Robert's Memoirs Page 9 (1940 to 50)
When Bob Jr. was one or two years old, at times,
he would take the ear ache. At the time I was working hard and, being during W.W.II, I was
going to school, teaching first aid and acting as air raid warden so when I got to bed I
was ready for sleep. In the old days a doctor would prescribe a drop or two of paregoric
for babies with the ear ache. I wanted Lettie to give him a drop or two so I could get
some sleep but Lettie has always been very careful about taking or giving us any
medicine,Since she wouldn't give little Bob any, I took a swig myself and fell asleep
shortly afterward. I did not know at the time that paregoric contained opium. It was used
often in those days and you only had to sign for a few ounces. I am glad little Bob didn't
have the ear ache very often.
In the late thirties and for several years,
Vashti's family and ours had some wonderful times together. Marvin, his brother and I did
a lot of fishing when they worked together. We would meet at different locations in
Eastern NC . I have a picture of my son Bob Jr. holding a large string of crappie caught
while we were fishing with the Kisers and Marvin's mother on the Pee Dee river east of
Albemarle, NC.
We caught our own minnows to fish with. I don't
remember any places to buy minnows at that time. Probably because the branches and creeks
were not polluted and we had no problem catching a hundred or so in only a few minutes.
Bob Jr. and I accompanied Bob, John and Marvin on
several fishing an swimming outings to lake Wylie. Sometimes we would get real hot fishing
and would go swimming nude. At this time you could go hours without seeing anyone else on
the lake, sometimes all day.
Bob Jr. didn't hunt or fish with us much prior to
the end of W.W.II since he was only 3 to 4 years old. After the war, however, we went with
others on fishing trips not only to Lake Wylie but also to Santee Cooper. Bob jr. caught a
9lb. 12oz. large mouth bass while we were fishing with Clarence Stikeleather in Jack's
Creek at Santee Lake. I had it flown to NY and mounted. I don't think Bob Jr. has ever
equaled that record. I have fished with some of the best bass fishermen in my life but
neither me nor any of my friends ever caught a large mouth bass as large as his.
Bob and I have caught a lot of fish together but
the best catch I remember was up Crowder's Creek from our cabin, trolling from our home
made boat when we spotted fish feeding off of a point. WE caught 8 large mouth bass that
all averaged around 8 lbs. each. I have never equaled that catch. I think I have a picture
of us with these fish.
I remember one time when John, Bob, Marvin and I
went rabbit hunting between Charlotte and Waxhaw. On the way we picked up a wedge of
cheese, some crackers and sardines. We each were carrying one of the items and it was a
mistake for me to be carrying the cheese. Our dogs started running a fox and all got
separated trying to catch the dogs before they ran themselves out after the fox and end
our rabbit hunt. While trying to find the others, I started snacking on small pieces of
the cheese. By the time we got together I had eaten more than half of the cheese and I
told them I had caught a rabbit and he had eaten the cheese. They all got a good laugh out
of the story but I am sure it was not funny since we were all hungry from catching the
dogs.
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