1988.
CATHERINE HARDER PEOT, 91, died Sunday January 17th at Ritzville Memorial hospital. She had been a resident of the Ritzville Life Care Center since 1984. She was born May 21, 1896 Hans and Dora (Schloemer) Harder, at the Harder Spring Ranch near Kahlotus. The family had a sheep and cattle ranch, which was one of the first in Franklin County. She loved the home, which was a three story stone home, with spring, poplar trees and many barns, plus the green of alfalfa patches in the buch-grass hills. .
She was educated at St. Vincient Academy in Walla Walla, graduated 8th grade from the country school near her home and attended high shool at Holy Names Academy in Spokane and then graduated from Washington State College in Pullman, it being a two year college at that time. Her education was disciplined, practical as well as adcademic, including mathematics, science, history, philosophy and the classics. She was introduced to the skills of design, music and languages. Through discipline and the support of her family, she became and accomplished classical pianist, which she enjoyed throughout her life. Her exposure to the classics and languages were learning pursuits, which enticed her to write prose and poetry through her life. She was an avid reader, which ranged from politics, science, philosophy to poetry and even the risque magazine of times, Esquire. .
In October of 1928, Catherine married Leo M. Peot in Spokane. They built a home on Perry Road, raised wheat and cattle on the ranch for over 50 years. Here they raised six children; Leo J. (Bud) who operated the ranch, Hans G. (Kathleen) Peot, New Carlisle, Ohio, Margaret (andy) Cassens, Phoenix AZ, Dr. Catherine Hofmann, Moscow Idaho and Anna (George) Walker, Redmond, WA and Peter M. Peot, who passed away in 1979. Her husband, Leo preceded her in death in 1971. Burial will be at Harder Spring Cemetery. .
Eulogy.
Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, Poet and Social Critic, Catherine, lived nearly a century from 1896 to 1988. A life spawing from childhood of the 19th century innocense, through adult consciousness of adversities of World Wars, economic depressions. Maturing through widsom in the twilight of this century, her lone emotional warmth and critical intellect affected us all in affirming our potent-ial in mind and spirt. .
As a child she rejoiced in the romantic hope of the continuity of nature ; in the swallows returning and wild pinks unfolding in the pastureland in Spring. Since she didn't have a second name she called hereself "Katie May." A robust, blond blue eyed child, riding bare back on her velvet pony though the buchgrass and scab rock country. The fond mission of meeting her "Papa" on the "Rambler," as he returned from shipping sheep to Chicago, his bright blue eyes sparking as he praised her feeding the bum lambs or irrigating by natural gravity the orchards and grass surrounding their home. This sense of duty and responsibility instilled by her parents, she in turn nurtured in her children and granchildren. .
Nature's beauty and bounty but the harshness was learned early as well. Spring brought the clean early pink nosed lambs but the March wind sitffened the life of a baby brother, who was was buried in the family cemetery. .
St. Vincents Academy at Walla Walla, a boarding shcool with stern black hood nuns, taught her the enthusiasm of learning but couldn't quell the heartache of the warmth of home, family and good food. Her life time distaste for fish was certainly confirm-ed with boarding school fare. Learning of music and the granduer of Latin masses, gave her spiritual solace and appreciation of human rituals. .
While the academy taught self discipline and duty, childhood naughtiness also prevailed. She delighted in recalling how she and Nell, a fellow boarder, angered and frightened the nuns by walking around the outside fourth floor ledge of the academy or being scolded for showing their boldness by wading in the parks pond. The joy of driving the black model T with three pedals for complexity, inadvertenly killing Mr. Schwartz's chickens who were stolling the roads of Kahlotus..
The roaring twenties with middy blouses, flapper clothes, marcells waves, movies and wind-up victrolas, listening to Lily Ponds, rare discoveries and Washington State College were all part of her youthful zest for learning and excitement of the times. It was in this period that poetry became he style of expression..
In the late twenties she met and married the dashing Leo. They build a home, considered extravagant, with tiled bath and coved celings. That home still stand, having sheltered and comforted six children, grandchildren and many others. It was her home with good food, the coffee pot "always on," conversation and hard work..
