Old Friend Comes to Town

ROTH, WENGER, GARDINER

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 3/30/2006 at 19:55:04

Wayland News - September 1, 1921

An Old Friend Comes to Town

Monday morning, a Buick car stopped in front of the post office. The fine looking man at the wheel called to postmaster Wenger, who stepped to the car thinking the gentleman wished some information. The stranger extended his hand and informed Mr. Wenger that he was Earl Roth, son of Joseph A. and Nettie Roth who were prominent residents her about 30 years ago. Mrs. Roth at that time was postmistress and Mr. Roth was associated with Ben Gardner in the hardware business. Of course, Mr. Wenger and other old time friends were much surprised and greatly pleased to meet this former Wayland boy and his two sons, Billie and Joe, who were with him. Mr. Roth spent about an hour in Wayland calling briefly upon former friends and school boy chums.

Earl is manager of a large milling company in Lincoln, Nebraska and was on a business trip for his firm, including Des Moines, Ottumwa, and Cedar Rapids. He spent Sunday with his uncle, J. B. McCray, near Trenton, calling on numerous relatives and friends there. Passing through Wayland Monday morning he took an hour's time to meet many old friends and in that brief time, he met many who were delighted to see him.

Earl informed us that his brother, Clark, died about three years ago in Missouri, leaving a wife and two daughters. Lulu now resides in Wilmington, Delaware. She is happily married and has one son. Earl is married and has three sons, Billie and Joe, who were with him, and a baby boy a year and a half old. He has a beautiful home in Lincoln and is one of that city's prominent and prosperous business men. These children, Lulu, Earl, and Clark left Wayland 28 years ago. The mother died after a lingering illness and the father died a few months later, leaving them to face the world without parental guidance. They found a home with relatives and succeeded in acquiring an education.

Lulu and Earl, whom we knew as children, are now nearing the "halfway house" of life. They and their parents were very dear friends of ours in the long ago and a volume of reminiscence could be written of their active social and business relation in our little town during the years of their residence here.

It was a pleasure indeed to meet Earl Roth and his two fine boys and we hope he will not wait another 28 years before making another visit to his old home town.