Howard Drummond

[Gelatinous Goo]

Writing about Howard last night made me want to reach beyond the bacon and eggs and pile of sweat socks and learn more about this mysterious gentleman. It's amazing how much information we have at hand in this day and age. Nothing too earth-shattering here, but I found it interesting to get to know more about Howard than he ever shared with anyone while alive.

His father was British and had either passed away or left the family by the time Howard was 8 (1919-20). His mother was Westelle Rosaliehowar Drummond (1872-1952). She, like Howard, was born in Texas. Her mother's maiden name was Davidson. Her father and mother were from Ohio and Indiana respectively. Her father's first name was Howard, so we can surmise that he was our Howard`s namesake.

The 1920 census finds Westelle and Howard living in Los Angeles. Westelle was employed as a kitchen helper in a cafeteria. By 1930, she was a laundress in a laundromat, while 19 year-old Howard worked as a collector in a bank. This is a job he appeared to do until at least April of 1942, when he enlisted as a private in the Army. He listed no wife or children, but did have dependants, who I can only assume was his then-70 year-old mother.

Any other ideas for similar searches would be welcomed. Try to keep your suggestions in the pre-1950 range (or at least to somebody who would have been active at that time, even though their UM infamy may have transpired later).