The Car That Winston's Injury Paid For!

A 1938 Classic.

The license plate says 1938, and we were living at 770 E. 180th St., the house where Adrienne was born just a year before. Winston was 5 or 6 I was 7 or 8 depending on the month the picture was taken. That made William 11 or 12.

There was a construction job going on just across the street from our house. Knowing it would attract Winston and I, my Mother warned us to stay away. Before the job closed down a load of sand was dumped on the street and it became an extra attraction for Winston and I. We went right over when the workers left for the day and proceeded to climb on the cement mixer that was left there every night.

Winston and I took turns jumping off the cement mixer into the hugh pile of sand and apparently on our many jumps the pile of sand lowered to the point that when Winston took his next jump he landed in the sand pile, and fell forward striking his face on the curb stone, cutting his lip or chin, causing it to bleed profusely. A trip to Fordham Hospital and a few stitches in his lip or chin, and Winston is almost ready to go back and jump some more.

I'm not sure of the financial settlement that was made but I do know that Dad went out and bought a large seven seat Packard executive-type car that had two folding jump seats in the rear with the money he received when the negotiating was over.

I knew that this photo of the car existed in the family for years. I even described it in a news letter to my sisters and brothers as a picture of Winston and I standing on the running board of this old car with wheels on the side in the fenders, but no one could find it.

One raining night a few years ago Uncle Winston, Aunt Peggy, Mom and I were visiting with Aunt Gloria and Uncle Jerome in their home in Ossining and Uncle Jerome was showing us some old photos. I asked him if he ever saw the picture I was looking for and he said, "yes I know where it is!" Uncle Jerome went into a closet and came back with the long missing picture and much to my surprise and satisfaction it showed Uncle William sitting in the front seat. I asked your uncle if I could have the picture to make duplicates to give to all concerned and Uncle Jerome said, "no," as he retrieved the picture, "I will do a better job for you."

I went back to Harrison satisfied that I found the long lost photo, but others were skeptical for their own reasons. I do know how much time it took for that long lost photo to show up, as both of your uncles bet me a bottle of Chivas Regal each that the picture would never wind up in our hands again. I do not remember how long it took for the picture to arrive, but Jerome came through with an 8 X 10 in the mail one day! Uncle Winston paid me off by having Uncle Gary installing our new kitchen fan as payment for the Chivas, since I do not drink. Thank you Jerome for the 8 X 10 -- and the kitchen fan!