Montana Memories

"A meeting was called at the C.W. Bruce home for the purpose of considering the matter of extending a call to Mr. McInnes to be pastor of the Baptist Church. Rev. Millan presided. A unanimous vote was cast to extend a call to Mr. McInnes for an indefinate period of time,....It was also decided that since a definite salary could not be guaranteed, that all church offerings above running expenses of the church should be paid to the pastor, together with donations of foodstuffs which would be as liberal as possible." [from the minutes of the Baptist Church in Valier, Montana; June 22, 1934]

"The pastor tendered his resignation at a called meeting following the morning service. He has accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Havre, Montana. The resignation is to take effect Dec. 1, 1936." [minutes of the Baptist Church in Valier, Montana; Nov 15, 1936]

The following information was obtained from Lucy Skemp: Mr. and Mrs. McInnes were a very active young couple. They built up the youth group at the Baptist Church, organized a choir, had numerous parties, and an active Sunday evening Baptist Youth Fellowship.
In 1936, I started to college, and worked for my room and board at the McInnes home. Mr McInnes was pastoring the First Baptist Church in Havre, Montana then. It was a good place to work. Mrs. McInnes did the cooking, laundry, etc. My main job was to take care of the girls when the parents were out, which was almost every evening. Mrs. McInnes liked to go everywhere her husband did--calling, etc., plus the couple of weekly meetings at the church. They also cleaned the church one evening weekly.
After I left their home for summer vacation (in 1937), Mr McInnes lost his position in Havre. Everybody liked him and the family, but it became known that he had not been to seminary, but was a graduate of Moody Bible Insitute. He was a good speaker and very knowledgeable as to the Bible, but there was the technicality. Why it came to light at the late date I don't know. I'm sure he had a resume when he was called to the church.
They moved back to Valier and Mr. McInnes worked in the Mercantile Store there.

Book Review: Becoming One

Though it tells the amazing story of Ken and Marian (McInnes) Eakins' journey to discovering true love, BECOMING ONE also contains a wealth of autobiographical material. Compiled by Dr J. Kenneth Eakins and his daughter Laurie, it presents an intimate look into their courtship, marriage and eventual struggle with death.

Written in the years following Marian's death from cancer, much of the information comes directly from her own diary entries. Marian wrote regularly in her diary and it's easy to see how much her parent's faith influenced their oldest daughter. Though most of the book focuses on Ken and Marian, there are little snippets about her parents sprinkled throughout. Here are a few:

Following one of their dates, both Ken and Marian lingered in the car in the McInnes driveway as they decided to go steady. "Our conversation was cut short, however, when we spied her dad walking toward the car. He leaned toward the window, a protective note in his voice: 'Come inside you two, everyone else is already in the house!'" (p. 29)

"Marian's mother had often taken trips, usually to visit her parents, leaving one or more of the girls at home with their father." (p.50)

"Marian's dad, always available when needed, came to help us with our move." (p.73)

The book was easy to read yet engaging. It was difficult to put down even without the family connection to hold my interest. There are many references to people and places of importance with colorful accounts of their influence. I appreciated the way Ken brings people to life and didn't just stick to facts. Most of my memories are distant and tainted by childhood, but Ken's account allowed me to see them as real people with struggles, hopes and dreams.

Ken is careful to explain that this is merely their story, not a universal pattern that would work for every couple seeking an "eternal love". So whether you are interested in the family history or the love story, this is a book that anyone would enjoy and gain inspiration from.

Persons interested in obtaining a copy of BECOMING ONE should write to:
TNT
2400 Citrine Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Obituary: Lillian M. (Campbell) Bolen

Lillian M. (Campbell) Bolen of Danville died Jan. 10 at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. She was 79.
Born July 11, 1927, in Dana, she was a daughter of the late Claude and Geneva Campbell. She was the widow of Buddy Bolen, who died in May 2005.
Mrs. Bolen was a 1945 graduate of Dana High School. She had been a homemaker.
Survivors include a son, Neal Bolen of Danville; daughters Anita Miller of Danville and Alice Bolen of Avon; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Also preceding her in death were two brothers and three sisters.
Services are 1 p.m. Jan. 13 at Weaver & Randolph Funeral Home in Danville Interment will follow of the Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Lizton.
Calling is two hours prior to services at the funeral home.

Published in the Hendricks County Flyer on Jan 11, 2007

Beulah Francis (Guiley) McInnes

1906, Jun 3 - born
1925, Aug 23 - married Rev. Hugh Melvin McInnes
1930, Jul 6 - Marian LaNette born
1932, Apr 7 - Virginia Mae born
1938, Jul 27 - Margaret Ann born
1946, Feb 14 - Roberta Jean born
1967, Feb 9 - died suddenly from a heart attack, buried in Ormas, Indiana.

Grandma's Picture

Mom was a special assignment RN in Hawaii. She was taking care of the Governor's son. Hawaii was a US protectorate when they were there in the late thirties.
I do not remember her ever saying what the son was ill with but it was a short term assignment, less than a year.
The picture was taken in front of the house where Dad and Mom lived in Hilo.

Dad preached on Sundays to the plantation workers on the windward side of the island. During the week he witnessed and taught Bible Study classes to the US sailors stationed in the islands.

Dad knew some of the sailors that were at Pearl Habor when the Japanese bombed.

Submitted by Rowena's oldest son.