60-year-old discovered photos spark emotions

"Life in Howe in 1955, 56 was a magical time " said Martin "Downtown was a busy, bustling place with three groceries stores I worked at Howe Grocery and Market (the building later known as Chisum's One Stop), better known as Neal's grocery store and the only teenage job in town It was owned by Mr Neal, Dot Jones and Mr Davis Dot and Mr Neal worked in the store, Dot was his daughter, Mr Davis checked the books and we didn't leave until they balanced to the penny I learned a lot working there We bought eggs and bottles and when we were really busy it was easy to forget to write it down. Everyone stood there until I thought of what I had paid out and the books balanced. Mr. Davis also owned a honey company and I did work at the honey house a few times."

Martin didn't particularly remember the photo shoot itself, but did recall the building and the history of it She said that her life might have been spared in the back part of the building as a young girl

Last week, two photos surfaced that were taken inside Ray's Cafe which was in the building located on the northwest corner of Haning and Denny Streets That building is currently being renovated to become the new home of the chamber of commerce and economic development But in 1955, it was a classic 50's cafe complete with black and white tile floor, a soda fountain, bar stools, letter jackets and "Little Bitty Pretty One" on the jukebox

From left to right at the bar is Pat Thompson Anderson, Peggy McReynolds Estes, Sue Thompson, unknown patron, unknown patron, Melton Vrla, Jeanette Davis Sizemore, Jerry Buckner, Sue Chumbley Schiffer and behind the bar is Onnie Ray, owner of Ray's Cafe Sitting at the table is Jack Norman, Elvis Arterbury and in the chair furthest to the right is Beverly Jay Martin, who now resides in Van Alstyne Upon seeing this photo, floods of memories came back to her as she recalled all of the people in the above photo

"Dr Shelley had an office in the back and I guess I owe my life to him I was a little tyke and had tonsillitis, Dad asked him if he could save me Sulfa Drugs had just come in and that took care of me " said Martin "It is in my recollection, first owned by Charlie Willeford He had a soda fountain in the front with a granite counter He also had a great big cat and a cloth that he wiped the counter with. After he wiped the counter he would spread the cloth over the granite and the cat would come and