davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Edgar MayfieId
Rites On Saturday

Edgar Mayfield, Sc. Tchula banker
and civic leader died at his home
Thursday night December IL, 1914 af-
ter a two weeks illness.
Mr.. Mayfield went to Tchula from Du-
rant and had been prominently identi-
fled with its civic, business and church
life. At tho time Of his death he was
acting vic president Of the Merchants
and Planters Bank. He had been con.
aeeted with that institution for more
han twenty years.
Mr.. Mayfield was q Mason, q Rotari-
an and q steward in the Methodist
Aurch Of which he was a member.
Funeral services were conducted at
tho Methodist church Saturday after
noon at two O'Clock by Rev. Roy Beas-
ley and Rev. Walter Smith. Interment
was made in Mizpah cemetery at Du-
rant.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. vir-
ginia Mayfield, one daughter, Mrs. M.
c. Riggs Of Tchula, one son, Capt. Ed
gar Mayfield, Jr.. q granddaughter
Elaine Msyfisld of Augusta, Ca, two
sisters, Mrs. Reeves Vandiver, of Tchu-
la and Durant, and Mrs. H. II. Russell,
Of Atlanta, Ca, and two brothers, w.
w. Mayfield. of jefferson City, Mo-, and
Cliff Mayfield, OF Durant.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Truitt Services Are
Held December Il

Funeral services for James Floyd
Truitt, 81, who died of a heart attack
Wednesday, December 18th, while hunt
ing, were held from the Durant Meth
odist Church Friday, December 10th
The Rev. W. P. Bailey officiated, assist
ed by the Rev. Robertson and DR.. j
Niles Pickett.
Tnterment was in Mispah with South
ern Undertaking Association conduct
ing.
He Is survived by his wife, his step
mother, Mrs. Grace Miller of Meridian
two daughters, Joyce and Carease, both
of Durant; two half sisters; Vera Mae
Truitt and Pauline Truitt, both OF
Meridian; one brother, Bart Truitt and
four alf-brothers: Howard Truitt, US
Army, Willard Truitt and Gordon Tru-
lit, both with armed forces overseas;
and Leland Truitt OF West.
Pallbearers were: Phil Terry, J. G.
Robertson, Harry O'Cain, Horace Sud
duth, Mr.. Norwood, and F. v. MeCullar
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Dec. 31st Dead|ine
On Asst Program
For 17-Year-0Ids

Atlanta, -(SpeciaD-"Only a few
days remain in which young high
school men can take advantage of the
free college work offered under the
Army Specialized Training Reserve Pro-
gram" Major General Frederick Z. Uhl,
commanding general of the Fourth Ser
vice Command, announced today. High
school seniors and graduates who will
complete their high school work by
March first or who have already COM
pleted this work must enlist not later
than December 3lst. Enlistees must not
be older than II years and nine months
when they enlist for ASTRP", General
Uhl added.
Applicants must pass a mental test,
q physical examination, and have the
written consent Of their parents. As
members of the Enlisted Reserve, they
United States and will not be called for
active duty until after they are 10 years
old.
The Army pays tuition and for all
text books required for the various
courses of study. When students arrive
at the school where they will study
they receive a complete issue of uni
forms, including overcoats, blouses
shirts, trousers, caps, shoes, and under
wear. This issued equipment is the same
as that furnished soldiers on active
duty. The distinctive blue and gold
shoulder patch is worn as the badge Of
service in the ASTRP.
Students will be furnished living
quarters complete with blankets, sheets,
and pillows; and they will be boarded
at government expense. ASTRP students
are not paid while attending school
but the only expenses will be for laun-
dry, cleaning. and spending money for
personal items and entertainment.
Mathematics, English, history. geogra-
ply, and physics are the main courses
of study. Chemistry, engineering draw
ing. and biology are offered in some
courses. Twelve to twenty hours week
are spent in classrooms; four to thir-
from sixteen to nineteen hours a week
in required study, depending upon the
term and curriculum. Five hours a week
are spent in military training and six
II week are required for physical
training-individusl and team sports.
Accepted students will be assigned to
one of the following four schools
Alabama Polytechnical Institute, Au-
burn, Ala, Clemson College, Clemson
s. c., North Georgia College. Dahlonega,
Ca. and North Carolina State College
Raleigh, N. C.
Enlistments will b accepted at Mis-
sissippi's Army recruiting station In
! Jseksea. Miss.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Jim Strowd Rites
Held On Friday

