A veritable "cloudburst" descended on southwest Fall River county Wednesday night, flooding highways and marooning night workers on the Provo defense project, which appeared to be in the center of the heavy downpour.
Workers scheduled to go off duty on the project at 11 p. m. last night were held there until morning. One group, which left Provo at 6 a. m. and got to Hot Springs shortly after 7 a. m., reported that the highway north of Edgemont was covered with water, but that it was passable and safe.
The downpour at Provo was de- (some lines are missing from the article) full," and while work was brought to a standstill for the rest of the night, construction of the project was resumed this morning at virtually top speed.
Mrs. Grace Whalen and brother, Joe Koller of Belle Fourche, who were visiting at Edgemont with relatives, were callers here Sunday morning, and Joe had his camera along to take a few pictures.
William Erschen had their house moved into Provo last week. M. Inman did the work. He also moved the Joe Clapham house here to fix up and rent.
Mrs. Shaffer of Neman, Neb., spent Sunday in the home of her cousin, Mrs. Andrew Gossel. Mrs. Shaffer's husband is a carpenter on the ordnance depot.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Rickard moved to their new home Saturday and Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gossel moved to the place they vacated, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardaiboy moved to the place Gossels moved from.
Mrs. Sealock and children came down from Newcastle, Wyo., last week to assist her husband in the Liberty cafe he is running.
The graduation of the eighth graders was held at Hot Springs on Sunday. Those graduating from here were Wyoma Sturdivant and Elnor Johnson.
Mr. and Mrs. Grabow were visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Erschen.
Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hoar spent Sunday in the home of their son at Edgemont.
Ray Fales has been a real busy man these last few days delivering ice.
We are having a nice lot of rain and everything is looking so nice and growing so fast. But the workers on the project are not liking it so well.
Miss Julia Graham began working today as a stenographer at the Provo project.
Delaine Dickinson, formerly of Hot Springs, arrived Thursday after graduating from high school in Mitchell, where the Dickinsons made their home after leaving here. Delaine will stay with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lash and work on the Provo project.
Paul Foss, Buffalo Gap, was a Hot Springs visitor Sunday. Mr. Foss, who formerly published the Buffalo Gap Gazette for many years, is employed as a guard at the Black Hills ordnance depot at Provo.
A MAN interested in maintaining a constant and smooth flow of traffic to the defense project at Provo has asked The Star if the electric road magnet which picks up nails from gravel highways might not be obtained for use between here and the ordnance depot.
He says that punctured tires are frequent occurrences on the road, causing delay to workers on the project and to others going back and forth on this much-traveled highway.
The great movement of construction machinery and other traffic to Provo undoubtedly has been responsible for the abundance of nails and other small pieces of metal which cause punctures, in the gravel. A road magnet would pick up this material and make the highway again safe for defense workers.
The South Dakota highway department has a road magnet, mounted on a truck, which makes the rounds of the state's gravel roads once a year. It was in Fall River county last summer, on its errand of mercy for motorists. The last we heard of the machine it was in the eastern part of the state.
Probably some local men of influence with the highway commission might be able to prevail on the commissioners to send the magnet to Fall River county soon to pick up the nails which are plaguing defense workers' cars and trucks and busses on the road from Hot Springs to Provo.
Get busy, folks, with your letters to the governor at Pierre on this important subject. He's a member of the highway commission. Tell him that the road magnet is needed here right away to protect the tires of defense workers and thus aid the defense program.
Harris Scott came up from Hay Springs with a friend last Tuesday and was a caller here. He thought the community had greatly changed.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jackson came up from Ardmore last week. Mrs. Jackson is assisting in the Dunbar home and Wayne still holds his guard job at the project.
Mrs. Ruth Warden was a caller here Friday from Ardmore.
Miss Rebecca Maliff, who has been visiting in the home of her friend, Mrs. Leonard Rickard, left for Rapid City for an indefinite time.
Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hoar went to Edgemont Saturday afternoon, and were they pleasantly surprised when walking up from the depot was their son, Dellmar. He is home on a fifteen day furlough from Fort Dix, N. J.
Frank Piel has been laid up with a sore back, and has been taking treatments of Dr. Olsen at Hot Springs. Mr. Jones of Ansley, Nebr., has been acting as section boss during this time.
