I'm Getting Married in the Morning!

(An anniversary card to my parents, with love)

Beverly and Myra's story began . . . the Prologue

Beverly Peel, April 10, 1933 1

Beverly Peel loved a good joke.  With a twinkle and a smile, he relished telling the story of how he met "his bride" (that affectionate term he used the remainder of his life).

"Would you like to know how we met?"

And then he would spring, "We met in bed!"

Now having gained the listener's full attention, he would clarify that he and his best friend, Earl Cullum, arrived at Earl's home 2 late one night and entered through the sleeping porch.3,4

They found Earl's younger sister, Elizabeth ("Shorty"), with her best friend, Myra, where they had retired for the evening  in the beds on the sleeping porch.  Introductions were made, and their story began.

Yes indeed, "they met in bed."

Myra Kathryn Smith, 1933 5

Stylishly dressed with her hat an angle, this photograph of Myra may have been taken during that period of her modeling stint at Neiman Marcus in Dallas.

A young woman in love gazing at the photographer.  Dated 1933, this photograph taken by Beverly reveals his shadow imposed over her heart.

Heir Unapparent, the fourth daughter of Beverly and Myra Peel, observes that both their shadows remain imposed over the hearts and minds of all those blessed to have been included in their orbit.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas7

Get Me to the Church on Time!

I'm gettin' married in the morning

Ding, dong, the bells are gonna chime

Pull out the stopper, we'll have a whopper

But get me to the church on time!6

A few hours past that midnight in February of 1934, alarm clocks rang across "north Dallas" as Saturday turned to Sunday.  Coffee was brewed, light breakfasts were made and hastily consumed, and tables were laid for the Sunday family lunch after church with dinner plates turned upside down in the Southern fashion.8

Friends and family found their way in the pre-dawn hours to the corner of McKinney and Fairmount.  Settling into place in the pews of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, some huddled closely together in the early morning cold.  Eight-year old Jack Brady may have yawned quietly, still wondering why his parents awakened him in the dark to go to church.9 And they awaited Dr. Gutzke10 to take his place, signaling the beginning of the service.

Arriving well before dawn to begin a full Sunday of ministry, Dr. Gutzke's thoughts may have been tinged with some concern for the first service of the morning.  As he prepared for the unusual hour for a wedding, he may have prayed for the couple--so full of hope and joy--that they would not be disappointed by a small turnout.

He was astonished to find that the church was full as the bride and groom began their wedding service on Sunday, February 25.  It was 6 am.

From among the endless list of attributes ascribed to them, the couple who joined hands in marriage that early morning are remembered for their practical economy and zest for life.  That Beverly Peel and Myra Smith chose a 6 am late winter wedding date fits the profile with which they lived their lives.

While one version included that "the church did not charge for a 6 am service," it was true that Beverly's job as a bread route salesman left little discretionary time for a wedding ceremony.  (Bread was the staple of meals, more so during this historic economic challenge, the Great Depression.  The life of a bread route salesman resembled that of the dairy farmer's schedule, independent of weather or one's personal schedule.  The job was relentless.)

And during the Great Depression, those fortunate to be employed asked for no favors, even time off to marry one's sweetheart.11

Beverly and Myra found a way.  Affixing their creativity, flexibility, and realistic approach as their signature, "getting it done" with flair but having their share of fun along the way was their approach to life.  Their wedding day remained one of their favorite stories to tell.

And for the remainder of Beverly's career, a commercial baking enterprise would determine the trajectory of their married lives.12

The Way They Were  . . . 

The bride was 18, and the groom had just turned 21 only 19 days earlier on the 6th of February.  With no wedding planner, extensive wedding gift registry, photographer, catered reception celebration, money in the bank, or economic parachute in sight, Beverly and Myra chose to marry in the midst of the Great Depression, reflecting their optimism and confidence in each other that carried them through 64 years of marriage.13

Solving their housing dilemma, they would move in with Beverly's parents, Tom and Viola Peel, at 2734 Reagan.14,15  Both Beverly and his father shared similar responsibilities (and most likely, transportation to work) as route salesmen at Continental Baking Company16,17 1.6 miles from their residence.18  

  

At some point, his "favorite aunt"--Mayme, his mother's beloved younger sister from Cameron, Texas--lent her car to the couple for their delayed honeymoon trip.19  Off to Mineral Wells, the entertainment capital of the Southwest!

Hollywood and national figures frequented the Baker Hotel that had opened five years earlier in 1929.  Despite the Great Depression and Prohibition (1920-1933), the Baker Hotel thrived--its "destination hotel" ambiance fulfilling its promise of both luxury and entertainment.20

The Baker embodied the country's desire to celebrate life no matter what.  A fitting description for Beverly and Myra as well:  they celebrated life, no matter what.

The Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells, Texas 21

Epilogue

Beverly Alfred Peel (6 Feb 1913 - 2 May 1998)22

and

Myra Kathryn Smith (1 Jul 1915 - 27 July 2010)23

were joined in marriage on February 25, 1934

by Dr. Manford George Gutzke (1896 - 1993)24

at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas

The church had filled with family and friends before their wedding service began at 6 am, and "community" would remain a bulwark of support throughout their lives.  Their marital bank account began with overflowing social capital, interest accruing over their lives invested in lifetime relationships, but it was the principal deposit, their bedrock faith in God, that sustained them.

One of the first choices they made as a couple was selecting Dr. Manford Gutzke25 to marry them.   Building upon their principal deposit, wisdom would follow them the rest of their lives.

Just as Westminster Presbyterian continues to bear fruit in its new location to which it moved after World War II (the mother church of three other Presbyterian churches in Dallas--Highland Park, Covenant, and Canyon Creek),26 so do the lives of Myra Smith and Beverly Peel. 

Deep roots sustain life across the generations.

Manford George Gutzke, D.D, Ph.D

Heir Unapparent recalls meeting Dr. Gutzke27 in the summer of  1976 when he spoke in Dallas.  

Working my way through the crowd, I introduced myself as the daughter of Beverly and Myra Smith Peel, and then I asked if he might recall having married them 42 years earlier, in 1934.

As his face lit with recognition, with a large smile he said,

"I will never forget them!"

Nor will we.

