An old man with a good memory

This was transcribed from my Uncle Clarence David “Bud” Neighbours handwritten journals by Dean Neighbors 20 Aug 2017 courtesy  of Bud's grand daughter Donna and Ed's Daughter Jana.  

“Mama” was my paternal grandmother Iva Mae Faughn's Neighbours. “Dad” was my grandpa James Levin Neighbours. “Millard was their adult son Millard Elldridge Neighbors. And yes, some spelled it Neighbours and some spelled it Neighbors but that's another story.

     “ Oct 29, 1981

To the Edgar Neighbours family.

Nov 6, 1931 started off a gray cloudy day. How well I remember it.

The evening late afternoon Mama starting having labor pains. The plan was to send us kids to a Neighbor's house. But the rain changed them. Dad called Dr. Nash from Sparks. He was an old man at the time. His driver and the Dr. started... got as far as grandpaw neighbors place the little creek coming out of William's place flooding road.

The only thing to do was for us kids to stay at home. It rained and lightning and thundered. A bad a storm as I ever remember.

Brother Millard was there. He was 22 yrs old at time. Dad sent him next door to the east to get Nancy Price. She was a large woman.

They put rest of children to bed. Dad and Nancy was going to deliver baby. Millard was still up sitting in kitchen. I was in west bedroom listening to the strange sounds.

Sometime after midnight heard crash. The whole house shook. Dad called out Millard get in here. When mrs Price saw the mess she fainted. Heard Millard say what are we going to do with her. Dad said let the old fool lay. So they delivered the baby while she lay on the floor. Next sound I heard was a loud cry. Then I went to sleep.

Next day about 9 a.m. Dr arrived. They had sat all night on the road waiting for water to go down. Dr. Nash examined Mama. Said everything was allright. Dad asked what do I owe u. Dr. answered some hot coffee and $10.00 (Ten dollars)

Times was hard then middle of the depression, Ed. You had less than a dollars worth of clothes 3 little waist that went around and pinned in back. Rest made from this and that of old clothes and feed sacks. You had a full head of black hair. Needed a haircut the day you were born.

I wanted to name you Charles. Dad wanted to name you Edgar Allen after the poet. We called you Edgar Allen when you was little to tease Mama but she named you Edgar. When mama said something she had what it took to make it so.

Congratulations on your 50th day of your birthday. May you have 50 more.

With Love

Your brother

CD (Bud) Neighbours  an old man with a good memory.”