History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 32

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On June 8, 1917, led by Charles R. Parkin- son, the Rotarians started a "Shoe Leather Campaign" of the residential and business dis- tricts with an accompanying "boost" program 12

of patriotic mass meetings. That evening at the high school members of the committee ad- dressed the student body numbering 1500. Louis Campiglia, Rotarian president, heartily sanctioned the "Shoe Leather Campaign." Following the meeting 100 high school boys under the direction of John Lynch, president of the student body, formed a special commit- tee to canvass the residential district. There were committees appointed to interview all lawyers and, indirectly, their clients. This committee consisted of F. H. Bloomingdale, David M. Burnett, L. Petree and L. B. Arch- er. All lines of business were segregated and a committee appointed for each list. No busi- ness house was forgotten. For instance: El- mer E. Chase was given canneries ; Dr. David . Beattie, doctors and nurses; A. G. Du- Brutz, plumbers; Ferdinand G. Canelo, dry- goods and department stores; Robert F. Ben- son, automobiles and accessories. Barber shops fell to the lot of Wm. L. Prussia. Jay McCabe, being known for his versatility, was handed a list which designated priests, and Chinese and Japanese settlements. For Jay's assistance leaflets were printed in Japanese, Chinese and Italian.

The speed was increased and nobody shirk- ed. In competition with the high school sol- icitors Capt. Charles Parkinson of the Rotar- ians worked his bunch of live business men to the limit. Among the speakers at the meet- ings held in the various schoolhouses were D. M. Burnett, Judge Urban A. Sontheimer, E. N. Richmond, Chas. M. O'Brien, Chauncey F. Tramatolo, Dr. F. H. Patterson, George N. Herbert, Arthur M. Free, A. G. DuBrutz, W. L. Atkinson, Elton R. Shaw, W. S. Clay- ton and City Manager Thomas H. Reed. Everybody was working and working hard. The office of secretary was no sinecure. Dr. W. C. Bailey was a whole battery of big guns, and Chairman John D. Kuster a regular vital- izing current of energy.

About this time the "four minute men" made their entrance, speaking in the theaters. The men who won applause and bond sub- scriptions in four minutes were City Manager Reed, Councilman W. L. Atkinson and De- puty District Attorney Fred L. Thomas.

A unique break in the routine of probate proceeding occurred in Judge P. F. Goshey's court room when he gave permission to trus- tees of various estates to use funds for the purchase of Liberty bonds. Thousands of dollars, otherwise unavailable, were loaned to Uncle Sam by this order which the Judge expressed himself as "glad to make."

By Wednesday, June 13, 1917, the San Josean who appeared without a Liberty Loan button was not popular. Banks remained open

178

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

in the evening from seven to eight for the benefit of subscribers. Up to this time only 361 out of 1628 subscribers had bought bonds directly from the banks. The banks were sub- scribing heavily, a large percentage of the en- tire loan being taken by them. Many signi- ficant subscriptions were made. The scholar- ship fund at the high school purchased a $1000 bond. The First Methodist Church purchased bonds after hearing an address by Rev. W. L. Stidger, the pastor, in which he said: "We are fighting today for the same thing that Jesus Christ died for-the conservation of human liberty and freedom.'

Little Chester Olson, a twelve-year-old newsboy. read a flaming poster that said : "Those that stay at home must feed the boys at the front." Chester was patriotic-he had $10 in the bank. He asked father and mother for something. They agreed to help him. Proudly Chester went to the First National Bank and negotiated for the purchase of a $50 bond-$10 down and $2.50 a month. He made $1.43 in three days. Business was good and Uncle Sam needed the money. Later Chester's older brother donned a uniform and the little newsie was gladder than ever to be a bond owner!

