"Remembering Explorer Scout Post 35"

 

By Bob Templeton

Explorer Post 35 and Explorerette Post 35 were super active

in the 50s. Sponsoring a teen town, a rescue squad, a crack

close order drill team and traveling a lot. We had ongoing

projects to fund our activities.

We had a big old city of St. Louis bus and an old pickup

truck.

We contracted with forestry one year to plant trees and briar

bushes for erosion control.

Harold (Moe) Stephens, David Chester Myers and I would

go up near Blandville and collect dogwood trees. The forest

service had planted in beds for us to harvest. We loaded it in

back of the pickup and I would cut it into lengths containing

a certain number of spurs for sprouts. We had to plant 3,000

cotton woods on Wolf Island.

We were on our way home once and a wheel passed us.

Moe said someone has lost a wheel. About that time, he

slowed and we found out whose it was. The wheel drum and

all had separated from the axle.

We crossed the river by ferry at Columbus and had to cross

over to Wolf Island by a one vehicle ferry contraption with a

rope attached to it. We had to pole away from the bank and

use the rope to pull the little ferry across the chute.

We worked in teams of three. One would make the hole in

the ground. One would place a planting in the hole and the

third would close it.

We planted pine and briar all over with a large portion in

the St. Denis and Beulah area.

We traveled a lot as we were invited to march in many parades.

We were flag bearers for Rotary International Convention

and presented the flag of every nation having Rotary.

We constantly had that old bus rolling to a skating rink

somewhere.

Our most memorable trip was probably out tour of Kentucky.

We only left the state one night. We blew a tire going

down a mountain and the rubber hit the valve to the air on

our brakes causing us to lose brakes. Dr. Barber saw a sharp

curve sign and instead took a lane hoping for the best. It led

straight down and up another ridge to a church where we

were able to stop. I crawled under and had to cut the tire

rubber off so we could go. Slowly.

That night we stayed at Natural Bridge and the park superintendent

called around looking for a 1100 X22 tire for us.

Only Greyhound in Lexington had a tire that big and they

would lend us one. On the way to get it, our clutch went

out. Greyhound did not have the parts needed but the manager

knew that Cincinnati City Bus had similar buses and he

called their CEO who told him he had the parts and for us

to come to the bus garage. He told us no charge on the loan

of the spare tire and gave us a tag and told us to put it on a

Greyhound and it will ship back free.

The garage was beside the end of the bridge into Cincinnati

and he met us with two mechanics who volunteered to

work all night on it. He provided a city bus to take us to the

Island for the evening and on return we pitched our sleeping

bags under the Newport/Cincinnati Bridge. When we

got up they had our bus ready having fixed our clutch and

everything else that they could find to upgrade it. They had

washed and cleaned it inside and out. When we went to get

the bill it was just a few dollars. He had marked all parts

for our model obsolete for twenty four hours and he and

the mechanics all three worked on it all night had donated

their time.

We managed to stay in a Kentucky State Park all but one

night on that trip, and we made so many new friends.

We wrote to all those who helped us and thanked them.

A few years later we got a letter from the Cincinnati bus

CEO`s daughter informing us that he had died and how attached

he had gotten to all of us. She said he had cherished

our thank you letter.

I think the highlight for all was when we were at Cumberland

Falls. We found an empty parking lot on this side of the

river and set up camp. We had no sooner set up and a Girl

Scout Troup pulled in and asked if they could join us. We

toured the park together and played music and danced most

of the evening.

There are so many good and generous people out there. We

just have to open our eyes.

I have been in four countries and most of the US but the

scenery we got to enjoy on that tour of Kentucky matches

any of them. We stayed at nearly every state park in Kentucky

and were disappointed at none of them.

We became close friends to an Explorer Ship troop in Cairo

and another Explorer Post in Raleigh, Tennessee and we exchanged

trips to visit one another and have a party three

times a year.

I doubt anyone who was in the Explorer Scout Post can say

that the experience did not help them in the military and in

their success in life. You get out of scouting what you put in,

with interest.

