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Newspaper
Patoka Register
Location
Patoka, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Aug 25, 1944
Page
1
Cap William M Spurgeon writes from New Guinea recalling dusty camps, malaria fears, and improvised comforts built from salvage lumber. He describes rationed food, chlorinated water, and tropical heat as he hopes the European conflict ends soon and letters reach family.
A World War II letter from Sgt Harold W Collins to Mr and Mrs Russell Collins describes posting from England. He notes being in England and mentions a friendly tone with the family, signaling normal wartime correspondence and daily life abroad.
A cryptic note asserts an imminent end of war with a numeric sequence and a claimed acrostic revealing the Supreme Ruler’s name. It references halves of 3888 and 1944, and a date September 7 at two o’clock, suggesting a hidden forecast within the text.
Mrs Addie Chandler received a letter dated August 18 from her son Wilbur Chandler stating he had been wounded in the South Pacific and lay on a boarding hospital for eleven days. He mentioned good care, was to have more X rays, and asked friends to write to lift his spirits at Wilbur F Chandler S K 30 Navy 601i F P O San Francisco California.
Mr and Mrs L J Bates received the Purple Heart award for their son Edwin Lee Bates who died in the South Pacific on July 11 1942 while serving as a Seaman Second Class in the US Navy Reserve Edwin enlisted February 1 1941 and the medal and certificate were presented August 22 protected by posthumous honors.
Rufus J Thiel a longtime railroad man and retired Baltimore and Ohio freight agent died at St Marys hospital Decatur at 7 15 p m Saturday August 19 following a heart attack at his home 531 South Broadway He was 72 born near Patoka Callary Marion County and known as Boson He began work in 1889 at 17 and served with Illinois Central Wabash Peoria Mattoon IC C H D and CIW before joining B and O He leaves a wife and several nieces and nephews Funeral services were held Tuesday August 22 with burial in Greenwood Cemetery Decatur
Chairman G C Hoover of the Salem War Price and Rationing Board told motorists to keep the cover of their current A gasoline book. The cover must be shown for renewal of Basic A gasoline rations, with registration dates and issuance methods not yet decided. Registration is expected before September 21, when the last coupons expire in existing A books.
Family night at Harold Belcher's country home drew about sixty members from Salem Vernon Patoka Englin. Children played while adults visited. Ice cream, angel food and other cakes vanished quickly as hosts Harold and Lulu were thanked for the open invitation with hope for a next year gathering.
Church announces weekly meditations from Hebrews 12 14 with meetings at 8 00 p m Tuesday Young People 8 00 p m Thursday Prayer Meeting Sunday School Worship Service Evangelistic Service at 745 p m The Church where everybody is made welcome
A large crowd gathered at the home of Mr and Mrs Dewey Neilson on Sunday August 20 to celebrate the birthday of Mrs Neilson A basket dinner was served at noon hour Many useful gifts were given and attendees wished Mrs Neilson many more happy birthdays Charles Emery of Cerro Gordo is visiting this week with her daughter Mrs Dewey Neilson and family.
Vernon to Sandoval bus schedule with pickup points including Vernon Wickenhauser Store at 7:00 a.m. and Paton Jones and Martin Store at 7:45 a.m. Stops list Fairman at Smith Store and Sandoval High. Call Frank Houston at Patoka Telephone to reserve.
Mrs Tom Phillips hosted a Patoka Woman's Club garden party on a Friday afternoon. Assisted by Mrs Carl Meador and Mrs Jess Belcher, attendees enjoyed contests won by Mrs O J Hill and Mrs Elsie Gray. Gray read a poem Children of Earth by Amy Morgan and S M Spurgeon read Flowers at Sunset. A salad course was served at small lawn tables with a garland centerpiece. Plans for new club nests were discussed by Ellen Simcox Delpha Jolliff Anna Hill and Fred Carter.
The Bear Creek Sunshine Club gathered Thursday afternoon August 10 with Mrs. Wilma Linton. The evening featured visiting, contests, and opening presents from Our Pals. Entertainments and attendees included Brummer, Nella Robertson, and many members plus three visiting guests.
Postmaster and Mrs. Fred Donaldson of Shobonier received word from the War Department on August 21 that their son Billie Donaldson was killed in action July 31 in France.
Miss Lucille Smith, employed in Peoria, spent Sunday here with her parents Mr and Mrs George Smith while Dorothy June and Mary Wicker Sham spent Wednesday in Centralia.
Pfc and Mrs Kenneth Tune announce the birth of a baby boy named Kenneth Roger at St Marys Hospital Centralia on Wednesday August 16 Mrs Tune was Peggy Tack before marriage Pfc Tune is serving with the armed forces in France.
Mr and Mrs Carl Rogier announce the arrival of a baby girl named Marilyn Sue on Thursday August 17 at Mark Greer Hospital in Vandalia.
Mrs Walter R Johnson hosted a surprise birthday gathering for Mrs Ingvald Settem at 700 Baker Street Muskegon Heights Michigan. Over twenty relatives and friends attended and presented a floral centerpiece refreshments were served, gifts were exchanged and a poem titled To Georgia was read by Mrs Glenn Webster with signatures.
Illinois officials seized War Food Administration eggs worth about 108000 dozen after inspectors found musty moldy rot and maggots. The six refrigerator cars were moved across Minnesota Ohio Missouri Nebraska Minnesota and finally to Chicago where destruction will follow a federal order.
The Hi-Lite church group met at Mrs. Harold Belcher's home with Mrs. Charles Meyers as co host. Upcoming gathering planned with Mrs. Mary Alice Hubbard. Weekend visitors included families from Salem Centralia Harvey Ill Pontiac Hinsdale Patoka and Decatur. Several residents traveled or hosted relatives including trips to Texas and Charleston Illinois.
A Lamada Texas county attorney, aligned against the New Dealers, campaigns on foot after ration board denial of tires and gas. He is elected, later returns two tires and gas vouchers, warns of a racket, and vows to expose alleged board manipulation amid national convention tensions and labor party alignments.
Mr and Mrs Hiram Ballance announce the birth of a baby boy at their home on Friday August 18 naming him Richard Allen.
Mr and Mrs Homer Jones announce the arrival of a baby daughter Friday August 18 at Mark Greer hospital Vandalia named Ada Eileen.
I wish to thank my many friends for their thoughtful remembrances with flowers cards and personal calls while I was at St Marys hospital Centralia Thank you each Mrs Ruth Adama
Mrs Everett thanks Patoka Christian Church and all who remembered her during hospitalization. She wishes blessings from God and expresses gratitude for support received.
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