Another long time River Oaks Resident once again reminded us of the true treasures we have right in our midst, if we take the time to visit with and appreciate them. Esmond brought copies of things for us, some of his poems, as well as candy for everyone to enjoy. Please read his interesting story below.

Around the Town with Jo Ann Dennis

Esmond Scarborough Shares
History of North Side

The February meeting of the River Oaks Area Historical Society featured another resident of River Oaks, Esmond Scarborough, who shared a wealth of history and personal anecdotes concerning the North Side. The history of the North Side and of River Oaks greatly overlaps and is intricately entwined as many former North Siders now live in the River Oaks area.
President Mary Earwood introduced Esmond, who told us he was born at 2613 Chestnut on the North Side. His neighborhood got running water in their homes soon after his birth, but there were still homes without electricity. His family later lived on Lee Avenue and then moved to 252 1 Loving when he was about nine years old. That location was right next to the business area which covered several blocks on 25th Street and he became acquainted with many business owners. He learned a strong work ethic when he began work at age 10, learning to repair shoes as a part-time job at Walter Morrow’s Shoe Shop. Esmond said tap dancing was big in the movies and the whole world seemed to be tap dancing, so he learned to put taps on shoes. He also had other part-time jobs at Mrs. Patterson’s grocery store, where he mixed bon ami and water, which made a paint for signs in her store windows and he helped Mr. Porter pump gas at his filling station.

In the early ‘30s, at age 13, he was detailing used cars for Mr. Ed Pierce, a used car dealer. He cleaned the engines, washed and polished the cars, soaked the wooden spokes in water to keep the wheels from squeaking and made a dressing out of graphite and gasoline to renew the tires and floor mats to help give the car a new appearance. At the age of 15, with the financial help of a North Side businessman, Mr. Jacob S. Greines, he started buying and selling used cars, becoming an independent business man. His brother, Lawrence Scarborough, worked with him some and he partnered with another North Sider, Johnnie Skrasek. They made many trips to Detroit and Dearborn, Mich., to bring cars back to be sold to livestock and cattle commission people in the thriving packing plant areas on the North Side. During these trips, he also became friends with a nephew of Henry Ford. He said most people just saved their money and paid cash for cars back then, but when cars began to cost more than $600, General Motors started the first car finance company, with Ford following soon after. In today’s world, where financing a major purchase is just a part of life, I found that information very interesting.

Esmond developed a thriving car business during those days as he became friends with more of the livestock people and also rodeo people. He sold a lot of cars to rodeo performers and ranch people. Sam and Lillian Steward, who promoted fairs and rodeos, bought cars and pickups from him to move their huge entourage from city to city. George and Zeke Miller, owners of the famed 101 Ranch in Oklahoma, also used his services. They trained many cowboys who became part of their Wild West Show, which traveled to London, Rome, Paris and even to Australia, besides their work in the States. Esmond told us that Will Rogers practiced his roping skills at the 101 Ranch, and of course, he became part of the Ziegfield Follies in New York, and a figure loved all over the country. Tom Mix also got his start at the 101 Ranch, just some interesting western history he was able to share with us.

Since most of his working career was associated with the Stockyards, he told us of a business transaction known as the “unwritten contract,” but it became a binding one because of the integrity of those involved. It was quite a problem moving cattle by train in those days, because the bulls and the steers would fight in the cattle cars. However, a business deal was struck between J.A. Tadlock, who was to be given a monopoly on the bull market, and Edgar Kerr, who was to be given a monopoly on the steer market. The deal was that Tadlock would neuter every bull and Kerr would de-horn every steer, cutting down on many problems while transporting them. The two gentlemen shook hands on the deal and it stood till the Stockyards shut down.

During this time, Esmond met a young lady from Stephenville named Lena Mae, who became his wife, and soon, he was called into duty with the Army’s 102nd Reconnaissance Squadron in World War II. Esmond is a wonderful writer and a poet also and he has written quite a bit about those days when he saw many men lose their lives for the cause of freedom. When he was fearful for his own life, he wrote a beautiful poem to his wife and also wrote a very meaningful poem called, “A Soldier’s Prayer.”

He told us an interesting story about some Czechoslovakian neighbors named Habba, who lived on Loving Avenue. One of the Habba brothers named Jerry came over from Czechoslovakia and Esmond’s partner, Johnny Skrasek, ordered a brand new 1938 Chrysler for him, which he took back to his native land. About that time, the country was overrun by Germany and he hid the new car under a haystack so it would not be stolen. During those war years, there was no communication because there were no mailing privileges and the family here lost track of Jerry. While Esmond was stationed for a short while in Czechoslovakia, he was able to track down Jerry and they had a great reunion. Jerry took him to the haystack where he had kept the new car hidden for several years. After they parted, Esmond never did learn whether Jerry was able to drive the car after the war was over.

The Habba Family here was elated to know that Jerry was alive and well, thanks to Esmond’s search for him. It was also during that stay in the Czech country that Esmond learned the children needed sulfa drugs badly. He was able to contact another member of the Greines Family, his friend, Dr. Abe Greines, who, along with the help of Ralph Gibson of Gibson and Whiting Pharmacy on the North Side, sent a large shipment of drugs for the children. These are those wonderful, personal stories that don’t make headlines during a war, but are never to be forgotten by those who were part of the experience.

After the war, Esmond decided to get into another business, still in the heart of the Stockyards. He opened a paint and wallpaper business for Cook Paint Company and he was next door to Jesse Roach, who ran an insurance agency at that time. Roach soon opened the world-famous Cattlemen’s Steak House, which is still a landmark on North Main Street.

Esmond and Lena Mae moved to River Oaks on Montrose Street in 1949 and lived there for a number of years, moving to the lake at a later date and back to River Oaks on Troy Court just a couple of years ago. Lena Mae’s health deteriorated and she passed away soon after their move here. They had raised a family and had 61 wonderful years together. Although he misses his wife very much, Esmond enjoys some wonderful neighbors in River Oaks and is especially grateful for his neighbor, Char White, who is a great help to him