USA > Illinois > Fayette County > Fayette County in the World War > Part 8
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On her arrival in France she was assigned to an Orthopedic Hospital at Evreux, France, a French hos- pital centre. After serving here for some time she was sent to St. Briuc under the canteen service where the Red Cross served food to all American troop trains and returning refugee trains.
The last five months of service in France were spent at the port of Brest where the Red Cross cared for all the returning sick and wounded that passed through the Red Cross infirmary. Every attention pos- sible was given these heroes by the Red Cross nurses. She was engaged at this camp when the famous 33rd division embarked for home. It was a part of the work of the Red Cross at this place to serve coffee and dough- nuts to troops as they passed through the embarkation sheds. Some days as high as 24,000 soldiers passed through the sheds. They were prepared to make 4,000 cups of coffee at one time and so could take care of
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FAYETTE COUNTY
great numbers.
Miss Hunt sailed for home on the Kaiserin Augusta Victoria with the 4th and 7th Regiments of Infantry of the 3rd division August 1919. It was the privilege of Miss Hunt while located here at Brest to serve every division that left that port except the 1st division, the last to sail from France.
Miss Hunt is the youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Hunt, a descendent of one of the early and most prominent families of Fayette County. She was born in Carson township and after graduating from the 8th grade attended the University at Valparaiso, Indiana. Since her war service she has been engaged in assisting in every movement that has been made for better health in Fayette County and is the present chairman of the committee on nursing activities of Fay- ette County.
Gertrude E. Pershing, R. N.
Gertrude Ebelmesser Pershing is the daughter of Henry and Mary Breeze Ebelmesser of St. Elmo. She was born in Brownstown February 15, 1875. She re- ceived her education in the Brownstown schools and in Denver, Colo., where she graduated from St. Luke's Hospital Training School for Nurses in the class of 1899.
In 1905 she met Capt. Ward B. Pershing, youngest brother of General John J. Pershing to whom she was maried in June, 1908. Captain Pershing died in Den- ver in 1909. Mrs. Pershing, after her husband's death, went to Zamboango, Philippine Island with General and Mrs. Pershing and lived with them there for a few months after which she returned to the United States and continued in her profession of nursing.
In 1917 she volunteered as a Red Cross Nurse and in November went to Camp Pike, Arkansas. After six months of service here she went to the mobilization station in New York City to join Base Hospital No. 29, a Denver organization, from where she went to London, sailing on the Olympic, the English boat for which the German government was offering a reward of two million marks for her capture on this trip. After an eventful voyage England was reached in safety. In London Mrs. Pershing was made Assistant Chief
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Nurse and had under her care large numbers of sick and wounded American boys from the battle fields of France. From London she was sent to Havre, France and from there to Paris and later to Evacuation Hos- pital No. 1 near Toul. She returned to the United States in March 1919, because of illness and was re- leased from service April 21, 1919.
Since her release from United States service Mrs. Pershing has held a responsible position with the Chil- dren's Hospital Association of Denver.
Edith L. Hausmann, R. N.
Edith L. Hausmann, the daughter of Charles F. and Minnie C. Hausmann, of Vandalia, was born and reared in Vandalia where she attended the Vandalia schools and graduated from the Vandalia High School. She graduated from the Passavant Hospital Training School for Nurses at Chicago, in the class of 1917. En- tered the service in the Army Nursing Corps July 11, 1918, and was assigned to duty at the Embarkation Hospital at Hoboken, N. J. Miss Hausmann served at Hoboken throughout the fatal epidemic of Influenza which raged so furiously in this camp.
She was released from service July 16, 1919, and since that date has practiced her profession in Colorado and in Chicago.
Grace Dieckmann, R. N.
