The room in the Commonwealth Journal office which stores old bound editions of our local newspaper has always been a bit of a sacred space. For as long as I’ve been connected with the newspaper, the general public has not been allowed to have access to the books, and even employees have always been cautioned to handle them with much care. These may seem like strict rules, but I learned quickly why they are in place.
Aside from the fact that the oldest editions of the newspaper have gotten very brittle with time, at some point in the newspaper’s history, a person (or people) took the liberty of cutting out portions of the bound editions. I’m not sure who did this or why, but it happened – to several books spanning several different decades. Maybe it was a former newspaper employee, maybe not.
Whoever it was certainly was not very forward-thinking, and so now these irreplaceable pages are forever destroyed. The front page of the Sept. 20, 1944, Commonwealth newspaper is one of those that fell victim to this misfortune.
Therefore, this week’s Pulaski’s Past doesn’t contain some of the major headlines for the week. There is still plenty of news to be seen, however, and once again, much of it is news about local men who were serving in the military in the thick of World War II. Here’s what was newsworthy in Pulaski County this week in 1944.
Pfc. Estes Weddle, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Finley Weddle of Ingle, was killed in action in France July 25. He enlisted in the Army in August 1940, and was a veteran of the North African, Tunisian and Sicilian campaigns. He was cited for bravery under fire shortly before his death.
Three brothers, Corp. Curtis Weddle, Corp. Arnold Weddle and Pfc.
Hubert Weddle, are in the Army. Arnold is in Italy and Hubert in the Pacific. Another case of typhoid fever in Eubank was reported this week by the Pulaski County Health Department.
-Mother of seven and grandmother of three — but she’s Uncle Sam’s niece now, and no two ways about that! When Mrs. Clara M. Mounce of Somerset was sworn into the Women’s Army Corps Saturday afternoon at Camp Campbell, Ky.
, she was the seventh member of her immediate family to enter the service. Mrs. Mounce has three sons in the service: Irvin, or “Faunchy” as he is known, a private in the Marine Corps; Andrew, a corporal in the Air Transport Command, and Leonard Cecil, who was discharged from the Coast Guard after injuries sustained in the North Atlantic.
Her four daughters are employed by the War Department, and three sons-in-law represent the other services, one in the Navy and two in the Army. With this background of service for an example, Mrs. Mounce, no longer bound by family ties, decided to “join up.
” She has been assigned by choice to the Air Corps. -Howard E. Fugate, who is stationed in Italy, has been promoted to sergeant.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Fugate of Science Hill.
-Mrs. Robert Brown of Science Hill received a letter from her husband, Cpl. Robert Brown, who is with the Fifth Army in Italy, stating that he had a narrow escape while engaged in the battle for Florence.
The cab of his truck was shot full of holes and all four tires were shot off. He escaped uninjured. Cpl.
Brown has been overseas 18 months. -Pfc. Elwood Wesley, son of Rev.
and Mrs. Lawrence Wesley of Science Hill, is stationed in England. -Pfc.
Thomas Whitehead and brother, Sgt. Charles Whitehead, who recently returned from overseas, are spending a 22 day furlough with their parents, Mr. and Mrs.
W.S. Whitehead at Sweeney’s Chapel.
-Pvt. William Roy Bullock, who is stationed at Fairmont Air Field, Geneva, Neb., recently spent a 15 day furlough with relatives at Public.
A twin brother, T/Cpl. James Roy, is with the aviation engineers in France. -Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur Abbott of Ferguson recently received a letter from their son, Pvt. George A.
Abbott, stating that he had arrived safely in India. Another son, Cpl. Olie Nelvin Abbott, is stationed in New Guinea.
-M/Sgt. Joseph L. Herrin and his brother, Pfc.
Carl H. Herrin, met recently in the South Pacific. This is the first time they had seen each other in fourteen months.
They are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Joe M.
Herrin. -Earl Dykes, who has spent the past 15 months in the Navy at Pearl Harbor, is spending a leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Sam Dykes. -The twin sons of Mr. .
and Mrs. G.A.
