USA > Illinois > Franklin County > Franklin County, Illinois, war history, 1832-1919; containing a brief review of the world war--complete history of Franklin County's activities--photographs and service records of Franklin County's soldiers, sailors and marines--industrial and biographical review of business and professional firms who have made this history possible > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The local committee of Benton, under the leadership of Mrs. J. E. Webster, comprised the following women: Mesdames Harry Stotlar, A. E. Martin, W. H. Alvis, F. H. Wykes, G. A. Hickman, C. H. Miller, Harry Ferrell, C. E. Seeber, F. E. Goodin, W. F. Spiller, William Brinley, C. A. Aikin, Sr., Arch Johnson, J. W. Williams, N. S. Helm, H. L. Frier, Misses Nancy Browning, and Martha Hickman.
This committee made a house-to-house canvass, conducted booths at each bank, and in different stores, made talks at the school buildings and churches. They also went to other towns to help in meetings arranged by women. Mrs. Webster and Mrs. W. H. Hart and Mrs. J. P. Mooneyham spoke at
45
1919
ının
a meeting in Valier. Mrs. Kell and Mrs. Stotlar helped the women of Thompsonville sell their city's whole quota, at an afternoon meeting during the Third Loan.
Mrs. Webster arranged a very enthusiastic meeting at the Baptist church on October 23,
MRS. J. E. WEBSTER
MRS. WILLIAM BRINLEY
1917, with a "Liberty Fire" across the street on the historic Logan lot. The Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls assisted. The "Liberty Fires" were lighted all over the country on this date.
Mrs. William Brinley sold the largest single subscription, a $15,000.00 Bond to the U. S. Fuel Co.
The Women's Committee of Frankfort and Denning townships, in the Fourth Loan. with Mrs. Chas. Gardner, as chairman, sold more bonds than any other township in the county. This work was done in co-operation with the Men's Committee and through the schools, churches and women's clubs. In this drive they overreached their quota $11,450.00, Mrs. J. L. Harmon having sold the largest number of bonds. The following women assisted as members and workers: Mrs. Chas. A. Gardner, chairman; Mrs. Fred Walker, sales director; Mesdames E. E. Jacobs, F. W. Jacobs, C. A. Summers, W. J. Fitzgerald, R. P. Blake, S. M. Fink, Henry Webb, John Webb, J. McNealy, W. G. Mitchell, Troy Rotramel, J. L. Harmon, Leora Belden, R. S. Huff, Wm. Webster, E. R. Henson, E. B. Pharis, John Rotramel, W. E. Hart, Wm. Webster, J. L. Smith, Haskins, B. E. Russell, N. V. Greathoise, Elizabeth Shipp, C. W. Rodenbusch, T. A. Sinks, W. B. Crawford, Geo. Williams, A. J. McFadden, E. R. Evans and Misses Ruth C. Williams, Irene McNama, Bess Perry, Irene Duncan and Mae Dunn.
The Christopher Local Committee com- prised the following women: Mrs. Ollie Knight, chairman; Mrs. L. T. Clem, Mrs. Cecil Davis and Miss Ethel Harrison. Mrs. Knight served in all the Loans, and while her committee was small they never failed to do their part. The work of this committee was done in conjunction with the banks, tne bankers supplying them with the names of prospective buyers of bonds. They went to the different mines in and around Chris- topher and made many sales.
Mrs. S. Lemons, of Logan, has the dis- tinction of having sold the largest single subscription of any member of the women's committee in Franklin county, which was a $20,000.00 bond in the Fourth Loan, to the Black Star Mining Co.
In the Fourth Loan, Miss Gladys Hubbs, with the help of the school children of Royalton, had sold their entire quota before the sale opened. On the first day of this loan, the Women's Committee of Zeigler, Sesser, Valier and Rend had almost sold their quota.
The Akin women overreached their quota in this loan, while Ewing and Thompsonville made theirs with splendid success.
