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couldn't win. But she and Miss Iowa were certainly beautiful--and they looked somewhat alike. They soon discovered that the same Air Force cadet was rushing both of them. This was one of those coincidences that happen once in a lifetime. Swinging around from base to base, he was wooing them both. He called them both “baby doll.” They found this out, and knowing where he was training in that he was down in Texas, called him up. First Miss Iowa got on the phone and said, “This is Baby Doll.” He began swearing undying devotion to her over the phone, but she said, “Wait a minute. There's somebody else here who wants to say hello to you.” Miss California got on and said, “Hello. This is Baby Doll.” The Air Force cadet said, “Oh, my god! When I found out that both of you had made it to Atlantic City, as Miss Iowa and Miss California, I was terrified that somehow or other you two would meet. I just prayed that you'd never get to talk to each other.” Of course they both gave him the air.

When I went out and spoke at Iowa State that fall, Miss Iowa was my chaperon. She's a darling girl. I was invited to her wedding. I couldn't attend, but I do keep in touch with these kids.

I got into some real trouble at that Miss America contest. The Life reporter had been barred from the proceedings by Miss Slaughter, the great mogul of the Miss America contest and a formidable lady, indeed. I think that she's retiring just now. This was back in 1958. She's