The Observation Deck

A friend of mine posted on Facebook to identify a fence pole slide hammer. My comment follows:
It’s a well point driver. We were so poor on the farm that on the other side of the Mimbres River in NM we need a well but couldn't afford it for the cattle we had there.

My dad gave us a “well point “ driver and fifty feet of pipe and told me and my two brothers to drive the pipe down until we hit water. Being of sound body and little mind we pursed what he requested [threatened] and diligently drove the pipe down into the earth and God does not make anymore. When we my brother hit water at thirty feet as it became an artesian well and propelled him up into the sky for a mile and a half towards the river. I heard the splash when he hit the river as if it was yesterday. I ask my dad if we should look for Billy, but dad looked at his pocket watch and announced it was time for dinner. Dad said don’t worry about Billy he never late for dinner. I gained respect for dad when Billy showed up for dinner.

Lighten up, and post your stories based on reality and fiction.

Sir, we have this in common.

One of the companions of my teenage years.

I just didn't drive metal fence posts. I had to paint the damn things too. (by hand)

My Other Teenage Companion -- The Spud Bar

I often hunt for old tools, but I have never come across the quality kind of spud bar that I had to use to dig fence post holes.

We cut the wood posts from locust trees ourselves.

My father's theory of this was that if I was forced to do enough back-breaking work between the ages of 12 and 18, I would diligently pursue higher education.

I've now been a lawyer for 40 years.

This all occurred just a few years after John Chapman ("Johnny Appleseed") moved on from Richland County.

FDR's Rural Electrification Finally Arrives In Southern Richland County

Thanks to Licking Rural Electric, many folks on Garber Road had electricity.

(Note wires entering house at top of photograph)