Winter War, the Finnish Relief Fund and the Midwestern town of Lead, South Dakota

Well-known artist Jon Corbino presenting a check to former President Herbert Hoover for the Hoover Committee for Finnish Relief 1940. Photo sourced from http://leecorbinogalleries.com/Daddy&Hoover.jpg

Lead Daily Call, January 25, 1940

Tomorrow, on 13^th March, 2017, 77 years have passed since the end of the Winter War. Almost everywhere a small country’s battle against the much larger aggressor aroused compassion and plenty of volunteer activities. This happened also all over in the USA. Most active were, of course, Finnish Americans and people with other Scandinavian background. The Finns, however, were supported in every level in the U.S. society. There was only one exception, Communists.

 Lead Daily Call, January 29, 1940

A number of organizations were created in the USA to help the Finns. The most significant of them was The Finnish Relief Fund. It was a humanitarian aid organization initiated by former United States President Herbert Hoover in December 1939, after Soviet Union had invaded Finland on 30^th November, 1939. The war ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13^th  March, 1940. The League of Nations deemed the attack

The local Finnish Sauna supported Finnish Relief Fund, too.
Lead Daily Call, December 13, 1939

illegal and expelled the Soviet Union from the League on 14 December 1939. The Soviet Union had intended to conquer all of Finland and established a puppet Finnish Communist government in Terijoki, Carelia.  Despite of the fact, that the Soviets possessed more than three times as many soldiers as the Finns, thirty times as many aircraft, and a hundred times as many tanks, they failed. 

President Herbert Hoover himself wrote later, how his initiative started (An American Epic, Volume IV)

 Lead Daily Call, January 10, 1940

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On December 3, the Finnish Minister to the United States, Hjalmar J. Procope, through my old associate, Lewis L. Strauss, asked if our group would undertake to organize relief for Finland as we were already doing for Poland. Before replying, I again, as in the case of Poland, urged Norman Davis, Chairman of the American Red Cross, that this relief be undertaken by that organization. I proposed that our group would serve under him if he wished. He decided the Red Cross would limit its services to medical aid and would collect garments through its chapters. However, Finland's most critical need was food.

Lead daily Call, January 10, 1940

Our old colleagues incorporated the Finnish Relief Fund, Inc., under the laws of Delaware on December 6, 1939. Except for part of the clerical help, this American organization consisted entirely of volunteers. The following officers were elected: Herbert Hoover, Chairman; Edgar Richard, President; Lewis L. Strauss, Vice-President; John Jay Hopkins, Vice-Chairman and Director of Organization. Additional Directors: Perrin C. Galpin, Frank C. Page, Raymond Sawtelle, Edwin P. Shattuck, John L. Simpson, H. Alexander Smith, Clare M. Torrey...

On December 7, I made the following address on Finnish relief:

Lead Daily Call, March 25, 1940

Lead Daily Call, December 18, 1939

America has a duty to do its part in the relief of the hideous suffering of the Finnish people. Our people should have an outlet in which to express their individual and practical sympathy. I have consented to organize a nation-wide Finnish Relief Fund for this purpose. I appeal to the American people for its support. Finland is not a rich country. The people have little reserve for emergency. They are making a heroic defense. Air attacks have compelled the evacuation of civilians from their towns and cities. Hundreds of thousands of women and children have been driven from their homes in the middle of northern winter...Others are without adequate shelter, clothing, and food. This Fund is for the purpose of serving these broad needs. The American Red Cross has appealed for funds to furnish medicines, hospital supplies, and many garments will be provided through their chapters. They should be supported. The two funds will cooperate fully...
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By March 1940, The Finnish Relief Fund had raised 2.5 million US dollars. Altogether the sum was over 3,5 million dollars.

President Hoover sent a telegram to the publishers of America's leading newspapers, asking whether they would receive contributions, report the donors in their columns, and remit the money to the Relief Fund. Hoover's campaign was advertised in 1,400 newspapers across the United States. The largest contributions came from private donors ($1.9 million), newspaper ads ($652,869), industrial companies ($318,188) and labor unions ($27,294).

