Ethel Proctor-Life Story Part Six

My Book of Memories

by Ethel P. Formo

1910-1978

     We were all getting antsy for spring when we had a wonderful surprise.  Dad’s youngest brother, Niva Bodez came home from World War I.  We were all so thrilled to see a soldier in his full uniform; we could hardly wait to see him.  What we didn’t know was that he was bringing a new bride with him. What a thrill to see him lift her out of the “Lizzy” and pack her bodily over the sty on the fence and into the house before setting her down.  Oh what dreams that gave us young uns.  What a hero, what a man.  Aunt Shortie (Charolette Gustaveson) was  a beautiful lady and so happy and full of laughter.  We all loved her right away.

     During the spring Dad bought a Ford car.  It was before they had enclosed sedans as today.  One day Dad insisted Mom learn to drive.  She did not want to but he insisted.  They went for a ride down by the old place where we had lived.  Mom drove back.  She was doing just beautifully—until she went to turn into the gate.  The dog ran out to greet them, she got panicky and crashed into the gate, ripping it off the hinges.  She muct have hit the accelerator instead of the brakes for she ended up way out by the barn.  Never again did I see her behind the wheel of the car.  She would hitch up one of the horses and take the surrey.  Dad did not insist anymore.

Max, Ruth, Ethel and Rozella Proctor

     Dad sold the farm and since the people were anxious to get onto it before planting time, we had to move.  Some people told us we could move into their farmhouse until we could find something more suitable.  I don’t remember very much about that place except it had lots and lots of trees around it.  There was a long lane from the main road to the house lined with trees where we used to herd the cows and play while doing it.

     We lived much closer to the Buchanans with whom we became dear long lasting friends.  They had a beautiful big farm and we spent lots of time exchanging work, fun, and meals.

     One day when we came home from church our big dog refused to let any of us out of the car.  He was all white and frothy around the mouth and snarled every time anyone attempted to get down.  He never seemed to want to attack any of us but Dad gave us strict orders not to move just in case.  He said the dog was mad or had been poisoned.  He thought it was rabid.

     We had a very long screened in porch.  Dad drove up very close to the door then gave a sudden leap through the door and slammed it shut after him.  While he attracted the dog’s attention through the screen, Mom drove the surrey around the house to the other door and we all made it safely into the house.   Dad came in and put on a heavy coat, some hip boots and leather gauntlet gloves which all farmers seemed to have and went back out onto the porch.  He had a rope with a loop in it and as he opened the porch door to let the dog in, he quickly slipped it over the dog’s head and pulled hard.  The dog collapsed on the floor.  Dad worked fast and soon had the dog’s legs tied together and fastened them to the legs of a big table we had out there.  I guess he had told Mom to have some eggs and grease ready, for as soon as he had the dog secured he eased upon the neck rope and called to her to bring the stuff out “but be careful not to get too close.”  Dad started pouring the raw eggs and grease into the dog’s throat.  We watched through the window and about up-swallowed our toe nails just as the dog seemed too weak to do anything but just lay there with a groan and a heave every so often.  It was terrifying to watch, but also fascinating.  Many many years later the lesson proved very helpful.  The door was locked leading onto the porch from within the house as well as the screen.  We were not allowed on that side of the house for over a week.  By that time the dog seemed well on the road to recovery but Dad was squeamish about it so he had it taken to the vet to have it checked out then put to sleep.  Why hadn’t he killed it to begin with?  Most people did not have guns in those days and besides it had to be kept alive until it could be check out for rabies.

     We never knew whether it had bitten something else or someone but thank God it evidently had not!  While we lived on this farm, it was the one and only time I ever saw Dad use physical force on any of his offspring.  Elwood had been given a job to do but instead of doing it he just ignored it.  Dad was a man of slow temper.  After about three times of telling Elwood to get the job done, he decided a bit of force was necessary.  Elwood saw him coming and made a dash for the fence.  Dad caught up just as Elwood was crawling under.  Up came his foot and he booted Elwood in the behind hard enough to send him sprawling, ripping the shirt off his back as it caught on the fence.  That gave Dad chance for another boot.  Elwood could hardly walk for several days but never again do I remember him shirking a job he was told to do.  Elwood had left home at the age of 14 to go out into the world to hunt a job.  Mom was broken hearted and cried so very much.