Aug. 20, 2005

My life began July 17th 1921. I was born in the house here in Kinta. I was the 3rd child born to William Roy and Annie Corene Farrell Cox. The first born was Otway Wilson Cox, when he was about a month old. Mom, dad & Otway Wilson went by train to Lindsey, OK, to visit Mother's dad & mother Mr. Jessie Oliver and Chellie Raper Farrell. Otway Wilson took measles and died on Oct. 14, 1917. He was buried in the Dibble, OK cemetery. Mother told me how heartbroken they were. After the funeral, they set down to eat supper and their plates were all turned over. When she turned hers up her dad had put a $100 bill under it. When she saw it, she left the tale crying. Papa Farrell meant to help - but it only made the hurt worse.

They stayed in Lindsay and Doyle Mitchell was born on April 5, 1919. Daddy had gone off to War and was in Vancouver, Washington. The flu was killing people by the thousands. Dad said he was in a bed on a screened-in porch and it was winter and they carried people out dead every little while. He survived and got to come home.

They bought our home in 1920. It originally was a wedding gift to Governor Green McCurtain's daughter (by him). The house and people are in a book called "The Kinta Years" by Janet [sic, i.e. Janice] Holt Giles.

I was born in this house July 17th 1921, and was delivered by Dr. Waltrup, who lived in Kinta at that time and later, Kinta had 4 or 5 doctors in town. Dr. Emmett Johnson lived just east of us until Jan. 1, 1930. Mom found him dead. His little dog was at the window barking. Us kids used to play Annie Over over his garage between our house and Dr. Johnson's. He was a snuff dipper and his car was so nasty! He had 3 children, Windfield, Laura and a young brother? He and his wife were separated most of the time before 1930.

When I was 2 yrs. old, Willard Roy was born. He only lived about a month. They couldn't get his navel cord to stop bleeding. He was in a small casket in our living room. Daddy held me up to look at him and I couldn't understand why he was in a flower box. I reached down and took one of the nickels off his eye, and daddy grabbed it and put it back - they said "to keep his eyes closed."

Mama and Papa Farrell lived in California now. They came in for Christmas. I remember, they had a little old truck with quilts on the floor in the bed of the truck which was boxed in. Some of the family had to ride back there because there wasn't room for all of them in the front. They had a blue & white dishpan full of pecans. Some couldn't believe I remember all that since I wasn't but 2 1/2 yrs old. Daddy began carrying the mail out of Kinta in 1920 (1921?). He had a buggy with a white blind horse to carry the mail. Us 3 kids would all rush to the buggy when he came in so we could see what was left in his lunch box. It was usually was a biscuit and we would share it.

Mitchell, Billy Joe and I went to school all 12 years here in Kinta - Mitchell & I taught there some.

Mitchel & dad were watching an airplane just east of Dr Johnson's house. (Mitchell was about 5 years old) Mitchell was sitting on the hood of a car when the plane lite[sic] & dad ran to grab Michell & they both got hit. Michell in the chest. They were lucky to be alive. I was so scared when they brought daddy and Mitchell in to the house. I was so afraid they were going to die.

Mother kept boarders to have a little extra money. The high school supt. and wife Mr. and Mrs. Jones stayed there for a good while.

Dad's brother Dan Cox was killed in 1935? on the railroad. That night grandma Parthenia Cox, Aunt Kate and Berniece and Helen stayed all night at our house. I was so sad to see grandma cry. Berniece, Helen and I were on a pallet sleeping when the Ft Smith and Western train came to Kinta that night. When it whistled, Berniece began to cry. It was sad time.

