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The R. N. Moyers (left) and
H. A. Haags of St. Louis, Mo.
Home of the H. D. Weavers
1134 West Yates Avenue,
Orlando, Florida
Pop. Wright
938 Bailey Ave.
San Antonio, Texas
Mr. Aspen and Mr. Frank Wolf
^'' :-: .
Mr. Etchberger
Mr. and Mrs. Bashner
.r. 2.
Home of the H. P. Forrests,
Norfolk, Va.
" i :
T7 rPnama &anal S.ociety o4 W7oida
To preserve American Ideals and Canal Zone Friendships
P. 0. Box 249. STATION "A" ST. PETERSBURG 2. FLORIDA
C. G. Calvit J. F. Warner
President Founder
A. L. Miner F. A. Anderson
Vice-President ZONE v. 'E W. H. Butler
Mrs. Lucille S. Judd J W Gray
Secretary-Treas. H.H.Hud
Mrs. Burt W. Hall H. H. Oe i
Correspond. Sec'y. Ralph H. Oliver
E. M. Kieswetter Dan E. Wright
News Editor Counselors
Charles H. Beetham G. T. Tarflinger
Chaplain Sgt.-at-Arms
The first news of interest to Civil Retirees is that the House has
passed the Independent Appripriation Bill H.R. 4663, which included
an item of $31,397,000.00 providing funds to continue until June 30,
1954 the temporary increase in retirement annuities authorized by Public
Law 555. At this writing the Senate has not taken action on this appro-
As passed by the House an item of $176,000,000 representing the
Government's contribution to the Retirement Fund was denied, also cut
was an item of $192,000,000.00 required for the payment of interest.
However, these cuts will not affect the continuity of your annuities.
There seems nothing very disturbing in these cuts at this time, as the
financing of the fund is under study by the Kaplan Committee established
by P.L. 555. These cuts simply represent deferred action on the Govern-
ment's obligation. The balance of the Fund at this time is over $5 billion.
You will recall the above committee is to make a comparative and
comprehensive investigation of all Federal retirement systems and report
their findings and recommendations to the Congress not later than Decem-
ber 31, 1953. Until the Congress receives this report it seems that retire-
ment legislation will to some extent be marking time.
However the Congress is much concerned at this time with the sub-
ject of lessening the burden of the taxpayer. Three Bills S.339, S.442
and S.875 are pending in the Senate Committee on Finance. Seventeen
Bills H.R.-101, 581, 626, 1276, 1277, 1380, 1392, 1393, 1854, 1919, 2525,
2568, 2937, 3491, 3874, 3937, and H.R. 4937 are pending in the House
Committee on Ways and Means. All these twenty bills, and possibly a
few others are concerned with the subject of exempting retirement an-
nuities and pensions from income tax.
The Civil Service Retirement Act at present states that retirement
annuities are "not subject to levy". However the Bureau of Internal
Revenue claims that this expression does not exempt retirement annui-
ties from income tax.
When establishing procedures of taxation the Congress uses the ex-
pression; "There shall be levied, collected and paid for each taxable
year" etc. etc. This expression is used repeatedly in, the basic
Internal Revenue Code and subsequently in amending revenue acts.
From this it would seem that when imposing the income tax the
Congress made use of the word levy in the positive sense, and it follows
logically that when the Congress uses the word levy in the negative
sense it can mean only that no taxes are to be imposed.
That the Congress did definitely intend retirement annuities to be
exempt from taxation is further evidenced by the fact that in the Rail-
road Retirement Act of 1937, the Congress used the word tax instead
of the word levy and the Bureau of Internal Revenue now considers
these annuities free of tax.
Accordingly the ruling of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in tax-
ing Civil Service annuities is inconsistent with the intent of the Congress
and discriminates against the Civil Service Annuitant very seriously.
It is generally agreed that because of the high cost of living, the
annuitant with a fixed income represents the lowest bracket in our
economic scale.
It is the expressed intent of the present administration to make an
earnest effort to lessen the burden of the taxpayer. All of the above
listed bills are consistent with this policy. They are particularly meri-
torious in eliminating the present discrimination against the civil re-
tiree and at the same time benefit those fixed incomes most in need of
economic assistance.
When writing your Senator, Representative and Committeemen, tell
briefly in your own words of your interest and concern in these subjects
and of your views on the merits of this pending legislation. Otherwise
your Congressman will not know of your interest and in the absence
of expressed interest there may be no action on the part of the Commit-
tees and the Congress.
Pending in the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service
are H.R. 1044, H.R. 1322 and H.R. 1867 proposing to establish survivor-
ship benefits for widows (who have not remarried) of retirees or those
eligible for retirement but who died prior to Feb. 28, 1948. Computation
of the amount of annuity would be based on the pay of the employee,
but would not exceed $600 a year.
Old Time Canal Constructors will be interested in three bills still
pending in the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
H.R. 19 would amend the Panama Canal Construction Act of May 29,
1944 (Public Law 319-78th Congress) by changing the minimum
period of eligible service from three years as at present to a proposed
period of two years. H.R. 154 would amend this same act by re-estab.
lishing the eligibility of widows who have lost their eligibility through re-
marriage but who have again become widows. H. R. 3660 would amend
this same act by increasing present pensions by $25 a month or by
such smaller amount sufficient to bring the individuals pension up to
but not to exceed $180 a month.
Also of interest to Old Time Constructons is H.R. 2522 pending
in House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. This bill would
amend the Civil Service Retirement Act to secure that $3 a month
benefit which was authorized in other acts for construction period ser.
vice in Panama and Alaska for those with eligible service but who were
denied the benefits because of retirement from some other service which
did not have the authority to include such Panama or Alaska construc-
tion service in computing annuities.
Some of the above data may look like repetition from our March
data, but it is well that this legislative information be as complete as
possible for the convenience of our many new members.
Write your Senators, Representatives and particularly the Commit-
teemen. Let them know of your interests and concern on these subjects.
Otherwise they may conclude that lack of interest justifies no congress.
sional action on these subjects.
Space does not permit listing all your Senators and Representatives;
secure this information from the Congressional Record at all Public
Libraries, or contact the office of your local newspaper. Membership
of Committees was listed on Page 68 of the March Canal Record.
"Pop" Wright sent us his picture taken March 23rd on his ninetieth
birthday. "Ninety full years behind me", says Pop. We wonder if "Pop"
isn't our oldest member. If not, let us hear from any who may be older.
Report of Secretary-Treasurer
Covering the period from late in February to May 15, 1953
I am sorry to call to your attention again that many have not paid
their dues for 1953. Please help me to keep the correct records for your
Society by paying your dues. To date 764 have paid up, that means that
nearly 150 have not paid as yet. We are giving you the June Record in
order that you may see this notice and send your dues in at once.
A GREEN card in your possession denotes that your 1953 dues are
paid, for which I do thank you very much.
Checks are still coming in without the additional 10 cents to cover
the bank charge. Please add this amount as the bank bills us for that
amount when your check does not have the required 10 cents.
From July 1st thru December the dues for new members is $1.50
if paid by money order: $1.60 if paid by check. On January first 1954
your dues are due for 1954, which are $3.00 annually (January to
Please keep the Secretary-Treasurer informed at all times as to your
place of residence. If you move please state if temporary or permanent.
If it is a temporary move we do not have to make a new address plate
-just change the address for the time being.
Major and Mrs. A. O. Meyer have moved to Orlando, making it
necessary for him to resign. We were very sorry to lose our Editor as
he had done such a grand job on the December and March Records.
We are very fortunate to, have Mr. Ernest Kieswetter, formerly of Gam-
boa, who came to sunny Florida last October with his wife to make
their h-me at 1824- 56th Street South, in Gulfport, as our new Editor.
Any news items you have may be sent to him at the above address or
to me, either at my home or Box 249, Station "A", St. Petersburg 2, Fla.
We certainly appreciate the wonderful letters you have written about
the March Record-it really was a masterpiece, and I might add-so was
the printer's bill. This record will be as the others have been-and while
it isn't as large as the March copy I am sure you will enjoying reading
it with as much pleasure.
For the period February thru April, 21 new applications have been
received, making a total of 53 new members since the first of the year.
Total membership as of May 1st, 922. We are very proud of this and
hope to make it 1,000 before 1954.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New
Mexico and Vermont, whose members have all paid their dues. Belgium,
Burma, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Republic of
Panama, Kentucky, North Dakota and South Dakota, who have one fam-
ily each have paid their dues also. Thanks to you all.
If any of you folks come our way this summer try to be here for
the picnics-we have a grand visit and you will enjoy meeting all your
old friends. Look on Page 13 of the 1953 Year Book for PLACE and DATE.
The following is a recent letter our secretary received from Herb
Neville, Casa Gatun, Faust, N. Y.
"Dear Mrs. Judd,
Many thanks for your post card, have noted Mrs. Payne's address.
Pleased to know that Clark is up to date. I have only one mail delivery
each month when I go to town. My next one on March 3, 1953 to cap-
ture that big annuity check and pay it all out on installments on my new
home, grub stake, fuel oil, etc. the best way to keep within the limits
of my annuity as my payments are less than for rent in town. Besides
I prefer the wilderness. I am 18 miles from town, no car, no radio, no
newspapers and kerosene lamps. Living alone there can not be any
I walk two miles to flag the New York to Montreal train and return
the same day by taxi.
I cannot be lonesome as I am not burdened with any self pity. It
has been blowing and snowing with the temeprature at 25 below, but
with an abundance of fuel and grub many old timers are not as well off.
Have a Beagle hound to keep me company, he never talks back.
It is now 10:30 P. M. and time to retire but do not use an alarm
clock anymore.
Faithfully yours
How about that?
FORTY YEARS AGO: A steam shovel started excavation for the en-
trance basin and Dry Dock No. 1 at Balboa. The sailors-from 23
ships in four divisions were taken from Colon to Panama at a rate
of about 1,000 per day for four days. Erection of the vast emergency
dam at Gatun was started. A lecture on "Alcohol", scheduled to be given
by a Dr. Orenstein at Isthmian Canal Commission Clubhouses, was in-
definitely postponed because the Doctor was ill. Work on a Macadam
highway from Gamboa toward Empire, on the east side of the Canal,
was started by convicts who had been busy up to that time on construc-
tion of the Canal Zone portion of the Empire-Chorrera Road.
TEN YEARS AGO: The Canal Zone Experiment Gardens bought 182
pounds of dried crude rubber taken from the wild trees in the Canal
Zone, the first results of a Supply Department plea to aid the war effort
by gathering local wild crude rubber. Thefirst rubber came from James
A. Dorsey, then Panama Railroad track foreman at Frijoles, who ar-
ranged for the collection with residents of that vicinity. The Canal Zone
divorce rate was up, and 55 percent of the divorces were filed by hus-
bands. "Bunny" gas masks for small children were explained by Judge
E. I. P. Ttatelman, Civilian Defense Director. War dogs arrived on the
Isthmus to help guard the Canal and vital installations. The 28-inch suc-
tion dredge Mindi was delivered to the Canal. Bicycles received by the
Commissary Division were not for kids, but for war workers only.
French Canal Company Transferred Righs
To Us 49 Years Ago
The Panama Canal celebrated its 49th birthday as an enterprise
of the United State Government.
The initiation of the Canal work was formalized May 4, 1904, when
the transfer of the rights and properties of the Second French Canal
Company was made at a simple ceremony held in the building which
now houses the Panama Canal Post Office.
There were comparatively few witnesses to the historic event which
took place at 7:30 a. m. The resident manager of the French Canal
Company made the actual transfer to Lt. Mark Brooke, of the Army
Corps of Engineers, who was designated to act for the United States
Government in the absence of the senior Engineering Officer.
The formal transfer was somewhat hastily arranged and this prob-
ably accounted for the simple ceremony of the historic occasion. The
arrangements were made after notification was received that the final
legal technicality to the sale of the French Canal Company's rights and
properties had been cleared in Paris.
The simplicity of the ceremony contrasted sharply with the feverish
activity which was to take place during the ten years immediately follow-
ing when the Canal was built, to the amazement of doubters all over
the world.
A Letter from Mrs. G. C. McCullough
of Birmingham, Alabama
I am writing to give you some information about some of the "Old
Timers" listed on the back page of the Record.
In a letter from Florita Frost (Arcadia, Calif.) she mentioned that
"Marie Burgoon Smith is still in Bloomington-has moved to her own
house". She is a sister-in-law of Mr. Trott of Colon and Panama City
fame, and her address could be acquired there, I presume.
Norman J. Cornett died a number of years ago. He was a friend of
Mac's, being a fellow ball-player.
Chas. N. Hilty is in Jacksonville, Fla. His home was in Birming-
ham, but he went to the Florida city a number of years ago. He can
be reached at "Pine & Ingleside Streets," Jacksonville.
Pauline Madison, is Mrs. Ed. J. Daly, 3563- 83rd Street, Jackson
Heights, L. I., New York. He left the Commissary Dept. and went with
the United Fruit Co. and has been stationed in New York for many
years. He is now retired. Pauline says they are taking a trip this sum-
mer and expect to come this way. The Madison family was from Jack-
son, Mississippi.
J. B. Patrick might be the Jack Patrick we used to know in Old Cris-
tobal days. If so, he died several years ago. He was in the Air Corps,
having stayed in, I believe, after World War I. He was in command of
the Air Base in Albany, Ga. When our son Joe was in flight training
there, and then later went to Colorado. After the German surrender, Col.
Patrick was sent to Germany, and we were informed that he died of a
heart attack there.
Mabel M. Schultz married Robert V. French in Sept. 1915, and
came to Birmingham to live in 1917, and lived here until she died in
June 1951. Bob passed away in May, 1924, but she continued to make
B'ham her home and raise her three children here. (Bob French was a
brother of Archie, Merwin and Nelle French Brugge, all of whom lived
on the Zone; as a matter of fact, Merwin is still there).
I surmise that there is a typographical error in the name of "Joseph-
son A. Knudsen", and strongly suspect that the person is myself, in which
case the name is Josephine A. Knudson. I became Mrs. G. C. McCullough
in December 1915, and we left the Zone in April 1916, and then decided
to stay in Birmingham, where we have been ever since.
