USA > California > Santa Clara County > War history of Santa Clara County > Part 3
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During the local "drive" for funds the fol- lowing men comprised Senator Frank H. Benson's team: Dr. E. H. Wagner, G. W. Curry, J. E. Ho- bilt, D. J. Denhart, C. E. Irons, Dr. P. A. Jordan, W. B. Denhart, H. M. Barngrover, C. W. Haman, P. R. Wright, L. P. Edwards, Richard Bartle, George I. Long, W. E. Crouser, Rev. W. L. Stidger, Rev. E. A. King, J. D. Crummey, D. C. Crummey, H. L. Austin, W. L. Atkinson, Victor Challen, E. R. Shaw, H. A. Blanchard, C. S. Christian, George C. Wilson, C. W. James, C. N. Cooper, A. G. Wil- kins, R. J. Glendenning, C. W. Burtner, Dr. E. E. Porter, Charles F. Crothers, A. B. Post and W. C. Lean.
Arthur M. Free's campaigners were E. N. Richmond, Judge F. B. Brown, A. C. Darby, G. W. Borchers, A. S. Bacon, A. M. Boulware, W. E. Hazeltine, George D. Gilman, Alvin Long, A. B. Ross, James A. Sutherland, James Falconer, F. W. Lloyd, J. J. Exans, L. D. Bohnett, Frank Camp- bell, T. H. Herschbach, J. W. Crider, W. R. McQuoid, Jesse Hedger, C. E. Kelsey, H. T. Rey- nolds, Harry Smith, C. M. Osenbaugh, E. A. Wil- cox, W. G. Alexander, W. G. Rambo, Theodore Keech and L. Gripenstraw.
FIRST RED CROSS DRIVE
In a war program of unpreparedness the Red Cross was a notable exception. Far-visioned men and women saw the possibility of the United States becoming involved and the Red Cross began to make extensive preparations for a possible emergency. In April, 1917, when vision became
reality the local Elks' club arranged a Red Cross benefit entertainment at the Victory theatre. It was a tremendous undertaking, carried to wonder- ful success by the united efforts of the generous hearted and patriotic clubmen. The big program embraced both local and outside talent. Every- body was there-presenting themselves and their dollars from the occupant of the last gallery seat to Columbia and Uncle Sam occupying platform places. More than $800 was dropped into the Red Cross coffers by the Elks the following day.
At the big benefit some of the local "talent" made reputations for themselves as candy sales- men. These artful purveyors of sweets were Dan Flannery, Louis Campiglia, George Rucker, Albert Kayser, Guy Marshall, Charles Parkinson, Joseph Millard, John Kocher and Arthur Holmes. That reputation for "keeping the change" followed them through all the other campaigns and led them many times up and down the aisles of San Jose's theaters.
After the close of the program came Arthur Free's patriotic speech in which he said: "This is not a paper war we are facing." He faced one right then! A perfect volley of serpintine was thrown all over the place. Players, audience and Free's patriotism were inextricably mixed in the memorable "battle!" That Elks' donation was the real beginning of the San Jose Red Cross chapter's bank account. After that, telegraphic items and editorials regarding the work and requests for funds and memberships started a campaign of publicitiy. Chapters were already carrying out unselfish programs of service, but no concerted effort had been made.
On May 1 a local newspaper headed an enlightening editorial with the pertinent question, "Have You Joined the Red Cross?" People were described as working side by side "who in ordi- nery life would scarcely have met, or meeting, would have had no common purpose. Threatened by destructive war, position and caste are sub- merged in the vast sea of brotherhood upon whose bosom moves a great ship of mercy with a Red Cross emblazoned upon its sail."
By the president's proclamation, June 18-25 was made Red Cross week, and the nation-wide campaign for $100,000,000 opened under the direc- tion of Henry P. Davison, chairman of the war council of the American Red Cross.
Did San Jose hear that nation-wide appeal? Through all the long months of war-red days that followed she did her part with loyal hands and heart brimming over with love for her own and sympathy for all who suffered. At the time of the opening of the first Red Cross campaign the offic- ers of the local chapter were: Dr. M. E. Dailey, chairman, (which position he had held continu- ously since the chapter's organization); Mrs. W. P. Dougherty, vice chairman; W. T. Rambo, sec- retary, who shared the honors of continuity in office with Dr. Dailey; V. J. LaMotte, treasurer. Members of the executive committee were: Dr.
