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Wednesday, February 16, 1977
University Dally Kansan
Staff photos by MARIANNE MAURIN
Just right
Wilmer Selzer, a blacksmith for 50 years, knows exactly when the metal is ready to be removed from the fire. Below, the cobwebs have claimed tools of Selzer's father.
By RICK THAEMERT Staff Reporter
When Wilfred Selzer was 12 years old, his father taught him blacksmithing. Now 72, Selzer is the last blacksmith in a century-old family tradition, and one of the last practice masters in the United States.
Selzer, who lives eight miles south of Eudora, pulled open the door of the house where the tradition began. Built more than 100 years ago by his grandfather, the house is leasing and dilapidated. Where furniture once stood, only blacksmith and carpenter's tools remain.
"My dad was born right there in that corner," Selzer said, pointing to a corner of his blacksmith room filled with dirty plowshares and rusty nuts and bolts. Iron and steel items—from horse bits, tools and machines—filled almost every inch of bare wall space.
THE FAINT SCENT of gunpowder and steel filled the room, and the presence of iron
forks and machines—milled into every inch of mine space.
THE FAMILY SCENT of gunpowder and steel filled the room, and the presence of iron
chung to everything.
"I like iron," Selzer said. "You can't make a board longer, but you sure can weld two pieces of metal together and make them as strong as one."
Tinned iron woven iron pipes together and smiled proudly. Wips of soft, silver hair placed under a dark green farm implement cap and Seler's overslora were covered with steel.
"I told the missus when I married her that I fooled around a lot with grease and got dirt," Selzer said.
He walked over to two gunny sacks filled with "smithing" coal and grabbed two band-folks.
"THAT COAL, ain't no good. It's dirty," he said, throwing one handful to the ground. The good coal in his other hand formed large, shiny nuggets, in contrast to the dull,
"You have to have the right coal to weld two pieces of iron together," Selzer said. "I know, because I've used them all."
Seelzer said good coal was usually Pennsylvania or Virginia soft coal, and was difficult to find. He last tried to buy some in St. Paul, Miln.
"When I ask for 'smitiming' coal in a store, the young ones will ask me what I'm talking about," he said. "If my dad did of found out he couldn't buy blacksmithing coal, he'd
Seizer said he was also disturbed by the high costs of coal. It used to sell for 75 cents for 100 pounds, but it now costs $6 for the same quantity, he said.
to through a ton of coal in a year, he said
See BLACKSMITH page seven
YOU'VE READ THE BOOK... YOU'VE SEEN THE TV SHOW... NOW HEAR THE ALBUM. Quincy Jones'..Roots
SPEED READING CLASS TO BE TAUGHT IN LAWRENCE
The United States Reading Lab Mid-West Division is offering their famous speed reading course to a limited number of qualified people here in the Lawrence area. The average person who completes this course can read 10 times faster, and with substantially improved comprehension and better concentration.
For complete details about this famous speed reading course be sure to attend one of the free one hour orientation lectures that have been scheduled. These lectures are open to the public, above persons under 18 should be accompanied by a parent, if possible, and training is provided in complete detail, including class schedules, instruction procedures and a tuition that is much less than similar courses.
This famous course has taught many thousands of people to read over 1000 words per minute with the ability to understand and retain what they have read much more effectively. Average graduates can read most novels in less than one hour.
These meetings will be held on campus at the Lutheran Student Center, 15th and Iowa, on Wed., Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m. , Thurs., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m. , Fri., Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m. , Sat., Feb. 19 at 10:30 p.m. and two FINAL MEETINGS, Tues., Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and TWO FINAL MEETINGS, Tues., Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Classes are limited and class places will be filled on first come first serve basis only. Be sure to attend the meeting possible to insure a class place. Group meetings may be requested.
Seats to be decided for College Assembly
A total of 108 student seats in the College and the university decided during elections today and tomorrow.
fourths of the assembly is made up of faculty members, and the rest consists of staff.
The assembly, the governing body of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, meets about once a month to handle such matters. The college is subject to specific regulations and course changes. Three-
Students may vote only for candidates from their class.
Students may write in their own choices as assembly positions, but the College offers a large number of opportunities.
Strong Concerts are daily recitals in the Lobby of Strong Hall at noon
Wed., Feb. 16 - noon Marilyn Michael, mezzo-soprano Fred Toner, piano
Thurs., Feb. 17 - noon Varied works by an all-string ensemble
Fri., Feb. 18 - noon
Joe Utterback, jazz piano
Recitals performed by students and faculty of School of Fine Arts Events free
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Kiryat Shemona Ma'alot Beit Shean
Where others would kill innocent children, we will build schools.
Where others would destroy buildings, we will build homes.
Where others would take life, we will sustain it.
We stand firmly with the people of Israel. Let them know I
Let them know it.
Give to the United Jewish Appeal Campus Campaign Information Table 2, Union Feb.14-18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or send your contribution to Kansas Union, Box 4, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
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