From above: Gratiot County’s first aluminum drive; Local boys enjoy ten days at the Alma Rotary club’s summer camp; The 64th anniversary of the St. Louis Leader led to a special newspaper; America confronts the Nazi invasion of the USSR and its intentions regarding which natural resources were affected.

The Winds of War Blow Toward Gratiot County

Many in the county hoped that the nation (and Gratiot County) could avoid another world conflict. However, events in what was the last July before the war began indicated the war was coming.

Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, who happened to be an Alma College graduate decades before, said publicly that he believed the United States should use its Navy to clear the Atlantic Ocean of all German threats. His statement came on the heels of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union earlier in June.  Knox believed now was the time to strike Germany. In response to the Nazi invasion of Russia, President Roosevelt ordered “all necessary steps” to be taken to protect shipping lanes between the United States and Iceland and to ensure the area’s security. Because Germany also claimed that Iceland was within its war zone, conflict with that nation seemed imminent. Although Iceland would be occupied by America, all troops would leave the country at the end of the war, per agreement.

When it came to the draft for the month of July, 44 men reported to Alma draft headquarters to prepare for the trip to Detroit. After a meal at George W. Myers Legion Post Hall, the men headed out on a chartered bus. Heading the list were Homer Kunkel and James Green, both of Alma. The first ten men in the group were volunteers, and many others were Alma College students.

Gratiot’s boys, many of them homesick for home, wrote and told of their new life in the military. Private Don McMullen wrote from Camp Davis, North Carolina, about how busy he was. Twice daily hikes, an hour of drills, and then classes on modern warfare were required of all. Located northeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, this 3,200-acre former area of swamp and scrub pine now holds 20,000 troops. McMullen’s group was the first from Fort Custer to reach this new camp, which currently held 15,000 men, most of whom were from Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. Despite their drilling and work in the extremely hot weather, the men had Saturday afternoon through Sunday night off, which allowed many to visit area beaches.

 In a strange twist of history, Gerald Eastman of Breckenridge wrote home from Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, dated June 7. Eastman, like the rest of America, had no idea that his location would just five months later mark the start of the United States’ entry into World War II. After leaving San Francisco by ship – and 50,000 miles from home – Eastman said he was chipping the paint off the sides of boats, of which fifty now rested in the harbor. Eastman also gained twenty pounds in just two months – in small part from having eaten twelve fresh oranges, which he said were all very good. Second Class Seaman Eastman would soon draw an incredible monthly paycheck of $36, up from the $10 he currently received.

Three other Gratiot men received promotions to corporal: Donald McMullen, Russel Criswell, and Ward Lyon. The first two were stationed at Camp Davis, North Carolina, while the other carried out duties at an air base at Everett, Washington. Richard Terwillger, Jr., of St. Louis, was appointed as a reserve ensign by Secretary of the Navy Knox. Terwilliger would complete his studies at the University of Michigan, then probably be called to service as a chemical engineer. He had previously worked summers at the Michigan Chemical Corporation.

Alma battery men Major Howard Freeman, Lieutenant Ken Church, and Sergeant Phillip Collins all made it home on a short pass in order to spend the Fourth of July with their respective families. They arrived in Jackson, Michigan, at 7:20 a.m. on Friday morning, came home to visit, then returned to Jackson for their train to Fort Leonard Wood at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning. For their travels, the men had about 48 hours with their families.

The Gratiot County Red Cross continued to create shirts and dresses for refugees in war-torn countries. More sewers were needed, and production chairmen Mrs. C.O. Way and Mrs. Charles Bloss both asked for more volunteers. Interested helpers need only to phone Ithaca at 343 to get involved. Other war-related activity occurred when Redman Trailer in Alma announced it would expand by adding a 90×110-foot building for final trailer assembly. As it was, Redman’s could not meet the monthly quota of 200 trailers. Over at St. Louis, the Oak Grove Cemetery Board purchased $15,000 of Series G National Defense Bonds. The purchase was believed to be the largest purchase in the region at that time.

