USA > Indiana > Lake County > History Of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (1944) > Part 25
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FOOD AP STORES
I
Rows on rows of empty houses mark Kings- ford Heights, Indiana's "mirage city" 10 miles from LaPorte, where the government has spent $13,000,000 to erect a "model" town of 2,974 family units, only 216 of which are oc- cupied. Above, just back of euphoniously- named Ferwood avenue, the deserted atmos- phere is shown with back yards lacking any semblance of domestic life and with carefully planted grass going untended. Below the only
store in the town, occupying a temporary building. With a chain drug store which has engaged quarters in the elaborate business sec- tion now being built, it will occupy a build- ing in the center of the town when the struc- ture is completed. Other store buildings are being erected, but there are no tenants avail- able and business men of nearby towns predict the stores will never be occupied.
Page Two Hundred and Forty
ORDINANCE PLANT HOUSING SCHEME CALLED FAILURE
Hammond Times, July 23, 1943
Kingsford Heights is dubbed "the mirage of Indiana" in surrounding LaPorte county towns.
Unlike a mirage on the desert it exists - $13,000,000 worth of it - but it is truly a "mirage" of governmental planning to regi- ment some 2,974 families of Kingsbury ord- nance plant workers into baracks like, though modern, dwellings in a "model town" erected on what formerly was rich farming land.
Only 216 families reside in its sprawling 2,974 homes. Its cement sidewalks are un- trodden, its elaborate waterworks system operates at one-tenth its capacity-and Kings- ford Heights, other LaPorte towns say, has no silver-lined future in prospect behind the dark clouds of its present existence amid rum- blings against governmental waste of the pub- lic's money and resources.
Ghost towns of the west, where men were men and died with their boots on, supposedly are haunted by the spirits of those departed, either violently or when the mineral lodes on which the towns were founded played out.
No Ghosts or People Here
Kingsford Heights, government-conceived "model town," adjacent to the Kingsbury ord- nance plant, near LaPorte, under this inter- pretation, cannot be classed a "ghost town." For it couldn't be haunted by those who once resided there. Even when the 216 families leave, as they probably will after the ordnance plant's war work is ended, there would be only a few "ghosts" to haunt the quarters pre- pared for more than 10,000 humans.
The best designation of Kingsford Heights is a "mirage" rather than a "ghost town." The "mirage" conceived by the government is populated mostly by field mice, which travel unafraid over the grass grown streets and backyards.
Uncle Sam, however, has not written Kingsford Heights off to experience to date. Perhaps it's because government red tape is such that, once a project is started, nothing
but its completion can check the expenditure of tax money, or perhaps, as A. J. Parkin, the government manager of the project contends. Uncle Sam still believes it is possible to fill the town with humans.
Construction Continues
At any rate construction work continues in the town. Several hundred high-paid crafts- men, carpenters, masons, electricians, roofers, sheet metal men, sewer construction crews, sidewalk paving crews, etc., work on amid the deep silence of 2,758 unoccupied, albeit com- pleted homes, watched at intervals by the 216 families who have moved into the town, In- cidentally, there are no figures to show how many of the 216 families are those of con- struction workers who will move on when the town's construction is completed.
In the 2,758 unoccupied homes 2,758 mod- ern type gas stoves stand idle, 2,758 sinks are unused, 2,758 units of plumbing are tied up, plus 2,758 times the many household fittings that are so scarce on civilian markets today.
Thousands of miles of electric wiring in the unused streets nightly carry current for the street lights. A complete waterworks system designed to care for 2,974 families serves the 216 units occupied. Miles of concrete side- walks go nowhere for there is no one to walk over them on many of the streets.
GARY SAILOR GETS MEDAL FOR HEROISM
Hammond Times, December 16, 1943
John V. Swigon of Gary was awarded the Silver Star medal in North Africa tor heroism when his ship, the cruiser Savannah, was struck by an enemy bomb Nov. 9 while pro- tecting the Fifth army's landings in the Gulf of Salerno, it was learned today. Ninety-nine medals and commendations were awarded to crewsmen of the ship.
The bomb entered the turret and exploded below decks. Numerous acts of heroism were performed by men trapped within the ship and those who helped rescue them.
Page Two Hundred and Forty-one
Hammond's Larsen Post VFW, Guards Against Apple Carts for War Veterans
Hammond Times, December 16, 1943
"We are getting old but we are still in the fight,
"To see our boys and girls get justice and are treated right.
"Our maimed, wounded and crippled will be issued a purple heart,
"It's up to us to see they are not issued an apple cart!"
