Looking Back - The Morning Sun

1st Lieutenant John Mellon, an Army forward observer calls in an artillery strike in Korea, 1951. Observers are the eyes of the mortars and artillery crews. They locate targets and relay the coordinates back to a fire direction center that converts the location into a firing solution for the gunners.

The oral history of Austin Theordore Flagg

Exclusive subscriber content

Austin Flagg exuded the stateliness born of years in the military. He served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, rising from private to the rank of colonel. He retired from the Army in 1976, after serving as professor of military science at Pittsburg State University but continued at PSU as the personnel director until 1989. During Flagg’s military career, he fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. What follows are Colonel Flagg’s own words as recorded by PHS students Glen Powell and Angela Troth in January 1989. more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/25/23

Fire in the closet, Part 3

Exclusive subscriber content

Here’s the conclusion of the three-part story by former Pittsburg resident, Jim Gore, about a mysterious fire in the family home at 1805 South Broadway, in Pittsburg. — J.T.K. more

J.T. Knoll / Morning Sun Columnist | 5/25/23

Frontenac to stock steam shovel ponds with fish

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Compiled by Phil Burgert / news@morningsun.net | 5/25/23

Pittsburg says taxi drivers have no more rights than any other motorist

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives more

Compiled by Phil Burgert / news@morningsun.net | 5/24/23

A flight of P-51 Mustangs take off on escort duty. Among the fighter groups that made up the 15th Air Force was the 332nd, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Their fighters were easily identified by their bright red tails and tallied one of the best combat records in aviation history.

The oral history of H. Francis Short

Exclusive subscriber content

H. Francis Short retired from Pittsburg State University after his stint in the US Army Air Force. He recounts his experiences during the war, including the USO comedians and getting a crucifix blessed by the Pope as a gift for a local Italian girl. What follows are the words of Mr. Short as recorded by PHS students Stacy Scifers and Jimmy Saporito in January 1989. more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/24/23

American Sherman tanks during the Battle of the Bulge. While not as heavily armed or armored as German panzers, the Sherman was fast, reliable, and in great quantities. The Sherman was the only tank used by every Allied army on every front during the war, from France to the Pacific and from North Africa to the Russian steppes.

Remember When: The oral history of Anton Zemlock

Exclusive subscriber content

Mulberry resident Anton Zemlock served as a gunner on a Sherman tank. Nothing about him would betray the fact that he spent four months as a prisoner of war in Germany. He lived through ordeals that … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/20/23

May20, 1973: Scott to retire as Athletic Director at Davidson College

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 20-22, 1923 Speeding motor car drivers will have the joy taken out of their favorite pastime in about 10 days … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/20/23

May 19, 1923: Mulberry baseball falls to Breezy Hill 31-3

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives. 100 Years Ago - May 19, 1923: Two well-known operas, “Madame Butterfly” and “La Boheme,” will be given in connection with … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/19/23

American infantry holding the line during the Battle of the Bulge. Caught by surprise, many of the US units targeted by the Germans were either new or severely understrength. They were positioned in the Ardennes Forest because it was considered a quiet sector. Recovering from the initial shock, the Americans held the line, slowing the German tanks — which were quickly running out of gas.

Remember When: The oral history of Paul L. Wilbert

Exclusive subscriber content

Already an attorney before the war, Paul Wilbert returned from the battlefield to his law practice in Pittsburg where no one ever suspected he worked as a counterintelligence agent for the Army … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/19/23

Napoleon once said, "An army travels on its stomach." A country can have all the tanks, planes, and ships in the world, but without gas, ammunition, and food, nothing moves.

Remember When: The oral history of Clayton Powers

Exclusive subscriber content

Born in Lincoln County, Kansas, Clayton Powers was raised by his aunt after being orphaned. Powers remained in the Army Reserve after the war, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Described as … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/18/23

May 18, 1923: Jury finds in favor of J&P RR over $841 in damaged grapes

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 18, 1923 An artistic treat was afforded several hundred persons who attended the dancing recital of Miss Wilma … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/18/23

Fire in the closet, pt. 2

Exclusive subscriber content

What follows is the second of a three series by former Pittsburg resident, Jim Gore, about a mysterious fire in the family home at 1805 South Broadway, in Pittsburg. — J.T.K. "What’s … more

J.T. Knoll / Morning Sun Columnist | 5/18/23

A typical field hospital in World War 2, these units had to be able to pack up and move quickly to keep pace with advancing, or retreating, forces.

Remember When: The oral history of Richard Parrish

Exclusive subscriber content

Richard Parrish led a full life, from serving as a corporal in an Army MASH during World War II, a Pittsburg City Commissioner, a photographer, and owner of Dick’s Electronics. He was well liked … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/17/23

Antitrust settlement nets $31,652 for Crawford County; $4872 for Pittsburg

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 17, 1923 Two Pittsburg residents identified as leaders of the city’s Ku Klux Klan lodge testified today at … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/17/23

Judge Woolley says no liquor paroles in his court

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 16, 1923 The county commissioners in session at Girard yesterday formally disapproved the plan to establish a … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/16/23

A P-47 loaded out for ground a ground attack mission. Relieved of bomber-escort duty by the P-51 Mustang, the Thunderbolt was assigned to a ground-attack role, becoming known as a reliable tank killer on the Western Front in Europe. That reputation, and name, continues with today’s A-10 Thunderbolt II, better known as the “Warthog.”

Remember When: The oral history of Henry Jelochan

Exclusive subscriber content

Henry Jelochan learned about Pearl Harbor while still in high school. Hearing it on the radio, he didn’t think it affected him; however, eight months later he volunteered for the Army Air Force … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/16/23

An American 105mm artillery crew in action. Known as the “King of Battle,” historically, artillery causes more casualties than any other weapons system on the battlefield.

Remember When: The oral history of John Harry

Exclusive subscriber content

John Harry still had vivid memories of the war more than 40 years later. Perhaps because of his years as an English teacher or his personality, his ease in storytelling made his interview an … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/13/23

Mother’s Day graphic from the Pittsburg Sun in 1923.

1923: Thirty-eight new citizens naturalized; Mothers' Day proclamation

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 13-15, 1923 The board of the Chamber of Commerce at its weekly meeting at Bussey's annex today, went on record … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/13/23

A restored B-25 Mitchell flying over Minnesota. Used more as a low-level attack aircraft than a high-level bomber like its cousins, the B-25 proved to be a sturdy and reliable aircraft capable of a multitude of mission configurations.

Remember When: The oral history of Lebro Grislano

Exclusive subscriber content

Lebro Grislano served as a radio operator/machine gunner on B-25 bombers over the Pacific. After the war, he returned home to a career as a high school coach. More than forty years after the war, the … more

By Dustin R. Strong / dstrong@morningsun.net | 5/12/23

1923: Sheridan Coal Company placed on unfair list by UMW

Exclusive subscriber content

Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives 100 Years Ago May 12, 1923 All mines operated by the Sheridan Coal Co., of Mulberry, have been placed on the unfair list by the … more

By Phil Burgert | 5/12/23