Senath Mo.Class of '58
The Chicken Hipnotist
In the nineteen fifties, Gasoline Stations were correctly referred to as being not a gas station but rather a “Service Station”.
The title service station was at that time very appropriate; because “service” is just what you got when you drove into any one of them. It really made no difference whether you were referring to one in any small town or a large city such as Memphis.
The one thing you could always count on when you drove into any service station to get gas was that you were going to get a great smile and really good “service”. Your windows cleaned (all of them), tires, oil and water and battery were all checked and filled. In many instances, especially for the ladies, your favorite soda would be obtained by the station attendant and then delivered right to your driver's window. In the summer you were always asked if your time allowed you to get an oil change and lube. Getting the car washed at one of those “service stations” wash like taking it to a detail shop today. The big difference between you having taken it to a service station in the fifties and a detail shop today would be around $150.00. It would look as if it were new when you picked it up from the service station. Such was always the case. It never made any difference if you were talking about a local one in your hometown or one you might encounter traveling across country. It was always the same. Regardless of whether you were on an old two-lane road going to Memphis or on a two-lane road headed across the country. The one thing you could always count on getting at any service station was “ GOOD SERVICE”. In Senath in the mid fifties (on the main thoroughfare of Hwy. 25) were two such “service stations”.
One of these two stations was owned by Roy Gately and called the “Airline Service Station”. It was located on the west end of town just east of the building that once was the Richman Theater. On the opposite (east) end of town was located L.R. Rainey's “Sinclair” Service Station. The following story has nothing to do with such service. It is focused upon another commodity available at such service stations (in the winter months) when the “old” farmers were mostly “idle” and hanging out at the barbershop of the stations. It was back then like being in a barber shop and hearing tales conjured up by the various attendees, with each trying to out do all the others. Generally, the subjects would change often and the stories would most often grow until someone would tell the greatest “tall tale” you could imagine. I always enjoyed hanging around listening to them. Before going any farther I should mention the names of the individuals I recall having been present when I learned how to “hypnotize a chicken”. Although all of these old timers have long passed away, each of them is forever immortalized in my mind. I can still see them setting around the sales office of that Sinclair Station around early January of 1953. Credit for my having learned such useful ability goes directly to Mr. Harry Ray. Ed Dowdy, Digger Carnes, Archie Rose, Chet Wilson and several others inclusive of Elmer Green and my dad accompanied Mr. Ray. I think I can remember Martin Keen having been present also. I cannot remember when the many discussions (and stories) being told by that group finally turned to the subject of “hypnosis”. However, I can distinctly recall my having been kneeling behind the counter, stocking oil cans; when I heard Mr. Ray ask Mr. Carnes a question. The question he asked was one that definitely caught my attention.
Mr. Ray simply asked, “Digger, you ever hypnotize a chicken?” I quickly came up from behind that sales counter. Resting my elbows on the counter, I looked at Mr. Carnes and like the others; I awaited his answer. I remember him noticing me at the counter as he replied something like “No Harry! I can't say that I do”. Everybody but me was laughing at his answer and Mr. Harry Ray was about to enlighten all of us - on just how to do it.
At this time I would like to say that the following “bit” of education is directed at each and every young boy that ever reads this story article. I ask of you boys' only two things. First you try and picture those “old farmers” sitting around the sales office of that station, when that question was asked to Digger Carnes. The question was asked him, exactly fifty years ago. Secondly, I ask that you read on past the first part of the lesson to learn how to UN hypnotize any chicken that you may perform this bit of “education” on. Note that I never stuck around to learn how to “un” do it. My dad had (many) reason/s to call Mr. Ray late one evening to find out for me. You certainly do not want your dad to have to be the one to “teach” you how to “un hypnotize” (his) chickens. I will at some future point write a story on that subject, but for now get you pencils out and take notes. IT WORKS, all you have to do is find your chicken (or someone else's) and TRY IT!
Question: How do you “hypnotize” a chicken? (As handed down by the (Late) Harry Ray of Senath, Missouri.)
Answer: As told by (the late) Mr. Harry Ray of Senath in January of 1952.
(a) You ….. “Take the chicken in your hands and hold him still until he settles down”.
(b) You ….. “Gently place the chicken on the ground in a “Squatting” position. (The chicken , not you)
(c) You ….. “Gently place the chickens head straight out with his “beak” to the ground (hold it there)
(d) Now …. “Draw a line in the dirt (quickly) straight out for about two feet - beginning at the chickens beak.
(e) Now …. “Take you hand off the chicken and let him alone ….. He is not going anywhere.
YOUR CHICKEN IS NOW “HIPNOTISED” -They will remain so until you pick it up and sort of pitch it up into the air for a foot or so and let them “fly” down to the ground ----- PLEASE ….. Do not do like I did and leave them “all” day, unless you want to have chicken for dinner. I learned the hard way- their brains is rather small (perhaps like mine was at the time) and it just may not “re adjust” to the situation at hand.