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
M. E. Dailey, Mrs. W. P. Dougherty, W. T. Rambo, V. J. LaMotte, Henry Ayer, C. M. Osenburgh, Walter Trinkler, Arthur Holmes, W. C. Andrews, Mrs. W. T. Gross, Mrs. F. H. Paterson, Mrs. W. B. Hobson, Mrs. A. A. Fowler, Mrs. Chas. A. Way- land, Mrs. J. W. Paul, Mrs. W. T. Bonney, Mrs. B. F. Weston, Mrs. Leonard P. Stocking and Miss Dorothy White.
On May 9, 1917, the San Jose chapter of the Red Cross met at the chamber of commerce to arrange for the coming drive. The chamber of eommerce, by Joseph T. Brooks, secretary, offered the use of a room in the building for headquarters and the services of the office force.
Headquarters opened May 16. The opening day was determined by the arrival of the pins and buttons. No real live campaign could be properly started without its coatlapel and dress-front insignia! This same day word came that a divis- ion of regular troops commanded by Major Gen- eral John J. Pershing would be sent overseas in answer to the plea of France.
Home interest in world affairs was inereasing every day. James A. Quinby won his lieutenaney at the Presidio army school and in another San Jose home the "blue star" companioned Old Glory. Ed Kneass and Neil Petree were soon to go with the second Stanford unit of American ambulance field service to France. Good-byes were altogether too frequent for hearts to beat happily. Word reached the home folks that Clifton Flick- inger, high school senior and captain of the cadets when he joined the navy, was now drilling a company in the hospital corps.
One of the first Red Cross benefits was a dance and Red Cross drill given on May 24 by the G. C. Review, No. 4, Ladies of the Macabees, 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 tele- gram 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 chairman headed the activities of the following publicity committee: Alvin Long, J. O. Hayes, Jay MeCabe, 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.
The Executive Committee included Samuel G. Tompkins, Chairman, Arthur M. Free, campaign manager, S. W. Waterhouse, Henry M. Ayer, D. J. Flannery, Karl Stull, W. T. Rambo, Alexander Sheriffs, Judge W. A. Beasly and A. P. Murgotten, secretary. Heads of sub committees were Karl
Stull, publicity, Arthur Holmes, Round Up, Mrs. W. B. Irish, musical entertainment, D. J. Flan- nery, waste paper, H. A. Blanchard, cards, ete.
L. M. Simonson Treasurer and cashier; Com- mittee on lodges and societies, W. G. Alexander, W. F. Curry, Ed Distel.
Newspapers, Sheldon Wills, J. O. Hayes, H. L. Baggerly, Buel Anderson, Stunts-Jay MeCabe, R. O: Bell, Alvin Long. Outside Press-Alvin Long. Pulpits-Arthur M. Free. Theaters-Gene Rosenthal. Schools-J. E. Haneoek, C. M. Osen- baugh, M. E. Dailey, Alexander Sheriffs.
Then the publicity committee worked over time. Full page ads appeared in all the papers. A Red Cross poster accompanied every purchase made in the San Jose stores. Victor Challen and S. W. Waterhouse spent a day distributing them. Catholic priests made appeals in their churches on June 10 and June 17 was Red Cross day in the Protestant churches. No one will ever forget the immense Red Cross poster that lifted against the sky on the top of the First National Bank Building. With its statue of Liberty and perti- nent question "Will you fight or give?" no one could escape it. It veritably "shouted from the housetops! "
Posters were predominant and Red Cross appeals found a place between reels in moviedom. Then team captains were chosen. Those selected for the work of raising the merey fund were D. M. Burnett, Henry G. Hill, John P. Fitzgerald, Dr. Charles M. Richards, Charles M. O'Brien, S. W. Waterhouse, Richard Bressani, John J. Jones, Judge F. B. Brown and Herbert Jones.
Chauncey Tramutolo, president of the Italian Progressive Club grew enthusiastie and said “It is time to make people see that you might as well try to dam up a flood with sand as to try to meet the German peril in the 'let-George-do-it' way." The publicity committee saw to it that everyone understood that the care of the wounded soldiers was absolutely the work of the Red Cross.
On June 16 at a luncheon at the St. James Hotel plans were perfected. Samuel G. Tompkins, campaign chairman, speaking with deep feeling said, "We would be slackers in every sense of the word if we failed in this big duty to our fellow- man. When one considers that these boys who are going from our midst are facing the uneer- tainties of war and that some will never come back, it should be sufficient to stir every man and woman into giving liberally-giving until giving becomes a sacrifice and a hardship."
Hiram A. Blanchard with the assistance of 150 normal girls compiled a roster of 10,000 names for the assistance of the campaigners. Arthur Free struck in his usual straight-out-from-the- shoulder way in his last minute instructions to the workers. "This is not a time for petty jealousies. Let us bury our personalities in the great patri- otie work of this campaign."
