Kalispell, Montana 1942 - 1943
Leaving Wallace
As summer wore on I began to miss family and told the Morrow-Retail Office Manager I planned to leave in the fall.
Boy was she upset. From then on, everything that went wrong in the office was my fault.
Even if someone else screwed up, the manager would claim I shouldn’t have let it happen.
Needless to say, I was glad when it was time to leave Morrow Retail!
620 Ninth Ave. W.
In Kalispell, Mama and Dad had rented a little house at 620 Ninth Ave. W.
It had two bedrooms, kitchen, and large living/dining room, and a back porch.
My memory is foggy regarding “conveniences.”
In the back yard was another two- holer, but I believe we had electricity and running water in the house.
There was a fair sized yard surrounding the house.
In Kalispell, Mama and Dad had rented a little house at 620 Ninth Ave. W.
It had two bedrooms, kitchen, and large living/dining room, and a back porch.
My memory is foggy regarding “conveniences.”
In the back yard was another two- holer, but I believe we had electricity and running water in the house.
There was a fair sized yard surrounding the house.
Turner house at 620 Ninth Ave W. - 2003
Barn
Later Dad built a barn with a loft, but that project suffered an unexpected delay.
Dad had lumber piled in the back yard ready for the barn construction.
Donald and David saw the lumber and got inspired.
When Dad came home, he found a sizable chunk of his barn lumber had gone into a different construction.
He wasn't too happy that he had to get more lumber.
Later Dad built a barn with a loft, but that project suffered an unexpected delay.
Dad had lumber piled in the back yard ready for the barn construction.
Donald and David saw the lumber and got inspired.
When Dad came home, he found a sizable chunk of his barn lumber had gone into a different construction.
He wasn't too happy that he had to get more lumber.
Dad & Donald build a barn
Rabbits
Donald and David had rabbits -- a pair of parents and a batch of babies. The boys really enjoyed those rabbits. So, when a man came by and offered to buy them, the boys said “No.”
The next day all the rabbits were gone except for one little bunny the thief missed.
The boys were crushed and we were all pretty upset that someone could be mean enough to steal their pets.
We adopted the little survivor, bottle fed it, and let it have the run of the house.
It was a really nice little clean and fun pet.
Donald and David had rabbits -- a pair of parents and a batch of babies. The boys really enjoyed those rabbits. So, when a man came by and offered to buy them, the boys said “No.”
The next day all the rabbits were gone except for one little bunny the thief missed.
The boys were crushed and we were all pretty upset that someone could be mean enough to steal their pets.
We adopted the little survivor, bottle fed it, and let it have the run of the house.
It was a really nice little clean and fun pet.
Goats
We also had goats -- Patsy and Susie. Susie had twins. Patsy had triplets.
Dad had the kids moored to the truck with long chains that gave them enough freedom to play,
but they had the most fun right on the truck itself.
We also had goats -- Patsy and Susie. Susie had twins. Patsy had triplets.
Dad had the kids moored to the truck with long chains that gave them enough freedom to play,
but they had the most fun right on the truck itself.
Patsy and Susie
One day we heard the most awful clatter in the back yard.
Investigation revealed three little kids taking turns sliding down one of the truck fenders. One little kid would hop up on the fender, and then slide down, dragging that noisy chain along. Then the next kid, one after the other, on and on. We had as much fun watching them as they were having playing their new game. No video cameras then. Today, they might have brought us the big bucks on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Dad can be seen in the background, 'under’ Patsy,
using the Essex trailer as a worktable. Possibly cutting rafters for the new barn. |
Waitress
My first job in Kalispell was as a waitress for another ornery lady boss.
I don’t know why I even considered that type of work after all the trouble with my feet while clerking in Gem.
After the first shift at the restaurant I walked the thirteen blocks home in tears because my feet hurt so.
I sought out soft grassy stretches so I wouldn’t have to walk on the hard sidewalk.
The next morning Dad went to the restaurant and told them I couldn’t even walk.
So why am I boring the reader with my foot problems. Well, that opens the door to tell you about the doctor.
Forget John Frozen Giant and the Walks-on-Top twins. This was Dr. Bonebreak!
And he wasn’t Indian. His treatments felt like he was trying to live up to his name.
But, after a couple of appointments, my feet quit hurting! Thanks, Doc Bonebreak!
Flathead Commercial
Next, I applied for work at a department store, the Flathead Commercial (Buttrey’s in later years).
I was hired as cashier. My post was on a balcony overlooking the sales floor.
Clerks would put a customer’s sales slip and cash in a cup hanging above the counter,
refasten the cup in place, then pull a handle which would shoot the cup up pulley wires to my post.
