October 18, 1940
Workers Cooperate to Expedite Recording of Men Who May be Called for Military Training
Volunteer workers throughout Presidio County Tuesday aided 1,170 men to show by their registration for military training that “it’s a privilege to be an American,” and that they are ready if called upon to learn the rudiments of military science and tactics so that they may, if necessary, take up arms in the defense of the nation.
Cheerful, whole-hearted cooperation of workers in each of the voting precincts of the county, according to J. H. Fortner, in general charge of registration, resulted in efficient handling of the task at hand. Cards were neatly filled out, he commented yesterday. At a number of registration places the work was completed in the morning, Mr. Fortner said.
In a message to Governor O’Daniel yesterday afternoon Mr. Fortner reported the following as the number of registrants: Marfa (Precinct One- High School) 226; Marfa (Precinct Nine), 289.
Alamito, 23; Redford, 35; Presidio, 194; Shafter, 309; Ruidosa, 45; Brite Ranch, 6; Candelaria, 26; Porvenir, 17. Registrants ranged from a Los Angeles, Cal., police officer George Spencer Westcott — who was passing through — to a Mexican army officer. The latter was by Mr. Fortner to be in this country on business and to have presented himself in Presidio for registration. Standing briskly at attention, he said he was under the impression, gained in some unknown manner, that he was subject to registration. He was given a card and went on his way rejoicing, Mr. Fortner said.
Family of Mexicans Patriotic
It is believed that none went across the Rio Grande to evade registration. Several men living across the river thought they might come on this side to register and immediately become members of the United States military forces. A Shafter Mexican felt that he was not eligible for registration. He was returned to the registration place by his brother who insisted that his kinsman was mistaken about the date of his birth and that he should be registered as “we want no draft evaders in our family.”
One of those who was registered at the high school, used instead of the courthouse for men in voting precinct number one, was Henry Clay Gould of Philadelphia. Mr. Gould is a Dupont office employee in Midland.
FIRST REGISTRANT
Marfa’s acting postmaster, Albert Logan, a native of Bell Hollow in Sutton County, was the first to register Wednesday for selective service. In recent weeks Mr. Logan and his associates at the post office have registered more than 260 aliens. The registration of men for selective service was a much simpler thing inasmuch as fingerprints of aliens have to be taken.
Kenneth Beanland Second Registrant
Three youths not yet twenty-one, two of whom were accompanied by parents, presented themselves for registration. It was suggested that they go to the recruiting office at Fort D.
A. Russell in regard to enlistment in the army. Capt. S. F. Crawford, Post Adjutant, said yesterday morning that men cannot enlist there unless they show evidence of having been registered for selective service. If accepted for enlistment, Captain Crawford said, notice is sent to the draft board in their registration area.
Several from other places in Presidio County were registered at the high school. The second person to register there was Kenneth Beanland. In Shafter the job of registering eligible men was done in systematic manner with ranch workers taking precedence, then highway department employees, and finally, American Metal Co. employees who were released from their work a few at a time in order that they might be registered.
