Mary Wands Campbell - The Gladiolus Review

Besides being smart-as-a-whip, my grandmother had a wicked sense of humor.  She also loved gardening, with Gladiolus being her special favorite flower. 

Moon with a prize specimen

Arrangement by Moon

Daughter, Janice on the left, Moon in the middle, and Janice's childhood friend Leona Towner Rem on the right, with Glads.

While Janice and Harrison were young, from 1928-1932, Moon was the humor columnist for the Gladiolus Review, published by The American Gladiolus Society at Goshen, Indiana.  Officers and Editors listed on the masthead hailed from all around the country. 

Her column was originally entitled "SMILE-A-WHILE" - A Bit of nonsense - By MARY WANDS CAMPBELL.  Later it became, "THE MIXED ROW", and later simply, "SHUCKS" (Unconducted)

Some samples of her cartoons:

Click to enlarge

Her column consisted of original cartoons and jokes.  I do not know where the jokes came from, but if she wrote those, too, I am in awe!  At the time, she signed her work with a swastica symbol enclosed in a shield.  Needless to say, once the Nazi's subverted this ancient symbol, she abandoned it. 

A GLAD dream

A photo of me, sitting by the barn in Athens with Glads.

More Glads at home, Athens, PA.

Harrison S. Wands

This seems like an appropriate time to honor my grand uncle Harrison Sherwood Wands, who died during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918.  He was 27 years old.

He was working at the Hog Island naval shipyard in Chester, PA as a carpenter.  Uncle Harry S. Campbell, shared the story of Harry's death:

"There is a Wands story about Harry Wands' passing which I probably told you.  I will tell you again.

When the family got the news, someone had to go down to Chester to bring the body home to Collamer. I suspect it was Than Pierce, Katie Wands Pierce's husband. (Katie would be your great Aunt.) Harry had been living in a rooming house. Than tells the story. "I found the house and as I walked up there was a man standing out front, looking up and down the street. He said 'I had decided that if no one came for this young man, I would see him buried in my own cemetery plot'".

Harry was then buried in Collamer Cemetery."

Harry died on October 2, 1918, his own father William Henry Harrison Wands, had died from the flu 7 months earlier in Collamer, NY on March 26, 1918 at the age of 78.  Reading Harry's diary it looks like he had gone home to Collamer take care of his late father's affairs. In his diary of March 30, 1918, he notes paying a "Mr. Hawthorne $10.00 and $4.00 for the grave.  Also paid Mrs. Rodgers for nursing, $12.00 and employed Mr. A. Mead, lawyer to look after our interests.  March 29 - gave Mr. Mead all the papers relating to the case".  I do not know what the "case" would have been.  By June he appears to be back in the Philadelphia area, and his notes all seem to be mostly about carpentry and related calculations.  I do see one entry of the address of the Engineer's Club at 1317 Spruce Street, Phila. Pa. followed by notes of two books, the Manheim and Duplex slide rule manual, and the Machinery's Book on Logarithims.   Perhaps Harry had dreams of furthering his education and becoming an engineer. 

Moon tells of sibling rivalry with her brother when she was young, 

"Harry and I had a great more trouble than you and Harrison ever did. He was always teasing me – seemed to me very mean. Reports are that I was an inoffensive child when small. We outgrew this and became very fond of each other and I now believe I know the reason – besides his having been such a pet before I arrived – Well, when I was 2 and he was 6, or maybe much less he went upstairs in the barn and I followed. There was a hole there where hay was thrown down to the horses, and hay about the edges somewhat concealing them. I remember seeing Tabby, our 3 colored cat daintily approaching, and look down with such interest that I went to look, too. That is all I remember, and was all grown up before I heard the rest. I fell thru. Harry’s little face was seen looking thru the hole and protesting that he didn’t even know I was up there. But my father, on the theory that he should have been looking after me, gave him a real thrashing. My mother had not wanted him punished, and I don’t think he should have, either. Thereafter, he must have felt a great deal of resentment, which was pretty evident – also our mother’s favoritism for him was strengthened, naturally. She would very seldom reproach him, no matter what. 

+

She also tells of a close call Harry had as a youngster;

"Your Uncle Harry, at a very early age, had a narrow squeak – on an exceptionally hot day he got lost in a field of wheat and “nearly had a sunstroke”. The hunt had been on for some time before one of the men noticed the movement in the grain."

