The most memorable person I have ever known was Hallie Ward. She was one of three children of John “Mock” Ellis and Ruth Ellis and lived to be 78 years of age, in this community.

Hallie was born without arms below the elbows. She was born into a very loving family and her condition was never thought as being impaired. She attended school with other children and had a nearly normal childhood. People who knew her said she had a brilliant mind and was eager to do things the other kids did.

Hallie was married to Will Ward, a building contractor and owner of Ward’s Bldg. Supply Yard.

By the time I was old enough to know this lady, she was the mother of Edmund and she had served many years as the High School Librarian.

Hallie was an active church member and enjoyed ladies groups such as the ladies aid society.

Our local museum has one of her watercolor paintings along with some things written by her.

This unusual lady was hardly ever noticed as she went about her everyday life. She wore a cape or shawl over her shoulders and even strangers didn’t notice the absence of arms.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward lived just across the alley, so we were neighbors for many years. When I got to be old enough I had the job of splitting wood and stacking it for their kitchen range. The woodbox was filled from the outside door, and Mrs. Ward could get wood by dropping the latch of the inside door. Will had constructed a stirrup shaped lid lifter that Hallie was able to negotiate when it came time to add wood to the fire. On a couple of occasions she scorched her hair in the process, so you can imagine how frightened she must have been. Her hair was always kept tightly braided this was one of the few things that Hallie couldn’t do for herself.

Hallie’s mother; Mrs. Ellis lived an a small two story house in the location where Bob & Marcella Flickinger live today. These ladies visited daily until Mrs. Ellis passed away in 1933.

This was before the time of all modem conveniences, but it seems like people had time to care, and do things for other folks. No such thing as government health care programs existed at that time.

I recall that Mrs. Salasar did some of the housecleaning and also braided Hallie's hair. Other than that, Hallie was able to handle most of the household chores and the cooking. I still remember the delicious cookies she always had for me when I finished filling the woodhox.

I often think of this remarkable lady and of her many accomplishments. Hallie’s sister-in-law, Anne Ellis wrote a book about her own life titled “Life of An Ordinary Woman”, Haille Ward lived the life of an extraordinary woman!!