Outhier - Louis, NOrma, & Louis Jr., 'Corky'

 Louis Outhier's father and mother, W.A. and Bertha, migrated from Missouri in a covered wagon to Colorado in the late 1800's. The family homesteaded in the Camp Carson area. W.A. and Bertha had seven children, five girls and two boys. Louis was born May 25, 1906, and was four years old when his family moved to 3R Road and built the Cave Springs Ranch. Louis attended the Cedar Grove School and remembers Roy Simonson as one of his school chums. Louis' father was one of the original founders of the Cedar Grove Cheese Factory, which Bertha continued to run after W.A.'s death.       

Norma Kennedy came to Beulah in 1936 with her brother, Benny, sister, Georgia, and her sister's husband, Burton Chase. They came out here to improve Burton's health, and started a chicken ranch. Norma was born in Camden, Missouri. In her school days, Norma was very active in sports and she lettered in basketball. She says that all the girls participated in the same sports as boys: track, broad jump, discus, and basketball. "We did it all!"       Louis remembers coming to Beulah for the 4th of July celebrations and dancing to the "Morgans" at the Gay Way, which is where he met Norma. When Louis met Norma, he was 29 and she was 19. Norma recalls not only dating Louis, but his brother, Bill, at the same time! They would go to a movie or a dance together, but it was Louis who won Norma's heart and they got married June 24, 1940. They wed in Kansas at the County Court House, as many young couples did during the time of the depression. "It was inexpensive and there was no waiting required - Quick and easy!" says Norma. They lived on the Outhier ranch for many years, working together with the cattle, and Norma sometimes cooking for as many as 30 hired hands. In 1972 they moved into their present house on Lake Avenue.       Louis and Norma have had 50 wonderful years, with ups, as well as downs. One down point was in 1974, when they were on vacation, they checked home with their children and were told that their house had burned down! They returned home and found they had not only lost their house, but most of their personal possessions, among which were paintings done by Louis' mother. They were able to save some furniture and knick-knacks, and they rebuilt the house.       

The highlights in their marriage, Louis and Norma unanimously agree are their children: Corky, Ruth Ellen and Lois Jane. Lois (Tretter) lives in Louisanna, and has three children; Corky lives in Beulah and is married to Linda (Orr). They have four children. Ruth Ellen (Petrovich) lives in Washington, D.C. and has two boys.       

The Outhiers have travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Last Spring they travelled to Washington, D.C. and enjoyed all the historical monuments. Louis is an avid deer hunter and has hunted since he was 16. It was only last Fall when he quit hunting because his eye-sight "wasn't too good anymore". Norma has been involved with the Beulah Extension Club, and is a charter member of the Goodpasture Home Extension Club. For many years she has been a judge at the Colorado State Fair in the pastry division, judging pies. For the past 40 years Norma has been a volunteer voter registrar.       This June 24th the Outhier's are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a reception at the Beulah Community Center from 2 pm to 5 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and to help celebrate this special occasion! 

Reprinted from  the June 15, 1990 - Issue 11-Page 3 of The Beulah Banner.   

