USA > Illinois > Massac County > History of Massac County, Illinois > Part 11
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Almost as soon as war was declared the home front was organized. The staff of the Massac County Chapter of the Red Cross consisted of 59 hard- working members. The ladies knitted many gar- ments and prepared comfort kits. The county gave liberally to the various benefits such as the Belgian Relief. The government launched five great Liberty Loans during the war, which netted almost twenty billions of dollars. Massac County subscribed $51,900 in the first loan ; $117,050 in the second ; $255,100 in the third ; $296,700 in the fourth ; and $224,300 in the fifth or Victory Loan. The total over-subscriptions
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amounted to thousands of dollars. The highest per cent of quota was in the third loan, when it was 199 per cent ! The total sales of War Savings Stamps of the 1918 issue was $123,925. More than $7000 was collected in the county for the United War Work Campaign.
Those at home also underwent hardships. Be- sides the wheatless, and meatless, and fuelless days (which the people were willing to bear as a war effort) were the sufferings of disease and severe weather. The deep snow fell in 1917-18. The rav- ages of the Spanish influenza began in October 1918 and lasted through the following year. On Novem- ber 7, 1918, the County Board issued a closing order to all public places. Few escaped the disease. Some- times two or three in a family died. A double funeral was not uncommon.
By an act of the Legislature, June 28, 1919, counties might erect memorials to World War Vet- erans. After a number of years of planning, Me- morial Park was created. It was completed and dedicated on Memorial Day, 1934. An appropriate monument stands in the center of the park, which is located at the corner of Metropolis and Third Streets.
CHAPTER XXI
BETWEEN TWO WARS
The 1920's was a period which has been variously called the "Roaring '20's", the "incredible age", and the "Prohibition Era". Isabel Leighton has labeled it "the aspirin age". The majority seemed to want to forget the horrors of the last war, and to engage in a prolonged celebration spree. It was the period of bobbed hair, flappers, bell-bottom pants, the ukulele, the hip-flask, bootleggers, and a loosening of the sex morals. Some historians say it was a re- flection of the governmental policies. There were administrative debacles like the Teapot Dome Case. The "back to normalcy" attempt was a failure de- spite such shibboleths as "Keep Cool with Coolidge" and "Coolidge or Chaos". The Bolshevism bogey prevented any needed reform. It was a period of disarmament talk and peace pacts. Meanwhile, Mussolini and Hitler rose to power and Stalin was getting a toe-hold. A few years later Franco seized his chance. In our own country Huey Long was thought by many to be a potential danger by his
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fascist methods. The rejection of Catholic Al Smith closed the decade to any further major changes.
Regionally, Southern Illinois shared in the paved roads program of 1921 to 1926. The Ku Klux Klan and the Knights of the Flaming Circle gave many public demonstrations, some in Massac County. One gathering about 1923 drew 7000 Klansmen to Metropolis. From 1922 to 1928 the "Bloody Ven- detta" flared up again in Williamson County. S. Glenn Young was in Massac for brief periods. Charles Birger was hanged in Williamson County in 1928.
Local events in the 1920's may be summarized by briefing the files of the local newspapers. The Illinois Central Railroad Cut-off, the Irvin S. Cobb bridge, and the Metropolis Post Office were built. The City Hall was erected in 1931. Two years later, beer came back. It was the "Peach Era" in Egypt. The Metropolis Chamber of Commerce was very ac- tive in this period and chalked up many accomplish- ments. Massac County shared in the hectic pros- perity of the twenties. On December 16, 1927, William Brown, colored, was hanged in the jail yard for the axe-murder of two colored women near Brookport. It was the second hanging in County history, as it was also the last, because in the same year the Electrocution Bill was passed.
The 1930's witnessed the Clark Sesqui-Centen- nial and the Metropolis Centennial. The flood came in 1937. Other major events have been given else-
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where in this book. It only remains to pass on to the calamitous Great Depression.
