We made a crop but that fall Raymond sold out and went into partnership with Mr. Huggins, Luther's father in a blacksmith shop in Cement. He traded his 3 colts and $50.00 for 4 lots and a 3 house in the north part of Cement. Two rooms were plaster and we had to fight bedbugs. Had a shed room lined with towsacks for a kitchen. It caught on fire but we were lucky enough to get it out before much damage done. On February 7, l4 our daughter, Iva May, was born. When she was older, Raymond’s brother, Willie, came to see us, He had always teased her so she didn’t like him. We missed her and looked everywhere and had neighbors looking. Finally connected Willie‘s visit with her missing. Looked under the bed and found her fast asleep.

Raymond sold his part of the blacksmith shop. On October 2, 1916 our daughter Bessie, was born. Raymond farmed with his brother-in-law Don Ikard (Rilla's husband) for one year. Sometimes he stayed during the week if they were real busy. Other times we all got up early, put a feather bed in the wagon for the kids, and drove down and back each day.

Elmer had gone to school for 1 1/2 years. Ruby started in January before she was 6 in March for the schools did that then. After only 6 weeks, Raymond rented the Cotren place 3 miles east of Cement and moved in. Elmer and Ruby didn’t get to go to school any more that year nor the next year. One day while washing the kids set fire behind the outhouse, burned up a setting hen’s nest and eggs. Beat it out with wet sacks wet in the wash and rinse water with no more damage. Had an old Model-T by this time. Raymond went to town about once a month to get a load of groceries.

The next year Elmer and Ruby stayed in town with Willie and Mamie to go to school ½ days. They'd get homesick and didn’t want to go back when they came home for the week ends so really didn’t go to school a lot. Marion was born on May 16, 1918 while the kids all had the mumps. They thought it was awful because they had to stay outside while the neighbors came to see Marion. We moved to another place after the crop was in but only stayed 5 or 6 weeks, then we moved into town into Mama’s house, one big room. Had two beds and a featherbed to put on the floor for the kids. Neal, my youngest brother, was living with us. Mama had been in Colorado with George and Sallie helping take care of Grandma Morris who had had a bad stroke. She came home the day we moved in. Raymond’s sister Delilah was sick and he and Ruby went down near Snyder to see her. They lost a daughter at this time. When they got home Ruby took the flu, then all of us had the flu except Mama and Neal. They were the only ones to take care of us for no one wanted to come around us for this was the year of the big flu epidemic when so many people died with it or with complications. Sally Margaret was born at this time, February 27, 1920. Raymond was sick when he had to go for the Doctor. He was so sick he fell out of the chair while waiting. Had to go get medicine and got so sick someone had to bring him home. Ruby seemed well but when no one was watching ate nearly a quart of peach pickles. She had a relapse and was about the last one to get well.

As soon as Raymond was able, he used the barn on our place and built us 2 rooms on our 4 lots for the people. Sebrouts, wouldn’t move out of our house we bought before we moved to the farm, Later he built 2 shed rooms on the back. Raymond got a job in the oilfield dressing bits (tools) for the drilling was just starting. We really thought we were rich with his good salary. We lived in town for several years. Ruby had begged for a baby brother and s on May 28, 1922 our son J.V. was born. She carried him around all summer. She carried him around all summer, He weighed 13 pounds when he was born and was a big baby until (at 11 months) we nearly lost him with double pneumonia.