“Bald” is the topic for Week 19 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge. Most of the people in my family have been blessed with full heads of hair. I had so much hair as a baby that I even had it on my forehead and back. My mom cried – she thought I was damn monkey. That problem resolved itself, in case you were wondering. Anyway, without a bald adult to write about, I started thinking about how some babies are bald, which made me realize I do have a bald relative, or at least a relative who was bald as a baby. My grandfather, Fred, was bald as a cueball! He grew hair later on, and though he never went entirely bald as an adult, he did have a receding hairline.
My grandfather’s full name was Frederick Wagner Turner, and he was born on March 20, 1906, in Mount Vernon, Maine, a rural, picturesque farming town surrounded by lakes and ponds. The bald bundle of joy shot into the lives of his parents, Stanley and Emilie, a bit over 9 months after they married. A honeymoon baby. Look at him in his little dress! He was cute in a goofy-looking sort of way, but he wouldn’t win any “beautiful baby” contests.
I mean that quite literally. His mom entered him in one and he lost.
This picture was taken when Fred was six months old, which coincided with the Kennebec County Fair that took place in Readfield in September. The fair lasted several days and had a little something for everyone. There were competitions for livestock, cheese, and butter. Kids enjoyed riding the merry-go-round and playing games. Horse races were an especially big event, going seven heats that year, and ending with one spectator getting run over and injured. And for the young mothers, there was the much-anticipated baby contest discussed in this September 26, 1906 article from the Kennebec Journal:
At the secretary’s office the babies were thicker than flies. The proud mothers were getting them ready for the show which was held in the grandstand. Mary Eugenia, daughter of Mrs. M.S. McLelland of Mt. Vernon, was declared the prettiest baby; William E., son of Mrs. C.E. Brisbin of Readfield was given the blue ribbon for being the fattest baby and Herbert L., son of Mrs. Theresa L. Ward, was found to be the smallest of the lot. The following babies were entered: Evelyn May, daughter of Mrs. E.C. Robinson, North Monmouth; Sidney Fuller, son of Mrs. F.L. Rollins of Winthrop; Frederick Wagner, son of Mrs. Stanley Turner of East Mt. Vernon; Doris C., daughter of Mrs. William Cunningham of Gardiner; Kenneth Oscar, son of Mrs. W.V. Macomber of Winthrop; Jessie Marion, daughter of Mrs. Edith Johnson of Readfield; Harvey E., son of Mrs. Susan A. Gallagher; Erland, son of Mrs. Minnie Child and twins, Vivian Mabel and Louis Alfred Watson of North Wayne. These twins were awarded a special blue ribbon. J. L. Oscutt of North Monmouth and Mrs. M.L. Stanley of Winthrop served as judges and gave complete satisfaction.
I highly doubt the mothers who walked away from that competition sans ribbons for their babies felt the judges gave “complete satisfaction.” I would have left unsatisfied if my baby didn’t win. It’s possible to lose graciously at a fair if you’re competing with a cow, or a cheese, or a ham, but remaining objective when it’s your kid’s beauty being judged is difficult. All mothers think their baby is the most beautiful and special child on the planet. If it was me, I’d probably find out where the judges lived and set a bag of horseshit on fire on their doorsteps, but I’m spiteful. The other mothers were likely nicer. I hope it gave Emilie some comfort that even though her baby didn’t win, the prize was awarded to a relative. Mary Eugenia McClelland was little Fred’s first cousin once removed. At least the prettiest baby award went to someone in the family!
I don’t know if this picture of Fred was taken shortly before the fair and Emilie was so pleased with it that she said, “He’s so beautiful, I’m entering him in a contest!” or if she brought him to have his photo taken afterward since he was already dolled up and she was out. Maybe they even had a photographer set up at the fair (right by the baby contest if they were smart). Whatever the case may be, it’s neat that this photo was taken right around the same time as the contest, and the two go together to tell one story.
Epilogue: I bet you didn't think blog posts had epilogues, did you? Neither did I, but I had to add something and a postscript just wouldn't do. As I was adding the picture of baby Fred, my husband walked into the room, made a noise of disgust, and said, "Who's that UGLY kid?" I burst out laughing and told him what this week's post is about. I don't think baby Fred is ugly, but he doubled-down, assured me he was, and said it's no wonder he didn't win any beauty contests. Poor baby Fred. Maybe he DOES have a face only a mother could love!
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