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• 1 media/The-Metal-Box-030.jpg 2022-04-13T13:21:14+00:00 Otis & Mildred 36 image_header 2022-06-01T19:14:26+00:00 As we know, Otis did complete his service in the summer of 1958, where he specialized as an M.P.  He then returned to Glassboro and stayed with his parents for a short time. As for the “big” question, does Mil marry Otis?  Yes, she does. Denise vividly remembers the day Otis would arrive at the Aaron home to sit down with Archie, Lillie, and Mil to ask for her hand in marriage.
  
  After their marriage, Otis and Mil rented a home located at 24 North Lake Street in Glassboro. Six years later, they would purchase their first home at 106 Somerset Road in Glassboro, located in the development behind P&B Diner (now the Monarch Diner) on Route 47. Their family would be one of the first African American families in this development.
  
  Together at last, Otis and Mil would now focus on raising their children and building their life together. Denise remembers Otis being a good provider for their family. In 1962, Otis and Mil would be blessed with their fourth child, Eric.
  
  Otis would join the National Guard and be stationed at Nike Battery PH-49 in Pitman, where he worked five days a week. 
  
  Fact:  An interesting part of history, and something I was unaware of, was the Nike Missile bases located throughout New Jersey. Unfortunately, one of these bases, located in Middletown, had an accidental missile explosion that killed 10 people. In total there were 14 locations, and they were all closed by 1974.
  
  An opportunity would soon present itself allowing the Puriefoys’ to become business owners. Otis’s father would advise them that a cab company was for sale by a fellow parishioner who attended his church. Seeing the potential, Otis and Mil would purchase “Friendly” Cab which operated in Glassboro.  As their first company started to show success, Otis would go on to purchase a second cab service operating out of Williamstown.  With Friendly Cab covering the Glassboro area, the second company would continue its’ coverage of Williamstown, but operate from Glassboro. Initially, they would run the business out of their home on Somerset Road. As business continued to grow, they needed to find a more suitable office location.
  
  At the corner of Main and High Streets in Glassboro sits a two-story brick structure previously known as the Kotler/Levy building. Owned by the Levy’s, they operated a 5 and 10 Variety Store facing Main Street. In the rear of the building, facing along High Street, were apartments where they lived. Eventually, the Levys would put the building up for sale. In 1975, the Puriefoys’ would purchase the building to operate their business on the first floor.
  
  The Puriefoy children are now growing up in Glassboro. Denise tells me stories about her school years during the 60s’.  Before her family moved to Somerset Road, they lived at 24 North Lake Street.  Denise and Vernon would attend the Academy Street School (now owned by Rowan), as it was blocks from their home.  She recalls very few African American children at this location, well into the 4th grade. Their home was also located in an area of Glassboro of predominately Caucasian families.
  
  However, “change” is a slow and difficult process. Segregation of public schools was ruled unconstitutional in 1954, with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education.  Based on Denise’s experience however, the integration of schools was still at a much slower pace here in Glassboro. The evolution of change for the Glassboro school system began in the 1920s, as they started to experience an overpopulation of students.  Limited school space, lack of transportation, additional enrollment of children from Elk Township, and an influx of population, were the contributing factors for the construction of more schools.
  
  Performing further research on this issue, I would discover a book entitled “The History of Elsmere, African American Life in Glassboro, New Jersey”. I recommend the book as it provides a detailed history on the African American experience in Glassboro, as well as the personal experiences directly from its residents.  Fortunately for me, I had the pleasure of meeting the Author, Mr. Robert P. Tucker, and an opportunity to sit down for a conversation. We discussed his book and experiences on growing up in Glassboro. Also present was Denise, who Mr. Tucker turned out to be her guidance counselor when she attended Glassboro High School. The conversation was enlightening and at times fascinating as they shared their different perspectives about the community.
  
