These stories can also be heard on Sunday mornings around 10 am on WILD 102’s “Look Back in Time” program. Each week’s radio story will be posted here on our website.
Weekly radio stories are researched, compiled, and read by Sheila Winstead, RCHS Board Member.
May 5, 2024
In the local newspapers of 1940 and 1941, there were many articles about the war in Europe.
War between Japan and China had started in 1937, but that didn’t have much impact on the
United States. The United States public and government had tried to remain neutral when Britain,
France and Germany went to war in September of 1939, followed in June 1940 by Italy, and then
Russia in June 1941. President Roosevelt had been vocal about his support of our allies and sent
equipment and funds to Britain while they fought the war on many fronts. The American public was
divided in their support of going to war again so soon after the Great War, which we now call World
War I. In 1940, President Roosevelt signed the Selective Service Bill, and many men were being
called up for training in support of our allies. There were also groups all around the country trying to
do their part to help the people suffering from the battles in Europe.
The country was on edge, though, as 1941 started. The heading of a small news article in January
2 nd ’s Roseau Times-Region was “German Spy Reports Too Easily Started”, and the article said this:
“Activities of enemy spies in this country should be reported as soon as such is discovered.
However, much damage can be done by loose talking. Anyone hearing of spy activities should
notify either Sheriff Rice or bring the information to the attention of the County Draft Board. They
will give the matter thorough investigation, and if there are any grounds for further action, they will
take it. It is unfair to start or help spread stories about persons which are without facts.”
The local American Legion Auxiliary was doing all it could to support families of veterans. In
January of 1941 “Mrs. J. W. Taylor, Child Welfare chairman, reported that twenty-four Christmas
boxes had been prepared for families of veterans. Eighty-two children were remembered with
gifts. Girl Scouts and boy Scouts had helped furnish the boxes with candy, dolls and toys.
Clothing, food and toys were also received from the J. C. Penney Co., Fikkan’s Pharmacy,
Heyerdahl’s Drug Store, A. L. Alley Co., and Sjoberg Bros., as well as from Auxiliary members
and others. Mrs. O’Rourke, president, reported that gifts sent to the Veterans’ Hospital for
Christmas, included two flannel bed jackets, six laundry bags, and a large crocheted afghan,
made by Mrs. Lilly Durgin for the hospital. Six dollars in cash was also given for needs of
bedridden veterans.”
Also in January of 1941, “The Red Cross Sewing Project, sponsored by the American Legion
Auxiliary, is under way with Warroad, Greenbush, Roosevelt and Roseau workers busy with
cutting, sewing, and knitting garments for war refugees. Clothes for women and children, hospital
gowns, sweaters and layettes are among the articles being made. All materials are furnished by
the Red Cross. More knitters are needed. Anyone willing to knit may notify Mrs. H. J. Bowles,
knitting chairman, or Mrs. T. E. O’Rourke, county chairman. Mrs. R. E. Klinger, sewing chairman,
will appreciate more helpers in the cutting and sewing of garments.”
It seemed like every issue of the Times-Region in 1941 listed young men leaving for military
training at Fort Snelling. Leaving by bus in January were Charles Strand, Roosevelt; Alvin Clayton
Swanson, Warroad; Ray Gustav Carlson, Pencer, and Donald Valentine Toulouse, Warroad.
The Times-Region published an article from the Warroad Pioneer in January 1941. “Byron
Starren, son of Mr. and Mrs. Erick Starren of Warroad, is spending his furlough period at his home
in Warroad and across the lake on Haas Island, having arrived last week from naval service on
San Clemente Island off San Diego, California. Byron enlisted in the navy in September, 1939,
and after his initial training at Chicago, he was stationed at San Diego, then later at San
Clemente, both important U. S. Naval bases. He says he likes the service well, and his rugged
appearance bears this out. He is pointing for a berth of aviation machinist’s mate. Byron has not
yet begun to sail the seven seas, having had shore duties so far, but in addition to having become
personally familiar with life on a destroyer, he has full confidence in the sturdiness of his “sea legs”
when the time comes. He leaves February 2, via Fargo, for return to duty at San Clemente
Island.”
There were enough volunteers in the beginning of 1941 to fulfill county quotas for service training.
Eighteen were going to be called for induction by February 20 th , and a list of names of men from
throughout the county was published, indicating three volunteers under the registration age,
namely: Franklyn Johnson of Greenbush, Sheldon Durham of Roseau, and Percy Haug of
Greenbush.
The Red Cross again asked for the public’s help in providing garments to aid in relief work. On
February 6, 1941, this article was published. “Having a clear picture of the world in distress and of
its people in real need because of ruined homes and meagre clothing with which to withstand
exposure, not to mention shortage of food supplies, the Red Cross has made appeal to the
people of this country and other countries to give a helping hand.” The chairmen from various
communities were all listed and quotas assigned. The first quota had been received in the fall of
1940, and a second quota was to be completed by May 31, 1941. “This quota included the
following: 24 women’s cotton dresses, 60 girls’ woolen dresses; 20 layettes. 40 boys’ shirts, 40
hospital pajamas, 16 men’s sweaters, 32 women’s sweaters, 64 children’s sweaters, 8 shawls, 25
beanies, 5 mufflers, 40 pairs mittens, 20 pairs children’s stockings, 20 men’s socks.
Mrs. O’Rourke states that they would welcome more knitters and more who will help with the
sewing. With the war continuing and spreading, there will be more demands, and when the
struggle comes to a close there will also be need for more relief work.
Locally much credit for the success of the program so far must go to Mrs. Klinger and Mrs.
Bowles. Mrs. Klinger has worked long hours cutting the materials for the sewing work and getting
that sewing under way, and Mrs. Bowles has taken much of her time to give instruction in knitting
to the many who have had no previous experience. Both phases of the work are now operating
smoothly.”
Those were some of the things people in the United States were doing to support the European
allies in their struggles before we were finally drawn into the war later that year.
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