Do You Remember
Growing Up in Shawnee?

by John "Shorty" O'Donnell

Having been born in the old Groff home, on Welch Hill, across from the Martin Crow residence, time came for my father, Tom O'Donnell to move us out to the country. We moved out on Rock Run Road, on the Billie O'Donnell farm. A small, neat three room cottage was to be our residence for a long time.

I began my education at St. Mary's Parochial school and my first grade nun, teacher was Sister Mary Clarence. The Sisters of Charity were housed at the nun's home, by the parish home of Father Lucius Kessler.

Walking the one and a half mile to school wasn't too bad, except when it was frigid cold or a snow of great depth hindered our progress.

Crossing the "Ole Covered Bridge" just east of the Hazelton farm, was nice, especially if it was raining or the wind was blowing wildly.

Up the road to "Italyville", a group of homes housing our segment of Italians, namely, the mass of Montells, Devolies, Guzzos and then the Montells Greenhouse. On the hillside to the right was the cemetery resplendent with the various types of tombstones and the proud internment for many of our deceased "ole timers".

On a little further was the Trovato home and across the road was Cantor Greenhouse. Oh, how much fun we had, skipping, chatting and having a wonderful time before reaching the two story schoolhouse where discipline was really tough.

Further on was C.P. Elder's pop shop. On occasion when it was quite warm, we would stop in after school in hopes that we would be offered a bottle of the famous orange crush, cream soda, root beer, or strawberry pop made from spring water from Whippoorwill Holler.

My dad, Tom, worked for the Standard Oil Company, along with his helper Joe Hooper and the plant was just close by. Some nights when the weather was cold or raining I would stop by and wait til Dad finished his paperwork so I could ride home in the car. Those were happy days, before electric lights, refrigerators, washing machines and indoor plumbing.

The St. Mary's annual picnic was held on the O'Donnell farm and oh how good the food was. Many people walked out there to enjoy each others cooking, pies and cakes and to have a time with each other just talking and laughing.

Down in the Hazelton's bottom land, sometimes the KKK would hold their meeting and we were warned to stay away, but we always hid someplace close by to watch the burning of the cross. Then scared, we would go to bed and worry all night.

On Saturday night, if I had been good all week, I would get to go to my good buddy Jim Dittoe's home to stay all night. We would go to the "show" at night at the Louie Ellis' theatre. Jim's father was Bert, who also was the electrician for the Ohio Power Co., and we would get into the show free.

Other good buddies of mine were, "Pike" Grimley, Bob McCarty and Bob Dittoe, Jim's brother. Memories are so great and the times were tough then, but all of us were happy and lived a good life, thanks to the fine people of Shawnee, Ohio who knew more than anyone else.