The 1947 Friendship Train in Wisconsin
by Dorothy R. Scheele

Los Angeles, California, was the starting point for America’s Friendship Train, a
departure which was truly an extravaganza. Spotlights splashed across the sky.
Thousands of spectators were thrilled to be part of this occasion and to see the
many celebrities; among them were Eddie Cantor, Elizabeth Taylor, and John
Wayne. These festivities were a kick-off rally. Although every state contributed to
this phenomenal event, the Friendship Train traveled through only 11 states to its
destination, New York. The remaining states connected with the Friendship Train
in other ways by sending their own boxcars or trucks to meet the train at nearby
points or by driving to New York with the donations.

Wisconsin communities across the state eagerly donated their foodstuffs to the
Friendship Train. Many people were involved with this effort.

Manitowoc County, which includes the cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers,
formed a county committee. The first organizers of this event were Mayor Herbert
Schipper of Manitowoc, City Manager John P. Hoffman and Mead Hansen,
secretary of the Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce. Mr. F. A Frederich, was the
General Chairman of the food committee. Because of the need for haste, the
communities accepted only cans of evaporated milk, of which a total of 665 cases
were donated. Twelve cases of chicken soup were also part of the cargo. These
contributions were loaded at the White House Milk Company. Six hundred and
forty-three of the cases were donated by Manitowoc county individuals and
groups. The White House Milk Company had reduced the price of a case of milk
from $5.30 to $5.12, thereby permitting the purchase of 22 more cases of this
commodity. Retailers across the country often did the same. According to Mr.
Frederich, additional contributions had to be refused because they arrived too late
to be loaded into the boxcar. The Manitowoc County freight car departed for
Chicago at 6 p.m. on November 12, 1947, to connect with the Friendship Train.

The moniker Friendship Train became ubiquitous throughout the country, and in
Europe the trains which delivered the goods were also called Friendship Trains.
Although La Crosse did not meet the deadlines necessary to contribute to the
original Friendship Train, they intended to contribute to a second Friendship Train.
Whether the La Crosse residents were aware of this difference, or not aware, they
proceeded with the gusto and enthusiasm of the rest of the country. The Lions
Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimists, CIO, AFL, the Federation of Churches, the
League of Women Voters, Catholic churches, the AAUW Junior Chamber of
Commerce, Business Men’s Club, and the La Cross County Chamber of
Commerce were all involved.

The city launched its Friendship Train drive by organizing city-wide tag-days. Mr.
G. D. Quisel was appointed chairman of the local drive. Other committee
members were Mrs. A.L. Christiansen, Rev. Stephen Lambright, Rev. J.P. Finucan,
Harry Green, and Gertrude Thurow.

The dates for the tag-days were November 20, 21, and 22. The goal was to acquire
enough funds to purchase a carload of milk. The members of the civic clubs sold
the tags. Women’s civic clubs were charged with involving schools and theaters.
Rev. Lambright contacted communities surrounding La Crosse urging them to
participate. Handling the drives in their communities were Mrs. Julius Severson of
Bangor, Mrs. Warren Selbo of Holman, and Mrs. Alice Mau of West Salem.

A total of $1,798 was collected from the La Crosse tag-day drive. On December
13, 1947, a check in this amount was ultimately sent to Washington D. C. to Drew
Pearson, broadcaster and columnist, who originated the idea of the Friendship
Train and was instrumentally involved in the success of this extraordinary event.
This contribution was to be used to purchase dehydrated foodstuffs which will be
distributed abroad by the combined American Relief council.

The Sheboygan Kettle-Moraine Council, with the backing of the Kettle Moraine
Boy Scout Council initiated a campaign with the intention to fill at least one
boxcar. There were already pledges of support from over 2,800 individuals from
Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Manitowoc and Calumet counties. This campaign was
cancelled. The Council had received a letter from the Citizens’ Food committee,
the organization behind the Friendship Train movement, indicating that the canned
goods available from this campaign were not economical for overseas shipment.
There was no possibility of filling a boxcar by the Nov. 12 deadline. The items
most needed were not readily available in the Sheboygan area and could not be
obtained at wholesale levels. However, the Kettle-Moraine Council officers, E. F.
Klozotsky and H. W. “Cap” Whinfield, declared that these counties were ready to
back any similar campaign.

Five Kenosha theaters had conducted a campaign to raise $5,000 for the Friendship
Train. One method of so doing was to have a speaker who was a part of city
government give brief information about the Friendship Train. Roger Starnes,
chairman of the Chamber of Commerce was one of the speakers at the Gateway
Theater helping to raise funds. A. E. Axtell, city manager endorsed the campaign.
A committee involved with the monetary aspect accepted the contributions from
Gateway, Vogue, Kenosha, Hollywood, and Lincoln Theaters.

On February 2, 1949, the Merci Train, a train of 49 boxcars arrived in New York
harbor. The boxcars, which contained gifts from the people of France to the people
of America, were immediately unloaded and readied for shipments to the
appropriate states. They were thank you gifts, surely a sincere and thoughtful
gesture. The 49 cars were intended for the 48 states and the 49th was to be shared
by Washington, D.C. and Hawaii.

On November 13, 1949, the Wisconsin Merci boxcar arrived in Madison. Among
those on hand to greet the train were Gov. Oscar Rennebohm, Pres. Edwin B. Fred
of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Boy Scouts Drum and Bugle
Corps. Joining the parade of the boxcar around capital square were the stepping
units of the university ROTC, along with local and state officials of the 40 and 8,
Legionnaire affiliate, and state and city officials. Afterwards, the Merci boxcar was
formally presented to Gov. Rennebohm by the French vice-council of Chicago, M.
Jacques-LeMonnyer at a ceremony held at the assembly chamber of the capitol.
The governor proclaimed the day as French Friendship Day. The following day the
boxcar was opened. Gifts included art objects, laces, crystals, a rare Sevres vase,
which was the gift of French President Vincent Auriol, military trophies, seedlings,
tapestry, miniature mannequins, special gifts for the blind, dolls for the children,
books, and periodicals. These gift were put on display in the capitol rotunda the
following Sunday. The gifts were also subsequently displayed in various public
places in the State. As in all the states, the gifts were not just intended for
individuals but more often for public institutions such as libraries, hospitals, and
schools.

Wisconsin’s Merci Train boxcar is located at
National Railroad Museum
2285 S. Broadway
Green Bay, WI 54304-4832

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.

List of Works Consulted

“BOXCAR WITH MILK ON WAY FROM COUNTY” Two Rivers Reporter, Nov.
13, 1947: 2.
“Continue Drive For Train Fund” The La Crosse Tribune, Nov. 22, 1947: 1.
“County Group Sends $1,798 Drive Check” The La Crosse Tribune, Dec. 14, 1947:
8.
“Fifty-Six Cases of Evaporated Milk Donated for Food Train” Two Rivers
Reporter, Nov 6, 1947: 2.
“Friendship Train Plans Are Temporarily Cancelled Here” The Sheboygan Press,
Nov. 4, 1947: 11.
“Gratitude Train Treasures to Go On Display at Capitol Sunday” The Capital
Times [Madison, Wisconsin], Mon, Feb. 14, 1949: 1+.
“Plan Tag Days To Buy Foods” The La Crosse Tribune, Nov. 15, 1947: 6.
“Shoboygan Boy Scouts are Sponsoring Friendship Train” The Sheboygan Press,
Oct. 28, 1947: 1.
“Theaters Seek Aid For Europe” Kenosha News, Nov 8, 1947: 1.

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