May 20, 2005
Oroville Mercury Register June 16th,
1945
War Injuries Prove Fatal
William D. Phelps, 49, former Oroville resident, died in
a veterans facility hospital in Palo Alto Thursday as a result of
disabilities suffered in France during the first world war. Phelps,
who suffered from shell shock and was gassed, has been in veterans
hospitals for the last seven years. He served in five major battles
in World War I as a member of the 65th coast artillery.
He was born in Thornton, Ia. After the last war he lived in Oroville,
where he was employed for two years in construction work, and was
a fireman for the Swane Lumber company for one season. Later he
moved to Sacramento. He was a construction worker there for ten
years. His wife, the former Beryl French, died in Sacramento ten
years ago. Survivors are his brother, A. W. Phelps of Oroville,
and a sister Mrs. George L. Wiess of Los Angeles. Private funeral
services will be held at Hamilton and Riley’s at 2 P.M. Sunday,
with Dr. Henry Mills officiating. Burial will be in Cherokee cemetery.
Hard to Get ‘Labor’ Will Be Auctioned At War Bond Sale
Would you care to enjoy the movies Sunday evening while Mayor Sedgwick
minds the baby? Wouldn’t you feel better about running off on that
weekend fishing trip if someone, say Bart Hengy or Don Hobbie, devoted
an afternoon to your Victory garden? If you’re entertaining dinner
guests or cleaning out your attic, could Floyd Humphrey, Gordon
Hill or Earl Kelly be of service? For a price, namely the top bids
in the auction sale to be held Saturday afternoon and evening in
connection with the 7th War Loan drive, you may buy the
services of these and many other local men, and their time will
be yours to do with as you please. Daring everyone to “come out
and bring your check-book,” Earl Kelly, local chairman, reminded
prospective buyers of the Oroville district that in addition to
manpower many valuable and scarce articles will be auctioned off
during both sessions of the bond sale. These include cartons of
cigarettes, boxes of cigars, high grade whiskey, ladies’ hose, hams,
bacon, olive oil, bed sheets, a portable radio and, if all goes
well, a new electric vacuum cleaner. Among other items of interest
are a building lot, N.68, in the Paxton Subdivision, valued at $125,
a pass to the State Theatre for one year and several cases of beer.
Over-all sales to date have reached $689,145.25, but of this total
only $218,248.75 is in E bonds, bringing percentage for the Oroville
district to only 39% of it E allotment.
Oroville Mercury Ad June 16th,
1945
PLAY BINGO at Memorial Hall Mon., June 18 (and every 2nd
& 4th Monday) At 8PM Benefit Of Returning War Veterans
Sponsored by Oroville Post No. 1747 Veterans Of Foreign Wars.
Lt. Horn Freed
2nd Lt. Earl P. Horn, husband of Mrs. Katherine
L. Horn of Chico, has been reported liberated from a German prison
camp, according to an official announcement of the Office of War
Information.
Stu’s Notes: William Phelps, although he doesn’t qualify for
our main memorial, hopefully someone will purchase a tile for this
soldier who died of his war wounds so long ago. Our Soldiers suffer
so much so long after a war is over. To us out of sight out of mind.
We care but soon forget them. A building lot for only $125, wow!
I must remind people that we are not doing the tiles as a money-maker.
It will take the $50 just to build the walls and buy the granite.
But in honoring all veterans it will be well worth it. Veterans
Committee member Bob Leask, also of Lake Oroville Monument Co.,
has had a stroke but I was told he is out and about, good news.
He has been very instrumental in getting us a good price for our
American Grown American made granite. We wish you a quick recovery
Bob.
Well known Oroville people volunteered for the War effort. Sounds
like a way to make money for Oroville’s Veterans Memorial Park.
The Oroville City Council is working Hard as I speak on our memorial,
if you run into one thank them for all they do.