We returned about ten days ago from a three weeks trip to Guate-
mala and Costa Rica. We visited with all the folks listed in the year
book, although Edwards and Sala were the only ones we had known on
the Zone. However, Mr. Atkins was the only one listed in the telephone
book, so we contacted him and he took us to see Mr. Sala and Capt.
Thompson who live across the street from each other. Capt. Thompson
said that Mr. Atkins was the only one who had lived in San Jose long
enough to get a phone.
Mr. Sala has been seriously ill and would appreciate hearing from
his old friends. We also met Mr. Love of Balboa, who was in San Jose
having treatment for an eye. He had recentlylost his wife, and I notice
you have mention of that in the Record. E. J. Krueger was spending
some time in San Jose and one morning took us on a tour of the mar-
kets. This really was one of the highlights of the trip, and we enjoyed
it so much we made a second trip through them. R. H. Lombard, who
worked in Building No. 2 when I did, lives in Cost Rica too, and we
had several chats over the coffee cups with him. These "Old-Timers"
meet sometime during the day in Central Park-to them, The Office--
and they say it is never closed; you can always find someone there.
One of Mac's main activities during our stay was to go to the office
several times a day to see who might be there, and, needless to say plenty
of reminiscing went on. The Thompsons have a delightful place, and make
a specialty of growing orchids, although they also had many other beauti-
ful flowers in their gardens. Mr. Atkins has a yard full of lovely flowers
also, but Mr. A takes no credit for them. He says his wife takes care of
them. Incidentally, Mr. Love said he would like to have a copy of the
yearbook, if possible. His address is P. O. Box 247, Balboa, C. Z.
We are very sorry to hear of Capt. Luther's serious illness, and trust
that he is much improved by this time. We enjoyed being with him very
much during the reunion.
Mac wishes to add that he located T. E. Beck in San Jose also and
a visit with him. He worked at Mt. Hope Depot in the old days and also
played ball.
I hope that any information we have been able to give about these
folks will be of assistance to the Record. We enjoyed all the pictures and
news about the folks we knew in the old days. To those who have lost
loved ones we extend our sympathy, and to the rest "best wishes".
Mrs. G. C. McCullough
Thank you, Mrs. Mc.
Leo Welling of Santa Barbara, California, writes he had a talk with
an oldtimer there in the person of Florence Bean who was a nurse in
the Colon Hospital from 1906 to '09. He also says: "Our former Execu-
tive Secretary was here a few weeks ago, but I missed him. Frank Wang
represents the National Association of Retired Civil Employees. I got
a Christmas card from the wife of my old friend Charlie Johnson who
was a draftsman in the Mechanical Division, later retired and passed
on about 1945. What a guy he was! We used to box together and I was
his second with Charlie Bracker when he fought Jack Ortega in the
National Sporting Club in Panama City on Central Avenue. Charlie
Bracker lives in Nogales, Arizona, and has a big store there as well as
a large family of three boys and two girls. The boys look after the busi-
ness, so Charlie is practically retired. He loves to write and visit with
old Panama friends. I have never been able to find out what happened
to Guiseppe Garibaldi, the grandson of the Italian hero, who worked out
of the Governor's office. When I first went to Panama I got a temporary
job in the Governor's office at Culebra and used to take dictation from
our friend John K. Baxter and also from the Colonel."
The many friends of Gussie and Paul Renz will be glad to hear that
they have purchased a home in Fairhope, Alabama, which is on Mobile
Bay. After Paul retired in November they spent some time with their
children in New York, but are now permanently settled and send friendly
greetings to their friends in the States.
Harry A. Thompson of Covington, Louisiana, advises us that Mrs.
Thompson has been very sick from mid December. We can appreciate
how he felt when he says: "I have had a very sick wife on my hands
and the old man has kinda been going around in circles, but am happy
to report that at a long last we seem to have everything under control."
We sincerely hope Mrs. Thompson has fully recovered by this time.
Mrs. Walter W. Campbell, Sr., of Cleveland, Ohio, sends word that
they have had plenty of company recently.
P. C. Hulsebosch who spent the winter in Fort Myers, Florida, and
writes he met Paul J. Tucker there. Mr. Tucker was born on the Zone
while his father was employed there during the construction days.
According to William H. Aspden he could not join the Society due
to his many changes of address. He is now living in Philadelphia but
says he will make only one more move, which will be to St. Petersburg,
Florida, as he was sold on that idea during the last reunion. He also de-
clares he finds it no longer cheaper to move than to pay rent.
We appreciated the nice letter from Mrs. Emir C. Bartlett of Van-
couver, Washington, sending her sincerest regards.
Mrs. Prances Wickham of Middletown, N. Y., regrets they are so
far away that they were unable to attend the society's meetings, but does
enjoy hearing and reading about them. We would enjoy having them
come to St. Petersburg where they could meet many of their old time
friends from the Zone.
Mrs. Elsie M. Greenwood of Wellston, Ohio, expresses the hope
that the present Congress will enact some legislation to benefit the old-
timers. She has the highest praise for the work being done by our friend
Mr. Grauten in Evanston, Ill.
Harry A. Comley advises that they arrived in the U.S.A. on Febru-
ary 4th from the Zone and are now located in Arlington, Va. However,
that seems to be a temporary measure as Harry says: "Our sixty-four
dollar question at the present is where we are going to settle and make
our future home. However, we are not going to be in a hurry to make
a decision, and until such time when we settle permanently, please
change my mailing address from the Canal Zone".
Melville and Ruth Alexander say the last Canal Record was the
best yet and sure enjoyed it. The yard around their home in Arlington,
Fla. is responding to their care. They had Mrs. Ethel Judd as a visitor
for a short while.
Mr. Paul H. Allen, a former Zonian whose scientific work is well
known throughout Central America, has been named director of the
Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami. Paul was in charge of the Missouri
Botanical Garden project in Balboa before entering the employ of the
Panama Canal at Summit Gardens. He will resign his post as head of
the United Fruit Co. forestry station at Palmar, Costa Rica.
Mr. Lewis B. Moore, who retired recently from the Canal, has ac-
cepted a position as construction engineer on an extensive United Nations
rehabilitation program being initiated in South Korea.
Vern Calloway, Winter Park, Fla., writes that he missed the con-
vention as he was laid up with Herpes Zoster. "Shingles, to you".
The Fred Williams, Hollywood, Fla., missed the January reunion
as they went back to the zone for a two month visit. Since returning,
Fred made a "hole in one", 195 yds., an the Dania Country Club course.
O. T. Marstrand, 415 Burleigh Ave., Norfolk, Va., writes, Hats off
to a most wonderful Canal Record. All praise to those making such an
issue possible. 0. T. is living with daughter Lillian and her husband
Colonel William M. Powers and two sons William, age 14, and Robert,
age 10.
A letter from the J. A. McLeods of Harding Ave., Chicago, says
that old man McLeod's oldest son, Jack, has been in the hospital but
can now attain a speed of 3 knots per hour with no perceptible list to
port. Hopes to visit St. Pete. and we will be glad to see them.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Kuller, Woodlond Hills, Calif., report their
pleasure each time they receive a Record. They enjoyed a visit from
their son Lt. Ben Kuller and family after the Lt's. return from a tour
of duty in Japan. He is now a civilian and back at N. C. State College
for a refresher course. Their daughter Norma Jean Perry, her husband
and three sons are in Portland, Ore. Their youngest daughter Pat Gill
is in a brand new home at Reseda, Calif. Had a call from the Howard L
Smithies recently. Sends regards to Earl Browns, Conkertons and all
their Florida friends.
Fred Downing, son of Mrs. O. T. Marstrand's sister Lillian is a co-
pilot in his one and only ambition, flying. This ambition dates back to
the time his cousin Bob flew him to the interior of Panama prior to Bob's
fatal crash in September 1935. Fred, his wife and two youngsters reside
at Lakeside, Calif.
Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Shedlock have decided St. Pete is the place
for them and have purchased a new home at 3800 26th Street North.
Wilhelmina Sandiford sends regards from 1712 Que St. N. W.
Washington, D. C. Says she was looking forward to seeing the Cherry
Blosson Festival.
W. R. McCann, Crescent Hills, Va., writes the last Canal Record
was an excellent job, newsy, attractive and enjoyable.
H. F. Bevington, Pasaden, Calif., says the recent Canal Record
gave him a great deal of pleasure. He was thrilled to see the names of
many friends especially one of his real fine old friends, Shorty Devours.
Miss Ida and Bella Murphy, cousins of Mrs. Fred Gruenwald at-
tended the March meeting of the Canal Society.
Mr. H. H. Evans of Charlottesville, Va., sends greetings and hopes
to make a reunion some time in the future.
Dr. J. D. Odom and Mrs. Odom (Sue Core) of Dothan, Ala., were
recent visitors enroute to the Zone, where they will spend some time
visiting with old friends.
Major A. O. Meyer and Mrs. Meyer report they have an excellent
apartment in Orlando with ideal surroundings and feel they are now per-
manently settled.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Maessen, of St. Petersburg, are at present visit-
ing their daughter and son-in-law, Capt. and Mrs. J. F. Meehan, on
the Zone.
Asea faring career, spanning half a century, will end for Captain
Erik J. Eriksen with his appointment as Panama Line Agent in Port
Au Prince, Haiti. After eighteen years as a Panama Line Master, Capt.
Eriksen is looking forward with enthusiasm to home life in Port Au
Prince and his new duties as Panama Line Agent.
Mr. and Mrs. Esler from the Zone, have bought a home at 560
80th Street North, St. Petersburg Beach and will be permanent residents
here within a few years.
The Pattersons of Hendersonville, N. C. report they are "hale and
hearty", and enjoying life at Finca Chica.
The Floyd Forrests of Hudgins, Va., write that they enjoy the Record
and do not want to miss a single issue. They are enjoying their home
but miss old Canal friends and invite any and all to stop by and see them.
Mr. E. T. Patterson, of Detroit, who was here for a short stay at
Reddington Beach, regrets that he was unable to attend the monthly
meeting, but hopes to return again next winter.
Mr. James V. McGimsey, of Gamboa, writes that the quarters situ-
ation for retired employees is tough, but he enjoys being near his old
haunts, such as the Volcan, Pearl Islands and San Bias Islands. He also
sends regards to all friends in St. Pete.
Mrs. Stella M. Price writes that she has moved to her new home
at 7902 Tacoma Avenue, Silver Springs, Md.
Frank and Bess Parsons of Adams, N. Y., send greetings to their
many friends in St. Petersburg.
Luella and Denny Mullane send greetings from Pasadena, Calif.
Luella became a grandmother again for the third time on January 22,
when Derek Christopher Brown arrived. Denny's Elinor and husband,
Claude Berger, are living in California and are looking for a home.
Son, Edward, wife and daughter arrived recently. Muriel and her hus-
band are living in Syracuse, N. Y.
Iretta Austin writes that she plans to retire in June and will make
her home in Fairhope, Ala.
The following letter arrived from Jack and Teresa Ridge; Thanks
for sending the "Record". My brothers, Steve and Leo live about 30
miles from us. We all had a good time reading the dope on the old
timers. I hope to get Joe Snook, Joe Coffin, the 3 Ridges and perhaps
several others of the Champion Ancon team of 1917 together this sum-
mer for a fan fest. Snook is at Yeagertown, Pa. and Coffin is at York,
Pa. Frank Sawyer and Chris Garlington are perhaps too far away but
will try and have them here. Regards to Major Meyers.
Peg and Henry Falk write that they saw the last issue of the Canal
Record and Henry became so interested that he insisted that they send
their subscription and join. Before many years they will be retiring and
they too expect to retire to Florida.
Capt. D. S. Heath sends just a line to say Howdy and to get his
1953 dues underway. He planned to meet the Swinson's at the pier May
7th and go on up to Gloucester with them. He also planned to take
along his 16 ft. outboard boat that he built in his garage. He said with
the weather we have been having for the past few weeks he should be
heading south instead of north.
A note from Al Paulsen states that he and Mrs. Paulsen hope to
attend some future Florida Reunion. He also says that the last Canal
Record was excellent and the best one yet.
Adelaide Lambert writes that they have been traveling ever since
they left Florida and are returning from North Hollywood where they
visited Katheryn and family. They are having a wonderful trip and
hope to be home soon.
Miss Mabel Jacobs and her sister Mrs. Howard of Washington, D. C.
are on a 38 day cruise to Buenos Aires, with stops in Trinidad, Rio,
Santos Montivedo and Buenos Aires. They mention visiting with Bishop
and Mrs. Melchor in Rio where he is Episcopal Bishop. Mrs. Melchor
will be remembered as Mary Curry, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. D. P.
Curry of Ancon. The Melchors have three children, one married and
one preparing for the ministry. Miss Jacobs saysthey look fine. This
card was written from Santo, Brazil on April 17th. Thanks Mabel for
news of Mary and family as well as news of what you are doing these
Mrs. Ella S. Piper writes: Sorry to have missed the reunion again,
will try to make it next year if it isn't held too close to Christmas. I've
promised Christmas to Carolyn and Homer in Minneapolis but if I go
up early maybe I can run away right after Christmas. They are both
fine as is their little son over a year old now. I enjoyed the last "Record"
so much, particularly the pictures. So many familiar faces made me blue.
Jack and Em Plummer sent us a picture of snow bound Stevens
Pass Highway near Leavenworth, Washington where they are stopping
for a couple of months. They say it is rugged country out there. Have
seen little Roy Boggs and Tillie Lawrence. They expect to see the Berge-
sons in Tacoma also the Martins and Dyes and many more members of
the Western Chapter.
Ducky Bryan sends greetings and wishes he could have been present
at the Reunion, but it's a long way from Calif. and he says he is afraid
Florida would be too cold in January."Oh, yeah". Hei also says at last
Ruth and I are grandparents. Gregory Adair Bryan, born in Waco,
Texas. Robert is in the Air Force stationed at James Connally Air Force
base, Waco, Texas. Ducky and Ruth are going to Texas for their first
look at young Gregory.