A Club women's committee under the diree- tion of Mrs. W. B. Irish was appointed and Mrs.
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Lillian Arnold made captain of the "women's squad." Among the prominent Club women inter- ested were Mrs. W. B. Irish, Mrs. Hortense Over- hulse, Miss Eleanor Brown, Mrs. B. E. Laughlin, Laura Clark, Frances Clark, Mrs. Lillian Arnold, Anita Arnold and Blanche Burbank.
Sunday, June 17, there were no pleasant out- ings for the men interested in the drive. That roster of 10,000 names had to be segregated and arranged for the convenience of the workers.
San Jose had $100,000 to raise, 200 workers to do it-and a week for the 'entire accomplislı- ment! Sleeves were rolled up! Nobody shirked! It was the biggest drive in the history of Santa Clara county.
On the morning of June 18, 1917, the Red' Cross worker appeared simultaneously with the opening of the store! His talk was short and to the point. It was for "our boys." They were entitled to care when they went to fight for Old Glory. Appeals and the appearance of pocket- books and checkbooks were also simultaneous. Few refused. The Red Cross solicitor was omnipresent. On the street, in the shops, in homes, there the worker appeared with appeal and receipt book. Frequently only the receipt book was needed. The electrifying message came down from Mt. Hamil- ton that the 53 residents on the "top of the moun- tain" had subscribed $435.00! Later a recanvas made that $535! They were 100 per cent loyal and in sympathy with the boys who followed the flag. When this word reached the 150 committee- men and women lunehing at the Hotel Montgomery the hostelry echoed with cheer after cheer! The sound of it must have reached the mountain and waved the flag on the very crest in an ecstasy ot patriotic pride.
Karl Stull chalked returns on a blackboard that ran the entire length of a big banquet hall and the first day's effort reached a total of $14,600. It was decided to publish a daily "honor roll" and belated givers began to sing "When the roll is called tomorrow I'll be there!"
Just then Jack Graham's war song "We'll Fight for Yankee Doodle" made its appearance and became a feature during the Red Cross drive, being used by theatre orchestras and bands all over the county.
On June 19, 1917, the grim reality of war struck home to us when Lieut. Elmer C. Golds- worthy, a member of the royal flying squad, home on a furlough, told us of his experience. Horrors and atrocities related by this returned soldier sunk deep into public consciousness.
Many strong men had to turn away during Lieut. Goldsworthy's graphic recital of conditions on the fighting front. "I'm not exaggerating a -d bit," she said with great vehemence, "I'll tell you that much! If you want your boys taken care of you'll have to help the Red Cross!"
Goldsworthy, one of ten survivors of the fam- ous Princess Pat regiments, was just recovering from wounds suffered in the trenches in the north
of France. After the loss of his regiment he joined the royal flying squad, but was invalided home on a furlough. At the conclusion of his first San Jose talk Dr. W. C. Bailey stated, "We need no further plea for the Red Cross."
Not everything was tragedy. A few members of the soliciting committee "got all stirred up" because a certain woman had ordered them out of her office! Such treatment was the rare excep- tion. Lodges contributed liberally; there were all kinds of benefits for the Red Cross. Mrs. B. E. Laughliin wrote and personally supervised the beautiful presentation of children's eantata, "An Evening in Dreamland," which was given at the high school for the benefit of the Red Cross. The charms of the children's dreamland were enhanced by pupils of Miss Hughes and Hilbert Hitching, who gave a program of dances, and the pupils of Mrs. Theressa Pixley and Prof. De Lorenzo who gave voices of song to fairyland.
The never-to-be-forgotten pageant was a gigantic Red Cross benefit staged by 1500 per- formers and witnessed by more than 5000 spell- bound people on evening of its premiere presenta- tion, June 1. The pageant of history and allegory was written by Miss Helen Stocking with music by Miss Ruth Cornell and song verse by Clarence Urmy. J. E. Hancock, president of the Drama association, was responsible for the pageant, which was given under the directing genius of Garnet Holme.
Alexander P. Murgotten, secretary of his com- mittee, donated needed office supplies and the Argall brothers quartet volunteered their services for the entire Red Cross campaign. No one will ever forgot the night those brothers appeared at the T. & D. theater just before they were called to the colors. In uniform, against a realistic back- ground of tents and stocked arms, the boys sang the old-time songs. They touched the hearts of the vast audience with "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" and "Goodbye, Little Girl, Goodbye." Hearts had grown tender and the great grim fact of war was welding them together in understand- ing and a deep desire to help.
