Pike Township Family Stories
HILDA KLINE
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 294
By Loretta MacKenzieFrom an article in the West Liberty Index on 27 July 1978 comes the following story about Hilda Kline’s career as cook in Newt’s Café.
“The majority of local people coming into Newt’s Café in Nichols either call out or wave a greeting to the white haired lady presiding over the kitchen; it she doesn’t happen to be in sight, they will ask, ‘Hey, where’s Hilda today?’ Another early morning request often heard is ‘Give me a short stack – that Hilda makes the best hot cakes around!’
“Hilda Kline, who celebrated her 75th birthday last June 14, has been the cook at Newt’s Café since 1964. Hilda enjoys relating how she got the job. Jess Newton, the original owner, was running the place – Jess and Hilda were acquainted because Jess Newton had a business in Lone Tree at the same time the Kline’s had a combination tavern and restaurant there. In fact, Jess had often had lunch at the Kline’s restaurant. This day in 1964, Hilda and her sister-in-law had come into Newt’s that afternoon for a cup of coffee. Jess asked Hilda if she could possibly do him a favor of coming n the next day and cooking – he really had a problem as his regular cook, Mrs. Thelma Corder, had been suddenly called away by a death in her family and he didn’t know what he was going to do. Hilda hesitated but said, ‘Well, yes, she guessed she could help one day.’
“The following day a she was getting ready to leave, Jess asked her if she wouldn’t consider coming in again the next day. He really needed help, and Hilda has cooked at Newt’s since then.
“When Mrs. Corder returned, she was put in charge of the dining room. Hilda has witnessed many changes at Newt’s and has worked under four bosses. When she started, the café consisted of a very small kitchen, a counter area seating nine people and a small dining room seating at the most, 30. Jess Newton died in 1967 and the restaurant was managed by Mrs. Alice Hillyer, sister of Mrs. Jess Newton. Later Bill Newton and Rose Newton, son and daughter-in-law of Jess, took over the operation of the business. Since Bill had a job, it was Rose who managed the restaurant.
“They built the large dining room that seats 65, enlarged the kitchen and storage area. The smaller dining room was not in use except as additional storage. Four years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Bigger bought the restaurant and redecorated the small dining room so it could be used for parties, did other redecorating and added new kitchen equipment.
“During all this time, Hilda and one other person have ‘opened’ every morning and Hilda has worked eight hours, taking her through the noon rush. Most employers would be very happy if the majority of their employees had the low rate of absenteeism that Hilda has maintained. She has been absent no more than six weeks during the entire period of time she has worked at Newt’s. She was off two weeks at the time of her husband’s death in December of 1966. She has been absent twice because of illness and the other absences were when she took a vacation trip to Colorado and a short trip to Wisconsin over the fourth of July weekend – the restaurant was closed for the holiday but Hilda’s trip extended a couple of days beyond the holiday. For over twelve years, Hilda worked six days a week. Since a bout with illness a year ago this last Easter, Hilda has taken a day off through the week, and since last fall, the restaurant is not open on Sunday, so that gives Hilda two days a week off.
Hilda has had much experience in restaurant work. When she and her husband, Frank Kline, were first married, Hilda worked at Gaeta’s restaurant in Lone Tree and later at McGuire’s combination tavern and restaurant in Lone Tree. During this time, Frank Kline worked for the railroad. They then decided to open their own tavern-restaurant in the north part of Lone Tree. They later moved to a location along the main street on the west side. They lived in an apartment above their business and did a great deal of remodeling.
In December of 1941, the entire block, including a bank, post office, grocery and the Kline’s restaurant-tavern was destroyed by fire. The Klines rebuilt in the same location and reopened for business in March of 1942. When they rebuilt, they built a one-story building, so they no longer lived above their business but rented a home in Lone Tree.
“In 1945, they purchased a farm northwest of Nichols and moved there. They lived there for twenty years, until they purchased a home in Nichols and moved there. Mr. Kline died in December 1966, but Hilda still lives in the home in Nichols. The Kline’s son Bernard Kline and his wife, Betty Kline, live on the home farm. Hilda’s grandson, Bill and his wife Helen and their four children live in West Liberty.
“When asked about the hardest part of her job, Hilda laughs and says, ‘Oh, I can handle the cooking part with no trouble at all, even the crises that occur occasionally in any restaurant kitchen. I get through as calmly as possible. The worst part about this job is learning to decipher each new waitress’ handwriting on her tickets – now THAT can be a challenge! Believe me, if I can figure out what the order is, I’ll get it on the plate for them.’”
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