E. R. MacVittie, Assistant Chief of the Canal's Maintenance Division
on the Atlantic side, has been transferred to the Storhouse Division as
assistant to the Storehouse Division. Mrs. Gertrude H. Gibson, Clerk-
Typist in the Communications Branch of the Electrical Division, received
an Employee Suggestion Award of $40 for suggesting that Zone tele-
phone directories be mailed direct to subscribers from the Pancanal
Press at Mount Hope instead of being distributed by the Communications
Branch at Balboa Heights.
About 800 additional acres of pasture land are to be cleared at
Mindi Dairy as a means of reducing the operating costs of the dairy.
Panama City inaugurated its new bull ring on Sunday, March 1st,
when six brave bulls were fought by three famous bullfighters, one from
Spain and two from Mexico. Some of the bulls were flown from Mexico
and others were from Penonome, Panama. One bull leaped the wooden
ring and scattered photographers like fleas, and another pursued a bull-
fighter and slit the seat of his trousers with a horn. Of the 7000 who
attended one-third were estimated to be Americans.
Three Panamanians were charged in the Balboa Magistrate's Court
with stealing 1,800 feet of high tension electric wire worth $378 from
transmission towers located one-quarter mile south of Gamboa bridge.
On February 16th the House Appropriations Committee reduced the
Panama Canal's administrative expense limitation by $23,000 stating
"the reduction has been achieved by denying funds for ten additional
positions in the Personnel Bureau".
Three Panamanian officials journeyed to Washington. where they
requested that the International Highway from David to Las Vueltas, a
distance of 15 miles, be paved with concrete. Their request was denied,
but the U. S. promised to put up its two-thirds share of the cost based
on the estimated cost of an asphalt surface.
A drastic reduction-in-force program which will reduce the Indus-
trial Bureau (formerly called the Mechanical Division) to a skeleton
maintenance crew was put in effect by Panama Canal Co. officials. The
governor's office confirmed that termination notices were being sent out
immediately but did not go into detail as'to the extent of the force cuts.
Informed sources, however, predicted that the Industrial Bureau would
most likely be cut down by about 75 per cent. At present there are ap-
proximately 250 U.S.-raters and 430 local-raters on the Industrial Bureau
If a ne will now before the Senate passes, the Central Labor Union-
Metal Trades Council will immediately start action for legislation to
send a delegate from the Canal Zone to the House of Representatives.
According to CLU officials, Bill S-697, which was recently introduced
by Senator Francis Case (R-South Dakota) provides for a delegate
from the District of Columbia to the House of Representatives. Alaska
and Hawaii now enjoy the privilege of having their own delegates, who
although they are not entitled to vote, can bring legislation directly be-
fore Congress. Puerto Rico has a Resident Commissioner. "If we could
get representation also, it would cut the need for all this lobbying," the
CLU spokesman contends.
Twenty-one American chauffers for the Panama Canal Company
whose petition for a temporary injunction to halt their replacement by
local-rate employes was denied last month are now seeking to be restored
to their regular jobs, or transferred to permanent positions.
Military commanders in the area have received instructions from
Washington to make a job-by-job check of personnel records for the past
six years to determine whether any employes were terminated, paid
lump-sum leave and then re-hired with intent to evade the spirit of Civil
Service policies, or to defraud the United States Government. Replying
to a question by The Panama American, a spokesman for the Caribbean
Command confirmed that Army, Navy and Air Force were complying
with orders to assemble a list of any suspicious instances since 1947.
From other, unofficial sources it was learned that an especially fine
comb would be used on all personnel actions during late 1950 to ascer-
tain whether any were made to enable the employee to avoid payment of
Federal income taxes when they became applicable to US employees
onthe Canal Zone.
Another traffic record for the Panama Canal was established in Feb-
ruary with a daily average of 22 large commercial vessels in transit,
according to statistics announced.
Zonians, already unnerved by proposed economy measures in the
federal service, received another shattering blow when a member of the
General Accounting Office recommended a catastrophic slash of 5.000
from Canal Co. rolls, the elimination of the 25 per cenpt differential
for those who were hired locally, and the sale of a Panama Line ship.
Reaction to GAO representative William Newman's proposals came hot
and heavy from officials as well as white collar workers. The two big
labor groups here started the wheels rolling to get the backing of their
national office in fighting the drastic recommendations. The U. S. Citi-
zens Committee on the Canal Zone was considering the most effective
measures to be taken to counteract the proposals. But through it all, em-
ployes tried to put up a brave front, despite the cold uncertainty of
their future.
More than 1,000 local-rate employes of the Panama Canal organi-
zations have received up-gradings of from one to six grades as the result
of a detailed review initiated by Gov. J. S. Seybold early last August,
it was announced at Balboa Heights.
Canal Zone taxpayers who filed a suit for the recovery of income
taxes, will now take their case to the Circuit Court of Appeals in New
Orleans, according totheir attorney, Donald J. McNevin.
Thomas J. Ebdon, Jr., has been appointed assistant to the superin-
tendent of the Pacific Locks and will assume his new duties in the near
future. He is presently employed as electrical engineer in the office of
the chief of the Locks Division.
Plans for the Cardenas townsite-the Canal's new local rate hous-
ing project located in a new jungle area between and behind the posts
of Corozal and Ft. Clayton-have come to an abrupt halt. Advertisements
asking for bids for the construction of 250 housing units in the area,
which has been cleared and on which heavy grading to the tune of about
$1,000,000 has already been completed, have been withdrawn.
President Jose A. Remon was still getting support on his announced
intention to negotiate a complete revision of the 1903 Treaty with the
United States. Labor and civic organizations all publicly expressed ap-
provial of the move which the President said he intends to make during
a proposed visit to Washington.
Protesting shipping agents will meet this week to discuss action
they will take with regard to the newly announced rent raises which in
some cases run as high as 350 per cent. The new rent rates which take
effect July 1, were received by shipping agents, banks, oil companies,
cable company and other commercial establishments operating in the
Canal Zone. Some of the agents termed the new rents "highway robbery",
and "an outrage".
President Jose A. Remon said that he regretted it very much but he
was forced to veto the compulsory tipping bill recently passed by the
National Assembly, because it was unconstitutional. The bill would have
imposed a compulsory 10 percent service charge in all restaurants, bars
and soda fountains for waiter service.
Direct expenditures of the United States Government as its share in
working together with the Republic of Panama in the Point IV program
of technical cooperation is amounting to slightly over a million dollars
during the current fiscal year ending June 30th, it was stated by Vance
Rogers, Point IV Country Director. The U. S. contribution toward car-
rying on cooperative activities requested by the Republic under Point IV
has increased steadily to the record sum of $1,046,000 in the present
twelve-month period, Director Rogers revealed. By mutual agreement
with the Panamanian Government, Rogers pointed out, present Point IV
policy is to give major emphasis in Panama to the field of agriculture,
and the U. S. is expending the largest amount this year, approximately
$400,000 toward technical and material assistance in agricultural devel-
Col. Howard W. Doan, who became superintendent of Gorgas Hos-
pital with the departure of Col. Clifford G. Blitch arrived on the Isthmus
March 19 accompanied by Mrs. Doan and their three children. Col. and
Mrs. Blitch left March 16 for his new assignment as post surgeon and
commander of the Army hospital at Camp Pickett, Virginia. He was first
assigned to duty at the Army hospital at Camp Attabury, Indiana, to re-
place Doan as head of the hospital, but his orders were later changed
to the assignment in Virginia.
One of the oldest houses in the Canal Zone, No. 139 on Heights
Road, formerly occupied by the health director, is among 16 frame
quarters buildings which have been scheduled for demolition and are
now being advertised for sale to the highest bidder.
The Panama Canal Co. continued its force reduction by cutting down
by about ten percent the staff of the Storehouse Division. This means
that about 15 of the U.S.-raters would get their notices.
A reduction of 13 employes in the technical staff of the Engineering
Division of the Panama Canal Company was announced at Balboa
Heights. The reduction results from the completion of designs and speci-
fications for the major portion of the current housing program and from
the economy cutbacks in new construction generally. The force reduction,
which became effective after the usual 30-day, affected only U.S.-rate
Senator Allen J. Ellender said that administration of the Panama
Canal should be transferred from the Army to some civilian agency as
soon as possible. The Louisiana Democrat who visited the Isthmus in
December, commented that "There seems to be something wrong- down
there." He said "coordination" is lacking among the 80 United States
enterprises in the Canal Zone. Ellender made this statement during a Sen-
ate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on funds for the Canal during
the year that starts next July 1. The Senator got immediate support from
William Newman, a General Accounting Office official who directed a
two-year on-the-spot study of Canal operations. During a running ex-
change with Gov. Seybold, Lindsley Nobel, Comptroller, and Mathew
Robertson, a member of the Canal board, Ellender said: "You're under
the Army, you make your recommendations not to Congress but to the
Military who holds the stock as acting for the President. Your governor
is in civilian clothes but he's an Army man". The discussion was some-
what quieted by T. Coleman Andrews, Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
and a member of the Canal board of directors. "The board is neither
dominated or controlled by the Army. There was a time when I could
not say that, but that is not true today. The Canal business is being ad-
ministered today by civilians deadly serious in their effort to do, the
job which Congress does not have time to do". GovernorJohn S. Seybold
stated that the management of the Canal Zone government and company
"appreciates the suggestions" from the General Accounting Office (GAO),
but will continue to make its own decisions. He stated firmly: "Respon-
sibility for sound management is ours. We are held accountable for the
results and we must be free to make those decisions which we feel are
right in light of all the facts and experience available to us."
The Isthmian Nurses Association of the Canal Zone, organized in
March of 1951, held its first annual convention on December 21, 1952.
Total registration reached 253, with nurses representing 42 of the 48
states, the Republic of Panama, England, Puerto Rico, District of Colum-
bia, Canal Zone, Canada and Israel. The afternoon was devoted to exhi-
bits and small group discussions. The business meeting was conducted
after dinner. By-laws were revised to conform with American Nurses'
Association requirements. The organization was at that time working to-
ward acceptance as an ANA constituent unit. Establishment of a nurses
registry for the Canal Zone was discussed but no action was taken. Pro-
grams at meetings held in 1952 were varied and consisted for the most
part of lectures on new drugs, dermatology, narcotic addiction, the Point
Four health services conducted in the Repulic of Panama, and disaster
nursing. The association has started a nurse recruitment program in the
two high schools and in the junior college, working with the vocational
guidance teachers. It has secured 24 nursing textbooks to be given to the
student nurse library at Santo Tomas Hospital in the Republic of Panama.
It has compiled and keeps up to date a list of all registered nurses in
the area, and it will work with the civilian disaster control program.
It is planning programs for volunteer nurses aides and refresher courses.
Officers elected: President, Mrs. Bernice T. Springall; first vice-presi-
dent, Mrs. Edith Donaldson; secretary, Dorris Cochran; treasurer, Cecilia
Engagements and Weddings
Mr. and Mrs. Everett Albritton of Margarita, announce the engage-
ment of their daughter, Phillis Jean, to Mr. William M. Peniche, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Manual Peniche of Jackson Heights, N. Y. Miss Albritton
is a graduate of Balboa High School and of Drake University at Des
Moines, Iowa. At present she is employed by the Commissary Division.
Mr. Peniche graduated from McBurney School, New York City, and
Haverford College at Haverford, Pennsylvania. He is a civilian with the
Department of the Army.
Mr. and Mrs. Alton White of Gamboa have announced the engage-
ment of their daughter, Jean Ann, to Erik Tom Sprohge, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Paul Richard Sprohge of Bellair, Texas. Both Miss White and
Mr. Sprohge are senior students in the College of Architecture at the
Rice Institute in Houston, Texas. No date has been set for the wedding.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Young Edwards of Ancon have announced the
engagement of their daughter, Ann Russell, to Alexander Andrew Dobak,
Jr., U.S.A.F., son of Colonel and Mrs. Alexander A. Dobak of Ogden,
Utah. Miss Edwards will be graduated in June from the Canal Zone
Junior College. Mr. Dobak was graduated from Staunton Military Aca-
demy and attended the Canal Zone Junior College. He is stationed at
Keesler Field, Miss. No date has been set for the wedding.
In a candlelight ceremony at the Church of Our Savior, Miss Patricia
Marie Rudge of Margarita, plighted her troth to Mr. Dan George Nellis,
formerly of Gatun now of Burbank, Calif. Patricia is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Rudge of Margarita.
Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Landry of Mobile, Ala., announce the engagement
of their daughter, Alice Shirley, to Theodore Evans Brown of Mobile, for-
merly of Cristobal, son of Captain and Mrs. Theodore Thompson of San
Jose, Cost Rica.
In a private ceremony at the Church of the Holy Family, in Margar-
ita, Miss Marian Dolores Smith, of Cristobal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Isaac Smith of New Haven, W. Va., was united in marriage to Mr. Eugene
T. Gregg, of Cristobal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Gregg of Gamboa.
Mrs. Gregg is a member of the nursing staff of the Colon Hospital, and
Mr. Gregg is on the faculty of the Cristobal High School.
Patricia Lee Blitch, daughter of Colonel and Mrs. Clifford G. Blitch
of Ancon, exchanged wedding vows with Sergeant John E. Schmidt, Jr.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Schmidt of Ancon, during a ceremony per.
formed on Friday evening, February 20, in the Fort Clayton Chapel.
The marriage of Miss Arbulin Viola Mathews, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph E. Mathews and grand-daughter of Mrs. Viola Mathews and
the late Frank Mathews, to Culver M. Call, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard
W. Call of Meridian, Texas, was solemnized in the Sacred Heart Chapel,
Ancon, on February 28th.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Harris of Salinas, Calif., announce the
engagement of their daughter, Holly, to Lt. Thomas M. McGinn, Jr., of
the United States Air Force, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGinn, Sr.,
of Gatun, C. Z. No definite plans for the wedding have been announced.
Announcements have been received of the recent marriage of Miss
Ethel Magdeline Anderson, daughter of former C. Z. residents, Mrs.
Andrew M. Anderson and the late Mr. Anderson, to Mr. Raymond Fred-
erick Gruezke. The ceremony was held in Pitman, N. J. Mrs. Grulezke
attended the Canal Zone schools and was employed for several years by
the Personnel Bureau.