Funeral services for J. W. Jim
Strowd, who passed away at the Com
munity Hospital in Lexington last Wed
nesday night at ten o'clock, were held
Friday afternoon at two o'clock at the
home of his sister, Mrs. William Blank
enship, in Durant. The Rev. W. P. Bailey
and the Rev. H. S. Robinson officiated
Mr.. Strowd was well and favorably
known all over Holmes county where
he had made his home practically all
his life. He was born in Chapel Hill, N
c., and moved to Durant with his fam
ily at the age of three.
He was a member of the Baptist
Church and would have been n years
old had he lived until Dec. 9th. He had
been in poor health for about two years.
His wife, Mrs. Leila Owen Strowd
preceded him in death about IA years
ago and his daughter, Mrs. Ethel
Strowd Trip. of Ethel, passed away
three years ago. Mrs. Blankenship Is
the only surviving relative.
Interment was at Mizpah with South
ern Undertaking Association conduct
ing.
Pallbearers were NJ. s. Rogers. OF
West; Mr.. Brantley. of Kosciusko; F.
v. McCullar, J. T. Nicely, L. L. Hays and
Hugh Mcclellan, of Durant.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
What A Man

What man,
Is Uncle Sam.
He's fighting both Germany and Japan
And everyone's living on the fat OF the
land.
Every ones rich, no need to beg,
All his Neices and Nephews, are pulling
his leg.
Organized labor demanding more every
day,
Shorter hours and higher pay.
Liquor selling for five dollars a point,
Can be bought at most any roadside
joint.
The Army and Navy crying for shot
and she'll,
Thousands walking the streets, tell
them to go to He'll.
Shucks-This G. l.,
He's the Guy,
That's supposed to give his life,
To end this strife.
Business is Booming,
Taxes are looming.
Bureaucrats keep up their useless
spending.
While hundreds of other agencies are
foolishly lending.
Bond buyers buying to day, cashing in
tomorrow,
When the crash comes this will be their
sorrow.
Usage of gas and tires supposed to be
slashed.
People drive a hundred miles to get 8
check cashed.
Now / cant see how under the Sun,
We can keep this up and sink the
Rising Sun.
What Man. What q Man.
Is Dear Old Uncle Sam.
Vas Sun.
Uncle Dunf Dickens,
Prosperity liiis y. Q. A.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Xmas Workers Must
Have S Cards

School children. women and other
part-time workers employed temporarily
for the Christmas holidays should Sc
cure a Social Security Account Number
Card, if they do not have one, accord
ing to Mr.. N. B. Bond, Manager, the
Greenwood office. Application forms for
account numbers may be secured from
any post office or field office of the
Social Security Board.
Some employers appear to be under
the impression that they do not have
to make Social Security reports to the
Bureau of Internal Revenue if they
have less than eight employees. All en-
ployers having one or more persons
working for them in commerce AID in
dustry are required to report quarterly
to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, not
later than the last day of January,
April, July, and October, the name,
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
STATE HEALTH OFFICER

