After reading Richard Patton's memories of T-Bone John, I thought it would be interesting to share stories about people in McPherson who were interesting or colorful characters that left an impression.  My story is particularly for the Roosevelt kids, especially those who lived east of South Main Street.

My first memory of Mae Smyers goes back to pre-kindergarten.  One summer night after everyone had gone to bed there was a commotion in the neighborhood. (Remember, we slept with the windows opened.)  The whole family dashed downstairs and outside to see what was going on.  We lived on the corner of Ash and Ave. B.  Across the street and on the corner of Ash and Ave. A was a large old Victorian house that hadn't seen a coat of paint since the turn of the century.  An older woman lived in the house with her cats.  She had a reputation of being quite eccentric and for us children we could relate to Hansel and Gretel.  It was believed that the house had no electricity and at night a flickering candle could often be seen moving from room to room through the dirty windows.

In the summer her yard was mostly tall grass and weeds.  It was well known that Mae could often be found in her yard after dark cutting the weeds with a sickle.  On this particular night a young man was walking home from work and bravely ventured along the brick side walk in front of the dark Victorian.  Suddenly, a shadowy figure with a long handled sickle rose up out of the weeds.  The poor guy let out a holler that woke the entire neighborhood.  He ran all the way home yelling at the top on his lungs.

There were times when Mae would get on her soap box and preach loudly from her front porch.  This usually brought the police to her house advising that she was disturbing the peace....not to mention scaring us kids and unnerving some of the neighbors.

I had a tender spot for the old lady and besides, I liked her cats.  Mom told me they were wild and I should leave them alone.  Playing with the kittens is probably how I contacted my first and only case of ring-worm.

One year after Easter we had some colored Easter Eggs sitting in a basket.  Since no one had eaten them I put them in a bag and left them on Mae's front porch.  Wasn't I brave!!  Later Mom asked me if I knew what happened to the eggs.  I thought I had done a noble thing until she told me the eggs had gone bad and were rotten.

Mae's house burned down right to the ground.  It happened one night and the neighbors were once again outside on their porches.  As we watched the flames I worried about what would happen to the old lady and her cats.  The charred ruins stood on the big double lot for a long time....I think until after she died.  The fire was thought to be arson.  There were rumors that Mae had a lot of money even though she lived like a pauper.  She owned 2 rental houses in the neighborhood.  Most of us kids who lived east of Main Street walked by her  house everyday going to and from school. 

Do you remember this interesting old lady?  Can you tell anything more about her?  She certainly added excitement and color to our neighborhood.