Bob Piper's Corner - June 28, 1987

June 28, 1987

This is proof that my mind often wanders as I write. First, I have a correction to make. I said the J. J. Smythe Bank in the northwest corner of the square was the Citizen’s Savings Bank. His granddaughter told me today that it was the Commercial Savings Bank.

A week or two ago, I wrote about Moody Smith buying the chairs at the CCC camp when the camp closed. Moody had great stacks of wire in rolls in the lot between his place and the hotel. For years a family of alley cats made their home in these rolls. They were tough and skinny and nothing could bother them in this stronghold. I think in winter they must have gotten some heat from the furnace room that was beside the building and below ground level.

Winnie Wennerstrum was librarian for years and one day she called me to come to the library. She insisted and I went. We went into her office and looked out on Eight Street where I had parked my pickup truck. In the back of the truck was a wooden box we received fish from the Mississippi River in. The day was warm and the box smelled of fish. In the box were seven or eight of Moody Smith’s cats having the time of their lives, rolling and frolicking and oblivious of all else. Several people were watching and pictures were taken. I had a picture, but have no idea where I put it.

Before Moody Smith had this building and lot. Ilo Hinton had the Ford Garage there. Ilo had a huge bird-dog as a pet and one day it got hit by a car. Its leg was broken up high and Ilo had Dr. Nolan, a local vet, put on a splint. Sort of a walking cast. The dog didn’t seem to mind and hobbled around for six months and got well. Having a meat market, we fed the dog and the cats scraps every day. The owners fed their livestock too.

A lone eagle has been observed flying over east Chariton, as far west as the old Rock Island station. I have not seen it, but several competent observers have. It flies low and resembles an airplane with its wide wing span.

As watermelon season draws near, I can just picture my Father putting salt, pepper and sugar on melon, much to us children’s horror. We said nothing, but Mother made up for our silence.

Even though I am 80 years old. I can’t get used to being called Mr. Piper. Bob would be fine from young and old.