Historical Happenings
compiled by Helen Reiland and Mike Holtorf

The Mazeppa Journal, Louie Phillips Publisher

May 22,1942 

Under Bright Hawaiian Skies: From Pvt. Vincent Tri, now in Hawaii, the Journal has received the following letter dated May Ii. "It is evening and I am sitting under a nice coconut tree trying to write a few lines. I am now in the Hawaiian I lands. It sure is a beautiful spot. I had an excellent view of Honolulu. I have eaten coconuts and pineapples as they are all around us. I have also seen Waikiki Beach, which is a pretty spot. I also had a wonderful trip from Fort Knox to the coast via Denver and Salt Lake City. Going across the Rockies was exciting. 
"I was seasick for three days but after that I felt fine, I don't believe I was ever so sick in my life. I don't think I would have cared if the ship went down as sick as I was. I am sure glad to have my feet on the ground again. The boys played cards on the boat 24 hours a day and they weren't small games either. I saw as high as $30 played in one hand of poker and the paper money was all worn out from rubbing across the floor. 
"I am now in a tank as an assistant driver. We don't do much in the daytime. Every other night we walk guard but only three hours a night. I carry my own .45 pistol as the armored force men each have one. "Well hoping you Mazeppa folks are all OK." Yours truly, Vincent Tri P.S . There are also nice ripe bananas.

***Vincent Tri was killed in action April 27,1945 in Okinawa Cow, not Crow: Last week, was a bad one for the cows at WF. Judd's. A heifer had died and Lewis Judd went up to skin it, taking his 22 rifle. While on his way he saw a crow and took a shot at it. On the other side of the ravine was a cow and the bullet hit the cow, giving it a bad time but not killing it. After all there is only the difference of an "r" between a crow and a cow. Want Old Iron Bridge in Town Scrapped: CR. Scheuer, former WPA engineer at Rochester and now at New VIm, and HZ. Gallagher of the War Production Board, in charge of salvaging scrap metal, were in town Wednesday to see the council about 
scrapping the old bridge near the lumber yard. They are on a tour to find bridges for salvage as more scrap iron is urgently needed to keep the steel mills busy. They asked the council to hold an early meeting to take action. If possible, WPA labor will be used in tearing it down. The bridge was built in 1904 and has been used only as a foot bridge since 1922. It is of great convenience to per ons living across the river. It has been suggested that a foot bridge be built along side of the ncw concrete bridge as there i a foot path on that bridge. 

Local News: 

John Roland has been tearing down the house on the Gregoire farm which he recently purchased, and is using the material to remodel the house on the Bright farm which he owns. 
Mrs. Lydia Day died: Lydia was born Lydia Jarrett and came to Minnesota at the age of 7, crossing the Zumbro at Jarrett's Ford, named after the family. Lydia was married to Squire Baker and lived in South Troy and later in Mazeppa After Squires death she married Charles Day. Bobby, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.s. Mohler of East Mazeppa, got one hand in a pump jack Saturday and had a finger crushed. He was able to go to school Monday. 
A number of Mazeppa boys at Camp Dix, N J . are probably across the water by now. Lloyd Whipple wrote his folks that he was moving and has not been heard from in the past three weeks. Miss Buskowiak took her 5th and 6th grade classes to Red Wing Friday on their annual picnic. They intended to visit the factories, but some of them engaged in war work could not admit visitors and the State Training School did not admit grade pupils. However, they went through the potteries and enjoyed a picnic lunch. The Curtis Finstuen milk truck went off the side road near AE. Fischer's Sunday and a number of cans fell off and whole load had to be removed before a tractor could get the machine back on the road. The Catholic Altar Society dinner Sunday was attended by about 250 people and attracted many from a distance. The meal was bounteous and pleased everyone.