The work was harder than expected as the crash of the 1929 stock market happening exactly one year after their marriage, strained the sense of serenity and forced barter and self-sufficiency. Wheat was only fifty cents a bushel and dry years yield as little as six to ten bushel an acre. The adversities had a strong impact on her as it did with so many others of her generation. It sharpened her awareness of hard economic circumstances, destroying people and friends. Her distain for "central" bankers came from this as ex-pressed in her poem:.
"Of Wolves & Sheep"---"Like the wiley wolf they wait apace---For the likely customer to bevail and disgrace--Of Justice they have no thought--only lucre'---Of liens and mortgages, of contract and bills---They know it all---all the world's ills. To beleaguer and harass and extoll----In sadistic glee they meet the goal.---Oh give me the life a shepherd so free--Uncouth, simple and dumb tho he may be--At least he doth guard and protect his flock---Nor Justice nor Mercy or Fate does he mock. .
The hardships of the Depression tempered her optimism but tenacity and strength nurtured family and neighbors. Her children were never deprived in intellectual nor emotional support. It was not just the hospitality of warm rich spice cake but the challenge of dis-cussing ideas and politics, civilization and philosphy, for those who entered through that kitchen door--to sit at the kitchen table --they were brought into the discussion whether they deisred to do so or not. These converstions always created a brisk tension between emotional commitment and intellectual objectivity. Her children remember her patience in explaing the symbolism of the sword in "King Arthur and the Knights" or the beauty of anayltical Geometry, debating the merits of democracy, indvidualism and social responsibility were constants in her lessons. She wrote letters to Newspaper editors, colleges and even Senators, believing reasoned persuaion was a citizens responsibility. Quote a from a letter to Senator Jackson "He who does not work and accept his responsibility should not eat and enjoy his freedom." A quote to the Spokesman Reviw on the worth of the Pioneers. "No man recieved without giving. Man accepted his place in society according to his abilities and talents." .
While and advocate of the Free Enterprise system to improve man's opportunities and wealth, she was not a social Darwin. She believed compassion and moral justice were part of the moral sentiment. Quote her from Poem " Crest and Trough" --There are men so bold and brave--They ride the storm and crest of wave--But what of those not so well off?--Who must ride deep in the wave rough---It is fine to vanquish and conquer--to always win,-- to ride at safe anchor--But what of those on whom we tread--How shall they find succor or eat bread?---Be not so sure nor bold and flaunty---Someday chance may challenge your liberty and on those whom will have tread----May tramp us rough shod.---The treacherous sea is deep and tide at ebb.---The undertow grasps us in its web---Think of that dark, dark briny deep---How many lost men in it's depth doth sleep..
Her concern was not just rhetorical, when she saw and knew first hand of people less fortunate, she made packages of food, clothing or what she could spare. This action was consistant with the moral practicality and responsibility of the "Pioneer." She used to refer to the "latch string" to the doors of the pioneer homes as always being open for the weary traveler. Her door was always open, coffee brewing, desert of some kind at the ready and conversation and opinion readily available for whomever arrived. .
CATHERINE HARDER PEOT, 91, died Sunday January 17th at Ritzville Memorial hospital. She had been a resident of the Ritzville Life Care Center since 1984. She was born May 21, 1896 Hans and Dora (Schloemer) Harder, at the Harder Spring Ranch near Kahlotus. The family had a sheep and cattle ranch, which was one of the first in Franklin County. She loved the home, which was a three story stone home, with spring, poplar trees and many barns, plus the green of alfalfa patches in the buch-grass hills. .
She was educated at St. Vincient Academy in Walla Walla, graduated 8th grade from the country school near her home and attended high shool at Holy Names Academy in Spokane and then graduated from Washington State College in Pullman, it being a two year college at that time. Her education was disciplined, practical as well as adcademic, including mathematics, science, history, philosophy and the classics. She was introduced to the skills of design, music and languages. Through discipline and the support of her family, she became and accomplished classical pianist, which she enjoyed throughout her life. Her exposure to the classics and languages were learning pursuits, which enticed her to write prose and poetry through her life. She was an avid reader, which ranged from politics, science, philosophy to poetry and even the risque magazine of times, Esquire. .