Children, not to mention their elders,
can enjoy Christmas sweets without en-
dangering health If the types and times
for sweets are wisely planned. Certain
kinds Of sweet delicacies appeal to
to children's appetites and benefit their
bodies at the same time.
Fruits come first on the list of des-
phasis in. planning holiday menus. They
are among the best desserts for chill.
dren and can be served in a number of
interesting ways. For instance, oranges
which are plentiful now, can form the
basis of several kinds of fruit cup. Com
binations Of grapefruit, orange, grapes
or cherries are attractive and delicious
Colorful salads and fruit buildings lend
variety.
Fruit, nut or molasses candies are
to be preferred above other kinds, fol
they have the advantage Of supplying
additional energy, bone and blood
building materials and vitamins. Frui'
pastes can be made by grinding dried
fr is, moistening them with little
lemon juice and rolling into small balls
Dates stuffed with peanut butter are
excellent.
In giving candy and other sweets te
children it is important to remember
that these sweets must not take th'
place of such dietary essentials as milk
vegetables and fruits. The best tims
for sweets is Immediately after meals
when they will not interfere with tbs
appetite for other essential foods.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Use Of Xmas Seals
Urged By Officer

The campaign against tuberculosis is
made more necessary by war conditions,
ccording to Miss Katherine Mcleod OF
ne Holmes County tuberculosis Asso-
,iation who added:
THAT is why we are asking every
body to contribute as literally as they
can for Christmas Seals, our only source
of funds for case-fi ding, education
and other preventive programs.
I'VE not only ask contributions. but
also urge that the Christmas Seals &C.
tually be used on all kinds Of mail and
on gifts packages SO that all the world
may know that our community is doing
it's part to stamp out this disease"
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Holmes Youths With
338th Unit In Italy

With the Fifth Army Italy-Pfc
James F. Ellard, Rt 3, West, son of
| William II. Ellard, ammunition bearer
and Pfc. Roy L. Edwards, son of Mrs
Minnie Wiles Edwards, of West, Rt.
messenger, Sgt. Douglas Weems, son OF
Mr.. Mamie Weems, of Lexington, cook
are fighting in Italy with the 338th In
fantry Regiment which has been credit
ed with killing and wounding many
hundreds of Germans and taking nearly
, 700 prisoners in four weeks of cold, Bit
ter fighting in the Gothic Line.
They are called the "old timers,
these men and officers Of the 33sth
part of the s5th "Custer" Division in
1t. General Mark w. Clark's Fifth
Army.
They are veterans Of bloody Solaeci-
ano Ridge and the Gustav Line, Formia,
the Gaeta Peninsula and Rome. they
are now standing at the approaches to
the Pc Valley, a long haul from Min
turno where the regiment entered the
lines on last April 81.
"Marchons"-Let US march! is the
regimental motto. Nobody marched
through the Gothic Line but the 33Stn
got through.
The LIST Battalion led in the capture
of Mount Altuzzo. 5000 feet of Straight
up" rock, key to vital II Giogo Pass
major objective of the 86th Division
This same unit staged an amphibious
landing to occupy Sperlanga above
Gaeta last May.
Earlier, a company in the End Bat
talien ssised strategic position In the
Gustav Line and hsid Il asAiast oss-
pssass cssuas bastaiIoo ~ txsss AsSs-
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Skinner Youth Finishes
Radio School

U. s. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville
Fla.-Emmett Harold Skinner, son Of
Mr.. and Mrs. E. H. Skinner Of Lexing-
on, Miss, recently graduated from the
Aviation Radio School here and was
promoted to Aviation Radio-man Third
Glass in the U. 8. Navy.
Entering the Navy February 20, 1914,
he received his recruit training at Camp
Peary, Va, before being transferred to
me Naval Air Technical Training Gen.
ter here.
He attended the Lexington High
School and is now a qualified aviation
radioman scheduled for Operational
Training. Skinner will probably sec fu-
ture service as a Naval Aircrewman.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Holmes Sextet Wins;
Bows Are Defeated

