Thread: Times Past

Times Past
swdtimes.com
by Ananda Coleman
Thursday, 22 September 2011 09:57

From the archives of Liberal’s hometown newspaper since 1886.
Researched and compiled by Ananda Coleman, L&T Reporter

1961
Newcomers and hospitality; Immigrants, refugees and students come

The weather report for Southwest Kansas, Sept. 29, 1961:
“Autumn-like weather returned to Kansas today with brisk winds, cloudy skies and some drizzle. Winds of around 20 miles an hour have pushed moisture over eastern and southern Kansas where it will meet a cold front now preparing to move across the state from the northwest. The cold front is expected to touch off rains and showers in the next 24 hours with temperatures due to be cooler.â€

And that was probably a very reasonable requirement in those days:
1. The workers probably actually lived close to the border, in one of the towns brought to life by prosperity immediately across the border in the US.
2. Farm Labor advocates were not there to tell the workers that a long bus ride was violating their rights, and the workers were also probably glad to have an organized means of transport, instead of hitching or walking.
3. It was likely a group of men---not whole platoons of families ready to get their bennies and expectant women here for a US citizen child.

I've picked green beans alongside generous, hardworking migrant workers---a different time, altogether.