This is the story of Jane Soper, written by Mrs. Soper and edited by Lois Ribovich. | They say everyone has a story they would like to tell. This is my story, Jane Black Soper. I was born in Canadaigua, NY on February 20, 1922. | I moved to Ralston in 1924, my father worked for the railroad and was transferred to the Ralston Railroad yard. At that time, it was a large railroad complex, machine shop, etc. It was a place trains turned around. There was a ramp where coal trucks backed up and dumped coal onto the trains for fuel. There was also a water tank to fill the engines. |
The entire family got free passes on the railroad till age 18, so we did all our traveling on the train. We made many trips to Canton, OH where we visited relatives.
Dad's engineer friend Jess Ebersole had a car and commuted to Ralston when their shift was done. When my dad bought Jess's car, Jess bought a new one. He never did learn to drive.
I remember the troop trains during the war. They would go onto the siding, as daily trains had the right of way. Troops were not allowed off the trains. They opened the windows and all the girls would rush to the tracks to talk to them.
During the Depression, when coal trains went in the siding at night, it was well known that the coal would be thrown off the cars and carried home to keep the fires burning in local homes. Stealing or was it a necessary need?
A large crab apple tree by the M E Hall was loaded with apples. Everyone picked them and took them to make jelly. We also picked elderberries and dandelions; any kind of food that was free.
I think of the many sacrifices parents made in order to pay for the class rings, prom gowns, gym suits, sneakers, senior trip, and Girl Scout uniforms during this time.
I've lived in eight houses over the years, all in Ralston. I remember the many hotels in town. I believe there were eight. Many were turned into houses or apartment buildings, since.
It was an easy and relaxed life when I was a child. We went swimming at the "Boom." I think some children still do. The South Ralston gang swam at Dog Town Bridge.
I can recall the fire that destroyed the tannery. My dad, who was a volunteer fireman, as most of the able body men and boys were called to help unroll the hoses and drag the hose carts to the fire location.
The Bat Mill was in the old train station the day the tannery burned. I was still in high school. The principal came to our class and announced that all boys were excused to go help. I jumped up and followed the boys up the alley.
The boy running beside me was laughing as I said, "where are all the girls?" I thought the principal said you are all excused to go to the fire. (Dah)
I went to Washington, DC for my senior trip. It was my first time in a hotel or on a long bus ride. I rode in a Piper airplane over the city. It lasted about 15 minutes. It had an open cockpit and carried two passengers plus the pilot.
Before taking the plane ride, we had to have our parents sign a permission slip. My mom was rather hesitant and didn't give me permission to take flight until I was on the bus. She knew I was going to be injured or worst, killed in the airplane. I was not.
I had to wait until I was 90 to go on an airplane again from Elmira to Orlando, FL. I was a little nervous but enjoyed it once we got in the air.
Route 14 was a dirt road. It was paved around 1921. We would roller skate on it, because there weren't many cars on the road at the time.
Red Run Mines, coal tipple, the brick yards, was a huge business in the area at that time.
Ralston bricks were used in the construction of the Ralston Bank and the Catholic Rectory. Also the old Williamsport High School.
Electricity was invented by now, but in Ralston it was available at certain times of day and evening only.
I started first grade in 1928 with Miss Selma Peterson as my teacher. She was still teaching when my three children went to Ralston School.
The high school and grade school were combined with two classes in each room.: first and second; third and fourth; fifth and sixth; high school was on the second floor.
I was a member of the graduating class of 1940. Our class numbered 25. It was one of the largest classes to graduate.
The Methodist Church was part of my life growing up. We would have a picnic at Frozen Run about 1 1/2 miles south of town. We must have walked carrying the picnic baskets, because there were few cars and my dad did not drive.
The park was donated for church use by the Hertel family, who owned the land. It consisted of a couple of rough picnic tables and a couple of benches. A plank, nailed between two trees and a fire pit was also there and used to roast corn. These items were also donated by Hertel farms.
One of the tragedies I remember was when Rosalie Christianson was struck by a train at Dallas Bastian railroad crossing in the mid '40s. She was baking cookies and went to the post office and forgot they were in the oven. She got struck when she was hurrying home to get the cookies out of the oven. She recuperated in the hospital, but it took several weeks.
Another memory was the ME building which was across the street from the school. I went there for music lessons. The teacher came from Williamsport twice a week to give lessons on several instruments. I tried the clarinet and piano, but I never did well on either. I guess I wasn't musically inclined, but I do love to sing. When asked as a child "what do you want to do when you grow up?" I always replied, "I want to sing on the radio." This dream never came true.