The Holmes girls and boys split first
series of l944-45 Basketball season with
Jackson Air Base teams.
The Holmes Sextet started fast and
finished with a good margin, completely
out-classing the girls from J. A. b. The
work Of Treloar, Rhea and McCuliock
at forward and stellar guarding Of Gill
liam, Murphy and Young, made the
difference in the score of this game
The following girls did good job of
substituting for the starting team
OVERLY, Harris, Summerlin, Price, Har-
rison, Sigh, Beasley, and McWaters.
The best work for J. A. B. was turned
in by Holmes and Falcon at forwards
and Warren at Guard.
The boys were off to good start In
early minutes Of game and executed the
fast-break in good style, but the guard
ing Of the taller and more mature play
ers Of Air Base soon checked the scor-
ins and the first half was TO favoring
the Holmes boys pulled the score to
1921, but two quick goals in succession
by Air Base changed the score, and the
final minutes found the Service men
"Freezing the Ball" near mid court
Final score: J. A. B. 81 Holmes J. c. Il
Killebrew, Graham and Marks played
through most of the game. and preform-
ed very satisfactory. Adams, and Dick
ard worked we'll at forward. Roberts
and Quinn performed well as substi'
tutes in their first college game The
work of Davis, a giant OF the j. A. b
Team scored IS points before retiring
near the end of the game with exees,
sive fowls. Odel1 and Geriock piayeo
good ball throughout tho game.
TIE game was we'll officiatsd' sno
the J. A. B. authorities were very com
uasndaAis Of the Reception received o.
HolmSs.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21

This feat was almost duplicated by the
same company in attacking Mount
Zanobi above Firenzuola and holding
the peak all day against four Jerry
counterattacks, including two with
tanks which fired directly into the
CTS foxholes.
The End Battalion, one Of the first
Allied units to enter Rome, defeated
elements of the Germans crack 4th
Paratroop Division in the II Giogo Pass
drive.
The "old timers" of the 338th have
won three Distinguished Service Cross
es, 35 Silver Stars and more than 200
Bronze Stars.
Activated at Camp Shelby, Mississip-
pi in May, 1912, the 338th arrived at
Casablanca, French Morocco on January
Z, 1914 and after intensive training in
North Africa came to Italy with the
85th Division late in March. The regi-
ment jumped off at Solacciano on May
IL at the start of the historic Fifth
to breach the Gustav Line, the 33sth
captured Formia on May 10. The amphi-
bious trick at Sperlonga followed, then
the End and 3rd Battalions took Mount
Nero. The entire regiment advanced
northward to capture Seize and later
relieved elements of the 3rd Marine"
Division at Corr.
At Lariano, IL 33sth attacked the
velletri- Valmontone Line, the last de-
tense line before Rome, held by the
Hermann Goering Division, and after a
three-day offensive by the 1st and 3rd
Battalions, the Nazis withdrew. The 3rd
Joined another regiment in the 85th and
advanced into the Alban Hills while the
End moved into Rome.
After the regiment was relieved north
of Rome in June, Colonel William H
Mkkelson, West Pointer from Chica-
go, H., who had commanded the Ord
Battalion all the way in its Rome drive,
was made regimental commander.
After a week, the unit reorganized
and in mid-September took over the
main effort Of the s5th, which in turn
had been assigned an important mis-
siee N the Fifth ASmy's Leading corps
10 ~ csehie Liss osssstisa.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Christmas Services At
TchuIu Methodist Church

The Rev. Walter Smith, pastor Of the
Tchula Methodist Church announces
that there will be Christmas service
at the Methodist Church Sunday morn
ing at 1l:00 a. m. The church will be
decorated and there will be special mu-
sic for these services.
A candlelight communion service will
be held Sunday night at 11:15 and will
end on Christmas Day.
Everyone is invited to attend.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Fronk CressweII Listed
In Who's Who