As can be seen in the above photo, and the postcards below, they outgrew the rivalry and became extremely fond of each other.

These postcards were written in 1917.  Harry was sightseeing on the East Coast, and looking for a job, which he found at that naval shipyard in 1917.

LAKE AND BOAT HOUSE, CENTRAL PARK NEW YORK CITY Central Park is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the world.  In it are a number of lakes and lagoons where boats are kept and may be rented by the Public.  The park is crowded with visitors during the summer months and thousands enjoy themselves in the row boats.

August 31, 1917 postmark New York, NY Station G
Dear Mother, I have gotten over my indigestion and am as hungry as a bear.
With love, Harry
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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK CITY Columbia university occupies an area of 26 acres from Broadway to Amsterdam Avenue West, and 114th to 130th Streets.  Was originally founded as Kings College in 1754 at Broadway and Barclay Streets.  Moved in 1857 to Madison Avenue and 19th Street, new buildings on present site were erected between 1892 and 1902 at cost of $13,000,000.  Endowment $29,000,000.

August 31, 1917
Dear Sis,
I hope you received the film and camera I took it to the store on the west side of the street.  Harry

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BATHING AT BRIGHTON BEACH, N.Y..  Coney Island is probably the greatest Bathing Resort in the world, being easily accessible to the enormous population of crowded New York.  During summer months the beach is crowded with bathers from the congested East side district all eager to seek relief from the oppressive heat in the cool surf.  Thousands of bathers camp on the beach during the summer nights.

August 31, 1917

Hello Sis,

Am  here, swell, and having a fine time.  Harry

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STEEPLECHASE PARK, CONEY ISLAND  Steeplechase park, Coney Island is one of the largest amusement enterprises in Coney Island.  It contains a large swimming pool, numerous amusement devices, and other concessions covering several acres of ground and is one of the most popular spots  in this great resort.

August 31, 1917
Dear Mother
Am having an outing at Coney Island. Feeling fine.  Harry
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 WASHINGTON ARCH, NEW YORK CITY 

Washington Arch is located at 5th Avenue and Washington Square.  It was completed in 1803, is a white marble structure built at the cost of $250,000.00.  The memorial to the memory of George Washington, was donated mainly by the subscriptions from residents of New York City.

August 31, 1917 postmarked New York, N.Y. Sta. G
Dear Father,
I am having a very busy time sightseeing.
With Best Regards,  Harry
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SINGER BUILDING AND PART OF FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NEW YORK CITY Singer Building, located on the corner of Broadway and Liberty Streets is 47 stories high rising to a total height of 612 feet.  In it are 5,000 tenants, who are carried to their offices by 16 Otis elevators.  The foundations consists of 30 caissons sunk to bedrock 92 feet below the surface.  Built by the Singer Mfg., Co

Sept. 5, 1917
Phila. Pa
Dear Sis,
Am feeling fine.  Job hunting tomorrow.  Wish me luck.
Harry
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Oct. 15, 1917 postmarked Philadelphia, PA  Penn Square Sta.
Dear Mother,
Have been on a trip on the mountains.  Nice trip this time of year.  Best love to all, Harry

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CHALFONTE HOTEL AT NIGHT, ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

 Oct. 21, 1917 postmarked Atlantic City, N.J.
Dear Father,
Am on a trip to the Ocean today.  It is too cold to be enjoyable.  I like Phila. very much.
Best love, Harry
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ELEVATED R.R. CURVE AT 110TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY  Elevated Railway Curve at 110th Street at this point the elevation is higher than in any other part of the city, reaching a height equal to five stories and requiring elevators at the station to take up and down passengers.  New York City is famous for its elevated Railroads, this is one of the most noted sections.

Postmarked Darby, PA

Dear Mother,

I have moved. 1029 Main St. Darby, Pa. Mrs. McCaskey

P.S. I am well

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Nov. 7, 1917 postmarked Darby, PA.
Dear Father,
How are you.  Have seen and heard a great deal about Washington today.  Harry


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Hotel Astor on Broadway between 44th and 45th Street facing Times Square, was built by William Waldorf Astor in 1904, cost $7,000,000 enlarged and remodeled in 1909 additional cost$3,000,000.  Has 900 suites with baths, magnificent banquet hall seating 1200.  the exquisite restaurant located on the main floor is famous throughout the entire continent.