Mrs. Rose Pierce was taken to the Edgemont hospital Saturday. Monday she passed away. Mrs. Pierce was well liked by everyone who knew her. The friends and neighbors are extending their sympathy to the family in their great loss.
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Hoar spent Saturday night in the home of his parents to visit with his brother while he is here.
Margaret Piel went to Thedford Saturday to visit in the home of her sister, Mrs. Attwood.
Mrs. Allen Coates came out from Edgemont to assist Fred Coates with the post office work, which is quite heavy at this time.
Word was received here that Rev. Hatfield passed away at his home in Edgemont Sunday. The family has the sympathy of their great number of friends in their sorrow.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Milligan and children and his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Milligan, came over Sunday to visit in the home of her uncle, M. S. Dunbar, also to visit her sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jackson.
Clarence K. Calland to United States of America, se 1/4, sw 1/4 ne 1/4, section 15; e 1/2 ne 1/4, ne 1/4 se 1/4, nw 1/4 ne 1/4, section 22, twp. 10, range 2.
THE RAINS have caused a delay of four to six weeks in the construction of the Provo munitions depot, according to observers at the great government project being constructed south of Edgemont.
Another difficulty which the contractors are said to be running into is a lack of labor. There are not nearly enough men on the scene to do the work which has to be done.
Labor turnover also is heavy, adding to the troubles which the builders must overcome before construction can get started in earnest.
One Edgemont man told The Star that he believed more men were quitting the project now than were being hired. For this situation, living conditions are somewhat to blame. Workers with families hesitate about settling down in trailer houses for the summer. They suspect Provo will be hot and dusty when warm weather settles over the area, though now it is anything but that. So they pull out for other defense areas to seek other defense jobs.
When actual construction work gets going at Provo, things will become stabilized, the work will move along more smoothly, and while there undoubtedly will always be a big turnover of labor, the job will be done in a quick and workmanlike manner.
A project the size of the Provo ordnance depot cannot be organized in a few weeks. It takes time to get men for the jobs, and train them in the work they are to do. It takes time to get the material moving onto the site in an orderly fashion.
Provo a few weeks ago was a bare flat of ground. To change it overnight into a hustling defense center is a task of no mean proportions. It would be a wonder if it could be done without a few kinks here and there.
The Hot Springs rationing board, which met Wednesday morning, granted tire and tube purchase certificates as follows:
One new truck tire, one truck retread, and one truck tube to City Fuel and Feed company, truckers.
Two automobile retreads to Frank Richer, taxi owner.
One passenger automobile retread to Vannice Nelson, farmer.
One passenger automobile retread to Ralph L. Elston, defense worker.
One passenger automobile retread to Henry Alfred Campbell, defense worker.
One passenger automobile retread to Herbert Rickenbach, defense worker.
One passenger automobile retread to John G. Weber, defense worker.
Two passenger automobile retreads to Charles Elmer Sipe, defense worker.
HOT SPRINGS is on the way to becoming the transportation center for the southern Black Hills, thanks to the new bus line which has been established between here and Provo and to a new bus on the Hot Springs - Rapid City run.
Pathfinder Transit lines, which has the franchise for bus service between here and Provo, is making eight trips each way daily. The first bus leaves Hot Springs for Edgemont and Provo at 5:15 a. m. The last bus leaves Provo at 8:30 p. m., arriving here at 10 p. m. With this volume of bus service, Hot Springs should rapidly become the center point of interest and trade for people working on the project.
ONE MAN, well versed in transportation, has told The Star that the establishment of the bus line to Edgemont and Provo may mean that Hot Springs now has a chance to be declared a defense area. If this is done, this city can obtain defense priorities which will permit builders to get materials for construction of homes and will enable citizens to get a number of articles which are now "frozen."
The bus line between here and Provo will provide the tie-up which will make the defense area designation possible, this man insisted. Hot Springs didn't have a chance in the world to get such a designation without adequate public transportation to the defense site, he said, but now that bus service has been established, it is not improbable that the designation can be obtained, if it is sought.
In The Stars inexpert opinion, whether Hot Springs is declared a defense area or not, depends on the program which the war department has laid out for Provo and the findings of the government in regard to living conditions there.
