I have many memories of my grandparents. My grandfather, Bartlett Kniffin Meneffee, was a doctor that had started practice within a few miles of my birthplace. As with most grandparents, he and my grandmother, Emma Claycamp, kept my brother and me well supplied
with toys and affection. I particularly recall a large wooden box that my grandfather always brought to the farm on July 4th full of fireworks. There were sparklers, firecrackers, snakes and roman candles in it. He made a ritual of lighting them off in the appropriate order. I do not recall ever seeing him without a necktie that contained a stick pin made with the diamonds that were inherited by my father, me and Bart.