The causes of the depression were various, and some were obscure, but everyone learned the results of the depression. The "prosperity around the corner" philosophy did not work. "Black Friday", October 29, 1929, precipitated many unusual hap- penings. With the stock market crash, bank failures, business failures-and suicides-became common headlines. The wheels of industry ground slower and unemployment became widespread. Added to this was a series of severe drouths.
The present volume is no place to recount na- tional history, but mention of a few governmental measures is almost necessary. President Roosevelt adopted revolutionary methods - methods which were and since have been severely criticized. Despite much vitriolic censure some of the new laws worked. Some did not. A few of the alphabetical agencies created were NRA, AAA, CWA, PWA, WPA, CCC, NYA, and RFC. None alone seemed to be the panacea desperately needed.
A picture of some of the local activity during these depression years may perhaps be gained by glancing at some of the local leadlines briefly. March 1933-Bank Moratorium. Local banks closed. No concern was felt for it was known the banks were sound. August to December-Wheat production control. NRA supported by 95 businesses. Novem- ber-Several projects begun under CWA. Decem-
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BETWEEN TWO WARS
ber-Company No. 1660 CCC came to Metropolis to do Erosion Control work. February 1934-Families on relief numbered 518. They rose to 800 by April. Ward Minor, of the National Employment Agency, was finding jobs for men. May-146 relief gardens in the county planted. A. D. Kadoch was appointed Relief Administrator. October-Forty work projects approved requiring 45,760 men days. Three centers can 50,000 cans of food. January 1935-Families re- ceiving aid numbered 1050. May-Responsibility for relief and works shifted to local administration. July-Some factories show larger payroll since NRA died. September-County road project for $300,000 approved. October-Quota for the high school is 18 students for NYA. PWA allotments made for Washington School and Water and Light Plant. December-Last federal dole. Throughout 1936 the county was recipient of various funds-WPA, AAA, NYA-and the oldsters began to receive the first pensions, 185 of them in July, and 484 by November.
Various types of programs continued for several years. By January 1937, the county WPA Sewing Project had completed 36,745 articles. Canning in season was continued and a commercial laundry was opened. Jesse Lassiter was appointed County Relief Administrator in November 1939. WPA labor helped extend the city sewers. As late as 1940 WPA funds in the amount of $71,020 were approved for a proposed new Court House. On April 11, 1940, a long list of accomplishments for WPA was cited.
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Apropos the fact that the rest of the country was feeling the pinch of the depression, The Republican Herald said in 1930: "Massac County may be small ; it may not have the wealth of the larger counties, but such as it is, is substantial and withstands the storms of financial depression. Our people are con- servative and not carried away by the temptations to live extravagantly in good times, but take care of what they have for times of stress. Therefore, when other counties are suffering, Massac County pursues the even tenor of its way, safe and sane at all times." With 22 per cent on relief in April 1934, perhaps the writer did not feel so confident. However, by March 1936, relief cases had fallen to 9.7 per cent. In 1932 the newspaper reported as follows: "Metropolis is a substantial city. There are three banks in better condition than any bank in any other city of like size in the country. Factories were idle part of the time. The rayon factory, stove plant, box factory, Artman's Mill, chair factory, bender, glove factory, C.I.P.S. ice plant, Miller's Dairy, and nearly all grocers and bakers weathered the storm. However, in 1931, work was not plentiful."
A paragraph of miscellaneous items seems to be necessary at this point. In the 1930-1940 period the Kincaid Mounds were intensively studied. Hopes for oil were high between 1933 and 1940. Two for- mer Massac County women made news. Miss Mig- non Spence began to draw attention as early as 1927 by her singing. By 1932 she was scoring suc-
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cesses in France and Belgium. Her career took her to Genoa, Turin, London, Paris, Stockholm, Ant- werp, Brussels, and other operatic centers. The press said: "Europe sits at her feet". After an absence of seven years she visited Metropolis and gave a concert July 1, 1936. Miss Francis E. Willis was acting United States Minister at Stockholm in 1932. She was later sent to Brussels. She also had served in Chile. At the present time she is Am- bassador to Switzerland.