If the ordnance depot is to be a permanent affair (and we understand it will be), employing several thousand men for the duration, and a large force even after the war, then the government may not be content to allow the men to live in barracks and in impermanent houses at the site.
Schools, churches and other facilities which the people will need to fill out their lives, must be provided, and these can best be provided in nearby towns. The government may decide that it is better for the project employees to live in Hot Springs, where they can have the conveniences of a modern town, than to build up a whole new town on the sun-baked flats of Provo.
The designation of Hot Springs as a defense area, if it comes at all, will come after construction work at Provo is well under way, and the war department sees how necessary it is that the men employed there have satisfactory places in which to live, in communities which can provide them with the things they need.
The bus service which has just been established between Hot Springs and Provo may be the link which will tie this city definitely and securely to the project, to the great and continued benefit of both.
Robert Mootz of Sioux City, Ia., came Friday to visit his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ripke. He plans to work at Provo this summer.
Mrs. Vernon Smith and sons, Bruce and Chester, of Spencer, Ia., came Friday to join Mr. Smith, who is staying at the C. A. Spohr home. Mr. Smith has been working at the ordnance plant at Provo. Chester, who is employed on a Spencer newspaper, returned there Saturday night by train. The Smiths plan to make their home here.
William Erschen and family moved to their place east of Edgemont last week.
A number from here attended the funeral of the Rev. Mr. Hatfield last Wednesday at Edgemont. The family has the sympathy of their many friends in this community, which he visited a great deal.
Mrs. Leonard Rickard went to Edgemont Wednesday and visited in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rickard Sr.
Wayne Jackson went to Ardmore Tuesday to assist his father repair a tractor.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Robinson accompanied Mr. McColley to Ashland, Mont., Thursday, where the funeral services were held for her sister, Mrs. Rosa Pierce. A large funeral was conducted in the old home of Mrs. Pierce, where she lived for many years. Her many friends here extend their sympathy to her relatives.
Dellmar Hoar went to Rapid City Monday and brought Miss Wanda Woodburn home with him for a few days' visit in the home of his parents.
Mrs. Dunbar received word that her mother was in the hospital. Her feet were badly swollen. Monday she was much better. Her many friends are hoping she will soon be out and around again.
Mrs. C. O. Johnson and Miss Lois, who had returned home from Madison, where she has been going to school, were callers here Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Johnson and family, Mrs. Stewart Fulton and children, Miss Opal and Miss Alta Mae Johnson were here Sunday looking the project over and calling on friends. The girls thought there had been a great change since they last saw the community.
Word was received from Mr. and Mrs. Gow, who are in California, that he was better, but would be there quite a while yet. Their many friends are hoping he is growing better and will soon be home again.
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Schwartz accompanied John Quirk up from Crawford Sunday. The men are from Fort Robinson and were transacting business at the Parkin ranch, and Mrs. Schwartz visited in the home of her aunt, Mrs. Dunbar.
Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Jackson were up from Ardmore Sunday to see their son, Wayne, and wife.
Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hoar and son, Dellmar, and Miss Woodburn went to Edgemont Monday to see his mother, who is in the hospital.
Lester Pierce, son of Bert Pierce, dropped into Hot Springs Thursday from New York. He paid his fare as far as Akron, O., as hitch-hiking east of there is not good on account of motorists getting only three gallons of gas a week. He expects to go to work at Provo as a carpenter's apprentice.
Howard Wineteer came over from Provo for a visit with his family over the week-end.
Miss Mary Manders of Provo spent the week-end visiting here and drove to Chadron on business Monday.
George D. Bales to United States of America, e 1/2 se 1/4, section 9; sw 1/4, section 10; nw 1/4 nw 1/4, section 15-10-2.
Preston L. Ellis to United States of America, s 1/2 nw 1/4, sw 1/4, section 2; n 1/2 nw 1/4, nw 1/4 ne 1/4, section 11-10-2.
Grace Walters to United States of America, s 1/2 n 1/2, w 1/2 sw 1/4, section 14; n 1/2 nw 1/4, section 23-10-1.
William W. Schoonmaker to J. W. & N. L. Terteling, lots 2-3, block 3, Birdsell's addition to Edgemont.