The first Liberty loan went through with a whoop. For San Jose the number of sub- scribers was 4774: for the county 2228, mak- ing a total of 7002. The amount of the loan subscribed by San Jose was $1,611,300, aver- aging per capita $337. For the county the subscription was $707,050; per capita average, $317. The total bond subscription for the city and county was $2,318,350, with a per capita average of $331, and only six and one half per cent of the entire population subscribing. Invaluable aid during this and the second Li- berty Loan drive was given by Fred Lewis Foster, the able and patriotic assistant secre- tary of the Chamber of Commerce. He was combination patriotic assistant secretary, counselor, solicitor and publicity man and working quietly but efficiently he did a tre- mendous service.

On June 20, 1917, after the "smoke of bat- tle" had cleared away, Dr. W. C. Bailey, pre- sident of the Chamber of Commerce and sec- retary of the Liberty Loan committee, issued the following letter, addressing it to "The Ci- tizens:" "Now that the first installment of the Liberty loan has passed into history," wrote Dr. Bailey, "as Secretary of the Liberty Loan Committee, and in behalf of the commit- tee, I wish to congratulate you upon the won- derful success of the issue and to rejoice with von in this great exhibition of solid financial assistance to the government in time of need. We simply could not fail. Returns are suffi-

cient to show that this loan knew no territor- ial divisions, no financial cliques, no racial factions, but that it was a grand outpouring of the gold of the whole country by the rich and poor for united American democracy. We are proud of our local participation and we take this opportunity to congratulate all those who helped in any way to make this first in- stallment of the Liberty Loan so splendidly successful.

"WV. C. BAILEY. "Secretary Liberty Loan Committee."

Senator Frank H. Benson is the man who introduced the original state council of de- fense emergency measure requested by Gov- ernor William D. Stephens, to the senate. This was done on March 28, 1917, the measure passing without a dissenting vote. This pro- posed state council of defense, to be com- posed of three members appointed by the governor, was to be empowered to investi- gate and report on all of California's resources and military needs.

Local members of the council appointed by the governor were Judge P. F. Goshey, chairman ; Henry M. Ayer, chairman board of supervisors; Arthur B. Langford, sheriff, Ar- thur M. Free, district attorney. Later Derol J. Chase was made secretary, and George E. Hamilton, of Santa Clara, and H. L. Haehl, of Palo Alto, were added to the council's membership.

Derol Chace made an unselfishly patriotic secretary, giving not only his entire time, but the use of his automobile to the work of the council. Not every one was quite clear just what duties belonged to this body of men, for the reason that their work was of such a na- ture that much of it was a secret shared only with their Uncle Sam. The objects for which the nation-wide councils were formed were to safeguard the welfare of the people during the war, to increase food production and pro- mote conservation ; to co-operate in carrying on business and industrial pursuits in a man- ner as near normal as possible ; to classify all unofficial military organizations and super- vise their activities. In short, this council was to co-ordinate patriotie effort. There was one camp at Sixth and Santa Clara Streets, where companies B and M and a sanitary detachment were awaiting orders. Lieut. L. M. Farrell commanded the real fighting con- tingents. Maj. F. H. Paterson headed the sanitary detachment and called for volunteers. Telegraphic reports grew disquieting and the Sixth Street camp was very real. It began to disturb mothers and sisters, sweethearts and wives. Then, unexpectedly, that corner lot camp was broken up. Companies B and MI left April 2, 1917, under orders.

179

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Dominic DiFiore, University of Santa Clara graduate, enlisted in the aviation corps and said goodbye. Local regiments were forming. Maj. Herbert L. Partridge, retired, was act- ing colonel of one regiment. Capt. Russell B. Tripp, N. G. C., retired, acted as adjutant, and Capt. R. B. Leland, formerly of the Na- tional Guard of Iowa, served as quartermas- ter. Four local companies were headed res- pectively by Lieut. Argyll Campbell, Lieut. William L. Howe, Lieut. Byron W. Gray, all formerly of the N. G. C., and Capt. Clyde A. Bostwick, formerly of the Missouri National Guard.

