Frank's Unspoken Dream Comes True

Frank Houser Senior Picture 1941
Page 50 of Pomona High Yearbook
compliments of classmates.com

Let's jump back a few years, and get to to know more of Frank Lambert Houser's earlier days:


While moving from Montana to California, then up and down California following the crops, working side by side his mother for hours on end, future hopes and American dreams were luxurious available for the rich.  


Today, the secret dream he held onto while working as a migrant worker, is coming true: 


Frank, after carefully dressing in his finest attire, walks into the room where his mom stood.  Grace admires the man standing before her, with love and pride in Frank and all that he has become.  She quietly cherishes this moment, marveling at how remarkable both of her son's have turned out in spite of the rough start in California.  


Frank strolls through the house ready to leave, and asks his parents if they too are ready.


It's late spring of 1941, Grace grabs her handbag, tucks a tissue inside, and sets off with Frank Sr, and Frank Jr.  (James unable to attend since he was (most likely) pursuing his dream - crossing the ocean and on his way to the South Pacific.  If he were here he wouldn't miss watching his young brother for anything.)   

Pomona High School

They arrive at Pomona High School, Frank Jr, parts from his parents and lines up with his class mates.  Today he becomes a high school graduate, a dream that seemed highly unlikely several years ago.  


Frank in anticipation, like most young graduate boys, straighten up a bit taller.  It could be from the formality of this American ritual, pride over his accomplishment, or merely so their parents could easily find them in the crowd. 


Grace finds Frank easily in the sea of graduates.  He didn't need to straighten up, he naturally stood taller then most his age.  


Today IS a good day.


Frank steps up to receive his diploma.  As he takes his diploma from his Principal, Principal Johnston E. Walker, gratitude and happiness start welling up in his heart.

Frank Houser is identified in red asterisk.
 Page 50 of Pomona High yearbook.
compliments of classmates.com

Grace, elated, watches him from the crowd, as he receives his diploma,   Grace's heart swells, both of her boys graduated, overcoming extenuating and difficult circumstances earlier in their life. 


Frank, on his way back to his seat, catches Grace's eyes.  They they smile at each other across the distance.  Frank quickly looks away in fear of the tears welling up.  They've been through a lot together, looking at her face beaming with pride while dabbing away her tears.  He knew he too would be overcome with emotions that he'd rather not reveal, and looking away was the only way out.


Frank takes his seat, brushes away the feelings that threaten to surface.  He couldn't imagine having his friends and classmates see him overcome with feeling, feelings he has kept buried deep inside.  As the procession of graduates come to an end, Frank and his classmates stand.  They ceremonially move their tassels from one side of their cap to the other - symbolizing their entrance into adulthood. 

Yearbook cover from Frank's senior year

Today, is for celebration and happiness - as one door closes and another opens.


Today is a good day, the future is bright, one could dream their dreams - even in dire circumstances.  Frank's future is encouraged, even celebrated.  He knew that if he received an education and worked hard, he would find his way out of poverty.


This fall, Frank had a lot to look forward to - a future. 

Commemorating James M. Houser

Picture compliments of Marilyn and
Jamie Houser which they received
after sending flowers.  Click here to
find out more.

As you recall, last week's post left you with some great news (at least for me).  Marilyn Houser, wife of  Jamie Houser, Frank's son sent some information about James' death, newspaper articles, as well as his final resting place (as best we know it's his bodily remains).  today's post will piece together the known stories from Frank as well as the time frames found in the newspaper articles:

James, Buster, worked in the orchards in California, helping to keep his mom and brother fed while they awaited for their father to join them, the year is 1935, right at the height of the Great Depression.  James was a hard worker who knew that he would someday be able to use the skills he learned from the duties of helping to run the Houser ranch in Montana.

After officially moving to California, James (27) joins the Army .  James was hoping that by joining the Army his true passion to travel the world would soon come true.  He dreams (which is a luxury for migrant workers) of  visiting strange new cultures, defending America's honor and dignity along his far away travels.

Private James House soon receives his first military assignment, Fort McCarthy, a whopping 38 miles away from his home in Pomona.  In disappointment, yet classic dignity, he accepts this assignment with plans to request a quick change of scenery.