Published in  The HICKMAN COUNTY TIMES 7-31-12

“W. T. (Pete) Templeton, Role Model”

Wm. T. "Pete" Templeton

I cannot mention or hear role model without thinking of my dad, William T. (Pete) Templeton veteran, and WW2 was not far behind him, He was working as a truck driver and we had three square meals a day. Extra cash was not all that plentiful.  I would haul scrap iron and mow a couple of yards with a reel type push mower to buy shells for my 22 and to buy bass lures.

  Wm. T. “Pete” Templeton

If I wanted to go to Boy Scout and Junior Conservation camps I had to work for it.  If I tried, it did not matter how little I raised, he would come up with the extra.  Then I had weeds to cut or trucks to wash.  Years later I found out that he volunteered for any extra trips for money for Christmas and things like camp.  Also three new shirts, one pair of shoes and three new pair of jeans that when faded embarrassed us.  We were also embarrassed by the patches which were to come later.  After he bought out the Ashland Oil Bulk plant here things remained the same. 

After I finish school I worked for him as bookkeeper.   A lot of folks had fuel oil heat or cook stoves and some with 280 gal tanks and some with 50 gal barrels for the oil.  Usually they both bought fifty gallons at a time.  Many times I have seen him tell me or Mr. Auvil Gunter to fill the tank and only charge for fifty gal.  He paid the rest out of his pocket.

One winter a lady called our house about three am and was out of oil.  He asked her if she did not have a natural gas cook stove and she did.  He told her to light the oven and she would be our first customer.  He hung up the phone and changed his mind.  He got dressed and headed to the bulk plant to get five five gallon cans and fill them with kerosene for her heat stove.  He never billed it.  When the truck went to fill her tank he told him to just charge for twenty five gallons and not to tell her he filled it up.

After I went to the Post Office I would help out at times and when he lost his voice and had to go to St. Louis to a specialist I took my leave and kept the office for him.

Wray Ward was a great customer and he had bought a new truck with the new 7 X 17.5 small truck tire.  He immediately ordered tires in that size for stock. 

While he was in St. Louis a man from around Milan Tennessee came in wanting a set of four.  He said he had been to Jackson, UC, Milan and all over and no one had them.  The dealer in Union City told him that if anyone would have them it would be my dad.

I used the pricing we used for dealers and he asked me to check my figures.  I redid them and came up with the same amount.  He then informed me that everyone else had said the price would have been fifty dollars a tire higher if they had them as they were a new size and not as many made.  He left happy and I was worried I had truly undersold them.

When my dad returned after a week the first item of business was to check all invoices of tires I had ordered from Memphis and then he went to the tire sales receipts.  What is this he exclaimed when he got to the truck tire sale made out to cash sale?  I explained to him and he wanted to find some way to get in touch with him.  I had overcharged twenty five dollars each.  He had got a special deal on them and he always passed that on to the customer.

I did get him on one sale though.  He got to that ticket and it was charge with a name.  A young black lady came in and desperately needed new tires.  She was not a regular customer and needed tires to get to work.  She wanted to pay half then and the rest in two weeks.  I believed her though I did not know her and said OK and included the mounting.  I assured her that I would have to pay if she did not but she had already convinced me anyway.   My dad said we will never see her again.  I informed him that if she did not I would pay for them.  I went by in two weeks and he said she came in early and paid for them and was appreciative of us for letting her have credit when she needed it.

I saw him go to the bank and borrow to carry a lot of credit that Ashland would not cover and the tire business was all his.  I only know of one who stuck him with a big farm gas bill and tire bill and a few smaller ones but I think he died never knowing how really well off he was and how much he was thought of.

Honestly they don`t make them like that anymore.  How sad.

I remember we all sat at the table to eat three times a day.  If we got through we were to ask to be excused.  If we had been really good our mother let us wash and dry the dishes to show our appreciation.  There were not all the conveniences but there was family.

I remember our nights were spent talking or listening to the radio.  We had shows like inner sanctum, Green Hornet, Lone Ranger and Silver with Tonto, also Amos and Andy.  I sure cannot leave out Gildersleeve.  No times were simpler but so much is missed today by the family members going their own way.

