LETTERS: CCC workers respond
To the Editor:
I received your letter concerning the fact we may be able to have a CCC worker statue in Kansas. This will be great.
I joined the CCC in 1935, and was placed in Camp Jayhawk Co. 1764, located 17 miles south of Lawrence near Lone Star. Our project was building a lake. The Lone Star lake isn't on most Kansas maps. The maps show Clinton Lake, which is larger and closer to Lawrence.
I was born and spent my younger years in Douglas county southeast of Lawrence. When I joined the CCC they didn't take me from my home county like most CCC members.
True, there isn't a NACCCA chapter in Kansas now. In about 1985 Chapter 121 was organized in Hesston. Most of Chapter 121 members lived in the southern part of Kansas. About four years ago, due to advanced age and health of most of us, it was difficult to have meetings. So we decided to disband. The chapter papers, history, and pictures were sent to St. Louis headquarters to be placed in the CCC museum.
In a few months I will be 90, if the Good Lord sees fit to let me stay that long. May of this year I lost my wife, Elizabeth, after 55 years of marriage. She had been in ill health more than four years, part of which was Alzheimer's disease. It has been very difficult to give her up.
I'll give what I can to the statue project. It may not be much. Hope to hear more about the project from time to time.
James Crane
Wichita
To the Editor:
I entered the Corps July 12, 1938, and stayed until March 25, 1941. I was camped at Parsons. We planted trees, put up fence, and worked on creeks to change the direction. We were self-contained. We had cooks, plumbers, and men to keep our trucks and other equipment running.
We were about three million strong (nationally) at one time.
They had an age limit of 18 years old, but a large group of us set our ages up to get in. There were no jobs to be had.
The Corps had the old men project so they could work and feed their families.
Oh yes, our pay was $30 per month, but we only got $5 at camp and the rest was sent home to help pay bills. If you got promoted you could keep it.
The CCC was good to me. I came from a small town. I knew how to cut wood, drive trucks, tractors, and I fit in well.
After I left the CCC I joined the service on April 1, 1941, for 20 years.
LeRoy Beason
M/Sgt. USAF (Ret)
Kansas City
EDITOR'S NOTE: These are letters received by Helen Beckham, coordinator for the CCC statue project at Marion County Lake. For more information or to make donations to the project contact Beckham, 48 Lakeshore Drive, Marion KS 66861, (620) 382-2671.