The county was honored by the visits of several notables as follows: Governor Emmerson, Legion Commander Spafford, Lorado Taft, Governor Hor- ner, Governor Len Small, former Vice-President Dawes, and a number of Congressmen and minor officials.
The year 1939 opened with high hopes. Several local industries reported the outlook bright for a big year. But tragedy stalked Europe before the year was gone, as Hitler swiftly spread the tentacles of his power over Poland.
CHAPTER XXII
FROM KRAKOW TO KOREA
Global war began in 1939 when Hitler blitzed Poland. In 1940 the Germans swept through Europe. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed. The Normandy invasion in 1944 and the A-bomb on August 6, 1945 were the two turning points.
On the clear frosty morning of October 16, 1940, Massac County men and boys between the ages of 18 to 45 to the number of 1817 registered under the first peace-time Selective Service Act. On the 29th the National lottery drawing was held. The first 1000 draft numbers included 36 Massac men. The first number was 158, that of Norman Townsend, of Metropolis. Strangely, the second number, 192, was also from Massac, that of Edgar Lille, of Brookport.
The first military call to the county was in Febru- ary 1941. Twenty-five men-only three draftees-an- swered the call. In April, 30 men-21 being draftees -were called up. L. W. Smith was clerk of the Local Draft Board No. 1. Upon his resignation in February 1942, David A. DeJarnett assumed the position. Enlistments had been numerous before
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FROM KRAKOW TO KOREA
the draft call, 46 having been accepted in September 1940 alone. John Henry Frazee held the first county number called in the first war time draft lottery, March 18, 1942. Space will not permit a listing of the various groups inducted, except that the largest was 45 men in January 1943. There were volunteers all along. Leonard Armstrong was the first to volun- teer under the Selective Service Act. By August 1942, The Metropolis News was sending its paper to 390 men, 91 being in foreign service.
There were six general registrations and 141 in- duction calls. Massac's total registration was 3672, according to Colonel Kleber. He also says that the total number of men inducted from the county was 1170. This included only men that the draft board furnished by induction. So-called "credits" of en- listees-and women-were not counted because of the unavailability of complete and correct figures. (68) Of course, the number 1170 is far too small. The Metropolis News said that the number of in- ductees was 1204, plus enlisted men totaled 1517. Mr. DeJarnett told the writer that he believed the board had drafted about 1900 men. The grand total of all service men, he stated, would approach 2300. Here again we find difficulty in deciding just who a Massac County man was in establishing "credits". Since 1929 the government has increasingly made the country one "vast amorphous mass", and most activities have been "swallowed up in anonymity". (69)
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December 7, 1941, found many boys in Hawaii and the Far East. Juan Luis Lackey, of Metropolis, was reported as killed but was later reported safe. Pearl Harbor incited 22 men to enlist in the Marines within a few days. During the war local soldiers were trained at dozens of different camps. Camp Grant was the largest reception center.
Strange, indeed, did seem sometimes the opera- tion of war. State lines, color lines, and military outfits crossed as in no other war which America had fought. Strange and interesting also were the stories the service men brought back. Massac was represented in all the theaters of war, from Green- land to Guadalcanal, from Italy to Iwo Jima. One boy enlisted before Pearl Harbor, spent much time in West Coast camps, was sent to Algiers during the war heat, served throughout as MP, was sent back to the States after 10 months, and never saw any action. Why? He has often tried to figure it out. Many were cited for their heroic actions. Carlton Starkes got three Jap dive bombers as they attacked a ship. Many were decorated, many were wounded -and some died.
There were several examples of three and four of the same family in service. There were five of the Johnston brothers: Clifford, Tyre, Cecil, Vernon, and Leslie, and the youngest, Delbert, although in high school, was registered. The Comptons had six sons and one daughter in service: Lavere, William, James, Don, Kenneth, Robert, and Ione.