The State was the unit of organization in all loans, with the exception of the Victory Loan. At this time it was decided to change the plan of organization to conform to Federal Reserve districts. This change en- abled the men and women to work in closer harmony, and proved more convenient, as it eliminated the confusion of working under the Federal Reserve Districts, and Mrs. W. H. Hart of Benton was appointed State Chairman for the forty-four counties in Southern Illinois included in the Eighth Federal Reserve District.
At this time, Mrs. Kell resigned as chair- man of Franklin county and Mrs. Fred Pulliam was appointed for the Fifth or Victory Loan, and she appointed the follow- ing women for township and city chairmen: Mrs. Ollie Knight, Christopher, and Mrs. J. L. Harmon, West Frankfort; Mesdames W. F. Spiller, Benton; J. S. Vise, Ewing; Elmer Quillman, Valier; Douglas Plasters, Thompsonville; Clarence Hutson, Sesser; J. S. Summers, Akin and Miss Gladys Hunns, Royalton.
The following Benton women served on the local committee during the Victory Loan :
46
× 1832
1819
FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Mrs. W. F. Spiller, chairman and Mrs. A. E. Martin, sales director; Mesdames J. Smith Moore, Lacey Peyton, P. C. Meyer, N. S. Helm, W. H. Alvis, C. E. Seeber, Ella Burkitt, Alva Summers, J. E. Webster, H. Mooneyham, Arch Johnson, Geo. Hick- man, Harry Ferrell, C. H. Miller, Walter Adams, J. E. Moore, H. L. Frier; Misses Vastis Seymour, Ruby Peek, Martha Hick- man, Mildred Moore.
Some very attractive advertisements were furnished for the Victory Loan in the form of a large blue "V" on a white ground, which each of the workers were asked to wear.
At the end of the drive, war service medals made from captured German cannon were awarded by the United States Treasury Department for valued service to the Government in the flotation of the Victory Liberty Loan in Franklin county.
Not less than three hundred women in Franklin county served in some capacity on War Loan Committees during the five campaigns.
Following is the financial report of the sales by the women of the county.
No. of Subscribers
Amt. of Bonds Sold
County's Quota
Second Loan
$141,000.00
$447,200.00
Third Loan
1,141
134,000.00
369,050.00
Fourth Loan
2,341
360,000.00
980,000.00
Fifth Loan.
518
175,000.00
708,350.00
4,000
$811,200.00
$2,504,600.00
DESTROYED RHEIMS
47
1832%
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
West Frankfort Tuesday Art Club's War Activities
BY MRS. EDNA FOX WILSON
TO us it seems there has been always a wild enthusiasm that grips every true Amer- ican upon the least discovery or thought of evil to our government-a sort of psycho- logical mystery, which bubbles like a boiling spring, in the soul of every descendent of that brave and sturdy army of men that first settled the wilds and conquered with the aid of the rifle each formidable foe, and it has been the infusing by the fathers into their sons, this spirit of dauntless courage and love for things most worthy, that has made the American soldier the bravest and best fighter that ever went forth to battle and brought victory to our arms in every conflict. And as our men are of such material it is quite natural that the same strain of blood should flow through the veins of our women.
But for all this, little did the small band of women in West Frankfort when organizing the Tuesday Art Club in the year nineteen hundred ten, dream that in future years should come the "clarion call" to and for women which sounded throughout our land in nineteen hundred fourteen. And little did the world think that our women, loved and protected as they so long had been, could prove so thoroughly they could be far beyond the "clinging vine"-a staunch and ever ready support for those who had the firing line to face.
West Frankfort's population consisting of so many foreigners caused us to give many more of our own red-blooded American boys. Our hearts were burdened and to sacrifice in some way for them seemed to fill the void occasioned by their absence. Thus, away back home far from tumult and danger, some one loved, prayed and worked for them, never shirking nor feeling that any burden was too heavy to bear if in any way it should prove helpful to the wonderful cause for which they were fighting.