In an impressive ceremony at the Gatun Union Church, Miss Kath-
ryne Faye Brewer, of Cristobal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Brewer
of Carthage, N. C. plighted her troth to Mr. Eugene Earle Hamlin, Jr.,
of Cristobal, son of Mrs. Dorothy E. Hamlin and the late Mr. Hamlin
of Balboa, C. Z.
Mrs. Nora E. Rathgeber of Balboa has announced the engagement
of her daughter, Margaret Pearl, to Sergeant Jack M. Ruoff, USAF, son
of Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Ruoff of New Cristobal. No date has been set for
the wedding.
Mrs. William G. Comber, Jr., of Fort Gulik, announces the engage-
ment of her daughter, Barbara, to John Sedgwick Blackmore, son of Mrs.
John H. Blackmore and the late Mr. Blackmore of Greeley, Colorado.
Miss Comber has chosen Sunday, June 21, at the date of her wedding.
A letter from Bridgeport, Conn. from Mrs. Rose C. Martin formerly
Rose Connor of St. Pete says: "I was married here in Bridgeport, July
15, 1952.No other details of the wedding were sent. She sends her best
wishes to all her friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Bryant announce the marraige of their
daughter, Jane Louise, to Mr. Harry J. Stanton III, Saturday, May 9th,
1953 at Memorial Church, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. Jane
was born on the Canal Zone and her father was employed on the locks.
Miss Peggy Ann Veney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Veney,
former Canal Zone residents and now living in Albany, Georgia, became
the bride of Walter J. Hansen, son of Mr. Julius W. Hansen of Powers,
Michigan, during a marriage ceremony solemnized on April 10 in the
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Miss Thelma Marie Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Thomas
of Arcadia, Calif., formerly of Gatun, became the bride of Mr. Merwin
Robert Wayman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merwin T. Wayman, of San Fran-
cisco, in an afternoon ceremony at the Howard Presbyterian Church, San
The wedding of Shirley Cullen Hammock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Cullen of Balboa, to Simon B. Jones, son of Mrs. Bessie Jones
of Margarita, was solemnized at the Balboa, Union Church.
Miss Yolanda Maria Bull, daughter of Mrs. Dorothy Bull of Panama,
and Staff Sergeant Woodrow Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P.
Wilson, of Salisbury, S. C., were united in marriage on March 3, at York,
South Carolina.
Mr. and Mrs. Chester A. Young of Cicero, Illinois, have announced
the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Shirley
Jean to Richard Lee Holt, son of Mrs. Adele Holt of Balboa and the late
Mr. Lee R. Holt. The wedding will be solemnized on Saturady, June 20th
in Cicero, Illinois.
Miss Joan Beverly Gibson, daughter of Mrs. Gertrude H. Gibson of
Balboa and the late Captain Stuart D. Gibson, and Mr. Francis Emil
Conover, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony C. Maggiori of Gatun, exchanged
wedding vows Friday evening, April 24, in a candlelight, double ring
ceremony at the Balboa Union Church. The bride was escorted and given
in marriage by her grandfather, Mr. T. William Harrison. Present at the
wedding was the bride's grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs. T.
William Harrison and Mrs. Annie Calvit. Mr. and Mrs. Conover left the
Isthmus May 1, for New York. They plan to travel across the United
States to the west coast where they will make their home. Mrs. Conover
is the neice of the President of the Florida Society, Mr. Charles G. Calvit.
Colonel and Mrs. Daniel Harrington Mallan of Bella Vista announce
the marriage of their daughter, Jane Bowling Mallan, to Mr. William
Frear Simpson, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis Simpson of Las
Cumbres. The wedding was solemnized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The marriage of Miss Ruth Lenore Ross, daughter of Mrs. F. J.
McIntosh of Missoula, Montana, to Roger Robert Weidoff, son of Mr.
Robert Weidoff f Chicago, Illinois, formerly of the Canal Zone, was
solemnized on Wednesday, April 22, at the Fort Amador Chapel.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Van Wagner of Balboa, have announced the
marriage of their daughter Marguerite to John Frederick Runck. The
marriage was solemnized at the Fort Amador Chapel.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Greig, Jr., formerly of the Canal Zone but now
of Morgan Hill, California, announces the birth of a daughter, Linda
Marlene Greig, on February 7th. Mrs. Greig is the former Niza Boynton,
daughter of former Zone residents Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Boynton, who
reside near their daughter in California.
Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Connor of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, an-
nounce the birth of a daughter, Marguerite Ann, at Gorgas Hospital on
March 27. Mrs. Connor is the former Marion Horter, daughter of Mrs.
Frances Horter of Balboa, and Mr. Milton Horter of New Orleans, La.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lacklen of Arlington, Va., announces the birth
of a daughter, Patrice Lacklen, on Sunday, March 22. Mrs. Lacklen is
the former Mary Jane Comley, daughter of former Canal Zone residents,
Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Comley.
Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Paulson of Balboa, announce the birth of a
daughter, Jane Mary, an April 10, at Gorgas Hospital. Mrs. Paulson is
the former Mary Jane White, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. White
of Balboa.
Mrs. Leonard Woodward informs us that she is now a great grand-
mother as Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hunters daughter Joan and husband Bob,
presented them with a baby girl, Robin Christine, born February 23rd,
1953. Mrs. Woodward lives in Monrovia and the Fred Hunters in Arcadia,
Mr. and Mrs. Albert M. Hele of Curundu announce the birth of a
daughter, Deborah Anne Hele, on March 15th at the Gorgas Hospital.
Mrs. Herbert E. Hele of Panama City is the paternal grandmother.
Lt. and Mrs. Arthur R. Driscoll of Fort Kobbe announce the birth
of a daughter, Ardith Maria Driscoll, on March 6th at the Fort Clayton
Hospital. Mrs. Driscoll is the former Maureen Manush, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John W. Manush now of Portland, Maine, and formerly of the
Canal Zone. Paternal grandfather is the Honorable Arthur R. Driscoll,
Sr., of Fall River and Boston, Mass.
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Horter, Jr., of Diablo announce the birth of
a daughter, Debra Joan Horter, on March 12th at Gorgas Hospital.
Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Jordan of Mobile,
Alabama. Paternal grandparents are Mrs. Frances Horter of Balboa and
Mr. Milton Horter of New Orleans, La.
Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Schonebarger of Richmond, Indiana announce
the birth of a son on April 14th. Mrs. Schonebarger is the former Mary
Louise Turman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Turman of Balboa.
Paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Shonebarger of Lan-
caster, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lo Franco of Staten Island, N. Y. announce
the birth of a daughter, Linda Jean, on April 14th. Mrs. Lo Franco is
the former Anne Stapler of Balboa.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Coffey of Balboa announce the birth of a
son Thomas Edward Coffey, on April 15th at Gorgas Hospital. Mrs. Cof-
fey is the former Eugenia Berglund of Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Marie G.
Coffey, formerly of the Canal Zone and now of St. Petersburg, is the
paternal grandmother.
The Curtain Falls
Paul G. Illwitzer, former Superintendent of Storehouses for the
Canal died in Tucson, Arizona, on January 29th. He was 72 years of
age and retired in December 1943. His services with the Canal had been
continuous since his first employment in August, 1909.
George A. Boehncke, 57, died December 26th in a veterans' hospi-
tal in Long Beach, California. He was employed as a Canal Zone police-
man from April, 1920 until May, 1938, when he retired due to physical
disability. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Katherine Boehncke, of La
Mersa, California.
Robert E. Randall, 65 years, died in Gorgas Hospital on February
25th. He was transferred to Gorgas Hospital on January 31st from Colon
Hospital. Surviving him are his wife and a daughter, Mrs. George Tully,
of Cristobal.
Mrs. Stella Graziul Wallace, 34, whose husband, Joseph S. Wallace,
is restaurant manager at the Balboa Clubhouse, died in Mayo Clinic on
February 16th. Mrs. Wallace had been in ill health for some time and
was flown to the States for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Mrs. Wallace
had been a resident of the Isthmus for about ten years and was survived
by her husband and three children.
William M. Montgomery, 56, died in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Feb-
ruary 14th. Following his retirement in 1950, the Montgomerys made
their home in Grand Pass, Oregon. Before her marriage Mrs. Montgomery
was Miss Lilian Becwar, and visited her sister, Mrs. Harry E. Woodruff
of Cocoli, a short time prior to Mr. Montgomery's death. After leaving
the Isthmus she joined Mr. Montgomery in Mexico City and they were
enroute by auto to Oregon when he became critically ill and died. Both
had been employed in the Canal Zone postal service.
William M. Michaux, 63, died in Gorgas Hospital on March 12th.
He was a former resident of St. Petersburg, Florida. He is survived by
his wife, Ethel, and a son, Major Macon C. Michaux, U. S. Army Dental
Corps, Fort Clayton, Canal Zone.
Barbara Knox, 4 years and 10 months, was electrocuted while play-
ing under a house across the street from her home in New Cristobal
when she came in contact with a radio aerial which had become energized
because of a short circuit in the radio. Barbara was the daughter of
William J. Knox, Cristobal customs guard, whose son was rescued from
drowning in the Washington pool, as reported in the last issue of the
Record. Internment in the Mount Hope cemetery followed the church
Clifton Holland, of Hendersonville, N. C. was instantly killed and
Mrs. Holland badly injured in an automobile accident near Belle Glade,
Florida, March 16th, 1953.
Edmund H. Tarman, died on January 31st, at his home 5420 Wal-
nut Street, Philadelphia. Mr. Tarman was a molder in the Mechanical
Division and retired in 1933. He is survived by his wife and daughter
Mrs. Gavin Davis.
A letter from J. W. Tannehill of Pasadena, California, reports the
death of John J. C. Moore of Altadena, California, also Pauline Kester-
son, nee Oberweiser, of Boulder City, Nev. Mr. Moore is survived by his
wife and daughter Mrs. Marion C. Hallickson. Mrs. Kesterson was a
former nurse at Gorgas,
Thomas C. Dickson, 70, of 209 Magnolia Avenue, Tampa, passed
away March 21st, 1953.
Mrs. Anna Reid, widow of the late Harry L. Reid died at her home
in Oceanside, Long Island, March 18th, 1953.
Mrs. Thomas M. Walsh writes to inform us that after a long ill-
ness, Mr. Walsh died on March 23rd, 1953.
Word has been received of the recent death of Mrs. Ella Shearer,
in Salamanca, N. Y. She was the aunt of Miss Thelma Capwell and George
L. Capwell, both of Panama. Mrs. Shearer retired from Canal service in
October, 1932.
Mrs. Ana R. Moya, 72, died in Gorgas Hospital April 7th, 1953.
Mrs. Moya resided on the Isthmus 30 years. She is survived by her
daughter Mrs. Maria Gonzales of Balboa, two grandsons and a grand-
daughter, Alicia, who is an opera singer in New York.
Col. John H. Weller died at McDill hospital, April 4th, 1953.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 9th at the Mather Funeral
Home in Princeton, New Jersey.
Harold R. Harris died Thursday, March 19th in New Orleans. Mr.
Harris, a former Zonian, had been associated with Tucker McClure and
was manager of the El Rancho Garden. Mrs. Harris, still a Canal em-
ploye, was called to New Orleans.
News of the death of Lt. Col. Charles M. Kennedy, retired, a former
Panama Canal employee, on February 19th in Oakland, California, has
been received. He was 54 years old. A native of Fort Monroe, Virginia,
Col. Kennedy spent much of his early life on the Isthmus. His father,
the late John Kennedy, was employed by the Canal for many years and
Col. Kennedy attended Zone schools and was graduated from Balboa
High School. He is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Natalie E. Kennedy of
Berkeley, California; Miss Catherine Kennedy of Oakland; and Mrs.
Warren Love of Gulfport, Florida.
Louis C. Kridle, a principal foreman for the Maintenance Division
died at Gorgas Hospital apparently from a cardiac condition. Mr. Kridle,
who lived in Ancon, was 58 years old. He resided on the Isthmus for 13
years and was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was in charge of the
maintenance of the Republic of Panama water system. Surviving him
are his wife, Dolores and daughters, Mrs. Lois Marie Thomas and Helen
Joan Kridle.
Orla E. Swisher, former Panama Railroad employee, died at Gorgas
Hospital where he had been a patient for three days. He was 72 years
old. Mr. Swisher retired in August 1946 as a Senior Yardmaster for the
Panama Railroad. He has lived in Gamboa since 1948. Mr. Swisher is
survived by his wife and one son, Charles Swisher of Balboa.
Word has been received of the death of Mrs. Emma E. Haywood, a
former Commissary Division employee, at her home in Glenburnie, Mary-
land on March 11th. Mrs. Haywood was employed as a checker, and
lived in Cristobal. She left the Isthmus in August 1950 for Glenburnie,
where she resided until her death. Mrs. Haywood was born in 1899 in
Mobile, Ala. Her husband John, who died in 1944 was employed by the
Mechanical Division. She is survived by two married daughters, Elizabeth
and Catherine, and five sons, Jack, Robert, William, Leo and John.
Russell D. Heath, former employee of the Oil Handling Plant, died
March 1st in Melbourne, Florida, as a result of a heart attack. He was
60 years old. Mr. Heath left the Canal service as a Foreman Cribtender
in February 1949, after almost 25 years with the organization.
Lt. Garvyn H. Moumblow of Gatun was killed recently in an air-
plane crash in Alaska. The jet pilot was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis
J. Moumblow, who were notified that their son was missing. Another
radiogram informed them that his body had been found.
Mrs. Grace M. Dowell, of Ancon, a resident of the Isthmus for the
past 43 years, died at Gorgas Hospital. She was 61 years old. She had
been employed for many years in the Coupon Section until the unit was
disbanded last November. She was continuously employed from May
1924 until late last year. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Grace
McCormick of Villanova, Pennsylvania, and a son, Dr. Paul H. Dowell,
Manager of Mindi Dairy.
Dr. William S. Quinland, a former resident of Panama, died in the
Veterans Administration Hospital at Tuskegee, Ala., on March 27th. Dr.
