I had the yen to own a jeep for many years.
So, when "Butch" Wurtele traded for a 1948 model, we dickered and I drove the jitney home.
Since that time, the plywood top was removed, and a cloth top installed with the help of Bob Toler and Duane Hall. The jeep also got a coat of primer and two brushed coats of cactus green paint.
Then there was a new windshield and my "wall-to-wall" carpeting from an old rug.
Well, after all that fiddling around the jeep was ready.
It has two heaters and both are well appreciated.
The night of the plane crash my Jolly Green Jitney was fired up and away we went . . . up and down, back and forth.
For over an hour the little four-wheeler carried State Trooper Harold LeGrande, Deputy Sheriff Harold Johnson, Duane Hall, Don Mason and myself.
There were other passengers and not many complained beyond reason because of the ups and downs or the narrow places we crossed, but there was one passenger who trusted his feet more than he did the light jeep . . . and I'm not so sure, but what I agreed with him.
We were jeeping a field north of our home going up and down terraces, across grass waterways and where - have - you. There were times when the faithful jeep indicated she wanted to lie down on her side.
That was George Davis, who lives west of our home, said he wanted out. So George and Duane got out and walked the heavily wooded areas the Jolly Green Jitney couldn't penetrate.
It would be telling . . . so I dasn't explain the deputy sheriff's remark about a "handle."
Nor can we print some of the comments from the passengers, who in all courtesy to the driver and the capability of the machine, were a bit uncomfortable jeeping over frozen ground in a cornfield.
There was some comfort. I had taken along two blankets. As it tured out, we didn't need them . . . ,although the jeep passengers appreciated anything for a cushion.
I'm certain of one thing. Jeeps will go most anywhere.
We had to go into most of the "rough" places to look for a downed airplane and the Jolly Green Jitney came through in flying colors.