A story told often by my father was about the day the snow came down while the Powell children were in school. When school let out the tempture had dropped to zero.Thelma age 10, Truman age 9 my father age 8 and their baby sister Fleta about 6 or 7 years old started to walk home.
The older children broke trail in the deep snow for the younger ones. Daddy said it was bitter cold and the wind was blowing at a fast pace.
The going was hard but they keep moving, to stop would have been sure death. When they were with in one half mile of home Aunt Fleta was so cold she laid down in the snow and tried to go to sleep.
Thelma went to the fiance row along the road and broke a switch and proceeded to whip her sister on the legs to keep her moving. They arrived home very cold but alive. Aunt Fleta was bawling from the whipping but she lived to fight many a battle along side her sister Thelma in later life.
I have often wondered why the teacher let the Powell children start out in such weather but since they were Powells perhaps the teacher had no say in the matter.
10 comments:
I love to stop by and read all your posts for the day...you are always interesting!!
I just noticed in your about me section that you crochet...I wish we could sit down together some day and you could show me a stitch or two...have you ever posted some pictures of your work?
:-D
This is a great story, one that really shows the resourcefulness of the young Powell children.
Wow really interesting story, enjoyed reading it.
Great story Patsy! More, more! We want more!
I don't think the schools thought too much about danger outside back then. What a great story.
Patsy you always have interesting stories...like Little house on the Prairie! Maybe the storm just came in so fast the teacher didn't know any better....that happened with the "Little House" kids!
I dont imaginge a lot of children nowadays would have to do such a thing.
I love your pictures of your wee dog, she's lovely
Mom always had so many wonderful stories, but I had not heard this one before. Thanks - Patsy
I have never heard this story and I am so glad you told it. I think school in these early days were short terms not 9 months like school became. Maybe the parents sending their children to school wanted to "get their moneys worth" from the teacher.
Do you remember the story about Daddy and Thelma being sick ...I think with malaria...and the dr. saying they could barely have anything to eat. Something about eating black walnuts that someone handed in through the window. Daddy thought he would have starved with the extra food. Maybe they only got broth to eat. Did I dream this or did it happen.
Thanks for another family story.
Sister 3
I love hearing stories like this...when my mom starts telling me stories about her childhood days and what her and her 13 siblings were always up to, I can listen to her for hours:-)
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