Then City Manager Reed began the organi- zation of the Home Guard which was to take the place of departed companies B and M. A committee of patriotic citizens met at the chamber of commerce-just eleven men-and decided to have a city Loyalty Demonstra- tion. Ten Spanish War veterans, led by Capt. B. B. Kavanaugh, presented themselves at this meeting and offered themselves as a nuc- leus for the Home Guard.

San Jose's part in the great World War was really started at this meeting. The following Tuesday there was a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. Dr. W. W. Campbell came down from Mt. Hamilton to tell about the stars. There came a time when three blue stars shone in the window of his mountain home-Kenneth, driving an ambulance on the fighting line in Italy ; Douglas, Captain Doug- las Campbell, later with the Aviation Corps in France; and Wallace, with the fighting en- gineers. The local Knights of Columbus and many other organizations adopted patriotic resolutions and the Sons of Veterans offered their loyal services.

Not everyone knew there were two Coun- cils of Defense in the city. On Saturday, Ap- ril 7, the North Ninth Street Council paraded. Led by Capt. Harry Vance, aged thirteen, came a guard of fourteen. The contingent consisted of a hospital corps of Red Cross nurses. Capt. Claire Declaire, seven years old, led them. The fighting squad, besides the captain, was officered by three first ser- geants, Ernest Declaire, Ralph Guther and Milton Dampier.

At the time of the first registration, County Clerk H. A. Pfister took his place on the Council with a plan for handling the big task. "It's a big job," he said, "but I can do it and want to do it for the cause." June 17 was named by the President as Registration Day, for all men between the ages of 21 and 31. Foreign speaking residents were reached through the officers of their societies and a speaking committee. Sheriff Langford, assist- ed by Dan J. Flannery, covered Chinatown.

Finally a halt came. Postage stamps cost money. Down in their pockets went the members of the Council to the depth of $5 per member. Derol Chace was elected treasurer by acclamation. On May 31, 1917. he resign- ed from the Council, shouldered a real gun and marched away.

W. C. Short, of the firm of Short & Ryan, was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Derol Chace's enlistment. The Council almost went down for the third time in the struggle over registration and naming exemption boards and war gardens and so forth. Plans changed. It was decided that County Clerk Pfister should have charge of all registration outside of San Jose and City Manager Reed and City Clerk Louis Bailey all that within the city limits.

One patriotic endeavor for which great cre- dit is due the Council was the launching and helping to bring to success the 1917 war gar- den campaign. The Council's efforts were successful in obtaining lower water rates and free water for many vacant lot gardens in or- der to promote food production. Meetings were held from time to time whenever mat- ters of grave importance had to be discussed, new members were added until at the Novem- ber 16th meeting the personnel of the Council was as follows: Mrs. J. P. Shambau, chairman of the Women's Committee; Mrs. W. H. Shockley, chairman of women's committee on food conservation : Mrs. John G. Jury, chair- man largest group of women's activities; George E. Hamilton, chairman committee on commercial economy; Miss Stella Hunting- ton, chairman collection of books and period- icals; H. M. Ayer, chairman fire protection ; H. B. Martin, food administrator: H. W. Mc- Comas, four-minute men; Byron Millard, city fuel administrator ; E. A. Wilcox, county food administrator ; D. J. Flannery, general speak- ers' bureau; J. M. Parker, Liberty loans ; Judge H. D. Tuttle, non-war construction; E. A. Richmond, chairman Red Cross; Fred L. Fehren, Stanislaus plan; W. S. Clayton, chairman war donations; Joseph E. Hancock, "war gardens; Prof. H. B. Leland, chairman war history; Dr. James B. Bullitt, chairman war savings stamps ; C. S. Allen, war service league, and Mrs. L. T. Smith, women's mobil- ized army. The name of the Council was now changed to the Santa Clara County Division of the State Council of Defense.