Nov. 22, 1917 postmarked Darby, PA

Dear Mother,
If I can get off a couple of days I will be home on a visit.  Thanks - I will write and tell you later.  Went to work in a shipyard.  I like it.  Harry
P.S. got your letter today

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Harry relaxing, possibly at home in Collamer, NY

Harry Wands outside 1118 West 7th St. Chester, PA

Children at Play

Visiting my grandparents was something I looked forward to with great anticipation.  Once we arrived, one of the first things I would want to do was to run over to the East Athens school house up the street, and play on the monkey bars.  It was exciting to have a playground so close, and we usually had it to ourselves.  Here is a painting Janice did of the school.

According to neighbor Katherine Burns: 
  "It had only about three or four rooms and may have started as a one room school house. She gave that to the East Athens Community Hall where it hung for many years. It now hangs at the Spalding Memorial Library and Museum in Athens."

In a similar vein is a painting she did of my sisters and me climbing a tree in springtime.  We loved to climb trees as children, but this particular tree did not exist, so the scene was from Janice's imagination.  I particularly liked the way she laid the paint on so thickly that you could actually reach out and feel the blossoms.

Bradford County scenes painted by Mary Wands Campbell

The Pink Chemung

My grandmother had a special love for the Chemung River and painted its sinuous curves many times.

Tozer's Barn

She painted this barn in Plein Air style, on location.  I have a photo of her at work.

She painted local mansions now demolished.

Robert Packer Mansion

Robert Asa Packer was instrumental in the early development of Sayre, PA.  As president of the Northern Division of the Lehigh Railroad, be built this impressive mansion in Sayre.  It was later occupied by the Robert Packer Hospital. 

Sidney Hayden homestead Sayre, PA

Another founder of Sayre, was Sidney Hayden who came from Connecticut.  When he arrived, Sayre was an undeveloped wilderness.  Discovering fine red clay in the area, he set about starting a brickyard, making and selling brick.  Later, he became a builder and contractor.  The pits where he dug for clay became ponds which he beautified by planting water lilies.  He built this impressive home in 1840.   In 1885 he was named Postmaster, and his home served as the Post Office.   The house was razed in 1965 to provide a site for the St. John's Lutheran church.  Katie Replogle provided me with an image of this painting which is in the collection of the Tioga Point Museum in Athens.

This painting of the Towner home on Towner Hill is also in the collection of the Tioga Point Museum.  Thanks again to Katie Replogle.

My grandmother's notes about the Towner family, whose house she painted.

Purple Cow

I believe this to be a scene from East Athens, where my grandmother lived.  Below some local winter scenes.

And one more of these small impressionistic paintings of the area.

Tioga Point

Katie Replogle came through again today, with another painting by my grandmother.  This one of Tioga Point, Athens, painted for a family named Lucy many years ago.  Liz and Chuck Lucy donated the painting to the Spalding Memorial Library.

Tioga Point by Mary Wands Campbell

Tioga Point was the original name of Athens, and the scenic spot has always been dear to my grandparents.  Below a photo taken by my grandfather, Herbert Campbell, from a slightly different angle.

Tioga Point photo by Herbert Campbell

My grandmother was so taken with Tioga Point, she even penned a poem under the nom de plume of Cayenne Pepper, about why Athens should have been named Tioga Point instead of the second-hand name of Athens.

Athens Should be Named Tioga Point
by Cayenne Pepper

Old Athens, in the grandeur of her gracious, golden prime,
Never had a fortune-teller give her warning of the time
When her fame would be all story, and her monument of glory,
Be "forty-leven" namesakes in a far and foreign clime.

One, they tell me, Mother Athens, is in every state but four!
I've held a list in my own fist, that totaled to a score.
There's Athens, Penn., and Athens, Tenn., it is not far to hie
From the one that happens nearest to another.  Here's the
Clearest case of any place, within my ken, of fingers in the pie.

We should honor ancient Athens - but for us, oh how I wish,
We could serve our share honor in some other sort of dish.
Then, who knows but ancient Athens, too, might take it as disgrace,
And change her will, or send a bill, if she should see the place.

For all these other Athenses there may be some excuse,
And for the Romes and Parises, but was there any use
In taking on a borrowed tag right here where there was found
A name on hand (the one they canned) upon this very ground?
By this historic water way, from this same soil it sprung,
In olden days of legend that was told in native tongue.