If you see a strange man on the streets of Hot Springs these days, the chances are he is connected with the Provo project or expects to be - or he is an oil man here with the idea of opening up a new oil field in Fall River county.
For it is an open secret that a number of oil men have been in this county during the past few weeks, looking over various so-called structures, lining up blocks of leases, and attempting to get a line on the findings at the water well being drilled on the Provo defense project.
This water well has been the cause of intense curiosity among "oil minded" men. It represents the first deep well in an area which for years has been regarded as having oil possibilities. Promoters believed, when they heard the well was to be drilled, that they would be able to get a definite line on the various formation which underlie that area. They thought it would be no trouble at all to get the facts they wanted by asking a few questions of the drillers of the well.
Actually, some of the oil men now say, they have been able to learn but little from the findings at the Provo water well. The drillers worked under pressure to bring in a water supply as soon as possible, so that the defense project contractors could get all the water needed. They didn't stop to make tests of the various sands encountered, to "run a core'" to use the lingo of the oil fields.
The drillers kept on going down and down until they reached the water they desired - and the oil men are just as much in the dark as ever on the possibilities of the Provo structure.
A report that a "smell of oil" was found in the Provo well is said to have brought a number of promoters on the run to the project, to see if the report had any truth or substance. One oil man claimed he has pretty definite assurance that the report was without foundation. "Smells of oil" can often be found hereabouts, he said, whenever a deep water well is sunk, and usually they don't mean a thing. It takes more than a "smell" to indicate the presence of oil-bearing sands, he added.
A giant rock crushing plant, to crush rock for the Provo project is going in on the Burlington "high line," at Loring, about five miles south of Pringle.
Machinery is being set up now for the plant, which is expected to crush seventy-five carloads every twenty-four hours.
PIERRE, June 17 (AP) - A WPA recreation project is to be created in the Edgemont - Provo project area, which is now without a recreational organization.
National and state WPA leaders are to meet in Custer to conduct a three-day training program, beginning June 22.
PIERRE, June 17 (AP) - The first South Dakota road construction since war restrictions was planned today as a military need on state highways where heavy trucking to a war project requires hardsurfacing.
Secretary H. C. Westphal of the highway commission said two roadbeds were recommended to the commission for approval.
The S. S. Roberts Construction company of Rapid City would build 24 miles between Edgemont and Minnekahta.
The C. H. Lien Construction company of Rapid City would build 11 miles between Minnekahta and Hot Springs.
A check made by The Star this morning with several tourist camps in Hot Springs revealed that their business this month is running far ahead of previous Junes, and that most of the cabins are filled every night.
Business at local camps this year has been helped by the defense project at Provo, with many of the cabins taken by Provo workers and by workers at the cement plant in Trimmer addition.
Dr. Floyd Roberts, of the Battle Mountain Auto camp, says that registrations at his camp are greater this month than last year at this time, and that most of the visitors are tourists.
The Log Cabin camp is having the best June in the ten years it has been under the present ownership, reported Mrs. Leo Lash this morning, with business "unusually good." Most of the tourists contracted by her say they are either getting in their vacations now before they have to go into the army or they want to complete their trips before gasoline rationing starts.
C. B. Brown, Equitable Life representative from Minneapolis, in Hot Springs this week, reported that tourist business in the territory he covers is the greatest on record. One tourist camp operator told The Star that Provo people who had been permanent guests at the camp were leaving for the project, to occupy houses which the government is building for them, but that other Provo people are coming to town to take their places.
All the camps in town have many permanent tenants, mainly Provo families. McGregor camp in Trimmer addition has a number of cement plant workers in its cabins, and is getting a good play from tourists.
The Evans Heights, Wayside, De Luxe, Rainbow, and Larive Lake camps are also reported to be getting a good "play" from tourists and defense workers.
Plans to provide a check-cashing service for Hot Springs merchants on Saturday afternoons and evenings were discussed informally Wednesday evening at the office of Mayor D. W. Sewright.
Present at the meeting were Walter Voigt and Ralph Mattson of the First National Bank of the Black Hills, five retail merchants, and three or four others. Invitations to attend the meeting were issued to all retailers, but only five appeared for the discussion.