News article about James' letter
to Grace.

For the next 4 years, James continually requests re-assignment to somewhere overseas, with each request being denied by his superiors.  Through hard work, and the many skills he learned while running the ranch and working as a migrant worker, he earns his way up the 'ladder' and becomes Sargent James Houser.

After 4 long yearning years, Sargent James Houser, receives the orders of his dreams - Philippines under the orders of General MacArthur.  James enthusiastically accepts his new re-assignment, and sets sail for the the Philippines soon.

James has been stationed in the Philippines for a while, the exact length is unknown.  While there, he kept a steady stream of letters to his mom, Grace, letting her know that he was still ok and doing well.  When the Japanese started controlling the South Pacific, letters home came to a stand still.  For several weeks, Grace knew nothing about the status of her son.  She held onto hope that her son was alive and safe.

When the lucky day came that she received a letter from James, dated Feb 8 (1942?), Grace in excitement and relief reads the letter, each word bringing her closer to her son.

In the letter, James told Grace that he has been promoted to Second Lieutenant!  This made Grace even more proud of her oldest son, her relief and excitement just oozed out of each pore in her body.   James also indicated that he has seen some action from the Japanese, but he was doing ok.  Grace read and re-read the words written in this short letter not knowing that this would be the last letter she would ever receive.

When Grace read this letter, it had been a few weeks after it was written, and Manila had recently been taken over by the Japanese.  Grace believed with every cell in her body that James had escaped the Philippines with Genereal MacArthur, who was ordered to leave late Feb 1942.  She knew that her son was safe, and she'd soon hear from him.

News article about James
and one other Pomona individual
being held as POW

Months go by before Grace hears any word about or from James.  Her hopes that he escaped to Australia were getting harder and harder to hold onto with each passing day.  Her soul, however, needed to hold onto this hope in order for her to continue with each day.

In January, 1943, almost 10 months after Grace last heard from James, she hears the disbelieving news that she was hoping she'd never hear.  She learns that James is one of two Pomona men being held as POW's in the Philippines, most likely Camp O'Donnell.   Again, she finds some positive bit of information, he's still alive.  She'll see him soon, she needs this thread of hope to keep carrying on.

The next six moths Grace finds herself fraught with emotions.  She hesitantly continues her daily life, all the while grasping onto the hope that she'll receive news any day now from her son, James.  When you're a POW, no news is good news.  


July 1943, the Red Cross sends a telegram to Grace stating, "The causality report shows that he (James) died at a prisoner of war camp in the Philippines islands as a result of beriberi*, but fails to show the exact date.  Efforts to gain the exact date have been unsuccessful.  From the meager information gained from the Japanese, the war department  regards him as being dead at the time of this dispatch..."

News article about
James' death

Grace, all feeling rushing from her body, re-reads in disbelief the horrendous telegram.  News she so desperately didn't want to find out, has now been confirmed.  In numbness and disbelief she works on burying her pain, pain that got easier to hide as time went on.  A few weeks later Grace receives an official letter from the Army confirming the Red Cross telegraph.

Grace used the next year and a half before the war ended to work on moving forward with ease, and less emotional pain showing through.  After the war, the Army started their own investigation into the POW camps, using any data left by the Japanese, mass graves, and the red cross to determine a better time frame of death for James.

Grace learns sometime in 1946 that they found what they believed to be James' body.  Grace, and Frank M. decide for what ever reason to have him buried in Manila.  They did send request for any personal effect found on the body believed to be James to be returned to them, dated, August 1946.  It is unknown if they found anything to send back for Grace.

