Oakie's Heart To Heart

10 March 2001, Vol. III, Iss. 10

Balloon Bombs of WWII...

Back in one of my January 2001 Issues of OHTH, I mentioned that Boise City, out in the west edge of the Oklahoma panhandle, was the only city in the continental USA that was bombed during WWII.

Well! I was wrong!

Was Boise City, Oklahoma one of the random targets of the Japanese balloon bombs in WWII?

According to Stephen, the japanese tried to instill fear into the hearts of North America during WWII by sending random Balloon Bombs across the ocean to create havoc and forest fires.

Stephen sent me the following email with more information and had this to say about that, "While researching and mapping historical sites related to the Plains Indians I happened across your site and took notice of your request for information on the bombing of Boise City in WWII.

The Japanese sent several balloon bombs across the Pacific on the jet stream in hopes of creating terror in the American public and thereby causing the weak-hearted Americans to give up their war efforts. Most of these bombs fell in the wilderness areas of the Pacific Northwest and went unnoticed by nearly everyone except the the military.

However, some of the bombs came down all across the western states with some making it as far east as the Great Plains. I have seen maps of all known bombing sites and some of these were scattered through Oklahoma and Texas.

If it was one of these "balloon bombs" that hit Boise City the answer "Why Boise City" is that it was just random bad luck as the Japanese had no way of aiming these devices at any targets other than the entire continent of North America and even this large target was hit by only a small percentage of the bombs that were launched.

If it was not a random strike of a balloon bomb I would be very interested in knowing more about this event. If you care to respond with what information you have I will look into the matter further and let you know what I find out." - S. Nichols, cougarsightings@aol.com

Lessons From the Geese...

Last week I mentioned that I spotted the geese flying north and honking across the blue skies in northwest Oklahoma.

Well! A friend in the New England area sent me the following article, "Lessons From the Geese," which was written by Angeles Arrien. I would like to share it with you this week.

"This fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way.

As each bird flaps it’s wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock has at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on it’s own.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose flies out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others. It is harder to do something alone than together.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose files to the point position.
Lesson: It is sensible to take turns doing the hard and demanding tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent of each others skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.

The geese flying in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek. We need to make sure our honking is encouraging and not discouraging or confronting.

When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their flock.
Lesson: If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by our colleagues and each other in difficult times as well as in good! "

WWII Links...

WWII - Little Known Facts: Attacks and Threats on the US in WWII.

Balloons Bombs: What Are They?
Where Did They Hit?... "Balloon bombs were hot air balloons with one 15 kilogram antipersonnel bomb and two incendiary devices attached. They were launched by Japan during World War II to wreak havoc on American cities, forests and farmlands. They were called the Fu-Go Weapon, supposedly a revenge bomb for the 1942 Doolittle raids on Tokyo. Only partially filled with air to compensate for different altitudes across the Pacific, they looked like giant jellyfish. The incendiary bomb was the biggest concern. During the dry season it could turn forest areas into an uncontrolled holocaust."

"Fugos: Japanese Balloon Bombs of WWII...
Offically; in the waning days of the Pacific War Japan tried a last ditch ploy to hit the United States with a terror weapon. That weapon was the Balloon Bomb. It was supposted to set fire to the West Coast and drop anti-personel bombs randomly on the U.S. In research after the war it was found that the Japanese built 15,000 of them but only launched 9,300. A little over 300 Balloon Bomb incedents occured in the U.S. and Canada. The only casualties were a woman and five kids in Bly, Oregon on a church picnic, who found and moved one. It expoded, killing them all."

Pieces of Papers: Japanese Air Balloon Bombs... "Pieces of Paper: The Japanese Air Balloon Bombings web site is much more than an informative site of a little known aspect of World War II. It is a sixteen-year-old's effort to preserve his grandfather's memories and to learn more about his late grandfather, Erle Guy Welch." He even has some maps displaying the travel routes from Japan to North America.

The History Channel has a series called Secrets of World War II. One episode is titled Japan's Last Secret Weapon. You can go over to their site to read more about "This Day In WWII history" and The US Entry into WWII.

Spring Dedication...

I dedicate this picture to all the folks in the New England area that have been pounded with a "Nor-easter" (did I spell that right/)...

Anyway, a southern Oklahoma gentleman sent me a photo of either a Daffodill or Jonquil blooming in his garden. AND... I dedicate this bit of Southern Oklahoma Spring to all those that need a little bit of Spring in their life right now!

Oakie's Column...

If you haven't ventured over to my web sites for awhile, I have been doing some Spring cleaning and organizing and giving the sites a face lift.

Stop over at WWW Publishing and take a look around. If you can't find something that was once there, it may have been moved to our NEW site, OkieLegacy. So continue your journey over that direction and see what is developing.

Finally, Soar over to ParisTimes Pioneers to a new revamped family genealogy site. I hope it makes it easier to get around and see what all is there. Read About Us and how ParisTimes Pioneers have evolved from "The New Paris Times" newsletter that was created several years ago as a Paris family reunion update given out to cousins at family gatherings.

That brings me to some Conover family genealogy I received from Eileen in Bath, Illinois concerning Jonathan Coombs Conover whom died 6 September 1856, Bath, Illinois and is buried in the cemetery in Bath.

According to the "Pioneers of Menard & Mason County, Illinois", by J. G. Onstott, 1902,... "William Nelms came to Bath in 1842. He and Major Gatton had the first store. Mr. Nelms was one of the proprietors of Bath. The Conovers came to the township in 1841 and settled within a mile of Bath. There were three brothers, Combs, Wiliam and John G.

From Tennessee came Joseph Adkins, Joseph Wallace, Thomas Bruce, Nelson Ashurst, John Johnson, Matthew Wiley, Patrick Campbell and his son (George W. Campbell). The Campbells were also among the early settlers. George Campbell came to Bath as early as 1838, when but seventeen years old. His father came as early as 1840. He was a lawyer of some ability and an orator of the spread eagle style. We heard him introduce Stephen A. Duglas in Havana in 1858, when he made the old eagle ashamed of itself. He served the country at the bar in the legislative hall and on the tented field."

Thanks to Eileen Keithley, from Bath, Illinois for sharing this family information with us.

-- Linda - "Oakie"

Mailbag & Links....

"Hi! I am a third grade teacher in Claremore, Okla. We will be having a school-wide Oklahoma unit April 9 through 20. I am wondering if you could put me in touch with people who would be willing to come to our school or individual classroom to talk to us about parts of Oklahoma history. When I saw the Lewis and Clark re-enactors on the Oklahoma History Webring, I was inspired, and hoped that perhaps someone would be available to help bring the unit to life for our kids. Please let me know if you know of people who might be able to help us. Thanks so much!!!" --Claudia Pierce, Roosa Elementary, Claremore, Oklahoma, cpierce@claremore.k12.ok.us

"I am part Indian (Blackfoot, Crow, Cherokee and Choctaw) but separated from my last full-blooded Indian ancestor (my great-grandmother) by generations enough that with my light brown hair, pale complexion and blue-green eyes most folks don't believe I'm Indian at all. I have dug up much information on the Great Plains Indians and would take great pleasure if I can be of any assistance to you. I would also like to hear of any good stories you may run across. I have a large file of raw data on the Sauk and Fox but I have not begun to sort through it yet. Maybe it's time. An old Indian told me one time that to the Indian a prayer was anything you said that made someone else feel good. My prayers are with you. More later." Steve, cougarsightings@aol.com

Trash or Treasure...

I unrolled a canvas treasure of some sort this week. Is it Trash or Treasure?

It is a 1961, Serigraphic Oil Painting (the Oil Painting is signed by R. V. Goetz). This serigraphic, canvas print of Pres. John F. Kennedy is also a limited edition No. 1 of 550 prints that were made by the Stan Ramsey Co., Inc., Serigraphers, 2727 N. Oklahoma, OKC, OK. It is has been rolled up for 40 years.

My questions are many... But here are a few: Are the Serigraphers still in business after 40 years? Should I find someone to fix the cracks in the canvas print? Where are the other 549 prints? I would like to get it framed. Does anyone out there know anyone that handles Serigraphic Oils that need to be repaired?

Linda K McGill Wagner
c/o WWW Publishing Co
PO Box 619, Bayfield, CO 81122

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