There was big news in Gratiot County about an oncoming conflict that would engulf the United States in the county’s first aluminum drive. While the government denied that there was an actual aluminum shortage at the moment, the Michigan Defense Council asked all American Legion posts to supervise the collection of aluminum in their areas.  Boy Scouts were also asked to show up and help the Legion collect used pots, kettles, and utensils. Set during the week of July 21, the country hoped to gather enough aluminum to help build 2,000 more fighter planes. Louis Dines oversaw operations in St. Louis, along with John Tuger and Murvel Peacock.

In other work, the county’s USO drive went on toward its goal. St. Louis had a large thermometer painted on the north side of the D & C store, showing that St. Louis had reached the halfway mark of its $500 goal by July 23.  Other towns and villages in the county also contributed to their government-assigned USO goals.

Selective Service Continues; More Gratiot Men Leave

On Tuesday, July 2, a total of 192 young men who turned 21 since the first draft registration in October 1940 did so at Alma City Hall. A total of three draft board members, office staff, and two volunteer assistants helped with the work. Changes to the Selective Service draft came down from Washington starting July 1, as Washington declared that the new draft age would be up to  27. By mid-July, the government used a new lottery to select those men aged 21 through 27 who became liable for a year of military service. It also meant that these men were more likely to receive an early call for the 750,000 men who registered on July 2. The number drawn from the Washington draft bowl to be integrated into the new draft order found its way to Gratiot as No. 98, which turned out to be Laurence Laverne Sherwood of Ithaca.

 Leaving for the draft again became reality as Gratiot County needed to supply 44 men to leave on July 16. This was Gratiot’s eighth conscription so far. Ten of the men in the group were volunteers; some selectees were Alma College students who had previously had deferments. Among the volunteers in this group were Homer Kunkel of Alma, Robert Keck of Perrinton, and Benny Zamarron of Ashley. Leslie Romaine served as the group’s leader. On July 29, the Gratiot  Draft Board called another 10 men for the August quota to leave on Monday, August 4.

 One problem that the Gratiot Draft Board had to deal with was Clifford M. Thrush of Alma, who was originally serving as a conscientious objector at Camp Onekema in Copemish. Thrush wrote, asking to be reclassified for military duty as 1AO, meaning he could be drafted to serve anywhere. Thrush was dissatisfied with not being paid for his service and with having to rely on other groups to pay his $35 for board and his own clothes.   He also did not like the drab routine, continual work in the woods, and nothing to do at night except go to bed. Thrush also asked the board to publish his letter to advise those considering becoming conscientious objectors on religious grounds.

Another issue the Draft Board examined was the status of men who entered into marriage to avoid the draft. The board had instructions to examine all cases of men who had married since the first registration draft on October 16, 1941.  Any man married after this date had to convince the board that it was “a manner consistent with the ordinary course of human affairs” and not a way to avoid the draft. Draft registrants had to prove in a written statement that they were not doing so, and then a man could receive a 3-A deferment.

New Deal Programs Endure Reductions

WPA and NYA news topped the list of New Deal program news in July. People in Gratiot County could visibly see a reduction in the number of WPA workers being cut by the government or leaving for other jobs.  This reduction in workers occurred despite the county having 205 youth in NYA programs at the end of June.  As a result of the July cuts, summer recreation activities were affected, including limited supervision at Alma’s pools and at Turck Beach.  After a city swimming meet in Alma on July 3, Darrell Milstead, WPA director for Turck Beach, planned a series of junior and senior lifesaving classes. To qualify, participants had to swim 440 yards and remain on the water’s surface for 10 minutes. A total of 91 boys and girls signed up for elementary swimming training to learn to swim. The American Red Cross oversaw the classes. During this struggle to maintain enrollment in WPA recreation programs, director Darrell Milstead resigned and sought work elsewhere.

