One View of America in the World War II Generation: The Life and Times of Richard Warren Seltzer, Sr., born June 5, 1923

1923 to 1988

autobiography, written 1984-1988

The Washington Evening Star of Tuesday, June 12, 1923 reported on page 9, under "Births Reported" -- Warren R. and Lillian Seltzer, boy."

I was born on Tuesday, June 5, 1923 at 640 E Street, NE, Washington, D.C. My older brother Philip had been born at Sibley Memorial Hospital, North Capitol Street. (you know how it is with your first child). Mother and Dad decided to have me "at home". I'm not sure, but have vague recollections of being told that a midwife did the honors. I recall Mama telling me that I had a black Mammy (Lisa) for a while.

For this writing (April 1984) I went to the Public Library in Washington, D.C. and read the Evening Star for my birth date. A sample of the news follows:

The weather:
"continues warm, generally fair, possible thunder showers tomorrow, High 94, low 72."

The headlines:
"20,000 Brilliantly Clad Nobles - Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, invaded Washington for a two week celebration. Presiding Warren G. Harding(he died later the same summer) and Gen. Pershing reviewed 110 bands. Harding addressed the Shriners at Keith's. 20 fell from heat in line of parade."

"Cuba legation elevated to embassy in DC"

"Only 2 arrests for drunkeness in 24 hours (this was during prohibition)

"Germany's new reparations note delivered to entente capitals on Thursday afternoon to specify a prescribed number of annuities and German capacity for payment be left to an international committee of experts.'  "Spectacular rescue of crew of schooner Cecelia R. Sheppard from Colonial Beach, Va. in the Georgetown channel, N of Highway Bridge by Coast Guard using breeches buoy (a demonstration)."
"Heavy emigration from Canada to US has practically ceased."

"Italian Line vessels to load and unload liquor at Halifax as to not enter US (Prohibition)."

"Navy planes forbidden to fly over Capitol - they interrupted Pres. Harding's speech."

"National Convention of Sojourners Club (offs. of military service who are Masons) at Columbia Country Club."

"Gov. Al Smith(NY) repeals NY state prohibition enforcement - Chicago to follow."

"Plea for ,Flag Day' be established June 14 by B.J. Cigrand President of the National Flag Day Association."

"John J. Tegert, US Commissioner of Education 'We have a 50-50 cganceof saving America', praises NC schools."

"Navy planes. 'fight' thrilling 'battle' over Potomac Park for 2 hours 'bombing attack of a tiny battleship target."

"Delmonico's Restaurant in NY  auctioned off as a result of prohibition,".

"Era of properity here says Banker."

"Lincoln's barber, Paul Boriaveries dead here at 86"

"Judge Elbert Gary spoke to American Institute for Iron and Steel re: Christianity and the 12 hour work day in steel."

"Secretary of State - Charles Evans Hughes"

"Mutt and Jeff in Funnies"

"By radio today --  Naval Radio Station and others on air only part of day 3-10 PM"

"Jay.Gould wills $36 million in Toms River, NJ to widow and 10 children."

"British government earnings in Opium increase -- - government operation - consumption grows."

"World's largest bomb 2 tons on exhibit Munitions Building."

"Rockefeller gives millions in 1922."

"Noble Tyrus Raymond Cobb (Detroit) play Griffs(Wash)"

"Willard/Firpo bout scheduled for July 12 Jersey City" 
 

Parents

Mother was born October 6, 1890 in Washington, D.C. I don't recall ever knowing the address. She died April 13, 1973 (Easter was April 22) and was laid to rest on April 15, 1973 in Fort Lincoln Cemetery Mausoleum - Bladensburg Road, Washington, D.C. Services were held in St. Lukes Lutheran Church, Highland Drive and Colesville Road, Silver Spring, Maryland. She died at home (1234 Pinecrest Circle, Silver Spring, Md.) from cancer. The dates of her death and burial are etched in my mind because I could not be present. During the two week period overlapping the above events, I was in traction at the Holy Redeemer Hospital in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania - lower back trouble. I do have an audio-tape of the memorial service which brother Paul sent to me.

