The following is from a journal written by
Verbal. It covers a period from December 1952 to June 1954. It is about the
purchase and development of the property in the Northwoods neighborhood in West
Chicago, DuPage County, IL. Notes have been added in parentheses by her youngest
daughter, Janet, reflecting her memories of that time.
1952 in early
December, Frank, Pat, and Stan developed a premature case of Spring Fever. They
began talking of buying a few acres of land, making it cheaper for each of us to
have a new house. As they talked, enthusiasm grew, until even I was drawn into
it.
1953 We began to watch real estate ads, especially in the Sunday
papers. Until late January, nothing seemed suitable. Then we read an ad for ten
acres, near Wheaton for $3950. All that week, after having written for more
information, we wondered if we'd hear any more from it - expecting a phone call.
On Wednesday night, a salesman, C. F. Langille came by. We made an appointment
to meet him in Wheaton and go on out to the property. By that time, I'd decided
it was a risky project. We were doing all right where we were. We might get into
more than we could carry. All the way out, I kept telling myself, we could not
go into it, no matter how much of a bargain it was. But, as we entered the road
that led to the ten acres, I was sold!
We had intended going on to Pat's
anyway, for my birthday dinner, so we rushed to tell them about it. We couldn't
get the meal over fast enough. (Pat and Stan Hass lived in Elgin at this time.)
We were so afraid they would sell it before we could get back.
So on
January 31, we made a $20 deposit. We didn‘t even take the check book. We were
so sure we were going to just look. On Sunday, we took Terry and Gini to see it
and they too were duly impressed. We all talked at once! Everyone had big ideas,
some ridiculous - others quite fantastic.
The following day a $780 loan
payment was made, papers signed and thus began the building of our
grandchildren's heritage! (I was thirteen years old at this time. Our plans did
get carried away! The "dream" for the land I loved, was the one where we would
all build houses and then down by the water hole have a "community" park. We
were going to have a swimming pool, swings, picnic tables, and even a stable. It
was fun dreaming!)
For the next month we looked through every home
magazine we could find, clipping ideas on building, gardening, and house plans.
We had already decided to plant a garden this Spring and start a few trees.
We ordered nursery catalogs and sent for strawberry and blackberry plants,
seeds, three elm trees and a few fruit trees. (The ten acres of land had no
trees on it. You came out of the Northwoods, down into our ten acres and it was
barren.)
On Feb. 22, we drove Pat and Stan home. (The Lucas's lived in
Maywood, Illinois at this time.) Terry brought film for his camera and we drove
out to try to get pictures to send to Roger, hoping to give him a little more to
visualize. I sat in the car holding Cathy, who was asleep, while Pat took
pictures of Stan, Frank, Terry, and Janet, standing at different points on the
land - How the wind blew! They were all frozen when they got back to the car.
When the pictures came, their figures were so small they were indistinguishable.
Pat marked and noted them all and we sent them on to Roger; as he is so anxious
to get in on all out planning, we try to give him all the information we can.
(Roger Lucas was in the Marines and stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.)
On March 15, we all went out again—-mainly to see what the ground looked
like after a heavy thaw, and rainfall, as we had worried that the land might be
so low that water would stand. We were all quite happy to see that there was
little water, even in the new road.
This was the first time I'd really
walked out over the land, and we'd just got out of the car and I was looking for
a low place where we might plan a pond, when I saw running water in a deep hole.
We are hoping it will prove to be a spring, but Frank says it's only where the
land had been tiled at some time. Anyway, it may solved the problem of water,
when we set out trees. Pat and Gini began planning how they can beautify it, if
it really is a spring. They want to have some project to work on this summer as
their “delicate condition" prohibits any strenuous activity.
(The water
hole was a favorite spot for all of us. It turned out to be a gathering place
and a picnic area. The water was so clear and cold; we would keep things cold in
it, such as drinks, fruit, etc.. There was a gorgeous weeping willow tree down
there; it was a nice spot to go just to be alone with your thoughts. Because it
was so windy and cold that spring on the property, we tried to build a lean—to,
so we could get out of the wind. I think it stood for a while, but it was
destroyed in an incident that I will mention at a later time.)
