Parade of Troops in Russell, June 1916
Queens Hotel in Background

A LETTER

    On November 15th, 1943, at the time of the darkest period of the Second World War, the Russell Banner published a Letter — it speaks for itself.

To the Boys Overseas: Greetings

    To you fellows in the Army, Navy and Air Force we send Christmas greetings and good shooting in the New Year. Back here we haven't given much thought to Christmas yet as there is very little snow and though too cold to go around in your shirt sleeves, we're not suffering despite the coal shortage. Perhaps I shouldn't say we haven't thought of Christmas for the ladies of town have certainly thought of you and a good Christmas parcel is on the way to every one of you. That is what gave me the idea of writing you a letter ( I hope the Editor will publish it), You know when you open these parcels I'll betcha you will start thinking of the old burg and just wondering how things are going over here. Funny thing about Christmas, but it is one time we all think of home. So here goes for a rambling, gossipy letter that I hope will add to your Christmas Cheer about things in general in the best little town in the worldly.

    Main St. in Russell is much the same as you left it as far as buildings are concerned, but there might be a few changes in personnel. Down at the south end, with all the labor shortage, they tell me that Hay Gillespie and Archie Waddell haven't curled a game all summer, in Spate of the fact that Pat Forsythe was hailed out and wanted to skip some of the games. Frank Clement says "Cripes all fish hooks, I haven't worked so hard in years with everyone howling for wood." Just goes to show you what this war is doing to our business men.

    At the north end Frank Robertson, besides running a garage and taking on a wife, has been running a farm too, and Lorne Manley was so rushed off his feet that he had to get a new truck to take him to work. Gordon Kippan has had so many customers for lumber and coal he had to call in assistance from Andy Wishart. John Wishira hasn't lost any weight over the worries of ration coupons for this and that, and Bill Fenton, who is now in the old McRostie hall, finds relaxation from telling farmers that they can't get this and that, by acting as chief salvage official. George Allen as clerk for the municipality and Harold Barry as secretary of organizations too many to mention keep the fort at the Municipal Office and Cec Sanderson has been dancing quite a tune trying to get The Banner out each week, and now they tell me he's thinking of  hiring music with his meals. Joe Gallant seems to be an up-and-coming merchant with everything from a hame-strap a crupper.

    Harry Bell, Walter Needham and Louis Malinski are having quite a time with all the ration goods trying to see that their regular customers get a fair share. In fact most places keep more goods under the counter than they do on their display shelves. And to get a decent chocolate bar you pretty near have to sign an affidavit that they are to send to some of you fellows over there. Smellie Bros., and now we all think of Bob and George, are still in the same stand. Bob takes time out twice a year to look after the Victory Loans for this unit, and once more the Fifth Loan has gone away over the objective. George, besides running the store, is also running the 12th Manitoba Dragoons ( Reserve ) . What they are Preserving them for has everyone guessing.

    Businesses in the Doig Block is much the same as when you fellows were kicking around town. Mrs. Foster with her latest fashion for women—Jim Currie handing out the hardware — Mrs. Peebles, of Dauphin, now owns the Theatre with Lawrence Madill looking after it— Albert Fontaine still kneading the dough. Arthur Astbury only wishes he could get all the goods the people want to buy but even the clothing lines are on ration.

    South of the Vets' hall Roy Fenton can still be found fixing mostly tractors these days, and A. J. Sheffield with his Photo Studio. The boys still wander down to the livery barn for a strong game of 10-cent rummy.

    Andy Mather and Len Margetts say that since rationing came in that housewives are getting to know more about the different cuts than they do. It is even tough slipping over a little horse meat, Clare Fox looks after her dad's jewellery store, as Mr. Fox has been on the sick list for some time.

    With everyone so busy crime in the old district is very small and the lawyers, L. C. Boulton, Bill Wilson, Bill Hancock and George Lauman have taken up filling in income tax papers as everyone is in the money. The "Sucker Club" still holds forth at the Drug Store and "Pills" holds the office of Grand Sucker, or whatever title the guy gets for buying the most drinks.

Speaking of drinks, you know things are getting to a pretty state of affairs with Tom Gilbert and Coley Cristall only opening for a few hours in the evening and some days not at all. You can just realize how bad it is when those "Old Cabin' addicts at times content themselves with foaming draught.

    You wouldn't find much difference in the old hang-outs except that you have to get in early to get a seat at the Club. The pool room has its regular looker-ons, and seeing so many patches on the tables you fellows who are riding Jeeps will know how the black-ball feels when it goes bouncing over those rough spots. The bowling alley seems to attract more of the fairer sex, but with so many wearing slacks fellows like Tex and Scotty don't seem as interested.

    Our financial institution has a new manager, Mr. Thompson ( D. R. was transferred to Weyburn ), and this new chap, being a patron of the front row at the stage shows, has gathered about him a bevy og beauties and he and his accountant, Ken Riley, are the envy of the male population.

    That pretty well covered the old main drag. Others who are still with us keeping the wheels of industry moving are George Bicknell, Joe Cross and Louis Penonzik with the oil companies; Jack McKinnon, Charlie Strachan and Punch Leifer buying grain; E. W. Robertson at the C.P. and Doug Thom at the C.N. "Frenchy" has left Russell for some point in Ontario; C. R. Loney still delivers the express; Larry and Ted Langford and Charlie Hodgkins still the stand-bys at the creamery; Clarence Maher rules the sanctum at the Council Chambers; Dr. Shaw looks after our welfare and Peter Pacey patches those thread-bare pants that we hope will last for the duration; Charlie Cameron and Charlie Russell look after the tinsmithing and repair work; Dr. Page tends to the health of the old gray mare that has again come into her own; Jerry Nolan and Lou Berry trim our graying locks; Lorne St. John makes his headquarters here as an organizer for the National Finance Committee; Art Kinney still specializes in better breeding stock for the farms, and Joe Deschamps and Bill Pettitt supply the milk and cream; Tommy Robertson still takes the complaints in about more telephone service and sends Ed Ward and Joe Franklin to fix them; Belle Snedden chaperones the "Hello Girls".  I could go on indefinitely about who is who and what is what but must not take too much of the editor's time and space.

    New faces in town: Jack Drever and Jim Eshelby with Frank Clement -Archie Alexander with L. Margetts. They've taken over Lamb Bros. Transfer (Freeman is still there, but Trueman is steady with the C.N.R. out in B.C.)  Jim Hainstock and Clare Smith at Doigs - Roy Kennedy and Jim Burgess (Jim used to be in the bank ) at Smellie's - George Lauman in charge of Glen's office.

    Remember how -- Dave Goddard rang the town bell — the hot stove league gathered at Doigs - Mayor Hembroff toured the town - Butch and his "What seems to be doing - Phil Kingdon polished the brass on the post office - the boys and their Saturday night smear games - Ernie sat in front of the Central - Well they are still at it.

   Forgive me, boys for missing out the girls, but never being accused of being a lady's man, words from my pen would do the fair sex an unforgivable injustice.   Suffice it to say that there is a splendid bunch here doing a man-sized job each day and no doubt many of them anxious for you fellows to get it finished over there and come back to them.

   Will close these ramblings remarks about the old home town and wish you all a right Merry Christmas and trust and pray that you will all be back to enjoy Christmas, 1944, with us.

   Write when you find time.

"Santa Claus"

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