Page Eight
Heppner Gazette Times, Heppner, Oregon
Thursday, December 18, 1941
First Hand Story Of
Lurline Trip Told By
Local Woman's Dad
Last Ship to Leave
Pearl Harbor Before
Attack, Here Safely
"The Lurline Races for Home and
Safety" is the title of J. F. Pfeiffer's
own story of the trip he made on
the last passenger vessel to leave
Pearl Harbor before the fateful Jap
anese attack of Sunday, December 7.
The story, released to this paper by
Mrs. Orville Smith, of this city,
daughter of Mr. Pfeiffer, was receiv
ed by her this week. It relates:
"December seventh A day of blue
skies, quiet seas, and bright sun
shine; a perfect day for ship travel.
"On arriving on 'A' deck noticed
that ship's speed had been increased.
"At nine thirty an excited man
rushed to the deck and shouted,
'Honolulu has been bombed three
hundred killed! Manila has been
bombed, the ship behind us has
been sunk we are at war with Jap
an! And we were but thirty -eight
hours out of Honolulu. It seemed
incredible that this could happen.
Rumors, rumors, and more rumors
spread, until it all sounded like a
gibberish of fantastic tales.
"But no there must be some
truth, for soon members of the crew
OUTDOOR TOYS
ARE HIS
CHRISTMAS
DREAM!
Hiawatha Bicycle
$3195
A fine bicycle is a gift that
will last and give real pica
sure for years.
Coaster Wagon
1.98
$3
Full size coaster
piece stool body,
enamel finish, red.
with one
Baked -on
Tot's First Bike
$4.29
Built to wear with heavy
rubber tires, leatherette saddle,
red with blue trim.
GAMBLE
STORES
appeared, with buckets of blue and
black paint, to black out the ship.
"Consternation reigned, with here
and there a touch of hysteria. A
woman grabbed my arm and asked
me if it was true.
"In the haste to black out the ship
before dark, paint was splashed ev
erywhere and this once lovely, spot
less ship was soon spotted on the
decks, the companion ways, and in
side the staterooms with paint. The
strong, heavy odor of it was every
where. "At noon, a red printed notice was
given to the passengers, stating that
the captain of the ship would ad
dress us at five o'clock.
"He stated that he had news of
grave importance: that we were at
war with Japan; that Pearl Harbor,
Hickman Field, and the governor's
mansion had been bombed. We were
on a fast ship, he continued, and
would reach San Francisco late Tu
esday evening. Asking everyone to
cooperate with him, he gave us rules
to follow; also, instructed us to
wear life preservers at all times
as we would not be convoyed to the
mainland.
"It was a sober gathering that fil
ed out of the ship's salon. In a few
moments they all disappeared, evi
dently thinking that the cabins were
the safest places.
"At dinner everyone seemed to
have regained composure, and cer
tain groups were again smiling and
gay-
"After the picture show most of
the passengers returned to their
staterooms. Walked around 'A' deck
for an hour or more, enjoying a
perfect blue sky, still seas, and the
large moon. What a target this white
ship made for a lurking submarine
this night! Could not let my thots
continue along this line for they
are far too disturbing. Down to my
stateroom for a restless night. Fifty
hours from mainland! What will the
coming moments bring. v
"December eighths Another smil
ing day, which seemed to restore
confidence that all would be well.
The bar is closed and the familiar
clang of the slot machines is absent,
as they are locked up. Anxious eyes
continually scan the sea and hori
zon, searching for submarines. If
hopes and wishes speed this ship,
she will arrive at her destination
tonight.
"A forced gayety is evident, many
continually walking the deck.
"Rumors that two destroyers are
to arrive soon, to escort us to a safe
harbor but it is now dusk and they
have not put in an appearance.
"Dinner is a quiet affair and the
picture show is not interesting but
it is somethng to take one's thots
away from possible dangers ahead.
"Doors leading to he decks are
now guarded so that no faint light
will be visible from the outside. The
hallways, smoking room, library, and
card rooms are dark. Only dim lights
in the lounge. You stumble around
in the darkness and have to feel for
the doors. Altho port holes are
blacked out, they are also covered
with a heavy iron casting, and only
two dim lights are allowed in the
staterooms.
"The hardest moments of the day
are those spent just before slumber
overtakes one, for we are getting
close to the mainland and in waters
where hostile craft would lie.
"Another day of stark realism of
the uncertain remaining miles. No
convoy and much criticism is heard
Some person aboard is using a ra
dio, which the captain has forbid,
and a search is being made. If
found, it will be thrown overboard.
Would suggest that the person us
ing it follow the radio for that par
ty is jeopardizing the lives of one
thousand people and the possible
destruction of a valuable ship.
