RUSTON IN TIME

Arriving at the Ruston Inn Saturday morning later than usual I was surprised to find Fred Greer sitting at the counter with his daughter Carla. Fred's wife Jeanne is recuperating in the Lutheran Home which explains why he was not sitting at the first table surrounded by family and friends. May we all send along a prayer for a speedy recovery.

You may wonder why Fred is such an inspiration to all who know him. Fred at his family's request quit climbing up his ladder to repair the roof several years ago. Fred had a full breakfast of bacon and eggs and cleaned his plate.

The answer is Fred Greer is 99 years young and presents a milestone we all could admire and hope to achieve in such excellent health.

To all the newcomer worry warts in Town Fred retired at the Asarco smelter after 34 years. Fred worked in the furnace room where the raw ore came on cars then passing through a pipe and into the red hot furnace. Are you listening EPA and PC Health Department and all the other muck raking money grubbers who glommed onto and smeared the smelter's legacy.

We talked of the war years when the smelter operated seven days a week around the clock helping to defeat the axis powers. Turns out his father and uncle worked at the smelter the same time as my grandfather L. J. Wingard, who helped in building the stack.

Ron Adams who worked on the Rock Crusher recalled the workers had their own gardens in the back and on the north side. Vegies were free for lunch. He also recalled the Torgeson's had a whole lot vegetable garden on Winnifred street (Buck Linke's old house, now two houses).

I also recalled Johnny Vail another retired smelter worker who took the bus every day to eat dinner at the Ruston Inn and then visit his lady friend until he passed on at 94 years. John was a very large man and could easily eat the whole dinner even in his nineties.

Ruston was in those days a town at peace with itself. And then the lawyers and other assorted scare mongers moved on the town in a phony money scam and got enough publicity that a pall still hangs over the town. It was a feeding trough. Free money will do that to people.

Myself I was born in Ruston 75 years ago and 20 days. The house on 51st and Shirley which later belonged to Elmer Shoneker who at one time was chief of the Ruston Volunteer Fire Department. Oh the good old days.

To the come laters there never has been a verified case of anyone being harmed in any fashion by the Asarco smelter in its 100 plus years of operation. There are numerous studies showing trace elements of the smelter metals are healthful and add to your well being and longevity.

Fred when you reach that 100 year mark I hope I am invited to the biggest party Ruston ever hosted. You are indeed an inspiration to all.

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