Bainbridge Review 1942-01-08

              
January 8, 1942

Page 1


BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - GEM OF PUGET SOUND
BAINBRIDGE REVIEW
BEST WEEKLY IN THE NORTHWEST
Published every Friday; entered as second-class matter, Port Blakely, Washington
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, JAN. 8, 1942.  VOL. XVII, NO 36   EIGHT PAGES, FIVE CENTS

FIRST ISLAND EVACUEE FROM HAWAII TELLS OF HEROISM
By JEAN PURRINGTON
Wounded American fighting men in Hawaii pleaded with nurses to "just get me well so I can go out there and take another shot at them," Mrs. Helen Closser, the Island's  first Pearl Harbor evacuee, told The Review yesterday.
Bringing a thrilling story of American courage and bravery and a stern warning that "It can happen here," Mrs. Closser, wife of First Lieut. Daniel P. Closser, Jr.,  U.S.M.C., Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, arrived here Saturday to stay for "the duration" with her parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Closser, Crystal Springs. 
In a secrecy-shrouded evacuation trip to the States, young and pretty Mrs. Closser brought her son, Daniel P. Closser, III, 18 months old.
Mrs. Closser said that the night before the bombing they were entertaining and having a discussion on whether there would be a war. The consensus of opinion was "No."
In the morning she was looking out the window and saw the hangar at the station on fire. Then the U.S.S. Arizona, then the dispensary went. She and her son were rushed  over to the marine barracks and finally to a bomb shelter. During one attack, Mrs. Closser and her husband were out walking when shrapnel began to fly all around them.  Lieutenant Closser told her to go under the house.
"I will not, I'm staying right here for there are centipedes and scorpions under the house." Mrs. Closser said. She still couldn't re[ ] the danger.
"The youth of this country are hard," said Mrs. Closser. "They are just babies in age, but these babies came off the ships and battlefields into the temporary hospital  with their legs off and their eyes blinded. But not one of them screamed or whimpered.
"All of the wives were helping with the wounded in the temporary hospital. The equipment was bad. There weren't enough hypos. All we could do was comfort them. To all  I asked if there was anything I could do for them. 
"They all replied, 'Just get me well so I can go out there and take another shot at them.' 
"With morale and courage like our boys have over there, we can't help but win this war. I have never seen anything like the spirit and bravery of those men and boys.  You would be proud of your Navy, Army, and Marine Corps if you could see the magnificent battle they are putting up."
One Japanese plane that was shot down had a wounded pilot in it. He cralwled out of his plane and staggered up to the sentry and said, "I have failed in my mission,  shoot me." The sentry did.
Another incident Mrs. Closser related was that the uniforms of the officers and men were mostly destroyed and that they were running around in dirty pants and sweat  shirts after the first bombing and before they could get their clothes in order.
One Captain was going out to his ship in his gig to get dressed. He was in battered old clothes. He jumped in his boat and told the sailor to shove off.
The sailor started acting funny and said, "Huh, isn't it an easy life riding in the Captain's gig just like an officer?''
Then he looked closely and saw the captain's bars and nearly fell down trying to make his apologies.
The Captain said, "Oh, forget it."
This same sailor was sent over to meet Secretary of the Navy, Knox when he arrived, but he didn't know who he was meeting. A tired looking civilian jumped in the boat  with the sailor and they proceeded to Ford Island. Knox said, "Well, son, this  all must, have hit you pretty hard, didn't it?"
The sailor looked at him and said, "Well, hell! Look around you."
When they arrived at the Island all the captains and admirals were down to meet the little civilian and ushered him off the boat in great style. It was then the poor  sailor realized he had been talking to Secretary Knox.
Mrs. Closser stressed the need of tannic acid in the nine hospital units on the Island. She said
(Please Turn to Page Eight)

Tag: Military Activity on Bainbridge Island
Tag: Bainbridge Islanders in the Armed Forces

MORE ISLANDERS SAFE IN WAR ZONE
Islanders continued this week to hear cheering word of safety from loved ones in the Pacific War zone.
Mr. and Mrs. C. Amundsen, Ferncliff, received a letter from their daughter, Mrs Norma Field, and her husband, Harry, telling of their safe return home to the Hawaiian  island of Oahu. Mr. Field, at the time of the first Japanese attack, was playing football at Maui.
Mrs. Winifred Johnson, Rolling Bay, reported word of the safety of her sister, Miss Gladys Williams, Honolulu, had been received accompanied by serious advice that it  would be safer for the Johnsons to move to Seattle. Lieut. Vernon Johnson, U.S.N.R., smilingly announced the Johnson address still would be Bainbridge Island, however.
Last night, Island friends of Larry Blodgett, son of Mrs. Frank McChesney, learned he was safe in Honolulu. A student at the University of Hawaii, Mr. Blodgett now has  enlisted in the Army, friends said.
Meanwhile, Lieut. (jg) James Dare and his wife arrived here this week from Honolulu. They stayed at the Wing Point home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Dare.

