Herb Spahn
known as Herb
also written Herb, Herby Spahn in the book
Biography
Floyd's friend. Told Carol about Floyd's inventions, help plowing neighbors' fields, and insistence that visitors not swear around his five girls. Short, with a swarthy complexion, “very course, straight black unruly hair and eyebrows,” halting speech and jerky movement. Made several trips to Saint Louis, Missouri, returning with his car loaded with fireworks. Gave the narrator and companions free fireworks for attracting customers to his roadside tent.
Timeline
a recent trip home
Carol hears Herb's memories of Daddy
Herb described Floyd's inventions, assistance to neighbors, and protectiveness toward his girls.
Carol's Chapterfor a few years
Herby Spahn's roadside fireworks stand
Herby operated a fireworks stand supplied through trips to Saint Louis, Missouri. He gave free fireworks to the narrator and companions for helping attract customers.
Bernie's Chapter
Stories mentioning Herb
- Daddy Could Make or Mend AnythingFloyd traded with Hugh Chase and proudly repaired and resold a broken chain saw at a profit after using it. Herb Spahn remembered his riding-sprayer, motorized plow, help to neighbors, and protective rule against swearing around his girls. Carol recalls his metalwork, woodworking, car repairs, plumbing, electrical work, and walnut carving, skills that kept the household from needing hired help.
- Freebies at Herby's Fireworks TentHerby Spahn ran a fireworks stand on 23rd Avenue for a few years, stocking it through trips to Saint Louis, Missouri. His selection included expensive skyrockets, Bob's favorite whistling Bottle Rockets, and M-80's. A chicken-wire fence separated customers from the merchandise for theft prevention and fire safety. Herb rewarded the narrator and companions with freebies for lingering at the fence to attract customers. The narrator admired the colorful wrappers and foreign-looking graphics nearly as much as the fireworks.
Referenced in
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