June 26, 2007

Norman Smith Activity Report Since Graduating

The first job I had after graduating from Ellis High School was working in harvest at Moundridge , Kansas. Came back and worked for Earl Meade in Hays, Kansas as a painter. During this time I was dating Teddy Wyatt. My next job was with the American Telephone Company as a lineman in Russell, Kansas. I worked about a year and was laid off for a short period. During this time Teddy and I got married in Lyons on October 28th, 1939.

That winter I worked for my father-in-law, George Wyatt who started a shop refinishing furniture, caneing antique furniture and upholstering furniture. I would solicit the work and deliver the furniture to and from shop. Also helped out with refinishing and upholstery. At that time we lived with my father-in-law above the old hays Hardware Store which George Wyatt ran. Teddy's had two younger sisters who lived there too. George Wayne was born during this time. The next spring I was called back to work for the telephone company. My salary was $.45 and hour 40 hours a week.

We moved to Russell, Kansas and rented an old barn that had been converted into an apartment at $30 a month. We had a hard time making it so we took in my brother and a co-worker at the telephone company and my sister-in-law as renters and later as boarders. Teddy did the laundry and cooking. Later we got an apartment of our own in Russell. One day my brother-in-law Paul Smith was visiting us and said he might be able to get me a job on the Union Pacific railroad. I got a job as a brakeman and moved back to Ellis. Rented Paul's house for $15 a month. Sondra was born while we still lived in this house.

We bought a house by the Lutheran Church and lived there for several years. We took Teddy's sister's baby girl, Judy Hopper to raise and we kept her for 6 years. We sold this house and bought some lots on Woodbury. Built the basement and lived in it for seven years and then built the house that we live in now. We had three sons, David, Kenny, and Darrell born here. Seven years after Darrell was born we had a daughter Debra born. During this time I had been promoted as conductor. I held rights from Ellis to Sharon Springs. During this time I enjoyed my work very much. I had to work on the Plainville - Oakley run which was called the "Branch". Most of the Conductors and Brakemen advanced to working on passenger trains as such but before I ever got to work on passenger the Union Pacific took the passenger trains off from this area.

My Dad had some farm land out near the river and also in Rooks County which I helped farm. I enjoyed this very much but after they changed the terminals to Salina and back to Oakley, I had to give up the farming. I had a chance to take an early retirement at 61 and since I disliked this I decided to retire as I didn't like driving to Oakley to go to work and having to drive from Oakley to Ellis after I got in.

Enjoyed going to ball games, music activities, track and forensic events as my children were all very active in all these events. Our oldest son George joined the United States Navy upon graduating from high school in 1958. We really missed our first born son. David and Kenny and Darrell started to college but Kenny was the only one to graduate. He graduated from Washburn University, having gone to Colby Junior College his first two years. He played basketball and was in track there. David is Superintendent in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They are building a Tracking Station (tracking satellites and shuttles). He will be there 2 years. George is in construction and remodeling in Denver; Kenny is manager of a K-Mart in Englewood, Colorado; Darrell is foreman for Allied Construction and lives in Ellis. We are happy to have him & family so close; Sondra is Executive Director for Consulting Engineers of Denver, Colorado and Debra is Manufacture Planning Assistant in Denver, Colorado.

We have fourteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter which we love very much. we try to attend their events when we can. David's son Kirk was State Wrestling Champion of Texas this year 1987. He is our grandson of Texas.

After Cedar Bluff was built I became interested in water sports. I was explorer leader and the Explorers needed a project so we got an old sailboat from my uncle and the boys worked on it in their spare time until we got it in top shape. That is how I became interested in boating. I also was interested in horses and had three of my own. Was active in Jr. Fair activities and belonged to the Saddle Club along with my children who were all very good riders.

Played softball with the V.F.W. ball club. As I grew older my interests changed. I had a good business selling boats and accessories and enjoyed it very much. Always wanted a boat and motor so this was my way of having one. Our families spent many hours at the lake and learned to ski. I went out of the boating business after the 1957 flood as I lost my merchandise. Still had my boat and used it the night of the flood rescuing our neighbors and friends in this area. we rode in the boat to the old Ellis High School and stayed there for several days waiting for the water to go down so we could go back to our water filled homes and begin to clean up the mess. We still have the boat and have added a canoe since then.

My present hobbies are cooking and gardening. Also love to read and watch T.V. We are planning a trip to the west and south part of the U.S. Are looking forward to this. Enjoyed our 50th Anniversary and hope we will be there in 5 years.

Norman Smith