Headlines From History
PART THREE OF A SERIES
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third article in a series where we look at 100-plus years of Greene County news, from stories that were published in the Greene County Messenger and the Democrat Messenger. In this installment, we look at the headlines and news stories found 70 years ago this month, specifically in the Sept. 21-30 editions of the Democrat Messenger.)
FIRST FALL OF WAR
September 1942 was a year full of contrast for wartime America. Life seemed normal in the day-to-day grind of life but events were in motion that showed that normalcy was quickly coming to an end. This was evident in the pages of the Messenger during the week of Sept. 21-27 in both the headlines and advertisements.
There was little mention of actual U.S. war news despite the fact that U.S. troops were already engaged in combat on Guadalcanal and over the skies of France (fighting over Germany itself would wait till early 1943). However, the titanic struggle in Russia was in the headlines; on Sept. 23, the headline read “Russians still Hold Stalingrad at end of 30 day siege.” The Russians were fighting hard then to keep even a toehold in the city against the German onslaught.
Locally, the focus was on the battle on the gridiron of football where the Yellow Jackets played Duquesne on Forbes Field in Pittsburgh and the “Little Jackets” (now Waynesburg Central Raiders) prepared to face Canonsburg in high school football on Oct. 2 but would have to face Centerville first on Sept. 25. In other football news, Belle Vernon beat Richhill High School 47-0 and it was reported that at a recent game at Masontown, Belle Vernon had forgotten their helmets and barely got them in time to play.
In traffic news, it was reported that the direction on the stop sign at Routes 188 and 19 would be changed in both directions in the hopes of preventing potential collisions. Then, from Harrisburg it was announced that the speed limit of 50 miles per hour would be reduced to 35 to save on gasoline with a speeding fine of $10 to $25 and possible loss of license effective Oct. 1.
There was a report of the death of an oil well worker who was working in the Rutan oil field on Sept. 25. Sixty-year-old Ralph Clayton Morehead of Hundred, W.Va. died of a heart attack shortly after coming to work; it was said he had worked for a number of years as both a driller and contractor and was widely known.
There was a report on Sept. 24 that rumors of a gas shortage were false based on the fact that there were two gas companies providing home gas service, one based in Mt. Morris and the other in Waynesburg, both with the same name. It must be assumed that, as there was no further details, that it was the Mt. Morris Company that ran low, causing the panic in Waynesburg.
As a way to contribute to the war effort, it was announced a scrap metal drive was to be held that Friday. In fact, trucks were driven around and the metal was picked up, netting in the end 30 tons from Waynesburg. However, it was reported on Sept. 29 that the Rotary announced that the need was still there and every effort should be made to donate scrap metal.
Some events continued such as the yearly Fire Prevention Week, which was scheduled to occur the week of Oct. 4-10; it was reported that firemen would carry identification to come perform inspections at local businesses and homes.
Also, the Farmers Field Day was said to be held, “rain or shine,” on Sept. 26 and would consist of demonstrations, exhibits and judging. This mini-version of the county fair was a single-day event and was held at the Waynesburg Fairgrounds.
Rationing had yet to take full effect and would go into effect in the following February, and the paper was still full of ads listing prices for goods. The A&P grocery store, for example, listed: green beans at 23 cents per can; pumpkin was 25 cents for three cans; cauliflower was 19 cents a head; grapes at 29 cents for three pounds; canned corn was 11 cents per can; Swiss cheese was 39 cents per pound; butter was 48 cents per pound; ground beef was 23 cents per pound; frying chickens were $1.05 for each; and pork sausage was 32 cents per pound.
But the needs of the war were listed, as a request for correct addresses for elective service members and for recruits for the Merchant Marines could be seen. Meanwhile, the new inductees for military service from the eastern part of the county were listed, including: John McCain of Carmichaels, Jesse C. Buchanan of Clarksville and Victor Kovach of Rices Landing.