davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-08-13

broke through. Just before dusk
they reached clearing with grass
hut. When they'd made sure the
Japs had moved on. the Sergeant
had them set up two machlne-gun
positions and dig in for the night.
Blacky had to dig three foxholes;
that's how his luck was running.
Totin9 SouveniIs
WHEN the Sergeant - who was a
souvenir hunter - found a grass
skirt in the hut, Blacky knew he
would have to add it to the two Jap
knives and the Jap pistol he was
already totlng for the Sergeant. The
Sergeant hung the skirt on tree, to
dry out, and told Blacky not to
forget it in the morning.
B!acky's foxhole was so yards
back of the machine-gun positions.
Around midnight the Japs began
firing, yelling. heavlng grenades.
lnfiltrating. The machine guns an
swered them now and then, and got
a pastlng every time they did. Some
time later Blacky saw shape COM
ing at him. He came out of the fox
hole. trailing his mosquito netting
with him, Just IN time to dodge
Jap bayonet - and entangle both
h,mse!f and the Jap in the netting.
As they went down, he used his
knife. and the Jap didn't get up
Then one of the machine guns
went out under Jap fire. Blacky
cra~ied up to see what had
happened. Before he got there
something hit the other gun.
He reached the nearest gun. Two
of the crew were dead. A third was
shot through the shoulder. The
fourth was knocked out - shock. he
later learned The gun was Jammed.
Backy went to work on it, by touch.
When he had 1t clear he made sure
hehad ammunition Then he watched
Evening star., 1944-08-13

Blacky was a genius
at getting into trouble.
But this was the end!
vrvIEY called HIM Blacky, and he
had two distinctions. He was
genius with guns, all kinds OF guns.
And he was always getting INTO trou-
Bile. He could get INTO more trouble
sitting still than any other two men
in his outfit looking for trouble. tie
never did understand how he got hls
corpmal's stripes, but he knew he
lost them by gong to sleep.
They were practicine a land
ing. and he Was ordered to crawl
To q clump Of kunai grass and
cover machinc-Run position
until il was vacated or he was
relieved. They'd been on this prob
lem IS hours, he was dog-tlred and
it was hot as a brick kiln But he got
to the clump and waited. Nothing
happened. He thought he heard the
gunners moving back, but he got no
orders and no relief He SIMPLY
couldn't keep his eyes open. The
next thing he knew lieutenant was
standing over HIM and bawling hlm
out. And Blacky was a private again,
Evening star., 1944-08-13
BlAcky in Disgrace

80 HE was a private when they
made the real landing, two weeks
later, and established a beachhead.
Then they started inland through
jungle crawling with Japs. Because
Blacky was still in disgrace, he was
detailed to lug gear No chance OF
getting on machine gun, and
Blacky could make a machine gun
talk language the Japs understood.
Early IN the afternoon Blackys
detail was sent to secure a hill. II
was couple Of hours before they
Evening star., 1944-08-13
NJ Amt Coing!''

RELIEF arrived about an hour after
daylight. They found Blacky at the
gun, picking snlpers out of trees a
hundred yards away. They counted
the dead Japs out front. and tailed
26. And they told Blacky he could
20 back down the trail and get
some rest. BIacky shook his head.
Lain t going, he said. They'll
send me home this time"
They figured he'd had to take
little too much, there in the dark
ness, that he'd gone wacky. And it
didn't straighten them out when
Blacky pointed to tree with few
charred strands Of grass hanging 1t.
That was the Sergeant's skirt,
said Blacky, "and l burned it up.
He can't bust me. because I'm
already as low as l can get. They'll
kick me out of the Army and send
me home
P.S. As drama, the story should
stop there. But it doesn't. It's only
fair to Blacky to add that he finally
did go back to his outfit, and later
was decorated for his exploit.
Evening star., 1944-08-13

for flashes of Jap rifle fire. He saw
one, gave it burst, heard yell and
a groan. There was another! He
swung the gun in a high arc and fired
a burst quartering down through the
trees to the ground. There was
fash. then a burst of fame. One of
his tracers had set something afire.
The glare outlined a dozen Japs
massed not Is yards away. hunched
over to charge the position. 1t was
like cutting weeds with a sickle, the
way Blacky chopped them down.
Then the fire fickered out and there
was only the blackness, and very
few gun flashes from Japs after that.
At last dawn came.
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25