 Other things in St. Louis, like the temporary closure of the grade school recreation center, activities on Wheeler Field, and open-air dances, also kept the WPA busy. Those WPA programs that planned to continue included work on Wright Park tennis and shuffleboard courts and fourteen blocks of paving in Alma. WPA workers involved in a project at M-57 were now transferred to work in Alma.

To address the labor shortage, NYA Youth Administrator Howard Jones certified 40 new members for work in St. Louis and Alma. Most worked either on summer projects in Alma and St. Louis or at the sewing and weaving project in Alma. Even with the new additions in Gratiot County and across the state, county relief roll numbers continued to plummet to their lowest levels since 1933.

Over at Alma, a group of 150 or more WPA workers and their families paused to have an Independence Day picnic. The Americanization Committee, chaired by Grace Rowell of Alma, organized the event, which included sports and recreation and a call for dedication to national service. A dance closed the day’s activities. To keep people interested in summer sports, the Saginaw News again sponsored a tennis tournament for novice players in St. Louis, Alma, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, and Saginaw. Some local names of participants included Jim Horgan, Bob McIntyre, Francis O’Melia, Wayne Davis, Don Wilkinson, Bob Ode, Wilton Slocum, and Jim Burlingame.

There was some good news for 68 employees of the Gratiot Highway Department. They received a ten percent pay increase starting July 2. However, the county road commission stated that it might be necessary to curtail wages if winter-weather work affected the annual budget. From April through November, employees worked a 50-hour workweek. Between November 1 and April 1, workers might work a 54-hour workweek, depending on the demands of winter service.

Farming in July

It was hot and dry for parts of July, as crops suffered until heavy showers hit the county at the end of the month. Some named the hard rain that ended the hot weather a “blitzkrieg” of relief, which helped beans. Beets and corn continued to keep growing. Oats, barley, and wheat were thought to have been severely damaged by the dry conditions in June and early July. Still, Gratiot agricultural agent C.P. Milham voiced concerns about the effects of corn borer damage. How extensive was the damage, and what would be its effect? Milham lamented that the county likely suffered more damage this year than last, despite efforts to educate farmers about this issue. Not a single farmer in the county could avoid participating in plowing under their cornstalks in order to get rid of the borer. However, too many farmers still refuse to properly dispose of their corn stalks.

 The third annual St Louis Beet Growers picnic took place on the Ithaca Fairgrounds on July 31. Bring a basket lunch – the company furnished ice cream and lemonade.

Earlier in the month, farmers were urged to get their apple orchards sprayed. Farmers also received good news: starting with the upcoming hunting season, a new law took effect requiring hunters to have written permission to hunt on farmland.  Hunters had to carry the documents with them, and the law went into effect before the start of pheasant season. Southeast of North Star, farmer John Foote went to find his young cattle in their pastures in the woods when he found them in the swamp next to a young buck with antlers “of considerable length.” It was big news in the North Star area.

A farm accident reminded people of the dangers on the farm. Arden Holton, 31, of Ashley, had his foot amputated after an accident he incurred while working on a combine, and ended up having the foot removed at Smith Memorial Hospital.  Holton was working to clean out the wet straw and oats lodged inside when he tried to stamp down on a cylinder with his foot in order to dislodge everything. A young hired hand heard Holton’s cry, shut off the machinery, and tied the area above the ankle with a handkerchief. Farmer Stine and the hired hand, Howard Massey, drove Arden Holton directly to Smith Hospital.

Summer Brings the Gratiot County Fair

There is nothing like a fair; this one ran from August 5-9 (Tuesday through Saturday) and featured “a week of thrills,” according to a late-July advertisement. Two weeks before the fair opened,  fair secretary Leslie Simmet had a group of workers cleaning the grounds and exhibit buildings. In addition to fair exhibits, three afternoons featured horse racing; fair attendees could watch a horse-pulling contest, the Hill-Wilbur Circus, and the WLS Barn Dance Show. All young men in military service got in free, as did children under the age of twelve. Wilbur’s Circus, which featured a fleet of miniature ponies, performed twice daily. Another feature involved the Gasca Brothers – Michael, Don, and Leo – who performed circus stunts twice daily. Miss Virginia Alverson planned to be part of a public wedding (her future husband was not mentioned). Lois Sanders, Willoann Rayburn, Nina Burt, and Mary Donahoe were all part of the wedding party. A big fireworks display took place at the end of the fair on Saturday night.

