July 4, 1940, was a hot day on her family’s farm near Altoona, recalled Ruby Owens.
She remembers the day vividly not because of the holiday but because it was the day she eloped with Clarence Owens.
The couple drove to Fredonia where they were married by Pastor Lashbough.
“My dad listed his age as 21 to get a marriage certificate,” said their daughter, Marilyn Bumstead. “He was only 20, but wanted to marry mom.”
After several weeks of living separately in their parents’ homes the couple announced their marriage.
To help the young couple begin their life together on their farm their parents gave them as wedding gifts a team of horses, a pregnant sow, a cow and 25 chickens.
In 1945, the couple moved to a farm in Allen County.
“Mom always helped dad on the farm. It was not unusual to see her working at his side in the fields,” Bumstead said.
THE COUPLE met in 1931 at a local swimming hole. She had been dating someone else but that ended when she met Clarence.
The couple dated once a week, but, she said, “We never saw an entire picture show as we had to get home before midnight so we could help with the milking.”
Clarence and Ruby shared dating expenses. He bought the gas to get to the movie and she bought the tickets.
To earn money he worked during the week in Coffeyville for a vegetable gardener. His salary was $1 a day and room and board. Each weekend he returned home to see Ruby. She was employed by Wilson County Conservation Service in Fredonia.
The couple have made their home at Fountain Villa for the past several years.
Photographs of their farm, family and a young Clarence and Ruby adorn the walls of their room.
The couple have three daughters, Charlotte Owens and Bumstead of Humboldt and Phyllis Boan of Buffalo. They have nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Cards may be sent to the couple at Fountain Villa, 2620 N. Kentucky, Iola, KS 66749.
