Dear Editor,
Hi Leonard, still enjoying the walk up main street & as we get to the corner of Main & Sumner street, I can relate to what I remember in the time frame of 1934 & through the late 40’s.
In 1934 I was 6 years old & had a broken hip due to being kicked by a horse & was taken to Newcastle to Dr. Wells office. Dr. Wells & his partner, Dr. Lovelace were housed in a building on Seneca street behind your Cash Ceramics building. The building was divided & each room had few pieces of furniture–an examining table & reclining chair.
Neither room had an x-ray machine as there was not room enough. The x-ray was located in the building across the street from the Chief Hotel. The building was later an apartment building. As I needed x-ray, I was carried on a gurney from the Dr. office to the x-ray. Not too convenient.
While I was recovering my Mom & I stayed with my Great Uncle Fred Holwell who lived on Woodstock St. When we needed groceries Mom would call the Washburn-Bettis store & they would deliver. The delivery pickup truck was painted a Lavender color with yellow wheels. The make was RIO. I guess I became an “Old Car” bug at an early age as I was sure fascinated with that pickup.
My Dad was a good friend of Glen Bettis as they were both on the football team in high school & when in Newcastle we would sometimes stop at their store. Mr Bettis let me sit in that pickup once & I was sure that my Dad should get one just like it. Much too fancy & expensive for farm work. We never got one.
Now I skip to the 1940’s. When I started high school there was a large vacant lot beside the Red Owl store. Several times a carnival came to town & set up on main street between Seneca & Sumner street. The vacant lot was for the side shows & games of chance & other things–cotton candy & other money grabbing booths.
I can’t remember too much about the buildings but do recall a barber shop, a pool hall which was for “Advanced Education” I flunked all four years there. Next was Oliver’s Feed store. Around the corner where First State Bank sits was Cuz Oliver’s feed warehouse. The Washburn -Bettis grocery store was located on the corner of Main & Sumner Street.
Thanks Leonard for making me remember things that never came to mind until your history walk up the street.
-Jack Holwell