Did you know?
There were two things that were on the minds of Fayette County’s newspaper readers 71 years ago this week.
While war was being waged in Europe, in December of 1941, there were ominous signs that a new war — this time in the Pacific — could ensnare the United States.
And there was that approaching perennial event that has always produced the hopeful aspiration that there could, indeed, be Peace on Earth — Christmas.
Adults concerned themselves with front pages. While children’s Christmas wishes could be found inside.
“U.S. Army And Navy Chiefs Confer in Manila As Jap Showdown Nears,” was just part of the oversized headline that filled much of the front page of the Uniontown Evening Standard on Dec. 1.
There had been ongoing negotiations, and saber rattling between Washington and Tokyo, that hadn’t produced much in the way of real progress.
After its invasion of China in 1937, Japan was moving to strengthen its foothold in Southeast Asia. The United States, which had managed to avoid engagement in the growing world war, was sending signals that it might intervene. War, it seemed, might be the only option.
Meanwhile, on the sports page that day, it was reported that a student at California State Teachers’ College — Fred Lebder — would be taking over as the temporary basketball coach at Point Marion High School. Lebder would eventually become a Fayette County commissioner for many years and still serves as chairman of the Fayette County Democratic Party.
That night, at the Manos Theatre, where they’d be showing “Keep ’em Flying” starring Bud Abbot and Lou Costello, an entire living room suite, worth $109 would be given to some lucky customer.
But thankfully, there was a daily feature that may have helped keep the focus of the county’s youngest citizens away from the front pages, and what could become an impending war. Inside that edition of the Evening Standard, kids could find and read “LETTERS TO SANTA.”
Frank, a six year-old from Oliver No. 1 wrote, “For Christmas I want a three-wheel bicycle, Gene Autry outfit, and a big drum. I reckon, Santa, that is all,” he wrote. He did append a heartwarming postscript. “P.S. – Don’t forget, Santa, there is a lot of poor children,” little Frank added.
The following day (on Dec. 2), the Evening Standard reported that the United States was still waiting for a response from Japan about its troop movements in Indo-China.
One headline that day revealed that some factions within Japan were prepared to give a bloody answer to Washington’s requests: “Japan Urged to Use Force Against U.S.”
Locally, though, the Evening Standard’s All-Star Fayette County Scholastic Eleven” football team was announced.
Future Heisman Trophy winner, halfback John Lujack, of the Connellsville Cokers was one of those named to the team.
Lujack didn’t have time to rest on his laurels. A few days later it was reported that he’d helped lead his Coker basketball team to victory over Ramsey High School of Mount Pleasant. Lujack shared game high scoring honors.
Also on December 2nd there were those “LETTERS TO SANTA.” Oliver “Tiny” Ford of Uniontown (my late cousin and longtime neighbor) wrote “I am a little boy 9 years old in third grade. Please bring me a drum (Tiny would later become a drummer, by the way), a machine gun, an airplane I can ride and a bat and ball.”
He signed his letter, “Your friend, Oliver Ford.”
On Dec. 3, the Evening Standard’s front page indicated there was an increasing coolness between the United States and Japan.
“Japanese Mum on Roosevelt Demand,” said the day’s front page headline.
And there were more “LETTERS TO SANTA.”
Many of those letters were really laundry lists of the latest toy sensations.
While others, like Ruth Ann’s of Uniontown, was a request for one toy, even if that toy would have been impossible for Santa to deliver.
“I am a little girl six years old,” Ruth Ann wrote. “Please bring me a doll with real ears.”
“Japs Renew Bitter Attacks On U.S., Say Peace Or War Up To Roosevelt,” was the large headline that greeted readers of the Evening Standard on Saturday, Dec. 6.
“Tokyo Ready To Fight Any Interference,” was the headline for that day’s lead story.
Inside that edition, the ad for the State Theatre said that Ted Lewis and his “World Famous Orchestra” would be performing on stage on Monday night.
Lewis, who was known for his catchphrase “Is everybody happy?” would become one of this nation’s favorite entertainers.
One “LETTER TO SANTA” sent from Republic caught my eye. “My name is Arthur and I can spell it although I am only 6 years old and in first grade. My mother told me there is no use to lie to you so I wouldn’t tell you that I am good, so I will try to be from now on.” Arthur asked for a “nice cowboy suit,” and he claimed, “I would also like a drum but I’m afraid my mother can’t stand the noise.”
The next day, Japan launched its attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.
On Dec. 8, there was a headline that nearly covered a full third of that day’s Evening Standard: “WAR Declared On Japs By Congress; ‘We Will Win — So Help Us God’ — President Roosevelt.”
Three days later, on Dec. 11, 1941, it was reported that “Congress Declares War Against Italy and Germany In Quick Time.”
It was clear by then that any hopes for “Peace on Earth” that year, and for years to come, would need to be postponed.
But I’m betting that Arthur of Republic got his “nice cowboy suit,” and he just may have gotten his drum, despite the unstated wishes of his mother.