The “Mrs

On any given day in the summer of the 50’s and 60’s, it was not unusual to see a Rolls Royce or two parked inside the old Walstrom boathouse. When one pulled in, a chauffeur would get out and escort the “Mrs.” to her boat. The chauffeur would also drive the boat to Harbor Point since no cars were allowed. Whenever the chauffeur would speak of the lady, he would say, “I’ve got to take “the Mrs.” back to the cottage now.” This was a polite and respectful way of not calling her by her name which everyone knew anyway. Other members of the family would refer to the family matriarch as “the Mrs.” or “the Madam” to show respect for their elders. The word “Mrs.” around town had a special meaning for a lady of prominent stature. The following were such ladies that graced Walstrom Marine.

MRS. SCHLOTMAN

Stella Dunbar Ford was first married to Joseph B. Schlotman. They built the “Stonehurst” mansion in Grosse Pointe in 1917. The Schlotmans owned a cottage on Harbor Point and a commuter docked at the Walstrom boathouse. Mrs. Schlotman had a chauffeur named Jimmy who would drive her over to the boathouse in her boat almost every morning. Then, he would chauffeur her in her Rolls Royce around town. Mrs. Schlotman usually wore a flowered dress and semi-high heels. Jimmy always dressed in a white pressed shirt, black pants, polished black shoes, black jacket and a black cap. When he was not driving “the Mrs.,” he would wash and polish the Rolls in the boathouse.

MRS. GAMBLE

Elizabeth Lowe Gamble was married to Sidney D. Gamble, grandson of James Gamble who, with William Proctor founded Proctor & Gamble in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble’s boat was a 22’ Chris Craft Cadet, hull #1, and kept undercover at the Melching Boat House beginning in 1929 when it was purchased. Originally named “Nermie,” it was used to commute Mrs. Gamble and family from Harbor Point to town. Mrs. Gamble was called the “Madam” by the males in the household. When Ward Walstrom, Sr purchased Melching Boat Works, “Nermie” remained undercover for the next decade or more.

After Mrs. Gamble died, Walstrom Marine purchased “Nermie” from the Gamble family. It was re-named “Walswood” after Henry Walstrom’s farm just north of Grand Rapids and is still owned by the Walstrom Family. To this day, “Walswood,” is in original condition having never had any wood replaced or had any major repair.

MRS. WALLACE

Audrey Wallace and her husband, Mahlon B. Wallace came from St. Louis and spent the summer in cottage #2 on Harbor Point. Audrey’s mother was Anna Busch of the Busch beer family. Mahlon was from the Wallace pencil family. Their boats, a 32’ Chris Craft Roamer and a 23' Chris Craft, both from the 50’s, were kept at the dock in front of the cottage. The “Edward A” was Mrs. Wallace’s commuter that she drove almost daily from Harbor Point at a moderate rate of speed to the boathouse. Dave Price and I would gently inform her of her wake and to slow down to no avail.

Naturally, Mrs. Wallace was a die-hard Cardinal’s fan (Busch Stadium). Since her hairdresser was a bookie, Mrs. Wallace enjoyed an occasional bet. Audrey and Mahlon also loved fishing aboard “Half Fast” and one of their many guests was actor Andy Devine.

Mrs. Wallace and I had a standing bet on the World Series starting in 1968 when the Detroit Tigers played the St. Lous Cardinals. It was only $5 but if the National League won, the first thing Mrs. Wallace did when she returned for the summer is come in to collect her money. Incidentally, the Tigers won in ‘68. Mrs. Wallace had no need for a chauffeur because she loved driving her boat. She drove a l960’s station wagon ignoring anything that would implicate her to “high society” but I still remember her as “The Mrs.”

Mrs. Wallace