The Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-02-28, Page 7At every opportunity, the Jacksons escaped from
the rat race of the city to their country retreat - a stone
house in the valley, near the sixth line. Even as she
became progressively heavier with her first child,
Irma Jackson 'looked forward to each Friday after-
noon, when she and her husband' Herb, left for
Redtrees, She craved tor the peace of the valley,
broken only by the symphony of the birds and" the
murmur of the creek which flowed past the house. On
the day this story took place, the peace did not last
long!
Hurricane Hazel brought a fury nobody had
expected. It was true there had been warnings of her
approach up the eastern seaboard of the United
States, but who really believed she would continueher
rampage in Canada? The Jacksons were city people
and totally unprepared to meet the, full force of nature
head on. To make matters worse, Irma was terrified of
thunderstorms. Perhaps' it was the fearful clamour of
Hazel which made the baby decide it was time to make
its appearance.
At first there was just a dull pain in -the abdomen. It
couldhave beencaused by many physical reactions
other than. childbirth. Irma was more concerned with
the storm and the rapid rise of the creek. The water
had edged its way up the hillside and was already
licking at the masonry of the house.
When the first nearby lightning bolts cut off their
hydro and telephone service, the beginning of a
weekend of relaxation turned into a nightmare. They
sat helplessly in the emergency light of a gasoline,
lantern, reluctantly and fearfully prepared to ride out,
the storm.
Between the rumblings of thunder, they heard the
distinct sound of running water within the house: The
rising creek had found the basement window and_was
pouring -into -the cellar. Soon the ground level floor was
covered in water and the mats and carpets began to
move.,'
They retreated upstairs with the lantern: Irmo
-:-rayed on the bed and covered her face with her hands,.',„
The pains were More distinct and it was no use
concealing the fact any-f�onger.
"The babyis coming," she told her man, her voice
shaking with fear. "I have to get a doctor!'"
Herb Jackson would never have received a citation
for bravery, he just wasn't built that way. To get help,
he would have to. force himself out into the raging
storm and across the shallow lake whichnow
surrounded the house, There would be driving rain
and a wind which would almost lift him off his feet. He
would pretend not. to see the lightning which struck all
around him•and flarshed like neon signs between the
strands of wire on the fence lines.
"I'll go to the farm up there." He pointed vaguely
in the direction of the Hungry Hundred. "Maybe' their
phone is still working 1'11 call a doctor. Will yoube
alright till l get 'back'?" ,
She nodded and bit her lip nervously. Every
moment she was left alone would be endured in
purgatory -;,,not through pain but stark terror - the
'torment of H:urri'bane Hazel!
"Hurry - oh Herb - for God's. sake don't be long!"
So it was, that a saturated and frantic Herb
'Jackson, fought the storm to our old frame house, and
begged for help.
It was one of those times when I blest rather than
cursed the partyline. I lifted the receiver and broke
into the conservation,.
"This is an ' emergency," I told my nosey
neighbours. "Get off the line -- I've got to phone the
doctor. I'll -get back to you all in a few minutes - I'm
going to need some help."
My conversation with Doc.Peters was brief. There
was no way he could reach Irma Jackson by car.
Somehow, we had to get her down to -the Doc's office.
When I got back on the party line to the neighbours,
they all began talking at once.
"Shut up and listen," I told them impatiently.
"We've got to get a woman out of the stone house in
the valley and take her to Doc Peters. She is in labour:
It won't be' easy, the valley's flooded. and :so is the
house. Is Johnny McGregor on the line?"
"I'm on the line Doh - so I am."
"I need your old army truck - the four wheel drive
Chevy. ,
"You got it! I'll head her down the road now."
Take the hill road in- it won't be as muddy. Pick up
anybody you can .on the way. 1 need Big. Henry, ,the
miller - I want him to carry the woman, I'm going, to
walk over there- be as quick as you can!"
1. have said it before and. I'll say it again. "You can
"do without your friends, but you can't do without your
neighbours!
My party line brigade did everything and more.than.
anyone would have expected. By the time I reached
the valley, the headlights of the old army truck were
shining from the top of . the hill. I could not help
wondering how many other hazardous journies she
had made during World War 11.
The creek was still rising when Big Henry, the
miller, wading through the water up to his waist,
,carried.: the well wrapped form of Irma Jackson
towards the. improvised rescue vehicle. As it turned
out, we did not need all the peoplewho arrived on the.
scene. They tad brought ropes, canvas sheeting and
there was even a camp bed on the truck in case it was
needed. My .nosey but beloved neighbours :could be
relied upon to meet any emergency!
I can still picture the scene vividly. Figures on the
hillside appearing suddenly in the lightning flashes
and shouting to each other above the storm. There is
one man in particular, who still stands upon the
soddenacres of memory: He leaned into the wind and
half stumbled and half limped to where.I stood.
