Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-04-24

willie is a good boy. He was always
30. If one continues to discuss the evan
gelist his mother is sure to tell of some
of the amusing incidents hat happened
during sWiilie's' boyhood, when but a lit
tie lad he ran free over his grandfather's
farm in Story county, Iowa The farm
was located near Ames, not far from the
agricultural school of that name, and
was owned by the evangelist's grand
father, Squire J.. f. Cory, who was q
typical pioneer of the middle west.
esquire Cory, until a year before his
death at the age of seventy-two. never
thought of climbing to the back OF one of
his horses from a block. but instead he
would grasp the pommel and leap into
the saddle in true western fashion with
out touching the stirrup. According to
his mother, Billy was the pride of his
grandfather's heart and was taught many
of his boyish athletic tricks by him.
When but a mere baby the Squire would
place the boy upon his outstretched hand
and raise him high in the air. Willie
would just stand there as straight as an
arrow and never make a whimper,' says
his mother with just a touch of pride in
her voice when she tells about it. He
was a great favorite with his grandpa
because he was such an active little
chap Since the time the evangelist has
been old enough to walk he has been
fond of dogs. His mother tells of his
favorite childhood pet, a big shepherd
name Watch
II can remember when Willie used to
go to the pasture every evening for me
and bring home the cows. Seems that I
can almost see him now, coming Town
the lane astride of the cows, whistling
or singing while Watch took care to see
that none of the cattle strayed from the.
herd. He surely loved that dog and I
hardly think that he has forgotten his
old nIauunafA vat alfbo4uh ha has had
several such pets since.
Yes, Willie was always a good boy to
work. Did you ask If he has always
worked like he does now? I guess he has.
When just a boy he would go after things
pell-mell and 1t seemed that he always
had an extra supply of energy. Some
might call his methods nervousness but
1t appears to me just the way he is made
because he has been the same ever since
1 can remember.
IT don't think Willie shall ever have
h you call a nervous breakdown. Even
though he works ever so hard it is just
his fashion and I guess he can stand 1t.
He is built peculiarly. that is why SO
many people do not understand him when
they meet or watch him. At times, 1
know he seems to be snappy, but 1t is his
style when he is busy and he has no idea
he is hurting the feelings of any one. Ha
was just the same when he was a boy.
i diWdyS Put niS WlOlc SOui AHtO every
thing that he did, whether 1t was work
or play. I guess that Is what has helped
to make him the man he is.
willie always liked to play games
where he could show his strength for he
was a strong little lad. I can remember
that many times before he was ten years
old he would go down to the college
where the boys were playing ball and get
In the game with them. I guess he was
pretty good at baseball even then. After
his grandfather died he and Ed-Ed is, his
brother who lives out in North Dakota
went to school at Marshalltown. My but
/ missed my children SO much.
Their father had died during the Civil
war while serving in the sd Iowa down
south, and he never got to see Willie.
His name was Willie too, and we named
the baby for him. His father had always
liked the name Ashley, so hat is where
Willie got his middle name"
No greatness which ever comes to
a man ever prevents his being other
than a boy In the sight of his mother.
Learned dissertations on the value OF
Mr.. Sundays work; arguments about
his theology; questions about his
methods fail to cast the light upon his
work and his character as thoroughly
as the simple details from the lips of
his mother uttered when she was well
past seventy.