Copy of the letter Grace received from the Army
concerning personal effects

Chronological Dates of 

James Morrison Houser:

Visit the Manila American Cemetery for more information:
The following picture is from the following website:
http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwii.php

* May 27, 1908 - James Morrison Houser born
* 1935 - James and family 'officially' move to California
* 1935 - James joins the Army stationed at Fort MacArthur
* 1939 - James re-assigned to Philippines
* Feb 8, 1942 - Last letter from James
* April 1942 - America surrenders Bataan Philippines to the Japanese
* April 10, 1942 - James begins the Bataan Death March
* April 16, 1942 - James at POW Camp O'Donnell
* Dec 2, 1942 - James passes from beriberi
* January 1943 - Grace learns of James a confirmed POW
* July 1943 - Grace notified of James' death
* 1945 - Army investigation into deaths
* 1946 - James body identified with a better decease date of Dec 2, 1942
* August 1946 - Grace requests any personal effect from James' body


This is the best that I can determine for the dates. I hope I've honored James' life in a manner that would please him. Thanks to Marilyn's timely email offer to share what she has, this information has helped fill in the gaps and confirm several unknowns.


*Beriberi is caused from a lack of vitamin b1 (thiamine) that affects either the cardiovascular or nervous system.  Symptoms included; difficulty walking, loss of muscle coordination, loss of sensation, memory loss, confusion, paralysis, severe pain, tingling in the hands or feet, vomiting, swelling of the feet, enlarged heart, accumulation of fluid around the lungs, kidney failure, etc.  If left untreated, death.

Rescue Mission of POW's, Launching Investigations, and Paying the Highest Cost

This is a picture of 3
POW's rescued from Cabanatuan

It's early 1945 and a rescue mission to save the remaining POW's (who had been dispersed and moved around over the last 3 years) that were now being held at Cabanatuan. When the rescuers raided the compound, they found 500 plus skin and bone POW's who were starved, beaten, and disillusioned through lack of nourishment.

Second Lieutenant James Morrison Houser, was not one of these POW's.

It's Spring of 1945, Grace and Frank Houser receive word from the Red Cross that their son, James, passed sometime in 1943. The details surrounding his untimely death was unknown, another American POW loss.

Grace after holding onto straws of hope for years that James would be found alive, suddenly has a piece of her heart torn out forever.  Standing there, all emotions leave her body, escaping down through her legs and out to mother earth, she maintains what bit of small composure she can - after all she isn't the only mother who has lost a son in this war.

Her son, a man who grew up before his time, knew what hard work was about, one who willingly faced challenges head on.  He took the the role of big brother and oldest son as his honor to hold. Grace will never feel James' hugs or see his face again.  Grace, having witnessed, lived, and worked through some of America's toughest times now faces any mother's worst fears - the loss of a child.

Grace in her shell of shock carries on, her numbness and pain hidden, for her life hasn't been easy and has taught her well on how to bury these tragic emotions.  Each day she gets up, continues on, the pain getting easier to bury as she waits for news from her other son, Frank Lambert.

In the fall of 1945 WW2 is officially over.  With the POW's reunited with their families, the horrendous stories and war crimes spread through America.  Those that lost loved ones, now wanting answers, more details, and hopefully a body to bring home to give a proper burial to.  The Army, realizing the need for answers to these thousands of families, launches a detailed investigation.
  

Upon further investigation the Army finds records from the POW camps.  They send word to Grace and Frank that they believe James died in the spring of 1942 due to the abhorrent conditions found in the prison camp.  The Army found what they thought could be the body of James, however they couldn't be certain since it was found in a mass grass.

Grace and James were given the option of having what they believe was Jame's remains flown back to California for a proper burial or be buried, at the Army's expense, in a military cemetery close to Manila.
Due to financial and emotional reasons, they decided to have him buried in the Philippines.  His services was held in military fashion, full of honor and dignity.  Missing however, was his family to witness his interment and to say their last goodbyes.  The reasons why they choose this vary, though not confirmed between - lack of financial assistant, the uncertain identity of the body, not wanting to re-open emotional wounds, a combination of them all, or something else.  The true reason will remain 'buried and hidden' with Grace.

Christel's thoughts and notes:  While interviewing Frank during this story, I had such a hard time grasping the concept that a body, who may or may not be James' is buried somewhere close to Manila Philippines.  It's hard to comprehend when we are surrounded by modern day technology to remember that the world was a different place 70 or so years ago.  They didn't have DNA testing, and the bodies were in such disarray that dental identification was nearly impossible.

After learning what I have about the Bataan Death March, I wanted to find out as much as I could about James' life, the battle he fought, where he was buried, and anything else about him.

