Together Forever

By Charlie Mighton

The United States was a great nation in the 1920s. We had finished winning the great war to end all wars in 1918. England and France wrote the surrender papers for Germany to sign. Sorry to say, but the restriction placed on Germany was more than any nation could live with. But Germany was under the thumb of England and France. I think this is what started World War II. I know it was.

In 1929 the world went into the Depression years, lasting till World War II started in Europe. In 1939 war started again in Europe between France, England, and Germany when Germany invaded Poland. The United States, with its large manufacturing ability and can-do attitude, was able to come out of the Depression by supplying Europe with arms and other things. President Franklin D. Roosevelt started the WPA, PWA, the CCC, and other federal programs to kick-start the economy before the war in Europe.

I grew up during the Depression years, having been born in 1924. We were poor like everyone else, but I did not realize we were poor because everyone else was in the same condition. One news reporter wrote a book and called us the greatest generation. History proved that as we grew, we became the most powerful nation in the world. Today as I write this, I can say we may not be the greatest. We could be if we open our eyes and change things back like they were before, a small group that thinks the government is the answer to all problems. Then too we must think we are responsible for ourselves. I hope the generation that follows my generation will wake up and do something about the sad shape we are in. This book tells a little about what I did as a member of the greatest generation and World War II. One of the greatest love stories was started and, like all good things, ended in disappointment due to nature.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Nov 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466951167

Book preview

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Acknowledgements

CHAPTER 1

The summer weather seemed to have arrived early in Dewitt, Nebraska that spring in 1917. The temperature was warmer than normal and the winds were blowing strong from the south.

After the work was done July the 4th all the relatives met at Henry’s and Caroline’s home to celebrate Independence Day. Dewitt was settled by Germans, who came to this country in the late 1800’s, were given 80 acres to homestead for farming and to live on for five years after which they were given a clear title to the land. It took months for the people to learn English so they could speak to non-Germans. The people who came to America were very loyal to their new country since they had been very depressed in the mother country.

Caroline woke up on the 7th of July at 04:30. She could not sleep because the baby she was carrying was moving around and it was hard for her to get comfortable. She would get up and start making the dough for the do-nuts she was going to serve to the harvest hands who would be harvesting the wheat that day.

She started the coffee first. Henry Pfingsten, her husband, would want a cup as soon as he came down to the kitchen. Wives at this time in history tried to fulfill their husband’s wishes. So Caroline made sure the coffee was ready when Henry came down in the mornings. Henry and Caroline had been married for 6 years with two boys and two girls. This baby would be the fifth child. Henry was hoping for a boy so he could grow and help with the farm.

Although Henry did not own the entire farm, he had been given half interest from his father in early 1917. This transaction took place when there was talk of taking property from Germans during the First World War. Grandpa Pfingsten was going to sign over all the farm to Henry but at the last minute had a change of mind, thinking that just maybe Henry would prevent him from any benefits if he had control of the farm. He didn’t want to go to the poor house.

Henry came down to the kitchen all dressed for what faced him that day. Four other farmers with their crews would be showing up to start the harvesting of the wheat. They had finished Harvey Mullock’s farm the day before and from Harvey’s farm they had harvested a bummer crop. Harvey had a large steam tractor that would furnish the power for the thrashing of the wheat. There was a large belt running from the tractor’s power unit to the combine. The combine separated the wheat from the stocks of the plant. Steam operated tractors had a top speed of 5 miles per hour and each one had a large steam whistle that made a shrill sound that could be heard for miles around.

The weather that summer had been above the normal temperature for Nebraska and the wind was very strong from the south. If it hadn’t been for the wind, the heat would have been unbearable. Henry and Caroline’s bedroom had windows facing the south which made it the coolest room for sleeping. The kids would take blankets and sleep on the porch which faces south. The porches were large and ran almost around three sides of the houses back in those days. The 4th had been two days before and chairs on the porch were still back against the walls so the mattresses could be laid out for sleeping in the warmer weather. The porch was a wonderful area to relax for the family and friends when the weather was pleasant.

Caroline heard the shrill whistle of her brother’s tractor a mile away. She put two more eggs in the skillet because Harvey was always hungry. Caroline heard the whistle from her brother’s tractor as he pulled into the yard. She also knew he would eat another breakfast for eating was his favor pastime.

Harvey parked his tractor by the barn and shut off the engine. You could hear the steam relief valve open and shut for there was still fire under the boiler. Each time the relief valve opened it would startle you regardless of how many times you had heard it. Harvey walked thru the door into the kitchen and asked Caroline if there was any of the apple pie left from the 4th celebration. Henry asked Harvey, Do you ever get filled? Harvey answered Only when my sister runs out of food. I am still building on my love cushion.

Harvey and his wife could not have any children and Harvey loved all the kids from each family as if they were his own. He would entertain the children for hours telling jokes and funny things about other people. The children loved the stories about their kin folks when their parents were kids. It made them feel like they had something on their parents.

After finishing breakfast, Henry stood up and said, I better go out and get started since some of the hands are showing up. I want to get as much done as daylight will permit. Henry asked Harvey, are you coming?" Henry didn’t want to be too blunt with Harvey because some times when money was short he could always count on Harvey loaning him money. Since Harvey and Mary did not have any children, they were able to be frugal and save money and have it whenever there was need for anything. When there was food in front of Harvey he never got in a hurry. You could tell from his stomach that Harvey lived to eat.

Harvey came in second at the Gage County Fair in the pie eating contest last fall. Harvey claimed he would have won the event if Caroline had made the pies. Harvey said Pie eating is not easy, if the pies you’re eating are not tasty. When Harvey would make a statement like that people knew he was so full of it. They would just shake their heads and roll their eyes with a grin on their faces.

Henry made two short blasts on the whistle from the tractor, meaning, come on over to hear me to get started on the harvest. Just as Harvey was getting up to go outside, Caroline’s water broke and she let out a sound that told Harvey she was about to have that baby. He told Caroline I will get my Mary, his wife, to come over to help you. Harvey’s wife Mary was the midwife for this area in Gage County. She had seen almost every child born in Gage County. Harvey ran out the door telling everyone about Caroline and borrowed a horse to run over to his place to get Mary, his wife. He hooked the borrowed horse to his buggy, while Mary gathered up what she needed to help Caroline. Harvey ran the horse and buggy back to Henry’s place. Grandpa Pfingsten was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for Caroline’s sons and daughters, after helping Caroline get to her bed. Since Caroline had had four other children she figured it would not be long before this child was born. Sure enough she delivered her fifth child in about one hour and it was a girl. Henry instructed Mary if the