It was in the middle of "The Great Depression." Many people were out of work and no jobs to be had. Ivan Henderson was a little tyke, small enough to be placed in a baby buggie and wheeled to Dr. Stierbergers' office. He was very ill. He had Pneumonia and his lung was filled with fluids. Dr.E.A. Stierberger, I think was his correct name, had a very good friend and right hand man who was what we now call either "Black" or "Afro American." Ross could do anything according to Ivan. He drove the Dr. on house calls, seems to have assisted in every way with operations or anything else where Dr S. needed help. Dr. Stierberger called him "Nigger Ross" not as a "put down" but as his friend. Ivan remembers this gentleman quite well as he was in the operating room assisting when, a large slit was cut in Ivans left back rib-cage and fluid drained from his lung. Ivan is now past 75 yrs old and will carry the huge scar to his grave, but he would have died as a child had it not been for Dr. Stierburger and "Nigger Ross" emergency operation. He remembers that when his father tried to pay, Dr. Stierberger, knowing that John had several children and was getting very little work, cussed him out and told him if he needed money he'd send him a bill. He was a rough spoken man, but had a golden heart. When he made his will, I am told, he forgave the debts of those he knew were in need. I have not seen his probate, but I think it is true. During this period, the early 1930's, many folks left Franklin County trying to find work. Those who had been employed by the shoe factory would have to go to work and stand outside and hope to be called in by the foremen to work even if only for a part of a day. They had to show up or would be permanently terminated. Some got work, some didn't. They were lucky if they were able to get enough work to make $5.00 a week; many were not called and went home with no hope of a payday. Dr. Stierberger and his faithful friend "Nigger Ross" helped a lot of these people, saving many lives, I feel sure. -- Leona [Lee] lee@gower.net Genealogy, Native American, wild flowers, gardening, insects, Herbs, etc.. Non Commercial site http://www.gower.net/lee Non Commercial site http://www.geocities.com/tvksi/index.htm

That is a wonderful story; I know many families during that time period that wouldn't have made it without their friends and neighbors help. I apprediate your story and know it to be true. There were so many like that. People didn't just think of money' they helped their fellow man and expected no pay. My brother and I used to play with all the old account books in my Grandparents upstairs room; full of people who couldn't pay. There are some like that now but not many. My Grandparents lived in Okla. and sold everything from groceries and whatever in their general store. People would pay when the crops came in; if they came in. Nice to hear of people like you mentioned. God Bless you all and have a wonderful weekend. May each day be better than the one before. Barbaa in Salem, Mo Leona Halley Henderson wrote: > > It was in the middle of "The Great Depression." Many people > were out of work and no jobs to be had. Ivan Henderson was > a little tyke, small enough to be placed in a baby buggie > and wheeled to Dr. Stierbergers' office. He was very ill. He > had Pneumonia and his lung was filled with fluids. > > Dr.E.A. Stierberger, I think was his correct name, had a > very good friend and right hand man who was what we now call > either "Black" or "Afro American." Ross could do anything > according to Ivan. He drove the Dr. on house calls, seems to > have assisted in every way with operations or anything else > where Dr S. needed help. Dr. Stierberger called him "Nigger > Ross" not as a "put down" but as his friend. Ivan remembers > this gentleman quite well as he was in the operating room > assisting when, a large slit was cut in Ivans left back > rib-cage and fluid drained from his lung. Ivan is now past > 75 yrs old and will carry the huge scar to his grave, but he > would have died as a child had it not been for Dr. > Stierburger and "Nigger Ross" emergency operation. > > He remembers that when his father tried to pay, Dr. > Stierberger, knowing that John had several children and was > getting very little work, cussed him out and told him if he > needed money he'd send him a bill. He was a rough spoken > man, but had a golden heart. When he made his will, I am > told, he forgave the debts of those he knew were in need. I > have not seen his probate, but I think it is true. > > During this period, the early 1930's, many folks left > Franklin County trying to find work. Those who had been > employed by the shoe factory would have to go to work and > stand outside and hope to be called in by the foremen to > work even if only for a part of a day. They had to show up > or would be permanently terminated. Some got work, some > didn't. They were lucky if they were able to get enough work > to make $5.00 a week; many were not called and went home > with no hope of a payday. Dr. Stierberger and his faithful > friend "Nigger Ross" helped a lot of these people, saving > many lives, I feel sure. > -- > Leona [Lee] lee@gower.net > Genealogy, Native American, wild flowers, gardening, > insects, Herbs, etc.. > Non Commercial site http://www.gower.net/lee > Non Commercial site http://www.geocities.com/tvksi/index.htm