In the beginning of the war activities, our club was under the guidance of Mrs. W. E.
Hart, president, who rendered wonderful and untiring service and inspired each and every member to do their full duty regardless of seeming obstacles. Following her was Mrs. C. O. Lane, who kept the standard of the first year's work. During both their terms of office the club was kept constantly busy with the various calls from tne govern- ment.
First came the Registration-and no other city could have had a greater task than was ours. There being people of almost every nationality and but few who were able to speak English, made our work in that line doubly difficult. But after all there were but few, if any, who did not register.
Next came the call from the Y. M. C. A. for the sum of twenty-five dollars to which our club readily responded. Our club did much work under the Council of National Defense, of which Mrs. Lula Pharis was chairman. We sent many garments to Belgian children; also contributed finan- cially. Under the Council of National Defense came the lectures and demonstra- tions of food conservation, and much plead- ing with the women of our club and city to realize the importance of their work within their homes in keeping life smoothly bal- anced, together with the idea that each woman in her own kitchen handled the biggest war problem-food conservation. Services of Miss Nolan of the University of Illinois were given us and some very intel- lectual talks and demonstrations were had at our club meetings.
Next came Thrift Stamps-sales of which were urged by the president, and the amount of fifty dollars was expended for the same.
During the Third Liberty Loan drive, of which Mrs. Edna Fox Wilson was chairman, the club bought one fifty-dollar bond and ably assisted West Frankfort as a whole in more than doubling its quota. Mrs. C. A. Summers proved quite an efficient saleslady in the drive, as in the space of two hours
48
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
4
GROUP OF RED CROSS, WAR CHARITY AND CLUB WOMEN OF WEST FRANKFORT
Top Row-Mrs. Lulu Pharis, Mrs. C. O. Lane, Mrs. C. R. Thienes, Mrs. R. P. Blake, Mrs. J. L. Harmon Bottom Row-Mrs. Edna Fox Wilson, Mrs. C. A. Gardner, Mrs. J. L. Smith, Miss Ruth Williams
she sold more than two thousand dollars in fifty and one hundred-dollar bonds.
In April, 1918, the club collected and donated many books to the war libraries; also, during the cold winter months of 1918, coal was furnished by the club to families of soldiers who were in need of fuel.
A lecture on "Russia and the War" was given by Prof. C. A. Waller, citing us to the absolute necessity of crushing the German forces and making us feel the importance of self-denial in every phase in order to win the war.
In the Fourth Liberty Loan Drive, of which Mrs. Lela Gardner was chairman, the work of the various members of the club is to be commended, urged as they were by Mrs. Gardner, who puts every fiber of soul and body into whatever she undertakes. They sold more than eleven thousand above the quota.
Mrs. Gardner was also chairman of the Red Cross Work-room, Home Service De- partment, also Y. W. C. A. work in West Frankfort, and with her intensity of appli- cation, tenacity of purpose, and business organizing capacity, they sacrificed much, and accomplished more in their patriotic devotion.
The club did much in the knitting for soldiers-Mrs. Thienes leading all in the number of sweaters knitted. The number was somewhere in thirty. Mrs. Clara Allen followed close in her wake. Auction Sales were conducted by Mrs. Gertrude Fitzgerrel and Mrs. Gardner.
During the winter of 1918, an emergency hospital was arranged by the club, together with others, and valuable and efficient ser- vice was rendered by Mrs. Birdie Webb, Mrs. Gardner and others.
In 1918, the club adopted a Belgian baby, and paid $36.50 for its support. Also gave $22.00 for American Women's Club Con- valescent Hut and another $25.00 to the Y. M. C. A.
Mrs. R. P. Blake was chairman of the Junior Red Cross and a goodly amount of work was done by the school children under ner supervision and direction.
Following is a full account of Junior Red Cross work, prepared by Miss Ruby Gambill, Mrs. Blake's assistant:
"West Frankfort's Junior Red Cross had a membership of 1150. Practically every grade in the schools was 100 per cent. in enrollment.