I spent many, many, way to many hours searching for anything with James' identification on it concerning the Bataan Death March, deceased POW's, anything!  After way too many hours, the only listing I found was on a list of causalities from WW2 for the Los Angeles County (see left).


Again, I learn from Frank Lambert another historical memory. One that will now live on forever, one that will remember and honor James' life as it should be honored. His life is now written for all to read, learn, remember, and thank in our hearts.

For James gave the utmost price for our freedom - his life.


Let's all take a moment and thank not only James, but all the other lives lost in so many wars for the freedoms we have today because of their gift to us.

In Memory of James Morrison Houser

James Morrison Houser, May 27, 1908 - Jun 1, 1942 
Army 2nd Lieutenant in World War 2
 Prisoner of War Causality, Philippine Island 

It's the night before releasing this post, and I'm busy updating the ending with some great news.   Just when I thought I'd tracked down every possible lead on James, a timely, invaluable email was sent to me.

I read the email, and with each word I read my muse was busy dancing, singing, filling herself with energy and excitement.  Unbeknownst from the sender, this information was what I'd been looking for, for months.  I'm finally going to be able to share some real answers with everyone.

Marilyn Houser, wife of Jamie Houser, Frank's son, shared this invaluable information on James' death, burial, and specific location.  With her help, my muse will be working overtime this next week so I can share this information with you in next week's Friday's with Frank.

Burning Bridges, Barriers Built, 16,000 Lives Lost Marching

James nervously awaits his orders, knowing that whatever it is, it's going to involve greater risk then previously known.

America was ill-prepared to tackle a world war at both ends of the European continent. American senior military had to make decisions, decisions that they knew would not have the best outcome for several thousand troops.  One major decision determined which troops would get aid and attention or which troops would be 'left behind', 'abandoned', and 'defenseless' was ultimately determined by several meetings between Winston Churchill, FDR, China and The Soviet Union.

Only a few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, some say it could have even been that same day, Japan enters the Philippines. With little resistance and much ease, they make their way towards Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Actions heard and witnessed by James in the following days after Japanese forces set foot on the Philippine island helped James determine that the 100,000 or so men under the orders of General MacArthur were seriously disorganized, under prepared, under trained, lacking sufficient communication, and left with little or no air or naval support. James in disillusionment, watches the scenes of the Japanese progression unfold -much like a skunk let loose in a mall. Cities fell with ease, creating shock waves of disbelief along with low moral to the military troops fighting to keep Manila out of the Japanese hands.  Back at home, Senior American military leaders grew increasingly alarmed and concerned by the ease of the Japanese take over on the Philippine islands.

Dec 23, 1941, only weeks after Pearl Harbor, James receives orders from General MacArthur that all troops are to begin retreating from Manila towards Bataan.  As James and his battalion retreated, they would collapse any steel bridges, burn wooden bridges, leave tank road blocks, and double barb wire fences in hopes of halting the Japanese progression.

Pic of American Soldiers placing
straw on a wooden bridge to burn
it down to prevent Japanese soldiers
from crossing it.

Army soldiers in fox holes during their
retreat towards Bataan

Road blocks created to halt the progression
of Japanese military to Bataan

By Jan 2 1942, only days later, Manila is under Japanese control, despite Manila being declared an 'Open City.' by the Philippine government. At this point almost one half of the Philippine island is under Japanese control.  The Japanese needed to take control of the entire island - onward they trudge conquering towns and villages on their way towards Bataan.

As the America men retreated towards Bataan, their promise of food, supplies, and aid was no where to be found.  The decision on which war front to fight first had been determined by America and her allies - all supplies were directed towards taking out Germany First, therefore leaving the troops in the Philippines on their own.   The armed troops, hungry, tired, malnourished, and exhausted found themselves alone, abandoned, and suddenly with a new General, General Edward King.

For the next couple of months James and his fellow soldiers were left with the orders to fight til death to keep some type of a strong hold in the Philippines.  All Army personnel, including American and Philippine men, nurses, and others, were left with this impossible feat of an order.