Grace Dieckmann is the daughter of Geo. E. and Anna Dieckmann, of Vandalia. When but a little child she had the sad misfortune to lose her tender and de- voted mother, but a few years later there came into their home another who soon became all that a mother could be and under whose love and care she grew to womanhood. She was educated in the Vandalia schools and graduated from the Vandalia High School. After completing her High School course she entered the Training School for Nurses at Passavant Hospital, Chi- cago, and graduated in the class of 1917, in the same class with Miss Edith Hausmann. She entered the United States Army Nursing Corps September 21, 1918, and was sent to U. S. A. Embarkation Hospital No. 1, at Hoboken, N. J. While here she contracted Influenza
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FAYETTE COUNTY
and later diphtheria and came near losing her life. Miss Edith Hausmann who was situated at the same hospital · nursed her back to health. She was released from serv- ice July 26, 1919, since which time she has practiced her profession in Chicago.
Mary B. Metzger, R. N.
Mary B. Metzger, the daughter of John U. and Helena Metzger of Vandalia, was born at Shobonier, Ill., where the early part of her life was spent. After completing the course in the Shobonier schools she at- tended Lewis Institute, Chicago, and later entered the Training School for Nurses at the Baptist Hospital of Muskogee, Oklahoma, from which she graduated in the class of 1911. She entered the United States serv- ice in the Reserve Nursing Corps Oct. 19, 1918, and was assigned to duty at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan. She was later transferred to Detroit, Mich- igan, to the United States General Hospital No. 36. She received her discharge from the service May 19, 1919, and has since that time engaged in nursing in Vandalia.
Mary A. Buzzard, R. N.
Mary A. Buzzard, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Buzzard was born at Holliday, Illinois, March 5, 1892. She received her education in the schools of Fayette county and graduated as a nurse from Cen- tenary Hospital, St. Louis. She did private nursing until August 1916, when she entered the United States Army nursing service during the Mexican border trou- ble. She was stationed at Hot Springs, Arkansas until June 1917, when she was transferred to Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C., October 1917. She was sent to Ellis Island, N. Y., to await transportation and sailed a month later. Landing at Liverpool she was sent immediately to Paris where she was stationed for two months. In January 1918, she was transferred to Neufchateau in the Toul sector where she served until January 1919. Being ordered to the coast to await transportation home, a month was spent at La Baule. She sailed in February from St. Nazaire and landed in New York. She was stationed at a Base Hospital in
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MISS MARY B. METZGER
MISS EDITH HAUSMANN
MISS GRACE DIECKMANN MRS. GERTRUDE E. PERSHING
MISS NETTIE HUNT
MISS GERTRUDE CHAPMAN
MISS MARY A. BUZZARD
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Brooklyn until it was closed and then transferred to the Tuberculosis Hospital at New Haven, Conn., serv- ing here until the time of her discharge, August 1919.
Gertrude Chapman
The longest period of service of any Fayette Coun- ty woman was that of Miss Gertrude Chapman, of Van- dalia. Entering the United States Service soon after America's entry into the war, her's was a varied and oftentimes thrilling service. A condensed record of her services follows :
Soon after entering the services of the American Red Cross Miss Chapman was sent overseas in April 1918, as secretary-stenographer in Home and /Hos- pital Bureau, Paris Headquarters. The purpose of that Bureau was to relieve as much as possible the anxiety of the folks at home and of the soldiers abroad. Information as to the welfare of the soldiers was col- lected by American Red Cross workers abroad and transmitted (through the Washington Office) to their inquiring relatives or friends.
Assisted in Emergency Refugee Service at Amer- ican Red Cross Canteen, Gare d'Ivry; worked as Nurse's Aide at American Red Cross Military Hospital No. 1, Neuilly. The refugees were the French whose homes were destroyed and who were fleeing before the advance of the Germans.
From September 1918 to January 1919, American Red Cross Canteen work for the injured at Field Hos- pital No. 41 and Evacuation Hospital No. 11 near Sor- cy on the St. Mihiel front, and at Evacuation Hospital No. 10 near Froidos on the Verdun front.
January 1, 1919, assigned to Staff of the American Red Cross Commission to the Balkan States as Secre- tary to Director of Nursing Service. Staff Headquar- ters were temporarily in Rome, and Commissions were sent to Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and Rou- mania, where civilian and medical relief work was car- ried on. Was in the Balkans fifteen months.
April 1920, assigned to Paris Headquarters as Sec- retary to Director of Nursing Service in Europe.