Thus William Krokoski, chaplain of the Edward H. Larsen Post No. 802, Veterans of Foreign Wars, expresses poetically the senti- ments of the post in efforts to issue a "square deal" for veterans of World War II.
Obligations of the old veterans were pointed out today by John W. Blume, of Hammond, service officer of the post. These duties, he declared rest upon the veterans now as well as when the war is over.
The first problem to be faced. Blume stressed, is that of reemployment of the re- turning men and women. Next comes the re- habilitation of the incapacitated veteran, fol- lowed by emergency relief for the needy.
For many years, Blume said yesterday in re- the post members to serve with the civilian- army council and to cooperate with all agen- cies working for the welfare of the former service folk.
For many years, Blue said yesterday in re- calling the history of the organization, the Larsen post has been active in working for veterans'. benefit.
The post's history goes back to the day of its beginning on July 15, 1921, when a group of veterans met in the Hammond superior court building and elected Herman E. Granger as their temporary commander. Those serving with Commander Granger pending reception of charter and election of permanent officers were: Senior vice commander, G. M. Van Valkenburg; adjutant, Earl K. Cone; quarter- master, Walter E. Meyn; Chaplain, Harry C. Miller; officer of the day, David M. Dillon; bugler, Henry Olsen; trustee, Charles W. George, Charles A. Van Valkenburg and Glen E. Carey; color bearers, Eric Lund and Harry Beatty.
On Sept. 20, 1921, the first permanent offi- cers were elected under the command of Sherm G. Stoll. The group was named for Edward H. Larsen, the first soldier killed in World War I. Since that time the post has elected 24 commanders, now being headed by Werner P. Meissner.
In the 22 years of its existance the post has paid for the home it now occupies at 536 Sibley street. In the present war the post has 57 members serving in Australia, 18 in Italy, six in Iceland, six in the merchant marine, one in South America, five in the Caribbean sea and 17 in the south Pacific area.
Maj. Gen. Glenn R. Clark is a post member and one of the organizers of Camp Pendleton in California. He is now serving in the Pacific. The post also is proud of the record of Jimmie Dugan, a veteran of World War I, a former post commander and now with the army in Australia. Despite the war, Jimmie still is ac- tive in post work, recently taking in 36 new members, all serving with him in Australia. He was a member of the degree ritual team in Hammond.
Page Two Hundred and Forty-two
WALTER IS DARN MAD
Hammond Times, December 16, 1943
Pfc. Walter P. Cichon is darned good and sore. It seems the folks back in Hammond don't write to him and his buddies in Italy.
"I know it's tough on you guys fighting the war back in the U. S. A." writes Cichon, formerly of 1331 Field street, Hammond, to his friend Ben Diamond of the Hammond Fruit company, in a letter fairly burning up with irony.
"It's hard," he continues. "All you have is a nice warm home, clean clothes, a place to sleep and wash, electric lights, a car and amusements. We're sorry for you! Ourselves, we're taking it easy over here. We only live in little pup tents. It only rains every day. There is mud all around and we don't know what a bath or clean clothes look like. We sleep on the ground. We are near the front and hear the big guns all the time. Still, we have time to write and you haven't. People are letting us down. I'm not speaking for my- self alone but for all of us."
Thus Walter releases his pentup ire.
"God bless you all," he concludes.
BRINGS WAR SOUVENIRS
Hammond Times, December 16, 1943
Edw. "Ted" Hansen's story of his recent trip with the merchant marines reads like an adventure story. He has recently returned from a trip to Africa and Italy during which time he was an oiler in the engine room of a liberty ship carrying a cargo of TNT and hi-test gasoline. They were bombed twice by the Germans in the Mediterranean sea and two ships in the convoy were sunk with all hands lost. Ted brought two souvenirs home -a German commando knife and an Italian bayonet taken from prisoners. On the return trip 500 prisoners (German) were brought back, Some talked English and Ted discovered that they were sure New York and Chicago had been practically wiped out by bombings and that Germany would win this war.
AMERICA'S INTERNATIONAL WPA
- Editorial -
Hammond Times, August 2, 1943
"Boondoggling on a Global Basis" is the title of an article by Henry J. Taylor, in "The Reader's Digest" for August, that every thinking American should read.
Taylor, whose "Men in Motion," is one of the most important books on the war, says that "our policy of exaggerated international- ism is as dangerous, foolhardy and destructive as narrow isolationism." We quote from his timely article:
"As for our devious plans for a Better World Order - whatever that may mean be- sides the impoverishment of the United States itself - our fatuous assumption that we can set all well with words and dollars and a 'police force' is a thoughtlessly impossible undertaking.