General Edward King signing over Bataan and almost 70,000 troops to the
Japanese

On April 9, 1942, with reluctance and hesitation, Bataan was signed over to the Japanese by General Edward King. The soldiers were, emaciated from lack of food, injured from fighting, and sick from a lack of medical aid for the past few months.  General King couldn't fight with an army of men literally wasting away.

Out of fear and humility, he signed over the city of Bataan in the hopes that thousands of men would quit dying.

In exhaustion, fear, defeat, and deprivation James and about 70,000 other men were rounded up and forced to walk from Bataan to Camp O'Donnell, a military training camp set up to house 10,000 men maximum.   James in seriously declining health due to malnourishment worried about the tough 70 or so miles they had to march, which would become known as the 'Bataan Death March'.  While marching along this route, he witnessed grave horrendous war acts from the Japanese troops towards the American military, and Philippine civilians.

While marching, the men were only fed a bowl of rice once a day and allowed only one drink of water during that meal (usually floating with maggots).   If a POW staggered, slowed, or looked at one of the Japanese men they'd immediately be killed, by either gunfire or beheaded.  If they tried to get a drink along the death march, they'd be brutally killed right there in front of their peers. For those that were wounded and couldn't keep up they were tied down and ran over by Japanese vehicles. If any locals tried to help the POW's along the march, they'd be brutally beaten to death in front of their village.  It is estimated that 16,000 men died along this 70 mile stretch to Camp O'Donnell.

Troops carrying injured soldiers along the march

Japanese soldiers looting the American soldiers along
the march

Soldier beheaded by Japanese on a whim

Soldier ready for beheading along
the march

Those lucky ones, which James was, that made it to Camp O'Donnell found life even worse then the couple of weeks along the Bataan Death March.

The Japanese military were not prepared to take care of this many POW's, and when they reached Camp O'Donnell they found that this military training camp, now turned prison camp, was not set up to handle the remaining 54,000 POW's.

When the American troops made it to their prison camp, they found one spigot to service the entire camp.  With a lack of sufficient toiletry, food, medical aid, and basic needs; malaria, dysentery, beriberi, and other diseases set in and ran rampant. Men who were sick prior to making it to the prison camp were the first to contract these deadly, yet treatable, diseases.  James witnessed, between 400-500 men a day die.  With so many deaths taking place daily, those that were healthy enough helped dig and bury their comrades in mass graves just outside the prison walls.   The stintch and smell that permeated the camp became seared into James' memories forever.    As James' time as a POW continued, he too found himself fighting against all odds.

Financial Recovery, Selling the Houser Ranch, Oceans and Continents Apart

James graduated college in 1938 or possibly 1939, the date isn't what this story is about, so the exact year won't be known, since the memory is only an approximation.

America was just starting her financial recovery from the Great Depression, and the unemployment rate was slowly getting better, which helped in the selling of the Houser ranch. After almost ten years - ten long years of desperate, starvation, and survival Frank Morrison joins his wife and two sons in sunny California.

Even with all the success that America has created, the American dream however, was reluctantly starting to fracture - again. Germany's, Adolph Hitler, was on a path to turn all of Europe into the Nazi, Aryan Nation.  The American Society, along with her defensive allies, were reluctant to get involved in another expensive war. They decided instead to sit back and maintain neutrality in fear of another financial tail spin that they experienced after WWI.

American military defenses kept a militant eye on Japan, a small nation under militia control, which also happened to be close to American soil.   They watch the Japanese military strike and take control over the Chinese borders and other various islands in the South Pacific Sea. American military couldn't sit idly by without implementing some kind of military action plan. American military determines that they had to somehow create a 'secure, meandering, stealthy' path through the South Pacific islands to Japan.



James learns (through the newspaper and other media like, radio) about the wars going on around Japan and Europe. He learns of Hitler's deliberate actions that willingly defy the Treaty of Versailles, as well as the suppression being imposed on our allies, and the other unbelievable grotesque war crimes. His compassionate desire to end the suffering of innocent people, combined with; American pride, the need for a job, and the desire to remove the lethal dictatorships of the world - motivates him to sign up for the Army.

After finishing basic training, James is assigned to active duty in the Philippines. He's to help create the secure and safe path that would meander through the South Pacific islands to Japan.