  Having learned more details, I am able to establish that the construction of new schools became a priority, bringing rise to a debate from residents concerning locations, and necessary faculty.  For the African American residents, location would become a key sticking point as transportation for children from areas such as the Acres (in the heart of Elsmere), was non-existent. Considered a “gray” area still today, an agreement was finally reached on one of the locations, with construction taking place in the Acres. The agreement, either based on the Board of Education’s recommendations, or the persistence of the African American community, would be to accommodate a “black” students population, with an all-black faculty. In 1928, the Elsmere School was opened and a “separation” of communities would begin.
  
  Throughout time, the African American communities had become acclimated to a degree of separation. For some residents relocating to Glassboro from the South, having their own schools and neighborhoods was welcomed. Neighborhoods such as the Lawns, and the Acres, were predominately African American communities, located “on the other side of the tracks.” Until now, I haven’t given this phase much thought, however, its connotation is quite literal, as to reach these communities you were required to cross over the railroad tracks. From Denise’s understanding, the “Lawns” name was derived from both the front and rear lawn areas of these single-family homes.
  
  For Glassboro with the desegregation of schools, some locations were considered too expensive to expand or unnecessary, as families would begin moving away from such areas as Elsmere and the Lawns. This also prompted the closure of schools such as the one located in Elsmere. Children would be sent to other schools located throughout Glassboro, and faced a new reality, the fear of the unknown. Mr. Tucker shares his personal experience during this time, as taken from his book.

  The morning on the bus, no one was talking, sitting in silence all the way to Academy Street. As the bus rolled to a stop in front of the school and Mr. Knight opened the door, no one moved. We looked at each other and no one wanted to be the first to get off. Students began to repeat, “I am not getting off first.” And, “No, I am not getting off first.” Mr. Knight turned and looked back and stated, “7th and 8th grade students get off here.” No one responded, no one moved. As I stepped into the aisle, Clifton Meers declared, “I’ll get off with you.” (1)

   
  As with Glassboro schools, it’s neighborhoods would begin to change as well.  Denise tells me that their house on North Lake Street, in addition to the street itself, is no longer there. Originally, Lake Street crossed over High Street, becoming “North” Lake. Also interesting was that fact that the street actually terminated at a lake, which today is also gone. What was left of Lake Street South, has been renamed “Fred Tartaglione” Street.
  
  As a young adult, Denise recounts becoming old enough to drive and obtain her CDL license. To my surprise, she would work part-time driving a cab for her parents, which she “really enjoyed.” Michael also shared stories with me about his siblings and him taking turns helping out at the cab company after school. At 11 years old, he would answer phones and do his homework. Once old enough, he too would drive a cab part-time.
  
  During the day, while Otis was serving in the National Guard, Mil would run the business, with the children continuing to help after school.  In the evening, when Otis returned home, he would take a shower and go to work at the cab company to take care of the business until closing.
  
  Time goes on, and the children have grown up and moved out. The youngest, Eric, is now in college and living in the apartment once occupied by the Levys. Vernon and Denise have their own apartments, and Michael is away in the service.  Otis and Mil start to grow apart and their marital problems cause them to decide to separate. Mil would leave and stay with Vernon at his apartment, with Otis continuing to stay at their home. Sometime later they would come to the decision to sell the home. In time, they do attempt to reconcile their differences, but it would be too late.
  
  On July 11, 1981, Otis is working at the cab company office alone and suffers a massive heart attack.  His son Eric would discover him and call for help, but he would expire on route to the hospital, exactly one month before his 49th birthday.
  
  As for my question concerning the metal box, I would finally learn how it came to be in the basement. Michael recalls that Otis had purchased the box to store personal papers, including the letters. After his separation from Mil, I concluded he stored the box in the basement for safekeeping, out of sight, out of mind. Upon his passing, Michael was unsure who had emptied the office, as he was away in the service at the time, and believes the box was simply overlooked. Whether they didn’t bother checking the basement, or assumed it was never used, here the box would remain until I discovered it.
  
  After my initial meeting with the family, I asked Michael to follow me to my car, so I could give him the box. Upon Michael seeing it, a big grin comes across his face, and says, “Oh yes, I remember this.”
  
  Mil would go on. Eventually, she would move to her own apartment in Deptford at Westville Grove and gain employment as a home care provider with her first client being in the same apartment building as she lived.  Mil would also come to enjoy many of life's rewards in seeing her daughter Denise marry and have two wonderful boys, Dorian and Justin. In addition, her sons Vernon, Michael, and Eric would grow up to become strong independent men.
  
