----Source: Clark Co. Press, Neillsville, WI, June 18, 2000; pg. 28. The following excerpts were compiled by Dee Zimmerman for her weekly column "The Good Old Days" from earlier papers.

Clark County News June 1943

Clark County has 1,842 men in the armed services, as of the present date. Of these, 1,430 were inducted into the service through the selective service route; the others, 412 in number, got into the service chiefly by prior enlistment. These figures were made public Monday evening, by Fred Lakosky, chairman of the Clark County Selective Service Board, in an address which he made before Rotarians and Kiwanians on Tuesday evening, in Neillsville. Lakosky revealed that 2,866 men have been deferred for work on Clark County farms, a number substantially in excess of the number actually in the armed services.

Clark County has 1, 192 2- C men, these being single men who work on farms. It has 922 3-C men, these being married men working on farms. The county has 493 4- F men, these being morally, physically or mentally unfit for military service. There are 601 married men over 38 on farms and 131 single men over 38 on farms.

Clark County is entirely out of debt, according to an announcement by Clark County Clerk Calvin Mills. The final payment-on the indebtedness was made on June 2 when $87.50 was paid for the last interest charges. The last payment on principal was, made on May 29, when $15,000 was paid. This is the first time, in at least 23 years, when Clark County has been entirely out of debt. At one time, the indebtedness, including asylum and highway obligations, mounted up close to a million dollars. The descent from that point has been steady, with curtailment proceeding through the Depression.

Wartime food conditions greatly emphasize the need for more preserved food. In order to give all women an opportunity to secure latest information on canning equipment and canning methods, food preservation clinics are to be held. All women and 4-H girls are invited. The meetings begin promptly at 1:30 p.m.

The schedule for these meetings, are as follows: Starting June 11, and science. Adelaide Christenson, who will be teaching English, dramatics and forensics. James Laux, teaches instrumental and vocal music. Wartime food conditions greatly emphasize the need for more preserved food. In order to give all women an opportunity to secure latest information on canning equipment and canning methods, food preservation clinics are to be held. All women and 4-H girls are invited. The meetings begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. The schedule for these meetings, are as follows: Starting June 11, Neillsville High School; June 14, Thorp High School; June 15, Owen High School; June 16, Colby High School; June 17, Greenwood High School and June 22, Chili Hall.

Arnold Gustman has bought the Jack Sprat Store, together with the realty on which it is located, at the corner South Hewett and Division Street. He will take possession of the store and property, the latter part of this week. The Gustman family will be occupying the residential apartment in the same building.

Harry Swanson, the former owner, will retire from merchandising. Swanson expects to engage as a sub-contractor in defense construction, working in Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago. His family will, for the present, occupy the residence at 216 South Hewett, which is being vacated by the Arnold Gustmans.

Robert Riemer has purchased the O'Brien home at 167 N. Hewett Street and will occupy it as his residence.

The house is a modem, 9- room structure, constructed in 1937. The house has an attached garage, The lot is 20x 120 feet. The house is being reconditioned and minor changes are being made before the Riemer family moves in. Orin Rupert, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Rupert of Neillsville, was cut quite badly last Thursday evening while playing with some friends at Schuster Park. The children were breaking bottles when a piece of flying glass struck him on the right side of his chin. The injury on his chin required several stitches to close the wound.

The Leathern D. Smith Shipbuilding Company, of Sturgeon Bay, has many openings for the following classifications: electric arc welders, structural steel workers, ship fitters, pipe fitters, electricians, outside machinists and general laborers. Workers with training, or experience in these, or similar fields, or who are willing to accept training will be considered.

The age limit for applicants is 16 years and up. Men applying must be in a draft- deferred status. It offers good pay, steady work and an opportunity for advancement. There is ample and reasonable housing available. Call or write to the company or stop at your nearest office of War Manpower Commission U.S. Employment Service.

Walter Beilfuss is growing potatoes in earnest. The potato patch is 50 wide by 175 feet long. Unless blight and bugs beat him to it, he will have more potatoes than the Beilfuss family can eat. He also has 150 tomato plants. Beilfuss grows Chinese cabbage, which is popular with the Beilfuss family for salad. Chinese cabbage is about halfway between lettuce and cabbage. Each year, Beilfuss gets an early start on his garden, by planting the seeds in a hot frame.

The Selective Service Board of Clark County has requested the Clark County Press to publish the following information.

Because of the severe shortage of labor in canneries and vineries this season, any farmer who has sufficient units on his farm to warrant a farm deferment and who has time enough to work for a canning company as well as run his farm properly, May take a job with a cannery this season without it affecting his status as a farm laborer.

An effort is being made to secure a quarter of a million feet of lumber for replacement of barns that were tom down by last week's tornado in and adjacent to Clark County. The decision to make this effort was reached Monday evening at a meeting held in Eau Claire, attended by representatives of the war production board. Also present were representatives of the Clark County War Board and lumber dealers of Clark County. Axel Sorensen, chairman of the county war board, presided.

It was reported to the federal representatives that, with 18 barns lost in and near Clark County, lumber is lacking for rebuilding more than two or three barns all together. Due to lumber being shipped in under a priority, it will be impossible to replace the barns lost in the storm.

The outlook was regarded as doubtful, after the decision was reached. The government is still making heavy demands for the war effort. Even the replacement of storm damage must take second place to the war needs. So the local men do not feel at all certain that a sufficient supply of lumber can be secured for the barn repair.