Vegter-Tschetter Heritage

Linda, Dianna, John, Jerry (1955)

I have enjoyed receiving two, and only two brand new bikes. This bike is my first and, on my 50th birthday, my wife bought and gave me my second and final new bike, which I am still using on a daily basis, weather permitting. (Jerry)

North Walworth Wheels

At North Walworth, Jerry and John had welcomed little Billy into their tree fort. When they refused to let me join them, it made me mad because it was unfair for little Billy to be in the fort and not me. So I kicked the stilt out from under the branch holding up the fort. Down came the fort and all 3 brothers. I was scared until I heard mom laughing. Then I had a good laugh. (Kathy)

We little ones used to sit in a saucer attached to a rope running through the hay pulley in the barn peak. Jerry and John would take off running and lift us for a fast, exciting ride to the top of the barn. It never occurred to me what might happen if the boys dropped the rope. (Kathy)

Jerry, Dianna (1955)

The North Walworth house had a beaten path which went around the house, caused from endless bike races. When we were digging the trench for the water line (which would have been to the right of the house or on the East side), we placed a board across which bridged the gap. No one ever disappeared into the trench. (Jerry)

Jerry on the Farm Scooter

Dad, Dianna, John

I used the scooter for transportation for the 2 mile (maybe 2 1/2) trip to the Robert Pierce farm. It did not have a muffler. Mom said that she heard the scooter the entire trip and knew when I arrived by when I would shut down the motor. At 5:30 in the morning, I'm sure that every neighbor knew that the Vegter boy was on his way to work! (recollection by Jerry)

There were a lot of fun things to do at North Walworth: go carts, scooters, my pony, and a horse. Dad traded two really nice calves for that pony. It was a long ways from the well to the barn, and I had to carry water to the barn all winter long to water the pony (Dolly). Then in the spring, Dolly died of old age. Dad felt sorry for me, so he went arranged to borrow a horse from some guy to keep at the house. That horse was named Dynamite. Dad loved that horse because nobody could ride it. He got a kick out of the horse bucking and nobody (especially neighbor boys) could stay on Dynamite. Dad had run electic wire as a runway to the barn. When Dynamite took off on me, I jumped so I wouldn't get "hung" by the wire. I got tangled up. What a mess. To feed the calves and horse, we'd go through fields to pick up corn. Dad would bring his truck and carry the corn home.

For other entertainment, especially when the neighbors came over, we'd stick a rope out the barn window, have Susie hold onto it, and run real hard pulling her up fast into the air. She'd go flying. What fun. Mom caught wind of that and stopped it.

Another time, John must have gotten in trouble. At bed time we couldn't find him. We looked all over. I think we called the fire department too. Lots of people looking for him. We found him asleep in the orchard under a tree. When he woke up, he came wandering back.

I remember waking up on cold winter nights and running barefoot through the snow to use the outhouse. I'd rather do that than use the bucket. Didn't have a commode or chamber pot. We had a "two-seater." Uptown! Take your friend with you. So it was nice when we got running water. No more taking a bath in the kitchen in the little square tub. All had to use the same water. Nice being the oldest. Once a week. Every Saturday. And rag curlers.

It was a great growing up experience. I never regret any of that. (recollection by Dianna)

Jerry on the John Deere,
Susan and Kathy,
Grandpa standing behind,
Digging the North Walworth Basement.

Billy, John, Jerry