They cast away, one happy day, their rightful name and more-
Picked a second-handed label that was overworked before.
They sought, tis thought, distinction.  O famed of foolish ways!
They left the balmy frying pan - to blister in the blaze.

Sweet to the sweet, and otherwise, oh could it come to pass!
How I'd like to smite the sinners with the jawbone of an ass.
And had I Samson's mighty strength, I'd not hold back a mite.
I'd pick the most propitious place and swat him good and right
Who took the map upon his lap of this fair spot we see -
And wrote the name of Athens where Tioga Point should be.

Mary Wands Campbell - Tales from the Spalding Library

 Below is a portrait of Helen Thurston, librarian at the Spalding Lbrary in Athens from 1904-1949.  In 1952, after her death, my grandmother, Mary Wands Campbell,  was commissioned to paint this portrait to hang in the library.  Helen's mother, Hattie, had also been librarian there.  Helen was related through her father, whose mother was a Spalding, to the Spalding family who donated the money to build the library, which was completed around 1898.  Katie Replogle was kind enough to take a photo of the painting to share here.

Helen Thurston

The Spalding Library - from a postcard

In 1957, my grandmother was thrilled to be offered the job of  Librarian at the library.  Below, some excerpts from her letters to my mother, Janice, about the library and her experiences there.

Mar. 20, 1957

Dear J:

Big news! I have a job!!!! After May 15^th I will be Librarian of the Spaulding Memorial Library!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $1800 to start with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Five afternoons from 2-5 + 5 evenings from 7-9 + maybe they’ll eliminate Sat. eventually. No evenings during summer.

This was a complete surprise. I had just learned that the present librarian, Gladys DuPuis, was leaving – with her relatives, the Cuddebacks, she has bought a station wagon + they will sell their farm + everthing else – and go to California. “How I shall miss Gladys”, I thought – she was very friendly and likeable – when I heard form the Hazards that the Board would like to know if I’d be interested. I decided I was, + Pop thinks its fine. (After this, I’ll get social security) And to whom do I owe this good fortune? Stanley Burns. He’s on the board, + suggested me.

Gladys will train me in. I hope I can learn the necessary, and our visit to you will probably occur in early May. 

April 6, 1959

This reminds me of the night a guy came stalking into the Library, fixed me with a glittering eye + slapped a pair of handcuffs on the counter – and just as I thought – “this is it” he said: “Have you a book on ole handcuffs?” Answer: no.

This A.M. I had to go to the Library Club and report on: ‘Books the Ladies Library club has given the Library”. Very brief, only it took half the forenoon to dig the dope out of the records. Also had to whip up some publicity for the paper on Library Week – and a 30 second spot for WATS – Pop organized that.

When we left the Library this P.M. the President of the Club attempted to lock that door we use into the hall with the key that belongs to the double doors, and she got it stuck in the lock, + she couldn’t remove it, not could yours truly, nor could Genevieve Gore, who was also present. We couldn’t lock the Library – except for the outside door. Joe shoulda been there. I left a note for DuWayne, who was coming there that evening, explaining - + now I’m dying to know if he got it out – but the whole Cuddeback family seem to be out for the night. Gone back to California, maybe. SOMETHING will halfta (sic) be done. 

February 21, 1960

  We shoveled the drive out once, but it’s full again. Seven telephone poles in a row came down, up in front of Burnses, and DuWayne couldn’t get home one night and had to stay in the Library. He has a bunk down there in the furnace room.

March 25, 1960

My new Library assistant continues to be pleasant to work with, accurate, interested, and a real help.

Recently I got a paper-back on the Dead Sea Scrolls. I get these supplements various subjects in which there’s considerable interest. In this one a theory was presented that Jesus had been a member of the Essene Sect. + perhaps had spent his ‘lost years’ there. It also said that the church was embarrassed about some of the revelations and tried to keep the lid on. One of the Methodists read this and was disturbed. Friday the Rev. Reinfurt, a pompous and humorless piece of business as ever was, came boiling in and demanded the withdrawal of that book, because it advance ideas not believed by the majority of Christians. “If it is not withdrawn”, said he, “I will take to my pulpit and preach that the library is disseminating improper information.” Sez I, reasonably, “If you do, it will cause a great interest in the book.” Mrs. Allen took it out at once, + I consult the book committee.

