This is a story that has been passed down by my family for the last three generations. I hope anyone reading it will find some enjoyment in doing so.
I was born and grew up in the state of South Dakota, USA. South Dakota is a rural, lightly populated state. At the time of my birth however, the rural areas were more heavily populated than they are today. Our family farm was just four miles from the village of Iona. Four miles of dirt road, sticky gumbo dirt. In bad weather we stayed home.
In March of 1938 my birth was near. On March 12th the weather forecast was a good chance of snow. March being our snowiest month here gave specter to the possibility of my being born in a car stalled in a snowdrift somewhere between home and hospital.
Having decided it was best to avoid a potential snowstorm, Mom and Dad set out for the hospital. The four miles of dirt road were passable and they soon arrived at Iona. The next leg of the journey was 25 miles to Gregory and the hospital.
Before leaving Iona my parents decided to check in with the local store owner, Alec Worth. Mrs. Worth was also in a family way and after some conversation it was decided that Mrs. Worth should also accompany my parents to Gregory. However, before they got on their way a young couple from southwest of Iona arrived on their way to Gregory for the same reason Mom and Mrs. Worth were going. Edna Ellis was pregnant too. The upshot was that Dad loaded all three pregnant ladies up and headed to Gregory.
The trip to Gregory was uneventful and they arrived at the small hospital operated by Catholic Nuns. When they entered the Sister at the front desk was somewhat tongue-tied as she looked at my Dad with those 3 very pregnant women. She finally said "My, what a man".
Darl Ellis was born on the 13th, Bobby Worth was born on the 14th and I was born on the 15th. On March 15, 2018 it will be 80 years since Mom and I took that ride with my "what a man" Dad.