Tarter of Cain’s Store, Corp. Clyde Tarter and Pc. Clifford Tarter, are in the Army in France.
Clyde has been in the Army since August 1940, and overseas since October 1942. He participated in the North African, Tunisian and Sicilian campaigns. Clifford has been overseas since September 1942, being stationed in England most of the time.
They met in England shortly before participating in the invasion of France. A younger brother, Pfc. Raymond Tarter, who was wounded in France and is in a hospital in England, is reported to be better.
-Pvt. Forrest Woodall, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Woodall, has seen action in Africa, Italy and France. He was wounded in Italy and is now in a hospital in France with malaria fever. Pvt.
Woodall has been overseas 22 months. His brother, Pvt. Lawrence Woodall is stationed at Camp Bowie, Texas, and is expected to be sent overseas soon.
-Winfred Freeman, a.m.M.
1/c, who has been in the Navy three and one-half years, is stationed at Norfolk, Va. AMM 1/c Freeman is spending his leave with relatives at Ferguson. -The following newly inducted personnel of the Army have been sent from Camp Atterbury, Ind.
, to Ft. McClellan, Ala., for basic training: Pvt.
Fred C. Tarter, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Squire T. Tarter, West Somerset; Pvt. William E.
Tanner, son of Mr. Charlie F. Tanner, Route 1, Science Hill; Pvt.
Ira W. Smith, son of Mrs. Virdie E.
Smith, Route 2, Eubank; Pvt. Ira W. Baugh, husband of Mrs.
Edna G. Baugh, Cains Store; Pvt. Velber J.
Perkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo H.
Perkins, Mintonville, and Pvt. Larry B. Edens, son of Mr.
and Mrs. William L. Edens, Route 1, Bethelridge.
-Lieut. Sam Kennedy of the Navy, son of Judge and Mrs. H.
C. Kennedy, who has been on duty at Jacksonville, Fla., as an instructor, is home on a short leave.
He will report to Norfolk, Va., in a few days. Mrs.
Kennedy and children, who were with him in Jacksonville, will remain here for the present. -Lieut. Commander Royce Flippin, who has been in the South Pacific for 21 months, and his amphibious operations unit, have received a special citation for their work in New Guinea.
He is the son of Judge and Mrs. Walter N. Flippin.
-Cpl. Jack Hamilton, son of Mr. and Mrs.
O.P. Hamilton, who is with the Army Air Force, is on duty in France.
-Pvt. Raymond Tarter is convalescing in an Army hospital in England from wounds he received in France. He entered the Army in April 1943, and was stationed in England before the invasion of France.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. G.
A. Tarter of Cains Store. -Pvt.
Lawrence Calhoun, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Calhoun of Somerset, Route 2, has arrived in North Africa.
-Hugh H. Brinkley, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Joe H. Brinkley of Shopville, has been promoted to staff sergeant. He is in France and was recently awarded the combat infantry badge and cited for meritorious service in combat.
His father fought in France in World War I. Mr. and Mrs.
Harry Hudson and sons, Lieut. Harry Crawford Hudson and Glenn Hudson, instructor in the Army Air Corps of Cincinnati; Mrs. D.
M. Scott and daughter, Miss Freddie Anne Price, of Evansville, Ind., are guests of Mrs.
Hudson’s and Mrs. Scott’s mother, Mrs. M.
T. Crawford. -Mr.
Norman Padgett has resumed his duties in the meat department at Jones’ Food Market, after being confined to his home with a streptococcus infection of the throat. -Miss Allie Fowler, faculty member of Eastern State Teachers College, Richmond, is enjoying a month’s vacation here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
John H. Fowler, on North Main Street. -Miss Evelyn Sandusky returned Sunday night from Lexington where she recently underwent a minor operation.
She is convalescing nicely. -The many friends of Mrs. R.
C. Reid will regret to hear that she is ill at her home on Harvey’s Hill and hope for her a quick recovery. -Miss Margaret Ellen Gooch, daughter of Mr.
