Jessie Herr:  

Life Born Jessie Marie Addison on 07 Jan 1930 in St Louis, Mo. My parents were: Richard Addison (1889 - 1961) from South Carolina and Gertrude Raterman (1904 - 1988) from Breese, Illinois. My daddy worked at Sears and my mother worked at Alcoa Aluminum. My Grandparents had a farm in Dupo, Ill. I grew up with two sisters: Lois (1932) and Dorothy (1933). I had a wonderful childhood. Lois now lives in Buffalo, New York and Dorothy in Kelseyville, California overlooking Clear Lake. The beautiful German Shepherd in my before picture above was a shelter dog - I found Dare at the St Louis Humane Society. That dog was just perfect. Later my sister had a little boy and oh that dog loved Greg. Started school at Slade School. I did so want to go to school - Mother lied about my age and I started early. The first six weeks I got beat up going to school and beat up again coming home from school. I know the girl was Mary Ester Collins. I don't remember who the four boys were. I had black eyes and a nose bleed. I was a mess. Then one Sunday afternoon my Daddy was beside himself. Took me to the basement to teach me how to fight. Said he couldn't always be there for me. You have to stand up for yourself and fight back. Your tall Jessie Marie (now I am 5'10") stand up tall - hold your head up high and fight back! I didn't want to use my hands! Daddy said then pick up a stick - a piece of wood - anything. You may have two permanent black eyes. Monday morning I got it again. I remember my nose bleeding into a Stephen Foster songbook and obilterating the music and words - and I got MAD! When I got home - took a 2X2 and nailed 24 nails into it and went after those kids. The kids saw me and my weapon and didn't know what had gotten into me. My Aunt saw me and took away my weapon - I am glad she did. I didn't want to kill anybody and I probably would have - I just wanted to be left alone. Had to use my hands but there was no stopping me. That was some fight! I beat up all five - broke four noses - told them they would leave me alone. And they did. I can still remember going home triumphantly announcing I won I won I won and I am the first one in the tub tonight! (Mother drew a tub of water every night and everyone took turns bathing in the same water.) My poor Mother was going on about my dress being in shreds but my Father was all smiles. After that fight I was the most respected kid in school and no one ever messed with me. When I walked on one side of the road to school - the kids walked on the other. Then when I would cross over, the kids would hurry and cross to the other side. One time I saw a bully picking on a younger boy in the school yard - I ran over and said that is my little brother. The bully turned white and took off. The little boy said I didn't know you were my sister! Only fight I have ever been in. But I will never forget it. Went from a punching bag to a strange feeling of power - that I have never lost. During High School I worked at Sears. After graduation I worked at Viking Freight till I quit to attend Belleville Jr College. Next I worked at an Insurance Co - top floor of the Railway Exchange Bldg. Returning fr lunch one day the elevator jammed between the 20 and 21st floors. A cable snapped and the elevator operator snapped. At first Georgeanna and I worried about being late, but after 45 min we didn't care anymore. Finally the Firemen showed up - opened a trap door in the roof of the cage. Immediately took out the elevator operator, then Georgeanna, then Jessie. The Fireman said whatever you do lady, don't look down -don't look down - so of course I looked down - 21 floors down! I fainted. Woke up on the floor in my office. Fireman said I told you not to look down - I almost dropped you. I quit! Georgeanna and I decided to walk down all 21 floors, but Famour Barr starts at the 13th floor and we had to take an elevator - we just clung to each other. My daddy said to fight fear you have to face fear - force yourself to take an elevator every chance you get. I did and he was right. Lawton Byrne and Brunner was next. Girls got together once a week and after dinner we went to the Movie Theater that had a sneak preview so that we would sit thru 3 movies. I worked for a nice woman who had never married and worked herself up to manager. One day she told me when she came to St Louis in 1930 she had been gang rapped - spent 8 months in St Louis City Hospital. Gave birth to a black baby boy who was in a Mo State Orphanage. Half her paycheck went to the Orphanage and now he was going to be of age. She was terrified he would try to find her. If the Co found out she was an unwed mother she would lose her job. Then one day he showed up - I just knew it was him - I ushered him into the conference room and let her know. But when she came in - she lost it - chewed him out - said he had ruined her life, etc etc - poor kid was just in shock - I felt so sorry for him - felt sorry for both of them. I snuck him downstairs and outside. Come on I'll buy you lunch. Headed for Famous Barr. Suddenly I realized we were getting a lot of attention. 1948 - white girl with a black boy! Finally made it to Famous Barr's tea room. One old man kept glaring at me - I was afraid he was going to come over and smack me - but he didn't. Poor kid finally ...Expand for more