Patriotism is Abundant At Beaver Dam Ensign Stevens, Home for visit, Was On Ship Torpedoed in Atlantic By W E Daniel Owensboro Messenger Staff Writer Beaver Dam, Ky. Four men stood before the Messenger staff writer on a recent visit here to prove the patriotism of this thriving Ohio county town, two in person and two in silhouette. They were: Mayor Latna Oldham, in his fourth term; Ensign Harrison Stevens, home from four days in an open lifeboat after his ship was torpedoed in the At- lantic; Chaplain Evans T. Moseley, in the Hawaiian Islands, and Dr. Hays Treikel, who has closed his of- ice to enter service August 10. Mayor Oldham, dairyman and general farmer, is contributing ma- terially and in civic leadership to the national defense, Ensign Stev- ens Is a vita1 part of that defense. Chaplaln Mosely, former pastor of the Beaver Dam Baptist church, is using his talents and experience, as minister to help preserve the spirit- ual strength of the men in uniform. Dr. Thelkel has put aside the prom- ise of a highly profitable practice to serve in the army. And in the Baptist church a 20-starred flag epitomizes the meaning of their la- bors, and the unquestioning loyalty of the many other boys vho have cone from this community into various branches of service. Joy In Stevens Home There was joy in the Otis Stevens home near town when the broad- shouldered son arrived a few days ago and pride in the, heart of his young bride, the former Peggy Mc- Kenney, who knows the trials of a wife at home while the husband is away in constant peril. They were married last January in Detroit, a day after the former science teacher in the Beaver Dam high school com- pleted a course in Northwestern University, Chicago, and was award- ed his commission. And after a too- short period of companionship in New Orleans while the young off- cer was with the Gulf patrol she came home to await, and for what? Sunday morning June 28 the ship with Ensign Stevens aboard was steaming on the rolling waves of the Atlantic, when at 9:45 a tor- pedo, from a German submarine pierced its side. Combustible ma- terials on the Ship were ignited and the crew took to lifeboats. The sub- marine surfaced near the flimsy craft and called the American comman- der aboard. The Germans knew his name, his destination and the cargo he carried. After a brief parley, he was allowed to return, to the lifeboat and the sub subnierged. For four days the boats were tossed about, finally coming near a small rock island up whose pre- cipitous sides the men clambered with the aid of a ladder thrust down by one of the few inhabitants. An American patrol plane on routine duty came near and dropped down to inquire about signals of distress. Then away to summon help which came with a ship that conveyed the stranded navy men to the states and hospitals for treatment. Saw Atlantic In Varying Moods Some of the crew had died and others were suffering from exposure and burns sustained aboard the ship that was destroyed by flames. The BeaVer Dam man still feels some ill effects from inhaling fumes as he sought to recover a few articles from his quarters, but his clean living and rugged physique are rapidly re- turning him to normal, and save for slightly perceptible nervousness he is the same Harrison Stevens who taught here. Reared far inland from the ocean Ensign Stevens was fated to see the Atlantic in varying moods, and to witness and remember examples of German attacks on the high seas. Fron the quiet of a Sabbath morn- ing while his family here prepared for church he was hurled from a secure footing on deck to grasp at supports while his ship reeled under the fierce impact, and sharp blazes sent the men overboard, leaving men dead and dying, victims of the murderer. As night fell rain spat- tered their open boat and made even less palatable tho scanty rations of crackers and chocolate, washed down with water that bore little resem- blance in taste to that on his father's farm. Ensign Stevens is home for a few days, to chat with old friends, to sleep without a lurking submarine to disturb, to enjoy wholesome food, and to store his reserve strength for whatever is out yonder. And at home Mayer Oldham and others cultivate their own and the com- nunity's strength to make stronger the boys who go away to represent them. And the former pastor, and the physician who has closed his office, are part of the vigor of Beaver Dam expressed in action.
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