"Here at home we are faced by every sort of readjustment after the war. We must pro- vide jobs for the returning American soldiers and for our present war workers. We must work tirelessly to regain our solvency and to recover from the present huge drain on every resource we have. In this alone we face the greatest task in our history. We shall be in no position to lift the standard of living in China, in Russia, among 400 million im- poverished peoples of Europe, desirable as it is. There is no possibility of our succeeding in such an attempt."
The writer strikes out at "America's Inter- national WPA." He says the government's policies abroad are undermining the morale of our troops. "This is not the time," he com- ments, "to pay an American workman $1,000 a month to fix electric wires on the airfield at Accra, while privates in the United States army, working on the same field, are paid $50 a month." He tells how American boon- dogglers in Labrador paid the Eskimos such high wages - $120 a week for a family ac- customed to earn $8 and $10 - that they didn't know what to do with the money and quit work on the U. S. army air base.
What will happen when the American boondogglers leave these foreign countries?
If you haven't read the article by all means get a copy of the magazine and do so. It should be a "must" on your reading list.
Page Two Hundred and Forty-three
Food, Good Everywhere! It's Ready to Eat Now or Soon
Hammond Times, July 22, 1943
The 50 families gardening in the old Edison school plot, located between Jackson and Madison avenues and Mulberry and Spruce streets, Hammond, are positive that small vic- tory garden pays big dividends. Mrs. B. F. Mills, 537 Mulberry street, reports that thus far the victory gardeners have taken green
beans, radishes, spinach, onions, mustard tion to more common garden vegetables. The victory gardens, pictured above, were spon- sored by The Hammond Times and laid out by the Hammond Garden club. Each plot is
greens, turnips, beets, cabbage and peas from their gardens. In a rough survey, she adds, 25 different types of vegetables were counted in the block-long plot. Kohlrabi, rutabagas, 25 by 50 feet, with a 2 foot path between cauliflower, Lima beans, collards, egg plant, each plot. salsify and black zucchini were found in addi-
Page Two Hundred and Forty-four
Gritton Wounded in Action
Hammond Times, December 16, 1943
Mrs. Clarence Cloe, 5618 Howard avenue, Hammond, has been advised that her brother, Pfc. Joseph E. Gritton, was seriously wounded in action, Nov. 12, on the Italian front.
Pfc. Gritton made his home with his sister before entering service. He was employed at the O. F. Jordan company in East Chicago.
While living here, Pfc. Gritton made many friends. The extent or nature of his injuries were not made known.
HORSE MEAT ON SALE HERE
Hammond Times, July 13, 1943
The adage, "The old gray mare ain't what she used to be," has never been truer than it is today, for Old Dobbin's heritage as a beast of burden is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Today he's considered by many as one of the dinner table's finer delicasies.
No longer do prospective purchasers pry open Dobbin's mouth to determine his age by looking at his teeth. Today's buyers study cuts from his hind quarters, his chest and his fore- legs in an effort to judge how good their din- ner will be.
Convincing proof of this wartime trans- formation in the Calumet area is to be found in figures compiled by Sam Savage, owner of the Mountain Range Horse Meat market, 5423 Calumet avenue, Hammond, dealers in horse meat exclusively.
Savage says he has sold "more than 10 tons of horse meat" during the two weeks his mar- ket has been operating in this area, and he adds that the daily consumption is rising steadily. Between 140 and 150 persons jam his store every day to buy cuts of meat for table use only.
Sirloin and round steaks and horse-meat burger lead the field in popularity among those buy horse meat, Savage says. His cus- tomers are not limited to residents of Ham- mond alone, but include many from sur- rounding towns.
Pardoxically, the market's advertisement of horse meat for dogs and cats received little attention from anyone in the area, Savage dis-
closed. Apparently most of the buyers think the left-over bones are enough for their house- hold pets ... after they've finished eating the horse-meat chuck roasts, steaks and hambur- ger.
And if anyone asks how so many people got around to trying horse meat for the first time, Savage also has the answer for that.
"Some of our first customers helped in ad- vertising the meat," he said. "They bought steaks or roasts for their own use and then in- vited neighbors over to dine. The neighbors ate horse meat without fore-knowledge and liked it so well they began patronizing Sav- age's market themselves."
MAJ. WEAVER MUM ON WAR EXPERIENCES AS A MARINE
Hammond Times, May 28, 1943
Home on his first leave in two years from the south Pacific battle front, a real hot spot in the war theater, is Maj. Wilfred Weaver, deeply tanned by the tropic sun, wearing the leather-neck's "brush" cut and keeping a tight lip about his inevitable experiences.
