Clovis, located in southeastern New Mexico, donated 1,500 bushels of wheat.  Even though this amount of wheat did not fill a freight car, the mayor and other officials, in the belief that the local citizenry would contribute the money required to fill the car, ordered the extra wheat.  The funds for this purpose were to be sent to the Chamber of Commerce, Radio Station KICA, or to local banks. The Train with the contributions left Clovis on November 15 for its first destination, Amarillo, Texas, where it would join other freight cars about to begin the journey north.  This train was also called the Breadbasket Special. In Philadelphia the wheat would ultimately be milled and shipped to Europe.

The only other contributions I could find were cash donations from Texico-Farwell of $500 and $58.20 from Melrose, New Mexico.  The Lincoln-Jackson School contributed $16, a figure the school principal proudly announced, also stating that the school was one of the smallest in the town.  Other references to the Friendship Train had been published in various New Mexico newspapers, but they were in not in any way germane to New Mexico itself. They cited generalities such as what city the train was currently in or heading to next.

My search through New Mexico’s newspapers dating from November 1, 1947, to December 31, 1947, yielded only the above results.  However, letters from Governor Thomas J. Mabry and other state officials indicate that a substantial amount of other donations to the Friendship Train had been made, although no specifics had been cited.  All of the following references are from Governor Thomas J. Mabry’s papers.*

Harry Warner of Warner Bros. Picture, Inc. was National Chairman of the Citizens Food Committee.  In an October 31 telegram to Gov. Mabry, Warner professes his certainty that New Mexicans would contribute generously to the Friendship Train.  He also asks the Governor to proclaim the week of November 7th as Friendship Train week, stating that doing so will bring more attention to the food drive.   An undated telegram from Joe Bursey, a Director of the Sate Tourist Bureau, to Gov. Mabry also asks him to proclaim November 7th as Friendship Train week.  Mr. Bursey writes that the sponsors, he does not mention who they are, would like him to do so.

Officials and most likely many others anticipated that the Friendship Train would come to the Land of Enchantment.  In a November 5, 1947, telegram to Mr. Warner, Louise Wamel, Gov. Mabry’s Secretary, asks when the Friendship Train will arrive in New Mexico and what stops it would make.  The Friendship Train was never scheduled for New Mexico, as it traveled through only 11 states all in the northern tier of the country. New Mexico’s contributions were shipped to meet the Friendship Train.

Further evidence of the expectation that there would be stops in New Mexico is provided in a note to Louise Wamel from Dick Erickson, Executive Director.  He answers Wamel’s questions about what other foods were acceptable and how they should be packaged.

Finally, Harry Warner in a communication dated November 26, 15 days after the Friendship Train had reached New York, thanks Gov. Mabry for his assistance in helping to make the Train such a colossal success.   

The author welcomes any additional information which would add to this state's history.

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.

Return to Friendship Train History by State