🔔🔔🔔

Endnotes and Sources

1. Beverly Alfred Peel (1913-1998), private photo collection. Digital image may be copied. 
2. Address of Earl and Elizabeth (Shorty) Cullum: 5711 Vanderbilt, Dallas, Texas.  Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930.  Year 1930; Census Place: Dallas, Texas; Page: 53A; Enumeration District: 0020: FHL microfilm: 2342048.
3. A response to the southern climate, the sleeping porch was “Born out of the sanitary revolution, which instilled an almost frenzied fear of germs (a recent discovery by science at the time), the sleeping porch offered a healthy and comfortable escape from the “vitiated” indoor air. In the early 1900s, tuberculosis was the number one cause of death and fresh air was considered some of the best treatment for people suffering from this lung ailment. The population in the southern states discovered that by building a screened, private porch, they could enjoy the cooler summer nights rather than sleeping in a stuffy and warm bedroom. The sleeping porch provided cover from sudden summer thunderstorms and was open on two or more sides to catch the evening breezes. These porches became an especially popular place for children to spend their summer nights. Hospitals also made use of the fresh air by placing patients beds on porches; some of which were screened in and others utilized mosquito nets over beds. “The Sleeping Porch:  An Architectural Tradition Due for a Comeback,” Scott Sidler, June 1, 2012, https://thecraftsmanblog.com/the-amazing-sleeping-porch/ accessed 16 Feb 2019.
4. James M. Leggieri recalls that Beverly referred to the sleeping porch’s inclusion of a block of ice with a fan placed over it to blow cooled air through the porch (personal remembrance, 16 Feb 2019).
5. Myra Smith Peel (1915-2010), private photo collection. Digital image may be copied.
6. Lerner, Alan Jay, et al. Lyrics, ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning.’ My fair lady. Burbank, Calif: Warner Home Video, 1998.  Accessed 16 Feb 2019.
7. Westminster Presbyterian Church is the second oldest church in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1892, the property at Fairmount and McKinney is today adjacent to Whole Foods in Uptown Dallas.  After World War II the church moved near SMU where it continues to meet at 8200 Devonshire.  Westminster Presbyterian Church website, Dallas, Texas.  http://www.wpcd.org/. Accessed 16 Feb 2019.
8.  Setting the dinner table with plates turned upside down became more essential in the 1930s.  "In the latter half of the 1930s the southern plains were devastated by drought, wind erosion, and great dust storms.  Some of the storms rolled far eastward, darkening skies all the way to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts." (Handbook of Texas Online, Donald Worster, "DUST BOWL," accessed February 23, 2019, http:/www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ydd01). Those ferocious winds that ravaged the Panhandle Plains of Texas also affected land far east.  Dirt and sand blown as far east as Dallas penetrated window and door casements in February of 1934.  Dallas weather reports of 23 Feb, 2019 projected photographs of hazy skies and poor air quality from western windstorms, posting "What the dust??  Did you notice that brownish color to the sky this afternoon?  The strong westerly wind is bringing in dust from parts of West Texas and the panhandle!  So much for enjoying the sunshine . . . "  (www.wfaa.com/weather, February 23, 2019). 
9. Beverly Peel Counts reported 23 Feb 2019 the personal recollection of  her father's cousin, Jack Brady, made in February of 2018.  Jack (1925-2018) was the only child of Vivian Edgar Brady (1890-1976), twin brother of Viola Brady Peel (1890-1986).  Rev. 06 Jan 2020 to include: The 1930 United States Federal Census reports the families of the twin siblings lived adjacent to each other in Dallas, Texas; Vivian at 5307 Bonita and Viola at 5311 Bonita,  Dallas, Texas; 5-year old Jack and 17-year old Beverly were not only cousins but neighbors.  Year:  1930; Census Place:  Dallas, Dallas, Texas; Page:  25B; Enumeration District:  0017; FHL microfilm:  2342047.
10. Manford George Gutzke pastored the flock of Westminster Presbyterian Church from 1928-1936. Westminster Presbyterian Church.
11. Beverly Peel embodied the expectations of every employer: attitude, reliability, professionalism, initiative, respect, integrity, and gratitude.  Dan Schawbel,”Reviving Work Ethic in America,” Forbes Magazine, Dec. 11, 2011.     https://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/12/21/reviving-work-ethic-in-america/#6fae51a8449a
12. Early and late hours aside, as a bread route salesman Beverly was responsible for loading fresh bread at the bakery, delivering, merchandising, rotating and pulling old products, and presenting products for display.  Less than three years of his 1934 marriage, Beverly had begun his management career with Richter Baking Company (“Butter Krust”) that would endure the remainder of his working life.  Richter Baking Company moved Beverly and Myra to Corpus Christi by the end of 1936 where he worked under the General Manager of Richter's Corpus Christi bakery, Arthur Troilo (who with his wife, Nena, would become dear lifelong family friends); to San Antonio sometime in 1939 where he was Sales Manager for Richter's operation, and back to  Corpus Christi in 1942 where Beverly became Richter's General Manager of the large south Texas operation in the newly constructed "world's first all air-conditioned bakery."  (Corpus Christi Caller Times, Aug. 5, 1937, page 1). Beverly and Myra would remain in Corpus Christi for 25 years and rear their family.  They returned to San Antonio in early 1968 where he would end his long and honorable business career in 1978, retiring at age 65 as Executive Vice President of Richter Baking Co.  Family members recall that trips anywhere--from the smallest of towns to the larger cities-- included his stopping off and “checking out bread displays” of both his company and its rivals.  Keeping an eye on his competitors, his bread route salesman days figured in his management mindset as he made lightning-fast  reconnaissance trips down grocery aisles while his family waited in the car.   Beverly Peel's entire family was also married to the bread business.
13. Marriage license not an official copy.
14. Dallas City Directory, 1934, p. 590. John F. Worley Directory Co. Dallas City Directory, 1934-35, book, 1934; 905 Main St., Dallas, Texas. (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth806916/m1/488/?q=Continental%20Baking%20Company: accessed February 16, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dallas Public Library.
15. Peel residence. In 2019, this location is one block northwest from the Melrose in Uptown Dallas.  Dallas City Directory.