It was clearly evidenced by his "closed lip" policy that the major is an A-1 marine, hav- ing learned and learned well "to obey orders," for he drew forth his official orders and called attention to paragraph 2: "Press representa- tives seeking information should be referred to the nearest naval headquarters."
The major informs that it is winter now in that area and "darn hot." It rains frequently during summer months and the results are a hot, steamy and most uncomfortable climate.
Maj. Weaver has been in the marine corps reserve for 14 years. He was called to active duty in October, 1941, and has been stationed for 17 months in the south Pacific. In civilian life he was employed at the Northern Indiana Public Service company in Hammond.
The major and his wife and four children, Betty, Wilfred, Jr., Lois and Marilyn, have lived at 18046 Ridgewood avenue, Lansing for 10 years.
He must report back to San Diego, Calif., on June 27.
Maj. Weaver also indicated that he had met several Calumet region boys who are fighting over there.
Page Two Hundred and Forty-five
IN MEMORIAM TO FLIER
R. K. Bowers
Hammond Times, December 6, 1943
His soul goes marching on-
When the Japs killed Ensign Robert Keith Bowers at Pearl Harbor two years ago, there was no destroyer escort vessel Bowers. And there was no Bowers airport at Ellensburg, Wash. The recent launching of the ship at San Francisco was the latest honor paid the memory of the young naval officer, well known in the Calumet area. While he never made his home here, Ensign Bowers spent his vacations here at the home of his aunt, Mrs. H. J. Van Valkenburg, 37 Lawndale street, Hammond, while studying medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle.
He abandoned his medical career to join the naval air forces and was graduated at Pensa- cola, Fla. He was pilot of an observation plane on the U.S.S. California when killed at Pearl Harbor. His mother, Mrs. Alva I. Bowers, sister of Mrs. Van Valkenburg, christened the ship launched to commemorate his sacrifice.
MORRISON SEES ECONOMIC RULE
Chicago Tribune, October 4, 1943
Herbert S. Morrison, British home secre- tary, said today that rationing restrictions and other war time economic controls would have to be continued in Great Britain when peace comes "for as long as abnormal conditions persist." Premature lifting of such restrictions and controls after 1918, he asserted, contri- buted largely to the financial depression.
In a speech here the British minister pre-
dicted a great clamor to abandon government controls would arise as soon as the war ended, and added that unless wiser judgment pre- vailed "the folks with the money will get there first."
Morrison suggested control of spending "by taxes and public self-restraint through volun- tary savings"; continuance of rationing both in industry and in the shops so long as short- ages exist, and continuance of public control of some industries.
LT. W. J. GRANGER IS KILLED
Lt. Granger
Hammond Times, December 12, 1943
Second Lt. William J. Granger, Jr., 19, former Hammond high school athlete, was killed Friday when his army fighter plane crashed while landing at Hamilton Field, Cal. His father, William J. Granger, of 953 Mur- ray street, Hammond, was informed of his death by army officers.
Granger graduated last year from Ham- mond high school, where he had been a mem- ber of the school wrestling team. Following employment by the Continental Roll and Steel Foundry company he enlisted in Decem- ber, 1942, trained at Santa Ana and Tulare Fields, Cal., and got his wings at Lute Field, Arizona, Nov. 3, last. Given a furlough, he visited his father Nov. 7 to 10 at the Ham- mond home.
The young officer was an only child. His body will be sent here for burial. Funeral arrangements have not be completed.
Page Two Hundred Forty-six
Look Over German Gun
Hammond Times, June 3, 1943
Walter Chicon, a former truck driver for the Hamond fruit company, sends word to his friends here that he is somewhere in north Africa and the above photograph which he
explains as being a German 88 MM. gun cap- tured by his outfit in the battle of Tunisia. Chicon says that is a German helmet resting on the gun. Chicon, identified by the X mark, also reports he was in on the capture of Sfax.
RAY J. NOVAK DIES IN ACTION
Hammond Times, December 9, 1943
Raymond John Novak, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton C. Novak, 4515 Ash avenue, died in the sinking of the U. S. aircraft carrier Lipscomb Bay in the American invasion of the Gilbert islands, his parents were informed today by the navy department.
Several other Hammond men were aboard the Lipscomb Bay, it is known, but their fate is as yet unannounced.
Novak was an ordnanceman, first class, and enlisted in the navy Jan. 24, 1941. He was trained at Great Lakes naval training station and Seattle, Wash. In Seattle he was married to a Seattle girl.