"We are now in very dangerous
waters, and the next ten hours will
mean either safety or destruction.
Groups of people line the rail, look
ing eastward for the sight of land.
"The Aloha dinner without the us
ual gayety. Use of the decks is not
allowed and all doors are double
guarded. When will the suspense
end for today's minutes have the
length of hours and are getting long
er as the evening wears on.
"The long-drawn-out nervous ten
sion is causing many to leave their
stateroom doors open and remain
fully dressed, for they wish to be
ready for any emergency that may
arise. Yes, one can truthfully say
that the atmosphere is tense indeed.
SOCIETYCHIT-CHAT
By JUNE SMITH
"Getting ready for Christmas" is
the theme song of most everyone
these days, and seems to have taken
the place of most all social activity
and travelling. Many homes are be
ing visited with illness this week,
with chicken pox, measles and flu
making their unwelcome appear
ances. And over all the knowledge
that our country is in peril has d re
flected light in the skv. and as it
grows brighter singing is heard. At
one o clock in the mornine the Lur
line slackens speed and. makine sev
eral heavy lists, passes thru the
Golden Gate and into safe waters.
One man exclaims. 'She mav be
called the Golden Gate but she never
looked more golden than right now!'
At three in the morning we are
called for immigration and customs
inspection and all thots of our pre
vious worries are soon foreottten
only the remark, 'I knew she would
make it all the time.'
"And now, Dame Rumor, oack un
your knitting and go to Japan. Ger
many; and Italy, where you can be
or some help to us.
"A word for the captain of the
ship: It is certain that we would be
resting on the bottom of the Pacific
ocean if his knowledge, skill, and
courage had not saved us. The crew
is to be commended for their cour
tesy, willingness, and the long hours
of work and standing watch.
"And, as a whole, the passengers
deserve great credit, for they took
all restrictions and discomforts with
good grace."
en from most minds all thoughts of
personal pleasures.
Ruth chapter of the Eastern Star,
with the Masonic lodge and the
Heppner chapter 26 of the Royal
Arch Masons are holding their joint
installation qf officers at the hall
this Friday evening. The installa
tion is to be preceded by the annual
turkey dinner at 6.
Officers of the Eastern Star to be
installed, who were elected at a
meeting held last Friday night, are
Ella Benge, worthy matron; Archie
Ball, worthy patron; Emma Evans,
associate matron: Vawter Parker.
associate patron; Sara McNamer,
secretary; Rose Leibbrand, treasur
er; Neva LeTrace, conductress, and
Esther Howard, associate conduct
ress.
Officers of the Masons to be in
stalled are Hanson Hughes, worship
ful master; C. R. McAlister, senior
warden; George Howard, junior
warden; F. S. Parker, treasurer; J.
O. Turner, secretary. The officers
were elected December 2.
Royal Arch officers elected Dec.
9, to be installed tomorrow evening
are, high priest, C. J. D. Bauman;
king, A. C. Ball; scribe, Hanson
Hughes; captain of host, Harry Tam
blyn; treasurer. M. D. Clark: secre
tary, E. R. Huston. The appointive
officers are, principal sojourner, R.
C. Wightman; Royal Arch captain,
George Ely; master of 3rd veil, Chas.
B. Cox; master 2nd veil, Vawter
Parker, and master 1st veil, J. J.
Wightman; sentinel, Walter Luck-man.
I
Katherine Thompson, Mary Kay
Blake and Frances Wilkinson, stu
dents of Oregon State, will arrive
home tonight for their Christmas
holiday. Ted Ferguson, who has been very
ill at his home is much improved
as is little Meredith Thompson who
has been sick for the last two weeks.
Mr. Jack Forsythe of Klamath
Falls, brother of Mrs. Ed Dick, Jr.,
left yesterday after visiting with
Mr. and Mrs. Dick for several days.
All parents and friends of chil
dren attending the Episcopal Sun
day school are cordially invited to
attend the Christmas program to be
given Sunday morning at the Parish
House.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Thompson
and Mrs. Robert Thompson spent
Monday in Pendleton.
The Wednesday club met yester
day at the home of Mrs. Orville
Smith for dessert bridge. High score
was won by Mrs. J. V. Crawford,
second by Mrs. L. D. Tibbies and
Mrs. Stephen Thompson, third. Three
tables were in play, with a Christ
mas gift exchange held following.
Raymond Parrish accidentally ov
erturned the new family car near
Alfalfa Lawn Dairy farm last Friday
night. While the car was reported
badly damaged the three occupants
escaped injury.