November 1921, returned to U. S. A. Continuous service of over three and a half years.
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FAYETTE COUNTY
CHAPTER VI.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 1
When the young manhood of America was trans- formed from a constructive, active force to a great destructive war machine, not the least of America's problems was how to best care for our young men in the military service. Life for most of these had been turned topsy turvy. Old haunts, old habits, old friends had been left behind and many social influences and restraints had ceased to operate. Some substitute if possible for the old life must be found and the break between the old life and the new soldier life must be carefully and securely bridged.
In this emergency America turned to the Young Men's Christian Association as the only organization properly organized and suited to undertake this task.
Upon the Y. M. C. A. therefore fell that great duty of protecting the young man from himself and from ruinous social conditions; for the bullets of the ene- mies are not always the greatest danger a soldier must confront. Evil associates and bad surroundings may be a vastly greater menace to the soldier individually, and a far greater demoralizing force for an army. Exper- ience had taught that these dangers could best be guarded against by giving the boys clean, wholesome amusements and entertainment. It was the high pur- pose of this organization to so influence the boys in service that they would either die clean or come back straight and sound.
This work could not be carried on without the services of the people at home. When the Y. M. C. A. assumed the immense responsibility of caring for our boys it was evident that all must share in the work. The first national campaign for funds for Y. M. C. A. war work was staged for the week of Nov. 11th to 18th, 1917, and the goal set at Thirty-five Million Dol- lars. Of this amount Fayette County's quota was Four Thousand Dollars. Neither the national quota nor that
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of our County was raised in the allotted time of one week.
The National quota was reached later but Fayette County failed to reach the allotted sum in this first ap- peal, although it approached to it. Failure was not due to lack of efforts nor of organization. It was due wholly to a failure on the part of our people to grasp at this early period in the war the immensity of the undertaking and the necessity for sacrifice on the part of all. Whatever stigma may have been incurred how- ever in this first attempt was forever erased by the mag- nificent showing in "The United War Chest" drive a year later. In fact the Y. M. C. A. record of Fayette County is an enviable one both in the service rendered with the flag by Fayette County men and in the funds raised for war work. Too much credit cannot be given the County Chairman of this organization, Dr. A. L. T. Williams of Vandalia, who labored untiringly, car- ing for the many details of the work even when his own work as a physician required almost superhuman ef- fort during the great epidemic of Spanish influenza. He was ably assisted by the Captains of the various town- ship organizations.
The total amount raised by Fayette County in this first campaign for the Y. M. C. A. War fund was $3248.25. It is impossible to give an itemized report accrediting to the various townships the sum raised in each for the reason that in the later part of the cam- paign various means were used throughout the Coun- ty such as Pie Socals, Auction sales and the like the proceeds of which were turned directly into the Coun- ty organization's treasurer. Following is a list of town- ship captains :
Y. M. C. A. Captains
Avena-T. F. Heckert
St. Elmo
Bowling Green-W. D. Whittington
Herrick
Bear Grove-Chas.' Atwood
Vandalia
Carson-Jack Wright
Ramsey
Hurricane-John Bingham
Bingham
Kaskaskia-C. J. Metzger
Shobonier
LaClede-R. H. Soldner
Farina
Lone Grove-Henry Bahde
St. Peter
William T. Gluesenkamp
St. Peter
Loudon-Eugene Kuffle
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Altamont
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FAYETTE COUNTY
Otego-M. J. Griffith
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Brownstown
Pope-W. M. Jones
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Vernon
Ramsey-H. L. Haynes
Ramsey
Sharon-D. O. Randall
Ramsey
Seminary-J. M. Eakin
Vandalia
Sefton-D. M. Diveley Sid Vance
Brownstown
Brownstown
Vandalia-F. T. Denny
Vandalia
Wheatland-Silas McMillan
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St. James
Wilberton-O. L. Brown
Vandalia
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Thomas F. Heckert
When America became involved in the World War and called for volunteer service from her citizens, Thomas F. Heckert of St. Elmo was ready to do his part as his father before him had been in 1861. The first work assigned him was the raising of money in the various drives for mercy funds.