16. Continental Baking Company was founded as the Ward Baking Company in New York City in 1849. In 1921 William Ward, grandson of the company’s founder, formed United Bakeries, which was renamed Continental Baking in 1925. In 1924 Continental Baking acquired the Wagner Baking Company of Detroit, and in 1925 Continental Baking bought Taggart Baking, the maker of Wonder bread, and was at that time the largest bakery in the United States. Around 1933 Continental Baking introduced Hostess Twinkies.  http://www.wardbakingcompany.com/Ward_Baking_Company/Home.html  Accessed 17 Feb 2019.
17. Commercial sliced bread became common in the 1930s, first mass-marketed by none other than Wonder, whose achievement inspired the phrase “The greatest thing since sliced bread.” http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/06/0701automated-bread-factory/all/1 Page 4 of 7, Accessed 17 Feb 2019.
18. Continental Baking Company was located at 2100 Thomas, Dallas, Texas. Dallas City Directory, 1934, p. 482.
19. Personal recollection, Beth Peel Leggieri, recorded 16 Feb 2019.
20. Historically known for the legendary healing properties of the water, The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas was opened in 1929, two weeks after the great stock market crash. Rising 14 floors, The Baker Hotel was the first skyscraper built outside of a major metropolitan area. Costing $1.2 million to build, the hotel was developed by Texas entrepreneur T.B. Baker and featured progressive hotel amenities including the first Olympic size hotel swimming pool, air conditioning, circulating ice water for the guest rooms, automatic light controls to turn off lights when guests leave the room and lock their doors, and valet doors for dry cleaning to keep hotel employees from disturbing the guests.  Doing well throughout the Great Depression, the Baker hosted many celebrity music performers such as Lawrence Welk, Guy Lombardo . . . legendary guests including Marlene Dietrich, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Will Rogers . . . https://www.thebakerhotel.com/history.html Accessed 16 Feb 2019.
21. [Postcard of the Baker Hotel], postcard, Date Unknown; (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth443424/: accessed February 16, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Mineral Wells Heritage Association.
22. Beverly Alfred Peel.  Birth date:  6 Feb 1913, Death date:  2 May 1998, Denton, Denton, Texas, United States of America; Issue State of Texas. Ancestry.com.  U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line].  Provo, UT, USA:  Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2014.
23. Myra Kathryn Smith.  Texas, Birth Certificates, 1903-1932, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, Provo, UT.  Note:  Find-A Grave incorrect.  Corrected birth certificate on file: (Denison, Grayson County, Texas); amendment filed by Virginia Smith H. Crosland (sister) 13 Feb 1978 , amendment #26992 issued 7 Mar 1978, Dallas, County, Texas.
24. Westminster Presbyterian Church.
25. Biography of Dr. Manford George Gutzke: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186981149/manford-george-gutzke
26. Westminster Presbyterian Church.
27. Printed in its entirety from the website “The Bible for You."  (Note this site is unsecured, hence the text is not hyperlinked.  Access at your risk.)  Accessed 17 Feb 2019:
    Manford George Gutzke is a man who depends upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. Dr. Gutzke’s great love and concern for people have led him to present Bible truth in a simple, clear, plain everyday manner; thus the idea, Plain Talk About Bible Truth for Everyday Living. Dr. Gutzke grew up in a farming community in Manitoba, Canada. As a youth he wandered into agnostic skepticism. Conversation with a believing farmer and Gutzke’s own study of the Scripture led him to faith. (His testimony is begun in a booklet entitled “Out of Darkness”).Manford Gutzke began his career as a teacher and in time began to prepare for law practice but soon found himself answering a call from God to give himself to the Gospel ministry.  He is well qualified to speak from God's word as he is a graduate of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.  He received his M.S. degree in psychology from S.M.U. and was awarded a D.D. degree from Austin College.  Later he earned a Ph.D. at Teacher's College, Columbia University, New York.  Dr.  Gutzke is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. and professor emeritus of Columbia Theological Seminary.
    Since retiring from the Seminary he has devoted himself entirely to preaching and teaching the Word of God. That the Lord is blessing his work is seen through the growing number reporting that faith in Christ has become very real to them.This sketch was used to introduce Dr. Gutzke (1896-1993) and his ministry while he was active with The Bible For You, Inc. Shortly after his 91st birthday Dr. Gutzke set aside this work. The Bible For You has ceased to exist as a legal entity, but continues to promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through this web site. The material on this site is copyrighted by Dr. Manford George Gutzke. We request that the credit for authorship remain with him. To God belongs the Glory. With that in mind, all files are free to the public to download, print out, copy, or send electronically for non-profit educational purposes.
    The beginning of the Bible For You organization was when recordings were made of Dr. Gutzke teaching the Monday Night Bible Class at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. At this time he was still teaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. One man who was not able to be at the classes himself, undertook to have tape recordings made so he could listen to them later. His name was Howard Cook. He began to share the tapes with friends who operated radio stations and they soon began to be broadcast on some local stations.
    After he retired from the seminary Dr. Gutzke labored full time with The Bible For You, Inc. Over the years he continued to work with Mr. Cook to develop his skills as a Bible teacher using the radio as a medium. They produced hundreds of hours of audio Bible study material. It was once available on reel to reel tapes as well as cassettes.
    The Bible For You Radio Program was broadcast from over one hundred stations around the world. There was also a great deal of printed material, based on the radio program.When Dr. Gutzke retired at the age of 91 his son Dr. Mark E. Gutzke served as chairman of the board until The Bible For You, Inc. was finally dissolved as a corporation. During this time it was pointed out to him the possibilities of using the Internet to make the Bible study materials available to the public free of charge. It was his desire that every book and pamphlet be made available. This was done by volunteers, most notably Dr. Gutzke’s other son, John H. Gutzke, who spent countless hours scanning and proofreading and formatting the files on this site. Dr. Gutzke and his sons have now passed away.
    Dr. Gutzke's memorial web site is maintained by a grandson.

Copyright © HeirUnapparent, 2019. All rights reserved.