Dennie Gooch, will return this week from an extended visit with relatives in Washington, D.C. Miss Gooch will resume her studies at Transylvania College, Lexington, Tuesday.
-Miss Betty Anne Alexander returned to Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tuesday after spending her vacation with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Clay Alexander.
-Jack Hill, son of Mr. and Mrs. John P.
Hill, will leave this week for Emory University, Atlanta, where he will study medicine. He completed his pre-medical course at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, in June. Hanging Hitler after the war is over could be done too soon.
First he ought to be taken on a tour of the Reich to show him what he did to his people. Sgt. Sears Writes of People of India: Mrs.
L.T. Sears received an interesting letter recently from her son, Staff Sgt.
James Sears, who is on duty in India. ..
. The letter said, in part: The more I see of India and the Indian people the more I realize that that is a very difficult country for Americans to become accustomed to. There are so many different languages, religions, and customs.
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India is a great agricultural country. They don’t have big steel mills or the great manufacturing centers that we have at home, Mom. Nine out of ten of the people here live off the land, and as the land is poor so are most of the people.
India has over 100 different languages, but there are only a few that are widely spoken. ..
. Another thing hard for the Americans to understand is the great influence which religion has on the every day actions of these people. Most Americans, while we have many religions, are not guided by them in matters of dress and conduct as these people are.
The largest religion in India is the Hindu faith. ..
. These people don’t go to church like we do at home. Their worship is strictly personal, and is done individually.
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Many fellows joke about the sacred cows in India, but to the Hindu it is no joking matter. There are over 200 million sacred cows in India, more cows than there are people in the United States, and you see them wandering around the main streets of town for no one would dare molest them. Notice: We will close all day Wednesday, Sept.
27, 1944, in observance of a religious holiday. – The Fair Store. -The Pulaski County Board of Education will accept bids for materials and labor for wiring the Sloans Valley School for electrical services.
The plans and specifications are on file in the office of the superintendent of Pulaski County School, Raymond J. Wesley. -2nd Month Honor Roll of Mayfield School: Primer grade — Clayton Dause, Norma Rice, Norma Swallows.
First grade — Marvin Bishop, Frankie Dungan, G.B. Deaton, Carol Smiley.
Third grade — Billy Smith, Joel Moore, Maudine Whitis, Richard Whitis, Tommy Wall. Fourth grade — Alma Evans, Betty Smiley, Lorene Surber, Seventh grade — Voline Absher, Maxine Evans, Maxine Whitis. Irene Vaught is the teacher.
Nancy High School news: The senior class met Friday and elected officers and also the annual staff. The following were elected officers: president, Winfred Sowder; vice president, Orin Mullen; secretary and treasurer, Edith Burgin; cheer leader, Christine Casada; reporter, Maxine Turpin; sergeant-at-arms, Gene Roy. Those on the annual staff are: editor-in-chief, Lorene Vanhoosier; business manager, Orin Mullen; sports editor, Gene Roy; art editors, Maxine Turpin and Elsie Wilson; literary editor, Elgie Tarter.
The seniors have ordered rings. They also decided on class colors and flower. The senior sponsor is Miss Eunice Thomas.
The girls are painting and redecorating the home economics room. -Jack Chamberlain Ashurst, son of Mr. and.
Mrs. Hugh Ashurst, 207 Jasper Street, received his degree from Medical College of the University of Louisville Sept. 8 and will serve his internship at the St.
Joseph Infirmary in Louisville. Dr. Ashurst was graduated from the Somerset High School and took his pre-medical course at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
He is a member of the Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternity. A year ago he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Timberlake, of Horse Cave, who is a graduate nurse from Norton Infirmary. Mr.
and Mrs. Ashurst were in Louisville for the graduation exercises. -The members of Mrs.
R. Addington’s Sunday School class of the First Baptist Church enjoyed a class party at the home of Mrs. G.
T. Catron in the Huffaker Addition Tuesday night. New officers were elected for the coming year.
Games and contests were enjoyed, after which delightful refreshments were served. Twenty-five members were present. -Davis Chapel a.
m.E. Church — The first Sunday in October will be the last Sunday of this conference year.