When the draft came Mr. Heckert was made one of the registrars of his township. It was while en- gaged in this service that he felt the call to service since he had no sons to send, and therefore volunteered for ovrseas service. The army refused to accept him because of his age but he was not deterred in this first rebuff and promptly offered his service to the Y. M. C. A. This organization also at first refused him be- cause of his age but later accepted him for overseas duty.
On October 2, 1918, he sailed from New York and left Quebec twelve days later. Mr. Heckert served on the voyage over as transport secretary.
Tillsbury Dock, England, was reached on October 26th at 6 P. M., and headquarters at London a few hours later. At this place he received an assignment as accountant and since all money was English coin, had many interesting experiences until he became ac- customed to the values of the various coins. A little later a call came for an educational secretary and re- calling his experiences as a school teacher, he asked that he might have the assignment. The request was granted and he was ordered to Winchester, England.
The next assignment was with the Navy at Cardiff,
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Wales. This was one of the largest supply bases over- seas. In May 1919, he was again transferred to the head office at London where he remained until the work there was finished. Being given his choice of continuing in the service with the probability of be- ing sent to the Orkney Islands, being sent to France, or home, he chose the last and started homeward a few days later. He arrived in New York, June 9th, 1919.
Jesse L. Lakin
Jesse L. Lakin was born in Christian County, Ill., August 18, 1876, moved to Vandalia with his parents March, 1893. After attending public school in this city for some three years he joined his father and bro- ther in the publishing business, editing the Vandalia Union. Upon the urgent call for men to enlist in the Y. M. C. A. work he responded and was notified of his acceptance on June 1, 1918, and was sent to San An- tonio, Tex., for three weeks' intensive training, return- ing to Vandalia July 5th.
It wasn't until October 31st that Mr. Lakin was finally called to New York, where he spent fifteen days at Columbia University in preparing for overseas work.
Sailing from New York with about 250 other "Y" workers November 15th, he landed at Liverpool No- vember 20th, and was sent to a rest camp at South Hampton, England, crossed the English Channel to Le Havre, France, November 28th, and was sent to Rest Camp No. 2 for five days, landing at Paris, De- cember 2nd, where they were given final instructions in "Y" work.
Was ordered to report to Division Secretary at Chaumont which afterwards proved to be General Per- shing's headquarters. At Chaumont he was assigned as Hut Secretary at Vaudremont with the 77th New York Regiment. On February 10th the 77th Regiment left for Bordeaux on their homeward journey and he was transferred to the Cinema Department with head- quarters at Chaumont. The Cinema Department at Chaumont covered all of the area of the First, Second and Third Armies and gave the "Y" members of the de- partment a great opportunity to study the custores of
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FAYETTE COUNTY
the French, Belgian and German people.
During the months of June and July large numbers of the soldiers were returned to the United States and as the necessity for "Y" work decreased Mr. Lakin, feeling that he had done all he could for his country, asked to be released, which request was granted. He returned to the United States late in July, landing at Philadelphia August 1, 1919 and was released from service the next day.
Arthur Webb
Arthur Webb of Vandalia, the son of Judge and Mrs. J. H. Webb, made application for service overseas in the Y. M. C. A. at the same time that Jess Lakin ap- plied. He was accepted for service and was notified to report for duty at New York' July 1, 1918. At the time of his leaving for service Mr. Webb was electrician for the Ford Roofing Products Co. Previously he had been the city electrician of Vandalia. On August 8th he sailed for overseas. Before sailing he was appointed business manager for the party of Y. M. C. A. men going over, 150 in umber, and had charge of the party until they were assigned after landing. The party went first to London and a little later Mr. Webb was sent on to France where he was assigned to the construction department of the Y. M. C. A. and placed in charge of a number of French mechanics installing Delco lighting plants and wiring huts for electric lights and moving pictures. Throughout his service in France Mr. Webb was connected with the cinema work of the "Y" and traveled extensively in this work over war- ridden France. After an absence of eleven months he sailed for home August 15, 1919. A little daughter who. had arrived at his home during his absence was among the many who welcomed him home.
