Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 20 can be read here.

As the Word Turns

Oscar stayed to help Gerhardt and go to school, and then finishing high school and getting started.  Gerhardt had turned over Ma’s manager/helper job to Fritz, which included taking the Hammer children to Franceville school, which was now a two-room again, and the O’Conner school was abandoned.  Gerhardt, who had violin lessons, was the only one interested in the violin Pap had bought.  Gerhardt had taken lessons from Clarence McLaughlin, Mrs. Virginia Shonts’ nephew.  He practiced a lot on the violin and accordion that were shelved behind the door of the front room – the company locked-up room.

Gerhardt listened to what people had to say about the use of the O’Conner school.  It was the place neighbors met still, for funerals and picnics.  These picnics are where Martin Hammer and Perry Titus vied for the approval of the school marms.  Perry and Martin usually made their horses buck to show off for them.  That was really the beginning of the local rodeos if the baseball games didn’t have enough players.

After several discussions as to what would happen to the building, Gerhardt and Charlie Melbruer thought holding dances would be great.  And it was for those young teachers and eighth grade mature girls who had no further ambitions than to become a housewife to one of the young farm boys.

Mr. Weir came out early that spring.  He was no longer sheriff of El Paso County and, for something to do, he joined with a couple friends to try to sell oil leases.  He came to mother and introduced his partner.  A deal was made for drilling a well in the Sherwood place, to use roads already in place, and what other stipulations.  She was assured $70 before they ever drilled.  Then the contract was to be renewed.  Pap came out when the gossip on Nevada and Tejon Street corner revealed the secret.  That intersection was called Farmer’s Corner, because the farmers from as far as Ramah, Drennan and Ellicott met to gossip about weather, crops, neighbors or scandals they could bring up – the guilty party not in attendance.

When Elizabeth graduated from high school, the last fight occurred.  Mrs. Hammer took an oil lease on the place which was paid for by the boys and her parents’ money from Germany.  This Sherwood pasture was land not a part of the original homestead, but Pap Hammer wanted the $70 to send to his brother to come to the United States.  The boys helped mother keep the check for college tuition.  Reverend Hammer took his can and bet it into splinters over the garden gate post.  One of the boys drove him to town. It was a long time before he came out again.

Next week – As the World Turns (cont.) 

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