The Benton Place - Memories (1)

• Riding on the back of a plow horse name Prince

• Falling off the back of a wagon loaded with cotton.  It was not moving.  The main thing I remember about it is that it was the first time I ever experienced that kind of trauma without crying.

• Going to the Hico reunion and getting ice cream.  Trouble was, I ate to fast. It gave me a  dummy headache, and I didn’t want it anymore.   The Hico Old Settlers reunion always took place in August.  It was the social event of the year.  The lights, the carnival rides and the excitement were a new experience to me.   Strangely enough I still haven’t learned my lesson about ice cream.  I still eat it too fast and still get headaches.  I still eat ice cream too fast.

• Getting up early one morning before daylight and riding in the wagon to Papa Lane’s house where Daddy helped with the plowing.  I got to ride on Papa’s Model B John Deere with steel wheels.  They were known as “Poppin Johnnies.”   They were called that because the tractor had only two cylinders.   The rods were horizontal and they made a popping sound every time they fired.  To me it was a sad day when they took the pop out of the Johnny.

Replica of a 1934 Model A John Deere.  My Grandfather had a Model B, but I couldn't find a picture of a Model B with steel wheels.  This looks a lot like it. Manufactured by Erytl Farm Toys in Dyersville, Iowa.

• Killing hogs.  I can still remember the hog being hung up by a single tree as he was carved up into various cuts of meat.   I guess we all think meat comes from the grocery store.   In those days you knew it came by violent means.  Once I had a pet hog.  Hogs were made to be slaughtered.  You shouldn’t name anything you’re going to eat.   I probably named the hog even though I don’t remember what it was.   Eventually the animal was slaughtered.  According to my parents I refused to eat any of the meat.  When they put it before me I would say, “That’s my pig.”

• Being scared of crossing bridges.

• Catching my first fish on the Bosque.

• Going to Meridian with Daddy where he signed up for the draft just prior to World War II.   Men were taken by lottery and he drew the last number in the county.  He said it was the only time he ever won a drawing.