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FROM KRAKOW TO KOREA
Ten women enlisted for military service. Dorothy Jessing was first to join in 1943, as a WAC. The nine others served as nurses or as WACS, WAVES, or SPARS.
Edwin Virgil Kerr was the only one to serve who had a commission as high as that of Major. He died in a Japanese prison camp. Kes Austin served his country, even though he left six children at home. There was one example of father and son serving- F. W. Nannie, Sr., and Freeman W. Nannie, Jr. An official letter received in December 1943 reported the first county death casualty, Marine William A. Nichols.
On the home front there were many activities. It was a time when Molly Pitchers became Rosie Riveters. There were at least six major bond drives in which the county oversubscribed. The story was the same for the Red Cross and the USO. The price freeze came in April 1942. Sales were easy but goods were scarce. Gardening burgeoned again into a major civilian activity. The rationing of tires, gaso- line, shoes, and foods became necessary. In the various scrap drives the children were often the heroes. (70) The Metropolis Boy Scouts were said to have been the nation's leader in collecting 6700 bags of milkweed pods. The Fort Massac cannon balls were disposed of for scrap iron. Civil Defense measures were organized and a blackout conducted July 20, 1943, was successful.
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HISTORY OF MASSAC COUNTY
Industry boomed. The Kentucky Ordnance works across the river took shape in the latter part of 1942, for the manufacture of TNT. It benefitted the area by giving employment and by stimulating housing construction. Many found employment at the Crab Orchard shell-loading plant. The Elwood Ordnance Plant at Joliet hired many from the Metropolis area. Still others wandered to defense jobs in many states. Local industry was also able to help in war production. In February 1941 the Good Luck Glove Company received a defense order for 232,200 pairs of gloves. Steel cuts increased the demand for oyster buttons and McKee employed ad- ditional workers. Sixty NYA girls were at Fort Massac making incendiary bomb parts. The Bend- ing Company filled army orders for 50,000 chairs, 10,000 cots, and 200,000 wood bendings for self- sealing gas tanks.
Germany surrendered on May 6, 1945. Japan held out until August 14, when it too surrendered. The world could then begin to count the cost. To arrive at the exact number and names to be placed upon the roll of honor is not easy. The author shall regret deeply any errors appearing below and hopes he may be forgiven.
William Aaron Nichols, Talmadge L. Phoenix, Clarence A. Smith, Paul Shook, William Orlan Compton, Philip Sebart Barton, Russell Alonzo Goodson, Milfred L. Walter, Orvil Meeks, Jr., George Kittle, Everett I. Lillie, Kenneth Wayne
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FROM KRAKOW TO KOREA
Hardy, Russell Q. Cummins, Melvin King, Kenneth Wayne Cossey, Robert V. Owens, Russell E. Ramer, Carl Barnett Lytton, Loren L. Mathis, Harry A. Triplett, James Linnard Wedeking, Cleo L. Teague, William F. James, John Lowell Burkhead, Charles L. Ellerbusch, James Ferrell Crockett, John Paul Adkins, Charles E. Moore, Thomas Otto Owens.
Raymond Shappard, Jr., Marvin W. Finley, Paul C. Hornback, Roy K. Philips, William R. Searles, Thelbert F. Robinett, Russell E. Kelley, William E. Rodenberg, Paul Clyde Walter, Norman W. Steele, Elton Hendrix, Lester Reynolds, Norman Rose, Lester D. James, Jr., William Luster Leuker- ing, Edwin Virgil Kerr, William Milton Lindsey, Arnold P. Buckland, Oris G. Collins, Zelmer J. Hall, Lawrence T. Huser, John W. James, George W. Williamson, Paul J. Teckenbrock, William L. Shambling, William J. Hendrix, L. G. Strickland.
Fifty-six. We cherish proudly and gratefully the memory of those to whom the war's cost has been greatest-the ones who could not stop to count the cost, but offered and gave their all.