Dec 8th, 1941 around 4:30am, James is awakened from an exhausted sleepless sleep, by his commander's direct urgent tone. He's required for an important military briefing  ASAP.  James, jumps out of bed runs out of his barracks, ready for anything - confident that his training would serve him well.

James along with his fellow soldiers stand at ease waiting for the briefing to start. He stands there listening as his commander explains that he was just notified by General McCarther that American blood has been spilled on American soil. Two hours prior (the Philippines are about 16 hours ahead of Hawaii), the Japanese slaughtered thousand's of Americans by their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

It's Dec 8th, 1941, a day that James, in tragic disbelief, lowers his head, and wipes the tear pooling at the corner of his eye. Another day in James' life where indescribable emotions swirl around him, wanting to consume his every cell, causing time to stand still. He stands with weak knees, slowly attempts to soak in the depth of this new reality- thousands of fellow troops died in a sneak attack - troops that were struck in the morning light, under secrecy and surprise, dying without the ability to strike back.

Tragedy has struck America - the land of the wealthy, populated, and un-impenetrable.

Standing there feeling alone in a crowded Army briefing in the middle of the Philippine coastline thousands of miles from home, he awaits in uncertainty the impending orders:

A New Trajectory - A New Life

James (also known as Buster) excited, relived, concerned, but most importantly excited, takes his hand, grasps the tassel and moves it to the left side of his hat.  He smiles at the thought that his Flathead County High School days are over, done, caput.   As he takes his seat back with his class mates, the thoughts hidden behind his stoic expression are ones that he can't put aside.  This impending summer won't be like the others:

It's 1928, the year that the economic bubble begins to release its pressure valves. The bubble starts showing microscopic tears, tears small enough to only affect the working class, like Frank Morrison Houser and his ranch.

Frank Morrison, Frank's dad, angrily grabs the handful of bonds he keeps hidden away, bonds 'secured' by the U.S.Government.  He shakes them in the air and bellows desperately, "These, these bonds aren't even worth the wall paper in the hallway.  Not even the  paper they were printed on!" He stomps out of the house determined to find a way to sell the ranch and get out while the gettin's 'good'.

Frank Morrison and Grace saw the beginning of what will be known as the Great Depression heading towards America.  Together they decide to sell the beloved Houser ranch, get what they could out of it before they won't be able to get anything.  Hopes were high, the confidence in the housing market high as well.  There has to be someone who too wants a piece of the wild west, just as they did years ago.

Grace and Frank Morrison look to the future; what's best for their family, children, and finances.  They put their ambitions and dreams, again, on the 'west'.  The west is the future, west to California. Aah California, life was booming, agriculture was steady, unemployment was low, college registration was steady (at least this is what they thought). This was where they wanted to finish raising their boys, and where hopefully James would be able to attend college.  They decide that Grace and the boys will head to California to find a place to live.   While Frank Morrison stays to care for the cattle, sheep, land and house until the sell is final.  

That summer changed everything for the Houser family.  This is one of those life altering events (one of several that we will have the chance to read and write about).  Never again will the Houser family be the same, be able to enjoy the company of one another like they had.  This will mark an end to an era, but also a new beginning...

I Wanna Be Just Like Dad - Behind the Barn!

One late summer or perhaps late fall, the timing isn't so important as is the story I'm about to tell:

This is a picture of the most
common milk separator sold
during the 1920's.  Frank
Lambert may have used one
just like this.

Frank Houser finished his childhood chores.  It was the one consisent chore that he was able to do since he was the youngest. Frank would heft and carefully, without spilling any, poor the fresh batch of milk over the edge of the seperator's top bin. He would then start turning the crank over and over seperating the milk into two buckets; one side filled with cream, the other side with skim milk.  He would do this over and over until finally he finished the 240 gallons of milk produced each day from the 35 or so cows on the ranch.

