This Was Doylestown, 1941

Editor's note - On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii that damaged or destroyed the core of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and killed more than 2,400 sailors, soldiers and civilians. On Monday, Dec. 8, Congress declared war on Japan. On Thursday, Dec. 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, and Congress responded by declaring war on those nations. Doylestown, like the rest of America, mobilized for war.

Doylestown High School graduate killed in Pearl Harbor attack -

A terse telegram from the War Department brought the grim news of Bucks county's first service death in the war with Japan.

The first man from this vicinity who paid with his life during the treacherous attack by Japanese bombing planes on Hawaii on Sunday was Private Marion H. Zaczkiewicz, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Zaczkiewicz, of Cold Spring Creamery road, Doylestown R.D.

Marion was graduated from Doylestown High School in the commercial class of 1934. He enlisted in the Army in Philadelphia on Memorial Day, 1940, declaring that he wanted to do his bit for his country because he knew the United States would soon be in the war.

The War Department telegram, received at the Zaczkiewicz home Wednesday night, read: "Killed in action in defense of his country." The telegram said that because of hostilities it would be impossible to ship the victim's body home. The dead will probably be buried in Hawaii and their bodies may be released after the war ends.

"I'm proud of my boy," Ludwig Zaczkiewicz told a Daily Intelligencer reporter. The hard-working farmer's eyes were moist, as were those of his wife and eight of his nine surviving children who were seated about the kitchen table. Marion is survived by three brothers and six sisters.

"I want to know how Marion died, whether he was killed instantly or whether he suffered," the father remarked. "I'm proud of him, but the terrible thing is that two more of my boys, Edward, 20, and Julian, 19, will have to go if this awful war keeps up much longer. But I'm willing to sacrifice almost anything to get rid of Hitler and the war menace."

Following his graduation from Doylestown High School, Marion was employed by Register of Wills Edward B. Watson for a time and also worked in other Court House offices.

After enlisting in the Army, Marion was sent to Fort Slocum, N.Y., where he selected the Air Corps as his branch of service. Later, he was sent to Hickam Field, Hawaii, where he was killed in action on Sunday. He was a member of a bombing squadron.

(Editor's Note: Marion Zaczkiewicz was among 182 men killed at Hickam Field, according to the National Park Service, which maintains the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.)

Kiwanis Club rallies behind war effort -

The Kiwanis Club of Doylestown staged a patriotic meeting Tuesday night at the , pepped up with patriotic songs that were put across in the spirit of the times in which the nation finds itself.

Program Chairman William H. Satterthwaite devoted his remarks to a resume of the events of the past few days and his experience in past defense activities. He counselled the club to keep its feet on the ground and go along with help to the existing organizations having to do with the problems of the day, rather than trying to start new things and ideas at cross-purposes.

J. Leonard Halderman, Kiwanis lieutenant governor, spoke of defense evacuation plans in connection with the Doylestown school [at East Court and Broad streets]. He cautioned against parents and others clogging up the streets around the school with cars, thereby impeding the emptying of the school in the event necessity arises.

Dr. John J. Sweeney, Burgess [mayor] of Doylestown and a past president of the club, who was a major in the World War, spoke of false alarms and rumors, and advised against the spreading of fearsome tales and gossip. He dwelt on the horrors of war and said that he hoped no one will have to go through what many did in the last war.

A telegram sent to the White House by Charles S. Donley, president of Kiwanis International, was read. "Only one thing is important now. The entire world is at war! In Kiwanis communities, our thousands of business and professional members have but one thought in mind. Protect democracy! Destroy the enemies which seek to destroy us!"

Volunteers sought to serve as aircraft spotters -

Henry Ullman, local chief of the United States Aircraft Warning Service, is making a plea for 84 individuals--42 men and 42 women--to register as aircraft spotters in Doylestown.

Since Sunday, when the Japanese began bombing Hawaii and the Philippines, either a man or a woman has been stationed in the Bucks County tower recording the movements and description of any airplane flying through this section.

The day shift, manned almost entirely by women, runs from 8 in the morning until 8 at night, and the men's shift continues from 8 in the evening until 8 in the morning. So far, there have been two women stationed in the tower at a time, but the men prefer to take the aircraft warning post alone.

The working periods thus far have been four hours a week per person, but naturally will be redued if sufficient men and women report for duty.

Chief Ullman explained there are similar aircraft warning posts every 32 square miles, and the Doylestown post has direct telephone communication with Mitchell Field in New York.

Advertisement -

The Rector and People of Invite the people of Doylestown to join in a service of PENITENCE, PRAYER AND PATRIOTISM...TONIGHT - 7:30 P.M.

Doylestown school to sell defense stamps -

United States Defense Stamps will go on sale in the Doylestown Public School beginning Wednesday.

Editor's note - The stamps were sold primarily in 10-cent and 25-cent denominations. When someone saved stamps totaling $18.75, they could be traded in for a war bond that paid $25 at maturity.

