Living married Living [Group Sheet]

Living married Living [Group Sheet]

Notes:

SKILL DATES BACK 38 YEARS
by Joe Roberts (A member of The Star's staff)

J. P. (Percy) Friend stepped down from the 12:30 p. m. Greyhound just in from St. Louis and walked briskly through the 917 McGee street bus terminal to the driver's room to make his reports and to sign in.
For 38 years the veteran bus driver has been making similar reports, sometimes with trouser pockets stuffed with fares in bills and coins before collections were streamlined, but this day he had agreed to a chat about busses.
"I've got to take the bus to the garage. Got your car? You can ride with me on the bus if you haven't and I'll drive you back here in my car," he said as we shook hands.
Riding with Percy seemed an honor stemming from the respect one man has for another who obviously knows his job. The confidence and ease with which he swung the big vehicle into the afternoon traffic was a delight to witness.
Nor is his apparent skill just a happenstance. It was built in over years of experience and 3 million miles of driving busses in the public transportation industry. Percy is oldest in service in the company's district here and is the kind of driver Greyhound has in mind when it advises one to relax and "leave the driving to us."

Proud of This Card
Proudest possession is a card in the driver's identification case which emphasizes that "Greyhound Lines is proud to certify that J. P. Friend" has completed 31 years of safe driving. The date - February 27, 1963.
Equally proud of his record is Percy's wife, Helen. More than 38 years ago she was the pretty country school teacher who rode in the seat behiind the driver on his 12-mile run from Nashville, Ill., to Venedy, Ill.
In this instance it was LaRue Friend, an older brother, who discovered what was transpiring. He drove the same route on alternate days.
"Why aren't you punching that little teacher's bus ticket?" he queried.
Percy confessed that he was considering taking over all of his young passenger's ticket worries.
"I was one sharp bus driver," he quipped.
But it was really the older brother who had been sharp enough to earlier advise his romantic brother to quit his job in a grocery store in his native O'Fallon, Ill., and go to work with Superior Bus Line that led to the latter action.

The Brother's Advice
"If you want to make some good money, start working for this guy," he advised. "He's going to buy more busses."
Big brother apparently was ahead of his time for Percy moved ahead with the industry to Community Motoer Bus, Purple Swan Safety Coach Line, then to Picwick Greyhound-all part of the warp and woof of the present Greyhound corporation.
"I drove an old Dodge at first-it was a regular truck chassis-between Scott Field and Belleville, Ill.," he said. "There were long red plush seats along each side of the bus. You could squeeze nine in on each side.
"I drove 'em when the bodies were made of wallboard - beaver board we called it then, and I drove 'em when they were built with a sedan door for each seat."

In His Blood
Perhaps the peppery driver comes by his liking for his job because its in the family.
"My father was a streetcar motorman," he explained. "He ran the second streetcar over Eads bridge in St. Louis - the first one was too wide for the bridge. My brother is the oldest driver with the Gulf Transport company.
Percy drove the St. Louis run 14 years until 1941 when he switched to the western Kansas highways. He returned here last October.
When he started to drive busses only a chauffeur's license was necessary and this was just a recording matter, he recalled.

A Big Change
"When I started there wasn't any driver training program. We used to take about 20 applicants in a bus and watch them drive in turn. Now a high school or college education is desired and Greyhound has a 6-week drivers school. Then the student drivers are checked over the routes for several round trips before they are permitted to drive regularly.
"Why I was even checked out over theSt. Louis route when I returned to this area."
The veteran driver observes a simple rule for safety: "When it gets too bad (driving conditions) I park the bus."
The most dangerous surface for motor cars in his estimation is "packed snow when it melts."
Bus driving isn't monotonous or dull "but it would be if you let it get that way," he said.

Some Experiences
Experiences such as a 13-hour overnight wait in a Kansas blizzard with 39 passengers aboard; a panicky older passenger who wanted to get off on an icy night in an isolated place in Kansas when he suddenly recalled that he had left the water running in a California irrigation ditch, (Percy called and had the water shut off) and a mental case behind his seat who continued to place long distance calls by dropping half dollars down the window slot - the fact that answers were coming in bothered Percy - are typical of a trip's possible variety.
In another instance a passenger became so worried about a home situation that she left the bus and raced up the town's main street. and for a short time Percy did police work to solve the problem.
Our conversation concluded in the front seat of a motor car with Percy in the incongruous setting at the wheel of his just-a-bit-larger-than-compact vehicle. But not before the ruddy 177 pounds of energy, looking for all the world like a good blocking back, denied any such athletic prowess.
"Nope, when they were having those "track and field events I was usually sitting in the stands with some of the pretty girls," he laughed. Yet he hasn't lost a day because of illness.
However,, there was an instance about four years ago when it was rumored all over the circuit that Percy Friend, the indestructible, was through - his electrocardiograph was phenomenal. No one could interpret his heart action. After the company's insistence on a 30--day observance - a non-driving period - it was discovered that the test had been made with the equipment attached erroneously in reverse positions.
That was four years ago and regulations call for a heart checkup every six months for those over 40. Percy is 58 years old and all of his subsequent tests, you can rest assured, have been normal.
The Friends live at 2607 Buchanan Street, North Kansas City. they have a son, Dale Friend, Salina, Kas., and a daughter, Mrs. Joan DeBeaux, St. Louis, and seven grandchildren.

