by Dawn Phelps
Miltonvale, Kansas, is the only town I know of that can boast of their very own “Tom, Dick, and Harry.” Their parents, Wilburma and Ray Phelps were married in Miltonvale, Kansas, on Flag Day, June 14, 1936, and that’s where the story began.
Someone once asked Tom where the term “Tom, Dick, and Harry” originated, and Tom told them he was not sure. So, after a little searching, perhaps I can shed some light on the subject.
The term is usually used to mean “everyone” or “anyone,” such as any “Tom, Dick, or Harry.” The term is an old one, dating back to England in 1583 when Shakespeare used the term “Tom, Dick, and Francis” in some of his writing.
“Francis?” you might ask. Yes, “Francis” was first used instead of “Harry.” Next was “Dick, Tom and Jack.” Then an English theologian named John Owen used the term “Tom, Dick, and Harry” in 1657, and the term seems to have stuck and is still used today.
In the musical “Kiss Me, Kate,” there is a song entitled “Tom, Dick, and Harry.” Three mountain peaks in the Cascade Range of Oregon are named Tom, Dick, and Harry, and there was a film named “Tom, Dick, and Harry” in 1941.
In 1910 a story was printed in an Arkansas newspaper using the term “Tom, Dick, and Harry,” but I will not vouch for the authenticity of the story. The story is about an extremely stressed lady, Wilma Frederick, of Beagle, Arkansas, who was under enormous financial pressure.
According to the story, Wilma had just been to court and had been ordered to pay $5,000 to the city. She left the courtroom in quite an angry mood, hopped into her car, drove wildly down Main Street, and struck three brothers who were crossing the street. She did not even try to avoid hitting them.
Their names were “Tom, Dick, and Harry,” and all three supposedly died later that night in the hospital.
When a reporter asked Wilma if she was sorry for what she had done, Wilma replied, “I can’t be responsible for every Tom, Dick, and Harry who walks in front of my car. I’ve got my own problems.”
I am unsure of the truth of the “Wilma” story, but I do have the scoop on Miltonvale’s Tom, Dick, and Harry. Thomas Roy Phelps was born April 2, 1939, and was named after both of his grandfathers, Roy Phelps and Thomas Flear.
When Wilburma was expecting her second baby, Tom remembers wanting to name him “Dick,” if the baby were a boy. Tom said he was at first upset when Wilburma and Ray said that they would name a baby boy “Richard.” But Tom says that when Ray and Wilburma explained that he could still call Richard “Dick,” then he was all right with the name Richard.
Dick was born September 18, 1943, and was named Richard Ray for his father Ray. When Wilburma was again expecting a baby, Ray and the family agreed that they needed a “Harry,” preferably not a “Harriet” to fit with Tom and Dick. (“Harriet” is the female form of “Harry.”) The parents said that if he were a girl, they would name him Harriet.
Sure enough, on January 8, 1953, Harry, a chubby little baby, was born and was named Harry Lee. Dick recalls thinking it was great to have a baby brother named Harry.
The name “Thomas” is a very old name, meaning “twin,” with Greek origin. Thomas was the name of one of the twelve Apostles in Bible times. Tom was the owner of Phelps Funeral Home and Furniture Store for many years. Tom retired on April 1, 2009. I am married to Tom—the best, I believe.
The name “Richard” has its origin from the English and means “brave ruler.” Dick was the owner of the Miltonvale Record for many years and is married to Deanna. She would probably argue she is married to the best Phelps.
The name Harry has a Germanic origin and means “house owner or lord of the manor. Harry lives in one of the Miltonvale Manor apartments after moving back from Oregon several years ago.
The three boys, now older men, get together for coffee at the Kountry Kafe in the morning and for tea in the afternoon almost every day. (In the future, I might share a couple more stories about them.)
So, there you have it! The story of Tom, Dick, and Harry of Miltonvale, three wonderful men, named by their father Ray and mother Wilburma. The story has brought smiles to many faces during the years when people hear the names of their sons—Thomas, Richard, and Harry—yes, Miltonvale’s very own “Tom, Dick, and Harry!”