Sunday, Sept. 24, Rev. W.
B. Wood of the First Baptist Church will preach in the afternoon at 2:30 and his choir will sing. At 8:00 p.
m. Rev. A.
R. Smith of the Holiness Church, Danville, will preach. Friday night, Sept.
20, at 8 o’clock Mrs. Winnie Williams will present a style show at Davis Chapel Church. The admission is 10 cents.
The members are urged to attend and our friends are cordially invited to attend these services. The pastor, Rev. Munday, is serving his ninth year as pastor of the church.
-Capt. and Mrs. Lawrence Litton of Camp McCorey, Tomah, Wis.
, announce the birth of a son Sept. 2. They have chosen the name of Lawrence Litton, Jr.
, for their son. Mrs. Litton was Miss Louise Waddle before her marriage, Capt.
Litton has been transferred to Missouri and Mrs. Litton and little son are expected home this week for a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Sam Waddle. -Pvt. Noah Wesley and Mrs.
Wesley announce the birth of a son, William Lester, Sept. 9, at the Danville Hospital. Mrs.
Wesley and baby were brought to the home of her sister, Mrs. Vertus Hodge, Thursday. -Mr.
and Mrs. Herbert Hicks are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a daughter, Mary Katherine, Wednesday, September 13, at their home on Jacksboro Street. Mrs.
Hicks before her marriage was Miss Anita Greene. -Mr. p.
m. Keeney was honor guest at a surprise birthday dinner given Sunday by Mrs. Clarence V.
Keeney and Mrs. Charles Bibee at their home in the James Addition, in celebration of his 80th anniversary. Covers were arranged for Mr.
Keeney; his sisters, Mrs. Sarah Waddle and Mrs. Richard Brown, and Mr.
Brown; the Rev. and Mrs. Hoyt Chastain and children, Mrs.
Mary Colyer and four children of Ohio, Mr. Lloyd R. Muncey, Mr.
and Mrs. J.W.
Meece and family; Mrs. Will Tomlison and Mrs. Gertie Mounce and son.
Mr. Keeney received the best wishes of many friends who called during the day. -Mrs.
Miles Hardin entertained Monday afternoon with a children’s party in celebration of the third anniversary of her daughter, Jolly Gover Hardin. Fourteen young friends enjoyed the afternoon. A beautifully decorated birthday cake and ice cream were served and favors were given each small guest.
-Mrs. George O. Bullock gave her daughter, Miss Norma Jean Bullock, a surprise party and handkerchief shower Wednesday night at her home on the Stanford Road.
The house was attractively decorated with dahlias and gladioli. A color plan of pink and white was carried out in the decorations and refreshments. Guests included thirty of Miss Bullock’s intimate friends.
-Miss Irene Pennington, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.
Harrison Pennington of Somerset, Route 3, and Cpl. Glenn Broyles, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Epson F. Broyles of Plato, will be married Saturday morning in the George Field Chapel, Lawrenceville, Ill. Corporal Broyles has been serving with the Army Air Force since May 1942.
-The engagement of Miss Christine Stevens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Stevens of Eubank, to Pvt.
Euzenith Sowders of Camp Stewart, Ga., son of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Sowders of Richmond, is announced this week. No date has been set for the wedding. -Miss Helen Dungan, daughter of Mrs.
Dora Dungan, of Norwood, became the bride of Carpenter Mate 3/c Walter Phillips, son of Mrs. Katherine Phillips of London, at a ceremony solemnized Saturday night at the apartment of the bride’s aunt, Mrs. Lelia Simpson, at 100 Columbia Street.
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The bride wore a powder blue dress with black accessories and a shoulder bouquet of yellow roses. Miss Marie Jasper, the bride’s only attendant, wore a black dress with fuchsia accessories. Chief Petty Officer Tom Smith served as best man.
