Wood County Historical and Preservation Society
When I was just a maiden fair,
Mama made our underwear;
With many kids and Dad’s poor pay,
We had no fancy lingerie.
Monograms and fancy stitches
Did not adorn our Sunday britches;
Pantywaist that stood the test
Had “Swans Down” on my breast.
No lace or ruffles to Enhance,
Just “Jockey Oats” on my pants.
One pair of Panties beat them all,
For it had a scene I still recall-
Chickens were eating wheat
Right across my little seat!
Rougher than a grizzly bear
Was my flour-sack underwear,
Plain, not fancy and two feet wide
And tougher than a hippo’s hide.
All through Depression each Jill and Jack
Wore the sturdy garb of sack.
Waste not, want not, we soon learned
That a penny saved is a penny earned.
There were curtains and tea towels, too,
And that is just to name a few,
But the best beyond compare
Was my flour sack underwear.
Things that were bought or used in the 2 lb. to 100 lb. bags were– sugar, flour, meats, corn meal, navy beans, soap flakes, bath crystals, coffee, salt, mail bags, money bags, lead shot, tobacco, dog food, cement, tire chains, mulch, feeds, fertilizer and plant foods.
There are many ways that members can assist in the success of our historical society. In the past quarter, Virginia Deem has been instrumental in bringing new members to our organization. Her help (and yours in the future) is needed and appreciated! Heretofore, our top-recruiter was probably Jack Wigal. He, of course, has an advantage. As he registers guests who attend our meetings, he is quick to make the statement, “you ought to join our historical society.” Usually they do!
In July of 1939, a red Cessna monoplane sat down at Stewart Airport, then the local municipal airstrip. The pilot was 35 year-old Gilbert Stoll. He was here on a six-month mission to assist in mapping, via aerial photography, all of Wood County. His photographer was 22 year-old Donald Stark.
Their seven-cylinder, 250 horsepower monoplane had a cabin specially designed for aerial photography– the floor was a heavy, translucent material.
Flying at 17, 000 feet, each picture taken covered 90 square miles of terrain. Photographs were later superimposed which would eventually form a detailed aerial map of the county.
In that they could only work on clear days, it was anticipated that their work would take six months to complete.
Employed by Aerial Survey of Pittsburgh, the team had already “mapped” several West Virginia counties.
While in town, the pilot was joined by his wife and young son. The story, reported in the July 7, 1939 edition of the Parkersburg News relates that they rented at 1604 16th Street.
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Through the generosity of Richard “RD” Cowgill, owner of Aerial Photography, we now have beautifully detailed, aerial images of Dils, Holliday and Tavenner Cemeteries.
Impressed with an aerial that “RD” had taken of Fort Boreman Historic Park, your president contacted him about shots of the cemeteries; without hesitation “RD” offered his services.
The aerial views offer an aspect that may well help us in locating graves plus, they will be very beneficial in mapping the old burying grounds.
Wood County Aerially Mapped in 1939
Just Received– A Bird’s Eye View of Our Cemeteries!
Top Recruiter!
H & P Page 3
Feedsacks, continued.
DEPRESSION FLOUR-SACK UNDERWEAR
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