In October of 1928, Catherine married Leo M. Peot in Spokane. They built a home on Perry Road, raised wheat and cattle on the ranch for over 50 years. Here they raised six children; Leo J. (Bud) who operated the ranch, Hans G. (Kathleen) Peot, New Carlisle, Ohio, Margaret (andy) Cassens, Phoenix AZ, Dr. Catherine Hofmann, Moscow Idaho and Anna (George) Walker, Redmond, WA and Peter M. Peot, who passed away in 1979. Her husband, Leo preceded her in death in 1971. Burial will be at Harder Spring Cemetery. .
Eulogy.
Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, Poet and Social Critic, Catherine, lived nearly a century from 1896 to 1988. A life spawing from childhood of the 19th century innocense, through adult consciousness of adversities of World Wars, economic depressions. Maturing through widsom in the twilight of this century, her lone emotional warmth and critical intellect affected us all in affirming our potent-ial in mind and spirt. .
As a child she rejoiced in the romantic hope of the continuity of nature ; in the swallows returning and wild pinks unfolding in the pastureland in Spring. Since she didn't have a second name she called hereself "Katie May." A robust, blond blue eyed child, riding bare back on her velvet pony though the buchgrass and scab rock country. The fond mission of meeting her "Papa" on the "Rambler," as he returned from shipping sheep to Chicago, his bright blue eyes sparking as he praised her feeding the bum lambs or irrigating by natural gravity the orchards and grass surrounding their home. This sense of duty and responsibility instilled by her parents, she in turn nurtured in her children and granchildren. .
Nature's beauty and bounty but the harshness was learned early as well. Spring brought the clean early pink nosed lambs but the March wind sitffened the life of a baby brother, who was was buried in the family cemetery. .
St. Vincents Academy at Walla Walla, a boarding shcool with stern black hood nuns, taught her the enthusiasm of learning but couldn't quell the heartache of the warmth of home, family and good food. Her life time distaste for fish was certainly confirm-ed with boarding school fare. Learning of music and the granduer of Latin masses, gave her spiritual solace and appreciation of human rituals. .
While the academy taught self discipline and duty, childhood naughtiness also prevailed. She delighted in recalling how she and Nell, a fellow boarder, angered and frightened the nuns by walking around the outside fourth floor ledge of the academy or being scolded for showing their boldness by wading in the parks pond. The joy of driving the black model T with three pedals for complexity, inadvertenly killing Mr. Schwartz's chickens who were stolling the roads of Kahlotus..
The roaring twenties with middy blouses, flapper clothes, marcells waves, movies and wind-up victrolas, listening to Lily Ponds, rare discoveries and Washington State College were all part of her youthful zest for learning and excitement of the times. It was in this period that poetry became he style of expression..
In the late twenties she met and married the dashing Leo. They build a home, considered extravagant, with tiled bath and coved celings. That home still stand, having sheltered and comforted six children, grandchildren and many others. It was her home with good food, the coffee pot "always on," conversation and hard work..
The work was harder than expected as the crash of the 1929 stock market happening exactly one year after their marriage, strained the sense of serenity and forced barter and self-sufficiency. Wheat was only fifty cents a bushel and dry years yield as little as six to ten bushel an acre. The adversities had a strong impact on her as it did with so many others of her generation. It sharpened her awareness of hard economic circumstances, destroying people and friends. Her distain for "central" bankers came from this as ex-pressed in her poem:.
"Of Wolves & Sheep"---"Like the wiley wolf they wait apace---For the likely customer to bevail and disgrace--Of Justice they have no thought--only lucre'---Of liens and mortgages, of contract and bills---They know it all---all the world's ills. To beleaguer and harass and extoll----In sadistic glee they meet the goal.---Oh give me the life a shepherd so free--Uncouth, simple and dumb tho he may be--At least he doth guard and protect his flock---Nor Justice nor Mercy or Fate does he mock. .
