Eagle Creek Resident Bio: Gene Kennedy
Interview conducted March 27, 1910, by Sarah Conrad
(Gene Kennedy is a family friend of the Conrads.)
1. Name:
Morton Gerald Kennedy
2. Date of Birth: November 7, 1885
3. Place of Birth: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
4. Parents: Prescott and Laura Kennedy
5. Siblings: Brothers: Ryan Portland (1879-), Wallace Herman (1882-) Sister: Kitty Karen (1887-)
6. Describe your childhood. I was born in Sioux Falls. My father was a doctor. When I was 12, we moved to Butte. I lived in "uptown" Butte until I went to Jennings University in Helena and met Dixie.
7. What did you enjoy doing as a child? Playing baseball, running.
8. What is your earliest memory? Being cradled by Grandma Ida.
9. How old were you when you went on your first date and where did you go? 14. Took a school mate to a Greek Carnival in Butte.
10. Married? Dixie Tallard. May 25, 1907
11. How did you meet your spouse? Dixie was talking with some friends on the steps of the Student's Center at Jennings University. I waved "hi" and she awkwardly waved back and then her friends giggled at me. A week later, in pharmacology class, I finally got the nerve to speak with her.
12. Children: Madison (1909)
13. Grandchildren:
14. Pets? I had a box turtle when I was young named Bentner.
15. Education: Central High School, Butte. Degree in Pharmacology from Jennings University.
16. What brought you to Eagle Creek? When Dixie and I were talking about marriage, she decided to take me home during Thanksgiving to meet Rafe and Mavis. I fell in love with the town. We moved soon after we graduated Jennings.
17. Current friends: Ray Casey, Julius Walsdorf, Dr. Arnold Westbrook, Armando Hernandez
18. Occupation: co-owner Eagle Creek Apothecary
19. What was your first job? Cleaning houses when I was at Jennings. Dixie and I could spend time together and make money in the process. .
20. How much did you make? $3 per house.
21. What did you like to do in your free time? Playing baseball with the boys.
22. What are you doing now? Taking inventory of emergency medical supplies.
23. Do you admire a famous person? The late Friedrich Nietzsche.
24. What makes them admirable? His courage to challenge rules of convention.
25. What is your favorite food? Buttermilk pancakes from Casey's Cafe.
26. What is your favorite color? Red
27. What is your favorite song? Come Take A Skate With Me.
28. Hobbies: Coin collecting.
29. Name of the last book you read? Twilight Of The Idols by Friedrich Nietzsche.
30. Tell me about a memorable moment in your life; a time you will never forget. Being with Arnold and Maude in the room while Dixie was giving birth.
31. What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd never do? Second guessing myself.
32. What are the goals you are still working toward? I want every one in town to brush their teeth on a regular basis.
33. When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered? Reasonable
34. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Going for walks with Dixie. Unfortunately, we don't get to do that too much.
35. Do you attend church or religious services? Dixie and I currently have a disagreement about religion. I would prefer not to discuss the matter.
36. What is your favorite Bible verse?
37. What makes you happy? Enlightening my fellow man.
38. What makes you sad? Vice of any kind because of it's ill effects on men.
39. What frightens you? The prospect of whiskey coming into our town if Michael Conrad were to move.
40. What is there about you that would surprise people if they found out?
I recently purchased a penny-farthing (tall bicycle) which I plan to ride at the Founder's Day picnic.