Newspapers / The New Bern Mirror … / March 4, 1966, edition 1 / Page 1
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W i- This week’s mall brought on an unexpected letter from a lifelong friend of ours, Gus (Gussman Cleaners) Mann, We grew up together on Pollock street, between Eden and Bern, and shared many happy boyhood experiences. “Reading the legal notices,” writes Gus, “I found an Item that made me feel a little sad. It was a notice of the Admin istrator of the estate of Leon Cohn, deceased, of Philadel phia. “It brings back the memories of more years than I care to recall. I was employed by Mr. Cohn at a very early age in my . life, the first steady money that I ever earned. “By today's standards, the hours were too long and the pay too small, $2,00 a week. But to a young fellow that had seldom held over a quarter of his own, this was a small for tune every Saturday. “To work during the Christ mas rush would mean money for family presents. After a year or so I was allowed to make change from the cash register, under Mr. Cohn's watchful eye. I realized I had become an old and trusted em ployee. “Maybe not a complete trust. Mr. Cohn would tell me that he knew I was stealing. Although he searched me many an eve ning before 1 Jeft the store, he never found a penny of his money in my pockets. That was the reason our friendship endured so many years. “I saw Mr. Cohn just a few years ago In front of the Gas ton (Governor Trycm) Hotel. As I crossed the steet It made me feel very good to see that he remembered me after 25 years. “It’s a pity there arenoLeon Cohn shops In our town today. It was an institution. He sold many things that many stores sold. If gun shells were 75 cents a box all over town, Mr. Cohn sold them for 50 cents. “No one could under sell him. Everyone In town thou^t they knew Mr. Cohn's cost mark, displayed on every item in the shop, but only Mr. Cohn knew the cost. “Mr. Cohn lived a very close and lonely life away from his family and his home town. I don’t believe his entire ward robe cost $25.00. His meals were very simple, a can of mixed vegetables heated over a can of Sterno, with crack ers. Very seldom did he enjoy the luxury of meat. “I sincerely believe If there had been more Leon Cohns in every.phase of retail trade, the stores of great retail chains would not have the strong hold in America’s sales today. “Mr. Cohn could keep the overhead down almost to the floor. He used small light bulbs, heated the store with wooden packing boxes saved the year around. He paid bills prompt ly, and would take all the dis count the trade would allow and then some. “1 could go on and on, re membering the many things he sold, the many arguments over price, religion or anything. And like you and 1 he admired peo ple for many reasons and dis liked people for many reasons. 1 feel sure that you share my feelings In his passing.” Indeed we do, Gus, and you’ll (Continued on page 2) The NEW BERN /• • oA « "iKty 5 Per Cc*/ READY FOR ACTION—Members of Centenary Meth odist Junior Troop 190 launch Girl Scout Week by pledging community cleanliness to Cedric Boyd, di rector of New Bern’s Public Works Department. In the group left to right are Mrs. Walter Meadows, Assistant Leader; Mrs. Billy Moore, Leader; Louvenia Brinkley, Donna Jo Moore, Princess Haddock, Betty Rakes, Vickie Potter, Wendy Wetherington, Michelle Mallard, Carol Edwards, Cynthia Edwards and Betty Ann Cox. Lela Badham is New Bern’s Neighborhood Chairman.—Photo by Chick Natella. TALKING IT OVER—^Two of New Bern’s best known women, Jo Ann Frank of WNBE-TV and Eleanor Hawkins, who presides over New Bern Public Library, get together for a gabfest about the Library’s new location and its facilities. Jo Ann entertains many of eastern North Carolina’s ladies on her popular Open House television show. Eleanor, no stranger be fore the camera, is happiest when reading to children during summer months.
The New Bern Mirror (New Bern, N.C.)
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March 4, 1966, edition 1
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