On May 5, 1917, the Young Men's Christian Association started work on a national cam- paign for $3,000,000 for war work. Of this amount, Santa Clara's quota was $5000. This fund was raised at the request of Uncle Sam and was to be used for work among the sol- diers and sailors of the United States. The

180

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

request included a call for 1000 of the Asso- ciation's best trained secretaries to work with the soldiers. For this drive California was divided into nine sections with nine execu- tive secretaries in full charge of the financial features. The Santa Clara County division, with San Jose as headquarters, included San- ta Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.

R. H. Gossom, a well known "Y." worker, had complete charge of the district, and John R. Mott, General Secretary, was at the head of the National Campaign. The San Jose campaign received the hearty endorsement of the local "Y." directors on May 9, 1917, at which time R. H. Gossom was present at the meeting. Hiram A. Blanchard, president of the San Jose Association, was delegated to select a district committee to operate the "drive," with the able assistance of John D. Crummey, vice-president, and Geo. C. Wilson, secretary. At a dinner on May 11, State Sen- ator Herbert C. Jones explained the Associa- tion's objective. It was stated that the plan of mobilizing 1000 secretaries included extra equipment, educational and for amusements, for the benefit of the soldiers at every army post. This equipment was to include 200 pianos, 200 buildings, 200 moving-picture ma- chines, 200 phonographs, 40,000 pounds of ice per day, 1000 pens and barrels of ink for the home letters. There were to be added 95 trucks and tons and tons of reading matter. Plans were completed and at a "Y." dinner on May 22, Senator Herbert C. Jones presiding, two "Generals" were chosen to head friendly opposing teams in the campaign for the $5000. These generals were District Attorney Arthur M. Free and Senator Frank H. Benson, who was also general chairman.

At Grace Baptist Church on Sunday, May 20, Frank D. Keene, who had left the College of the Pacific to join the colors under the standard of the Marines, and Hector Sawyer, local high school boy, also a "soldier of the sea," told an interested congregation of what the "Y." means to the enlisted men. These San Jose boys were home on their first shore leave and gladly enlisted their time in the cause of the "Y."

On the evening of May 22, the generals, captains and enthusiastic workers gathered for dinner at the Y. M. C. A. and the follow- ing morning, May 23, the campaign for "$5000 in two days" began with a rush. The two teams, headed respectively by District Attorney Arthur M. Free and Senator Frank H. Benson, had ten sub-teams, each with a captain and two workers. Others were to be added as needed. The captains of the Free team were: E. N. Richmond, Judge F. B.

Brown, A. S. Bacon, Rev. J. A. Sutherland, L. D. Bohnett, J. D. Crider, C. E. Kelsey, Prof. C. M. Osenbaugh and W. G. Rambo. Benson's team was captained as follows: E. R. Wagner, D. J. Denhart, H. M. Barngrover, L. P. Edwards, Rev. George I. Long, J. D. Crummey, W. L. Atkinson, H. A. Blanchard, A. G. Wilkins, and C. F. Crothers.

The dollars rolled into headquarters in a steady steady stream and in two days San Jose went "over the top." This did not end San Jose's gift to the Y. M. C. A. During the dark days overseas and the time of dread and waiting here eight Y. M. C. A. secretaries left San Jose to minister to their soldier brothers. They were George C. Wilson, local Y. M. C. A. secretary ; Rev. William L. Stidger, pastor of the First Methodist Church ; Rev. O. P. Bell, former pastor of the United Presbyterian Church : Senator Frank H. Benson, John H. Tupper, Jesse H. Hedger, Fred Evans, Char- les A. Miller, and Rev. E. A. King. The inti- mate experiences of these unarmed crusaders for human liberty are chapters of history writ- ten by the white light of unselfish service.

Other men came into the work particularly for overseas service, but in the person of George C. Wilson, San Jose's Y. M. C. A. sent a real secretary to the front. This was his life work, the great endeavor that held his heart in its keeping and to him came the gravest experience. For more than seven months in the St. Mihiel and other salients. he was constantly under airplane and shell fire. One night on an errand of mercy to the boys at the front, the truck in which he was riding through the blackness of the unlighted night along a perilously shell-pitted road, col- lided with another machine. In the terrific smash Wilson was very seriously injured. Wandering away in a delirious condition he stumbled and fell into a shell hole and was gassed. Some time passed before he was res- cued. Invalided to the south of France he re- fused to be an invalid and soon returned to the horror of actual fighting scenes to minis- ter to "'his boys."