"A fourth day in each week was set apart for work. Each room worked hard under the
49
1832-
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
supervision of their teacher. The work con- sisted mainly of simple garment making and towel hemming.
"In the primary grades, material was pro- vided for "snipping" for pillows. In the intermediate grades dozens of towels were hemmed. And in the seventh and eighth grades, garment making was undertaken. A number of garments and layettes were made for destitute Belgian and French children.
"The boys and girls also collected clean worn clothing. They also collected books for the "Soldier's Library.'
"Some of the larger boys helped by run- ning errands, packing and shipping packages. The larger girls also worked at the Senior Red Cross rooms.
"In fact the Junior Red Cross members were loyal. They were always ready and willing to do all in their power to help win the war."
In the Victory Loan Drive, which seemed as though it would surely be the hardest of all, due to the fact that most every one had given to their utmost, Mrs. Lola Harmon with her sweet and appealing personality again brought Frankfort "over the top" with an excess of more than two thousand dollars. Mrs. Nellie Crawford is to be commended for her work in the Victory Loan in Frank- fort Heights and surrounding community. A very unique and effective appeal arranged by Mrs. Harmon and the following named ladies, Mesdames Dudenbostel, Fitzgerrel, Gardner, Hart, Hampton, Campbell, Cline, Crawford, and Blake, at the home of Mrs. Blake, was a silver Colonial Tea. The reception committee was dressed in Colonial attire, as also were the ones on programme for entertainment. The women were gen- erous in their offerings and the men, who it seemed had already gone their limit, were even more so. One one-hundred dollar Victory Bond was purchased by the club.
At the close of the war a committee con- sisting of Mrs. Mae Campbell, Mrs. Fitz- gerrel, and Mrs. Pharis was appointed to assist in the erection of a band-stand as a memorial to our soldiers and sailors. The sum of one hundred dollars was paid by the club besides soliciting outside and contrib- uting food to be sold to help raise the balance due at the time of dedication. The full amount was raised the evening of dedication.
In 1919, Mrs. Julia Webster was elected president of the club, and she has energetic- ally taken up the unfinished war and recon- struction work. Christmas she personally sold Christmas seals to the amount of $46.00.
Thus we find in answering the question, what is, or rather was, women's war work, that modern war has revolutionized its warfare, and patriotism does not always call for an expression as was given by Joan of Arc or Molly Pitcher, but for women behind the lines, wherever dependence is, whether man, woman, boy or girl, our supreme war work was to uphold our national standards, and be ready, as we were, to hand them back intact to the nation when peace came. A full list of the club members is given here and we fully appreciate the fact that each one in some way helped maintain the victory for which to God we must ever give thanks.
Mesdames Dollie Blake, Mae Campbell, Bert Cline, Cecile Campbell, Minnin Dud- enbostel, Nell Crawford, Gertrude Fitz- gerrel, Lela Gardner, Etta Hart, Vinnie Hampton, Lola Harmon, Lucille Haff, Gana Haff, Anna Kelly, Nora Lane, Lula Pharis, Stella Summers, Georgiana Thienes, Birdie Webb, Maude Wilmore, Julia Webster, Madeline Webb, Edna Fox Wilson, Jessie Young.
OUR BOYS
To win for the world a lasting peace Our chosen ones were sent;
Good soldiers and great victors- A noble armament.
Trained were they with the greatest skill, For Uncle Sam knew well
That when sent to face such a tyrannous foe, It could be but facing hell.
Fear them, ye Kaiser of Hell not of earth; Fear them, ye Huns our foes;
Fire on them and think to conquer, But the ranks will always close; In vain does the Monarch and hell unite, Their powers and science to try-
Our Boys fight better for their wounds, And conquer when they die.
Freedom for all the world Is the victory they would gain;
Freedom for hearts crushed with sorrow, And for eyes hidden in shame; Faith is the shield they carry, Taught each day back home ---
It's God's strongest and mightiest weapon When hard fierce battles come.
