Pet Chickens
Folks, As I’m putting this all together, I went in the house for a refreshment (can of Diet Coke). I noticed Bernadette’s Brother-in-law’s brother, who lives next door, giving his pet rooster a bath. It’s very common to see folks carrying and petting their pet chickens in public. Many of them are fighting cocks. They keep their pet chickens tied up to a peg outside their house with a long string attached to their leg. Gary
Reply from Richard & Jerrine Richard (49) Larson: Seattle, WA.
Gary–When I was in ND in July I came across an interesting book that you and others may be interested in. It is “They Were Ready”, by Terry L. Shoptaugh. It is a chronology of the 164th Inf. ND Natl.Guard in WWII starting with the federalization in Dec of ’40 through the end of the war. They were with the Americal Div.which was the first army unit to engage the enemy in WWII. One of the accolades they received was from the Commanding General on Guadalcanal who said “Those farm boys can sure fight”. There are many first-hand accounts of what they endured and follows their progress through the island campaigns with their last landing being at Cebu City on April 10, 1945. After assisting with the liberation of Cebu and Botol, they were briefly in Japan on occupation duty before returning to the US after nearly five years away from home. Since there were a number of local men in the 164th it was of particular interest to me and probably to you also.
Richard and Jerrine, I found this on the Web for those of us that are interested in purchasing one of these books. Thank you so much for sharing. I will for sure pursue ordering a copy. Other than for letters, I am allowed to receive books, Magazines and CD’s at my FPO mail address.
The book is hardcover, large print and contains 50 photos and 11 maps. Books will be available at select bookstores and from The 164th Infantry Association, P.O. Box 1111, Bismarck, ND 58502. Interested persons can e-mail Editor164InfantryNews@hotmail.com.
Information about the 164th Infantry Regiment is available on the history tab of the North Dakota National Guard Web site (
www.ndguard.com).
Folks, Many of you know where Richard and Jerrine fit into the picture, but for those that don’t, I want to clear things up. Jerrine is a sister to Leona (Lee) Richard Hosmer & Verdellis Richard Larson (deceased). Jerrine and Verdellis married brothers, Richard and Norman Larson. Jerrine is an aunt to the Hosmer (Janet, Nancy & Colette) and Larson (Diane & Cheryl) girls. Richard and Jerrine’s children are double cousins to Diane & Cheryl. Gary
Reply to Larry Liere (54):
From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
Reply to Larry Liere, It was good to hear from you Larry! Last I saw you, your wife and Joni, was at Shanna Richards Wedding in Rolette. I new that, you were related to the Leonard’s But Which Family I am not sure. I believe you are related to Carmen Richard (Leonard), My Aunt. I remember you all from my time at Lake Region Community College in Devils Lake ND. I have often recommend this small college to kids in the area. LRCC. as it was at the time offered all the best courses with smaller class sizes, making it a paradise for students, that never had a problem connecting with the instructors, after class or in the cafeteria, to have their questions answered and a problem explained. After 3 Algebra Instructors, I meet Thomas Palmer an excellent instructor, Who also taught me some Trigonometry. Marilyn Bertch was an excellent Political Science instructor and so many others, Of course Joni and I were on the Student Council until I was able to pass it off. I just spoke with my Brother David Schimetz, he was at Fr. Leonard Wood, from February 19, 1979 until June of 1979. He did both his (Boot camp and A.I.T., (advanced infantry, training) at Ft. Leonard Wood. Don’t know if this time frame fits with your service time.
Wesley Schneider tales:
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
Hi Gary, School is on but in the evening, I’d druther listen to tales than watch TV.
“A WES TALE”
Tonight Buie and Thor were fixin to visit Wes. They pull on their leads as we scamper across the street. Eagerly they bounce up the steps. I knock at the door and Ovida tells us to “come in”. My little dogs look at her eagerly awaiting permission to go find Wes. They are rewarded by Wes coming around the corner telling them he’s got “treats” then ear scratches.
As Wes and Ovida eat their supper, the dogs settle down to listen just as I. Then, I am also rewarded by a “Wes Tale”.
Wes said of his parents; both, were Germans from Russia”, shortly after their marriage arrived the USA. He was told his parents settled in Kansas where they had relatives.
The family first lived in a sod house built into a dugout in a hill. The older children were born in Kansas.
He told a story he heard of a time his father who raised cattle kept a bull. One night the bull walked over the house and fell through the sod ceiling. The bull was not too happy. And was sold shortly after.
There were many “cyclones” which perhaps influenced the family to move to North Dakota. Making the journey by train the family came to Dunseith. Pete, oldest brother traveled with the cattle in a boxcar on another train. Wes believes “Spot the young family cat traveled with Pete. Pete lived on a loaf of bread and fresh milk. Arriving in Dunseith Mr. Schneider bought hay from Mr. Kraft for the hungry cattle.
Wes’ father purchased land east of Dunseith on the Willow Lake Road. And he continued buying land to provide for his large cattle herd.
Wes was the first of the Schneider children to be born in ND in about 1920.
