The Jitney

          The Union Pacific Depot in Natoma was moved to Codell in the 70's

In 1955, as the final days of passenger rail service drew near, Natoma Elementary's first grade class rode the Jitney to Lucas for a day in the park. Smiling parents had gathered to wave good bye to the excited students assembled on the platform. As the Jitney approached and rolled to a stop I took notice of the conductor stepping from the train. "Look Mom, there's a nigger!", I announced with glee. Garnering no more than a sidelong glance from the conductor, the look of horror on my mother's face told me something terrible had just happened, though I had no earthly idea of what it was.

The incident speaks less to the innocence of a six-year-old than to the prevailing attitudes and social mores of the time. We can only hope all have improved with age.