Transportation is not expected before late today, and more entertainment is being solicited. The opening of the Canteen facilitates [is] keeping the marooned servicemen warm, happy, well-fed and together in order to be available when trains start to move. Telegraph-Bulletin | Jan. 6, 1949 Hundreds of local residents thronged the North Platte Canteen Wednesday night to watch nearly 300 servicemen, new recruits and veterans take their last fling in snowbound North Platte. A large number of local women and high school girls went to the Canteen so the fellows would have dancing partners, and the “farewell” party was a big one, lasting until midnight. … There was even a “floor show,” with a soldier put- ting on a farce act of a young girl preparing to take a bath, and other acts provided by localites. … William E. Edward, of Durham, N.C., added that he thought this town and the people here are pretty swell, and Billy E. Wyatt, of Paducah, Ky., said, “We don’t care how long we stay here.” … The volunteer women serving coffee and refresh- ments smiled happily and added, “Just like the good old days — even better.” Telegraph-Bulletin | Jan. 8, 1949 Upon receiving word that some 200 persons were arriving by bus, of which 89 were servicemen, the Union Pacific railroad again opened the Canteen room and the Red Cross, Army Recruiting office,
was cleaned out of cold meat. The O’Connor drug [store] re-opened so 50 cartons of cigarettes could be purchased. Ten gallons of milk were obtained from the Ideal Dairy. Ten buses arrived late in the evening, packed with unhappy, discouraged and disconsolate pas- sengers. Many were broke or near-broke, and one soldier told Mrs. Taylor that he hadn’t eaten in 12 hours. “I’ve never been so hungry,” he declared. At 1 a.m., two more buses arrived. … To help boost the morale of the weary travelers, Mrs. Ida Yates and Miss Hildegarde Young were recruited to entertain during a lengthy lay-over. Not until 3 a.m. did the volunteers close the doors and go home for some rest. Amazingly, visitors during the Canteen revival’s second wave included repeat customers from the war. Telegraph-Bulletin | Jan. 10, 1949 It was “old home week” for some servicemen and for some of the volunteer Canteen workers last week. R.C. Eicher, of Indianapolis, Ind., now a student at the University of Wyo., Laramie, was among the bus passengers who were fed at the Canteen late Friday night. Recognizing Mrs. C.H. [Mary Ellen] Land, Mrs. E.J. [Harriet] LeMaire and Mrs. Adam [Helen] Christ as those who had served him while he was in the armed forces, back in ’45, Eicher walked up and introduced himself and his Continued on page 134
The North Platte Telegraph
American Legion and Auxiliary and volunteer women went into action. Mrs. V.R. [Sarah Kelly] Taylor took charge of buying food for all passengers, servicemen and civilians alike. The Red Cross issued orders to buy everything needed to feed them well — at the expense of the Red Cross. Learning of the emergency, Bill Davis’ Drug Store packed a box of candy bars, gum and ciga- rettes for the Canteen and the Krispy [Krust] Bakery donated 20 loaves of bread. More was purchased and, after hours, the Sixth Street market
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