"Gonna be O.K. - so she is. Still got plenty 'o time,
but she picked one 'ell •of a night to 'ave a'baby!
Almost a quarter of a century has passed since'
Hurricane Hazel visited us. Sherbrought out of the
worst in nature and the very best in men. In spite of it
all, compared • to other communities, Redtrees
suffered little.
What about Irma Jackson? Well,' she gave birth to
a beautiful baby girl. Yes, you guessed it - they called
her Hazel!
Mae's courage.....
CONTINUED FROM P. 6
spent the next nine years.
During the years in the porch, Mae
always looked exceptionally well, and
was an inspiration to everyone. When
showers, parties, picnics were being
planned, Mae always had so many'
suggestions. She did beautiful fancy
work and: wrote interesting- letters to
many friends.
By 1935 they' were doing chest
surgery for TB patients in Weston: Dr.
Connell had gone to Wingham, but kept
in touch with Dr. Johnston about this
interesting patient. Dr. Connell advised
against the surgery- as being too risky,
But Dr.. Johnston and my sister, Dr.
Anna encouraged Mae to have . surgery.
Thirty-six years after the operation, I
took the tape Mae and I did to the
Weston San. The Superintendent was
amazed to hear Mae's story on tape and
kept a copy for teaching purposes.
After spending seven years in
Weston, it did not seem that there 'was
more that could be done there, than
home in the porch. She returned tb
Lucknow in 1942.
In 1946, Mae's sister, Katherine, was
married to Chester Casemore of Wing -
ham. It was agreed that Mae and her
mother would go to the Casemore farm
at Wingham and live with Catherine
and Chester as long as they wished.
In 1955 Mae was taken to London
expecting further surgery. This was not
necessary. A new drug had been
discovered which brough e's temp-
erature back to no " or the first time
in 35 yea
Since our interview, two years ago,
Mae has travelled to the West Coast by
car with Katherine and Chester. What a
thrill to see the Mountains, the Oceans
and so many friends and relatives she
never expected to seel
It is 55 years since Mae went to the
Hamilton San. It is remarkable that no
one -in the family or community has
caught TB: Mae and her family deserve
special credit for observing such care
through so many years.
While Mae never got to high school,
if her letters could be collected they
would make a remarkable book: I regret
that "those I received were not saved.
Liteksbew Sean • Wedassday,, Febromy 28, 11179* -.Pais 7
L*trs.*Q,
the editor
R. R. 5,,
Lucknow,
27 Feb. 1979.
To. the Editor,
I see from Jeff Seddon's
story in the February 14
issue that the "Battle of the
hooks is not over yet" in our.
schools. The article was ins,
teresting and seemed to
show justhow little parents
are directly involved in what
their children learn, as it
seems that the decisions are.
being made by such a few
people with authority and
without direct participation
by parents.
Maybe in 1979, U.N.:s*
"Year of the Child", we as
parents could make a little
extra effort to find out what
' our kids learn in our schools,
and make our wishes known
to School Board Members
and to the Teachers.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Edisbury.
To the editor,
Congratulations: to the
Lucknow Sentinel. You are
keeping alive the activities in
• the village, and making
society in the town very
conscious of its duties.
Harold B. Burns,
7 Faircraft'Blvd.,
Scarborough.'
When my wife heard the tape with Mae
she said, "That's the best tape you ever
made. Mae's courage ail these years
has been a simulus to everyone. Her
friends appreciate the support she has
received from her Mother, sister
Katherine and brother-in-law, Chester
Casemore especially."
Your heart works
harder when
you're not in the
game. Get fit --
and turn the
clock back.
Fitness is fun.
Try' some.
(:;:::7
1.
Pamrriaarnon�0
March 1979.
Dear Editor:
We know that many people
of the area have in the past
enjoyed our Annual Arthritis
TV Special held every. spring,
We wish to inform them that
CKNX Studio regrets that
they will be unable to pro-
duce the TV Special this
year.
Supporters of the Special
who still wish to contribute
towards arthritis research
may direct their donation to
Mrs. Catherine Andrew,
President, P.O. Box 164,
Lucknow.
Sincerely,'
The Lucknow Branch of
The Arthritis Society.
Hamilton, Ont.;.,.
February 14, 1979.
The Editor,
Lucknow Sentinel.
Enclosed is my cheque. for
$9.00 (Senior Citizen's rate)
for one year's subscription
for the Sentinel. I look
forward tohaving it come
eachweek, usually Thursday
morning.
Wishing you continued
success,
Yours truly,
Gladys Moore,,.
(Mrs. Glenn 'Moore)'"
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