McCook's railroad Canteen

Susan Doak

Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society

While much has been written concerning the Canteen for soldiers traveling the Union Pacific Railway through North Platte, we shouldn't forget that McCook also created a Canteen for those who rode the CB&Q Railway (now Burlington Northern Santa Fe) on their way to war.

In June of 1942, during a Monday meeting of various social and war activities clubs in McCook, plans were made to establish a canteen at the Burlington depot. Never ones to let grass grow beneath their feet, McCook's residents were serving soldiers before the week was out. One of the ladies from the newly established group was on duty every day at the train station, volunteering her time until 10 p.m. each night.

Magazines, books and soft drinks became the staples for these young men, who stated the McCook canteen was the only one for a long distance along that route. Donation baskets were placed all over McCook for any items or money people could spare to help make the soldiers stop pleasant.

Among the many volunteers, the following ladies were instrumental in getting the canteen started: Mrs. Herman Budig, Mrs. Ivan Smith, Mrs. Clarence Corey, Mrs. Rex Hanna, and Mrs. Harry Jeffries. Mrs. Budig had received a letter from her son, Tom, stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, telling of the pleasure of receiving a four year old magazine to read on his trip to report for duty, thus bringing to light a need for the ladies to fill.

When the final structure of the newly named McCook Service Canteen was determined, it fell under the general sponsorship of the McCook Woman's Club. Six women were assigned as supervisors: Mrs. Frank McClure, Monday; Mrs. Ivan Smith, Tuesday; Mrs. Don Kelley, Wednesday; Mrs. Dale Justis, Thursday; Mrs. Del Noel, Friday; Mrs. L. Taylor, Saturday. Mrs. Clarence Corey became president, Mrs. J. W. Hasty, general chairman and Mrs. Claude Addams, publicity chairman.

In July of 1942, the Canteen was well established and both the Bartley and Arapahoe ladies had volunteered to serve troop trains. Former residents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Delong, had sent a $5 donation stating that the boys they knew at Camp Carson spoke highly of the attention they had received at McCook when traveling through. Plans were formulated to hold a scrap drive to raise funds and Nelson Fender Works allowed the scrap iron to be left with them. Mrs. E. C. Green was in charge of finances for the group and Mrs. George Moss was the treasurer.

One of the treasurer reports stated the following expenditures: Candy - $89.69; Cigarettes - $77.95; Cold drinks - $63.60; Fruit - $52.62. Because of censorship regulations, the ladies could not reveal how many service men had passed through McCook. Many letters of appreciation were sent from soldiers, one of the most interesting from a group of Filipino service men.

McCook was not alone in its support of the canteen. The Busy Fingers club of Curtis, Nebraska, brought money, 2,000 cookies, nine dozen cupcakes and 12 cartons of cigarettes for the Troop Trains. Lebanon contributed cash and 225 popcorn balls. Stratton, Indianola, and Bartley women, just to name a few, all gave of their time, their money or their baking ability to help.

McCook's support of the servicemen with the canteen was just the beginning, for when the announcement was made of an Army Air Base being located north of McCook, the city began facing another dilemma in housing, feeding and entertaining the multitude of servicemen and civilians coming to Southwest Nebraska with the base. That is a story for another day!

Don't forget Southwest Nebraska Geneaology Society's one-day workshop May 16. Contact me at sdoak@swnebr.net or check our Facebook page for more information.