in World War II era

July 21: Troop Train

1925 July 21st Tuesday

Was a cool night, also this day until p.m. warmer. Will elied corn, broke, and got repairs from Tom’s. Isaac & George Gunhammer here to trade horse for hog. Mr. Menz, John Wisenberger, Helen, Fred & Levi here. I only did work.

1935 July 21st Sunday

Rained last night so water everywhere in low places this morning, bright until towards eve. I got meals and icing cake baked yesterday also made some chocolate syrup for ice-cream and it sugared . Elmer and Will took Mr. Chauncey and Billie to hay-field, they cut hay until noon and Will got them, for Chas. McCormick and Ernie Brown came in Elmer’s Car and he went home with them and fried chicken dinner at McCormick’s and he and Chas. went in Elmer’s Car to Mission where Mission vs. Hidden Timber played ball. Fritz went to Lattimore’s last eve, he came at noon for Elmer but took Billie instead to store, they went in truck to Mission. Ben brought cat-fish. Elmer & Will froze cream so we had a real dinner. Will, Mr. Chauncey, Ben and I went to Mission where Hidden Timber won 21 to 10. Fritz came back in time to help milk in eve and Elmer, Billie, Bud Whiting took Chas. McCormick home and on to O’Kreek to a show, home at bed-time.

1945 July 21st Saturday

Will’s Birthday, 56th today. Bright, hot until in p.m. began to cloud, went to Southwest, sprinkle here but a real rain about Bert Harvey’s into Valentine and hailed out around Olsonville quite badly. A car was standing at corner south of Old Shelbourne Place for we detoured east of Harveys to Corner on to Highway at old Harmony for they are grading road South of Luxs. Where this car was, there were 2 other cars, Joe Shelbourne and family, Ray Bunker and Family or wife. Men gave the stalled car a push and on to Valentine, this young man and girl went, we followed as did 2 other cars. Will came in at 2:35 and said that he broke the rake so we got ready and after cloud went to S.W. that was in west, we went to Valentine, got repair for Rake and other necessary things for Model A sweep power, paid blacksmith Strong for making irons and Mailman brought [them] out. Got groceries, had supper at Michael’s Cafe. Saw Dan Lovejay Family with 2 soldiers eating at a large Table and I sized up what a Cherry County Rancher Bunch does to spend their money at eats for it is different than at our house for breakfast. Will would not eat meat and did I get so disgusted but hereafter I am not going to worry about eats. Van Epps to Winner to get ice. Hank & Sonny worked at Model A power. Saw John Brinda at Valentine. A Troop train went east with 4 coaches of soldiers this eve at Valentine.

Note from Lisa: The following short 1943 propaganda film, produced by the U.S. Office of War Information, follows a World War II troop train as it transports soldiers and equipment (watch below or click here).

1955 July 21st Thursday

Will’s Birthday, 65th year. Rained a shower at 2 a.m. and some clouds, at bedtime a sprinkle. Ellen, Darrell, Elaine, Jeanne, Jack, Cherrie, Dave and Chester took baths this eve. Bill Parker to River this a.m. on 20th. Bright after clouds of morning. Will has heart pains so had to lay down but better so got Chester and Dave at fixing mower. Chester and Ellen in Pick Up to Whiting Store to get groceries in a.m. Dave took salt to heifers. One short so on Stranger to look for in Hidden Timber & Chauncey Pasture. No find. I got eats and no good sugarless cookies, fried chicken for Will’s Birthday. Jeanne went for Mail and stopped at Thomas’s. Men went out to Strids and Standing Bull alfalfa this p.m. They, Bill, Dave and Will, stacked and Will looked at Tanks, all are full. Ellen and I visited in late p.m. and talked.