Frank wanting to be 'grown-up' and like his father (now, what small boy didn't want to be like their dad?) decided to participate in one of his dad's passions:

Frank looks around the ranch.  Aha, there it is, some old newspaper.  He sneaks a section of it from the house.  He takes the newspaper in hand, goes out back, and gathers a smal handfull of dried weeds.  He walks briskly, looking around to make sure no one saw where he was going, or what he was about to do, behind the barn.  Frank lays and flattens the newspaper down.  He takes a small handful of the dried weeds and carefully arranges them in the middle of the newspaper.  He carefully, but quickly starts rolling the dried weeds up inside the newspaper - creating a small rolled up newspaper cylinder.

Frank holds the roll of newspaper out for inspection, making sure it was rolled tight enough. He then peers at each end, making sure they were just perfectly flat on each end.  Aahh, it passes his visible test, now he's ready.

He places one end in his mouth, and then quickly strikes a match.  Once the spark of flame takes off at the end of the match, he takes that orange flame at the end of the match and places it to the opposite end of the newspaper roll.  He starts to suck the air in through the newspaper roll, just as he's seen his dad do hundreds of times before.  He sucks harder through the newspaper roll, as the other end starts starts instantly glowing flaming ochre-red.  Then the flame crackles to life, the 'cigarette' lights up, just like his dad - all grown up.

Suddenly his father, Frank Morrison, comes around the barn, just in time to see his young boy with a flaming, smoking, homemade cigarette in his mouth.  Frank Lambert quickly tries to put his cigarette out as his father angrly gets closer and closer.The 'cigarette' is just about out by the time his father reaches Frank, however, not all the way.  His father hastily takes the 'cigarette' from Frank and snuffs it out all the way as Frank tries to get away unscathed from his father's anger.

Frank Lambert received a paddling that day, right there behind the barn, in the place where he tried to be 'grown -up'.  His father's anger was justly so.  How dare Frank risk lighting a flame when the barn could so easily become engulfed in flame.  A barn filled with straw and hay, the ranch's 'bread and butter'.

That day taught Frank a lesson we are all thankful for today.  For the rest of Frank's life, even before he felt it was morally wrong, he never had the desire to smoke - again. 

Taming the West

When one describes Montana, visions of panoramic wide open spaces, miles and miles of tree lined mountains, roaming flora and fauna come to mind.   Predators claiming prey, highlighting the circle of life - all helping man succumb to the reality that he is a part of nature, not separate from it.  We find that when man attempts to control and deter nature, he inadvertently tempts it with docile, tame, domestic, and carefully maintained plots of ranches and farms.

Growing up in Montana, Frank Lambert Houser, came to know first hand the trials and results in taming the wild west:

"Beauty" Pack horse 1930 from Houser Ranch

The Houser ranch was a section of several acres with tall, old growth timber growing along the edges. The timber was harvested and used to heat the house throughout the bitter-cold-wind-blowing winter months.  This same old growth wood was used to cook every meal over the wood stove.

One such family favorite meal was, mutton.  Frank Morrison Houser would slaughter one of their older sheep for Grace to cook her new england style family recipe of mutton.  The left over meat was canned over the wood stove and used throughout the season for various other meals.

Young Frank Lambert was quite often seen playing with one of the lambs on the ranch that followed him.  Yes, where ever Frank went, the lamb was sure to go!  However one couldn't guarantee that this lamb didn't become next season's dinner.

During this era family dogs were not required to be kept on a leash, in their yard, or to be quiet. When one has a pet rabbit, the neighbor dog can quickly turn into one of the wild Montana predators.  Frank Lambert owned Peter the rabbit as a pet, who ultimately succumbed to the predator drive of the neighbor's dog.
 
Every well ran ranch had a working dog, including the Houser ranch.  Cotton, a collie,would work alongside Frank Morrison herding the livestock and sheep on the ranch.  One of Cotton's most challenging jobs was in keeping the ranch safe from Montana's predators.  When the coyotes would come around looking for an easy meal, Cotton would work beside Frank Morrison in addressing and getting rid of these nuisances.

One such nuisance situation that was too much for even Cotton to handle.  Topsy, Grace's pet horse was found one morning mauled, but still alive.  The Houser family believes Topsy was most likely mauled by a grizzly bear, one of Montana top predators, besides man.  Frank Morrison had to put Topsy down and out of her misery.