It was agreed at the meeting that there was no demand at present for the bank to remain open on Saturday evenings, but Mr. Voigt stated that the bank was willing to provide such service as the merchants needed, provided it did not entail an excessive added expense of operation which could not be passed on to those who used the service.
Mr. Voigt agreed to provide a limited check-cashing service for merchants on Saturday afternoons, and suggested that more extended service could be provided if and when the need for it arose.
The matter of cashing checks of Provo workers has been a puzzling one for local merchants. Edgemont stores carry goodly sums of money on hand to take care of this situation, and the suggestion was made that Hot Springs stores might solve the problem in a similar manner.
Provo contractors have informed the local bank that there is no demand for night banking service from their employees, since they seem to have no trouble in getting their checks cashed. If the demand for night service should develop here, the bank will take steps to meet it; but the local bankers and others at Wednesday night's meeting were in agreement that such service is not necessary at the present time.
Merchants must study their particular check-cashing problems, it was the consensus of the meeting, and take such steps as may be necessary to solve them. Mr. Voigt expressed a willingness to what is fair and right in the matter, and said the bank is open to suggestions as to what should be done.
The fact that only five retailers showed up at the meeting seemed to indicate to those who did attend, that Provo check-cashing was not considered a serious problem here at this time.
Last Saturday a few merchants were said to have missed out on sales to Provo workers because they could not cash their checks. The suggestion was made that when the Provo situation is better understood, they will be able to carry enough cash, in co-operation with the bank, to meet all the check-cashing demands made on them.
Reports persist that oil activity on an almost unbelievable scale will break out in Fall River county before the summer is over.
The important oil activity - if and when it comes - will be near Provo, oil scouts declare, and will be based somewhat on the findings at the water well now being drilled on the defense project.
Major oil companies are known to be interested in this area, and at least one big block of leases has been taken up in preparation for drilling in case the findings at the Provo water well justify such action.
"Manning ∓ Marten, contractors on the water well being drilled for the army in Sec. 3, Twp. 10 S, Range 2 E. in Fall River county, are reported to have reached a total depth of 3,824 feet, and have run a string of 3,625 feet of 8-inch casing into the hole this week. Apparently they hope to secure an adequate water supply from the Madison limestone, similar to that secured from the same formation in a well drilled for the city of Rapid City at the air base.
"The Sundance was encountered in this hole at 1,604 feet, according to one report, and some water was encountered in this formation, but whether it was good or bad water is disputed. The Madison was topped at 3,600 feet. Reports persist that two shows of oil were encountered in this hole, one between 3,035 and 3,050 feet, and the second from 3,055 to 3,062 feet. Formation at that depth probably would be the Minnelusa."
EDGEMONT, June 22 - Major Oliver B. Brown, who has been the army engineer in charge of the Provo munitions depot since it was established, has been ordered to active duty outside the United States, according to reports here.
Captain Bernard T. Hansgren, who has been second in charge at the U. S. engineer's office at Provo, will take Major Brown's place.
Albert Soske Jr. came up from Chadron Tuesday to spend his summer vacation in the home of his father.
Corporal Cleve Brown, who had just arrived from the southern camp, and his brother, Leo were visiting their grandfather, Dad Brown, and also were callers here. Cleve looks fine.
Corporal Dellmar Hoar, who has been here from Fort Dix, N. J., the past ten days, returned to his camp Thursday.
Mrs. Leonard Rickard entertained at a dinner Wednesday for the extension club. Six members were present and Mrs. Dunbar was a visitor. They report a good time and a nice dinner.
Charlie Riggs came up from Dunning, Neb., Thursday and worked as operator, while the regular man took his examination for army camps.
Scott Wickersham and wife, who are now in Casper, Wyo., working, but who were visiting Edgemont, were callers here Saturday. He thinks the old vicinity has changed somewhat.
James Coates and brother-in-law, Nat Anderson, of Burdock were here Saturday on business. Nat has just returned home from somewhere in the Pacific for a visit.
Leonard Jenniwein of Mitchell, S. D., who is a supervisor of the child's recreation center, was here pertaining to getting some activities started for the children of the town.
Sunday school and church were started here at the schoolhouse Sunday, and there will be Sunday school and church each Sunday. All are cordially invited to attend.