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The apartment was decorated with vases of talisman roses, delphinium and gladioli. Mrs. Richard Richards presided at the bride’s table which was covered with a lace cloth and centered with a wedding cake decorated with miniature flags and a sailor and bride.
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The bride is a graduate of Sue Bennett College, London, and has been teaching in the county for several months. CM 3/c Phillips, who is in the Seabees, will report to New York for assignment at the conclusion of his thirty day leave. -Miss Dorothy Dobson, daughter of Mrs.
Elizabeth Dobson, of Louisville, became the bride of Lieut. Edgar B. Russell Saturday afternoon at the Christian Church with the Reverend Lee Davis Fisher officiating.
Miss Maxine Russell and Mr. Reid Russell were their only attendants. The bride was becomingly attired in aqua blue crepe with brown accessories and wore a shoulder bouquet of red roses.
Miss Russell wore a frock of fuchsia wool with black accessories and yellow roses. A reception was held at the home of the bridegroom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Joe Russell, on Rush Branch Road. Immediately after the reception Lieutenant and Mrs. Russell left on a bridal trip to Myrtle Beach, S.
C. Lieutenant Russell is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, Lexington, where he majored in agriculture and was a member of the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps for three years. He received his commission in May 1941 and sailed for Ireland in March 1942.
Lieut. Russell took part in the invasion of Africa, the invasion of Italy at the Anzio beachhead and the campaign for Rome. He is home on a 21 day furlough and will report at Miami Beach, Fla.
, September 28, for a new assignment. Mrs. Russell will accompany him to Miami Beach.
-The wedding of Miss Betty Lee Gregory, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Gregory and Charles C.
Williams, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles C. Williams, was solemnized at 9 o’clock Sunday morning at the home of the Rev. and Mrs.
L.D. Fisher.
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The bride was lovely in a yellow wool dress with black accessories and a shoulder bouquet of talisman roses. Miss Tommy Jones, maid of honor to the bride, wore a purple dress with brown accessories and a shoulder bouquet of yellow roses. Miss Beverly Williams, sister of the bridegroom, was flower girl and was dressed in blue with a corsage of red roses.
Mr. Robert Mavity served as best man. The bride is a graduate of Somerset High School.
The groom is also a graduate of Somerset High School and was in the Army six months before receiving a medical discharge. He is employed at the Ferguson Shops. Immediately following the ceremony, the young couple left for a wedding trip in the south.
-Dearl Whitaker, Army, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neece Whitaker, Acorn, and Netha Bernice Sears, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Harry Lee Sears, Mt. Victory, were married Sept.
15. -Rilo Lee Bingham, Army, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Boyd Bingham, Somerset, and Wanda D. Adkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Ernest Adkins, Drum, were married Sept. 16. -Charlie Hayden Goff, Somerset, son of the late Millard Goff and Mrs.
Dora M. Goff, and Bonnie Lou Denham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Talmadge Denham, Somerset, were married Sept. 16. -Carl B.
Decker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Decker, Bronston, and Margaret Louise Clark, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Floyd Clark of Shirley, Ind., were married Sept.
16. -Funeral services for Miss Mourning Covey, 87, who died Tuesday night at her home at Science Hill following a lingering illness, will be held at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the Science Hill Methodist Church, the Rev. Robert Trobaugh officiating.
Interment will be in the Science Hill Cemetery. Born in Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs.
Ike Covey and moved with her parents to this county in early childhood. She resided in the Mt. Zion community for many years before moving to Science Hill.
She had been in declining health for 30 years, but her illness did not become serious until Sunday. She was a member of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church and served her community, church and Master well during her lifetime.
She had many friends and will be sadly missed. She is survived by a foster daughter, Mrs. Fay Nicholson of Indianapolis, and several nieces and nephews.
-Carl Virgil Clarkson, 32, native of the Science Hill section, died Tuesday night at his home following an illness of several months. Funeral services will be held Friday at McKinney, Lincoln County, and interment will be there. Born in Science Hill Sept.
21, 1911, the son of the late Sam J. Clarkson and Mrs. Crella Haynes Clarkson, he has been a resident of this county his entire life.
