Julius E. Pattee (born 1921)

1990

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Julius Pattee, Tuesday, June 27th.

Carrier has had busy career

By Charlene Bobbitt
Correspondent

Julius Pattee, a veteran mail carrier in Lowell since 1955, has had a colorful career in the U.S. Postal Service.

Many mishaps, which once they were over became humorous, have occurred over the years.

"One day I had a Social Security check blow out over a mailbox and float down into Lake Dalecarlia," Pattee said. "I could see the man's wife watching me out of the window, but I knew it was the only check he would get since it was a combined check with hers. I saw the check floating on the water headed for a culvert, and I knew it would be gone forever if it went in there. I jumped into the lake with my clothes on and went and got that check," Pattee added.

He said that children through the years have not changed much, that they still put garter snakes in mail boxes hoping to frighten him. They even stick things in the snakes mouths to keep them open, so when he opens the boxes, it will look like the snake is ready to strike, Pattee said.

Pattee has held every job in the Postal Service from substitute rural carrier all the way to acting postmaster for two years, but as a rural carrier he enjoys the personal interest his customers take. "I love that wave," Pattee said. "All the families on my route, they're my family."

Patee serves 452 families and 52 businesses each day on his 71-mile route. He covers three townships, from Interstate 65 to White Oak Avenue, almost to the Indiana-Illinois state line. He has exceeded one million miles without an accident. Pattee and his wife, Adelia, live in Lowell, where they raised two daughters.

Pattee has seen many changes in the post office in the 37 years he has worked there, including six different postmasters in Lowell. And in all that time, he has not been late a single day. He said he may retire on his 70th birthday, next year.