Christ-mas Trees
at former
Green Feed Store
Lee Cantwell
ne ii luri&iuiuj ii on your
CHRISTMAS TABLE
determines the success of your Holiday Feast
1 V-tf
-YOU CAN BE SURE OF YOUR TURKEY AT
SAFEWAY.. .We bring you the finest birds
available. Whatever your preference,
we have the right turkey for your table.
Right in size, plumpness, flavor and PRICE.
EVERY PURCHASE GUARANTEED
XX ll
m r&r
VS PLENTY Or I1
roOD FOR ALL
SKINNED HAMS-Morrell's
Pride or CenPak. lb
BEEF ROAST-lb 2."5c
SHORT RIBS OF BEEF-
1b
31c
23c
14c
BACON
Any size piece,
lb
28c
Ground Beef, 2 lb. .. 45c
RIB STEAK, lb 29c
We quote jrom President
Roosevelt's address of
Tuesday, December 9
"A REVIEW THIS MORN
ING LEADS ME TO THE
CONCLUSION THAT AT
PRESENT WE SHALL NOT
HAVE TO CURTAIL THE
NORMAL ARTICLES OF
FOOD. THERE IS ENOUGH
FOOD FOR ALL OF US
AND ENOUGH LEFT OVER
TO SEND TO THOSE WHO
ARE FIGHTING ON THE
SAME SIDE WITH US."'
Cherub Milk
Pet Milk SST&fHT'
4 ua to. 33c
3 wi um 25c
TomatO Juice Sonny Dawn -4&oi. 18c
Canada Dry g1 6 SI?. 25c
Pepsi-Cola 6 12-on. botfiM 25c
SnO-Cola 12-o. Cta. of 6 boitl. 23c
Canterbury Black Tea V4-u i 34c
Lipton's Black Tea 'A-ib jfl 42c
Canned 'Veqelakla-QruiU
Gardenside Peas 3 Ho 303 can 25c
Green Giant Peas No 303 cm 15c
Tomatoes with Puree 2 "J. 23c
Del Monte Cream Corn 2 H.:J 25c
Country Home Corn " 2 "J 23c
Country Home Cornwut. 2 ??J 25c
Del Monte Pumpkin 2 No2wua 19c
Libby Peaches T. c. No. 2v2 can 19c
Castle Crest Peaches No. 2A an 19c
Craclcers-Cxiracis, etc.
Snowflake Soda Crackers !L 29c
Wheat Toast Wafers ah 18c
Westag Vanilla or Union e-oi-10c
Royal Satin Shortening 3-ib. 57c
Crisco Shortening 3 lb. can 63c
Snowdrift Shortening 3-u. can 61c
We carry a complete line
of SCHILLING'S SPICES and EXTRACTS
or SaIao-Dmris
Duchess Salad Dressing Qi i33c
Kraft Miracle Whip Q. Bot 39c
Heinz Puddings " " 33c
Mince Meat Engliah Maid 2-lb. Jar 2 1 c
Heinz Mince Meat 2-u. can 43c
Sauces- Condiments
Heinz Tomato Ketchup n-ot 17c
Red Hill Catsup i4-.bottMlc
Heinz Chili Sauce 124-01. bot 25c
Moneta Chut Sauce l2K-oc 15c
Nalley's Treasure Pickles J 14c
Lindsay Olives u. igo-No I 15Vir
cranberry sauce 13c
Sea &oodi
Geisha Crabmeat No. can 33c
Battle Rock Oysters lsji-ot. 15c
Candies-CMuts-Dried 0rult
Pulled Figs Black e.o..9c; Whit. 13c
Mixed Nuts Lb. pg22c;2-ibpka 43c
Fancy Peanuts l'-ib. Pkg 13C
Walnuts laa. Fr.nqu.tl. Lb. pkg. 25c
Large Brazil Nuts l ib. pk. 17C
Jolly Time Popcorn lo-or. can He
Marshmallows FiuHi.,t 13c
fresh from our kitchen
to
.a, -r
:oitonm.
THROUGH V
OF
AIRWAY
COFFEE 31b. 52o ib b..
I8
SU.PURB
Gran. Soap 24-ot. box
TOBACCO
Prince Albert or
Velvet. 1 lb. can ..
Geo. Washington
1 lb. can
69c
59c
learn
about
JOT
:oU
"Tm
SWEET POTATOES "
74c
5c
64c
GRAPES
Red Emperor, lb
GRAPEFRUIT
Texas Pink, lb
APPLES
Winesap. Fancy, lb. ...
SAFEWAY PRODUCE
IS GUARANTEED
Farm Fresh!
S. No. Is. Fancy,
lb
DATES
Fresh. 12 oz. pkg.
TANGERINES
Florida, lb
CALAVOS
Avacados. lb
5c
19c
11c
16c
sua
"In the far distance appears the
faint glow of San Francisco's re-