Myrtle Emma -- Father's Car and The Corn Roast

Brother Will at the wheel

In the latest installment in our look into Myrtle Emma, the memoirs of Myrtle Emma White, we find two stories both timely in their own ways. First up is Father's Car, wherein Myrtle tells us about...well...her father's car. It was a Velie Touring car, probably from the early 1920's. The Velie Motors Corporation made lower price, high quality cars from 1908 until 1928. It was founded by Willard Velie, a grandson of John Deere (yes, that John Deere).

The drive Myrtle mentions -- to her "father's parents' and his sister who lived with them" -- was only about five miles. James and Martha Morris lived on a farm near Ogletown, I believe right about where the intersection (interchange, really) of Rts. 273 and 4 are now. James died in 1917 (before his granddaughter Myrtle was born), but Frank's sister Laura lived with their mother, and that's who Myrtle would have been bundled up in the back of the car to see.

In this story, Myrtle also mentions that her father worked for the Newark China Clay Company. Much more information about that business can be found in a recent post. And to tie everything together, the top picture here shows Myrtle's younger brother Will at the wheel of his father's Velie. As an older boy, William Morris would work with his father at the clay company, working as a "bucket boy". Also, after the story you'll find another photo of Frank Morris and his car, in front of their Pigeon Hollow Road home. Myrtle is standing off to the side, and behind them is the (by then) former Eastburn Store. There will probably be an updated post at some point about both homes. In the meantime, enjoy the short but sweet Father's Car.

Father's Car

My father had a Velie Touring Car. It had isinglass curtains that were held on with little metal buttons. We rode in the back seat and always had a quilt to cover us, as the buttons would jiggle open and wind would blow in through the flaps. We went to see our father’s parents and his sister who lived with them. We liked the ride, but visiting was not what we liked to do, and eating at someone else’s table was not the cooking we were used to from Mother. 

Father worked at the Newark China Clay Co. We could see his engine house from our kitchen window and the porch. We could hear the engine shut down when the workday was over. We would run to the top of the lane and wait for him. He would stop the car and yell, “All aboard!” and we would hop onto the running board and hold on for dear life. We liked that ride better than the back seat.

Frank and Myrtle Morris, with the Velie Touring Car on Pigeon Hollow Road

The second story we'll look at in this installment is timely not because of a recent post, but because of the time of year (if you give me a little leeway). The Corn Roast recounts Myrtle's memories of the autumnal celebration held each year by the Pattersons, who lived on the farm directly to the north. The Pattersons' corn roast was briefly mentioned in the story about the neighborhood, but here we get a fuller account of the festivities. All in all, it sure sounds like a fun evening. I also find it amusing that hay rides are not just something for us suburbanites to enjoy this time of year. Even the farm families enjoyed them!

The Corn Roast

It was early fall and word was going around that the Pattersons were having their corn roast. It would be on a Saturday night. The weather was still nice without the autumn chill and there would be a full moon shining. It was where you met your friends and neighbors you hadn’t seen in a while. 

The Pattersons were growers of the best silver queen sweet corn, and they delighted in sharing their bountiful crop. The yard was strung with lights from pole to pole. It was a festive sight. Mrs. Patterson and her sister were gracious hosts. 

The boys prepared the corn by soaking it in tubs of water with the husks on. They were transferred to a large grill, like a metal bed spring with fire underneath, and were roasted by the dozens. How sweet and tender when you pulled the husk back, and the corn was dripping with butter, salt, and pepper. Paper towels were everywhere, and needed. 

They had a large hay wagon with bales of hay and a bed of straw to ride on. The boys drove the tractor to pull it through the orchards. It was a relaxing ride and a time to talk to folks. 

A farm building with open front had been made into a dance pavilion. The floor was finished, and a small western band was there to play. Pat Patterson was a great square dancer and had someone to call the dances. It was fun to watch and dance the night away. 

When the roast was drawing to a close, we said our thanks and good byes, and were told to take some corn home as we left. The next day, eating corn from the farm reminded us of our good neighbors and a fun evening.