50
1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY. L
They are gone where the Huns are camping, By the Rhine's renowned tide, Through the trackless Argonne Forest, Right and honor as their guide; Where crime and sin are raging To conquer they are gone- They do conquer as they go,
For His hand is leading on.
They are gone where love is frozen And faith grown dim and cold, Where Earth's idols rule triumphant Where their wickedness is bold, Where men think naught of virtue And all sacred vows despise- One's heart grows cold with horror At one glance into their eyes.
They are gone where all is misery Through the night time and through day, Where suffering ones are pleading That death may have full sway, Where living eyes in terror Will forever see the past- Our Boys are drawing near them And victory comes at last.
Would you know, oh world, these warriors? Gaze upon their rank and file; They're the boys who wear the khaki, Facing each battle with a smile; They're the boys the whole world praises And the boys we all love;
They're the boys who stilled the tempest, Guided by the God above.
-Edna Fox Wilson
LOYAL DAUGHTERS CLUB
This was another club of patriotic ladies of West Frankfort that was very active in the local war activities. The president was Miss Ruth Williams, and the secretary- treasurer, Mrs. Lela Gardner. The club was composed of twenty-five members and while most of their work was in conjunction with other clubs, some of the work, as a club, is worthy of mention. In the United War Work drive the club donated $150. The club bought bonds of the First, Second and Fifth Liberty Loan drives. During the Third Liberty Loan campaign, Miss Williams, Miss Fannie Harris, Mrs. Lela Gardner and Miss Irene McNamar, club members, sold sandwiches on the streets and donated the proceeds amounting to $96.00 to the Y. M. C. A. fund. All calls for patriotic workers found the members of the Loyal Daughters Club always ready and willing.
WEST FRANKFORT WOMAN'S CLUB
The above club as a whole was active in the local war activities, but as the member- ship and most active workers were with few exceptions the same women who are men- tioned in the report of the Tuesday Art Club, the ladies believed the one report was suf- ficient to cover the work.
Since work was started on this book the two clubs have consolidated under the name of the West Frankfort Woman's Club. The purposes of the Clubs were primarily for the purpose of advancing social and char- itable co-operation among the women that they may take their proper portion of the activities for the betterment of all mankind.
51
1832
1919 *
The Benton Woman's Club War Activities
BY MRS. F. H. WYKES
THE object of the Benton Woman's Club is to promote mutual sympathy and united effort forintellectual development; im- provement of social conditions and the higher civilization of humanity. When the tre- mendous adventure of the World War thrust itself upon our country, Benton had in this club an organization ready as were the "Minute Men" of old; and not one of its members hesitated when the "what's next' question presented itself. "Oh, the world is full of countries, but there's one that is our own"-this was the sentiment that brought
MRS. F. H. WYKES
every ounce of energy confined in the bodies of these women into action that makes their record of war service deserving of space in Franklin County's War History.
Far from the excitement and the heroic deeds, the incentive that comes from the display of great courage, our women played their part at high pressure in the numerous activities in their endeavor to keep life steady, normal and sane.
The club was organized in 1914 and has kept faith with its object. For the duration of the war the club was under the leadership
of Mrs. W. H. Alvis, president, and Mrs. J. E. Webster, acting president for several months, who gave splendid service in in- spiring the club membership to keep pace with our heroic American soldiers who were fighting our battles.
