Oroville Mercury Registers from 1940’s from Helen Caswell
Camp Beale GIs Like Local Center, Million Dollar Gals
The Bealiner, Camp Beale newspaper, recently published an item about
the local Recreation Center and its courtesy to the Marysville GI’s.
Accompanying the item is a picture captioned GI Jive showing a Camp
Beale Soldier and an Oroville girl in a tricky bit of “rug-cutting.”.
“They’ve taken a million dollars in gold out of the Feather River,
in Oroville, in the past,” the caption continues, “and many a GI
has taken out a million dollar baby from there too.” Perched atop
a levee overlooking the Feather River,” the story reads, “the center
is delightfully cool and a perfect place for a dance on a warm night.
The center has a huge floor space; the dance floor being nearly
as large as the regulation size football field…” “Music is furnished
by the Casagrande All-Stars, a local orchestra that boasts several
men who played in nationally known radio bands. Sandwiches and cake,
doughnuts and coffee are furnished through the generosity of church,
school and fraternal organizations…
“The center has showers and washing facilities and supplies GIs
with towels, soap and razors. There is also a well-stocked library,
writing materials and desks, lounge rooms, badminton courts, a billiard
room and ping-pong tables. Mr. Scott has given a standing initiation
to Camp Beale GIs to spend their week ends in Oroville.”
Mrs. Darrell Elliott Joins U. S. Air Force January 1944
Mrs. Darrell Elliott left Sunday for San Francisco, en route to
Des Moines, Iowa, where she will begin training with the first California
contingency of Air WAC’S. Mrs. Elliott is the former Doris Mansell,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Burt Mansell, of Oroville, and the sister
of Mrs. Trevor J. Long Sr., of Thermalito. She is a graduate of
the Empire school of business at Chico, where she lived for four
years. She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Josephine chapter,
Chico, and formerly held office in the order. Mrs. Elliott was employed
for two years at the Valley Pipe and Cement Company, Chico, and
during the last legislative session was private secretary to former
Senator Clair Engel. Mrs. Elliott’s husband is with the transport
command, civilian employees of the army, United Air Lines, San Francisco.
More from “Recollections From Army Days” by Robert C. Brooks
In 1950 I was recalled into the army, at Fort Ord, and who should
I meet but Peter Spotted Wolf. He had also been recalled. We were
able to visit for quite a while, and he recalled that, and other
things that happened. He had lost brothers in WWII. He said that
as he was bringing Ricketts back across the open he kept hoping
no one would start shooting again.
I wonder, at this late date, if anyone of our Company or Battalion
has recollections of this. Tanke and Durandetto have since died,
I did keep in contact with Tanke for several years after the war,
by letter and phone. He remembered those things pretty well. I also
tried to locate Peter Spotted Wolf, but no luck. We had gone to
different units from Fort Ord. Aside from war, I think that military
training is good for our country; it gives men a sense of duty and
honor. I witnessed uncommon bravery of many of our men. But none
of the men I was with ever wished for any more wars.
Stu’s Notes: We wrote about Doris OMR October 21, 2005, including
a picture. She is the Aunt of Mary Long Andrews and Nancy Long Gardner.
I have read that there are only 3 WWI Soldiers still living. Last
November the Chico E. R. reported about 12 left. This coming November
11, 2007 will be the 89th anniversary since the armistices was signed.
That is why November 11 used to be called Armistice Day. I’m sure
the local Rec. Center was our Municipal Auditorium. I wonder how
many of those young soldiers married those million dollar baby’s.
The most famous couple being Chuck Yeager and Glennis Dickhouse.
Helen knew Glennis. Soon I will write about a young fighter pilot
who married an Oroville girl and crashed and died 1 month later.
I talked to Ted Grainger, his condition is improving, Ted has done
so much for our memorial we need him back to help finish it!
VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE SPAGHETTI DINNER AND DANCE Friday,
May 4th, 2007. Dinner from 5-8 and dance begins at 8p.m.
JIM HALSEY and the NIGHTHAWKS will be playing at the Dance. Come
and join us for good food, drawings and no host bar. At the Oroville
Veterans Memorial Hall 2374 Montgomery St. Donation $10, Children
under 10 free. Need not be present to win prizes. For tickets Call
Stu 533-8147 or Supervisor Bill Connelly’s office at 538-6834 We
hope you can come and enjoy good food and great entertainment.