John W. Stewart
CHAPTER 1
“Johnie” Stewart’s full Christian name was Willard Wilson Stewart and he was born on the farm, up Muddy Creek, in November, 1901. He was the fourth child in a family of five and the only one to get a college education. He felt that his given name was somewhat formal so when his nickname came, he liked it and included it into how he wished to be addressed. His father’s name was James Porter “Dick” Stewart, so the idea of incorporating a descriptive appellation into one’s actual name wasn’t anything new. When signing his name he insisted that it be W.W. Stewart. He felt that piling the W’s and the S on top of each other in a flowing cursive hand and re-placing the periods with two tiny x’s at least discouraged if not eliminated forgery. 1
His father expressed a disfavor toward any educational endeavor that went beyond English, mathematics, and studying the “good book.” Oh, there were exceptions he would agree to.... such as when a young man’s health was deemed poorly. This occurred in the case of “Johnie’s” older brothers Cyril, who was saved from death by modern, pre World War I, medical science. This resulted from having suffered an attack of Appendicitis as a young man. The Doctor recommended that Cyril be sent to business college. “You understand “Dick”, he’ll not likely be able to make a living at the hard tasks required of a farmer.” The Doctor told Cyril’s father. Little did anyone realize that advancements in the farm machinery industry would soon enable him to take over and run the “home place” despite his handicap. In addition, this favored status later enabled him to side step his older brother, sister and two younger brothers and inherit the throne. In growing up, “Johnie”, by contrast, was considered good help. One who enjoyed taking on a row in a field of corn and out-shucking all the others, just so he could wait in the shade at the end of the field for the others to catch up. No, he didn’t care about seeing to the field’s completion ahead of the rain. He just liked to out work and out wit the others and reward himself with rest as the day went along. Thus giving himself a private time where one’s imagination could wonder about what the future might bring. His immediate plan was to get things done so he would have time in the 3
and returned the block and a half back to the giant office building he’d just left in abstract disgust. Horace Montgomery and Lester Graham were at the door, practically on the steps with their hands out. “Johnie” couldn’t help but remember that nothing is as important as a man’s word and his handshake. Horace said; “Come right in. I am sorry that I didn’t know you were here when you stopped by earlier. Allow me to tell you about state office help, bureaucratic bunglers if you will, especially those who have tenure. We can’t live with them and we can’t live without them”. His smile seemed as genuine as any you would ever meet anywhere. He should have been a Preacher or a Politician. And first impressions are so important. Lester held back. He seemed to agree with Horace but he had developed a staff that he could keep under control. There were certain ones who feed him important information. Information from the top, that he might not have available were it not for these “close tongues”. “Johnie” had heard of organizations that functioned this way, but he hadn’t expected to discover it within the State of Texas. As it turned out, confidence was the key to getting ahead. “Johnie” quickly resolved that he must differentiate himself from all others, remain private about his affairs and holdings and refuse to let anyone know this deep down Kansan who was there simply by chance. But all of this would come to fruition at a later date.
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a run from Douglass to Wichita on business. The business he was involved in was selecting an engagement ring suitable for a sweetheart like Alberta. He presented it to her one evening and she immediately accepted and consented. Now, the question, who should we let know and who should be left out? If he told his parents they would surely tell his extended family before sunrise the next day. But, if they left them out, then they’d also have to leave “Mimi” and “Gran” Carlman out, and that just wouldn’t do.
I have to tell someone, squealed Alberta. “Very well, said “Johnie”. And may I make a suggestion? Let’s tell only Edna and Bob and see if we can’t be married somewhere out there. Where we can do it without any big affair”. She paused and thought and then suddenly said: “Perfect”. When Alberta called Edna she got the response: “It’s about time. The boys are tired of sharing their bedroom with “Johnie””. So on April 15th, 1938 Alberta May Carlman and Willard Wilson Stewart were married in Hutchinson, KS. Witnesses: Robert E. Garden, Jr. and Edna Garden.
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