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CHAPTER VII.
THE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE.
The Illinois State Council of Defense was created by the legislature to meet the need of a properly con- stituted and authorized body to co-operate with the national war council. A bill providing for this body was introduced simultaneously in the House and Sen- ate, in the House by Representative Davis and in the Senate by Senator Trumbaugh, April 19, 1917. The state organization consisted of fifteen members ap- pointed by the Governor, who served during the dura- tion of the war. Authority was given by the General Assembly for the organization of a branch in each county of the state.
In March, 1918, an organizer from the state or- ganization came to Vandalia and a county organization was effected. Justice of the Supreme Court Wm. M. Farmer was elected chairman and R. C. Mahon secre- tary. The Council of Defense was the official war bureau of the county and had vested in it the official preparation of the county for war as well as the direct supervision of all war-working organizations of the county. Various committees were appointed, all of whom performed noteworthy services. The com- mittees with their chairmen follow :
Auxiliary Committee
Food Production
Federal Fuel Administrator Finance Committee Four Minute Men
Liberty Loan Committee
Legal Advisory Board Farm Labor
Geo. L. Hausmann, Vandalia O. E. McCormick, St. James C. A. Evans, Vandalia C. F. Easterday, Vandalia N. C. Gochenour, Vandalia - C. F. Easterday, Vandalia G. H. Couchman, Vandalia Joseph Oldfield, Vandalia Frank C. Eckard, Vandalia
Neighborhood Committee -
Publicity Committee Ira D. Lakin, Vandalia Red Cross - Boys' Working Reserve - F. E. Crawford, Vandalia W. P. Welker, Vandalia
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FAYETTE COUNTY
U. S. Food Administration War Savings Stamps - Prof .O. C. Bailey, Vandalia
Women's Committee - Mrs. F. C. Humphrey, Vandalia Y. M. C. A. A. L. T. Williams, Vandalia
Fayette County Neighborhood Committee
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Centers
Chm. Frank C. Eckard, Banker
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Vandalia
Secretary Fred A. Meyers, Attorney Vandalia
H. M. Casey, County Treasurer
Creighton Town School Bingham -
C. L. Edwards, Supt. of Schools -
- Ramsey
Tim Turner, Farmer
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- Hanson
Robt. Hunt, Jr, Stock Dealer - Union School, Carson Township
D. F. Burrus, Farmer
- Town House, Bowling Green Township
S. M. Dial, Teacher Wright School, Loudon Township
Julian Buzzard, Farmer
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Buzzard
Fletcher McDonald, Farmer
- Oak Grove
John Darnell, Supervisor
Buchanan School
G. W. Pridmore, Merchant
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Farina
E. E. Richardson
- Farina
D. S. Thoman, Farmer
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D. O. Randall, Farmer
Union Hall, Sharon Township
Hagarstown
C. F. Workman, Merchant
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Brownstown -
Colby Williams, Farmer
Chickenfoot
Adam Stein, Jr., Farmer
St. James
Wm. Hans, Farmer John Farmer, Farmer
Mound Chapel Church
C. J. Metzger, Merchant
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Shobonier
Rev. Schwagmeyer, Minister
St. Paul
Henry Bahde, Farmer
St. Peter
W. S. Ervin, Stock Dealer
- Loogootee
Herbert Sonnemann, Lumber Dealer
Vandalia
COMMUNITY CENTERS P. O. Address Craigtown School House, Hurricane Township
Chm. H. M. Casey, County Treasurer Bingham R. F. D. Luther Lovelace, Farmer - Bingham R. F. D. Ramsey -
Bert Hamblin, Farmer -
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St. Elmo
J. F. Dunham, Farmer A. C. Fogler, Retired
Vera
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Pittsburg
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- Judge J. H. Webb, Vandalia
D. E. Baker, Farmer
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Fayette County's Representatives in the Y. M. C. A. (See Pages 104-106)
ARTHUR M. WEBB
THOMAS F. HECKERT
JESSE L. LAKIN
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Bingham, Hurricane Township
Chm. D. E. Baker, Farmer
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Bayle City
E. C. Fitzgerald, Merchant -
Bingham Bingham
Wm. Hicks, Barber
Mrs. W. B. Shelton, Housewife
Bingham
Wm. Isbell, Farmer
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Fillmore
Hanson, Ramsey Township
Chm. Tim Turner, Farmer
Ramsey
Lawrence Stokes, Farmer
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Ramsey
Jess Bartlett, Farmer
Ramsey
Matt Brown, Farmer
Ramsey
John E. Morrison, Farmer
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Ramsey
Ramsey, Ramsey Township
Chm. C. L. Edwards, Supt. of Schools
Ramsey
H. L. Haynes, Banker -
Ramsey
James Hunt, Banker
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Ramsey
A. L. Whitten, Merchant
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Ramsey
Jos. Easterday, Banker
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Ramsey
L. C. Thiele, Merchant
Ramsey
Pat Cahill, Farmer
Ramsey
Oscar Sharp, Merchant -
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Ramsey
Union School, Carson Township
Chm. Robert Hunt, Jr., Live Stock Dealer - Rasey, R. F. D.