Part 4 “PO Random Thoughts, Princess”

One of my favorite customers was not even human but was a dog.  She sure acted human at times though.  She was a beautiful German Shepherd  named Princess.  Billy Kimbro belonged to her.  When Billy was in school or just away from home Princess would walk with me.  She knew by the time approximately where I would be.   I have seen her when she did not see me and she would go to the porch step and smell for my spoor.  If she picked it up she would go one way and if not she would go in the other direction.  She was great company and was a distraction to other dogs.

If I got on a street with no sidewalk I would snap my fingers and she would heel to the side I snapped on.  She would stay there until we got to a walk.  I think she understood about everything I said to her.

There was an old rabbit that stayed under a bush in Jim Wooten`s yard and when we got to the house next door it would run and Princess would be on its heels.  I began to think that this was a game for both of them and the rabbit was waiting for her.

When we got to the Post Office back door she would wait for me by the back door.  When I finished I would leave and she would be on my heels.  I would open the front passenger door and Princess would jump in.  I would drop her off at her house on my way home.   Tommy told me once that if she was inside and it was time for me she would go to the utility room door and have a fit to go out.   She would not want out on Sundays or on my day off but she never had time to learn the holidays.

When not in school Patricia and Valerie Allison would be waiting for me.  When they were small Rachel would let them walk as far as Jim n Wilma Walkers house.   They were thrilled when Rachel said that they could walk as far as the funeral home.   One day they were really happy.  Their mom had said that they could go as far as the First Baptist Church if I would watch them cross the street.

Danny and Amy O’Neal would always meet me at the door with a huge glass of ice water or tea.  Occasionally they would walk half a block to bring it to me. 

Once at City Letter Carrier state convention a carrier was fussing because he wanted to switch to a commercial route.  He said the route he was on had too many kids on it and he did not like kids.  Being the quiet, politically correct person I am.  I stood and informed the gentleman that if he did not like kids he was in the wrong profession.  He was the only carrier that I ever heard say that they did not like kids.  I knew I was getting old when the kids on my route were having kids.  Extreme weather Is hard on a carrier especially when it lingers but the kids make it all worthwhile. 

I got to my cousin Mona Goetz house on E. Clay Street one day and her sister Sandra Lemon was there and all the kids.  The kids were riding a skate board and were trying to talk me into riding down the street on it.  Well now Sandra is my age and I should have known better as she was all tomboy growing up and had introduced me to skating.  Unwisely I said I would if she would ride it.  She did.  Now their house was three doors down the street from the postmaster’s mother.  Had he seen me ride a skateboard, down a hill while on the job, he would have not been a happy camper.  This was a first for Sandra and for me.  Had I fell and been hurt I don’t know how he would have reported it to his superiors.  Maybe something like the newspapers report those cruel SUV`s.  “Skateboard crashes mail carrier and sends him to the ER.”  Luckily I did not find out.

"Old Iron Bridges n corduroy roads” of Hickman County

GM&O RR Bridge at Columbus

I have no idea how many iron bridges were in Hickman County or when and by who they were built, but I was always fascinated by them.  Like old barns they had a rustic beauty even when not so old.

The one over the GM & O RR at Columbus is the best known.

There was one near Shiloh and Springhill I understand but I never saw it.  Supposedly it was so people could get to Milburn easily and not have to go around and through Arlington.

I remember when Spicer Bridge over Obion creek was still complete but not very passable.  The floor was still there and my uncle and I crossed it hunting squirrels.  This was about 1949.  I really believe it was built on the main road to South Columbus and Columbus from in the 1800s.  I heard my granddaddy talk of a ford in that area that predated the bridge.  I know that hwy 58 W was south of where it now exist. 

On this side of Spicer Bridge the hill coming out of the creek bottom had a corduroy road or hill better describes it.  In wet winters loggers would place slab lumber, with bark up, to give traction climbing the hill.  I remember the slabs ends were alternated. 

Laketon hill and I think Fish lake hill were corduroy but not positive about Fish Lake hill.  There were probably many more but these I remember.   It made a rough ride but passable at least.  After Laketon hill was graveled it would have a little bounce going uphill.  Caused, I am sure, by the slabs underneath.  This bounce caused holes in the loose gravel and made pulling a trailer up hill difficult.

Traveling down Obion creek Hailwell Bridge would be next.  It was very passable when I was young and was well kept.

