By Robert H. Woody m2 | Tribune Staff Writer On that first birthday—that is, the first birthday he can remember—his father gave him a little wagon he had made of wood. | HIS THOUGHT THEN: “I'd hate to grow old and not be able to enjoy this wagon.” The wagon is gone—part of childhood memories of Huntsville—but President David O. McKay of the Church of Jesus as Christ of Latter-day Saints is still enjoying life immensely Ae he nears his 87th birthday. HE’LL CELEBRATE that birthday on Thursday. - meeting will be simple—a ‘The celebration the First with Presidency of the church, then a family reunion with four sisters at the family nose for “Sunnyboy Huntsville, in home and a on pat the and Bess” who, with harness bells jan- gling, pulled Pres. McKay’s sleigh last winter. Pres. McKay reflected on INFORMALLY, CHATTING his right hand. That was on scar his youth. He tapped a thin part of his youth. He older sisters had been lifting and two (she died a heavy rock. The rock fell on his hand. Margaret crying him led and when she was 9) put her arm around him forget. con't you to his mother. That was something of During the late winter the snow on the northwest side boys made up the hill would alternately thaw and freeze. The down the sliding a game called “Back Out.” They’d take turns the higher The time. hill, starting from a higher point each miles 50 to up aybe down—m ride starting point, the faster the an hour. THE farthest,” said Pres. McKay. “ WENT “And when in the air.’ The I came down that hill, I hit a bump and went acquired anHe head. his of side the d sled runner slashe other scar—a tangible memory of youth Huntsville had a baseball team. forms—just baseman. their They Liberty. “They smiles proudly. work over-alls. would don’t play Pres. similar know how | and bravado. The players had no uniMcKay teams to play was from baseball second Eden now,’ PRES. McKAY remembers the perspective of youth: See Page 20, Column and he , 6| wagon LDS Church President David 0. McKay, get- | Thursday, recalled a special wooden boyhood fun. ting ready to celebrate 8%th his 5 birthday | he got as a child and other