Violet Williams
Interview by Cathy Eaton and Adele Wick July 13 2010
2nd interview a few years later
Interview with Violet Williams, 7/13/10 with daughter-in-law Fay and –later and driver – son Bill and Alvin Hillhouse, after a bit.
House (in photo she gave Cathy earlier). Don’t know why I didn’t stay. I regret moving very much. 5 bedrooms. In days hired help had to use back door. Kitchen right in front. Cyrus stayed there as a boy, where Charles was, when he went to school. Doherty Creek school before railroad went through. Violet’s husband went to the old school. One year at the Margaret King. I wanted my husband to buy that house that Cyrus lived in, but Mellon Place handy to school, so hubby picked it. Little Old School closed and used as barn. 13 kids – 8 boys and 5 girls and all healthy. Two sisters and one brother. 2 died young, 1 sister at 80.
90th party – bag pipes and visit of Elvis Presley and Scotts piper.
Identifies stuff in another photo – side house is the house in the photo she gave Cathy. Thinks other house McCartney’s – burned down before 1937 when Violet arrived.
Her son took the house down. Probably kept some of the structure. Son David lives in the house now. It was full of bats.
You should contact Jean Gillis Thomas (with address and phone in Connecticut) + Marlow Tuttle about the Junction + George Gillis –both still live there. Violet got permission for contact.
Jean: 860-536-5490
286 Flintlock Rd.
Ledgerd CT 06339 AW: check town spelling – I’m thinking “Ledyard”]
Marlow Tuttle
243-2336
George Gillis –Jean’s sister
243-2922
Fay used to play with 2 of Raymond’s boys.
Violet lives where McKay (sp?) used to before all burned down. Earnest Hartling of Blue Nose put trailer on property, she bought it, then boys built her a home.
In those days, people donated land for cemeteries – without taking it out of their deeds, so she owned cemetery briefly, at one time. Thinks guy whose white tombstone fell over is the one who owned the store.
She crayoned picture of store and house. Wouldn’t recognize it now. A new face. It was a general store, dear. That was when we could buy stuff out of barrels. When we bought cheese, you could buy what ever piece you wanted. Brought down own jugs to fill up with vinegar. Sugar in drawer, scooped out and put in a paper bag. Oats, ditto. Any clothes? Definitely boots. Rubber boots, snow boots. Maybe some work clothes, too. Nice china in a cabin for purchase. Belonged by Harold Wood when I came there. Before, an Eaton – Joe Eaton -- and then another owner. Friends come over with paintings – Violet, I know you like trees. Violet, I know you like loons.
Dr. Goodwin lived here – a very good doctor who saved her husband’s life. Someone told him to gargled with kerosene – burned his lungs at c. 15-16.
Son Bill: original frame still in house (of picture Violet gave Cathy).
In second picture, building was carriage house – for wagons and sleighs – it’s still there. Barn from Mr. Griffen’s day – he pulled it down. Harold & Gladys were their first names. CSE always went to see them – indeed, he put the bathroom in there for them. Harold Lynds logged it in the 40s. Williams bought it in the later 70s – probably 1979, when Gladys passed away.
Showing film for identification.
Pugwash River Road,
Original birthplace of Cyrus Eaton
Behind Peter Seitl’s house where Leo and Donnie Jamison lived
The brick building across road is now ice cream shop and IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows.) like Masons (men’s group)
Mower, lowering cutter bar
Thompson Road, Eaton house;
Barn & house Charles Eaton house, remembers those barn doors.
Skipped school quite often, attendance with Grampa’s name on it.
Wesley United Church
Fishing could be Pugwash River or Doherty Creek…Bill: used to be lots of salmon in Pugwash River. Fay: Wallace River? Dad used to fish at red? Kerrs Mills Bridge by Bobby Fisher’s --used to fish there with Dad when I was little. Bill: Pole used so one could stabilize while the other guy could gaff the salmon.
[AW note: Fay and Bill now believe the film involves Wallace River.]
Bill has photo of Yuri and Cyrus in white Cadillac…
Alwyn’s stepdad, Collicutt. The biggest or most significant thing I remember (having come in ’58 from Amherst after dad died and mom remarried) saw Rodin sculpture. WHERE IS IT???? Ended up talking to Cyrus. Impressed he took the time with me. “World Peace through World Trade”. Introduced me to Martha Shepherd, news lady. She took me around. ABC had an exclusive; Canadian journalists not allowed – so perturbed.