Quinland who was 67 years old, died following a heart attack. Burial was
in Nashville. Tenn. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sadie Quinland;
one daughter, Dr. Ellen Smith; A brother, Walter Quinland; and three
sisters, Mrs. Paul A. Taylor, Mrs. Vivian McCarthy and Mrs. Settic Smith.
Frank Upton, 84, retired dairyman from Caldwell, N. J., died in a
local hospital. He has been a resident here for 17 years and lived at 5000
28th Street North. Mr. Upton was a member of the Panama Canal Society.
James Finley Hall, 62, retired employee of the Panama Canal, died
March 15th in a local hospital. He came here in September from York,
Pa., and lived at 1668 20th Avenue North.
William Fullman, retired Panama Canal employee and a resident of
the Isthmus for more than 45 years, died at Gorgas Hospital. He was 80
years old. He is survived by a nephew, George P. Fullman, who is em-
played as a Supervisor in the Water and Laboratories Branch of the
Maintenance Division.
Luis E. Diaz, formerly employed in the Office of the District Quar-
termaster at Cristobal, died April 6th in Baltimore, Md. He is survived
by his wife, of 5437 Remmell Avenue, Baltimore; two sons, M/Sgt.
Arthur F. Diaz of Albrook Air Force Base and John A. Diaz of Baltimore;
and two daughters, Mrs. Carmen Casaraquis and Mrs. Louise Brunner
of Baltimore.
Henry Horace Bushnell died May 5th, in Miami, a victim of a heart
attack. He was a member of the Miami "Canal Diggers" Association and
of the Order of Railway Conductors. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs.
Miller Anderson of 333 Broadway, Hawthorne, California.
Harold Housel, 80, died April 17th at Colon Hospital. He retired from
Canal service in July 1934 as a Utility Forman at Gatun Locks. Mr.
Housel is survived by his wife, who lives in Colon; four daughters, Mrs.
Thomas N. Pate of Cristobal, Mrs. Lee Beil of Balboa, Mrs. Vince Lom-
broia of Curundu, and Mrs. Landon Gunn of Diablo Heights; and a
sister-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Pate of Cristobal.
Edward Pierson, who retired from Canal service in 1939, died
April 28th in St. Petersburg. He was 76 years old. Mr. Pierson is sur-
vived by his daughters, Mrs. Bird W. Stephenson of Cristobal, and Mrs.
William E. Hughes of Margarita; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lawrence Pier-
son of Balboa; one son, Russell, of St. Petersburg; two brothers and a
sister in Pennsylvania, and six grandchildren.
Richard F. Conley, 41, died in Atlanta, Georgia of a heart attack.
Richard, who had been raised and educated in the Canal Zone is survived
by his wife Harriet, his 17 year old son Roger and his mother Mrs. W.
H. Conley. Also surviving him are a brother Kieth Conley, and a sister
Mrs. Paul Sullivan of Panama.
Mrs. Georgiana Brink, the mother of Mrs. Abbie de Linares, died
at the Panama Hospital. Mrs. Brink, who had been residing with her
daughter in Panama for the past three years, was 93 years old. Mrs.
Brink is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Linares, and by a son, Virgil
C. Brink of Boston, Mass.
Mrs. Lena McPhaul, a former resident of the Canal Zone died re-
cently in Marietta, Georgia according to information recently received.
Mrs. McPhaul lived in the Canal Zone for several years with her daugh-
ters Mrs. Harry S. Miller and Mrs. Helen L. Daniels, formerly employed
in the Canal organization.
Word has been received of the death of Mr. Wilbur M. Derthick of
Whittier, California, May 3rd of Coronary Thrombosis. Mr. Derthick
had many friends on the Isthmus and was the brother of Mrs. Myrtle
Luce of Los Angeles, California.
Word has been received of the death of Mrs. Anna Spearman at the
home of her daughter and son-in-law, Commander and Mrs. L. R. Til-
burne, Mare Island, Calif. Mrs. Spearman is survived by Cmdr. and
Mrs. Tilburne and grand-daughters Mary Margaret, Sandra Lee and
Shiela Vogan. Also her sister and brother-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
S. Clark of Plattsburg, N. Y.
Mr. John A. Patterson informs us of the death of his wife, age 78, at
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Howard R. Yeager, Macungie, Pa. on
March 25th, 1953.
To all who have lost dear ones during the past few months, The Pan-
ama Canal Society wishes to express sincere sympathy. All were old friends
of ours and it is with deep regret that we receive news of their passing.
Cards of thanks and appreciation have been received from several friends
to whom flowers or cards of sympathy were sent. Cards were received from
Bill Herff, Mrs. L. R. Tilburne, C. H. Frederick, Mrs. Frank Upton, Francis
B. Coyle and family, Mrs. Mary Kelly, Mrs. Lucy C. Luther, Mrs. Laura
Jordan, Mrs. Mary Rickards, Mrs. Russell Heath and Mrs. Macon Michaux.
The following retirements have been announced since our last issue:
January: Melville L. Booz and John T. O'Donnell. February: Sylvester
B. Bub, Dr. Jesse L. Byrd, John F. Frensley, Eddie Holgerson and Adam
S. Miller. March: Dr. Francis L. Alexaitis, Thomas T. Jordan, Charles
Lester and Lewis B. Moore. April: Bill Rasmussen, Everett O. Swinson,
Arthur J. Farrell, John Hower, Troy Hays, Edward R. Japs, Thomas M.
Kaufman, T. O. Mass, Greta E. Mann, Anna M. Miller and Charles E.
Sick List
Among those reported sick since our last Canal Record is Thomas
Jordan of Biddeford, Maine. Mr. Jordan is recuperating after an oper-
ation March 16th. Mr. C. Tracy Page was recently a patient in Bay Pines
Hospital. Mr. George H. Ruggles was quite ill at home. Capt. A. T.
Luther is recuperating from an operation, but feels well enough to get to
a ball game now and then. Bob Glaw is quite ill at St. Anthony's hospital.
Just before going to press we hear that Jack McLeod is still under
the doctors care. Jack is celebrating his 73rd birthday on May 18th.
Good luck and may you see many more.
Northwest Arkansas
After a mild winter with only one snowfall the Red Bud, Dogwood,
and other Spring flowers joyously declared "spring is here"-but the
weather MAN could not make up his mind and sent us some late freezes
and just about ruined our Grape and Strawberry crops for this year,
causing some of our gentlemen farmers to do more bending exercises
in the potato patch, which according to local farmers must be planted
on St. Patrick's Day. Ed. Booth is one of those early planters and lost
his 'taters-nevertheless his garden is the "purtiest" on Hwy 16 E while
Omi's flower garden is a joy to behold from my view window. As for the
Shaws gardens-let's skip the subject, but our woods and fields are green
and beautiful and Alice and Linda Hereford (cattle) are gorging on
winter oats. Our college man, Ray, is busy with college activities in
addition to studying hard for final exams and incidently courting a lovely
Arkansas co-ed. The Jimmy Meigs family is hopefully planning to visit
the Tampa Meigs and show off Margaret III to family and friends in the
near future. They entertained the son of former Balboa High School
Principal Hosler last week. We expect Henry Leisey, Clubhouse Physical
Director in Pedro Miguel and son Ralph next week.
We are happy to report the good health of "Heinie" Hallin after a
recent trip to Vet. Hospital in Dallas where he serves as a guinea pig
for all Thyroid patients. Wish you could all see the new Hallin Park
where Heinie is making a rock garden on the next lot which he recently
acquired. Theo has been a successful teacher of 6th grade and in charge
of all musical productions for the Jefferson School. The Charles Millers
of Armington just sold several thousand broilers at top price. Our most
welcome addition to Fayetteville are Walter and Nannie Brown busy as
bees having their little house remodeled, garden planted, fruit trees
sprayed and already have three hives of bees started. Capt. Jack Plhillips
still greets all who pass thru and recently had Maj. George Herman
(CZ Police Force) and wife as overnight guests.
Journying on to Springdale we stopped at Mathues Motel (figura-
tively) and met our friends of old, Molly Johnson of Arrijan,. R. P.,
daughter Mrs. "Red" (Beatrice) Minnix, her grand-daughter Sharon and
"Red's" (if he has another name, I don't ever remember hearing it)
mother, Mrs. Edith Minnix. Edith has rented an apartment in Springdale
where she and Bea and Sharon plan to live while looking over our locality
for possible future residence. Molly will return to Panama after visiting
with daughters now residing in U. S. Bill and Carrie Mathues told of
recent visitors, the Leon Carringtons of Hot Springs who were returning
from a visit with son Jerry and wife, former Judy Havas of Gatun and new
son. Jerry is now a student in Oklahoma City, also Col Farrar and wife
(Marguerite Callahan) recently from Ft. Amador who are interested in
Motel or Hotel business in this area, which is a good business to get into,
for Arkansas has recently acquired a Highway Director with many years
of experience with Texas Roads Dept. and boy! they surely have excel-
lent roads down Texas way. More good roads are expected to bring many
more visitors to the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas.
Continuing northward with our Balboa friends, Norman and Mary
Rocker, we stopped at Villa Taboga to see the Lynn Cooks and found
them ready to attend a P.T.A. dinner in the fine new elementary school
in Rogers. We went along and met Lucille Cook Nanny doing her share
of serving the good food. Their son Lynn Jr., (Bud) with the Richmond
Oil Co., in Lima, Peru was here for a week while on a combined business
and pleasure trip. The W. H. Kellers are now settled in a ranch type
home in Rogers Hts.
In Bentonville, we admired the perfection of the Williams handi.
work, Haleen's home making and garden of flowers, Ernest's vegetable
garden and lawn furniture and shared the anticipation of expected friends
from the Zone this summer. We saw our President, Jimmy and Lula
Mae Coman come out to greet expected Q. M. Johnny and Irma King
as we unexpectedly drove in right behind them. As usual, tongues wagged
incessantly as we told each other how well they looked, which was true.
They had all met at the home of the Dave (Dorothy) Huffs in Bandera,
Texas. We are sorry to report that Dave has found it necessary to go to
Mayo Clinic and we pray for him a speedy return to healthy and happy
retirement. They also met the Fred Halls (Elizabeth) on their way to
St. Pete via Miss. and Ala. The Comans had returned home from a three
week holiday to Shreveport, La. to see the Frank Phillips and lots of
friends in Texas.
Come one, come all to our 2nd annual picnic in Northwest Arkansas,
June 14th and breathe the clean and invigorating air, absorb the peace
of our woods, the strength of our hills and listen to the music of the
rivers, famous in the early history of Arkansas.
Blanche E. Shaw,
Sec'y.-Treas. Panama Canal Society
Northwest Arkansas
A nice newsy letter of our Arkansas friends. Thank you, Blanche.
Report of Secretary
Panama Canal Society of Los Angeles
At the Annual Spring Dinner held at the Hotl Rosslyn in Los Angeles
on March 15th, 1953, the following officers were elected:
Ellis D. Stillwell --------.... ...... -President
Charles C. Cameron --_ --...Vice-President
Hubert H. Hammer ----- ----- Treasurer
Florence C. Berude .-------- Secretary
Mr. Fred Bradley had been our capable president for two years and
Mrs. Luce, who resigned because of other responsibilities, had proved
herself a most efficient secretary during her three year term of office.
Both will be missed in those capacities.
In addition to the officers, Mr. Stilwell has appointed the following
to serve on the Board of Governors:
Edward Schildauer, Honorary President; Fred W. Bradley;
Mrs. Frank A. Clisbee; Delaplane Wilson; Charles J.
Parker; Mrs. Maurenus Peterson.
We are looking forward to our first picnic of the season to be held
at Griffith Park in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 14th. Mr. John D. Wilson
is sending us pictures taken of the Florida Society Reunion, which will
be of interest to many of us. We are expecting our usual big attendance,
including a number of visitors to California from the Canal Zone.
Florence C. Berude, Secretary
143 Garfield Place, Monrovia, Calif.
Random Notes from California
Mr. and Mrs. "Johnny" King have left Monrovia on a trip to Texas
and Arkansas. The Gus Hoeckers are leaving early in, May to visit their
daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Don Welty in Palo Alto. The Matt
Robinsons have left Santa Monica to go back to Hot Springs, Arkansas,
still looking for that perfect spot-they'll be back! We hear that the
Charlie Camerons will be leaving in June on a trip East and possibly
Captain and Mrs. Freddie Dear have a beautiful new home in Santa
Monica, where Freddie is gardening to his heart's content. The George
Tawes are in a lovely Santa Monica ocean view apartment, where George
can watch the ships and imagine he is back in Cristobal. The Bill Baileys
(ex-United Fruit Company) have a new home in Canoga Park, Califor-
nia. The Tom Sullivans are in their beautiful new home in the Santa Anita
Highlands section of Arcadia.
Comdr. W. W. Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jones of Monrovia.
will graduate in June from the Atomic Energy Engineering Course at
Berkeley. Mr. Thomas J. Sullivan who has been connected with the Legal
Department of the Burea of Internal Revenue in San Francisco, has
been transferred to the Los Angeles area, effective in June. Both he and
his wife, the former Virginia Naylor, will be happy to be nearer their
relatives. Tom has three sisters in this area: Nancy, a teacher in Santa
Monica, Eleanor, a statistical expert in Santa Monica, and Alice, a
teacher in El Monte. Virginia has her parents, the William G. Naylors
in Monrovia.
ILLNESSES: Mr. William Dunlap of Long Beach who has not been well
for the past year is at last responding to treatment and is on the road to
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fitch are most contented in their trailer home in
Monrovia, although Fred has not felt in the pink lately. Mrs. Fitch has
a lovely garden around her trailer and should be recommended to mem-
bership in The Order of The Green Thumb.
WEDDINGS: Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Thomas of Arcadia announce the
wedding of their daughter, Thelma to Mr. Robert Wayman. The rites
were solemnized in San Francisco on March 14th, in the presence of
relatives and friends. Mr. Wayman is with the Harley-Davis Motorcycle
Company in San Francisco. The Thomases are having a family reunion
of their three daughters in June, when Grace and Thelma will arrive
from San Francisco to greet the Ralph Harveys (Virginia Thomas) who
are due from the Canal Zone on June 5th.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil I. Langdon of Monrovia announce the forth-
coming marriage of their daughter, Anne, to Mr. Clyde William Towles.
