Kent-Allegan-Ingham County MI Archives News.....Kenneth Shears Family Living in Tent-Two Rivers Wisconsin October 3, 1947
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marcia Shears u08554@hotmail.com March 9, 2005, 4:32 pm

The Two Rivers Reporter, Pages 1-3, Two Rivers, Wisconsin October 3, 1947
Under picture on page 1.
"Shown above is part of the camping site of the Kenneth Shears family in 
Neshotah Park which they have occupied since August.  In the center is the 
park picnic bench which serves as their dinner table.  At the extreme left is 
the trailer in which the Shears brought most of their movable possessions to 
this city after selling their East Lansing, Mich. Farm.  In addition to Shears 
and his wife there are five children ranging in age from six to 13.  
Additional pictures on page 3"

Page 1 Article
"Tiny Tent ‘Home' for Family of Seven in Neshotah Park

Local Agencies Seek Help for Family; Father Buys Lot, No House

    Since the end of August, a family of seven, has been living in an 8 by 8 
ft tent in Neshotah park. 
    Without cots the children ranging in age from six to thirteen are sleeping 
on a one inch mattress on the bare ground with a few blankets to keep out he 
chilling lake winds.  They go to bed as soon as it gets dark in order to keep 
warm and when it rains the inadequate waterproofing of the little tent becomes 
evident.
    Wednesday the oldest child, Winona, was taken "home" from Washington 
junior high school by her teacher because or a soar throat and little Luther, 
her ten-year-old brother, is now coming down with a cold.  The other children, 
Lila, age 11, Richard, age 8, and Walter, age 6, attend Hamilton school.

     Sold Michigan Farm

    Mr. And Mrs. Kenneth Shears sold their East Lansing, Mich., farm last 
summer and Mr. Shears, 37, who once visited Two Rivers decided he would like 
to take up residence here.  Loading all their movable belongings in a trailer 
he and Mrs. Shears, 33, and the five children drove to this city.
    Immediately on their arrival Shears found employment at the Hamilton 
Manufacturing company on the night shift and his wife shortly afterward took a 
job on the day shift.  The Shears see each other every day from 3 to 6 a.m. 
when Mrs. Shears leaves for work.
    Mr. Shears soon realized that the housing shortage in this city would not 
be alleviated for many months - - - and he knew that the door would be shut by 
many landlords on a family with five children.  He has arranged to buy a lot 
on the south side of town and hopes to obtain materials to construct a garage 
and basement which his family can occupy until the home is completed.
    
    Use Picnic Table

    But, meanwhile, the Shears are cooking their meals on a garbage burner, 
eating off a park picnic table and drawing their water from a park faucet 
which may soon be shut off for the winter.  In another week or so temperatures 
of below freezing
--------------------
(Continued on Page Two)"
-----------------------------------------------
(Page 2)
"Tiny Tent Houses Family of Seven

can be expected almost every night and the little tent without any means of 
heating will do little to keep out the icy blasts.
    "The worse thing about sleeping in the tent," Winona said, "is the rain.  
During a storm like a few we've had recently, the water comes right through 
the canvas and drops on our blankets."
    "I guess, it's not waterproof," she added, a rueful smile easing across 
her small, thin face.  Rain also flows into the tent along the ground and the 
mattresses soak it up, she explained.
    The Shears point out that they are not asking for charity or for a 
mansion.  They need at least a roof over their heads - - - a request that some 
local Samaritan might be able to meet with a garage or barn.  Anything would 
be better that the pitifully small tent in which they now are forced to live, 
said Mr. Shears.
    Miss Rose Mc Daniel, public health nurse, has called on the family twice 
and the teachers are aware of the living conditions under which the Shears are 
living.  "How can you expect the children to remain in good health in 
conditions like that," asked Miss Mc Daniel.  The answer is simple, you can't.
    City Manager John P. Hoffman said they have been told to leave the park.  
Technically they will not be residents of this city for another 11 months, he 
said.  "If they don't find some place to move to soon we are afraid the 
children will come down with a serious illness." explained Hoffman.

    Paid Rental Fee

    Leonard Birr, superintendent of parks, said the Shears had paid their 
$1.50 a week rent at the park and that Mr. Shears had promised to move to his 
newly purchased lot, at the end of 14th street tomorrow.
    On the lot they plan to erect a 16 by 16 foot army surplus tent which will 
be large enough in which to install a heater, said Birr.  But a tent with a 
heater can still be cold as any army veteran can testify and it is hardly the 
healthiest abode for five growing children.
    Blond Winona remarked that in Michigan her brother Luther was living for 
the day when he could join the Boy Scouts and camp out.  "I guess he's had 
enough of that now." she smiled." 


Additional Comments:
Kenneth Henry SHEARS was the son of Oscar Lafayette SHEARS and Celia Edna 
FARBROTHER. He died 11 Nov 1970 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan.
Verna Fern BALDWIN (Shears) was the daughter of Leonard Walter BALDWIN and 
Caroline Elizabeth WEADBROCK.  She died 16 Mar 1959 in Cedar Springs, Kent 
Co., Michigan.  They are buried at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Holt, Ingham Co., 
Michigan.  As of March 2005 they did not have a grave marker on their grave.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/kent/newspapers/gnw6kenneths.txt

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