Montana's Gifts to the Friendship Train
by
Dorothy R. Scheele
The Friendship Train crossed the United States from West to East in 1947:
its mission was to collect food from the people to send to starving Europeans. (A
more complete history of the Friendship Train is on the home page of this site.)
The amiable and generous spirit, which was a natural concomitant of
the Friendship Train’s ethos, came to Montana fairly late.
The earliest reference I could find of the Train was in a November
7 Helena newspaper which reported that the Train had left southern
California, Glendale, with a celebratory send-off. The article goes on to
state the date of arrival in New York City and mentions the number of
expected boxcars based on early responses. This article clearly reveals
that Montanans were definitely cognizant of the Train’s existence.
However, the only reference to the Friendship Train which involved
residents giving to it was in the December 26, 1947, The Independent-
Record. The paper reported that the Helena Lions Club voted to
match the $5,000 which the Helena Chamber of Commerce donated to
the Train. No doubt the Lions Club was partially inspired by a speech
from Phil Miller. As he spoke, members began throwing money on the
carpet where he stood. The $25 received would be matched by the
treasury.
In December the spirit of giving infused Montanans in what
became known as the Christmas Ship, often called the Northwest
Christmas Ship. This ship departed from Seattle on December 31, 1947.
Carrying donations by Washington, Idaho, Oregon, southwest Alaska in
addition to Montana, the ship transported the same fare as the Friendship Train, chiefly non-perishable food. The Christmas Ship set
sail for Austria and Germany.
A history of the Christmas Ship will be available at a later date.
List of Works Consulted
“Food From Friendship Train Is Started On Way Toward France” Independent-Record [Helena,
MT] Dec. 8, 1947: 1.
“’Friendship Train’ New Name Of Relief Freighter” Independent-Record [Helena, MT] Dec. 21,
1947: 1.
“Friendship Train’s 33 Cars Floated Past Statue of Liberty Today” Independent-Record [Helena,
MT] Nov. 18, 1947: 1.
“Friendship Train Will Leave Tonight on Cross-Country Journey” Independent-Record
[Helena,MT] Nov. 18, 1947: 1.
“Lions Vote to Match Dollar for Dollar Donations to Train” Independent-Record [Helena, MT]
Dec. 26, 1947: 3.
The author welcomes any corrections or additional information which would add to this state's history. Her email address is draetrain@gmail.com.
The Friendship Train was the genesis for the French Merci Train. Website www.mercitrain.org has information about that train. Copies of Mr. Bennett's Book The Merci Train, A Big Thank You From the French Merci Train is available at ebennett89@yahoo.com. The price is $25.00 per copy, including postage.
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