The Finnish Relief Fund was very active in the Black Hills area, too. The local newspaper, Lead Daily Call, gave plenty of column inches to Relief Fund’s notifications, events and collections. The City of Lead in South Dakota, were a few hundred Finns

Lead Daily Call, January 30, 1940

lived, proclaimed a Finnish Relief Fund week in December. In the end of January, 1940, Lead had contributed already $2402 to the Finnish Relief Fund.

I gathered the attached newspaper clippings to find out how this small Midwestern town supported the Finns in their battle against overwhelming aggressor.

Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church of the city of Lead (1932 - 1939)

I wrote earlier an article about a demolished Finnish Church in Lead, South Dakota. This congregation, Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church of the city of Lead,  ceased operations in 1971. I dug up the copies of church records (minutes) I have a few days ago and compiled some information more. Congregations money transactions were never great. Almost all things were treated with voluntary work. To congregations priest, a layman preaher, was paid 15 dollars a month. So, he must have his full time work somewhere else, in this case in the Homestake Mining Company. Mining company supported each local congregation with a sum of $ 200 in a year. The condition was that the church had hired a pastor. Homestake Mining Company's donations accounted for up to 40 per cent of the annual costs of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in the 1930's, as you see below. 

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Reverend Matt Rivinoja served Apostolic
Lutherans in Lead till his death in 1932.
Lead Daily Call, June 18, 1932

The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 10, 1932
The annual revenues in 1931 $ 502,59 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 299,80
The annual expenditure in 1931 $ 489,34
account balance $ 78,55
---
The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 31 votes
Isaac Fors 24 votes
Thomas Pelto 21 votes
John Rantanen 19 votes
Jacob Kurtti 15 votes
Auditors:
Benjamin Hastie and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
Jacob Manninen and Peter Juntti
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Board meeting February 4, 1932
Isaac Fors was chosen for chairman, Eino Matti for secretary and treasurer.
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The annual meeting to select a priest for the congregation was held May 5, 1932:
Rev. Matt Rivinoja was unanimously appointed to continue.
----
Reverend Matt Rivinoja died June 15, 1932. he was paid $ 15 a month, altogether $ 75.
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Meeting to select a priest for the congregation after Matt Rivinoja’s death.
Peter Juntti proposed (and was seconded) Charles Aarni’s election for rest of the year.

Thomas Pelto was a longtime board member
of Apostolic Lutheran church. Deadwood
Pioneer Times, June 23, 1935.

1933
The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 8, 1933
The annual revenues in 1932 $ 477,14 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 275,25
The annual expenditure in 1932 $ 479,73
account balance $ 75,96
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Chairman Isaac Fors proposed that those members who have not been able to pay their fees because of existing hard times, would get forgiveness and would be able to vote. His proposal was accepted.
The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 27 votes
Isaac Fors 24 votes
Thomas Pelto 22 votes
John Rantanen 16 votes
Jacob Kurtti 22 votes
Auditors:
Benjamin Hastie and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
Jacob Manninen and Peter Juntti.
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Board meeting February 24, 1933
Isaac Fors was chosen for chairman, Eino Matti for secretary and treasurer.
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Semi-annual meeting July 9, 1933
Chairman Isaac Fors announced to the congregation, that there’s a possibility to get a new pastor. Reverend Matt Aijala from Moose Lake, Minnesota, is willing to come, if the congregation accepts and he will get work in Homestake Mine.
John Henry Frimodig and Charles Aarni seconded Fors’ proposal. Aarni recommended that chairman Fors and secretary Matti would go to discuss with the Homestake Mining Company’s manager Bruce C. Yates. Minutes don’t tell, if they really did so.
Treasurer Eino Matti sent 25 dollars to Matt Aijala on July 20^th, he came with family on 29^th and the first services were held at the church on 30^th July. Matt Aijala began his work in Homestake Mine, August 2, 1933. Matt Aijala was satisfied with his priest’s salary, 15 dollars a month
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Board meeting in October, 1933.
The church was decided to lease to the Methodists, the rent would be $ 15 a month.