We took Yuri around in a Taunus – white. I drove. Paolo there. Yuri in backseat. When we came back in, all of a sudden just flooded with people! Yuri wasn’t speaking English, but Paolo was speaking to him. I was just driving.
Other Big Time: Lenin Peace Prize. In Eaton Park. On Canada Day. Some of the speeches were good – sometimes with “But of course we will never accept Communism…” During the ceremony. People speaking at same time.
Bill: lots of pictures – lots of conflict and propaganda in the newspapers when Lenin Peace Prize awarded.
Cathy: It’s 2010. Alwin: When I was young, the feeling was less the notoriety but the vision. Today we use newspapers to draw attention or get things across as a pulling point. That came after. I think the vision came first. Again, Cyrus’ vision: “International Peace through International Trade.” Understanding requires exchange and listening.
I think Grandpa was probably a good listener. General agreement.
Alvin would like lodge to be open year-round. Bill wishes his brother Sherman were here to talk about conference topics today. Fay: museum? But then threatening peace and quiet. Alvin: listening, learning, communication still the necessary ingredients. The beauty youth can learn from each other, many miss out on. Now trained for immediate and instant emails. Cathy: Have decided not to have internet connection in lodge.
David Dewer key contact. Would be good docent, like Terry Smith. He loved the territory when he was a child and wants to keep it in the hearts of the people (Violet on Terry). We don’t consult the young people enough. They should ask them what they think the answer to some of their problems are. Alvin: young people should be involved. Oh yes (Violet) young people would be interested in coming here. Cyrus cared about the young and their education.
Alvin – this type of integrity, and asking for permission, characterizes the older generation. Stepfather asks permission to marry his mom. “Well, I think you’re going to have to ask her first.”
AW asks definition of “young”: Violet: teenagers. A difficult period. Alwin: same.
Alwin worried this might become just another museum. Has to be an active situation. Museums are good, don’t get me wrong. This is a different situation.
Alwin’s “history repeats itself “ – unless we start communicating. If you cannot understand even your enemy, how can you improve things? Found this in my travels. It’s the communication and the learning from one another that’s going to make inroads in changes. It’s not going to be our education per se. AW starts discussion on “teaching peace”.
Alvin: Going to school in FLA.
Cathy – when did the name become “thinkers’ Lodge”? Violet – emphatically: when the scientists came! Alwyn – had that name when I came.
Interview with Violet Williams, 7/13/10 with daughter-in-law Fay and –later and driver – son Bill and Alvin Hillhouse, after a bit.
House (in photo she gave Cathy earlier). Don’t know why I didn’t stay. I regret moving very much. 5 bedrooms. In days hired help had to use back door. Kitchen right in front. Cyrus stayed there as a boy, where Charles was, when he went to school. Doherty Creek school before railroad went through. Violet’s husband went to the old school. One year at the Margaret King. I wanted my husband to buy that house that Cyrus lived in, but Mellon Place handy to school, so hubby picked it. Little Old School closed and used as barn. 13 kids – 8 boys and 5 girls and all healthy. Two sisters and one brother. 2 died young, 1 sister at 80.
90th party – bag pipes and visit of Elvis Presley and Scotts piper.
Identifies stuff in another photo – side house is the house in the photo she gave Cathy. Thinks other house McCartney’s – burned down before 1937 when Violet arrived.
Her son took the house down. Probably kept some of the structure. Son David lives in the house now. It was full of bats.
You should contact Jean Gillis Thomas (with address and phone in Connecticut) + Marlow Tuttle about the Junction + George Gillis –both still live there. Violet got permission for contact.
Jean: 860-536-5490
286 Flintlock Rd.
Ledgerd CT 06339 AW: check town spelling – I’m thinking “Ledyard”]
Marlow Tuttle
243-2336
George Gillis –Jean’s sister
243-2922
Fay used to play with 2 of Raymond’s boys.
Violet lives where McKay (sp?) used to before all burned down. Earnest Hartling of Blue Nose put trailer on property, she bought it, then boys built her a home.
In those days, people donated land for cemeteries – without taking it out of their deeds, so she owned cemetery briefly, at one time. Thinks guy whose white tombstone fell over is the one who owned the store.
She crayoned picture of store and house. Wouldn’t recognize it now. A new face. It was a general store, dear. That was when we could buy stuff out of barrels. When we bought cheese, you could buy what ever piece you wanted. Brought down own jugs to fill up with vinegar. Sugar in drawer, scooped out and put in a paper bag. Oats, ditto. Any clothes? Definitely boots. Rubber boots, snow boots. Maybe some work clothes, too. Nice china in a cabin for purchase. Belonged by Harold Wood when I came there. Before, an Eaton – Joe Eaton -- and then another owner. Friends come over with paintings – Violet, I know you like trees. Violet, I know you like loons.
