Grundy County Tidbits 1940-1949

Tidbits are newspaper articles, etc. which mention names, places, and other information useful to the researcher.
They will be posted as received, with the newest listed first.


E-mail your Grundy County, MO Tidbit to Larry Flesher


IN UNIFORM


BOATSMAN [Boatswains Mate-Ed], 2-c, ERSIL ROTTMAN, who has been in the South Pacific war theater for the past eighteen months, is home on leave visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Rottman of Tindall.

MORE TRENTON BOYS RECLASSIFIED


Local Board Reclassifies Fifteen; Appeal Board, Seven; One Appeals Own
The Selective Service Board reclassified fifteen boys Monday. Seven boys were reclassified by the appeal board according to regulations. Two cases of boys for reclassification were sent to state headquarters and reclassified, and one was referred back to the appeal board which reclassified it there. Harry L. Yates personally appealed his own case before the board having jurisdiction over his address in Nebraska. The local board's reclassification of 1-A was sustained by the Nebraska board.
The local board reclassified these men as follows: William G. Berry from 2-C to 1-A; Harold E. Lisle, 1-A to 4-F; Henry P. Hurst, 2-C to 1-A; Pearl L. Septer, 1-A to 1-C; James J. Shaw, 3-C to 3-CH; Jack A. Gardner, 2-C to 1-A; William A. Duncan, 2-C to 1-A; Harry E. McKay; 2-A to 1-A; William H. Dryer, 1-A to 2-A; Louis W. Rich, 4-F to 1-A; Raymond Sterline, O to 1-A; William G. Altenderfer, 3-C to 1-A; Olen L. Walker, 1-A to 1-C; Paul E. Ferguson, 1-A to 1-C; Leonard E. Henderson, 2-C to 1-A.
The appeal board reclassified these boys according to regulations: Harry H. Brougher from 2-A to 1-A; Harry G. Shaw, 2-A to 1-A; Victor M. Drenon, 2-B to 1-A; Merton W. Kent, 2-A to 1-A; Herman H. Shields, 2-B to 1-A; George F. Jackson, 2-B to 1-A; Russell V. Good, 2-A to 1-A.
The state headquarters recommended the following reclassifications: Jason M. Harris, from 2-A to 1-A; Wilford A. Ralston, 2-A to 1-A. The case of George W. Stone was sent to state headquarters and referred to the appeal board where it was reclassified from 2-A to 1-A.
Glen Walter Hoar of Washington, D.C., formerly of Trenton has been accepted by the Army.

SCHOOL TEACHER KILLED, 5 OTHERS INJURED IN CRASH

CARS COLLIDE AT JUNCTION EAST OF TOWN


[Ed. Note: this accident occurred March 17, 1945]
Lola Francine Montgomery, 26, a teacher at Central school, was killed and five other persons injured Saturday night in a head-on collision at the junction of highways 6 and 65 east of Trenton. Miss Montgomery was riding in a 1937 Ford coach driven by Junior Hale. The couple were coming toward Trenton and had just driven around the corner west of the Mullins filling station when they collided with a four-passenger Chrysler coupe driven by Mrs. Shirley Reger of Newtown. The Reger car was heading straight east on No. 6 when the accident occurred. It was coming from Kansas City. The force of the impact threw both cars approximately 25 feet according to Sheriff Henry Smith, sliding the Reger car into the ditch at the intersection. The front ends of both cars were demolished.
BADLY INJURED
State highway patrolmen said Miss Montgomery was apparently thrown against the dashboard, causing extensive injuries including fractures of both legs, the spine and both jaws. She was taken to the Wright Memorial hospital for treatment, where she died approximately 30 minutes after the accident without regaining consciousness. Immediate cause of death was a basal skull fracture. Hale, the son of J. E. Hale of Trenton, suffered a laceration on his forehead and shock, hospital attendants said. He is a city mail carrier. Mrs. Reger and Rose Janesko of Kansas City, Kan., and Charles Kinkaid and Harry Scott, both of Sewell, Ia., occupants of the other car, were cut around the face and head and suffered bruises. Scott who was bruised, was least seriously injured of all. His ankle was dislocated. Janesko suffered a sp_______.
RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
All four of the occupants of the coupe were released from Cullers hospital yesterday after treatment. It was believed they continued their trip to Newtown, their original destination. Miss Montgomery was the only child of Frank D. and Hallie Ellis Montgomery of Trenton Route 3. She was born Oct. 10, 1919, in Grundy County. Surviving besides her parents were her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Ellis of Route 3 and Mrs. Martha Montgomery of Creighton, and several aunts and uncles.
TO TRENTON SCHOOLS
She was a member of the Liberty Chapel Christian church and was active in church work. She grew up in the community and attended local schools and was a graduate of the junior college. She also attended the Northeast Missouri State Teachers college at Kirksville. She taught in the Reams school and the Liberty school from 1940 to 1942, when she taught in the Milan school for a year. For the past two years she has taught at Central school, first in the sixth grade and this year in the junior high school as a social science and dramatics teacher. She was the supervisor of the class in Junior Red Cross work there. Funeral services will be held at the Liberty Chapel church at 1:30 Tuesday with the Rev. J. E. Todd in charge, and burial will be in the Maple Grove cemetery. The body is at the Davis Funeral home.

