Irene Hebbe

The Children of William and Mattie Hebbe:

Irene

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Mary Irene was born 25 February 1891 in Jefferson County, Kansas and died 21 April 1992 Enid, Oklahoma.  She married 25 February 1925 Herschel T. Cline (1891-1959).  Irene loved dressing in the current fashion and was known for the fancy hats she wore. She was the most independent of the Hebbe girls, choosing travel over marriage. She spent weeks at a time with relatives in Kansas and Missouri and in later years she made numerous excursions with travel clubs.  In 1908, when the family moved from Rose, Kansas to Dover Oklahoma, Irene chose to visit her sister instead. It may be that Leola needed help with a toddler and newborn. But Irene’s letter to Mattie February 29 doesn’t suggest that: “We arrived here at 11 oclock last night … How do you like your new home? Tell Delma hello for me. … Austin will be in after us in a little while. Leola is well.”   March 5:  “I’m at Blackwells yet and cant get them to take me any place. Just like them though. I am mad.”
 
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In 1913 Irene spent at least a month visiting the Kansas relatives.  February 4:  “Dear Mother. Arrived safe & sound am at the W. R. Depot. Talked to Uncle John from the R.S. My train was 1 hr late so it was daylight when I got here. … There is snow here, but not like at Dover.”  February 5:  “We are in Topeka today. Suppose you have gotten the Letters from Uncle John in this time. How is Papa & Delma?”  February 21:  “It is snowing here has been since Thursday afternoon. But is not cold. … I received your letter yesterday Aunt Mary sent it to me. Have you heard from walter yet.”  March __:  “We are all O K. Same at Uncle Carls. Will get your letter this eve. It went out to aunt Est. yesterday. Had begun to think I was a deserted child.  Why don’t Dad write to me? Will go to Aunt Mary’s first of the week.”   March 11:  “Dear Daddy. I received your letter. Will ans soon. Send me some cards of Okla City.”

young During the late fall of 1914 Irene spent several weeks visiting kinfolk who lived near DeKalb, Missouri. It was then that she learned to drive an automobile, a notable accomplishment for women in those days. She wrote to her future husband, Herschel Cline, on November 30: “Your Letter rc’d and was indeed delighted to receive same. Sorry I have waited so Long to answer. But really Hon I have been sick until to-day. I had a chill Saturday night and a fever all day Sunday. Did not go off the place all day. Twas rightly hard too for I had a chance to go to a good show in St. Joseph but thot best to Stay in. … I had a Telephone call at noon to-day to go to The Lyceum Theater at St Joseph and I certainly went. It was “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” … what did you do Thanks giving?  We all took Dinner at Nola Calls and in the Evening went to St. Joe to two Shows … at the Majestic Theatre.” … I never was squeezed so hard in my life as that night (Now let me explain) We were too late for the first show so had to stand out in the Lobby of the Theatre until Second Show and talk about crowds I never seen the like they certainly were packed in like Sardines in a box. I wondered if I would get out alive. … (We) Uncle George and I took Supper in St Joseph that night. Had a lovelyThanksgiving Supper, of course had Turkey and every thing good that goes with it.  I drove most of the way home without any Lights as we run out of “Juice” [i.e.,the acetylene gas that fueled their Model T's lamps] Nola and Willie Started about ten minutes ahead of us … but I caught them Sure did do some driving for a while. .… Guess I will go out to Topeka this week for a few days visit. Don’t know just what day I will be home … The folks here are taking on terrible because I am seriously thinking of returning to Oklahoma. I will take Dinner with Uncle George to-morrow.  … Don’t tell the folks any thing about me coming home. For I see they are getting anxious. Never did think Mamma would say it. I knew they would miss me but did not think she would [crossed out] it.”

armyBoth Herschel served in the Army during WW I, as did his brother, Orville Cline[I 6]. But few specifics about either of their service records are known. Herschel told one morbidly comedic story: He came down with influenza during the terrible global flu pandemic that took many millions of lives. There was no vaccine then. Physicians do little more than provide palliative care. Herschel was put on a cot in a big room that held dozens of other flu victims. First thing each morning a medic would stop by his cot and check to see if his bed could be turned over to another ill soldier. If Herschel opened his eyes, the medic would move on down the line. Otherwise, Herschel would have joined the thousands lying in our military cemeteries in France.

Herschel and Irene had a long courtship and several people probably figured they never would never get hitched. They finally married on Irene’s 34th birthday, February 25, 1925. Late that year, Will and Mattie moved into Dover and Herschel and Irene moved into the house Will purchased in 1908.  Herschel rented the farmland from Will and then Mattie plus he farmed his own father’s land. ( Click here for scenes of farm work.). Nieces and nephews have fond memories of him. He was jovial and outgoing, a counter-weight to Irene's somber personality.

Herschel had long smoked, and he preferred to "roll his own." A can of Prince Albert and a pack of cigarette papers could always be found in his pocket. Complications from his tobbaco habit finally took his life on February 8, 1959



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Picture taken about 1943 1948


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As the years of widowhood went by, the unattractive aspects of Irene's character became more prominent. Though she did not hesitate to purchase costly outfits, a penny increase in the postage rate outraged her--as did many aspects of modern life.. Every dollar was squeezed out of business dealings. She became suspicious of the motives of some of those who loved and helped her, alternating affection and verbal abuse. Apparently she felt guilty about past differences or dealings with her siblings, and became anxious to clear her conscience. She contributed large sums to television evangelists. Self-pity along with grief led her to often tearfully ask, "Why was it Herschel and not me?" But her pioneer toughness endured. One winter, when retrieving her mail, she fell on ice and, broke her hip, or a leg bone near the hip. She crawled up the long driveway, pulling herself with her elbows, and when back to the house yanked the phone off the counter to call for help. Even though she was then in her nineties, she returned from rehab to live alone at the farm.

Finally, in 1987 Irene moved to an expensive retirement home in Enid, Oklahoma.  She died 21 April 1992 during an outing with a niece. They were stopped in the line for a bank's drive-up window when Irene’s heart stopped beating and she slumped over dead. She was 101 years old.

Helen Stein wrote of her: “Irene lived on the home place and married Herschel Cline. … She was disappointed that her sister Leola married Blackwell instead of some one more famous. She was disgusted with the sister Georgia who didn’t marry well. At one time she was mad that she had to help her mother take care of the Humphries boys. She thought Mitchell did not do enough for her. She has taken care of Carol and Helen  … She was a real business woman and took care that she did not lose money. She often told Uncle Frank that he should always insure his crops so if the hail damaged the wheat he would still have money from that crop.  … I knew she wanted to be remembered as a real lady and tried to live that way …”