Today’s collection of military news comes from page 1 of the 24 Feb 1941 issue of the Courier Tribune in Seneca, Kansas. The Sider: ChatGPT sidebar was used to transcribe most of the articles.
ONE YEAR TO UNCLE SAM SELECTEES ENTRAIN
Fourteen Nemaha County Boys Went to Leavenworth This Morning.
It is not permissible to fly the national colors after sundown but it is within the code to place the banner at the head of a parade of marching young men, who beginning today, are giving one year (if not more) of their lives to the defense of the U. S. A.
And what could be more fitting than to have soldiers of the First World War to carry the Stars and
Stripes in a send-off to their comrades of the second crisis within the same generation?
Entrainment of Nemaha county’s second contingent (the first was one man, Arthur R. Hartter, Sabetha, in January) took place at an unearthly hour: 2:00 a. m. today. The air was filled with a flurry of snow but
the waiting room was filled with kinfolk and well-wishers.
As the train chuffed into the station, there were fond embraces which recalled the days of ’17. There were tears, too, for women’s hearts are fearful of the lowering clouds of war.
Earle W. Taylor post was host to the Boys of ’41 all during the evening and the Legion club was at their disposal. Here Mrs. Nellie Levick and Mrs. Pete Bieri served coffee and sandwiches, supplied by the Legion. At least 75 were served. Two Bern Legionnaires, Andy Strahm and “Shorty” Allen, were here.
Draft Board Chairman Bert Stratton gave each recruit a box lunch at the station. Almost the last day, the draft board had a request from Rob’t G. Wilson, Curtis candy salesman, for a transfer to a Washington, D. C. contingent. This made it necessary for Bert to go to the home of Homer L. Turner, Oneida, and notify him he was eligible to go. Turner could have taken five days more at home but chose to go with the rest of the boys.
The contingent, in charge of Bob Adriance, was composed of Vernet H. Randel, Corning; Herman J. Engel, Wetmore; Gerald J. Wempe, Seneca; Lloyd W. Frederickson, Corning; Edward J. Vogel, Bern; Cyril F. Olberding, Baileyville; Wm. J. Flaherty, Havensville; Elmer W. Allen, Corning; Wm. K. Rucker, Wetmore; Francis J. Block, Seneca; Leonard Talley, Centralia; Clarence R. Hazlett, Onaga; Homer L. Turner, Oneida, and Rob’t. G. Adriance, Seneca.
He Will Be Assigned To Defense School
What seems a highly laudable WPA plan is to take men with previous experience in skilled trades and give them a “refresher” course, so that they can qualify for employment in private defense industry.
Ten persons were interviewed in this county recently ‘by state
WPA workers. Four were selected as possible subjects. They were former machinists and welders. Each was required to show
what he can do his trade in an examination.–Chosen–first of the
four was Earl Ross, Wetmore machinist, who will be assigned to
a school in Kansas City for three months, his wage paid at WPA
scale. At the end of the three months, with the demand for machinists, Ross should have regular employment.
F. B. I. Takes Takes A Hand
And Ben P. Kruetzman Files Questionnaire
Ben P. Kruetzman, 30, single, three miles southwest of Baileyville, filled his questionnaire under the selective service act late Friday but not until he was
brought to Seneca by Agent Duffy, representing the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Kruetzman was the only holdout of all the drafted men. The draft board sent him notice from time to time and supplied him with a list of names of persons who would help him fill out his questionnaire. To no avail. Kruetzman did not reply. His name was reported to the U. S. District At-
torney.
Duffy told Draft Board Chairman Bert Stratton he didn’t know how to fill out the paper so just disregarded it.
Duffy called District Attorney Alexander who said he did not believe it worth while to prosecute. Kruetzman, it appears, was in the army beginning Jan. 30, 1939, but was discharged May 9th of the same year. A K. U. student drew two years for failure to register.
Marvin Funk Gets U.S. Army Commission
Marvin Funk, lawyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jame Funk, Seneca, has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. army and will report for duty March 4th at Ft. Huachuca, in east central Arizona.
Marvin is now an employee in the railroad claims division of government service. He goes first to El Paso, Texas. His job will be held for him while he is on military duty.