Public Health Issues and Stories

Strange, bizarre and tragic – three words that described what happened to some people during July. The Harold Nevills of Chicago nearly lost their grandchild to a drowning accident north of Sumner near the dam. While fishing, grandfather Harold did not notice that his little girl was playing in the water with a sailboat. The child followed the boat as it drifted farther down the river, then stepped into a hole and disappeared. Luckily, another woman who was fishing heard Harold Nevill’s cry for help, jumped in a car, headed to Sumner for help, and returned with two men, John Carter and Don Pimnan, both of Alma. Both men jumped into the river and found the child submerged, then grabbed her and pulled her to the bank and worked on her until she regained consciousness.  The grandfather then collapsed from the shock of the incident and had to be taken to Sumner, and a doctor was called. Both grandfather and grandchild survived the scary incident.

A tragic swimming accident took place over at the North Star gravel pit involving young Rudolph Zamarron, age 21. Zamarron was with a group of swimmers who sought to escape the heat. It was believed that the young man, who could not swim, crossed a pontoon bridge over the pit and fell into a deep hole. After the group discovered Zamarron was missing, the sheriff’s department was called, which dragged the pit for the missing man, who was found in 20 feet of water. This was a tragic loss.

In another strange incident, a bee caused an accident on US-27 north of Ithaca. John White of Ithaca was going north when he pulled off his cap to swat a flying bee. The car then swerved off the road and crashed into another driver traveling in the opposite direction. Luckily, both drivers were only shaken up, although White’s car suffered significant damage. In another instance, Melvin Thrush was hit by lightning on a Thursday morning when it came through the ceiling of an ice house. It left a hole twelve inches in diameter, landed five feet away from Thrush, and turned a nearby piece of iron black. Thrush fortunately suffered only temporary shock and ringing in his ears for fifteen minutes after the incident.

Ileen Kristal, three years old, of St. Louis, received second-degree burns when she backed up and sat down in a kettle of scalding water at home.  She was rushed to Smith Hospital. Marilyn Dubay, another three-year-old from Alma, fell off the porch with a milk bottle, suffering serious lacerations around her right forearm and wrist. Reverend W.H. Bell of Shepherd, and formerly of Alma, was rushed to Smith Memorial after he fell off a ladder while painting a schoolhouse south of Shepherd and fractured his shoulder. Arthur Zimmerman of Ashley broke his kneecap when two rolling logs from a truck hit him while he worked at the Garno Elevator. Fortunately, the logs hit the ground first before they hit Zimmerman, or the results would have been much worse. Zimmerman would be in a cast for several months.

A dental health clinic returned to Gratiot County for 12 weeks to treat children who could not afford dental care. By this time of the summer, the clinic had moved to Alma and was treating approximately 100 young people each day, courtesy of the Children’s Fund of Michigan. Fear of another, more serious wave of poliomyelitis began to be talked about in newspapers as the summer moved toward August. In 1940, a major wave hit the state and extended into September. The Upper Peninsula was hit especially hard at that time.

The Long Arm of the Law  Continues

During the previous month, June, Gratiot County courts recorded 59 convictions, 47 of which involved traffic violations. Simple larceny, drunk and disorderly, and statutory charges were among some of the crimes. Generally speaking, newspapers reported that the Fourth of July was quiet with respect to law infractions in the county.

