4 minute read
Canterbury Tales continues
8
it’s there. But a small inexpensive tool can save most of that misery.
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If you went duck shooting over there without a walking stick they would think you were a novice. Over 20 years ago I was introduced to this wonder tool and it has kept me dry ever since. If you are a hiker or a sportsman they are a necessity. Carl brought me a stick with a duck head carved on the top which I hang in my gun room and it is the most practical thing you can use in the outdoors. Try it you’ll see what I mean real quickly. We think we know it all but believe me we don’t.
Now a Red Nose memory from a long time ago but not gotten. The old club is exactly that old. Started in Mapleton Illinois in 1929 by my Grandfather Harry ”Bud” Canterbury. The club was at that time at Rice Lake near Banner. Grandpa was a friend of Mr. Eugene Orendorf of Canton owner of the Orendorf Plow and Shear Company that became International Tractor.
Rice Lake was a couple of thousand acres and one of the finest duck hunting places in the state. I have a copy of the lease dated 1933. The annual lease was $600 per year which would be like $6,000 in today’s money. One of Grandpas friends was Bruce Raker an advertising specialist who sold Canterbury and Company at the Stockyards their pencils, pens, calendar’s etc. A fairly heavy drinker there was no telling what he might do under those conditions. One time he put grandpa on a rat house and told him he would pick him up before dark. Well Bruce got in a bar went home to Summum and woke up in the middle of the night and remembered he left Grandpa on that Musk Rat house. My Great uncle Lee use to hang out with Bruce on occasions. One time Lee and Bruce went to Havana Illinois in Lee’s new 1937 Chevrolet. Havana was the Las Vegas of the Midwest at the time. Being wide open with gaming and the like.
Bruce’s uncle named Uncle Monkey Jim Raker owned a floating bar and casino in Havana. Being in good spirts Bruce and Lee went there to visit and gamble. Bruce lost some money at his Uncle’s bar and was pretty mad about it. He walked up to him said Uncle Monkey does your boat have holes in it. He said well no it doesn’t Bruce. At that time Bruce pulled a 45 auto and emptied it in the boat. And said well it does now. Uncle Lee terrified ran off the boat got into his new 37 Chevy and went back to Peoria by himself as fast as he could. This story told by my dad many years ago and still gets a laugh as it did then.
Havana is the place where Al Capone hunted ducks and relaxed at his cabin away from Chicago. I have seen Al’s clubhouse many times for it still stands today owned by a mortician from Chicago. I knew his old pusher Hap Lippert who said Al was a great guy except for his crew. Al shot crows, woodpeckers and any other bird and cooked them up according to Hap. I’m headed to Florida for some winter fishing with my Cathy and the boys. Teddy and I will have at least one more winter and I feel blessed to have him a little while more. The love from a dog is unmeasurable I just wish I was half the man my dog thinks I am.
I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and this New Year will be prosperous and happy for you and yours. As always there is a lot of heart break through the year and this New Year will be no different than any other. Just make every day count and remind those that love you that they are special to you. Spending time with friends and family is the best gift you can give. Time is one thing that is not for sale. This is not a dress rehearsal and there are no do overs. Happy New Year Friends and keep your worm wet. Keep warm and thanks for being a supporter of ASO all these years.
Harry
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ASO good friend and writer Norm Kelly at Civil War Monument in Peoria.
Teddy Bear on Harry’s lap being a forever baby!
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