News of Nemaha Countians in the Military
from page 1 of the 17 Feb 1941 issue of the Courier Tribune of Seneca, Kansas [Transcribed by Sider AI]
Hear The Call To Defense
Balie Keith, Charles Allen Summoned
The call to national defense and to national defense industry can be expected to draw into’ service more and more of the home town boys in whom we are all interested.
For example, there is Balie Keith, expert machinist, who never lived anywhere else but Seneca, now with the Spartan Aircraft Co., near Tulsa. Balie went to Tulsa a week ago yesterday to look over the prospects of private employment with the Spartan people who have government contracts. There was some question about physical fitness but Mrs. Keith received a note Thursday saying her husband is at work.
Balie lost a leg years ago beneath a Grand Island train and while it naturally has been a handicap it has not kept him from hard work on motor cars. He is a precision man on a lathe and it is readily understood here that Spartan would waive his disability in view of his skill. He is operating an engine-type lathe. Mrs. Keith would not say that she is joining her husband in Tulsa. They want to see how Balie likes the work before making final decision. He is working a six-day week. Milton Ford is in charge of the Keith motor car repair shop.
The sons of Mrs. L. D. Allen, Seneca, Charles and John H., are radio engineers, men who have the technical training the country needs right now. Both are members of the Naval Reserve. Charles, who has been a radio engineer for Stations WASH and WOOD, Grand Rapids, Mich., for 10 years, is reporting today at Washington, D. C., as a volunteer for a year of duty. John H., now with a radio station in Detroit may go. Both the boys will rank as ensigns.
