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An American Town on the Eve of War:

"Anybody who says they can't go home again isn't from Russell, Kansas" -- Bob Dole

Russell, a typical small midwestern town, had coped as well as any with the character-building hardships of the Depression years.

Senator Dole's father, Doran Dole, operated a small creamery / butter and egg station in town selling the produce of local farmers.

It was a close-knit community where the values of neighbor helping neighbor were part of everyday life.