Looking Back - The Morning Sun

American Sherman tanks during the Battle of the Bulge. While not as heavily armed or armored as German panzers, the Sherman was fast, reliable, and in great quantities. The Sherman was the only tank used by every Allied army on every front during the war, from France to the Pacific and from North Africa to the Russian steppes.

Remember When: The oral history of Anton Zemlock

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Mulberry resident Anton Zemlock served as a gunner on a Sherman tank. Nothing about him would betray the fact that he spent four months as a prisoner of war in Germany. He lived through ordeals that … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/20/23

May20, 1973: Scott to retire as Athletic Director at Davidson College

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 20-22, 1923 Speeding motor car drivers will have the joy taken out of their favorite pastime in about 10 days … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/20/23

May 19, 1923: Mulberry baseball falls to Breezy Hill 31-3

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives. 100 Years Ago - May 19, 1923: Two well-known operas, “Madame Butterfly” and “La Boheme,” will be given in connection with … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/19/23

American infantry holding the line during the Battle of the Bulge. Caught by surprise, many of the US units targeted by the Germans were either new or severely understrength. They were positioned in the Ardennes Forest because it was considered a quiet sector. Recovering from the initial shock, the Americans held the line, slowing the German tanks — which were quickly running out of gas.

Remember When: The oral history of Paul L. Wilbert

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Already an attorney before the war, Paul Wilbert returned from the battlefield to his law practice in Pittsburg where no one ever suspected he worked as a counterintelligence agent for the Army … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/19/23

Napoleon once said, "An army travels on its stomach." A country can have all the tanks, planes, and ships in the world, but without gas, ammunition, and food, nothing moves.

Remember When: The oral history of Clayton Powers

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Born in Lincoln County, Kansas, Clayton Powers was raised by his aunt after being orphaned. Powers remained in the Army Reserve after the war, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Described as … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/18/23

May 18, 1923: Jury finds in favor of J&P RR over $841 in damaged grapes

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 18, 1923 An artistic treat was afforded several hundred persons who attended the dancing recital of Miss Wilma … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/18/23

Fire in the closet, pt. 2

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What follows is the second of a three series by former Pittsburg resident, Jim Gore, about a mysterious fire in the family home at 1805 South Broadway, in Pittsburg. — J.T.K. "What’s … more

J.T. Knoll / Morning Sun Columnist | 5/18/23

A typical field hospital in World War 2, these units had to be able to pack up and move quickly to keep pace with advancing, or retreating, forces.

Remember When: The oral history of Richard Parrish

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Richard Parrish led a full life, from serving as a corporal in an Army MASH during World War II, a Pittsburg City Commissioner, a photographer, and owner of Dick’s Electronics. He was well liked … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/17/23

Antitrust settlement nets $31,652 for Crawford County; $4872 for Pittsburg

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 17, 1923 Two Pittsburg residents identified as leaders of the city’s Ku Klux Klan lodge testified today at … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/17/23

Judge Woolley says no liquor paroles in his court

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 16, 1923 The county commissioners in session at Girard yesterday formally disapproved the plan to establish a … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/16/23

A P-47 loaded out for ground a ground attack mission. Relieved of bomber-escort duty by the P-51 Mustang, the Thunderbolt was assigned to a ground-attack role, becoming known as a reliable tank killer on the Western Front in Europe. That reputation, and name, continues with today’s A-10 Thunderbolt II, better known as the “Warthog.”

Remember When: The oral history of Henry Jelochan

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Henry Jelochan learned about Pearl Harbor while still in high school. Hearing it on the radio, he didn’t think it affected him; however, eight months later he volunteered for the Army Air Force … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/16/23

An American 105mm artillery crew in action. Known as the “King of Battle,” historically, artillery causes more casualties than any other weapons system on the battlefield.

Remember When: The oral history of John Harry

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John Harry still had vivid memories of the war more than 40 years later. Perhaps because of his years as an English teacher or his personality, his ease in storytelling made his interview an … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/13/23

Mother’s Day graphic from the Pittsburg Sun in 1923.

1923: Thirty-eight new citizens naturalized; Mothers' Day proclamation

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 13-15, 1923 The board of the Chamber of Commerce at its weekly meeting at Bussey's annex today, went on record … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/13/23

A restored B-25 Mitchell flying over Minnesota. Used more as a low-level attack aircraft than a high-level bomber like its cousins, the B-25 proved to be a sturdy and reliable aircraft capable of a multitude of mission configurations.

Remember When: The oral history of Lebro Grislano

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Lebro Grislano served as a radio operator/machine gunner on B-25 bombers over the Pacific. After the war, he returned home to a career as a high school coach. More than forty years after the war, the … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/12/23

1923: Sheridan Coal Company placed on unfair list by UMW

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 12, 1923 All mines operated by the Sheridan Coal Co., of Mulberry, have been placed on the unfair list by the … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/12/23

Fire in the closet, part 1

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What follows is the first of three episodes of a story by former Pittsburg resident, Jim Gore, about a mysterious fire in the family home at 1805 South Broadway in Pittsburg. — J.T.K. My … more

By J.T. Knoll | 5/11/23

German cavalry troopers firing from horseback. Despite their reputation for armored warfare, the German Army relied very heavily on horses to pull supply carts and cannon. Horse-mounted cavalry units could move faster than infantry and could maneuver in places that tanks could not. They were also extensively used to protect supply lines from partisan attacks.

Remember When: The oral history of Henri Freyburger

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Before the age of 26, Henri Freyburger witnessed more war than most see in a lifetime. Born in the Alsace region of France, Mr. Freyburger was drafted into the German Army after the fall of his … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/11/23

A modern-day M-252 81mm mortar in action in Afghanistan. First developed during World War I, Stokes-style mortar systems have provided infantry battalions with quick-firing, man-portable, light artillery.

Remember When: The oral history of Oscar Fettig

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When three PHS students sat down with Mr. Fettig, they had no idea of what was in store for them. They were so impressed, they sat down for a second interview. Mr. Fettig served as a mortar crewman … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/10/23

Communications are vital to keeping an army informed about enemy movements and dispositions. As a communications NCO, Sergeant Davidson would have overseen encoding, decoding, and relaying sensitive messages between commanders using equipment like this.

The oral history of Denzel Davidson

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Denzel Davidson never encountered the enemy directly. Serving in the Headquarters Battery of the 31st Anti-Aircraft Brigade as a communications chief, he was responsible for sending and receiving … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/9/23

1998: Rivals Frontenac and Colgan split double-header come-from-behind wins

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Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 6-8, 1923 In an enthusiastic session of talks with music, the Teachers’ College today celebrated its 20th … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/6/23