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Stories From the Past/Herbert Clabo

One part of the Christmas From the Past celebration was an hour-long presentation called Stories From the Past.  This part was sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Historical Society, and several members talked about their memories.  This year, one of the panel members was Herbert Clabo.  Y'all remember Herb from last year.



Herb Clabo was born on April  3, 1911, and is looking forward to his 104th birthday.  He has two pieces of advice for living a long life: watch what goes down the red lane (what you eat) and stay away from doctors. He said he doesn't smoke, cuss, or chew, and accepted the Lord when he was fifteen, and all that helps, too.

His memory was amazing, although he got a little confused with some of the questions (who doesn't?).  He told about killing a bear that had killed a calf they were raising for their winter beef.  He said they had to have something to eat, and he shot that bear right below the eye with a shotgun.

He was asked about going to school.  He instantly quoted the alphabet backwards, then told us he probably learned some things he shouldn't have.  His education ended at the eighth grade, because it was too far to walk to the high school.

Mr. Clabo talked about the importance of growing corn.  Having a good crop meant that you could have corn bread all winter. They didn't raise hogs because the hogs ate too much corn.  They did hunt and eat wild hogs from the mountains.

He has lived in the same place all his life.  He joked that he used to live in the country, but now he lived in town.  He didn't move; the town moved to him.

It was obvious that he loved to talk to people.  I told him that I would see him again next year.

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