Life in Montana wasn't easy, but carving out a part of history and taming the wild west was what the Houser family did.   The joy in facing the native beauty, the calm amidst the wilderness.  The sheer winter snow, like a blanket tucking the landscape to sleep, waking to blooms and blossoms in full succession.  Yes, the Montana mountains are calling, and overcoming those challenges is what our ancestors did.


The pictures below are from Betty Calkins' childhood, Frank Lambert's wife.  Note the differences between the Houser and the Calkins horses.

Unknown Calkin Children
on Horse.
Picture from Betty Margaret
Houser's memories

Unknown Calkin relatives riding horses
Picture from Betty Margaret Houser's memories

Diagnosis - 'Home Sickness'?

Back: Grace Buck Houser (Frank's mom)
Front (L to R): James Morrison Houser (Frank's brother),
Frank Lamber Houser (about 20 mo. old)

What is your earliesy childhood memory?  The most common ones have to do with their parents taking them somewhere big like Disneyland or the Grand Canyon.  Another has to do with a tradition; either daily or seasonally, such as nightly dinner around the table with the family or making homemade jam in the fall.

Frank's however had to do with modern day home health care.

Growing up Frank was just as healthy as any other child his age.  He contracted the usual childhood diseases of Measles and Mumps.

Yes, you read that right, measles and mumps! For those of us who are lucky enough to not know what these are, measles and mumps are a serious viral disease that can cause death.

When Frank contracted these 'typical' childhood diseases, he was not visited by the local town doctor at home (which was the common practice in the 1920's).  Rather he was treated at home by his brother James.  James, under the recommendation of his mother, gave Frank shocking hot and cold baths to help soothe his fevered body.

One of his other vivid memories, was the time when he was 13 at a scout camp in the San Bernadina mountains. While at camp, he started to get sick.  His scout leaders believing he had a bad case of 'home sickness', started treating him for this.  After a while it became clear that his case of 'home sickness' was getting worse then what they were comfortable with, so they sent him home (the only true cure for the dreaded disease of 'home sickness').

When Frank got him, his older cousin (who happened to be a nurse) was visiting his mother.  As soon as she saw him, she knew immediately what was wrong  - he had a severe case of peritonitis, which was caused by an appendicitis.

Frank was immediately taken to the hospital.  After staying there for a couple of weeks, he was finally released to come home with a drain attached to his abdomen.  During the three weeks following his hospital stay, he was visited by a doctor who checked and changed his drain and dressings at least weekly.

Now take a moment and think about what would have happened if his case of 'home sickness' continued to be 'treated' at camp. What if he had stayed another day?  Then think abut what would have happened if his cousin wasn't visiting his mom?

Here we are 76 years later, the direct recipients of one leader's decision and one coincidence at home that aligned together to make his survival possible - one that directly affects his seven children and dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Pretty amazing if you ask me.

A Very 'Frank' Discussion on Naming Their ..... Daughter?



Frank Morrison and Grace Lena Buck Houser
about 1920 (Frank Lambert's parents)

While growing up, your parents most likely told you the story of where your name came from, what inspired them to name you what you were named you.  There are those stories that are serious, or a family tradition, even funny ones, and then there's Frank Lambert's:
 
When Frank's mother, Grace Buck Houser was pregnant with him, she was of the age that most women were done having children  She was 36 years old, and during the 1922's it was considered risky, and quite unusual.

Prior to this pregnancy she'd had one child, James Morrison Houser several years earlier (May 27, 1908) and one miscarriage sometime in between James and Frank's birth. 

With Grace's medical history of a previous miscarriage as well as her age, her husband, Frank Morrison Houser, sent her to Spokane Washington to be under close watchful care of Dr. Lambert.

When Frank was born, Nov 21, 1922, Grace and Frank Morrison were quite surprised.  They had not thought of any boys name, after all, they thought Frank was a girl and had came  up with girl names together.

Dr. Lambert noticed this stumped indecisive couple and decided to take the initiative and fill out the birth certificate for Grace.  He told Grace that he'd name the little boy Frank (after his father) Lambert (after himself since he'd spent so much time with Grace during her pregnancy) Houser (of course giving him his father's last name).   Thanks to Dr. Lambert, we literally have Frank Lambert Houser.