The club has four departments: namely, Civics, Home Economics, Literature, and Music. All of these assisted in the various Red Cross, Liberty Loan, Y. M. C. A., Salvation Army, War Savings Certificate drives and in the registration of women. Mrs. T. S. Browning, serving as District Chairman, Mrs. E. T. Kell and Mrs. F. C. Pulliam as County Chairman, and Mrs. J. E. Webster as City Chairman, for Liberty and Victory Loans; Mrs. A. E. Martin as Chairman for War Savings Certificates; Mrs. W. H. Hart as Secretary of Red Cross and with Mrs. F. H. Stamper assisting as General Director of Red Cross work; Mrs. E. Austin as Supervisor of Junior Red Cross; Mrs. R. E. Poindexter and Mrs. W. H. Hart superintended the management of the Red Cross Emergency Hospital; Mrs. Harry Stotlar as director of Registra- tion of Women and County Chairman of Council of Defense; Mrs. H. A. Vise as Chair- man for Tuberculosis Nurse secured appro- priation from the County Board of Supervisors and from sales of Christmas seals, a fund suffi- cient to provide a County tubercular nurse. Mrs. G. E. Browning, W. C. Simpson, J. R. Gardner and Mrs. F. H. Wykes co- operated with the War Garden Commission, in organizing the local School Garden Army, inspecting the gardens and distributing the insignias to those who had earned them.
A philanthropic fund is provided by an "Annual Tag Day" and was found most useful in assisting families of the soldiers whose allowances from the Government were de- layed, as well as furnishing clothing, food, and securing medical aid for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
52
× 1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
In April, 1918, the club collected and donated books and magazines for War Libraries; purchased $20 worth of yarn and made it into socks for soldiers; bought two fifty-dollar bonds and one one-hundred-dollar bond in 1918; adopted Maurice Lander, a French orphan, Dec. 4, 1918, by paying $36.50 for his yearly support; gave $50 for protective work for girls; $5.50 to Victory Commission; $26.25 to Recreation Fund for soldiers in camp; secured contributions amounting to $101.65 for Armenians; and gave the Red Cross $20.00 in addition to $50.50, the proceeds from a concert given by the Music Department, July 23, 1917, at which time the purpose of the Red Cross was explained in detail by Rev. J. L. Meads and Mr. F. H. Stamper, which awakened all present to the responsibilities the war had placed upon us. An impressive feature was the camp scene with Ira Humerickhaus and Joseph Whittington representing wounded soldiers and with Miss Thelma Fish and Pauline Rice as Red Cross nurses attend- ing them. Corporal Joubert Webb gave the bugle call. Mrs. F. H. Wykes, chairman of the committee in charge, was most grateful to Robt. Edmonds and sister, Miss Kathryn, Misses Julia Hickman, Majorie Burkhart, Lula Reed, Hildred Kirsch, Nina Reed, Grace Mundy, Margaret Cantrell, Leora Seeber and Messrs. V. H. Center, B. F. Sparks, L. Hake and Pearl Robinson, whose contributions made the evening's entertain- ment most enjoyable.
The Music Department gave of its time and talent whenever needed. In the time of sorrow they gave to the community a feeling of buoyancy by means of song-
"This is the luxury of music.
"It touches every key of memory and stirs all the hidden springs of sorrow and of joy. I love it for what it makes me forget, and what it makes me remember."
We are indebted to the Home Economics Department for the bringing of the Food Demonstration Car to our city; for the war time luncheons; for the food show directed by Mrs. Fred Goodin, Mrs. Guy Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Carl Burkhart, presided over by a Government demonstrator; for the "Eat More Potato" campaign-that other foods might be sent overseas-this campaign being in charge of Mrs. Thos. Warren, Mrs. Harry
Ferrell, Mrs. G. A. Hickman, Mrs. John Payne and Mrs. N. S. Helm who visited the schools telling the story of the Potato Cam- paign to the students. This department secured the services of Miss Jones, teacher of Domestic Science at the S. I. N. U. to tell us of "Our Duty in the War"; and on the same date gave a demonstration on war bread and meat substitutes-Misses Ruby Freeman and Martha Kirkpatrick were the demonstrators. This department's efforts were most commendable in aiding food con- servation and providing demonstrations and exhibitions along those lines, beseeching women to be careful of the administration of their kitchens.
The Literature Department members of- fered their services in operating night schools for men and women of foreign birth, and co-operated in every line of presented endeavor.
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.