Ethel Condit was a business visitor at Rapid City and Deadwood a few days during the past week. She also visited her sister while away.
Mrs. Wayne Jackson received a message from her sister at Kearney that her brother, Vernard Edney, was home from army camp and would be home for about a week.
Miss Mildred Romey spent Tuesday afternoon at home. Miss Romey is working at Provo.
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Schwartz and family, formerly of Wessington Springs, have recently moved here to make their home. Mr. Schwartz is a foreman on the Provo project.
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Osman and infant son are expected to arrive today or tomorrow from Groton, where they have been visiting Mr. Osman's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Osman. Mrs. Osman, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Huebner, stopped here two weeks ago, on her way from Los Angeles to Groton. Mr. Osman went through here Sunday en route to Groton. Upon their return they plan to make their home here. Mr. Osman will work at Provo.
George Schnaehl, 52, Mason City, Ia., died this morning at Battle Mountain hospital, from injuries he received Sunday morning about 8 o'clock when he either fell or jumped from a 25-foot cliff on the sanitarium grounds, north of the Gibson apartments, just above the red brick house.
Mr. Schnaehl was an employee of Rye and Henkel Construction companies of Mason City, working on the Provo project.
Mr. Schnaehl, a World war veteran, was a tinsmith by trade.
Miss Olive Ann Nicholls began working today for J. A. Terteling & Sons, contractors.
Mrs. Morse D. Mirich and Renee and Lannie, left Friday for Seattle, Wash., where they will visit with their mother and grandmother, Mrs. J. S. Gamble, Mr. Mirich is employed as a guard at the Black Hills ordnance depot project at Provo, and lives in Hot Springs.
Miss Mary "Mazie" McDonald, who has been working for Ellerbe & Co., engineers and architects at Provo, began work today in the Black Hills ordnance depot office at Provo.
The local rationing board which met Friday granted tire and tube purchase certificates as follows:
One new truck tire and tube to Prude Broyles, trucker.
One passenger automobile retread and tube to Kenneth L. Stenger, defense worker.
One new truck tire and tube to Central Electric, public utility truck.
One new truck tire to J. T. Blatchford, fuel trucker.
One passenger automobile retread to Edith Hagen, farmer and trucker.
One passenger automobile retread to Merl R. Seely, defense worker.
One passenger automobile tube to Elmer B. Abel, defense worker.
One passenger automobile tube to Narcisse G. LaPointe, defense worker.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rickard and Mrs. Louis Rickard spent a Sunday recently in the home of their son, Leonard Rickard.
Mrs. Wayne Jackson left Tuesday for a week's visit in the home of her mother, Mrs. M. M. Edney, at Almeria, Neb. She went by way of Oelrichs and took her sister, Mrs., Ray Milligan. Their brother, Vernard, is home from army camp in Texas and the girls had not seen him for almost three years, so were anxious to go to see him.
Frank Piel and family and the boys who were visiting here from California spent Sunday in the Hills, sightseeing. The boys thought the Hills were beautiful and they had a very nice trip.
George Tholborn and C. J. Potter, who have been visiting the home of Frank Piel and family the past month, left Tuesday for their home in California. They had brought the grandchildren here for the summer to stay in the home of their grandparents.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robinson of Seneca, Neb., came up Friday evening for a few days visit in the home of his mother and husband, Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Dunbar. They also visited his grandmother, Grandma Hoar, at Edgemont and other relatives while here. They left for home Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Reed of Edgemont spent Sunday afternoon and evening in the Leonard Rickard home.
Buss McDonna left Monday for Fort Peck, Mont., on business for Terteling & Sons.
Miss Marjorie Kellogg is now employed at the local post office.
Forest Dryden, who has been working at the ordnance plant, was called home as he was to appear for army duty.
Robert Soske, John Coates and Philip Erschen returned home from Omaha, where they had gone to be examined for the army; did not learn if the boys passed or not.
Word was received from Dellmar Hoar that he reached his destination all right and was feeling fine.
A comprehensive recreational program for workers at the Black Hills ordnance depot and their families was inaugurated this week with the arrival of seventeen WPA workers - thirteen women and four men - on the construction site. An abandoned farm house on the project has been made into a temporary home for the WPA people.