Reports from day to day contained patheti- cally appealing incidents. One little American mother gave 40 cents-all she had to give-but gave it gladly. She explained that there was 10 cents for each of her four boys.
Frank Sabatelli's gift for the cause of human- ity should not be forgotten. A Red Cross worker approached Sabatelli. When he learned the nature of the request the Italian's face lighted with a smile. Yes-he would give, gladly. His subscrip- tion was $100! Investigation revealed that he Iwas only earning $2 a day at common labor. His gift was taken from hard earned savings. Born in Cremono, Italy, he had been a soldier in "the old country" and explained that he knew what the "Red Cross means to a soldier."
He was attending night school in order to get au education. With fine simplicity this patriot
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
said "I will always be gald to give what I can!" As the close of the drive approached, rivalry was keen among the "teams." Charles M. O'Brien was usually in the lead but for some days he was troubled by talk of a "dark horse" which was finally found to be Dave Burnett. The largest single contribution of the drive is eredited to Bur- nett's team-$2500 given by the E. MeLaughlin estate. Over 400 solicitors were "combing" eity and county for subscriptions and meeting with a splendid response.
Restrictions as to boundaries and lists were removed. Arthur Free finally announced that "anybody was everybody's prey." It was every one's humanitiarian campaign and speeding to a whirlwind finish.
The Lyrie Theater found a unique way to help. The boy or girl bringing a bundle of waste paper weighing 10 pounds or more was admitted to the "movie" free! Never in the history of the little playhouse had there been such crowds of children! They followed the lure of the free admittance as the children long ago followed the Piper of Hamelin Town!
That brings back Dan Flannery's part in the Red Cross drive.
It had occurred to some thrifty soul that the waste paper in the county could be turned into money for the cause. Dan Flannery was put in charge of the campaign to conserve what had been before sheer waste. Dan never does things by halves. He canvassed the entire county. He sent appealing eireulars to every school. Sheriff Arthur B. Langford volunteered storage space in the gar- age at the County Jail. Up and down the city streets and county byways went Flannery on his quest for waste paper.
He had an able- first lieutenant in C. E. Stan- ton, who donated himself and his auto truck in the name of patriotism. The City Truck and Trans- fer company enlisted a truek and Granger and De Hart lent helping hands-several helping hands and lots of "horse power" in the form of machines.
Then it began to arrive. Trucks rolled up from Gilroy and deposited their burden at the county jail. Drays and auto loads came down the perinsula. Schools accumulated tons and tons and tons-and delivered it! No one had dreamed that there was so much paper in the world! They erammed it into the garage until the roof threat- ened to come off. Then they piled it on the roof and around the building. It overflowed into the driveway and interfered with things. There was no room except under the California stars for the Sheriff's automobiles.
Quite emphatically he called on Dan Flannery to get with his waste paper- (somewhere) "out of this!" This waste paper campaign was a huge success-in tons and in money. It was a eumber- some proposition, handled with credit by the ener- getie Dan Flannery, and became a valuable asset in the final computation of funds. This was really
the beginning of "salvage" in war work history."
The sensation of the meeting for reports on June 20 eame when the Women's Team under Mrs. Lillian Arnold turned in over $2000-and that was only a beginning. It was "hard earned"' money, too, for the men had "thoughtfully" given the women the house-to-house canvassing to do. If you've ever tried that, even in your oldest pair of shoes and with your fever of patriotism at white heat-well, you can appreciate what that team was up against.
They worked! They entreated and cajoled. They walked and worried-and won! Their val- iant effort was a real new-era wonder to the big men of affairs. No Susan B. Anthony amendment had passed the Senate at that time and we were not under a W. C. T. U. form of government. 'The men hadn't realized what mere women could do!
On June 22, 1917, at the Victory theater, there was held the most impressive mass meeting in the history of San Jose. From orchestra pit to the highest seat in the gallery the theater was packed with solemn, awe-inspired men and women who were feeling their first keen sense of war's actu- alities. Lieutenant Goldsworthy, accompanied by his mother and sister were seated on the platform and it was this wounded soldier's story that thrilled the great audience to almost sickening realization of "our boys' " possible suffering and the responsibility for their care resting upon us. "Men are being killed-murdered, over there,' said Goldsworthy, "but the war is being fought right here." His graphie appeal was answered that night by hundreds of dollars that were gladly given to care for "our boys."