He was a Hammond high school graduate and was employed by the Youngstown Sheet and Tube company prior to entering service.
Besides his parents, he is survived by his widow, Bertha, who took up residence at San Diego, his home port, to be with him when his ship was in home waters, and a brother, Cpl. Anthony C. Novak, Tinker Field, Okla- homa City, Okla.
Pvt. Elbert Howe of Hobart Listed Dead in England
Hammond Times, December 6, 1943
Death of her brother, Pvt. Elber E. Howe in Newbury, England, was reported yesterday to Mrs. Ovia Watson by the war department. Pvt, Howe, a native of Medaryville, Ind., had been in England for the past three months as a member of the 101st artillery band. He had been in the army two years. His father, George Howe, was a former Hobart resident. No details of Pvt. Howe's death were given.
Page Two Hundred and Forty-seven
HAMMOND FLIER OVERDUE ON FLIGHT
Hammond Times, December 12, 1943
Searching parties Saturday were seeking a B-24 bomber, piloted by Second Lt. Roy H. Brasher, who was reported overdue at an air- field in Texas, according to his father, Claude Brasher, 224 Brunswick street, Hammond, who received word from the Texas field. The plane was due Friday. Brasher said his son was in Hamond Thursday and left that evening. Lt. Brasher, stationed at Maxwell Field, Ala., has been in the army air forces for one year.
SECOND TO FIRST LOOEY
R. M. Black
Hammond Times, December 14, 1943
Lt. Robert M. M. Black has been promoted to first lieutenant while on duty somewhere on the fighting fronts. A comparatively short time after this promotion was announced, Lieut. Black rounded out one year of service in north Africa, having come in on the initial invasion on Nov. 8, 1942. The news of Lt. Black's promotion comes from Maj. Edwin Waters, public relations officer of Black's air squadron.
The new first lieutenant's parents are Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Black, 1608 - 142nd street, East Chicago.
SGT. PORACKY TO BE HONORED Hammond Times, January 2, 1944
Returned home after 300 flying hours in combat, wearing the distinguished flying cross, the air medal, the presidential citation, and other awards for outstanding service and valor, Tech. Sgt. Walter Poracky of Whiting will be guest of honor today at the com- munion breakfast of the Second district of the National Council of Catholic Men.
In service overseas for 23 months, Tech- Sgt. Poracky has participated in 42 day and night bombing raids in the South Pacific war zone. He was graduated from George Rogers
W. Poracky
Clark high school and before his enlistment was employed at the Carbide and Carbon corporation.
The breakfast will be held in the banquet room of the St. John church of Whiting im- mediately following the 9:15 a. m. mass at which the Holy Name society of Whiting will receive Holy Communion. Communion will be offered, on this occasion, for the protection and welfare of American men in the armed forces.
The movie, "War in the Pacific" recently released under the supervision of Admiral Downes, will be shown after the breakfast.
Tech. Sgt. Poracky, who arrived home in time to spend the Christmas holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Poracky, 1727 Stanton avenue, Whiting, expects to leave soon for an army hospital in Florida for a rest cure.
STATIONED SOMEWHERE IN IRELAND
J. Majcherek
Hammond Times, December 14, 1943
Mr. and Mrs. John Majcherek, 244 - 156th street, Calumet City, have heard that their son, John J., stationed somewhere in Ireland, has been advanced from private first class to
Page Two Hundred and Forty-eight
sergeant.
He had been in the army only 61/2 months when he received the promotion,
Sgt. Majcherek graduated from Thornton Fractional high school and from a business college in Chicago. Before leaving to take up his military duties, he worked for the Super- heater corporation in East Chicago, perform- ing office work.
Crown Pointer Not Missing: Just Substitute Loses Infantry; Aides Artillery
G. Zajicek
Hammond Times, December 14, 1943
Although his training best fitted him for the job as runner with an army infantry unit, Pfc. George Zajicek, Jr., found he also was quite adept at firing anti-aircraft artillery when he was accidentally separated from his unit in Italy recently and joined up with the anti-aircraft unit.
This was disclosed in a letter received yes- terday by his wife, Mrs. Edith Zajicek, 306 East Joliet street, who had feared he was a casualty of war following an official war de- partment dispatch listing him as missing in action. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Zajicek, Sr., of Crown Point.
His letter told Mrs. Zajicek that he was ac- cidentally separated from his infantry unit in Italy during fierce fighting and that he later found himself with anti-aircraft artillerymen and was put to work firing one of the guns for two days during a heavy bombardment. He later rejoined his own company and has since been listed as "found" by the war de- partment.
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