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Note: Interview with Clyo Estelle Mallory Violette 11 Oct 2003 Elkton, KY Clyo's sister, Myrtle and her husband Zenes Rager lived nearby. One Saturday, Zenes and Damon went out. Clyo was afraid of being alone after dark. She took Billy Reno to her sister Myrtle's so they would no be alone. Myrtle told Clyo they could stay with her because the men would not be back that night. When Zenes shows up, Clyo asks him to take her home. He said he'd do it later. Clyo recalled "Zenes can take Damon to town, but would not take me a short ride." Todd County Standard Page A-2 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 30 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. Mayo Violette, Sr. entertained with a Suprise Cookout honoring S.R. Rager on his birthday. Attending were Miss Betty Jo Harris, Gary Violette, Mr. and Mrs. Mayo Violette, Jr. and daughters, Pamela Starr and Sherry Lee, the honoree, Mr. Rager and his wife, and the host family. The first Monday of each month was County Court Day in Elkton. This generated more people than usual on and around Public Square. The trading tradition may have started on Kennedy Alley near the Hotel, but by the late 1950's it centered around one of the Jefferson Street intersections further to the northeast. I remember following my uncle, Zenes Rager through a crowd of traders, dogs and mules gathered there. Uncle Zene was always well-dressed and his shoes shined to a high gloss. That day, I watched and listened as he spoke with a man in overalls and dirty shoes about a small calf in the bed of its owner's pickup. At first, Uncle Zene did not really appear to be interested as he peered into the bed through its manure-stained wooden rails. As he talked about the calf's questionable condition, the asking price came down. When the deal was made, Uncle Zene shook the man's hand but declined to pay, promising he'd be "right back" with the cash. We walked around to the other side of the truck where another man, also wearing overalls had been standing for several minutes. Uncle Zene stepped between him and the pickup, now praising the calf's condition and potential value to "hook" the potential buyer before shaking his hand. This new owner cheerfully agreed to take the calf later and paid Uncle Zene cash on the spot. Uncle Zene folded half of the bills into his pocket before walking back around to the original owner and handing him the balance as promised. On the way home, Uncle Zene explained that both men left happy, each believing he'd made a good deal. I had no doubt Uncle Zene was pleased with his day's work.
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