Memories of the 30's and 40's in rural Towanda Township by Robert Kelly (Kelley) We lived on the two mile road west of Merna, and as typical of those times, we had a massive crew for shelling corn, thrashing oats, putting up hay and, of course, a crew for butchering. Each farmer needed to butcher 4 to 6-- 200 pound hogs and a steer for food for the following year. Every farm had a smoke house where the meat was hung and cured. The women served up bountiful meals for the crews, made sausage, and cut up small pieces to render lard. Every one of those farmers had a nickname. My dad, James, was called Happy; my uncle Martin was Blondy ; Jim Gould was Red; Gene Gould was Butch. Joe Merna was Barny; Frank Merna was Stump. Big, tall Pete McGrath was High Pockets. Fred Schlosser was Slim; his son Don was Junior. Allan King was Ol Al; his son Allan was Young Al. Tom Moore was T.P.; Leo Moore was Mick; Gene Moore was Gauzy. Joe McAvoy was Mac and Ray Killian was Hooker. Martin Cunningham was Fleet who also had the reputation of being the best farmer. Everyone went to him for any question they had about the crops.
