Howard R. Mullens, Born 10/6/1904 and died 12/27/77 Age 73. Louisa M. Mullens, wife, four sons, Kenneth, John, Clyde, and Wallace and two daughters Erma and Dotty.

Mr. Mullens lived very close to the upper part of the Williams River on what is known as the Williams River road. He was interview during the summer on a warm day as he sat in an old chair described in the transcript. A large stack of wood had already been placed on the front porch, some left over from the winter and some cut fresh in preparation for the upcoming winter. Even in early summer and fall the night get cool in that part of the country and frequently a fire is aglow in the house to break the chill. His voice was weak and as he spoke he would occasionally “swat” a fly landing on the floor or nearby, hence, one can hear a noise throughout the interview. He took pride in his knowledge of the woods and in particular the area of Big Beechy Run off the Middle Fork of the Williams River. He was stooped with age but through his clear blue eyes you could envision a man of great character and a deep abiding love for his family and the land surrounding him.

In 2000 I went by the home place again and found the house gone, but a short distance away there was a large house of beautiful design. I inquired to find his son living there part-time but operating hunting and fishing camp in Canada.

Upon visiting the site in November 1, 2001 at about 1 p.m., I met his son Kenneth who operates the camps in Canada. We talked about his dad and the fly swatter. Kenneth said that the reason he had to swat so many flies was that when he killed one about a dozen would show up for the funeral. We laughed.