18 Jun 1942: Survivor of Coral Sea Battle Here


Carl McClintick, Jr., arrived Wednesday evening from San Diego, Calif., to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl McClintick of Trenton, who met him in Kansas City. He was on an aircraft carrier that took part in the Coral Sea battle and was rescued after four hours in the water when his ship was sunk. He was landed June 5 in San Diego.

Trenton Gunner Gets Purple Heart


Staff Sergt. James T. Yeater Receives Award for Wounds in European Combat Action
Staff Sergt. James T. Yeater, 25 years old, of 1318 Main Street, Trenton, was recently awarded the purple heart for wounds suffered in action against the enemy. The presentation was made at an eighth air forces bomber base in England by his commanding officer, Col. Budd J. Peaslee of Santa Cruz, Calif. Sergt. Yeater is a waist gunner on a Flying Fortress.

22 Jun 1942


Jane Thomas Marries J.V. Williams in Spickard
Miss Jane Thomas, daughter of Mrs. Myrtle Thomas of Trenton, was married to James V. Williams of St. Joseph Sunday afternoon in the United Brethren church in Spickard. The Rev. Frank Bartleson performed the single ring ceremony. The couple was attended by Mrs. June Lowe and Paul Duke of Spickard. The bride wore a blue eyelet dress with white accessories and her corsage was of pink roses. Mrs. Lowe wore an ensemble of grey and gold with beige accessories. Her corsage was of sweet peas and baby's breath. Mr. Williams is a son of Mrs. Myrtle Williams of Trenton and is employed in St. Joseph where they will make their home. The bride was formerly employed at the J.C. Penney store here.

Mrs. Gerald Moore, seaman second class in the WAVES, has completed her basic training at Hunter College, New York, and has been sent to a specialized training school for storekeepers at Stillwater, Okla, where she will take a three or four months' course. After completing the course, she will be eligible for a rating as a third class petty officer and will be assigned to duty at one of the Navy's bases where she will release a man for active duty at sea. Mrs. Moore, the former Jane Spencer, is the daughter of Mrs. Fern Spencer of Trenton.

25 Jun 1942


Coral Sea Battle Survivor in Visit
Robert Alexander arrived Saturday night to spend Sunday here with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Muff. With Mrs. Muff he went to St. Louis Sunday evening to visit relatives and returned to Kansas City Tuesday to leave for his base in San Diego Wednesday. Alexander, who is a Machinist's Mate First Class in the US Navy, was aboard the [USS] Lexington when it was sunk in the Coral sea battle and was in the water several hours before he was picked up. At present he is stationed in San Diego.

1 Jul 1942


Undergoes Operation
Barbara Owens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Owens, underwent an appendectomy Saturday evening at Cullers hospital. She is reported to be improving.

1 Jul 1942: Republican Times (Trenton)


Hunter Enlists in US Naval Reserve
John R. Hunter of Trenton has enlisted as a flying student in the United States Naval Reserve and been sworn in at the Kansas City Naval Aviation Cadet Selection board, it was learned today. He graduated from the Trenton high school in 1940 where he was a member of the basketball team, and is now employed at the Plaza Hotel. Hunter soon will be ordered to a pre-flight training induction center for three months of physical conditioning under several of the nation's leading athletic coaches, and then will begin preliminary flight training at one of the naval reserve aviation bases.

2 Jul 1942: Stephen Kline Dies Suddenly in Rolla


Parents Here Notified of Death of Son This Morning; Studying for Mining Career.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kline of Trenton were notified today of the sudden death this morning of their son, Stephen, a student at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, Mo. Kline was to graduate from school this summer as a mining engineer, and was to receive a second lieutenant's commission in the reserve corps. Kline graduated from the Trenton schools before going to Rolla. He is survived by his parents and one sister, Mary Pamella, a student nurse at St. Luke's hospital in Kansas City. He was preceded in death by a brother, Nolan. No funeral arrangements have been made.

3 Jul 1942: Survivor Visits Here


Robert Alexander, a survivor of the Coral Sea battle, and brother of Mrs. Carl Muff, recently visited the Muffs. He has returned to his base at San Diego.

