There was much local and war news for Durangoans to ponder as the first year of the war neared its end. One interesting story involved the disappearance of nine navy planes off Florida; why this happened would not be solved for decades. Gary Cooper won his first of two Oscars for portraying World War I hero Sergeant Alvin York, who single-handedly captured 132 Germans. Hollywood had gone to war in a whole range of movies.
Herald Democrat Nov. 14, 1942
Colorado Sugar Beet Harvest Shows Drop Under Last Year
Colorado’s beet harvest will be one hundred percent complete in another few days despite the critical shortage of farm laborers.
Durango Recruiting Activities: Attention young men of Durango and vicinity. If you are looking for action, if you want to be sure of doing your bit in the battle to save world civilization, here is your chance. The United States Navy wants fighting men for fighting ships.
First Baptist Church 11 a.m. sermon “The glorious power and ministry of Christ.”
There will be special music by the choir
The young peoples’ service both junior and senior at 6:45
Park Men Given Commission in Uncle Sam’s Navy
Two Mesa Verde park employees have recently been given commissions by the U.S. Navy.
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War time necessities have necessitated a change of school hours. Starting on Monday, Dolores schools will change their school time starting an hour later or at 10 o’clock. The change is made for obvious reasons, one of which is the fact that as winter approaches some of the county children who come in by bus have to leave home before daylight, and this together with the cold make things bad.
Nov. 16
Kiva A Picture for Everyone. Gary Cooper as “Sergeant York” plus second feature and a new serial.
The ex-postmistress of Bayfield was fined $117 and one day in jail. She pleaded guilty for withholding part of the clerk’s pay. She made the clerk sign a receipt for $30, paid her $15 and kept the rest.
A federal investigator ruled in favor of retention of the Durango branch line of the Rio Grande Western as a war necessity for the duration of the war and also intimated that Durango deserved standard gauge service. (The government was looking for cars and engines for the crucial railroad in Alaska.)
Colorado licenses – one per car – soon to be issued
Officials predict that no teenage boy will be called before Xmas. (draft)
Braving cold winds and disagreeable weather, a party of Durango hunters drove to Delta over the weekend for pheasant hunting. They returned with their bag limits.
The Marvel school band had an Armistice Day program Wednesday afternoon. It was a combined program for three rooms.
Duane Smith is a retired Fort Lewis College history professor. Reach him at 247-2589.