I’d put the change in the cup and send it sliding back down the wires to the clerk to give to the customer.
I wonder if there are any stores left that use that system.
At the end of the day, it was cash balance time. I always balanced out.
I had been instructed that if the change I returned to a customer was questioned,
I couldn’t take the customer’s word for it but must first take a cash balance.
That happened one time. The customer paid with a $20 bill and I sent change for $10.
I didn’t know I could take a cash balance that fast but, sure enough, I was $10 over.
One day a visitor climbed the stairs to my post to see the Manager, Mr. Elliott.
It was my former boss at the Gem grocery store.
We spoke and he did seem a little taken aback to see me at the cashier’s post.
And I must admit to a little silent gloating such as, “Ha! You blamed me for your cash shortage.
Well, these folks know better and they trust me.”
One day Mr. Elliott came back after lunch angry and upset. Someone had stolen his car!
It wasn’t where he’d parked it. He reported it to the police.
A few days later I asked the bookkeeper if Mr. Elliott had heard anything about his car.
She laughed and said, “Yes, he sold it and forgot he sold it.”
That bookkeeper had an excellent command of her job,
but complained she had trouble keeping her own check book balanced.
My first job in Kalispell was as a waitress for another ornery lady boss.
I don’t know why I even considered that type of work after all the trouble with my feet while clerking in Gem.
After the first shift at the restaurant I walked the thirteen blocks home in tears because my feet hurt so.
I sought out soft grassy stretches so I wouldn’t have to walk on the hard sidewalk.
The next morning Dad went to the restaurant and told them I couldn’t even walk.
So why am I boring the reader with my foot problems. Well, that opens the door to tell you about the doctor.
Forget John Frozen Giant and the Walks-on-Top twins. This was Dr. Bonebreak!
And he wasn’t Indian. His treatments felt like he was trying to live up to his name.
But, after a couple of appointments, my feet quit hurting! Thanks, Doc Bonebreak!
Flathead Commercial
Next, I applied for work at a department store, the Flathead Commercial (Buttrey’s in later years).
I was hired as cashier. My post was on a balcony overlooking the sales floor.
Clerks would put a customer’s sales slip and cash in a cup hanging above the counter,
refasten the cup in place, then pull a handle which would shoot the cup up pulley wires to my post.
I’d put the change in the cup and send it sliding back down the wires to the clerk to give to the customer.
I wonder if there are any stores left that use that system.
At the end of the day, it was cash balance time. I always balanced out.
I had been instructed that if the change I returned to a customer was questioned,
I couldn’t take the customer’s word for it but must first take a cash balance.
That happened one time. The customer paid with a $20 bill and I sent change for $10.
I didn’t know I could take a cash balance that fast but, sure enough, I was $10 over.
One day a visitor climbed the stairs to my post to see the Manager, Mr. Elliott.
It was my former boss at the Gem grocery store.
We spoke and he did seem a little taken aback to see me at the cashier’s post.
And I must admit to a little silent gloating such as, “Ha! You blamed me for your cash shortage.
Well, these folks know better and they trust me.”
One day Mr. Elliott came back after lunch angry and upset. Someone had stolen his car!
It wasn’t where he’d parked it. He reported it to the police.
A few days later I asked the bookkeeper if Mr. Elliott had heard anything about his car.
She laughed and said, “Yes, he sold it and forgot he sold it.”
That bookkeeper had an excellent command of her job,
but complained she had trouble keeping her own check book balanced.
Piano
In Kalispell, I bought an upright piano. I didn’t take lessons but it was nice to have it there to pick out tunes.
I sang in the Methodist Church choir and did a few solos. Mama could play the piano.
Baby
It was at this house I learned our family was about to expand.
Mama and I were working in the kitchen when she announced a baby was on the way.
The whole west side of Kalispell must have heard my “WHAT!’
Mama shushed me and said she didn’t want all the neighbors to know just yet.
It had been just Donald, David, and me for so long, I couldn’t comprehend the change.
Mama and Dad thought they should have another girl to balance the family out,
but the whole time I could picture only a little boy who looked strangely the way Norman turned out,
a cute little curly topped guy, dressed in little short pants suits very like what he often later wore.
At work I decided to use my store discount to buy Mama a dress. I didn’t explain to the clerk why I was
standing in front of the mirror holding up maternity dresses to see how they looked on me.
I was having fun at her expense until she finally said, “Well, Helen, I have to ask, is this for you?”
So I put her mind at rest and admitted it was for my mother.
When I left the job at Flathead Commercial, my co-workers took me to lunch at the same restaurant
where I had worked one whole shift. The ornery lady boss waited on me. Yes, I enjoyed that.
