THE CHASE--LOREN SCHNOTHORST @ THE WHEEL!

        This past Monday I attended the luncheon for Carlton Schnothorst after his funeral on 11/20/2017. Carlton was an upper-classman of mine at Laurel Consolidated School. The luncheon was held at the United Methodist Church in the Fellowship Hall in Laurel, Iowa. 

          In addition to Calton's wife, Sharon, and Bill the youngest brother, I visited for a short time with Carlton's other brother Loren a couple of years ahead of me in high school .Of course, I had to share a fond memory that I remembered involving Loren.

          On a particular night when in high-school ,Loren, myself, and two or three other class-mates decided to drive to Baxter which is 15 miles away or so. Baxter was a big football rival at the time and I do not recall what our logic was in driving there. Mischief? 

          Keep in mind that we took Loren's 1949 Hudson Hornet which resembled an upside down bathtub. He also had it painted with a layer of grey primer, lowered, chopped and a metal plaque hung off the back bumper with the words"Road Saints" on it. That was a local car club which was popular across the USA at the time.

             This car was in a way "uncool" by its make and style, but, yet was cool because it was so unpopular compared to other autos of the time. Plus, I always thought it was pure genius to leave it just primed so after washing you didn't have to worry about wiping down and streaking.

        A car load of guys in Baxter spotted us and began chasing us. The race was on. We were chased all the way back to Laurel with Loren at times weaving back and forth, side to side, down the highway so our adversaries couldn't pass. It was like being part of some old 1950's Teen movie.

       We did make it safely back to Laurel and pulled up in front of the building currently across from the Methodist Church. At the time it was a teen hang-out and roller skating rink owned by Jim Shively.  And, ironically this building was where my Grandpa Smith also operated a restaurant and pool hall in the early 20th Century!