The hardships of the Depression tempered her optimism but tenacity and strength nurtured family and neighbors. Her children were never deprived in intellectual nor emotional support. It was not just the hospitality of warm rich spice cake but the challenge of dis-cussing ideas and politics, civilization and philosphy, for those who entered through that kitchen door--to sit at the kitchen table --they were brought into the discussion whether they deisred to do so or not. These converstions always created a brisk tension between emotional commitment and intellectual objectivity. Her children remember her patience in explaing the symbolism of the sword in "King Arthur and the Knights" or the beauty of anayltical Geometry, debating the merits of democracy, indvidualism and social responsibility were constants in her lessons. She wrote letters to Newspaper editors, colleges and even Senators, believing reasoned persuaion was a citizens responsibility. Quote a from a letter to Senator Jackson "He who does not work and accept his responsibility should not eat and enjoy his freedom." A quote to the Spokesman Reviw on the worth of the Pioneers. "No man recieved without giving. Man accepted his place in society according to his abilities and talents." .
While and advocate of the Free Enterprise system to improve man's opportunities and wealth, she was not a social Darwin. She believed compassion and moral justice were part of the moral sentiment. Quote her from Poem " Crest and Trough" --There are men so bold and brave--They ride the storm and crest of wave--But what of those not so well off?--Who must ride deep in the wave rough---It is fine to vanquish and conquer--to always win,-- to ride at safe anchor--But what of those on whom we tread--How shall they find succor or eat bread?---Be not so sure nor bold and flaunty---Someday chance may challenge your liberty and on those whom will have tread----May tramp us rough shod.---The treacherous sea is deep and tide at ebb.---The undertow grasps us in its web---Think of that dark, dark briny deep---How many lost men in it's depth doth sleep..
Her concern was not just rhetorical, when she saw and knew first hand of people less fortunate, she made packages of food, clothing or what she could spare. This action was consistant with the moral practicality and responsibility of the "Pioneer." She used to refer to the "latch string" to the doors of the pioneer homes as always being open for the weary traveler. Her door was always open, coffee brewing, desert of some kind at the ready and conversation and opinion readily available for whomever arrived. .
1988.
CATHERINE HARDER PEOT, 91, died Sunday January 17th at Ritzville Memorial hospital. She had been a resident of the Ritzville Life Care Center since 1984. She was born May 21, 1896 Hans and Dora (Schloemer) Harder, at the Harder Spring Ranch near Kahlotus. The family had a sheep and cattle ranch, which was one of the first in Franklin County. She loved the home, which was a three story stone home, with spring, poplar trees and many barns, plus the green of alfalfa patches in the buch-grass hills. .
She was educated at St. Vincient Academy in Walla Walla, graduated 8th grade from the country school near her home and attended high shool at Holy Names Academy in Spokane and then graduated from Washington State College in Pullman, it being a two year college at that time. Her education was disciplined, practical as well as adcademic, including mathematics, science, history, philosophy and the classics. She was introduced to the skills of design, music and languages. Through discipline and the support of her family, she became and accomplished classical pianist, which she enjoyed throughout her life. Her exposure to the classics and languages were learning pursuits, which enticed her to write prose and poetry through her life. She was an avid reader, which ranged from politics, science, philosophy to poetry and even the risque magazine of times, Esquire. .
In October of 1928, Catherine married Leo M. Peot in Spokane. They built a home on Perry Road, raised wheat and cattle on the ranch for over 50 years. Here they raised six children; Leo J. (Bud) who operated the ranch, Hans G. (Kathleen) Peot, New Carlisle, Ohio, Margaret (andy) Cassens, Phoenix AZ, Dr. Catherine Hofmann, Moscow Idaho and Anna (George) Walker, Redmond, WA and Peter M. Peot, who passed away in 1979. Her husband, Leo preceded her in death in 1971. Burial will be at Harder Spring Cemetery. .
Eulogy.
Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, Poet and Social Critic, Catherine, lived nearly a century from 1896 to 1988. A life spawing from childhood of the 19th century innocense, through adult consciousness of adversities of World Wars, economic depressions. Maturing through widsom in the twilight of this century, her lone emotional warmth and critical intellect affected us all in affirming our potent-ial in mind and spirt. .