Photo by Ryan Mullins of Whaynes Bridge.

A bit further down Obion Creek was Whayne`s Corner bridge.  It had remnants until recently.  It was just west of the Indian Canal Bridge.  When it was active the river bottom between Columbus and Hickman was full of tenant houses.  Most were on stilts approximately ten feet off the ground allowing them to escape most floods.  Some had stalls underneath for their horses.  Others were built on mounds of dirt.  Some said they were Indian burial mounds but I think they were historically built.  That allowed them to escape most floods.  I think this bridge was the only way for them to get in and out by road at that time.

The next one that I know of was on Bayou de Chein, (Creek of the Dogs) until a few years ago.  It was just outside of Moscow.  Why I did not get a picture of it I do not know.  Wish I had at least got a rubbing of the data plate that they all had.

I well remember the one over 51 hwy, south of Clinton over Bayou de Chein.  I drove a gas truck over it and I have had people with a death wish meet me on the bridge.  I would not have thought it possible but we made it.

I am sure there are more but I do not know of them.  I bet that hwy 51 over Obion creek was also an Iron bridge, when I was a child, but I just do not remember.  I should as we went to my grandmothers east of Bardwell at least twice a month via 51 hwy.  Back then this was a considerable trip.

“The midnight return of the bottle Jacks.”

 

Back in the late fifties and early sixties I was bookkeeper and part time driver for my dad at the Ashland Oil Co. bulk plant.  He also was keeping the station open where Dr. Canty`s office is now.  He had replaced several fifteen to twenty ton bottle jacks over time.

It seems that Ray Spicer had the same problem.  He had a shop next to his dry cleaning business and it was full of tools to work on trucks and equipment.

He placed an ad it the paper that said, “Would the people who borrowed my jacks please bring them home.  I have a chance to lend them out again.

He knew we had several missing and he called a few days later.  It seems that several jacks had showed up on his shop front, for midnight delivery, while he was closed for business.  Several of those were not his.  Anyone with many tools can tell you that after a while, wear, battle scars and use will mark a tool in such a way that you can often tell yours when you see it.  He wanted me to come see if I recognized any of them and sure enough four of them were truly ours.

In closing, several years ago I hunted metal antiquities and coins with metal detectors and Minnie balls were my specialty.  As I loaned them out and forgot who had them new and better models would come out and I would replace them.  I know I lost three or maybe four of them.  Now if you borrowed one of them can you please return it for a little while.  I need one to find two survey stakes and you can have it back.  Thank you.

"Vaudeville comes to town."

We used to have two really fun shows come to town and set up.  The circus would come once a year and set up on the Ringo lot where the Mission House sits now.  It was a full blown circus with all the animals and acrobats.  I never was able to sneak under the tent.

The big one for me though was Bisbee’s Comedians.  Once a year they pitched tent behind what is now Hickman County Elementary gym.  All the kids in town would meet them, hopefully to be picked to help set up the tent, chairs and stage.  Billy Choate one of the actors was usually in charge of putting up the tent.  

Seems I was picked every year and Billy and I became acquainted.  Later he bought out the show and his parents left where they were and joined the show.  When they retired they bought a portable skating rink under tent and set up by the bridge on hwy 58E.

They stayed all summer and did a great business.  The Choates and I became good friends.

When I was in the service I was traveling back to Ft. Benning, Ga., after a leave, and out the bus window I saw a Bisbee`s sign on the right of way.  When we stopped at the bus station I jumped off.  I had several hours to report back and I wanted to reconnect with my youth.

When I got in the line to buy a ticket someone grabbed me.  It was Mrs Choate.  She and her husband had come out of retirement to help Billy for a while.  Needless to say I got in free…..again and spent the night.

The shows were vaudeville at its very best.  We could not go to vaudeville so it came to us.  Billy Choate was “Toby” and Rob and Rod Brasfield were regulars.  Many of Nashville`s finest would join them when they could.  This was my first glimpse of the famous “Minnie Pearl.”  Just a note Minnie Pearl had a degree in education and held a teaching certificate.  I heard her give a motivational speech once and she said that her dad, while not educated, demanded college for his children whatever career path they chose.  Without all the outfit and makeup she cut quite a figure.