He possessed a pleasing personality and numbered his friends by his acquaintances. Besides his mother, he is survived by a brother, Earl Clarkson of Science Hill, and a half-brother, Raymond Clarkson, of Dayton, Ky. -Meece-Newell Realty Co.
– Attention! Anyone interested in a real business lot, we have the McGregor property on the corner of College and Mt. Vernon Streets for sale, better known as the Joe H. Gibson property.
For information see or call us. We also have a number of good farms and nice homes in the City of Somerset for sale. J.
O. Newell and J.A.
Meece. -Pulaski Bakery – See that the boy overseas has a fruit cake this Christmas. Place your order with us now for a fruit cake for early delivery.
All Christmas packages to the men overseas must be mailed before October 15. Let us make a delicious fruit cake for you. We will make them any size you desire.
There is nothing the soldier or sailor overseas will enjoy more this Christmas than one of our tasty cakes. E. Mt.
Vernon Street. -Somerset Undertaking Co. – Many years of professional service have made it possible for us to direct outstandingly beautiful services — essentially simple, but impressive and sincere.
All details can be placed in our hands with the assurance that everything will be done correctly and tactfully. -Cundiff Bros. – We feature genuine registered keepsake diamond rings in our store.
Come in and see the many styles available in a wide range of prices. -Excel Beauty Shop – For the best in permanent waving. Now open in the building with Ruth’s Hat Shop, 212 E.
Mt. Vernon Street. Operators: Mrs.
Susan Hall and Mrs. Gloria Osborne Wesley. -Somerset Dept.
Store – Pulaski County’s biggest and best. Side lines make headlines this fall! See them in off-side hats and sideswept berets. All excitingly smart atop your new Fall costumes.
Featuring “Play Toppers”, nationally advertised. $1.98 to $3.
98. Fuchsia, Brown and all the new shades. -For sale — 129-acre farm known as the C.
I. Ross farm. In a high state of cultivation; with an extra good 8-room house; a large new barn; under good wire fence.
20 acre apple orchard, best in the county; two and one half miles from Somerset. Price $13,000. Can arrange some terms.
Sam West, Box 380, Somerset. -For sale — 149 acres in Oak Hill community. This land is red limestone clear of rocks and stumps; would make a good tractor farm.
Has two fair houses. A large barn and silo; good fence; extra well watered and on good gravel pike. Government electricity available.
If you want a good farm you should see this one. Price $10,000 in cash. Terms could be arranged on half with long time loan.
Sam West, Box 380, Somerset. -For sale — Pre-war baby buggy in excellent condition, $20. Call 500.
-For sale — Walnut bed room suite, good as new. Bed, mattress and springs; chest, vanity, dresser and stool. See Mrs.
Oris Meece, 124 N. Main St. For sale — 1 studio couch; 1 gas range, white; 1 white enameled coolerator; breakfast set with red leather bottom chairs; and 2 linoleum rugs.
Call 28-W or see Louis Hainey at J.D. Gosser’s Place, N Langdon Street.
-For sale — Nice four room house on Ebright Street in Science Hill. A good deep well, some nice fruit trees and good grape arbor. Price $1,500.
See Cranston Wiles at Bob’s Cafe or Ernest Farris at the AAA office, Somerset. -Lost — Fountain pen with name “Fred Curtis” engraved on barrel. Lost Friday.
Reward if returned to this office. -Wanted — Night cook, white or colored. Apply Peggy Ann.
-Wanted — Refined couple or two ladies to share comfortable first floor apartment with lady. 403 College Street, Mrs. R.
H. Marlowe. -Wanted – Bus drivers at the Greyhound Terminal, West Mt.
Vernon and Church Streets. On Thursday afternoon, Sept. 21, we will interview men interested in driving buses.
Come to the terminal on this date. Southeastern Greyhound Line. Jane Eyre – Boss of Boomtown – Sweet and Low-Down – Allegheny Uprising – Mr.
Winkle Goes to War – Blonde Trouble.
