This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: farwellwalter Surnames: Rector, Potter Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.iowa.counties.fremont/7457/mb.ashx Message Board Post: TRENDS: Fred Rector has received the appointment of Rural Mail Carrier. D. O. Potter has been named as his substitute. The first mail on the new route will be taken out Monday April 2nd 1906.--The Fremont County Herald of March 30, 1906. Harrison County (Iowa) Democrat, 4/9/1923: "THE RURAL MAIL CARRIER." -- By H. C. FORT 1. From Maine to California, on country lane and pike, No matter where you find him, he's pretty much alike. Don't think because his pay is big his job is soft and funny; For there are times, I'll tell the world, he more than earns his money. 2. When roads are good and skies are blue, the weather warm and prime, Methinks I'd like to have his job--it surely must be fine! But when the mud is four feet deep, and drifting snows do fall I sometimes wonder how on earth he makes the trip at all. 3. On mornings cold he cranks his Ford until he is out of breath And hunts for pennies in the box when he's most froze to death. At Christmas time he's loaded down with more than he can haul; But usually he manages to somehow take it all. 4. We send off for our auto tires, to save a little dough; He brings them out by "Possum's Post" thru fourteen feet of snow. We send to Shears & Rubberneck for sugar, soap and pins; And if perchance there's something lost, we lay it unto him. 5. He answers foolish questions till he quite wears his jaw, And folks presume to ride with him tho' 'tis against the law. I 'low if I were in his shoes I'd lose my patience, quite, And would, e'er I'd gone half my route, be mad enough to fight. 6. But nothing seems to bother him so far as I can see, Tho how he keeps so cheerful is a mystery to me, He's ready to accommodate in many different ways, Although he knows it doesn't add a quarter to his pay. 7. His patrons love his pleasant words and cheery, smiling face; I doubt if any other man could ever fill his place. And so we hope as time goes on he'll keep on pulling through, For if he ever quits his job, I don't know what we'd do. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.