Icel Returns to Springdale

Ray's mother contacted Icel, almost literally, through the grapevine. She called Icel's mother's neighbor who rang a cow bell to let the elder Icel know there was a phone call for her.

Clyde Perkins, Icel's father-in-law, had been hurt and they needed help in getting their produce and eggs to market. He had been milking the cows, a cow had kicked and knocked over the stall, it had hit Clyde on the neck and he was in a terrible way. Icel asked her dad's advice. He told her she should sell her little house and go help them. Her Uncle Si helped her to ready the house for sale and move the furniture she wanted to keep to her parent's basement. She got $3500 for that little house, an amount which she seems quite proud of still today.

Icel cleaned up the remaining bus and filled it with gas then gifted it to a friend of theirs who had been one of the drivers. He offered to buy it but she said she knew Ray would want him to have it and carry on the work.

This was the year 1945.
Barbara had just completed the 3rd grade in Portland. She immediately began the 4th grade in Springdale as the school year ran on a different schedule. There were three classrooms - one was for 1st and 2nd grades, one for 3rd and 4th grades and one for 5th and 6th. She had a terrible time keeping up.They were learning different math concepts that she didn't understand. Icel can remember the hours she and her mother-in-law spent drilling her and helping her to learn the multiplication tables. It was a difficult time for Barbara.

This is the Perkins family:

Mabel, Gertie, Ray, Vera, Juanita (Nita), and Rose

Clyde and Myrtle are seated in front

They settled into their new life. Mabel and Gertie, Ray's two oldest sisters, were married and gone from home. Vera had moved away. Nita had gone off to college in Grand Coulee. Rose was still in high school so Icel drove to the market everyday.

Here is a picture I found online concerning Springdale:

This is Springdale in 1904:

Grandma tells me often that she would have her own pictures and documents to show me concerning so many of these things if she hadn't lost nearly all of her belongings, including the cedar chest that held her memorabilia, in a fire in 1973.

 Icel's parents went up to Springdale to visit:

William & Icel Clark and Mable and Clyde Perkins

Fawn

This is Betty with the fawn. It must have been a pet?

And Here is Barbara with it