I recall the growing up days in Nickerson as the worst kind of poverty. Looking back there are a lot of things I endured that were worse than the stigma associated with the Strong Street years. Many times, I have longed for the security of that dilapidated old house with the outhouse behind it. Through all the times of trouble and strife Momma kept food on the table and Dad kept the wood box full of wood to burn for both heat and cooking. I remember the first butane cook stove we had. What a luxury that was! It was only used for cooking special meals. But I digress!
When momma finished her course at the Salt City Business School, she found a job with Franklin Fee Investment Company. She wore a dress to work and set at a desk doing desk stuff. We finally moved from Nickerson to Hutchinson. We first lived on Avenue A, but then Momma got a chance at a house on Fifth Street that she could buy. We became homeowners. At that point in my life, it meant little to me. What mattered most was the house next door. It had an enclosed front porch and a sign out front that said, "Elledge Furs". Inside the window stood a mannequin wearing a mink jacket. Her eyes were blank as she stared into the abyss that was her life. But that jacket caught my mother's eye!
Mother went to Mrs. Elledge and made arrangements to pay money on that jacket "every time I get a little extra". And she did! We never missed a meal, but sometimes momma would pick up a little babysitting or house cleaning and that was "extra", so it went on the jacket. We never missed a meal and at some point, the jacket was paid for, and it came to reside in our closet. I am not sure I ever seen her wear it, but the glory of it was that my Momma had it and it was real mink! She modeled it when she brought it home and that was the last I saw of it. I will have to ask Donna whatever became of it.
The last time I went to Hutchinson, I drove down 5th Street. The plumbing shop was a sewing shop and Elledge Furs, along with our house and the next few houses around it was now an apartment complex. Dillons was still across the street, but it had gotten a lot bigger. So much has changed since I lived there! I recall an old adage, "You can't go home again". Momma said that and you know what? Momma was right!
Momma was always right!
Peace!