From the
first day we've all concentrated our thoughts on a suitable name for our acres.
We had thought of combining the two names, Hass and Lucas, into “Ha-Lu Hollow",
but we're not all to enthused over that.
So, because of the father
getting “farming fever" every Spring, since she can remember, Pat came up with
"Spring Folly". This name we shall keep under consideration until we can all be
together for complete agreement. And, if our hoped for spring is really a
spring, the name will be most appropriate. (Ha—Lu Hollow had a better sound to
it. I always liked it.)
So our enthusiasm continues, each time we go out.
Within the next week or so we shall probably spend our weekends spading and
getting our garden ready. We even have an almanac.
We're all agreed that
no work will be done in the "point" this spring. The first day Frank walked down
there, about ten pheasants flew out of the brush. So, Terry has extra interest.
We're hoping they will decide to nest there.
(The "point" and surrounding
areas made nice hunting grounds. This was the land at the western edge of the
property, which eventually belonged to Roger and Joan Lucas. Terry would take me
with him hunting; I was always so excited to go along with my older brother. I
was his "bird dog“! He made me walk ahead of him and flush out the prey. I am
surprised I didn't get shot. I enjoyed it anyway!!)
March 21, the first
day of Spring, our first warm Saturday — the temperature reached 70 degrees. We
woke up at six o'clock and Frank and I were on our way out by eight. It was a
very nice trip. We got there about 8:45, and walked all the boundaries of the
land. Then decided on a spot to set out some bushes I had dug from the yard
here. Then we walked up to talk to the man who is building the "green" house and
got a little extra information about wells, soil, etc. and he asked us in to see
his house. While we were there, Pat, Stan, and Cathy came. Stan helped Frank set
out a couple of small trees, and they went over to spade a plot for a strawberry
bed. The ground was still quite wet, so they did not accomplish much. Pat,
Cathy, and I went to our water hole, which is really a tiled wash—out. We put a
few stones in and cleaned it out a bit. I had packed a quick lunch, so we sat on
the ground to eat. The wind was so strong it practically blew the food away.
Cathy certainly enjoyed the whole day. She took her pail and shovel and helped
pick up stones. We were all wind burned when we got home.
(Cathy was
almost three years old at this time.) It was a very enjoyable day. A well—digger
cam over, drumming up business, offered to drill a well for $750.
On
Friday, March 27, Terry, Gini, "Cookie" and I went out to ask a farmer to plow
our garden plot, as time is running out and we're afraid all our plants will
come and we'll have no place to set them. We drove up a side road to the Kline
farm, found the son, John, at home. He went right on over and plowed an acre for
five dollars.
Saturday morning, March 28. Pat and Stan came in for lunch
as we had to wait until after noon to go out because Frank had to work a half
day.
We were miserable - It was so cold. But, Stan set out the two peach,
one apple, pear, and cherry trees. Frank and I planted potatoes. Pat wrapped the
trees to protect them from rabbits. Then Frank and Stan set out blackberry
plants. The kids came back with us and we went back the next day. (Pat and Stan
use to come into Maywood and spend the weekends with us a lot of the time.) It
wasn't quite so cold, so we took food, built a fire for the kids and set to work
again. Stan, Pat, and Janet did some more clearing of our "spring", Stan made
steps going down to the water. Frank took pickets and built a fence around the
berry plants. I planted beets, lettuce, and turnips. We baked potatoes in our
fire, warmed beans, and fried Canadian bacon and frankfurts. It is getting
tiresome eating on the ground so our next project may be a picnic table. Stan
built a shelter from the wind but it wasn't very effective. (This was the
lean—to.) He also put up our "Private Property" sign, hoping to discourage
trespassers.
April 4, Frank and Stan went out to set out three elm and
two small plum trees.
