As I said before, Nana’s time in Austin Texas was a highlight in her life. This story is a poem she wrote about her trip in 1943 from her home in Elimsport, Pennsylvania to Austin, Texas. She was 19 years old, all alone and had only $30.
April 1943 World War II
In 1943 World War II was in full swing
I left PA for Austin, Texas in the Spring
On the Pennsylvania RR, I could ride free
Down the line Blue Bonnets I could see
From St. Louis on down the view was nice
I rode on the Katy Railroad lines for half price
To Vinita, Oklahoma where a change I had to make
Not until the next morning the train came I had to take
The train station man walked me to the Cobb Hotel
Where I settled in for the night real well
Then back on the train to Austin and a room on Nueces Street
After three days and nights I arrived there and Stan and I did meet.
Deanie Rhone, December 2010
These are pictures of the postcard she sent home during her trip:
Cobb Hotel, Vinita, OK April 1943 Post card sent to Nana's parents from the Cobb Hotel, Vinita, OK
Here's a transcript of what she wrote in case it's hard to read:
Hi Folks, I just took a snooze in the hotel. They are all so nice here. The hotel man called while I was sleeping to see about my train & he stayed to see I got up in time. Save this card, it's a picture of the Cobb hotel I'm in now. The man gave it to me for a souvenir. Well I must go now. They had no picture cards of Okla. or I'd send some to the girls. Take care of yourself. So long with Love, Deanie
The girls she's talking about are her sisters Elizabeth and Grace.
The next poem is about Nana’s job at Steck Publishing during her stay in Austin, Texas:
Steck Publishing Company
While living in Austin on Nueces Street
I needed some cash to make ends meet
While looking for a job one day
Mabel made a call and found a way
She called Steck’s, they said try Shipping Department
Help needed and that is where I went
I got a job wrapping letterheads all day
I liked my job a lot and that’s where I wanted to stay
Each day I walked to work down the streets
All went well with my job of many weeks
Written by Deanie Rhone, December 2010
Nana’s next story was about a big change in her life when she lost her job at Montgomery Mills. My sister, Sharon had her first child, Lori, on July 20th 1978. When Lori was born, my mom became Nana to her and later to her brother Jeff.
From Montgomery Mills to the Elimsport Hills
When Montgomery Mills closed down
And moved right out of town
My ball spinning machine was taken out the door
My thirteen gross a day not made anymore
To South Carolina and they said “no way”
On to Mexico and they trashed it in a day
A factory job I could not find
To baby sit was on my mind
Then one day Sharon called me on the phone
So I became Nana to Lori at her Elimsport home
Written by:Deanie Rhone, December 2010
Nana drove to Sharon’s house every day to take care of Lori and later Jeff. This is a funny story about Nana and Lori:
Lori, Nana and the Hawk
On a day in summer hanging diapers on the line
With Lori standing by my side having a nice time
We saw a hawk flying up high
My guess was it would stay up near the sky
As time went on it came a lot lower down
And then I got worried as it headed for the ground
I picked up Lori and into the house for good
As it swooped down to the ground where we stood
By Deanie Rhone, January 2011
For this story, I have a picture of Nana's handwritten copy:
My Daily Run
To do errands as I start my day
Out and about to go on my way
First I need to know what’s the weather as I wait
Then I call Jeff, he knows the exact update
If Jeff says OK, to Weis Store and shop
Then on to the diner, my next stop
When I leave for home not far from here
To Smitty’s for gas fill-up in my Cavalier
Written by: Deanie Rhone, March 3, 2011
This was Nana's last car. A 2002 Chevy Cavalier that she got in 2010.
Nana and her Chevy Cavalier
This concludes part two. More coming soon!
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