By their daughter-in-law

Harriet Dana Kerns

My first memories of the James Kerns family were when I was a little girl.  I would often spend a good part of the summer on the TR ranch with my grandfather and grandmother Dana.

The Kerns children (John, Jo, Kate, and Bert) attended the country school nearby.  They went to school in the summer as it was too difficult to get out of their place in the winter.  I used to see all four of them on an old horse riding to school.  Often they would stop and talk to my sisters and me and we often went to "visit" school.

Mrs. Kerns had us over to their ranch several times to spend the night.  The children would bring an extra horse to school.  Irene and I would ride double and John would lead the horse as we all went to their home in the evening for a party.  I remember Mrs. Kerns (Lora) as being such a pleasant "fun" person and always doing something for the children.

As I grew up and began dating John Kerns, I often went to the Kerns' to spend the weekend.  The "new part" of the Gay Creek home had been added by this time.  We had such good times with such a large family.

Often Lora would have a neighborhood party for everyone.  If it stormed the guests would come and just stay all night.  I don't remember going other places for parties—it seemed they were always held at the Kerns home.

Lora was famous for her entertaining.  I remember one summer event when the guests had to follow strings from house to barn and on and on, eventually coming to a lovely green setting of trees and grass and finding a delicious picnic dinner.  Often she would send all the family on a picnic outing, but she, then, would stay home.  In looking back, I think she wanted to rest and just have some special time for herself.

After John and I were married Lora became "Mother Kerns" to me and I still speak of her so to this day.

Mother Kerns was also noted for gardens.  Through all her years, until she was no longer able, she raised strawberries and melons as well as general garden produce.  The melons used to be buried in haystacks to ripen if they had not reached maturity by frost time.  In the early years of our marriage I acquired a pressure cooker.  Mother Kerns would have me bring it to her house and we would pick peas, beans, or whatever vegetable was ready and with the help of whoever was home, we would have a session of canning vegetables.  This would insure that John and I would have plenty for our pantry shelves and table in the winter.  I learned so much from her.  I really suspect she planted extra rows in her garden just to help us out.  We had no chickens or milk cows when we were first married so Mother and Father Kerns used to bring us butter, eggs, milk and cream as well as fresh pork or beef if they had just butchered.  How I appreciated those supplies!

John and I bought a little second-hand Ford roadster in our early married years.  We paid $200.00 for it and were so proud.  We drove to Gay Creek to show it to the folks.  Mother and Father Kerns wouldn't even come out and look at it.  It seemed Father Kerns did not approve of our extravagance.  However, when he learned what a bargain we had gotten, he was pleased as could be.  He and Mother Kerns thoroughly enjoyed going for rides with John, Elizabeth, and me in "The Ford."

When I decided that Elizabeth—two years old—should be weaned, I left her with Mother Kerns for a few days.  This lengthened into several days as rainy weather prevented John and me from getting from our place to Gay Creek to get our "baby."  I'm sure Mother Kerns was really glad when the weather cleared.  Elizabeth was so happy to see me, that Grandma Cooley, who was also staying at Gay Creek at that time, had to shed tears at the sight of that joyous reunion.

Mother Kerns could always be depended on to come take care of or keep the children if an emergency arose, such as the time my step-father passed away.

When the Kerns family moved to Oregon I helped Mother Kerns iron shirts, pack suitcases, and get ready to leave.  John and I took care of the Gay Creek ranch while Lora and Jim were in Oregon.

In the winters Lora and Jim played card games such as Cribbage and Solo.  They kept a running score and at the end of the winter the loser had to treat the other one.

Mother Kerns made wonderful angel food cakes—often making them for a crowd.  These she baked in a large dish pan using a baking powder can in the center to make the hole.  I remember when John and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  Mother Kerns brought us an angel food (regular size) completely frosted.  Upon cutting the cake we found 25 silver dollars in the center hole.  I was so thrilled!  I bought a sterling silver steak set with the money so I'd always have something to remember that special occasion.

Father Kerns had one main interest in life—his children.  He loved to have his family all together.  He was a very fair and honest man.  Mother Kerns was truly a wonderful community person.  No one could have had a better neighbor.  She made the best of everything and coped with whatever situation arose.  I was blessed to have such a father and mother-in-law.