As time went on, Mitchell graduated from high school in 1936, along with our Uncle J. O. Farrell. I graduated in 1939 and Billy Joe in 1942. Mitchell went 2 years to Connors State College in Warner, then on to Stillwater. When he graduated there, he began teaching science & math at Kinta High School and Jan. 5th 1941 he and Constance Irene Dunn got married. (One of his students). They kept it a secret for a while. I went to Connor's at Warner for 1 1/2 years and Leon Wann and I got married on Jan. 19th, 1941. We were supposed to have gotten married at 6:00 p.m. that Sun(?) night. The boys in Kinta said they were going to cheverie(?) [shivaree?] us by throwing us in San Bois Creek. That scared me as I couldn't swim also it was Jan. So we changed the hour to 6:00 a.m. instead of 6:00 p.m. Mitchell & Connie were our witness. Grandma Cox was there and she came out of the kitchen eating a biscuit, and the wedding was all over. We went to Mr. Wann's and spent our wedding night in the room with Leon's step-mother, Opal, and her daughter.

Before this - Christmas was a big thing at our house. We always had a cedar tree in our living room and it was so pretty. I loved Christmas then and I still do. At home we 3 kids had a shoe box each with our name on it. We put them under the tree and next morning we got up very early. Always there was an apple, orange and a banana, some hard candy and a few nuts in each box. One year I got a large red rubber ball for Christmas. (My only gift and I was tickled over it.) I bounced it all around our porch which went across the front, the east side and part of the back. I bounced it until mom made me quit as some of the visitors were trying to sleep. We always had company at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sometimes as many as 35 people. Mom loved company! I have slept 3 in the bed and one or 2 at the foot lots of the time. And I slept on a pallet time & time again. But that was okay. I wonder what kids would do today if they didn't have a bed all by themselves? Times have changed for sure.

Leon went to the army in 1944. So did Mitchell. Connie stayed with mom & dad some. She worked at Stigler. Her parents lived in Stigler. I stayed at mom and dad's. BACKUP! Jerry Leon Wann was born Feb. 21, 1944, in the middle bed room. It took 2 Drs. to get him here. I heard them say, "We need to save the mother as we can't save them both." But he finally got here about 4 a.m. (Breach Birth). Oh! We stayed at mother and dad's for weeks. I was scared to go home - but mom and dad told us it was time to go home - boy! ha after 6 weeks.

Billy Joe went to the army in Dec? 1944? He was home on leave before he went overseas. I found him crying and he said, "I won't get to be here for Christmas." I told him, "Don't worry, when you come home, we will have Christmas no matter what time of year it is." That was a promise I couldn't keep. He was killed in Germany on April 2, 1945. He was in a cemetery for 2 yrs. Mitchell went to his grave, took flowers and had a chaplain say a few words. He was sent back to Kinta Oct. 2, 1946? He lay in his coffin in the front room. We all went to Wilburton to meet the train that brought him home. Leon and I had a flat on the Tucker Knob road. I cried because I wanted to be there when he got home. Two soldiers came with him. I begged them to open the casket so I could be sure it was Billy, but they wouldn't. It was so heartbreaking for us all.

In 1966, we had mother and dad's 50th anniversary celebration. It was a very special occasion, in their home. The 2 that stood up for them in 1916, [Vinta Raper, Ivy Hodges?] stood up for them again this day as they repeated their vows.

Dad got sick in the late 60's. He was in the hospital off and on for several years. One day as we visited him he was so choked up - and lonely. I said daddy why didn't you call? He said, "I didn't have any money." That haunts me still. He had change after that.

Another thing, Uncle Luther told me daddy said, "I don't want to die, I don't want to hurt Inez." Oh, that hurts also. I loved him so much, and he did me, I know. I only remember getting 2 whippings from him. Once, I thought we were playing and I was running from him - when he caught me, he whipped me. I guess I deserved it, but I still don't know why he whipped me. The second time, was some of the neighbor kids, Billy and I walked around the Kinta gym when the brick were probably 8 ft. high. We would walk the walls and where the windows were to be we would sit down then walk across them --__--. It was so dangerous, but we made it - and got a whippin' for it. And I really understand why now.

Daddy died in Sparks hospital in Ft. Smith, March 10, 1970. Larry would go from college in Tahlequah to Ft. Smith and sit up with him. Dr. Klopenstein was daddy's doctor. Lewis Kasiner set up with daddy nearly every night. Mom and I rushed to Ft. Smith. that day - and I saw my dad die - my heart broke!