As a child she rejoiced in the romantic hope of the continuity of nature ; in the swallows returning and wild pinks unfolding in the pastureland in Spring. Since she didn't have a second name she called hereself "Katie May." A robust, blond blue eyed child, riding bare back on her velvet pony though the buchgrass and scab rock country. The fond mission of meeting her "Papa" on the "Rambler," as he returned from shipping sheep to Chicago, his bright blue eyes sparking as he praised her feeding the bum lambs or irrigating by natural gravity the orchards and grass surrounding their home. This sense of duty and responsibility instilled by her parents, she in turn nurtured in her children and granchildren. .
Nature's beauty and bounty but the harshness was learned early as well. Spring brought the clean early pink nosed lambs but the March wind sitffened the life of a baby brother, who was was buried in the family cemetery. .
St. Vincents Academy at Walla Walla, a boarding shcool with stern black hood nuns, taught her the enthusiasm of learning but couldn't quell the heartache of the warmth of home, family and good food. Her life time distaste for fish was certainly confirm-ed with boarding school fare. Learning of music and the granduer of Latin masses, gave her spiritual solace and appreciation of human rituals. .
While the academy taught self discipline and duty, childhood naughtiness also prevailed. She delighted in recalling how she and Nell, a fellow boarder, angered and frightened the nuns by walking around the outside fourth floor ledge of the academy or being scolded for showing their boldness by wading in the parks pond. The joy of driving the black model T with three pedals for complexity, inadvertenly killing Mr. Schwartz's chickens who were stolling the roads of Kahlotus..
The roaring twenties with middy blouses, flapper clothes, marcells waves, movies and wind-up victrolas, listening to Lily Ponds, rare discoveries and Washington State College were all part of her youthful zest for learning and excitement of the times. It was in this period that poetry became he style of expression..
In the late twenties she met and married the dashing Leo. They build a home, considered extravagant, with tiled bath and coved celings. That home still stand, having sheltered and comforted six children, grandchildren and many others. It was her home with good food, the coffee pot "always on," conversation and hard work..
The work was harder than expected as the crash of the 1929 stock market happening exactly one year after their marriage, strained the sense of serenity and forced barter and self-sufficiency. Wheat was only fifty cents a bushel and dry years yield as little as six to ten bushel an acre. The adversities had a strong impact on her as it did with so many others of her generation. It sharpened her awareness of hard economic circumstances, destroying people and friends. Her distain for "central" bankers came from this as ex-pressed in her poem:.
"Of Wolves & Sheep"---"Like the wiley wolf they wait apace---For the likely customer to bevail and disgrace--Of Justice they have no thought--only lucre'---Of liens and mortgages, of contract and bills---They know it all---all the world's ills. To beleaguer and harass and extoll----In sadistic glee they meet the goal.---Oh give me the life a shepherd so free--Uncouth, simple and dumb tho he may be--At least he doth guard and protect his flock---Nor Justice nor Mercy or Fate does he mock. .
The hardships of the Depression tempered her optimism but tenacity and strength nurtured family and neighbors. Her children were never deprived in intellectual nor emotional support. It was not just the hospitality of warm rich spice cake but the challenge of dis-cussing ideas and politics, civilization and philosphy, for those who entered through that kitchen door--to sit at the kitchen table --they were brought into the discussion whether they deisred to do so or not. These converstions always created a brisk tension between emotional commitment and intellectual objectivity. Her children remember her patience in explaing the symbolism of the sword in "King Arthur and the Knights" or the beauty of anayltical Geometry, debating the merits of democracy, indvidualism and social responsibility were constants in her lessons. She wrote letters to Newspaper editors, colleges and even Senators, believing reasoned persuaion was a citizens responsibility. Quote a from a letter to Senator Jackson "He who does not work and accept his responsibility should not eat and enjoy his freedom." A quote to the Spokesman Reviw on the worth of the Pioneers. "No man recieved without giving. Man accepted his place in society according to his abilities and talents." .
