White, Robert

WHITE

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/11/2019 at 21:27:54

BIOGRAPHY ~ ROBERT "BOB" WHITE
Lamoni, Iowa

Lamoni's Passing Parade
Anthony, Joseph H. p. 65. ca. 1948

A mention of the name of Bob White to many of the old-time Lamoni residents would probably bring the remark: "Oh, yes, I remember him. He used to run the east elevator."

He did run the elevator, but I can think of many things about Bob White which created a greater impression upon my memory than the sight of him clad in his dusty overalls, going about his duties in connection with that institution. He ad an impressive way of stroking his gray mustache, which was usually made more gray with dust from the grain he was constantly working with, and the twinkle in his eye as he greeted you was a hearty salutation to either youth or adult.

He had been a soldier in the Confederate army during the war between the states, and many times he entertained us youngsters with interesting tales of his experiences during that struggle-tales of events that were not included in our history books, which gave us entirely new viewpoints on many issues vital in the differences that existed between the north and the South. In doing this he was not trying to convert us to the Confederate cause-he was too good a loser for that-but gave us a line of reasoning that helped to broaden our sense of values and thereby enable us to comprehensive realization of our duties as Americans.

For him there was no existing bitterness over the issues which at that time existed between the North and South. That had all ended with the closing of the war; and with the states again solidly united, his love for his country and his patriotic fervor were equaled only by his love for his family and his God. At the Fourth of July celebrations of early Lamoni he was really in his element, as he always officiated during the firing of the sunrise salute - and what would a Fourth of July celebration have been in those days without a sunrise salute? To the youngsters of the town it was the big event of the day, and many times I crawled out of bed in the wee hours of the morning and with other kids of the neighborhood raced before the break of dawn to the spot where we knew they would fire the anvils the moment the sun showed itself about the horizon.

Firing an anvil is really a simple process, yet the element of danger involved in the procedure is so great that the practice has been discarded almost wholly by those seeking safe and sane celebrations nowadays. Upon the top of one anvil was placed a circular metal band and into this was placed a portion of gun powder, allowing a small portion of it to trickle through a V-shaped notch that had been filed in the edge o f the iron band; then another anvil - usually a smaller one - was placed on top of the metal band, and when the powder was ignited the ensuing explosion resulted in a roar which seemed to shake the very ground on which we stood.

Bob White was very methodical in his preparation for this ceremony. He had a number of anvils set at certain points, with men to do the loading. He had a bonfire burning briskly to heat the iron rods which he used to ignite the powder. He personally made certain that all spectators were at what he considered a safe distance, and then when all was in readiness and the word given, he would take one of the red-hot irons from the fire and quickly step from one anvil to another, igniting the charges which resulted in those mighty detonations, just as in his younger days as a member of an artillery regiment he had fired those Confederate cannon, the repercussions of which were heard around th world.

Now it was entirely different. Bob White was using his experience and technique to help a community demonstrate its patriotism, and the applause and cheers of the onlookers following this demonstration proved that his ability to do the job capably was throughly appreciated. He acknowledged this applause with his characteristic smile, and the twinkle in his eye was one of deep satisfaction, for he loved people and loved to see them happy.

The intimate story of Bob White's life was one of courage and accomplishment, and should prove one of encouragement to anyone who has given up to habits and harmful delusions. At one time even his closest friends feared that he had become a hopeless victim of drink, but at the time when the cloud loomed darkest, the manhood that was in him came to the front and he stood out prominently as a man who could face the world unashamed - a man who had definitely conquered himself.

In Lamoni he was known for his honesty, his integrity, his loyalty to his friends; and in memory we see him marching proudly erect, a man who claimed the respect of all who knew him, a Christian gentleman, a faithful soldier in the fight for the right, and an esteemed participant in Lamoni's passing parade.

Copied & submitted by Jean Belzer, Wednesday, June 20, 2001