My Foundation

Sulphur Springs and neighboring areas in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri:
a small portion of the world, but the breeding ground, foundation of my being.


The Bittles

In the late 1930s two prominent families, McGowan and Tyler, lived in the area. You might ask, “What made the families so important?” For Dale and me, they were the beginning of our being.

My life is filled with fond memories of the magical place Mom and Dad called home.

Betty Tyler Bittle’s household occupies the back upper quarter of my heart. The bright pink household on the Oklahoma side of the highway was complete with an outhouse, castor oil, party-line telephone, Jack (husband), Bobbie, Kathy (2 daughters), homemade bread, brown beans and goulash. The party-line was a ton of fun. All a child had to do was pick up the telephone and listen to others conversations or sing “Happy Birthday” to a neighbor! How much fun is that? Eventually the place had in-door plumbing, brick and new occupants.

Then there was a one room rented dwelling. Even though the whole family lived there, the Bittles always made room for Mom, Dale and me to stay the random weekend. I don’t know how they put up with me. Unlike today, I was loud, failed to mind my own business and love to talk others into things I knew we would not get caught doing. We always got caught.

The Bittles built another house on the Oklahoma side of the highway. I only remember the house, barely. I must not have had time to cause too much trouble there.

Building a third house brought the Bittles to civilization: the Arkansas side of the same highway. I loved this place as much as the pink house. Bobbie insisted on kissing my dirty bare foot after a day of playing outside. Once again, Jack and Bobbie both blamed me! Just because I told Bobbie a small kiss on the foot would get me to play with her again is no reason to blame an innocent child.

I must have been a terrible child because the Bittles up and moved as far away from me as they could: Yakima, Washington. They never returned to live in the land of magic. I have missed them daily since.


The DeShazers

Mary, Grandma McGowan’s oldest, rented a large two story white house a couple of blocks behind the main street.

Noreen always let me walk to town to check the DeShazer Post Office Box. She let me walk on the rock retaining wall that ran for miles from her house to town. It is the only Post Office Box I remember any family member ever owning; I was pretty sure they were a rich family.

Jeanne could be heard from every corner of the house although, she could nearly always be found upstairs in one of the two hardwood floored bedrooms.

Bruce was a fun playmate on the stairs, upstairs and under the stairs!

Lee was kind enough to let me work the push mower all over the yard! I am sure it was very safe since there was no motor, gas or oil to harm a young girl.

Rita thought she was an adult at an early age. She did not hang out with us youngins.

Somewhere close-by a Tyler descendant (Lou and her family) lived. I was able to walk by myself to her house if Mom knew I going over to play.


Willie’s

Willie lived outside of Kansas City for several years before returning to heaven on earth. Earl and Willie moved their two young boys to Springdale for a couple of years before moving to Earl’s hometown of Decatur. The first Decatur house was gray in color and small, but Willie and Earl were use to small spaces.

The sewing machine was always handy; it seemed at home on the kitchen table. Under Willie’s skillful hands, it produced all of my drill team outfits, a scanty outfit mandated for this Jr./Sr. prom server and a complete wardrobe for an entering University of Central Arkansas student (Willie never told me no). On the front porch, it was common to hear the hum of a hand-cranked ice-cream maker during the summer months and see one of the many youngins turning the crank. Fresh peach was my favorite.

Willie eventually moved back to her home town. Her house was fantastic; it was shaped a lot like Iroquoian Longhouse. The stairs came equipped with a chair anyone could use to ride to the second floor where Willie, Jim and dog resided. Two apartments could be found on either side of the stairs on the bottom floor. Jim’s dad occupied one, and he was seldom seen.


Noel, Missouri: the dentist and the Owens

Ruby and Mom thought they needed a day on the town every six months. Together they coordinated the date, one made the dentist appointment, they piled five children into the back seat of an old Mercury or Ford and then they made the eight hour round trip to Noel. Still today I believe they were more interested in making money than fixing the children’s teeth. The dentist gave each child a shiny, new nickel if a cavity was found, and I always had at least one! Before heading home, Mom and Ruby had to have lunch. As for the children with cavities, eating was out of the question and ice cream was all that was allowed. Now I know why I am so skinny today; Mom did not always believe in feeding me.

Alice along with David (husband) and children (Wayne, Doris and Jonnie) lived high on a hill that looked down not only on the beautiful town but the train track. Playing in and around the yard was as fun-filled as only eight young children could make it. I still have a pleasant, warm, calming feeling when I place myself in the yard. I guess the “adults” did not like the sounds of our voices or footsteps as I do not remember being inside the house.

My heart still misses a beat recalling Mom’s, Ruby’s and Grandma’s anxiety after hearing a breaking news story of a train explosion August 3, 1969. A train traveled into Noel with a burning flat car carrying two cylinders or vats of ammonium per chlorate, an oxidizer for propellant fuel and a box car containing alfalfa meal. The explosion killed one person, injured many more, demolished many homes and business, and damaged even more. Not knowing about Alice, David and the children was heart-wrenching. Even if all escaped the explosion, what about the ammonia in the air? Everyone knows how dangerous it is to breathe that stuff. They were fine, thanks be to God. I loved the next visit to their house. It did receive some damage but nothing like the homes on the streets that separated their house from the rail-road track.


The Park

The Sulphur Springs Park has been in my life as long as I can remember. Mom, Ruby and Grandma found it somehow amusing to trick each small child into taking a drink from each of the three wells in the middle of the park. All three were frugal by nature; maybe they just wanted to work the pump and not waste the water. I don’t recall any of them tasting the fruits of that magical land.

The Grand Stand was a perfect place for the children to dance and sing. Although, they weren’t allow to very often. I wonder why? Could it have been it was out in the sunshine without shade and they could not see us from the fold up chairs setting under the trees?

The lake! Swimming was always fun there. Playing on the rock dam, walking across the lake and even sneaking a swing on the rope tied to the tree limb provided visions of heaven for this old lady. I don’t think the fly families were ever invited to this wonderland.

One of my favorite side trips was a walking trek across a “narrow foot bridge” to Lithium Springs. Now that water was not only cool but tasted wonderful! I cannot believe it does not run anymore.


Ending Thoughts

I have been reminiscing with Mom as she drifts in and out of sleep here at UAMS. Thank you, Mom, for allowing me to visit with you these past three days. Next time let’s leave the hospital part out, okay?