University, Alabama, (Special)-Pvt
W. Frank Cresswell, son of Mrs. c. w.
Cressweli, 300 Washington, and Mr.. W..
F. Cresswell of Yazoo City, Miss, who
will receive his B. S. degree from the
University Of Mississippi in February,
is among those students who will be list
ed in the 1944-45 issue of Who's Who
Among Students in American Universi-
ties and Colleges. The book will be re-
leased in April
This publication is published through
the cooperation of over 600 American
universities and colleges. 1t is the only
means Of national recognition for
graduates which is devoid of politics
fees, and dues. Several students from
accredited colleges are selected each
year, by an unprejudiced committee
for their biographies to appear in Who's
Who Among Students in American Uni
versities and Colleges. These books are
placed in the hands Of hundreds Of
companies and others who annually re-
cruit outstanding students for employ
msnt.
The purpose Of Who's Who Is to serve
a. an incentive for students to get the
most out Of their college careers; -
a means. Of compensation to students for
what they have already done; Is a
recommendation to the business world;
and as q standard Of measurement for
stuednts.
Pvt. Cresswell IL a member of Sigma
Alpha Epsilon fraternity, serving as its
president for two years, is president of
the Mississippi Methodist Student Move
ment, was president of Wesley Founda-
ton for two years, was committee
chairman in YMCA for two years, is a
member Of the Committee of 100, was
president Of the Religious Council, IL
a member Of Beta Beta, honorary bio
logical fraternity, 10 a member Of Phi
Chi Medical Fraternity, was a member
of the Interfraternity Council, was q
member Of the Intramural Athletic
Council, and was selected as end and
captain Of the All-Star Intramural Foot
ball team.
Pvt. Cresswell graduated from Du-
rant High School in the class Of 1912
and during his high school career was
member Of the Band, served as g
class officer, and was a member Of the
football, basketball, and track teams
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Pi(kens Soldier With
363rd Infantry
Now In Italy

| With the Fifth Army, Italy-Pvt. Ira
o. Mcdaniel, ammunition bearer, Of
Pickens, Miss, is fighting with the
363rd Infantry Regiment in the current
Florence Bologna offensive in Italy. The
regiment is part of the 9lst Powder
River" Division with 1t. General Mark
W. Clark's Fifth Army.
The 363rd entered combat in Italy
last July 4 north of the Cecina River on
the right flank of the oath RED Bull"
Division, to which it was then attached.
The regiment rejoined the 91st In.
fantry Division south of Chianni, where
| it experienced one of its toughest bat
! ties. A battalion of the 363rd captured
Hill 634, four milea southwest of Chan
nj, and repealed a number of savage
enemy counterattacks in hand-to-hand
fighting. The rockiness of the hill made
it impossible for the doughboys to dig
in sufficiently to Withstand highly
concentrated artillery and mortar as
sault that followed, but, after with
drawing slightly, the outfit returned and
retook the hill.
During the night of July II the 363rd.
as the infantry element of task force
attached to the saith Division, moved
into position southeast of Leghorn. The
next morning the 363rd shifted it's
strength to the northeast corner of the
seaport, maneuvering with support Of
tanks and tank destroyers. That night
one of the infantry regiments battal-
ions fought its way through the north
ern districts of the city itself to be the
first American troops to enter the city.
The 363rd next broke across the canal
north of Leghorn and occupied the
coastal sector from the port city to
Pisa, one of its battalions entering the
city before dawn July "a and another
one reaching the city of the Leaning
Tower that night. The 363rd returned
to the control of the 91st Division after
holding that part of Pisa south of the
Arno for four days. The regiment was
on Fifth Armys right flank, fighting
as a unit of the 9lst Division, when 1t
went into action again.
Colonel w. Fulton Magill. Jr., Of Port
land. Oregon has commanded the 3ssrd
since last February. The colonel's wife
and two children live in ojai. Cs!ifer-
ais.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Cpl. Bumont 6. RutIedqe
Awarded Combat Budqe