E'ARLY American wall pockets
u cut out of light weight pine or
scraps OF half-inch material may
have many modern uses. In the
kitchen they are just the thing for
ration books and a pad for the
grocery list. Just inside the front
door one will lend a decorative
note and make a convenient place
for driving gloves and keys.
Originally these pockets were
made in a great variety of designs
and were used for letter boxes.
They are still useful for this pur-
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25
(JgN ON THE So
W. H & All IF ER q! I %SS

pose or for leave-a-note pad and
pencil. If you enjoy working with
wood you may want to cut these
pockets out by hand as shown
here. But if you have a jig saw
available it is much faster.
NOTE-Mrs. Spears has prepared pat
terms in actual size for this pocket and
two others In typical Early American de-
signs. The patterns are on one large sheet
with complete directions for making and
finishing. Request Pattern 261 and enclose
Is cents. Address:
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25
US. Army Basedin England
Is Strict About Saluting
Proper Uniform, Also Very Important;
These Tavo Things Amuse British
By Ernie Pyle

LONDON.-I about this
waiting
invasionta short English
seem just nperturbable
English they've forgotten
dragging
resignation
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25

cause his right arm had become
muscle-bound from waving it too
much.
They're strict about dress here
too. You have to wear your dress
blouse and either pinks or dark
green dress trousers. Everybody
looks just $3.50 and exactly like
everybody else.
thought L looked very pretty
when I got here, for all my clothes
were clean for the first time in
months. But hadn't reckoned with
the headquarters atmosphere. /
have never been stared at so much
in my life as during my first three
days here.
For I had on British battle
jacket, 0. D. pants and infantry
boots. They had never seen anybody
dressed like that before. Nobody
knew what this strange apparition
was, but they all played safe and
saluted it anyhow-and then turned
and stared belligerently at it. I think
sheer awe is all that kept the M.P.'s
from picking me up.
Finally, after three days, dug
up trunk I had left here year
and a half ago and got out my old
brown civilian suit and gray hat,
and now I'm all right. People just
think I'm bedraggled bank clerk,
and it's much better.
The other day I took trip up to
mid-England to see man from AL
buquerque. He is in fact the man
who built our little white house out
there on the mesa, and who subse~
quently became one of our best
friends.
His name is Arthur McCollum. He
was a lieutenant in the last war and
he is a captain in this one. He spent
20 years regretting that he never
got overseas the other time, and he
is very happy that he made it this
time. He is attached to big general
hospital in the country.
In January Captain McCollum had
a reunion with his son, Lieut.. Ross
McCollum. Ross was chief pilot OF
a flying fortress. Father and son
had two wonderful weekends to-
gether. And then on his second
mission over Germany Ross didn't
come back. Nothing has been heard
from him since. That was nearly
four months ago.
Captain Mac and Ross were real
companions they played together
and dreamed and planned together.
After the war they were going to
fish a lot and then start an airplane
sales agency together.
Captain Mac says he kind Of
went to the bottom of the barrel
over Ross. For two months he
was so low he felt he couldn't
take it. And then he said to him
self, ''LOok here, you damn fool.
You can't do this. Get yourself
together" And having given
himself that abrupt command,
he carried it out. And today he
is all right.
I found him the same kind of life
loving, gay friend I had known in
Albuquerque. We rode bicycles
around the countryside, celebrated
here and there, made fools of our
selves and had a wonderful time.
Captain Mac talked lot about
Ross, and felt better for the talking,
and he didn't do any crying on my
shoulder. He feels firmly that Ross
will come back, but he knows now
that if he never does he can
| take it.
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25
MOTHER GRAY'S
SWEET POWDERS

Has merited the confidence of "
children who suffer occasional constipation
and for all the family when reliable,
pleasingly-acting laxative is needed. Pack
age of Is easy-to-take powders. $50 Be sure
to ask for Mother Gray's Stoeef POWDERS. AZ
all drug stores-
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25
YOu CAN'T CY1y

more in aspirin than the assurance Of
quality and purity guaranteed when you
buy st. Joseph Aspirin, worlds largest
seller at 10f. Demand st. Joseph Aspirin.
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25
Small Things First

You are waiting to do some
great thing perform the small
things that are unseen, and they
will bring other and greater things
for you to perform John Bright.
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25
II EAR urn