April 11, we put out the strawberry plants.
April 18, Terry borrowed Mr. Hill's truck, and he, Frank, and Stan drove down to
Kankakee to buy evergreen from someone Terry had heard about. They were only
$1.50 each, by them doing the digging. They bought six Colorado Spruce, stole
one, and were given a pussy willow tree and two small plants. They got back
about 12:30 and went on out to set them.
It was so cold, Pat, Gini, and I
went out and just sat in the car to watch them.
May 6 The stolen tree
died. May 9 Terry, Gini, and I went down home for the weekend. Frank, Stan, and
Janet went out to plant some corn and melon seeds. Some of the strawberry plants
died. They should have been mulched.
May 16 Frank, Stan, and I stayed out
until afternoon. It was very nice out, but cloudy. The previous week, Frank and
Stan had gotten quite sunburned.
On Wednesday evening, 20th, Frank and I
set out tomato plants (24) and 47 sweet potato plants. Our Irish potatoes are
coming along pretty well. The weather hasn't been favorable to gardening.
We saw where several cars have been driving down into the Point—~whether for
pheasants or fishing across the tracks, we're not certain. The fox (or whatever
it is) has dug a large hole in the bank of our "water hole“.
Stan and Pat
bought and set a willow tree for my Mother's Day gift — planted May 7, 1953.
All the trees are doing remarkably well. One peach is in bloom. The cherry
has two blossoms. But, they are all very pleasing.
July - Everything is
very dry. The water hole has only a gallon of water. We've had beets from the
garden and by the 11th, there were enough potatoes to cook with a meal of green
beans. We took them on to Pat's, so she could enjoy them too.
Jan had
planted four hills of pumpkins, which are now ready to "run", as are the
cantaloupe and watermelon vines. Something raided the hills of cucumber seeds -
a woodchuck we think, as we saw one run across the field last week.
(This
was the year Daddy had so many small watermelons, he didn't know what to do with
them all. We were living in Maywood, so he gave the melons away on Halloween to
the "trick or treaters“. We had every little colored kid in the area at our
door. The next morning the streets of Maywood had watermelon rinds all over
them. Dad had such a good time giving them away and laughing at each kid that
came to the door.)
The last of June, a neighboring farmer cut the hay for
which he paid $20. We were glad to get it cut, as well as to make any money on
it.
The trespassers were going through the fences to a branch of the
river across on the next farm. Jan went exploring and saw fish there. She came
back to get Frank and me. We saw eleven big carp. Jan was so excited and could
hardly wait for Terry to see them.
When we went out the first of this
month, the river was so low the fish were gone, but Terry, Gini, Jan, and I went
wading.
(I loved to explore the river and surrounding area, as did all of
the family and the grandchildren. Terry and I made spears to try to catch the
huge carp in the river. I don't know why we didn't just fish with rods, unless
it was because they didn't bite when spawning; we made spears like any normal
person would do!! I don't remember ever spearing one of those huge carp, but we
had fun trying. We would even get up in the trees, on the branches hanging over
the river and try spearing the fish. We always ended up wet and muddy, with no
fish! We took our darling beagle, "Terry's Bugle Babe", along with us. Our only
worry was, the farmer on the hill. He would always yell at trespassers or even
shoot his gun in our direction!)
January - We've decided on the Baltis
house, and Frank has contacted Mr. Budd for the plans.
We called in
Marquardt Realty on January 12 and listed this house.
March 6 - We had
three parties to look at the place. On Sunday, 7th, the broker came with the
contract. We signed it on Monday night when he brought the buyers over —- Mr.
and Mrs. Donald Warren. We listed the place at $13,750 and have accepted a $2000
second mortgage.
(The house in Maywood was a big two story house with a
closed in front porch. It had two dining rooms, three bedrooms, and one bath,
upstairs. It had a very nice staircase in the living room. The backyard was full
of flowers and there was a garage. This garage was the hiding place for the
neighborhood boys and when we were learning to smoke. It is also the place where
my mother caught me smoking and "blistered" me with a switch!)