The wedding which is to take place on May 30th, will be a quiet home
affair. The newly married couple plan to live in Monrovia. Mr. Towle
is employed in Pasadena with the General Tire Company. He served two
years in the Korean Theatre.
MORE NOTE: The Monrovia Crowd is busy with their usutl activities:
their monthly pot-luck dinners and canasta parties, their hiking trips and
camping trips. The Gilberts, Langdons and Joneses made a trek to Agua
Callente in April.
The newly elected secretary of the Panama Canal Society of Los
Angeles, Mrs. Florence C. Berude, will be glad to pass on any news of
any former Canal Zone families now living in California. So if you
have any news you would like to have included in the Canal Record
please send it on to her at 143 Garfield Place, Monrovia, California.
Florence C. Berude, Secretary
Thank you for your report and news of the Zonians noiz in California.
New York
The New York Society of the Panama Canal held their twenty-ninth
annual reunion dinner at the National Republican Club, 54 West 40th
Street, New York, Saturday, May 2nd, 1953.
The Ladies Auxiliary held a dinner the same evening in the Banquet
A telegram "Congratulations on your 29th birthday" was sent
to the New York group from the Panama Canal Society of Florida.
Florida St. Petersburg
The monthly meetings of the Florida Society continue to be well
attended and out of town visitors and members receive a hearty welcome.
Visitors at the March meeting were D. R. McIntyre from New York and
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Boyd of Massachusetts.
At the April meeting our visitors were Mr. and Mrs. Korson of Mil-
waukee; Mr. Carson from California; Mr. Baldy Baldrup, Mrs. Pilker-
ton, Mr. Perry Young and Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider. President Calvit
announced the appointment of E. M. Kieswetter as Editor of the Canal
Record, replacing Major A. O. Meyer who resigned due to his change
of residence from St. Pete to Orlando.
The May meeting was held at Lowery Park with a turn-out of over
a hundred. Visitors were Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Burkhart; Mr. and Mrs.
A. R. Blomquist. Mr. and Mrs. Brad Miller, Mr. Aitken, Guy Johannes,
Jr., Jimmy Duvall, Jennie Johannes, Capt. George Hudson, Mr. and Mrs.
H. Smith, L. A. Poltrino, Mrs. Walter Crouch, Mr. Roger Green, Dr.
and Mrs. Alexaites, Mrs. C. Perry and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shay.
From H. R. Hoffner, Orlando Representative
Just met Ed. Spearman riding on the bus while coming to town.
Ed said that he had just spent two weeks at Daytonal Beach and had a
wonderful time with the Mermaids. He has a very fine home here in Or-
lando, and says that his neighbors are always bringing him cakes and
pies and making life worth while for him. Ed looks fine and skips around
Orlando like a two year old.
Herbert Judson and his wife Ella have their new home almost com-
pleted, its a beautiful place right on Lake Inanhoe, with three bedrooms
and two baths and a fine front porch, looks like a young palace.
Susie Womack was in town for about a month for a visit with Edna
Whitver. Edna always has a house full of Zoneites.
Dr. Odom and wife Sue Core Odom passed through Orlando on
their way to the Canal Zone for a visit of two weeks. They came back
this way last week and said they attended parties in Panama every day
given for them by their old friends. Doc. said there were lots of changes
in the Zone and none of them good.
We're leaving Orlando on May 4th for a trip to Boston and return.
Will be gone for about a month, and will stop off on the way up and
see some of our old friends.
The Shrine Club had its regular weekly luncheon last Tuesday and
the guest speaker was Captain Jack Miller formerly pilot for Pan-Amer-
ican Airways. He told all about his experiences during his trips between
the Canal Zone and Peru. Very interesting. Jack purchased an adjoining
lot next to his home and all kinds of wild animals are parked there.
Monkeys, wildcats, parrots, etc. Quite a zoo.
Thank you Herb for news from Orlando.
Ditch Diggers of South Florida
The Panama Canal Ditch Diggers of South Florida held a meeting
at Matheson Hammock on Sunday, April Ith. The following officers
were elected for the ensuing year:
President -. _-.------------.... Mr. Hobart Y. Andrews
Vice-President --- Mr. E. H. Underwood, Sr.
Secretary-Treasurer .------ -- -- __Mr. A. G. Dunham
The following picnics have been arranged for at Matheson Hammock
during the summer: Sunday, June 21st; Sunday, August 16th; Sunday,
October 18th.
Guests at our February 22nd picnic included Mr. and Mrs. H. Berg,
son-in-law and daughter of our Captain Powell;and Mr. L. A. Poltrino.
The Bergs, from New York, liked South Florida so well that they are
planning to settle here.
Keeping up with the Joneses. At the meeting of the Ditch Diggers
of South Florida on April 19th, Mr. Dan S. Jones, our former President,
related the following story: "I went hunting several weeks ago, accom-
panied by Mr. Claude A. Ott. We travelled in and around the central
part of the State, actually bagging nothing but a ferocious wildcat. We
had been visiting at Cecil Bennett's farm at Ona. Mr. Bennett, a former
Canal Zoner. stands 6'7" tall. He has a brother inches taller. The vil-
lage of Ona is located some 32 miles west of Avon Park, on the other
side of Sebring. Our hunting being finished we started back for Miami.
Very shortly thereafter we saw a man in a car ahead of us accidently
and probably unknowingly run over an animal. We immediately stopped,
got out of the car, and examined the corpse delicti, for she was not breath-
ing. On measuring the animal's length I found that she totaled four feet
between the end of her tail to her bristling whiskers, but in order to get
an undisputed four feet I had to stretch her tail a few inches. I started
to peruse an animal catalog which we happened to have along with us,
but Mr. Ott informed me that that was not necessary as he already knew
what she was. She is an otter, I should know, he stated triumphantly. Mr.
Ott further stated that the official name of the specie was Lutra Can-
adensis. I had in mind all the time that the apparently valuable fur
would make a beautiful rug for my den, so I threw her into the rear end
of the car onto a mattress alongside the wildcat. We then got into the car
again and started driving toward Miami. In about half an hour's time
we heard a considerable commotion in the rear of the car, and looking
back we saw the otter headed in our direction; she was trying to leap
up into the front seat. We also observed four baby otters on the mattress
in the rear of the car. The wildcat also seemed to be moving. We were
dumfounded but thought it better to stop the car again, we got out, that
otter seemed to be telling me that I should not have stretched her tail. I
felt guilty. I let down the tailboard of the car so mama otter could re-
move her family easier, and this she did in a few minutes of time, re-
moving the young from the car one by one, in catlike fashion, taking
them individually to the canal which ran parallel with the road. We
were glad that the animal escaped for we ascertained later that there is
a $500 fine for mere possession of an otter, dead or alive. I shall have
to make other arrangement for a rug for my den, for the wildcat also
escaped in the turmoil. In fact, it took me another ten minutes to locate
Mr. Ott who had meandered down the road."
Thanks Mr. Dunham for your report and an interesting yarn.
Report of the Washington Society
We had a very interesting and successful meeting-the 18th Annual
Dinner Reunion, of the Panama Canal Society of Washington, D. C., on
Saturday evening, the 2d inst. Broadmoor Hotel, Washington, was the
locale for the event. Alvin Siegfried, President, was absent, because he
was in the hospital for an operation on his left eye-cataract-(after-
ward performed, and said to be successful), and Andrew W Dewling,
Vice President, called the meeting to order at the outset; and after the
preliminaries and the dining, he turned the gavel over to M. H. Thatcher,
as Toastmaster. Our guest speaker was Brig. Gen. James Gordon Steese,
USA (ret.), who had served in varying capacities in the Panama Canal
organization, and who had recently returned from his sixth visit to Africa.
He gave a very interesting address, recounting some of his Isthmian
experiences, and then, with a map of the Dark Continent, gave a brief
travelogue of his various trips throughout that region of never-failing
mystery and interest.
The nominating Committee, or rather, the Executive Committee,
clothed with power to make recommendations in the premises, presented
its report, and in accordance therewith there were elected for the ensuing
year officers: Andrew W. Dewling, President; Harry C. Ragsdale, Vice-
President; Secretary-Treasurer (re-elected), Martin A. Seiler.
Recently, Mrs. Thatcher (for many years Vice-President of the Pan-
ama Canal Auxiliary, of Washington), was elected President; and Mrs.
Harry C. Ragsdale was elected Vice-President; Mrs. Ben Jenkins, Treas-
urer (re-elected); and Mrs. Edward H. Davidson, Secretary (re-elected).
Upon the death of Mrs. Dolly Gann, President of the Senior Con-
gress Club, earlier this year, Mrs. Thatcher was elected President of the
Club, and has supervised and presided over the three meetings (luncheons)
of the Club during the 1953 season. The last event was that held at the
Carlton Hotel, Washington, on the 5th inst., a luncheon for the First
Lady of the Land, Mrs. Eisenhower. The affair was a very successful one;
about 150 ladies present; Mrs. Thatcher presided as President, with Mrs.
Eisenhower on her right, and the wife of Chief Justice Vinson on her left.
Following the luncheon Mrs. Thatcher presented all the ladies to
Mrs. Eisenhower.
Congraulations to the Washington Society upon their selection of Officers
for the ensuing year. All are members of the Florida Society. We feel
highly honored. Congratulations also to the Panama Canal Auxiliary
of Washington upon their selection. The Panama Canal Society of Florida
is well represented.
Northwest Seattle
Eltah Cooper reports a meeting Saturday, May 9th. Not many pres-
ent as it was the night before Mother's Day. They were happy to have
two Florida members present; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Plummer. Mrs. Fred
Mack will be leaving the latter part of May to join her husband. Mr. L.
Ivan Cooper will be leaving 21 of May for Alaska to spend the summer
with salmon (He says). The Seattle group will have their summer picnic
August 16th at Woodland Park. They expect a big turnout for that.
Many thanks for your short report Eltah Cooper. Be sure to send us the
report on your picnic.
The following are excerpts from two letters received by Mr. S. H.
Grauten, Evanston, Ill., who is seeking legislation for construction work-
ers excluded from benefits of existing laws.
From Mr. Harry A. Thompson, Covington, La., who worked on con-
struction from 1911 to 1913:
"For your information I reentered service with the Panama Canal
on May 31, 1941, and am now 71 years young and find the going a bit
rougher than it was in the days gone by, when our joints were not so
squeaky and our dollars were worth 100 cents. But we can still console
ourselves with the thought that things are never so bad that they couldn't
be worse, and that is the picture as I see it way down here in the piny
woods of Southeast Louisiana."
From Mr. E. D. Stillwell, Monrovia, California:
"I retired voluntarily on September 1, 1948, so it has been over
three years since we left the Isthmus. I could have remained about a
year and a half longer, but we decided that 37 years was long enough.
"In 1932 I was transferred to Pedro Miguel as Supt. of the Locks
Division, and in 1946 the headquarters of the division was transferred
to the Administration Building at Balboa Heights, s ol had to move to
"Our two daughters are both married. One lives in California and
the other is now in Baltimore with her army husband. They were three
years in Japan. We have five grandchildren.
"There are many ex-Canal employees in the Los Angeles area and
there is a good organization with four meetings a year. Mr. Schildhauer
is an active member and with Mrs. Schildhauer attends all the meetings.
"In Monrovia there are about twenty ex-employees and we get to-
gether once a month for a pot luck supper and play cards. So we are in
the midst of old time friends-most of them lived in Gatun.
"We are in very good health and enjoying our retirement very much.
I play golf frequently with a C. Z. foursom and find lots to do and
places of interest to visit."
Mr. Rufus Lovelady, President of the AFGE on the Zone, visited
St. Petersburg, Florida, after representing Zone employees in Washing-
ton, D. C., and attending the National Convention of the AFGE. While
in St. Petersburg he was the house guest of the Howard H. Dworaks
and visited many friends including Jack Snyder, T. M. Drake, Mrs.
Lucille Judd, E. M. Kieswetter, Walter L. Hersh and Harry Lewis.
Dr. A. N. Springall, Assistant to the Superintendent, Gorgas Hos-
pital, resigned his position during February in order to accept an appoint-
ment on the Staff of the Council on Medical Hospital Internships and
Residencies. His headquarters will be in Chicago.
According to an item appearing in the St. Petersburg Times, Mr. and
Mrs. James F. Olive, former residents of the Zone, purchased the Cadillac
Apartments located at 711 Fourth Avenue North, St. Pete. The building
has eight three-room units.
Ted Scott had the following to say concerning the assault reported in
the March issue of the Record: "Up until Sunday night last I had a bad
cold; then I was slugged in the face with a black-jack and presto!-the
cold was gone." Ted does not recommend similar treatment for all colds.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Butz, formerly of Gatun, celebrated their
45th wedding anniversary with an elaborate dinner, and afternoon of
cards at their home, "Amador Guerrero" at Bambito, Volcan, Republic
de Panama, on February 18th. Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Reese, Jr., presented
them with a decorated sweetheart cake. Following dinner the afternoon
was spent playing canasta. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Crouch,
Mr. and Mrs. Don Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Fink, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Whiting, Mr. and Mrs. Marti Fuller-
ton, Captain C. W. Stewart, Mrs. P. M. Jamesson, Mrs. A. G. Turner,
Mr. Glenn Lewis, Mr. Herman B. Dall, Miss Barbara Stephenson and
Mr Carl Omlin. It is evident from all reports that a large number of
former Canal employees are now living in the Volcan.
The third art exhibit of the year presented by the Canal Zone Art
League was the work of Betty Bentz (Mrs. Paul A. Benz), a frequent
exhibitor in the Zone.
Miss Helen V. Crandall, the daughter of Jaseph V. Crandall who
now makes his home in Maiden, Mass., recently completed a three-year
course at St. Luke's School of Nursing in Chicago. The Crandalls for-
merly lived on the Atlantic Side where Miss Crandall was graduated
from Cristobal High School.