The drafting of men ceased some time in October 1946, but enlistments were still accepted. Several re-enlisted. Delmar T. Jackson was the first new volunteer after war's end. Norma Jean Wiseman joined the WAC in October 1948. Drafting began again about September 1948 and the first quota was four men on November 30. From September 1945 to June 1950 at least 125 men enlisted or were
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HISTORY OF MASSAC COUNTY
drafted. The exact number could not be ascertained.
America's part in the Korea struggle lasted from June 1950 to July 1953. During that time at least 160 local men were inducted or enlisted. It is un- known how many served in Korea. If anything, that war was more terrible than the last. Sergeant Carl Brannum, a prisoner of war for 32 months in North Korea, lived to return to Brookport and re- veal the ordeals of existence in a Chinese prison camp. Louis Oliver wrote in October 1952: "My division almost got wiped out. I'm to be decorated three times for bravery, but a guy doesn't have to be brave to fight. It is a matter of 'they' or 'we'. War is horrible-don't get me wrong-I'm not sorry I enlisted."
Almost 30,000 American soldiers gave their lives in Korea. According to newspaper files, Massac County lost five. They are: James Earl Moore, Tally J. Sheppard, Everett Lynn, Carl Stewart, and Arthur Lovins.
And the drafting goes on.
CHAPTER XXIII
OTHER RECENT EVENTS
In this chapter we shall try to mention important or unusual events since 1940, which have not been mentioned anywhere in the text earlier. Aside from war activities, significant events were scarce locally from 1941 to 1945. Many activities were suspended for lack of manpower or materials. During those years, however, thinking people were looking ahead to post-war days, and several planning meetings were held in Metropolis.
One of the important projects completed during the war period was the new Court House. The old building was outmoded and deteriorating. Plans had been begun for the old building in 1860, and by the end of 1862 it had been erected. Jury rooms had been added in 1891. Fire had caused heavy damage in 1900. (11) In 1938 the county approved a new court house by a vote of 1102 to 802. In January 1940 the County Board-Morton Chick, George Laird, and Cletis Cummins-approved the proposal, and the next month a WPA allotment for $71,020 was approved. The path to a new court house was
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HISTORY OF MASSAC COUNTY
not smooth, bonds to finish it being voted down in June and again in November. At last in January 1942 in a special election the people gave a large majority in favor of completion. The new Court House was occupied in July.
In October 1944, three ferocious lynx were killed near New Columbia by fox-hunters. Governor Green visited Metropolis in December.
In October 1944, three officers and 64 men were ready to form a National Guard Company. The captain was John Schneider ; First Lieutenant, Wil- liam Brannon; Second Lieutenant, Ralph Tucker. By 1949 it had definitely been organized as Co. D of the 135th Combat Engineers Battalion, with the Armory in the Hinners Building.
On March 1, 1945, twenty-eight gold stars hung in the windows, the death of John Paul Adkins making the twenty-eighth. In December the old folks home on Fifth Street, Metropolis, burned with a loss of eight lives. The county declared it had a huge job ahead on repairs, both private and public. In February 1946, the county government author- ized $18,914 for the community improvement, and a Local Housing Authority was created.
The first county fair since 1892 was held July 1-5, 1946.
January 1947 found about 125 veterans engaged in on-the-job training under the GI Bill of Rights. Bounties were paid for five wolves killed on the Myrick farm. The second county fair drew 18,000.
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OTHER RECENT EVENTS
On July 7 came the first reports of flying saucers being seen locally. Miss Alice Lee Pryor won the title of "Miss Metropolis" in October. The first war veteran to be returned for burial was Carl B. Lytton, of Brookport, in November. The same month George Herman, of near Samoth, died at the age of 107. Although he died in Chicago, he was for many years a familiar figure on the streets of Metropolis. At the age of 102 he had registered to vote in Georges Creek Precinct, and was farming five acres at age 103. He had talked with Lincoln.