March 8 to
13 Frank has accomplished a great deal toward building preliminaries - the
carpenter, electric contractor, heating, and cement men have all been contacted.
The excavation for foundation was made on Thursday, March 11. The day before,
Gini, Janet, and I went to Wheaton to see about a building permit. While there,
I arranged for temporary electricity and got instructions for a seepage test for
the sewer system from the DuPage County Health Department.
March 13 Mr.
McKee, the building contractor brought his contract over for signing. We spent
three hours going over details of the plans. He is going to work weekends, with
Frank and the boys giving what help they can.
March 14 Frank and I went
out to see the excavation. While out there, we went on to engage the Barnes
Trenching Company for the septic system. He is making the arrangements with the
Health Department. The excavator, Mr. Bird, made a mistake on the excavation so
has held up the work for a few days. He is to go back tomorrow to correct it.
The cost of all is to be $110. We also saw Mr. Urich, the foundation man. We are
considering asking for a loan from the Globe Savings and Loan Company in Berwyn,
he has been laying the groundwork for this - contingent on the money from this
house.
March 18 The Savings and Loan Company in Berwyn does not issue
loans so far out. The man they sent did not bother to look at the lot.
The footing for the foundation was put in on the 15th and on Saturday, 3/20, the
forms were put in, the foundation was poured March 22. Terry and I went out
Thursday, 3/25, to put in 8 feet of pipe for the temporary electricity. This was
the day after our big rainstorm. We were surprised at the comparatively small
amount of water on Our road and land.
On March 26, Frank delivered his
first lumber and the next day, he, Terry, and Stan helped Mr. McKee and his
carpenter put up the floor joists and outside studding. The excavator hasn't
backfilled yet, so they had to work over water.
(Mr. Lucas worked for
Berwyn Lumber Company and so he delivered his own lumber for his house, because
none of the other drivers would know how to find the property.)
Joan took
Pat, David, and I out in the afternoon. We made coffee and had rolls for the
workmen. Then, we took turns carrying David so we could walk the boundaries. We
had a nice fire and just sat around until time to come home to cook supper. We
had to scout around to borrow a pen to make out checks for the carpenters. The
woman who lives in the big white house aptly called our land "the Meadow".
This first day's payroll amounts to $34 for Mr. McKee and $26 for Mr.
Grahnke.
Sunday, the 28th Roger had to work in the morning, so he, Joan,
her sister, Jan, and I went out (mistake - Jan was already there). They had the
"deck" laid so we all began nailing floor boards. But, it soon turned too cold
so we waited in the car for the men to quit. We had cake and coffee, but it was
so cold we couldn't enjoy it.
(Joan and I use to have to try to find a
place to buy food or hamburgers to bring in to eat. We were not familiar with
the area and besides, West Chicago didn't have much to offer as far as
restaurants were concerned. Wheaton Bowl was a close spot. The first time we
ever went out to pick up food for all of us to eat, we got lost. We couldn't
find our way back into the property; it took us a couple of hours to get back.
We must have gone in circles from the bowling center. We laugh about it now, but
I don't remember if we thought it was funny at the time. I know on one else did
because they were starving!)
April 3 Everyone went out to work again. Jan
and I waited and went with Joan, about 10:00. Terry built a little house for
shelter. We started a fire for warmth and almost burned off the whole field. It
took us all fighting it and probably would never have put it out. The excavator
was there, backfilling the foundation, so he ran the "cat" around it and put it
out.
(The fire Mom wrote about was a memory I'll never forget. The fire
was terrible and burned the whole field, but I thought it was very funny.
Picture this - the whole field was all a fire and there stood Mom down in that
little water hole, with a little coffee can, filling it up and throwing the
water on that huge fire. She was so busy with her little can and wasn't doing a
thing to the fire. It struck me so funny. I started to giggle and laugh and
couldn't stop. Mom came storming out of that water hole and "popped" me in the
mouth. That made me laugh more. I still break up laughing, when I think about
it! In fact, I am laughing so hard now, tears are streaming down my face. But
maybe, you had to be there!!)
