The Lobo Tank Busters
By: Stan Jordan
We took off this morning about like any other morning on dawn patrol. We had on a full-load of rockets and ammo, but no extra gas tanks. We were on a common hunt and destroy mission, when the radio crackled and Col. Bainbridge called and said some of Patton’s tanks were held up in the city of Orleans and we were to see if we could destroy those big Tiger Tanks that was stopping the column.
He gave us the new heading and all the other data that we needed. We were at the place in a few minutes. We pushed the throttle all the way forward. Speed was of the essence. At the edge of town, we came up on the rear-end of Patton’s column, and we followed it to where and when and what was holding up the advance.
It looked like all the highways coming into town converged at the town square, and all the roads were held up by four Tiger Tanks, the best that Germany had. It took all four of them, but they controlled all the entering highways.
Patton’s tanks could come no closer, because their M-4 tank was no match for a Tiger Tank. We flew right on by them, and we rendezvoused at the side of the city. It was bigger than a town. It had some good-sized buildings, but not too tall. We took some small arms fire, but no big stuff. We maneuvered around and we came in over the highways to the rear of the tanks. We dropped our speed down a little and I fired two rockets in the rear-end of a Tiger in my street. My first rocket was a little short, but the second rocket blew the baggage rack to pieces and then went on into the engine area. As I looked at it, we could see the black smoke coming from the back of the tank.
We four planes met up around 1,000 feet and we discussed what we had finished. We were very lucky because we all came in at the rear of the tanks, and that is their most vulnerable spot. We talked about what good luck we had. We flew back over the area and put another rocket in the last tank. They were absolutely out of action, but we made sure. We could see Patton’s tanks were moving up and we figured we had done a good job. That new radio did a fine job today. Well, in two hours from the time Patton got held up, he was on the move again.
See ya!
Some History on the McDougall Firearms Building
By: Stan Jordan
At the Fireman’s and E.M.S. picnic a few weeks back, out at the Ray Friend estate, I had a pretty good discussion with Matt McDougall, the owner of McDougall’s Firearms. We discussed his building and some history that goes along with it. The following is what I remember about that building there next to the railroad that is now McDougall’s Firearms.
In 1888, a disastrous fire destroyed that whole block called the, “Pocock Block,” starting with where the Hometown Pantry is and all the way to Daggett Street. Then, the city council passed an ordinance that from now on, all buildings would be constructed of masonry. No more wooden structures. So, sometime after 1888, Frank Lamb built those buildings where the L.S.I. Insurance building is, along with Papa Oley’s Pizza and the McDougall Firearms that are now in business. Mr. Lamb built some other buildings also, but these are the ones we are talking about.
At the turn of the century, it was a well-established hotel with a good reputation of service and comfort called the, “Champion Hotel.” They had a marque that reached all the way out to the curb of the street. I have some pages about a hog sale in Antwerp in 1908, that recommended they stop at the Champion Hotel.
It was also called the, “Telephone Office.” But, I think that was up on the second floor about 1896. I don’t remember when they tore the marque off of the building. I know that sometime in the 1920’s, Harrmann’s had a bank there. I remember in the mid 1930’s, Willard Nelson had a sheet music store there for a while.
Then, in the late 1930’s, Dutch Mickelson had an upholstery shop there, assisted by Charlie Steiner and sometimes Joe Zuber.
I think it stayed empty during WWII, until the late 1940’s. Then, I think there were a number of taverns there open over the years – with names like, Duffy’s Tavern, Pauline’s, Patterson’s, Grigg’s. Bud & Jane Ankney were there for many years. Jeff Lucas had a bar and grill there. Then, some people named, Hart had a restaurant there. Then, some ladies had a restaurant there called, Merle’s. At the present time, it is McDougall’s Firearms.
Matt and his wife Ashley are open for business Wednesday through Friday, 12:00-7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Both of these fine people help with the E.M.S., and Matt has been a volunteer firefighter for 20 years. He has been an employee of the Paulding Co. Sheriff’s Dept. for about a year and a half. Matt graduated from Paulding High School, and Ashley from Wayne Trace. We here at the West Bend News wish them good luck in their business.
See ya!
By: Stan Jordan
Our family reunion was down at the park last Sunday. I got there early and enjoyed the peace and quiet. There were two bicyclists resting under a big oak. A slight breeze wiggled the oak leaves a little bit. The air smelled so clean. Two squirrels romped around a little. Soon, a lady and two children came and played in the toy area. I just sat there in my lawn chair in the cool breeze and visioned what I know about the history of Veteran’s Memorial Park here in Antwerp.
In 1886, the Grove, as it was called because of the huge, tall trees, was purchased from Judge Latty from the river bank to the road at the south side of the park, now called 424. A lot of irate citizens wanted to use it as an extension of the cemetery, but the mayor and city council at that time and looked ahead and to see what a wonderful city park that would be. There was a lot of hard feelings, but thank goodness was made into a park and recreation area.
In 1936, the land north of the park, called the, “Island” was purchased, and about that time Judge Latty’s daughter donated all the land to the city and park south of the highway and up to the railroad, except for the lot where the park station is. A group of ladies worked hard and long, and received enough money to move the Veteran’s Memorial to its present position. It goes without saying that it is a beautiful area. We are extremely proud of it. Especially the Veterans.
Another group of ladies raised enough money to buy all the children’s toys in the recreational area of the park. These ladies also are to be commended. Our city employees keep the park in very fine shape. They, too, are to be commended. You can sit with the people and look all around you and scarce can take it in. From the well-manicured grass, to the towering oaks that scratch the heavens. From the robins, to the eagles, you can’t help but to be overwhelmed with the beauty, nature, the occasion and the fact that it is all ours.
See ya!
