In short, people did whatever it took. They lived on wit, ingenuity and sheer grit. Welfare was an option only when all other possibilities had been exhausted. Being “on the county destroyed a person’s pride and reputation in the neighborhood. Listening to today’s folks talk about “hard times” is tough to swallow if you can still remember the days when surviving was a matter of searching the house for five pennies that would buy the loaf of bread a family of four needed to stay alive another day.”

In a few short days Memorial Day will be here. For the next several weeks we want to share some news clippings from 1943.

I once read a story about a little French orphan girl named “Coco”. I didn’t think I had ever heard of “Coco’ but it was her nickname. She was born back in 1883. And besides that, she was a girl who was raised by nuns. She loved to sing and made a career in voice her dream but after many-many attempts she learned that she had no future in singing. I don’t know if she had any musical talent or perhaps just couldn’t sing. I’ve known a few people like that in the Baptist Church, but Coco knew it and got out of it before much time went by—probably to the relief of music lovers in the French Catholic Church where she sang in worship.

DEAR BILL, As most Gene Autry fans know Gene was a multi-talented man. Most men are content to have one successfui career in a lifetime. Gene had three; singing movies, and business. A biographical sketch describes him as singer/ guitarest, song writer, actor, and business executive. He was also a promising ballplayer in his youth and I have no doubt had he chosen this profession he would have been a top level player and possibl. a Hall of Farner. As it is, Gene is in at least 3 halls of fame; cowboy,country music, songwriters, and his hand and boot prints are embedded in Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. (If I’m not mistaken, Champion’s hoofprints are in it as well.

HOLDENVILLE — A newly released midyear legislative analysis is highlighting Oklahoma State Rep. David Smith as one of the more independent voices in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Solomon Was Right — As Usual It was a long time ago. The Wayne Bullard family was going on a trip.

Dear Bill: I promised you in my last letter that I would never again bother/bore you and your readers with a story about Gene Autry. However, since receiving your January 20 issue and since I have some additional information on our hero I must break my promise. I ask for your forgiveness and being the God-fearing man that I know you to be, I’m confident that you will do this.

As advanced and developing humans (whatever that means) in modern society, we have an affinity for that most precious and valued commodity, prized throughout much of the western world – toilet paper. And like George Costanza, with a fertile and active mind, I have been thinking about toilet paper recently.

Much of America is enjoying a large dose of winter this week. There will be more to come.

Dear Bill: This is a follow up of my letter to you about Gene Autry. I promise to never write or bore you on the subject again. I’m glad you like it and saw fit to share it with your readers. Hope they liked it as well. You can be the judge if this missive needs to be shared with them or not.