 NORMA OUTHIER 

I Remember When: An interview with Norma Outhier by Elsa Frost  

    From time to time we will be interviewing senior citizens about their experiences and challenges 50 or more years ago in Beulah.      We begin with Norma Outhier. Norma came to Beulah in 1936 to assist with the care of an ailing relative. At that time there were numerous dairy ranches, a turkey farm at the top of Beulah Hill, a few permanent homes. She lived on a ranch adjoining the Outhier ranch on 3R road, just past the cheese factory.      Community life centered around the churches and schools and of course, the dances at Gayway (now the Wooden Nickel Restaurant). She married Louis Outhier in 1940. Together they ran the ranch.      During World War II, Home Demonstration clubs directed by the CSU Extension office helped women learn how to cope with the shortages. Norma was very active in one of the five clubs established in Beulah. Topics included canning and preserving food, cooking adapted to what was available, sewing, upholstering, etc.      The Outhier ranch abutted the St. Charles Canyon. All the children knew the best swimming hole was there. Many learned to swim by the "sink or swim" method!      Unlike our open winter we enjoyed so far this year, there were some memorable snows. In 1947 the melting snow caused flooding of the St. Charles River severe enough to change the course of the river from Squirrel Creek to the Host. Bridges were washed out. During that snow, Beulah was pretty well cut off from Pueblo. Jess Downey was diagnosed with appendicitis by Betty Wheeler and had to be taken by helicopter to the hospital.       Norma remembers another snow adventure. Louis was elk hunting and Norma was alone with Lois Jane, age 4 and Corky, 10 mths. She waded through hip deep snow to feed the cows, but was concerned about leaving the young children unattended, so she finally decided to leave the gates open and let the cattle free to feed. That was not to be her worst challenge. The baby developed a severe ear infection. Louis called to say the men were stranded in Canon City, learned of the problem and somehow made his way as far as Beulah Highway and 3 R Road (then Burnt Mill). He struggled through drifts taking a short cut through the canyon. Then they bundled the children up and took them out to the Highway on horseback where they were met by Ray Youngren's father and driven to town. Neighbors were truly life-lines in those days.      Norma's biggest challenge was yet to come. Thanks to the Salk and Sabin vaccines, it is a challenge few must meet today. In 1950, four children in Beulah were stricken with polio, two survived. There was a severe epidemic in Pueblo, but they probably were infected on the western slope all had recently visited. A lovely excursion to Pike's Peak turned into a crisis. Corky became extremely ill and was met at the hospital by his doctor. The halls were lined with respirators, the dreaded iron lungs. By now Corky could hardly breathe, but no respirators were available. The doctor was helpless. The whole family gathered at the hospital and prayed all night. The next morning Corky's lungs were clear! Then the heart-wrenching treatments began. Towels were put in boiling water, put through a wringer, then laid on Corky's back and covered with plastic. Corky screamed, Norma and her sister cried, but they persisted. The packs were left on for 15 minutes and the whole procedure had to be repeated every hour, day and night. This phase lasted from August until October. Then came months of physical therapy as Corky had to learn to walk again. Once again family, faith and community provided the strength.      The Cheese Factory was started by five ranchers; one was Louis' father. After his death, his mother ran the operation, becoming the first female cheese maker in the State of Colorado.      Pine Drive Store was then called Park View Store. There was a small restaurant at the east end. Every Sunday Mrs. Smith would go to the Outhier Ranch to get live chickens. Then she would serve a Sunday chicken dinner. The rest of the week the restaurant was closed. The original Pine Drive Store was built in 1901, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith. Mrs. Smith is Mrs. John Simonson.      There were five one-room schools, two are now the Baptist Church at the corner of Pennsylvania and Grand. The children would often ride donkeys to school.      The Community Center was originally built by the Methodist Church. When the church decided they no longer wanted to keep it, $25 bonds were bought by almost everyone in the community to purchase it, so it truly is a community center.      Beulah has been characterized by that kind of spirit, pulling together to meet a goal. It is difficult in these days when so many things pull us in so many directions to maintain that spirit, but we must. It is our strength. It is our heritage.  

This article ran in the Beulah Banner March, 1999 issue.

CORKY OUTHIER

Beulah EMS Profile  

by Raechel Thompson(Picture)

    Louis (Corky) Outhier was raised here in Beulah. He attended the one room Cedar Grove Schoolhouse in first and second grade, the Good Pasture School in third grade before attending Beulah Elementary School. Corky believes in the goodness of Beulah and appreciates kind deeds and caring neighbors.  Corky is one of our caring neighbors and serves our community in his role as an EMT for Beulah EMS. "I've always worked for the railroad." Corky explained. "And my schedule allows me time at home during the day and time for Beulah EMS. I'm a switchman, a brakeman, and a conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad, which was once the Denver Rio Grande Railroad."       Corky wasn't sure how long he's been volunteering for Beulah EMS and when he figured it was close to thirty years, Corky said, "I didn't know I was that old!" Beulah needs EMTs in Beulah during the day when many of the volunteers go to work in Pueblo. "You don't want to get hurt during the day," cautioned Corky. "but we'll take care of you and keep you alive until advanced life support gets here."       Corky remembers joining Beulah EMS about a year after Hal Murray did. "Going to classes in the winter seemed like something interesting to do" admitted Corky. "but I didn't know I'd still be doing it. There were good people back then and there's a lot of good people now." He is grateful for the community support of Beulah EMS and especially grateful for those who have given their time, energy, knowledge, business sense, and heart to Beulah EMS over the years.     Corky Outhier is not a man who wants to talk about himself. To interview him for an EMS Profile was a challenge. He is seen around Beulah and at the school tending to the needs of those injured. This writer considered having an injury while keeping notebook and pencil handy, but it isn't ethical and could take Corky away from someone who really needs medical assistance. Corky generously made time in his busy schedule to be interviewed. He is a family man and a shy person, but not shy when it comes to helping someone. His spirit of giving is what helps to make Beulah a special place to live.  

This article was reprinted from the October, 2002 issue of The Beulah Banner