Relieved i'm minutes or double money back
When excess stomach acid causes painful, suffocat
ing gas sour stomach and heartburn, doctors usually
prescribe the fastest-acting medicines known for
symptomatic medicines like those in Bell-ans
Tablets. No laxative. Bel-ans brings comfort in a
jiffy double your money back return of bottle
to us. 25c at all druggists.
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1944-05-25


but that doesn't mean blind, per-
petual acceptance. People have
learned to get along. American aid,
and years of learning how to do,
have eased the meager war life OF
the early days. There is more food
now, and it is better than it used to
be. There are more people on the
streets, more shopping, more Sun
day strollers in the parks.
I had supposed the people would
look shabbier than a year and
half ago, but to me they look heater.
And the physical city itself seems
less dreary than in the fall of 1912.
AS for short tempers, / haven't
seen any. Maybe it's just because
have been accustomed to the
screaming outbursts at each other
of the emotional Italians. But from
what I've seen so far the English
are as kind and polite to each other
as they always were.
All in all, my first impression is
that England is better, all around,
than it was a year and half ago.
Of course spring may have some
thing to do with it.
Every day the London papers
quote all the German rumors on In
vasion They print the predictions
of the German radio, and pieces
from neutral countries saying the
invasion will have to occur between
4:39 a. m. today and 4:41 a. m. to-
morrow, or else be put off for a
month. They print pictures of Ger
man Notifications, and tell of the
sudden regrouping and rushing
around of German troops. They con-
lecture on the thunderous explosions
heard daily on the French side OF
the Channel
Since the only invasion news we
have is what the Germans predict,
this echo from Germany has the eff
feet, upon me at least, of war
of nerves.
London is crawling with Ameri-
cans, both army and civilian. All
headquarters cities are alike in their
overcrowding, their exaggerated
discipline, and what appears to be
military overstaffing.
Some say London is as bad as
Washington Some say it is worse.
l do know that the section where
American offices are most highly
concentrated is a funny sight at
lunchtime or in late afternoon.
American uniforms pour out OF the
buildings in floods. On some streets
an Englishman stands out as incon.
gruously as he would in North
Platte, Neb. Desk officers and f1iers
and WACs and nurses abound
Two things that amuse the Brit
ish are the ''pink" trousers our off,
GERS wear and our perpetual salut-
ing.
The American army is very
strict about saluting here. Ev-
erybody has to salute. Second
lieutenants salute other second
lieutenants. Arms fail up and
down by the thousands as
though everybody was crazy.
People jab each other in the
eyes saluting.
On one short street much
travelled by Americans they
have had to make sidewalk traf-
fic one-way, presumably to pre-
vent saluting casualties.
A friend of mine, cap
tain recently arrived from
Africa, was stopped the other
day by another captain just over
from America who bawled the
living daylights out of him for
not returning his salute. My cap
tain friend said he couldn't be-
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12
Boardman Soldier Finds
Gunfire Of Nazis Wild

HEADQUARTERS, European
Theater of Operations, Sept. 10
Private Leroy Wilson, %, Of Board
man, N. c. a machine gunner in
a United States infantry outfit,
found that German fire was wild
and spasmodic when the enemy at
tackled his unit in France.
Wilson landed in waist deep
water on D-Day and got ashore I'm
der heavy artillery fire. His n t
went Immediately inland and drove
the Germans back several miles.
Then we hit tough spot" Will
son said. ''They had bunch of
machine guns blocking us, and we
had to get past them. Our ieuten-
ant went ahead and signaled to us
to follow him. They fired a lot but
they were wild and most of the
stuff went over our heads"
Finally the U. S. Troops opened
up with machine guns and wiped
out the German groups which had
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12
BURCWYN TO HOLD
COURT IN OCTOBER

Judge W. H. S. Burgwyn of
Woodland will preside over the
special term of criminal Superior
court to open here October 2, &C.
cording to word received by Coun-
ty Clerk Thomas K. Woody from
Governor ]. Melville Broughton
yesterday.
So many cases filled the court
docket for the criminal session
that opened August % the special
term was arranged. Originally, it
appeared that judge for the extra
term was unobtailable.
The major cases scheduled for
the August % session will be heard
during the week of October 2, in
Guiding that of William Rising and
Charles Lester Bair, charged with
the theft of quantity of jewelry
from Kingoff's Jewelry store. July
II,
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12

slowed down the advance. A little
later, while Wilson and fellow
members of his unit were digging
in for the night, the Germans made
an attempt to penetrate the right
flank of the American line.
1--WE let 'em come in, and then
we closed on them, Wilson said.
eve captured a few ferries that
way, and killed more"
The prisoners were a mixed
group of disheveled men, shuffling
toward the cages behind the Amer
lean positions.
Some looked rugged, some look
ed dissipated," Wilson said. "All of
them had horrible smell about
them"
Wilson was deepening his foxhole
one evening when the enemy sud-
denly threw sixteen 88 millimeter
shells in the area held by his unit.
One shell burst near him, n d
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12