The ME hall was part of the Methodist Church, It was our gym, dance hall, dining room for town and church dinners; and stage for dramas, plays, concerts, etc.
It burned one night and a new gym and auditorium was erected around 1937. This was thanks to the PTA who worked long and hard to complete the fundraising projects. Also at this time, two new rooms were added.
The first floor was for home economics. It contained two electric stoves and two sinks for cooking and clean up. The teacher was from Williamsport, and came a couple days a week, her name was Miss Avalyn Kaiser.
I can never forget the time my father won a live turkey in a raffle. He came home from work on the 3 a.m. train with a live turkey under his coat. He had its legs tied together and tied it to the door of the house and went to bed. My mom found the turkey in the kitchen when she came down in the morning. That was a story that got told many times over the years.
About 1943 the Americana Fork and Hoe Company bought out the McLaughlin Bat Mill. I was hired as a secretary for the firm.
While employed there, I had a phone call from the railroad operator at Trout Run. There was a telegram from the government. It read that my brother, who was serving in the United States Army, overseas was missing in action and presumed dead. So it was my job to get the word to my parents. This was of course one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But then there was a happy ending as the group he was with were found safe and sound. He survived his stay in the service but never seemed to be the same when he came home.
I have been through several floods. The first one was while I was working in Williamsport. On the way home I got to the Ford Garage (south of town) and water was over the highway. I got out of the car and waded through water waist high to my home on Main Street.
I was also around for the flooding in 1993.
I have participated in three centennials.
In 1987 I marched in the parade with the original Girls Scout Troop. Other who marched were Jean Knowlden Wall, Marian Twist Micklitsch, Geraldine Wilkinson Boyer, Myrtle Twist Larson Bell and myself.
In 2012 I was designated Mayor for the day. I got to ride in the parade in a convertible donated and driven by Norm Hicks. Bucky Buckwalter was grand marshall.
My memories wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention Old Dr. and Mrs. Mansuy. Doc was available anytime of the day or night. He delivered our first baby for only $25. There were cases when he was lucky to get a chicken for payment Can you believe it now? I always admired Mrs. Mansuy because she was such a lady and so friendly. She was pleasant to talk to (or listen to). She was quite the talker.
I was cheated out of a grandmother, one of the greatest pleasures of life. Both of them died before I was born.
There is no one around anymore to help with names. Sometimes it is sad to be the only one left. There is no one to reminiscence with, friends or neighbors. At the time there were the Weigles, Lucases, Spencers, and Schaefers. It was a wonderful childhood.
I had three siblings: William Black, Geraldine Bassett Perry, and Grace Gublo, all deceased.
I married Jerry Soper and together we raised three children, Bonnie Bryan, Gary Soper (deceased) and Marilyn Route. We were together for 43 years until his death.
I had seven grandchildren (two deceased) and 11 great grandchildren (one deceased) and one great-great grandchild.
The past 25 years I have spent with Nelson (Bucky) Buckwalter as his companion. I have been fortunate to have had two great men in my life. It's a joy to have someone to share your final days with. I enjoy spending time with my children and extended family.
I still continue to sing and attend the Methodist Church even at the age of 93. Stop in some Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are always welcome.
This account of my memories is as accurate as my memory permits. Hope they have been entertaining and I did not bore you too much.
Thanks to Lois Ribovich for interviewing me and insisting I tell my story. Now I will leave you with a poem.
Eighty Today
Dear Lord,
I'm 80, and there is so much I
haven't done. I hope, dear Lord
you'll let me live till 81
But if I haven't finished all I want
to do. Would you please let me
stay until I'm 82.
So many places I want to go, so
much I want to see. Do you
think you could manage to
make it 83?
Many things I may have done,
but there's so much left in store,
I'd like it very much to live to 84.
And, if then I'm still alive then I'd
like to stay to 85.
The world is changing very fast,
so I'd really like to stick
around and see what happens in the world when I'm 86.
I know dear Lord, it's a lot to ask
and it will be nice in heaven,
but I'd really like to stay around
till I'm 87.
I know by then I won't be fast,
and sometime I'll be late, but it
would be oh so pleasant
to be around at 88.
I will have seen so many things,
and have a wonderful time. So
I'm sure that I'll be willing to go
to 89 (well maybe)
With apologies to Ann Landers. I've added this verse.
Now here I am at 92
I don't know what to do
Guess I just sit back and see
I just may make it 93
And I did!