  Denise said that her mother was also active in her church, would always “dress to the nines,” as she took great pride in her appearance, and spent time with her family and grandchildren who kept her busy. Mil also loved to sew, which she was good at. For Denise’s senior prom, Mil made her prom dress. She also shared that her mother and she were the same size, and could wear each other’s clothes.
  
  As time goes on, Mil starts having trouble with her blood pressure and is under the care of a doctor who places her on medication. However, Denise would say that she was unhappy with how the medicine made her feel. Upon a visit to Eric’s on Friday, June 23, 1995, she would become ill in her car outside of his apartment. Passers-by would see her in distress, call for help, and got Eric from his apartment. She was then taken to the hospital, and the family was told she suffered a stroke. To make her mother more comfortable, Denise asked Mil what she would like from home; pajamas, slippers, etc., but Mil would only reply she wanted to “get out of here.”  On Saturday night, she would take a turn for the worse, and the hospital would place her on life support. On Tuesday, July 27, 1995, Mil would pass away.   Denise believes when Mil was saying she wanted to “get out of here” she really meant life altogether.  Mil was 67 years old.
  
  At this moment the following quote from one of Mil’s letters comes to mind, perhaps as it summarizes her determination and strength.
  
  “I really hope everything works out wonderful for me because I catch it so awfully hard, it seems that no one has to go through with the hardships I do. So, I’ve decided that everyone must reap what they sow and I must take mine like a lady should.  There’s nothing else left to do but that.”
  
  I found it hard to write those words concerning her passing. I guess it’s because I will never have the opportunity to talk to her for myself.  My heart goes out to this family in having lost both Otis and Mil in such tragic ways, but especially to Eric. Not only was he the first to find his father, he then experienced this same type of loss for a second time with his mother.
  
  It’s a rainy Sunday morning as I sit writing, with the realization that I have missed the opportunity to know someone like her. The rain reminds me of many of Mil’s letters that would begin with her recording her name, location, time, and the weather; some were also rainy days.
  
  I reflect on what a pleasure it has been for me to have come to know, and learn about this couple. There is a proverb “Fortune Favors the Brave.” Those words apply not only to all the people in this story, but to me personally. Life rarely gives us what we want and it surely doesn’t come wrapped in gift paper with a bow. However, if we pay attention, it can present us with opportunities, its up to us to make the most out of them. The opportunity for me was having met wonderful family members of Otis and Mil and establishing new friendships. So, it turns out, this would be my good fortune!
  
  To the right is a picture of Mil with a ring and cross set upon it.  While I was sorting through the letters, a cross fell out of one of the envelopes. Surprised, I look it over to figure out what is on it, as it reminds me of the type worn by a person of the Catholic faith. It appears to have an image of the Mother Mary and something else I can’t quite make out as it is very old and worn. So as not to lose it, I placed it in a plastic sleeve, sealed it closed, giving it no further thought.
  
  The significance of it is this. Upon presenting the box to the family, I bring the cross to their attention.  Michael takes it from the sleeve, begins looking it over and then presents a chain he was wearing from beneath his shirt, which held a gold ring.  The ring is Mil’s wedding band which he has worn since his mother’s passing.
  
  The cross obviously belonged to Otis, and perhaps looking worn, or replaced with something else, he simply adds it to the box for us to find all these years later.  Michael adds it to the chain with the ring, and Denise comments “they can now once again be together.”
  
  Do you recall when I asked that you ponder: “don’t ever think you would be forgotten . . .”? In one of the first few letters I read, those words would inspire me to start my search, which said: 
  
              “Doll, don’t ever think you would be forgot, you have me and your family to see to that.”
  
  And so, although I am not officially part of the family, I hope I helped a little to keep their memory alive.
  
  
  
  
  
  (1) Robert P. Tucker, The History of Elsmere, African American Life in Glassboro, New Jersey, Bloomington, Archway Publishing, 2018, rev. 2019, p. 50