first class to choose caps and gowns. They were maroon and proved to make our exercises much more effective than they would have been.
Peggy Hedrick and I were informed by our principal that we had tied for the honor of Valedictorians.
Although I had made a B in music where Peggy had made an A but music was not considered when the grades are looked over. I was naturally pleased and began at once preparing my speech which was difficult and I dreaded giving.
On May 23rd, the much dreaded night arrived. I was so nervous I could hardly march upon the stage but I gave my speech much better than I ever dreamed I would. Much to my surprise I was presented this Danforth Foundation Award which is a book entitled "I dare you". It was a relief to get my diploma and march off the stage knowing m speech was over but it was also a sad occasion knowing it was our last year at Crumpler Junior High.
In the latter part of June our Senior Service Scouts and our leader spent a week at Shawnee Lake. We got up each morning at 9 o'clock and took turns about in group cleaning and cooking. Our days were spent boat riding and swimming. During our stay we were visited by many of our parents and friends. I really had a very
nice time.
I was now looking forward to going to Northfork High School. September 5, 1943 I entered Northfork High as a sophomore. I chose for my subjects Algebra II, English, Latin I, Biology, Phys Ed and Band.
I was elected secretary of my class. On October 19th of that year my younger brother Don was inducted in the Army and left for Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was transferred from there to Ft.Knox, Kentucky.
On November 19th I was invited into the Jr. Sub-Deb. The following week we went through a week of very embarrassing initiations. I attended most of the meetings during the year.
November 20th I went with mother to visit my brother at Ft Knox, Kentucky. We left Friday night and arrived there Saturday at noon. We stayed at the Kentucky Hotel in Louisville, my brother with us. On our return we stayed in Cincinnati at the large terminal for five hours. We arrived home Monday morning.
Our band by this time was well organized under the direction of Mr John T.Smith. November 11th we took part in the Armistice Day Celebration including a parade and a public ceremony at the Pocahontas theatre. Our band played several selections there.
February 11-12 I attended the Elkhorn Sub-District Week-end institute sponsored by the Methodist Youth Fellowship at Northfork Church. Friday night we had a box supper and classes. I chose Teachings of Jesus and Program planning. Saturday we spent the day there. The day consisted of our classes, recreation, preliminary procedure, free time, Institute highlights and the banquet. The main feature at the banquet was Henry Fortune who sang several selections. Then we had the consecration and communion service which was very impressive. It all meant much to me.
The latter part of April our band went to Huntington to attend the yearly band festival there. We arrived there on a rainy Thursday afternoon. Evelyn Helms and I were assigned to a home on Tenth Avenue. They turned out to be very lovely people. Thursday night we went to the movies. Friday we went with the family we were staying with to their farm in Ohio. It was very pretty. That night we went to a concert in which some of our better band members participated. Saturday was to be our biggest day. That was the day we had dreaded the most when we were to march with the other 39 bands to the stadium. Our band held the 19th place in the parade. At the stadium we watched the maneuvers but our band was too small to participate in them. We were all very proud when the papers came out to find Northfork bands picture had been taken during the parade. Saturday night we stayed in town until a very late hour just buying souvenirs and looking the town over.
The ride home however was not enjoyed as much as the one going to Huntington because the train was crowded and delayed by a wreck. We did not arrive home until late Sunday night. This trip was a good experience as well as lots of fun.
In the latter part of September on a Sunday two of my girlfriends and I went to Charleston with one of our friends who was in training there. We visited the Nurses home and then came home with our friends parents late Sunday night.
My girlfriend and I became members of the Crumpler Methodist Church, received by Rev N.W.Looney on Easter Morning April 9, 1944. Here to for I have not mentioned anything about my church activities. I had always attended Sunday School at the Northern Methodist Church until a few years ago the Northern and Southern Methodist Churches were united. I still attended Sunday School regularly also the meetings organized by our Sunday School class in which I have been Vice President. When I was almost fifteen I began attending league, later becoming its President. Our league has been very active to be such a small group of us. I have always enjoyed my church activities very much but especially now under the splendid leadership of our Pastor, Rev Looney and his wife who have done so much for the entire community. When May rolled around I was very glad. I could hardly wait for the summer vacation to begin.