While and advocate of the Free Enterprise system to improve man's opportunities and wealth, she was not a social Darwin. She believed compassion and moral justice were part of the moral sentiment. Quote her from Poem " Crest and Trough" --There are men so bold and brave--They ride the storm and crest of wave--But what of those not so well off?--Who must ride deep in the wave rough---It is fine to vanquish and conquer--to always win,-- to ride at safe anchor--But what of those on whom we tread--How shall they find succor or eat bread?---Be not so sure nor bold and flaunty---Someday chance may challenge your liberty and on those whom will have tread----May tramp us rough shod.---The treacherous sea is deep and tide at ebb.---The undertow grasps us in its web---Think of that dark, dark briny deep---How many lost men in it's depth doth sleep..
Her concern was not just rhetorical, when she saw and knew first hand of people less fortunate, she made packages of food, clothing or what she could spare. This action was consistant with the moral practicality and responsibility of the "Pioneer." She used to refer to the "latch string" to the doors of the pioneer homes as always being open for the weary traveler. Her door was always open, coffee brewing, desert of some kind at the ready and conversation and opinion readily available for whomever arrived. .
CATHERINE HARDER PEOT, 91, died Sunday January 17th at Ritzville Memorial hospital. She had been a resident of the Ritzville Life Care Center since 1984. She was born May 21, 1896 Hans and Dora (Schloemer) Harder, at the Harder Spring Ranch near Kahlotus. The family had a sheep and cattle ranch, which was one of the first in Franklin County. She loved the home, which was a three story stone home, with spring, poplar trees and many barns, plus the green of alfalfa patches in the buch-grass hills. .
She was educated at St. Vincient Academy in Walla Walla, graduated 8th grade from the country school near her home and attended high shool at Holy Names Academy in Spokane and then graduated from Washington State College in Pullman, it being a two year college at that time. Her education was disciplined, practical as well as adcademic, including mathematics, science, history, philosophy and the classics. She was introduced to the skills of design, music and languages. Through discipline and the support of her family, she became and accomplished classical pianist, which she enjoyed throughout her life. Her exposure to the classics and languages were learning pursuits, which enticed her to write prose and poetry through her life. She was an avid reader, which ranged from politics, science, philosophy to poetry and even the risque magazine of times, Esquire. .
In October of 1928, Catherine married Leo M. Peot in Spokane. They built a home on Perry Road, raised wheat and cattle on the ranch for over 50 years. Here they raised six children; Leo J. (Bud) who operated the ranch, Hans G. (Kathleen) Peot, New Carlisle, Ohio, Margaret (andy) Cassens, Phoenix AZ, Dr. Catherine Hofmann, Moscow Idaho and Anna (George) Walker, Redmond, WA and Peter M. Peot, who passed away in 1979. Her husband, Leo preceded her in death in 1971. Burial will be at Harder Spring Cemetery. .
Eulogy.
Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, Poet and Social Critic, Catherine, lived nearly a century from 1896 to 1988. A life spawing from childhood of the 19th century innocense, through adult consciousness of adversities of World Wars, economic depressions. Maturing through widsom in the twilight of this century, her lone emotional warmth and critical intellect affected us all in affirming our potent-ial in mind and spirt. .
As a child she rejoiced in the romantic hope of the continuity of nature ; in the swallows returning and wild pinks unfolding in the pastureland in Spring. Since she didn't have a second name she called hereself "Katie May." A robust, blond blue eyed child, riding bare back on her velvet pony though the buchgrass and scab rock country. The fond mission of meeting her "Papa" on the "Rambler," as he returned from shipping sheep to Chicago, his bright blue eyes sparking as he praised her feeding the bum lambs or irrigating by natural gravity the orchards and grass surrounding their home. This sense of duty and responsibility instilled by her parents, she in turn nurtured in her children and granchildren. .
Nature's beauty and bounty but the harshness was learned early as well. Spring brought the clean early pink nosed lambs but the March wind sitffened the life of a baby brother, who was was buried in the family cemetery. .
St. Vincents Academy at Walla Walla, a boarding shcool with stern black hood nuns, taught her the enthusiasm of learning but couldn't quell the heartache of the warmth of home, family and good food. Her life time distaste for fish was certainly confirm-ed with boarding school fare. Learning of music and the granduer of Latin masses, gave her spiritual solace and appreciation of human rituals. .