Jesse Hedger, previously in active "Y." ser- vice at home, just "had to go." When the call came, Rev. O. P. Bell went to France and found his work among the Russian soldiers. Rev. E. A. King went to France after the signing of the Armistice to carry out an edni- cational campaign among the soldiers. Karl Kennedy, a former San Jose lawyer, went from San Francsco as athletic instructor about the same time.

With its members numbering 100, the first Red Cross membership drive in April, 1917, was conducted by Mrs. A. A. Fowler. The Red Cross Christmas Roll Call that com-

181

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

menced December 11, 1917, under the direc- tion of the Woman's Army added more than 17,300 names. Early in April came the plea for funds with which to purchase material for the making of hospital garments. These ap- peals alternated with the ones for old linen, old muslin, bedspreads, and turkish towels. Three rooms in the New Century building at the corner of Second and Santa Clara streets, were donated by the De Saisset estate for the surgical dressing department of the Red Cross.

On June 12 the garment rooms opened at +1 South Second street, their use being kindly donated by the Phelan estate through Mr. A. C. Darby.

On June 19 came the first call for comfort bags for the boys of Companies B and M. then stationed in Nevada. The W. C. T. U. assisted in preparing 125 comfort bags. Though shipped immediately through some inadvertence they failed to reach the boys in- til almost a year later when a letter of thanks arrived. It came from Captain L. La Hue, and was written before sailing for France.

The first work under the direction of Mrs. Hobson was prepared by Mrs. David Burnett, Mrs. S. Van Dalsem, Mrs. W. R. Wilson, Mrs Fillipello, Mrs. R. Syer, Mrs. A. D. DuBrutz, the Misses Dorothy White, lda Wehner, Sybil Hayes, Miriam Hayes, Cecille Brooke and Miss Chapman. The first cutting of garments was done by Mesdames WV. Gross, W. Van Dalsem, P. F. Gosbey, S. W. Gilchrist, Arthur Langford, Charles Wayland, Walter Murray, \V. G. Alexander, George Muirson, Ernest Conant, L. Blackford and other willing voltin- teers whose names failed to be recorded.

The first society to volunteer as a society was the P. E. O. organization. These ladies offered their services through Mrs. W. C. Bailey and worked through the entire war pe- riod later taking charge of the knitting rooms at the Theatre building. Late in the fall of 1917 the production and garment rooms were moved from South Second street to a suite of five rooms in the Theatre building.

San Jose had many busy Red Cross circles, each doing its best under a capable chairman to keep us up with the quotas alloted. Among those circles were St. Vincent's circle, Mrs. W. P. Dougherty, chairman; Eastern Star circle, Mrs. A. B. Langford, chairman ; College Park circle, Mrs. M. Candee, chairman ; Moreland circle, Mrs. LeRoy Anderson, chairman ; Hes- ter circle, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, chairman ; Y. W. C. A. circle, Mrs. Mary Bolan, chairman ; Normal Training school, Miss Margaret Glea- son, chairman; School Women's club, Miss Edith O'Brien, chairman; Ladies of Macca- bees, Mrs. Nellie Thompson, chairman; Ra- chael Fox Union circle at Burbank, Mrs.

Mande P. Boynton, chairman; Glen Eyric W. C. T. U. circle, Mrs. A. C. Saunders, chair- mail.