J. C. Wright, Farmer
Ramsey
R. B. Trueblood, Farmer
Ramsey
Geo. Blankenship, Farmer
Ramsey
Chas. Depew, Farmer
Ramsey
Town House, Bowling Green Township
Chm. D. F. Burrus, Farmer
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Herrick
William Beck, Merchant -
Herrick
W. D. Whittington, Farmer Herrick
C. T. Nance, Farmer
Cowden
J. M. D. Frailey, Farmer
Herrick
Wright's Schoolhouse, Loudon Township
Chm. S. M. Dial, Teacher
L. J. Wood, Farmer
John Holman, Farmer
Charles Tish, Farmer
Eugene Kuffel, Farmer
M. Watson, Farmer
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Avena Beecher City Beecher City Avena Altamont Avena
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FAYETTE COUNTY
Buzzard, Loudon Township
Chm. Julian Buzzard, Farmer
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O. B. Buzzard, Farmer
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I. D. Workman, Farmer
R. P. K. Wills, Farmer - - -
Oscar Dayhuff, Farmer -
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Beecher City Beecher City Beecher City
Beecher City Beecher City
Oak Grove, Sefton Township
Chm. Fletcher MacDonald, Farmer
Brownstown
Marvin Diveley, Farmer
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Mrs. D. B. Parr, Farmer
Brownstown
Isaac Jones, Farmer -
Brownstown Brownstown
Buchanan School, Sefton Township
Chm. John Darnell, Supervisor -
Brownstown
S. B. Vance, Farmer
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Brownstown
W. T. Wilson, Farmer
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Brownstown
James Owen, Farmer - - -
Brownstown
Joseph Sefton, Farmer -
Brownstown
LaClede, LaClede Township
Chm. Charles Young, Farmer
La Clede
H. R. Fields, Farmer
LaClede
Dr. G. W. Pridmore, Doctor
LaClede
W. F. Lloyd, Merchant -
LaClede
John Like, Farmer
- Farina
Farina, LaClede Township
Chm. E. E. Richardson -
Farina
R. H. Soldner, Merchant
Farina
J. L. Dunbar, Supt. of Schools
Farina
Emil Grant, Farmer
Farina
C. E. Schmidt, Postmaster
Farina
Vera, Sharon Township
Chm. D. S. Thoman, Farmer
Vera
D. H. Sproul, grain Dealer
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Vera
P. F. Hoffman, Merchant -
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Vera
N. B. Jinnett, Merchant -
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Vera
A. M. Alderson, Farmer - -
Vera
Albert Green, Merchant -
Vera
Union Hall, Sharon Township
Chm. D. O. Randall, Farmer
Ramsey
Andy Neathery, Farmer -
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Vandalia
Albert Meyers, Farmer -
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Bingham
Geo. C. Mattes, Farmer
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Vandalia
Chas. G. Thoman, Farmer
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Vandalia
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W. C. Dycus, Farmer -
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