April 1, 2020
Stories from our youth from Larry Francis.
In 1945, my Mother and Father settled in Alexandria, Virginia, with my sister June and me. In 1948, a decision was made to send June and me to stay during the summer with my Grandparents, Ernest and Grace Queen on their farm on Brushy Fork, Buckhannon, WV. I remember that we helped around the farm and enjoyed the open area to play. We would go after the cows in the evening for milking time. I remember my Grandfather would pour the milk into a machine, and then turn a handle, that caused the cream to separate from the milk. Then the next day my Grandfather took the cream to Buckhannon.
On a number of occasions we would sit in front of my Grandparent’s house to watch airplanes takeoff and land. Sometimes we would see an airplane come in and pick up a bag hanging on a special hook. It turned out to be a postal bag used in airmail deliveries. Often we would go with my Grandmother on the walk of about a mile to get the mail.
During haying time both my sister and I would help stomp the hay down on a hay stack or help load the wagon with hay. Many times we would help hoe the garden or the corn field.
We continued to spend the summers with my Grandparents thru 1950, and with my Grandmother in 1951. My Grandfather passed away in December 1950.
Submitted by Larry Francis