Pearl is very pleased with coming west, as the end of Chapter Thirteen suggested. Randlett is somewhat settled and a new comfort in their daily routines is noted. She is now nine years old and in fourth grade and reads well and eager to learn and observe and make new friends. RAN, Ed. Pearl’s narrationContinue reading “Chapter Fourteen: Settling into Randlett Community in 1914.”
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Chapter Thirteen: “Mama Betty” and the Thanksgiving,1913, journey in a covered wagon
Pearl, now approaching her ninth birthday, gives an admiring and detailed recounting of the life story of her “Mama Betty” to begin this narrative. Then, we witness yet another move to Oklahoma. This time the method of travel is quite unusual for Pearl and Billy. We end the chapter with crossing the Red River bridgeContinue reading “Chapter Thirteen: “Mama Betty” and the Thanksgiving,1913, journey in a covered wagon”
Chapter Twelve: New friends and new life in Fannin County, Texas, 1913.
The move to Fannin County, Texas, was important for Pearl as she is experiencing a new “Mama” at eight years of age, having lost the presence of her mother Vinie three years earlier. Billy is now three and much more active. The Thornton cousins are enjoyable playmates and her school is enjoyable. She begins askingContinue reading “Chapter Twelve: New friends and new life in Fannin County, Texas, 1913.”
Chapter Eleven: Entering her eighth year, Pearl says goodbye to the families in Hess, and welcomes a new “mother” and a new Texas home.
This chapter begins in October, 1912 and goes through Spring of 1913. Some very important events occur in Pearl’s life during this time. She describes some charming and somewhat disconcerting events. Also, some endearing ones about Brother’s new name. A big move occurs in December along with Pete remarrying. I am including more content inContinue reading “Chapter Eleven: Entering her eighth year, Pearl says goodbye to the families in Hess, and welcomes a new “mother” and a new Texas home.”
Chapter Ten: Pearl is in the middle of 1912, her seventh year. She fondly recalls Oklahoma rural life of homesteaders and playmates.
This somewhat longer narrative invites the reader to live as this seven year old girl without her mother in early, underdeveloped rural southwestern Oklahoma. Beginning with a sad reality, this narrative is rich in interactions between children and with aunts of Pearl. Aunt Lou Thornton, wife of Uncle Jim Thornton, seems to be a solidContinue reading “Chapter Ten: Pearl is in the middle of 1912, her seventh year. She fondly recalls Oklahoma rural life of homesteaders and playmates.”
Chapter Nine: Pearl reflects on the years 1911-1912 and life in her new Oklahoma community.
The year 1911, left me with many “firsts” in my memories: I recall how strange Papa’s shirt looked without his collar buttoned onto it. Perhaps, to this point, he had worn only shirts with attached collars. These collarless shirts were equipped with separate collars which were starched and ironed very stiff. The collar was buttonedContinue reading “Chapter Nine: Pearl reflects on the years 1911-1912 and life in her new Oklahoma community.”
Chapter Eight: January,1911 finds Pearl moving to western Oklahoma, near the Wares, some of Grandma Lasiphene Thornton’s kin.
“Frequent moves” is a theme of Pearl’s early life. Now, early January, 1911, they move to Jackson County, in western Oklahoma, which earned statehood only 4 years before. The most prominent feature in these next three chapters is Grandma Thornton’s family. “Grandma” is Lasiphene Ware Thornton. Her father, Merritt R. Ware, born in 1814, hasContinue reading “Chapter Eight: January,1911 finds Pearl moving to western Oklahoma, near the Wares, some of Grandma Lasiphene Thornton’s kin.”
Chapter Seven: August to December, 1910. Pearl visits her mother at the asylum. Pearl returns to the caring extended family in rural Cotton County, Oklahoma.
In August of 1910, Papa, Brother and I went to see Mama in the asylum in Austin, Texas. We boarded the train at Burkburnett, Texas, traveled to Dallas, Texas, arriving there when it was quite dark. We had to change trains, railroads, as a matter of fact, as we were to be headed in anotherContinue reading “Chapter Seven: August to December, 1910. Pearl visits her mother at the asylum. Pearl returns to the caring extended family in rural Cotton County, Oklahoma.”
Chapter Six: Moving, measles and meeting new family in Oklahoma.
Soon after Pearl’s mother was taken from them, her father took Pearl, five years, and Billy almost one year old, to stay briefly with Vinie’s oldest sister, aunt Delia, in Graham, straight north of Comanche about 100 miles on a railroad route that stretched another 75 miles north to Oklahoma. After an illness, Pearl looksContinue reading “Chapter Six: Moving, measles and meeting new family in Oklahoma.”
Chapter Five: Fall and Winter, 1909-1910 Bring Halley’s Comet and Tragedy for Pearl and Her Family
At this time, there was great concern worldwide about the appearance in the skies of Halley’s Comet. Melvina’s, (Vinie in previous chapters, now Mama and Mother) mental illness seemed improved for a time, as Pearl notes her mother’s quilting interests. Billy was born in April, so now we are into September and onward with noContinue reading “Chapter Five: Fall and Winter, 1909-1910 Bring Halley’s Comet and Tragedy for Pearl and Her Family”