Features
Note asking for a date was never delivered
By HELEN SUE JOHNSON
Times-Leader Correspondent
When passing by the World War II memorial on the Hamilton County Court House lawn during Memorial Day exercises each May, I see the memorial to Bertis Prince, killed in World War II, one of the handsomest graduates of McLeansboro Township High School — or any school for that matter — and I remember.
Bertis was the son of Ralph Prince, a very popular businessman in McLeansboro for many years.
Well, Bertis developed a crush on my sister, Vada Fay, and wrote her a note asking for a date, instead of outright asking in person.
My dad got the note sent in the mail and it remained in his pocket a long time without Vada Fay knowing about it. When discovered, it was embarrassing, for much time had elapsed and Bertis had gone off to war. Very sad.
Moviegoers during the 1930s may recall the popcorn machine cart near the Capitol Theatre and Mr. Womick, the proprietor, filling sacks of delicious popcorn for added enjoyment for those attending the movie.
One evening, during the movie running, there was a loud noise outside, and people in the theater got up and rushed out, not knowing what on earth had happened. It was Mr. Womick’s popcorn popper, which had exploded for some reason.
I do not remember if he continued his business or not, but he was a good businessman, ahead of his time; today no theater exists that does not have a popcorn machine.
Charlie Sneed, popular funeral director, had his business on the east side of the square, and I recall going to the parlor when two children at Dale were killed during a tornado in the early ’30s. There was a disinfectant odor in the funeral home; when smelling it even now, my mind goes back to those two little children killed at Dale.
When visiting McLeansboro, I miss the old rooming house across the street from where I was raised on West Market Street. During the Great Depression, one could rent a room there for about $2.50 a week.
Long before, the building had served as a college; yes, a college in McLeansboro!
The Laborers’ union now has a new building where the old rooming houses — the Arlington Hotel, the building used to be the Barter hotel, and two across the street — used to be.
I was saddened when a former neighbor passed away recently, Charles Wheeler, whom we called “Beast” and/or “Bat.” His family lived in the building which later Dr. Vickers developed into a hospital serving the community a number of years before leaving for California.
Stay tuned! There is even more.
• Helen Sue Johnson is a former McLeansboro resident.
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paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com
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