1934
The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 7, 1934
The annual revenues in 1933 $ 559,53 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 237,20
The annual expenditure in 1933 $ 308,55
account balance $ 326,94
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The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 27 votes
Isaac Fors 22 votes
Thomas Pelto 23 votes
Matt Aijala 17 votes
Jacob Kurtti 22 votes
Auditors:
Benjamin Hastie and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
Peter Juntti and Mary Waara
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Semi-annual meeting June 17, 1934:
Matt Aijala will continue as congregation’s pastor

John Henry Frimodig was a longtime
member of the Apostolic Lutheran
church. Deadwood Pioneer Times,
March 13, 1940.

1935
The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 6, 1935
The annual revenues in 1934 $ 591, 14 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 255,50
The annual expenditure in 1934 $ 605, 64
account balance $ 312,44
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The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 27 votes
Isaac Fors 27 votes
Thomas Pelto 16 votes
Matt Aijala 32 votes
Jacob Kurtti 24 votes
Auditors:
John Rantanen and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
Peter Juntti, Isaac Fors and Mary Waara
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Semi-annual meeting July 21, 1935:
Matt Aijala will continue as congregation’s pastor.
Board member Thomas Pelto had died.  Charles Aarni was elected as his successor. There are rumors that congregation’s church building must be moved to another location. Isaac Fors and Eino Matti visited Homestake Mining Company’s office. Mr Kellar told there, that building can stay on its current lot until next spring, then it must be moved.

1936
 The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 19, 1936
The annual revenues in 1935 $ 550,25 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 240
The annual expenditure in 1935 $ 297, 62
account balance $ 565,09
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The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 19 votes
Isaac Fors 23 votes
Charles Aarni 20 votes
Matt Aijala 21 votes
Jacob Kurtti 11 votes
Auditors:
John Rantanen and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
Peter Juntti, Isaac Fors and Mary Waara.
Matt Aijala promised to continue as congregation’s pastor.
After Jacob Kurtti died, John Harju was elected as his successor on 22^nd March, 1936.
Eino Matti and Isaac Fors visited Homestake Mining Company on 16^th April 1936. Mr Yates promised that Church building can stand on its lot one year more. Or as long as he will give information about removal, as building is in a quite good condition.

1937
The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 17, 1937
The annual revenues in 1936 $ 453,86 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 210
The annual expenditure in 1936 $ 413, 71
account balance $ 605,22
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The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 16 votes
Isaac Fors 17 votes
Charles Aarni 17 votes
Matt Aijala 17 votes
John Harju 11 votes
Auditors:
John Rantanen and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
Peter Juntti, Charles Aarni
Matt Aijala promised to continue as congregation’s pastor.

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Board meeting on 20^th June, 1937.
To Rev. Matt Aijala was given a loan, 73 dollars, for the purchase of a cow.

1938
The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 9, 1938
The annual revenues in 1937 $ 465,50 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $
200)
- membership dues $ 225,50
The annual expenditure in 1937 $ 560, 25
account balance $ 510,47
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The Election of members for the Executive Board:
Eino Matti 24 votes
Isaac Fors 23 votes

Charles Aarni 20 votes
Matt Aijala 20 votes
Henry Halonen 15 votes
Auditors:
Henry Halonen and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
John Harju, Charles Aarni
Matt Aijala promised to continue as congregation’s pastor.

1939

The annual meeting of the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in City of Lead, on January 15, 1939
The annual revenues in 1938 $ 662,85 (including Homestake Mining Company donation $ 200)
- membership dues $ 262,82
The annual expenditure in 1938 $ 300,24
account balance $ 873,08
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The Election of members for the Executive Board (26 voters) :
Eino Matti 20 votes
Isaac Fors 25 votes
Charles Aarni 16 votes
Matt Aijala 20 votes
John Rantanen 15 votes
Auditors:
Henry Johnson and Charles Aarni
Heating of congregation's Church:
Eino Matti
The collectors of membership fees:
John Harju, Charles Aarni
Matt Aijala promised to continue as congregation’s pastor.