During the summer months my brother wrote he was soon to be sent overseas. On August 7th our family left for Ft Knox. We arrived in Louisville, Kentucky August 8th. We spent the first three days at Ft Knox at the guest house. Each morning I was awakened by the terrible roar of the guns. It was very interesting to watch the soldiers in their training, riding tanks, on marches or hikes, in the field having target practice. The Fort was like a town with its bank, beauty parlor, churches, restaurants, theaters, soda fountains, post exchanges, post offices, libraries, Red Cross, hospital, dental clinic, bowling alley's, field house(where dances and other entertainments are held),post gymnasium, swimming pools, dance pavilion and tennis courts, beautiful homes owned by the commissioned officers and row after row of army barracks. Godman Field is in Northwestern portion of Ft Knox. Part of the gold of the United States Treasury is kept at a vault at Ft Knox. I saw it also. Maneuvers are carried on in the forest section near the Fort. I saw quite a few German prisoners. Many of them seemed to be very young. I saw many other interesting things.
The rest of our stay was spent in Louisville, going back and forth to Fort Knox. We stayed at the Cortland Hotel. Our time was spent looking the city over. Some of the places of interest we saw were Cherokee, Iroquois and Shawnee parks named for Indian tribes which once had them for their hunting grounds. They were very beautiful, county armory, seven large USO clubs and other service men's clubs, the Brown, Kentucky and other large Hotels, St Joseph Infirmary, Baptist hospital, St Anthony hospital and Wurton Memorial Infirmary, Greyhound bus terminal, huge court house and custom house, memorial auditorium, University of Louisville, baseball park, public library, Ohio River, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Jefferson school of Law and college of Pharmacy.
Several times we drove out to Bowman field watching the planes take off at night was was on the most beautiful scenes I saw while there.
The Sunday before we left we went to visit "My old Kentucky home" in Bardstown, Kentucky where Stephen Foster wrote and playing his immortal song "My old Kentucky Home" and others. Upon entering the grounds we saw the old carriages belonging to the Rowans who were cousins of Stephen Foster and owned Federal Hill. He was visiting them when he was inspired to write his famous songs, view of Federal Hill and Judge Rowans law office. Entering the home and after buying our tickets the first thing we saw in the hallway is the desk where Stephen Foster wrote "Old Kentucky home" also many fine paintings, antique tables and chairs. On the left of the hall is the parlor. We saw the piano upon which he first played and sung his famous song, priceless portraits of the Rowans, beautiful curtains and draperies, rugs and carpets, Duncan Phyfe furniture. To the right of the hall is the dining room with its beautiful paintings and portraits, chippendale furniture, corner cupboard, beautiful silverware and vases, antique sideboard with silver service and bottles of old wine. To the left of the hall is the Guest Room with a Colonial style bed, beautiful draperies, heavy water bowls on the washstand and quaint bedroom stools. Many famous men including Lafayette, Hamilton, Burr, Jackson and others slept there. As we went up the winding stairs we saw the old clock which was brought here from England in 1852. On the second floor to the left is the "girls" room with a large four postered bed, Chippendale furniture and an old fashioned oil lamp. To the right is Judge Rowans bedroom, canopy bed, Grippe prop, beautiful draperies and furniture. At the front is the museum room with many interesting objects worn by ladies and gentlemen who visited and lived there, clothes of some famous ones, old books, gifts from famous people including Lafayette and the Queens of England, Romania and other countries, family portraits, old papers and letters from Presidents, parasols, spectacles, riding outfits and countless other things. Then we ascended to the third floor. There is only one room there which is the children's room. The only things left are a few dolls and a child's bathtub. Going downstairs we went to see the old kitchen with its open fireplace, spinning wheel, heavy iron cooking utensils, a coffee maker. Next to the kitchen is the meat house with knives of all kinds. To the back of Federal Hill is the gardens with a large sun dial. Next we visited Judge Rowans law office which is now empty. In the front are the graves of the Rowans where Stephen Foster was looking at when he wrote "Massa in the cold, cold ground". A short distance from Federal Hill still on the grounds is a slave cabin over 100 years old in which they now sell souvenirs. This is by far the most beautiful and interesting place I have ever visited.
On our way back we stopped by at the Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bardstown. The cornerstone was laid in 1816 and the cathedral was completed and consecrated. Only a few minor changes have been made since its erection. The entrance of the cathedral is six massive columns made from forest trees and the large pillars inside are also. There are life size carved(hand) figures of Christ in the front of the Cathedral. In the Cathedral is one of the rarest collections of art treasures to be enjoyed. The masterpieces which adorn the walls are gifts to Bishop Flaget and to the Cathedral by Louis Philippe and Frances I. These paintings are credited to such masters as Murillo, Reubens, Van Bree, Voan Eyck and the Van Eyck brothers. Adjoining the church is a small room which contains a robe hand made by the queen and her maids as a gift for Louis Philippe. It is still worn by the priests in certain ceremonies.