 Charges against R.J. Pung of Alma were dropped in connection with an incident dating back to January. Pung reached a satisfactory settlement with the Saginaw Financing Corporation in two cases on two dates, and the cases were dismissed. Lois McKay, 25, of Alma, found herself in jail after stabbing a deputy sheriff at the Midway Tavern on the Gratiot-Saginaw County line. McKay was involved in an altercation while dancing, engaged in an argument, and was kicked out of the tavern. The deputy met her at the door when she tried to re-enter and then stabbed him in the arm. The tavern had previously existed near Wheeler, was closed due to licensing problems, and then moved just across the county line into Saginaw County.

Law enforcement was called to the scene of the Yost Bridge, 3 ½ miles west of St. Louis, on the morning of June 30, involving a traffic accident. Two young men from Muskegon were on their way to the home of Carroll Curtice when the driver went off the road and hit the bridge, killing both young men. Young Curtice, age 18, apparently fell asleep at the wheel.

Thieves, thieves everywhere. Someone broke into the Wheeler Elevator on a Thursday night and stole $34.50 in money, 90 packs of cigarettes, and 5 candy bars. This all happened after closing at 9:00 p.m., when a thief broke in through a window on the north side of the office. Four St. Louis youths did face justice for the damage they caused at the city park late on a Sunday night. The youths overturned benches, broke trash containers, destroyed shrubbery, and threw a table from Wheeler Field into the river. The group was found and required to make restitution for damages done.

To combat juvenile crime, the county moved toward leasing a new detention home for delinquent and unfortunate children by leasing the old Ralph Petit home at 412 North Pine Street in Ithaca. A new home was needed because the courthouse basement, formerly used to detain youth, was being repurposed. This new home featured three rooms, complete with bars, and in good sanitary condition. Mrs. George Sanders would be the new matron of the home.

And So We Do Not Forget

The Alma Rotary Club sponsored a ten-day trip for fifteen girls to attend the club’s fresh air camp on the Pine River. Another camp for boys took place prior to this gathering in July…The Alma Record urged citizens to be considerate of their mailman by offering a cool ice water or lemonade during the hot July heat…Vigil Barton, 18, and Marcia Haas, 18, both of North Star, became the latest victims of Cupid’s arrow during the week of July 14 by purchasing their marriage license…P.C. Thomas and Company of Breckenridge reminded vacationers that their business had everything they needed for their upcoming camping trip. Don’t forget your picnic supplies…The Bannister school district still contemplated what to do now that its building was lost during last spring’s fire. Up to now, Bannister had a K-12 school, but discussion now leaned toward having students in grades 9-12 attend either Ashley or Elsie High School…The St. Louis softball association published its second-half schedule for the season, starting July 7 and ending August 28.  Lake Shore Sugar took on Christian Church in the first game on July 7…The Alma Chamber of Commerce announced that Mardi Gras would replace the old Harvest Jubilee, which had taken place each September since 1931. Alma’s Mardi Gras would take place September 10 to 12…V.K. Beshgetoor, Alma pastor and ardent prohibitionist, wrote a letter to the Alma Record letting it know that beer should not be made available at Army camps – a good way to corrupt young men with the beer-drinking habit.

John Probst of North Star gave his wife a shampoo with 258 fresh eggs when his car skidded off the blacktop near Furgason’s gas station. On the way to Ithaca to sell 30 dozen eggs, the Probst car went off the road, flipped twice, and landed on all four tires. Both people survived the incident; they were covered from head to foot. Two eggs survived…Buffalo Bill Cody’s second cousin, Harriet (Cody) King of Sumner, died at the age of 97. Harriet lived an active life, lived with her son George King, and was an active member of the Crystal Congregational Church…John Wayne, Betty Field, and Harry Carey starred in “The Shepherd of the Hills” at the Strand Theatre. Ten- and twenty-cent tickets got you inside…President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a radio message on July 4, the 165^th anniversary of American independence. America had to remain “ a fertile oasis” for freedom and democracy in the midst of the world situation…Clare M. Troub was named the postmaster general in Middleton. Because of increased business in the past year, the Middleton office was now promoted to third class…Half-year plates went on sale at all county auto license bureaus. There appeared to be increased demand for plates now that fruit growers needed workers and as people prepared to leave their homes for summer vacation…Fred E. Himes was chosen as the new commander of the William Fields American Legion Post in Alma. He replaced Milton C. Townsend.