JOHN married BRINK HELEN VIENA on 6 Jun 1927 in Nashville, Illinois; Dom maybe June 9, 1927. HELEN (daughter of BRINK CHARLES F. and FINKE EMMA CHARLOTTE) was born on 6 Jun 1906 in Huegely home, Washington County, Illinois; died on 4 Oct 1976 in Hutchinson, Kansas. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Both Delta and Helen were supposed to have taught at a one room school called Hells Half Acre a few miles west of Nashville. In the Nashville News on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, under their section listing items of interest from years ago it mentioned the school. It stated: The Half Acre, Grattendick and Addieville schools voted to consolidate, 80 to 4. This appeared under the heading "Fifty-Five Years Ago" (1948).

EMIL married HARTLEY MARTHA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

CHARLES F. BRINK

After a brief illness, and almost without warning, Charles F. Brink, one of our most respected citizens, was summoned Tuesday afternoon at 2:50 o'clock in his residence on West Lebanon Street, at the age of 68 years, 1 month, and 19 days. Sunday morning, as was his custom, Mr. Brink and wife attended services in the M. E. church and on Monday morning he was engaged in work at home. During the noon meal he suffered a dizzy spell, but this later left him and he then indulged in reading. At 3:45 p.m., feeling worse, he took to his bed and on Tuesday at 2:50 p.m. a stroke of apoplexy terminated his life. While Mr. Brink had for years, at times, been afflicted with high blood pressure, he continued his trade as builder and no one suspected that the end was so near.
Decedent, a son of Charles L. C. Brink and wife, Elizabeth, nee Krughoff, was born February 15, 1865, in North Prairie. In 1889, when a young man, he left for the state of Washington, where he remained over three years. He was married on Thanksgiving Day, November 29,1900, to Emma Finke, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Casper Finke, in North Prairie, by Rev. H. F. Miller, their pastor . In 1920 the family moved to Nashville where they have since resided.
Mr. Brink was a master builder, "a workman that needeth not be ashamed," in a mechanical and in a spiritual sense. Recognized as a skillful carpenter, he was a genius at moving houses, accepting contracts which others did not venture to attempt. He was friendly, obliging and had a high sense of honor. His integrity was unquestioned and he remained steadfast under all circumstances. His family life was happy and as member and officer of the Methodist Church he was ever faithful and unswerving. He and his family were very devoted to each other and his happiest moments were spent in his family circle.
Surviving him are his bereaved wife and four children, Elinor, Mrs. Arthur Burnett, of East St. Louis; Delta, Mrs. Gardner Bride of Harrisburg; Helen, Mrs. J. P. Friend, of O'Fallon; and Raymond Brink of here. Four Grandchildren, Dolores Burnett, Garda Jean and Gardner Bride, Jr., and Joan Friend; three brothers, Fred Brink of Harviell, Missouri, H. F. W. Brink of Centralia, and William Brink of North Prairie; four sisters, Minnie, Mrs. (Rev.) Theo. Ludwig of Norfolk, Virginia, Mrs. Mary Rademacher of Nokomis, Miss Louise Brink of North Prairie and Miss Elizabeth Brink of St. Louis.
Funeral services were held this Thursday afternoon in the M. E. Church, Rev. J. W. A. Kinison officiating, with interment in the M. E. Cemetary in North Prairie.

CHARLES married FINKE EMMA CHARLOTTE on 29 Nov 1900 in Home of Bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Casper Finke. EMMA (daughter of FINKE CASPER and KRUEGER MARY (MARIA)) was born on 13 Aug 1875; died on 23 Jun 1951 in East St. Louis hospital, Il.; was buried in North Prairie Cemetery, Washington County, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Newspaper Obituary

MRS. EMMA BRINK

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock in Wesley Methodist church for Mrs. Emma C. Brink, 76, widow of Charles Brink of this city, who died Saturday at 1:10 p. m,. in the Christian Welfare hospital in East St. Louis where she had been a patient for six weeks.
Rev. Gail Hines officiated and Robert N. Smith was in charge. Interment was in the North Prairie cemetery.
Mrs. Charles Brink, nee Emma Finke, daughter of Mary and Casper Finke, was born on a farm in Hoyleton township of Washington County August 13, 1875. Early in life she placed her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and united with the Methodist church. To this faith and this church she remained faithful and true until her death.
On November 29, 1900, she was united in marriage to Charles F. Brink by the Rev. H. F. Miller. To this union were born four children. The family made their home at Huegely Station until 1920, when they moved to Nashville.
She is preceded in death by her husband, who died in April 1933. She was also preced by one sister, Martha, and three brothers, George, William and Edward and one great-grandchild.
Surviving are her four children, namely, Elinor, Mrs. Arthur Burnett of East St. Louis; Delta, Mrs. Gardner Bride of El Paso, Texas; Helen, Mrs. J. P. Friend of Salina, Kansas; and Raymond of Nashville; one brother, Joe Finke of near Hoyleton; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, as well as many other relatives and a great number of friends.
Pallbearers were: Harry Eise, Charles Huegely, E. W. Poirot, Earl Wilson, E. F. Gewe, and Harry Schmidt. Mrs. Milo Brown sang with Mrs. E. F. Gewe at the organ.
Among those attending the funeral were: Mrs. J. P. Friend and daughter and husband of Salina, Kan; Mrs. Arthur Burnett and daughter and husband and baby of East St. Louis; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Finke, Mr. and Mrs. O. Luessenheide, Mrs. Fred Brink, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Langley, Mrs. Wesley Brink of Hoyleton; Mrs. Mary Hiller of Granite City; Harvey Brink and sister Edith of Centralia; Louis, Elizabeth and William Brink of North Prairie.