Mom stayed by herself most of the time until her death April 17, 1990. She had Linda (Ford) Ary, who stayed with her 2 or 3 hours a day for a while.

Mom called me about 10:10 p.m. on April 17th. I went over, she said she was sick -- then she started hollering and she even jump on the divan. I got hold of her and managed to call Leon. The last words she said as we sat on the floor in her kitchen - "My foot" - it was under her, so I straightened it up - and she died in my arms. I can hear her yet hollering and I couldn't help her! It still wakes me up at night. I loved her and miss her yet.

The old house is still standing there. C.B. and Christy lived there a while. Her furniture, vase collection and the memories are there. It was, my home - the house where I was born, married and my first born, Jerry Leon Wann was born. I had a great childhood there, and today, as I walk in the house the meories both sad and happy overwhelm me. I thank my God for my mother, daddy, Mitchell and Billy and my home!

Today 8-23-2005 (My Family) Mitchell, Connie, Linda, Ann, George, Amy, Mark. Grafton, Sara, Laura, Catherine Inez. Jerry Leon, Larry Joe, Ann, Janice. Jerry Don, Patricia, Christy, Bryan, Jeremie, Kelsie, Trever, Dalton, Norman, Mackeinzie, Lucille Ann 8-24-05.

Aug. 24th 2005

I Remember

Climbing on our pear tree close to the east end of our house - and getting on top of the house, and running around up there. Once Billy grabbed hold of the brick chimney and the brick came loose and he fell - he finally stopped just before going off the roof. I was so scared.

I remember: Lying on a pallet or just the grass at night while mom and dad visited neighbors out there. We watched chimney sweeps go in and out of the chimney. We counted stars and looked at the fluffy clouds, seeing all kinds of designs the clouds made.

I remember: Rolling hoops up and down the sidewalk in front of our house. The paddle was a tobacco can flattened and nailed to the end of the board. The hoop was an iron hoop off a wagon wheel.

I remember: Making a playhouse on top of our chicken house, and jumping off the roof, time after time.

I remember: Sleeping on a hay mattress - those hot 1936 nights and before. Also when we slept on a pallet in front of the screen door in the bedroom. And mother would keep wet towels on the door spring to try to keep us cool enough to sleep.

I remember: When I was about 5 yrs. old, Daddy was in his model T or model A talking to someone. I ran got on the fender and when he started up, I fell off and he ran over my head, scraping the hair off on one side. He said he didn't see a rock there and when he looked back, there I was on the ground. He ran picked me up and took me to Dr. Johnson's. I was okay!

I remember: Helping mother wash clothes. One day I put her beautiful blue bird embroidered bed spread in the pot to boil and I didn't get it all in and it caught fire and ruined her bed spread. She cried and so did I!

I remember: Our neighbors. The Martindales across the street south, the Smiths diagonal across the street south west, and the Webber's across the street west. They all had children, and we played together. One day we were playing baseball and one of the Smith boys (Lowell) threw his bat after hitting the ball and hit Billy on the head and knocked him out.

I remember: Camille Webber wanted me to go to her house to play. I told her to go ask mother if I could go. She came back and said I could go. Later, mother came got me and whipped me good. She had told Camille I couldn't go and then she told me I could. I wasn't friends with Camille for a while. Ha!

I remember: Mother, daddy, and Billy had gone to the farm at Edmond Chapel after daddy had got off the route. Mitchell and I went home after school Grandma Cox was there. A cloud came up and she took us to Aunt Bell Raper's cellar. Mom and dad and Billy were rushing home to see about us. Mother was crying and Bill Joe said, "Mother, don't cry, if that storm (cyclone) comes our way, I'll pull its tail off!" They could see the tornado- they stopped at Aunt Bell's house because they thought grandma would take us there. We were all okay.