The Chinese were willing contributors. In fact there was no line of color, ereed, easte or nationality. We were all Americans under the banner of the Red Cross-the mercy emblem of the world. During the drive in Chinatown, little 12-year-old Annie Lee, a Chinese girl, acted as the committee's amanuensis. Lee John and Mr. Wing were escorts and able interpreters.
More and more boys were leaving for service. Each leave-taking awakened more hearts to the necessity of providing for our own. E. A. Portel, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Portel, left June 25 to take a position with the United States govern- ment as expert radio operator.
On the night of June 27 San Joseans were astonished to see that the lights in the eross on the tower of the First Methodist church had turned from white to red! Rev. William L. Stid- ger, the pastor, gave the following explanation: "I consider that lighted cross turning its face north, east, south and west, as the symbol not only of that Christ who died for liberty and freedom, but I also feel that it symbolizes in, an especial way the light that the whole Red Cross movement is spreading in the dark places of the world in these cruel war times."
Paul D. Cambino, whose services for th changing of these lights were lent by the Blake
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WAR HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Electrical company, did his "bit" in this unique transformation. Cambiona had never climbed a tower. The wind was blowing, too, but he "swal- lowed his fear, "climbed to the top and changed 24 white lights to 24 red ones-for the Red Cross, that its glowing emblem might be set as a sign against the sky!
Mrs. W. B. Irish personally arranged a gigan- tie benefit which was staged at the Victory theater and in which all prominent San Joseans with a talent for entertaining were programed.
Fred L. Thomas and M. J. Griffith never bad a thing in the world to do when they were needed for Red Cross speaking. Not only through this campaign, but the entire war work list of benefits they told the needs of "the boys" with eloquenee that loosened tightly held dollars-even if they were fastened like abalones to a rock!
One amusing incident will be recalled by those who attended the lunches every day in the rooms now occupied by the Rotary club at the Montgomery hotel. One day Alex Murgotten waited for his lunch. The others were served. Getting the attention of a hurrying waitress he entered a protest. "Why don't I get my lunch ?" She answered with some asperity. "You didn't have your set in!" That became a byword. After that everyone made a break for the table at the first call to be sure of having their "set in" and quiek service.
A telephone call took a Red Cross campaigner to a lititle cottage on the edge of town. He was greeted by a woman with a paint brush in her hand. She gave him $2 for the Red Cross. Then she said, "I am 78 years old and I wanted to help but I haven't much money. My kitchen needed painting. I found out that the work would cost me $2. I am doing it myself so that I can give the money to the Red Cross."
Sunday morning, June 24, the final appeal of the campaign was made. The amount of the quota was nearly subscribed, but only one day remained for a "whirlwind finish." San Jose's own Maude Pilkington, whose clear brain and clever pen were ever at the service of every good cause wrote this message: "Those who stay at home and make the undramatie daily sacrifices, are none the less heroes and the Red Cross is calling for this sort of heroism. It is offering you an opportunity to be a hero in your own heart by giving liberally during the last few hours of the campaign, and 'as truly as the flower lays bare to the sun that which is folded in the seed,' so will your sacrifice be laid before the Great Master and its measure be determined."
Spontaneously, patriotically, whole-heartedly that last hour appeal was answered. All day Mon- day the dollars were rolling in-rolling up a sum prophetic of oversubseription.
Monday afternoon and evening Manager Clover of the T. & D. gave the entire proceeds of the theater to the Red Cross. W. E. Johnson and the Argall brothers sang; Hilbert Kitching pre-
sented an attractive program of dances; an or- chestra composed of members of loeal union No. 153, under the direction of Carl Fitzgerald, volun- teered their services; Joseph Blum, manager of the Jose theater, lent two of his best acts; Judge E. M. Rosenthal acted as stage director. Jay Mc- Cabe's able committee sold eandy. The only thing they were not able to do was to make change! These patriotically energetic salesmen who forgot their arithmetic under Jay's direction were: W. L. Prussiia, Ernest Lion, Henry Hirsch, Leroy Parkinson, Dr. James Kramer, Dan Flannery, R. O. Stewart, F. O. Reed, Karl Stull and Arthur Holmes.
Karl Stull, publicity chairman, chalked the return on the blackboard. His figures were closely watched by "Big Bill" Jackson, patrolman, who was waiting with a businesslike pair of handcuffs intended for Arthur Free if the quota was not reached. The handeuffs remained in "Big Bill's" pocket. The amount necessary was not only reached, but exceeded! The sought for $100,000 had marvelously become $135,000-and returns incomplete! San Jose and the county were on ree- ord as standing not only patriotically, but finan- cially and with warm hearted sentiment back of "our boys."
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