This pioneer year in war work was filled with difficulties, but it perfected an organiza- tion, and when the report came in for the first year's work, under the guidance of Mrs. W. B. Hobson, it was a document to be proud of. In 1917 the total receipts, $20,401.65; disburse- ments, $926.30. Total number of articles com- pleted by San Jose Chapter, 22,287. From May, 1917, to May, 1918, the sewing rooms completed 8133 pairs of pajamas ; knitted gar- ments, 190,025. For the same period the pro- duction in the surgical dressing rooms amounted to 228,264 articles. Refugee work comprised 3032 garments. For local use the production rooms completed 266 pneumonia jackets and 2800 masks. From May, 1917, to May, 1918, the garments and surgical dress- ings numbered 152,487. From May, 1918, to May, 1919, the production totaled 153,338. For the entire period the dressings and gar- ments numbered 287,825. The Junior Red Cross produced 2316 garments.

The Home Service Department of the Red Cross assisted 1452 families from May 18, 1918, to April 30, 1919. The money expended amounted to $6,488.88, and of this disburse- ment, $2,178.33 came back.

From May, 1917, to May, 1918, the sewing rooms completed 8133 pairs of pajamas. Of knitted garments: socks, sweaters, wristlets, helmets, mufflers, shawls and stockings-a total of 190,025. There were in this quota 12,806 socks and 3662 sweaters. For the same period the production of the surgical dressing rooms amounted to 228,264 articles, including 5-yard rolls, pads, pneumonia jackets, masks, compresses, drains, tampons, bandages, front line parcels, heel rings and sponges. Of com- presses alone there were 183,723 made. Refu- gee work comprised 3032 garments. Of mis- cellaneous garments there were 26,305 com- pleted. This list included aviators jackets, pil- low cases, bed socks, helpless case shirts, pajama trousers, boys' suit, boys' trousers, drawers, undershirts, underdrawers, bed shirts, ambulance covers, ambulance pillows, ice bag covers, convalescent covers, bed jackets, hot water bag covers, girls' petticoats, girls' dresses, napkins, scrub cloths, wash cloths, handkerchiefs, tray cloths, quilts, comfort bags, operating leggins, sheets, unhemmed squares.

From May, 1917, to May, 1918, the gar- ments and surgical dressings numbered 152,- 487. From May, 1918, to May, 1919, the pro- duction totaled 153,338. For the entire period dressings and garments numbered 287,825. Nor was the Junior Red Cross doing "junior"

182

HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

work along the lines of production. With a junior membership of 13,120 the garments pro- (luced were 2316.

By the President's proclamation June 18-25. 1917, was Red Cross week, and a nation-wide campaign opened. San Jose did her part nobly. At the time of the opening of the Red Cross campaign the officers of the local Chap- ter were Dr. M. E. Dailey (since deceased), chairman ; Mrs. W. P. Dougherty, vice-chair- man : W. T. Rambo, secretary ; V. J. LaMotte, treasurer. One of the first Red Cross benefits was a dance and Red Cross drill given May 24 by the G. C. Review, No. 4, Ladies of the Maccabees, Captain Amy Thompson. A. D. Ferrari, of the Italian-American Progressive club, came forward with a suggestion for co- operation.

On May 27 Dr. M. E. Dailey received a telegram from John J. Clymer, director of the Pacific Division of the Red Cross, appointing a meeting in San Francisco. Dr. Dailey, Dr. W. C. Bailey, J. O. Hayes and W. C. Andrews attended this meeting. The result of this conference was a meeting of the local chapter on June 6. At this time Samuel G. Tompkins was appointed chairman for the Santa Clara County campaign and Arthur M. Free was made campaign manager. Karl Stull as chair- man headed the activities of the following publicity committee : Alvin Long, J. O. Hayes, Jay McCabe, H. L. Baggerly, W. L. Prussia, S. R. Walls, R. O. Bell, Judge W. A. Beasly, E. M. Rosenthal, J. E. Hancock, Alexander Sheriffs, C. M. Osenbaugh, Dr. M. E. Dailey and John D. Kuster.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Santa Clara County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 32

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846- Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1928

Author: Sawyer, Eugene Taylor, 1846-
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1928