God, ‘Pack’ and Honeycreek Hill

“Pack” grew up in a small town in Northwest Iowa. He was a well-built young man over six feet tall and very athletic. He was a star football player and the name “Pack” was thrust on him because he was always packing the ball. He was an all-stater fullback and the name “Pack” stuck with him later in life. “Pack” was drafted into the Army in WWII and served in the European Theater of operations.

When the war was over “Pack” returned to Iowa where he worked as a truck driver. He also became an alcoholic. Somehow he managed to keep his job as a truck driver even though he was as profound alcoholic.

Honeycreek Hill is about six miles of snake-like old Highway 75. It was either all uphill or downhill depending on which way you were traveling. Jean’s great-uncle built a dance hall near the bottom of the hill. It was called “McCrickards” dance hall. The name stuck through subsequent owners. The dance hall drew large crowds even though it was located in an area known as the sticks.

“Pack” drove this streak of highway many times and knew the area by heart. One day he was driving his truck through this streak of highway and about halfway down Honeycreek Hill the brakes broke down on the truck he was driving. He knew his only hope to get the truck down the rest of the hill was God and his ability to steer it through all the “S” curves without jackknifing.

He also knew there would be a dance going on at the dance hall near the bottom of the hill. There would be a lot of people coming to the dance hall. He flew by the dance hall at a breathtaking speed. He was conscious to the sound of music and laughter as he sped by the hall and on down the hill. God was going to get him through this.

He reached the bottom of the hill with one last hurdle. He had to make a right angle turn on the highway as it turned north towards Missouri Valley. He somehow kept his rig upright and the truck coasted to a stop. “Pack” got out of the truck. He was shaking so badly he couldn’t talk, let alone drive.

This wild ride without brakes down Honeycreek Hill helped “Pack” on his way to beating alcoholism. He entered politics although he had never held a political office of any kind up to this time. He was elected even though Iowa went Republican. He was very popular and well-liked as governor. Later he ran for Senator from Iowa and again won by a huge majority of votes.

I’m sure by now most of the older readers of this story know this is about Harold Hughes. He took on German soldiers and won. He took on alcoholism and won. He took on Honeycreek Hill and won. He took on the establishment and won. He lost in marriage. Near the bottom of the long marriage hill he and his wife of 45 years divorced.

Too bad the young man known as “Pack” could not pack the last few miles of his marriage to his high school sweetheart to the finish line.

Happy New Year from the “Cracker Barrel.” Please take care of yourselves.

For nearly 25 years, until his death in 2015, retired grocer Don Behm wrote a column for The Storm Lake Times, “Cracker Barrel.” Don’s everyman view of everyday life was a favorite of Times readers. This was first published on Dec. 28, 1994.