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1942 – One of the most important
happenings in the minds of Ponca City citizens was that their
husbands, sons and brothers were rapidly marching into the armed
forces of the United States to carry on war against the axis
powers.
Gasoline rationing began. Kay County was given a 200-tire quota
for sales in January. Tire inspectors monitored sales.
Because of the war, Continental hired women in the refinery for
the first time.
Mid-American Manufacturing Company opened, producing canvas
articles for the army, including pup tents, bed rolls, and back
packs.
The “Daubers,” a group of the Mother’s Club Fine Arts
department, organized the Ponca City Art Association.
A Chamber of Commerce committee met with a government
representative to discuss a proposed channel that would
straighten the Arkansas River and provide power.
Zone air raid wardens were named and they started an instruction
course. Ponca City was divided into 35 zones.
Maj. Gordon Lillie (Pawnee Bill), 81, died at his home near
Pawnee.
The Ponca City Mill installed a V-for-Victory sign atop the
large elevator.
The Red Cross was issued its highest quota ever for its blood
drive. They met their goal two weeks prior to deadline.
Clifford Wetzel was installed as president of the chamber at
their annual installation dinner, taking the reins from Lawrence
Northcutt.
Mayor Overstreet set April 1 for daylight savings time to take
effect in Ponca City.
Ralph Cooley organized the civil air patrol and 58 volunteers
showed up to work in the three-day draft signup.
Roy Grantham, county attorney, resigned to join the army as a
first lieutenant in field artillery. Earl Sullins, high school
football coach and physical education director, resigned to join
the U.S. Army as a physical education instructor.
Airplane Assemblies, Inc. opened, the third war industry to
contract in Ponca City. Clifford Wetzel, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, announced that local war contracts totaled
$1,700,000.
A total of 18,451 people received war ration books during the
registration period.
The Ponca City News sponsored a three-day cooking school.
The Oklahoma Press Association convened in Ponca City for a
three-day meeting, with Ernest Fischer, Associated Press
correspondent in Berlin, as principal speaker.
Citizens collected 161,920 pounds of scrap metal in a city-wide
salvage drive, according to Paul A. Long, chairman of the drive.
Ponca City school children collected 3,600 pounds on the opening
day of the drive.
On August 23, the annual Boy Scout camping week at Wentz Camp
began with 144 scouts from the North Oklahoma area council.
Bishop Francis Clement Kelly dedicated the Marland Carmel
priory.
The John Boyer Company, a local business that assembled noses
for trainer planes, expanded their work force to 250 employees.
Continental hired women for their testing and chemical
laboratories.
S.D. Hinton was unanimously elected chairman of the 1943
Community Chest drive. The $21,000 goal included a hospital
improvement project. Total subscriptions were $24,283.
Harold Darr, owner of Darr School of Aeronautics, was honored by
the Chamber of Commerce at a dinner designated “Darr Day.” Three
directors related the history of the schools.
On December 7, the high school held its inaugural assembly of
the Victory Corps. Faculty members Lillian Shuster, Woodson
Tyree and Frank Gibbard were in charge of the event, and
inducted 433 students.
November 30, Poncans rushed the gasoline service stations. Gas
rationing took effect on December 1, and filling station
operators reported they had no customers that day.
T.W. Prentice was named county chairman of a committee organized
to cooperate in the national $9 billion war financing campaign.
The annual “kiddies pet parade” was on December 12, with 1,151
area children participating in the event.
The Tulsa world named Bob Askey, end, and J.L. Theobald, guard,
co-captains of the Po High football team, to the All-state
squad.
The new city directory listed 240 different businesses in Ponca
City.
Continental Oil Co. entertained 1,300 employees’ children at its
annual Christmas party.
Every student at the Darr School was invited to a Christmas
dinner at various Ponca City homes.
Glenn Paris, president of Northern Oklahoma area council of Boy
Scouts, reported scout membership increased by 338 in 1942.
Continental Oil Company was guarded by Bullmastiffs which were
trained by Joe Boylan, superintendent of the safety and
sanitation division of the company.
W.D. Beard was appointed county administrator for the sale of
war bonds and stamps.
Kay County citizens pledged $70,000 in a bond pledge drive.
Final sales of the war bonds totaled $288,553. |
NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing