Memories

I will continue this week with memories of our neighbors, Frank and Clara Nies. My last article told of them getting a years supply of coal and wood from their own place, taking a month to fill the coal house.

One day while uncovering the coal Clara had this experience to tell about. “Frank was handling the scrapper while I drove the horses. I stood on the double trees and this one time the scraper caught on something with a sudden stop and the first thing I knew I was flying through the air over the horses. Frank thought it was a funny sight to see me going and couldn’t help but laugh. I wasn’t hurt.”

Frank, I’m glad your wife had a sense of humor and didn’t have a temper!

They were retired and living in Ekalaka when she had an exciting time on a fishing trip to Macnab dam. She slipped off a log into the deep end of the water and went under twice—she could not swim. Odis Knapp was there and instructed her on how to get the log close to the bank. He held out a branch which she caught and he pulled her to where she could get out.

Clara reports family activities which included community picnics every other Sunday with tons of delicious food. They were members of the Opechee Park Club and attended dances in the hall. They also went to rodeos at Opechee which were held on the fourth of July.

I can remember going to Opechee Park on those fourth of Julys when I was in grade school and my dad was playing baseball. Great times! There was always a huge crowd.

4-H was a large activity for the whole family. Many of them were leaders. Clara even won a trip to Bozeman as a leader.

Children born to Frank and Clara were as follows: Thea married Harry Powell, James married Frances Hythecker, Roger, Bernard married Louise Richmond, Harriet married Kenneth Speelmon, Willa, Robert (Butch) married Carole Ann Stieg. If my memory is correct, Roger and Willa both lost their lives from four wheeler accidents at the ranch.

Clara reports that all the children were born at the ranch or in Ekalaka with her mother taking care of her during the birth of all children. “We never had a doctor for any of them.”

One highlight of their lives was the celebration of their golden wedding anniversary—she didn’t write what year, but they were married in September, 1918.

Well, wonderful neighbors with lots of family history and activities. She closes her article with this statement. “We have had a wonderful life together and the Lord has been very good to us for that we are thankful.”