We also stopped in at the coffee shop, in the historic old Stone Inn, now the Talbott Tavern built about 1779. It was another place of interest in Bardstown.
We arrived in Louisville that evening and went to Churchill Downs race track where is run annually the historic Kentucky Derby.
The last place we stopped by at was one of the huge national cemeteries where we saw row after row of crosses where the soldiers in the Mexican War were buried. It resembled pictures I have seen of Flanders Field. There were also many large mausoleums.
On August 19th my brother received orders that he was to be shipped. We left August 20th. On our return trip we saw Frankfort, the capitol of Kentucky, University of Kentucky at Lexington, Ky and many beautiful farms in blue grass region. We arrived home August 20th.
Soon afterwards my brother was sent to England, then France and now either France or Belgium.
On September 11th school again!! I was now entering my Junior year in Northfork High School. For my subjects besides my required ones, Geometry, Latin II and Typing.
November 15th our Latin class sang a few songs in Latin on the program sponsored by Finny Simms to find local talent to entertain boys in service.
In the month of November I became a member of the Beta Club which is a honorary club and on November 13th I became a member of the Senior Sub-Deb Club.
December and I went to the week-end institute held at Kimball Church. It was similar to the one I attended at Northfork the previous year. This time I chose "Boy and Girl friendship" as my class. Many every day problems were discussed. Henry Fortune was again the main feature at the banquet.
On December 12th we had one of the most pleasant surprises. No school due to the fact the snow was too deep. We did not resume classes until December 18th. It snowed again and we did not go from December 19th until the Christmas holidays were over.
My plans for the future as yet are not definite but I have always had the desire to teach school because I have always been fond of younger children and in Junior High School when a teacher was absent in grade school I sometimes taught the class and have found I enjoyed it very much.
I have not decided which college I will attend but I have thought about Duke University, West Virginia University, University of Kentucky or Louisville and others.
This concludes the history of my life ending as a Junior in Northfork High School with hopes for a successful future.
In another paper, in which Clara Jean received an "A", she wrote the story "Accidents Will Happen", of which her teacher wrote over the title, You must have been spared for some great purpose and service for God.
My brothers fondness for his teachers resulted in my first misfortune in life. He always watched his teachers get on the school bus from our front room window. One cold winter day mother told him to take care of me while she worked upstairs. Wanting to watch his teachers, he put a pillow on the hot radiator and sat me on the pillow. Being only two years of age, I could not object. While my brother looked out the window my legs went through the pillow and into the cracks in the radiator. Hearing my screams he tried to pull me out but being young himself he was unable to do so and I yelled louder. My older brother Kermit heard my frantic screams and ran into the house to my rescue. However, I was already burned badly. It was months before I could walk again and today I have the scars on my legs.
When only five I barely escaped death from an automobile. Seeing a playmate on the opposite side of the street from me I darted across the street without looking for any oncoming cars. It so happened once was coming and almost hit me. If it had not been going at a slow rate of speed I would not be writing this today. A year or two after this incident my girlfriend and I were see-sawing in the back yard. We had an old plank over my swing, she was sitting on one end and I the other. I told her not to jump up and down on her end or she would jar me off. Not liking to be told what to do she jumped and a splinter went in my leg. I was taken to the nearest hospital to have it removed but after operating they could not find the splinter. Several weeks later after riding my bicycle all day the splinter worked out.
Playing hide-and-seek in the house with my brother Don and several friends I crawled under the bed to hide. Feeling a sharp pain in my hand I discovered a needle practically sticking through it. Again I was taken to the hospital but this time the operation was a success.
It wasn't until I was in my teens until another thrilling event took place in my life. I was invited to an Appalachian picnic by one of my girlfriends. During the day we went swimming. My girlfriend, several others and I were on a raft. I was sitting on the side where the water was at least eight feet deep. Someone got on the wrong side and the raft went under. I fell off into the deep water and being unable to swim I began going under. I was going under for the third time before someone saved me.
Although these events were not very pleasant when they occurred they do however have their advantages. They are interesting to relate and if it had not been for these I would not have had my weekly paper for English.
To which the teacher wrote: What are you going to write on these next Saturdays to come?