15 Jul 1942: Republican Times (Trenton)


Russell Campbell Visits Grandparents
Pvt. Russell Campbell, who is stationed at Orlando, Fla., arrived here Saturday to visit his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Stinson. Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell of Benton Harbor, Mich., are also visiting their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Stinson. Pvt. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. Stinson, Edna Campbell, and Elizabeth Ann Campbell were in Junction City, Kan., Sunday to visit Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell.

3 Aug 1942: Robert Alexander Weds Miss Doris Sperry Here


Miss Doris Sperry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Sperry of Kansas City, formerly of Trenton, was married to Robert Claude Alexander here, Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. Alexander's brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Muff. The single ring ceremony was performed by the Rev. Wilson Hammon in the presence of about 15 guests. The couple was attended by Raymond Sperry of Kansas City, brother of the bride, and Mrs. Muff. Miss Diane Muff played Mendelssohn's Wedding March on the piano. The bride wore a tailored suit of light blue with white accessories and she carried a bridal bouquet of pink roses and baby's breath. Following the ceremony a buffet supper was given. The table was decorated in colors of red, white and blue with small flags. The rooms were decorated with ferns. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander will make their home in Norfolk, Va. Mr. Alexander, who is a son of C. U. Alexander of East Alton, Ill., has been assigned to the recently launched aircraft carrier, USS Essex. He expects to remain in the United States until after the first of the year.

3 Aug 1942: Virginia Lloyd Weds Dale Hays in Ceremony Here


Miss Verginia Lloyd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Lloyd, became the bride of Dale Hays in a ceremony Saturday afternoon performed here by G. M. Herndon, justice of the peace, in his office. Mr. Hays is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hays. The couple was attended by Miss Maxine Cruth and Peery Duncin, both of Kansas City. The bride wore a black dress with black and white accessories and her corsage was of red roses and baby's breath. Miss Cruth's dress was brown and her accessories were green. Her corsage was of pink roses and baby's breath. A dinner was given for the bridal party at the home of the bride's parents after the ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Hays will make their home in Kansas City where they are both employed. They are both graduates of the Trenton high school.

3 Aug 1942: RETURNS TO INDIANA


Mrs. Bob McKinney of Ft. Wayne, Ind., left Saturday to return to her home after spending part of the week here with her mother, Mrs. C. O. Evoritt. Mrs. Evoritt and Mrs. McKinney visited Mr. Evoritt in Kansas City where he is stationed as Chief Petty Officer in the Navy.

1943: E. G. KATHAN OF TRENTON


Druggist and Cattleman Was a Brother-in-Law of Arthur Hyde.
TRENTON, Mo., March 22.---E. G. Kathan, 71, druggist and Hereford cattle man, died from a heart attack today. He was a brother-in-law of Arthur M. Hyde, former governor of Missouri. Mr. Kathan was chairman of the board of directors of the Trenton National bank, a charter member of the Rotary club and the Elks club, a member of Masonic bodies and an elder in the Presbyterian church. He had served at various as a director of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. He was born in Canada. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Nora C. Kathan of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Tad A. Simons of Trenton, and a sister, Mrs. Walter B. Sommers, Los Angeles.

24 Aug 1943: (Republican-Times, Trenton)


Staff Sergt. Charles H. Scott, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Scott, Sr., of north of Jamesport, is in a hospital somewhere in England where he is recovering from injuries sustained in a Flying Fortress raid over Germany Aug 12. According to Sergt. Scott, his hands and feet were frozen, but his injuries were not serious, and he expected to be out of the hospital in about a week. The top turret gunner, Sergt. John Z. Urbis, Riverton, Ohio, was killed in the raid, Staff Sergt. Scott wrote his parents, and he asked his mother to write a letter to Sergt. Urbis' parents.
Other sergeants and a lieutenant in the plane were also injured.
A fine tribute to the gunner who was killed was paid by Sergt. Scott who wrote, "He died fighting in one of the grandest spirits I've ever seen shown by any man during my days in combat and the whole crew feels the same way about him. He was one of the bravest and grandest fellows that ever lived. He won the distinguished flying cross in 10 missions, which is really a record now." Sergt. Scott, who has been in the army air corps since September, 1942, went overseas in March and was first stationed in Africa. He was transferred to England in May. He has received the air medal for the completion of five missions over enemy occupied Europe, and is eligible for the first oak leaf cluster for the completion of five more missions. He was graduated from Trenton high school with the 1939 class. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Mooney, live west of Trenton.

13 Sep 1943: Wounded in Action


Washington, Sept 13. (AP)---Ten Missourians and three Kansans were included in a list of 440 United States soldiers wounded in action made public today by the War department.
The Missourians: European Area.
Sergt. Charles H. Scott; father, Charles H. Scott, Jamesport.

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Larry Flesher, Washington County, MO

lflesher@yahoo.com