CCC Camp Leetonia

Here is another picture from the files of Fran Weigley. If you know any of the missing names for people in this picture let me know. Left to right.
Harry Butler
?
Norman Ottman
Paul Long
?
George Foreman
?
?

This was taken in the early thirties in Leetonia.

Fran Weigley "Ottman"

I just finished talking to Fran Weigley who is now 85 and lived in Leetonia during its CCC days. She is the daughter of Norman and Beatrice Ottman who moved to Leetonia after the crash in 29'. My understanding was that they lived in the "Square Camp", which I believe to be the older Cassel place which is Red. Her dad was able to live rent free and she believes he feed them mostly with free deer meat. Later on he worked at the CCC camp in a manager position.

I talked with Fran for nearly two hours and you can always tell a true Leetonia person. Their love and memory of the place never dies. The town has changed alot since she lived there and I will be sharing much more with you when I get it all written down. For now here are a few things to think about and add to if you know any information.

Fran mentioned a water wheel in Cedar Run Creek near the Petite Camp. She thinks it was purely decorative, but isn't sure if it had any real purpose. The Ottman's also lived in the Herre Camp for a while after the Square Camp fire, so if any of you Herre people remember information about that let me know. If you were part of a bucket brigade to put out the Square Camp Fire you may also add to that conversation. Do you know anything about a pet bear keep by Mr Lutz at the Herre Camp in the 30's please add? For now I am gathering pictures and collecting all of the memories Fran gave me tonight into something that will be fun and educational to read. You all have a Great Leetonia night and dream of a time when the CCC worked and lived in Leetonia and there were only two phones in town. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Christmas present from the past

Stanley Dudkin from Cedar Run Inn gave me this for Christmas. Not many people would be excited about recieving such an object, but I knew a little something perhaps you do not. This object comes from the days of the CCC camps here in Leetonia. Although, I can't be sure this was used in Leetonia there were certainly ones just like it being used. Do you know what it is?

I will tell you what it is not. It is not a shingle spliter, or a cheese slicer. It would make a horrible torture device. Ah but, at last, it is a brush clearer, mostly for overhead small limbs on trails. During the days on non-electric and few gas-powered trimmers this was the tool of the trade. The blades I understand are still available and able to be sharpened over and over.

Stanley picked this up from an Amish man who sells a lot of these old tools. It is quite heavy about 30" long and when you pick it up you have a real desire to take a whack at something. Not a good Christmas present for children. I am not going to leave this hanging on the wall somewhere. It is definately going to come into use clearing some trails in Leetonia again. Thanks to Stanley for the great gift.
Mountain Girl, Paula, logging off.