The Ladies Library Club gave the library a new chair – a truly vast, majestic deal, mahogany colored plastic, solid comfort type – large enuff for the largest, or 2 kids.

November 21, 1960

At the Library I put on a display of old-time schoolbooks – mostly Pop’s collection – especially his hand written manuscript arithmetic, which was especially interesting, and most especially interesting a document, accidentally left in the back, revealing that your great, great Grandfather Wright was taken into court at Towanda and sued for $153.

May 11, 1961

News from the Library front – the place became too, too popular with the High School crowd + undesirable elements infiltrated, mischief occurred, such as noise, etc. They are pretty canny, + us librarians being driv (?-ac) – we couldn’t sort out the guilty – anyway, a really brilliant idea was presented – close the place to the High School students evenings. Let ‘em use the school library. So I wrote a note to this effect  + the Pres. of the Library Board signed it  + the H.S. Principal read it. They could come Sat. P.M. afternoons' after school – or evenings with parents. Well, this caused a sensation. The note was greeted with groans  + immediate efforts to get the ruling rescinded. Darned if the kids didn’t call a meeting of some of the members of the Board, + darned if some on ‘em didn’t go. Not me. The kids claimed to be outraged. Board continued stubborn. Then a committee called on me, to work out some scheme, such as passes – or a system of monitors from the H.S. kids (How many would we need?) My stand, why should we have to have people here who need monitoring? “Why don’t you just hire a policeman?”, says one kid. The ban is cheaper and easier. Next a lad called on me to get the Library view for a class debate. One class, I learn, has written comps on the subject all found in favor of the library – natch – they wouldn’t dare not.

Now we have kids filtering in claiming they’ve not heard the news. (Don’t you believe it – it’s the big subject.) We don’t know all the kids + figure there will be borrowing of Sayre jackets. Lots of Sayre kids come down  + even Waverly  + they’re not banned – yet. Last night a familiar face appeared - a Sayre student, says he – we knew his name, + soon detected that such was not the case - his Pa was informed, + he’ll take it from there – Pete is in for a bad time. Stanley Burns, who is on the Board, wants the ban to be permanent.

November 11, 1965

  Oh, yes – I took in the Stephen C. Foster Evening at the Museum and Library – Loretta was charming in an 1890+ costume, the Library was really crowded, and the music very appealing.

January 7, 1964

  Stanley Burns died suddenly just before Christmas. His heart had been bad for some time. He was over in Athens in the evening, shopping, + was taken, and went into his bank, where it happened. His secretary, + her husband, who are his neighbors, happened along, and were with him. Stanley had a most successful life. I don’t know anybody who accomplished more of the things he wanted to, + finally had an outside window for service at the bank and a whole complete little park on the point, He will be missed in the Library Board. He was not only treasurer, but the main moving spirit. 

March 24, 1966

  Any minute Loreita Jackson will drop in. When clearing the office at the Library, I found a pen + ink drawing of the Old Academy from the old photo which is fading. It’s about 12x15 or so, + I framed it. Good accurate work, by one Truman Johnson, long ago. Well, Loreita discovered that he was still around – tho over 90, + had studied at the PA museum + School of Industrial Art. Had never done anything with his skill except a bunch of small pencil productions, mostly faces + mostly copied from something, but done with the idea of having a little display at the Museum (me to mount and arrange it) and giving the modest local artist a little whirl in the way of publicity and have a human interest write-up in the paper. She had an interview with him. Went to have another, no one could find him. Word came that he was in the hospital. Now he’s dead. However, the Methodist minister had been to see him and had told him that this deal was in the wind. We will go ahead with it + have the human interest for April 11^th his birthday.

August 8, 1966

  In my Library days, I used to be profoundly annoyed by book signed Janice + full of weak, insipid, revolting bears (?). There really aren’t too many who write + illustrate really good children’s books.

I’ve had 2 afternoons in the Museum, assisting the assistant Mrs. Hinkson – while Mrs. Jackson is in Europe – and I bet I hear back from her before I do Dr. H. Sherwood Campbell. I did ask him what kind of Dr. and its philosophy PhD. This evening again at the museum, 7-9.

  Sept 25^th 1966

Dear J.

Thursdays, now-a-days, I fool around over in the Library to help out, if necessary, while the new Librarian (Mrs. Fraley has left, for a County Library job) – takes a course at Mansfield. This will be the case until Jan 1^st.