ERNIE PYLE: World War II journalist Ernie Pyle has a link to
Bradford through Zippo lighters. His promotion of the product
certainly help Zippo get a stronghold in that market. But his
death, which the Associated Press reported about Monday, also had a
local connection.
Joel Gilfert of Eldred writes, “Tech Sgt. 4th Grade Kenneth J.
MacDonald of Rew and a member of the 77th Infantry Division wrote
his family of Ernie Pyle invading Okinawa with his infantry
division.”
“MacDonald was near Pyle when he was killed and soldiers of the
77th Division built a coffin for Pyle and buried him wearing his
helmet. MacDonald was standing at the head of the casket when
pictures of the services were taken on the island of le Shima.
“Later Pyle was reburied on Okinawa and then interred at the
Honolulu Memorial.
“Kenneth MacDonald was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious
service in connection with military operations against the enemy on
Leyte, Philippine Islands, from Dec. 7 to 19, 1944. MacDonald
entered the Army on March 20, 1942. It is one of the many stories
in my book about McKean County during World War II book.”
MORE STORES: Yes, we have many more of those former Bradford
stores.
A couple more today:
John Watson of Derrick City writes, “Wingert’s Cafe was located
across from the Hooker-Fulton Building. It was a very narrow and
long restaurant with the ‘tap room’ in the front and the dining
area in the back separated by swinging wooden doors.”
“The owner was Roy Wingert, very large man that always wore a
white apron and a big smile. My father, Jack ‘Sixty’ Watson would
take me in there during the day when I was about 10 and he would
talk with the patrons about the oil business, sports, or whatever
came to mind. I never said much because it was fun just playing
with the adults.
“Wingert’s Cafe also was a very busy evening restaurant with
simple wooden chairs and tables and always neat as a pin with white
table cloths. The fish fries and Italian food were the best around.
There were fancier and more elegant eateries in town but none with
better food or coziness.”
Don Lee tells us that Maude Matthews had a little general store
in the ’50s and ’60s. It was a neighborhood store in the area
behind the hospital.