The sale is overseen by a committee composed of Arthur T. Reese, high school teacher and chairman; Miss Ada M. Griffith, junior high school teacher; and Raymond L. Barney, sixth-grade instructor. The committee will be assisted by high school boys and girls who will canvass the homerooms to promote stamp sales.

The stamps will be offered for sale each Tuesday. The pupils will bring the money along Tuesday and receive their stamps on Wednesday.

"I think the parents should understand and know what the money is being used for when their children ask them to help in buying defense stamps," Mr. Reese said. "The weekly sale of stamps will encourage the children to plan for their own expenditures and teach them invaluable methods of saving and planning."

Doylestown Welfare Council to help needy -

Meeting Monday evening in Borough Council chambers, the Doylestown Welfare Council decided to distribute 28 Christmas baskets to needy families.

President Anthony A. Beshel presided, and following a discussion of several families needing aid, authorized the treasurer, Mrs. George R. Leator, to purchase coal for one family at a cost of about $6.75 a month. Mrs. Leator reported few calls for aid other than for fuel and food.

The council members also discussed the plight of a mother who lives with several children in a house that is in such bad condition that it is impossible for them to keep warm. The window panes are broken out and the mother's sole source of heating is an oil stove. Mrs. J. Harry Hoffman, director of relief, and Mrs. Leator were delegated to investigate the living conditions and the administration of relief and fuel.

President Beshel expressed appreciation for the generosity of Doylestown Post 175, Veterans of Foreign Wars, which annually gives $96 toward the undernourished children's milk fund in operation in the Doylestown school.

Japan Asks for War -

[Original headline of editorial, excerpted here]

Japan has decided that it shall be war--and Congress has taken up the gauntlet.

War has been forced upon this nation by Nippon, scuttling any possibilty of peace by a surprise attack upon Hawaii and Wake Island, and further steps of war against Americans in China and elsewhere.

Commentators who at first had a suspicion that the attacks might not be at the direction of the Tokyo government, but a beserk section of the Japanese war party, were soon disillusioned.

Japan has asked for war and there is but one reply--a united American people behind a war which will put the Japanese Nazis in their place in such a way that it will definitely end the machinations of the militarists and imperialists.

It was a fateful decision for the Japanese. They have staked all, and there appears to be little doubt that they will lose, although the war which will ensue will probably be a costly one for this nation.

Inevitably now, there seems to be no doubt this country will be drawn completely into the world-wide tragedy.

Advertisement -

Come Again TO OUR BIG PARTY!......In Doylestown Armory, Tuesday Evening, Dec. 16th, 8 P.M....28 Turkeys Will Be Awarded. Door Prizes. Admission Free...Benefits Legion Welfare Fund. Come and Have a Good Time.

Doylestown Town Notes -

Fire managed to get at the joists beneath the fireplace at the home of Stanley Goranflo, Edison-Furlong road, Doylestown township, at about 9:30 Monday morning. The Doylestown Fire Company was called out. The fire, which was confined to the basement, did very little damage.

Fred F. Martin was elected worshipful master at the annual meeting of Doylestown Lodge No. 245, F. & A.M., on Friday evening. He succeeds Harvey W. Walton. At the conclusion of the meeting, a turkey dinner was served.

A film, "Air Raid in England," will be shown to the student body of the Doylestown Public School on Wednesday, through the courtesy of the Bucks County Council of Defense.

Stuart Fellman has returned to his employment in the Hi-way Diner [on South Main Street] after having been in the Emergency Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wetherill, of Doylestown R.D.1, returned home Sunday after spending a week at their hunting cabin in Clinton county. The party of which they were members shot one eleven-point, one eight-point and a four-point deer, the latter bagged by Mr. Wetherill.

Creating a real Christmasy atmosphere, Henry Smith was the first Yuletide tree vendor to make his appearance on the sidewalk in mid-town. He says prices range from 35 cents to $2.

Little Mary Lou Kolbe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kolbe, of Hamilton street, who underwent an appendicitis operation on Friday afternoon, is convalescing nicely.

Mrs. Edward A. Twining, of East Court street, will serve as the reader during the children's hour in the on Saturday from two until three o'clock.

The Colonial Inn, a mid-town tearoom owned by Mrs. Bessie Kramer, of East Oakland avenue, has been sold to Mrs. Margaret G. Wood, of Chestnut street, Philadelphia.

The Rev. Frank Damrosch, Jr., rector of , on Friday afternoon received a cablegram from his son, the Rev. Leopold Damrosch, informing his parents "All well." The young man and his family are stationed at an Episcopal Mission in Manila, the Philippines.

Mrs. Jane Robinson, of South Clinton street, who for two weeks has been confined to her home because of a cold, is improved.

One of the most original Christmas decorations is the placing of two huge candles before the entrance of the . The tall, red tapers have been made to look like giant candlesticks, and when illuminated have a flame flickering at the top.

From the Doylestown Daily Intelligencer, Week of Dec. 7-13, 1941