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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jun 29, 1944
Page
1
Shafter seeks to lift its Fifth War Loan Drive total from barely one sixth of an $860,000 quota. Local officials plan a July 6 bond show at Shafter theater to spur donations, featuring screenings of The Story of Dr. Wassell and a film about Far East jungle action.
A staff member at Duffy's Tavern quotes Al Archie urging all citizens to invest in War Bonds. The message emphasizes personal sacrifice, national duty, and that bond purchases protect the Great Republic while supporting brave soldiers.
David Henry Kahn, 38, of Dinuba, was killed instantly when a southbound Santa Fe passenger train struck his car at the Richland packing house crossing at 11:14 p.m. Sunday. Believed tired after a potato harvest shift, Kahn’s body was taken to Janzen funeral home pending family arrival for burial in Dinuba.
Mr and Mrs R W Rodgers learn from their son Robert W Rodgers Ph M 3/e US Navy known as Walter that he is stationed in the South Pacific. He reports nightly movies with a cocoa in his seat, reflecting soldiers’ small comforts in distant lands.
The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, California’s leading waterways, were approved to be navigable for 180 miles. Officials said the plan aims to improve commerce and irrigation access along the delta, with project work to begin next spring.
Judge H A Rightmire resigns from the office of Justice of the Peace in the Sixteenth Judicial Township after years of service. He was elected in 1938 and served from 1939, handling hundreds of cases and offering advice to many litigants before moving with Mrs Rightmire to Shafter in 1942. A successor will be named by the Board of Supervisors.
A spark from a tractor started two grass and hay fires near Shafter last week. On June 22 a haystack west of Smiths Corners on Orange avenue burned, owned by W D Lee and tenant C E Fenderson, destroying a quarter ton of hay and 11 acres of barley valued at 5.75 with the rest saved. Wasco Chief Barnett and Shafter units fought it. The second blaze June 26 on Phil Channon's ranch north of Minter Field burned five acres, started by a tractor spark.
Shafter Rotary members paid fines at a Tuesday noon meeting under outgoing president Neil Huffsmith. He accused fellow members and jurymen Rolf Jacobsen Robert Neuman Orvin Mettler E B Stringham Earl Johnson and Ernest Panero of improprieties. Fines ranged from subsailing Stockdale country club with a number 5 iron to boisterous conduct during the meeting. The largest fine was 30 dollars and more than 400 dollars was raised for Rotary activities.
Chief Dispatcher Harry Gres ham of the Kern County Fire department announces that the ordinance restricting burning of trash grass or any kind of outdoor fire after 12 oclock noon will be strictly enforced for the duration of the fire season. The fire season ends with the first good rain in the fall season.
The Shafter post office struggles with a shortage of delivery boxes as general delivery serves many transient workers. No boxes are available, with each in-use box serving two families on average. Postmaster Rosenstiel cites no immediate remedy though relief may come after the spud season ends and workers depart.
Amarillo Tex Neil Duke son of Mrs Ruth Duke of Box 1053 Shafter has finished his aviation training course and will be sent to his base to assist in keeping America's flying Fortresses in the air for Allied victory.
Shafter business houses will close Tuesday in celebration of the 4th of July. Local merchants will observe Independence Day with earlier closures and limited hours, marking a community holiday.
Jess Stockton, local rep for the State Wage Board of the California War Food Administration, says apricot wages are 12 dollars per ton or 75 cents per hour for picking. Peaches wages to be announced soon. He notes penalties up to 1000 dollars or a year for violations.
Rev H D Wiebe, pastor of the Mennonite Brethren church in Shafter, resigns after five years to lead the Rosedale Mennonite Brethren church. A 250‑person farewell was held. the Wiebes will stay in Shafter until relocation. Until a permanent pastor is found, Rev H G Wiens of Texas will fill the pulpit. The Shafter church ranks as the third largest in the district.
General Petroleum Corporation allocated $3000 for war bonds, presented by Walt Fillmore as the local representative. The gift accompanies ongoing monthly investments by about 3500 of the company’s employees and supports the week’s drive in the region.
Shafter reports nearing the end of the season with over 21 thousand cars shipped from Kern County by Tuesday, well above last year. Prices hold at $2.50 on No 1s and $3.10 for commercials while harvests face holiday disruptions, yet the crop fulfills demand for home and war fronts.
The report states over half of 993 persons in the camp section arrived since spud season began. Many are long-term workers, with at least a third new arrivals from outside California. There are 64 families living in permanent garden homes in the camp.
Vernon Witcher of Shafter on furlough after five major infantry engagements at Casablanca Algiers Sicily Cassino and Anzio Beachhead He spent 94 days at Anzio sleeping in a foxhole Germans bombed his location 52 times in nine days He noted morale among American troops in Italy remained high and described captured Germans as mixed regulars and young Nazis including youths of 14.
Oil activity rumbles over an eight mile area west of town with signals heard in recent days. Prospective territory lies just east of Buttonwillow gas field and is centered in Section 11 north of the area.
A Shafter area liquor store asked police if selling alcoholic drinks was allowed on election day after hearing a radio broadcast. Police Chief John Reilly clarified it was not election day but coverage of the Republican convention nominating Dewey.
Members of the Shafter Volunteer Fire Department and their wives enjoyed a lawn party and supper at the fire house last Thursday night. Chief Frank Russell presided over the occasion.
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