Always good to hear the thoughts of my classmate, Richard Longworth, BHS-53, who enjoyed the railroad talk in the last edition.
Dick wrote, "today's piece brought back memories of the old Fort Dodge line. Believe we also called it the "juice" line, because it was all electric. I worked for a while one summer as a vacation relief in the line's yard in Fort Dodge. My job was to go each morning to the rail yards at the various gypsum mines and plants in Fort Dodge, probably the gypsum capital of the country, and count the rail cars parked there. There was a romance to it. The cars came from all over, the B&Q, the Pennsy, the UP, the Erie, the Rock Island Line. I made a list of the cars and which lines they came from. No one ever explained to me why this was necessary, but a job was a job. On my second day, I finished the chore by lunch time and asked what to do next. It was firmly explained to me that the guy I was replacing stretched the car counting to last all day and it would be appreciated if I did the same thing. At night I slept in a bunk car at the yard and hitched rides on the switch engines as they moved around. The engineers were happy for the company and one tried to teach me how to roll a cigarette while hanging out the side of a moving engine. I never learned but admired his artistry."
Dick added, "John Hendricks, BHS-64, says he worked on the Fort Dodge line as a gandy dancer. I've heard these guys were called gandy dancers because, to uproot a rail, they had to jump up and down on their crowbars, which were made by a Gandy company but I don't know if this is true or just legend. Can any of your readers settle this matter?"
K-----K
Hard to believe. Jo just pointed out to me that July 21 was/is a special day for the Kelley's. Four years ago on that date, Mo Kelley Day was held in Boone, Iowa. A day we'll never forget.
My name on McDonald's big sign, recognition in the newspaper and on the radio and from the city itself as Mayor John Slight designated the day as Mo Kelley Day in Boone and handed me confirming documentation and a beautiful trophy.Then too, three beautiful benches, "A Tribute to Mo Kelley," placed at three of my favorite Boone venues, Goeppinger Field, Creasman Field and Memorial Park.
As Jo pointed out, it was a warm, beautiful Iowa day with the Boone County Fair and many other events drawing attention but, still, a wonderful crowd of friends, many from out of state, took time to come together to wish us well. In addition, later, we were overwhelmed with cards and letters from folks all over this country, just as many or more than the number that were able to attend the "day" in person.
I never attempted to make a count of the actual responses but it sure took a long time to make an effort to contact everyone with our sincere thanks for their participation.
And, finally, this gives me another opportunity to say, "many thanks" to those who gave up part of their day to attend, in person, or to send a special greeting via email, letter etc. And, of course, a big thank you to those who, in some way, helped engineered this event.
K-----K
BOONE CONNECTED/AREA DEATHS
Colin D. (Deacon) Demery, 89, Phoenix, formerly of Boone. Married Phyliss Scarf. She passed away in 2013. Army vet. He'll always be remembered for is beautiful tenor voice. Survivors include a daughter, Dawn, BHS-74, and a son, Dart, BHS-75. plus two sisters and his best friend of the past seven years, Lois Atkins. No services are schedule.
Daniel West, 32, Madrid. Born in Ames. MHS-2008. Received his CNA training from Job Corps in Denison. His most recent employment was a morning shift manager at McDonald's in Boone. Loved to play cards and video games. A big fan of the Madrid Tigers, Dallas Cowboys and Iowa Hawkeyes. Survivors include his parents, James and Judy West, of Madrid, two siblings, nieces and nephews and his grandparents, Willard and Myrtle Sanders of Missouri. Services in Polk City and Madrid.
Delores Silvey Oliver, 94, Ames. Born in Stratford. BHS-46. Married Ralph Oliver and they divorced. Worked for ISU in the Veterinary Medical Research Department and retired in 1990 after 30 years of service. Enjoyed her yard and flowers, ISU basketball, traveling and made jewelry and fabric yo-yo items. Survivors include a son and daughter. No formal services will be held at this time.
K-----K
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