My recollections of Mother are of a short, plump, jovial, loving person. She was always busy at something. I always enjoyed her cooking and recall that she always remembered each one of our favorite dishes. As a child, I remember her reading to me and usually Phi1ip too since we were only two years apqart. Peter Rabbit, Aesop's Fables and assorted Bible Stories. Mother also sang to me. She had a mello alto vioice which I recall lulled me to sleep many many times.

Lillian Leona Daly was one of seven children (Will,  Harry,  Adolph,  Mabel, John, Margaret) born to Margaret Matilda Thour and William Walker Daly in Washington, DC. lillian attended public school in the Northeast section of Washington in the vicinity of 9th & Maryland Avenue. Apparently she became affiliated with the Keller Memorial Lutheran Church at an early age. The church was the hub of her social activities throughout life. I remember Mother speaking of taking a business course and then working in the US Patent Office for a time. (Now it is known as the National Portrait Gallery, 7th & G Sts., NW). She and Dad often spoke of the young people's group at Keller. Most of the names escape me, but I do recall: Voneiffs, Ed & Flors Weber, the Mannings, theKirsches, Irving Wood, Paul Miller. taking of snapshots was quite a pastime around World War I so there are numerous pictures around showing the group activities and various couples as they paired off.

Most of my memories of Mother were at the 1234 Pinecrest Circle, Silver ,Spring, Maryland address. We moved there in May of 1929. This was my home until I bought my own in 1951. Mother was a busy homemaker Since there were four boys in the family, it was quite common and expected that we would perform household duties and help Mother. James was born July 7,1928, so we very early learned to help with a baby around the house. Phil and I shared duties such as, washing the bathroom floors (two tile baths) cleaning toilets and scrubbing sinks. We also took turns washing the kitchen and pantry floor.' Added to these chores, we also helped by dusting furniture, running the vacuum cleaner (The Hoover), and dustmopping. One task I didn't like was the seasonal cleaning of radiators with a special brush. Of course, window cleaning was also a Spring and Fall job. Dad had installed "Fepestra" steel sash windows which opened out allowing for cleaning both sides. There were also roll screens which we waxed seasonally to keep from rusting. They were made of galvanized steel which with time did rust out.

As we grew older (teens) we helped with painting the house. The exterior was rough stucco and required no treatment. The interior walls were of a stucco sand finish - very scratchy, but Dad hired a local painter by the name of King in the early '30's to do the first paint job. Thereafter, we did the job ourselves to save money.

Phil and I would hang around the kitchen while Mother baked. We competed to scrape the mixing bowl. We would also help Mother by beating the batter and help with the icing. Several times we helped make raisin bread. Mother also taught us how to make scrambled eggs with shad roe, cook hot dogs, make, corn meal mush, make buscuits, fry fish and make mashed potatoes. She was a good teacher injecting incentives so that we didn't mind doing the work.

Being in a  sparsely populated area, stores were not readily available. Mother, I recall, would telephone in her order to Rosen's DGS Store in Montgomery Hills on Friday and the store would deliver it in the afternoon. Som,etimes Dad would drive to the store after work and pick up the order. Mother was a gregarious person and I'm sure missed the closeness of neighbors in Woodside Park. To compensate, she would visit at length with the Homes Baker (breadman) and the milkman, and the egg man9loose eggs, no boxes).

Much of the time we lived in Woodside Park' (all of the 30's) the country was in the grip an economIc depression. Many people were out of work. As a result, there were a number of beggars that ventured into the suburbs. They would approach our home and beg for a handout. Mother, at first would give bits of food in the early years. I don't recall her ever giving money to a beggar.  She commented about these men using money to buy whiskey. She also learned very quickly that if she gave something to one beggar, all of a sudden a steady flow-of beggars appeared. She then retreated to the second- floor and when the doorbell would ring, she would call out the window 'Who's there?" and then proceed to tell the beggar she didn't have anything to give, or that she gave to the church. Phil and I found a number of chalk marks at the end of the driveway that were signals from one beggar to another that...