Jan and I went on home with Stan to stay
all night. Then Sunday we all went back to the house at noon. They've got all
the windows framed in, the sheathing on, celotex started and Mac has begun on
the roof. It's beginning to look like we might be living there someday.
April 10 Joan came by for me. We got out there in time to have lunch. Roger had
dug up a tree from Niemans' yard, had bought some rose bushes and a small
evergreen tree, so we went ahead and set them out. It was
still a little
cold, but we had a nice time.
Frank had picked up the windows Friday and
they were put in. The company had left them at the wrong place, so he had to go
out with the lumber truck to move them.
We didn't get our temporary
electricity after all, so Terry hauls out the generator each time. He is still
pumping water out of the basement, too. We wonder what we'd have done without
him and Mr. Hill's truck.
Stan had to go home Saturday as he was too sick
to work.
April 11 Joan and Jan went out with Roger. I waited for Gini,
and we went out at noon. I took out my two lilacs that Moccio had given me~—
also a mock orange and honeysuckle bush, and set them out. Dad didn't work.
April 12 Our money is to come through today. We are to sign final papers on
this house. Frank is taking this week of his vacation. Mrs. Sego is letting us
have the balance of our mortgage on this place to apply on the new one.
(Mrs. Sego held the second mortgage on the Maywood house and instead of
collecting the balance owed when Mom and Dad moved to West Chicago, she just
held a second on that property. It was a verbal agreement. The bank cashier in
Maywood told Mom he wouldn't do that for his own brother. The folks paid Mrs.
Sego off shortly after moving to the Northwoods.)
April 13 We signed
final papers yesterday, but because the bank would not release the deed, our
money won't come through until every paper clears.
April 17 The men went
out but things have slowed down. Stan had to work, Art didn't come.
April
18 Easter - no one worked. April 19 Frank went out. The plumber is to start
"roughing" in today.
April 22 Got check for $4412.92 from Marquardt
today. Went to bank to see about Mrs. Sego's loan. Got certified check to pay
off the balance due on the land. Engaged a lawyer in Wheaton to search title and
get legal papers in order.
April 23 I went to McIntosh and got their
promise to hurry up the papers from them.
April 25 They put the roof on.
The roofer is to come in next week to finish up. The plumber has done his
preliminary work-— even has the bath tub setting in place. This is Cathy's
favorite room - probably because she can picture the completion of it sooner.
April 29 Roger and Joan went out to set some more bushes. Frank and I went
later, so we could inspect the roof. The septic system is in but left open for
inspection. The roof looks nice. We stayed out until after dark.
May 1 A
beautiful day. Terry drove out in Mr. Hill's Cadillac for just a few minutes.
Stan couldn't come either. Joan, Jan, and I went in to West Chicago to see about
mail delivery, without much satisfaction. They started putting on siding today
and will work inside tomorrow.
May 4 Frank and I went out to clean up
some of the scrap lumber ready for the electrician. The well digger has set up
his machine.
May 6 Electricity is “roughed in".
May 9 The whole
gang of us went out. I worked outside while the rest put up rock lath. The
cabinet maker came to estimate cost. Juanita and Mac came by in the afternoon.
May 10 I went back downtown to pick up final papers on land. May 11 Went to
Wheaton to deliver same to Mr. Lovejoy.
May 15 & 16 Everyone worked hard
on the rock lathing as the plasterers are to get started next week. Paul and
Dorothy came out to help on Sunday. (Paul Lucas is a nephew to Frank.) I got
some of my garden planted and was exhausted. We worked until dark both nights
but the house is all cleaned out. The carpenters had nothing to do, but Art came
out Sunday afternoon to help put up the chimney. He brought his family.
