Sunday, August 12, 2001
At 100, Clyde Price assembled a book of poems, reflections and insights.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
LIBERTY -- On most days, you can find Clyde Price behind his electric typewriter. He enjoys writing about his life and memories, such as when he earned $3 per call as a Liberty fireman in the 1940s.
"I saved my money and went to Florida. I've been there 19 times!" he wrote.
Price, 103, has a wealth of memories he's shared, such as when a Trumbull County house would catch on fire and men "tossed every moving thing out of the doors and let the house burn."
The county had no fire departments at the beginning of the 20th century.
When he turned 100, Price, with his grandson's help, put together "My God, My Country and Me." The book contains numerous poems, life experiences and religious insights.
"I'd like to see more people come to God," he said. "People are trying to dictate to God. Religion is about faith in God."
Traveling man: Price, a retired firefighter and milkman, also wrote about his travels, which took him to 40 states over the years. His most memorable trip, though, was to the Holy Land after he retired.
"I was baptized in the river Jordan, the same place Jesus was," Price said.
Earlier this year, he became a resident at Liberty Arms Assisted Living Residence. When he's not in his room typing an article at his desk, Price is using his walker to get from activity to activity.
He never misses an opportunity to participate in church-related events, where he often leads prayer services. Price also enjoys music and other entertainment activities, said Krista Reese, administrator.
"He's adjusted tremendously to being here," Reese said.
Price talked about his days as a milkman at the Golden Glow Dairy and mentioned his take-home pay: $100 a month.
"Ten dollars went to the church. We lived on $90 a month," Price recalled.
The good old days: Price said that early in his 46-year career, a horse and wagon were his means of getting milk to people.
In the winter, it was a horse-drawn sled. Price said that one year, his sled tipped over in a snowdrift, but that he was still able to deliver the milk.
Going to work and to church were his two favorite activities, Price said. He joined First Christian Church in Girard about 25 years ago when he married his third wife, Emma.
Price said he doesn't know the secret to his longevity, but that God will take care of him.
"The Lord wants me to hang around for something," he said. "There's a beautiful place waiting up there."
Liberty Arms honored Price on Aug. 4 as part of its weekly Spotlight Celebration. Several members of the Liberty Fire Department paid him a surprise visit, and Price shared excerpts of his book with other residents, said Annette Beebe, activity director.
The celebration allows residents to get to know one another more, Beebe said.
barron@vindy.com