A few items from the pages of Harrison County newspapers in June 1943:
The third annual flower show was held in the Ridgeway that month. Miss Roslyn Ragan was selected from seven entrants as the flower queen. There were entries in thirty classes and several special events. “Mrs. O. F. Fordyce led in winnings with seven firsts, two seconds and one third. Mrs. Elmer Rinehart had five firsts, two seconds and one third.” Of the special prizes, my favorite was that Karen Lea Carson won the prize for the table setting for dolls. (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Jun 9, 1943.)
Lieut. James Ragan, the son of Sgt and Mrs. Pally Ragan “appeared briefly and inconspicuously in the photo play ‘Crash Dive’”. This photoplay featured the submarine on which Lieut. Ragan was second in command. His parents went to see the play and while his father missed seeing him, “Mrs. Ragan recognized him in one scene where the crew was shown.” Unfortunately for Harrison County residents, they didn’t know until after the photoplay had been shown in Bethany that he was in it. He wrote to his parents that he had hoped to get home for a leave, but due to his location, he would not be able to get leave “for a long, long while.” ( (Bethany Republican-Clipper, Jun 23, 1943.)
Miss Doloris Elaine Elliot, a resident of Ridgeway, was promoted to seaman, second class, in the navy WAVES (the women’s branch of the Navy). She had been a clerk in the Harrison County treasurer’s office before enlisting. She was attending a “storekeepers school” in Indiana after which she expected to be promoted again.