With the Fifth Army, Italy-Cpl. Blu
mont G. Rutledge, son of Mr.. and Mrs
Arville D. Rutledge of Lexington, Miss
has been cited by the 18th Armored In.
fantry Battalion of the First Armored
Division and awarded the Combat In.
fantryman Badge for actual particip l.
ton in combat against the enemy with
1t. General Mark w. Clarks Fifth
Army in Italy.
Standards for the badge are high
The decoration is awarded to the in.
fantry soldier who has proved his fight
ing ability in combat.
The handsome badge consists of 9
silver rifle set against a background Of
infantry blue, enclosed in a silver
wreath.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Patients At The HospitoI

White
Mrs. Nathan Jones and baby girl,
Thornton.
Mrs. Wilfred Cox, Tchula.
Mrs. Robert Evers and baby boy and
girl, Lexington.
S. c. Richards, Tchula.
Mrs. Doyle Winstead and baby girl.
Lexington.
COlOred
Fannie Mae Hughes and baby, Lexing.
ton.
Arthur d. Sudden. Tchula, RI. 2.
Burton Anderson, Vaughn.
Catherine Stephens, Lexington.
Booker T. Washington, Tchula.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
Edgar, MoyfieId Is
Promoted To Captain

Captain Edgar Mayfield, Jr., son OF
Mrs. Edgar Mayfield, Tchula, has re-
Gently been promoted to that rank.
After being commissioned at Duke
University, he became deputy financ'
officer at Camp Gordon, Augusta, Ca,
and in February 1914, was made chief
finance officer. Capt. Mayfield has been
at Camp Gordon for two years.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
THROUGH
HAZEL
EYES
BY HAZEL BRANNoN
A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS


Tvas the night before Christmas
when all through the mouse
Not a creature was STIRRING
not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the
chimney with care, :,
In hopes that st. Nicholas soon "'u''
be there;
IT.. ch;Idren were nestled all snug in
their beds,
While visions Of sugar piums oAhee"
through their heads;
And mama in her kerchief'
and in my cap.
Had lust settled our brains for long
wh.r out on the lawn there arose
such ~ clatter,
,prane from my bed to 80 what
was the matter,
A~.v IN the window l flew like flash,
To,e open the shutters and threw up
the sash.
RI. moon. on the breast Of the new
fallen snow,
Cave a luster Of midday to objects
below;
when what to my wondering eyes
should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny
reindeer,
With a little old driver,
30 lively and quick,
I knew in a moment 1t must DO 81. NICK
More rapid than eagles his coursers
they came,
And he whissled and shouted
and called them by name:
SNOW. Dasheri Now, Dancerl Now,
Prancer and Vixen!
IN. Cometl on, Cupid on, Donder and
Blitzeni"
A.. dry leaves that before the world
hurricane fly,
So up to the housetop the eoursers
they flew,
With a sleigh full Of toys--a
and st. Nicholas too.
And then in twinkling heard on
the roof
The Prancing and paing OF each little
hoof.
As drew in my head and was turning
around,
came with bound.
Down the chimney st. Nicholas
A bundle of toys he had flung on his
back,
He had q broad face,
and a round little belly
That shook, when he laughed,
l;ta n howl full of Jelly
He was chubby and plump
right jolly old elf
And laughed when | saw him,
in spite of myself.
He spoke not word, but went
straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings;
then turned with a perk,
And laying a finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney
he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team
gave q whistle,
And away they all flew like the
down Of a thistle;
But heard him exclaim,
ere he drove out Of sight:
Happy Christmas to all.
and to all a goodnight.
Happy Christmas to all-From the
Advertiser.
Clement, C. Moore.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1944-12-21
$2sl ,soo.s 6s7,6oo. $40,

Sixth War loan officials were highly
gratified at the outcome of the drive
which was completed in q shorter
length Of time than usual This county
has made splendid record In every one
Of the war loan drives to date over
subscribing every quota set up.
Holmes county was the eighth county
in the state to complete the "E" bond
quota on which emphasis in this cam
paign was placed. It will thus be one
of the honor counties Of the states.