The recreational project will be carried out under the supervision of Major Harvey Eustrom, area engineer, and Major J. Curtis, commanding officer.
The first event on the program will be held Thursday night of this week, when a "search for talent" will be staged. A public address system will move over the project during the evening, and workers and their wives and children will be invited to display their talent over a load speaker.
On Friday night, a rehearsal will be held for the talent which will be used in a recreational program.
A program for Saturday, July 4, featuring a gigantic display of fireworks in the evening, is being planned. The fireworks, costing more than $300, were purchased with funds collected from the recreational committee, which is composed of one representative from each contractor at the project and the area engineer.
On Fourth of July afternoon, a program of sports for women and children and men off shift will be held. In the evening, a bowery dance has been arranged in a new building, completed a week ahead of schedule. The fireworks display will be held after darkness has set in.
The members of the WPS recreation divisions are Rosalle Anderson, Marguerite Barlowe, Carl H. Bierman, Clara Ellis, Edna M. Ferguson, Sylvia Hoppes, George I. Jukes, Golden Lovell, Peter Lundeen, Pauline Morgan, Abraham Putman, Joseph Rodlinger, Katherine M. Short, Rosella Thilin, Adaline Weisser, Mrs. Noi Willcockson, and Bernice Witte.
Captain Frank B. Fisher, public relations officer, Missouri river division, corps of engineers, Omaha, was on the project this week aiding in getting the recreational program in motion.
Captain Fisher stated that comprehensive recreation facilities for the thousands of workers on the project and their families are being planned, in an attempt to make them more satisfied, and thereby cut down the heavy turnover of labor which has been common on the project.
Since recreational activities have been announced, the labor turnover has been reduced to normal proportions, he said.
A moving picture show will be built on the project, he said, for use of the workers and their families at a nominal admission charge.
PROVO, July 1 - Council representing the engineer department has been formed from engineer personnel to handle and plan athletic and social recreation during construction period. Two members from each of the four divisions were chosen as follows:
From the administration section, Mr. Evans and Mr. DeCorey; from the inspection division, Mr. Chaussee and Mr. Estrup; from the engineer division, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Oravetz, and from protective security division, Miss Roper and Mr. Thompson.
Organization of the above group placed Mr. Estrup as chairman, Mr. Oravetz as vice chairman, Mr. Evans as treasurer, and Miss Roper as secretary. Discussion of various recreation facilities followed, all participating in the general conversation. It was decided that funds would be allotted for the purchase of softball equipment and the preparation of a diamond. Frank DeCorey was appointed as softball chairman, with Kenneth Stenger as his assistant.
Plans are being made for holding an engineer department dance on July 10 in the Edgemont armory. Each engineer employee will be allowed the privilege of bringing one couple as his guest from the contractors' personnel.
Plans for the publishing of a weekly newspaper concerning the project personnel were discussed, and the first issue of the paper appeared on Saturday, June 27. This paper is edited by various members of the engineer office, with assistance being rendered by employees of various contractors under the editorship of Mary McDonald. Plans are underway to keep this paper issued at least once each week for the duration of construction.
PROVO, July 1 - An immunization and inoculation program for typhoid fever and smallpox has been inaugurated on the project by the federal health bureau under the leadership of Lieut. F. Hamilton Redewill. First inoculation was given to 192 government employees on June 12. Second inoculation was on July 19 when 228 received inoculation, first inoculation being given to 68 and the second inoculation to 160.
Vaccinations for smallpox were given to 127, and on June 20, 246 contractors' employees were inoculated for typhoid fever. Final inoculation for typhoid fever was given to 140 government employees on June 26, and all were furnished with inoculation certificate by Lieut. Redewill. Able assistance in this program has been rendered by Miss Betty Roper and Robert Gruys of the sanitation department.
PROVO, July 1 - A full day of entertainment is being planned for the employees of the Black Hills ordnance depot and their families on Saturday, July 4.
The program, which is sponsored by the WPA national defense project, the U. S. engineers, and J. A. Terteling & Sons, will start at 1:30 and continue through the day and evening. A variety of events, such as "teen age" kitten ball games and races for men, women and children, and dancing, will be included.
tested in Internet Explorer 8
tested in Mozilla Firefox 3.5.7
tested in Google Chrome