Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-20
WOODMEN BUILD
GROCERY STORE
EDlFICE SPRINGS UP LIKE A
MUSHROOM
Two Hundred Friends Of Blind Man
Gather and Devote Sunday to
Work Of Completing
Slater Home

Probably the happiest family in the
southeast district Of Los Angeles yes
terday was that Of w. F. Slater, who
has Just recovered from paralysis but
Is left blind. Mr. Slater's brother
woodmen gathered early in the morn
ing to finish the erection of the build
ing at the corner Of Long Beach ave-
nue. and Thirty-eighth street which,
will serve the Slater family as home
and will contain a grocery store. The
building was begun week ago yes
terday
When the workers arrived they found
that only the foundation had been laid
but merrily they went to work and by
noon the frame had been raised, the
siding put on and everything was made
ready for the lathers and shnglers.
When they went their various ways at
night the outside of the building had
been finished even to coat of paint.
Part OF the plastering was left undone
in order to give the inspector a chance
to look over the plumbing this week,
Some of the men will gather again
next Sunday and the finishing touches
will be applied
Not only have Mr.. Slaters brother
Woodmen and friends erected for him a
building, 25 feet wide and so feet long,
estimated to be worth $4,000, but they
a $1,000 stock of groceries and then
have $1,000 left which will be put in
the bank for his future use.
summerland a Good Artisan
About 200 men were present. of whom
1875 were Woodmen from the various
camps Side by side with a brawny
carpenter was Theodore Summerland,
president of the city council, driving
nails with a swing that would do
credit to an experienced artisan.
Clerks, with their white hands un-
hampered by gloves. were handling
rough lumber just as though 1t was
their daily vocation. Men wearing
white collars and neckties. clad in
overalls, were mixing mortar carrying
paint or doing something else which
would help to expedite the work. DIR.
Campbell was there, too. He welded
the spade and applied himself with a
vigor to digging a ditch that would
make common laborer blush with
shame.
All in all 1t was one of the happiest
gatherings that have taken place in
that neighborhood for many a day.
Everybody was whistling, humming
a tune or bantering his fellow workman
with the good nature which charac-
terized the day.
Workers Show CIeverness
The versatility of the American work.
er was shown when more than a score
of men ascended the rafters and began
to put on the sheeting. No mans fin
gers were trampled upon by another
but everybody worked in harmony and
with the precision of clockwork un-
der the efficient supervision of George
Sewell, who was the architect who
drew the plans.
The great brotherhood and fraternal
f6eljDQ that eXiStC hafwaen the Wood
men was shown when a baker named
Cumpton, from Rivera, offered his
services in aiding his afflicted brother.
Mr.. Cumpton is in poor health but is
possessed of large sympathetic spirit.
The women and children were pres
ent, too, and enjoyed regular holiday.
Women who had not seen each other
for long time renewed acquaintance
and talked over old times. The lit
tie children had a great frolic. The
words of one little chap about eight
years old to his playmate best ex-
press the good time they had. Gee, it's
a regular picnic, a'int it?'
Women Serve Lunch
Among the first to arrive in the morn
ing were Mr.. and Mrs. Slater, their
daughter, Pauline Easter, and Mr..
Slater's father and mother, Judge and
Mrs. G. G. Slater. They remained dur
iH6 Illc SnllIe udy anu lIlclT blHlllHR
faces bespoke the great gratitude in
their hearts for love that their friends
have shown.
At noon the women served dinner for
the men, who were indeed hungry, for
morning of manual labor had whetted
their appetites. Mrs Slater had pro-
vided more than a score of old fash
ioned pumpkin pies which We're made
from pumpkins which Mrs. c. G.. Slater
had raised in her yard.
The aid which Mr.. Slater has re-
ceived means more to him than simply
an opportunity for making a living. 1t
means that he will now be able to give
his daughter Pauline an education such
as she DESIRES Pauline Is Is years of
age and will finish her common school
education next February. She Is am
bilious of becoming a primary or kin
dergarten teacher in order that she
may become self-supporting, and Is
now able to enter the high school with
this purpose in view.
Mr.. Slater Is Grateful
Mr. Slater was in the employ of the
Mackie- -Fredericks furniture company
of Los Angeles from the time of its or
ganization until about six months ago,
when he was stricken with paralysis.
He has now recovered the entire use of
his body but has been left totally blind.
At the time of his affiicton a sub
scription for his relief was started by
Tom Foley. manager of the store in
which he was employed. Everyone In
the store from the Office boy up to the
president contributed what he was
able until $500 was raised. This sum
was then turned over to the Mackie-
Fredericks company, which in turn