limo forward to V-Day, the
Loon Loorl aton Ministerial association
Nl, Iarday adopted schedule OF
F*'els services to be observed
', s.n victory in Europe is pro-
rl,inled' o;.+ion adopted the
7ns ,+ion of the special commit
esnnointed to suggest appro-
" e.. spf hours for the special ser:
Y '..s Of which the Rev. James
''Tson is chairman
l,S'0 +ae event the news is re-
~ in the morning hours, it
ttv, lanned for churches to hold
y pi~ At 1890 pm. and 8 pm.
'e .soa1d the news be received in
:. s' .t+ernoon, all services will be
.'rsd at 8 p. m. only
'I rtnrches planning to have more
". Wv. the one Or two services are
49, ested to cooperate by includ-
.nDi in their plans the uniform
ne mss association adopted the pro-
.ns of the Federal Council of
a. Co.,, of Christ in America for
Cnu'r observance of World Wide
a n' ~. Sunday, October I.
r ,srir the following six weeks,
D ...nhasis will be made on church
,Hendance'
FL r1ection Of officers was post
.. n bv the group until a spe-
s ,s'n meeting set for September Is.
rbe GROUP accepted the invita-
~, wv nj the Industrial USO to hold
~ !..'l october 2 meeting in the club
..on now under construction,
. .rsr fine Victory restaurant, Prin-
cess street
Tho association passed the fol-
,,nino resolutions concerning the
pev, Frank Smith Johnston, pas
ny Of the Emmanuel Presbyterian
c,rch, who mas accepted the pas
torste Of the Paw Creek Presby-
tsran church, Charlotte:
'Wbereas, the recent resignation
NJ tne Reverend Frank Smith
1obnston, as pastor Of the I'm
manuel Presbyterian Church, and
hi, acceptance of the pastorate of
tie Paw Creek Presbyterian
Church, Charlotte, N. c., have
taken him from the membership
ot The Wilmington Ministerial AS
ISOLATION, and,
Whereas. Mr.. Johnston has
been a member of this Association
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12
Ministers Prepare
For V-Day Services

for a period of ten years SERVING
most efficiently as its president
for one term, and,
Whereas, his brotherly shirt
and unselfish service endeared
him to his fellow ministers and
resulted in great fruitfulness for
the Christ, and.
Whereas, mis- firm stand for the
cause of righteousness on all spir-
ltual, moral, social, economic and
civic questions marked him as q
leader of conviction and courage
and,
Whereas, he had genuine inter-
est IN and always a helping hand
tor the progress and welfare of
the members of all races in our
midst, evidenced by the fact that
he was the first president of the
Wilmington Inter-racial Ministerial
Alliance, and,
whereas, under his construc.
tive leadership, faithful preaching
OF the Word and devoted pastoral
service, the Emmanuel Presbyte-
rian Church experienced gradual
and solid growth during his ten
year pastorate here;
Nov, therefore, be it resolved
that we assure our esteemed
friend and brother of our gratitude
for his faith and good works. of
the enrichment that has come to
us through his fellowship, and the
inspiration that has been ours
through his steadfastness to every
thing that is good.
That, we again assure him of
our abiding interest in him, the
success of his labors, and pray
that the great Father will con-
tinue to bless and use him and
the members of his family.
THAT, we commend him most
heartily and affectionately to the
members Of the Paw Creek Pres
,byterian Church, for We are sure
that under mis- sane and conse-
Grated leadership they will be led
into a fuller experience of Abund-
ant Living.
THAT. these resolutions be re.
corded in the minutes Of the Will
mington Ministerial Association,
that copy be sent to Mr.. John
ston, copy to the Emmanuel
Presbyterian Church, copy to the
Paw Creek Presbyterian Church,
and copy to the local press"
Resolutions Committee:
c. D. Barclift
]. o. Walton
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12
TOBACCO YIELD /.
M; BEST in YEARS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11.-LR-
Tobacco prospects are for the sec
ond largest production year of
record, with the Agriculture de-
partment forecasting today a crop
of 1,730, $4,000 pounds, all types
combined, compared with the
1899 record crops of 1880, 793, 900
pounds.
Production last year was $780,
$4,000 pounds and the 10-year
d933-42) average was 1888, 1867, 900
pounds. The department estimat-
ed acreage this year at 1886, 900,
or 10 per cent more than in 1943.
A record hurley crop of AL, 057,-
600 pounds was forecast, although
the crop is late. The department
reported fear OF some loss in
fields owing to excess late August
and early September rains" Last
years hurley production was $780,
OO4,000 pounds.
Other crop prospects by types,
compared with last year, were:
flue cured, 1,O47, 100000 against
1888, 532, 900; Maryland, 29,O62, 900
against 1904, 900; dark fired, So
765, 900 against 64,8O0,OOO; and CT
gar types 118,48o,O0O against 1os,-
1893, O0o.,
Estimated flue cured production
by areas: Virginia 100, 700, 900;
North Carolina (old belt) 253, 000.-
900; eastern North Carolina belt
1857 100000; South Carolina belt
212, $50, 900; Georgia 97,850, O0o;
Florida 15,470,Oo0; Alabama 240,-
600.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12