Tag: Bainbridge Islanders in the Armed Forces

CHAMBER SETS MEETING FOR JANUARY 21
An important dinner meeting of the enlarged Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce will be held in the Winslow Congregational Church January 21, Laurance A. Peters,  Port Blakely, president, said this week.
Important subjects to be considered at the meeting: 1. annual election of officers; 2. ratification of the Island's 1942 road program; 3. report on the Chamber's fight  to block curtailment of Island bus service.
A large attendance was expected not only because of items to be considered but because of the membership drive conducted recently by Mrs. Elizabeth Shotwell,  Ferncliff.
"All Islanders, whether member, of the Chamber, are welcome to attend, but unless they join the Chamber they, of course, will not be eligible to vote on matters which  come before the Chamber," Mr. Peters said.
Dr. Hobart T. Cave. Crystal Springs, was scheduled to read the recommendationa of the Chamber's road committee on projects which County Commissioner W. J. Nelson will  be asked to complete during the year. Last year, the Chamber launched a comprehensive road program for eventual, permanent surfacing af all major roads.
Maurice MeMicken. Wing Point, chairman of the Chamber's special bus committee, told Mr. [ ] a report on efforts of the Chamber to prevent the Bremerton Transit Lines  from reducing the Island's four bus routes by one-half.

GEORGE TRASKS ESCAPE DEATH IN STOVE BLAST
Mrs. Johanna Trask, Rolling Bay, was recovering in the Swedish Hospital, Seattle, this week after suffering fractures of both legs when the stove in the Trask home  exploded New Year's Day. 
With a roar, concussion and scattering of "shrapnel" akin to a bomb, the kitchen stove exploded at 8:30 o'clock in the morning as Mrs. Trask and her husband, George,  were sitting at a table only 12 feet away.
The stove, equipped with a water jacket, had frozen in the sub-normal temperature and pressure from the usual kitchen fire caused the accident, Mr. Trask said.
Mr. Trask was unhurt, although a fragment of the iron stove about one foot square missed him by inches and embedded itself in the wall. A portion of the stove landed  on the kitchen table, collapsing it on Mrs. Trask. She suffered severe gashes in both legs and avoided severance of vital arteries by less than an inch, it was  reported.
Fortunately, the Trask children - Russell, 7 years old; Gerald, 10, and Laurel, 5 - had left the room before the accident.
Fire immediately broke out along a wall, but Mr. Trask was able to extinguish it promptly. Seven windows in the home were broken by the concussion and walls were  battered by the flying pieces of the stove. Soot covered dishes and utensils.
Mr. Trask rushed his wife to the hospital through the donation of a station wagon sent by Edward Cunningham, Port Madison. 
This week, Mrs. Trask was pronounced out of danger by her physician. although she will have to wear casts on her legs for several weeks.
Mr. Trask reported one item of humor even caused his pain-ridden wife to smile before leaving for the hospital.
"Gee, Daddy, now we'll have lots of old scrap iron to give to national defense" Russell remarked as he surveyed the wrecked stove.
Damage of about $100 was done but the loss was completely covered by a special explosion clause in Mr. Trask's fire insurance policy.

HOW ABOUT YOUR HELP?
Image caption: James Montgomery Flaff, noted artist, painted this special poster to aid the Red Cross in its War Relief Fund.  Donations toward an Island quota of $500  were being received by Mrs. Frank L. Shepard, Winslow, and at The Review's Pleasant Beach office.

OLD COUNTRY TIES TORN UP AS NAGATANI GOES TO WAR
Old country ties were torn to shreds in the Japanese Hall, Winslow, Saturday night as the Island's Japanese community bid Kiyo Nagatani, Island Center, fight for his  country - the United States of America.
In a ceremOny far more impressive and fraught with more meaning than any other "send-off" given Japanese youths inducted into this nation's army, Mr. Nagatani was told  in speeches by first and second generation Japanese leaders of the responsibility he bore not only to his nation but to his fellow men here.
"I was born in Japan but have lived here in America most of my life," said H. O. Koura, Manzanita, first generation Japanese. "I have received America's priviliges.  All the first generation owe a lot to America." Turning to Mr. Nagatani, Mr Koura said: "Your responsibility will be greatly increased because our reputation will be  judged by you." 
Ichiro Nagatani, Island Center, newly-elected president of the Island chapter of the Japanese-American Citizens' League, said: "This induction gives us an opportunity  to really prove we are American citizens and not just talk about it."
The program was opened with games under the direction of Takashi Sakuma, Winslow. Group singing was led by Robert Koba, Winslow. A salute to the American flag and  dancing completed the program.

