The Waldron Story...Continued
Pre - 1950
Pre - 1950
1904
1904
State Bank of Waldron Founded
1912
1912
New Waldron Methodist Church Built
1914
1914
Waldron School Commissioned as a 4-year Institution
1920
1920
G.Ayres & S. Haymond Open Store
1927
1927
Waldron Mohawks End Perfect Basketball Season
1929
1929
Toothman Store Sold to Scott Pope
Waldron Mascot Name "Mohawks"
1939
1939
Victory Bell Crafted by J.M. Trotter
1940
1940
Cornerstone Laid for New Waldron School
1943
1943
New Gym, Dressing Rooms, Showers, Stage Open
1941-1945
1941-1945
World War II
World War II
1949-50
1949-50
Waldron Baptist Church Constructed
Waldron HIgh School Class of 1938 65th Reunion 2003
Perry Armstrong's Leather Store was located in Waldron at S.Mulberry and W.Walnut St. Bypass. Here is a letter he wrote to Kenneth Sever, dated September 20, 1945 when Mr. Sever was stationed overseas during WWII.
Memories of the leather store...
Memories of the leather store...
"I bought a couple belts & a bull whip from him! - Sam Frogge
"The last sentence of Perry’s letter still feels appropriate today. We are so indebted to all who have served." - Don Hewitt Jr.
"I have fond memories of Perry Armstrong. I would walk past his leather shop on the way to the grocery store when I was little. I can still smell the scent of leather coming from this open shop door." - - Judy Benson Kuhn
"Perry and my dad, Virgil Doles, were friends. Perry made several leather items for Dad. Most notable was a goodly sized wallet that was used to nightly carry the cash home from the Doles grocery. It was also used to transport cash and checks from the store to the State Bank of Waldron. I had a western belt, made by Perry, which I particularly treasured for its uniqueness. I visited his shop several times and well remember the pleasant smell of the leather." - Bob Doles
1927
WHS Graduating Class
1927
WHS Graduating Class
Waldron Methodist Church - Built 1912
Victory Bell Crafted by J.M.Trotter - 1939
Waldron Baptist Church Dedicated
April 23, 1950
St. Vincent Catholic Church
Letter from Kenneth Sever, a hometown army boy stationed during WWII "somewhere in France", July 4, 1945
Dearest Folks,
"The dust is quiet today for a change and it's almost livable...I trust that you had a glorious fourth. It was just another day here...
...It startles me when I hear the attitudes of some of the men toward their wives back home. Several of them have found women over here whom they like so well that they scarcely consider their families...The kind sedate people of Waldron would not could not believe some of the things which the fellows consider merely common nature...Therefore you can see why I am concerned about the welfare of the church...The church is the only thing that stands for sanity! That is considering it is strong enough to have a voice in affairs. Sometimes I wonder. Are you doing all you can?
...Be sure to see Abbott & Costello in "here Come the Coeds" if you haven't already."
Excerpts from a letter written to "Children of Waldron Junior/Senior High School", by Mildred Louise Yeager Boyle ('27), in August 2014.
"Dear Children...
I am writing back to all of you because you wrote me and wished me many Happy Birthdays!" ...At my age, 105, I have a bit of a hard time writing, but I can tell my daughter-in-law what I want to say. So, I will try to answer most of your questions, since many of you ask the same ones.
I am happy and surprised to be 105 years old. I do not feel 105, though. My Dad lived to be age 99, but 105 is really old, isn't it?
I have had a very good life and I have no complaints. I do wonder why God still leaves me here. I think it must be to pray for others. I do pray every day, as I go to sleep. I pray for all the people I know who need prayers. I pray for the homeless a lot. I hear there are many of them. That must be awful. So, I pray for them every night and I pray for the poor and sick. My family tells me of people who need my prayers each day too.
My Mom and Dad always planted a garden. I helped with that too. We planted cabbage, corn green beans, and tomatoes. We always had fresh vegetables.
We all worked very hard every day. My dad did all kinds of jobs to make money for our family. One thing he did was to go to sales and buy used furniture and other things. Then he would sell it.
...My school life at Waldron was nice and fun. I was a 'Tom Boy'. I liked to play rough with my brothers. I also loved to ride horses. I did a lot, but, not for a long time now.
I went to all of the Waldron schools and had lots of friends...
I also have always loved to read. My whole life I have read lots of books, including the Bible, many times. You children should all read the Bible. It is God's Word.
...I got married to Edwin Boyle in 1935. My name before I was married was Mildren Yeager. My husband and I had 4 children: Tom, Kathryn (Kathy), John, and Phil.
...Thank you all for writing me from your school at Waldron. The questions you asked me brought back lots of memories to me. I will put you all on my prayer list. Have a great summer, be good, say your prayers and be good to your mom and dad.