The village of Perrinton prepared for its annual homecoming, to be held August 25-26. Baseball, bands, foot races, nail driving contests, pop-drinking contests, and necktie races were planned. Dancing to take place each evening at the Community Hall…Big news in St. Louis – Harry Heilmann, Detroit Tigers announcer, planned to broadcast a game in St. Louis from a Cleveland-Detroit game on August 8. He also planned on conducting his popular program “Man on the Street” afterward. Detroit Tigers fans in St. Louis were excited…The Edgewood Church of God planned to dedicate its new sanctuary. Dr. E.A. Reardon, pastor of Park Place Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, planned to give the dedication sermon…The St. Louis Lutheran organization held a picnic at Alma’s Conservation Park, drawing an estimated 1,000 people. Many had to bring their own tables. The grounds were said to be used almost every night of the week for recreation and meetings…Breckenridge Schools considered purchasing buses to provide transportation for students who wanted to attend the school. As of July, Breckenridge was the only district without buses to do so.

Wow, there was a run on Gratiot County marriage licenses. A total of 172 had been issued as of June 30, up from 125 at the same time in 1940. Cupid was indeed busy…Alma State Savings Bank celebrated its 40^th anniversary on July 1. The original meeting of bank stockholders took place on May 21, 1901…The fourth annual Michigan Chemical Corporation was planned at Lumberjack Park for August 2. At least 250 people were planning to attend… Dr. T. D. Gilson of St. Louis created and installed an air conditioning unit on the second floor of the Commercial Bank Building. Gilson stated that his offices now had temperatures reduced by at least 16 degrees. W.T. Bradley and Claude Smith helped with carpentry and metal work. This was considered the first air conditioning in St. Louis…William Kesl, proprietor of the Park Hotel in St. Louis, officially planned to open the “Travertine Coffee Shop” on August 1. The new coffee shop sat on the north side of the hotel, in an enlarged space that had been a private dining room. The café got its name from the travertine stone covering the lower walls. Opening seven days a week…The grand opening of the Ithaca Dairy and Locker Plant took place July 25-26 and provided a place for farm families to store their food. Also, special deals on the weekend for ice cream sundaes (2 for 15 cents)…O.E. Buanning’s Beehive Restaurant at 322 North State in Alma got a fresh coat of white paint. People noticed.

Four hundred people at the new St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Louis heard the dedicatory sermon on June 29. Mrs. Lanshaw played a newly installed electric organ…Frank Vanderook, pioneer editor and publisher of the St. Louis Leader, spoke at the St. Louis Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon.  Vandercook recently observed his 91^st birthday…St. Louis Schools planned to operate country bus routes now that it had two new 48-passenger buses. There would be a $25 per-student transportation charge per year…The Andrew Sisters and Abbott and Costello appeared at the Ideal Theatre in “Buck Privates” July 20-22. Tickets cost ten and fifteen cents. Lots of Sunday matinees…The ten-day-long Gratiot County Holiness Association camp meeting at Ola closed after ten days. On Sundays, the tabernacle was full and over 200 souls sought God during the altar calls…The Ithaca Rotary Club hosted another Rotary member, Leonard Allen of Ketchikan, Alaska, for their weekly lunch. Allen, a teacher, gave a presentation featuring scenic, colored pictures of salmon fishing, totem poles, Native Americans, and Native boats. The presentation was said to be interesting…Softball games took place at least three nights a week at Rathbone Park in Lafayette Township. Rathbone had both a men’s and girls’ team…Local Perrinton barber Nicholas Surdenik developed a sanitary toothpick dispenser and got a patent for it. The dispenser only presented one toothpick at a time. No more mauling of toothpicks.

And that was Depression and War during July 1941.

Copyright 2026 James M. Goodspeed