fragments lodged in his right leg.
A company medical soldier gave
him first aid, and he was taken
to a battalion aid station and then
to an evacuation hospital. He is
now in U. S. Army general hos
pital in England, recovering from
his injuries.
Wilson h been in the army
nearly years. He is the son of
Thomas Wilson, route, Boardman.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12

fourth payment on a Federal grant
of 1923, 900 toward the cost of con-
structing and equipping the three
story addition to the hospital, and
the four-story addition to the nurs-
es' home, local EVA headquarters
announced yesterday.
Both buildings have been in op-
Grafton for several months.
The hospital authorities are now
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12
CHECK FOR HOSPITAL
RECEIVED FROM FWA

The Federal Works Agency's re-
gional office in Richmond has for
waIded a United States Treasury
check in the amount of $10,995.51
to J. c. Roe, president of the
Board of Managers of James Wal,
ker Memorial hospital, as the
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12
PRESBYTERY TO MEET

KANNAPOLIS, Sept. II. - up -
The 104th meeting of the Catawba
Presbytery will be held at Beth.
page Presbyterian church near
here Wednesday and Thursday.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12

awaiting word from FWA as to
whether or not the agency will as.
sist financially in the building OF
two-story service unit to house
diet kitchens, dining rooms for
hospital personnel, and storage ia
cilities.
The Wilmington morning star., 1944-09-12

The white rhineroceros OF Africa
IS pinkish gray.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-04-23
Voice Cracks

Bul luSt when ne had more
offers TRAN he could accept his
VOICE cracked Booking
agents pronounced him down
for the count o.. But they did
not know iron. lawed SIlvcrS.
Tie stayed IN there fighting
not q singer but As a comedian
Why he wanted 10 become a
comic hc stlll doe>n { know -.
bat by dint OF sheer persistence
hc got his FIRST break A. an inso-
lent kId-Stooge out in the audi
ence.
lie was gong strong as
comic when catastrophe over
took hum again This time 10
wasn't ms voice that cracked
It VAS vaudeville
So Phil turned 10 burleSaue
49,. Teamed with Rags Ragland.
he went 10 work for Billy Min
sky The pair was something
new IN hurly comics instead
OF relying on trick hats, hagCy
pants and suggestive quipS for
their laughs, they dressed well
sang. danced and played various
musical instruments.
Thus art al MinSky'S was ele-
waited and so was Phil for
George Abbott recruited hun 10
play one Of the leads in See
My Lawyer and the follow
ing year nc was one Of the prln-
Cipals IN iYokel Boy.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-04-23
Starts Packing

lie was a TouSlng success Al
Toy $ and the place became one
OF the towns favorite hot spots.
At last the Silvers determine
tson weakened 49,. he wrote pals
in New York he was coming
home and started packing
ON the day he was 10 take the
train Carson kanin called 10 Of
fer him part in Tom, Dick
and Harry"
Phil unpacked played the
Good Humor man in the Kanin
comedy for a solid hit, and has
been working steadily ever since
he's now under contract
again, this tune 10 20th Cen
tury-F'oN and Is currently
taking bows for his ace laugh
getting in Columbia : Cover
Girl' and 20th -Four Jills in
Jeep
He was born Philip SilyerS in
BROOKLYN on May II. 1912. and
started his career aS, OF All
things, A boy soprano g. At Ia
ne was picking up few pennies
singing 1n-the- h9tAarS- on -the
tJrrr-rI ~ Gougv fSfand.
Gus Edwards heard HIM and
started him off in vaudeville
49,. He went over fine D.. with
q rcp"rtory featuring such tear
7FfForS AZ "MaCuShla' and