Dr. Goodwin lived here – a very good doctor who saved her husband’s life. Someone told him to gargled with kerosene – burned his lungs at c. 15-16.
Son Bill: original frame still in house (of picture Violet gave Cathy).
In second picture, building was carriage house – for wagons and sleighs – it’s still there. Barn from Mr. Griffen’s day – he pulled it down. Harold & Gladys were their first names. CSE always went to see them – indeed, he put the bathroom in there for them. Harold Lynds logged it in the 40s. Williams bought it in the later 70s – probably 1979, when Gladys passed away.
Showing film for identification.
Pugwash River Road,
Original birthplace of Cyrus Eaton
Behind Peter Seitl’s house where Leo and Donnie Jamison lived
The brick building across road is now ice cream shop and IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows.) like Masons (men’s group)
Mower, lowering cutter bar
Thompson Road, Eaton house;
Barn & house Charles Eaton house, remembers those barn doors.
Skipped school quite often, attendance with Grampa’s name on it.
Wesley United Church
Fishing could be Pugwash River or Doherty Creek…Bill: used to be lots of salmon in Pugwash River. Fay: Wallace River? Dad used to fish at red? Kerrs Mills Bridge by Bobby Fisher’s --used to fish there with Dad when I was little. Bill: Pole used so one could stabilize while the other guy could gaff the salmon.
[AW note: Fay and Bill now believe the film involves Wallace River.]
Bill has photo of Yuri and Cyrus in white Cadillac…
Alwyn’s stepdad, Collicutt. The biggest or most significant thing I remember (having come in ’58 from Amherst after dad died and mom remarried) saw Rodin sculpture. WHERE IS IT???? Ended up talking to Cyrus. Impressed he took the time with me. “World Peace through World Trade”. Introduced me to Martha Shepherd, news lady. She took me around. ABC had an exclusive; Canadian journalists not allowed – so perturbed.
We took Yuri around in a Taunus – white. I drove. Paolo there. Yuri in backseat. When we came back in, all of a sudden just flooded with people! Yuri wasn’t speaking English, but Paolo was speaking to him. I was just driving.
Other Big Time: Lenin Peace Prize. In Eaton Park. On Canada Day. Some of the speeches were good – sometimes with “But of course we will never accept Communism…” During the ceremony. People speaking at same time.
Bill: lots of pictures – lots of conflict and propaganda in the newspapers when Lenin Peace Prize awarded.
Cathy: It’s 2010. Alwin: When I was young, the feeling was less the notoriety but the vision. Today we use newspapers to draw attention or get things across as a pulling point. That came after. I think the vision came first. Again, Cyrus’ vision: “International Peace through International Trade.” Understanding requires exchange and listening.
I think Grandpa was probably a good listener. General agreement.
Alvin would like lodge to be open year-round. Bill wishes his brother Sherman were here to talk about conference topics today. Fay: museum? But then threatening peace and quiet. Alvin: listening, learning, communication still the necessary ingredients. The beauty youth can learn from each other, many miss out on. Now trained for immediate and instant emails. Cathy: Have decided not to have internet connection in lodge.
David Dewer key contact. Would be good docent, like Terry Smith. He loved the territory when he was a child and wants to keep it in the hearts of the people (Violet on Terry). We don’t consult the young people enough. They should ask them what they think the answer to some of their problems are. Alvin: young people should be involved. Oh yes (Violet) young people would be interested in coming here. Cyrus cared about the young and their education.
Alvin – this type of integrity, and asking for permission, characterizes the older generation. Stepfather asks permission to marry his mom. “Well, I think you’re going to have to ask her first.”
AW asks definition of “young”: Violet: teenagers. A difficult period. Alwin: same.
Alwin worried this might become just another museum. Has to be an active situation. Museums are good, don’t get me wrong. This is a different situation.
Alwin’s “history repeats itself “ – unless we start communicating. If you cannot understand even your enemy, how can you improve things? Found this in my travels. It’s the communication and the learning from one another that’s going to make inroads in changes. It’s not going to be our education per se. AW starts discussion on “teaching peace”.
Alvin: Going to school in FLA.
Cathy – when did the name become “thinkers’ Lodge”? Violet – emphatically: when the scientists came! Alwyn – had that name when I came.