While the academy taught self discipline and duty, childhood naughtiness also prevailed. She delighted in recalling how she and Nell, a fellow boarder, angered and frightened the nuns by walking around the outside fourth floor ledge of the academy or being scolded for showing their boldness by wading in the parks pond. The joy of driving the black model T with three pedals for complexity, inadvertenly killing Mr. Schwartz's chickens who were stolling the roads of Kahlotus..
The roaring twenties with middy blouses, flapper clothes, marcells waves, movies and wind-up victrolas, listening to Lily Ponds, rare discoveries and Washington State College were all part of her youthful zest for learning and excitement of the times. It was in this period that poetry became he style of expression..
In the late twenties she met and married the dashing Leo. They build a home, considered extravagant, with tiled bath and coved celings. That home still stand, having sheltered and comforted six children, grandchildren and many others. It was her home with good food, the coffee pot "always on," conversation and hard work..
The work was harder than expected as the crash of the 1929 stock market happening exactly one year after their marriage, strained the sense of serenity and forced barter and self-sufficiency. Wheat was only fifty cents a bushel and dry years yield as little as six to ten bushel an acre. The adversities had a strong impact on her as it did with so many others of her generation. It sharpened her awareness of hard economic circumstances, destroying people and friends. Her distain for "central" bankers came from this as ex-pressed in her poem:.
"Of Wolves & Sheep"---"Like the wiley wolf they wait apace---For the likely customer to bevail and disgrace--Of Justice they have no thought--only lucre'---Of liens and mortgages, of contract and bills---They know it all---all the world's ills. To beleaguer and harass and extoll----In sadistic glee they meet the goal.---Oh give me the life a shepherd so free--Uncouth, simple and dumb tho he may be--At least he doth guard and protect his flock---Nor Justice nor Mercy or Fate does he mock. .
The hardships of the Depression tempered her optimism but tenacity and strength nurtured family and neighbors. Her children were never deprived in intellectual nor emotional support. It was not just the hospitality of warm rich spice cake but the challenge of dis-cussing ideas and politics, civilization and philosphy, for those who entered through that kitchen door--to sit at the kitchen table --they were brought into the discussion whether they deisred to do so or not. These converstions always created a brisk tension between emotional commitment and intellectual objectivity. Her children remember her patience in explaing the symbolism of the sword in "King Arthur and the Knights" or the beauty of anayltical Geometry, debating the merits of democracy, indvidualism and social responsibility were constants in her lessons. She wrote letters to Newspaper editors, colleges and even Senators, believing reasoned persuaion was a citizens responsibility. Quote a from a letter to Senator Jackson "He who does not work and accept his responsibility should not eat and enjoy his freedom." A quote to the Spokesman Reviw on the worth of the Pioneers. "No man recieved without giving. Man accepted his place in society according to his abilities and talents." .
While and advocate of the Free Enterprise system to improve man's opportunities and wealth, she was not a social Darwin. She believed compassion and moral justice were part of the moral sentiment. Quote her from Poem " Crest and Trough" --There are men so bold and brave--They ride the storm and crest of wave--But what of those not so well off?--Who must ride deep in the wave rough---It is fine to vanquish and conquer--to always win,-- to ride at safe anchor--But what of those on whom we tread--How shall they find succor or eat bread?---Be not so sure nor bold and flaunty---Someday chance may challenge your liberty and on those whom will have tread----May tramp us rough shod.---The treacherous sea is deep and tide at ebb.---The undertow grasps us in its web---Think of that dark, dark briny deep---How many lost men in it's depth doth sleep..
Her concern was not just rhetorical, when she saw and knew first hand of people less fortunate, she made packages of food, clothing or what she could spare. This action was consistant with the moral practicality and responsibility of the "Pioneer." She used to refer to the "latch string" to the doors of the pioneer homes as always being open for the weary traveler. Her door was always open, coffee brewing, desert of some kind at the ready and conversation and opinion readily available for whomever arrived. .
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