Miss Clotilde Benavides, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joaquin Bana-
vides of Balboa Heights, recently graduated from the St. Joseph School
of Nursing, Baltimore, Md. Miss Benavides is a graduate of Balboa High
According to an item appearing in thePalm Beach Post of February
llth, Mr. LeRay Berdeau gave a talk before the West Palm Beach Rotary
Club concerning his personal observations of international trade. Mr.
Berdeau was assistant acting engineer in the Zone from 1910 to '17.
Mrs. James Grider, wife of the late Dr. Grider of Gatun, their son,
Dr. Grider, Jr., wife and two children have been vacationing at the Gulf
Beaches. Dr. Grider Jr. is now stationed at the V. A. Hospital near Lex-
ington, Kentucky.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Williams who recently retired are leaving
the Zone soon to go to California and hope to come to Florida later.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Owen, formerly of Gatun and Margarita, have
moved to their new hotel at 6536 New Beach Boulevard, South Jackson-
ville, Florida. Friends can reach them at this address.
John H. McNamara, Assistant Chief of the Postal, Customs and
Immigration Division, has resigned from the Canal service to accept a
position with a management consulting firm with headquarters in Mont-
clair, New Jersey.
Ralph Cutler of Mystic, Conn., writes as follows: "-It was the first
Florida reunion that I was able to attend. It gave me great pleasure to
meet old timers with whom I had worked on the construction of the Canal,
and to talk with those with whom I am now working in an effort to have
our bill H.R. 3660 enacted.-I was glad to have the opportunity to visit
with Jack Gray, John Everett, Shorty Deavours, A. G. Dunham, Captain
and Mrs. Judd, Dr. Eno, Mrs. W. T. Piper, Mrs. W. J. Bartlett and others.
I will always remember the ride from Empire to Panama on a dark and
foggy night, when Dr. Eno, my wife and I rode in the Colonel's "Yellow
Peril" on our way to Ancon Hospital. The baby girl born the next day
now has two sons and a daughter. The elder boy is in college, and all
are doing well.-"
Mrs. Max Englander wishes to thank the committee of the March
Canal Record for "not sparing yourselves, but giving us every detail of
what is happening to the Old Timers." She also especially appreciated
the follow-up Bulletin on Legislation.
Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Smith were here for the reunion, then stayed
on for several weeks enjoying sunny Florida, and visiting with their
many friends in and around St. Pete.
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Fraser were recent visitors in St. Petersburg.
Their many friends were glad to have them here, but their visit was all
too short.
Mrs. Jean Mann and infant daughter Sheryl, are the guests of her
parents Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Kieswetter of Gulfport. Sgt. Mann is attend-
ing school at Camp Gordon, Ga., and on completion of the course, they
plan to drive to Sgt. Mann's home in Terre Haute, Ind. before returning
to Fort Gulick, C. Z.
Mrs. B. J. Fletcher, Route 3, Dawson, Georgia, writes that they like
Georgia and their farm. She says Bob is plenty busy planting corn,
cotton and peanuts. The youngsters, Martha and Robbie, are happy and
have adjusted themselves nicely to their new life. However nothing takes
the place of old friends and they will be happy to see anyM of their
friends who may pass through Georgia.
F. G. Swanson writes as follows: "Many thanks for a lovely Sunday
Afternoon! I just took from the Post Office, your March issue.-I aspire
to be your longest prepaid member. I enclose check to run me up a
couple years, beyond where I now am! Again thanks for the delightful
Sunday Afternoon. Cheerio, and Best Regards to all, (I'm intending to
attend the 50th anniversary of my graduation class, Akron University,
June 1954).
Two articles by Willim E. Lundy, of the Treasurer's Office at Balboa
Heights, appear between "hard" covers in a collection, "Strangest Creat-
ures on Earth" just published by Sheridan House. The first of Lundy's
articles has todo with sloths, which he calls "marvels of survival through
stupidity and slowness". The other article concerns the bird of the goat-
sucker group which is known in Panama as the "Poor-Me-One" whose
mournful cry led the Indians of Peru to call it a "lost soul". Both of
Lundy's articles previously appeared in print in The Natural History
Magazine. The volume in which they are now included was edited by
Edward H. Meyer, Jr., editor of Natural History Magazine, who has
selected the contents of the 255-page, illustrated volume from over 20
millions of words of manuscript material which he has examined in his
17 years as editor of Natural History Magazine.
John F. Warner, our founder, evidently received several letters dur-
ing his illness as he says such letters are the equivalent of Vitaman B
complex. Grace has been trying to recuperate from an attack of Flu.
She also made a misstep and turned an ankle, but fortunately no bones
broken, just the necessity for hobbling for a time. Must be nice for John,
Grace and Doc. now that Paul and Nina are near at hand.
Miss Frances Farrell, winner of the Canal Zone College Club Scholar-
ship award for 1951, will complete her studies at Swarthmore College in
Pennsylvania this June, after which she will continue her studies at Har-
vard University, where she has been awarded a Ford Foundation scholar-
ship in the amount of $1,200. Miss Farrell, who wrote school items for
The Panama American while she was a student at the Canal Zone Junior
College, is the daughter of Mrs. Eleanor S. McQueary, formerly of Cur-
undu Heights, who now makes her home in White Plains, N. Y.
Lt. William G. Dolan, a Canal Zone employee, became the first Zonian
to witness the big blast of an atom explosion at Las Vegas. The Civil
Defense chief claimed it was a spectacular thing to see, but termed the
explosion "just another big weapon" which did not "scare him to death".
Milton R. Smith who seems to get around quite a bit has run across
several ex-Zonians. A dentist in Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Clark in Marshall-
town, Iowa and Mrs. Maude Clinchard's brother.
Mrs. E. F. Attaway of Kerriville, Texas, has gone to California for
an extended visit with her sister.
Mrs. Evelyn R. Moore, departing State President of the National
League of American Pen Women was presented with parting gifts of a
gold huaca and a fountain pen from members at a banquet given in her
honor. The chairman of the dinner committee, Mrs. Jean Bailey made
the presentation.
Mr. Edward T. Patterson of Detroit was a recent visitor in St. Pete
during his visit at the Tides at Redington Beach.
Mrs. Phillip Kelly, while on a shopping tour had the misfortune
to fall and break her shoulder. As the days grow warm it's no fun to
be dolled up in a cast.
Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Matheney have returned to St. Pete after an
extensive visit with relatives on the Zone and Panama. They report a
wonderful time but are glad to be back home.
A pleasant looking round-faced man who has treated every presi-
dent of Panama since Belisario Poras is reluctantly saying goodbye to
his adopted homeland.
When Dr. Cornelius DeWitt Briscoe packs his bag and takes off for
points north, he will leave behind him many friends-and many fond
memories. Most of all, he'll leave behind an institution which has become
a landmark, the Herrick Clinic, better known now as the Panama Hos-
pital. Many years back, 30 to be exact, a young American physician, who
had been on the medical staff at Gorgas, and served a two-year stint with
the Army, was invited to join nine other medicos who were forming the
new hospital in Panama City. Of the original staff, only Briscoe and
Dr. D. F. Reeder are left. The 72-year-old Reeder feels, strongly about
Briscoe's leaving, as do many of his patients and friends who have tried
to urge him to reconsider his decision to take up general practice in his
hometown of Monroe, Georgia. Returning now with his wife, Dorothy,
a former nurse who was just "passing through" when she met and mar-
ried him, Dr. Briscoe leaves behind a daughter, Margaret Abele, and
grandson Stevie. Back in the States he will see his other two daughters,
Ann, who is married to Thomas Monnet Davis, and Sally. Looking for-
ward to a little cold weather in his veins he expects to visit England in
time for the coronation, and see some more of Europe before he actually
settles down in his hometown. However, wherever he goes, the "doc" will
reserve a special spot in his heart for Panama. He said he would never
forget the wonderful people there and someday he will go back.
Mrs. Garvyn H. Moumblow arrived on the Isthmus aboard Pan-
American Airways for a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Moumblow
of Gatun.
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Neville of Ancon had as their house guest for
a two week visit his aunt, Mrs. W. G. Schellhauss, a former resident of
One of the best known of Canal oldtimers left the Isthmus. He is
none other than Lt. Thomas Foley, whose name was synonymous with
the Canal Zone police force for 33 years until he retired in 1945. In ill
health lately, Tom has been taking treatment at Gorgas Hospital for
some time and has decided to enter the Old Soldiers' Home in Washing-
ton, D. C., where he is entitled as a war veteran to hospitalization benefits.
Recent news comes to us that the Oscar Maessens are now enroute
to Antwerp, Belgium for an extended visit. They did not stay long on
the Zone. Got fed up but fast.
Survivors of the Madeira-Mamore construction project, a 228 mile
long railway line hacked out of the dense jungles of Brazil years ago,
met at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club to pay homage to the late Edgar
Smith who died recently at Newportville, Penn. He was a member of
the Panama Canal Society.
Donald Gray of Woodland, California writes as follows: We flew
to Lansing where we got a car, then drove to Corpus Christie. Visited
with the C. A. MacDougals, the Jack Moshers and Bob Steeles of Houston.
Drove to Matarmoras, Mexico with the Macs, then back and home to
California. Also visited with the Elra Hartmans in South Pasadena.
Andrew and Elizabeth Bell are retiring and moving to their summer
home in Plymouth, Vt. They expect to stay there during the summers and
travel during the winter. Vermont in the summer and Florida in the
winter would be a wonderful set up. We will be looking for you.
Walter Ross, former Quartermaster at Empire during the early
days, writes of the many ex-Zonians who drop in at his Washington of-
fice to see him. Roger Erdman, Bill May, George Nell and General Edger-
ton have all dropped by for a short session of building the canal. Walter
would like tolocate Charles Allen who preceded him as Quartermaster
at Empire and John Hull who was Sanitary Inspector.
Mary Richards of Washington, D. C. enjoyed a visit from Helen
Rhodes and Gladys Hammond. Mrs. Rhodes was visiting her son before
he leaves for a tour of duty in Texas. Gladys Hammond was visiting with
the Mac Sparrans.
Charles C. Cameron sends a news item of his daughter Janice's
family; "Everything happened at once at the home of the Ross family in
Los Altos; first and best was the return from Korea of Major Ernest
Ross, USAR, where he has been the past year. Probably passing him
on the way was son Gordon, who joined the Marines. Last, Mrs. Ross,
who is employed at the Naval Base, surprised her husband with the pur-
chase of a new home in Las Altos."
Martin and Virginia Seiler were on a flight to Montreal and Quebec
celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Returning home via West
Point. Had seen the Frank Gerchaws in Penn.
Louise G. Franklet says the Fredericksens have been in Vienna Aus-
tria for about a year, but are returning to the States in September. Their
daughter has been studying music during their sojourn in Austria.
Mrs. Edythe P. Hooper released her deputy Marshal's badge and
left the Zone May 1 to enter the motel business in Wisconsin.
The following news item was taken from the May 1953, American
Journal of Nursing:
Genevieve Russell, a graduate of Asbury Methodist in Minneapolis,
Class of 1895, was honored by the San Diego, California chapter of
the American Red Cross last December.
Miss Russell enrolled in the Red Cross in 1897 and started caring
for wounded soldiers returning from the Spanish-American War. The
next year she went to Cuba, and from 1900 to 1901 she was chief nurse
at an Army field hospital. Then, after two years as a training school-
superintendent, she was asked by Japan to train women nurses for the
Russo-Japanese War and started a school at Hiroshima. Next she started
one in the then malaria-ridden Panama Canal Zone, where she worked
until 1918, when she went to Jamaica, to spend the next ten years there.
Since her retirement she has lived in San Diego, California.
Felix Salzer, executive director of the Mannes Music School of
New York, announced that the Mannes Fellowship for 1953 had been
awarded to Richard Turbyfill, tenor, of Riverside Drive. The fellowship
winner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Subert Turbyfill of Balboa. He grad-
uated from the Balboa High School in 1946, did his army service in the
Canal Zone, and attended the Canal Zone Junior College for a time. He
is a graduate of the University of Texas, and won the scholarship to the
Berkshire Music Center last summer. He has been in New York since
last August.
Cadet-Midshipman Donald F. Wills, son of Mr. and Mrs. George
A. Wills of Balboa, has been promoted to an officer-ship by the Super-
intendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point,
N. Y. Cadet-Midshipman Wills was graduated from Balboa High School
in the class of 1949.
Captain Elmer G. Abbott, Panama Canal Pilot for the past 11 years,
succeeds Captain Everett O. Swinson as Assistant Captain of the Port in
Balboa. The new Assistant Port Captain is a native of Oakland, California.
He entered the Canal service in July 1938. After about ten months ser-
vice as dock foreman and towboat master he was re-rated as pilot-in-
training and became a Pilot in 1940.
Wee Willie Williams, still an umpire, but with the Florida Inter-
national League now, was a recent visitor in St. Pete. Bill reports Marge
and the six youngsters are all well. They make their home at Fort Lau-
Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Blomquist have purchased a home on 30th Ave-
nue at 43rd Street North, St. Petersburg.
Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Light formerly of the Canal Zone have bought
a fine home at 4315 Bayshore Boulevard.
Mrs. Georgia Blessing has purchased a home in Orlando at 625
West Harvard Avenue. When Georgia is not busy running her new power
mower over the lawn, she finds time for a few games of bridge or dinner
with old C.Z. friends; the Sibus', Jack Millers, Viola Mathews and Edna
Whitver. The list of ex-Zonians in Orlando continues to mount. Must be
close to 50 families there now.
Viola Mathews has purchased a new home at 1511 Lawsona Court,
Major and Mrs. A. O. Meyers were in Waterloo, Iowa the week of
May 7th. Had plenty of rain and cold weather, so will be glad to return
to their nice home in Orlando.
Ruth and Dick Taylor have returned to their home in Maine after
an eight thousand mile trip to the west coast via Florida and Texas.
They spent a few days with Leila and George Ritchey in Phoenix.
J. H. K. Humphrey of Bay City, Michigan sends best wishes and
kindest regards toeach and all and says the last Record was worth the
price of a year's dues.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Korsan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin were visitors
at the April meeting. Their many friends here were glad to see and
visit with them once more.
