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Show Feature By Barbara Pyles Writers the March 24 issue of the SUN, I wrote an article about Sue Hamblin Cram. This is the story of Charles Greenhalgh Cram, her husband. Together they shared the good times and the bad. I found Cram to be an unselfish, giving man. Everything in italics or quotes is taken from A Mighty Two by Corns Cram Brooksby. note-I- n Charles Greenhalgh Cram ter, were frantically trying to find him, Charls was standing on the bank with a big grin on his face. Chari attended school in Kanab through the tenth grade. He excelled at track. He also played basketball, baseball and the trombone in the school band. Another student, Sue Hamblin, played the piano while the students marched. Perhaps it was during this time that Chari fell head over heels in love with Sue. The two were married on Au- was born January 10, 1896 in Kanab, Utah. He was the eldest gust 11, 1916. Time passed as Chari and Sue son of Charles Sanborn Cram Jr. and his wife, Ruth Elizabeth settled into being husband and wife. The first car they bought Greenhalgh Cram. As a small boy, Chari (as he was a little Saxon . . . Chari was called) loved to swim, hunt taught Sue how to drive the car rabbits and look for Indian rel- and she was an object of much ics. When he was eight years amazement in Kanab when they old, Chari found some dynamite saw her driving that Horseless caps and struck a match to one. carriage Everything seemed It went off in his hand. The trav- to be falling into place. They had eling doctor wanted to ampu- three daughters, Ina, Corris and tate his fingers. The word NO! Leile. He was making enough rang loudly throughout the money to support his family and house. His Aunt Meg doctored they could even afford a ufew his hand to the best of her abil- frills Life was good. But along the way, Chari Cram learned ity. On another occasion when he that life doesnt come with guarwas nine years old, his Uncle antees. From 1920 to 1929, Cram John took him hunting for wild horses. His job was to help break made a living by hauling freight the horses. Whoa! One horse from the railheads in Marysvale responded by pitching him into and Cedar City over crude dirt roads. He went into the conthe city ditch. Another story connected with struction business in 1929 and his youth: While Chari was helped build roads in southern in the muddy reser- Utah and Arizona. He and his voir above town, he imperson- partners owned five Mack ated a fish. While the Elders, trucks, a.steam shovel plus the who had put him under the wa other equipment necessary to ALL 7th Warders f Old & New SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY JUNE 23, 1899 construct a highway. The company lost the equipment during the Great Depression. Unlike many others, Cram worked for years and years paying off debts accumulated by the firm. As long as the work was honorable, Cram wasnt too proud to do it. Just after he lost his construction company, he was hired on at a construction site as a flunky. The foreman was amazed that Chari Cram would do manual labor after being the big cheese, of a company. Cram took great pride in the fact that he didnt go on relief as so many others did during the depression. Over the years, Cram worked at many different occupations. Besides being involved in the construction of many roads, he was a handyman, bought and sold cattle, built and ran a service station north of Kanab, worked in Las Vegas during the big building boom, and helped dured. I can still hear his voice and see the look in his eyes when he called my Mom Su Su, Corris wrote. After one operation, Sue was wheeled back into her room, Cram took hold of her hand and rubbed her arm. Mom do you know whos here? asked her daughter, Ina. Sue said, Id know that touch anywhere! According to those who knew him, Cram did many kindnesses during his lifetime: One warm sunny day while he was working at his service station, a young couple stopped to buy gas. When Cram learned they were on their honeymoon, he filled their tank and sent them on their way, with the gift of a tank of gas. Despite his fun loving nature, he loved to sing and entertain, Cram had a hot temper. Corris wrote this about her dad: He'd flare up, swear, cool off and then apologize. When she was four, Ina didnt said Ina, but I didn't tell God about it, like dad! Yes build an air field in Kingman. realize that her daddy had a g Cram was also a temper. One day, she bumped member of the Screen Extras her head on the table and her Guild. mom asked if it hurt. Yes, said He was a strong, resourceful Ina, but I didnt tell God about man who always provided for it like Dad! It wasnt until his his own, his daughter Corris grandchildren started repeating once said. I remember seeing his words that Grandpa finally him hauling flour, sugar, pota- reformed. Cram was very civic minded. toes, coal, wood and hed always take part of the load to his wid- He ran for the Board of Educaowed mother. tion of the Kane County School In the spring of 1929, his be- District and won, holding this loved Sue tore the cartilage loose office for about seven years. Ac;rn her right knee, she never cording to Corris, Dad took us walked again without crutches. all up town and bought us a Then Sue was diagnosed with hamburger. A celebration such cancer. Chari and Sue had faced as this was unheard of in those a lot of hurdles in their lives-bu- t days when a dime was a dime. He He was also a Charter Member Sue this big. nothing gave the support and care she needed of the Lions Club, serving as and eventually she got better. President and holding numerSomehow, he managed to pay ous other offices. A practicing the medical bills while keeping Democrat, Cram' served as his family fed and clothed. Democratic Chairman for Kane It was hard for Cram to watch County for several years. He also his wife suffer and struggle. But served as Kane County Chairon the plus side, their loved en- - man for the March of Dimes, card-carryin- Certified PPG Painters Certified PPG Collision Repair Center Custom Painting Guaranteed Insurance Work Welcome All Work Friday June 25, 1999 7:00 p,m. In the Cultural Hall 0 Bring your favorite Salad 1580 S 40 W 89A Kanab, UT 84741 Auto Recycling long friend said of him: I remember how we advanced from kerosene and to carbide lights and then to electric lights. He participated m the development of all those things. I like to think of him as a second generation pioneer. The friend went on to say that Cram took part in the things that made life worthwhile for everyone. Corris wrote in her book: He was one of the men who campaigned for television in Kanab then actually climbed the hills to install and service the facility. Cram had the reputation of being an honest man. I dont imagine he ever cheated anyone in his life, said another friend. He was taken advantage of because he was honest and expected everyone else to be. Perhaps he was speaking of the time Cram found uranium, and his claim was jumped by three men he considered his friends. At the age of 65, Cram retired and started drawing Social Security checks. After moping around for a few months, he touched up the grey in his hair and got a job with the movies. 1 cant sit around, lifes too short! he said. As a Grandpa, Cram was a hero to his grandchildren. He could cook the most delicious venison steaks and Dutch oven potatoes in the world, or fry a fish, or whip up a batch of biscuits and do it all over , campA . fire, said one grandchild. Cram suffered a series of strokes in 1965. He spent the last two weeks of his life in the Kanab Hospital. His precious Sue stayed with him all day and most ofeach night, walking up and down the stairs on crutches. Chari Cram died on November 17, 1965. At his funeral, Daniel S. Frost quoted President McKay, Mans greatest opportunity is to render service to his fellow man. Then in a strong voice Frost continued, And this I testify to you Chari has done this, not only with his immediate family, but to all. Leile wrote: My sweet Dad! I treasure the times we had together. Dad had lots of compassion for the underdog. He was so big hearted. Joan Porter Ford, - Dave s Auto Body Dave Little and the Cancer Crusade. It seems as if Cram was instrumental in numerous projects that benefitted Kanab. A life- grand- daughter of Carl and Sue wrote the following: I love you Grandma Sue With each thoughtful deed you do I love you Grandma Sue, yes I do. 435-644-22- 30 Used Auto Parts I love you Grandpa Cram Honest, strong and gentle man, I love you Grandpa Cram. What a man! |