Wesley lived many boyhood adventures When he tells these tales I tell him I think “of the likes of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.”
Tonight He recalled one windy day when he made a homemade kite. Humm. A kite which would not sail properly. So Wes found himself fashioning a bag for a tail. It still wouldn’t fly properly. Humm. WeightŠ! And there out of the corner of his eye spies ‘Spot”ŠAhhh. Just the right size weight. He put the “The Kansas cat,” into the bag. Away flies the kite and “Spot” SailingŠŠ.upŠŠup. An almost perfect flight. Until, Wes sees his mother peering out the window just as the cat came out of the bag. MEowww. Thud. The cat landed. Wes says he can’t remember if he got a lickin or a good scolding from his mother. But Spot did continue to live out his remaining nine lives with Mrs. Schneider as an old house cat.
Wes tells tales about earning money from gopher tails and crow legs. One time he and his younger brother figured out it was much easier cutting off the tails of the gophers their dad had poisonedŠŠ. It was pretty easy. Until Mr. Schneider found out and told the young boys they would be going off to a “boys correctional school” because what they were doing was against the law. Yep, that plumb scared Wes and he was put back on the right straight and narrow!
As a young lad, Wes was always looking to earn money. A new way to make easy money came in the form of the bounties on crows. The earnings would be about 5 cents for an adult crow, 3 cents for a young crow and 1 cent for a crows egg. After watching crows, one day Wes shimmies up a tree to a nest. AhŠwhat to do with the eggs.. IDEA! Put them under the cap he was wearing. As Wes slides down the tree bang! A branch bumps his hat, SPLat go the fragile eggs. Yuck! Quickly reacting, with his eyes shut, Wes runs for the cows water trough and ducks his head in. He never wore eggs under his hat again.
He recalls the Tooke family living in one of his dad’s vacant houses further west closer to the Bottineau County line. He said Annie ie Mrs. Fred Nicholson told him many years later she often heard Wesley yodeling early in the morning when he went for cows, about two miles from home. There were oft times in haying season Kenny Tooke would come over and volunteer to help out just to have something to do. In later years they would hunt together.
After the Annie Tooke family left the house in the country. Adrian Egbert moved in and was the rural mail carrier who put airplane tires on his car. The car then could be maneuvered on the road and through ditches. Wes said he was standing waiting one day for the mail when over the hill zooming down the Willow lake road Adrian came over a hill with the horn honking, honKING, HONKING! He slids up to Wes by the Schneider mail box and leaps out of the car. Throws open the hood “Hand me your jack knife,” Wes hands over the jack knife whack. There. No more horn!
Although his father drove school bus in his youth and education was important, Wes had to quit school to help on the farm. He would have graduated around 1937-38.
I think he would have enjoyed high school as he enjoyed learning. And me. I enjoy listening and from him tales of yester year. It was a better night than watching TV. Vickie Metcalfe
Follow up message to the above posting from Vickie.
Gary,
Every time I hear a story in relation to Dunseith’s history I am intrigued. I do so enjoy “oral history” told by everyday people who have roots in our common past. I listen and hear another perhaps different perspective.
I was so blessed in moving to my neighborhood,because across the street reside two neighborhood treasures; Wes and Ovidia.
A year ago I told Wes, “When winter comes I’d like to come over and write your stories.” He was surprised.
Well, I never got around to doing so formally. Sometimes the best stories are “spur of the moment”. They happen when I am just having a nice visit over a cuppa and a recalled story springs forth.
This morning I awoke and thought.Hmm. I better go visit Wes and Ovidia with a print out of the stories Wes has told me. And tell him what I’ve been up to with sharing his stories on the Dunseith blog.
I printed out 3 Wes stories. The “boys” and I with papers in hand walked across to see my neighbors who were embarking on falls work in their yard….ie trimming rose bushes close to where the fuel man puts the winter’s supply of fuel oil.
I say to Wes “I have a confession to make, I wrote your story last night and sent it to the Dunseith blog”. Wes was not affronted. “Whew” I didn’t believe he would be, needed to be certain once again if it is ok to share his stories. They liked the idea that I wrote Wes stories. I told Wes since he is a former boxer I wouldn’t want him to feel he was “sucker punched”, if someone made a comment to him about one of his stories. I told him I think people who read the Dunseith blog like me are nostalgic and like to hear about the past.
Patiently waiting, Buie and Thor got their treat from Ovidia.
As I left I said to Wes and Ovidia. “Thank You, I think so much of the two of you. I love you both and as neighbors, I couldn’t wish for better” I like your stories I need to write them down,share while they are fresh from what you have told me, and remembered.
Later Vickie
Vickie, Wesley Schneider is a Dunseith boy and we love hearing his stories. Many of his relatives including his daughter Diane are on our daily distribution. Many of us have known Wesley for many years too. He worked at the Bottineau Cooperative Creamery for over 50 years. I remember Wesley so well from his days working at the creamery and also at the many Ackworth & Hiatt reunions. He is a special guy, loved and liked by all. Gary