Tag: Bainbridge Islanders in the Armed Forces
Tag: Exclusion, Bainbridge Island, WWII

OLD MAN MUMPS KO'S KID CUPID; PETTIT SICK
Old Man Mumps scored a temporary knockout over Kid Cupid this week to upset the marriage plans of Betty Logg and Ward. Pettit, popular young Islanders.
The pair was planning a ceremony on January 29, but Sunday night Mr. Pettit, son of Mr. and Mrs Edward Pettit, Pleasant Beach, was taken ill with mumps. Miss Logg, the  attractive daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Logg, Rolling Bay, ruefully said the rnarriage would be delayed until February or March.
Miss Logg is a graduate of Bainbridge High School. Her fiance, employed at Boeing Aircraft Company. Seattle, attended the Winslow school and is a graduate of Stadium  High School, Tacoma.

PRE-SCHOOL TO MEET
The Pre-School Parent Teacher Association will meet in the Pleasant Beach School at 8 o'clock Monday night. The guest speaker will be Dr. Helen Gibson Hogue, Seattle,  State Mental Hygienist. Refreshments will be served.

PRESIDENT'S BALL DUE JANUARY 31
Bainbridge Island's fourth annual President's Ball - social highlight of the winter season - will be .held January 31, Mrs. Gertrude L. Johnson, Rolling Bay, chairman  of the affair, announced yesterday.
Complete with a formal Grand March, the dance probably will be held in Bainbridge High School. Members of committees for the affair will be announced next week, Mrs.  Johnson said.

VISITS SISTER
Mrs. H. M. Parker, Seattle, was visiting her sister Mrs. C. E. Lane, Creosote, this week.

'MUM'S THE WORD'
The Review wishes to remind its readers again that it is pledged to maintain silence on any Army or Navy news, regardless of how it may affect Bainbridge Island, if  the publication of that news could be of aid or comfort to the enemy. The Review likewise oounsels its readers not to talk carelessly of Army or Navy maneuvers which  may be observed.

Tag: Civilian War Effort, Bainbridge Island, WWII

DEATH TAKES MRS. JANSEN, NOTED SINGER
Mrs. Romeyn B. Jansen, 62 years old, Battle Point, one-time noted Seattle singer and in recent years a beloved resident of Bainbridge Island, died in her Battle Point  home at 12:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Jansen, who gained fame as a grand opera and church singer, suffered a severe stroke December 24. Her daughter, Mrs. Phyllis Jansen Young, Spokane, arrived the  next day by airplane and was at the bedside when Mrs. Jansen passed away.
Funeral arrangements awaited the arrival from Hingham, Mass., of a son, Ferguson Jansen, shipyard employee. Mrs. Jansen, the widow of R. B. Jansen, who died June 23,  1940, also is survived by two grandchildren, Dallas Dorothy Young and Ferguson R. Jansen III.
(Late last night it was learned the funeral will be held Monday from Forkner's University Funeral Parlors, Seattle).
Born Mame Gove at Port Gamble, Mrs. Jansen was the daughter of a well-known Puget Sound tugboat captain. Educated in California schools, Miss Gove returned to Seattle  and married Mr. Jansen.
For years, the Jansens spent their summers on the Island and, four years ago, realized their dream and built a beautiful year-round home at Battle Point.
A gracious lady, known for her many acts of kindness to others, Mrs. Jansen was a member of the Ladies' Musical Club, Seattle; Chapter A.P.E.O., and the University  Christian Church, Seattle, the choir of which she organized and directed at one time.

Tag: Death Notices, Bainbridge Review

NELS JENSEN DIES WHILE STACKING WOOD
Nels Jensen, Island resident for 21 years, died Friday afternoon just the way he often told relatives and friends he wanted to die - busy at work.
Mr. Jensen, apparently the victim of a heart attack, was found near his Island Center home lying close by a sled on which he had been stacking firewood. Mr. Jensen was  70 years old.
The funeral was held this week, with the Danish Brotherhood, of which he was a member, taking an active part. He also was a member of the Masons, Tyee Lodge No. 115,  Newcastle.
Mr. Jensen. born in Denmark, came, to the United States in 1902, established a blacksmith shop in the busy coal-mining town of Newcastle and became a naturalized  citizen. In 1921 he moved to the Island where he set up his forge to do blacksmithing for farmers.
An industrious man who won the respect of the entire community, Mr. Jensen left many survivors. They are: Mrs. Katherine Jensen, the widow; four daughters: Mrs. W. C.  Madigan, San Diego, Calif.; Mrs. R. L. Simpson, Sedro Woolley ; Mrs. Herbert Walmach, Port Orchard, and Mrs. L. G. Norman, Island Center; one son, Axel Jensen,  Hamilton, (near Sedro Wooley).

Tag: Death Notices, Bainbridge Review