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 21 can be read here.

As the Word Turns (cont.)

Elizabeth went off to college with a doctor’s satchel and a sack with a pair of white shoes, a white dress and her graduating suit which was a velvet jacket and a black and white shirt jacket trimmed in shirt material.  I also had under clothes made from sugar sacks and bloomers from flour sacks.  Ma sent me five dollars a week for meals at the college café.  But in a month I got a job working for the dorm mother.  Then my college sponsor got me a job with a family.  I pulled one over on Ma.  I got the refund and let her send me the five dollars for four more weeks so I could buy clothes and shoes.  I bought clothes from some of my dorm buddies that had money.  From then on I stayed with a family on a yearly basis for board and room.  I got ten dollars a month for summer wages.  I also babysat for faculty members, usually until midnight, for fifty cents.  

Liz came home for a visit after two years at Greeley and with a coveted Life Certificate.  She was going to stay home from the community’s Kitchen Sweat, as they called the Friday night dances.  These dances had begun with the community’s weekly Literary Night at the O’Conner School.  First, the childrens’ memory work was recited.  Then two or three older people of the community vied for the first in the elocution or declamation contest.  Elizabeth was always there with whatever the teacher gave her to memorize.  But this time Elizabeth was going to say home and tell mother about her new school where she taught only subjects in Junior High, a 22 teacher school.  She with her new higher salary had invested in a nice winter coat.

Gertrude had two of her school chums to go with her to the dance.  The three girls came down as they were to give a one-act play for practice with the money to go to the Civic Center in Colorado Springs to the El Paso play contest.  One of the girls had on my brand new styled coat with the karakul collar and cuffs, Liz’s first store bought winter coat ($75).

So she asked “just a minute, who goes there with my new coat?” Gertrude hurried to explain, but it was Liz’s entire month’s salary going to that place where rough boards caught fabric and where these boards were to seat.  There was no place to hang one’s garment.  So the three embarrassed girls went up to change coats.

When they left, Ma said, “You should have let her keep it.  Nadine is a nice girl.  Her father is on the school board. 

Next week – As the World Turns (cont.)

The Kiowa County Press invites those who live in or have ties to Colorado - especially the southeast, however all contributions are welcome - to share their story with our readers. Family history, current life, unique sites and adventures, and other aspects of living in Colorado are welcome. Contact us at editor@KiowaCountyPress.net.