Appendicitis
The grade school was located about half way between our house and the Flathead Commercial.
Donald was in the sixth grade and David in the fourth.
The boys usually walked to school but one morning Donald said he didn’t feel well.
By this time I’d acquired a bike and offered to ride him to school on my handlebars.
Every time we hit a bump or hole he’d say, “Ouch.” I’d laugh and aim for another bump or hole.
That night, Donald wasn’t home. He was in the hospital. Appendicitis.
Well, you can guess how I felt for not heeding all those “Ouches.”
In Kalispell, I bought an upright piano. I didn’t take lessons but it was nice to have it there to pick out tunes.
I sang in the Methodist Church choir and did a few solos. Mama could play the piano.
Baby
It was at this house I learned our family was about to expand.
Mama and I were working in the kitchen when she announced a baby was on the way.
The whole west side of Kalispell must have heard my “WHAT!’
Mama shushed me and said she didn’t want all the neighbors to know just yet.
It had been just Donald, David, and me for so long, I couldn’t comprehend the change.
Mama and Dad thought they should have another girl to balance the family out,
but the whole time I could picture only a little boy who looked strangely the way Norman turned out,
a cute little curly topped guy, dressed in little short pants suits very like what he often later wore.
At work I decided to use my store discount to buy Mama a dress. I didn’t explain to the clerk why I was
standing in front of the mirror holding up maternity dresses to see how they looked on me.
I was having fun at her expense until she finally said, “Well, Helen, I have to ask, is this for you?”
So I put her mind at rest and admitted it was for my mother.
When I left the job at Flathead Commercial, my co-workers took me to lunch at the same restaurant
where I had worked one whole shift. The ornery lady boss waited on me. Yes, I enjoyed that.
Appendicitis
The grade school was located about half way between our house and the Flathead Commercial.
Donald was in the sixth grade and David in the fourth.
The boys usually walked to school but one morning Donald said he didn’t feel well.
By this time I’d acquired a bike and offered to ride him to school on my handlebars.
Every time we hit a bump or hole he’d say, “Ouch.” I’d laugh and aim for another bump or hole.
That night, Donald wasn’t home. He was in the hospital. Appendicitis.
Well, you can guess how I felt for not heeding all those “Ouches.”
Cow Feed
Two little brothers went to the Flathead County Fair northwest of town. There were drawings of visitors’ ticket stubs and Donald won a bag of Purina cow feed. He showed up at home alone and asked Dad if he’d drive him back to the fairgrounds, get the feed and David, whom he’d left there to guard his prize. Proud moment for a sixth grader! Purina Cow Chow
|
Chickens
Chickens dine from "automated" feeder under trailer. Quaker Oats probably still taste the same.
More Clothiers
It was here I connected with the Clothiers again.
Kenny’s wedding, visits and outings with family, date with Stan, but had to break the next date with Stan.
Dad was gone and Mama had fallen. She had some real concerns about that new little Turner
and wanted me to stay with her.
Of course I did, but I really wanted to go on that date!
It was here I connected with the Clothiers again.
Kenny’s wedding, visits and outings with family, date with Stan, but had to break the next date with Stan.
Dad was gone and Mama had fallen. She had some real concerns about that new little Turner
and wanted me to stay with her.
Of course I did, but I really wanted to go on that date!
Eastern Montana
Later, Mama and Dad made arrangements for Donald and David to spend the rest of the summer in Eastern Montana. I went with them on the train and stayed for a short visit. The boys stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Goss for the rest of the summer, and I came back to Kalispell in time for the next family move, this time to Portland. (Or did I go straight to Portland after the folks moved there?) On the train trip east, Donald found an empty double seat where he could stretch out and sleep. Trouble is, when Donald slept, no one else could. He snored! I followed the sound to locate the perpetrator, and turned off the snores -- temporarily. But it wasn’t long before I had to make another snore-suppressing trip, and another -- and another. Other sleepy passengers weren’t too happy. |
At Whitefish, waiting for the train to eastern Montana
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Donald, David, and horse towing Marvin Anderson (?) across the homestead - summer 1943
Grandma Turner - 1954
At the Kalispell house for Grandma Turner’s funeral – September 1954
John Dehner, Earl, Grace, Slim Nasby, Mae, Dad
Grandma and Earl lived here after Grandpa Turner died in 1946.
When Dad and family lived here in 1942-43, it must have been owned by Grandpa, and Dad rented it.
Grandma and Earl lived here after Grandpa Turner died in 1946.
When Dad and family lived here in 1942-43, it must have been owned by Grandpa, and Dad rented it.