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081
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SUMNER
The depression of the 1930s changed the life of a lot of people in the United States. Although we lost all the money we had and were in debt when we had to leave the ranch, our life during that period was comfortable and without a feeling of need.
Our closest town and rail center was Sumner, Nebraska. We did most of our shopping at a small grocery store where we could trade eggs and cream for groceries, and other item we needed for every day living. We had a radio that kept us in touch with the outside world. Omaha, and Kansas City would give us the daily livestock markets and news. This was a battery operated system, there was no electricity, so the battery had to be charged every few weeks. We would take one into Sumner to be charged and take a charged battery home with us.
Sumner was our closest point to obtain parts for equipment we used in the hay field. Many times we were able to repair equipment in our shop on the ranch, but occasionally we would break something that needed a new part. On one hot August day in 1930, we broke a catch on the hay rake, we needed it badly, but if one of the men in the field took time to go to Sumner, we would have to stop the entire stacking crew. When Verna found out what had happened, she agreed to take Dale, (age 6 months), put him in his basket and take him in the pickup and go to Sumner. She drove the 12 miles in 100 degree heat, over dusty roads and returned, only to find that the dealer had given her the wrong part. She took time out to take care of Dale, got back in the pickup and did it all over again.
Sumner was our loading point when we sold cattle and shipped to Omaha. We usually cooperated with Malcolm or Don, Verna's brothers who lived close by. We would start early and drive the cattle the 12 miles, hoping to get them out that day and have them in Omaha the following day. As soon as the cattle were loaded, one of us would take the saddle horses home and the other would make the trip to Omaha.
Often these trips were monotonous and tiring. I did make one that was more interesting than most. Sumner was not on the main line of the Union Pacific, and we would be switched over at Kearney. I was the only person, other than the train crew, in the caboose. It was late at night when we left Kearney, and I was awakened at midnight when we reached Grand Island. Before we left, a well dressed gentleman, carrying his suit case, climbed the steps into
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Metzger Memories