I remember: Billy Joe and O.W. Rabon were playing at Aunt Bell Rapers. O.W. got mad at Billy and took a hatchet and beat the bottom out of Billy's wooden little red wagon.

I remember: Going to Hominy to see Mama and Papa Farrell. It started raining and daddy had to get out and put "duct" curtains up all around the car to keep us from getting wet. Of course he got soaked.

I remember: Going to Quinton on the train - I was so scared. It was my first train ride. We came back later that day on the train.

I remember: Going to Springdale, Ark. when I had the mumps. Daddy took us up there. We stayed a week with Papa and Mama Farrell. Daddy came got us then. That was almost a whole days trip, one way. Today it's about a 2 1/2 hr. trip.

I remember: Mitchell sitting in daddy's car night after night with the dome light on, reading where it was quiet. He's the smart one, I hate to read.

I remember: We had a radio that used a car battery. Dad and others listened to the fights on Sat. night. Sometimes the battery would go dead and they never knew who won! I also can remember ironing with a gas iron - a blue and silver one. It was hooked to a gas outlet with a hose. Today that sounds very dangerous. It did catch on fire once.

I remember: Our cellar being built. Lester Cox and some other men dug it with shovels by hand. I remember it was so hot, Lester would swallow raw eggs (ugh) to help keep him going in the heat.

I remember: When Papa and Mama lived on daddy's farm at Edmond Chapel, going out and helping (mostly watching) Papa, Mama, and mother kill and dress out hogs when the weather got cool or cold.

I also remember us kids sitting in the barn out there picking peanuts off the vines for Papa. We probably ate our share.

We also used to play on the hay stacks. The cows or horse would eat holes in the stack and we would crawl in them and hide.

I remember: Papa raised watermelons and cantelopes. I never liked watermelon but mother and the rest did. Papa would cut a big one and they all got a big slice. He would cut a cantelope and everyone got a piece - of course those slices were small and I wanted another piece, and Papa scolded me and said "You want to eat it up from everyone else!" Sorry - he wasn't my favorite person. Also, when we ate at their house - we couldn't leave the table until our plate was plum empty!

I remember: Mama, Gladys, and Marie always had a quilt in the frame. They worked on it during the day and rolled it up close to the ceiling at night. They only had coal - oil lamps to see by, so they didn't sit up long after dark.

I remember: Mother telling me when she was home, Papa would come to the bed room and started calling everyone's name about 5:00 o'clock a.m. and they knew to get up or get the razor strap on them. She said he started with the oldest (her) Corene, Pearl, Tolbert, Bessie, Sewell, Gladys, Marie and J.O.. They all had to work in the field.

Papa raised corn and other crops. He and Mama would come to town in their car-tired wagon and bring bushels of corn. We all shucked, picked, washed and help fill jars of corn and pressure cooked them. It was a hard day and flies galore. Some days they canned 60 or more jars. (I hated that day!)

I remember: We laughed at Marie one day. There were 2 arbavitas? (cedar) trees at the end of the sidewalk in front of the house. Mother and Marie started down the sidewalk and Marie grabbed mother's arm and said Corene! Corene!! Corene!!! Mother said what? Marie said SNAKE! There was a snake in one of the trees. They both like to run over each other getting away from there. I don't know what happened to the snake.

I remember: Mother always had chickens. One day I went to pick up the eggs and there was a huge snake. It had swallowed eggs and you could see the knots all the way down the snake. It was funny yet scary? One of our Sat jobs was to clean the chicken house and carry the litter and spread it on the garden. I didn't like that job, it stunk, especially if it was wet. Mom always got baby chickens in the spring. They were put in a small building in the chicken yard. It had a slight and a stove in it. Mom loved her chickens. There was one that got its feet burned when it was little and it was our pet. When they caught the chickens one night to sell some, they got our pet - we all cried, but it was gone.

Our house today 11-5-05 was moved from the farm to where it is now. It was a hog pen and cow pasture before we moved here Dec. 1959, I think.