May 23 Yesterday was Roger's wedding day so no one worked. Mae came up so we
took her out Sunday. Chester and his family, along with the Lester Lawrence
family, came late in the afternoon. Frank and I worked late to finish the first
coat of paint.
June 5 We didn't do any work for the past two weekends
waiting for the plasterers. I put in some more garden over Memorial Day
weekend—-tomato and pepper plants and some cucumbers. We took Howard and his
family out. (Howard Lucas was another nephew from Alabama.) Then Sunday the
whole family came for dinner, after which we all went out again.
June 7
Frank and I went out. The plasterers have finished three rooms.
June 9
Plastering all finished. Ray Pertle (a friend of Roger's) came out in the
evening and did some more of the wiring.
June 12 Basement floor, front
porch, and steps were put in. The hardwood floors laid, back door and storm
doors put up. Roger started tiling the kitchen.
June 13 The cabinet man
came to measure and plan the kitchen. Much has been accomplished this weekend.
June 18 Gini, Jan, and I came out to see if Public Service had put in
transformer and to call man to sand and finish floors. This was done.
June 19 We started moving. All the plumbing except the sink is in - everything
very nice —- Roger's birthday. All the Niemans, Cookie and our family were
together. What a mess!! Joan and her mother prepared food but we have no sink or
way to unpack dishes or groceries. Cabinets are to come Monday.
(That
day, we washed the dishes in the water hole and things were kept cold there
also. The meal was very difficult to manage, more like a picnic! We had to rough
it for quite a while after we moved in.)
June 22 Phone was installed
today.
The following comments were added by Janet:
Mom ended her
journal about the Northwoods venture with the June 22 entry.
The first
night we slept in our new house, it was so quiet, it was spooky. We had never
experienced such a night, no traffic noises or people noise, just that spooky
quiet. Until, we heard strange noises in the walls of the house. We jumped out
of bed and listened. We had no idea what was causing these strange sounds.
Later, we discovered a molter cat and her kittens living in the spaces between
the walls. They were wild and we had a heck of a time trying to catch them. We
tried all sorts of things.
One day Terry came out with Mr. Hill's pickup
and a kitten got in the truck without his knowledge. Terry took the kitten back
to Maywood with him. Gini may have tamed it, I don't remember.
I enjoyed
the open spaces of West Chicago and the Northwoods, but I missed having Maywood
park to hang out in and play ping pong, baseball, etc. I was happy we moved. I
got to have pets. Mom and I bought a part Springer Spaniel puppy for me to have;
we named him Tonto. Joan and Roger bought me a puppy too (not knowing I already
had one); we named him Ranger. They also gave me an old black dog named Ike (he
belonged to Joan), but she couldn't keep him at the time. Terry let us have his
beagle, Babe; so I had four dogs at once. No one wanted me to be lonely!! We
enjoyed many dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks while we lived in Ha-Lu Hollow.
Life was very different for us and sometimes very lonely, after all we were
used to the suburbs of Chicago, with its people, public transportation, shopping
conveniences, recreation, etc. Mom, Dad, and I would walk the fields and along
the tracks (which later became a prairie path) and were so happy when an "El"
train went by on the tracks, so we could wave to the conductor. Mom would be so
lonely when I left for school, she would get out and walk the woods.
We
loved the changes in the weather, getting flooded in or snowed in. The storms
were beautiful and exciting out there. Mom and I would make toasted cheese with
Pepsi to drink and watch it rain. Naturally, I didn't have to go to school on
such days.
Not too long after we had moved to the Northwoods, the
doorbell rang. I went to the door and here was a big horse standing on our back
step.
For a city girl, what a shock! I almost fainted. A girl had ridden
over to introduce herself to me. Mom and I laughed over this for a long time.
That was Ha-Lu Hollow of the past. Life changes constantly, but it does go
on! This was a chapter in all of the lives of the Frank Lucas family and their
descendants. Some of us have good memories, some sad, and some disappointing,
but it was a part of our heritage, be it good or bad.
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