In March 1948, Mrs. Roy R. Helm was chosen First Lady of the Year. City bus service was sus- pended in May but was resumed in October. Fed- eral Court was in session for the first time in county history. Held in May, it involved an estate case. Shawnee Forest reported sales of $18,327 for the past year, 25 per cent of which was returned to the county. Governor Green again visited Metropolis in September. In October the first annual Festival of Egypt opened in Metropolis. It moved in parade- form to Chester. The theme was George Rogers Clark.
In 1949 several more war dead were received. Clean-up week occurred in June. A public opinion poll showed that the people were against parking meters for Metropolis.
In March 1950 Metropolis and Joppa were seek- ing the Air Academy. Colorado Springs got it. Counterfeit $10 bills flooded Metropolis in April.
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HISTORY OF MASSAC COUNTY
Governor Stevenson visited in July. Paving of roads to Round Knob and Unionville was approved in September. Joseph Edd Amos was missing in Korea in November.
The Brookport War Memorial was unveiled on May 30, 1951. Mrs. Temmie Cohen was honored with the title "Mrs. Southern Illinois Business Woman of 1951". The sixth annual county fair drew more people than any of the others. Construc- tion was begun on two Federal housing projects : the Ada Spence Apartments and the L. G. Strick- land Apartments, the latter for colored. In October rents were rolled back to the January level.
The impact of the AEC project began to be felt in the increasing number of law violations. Under Sheriff Leonard Devers a high tempo of law enforce- ment had been attained by May 1952 and has since continued so. Arrests doubled in 1952. The county was still bond-conscious, its people buying $44,281 in June alone. In September it was estimated that Metropolis would spend $451,100 during the new fiscal year. The City Council approved a $750,000 bond issue for power plant improvements. The amount was later raised to $850,000. The ferry op- erated briefly, then ceased. Construction began on a $334,500 FHA housing project, north of the Baynes Addition.
Law violations still continued high in 1953. Dr. William J. Buchanan was appointed Civil Defense Director of Metropolis. Miss Betty Rae Korte was
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OTHER RECENT EVENTS
elected State Hi-Tri vice-president, the first Metrop- olis girl ever to hold such a State office. A propo- sition to build a $950,000 sewage disposal plant was defeated in Metropolis 710 to 10. For the first time in 30 years there were no divorce cases in the August term of Circuit Court. Dr. Charles H. Morris, pastor of the First Baptist Church, was on tour of the Holy Land in August. The Rotary Club named Howard H. Hays, of Riverside, California, as Metropolis' "Most Distinguished Citizen". He is a newspaper publisher, and president of Glacier Park Transport Company. (On January 15, 1954, Mr. Hays was in Metropolis to receive personally the honor). An eminent citizen and lawyer of Metropolis died in November, Roy R. Helm.
Mrs. George H. Moseley
Howard H. Hays
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HISTORY OF MASSAC COUNTY
Brief notes of 1954 events follow. Memorial Hospital plans forged ahead. Other construction in progress was expansion of two high schools, two new elementary schools, many new homes, the Methodist and Baptist Churches, a motel, and the "Cadet Square" houses. Mrs. George H. Moseley was named Illinois "Mother of the Year". Harry Nave, popular columnist, passed away. The Khoury Softball League was organized. Betchel Briefs mag- azine featured Joppa. The Egyptian Trails bridge permit was granted. Metropolis was featured in the General Telephone Company's News magazine. The Fort Massac Park Association was organized with Maurice Clark as president. Governor Stratton and other officials attended the county fair. The four Wehrmeyer brothers were at the head of four local clubs simultaneously. A box of Fort Massac arti- facts was taken to New Salem for lack of proper storage here. On July 11 a jam occurred in the river channel near Joppa when 25 boats lodged. Some desired drought aid for the county but Gov- ernor Stratton did not include it in his request for aid. A 115 pound gar was caught near Joppa. Cap- tain Frank Ragland, civil engineer and one-time native, paid a visit to Metropolis after an absence of 45 years. Nine 4-H Club youths represented the county at the State Fair. Sheriff Leonard Devers resigned to become district inspector. Joe Troutman succeeded him.
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