Mr. Casner from Californa, now of 5111 8th Avenue North, St.
Petersburg was a visitor at the April meeting at the Tourist Center.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray G. Pruner write that there were so many cards
sent them on their 50th wedding anniversary that they will never be able
to answer them all and ask us to please thank each and every one of you
kind folks who sent cards. There were two hundred guests at their re-
ception and they received many lovely gifts. A wonderful testimonial of
the love and respect of the many friends of Celia and Ray.
Mrs. H. E. Palmer writes that she is gaining slowly from a recent
spell of sickness and advises us of her new address, 712 Carlisle Street,
New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Henry E. May, Assistant Superintendent of Storehouses, has been
appointed Superintendent of Storehouses succeeding E. R. Japs who re-
tired from the Canal service at the end of April.
Mrs. Lydia D. Whitaker says: "I take great pleasure reading about
all the old timers. We are all so scattered around that only through the
Record can we keep track of each other. John has received his induct-
ion papers to report to the army on May 19. He has a very large practice
here in Baltimore, more than enough for two men. He is looking forward
to going. One thing sure, he wont work as hard as he has in the past
seventeen years. Charlotte lives in Seattle and we are expecting her to
visit us before her brother leaves."
Effie Parrish says: "John and I enjoy the Record so much. You peo-
ple are doing a wonderful job. I know many ex-employees like ourselves
feel the ties to a very good past are closer because of your unselfish work.
That is small pay, but we are very grateful. It was a great disappointment
to miss the reunion this year. We sure hope to make it next year."
Mrs. Lyla Esler who with her husband were visitors at the March
meeting, writes that the Claims Adjustment Section was very happy to
receive the March Canal Record. John Towery, Dave Raymond, Margaret
Wiggin and myself took first look at it. Seeing Edna Judson's picture
reminded me that I owe her a letter. Carrie and Bill Mathue looked good
--wish I could see them. We did so enjoy the Meeting and it turned out
my husband knew more people there than I did. I enjoyed talking with
Mr. Minor and Marie and Bill Dunlop. Geo. Thurgood I would have hated
to miss. He looks so-o-o-o-o contented and happy.
I also think Captain and Mrs. Judd were looking wonderful. I don't
suppose you have heard that the whole Fiscal Division has moved out
to the old S.E.D. Building in Diablo. Everyone is most unhappy about it.
The old Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Claims Branch, etc.,
and Mr. Baldwin plus all Chiefs of Sections, all packed their desks and
were moved over the weekend.
Captain and Mrs. H. B. Majilton have come to St. Petersburg to
make their home at 105 21st Avenue S. E.
Captain and Mrs. Billy Will have built a home in St. Petersburg at
4200- 22nd Avenue South.
Andrew Johnson of Clearwater is going north in June for the grad-
uation of his son Andrew. Then he will tour Canada before returning to
Howard Walling of the Zone flew in for a short visit with his
mother and dad, the Howard E. Wallings.
Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Matheny are visiting with his parents in St. Pete.
They will journey to the West Coast for a visit with the Harry Aliens at
Palo Alto. Also Jean Brady and her sister, Mrs. Rice, in Los Angeles.
They will return to St. Pete for a short while before going back to Panama.
Mrs. H. W. Gerrans writes that she will sail May 1, with her daugh-
ter and son-in-law, Capt. and Mrs. Swinson, to make her home with them
in Gloucester, Mass.
Mazie Newcomb writes that her brother, Paul Curtiss is slowly im-
proving and should be home from the hospital soon. Howard however,
does not show much improvement, but she hopes that he will improve
with the coming of spring to Washington.
Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson have gone back to Rock Stream, N. Y.
after spending the winter in St. Pete. Their son, Ian, a navy flyer, expects
to go to Coco Solo for a tour of duty.
Mrs. I. B. Harrel, formerly of Balboa, now a resident of Henderson-
ville N. C. is visiting her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. H.
Wright of Rousseau, C. Z.
News has been received of the promotion of. Col. Charles G. Holle,
formerly Engineer of Maintenance, to the rank of Brigadier General.
General Holle is now serving as Division Engineer of the South Atlantic
Division of the Corps of Engineers.
Mrs. Leah Dugan plans to leave the Isthmus late in May for Europe,
where she will tour England, France, Italy, Holland, Sweden and Norway.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Irwin of Balboa Heights were visiting friends
in St. Petersburg the week end of May 15th. They are planning a cross-
country trip to California to visit with their children. They expect to be
back on the Zone sometime in August.
Miss Agnes Sugrue, of the Colon Hospital Staff las been in St.
Petersburg visiting old friends. Also down to Miami and various parts of
Florida renewing old friendships.
Just before going to press comes the news that Mrs. Eleanor Kennedy
of 617 Louise Avenue, Orlando, Florida is celebrating her birthday on
May 23rd, 1953. She will be 91 years young. Congratulations and many
happy returns of the day.
Another fine old lady in Orlando has just had her 90th birthday,
Mrs. R. L. Wilhite, mother of R. L. and Lilburn Wilhite, both former
clubhouse managers on the Zone. Mrs. Wilhite makes her home with her
son Bob at 520 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Orlando.
The Ralph Walkers of New Braunfels, Texas want to join the Society
so they can keep up with the doings of old Zone friends. Picnicing with the
Dave Huffs at Bandera they were joined by the Fred Halls, John Kings,
James Comans, Ed Densons and also Mary Worley of New Cristobal.
Notice to all Secretaries of Panama Canal Societies
Up to press time there has been no word from some of the secretaries.
The Record comes out in March, June, September and December. All
material for the Record should be in our hands not later than the 10th
day of the month preceding the quarterly issue, with the exception of
December, when the material must be in by November 1st. We will be
glad to print pictures of the homes of members is you send us the photos.
These should be of approximate 31/2x4/2 inch size.
New Members and Changes of Address
The following have been added or addresses changed since the March Record
was printed. (*)denotes changes of address.
* Fredericksen. Mr. and Mrs. F. R. 18 Gregor Mendel St. 26 -- Vienna 18
(They are returning to the USA in September)
Maessen, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Office of Consul General, U.S.A.....Antwerp
Cain, Mr. Edwin B. P. O. Box 566 ----------- -------------- Balboa
Falk, Capt. and Mrs. Henry P. O. Box 116 __-- ---------_---Balboa
Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. O. Box 531 -----_---_ Gamboa
Jones, Mrs. Zachariah J. P. O. Box 4--------- ------------ Gamboa
Irwin, Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. P. O. Box 113------------- Balboa Heights
* McGimsey, Mr. J. V. P. 0. Box 1092 --- -----------------Cristobal
* Pierce, Mrs. F. S. P. O. Box 1456-------------------Balboa
Poole, Mr. and Mrs. George D. P. O. Box 117------------------- Gatun
* Randall, Mrs. R. E. P. O. Box 3011 ---- ----------------Cristobal
Shay. Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. O. Box 1079 ---------------------Balboa
White, Mr. and Mrs. Walter P. O. Box 338 --------------Balboa
* Renz, Mr. and Mrs. Paul F.-P. O. Box 655, c/o Mrs. M. M. Hunt--Fairhope
Berude, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. 143 Garfield Place----------.. Monrovia
* Cameron. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. 1890 McNab Avenue----- Long Beach 15
* Valcke. Mr. Wm. J. 663 South Sunshine St.---------------- El Cajon
* Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Walter D.-143 Greenwood Avenue
c/o Jim Wilcox --------------------------------------San Rafael
* Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Henry (formerly Mrs. Rose Conner)
1122 Central Avenue ----------------------------------- Bridgeport 7
Rickards, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. (formerly Mary Martin)
4122 Edmunds Street, N. W.-Apartment 302-----------Washington 7
* Sandiford, Mrs. Wilhelmina E. 1712 "Que" St., N. W.---- Washington 6
Alexaitis, Dr. and Mrs. F. L. 209 West Emma St.--_-------------- Tampa
Blessing, Mrs. Georgia M. 625 WestHarvard Avenue .---------- Orlando
* Bodden, Capt. and Mrs. John V. 1155 N. E. 131st Street --------- Miami
Bowser, Mrs. Della M. 6237 S. W. 25th Street --------------- Miami
Cleary, Mrs. Helen 903 S. W. 40th Street ------------------ Miami
* Coffey, Mrs. Marie G. (Mail) P. 0. Box 146 --------- St. ePtersburg 1
Casner, Mr. Edward D. 5111 8th Avenue North _--------St. ePtersburg 2
* Heath, Mrs. Russell D. 26 Poinciana Street--- ------- Melbourne
Herndon, Mr. N. E. 506 Ball Street---------------------- New Smyrna
Hunt, Mrs. Elizabeth B. (temp.) 1818% 24th Ave. No.--- -St. Petersburg 4
* Kersey. Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. 735 N. E. 17th Terrace --- Ft. Lauderdale
* LeQuire. Mr. and Mrs. Truxton -- Route 2, Box 801------------- Largo
* Light, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin P. 4315 Bay Shore Blvd.---- St. Petersburg 4
* McGregor, Mr. P. G. P. O. Box 3460 ---- ------------St. Petersburg
* Majilton, Capt. and Mrs. H. B. 105 21st Avenue S. E.-. St. ePtersburg 5
* Matthews. Mrs. Viola B. 1511 Lawsona Court ------------------Orlando
* Melrose, Mr. Earl W. 8115- 9th Street ------ -------------Tampa 4
* Meyers Major and Mrs. A. O. Highland Lake Apartments
605 East Marks Street-Apartment 6-A-----------------------Orlando
FLORIDA (Continued)
* Shedlock, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. 3800 26th Street No.-....-St. Petersburg 4
* Soper, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Residence: 307 Disston Avenue
Mail: P. O. Box 1126 -------- --------------------------Tavares
Stoddard, Mrs. Ida Harrod 2318 Bethune Avenue--_.--_---. Jacksonville 7
* Wiggin, Mr. and Mrs. Allen L. 6765 S. W. 26th Terrace--------.. Miami 44
Will, Capt. and Mrs. William 4200 Lakeview Ave. So.
(after July 15th) ----------------------------------St. Petersburg 7
Webber, Mrs. W. C. P. O. Box 495------------------------- Smyrna
Dunlop,Mr. and Mrs. W. H. 111 W. Main St.-c/o DeSollar.-- Beardstown
Green, Mr. and Mrs. Frank D -7300 So. Shore Drive-Apt. 1204 --.Chicago 49
* Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Otto A. Naval Ammunition Depot-----------Crane
* Symms, Mr. M. J. 2034 Nashville Avenue--------------New Orleans 15
* Price, Mrs. Stella M. 7902 Takoma Avenue---------------... Silver Spring
Gerrans, Mrs. H. W. 241 East Main Street------------.. East Gloucester
* Fenton, Mrs. Ethel L. 718 Morehead Avenue-Apt. I---------.St. Paul 10
* Blumenberg, Mrs. Della D. 3435 Shenandoah Ave.---------- St. Louis 4
* Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew L. R. F. D. No. -------------Plymouth
Ridge, Mr. -and Mrs. J. E., Sr. -- 809 Atlantic Avenue-------------Trenton
Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Russell -L. 10 Pueblo Drive-----------... Santa Fe
Brown, Mr. Harry M. c/o Drake Merritt
Box 13, A. P. 0. 677-c/o Postmaster-----.---. ----------- New York
* Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. 3101 Foster Avenue
Vanderveer Estates-Apartment 1-G---------------------Brooklyn 10
Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. John E. P. O. Box 36--------------Rock Stream
MacIntyre, Mr. Donald R. 157 Summit Place----------...New York 63
* Wilcox, Mrs. Robert 200 East End Ave.-Apartment 9.---..New York 28
Simons, Mrs. Kathryn D. 36 Merrimon Avenue---------------... Asheville
* McCarty, Mr. and Mrs. Homer P.-3585 Fairmount Blvd.-. Cleveland Hts., 18
Morgan, Rev. and Mrs. C. L. Bainbridge Center----...--- Chagrin Falls
* Aspden, Mr. Wm. H. 5123 Baltimore Ave.-------------- Philadelphia 43
Hartsell, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Route 5------------- ----Wellsboro
* Comley, Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. 944 Wayne Avenue.----. Wyomissing
Key, Mr. Francis S. 212 West Albemarle Avenue------------.. Lansdowne
O'Donnell, Mr. and Mrs. John T. 3347 Glenview Street---- ... Philadelphia
* Palmer, Mrs. Blanche G. 712 Carlisle Street----------------New Castle
* Tarman, Mrs. Edmund 5053 Walnut Street-------.. West Philadelphia 29
* Reidy, Mrs. Helena S. 115 Touro Street-------------------------Newport
Weigold, Mr. and Mrs. L. F. 240 Taft Avenue---------------G...reenwood
Goldsmith, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Res.: 2614 Gorman
-Mail: P. O. Box 3038----------------------------------Waco
Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Route. 1-Box 469-C--....New Braunfels
* Miller, Capt. and Mrs. S. P. -2700 Abrams Road------------,Dallas 14
Smith, Mr. and Mrs. George B. P. O. Box 1048--------------..Brownsville
* Plummer, Mr. and Mrs. R. P. (temp.)-Star Route-.---------.Leavenworth
Dear Ex-Canal Friends:
You are cordially invited to join the Panama Canal Society of Florida
if you are not already a member. The Canal Record, our news booklet,
issued quarterly, and a Year Book is given to members in January of
each year.
Dues are $3.00 annually, and payable in January. Members coming
in after July 1st will pay $1.50 for balance of the year.
Our membership is now more than 900.
Please fill in the application below and send your dues to the
P. O. Box 249, STATION "A"
Name- -_______
Wife's Name_-- _____
Ci-Number o-State Years on
Number of Years on Canal______________
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sampsell
and Mrs. Stanley Morgan
Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Smith
*Ir~rrr itt;~
P. O. Box 240 STA. A
ST. PrTERIsURG a
Sec. 34.66 P.L&R.
U. S. Postage
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Permit No. 603
ADDRESS ON FORM 3547. POsTAGE FOR WHICH 18 GUARANTEED
|Full Text
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