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Only Two Renville County newspaper recognized D-Day on June 8, 1944

Only two Renville County newspapers published a headline that stated the phrase “D-Day” on June 8, 1944, this included The Franklin Tribune and the Sacred Heart News. Today, June 6, 2019, marks the 75th anniversary of this notorious… Read More

Letter from Lawrence Schafer, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918

Somewhere in France November 23, 1918 Dear Folks at home: Just a line to tell you the war is over which you undoubtly already know, and I was in the last big battle with the famous 5th Division… Read More

Letter from Ben Leonard, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918

The following letter was received last week by Sol Bergstrom from Ben Leonard: France, November 17, 1918 Dear Sol: Sunday and have been thinking of you for some days so going to pen you a few lines at… Read More

Letter from James Stadther, Olivia Times, 12-26-1918

Paris, November 19, 1918 My Dear Sister: How is everybody getting along at home? Fine, I hope I am still here in the hospital and am getting along fine, the wound on my left should is all healed… Read More

War Fund Campaign, Bird Island Union, 12-12-1918

Report by Districts We give below a synopsis of the report of Renville County’s United War Fund Campaign. G. O. Bergan, Captain Sacred Heart District, cash $6084.50, pledged $4176.25, allotment $10,224.00 subscribed $10,260.75. Dr. A. M. Erickson, Captain… Read More

Tullie Thompson Returns Home, Olivia Times, 11-28-1918

Tullie (Theodore Oscar) Thompson, a former Olivia boy, has recently returned from France, where he spent several months in the front line trenches, and is at present visiting his relatives in Minneapolis. He enlisted in Minneapolis and for… Read More

Thomas Flannigan Killed, Buffalo Lake News, 11-29-1918

Thomas Flannigan, a former Olivia boy, is dead in France. His sister, Mrs. Henry Patzwald, received a telegram Tuesday night informing her that he was killed on October 23rd. He entered the service in June and was sent… Read More

Letter from Joseph Malacek, Olivia Times, 11-28-1918

Last Letter By Soldier Joseph Malacek (Malecek) Writes Home While in Hospital Shortly Before Death Calls Him New Mexico, Oct. 30, 1918 Dearest Mary: How are you all getting along? Well, we are on the place now. We… Read More

LARGE DRAFT ENTRAINS TODAY: Half of Number to go to Camp Cody and Balance to Camp Forest, GA – Late Registrants Included. Olivia Times 10-24-1918

No Public Reception Will be Held on Account of the Influenza Epidemic. Bird Island: Lloyd L. Battershell, Warren J. Gallery, Carl Heinzelman, Vincent Hurley, Engvald Johnson, Frank R. Karp, Edward A. Kenning, John Neumann, Gust Olinger, Leonard Selle,… Read More

Olivia Boy Dies For His Country, Olivia Times, 10-10-1918

William Erickson Killed in Battle While Fighting in Defense of Old Glory: Remain Buried in France; Left Olivia Last April and a Few Months Later Was Sent to France Somewhere beneath the blue skies of France in a… Read More