USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Shelby County in the World War > Part 4
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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
OCONEE BRANCH
The Oconee Branch was organized Nov. 5, 1917. with Mrs. Lou Welch chairman, Mrs. Laura Spur- rier secretary, and Miss Catherine Eckolt treasurer. It grew to a membership of 270. The Branch raised a total of $2,426.65, which was expended for the benefit of the "boys." Thirty kits were furnished the soldiers direct, 15 Christmas boxes were sent overseas, and 537 garments were made. The Branch has four Junior Red Cross organizations, with a membership of something like 50.
COWDEN BRANCH
The Cowden Branch was organized Sept. 14, 1917, with A. W. Moore as chairman, Mrs. R. N. Thomp- son secretary and B. E. Prater treasurer. Nine hundred members were enrolled, with six sub- scribers, and the sum of $3,611.81 was raised. Thir- ty-seven Christmas boxes were sent overseas, and 982 garments were manufactured. The Branch made and partially filled 40 comfort kits at one time, but all its supplies were sent through the Chapter head- quarters, according to orders.
Page Twenty-Six
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BRANCH
STRASBURG RED CROSS AT WORK CLARKSBURG RED CROSS WORKERS SOME ACTIVE RED CROSS WORKERS
STRASBURG BRANCH
The Strasburg Branch was organized in May, 1917, with Henry Faster as chairman and Edwin H. Faster as secretary and treasurer. The Branch at- tained a membership of about 250, and was one of only two Branches in the county which went "over the top" in the Red Cross drive. A total of $4,000 was raised and much other splendid work done.
On the 12th of September, 1917, a Woman's Aux- iliary was formed. Mrs. E. N. Norris was made chairman, and Mrs. J. E. Weber secretary and treas- urer. The membership was 57, and $2,846.71 was raised for the relief fund. Thirty comfort kits were furnished the boys direct; eight sweaters also were made and given soldiers; 977 knitted articles, including washcloths, were manufactured, and 4,048 surgical dressings and 72 dozen trench candles also were the work of the busy hands of these women. The receipts of the auxiliary came from various sources, among them being the following: A car- load of hogs, donated, shipped and sold on the Chi- cago market for $1,200; a Red Cross sale, amounting to $500.00; a chicken fry, several hundred dollars: a lecture at Grace Lutheran church by a Camp pastor, with free will offering amounting to $81.25, which was donated to the Red Cross; an entertain- ment by St. Paul Lutheran young people, the pro- ceeds of which were given the Branch; a play by the young people of the village; quilts made by St. Paul's Ladies' Aid, and sold. After the war was over, the Branch purchased $1,200 worth of Liberty Bonds, and still has $132 on hand.
TODD'S POINT BRANCH
The Todd's Point Branch was organized May 17, 1918, with the following named officers: Chairman, Mary C. Perry, Bethany; vice-chairman, Frieda Mar- tin, Bethany; secretary, Clara B. Nuttall, Bethany; treasurer, Zoe Janes, Bethany. The Branch had a membership of 15, and raised $65.00, furnished four sweaters, three helmets and eight pairs of socks to soldiers direct, and made 10 garments.
PRAIRIE HOME BRANCH
The Prairie Home Branch was organized Aug. 11, 1917. with the following named officers: Chairman, DeForest Baird, Bethany; secretary, Myrtle Lindley, Bethany; chairman of the Women's work, Mrs. W. B. Lindley, Bethany. The Branch had a member- ship of 114, and raised $429.25, sent four Christmas boxes overseas and manufactured the following gar- ments: Forty-four sweaters, 9 pairs socks, 6 pairs wristlets, 11 mufflers, 25 pillow cases, 20 skirts, 2 hel- mets, 25 underskirts, 5 pairs drawers, 27 Belgian pin- afores.
CLARKSBURG BRANCH
The Clarksburg Branch was organized in the fall of 1917, and had an annual membership of 197. The total amount of money raised was $2,143.62, while two Christmas boxes were sent overseas, 23 sweaters were furnished soldiers direct, and 479 garments were made. The officers of the Branch are: Chair- man, Mrs. J. A. Hickman; secretary, Miss Mell Compton; treasurer. Charles Flenner. Leverett Compton also held an official position. The Branch held a very profitable auction sale at Clarksburg on June 19, 1918, when a considerable sum of money was raised.
SIGEL BRANCH
Sigel patriots organized a regular Branch and a Woman's Auxiliary on the same date, November 21, 1918, with a combined membership of 360. The officers of the regular Branch were: Chairman, Dr. H. C. Heuck; vice chairman, Mrs. William Paxton: secretary, Mrs. H. C. Heuck; treasurer, S. S. Bigler. Officers of the Auxiliary were: Chairmen, Mrs. Wil- liam Paxton and Mrs. Lou Behrman: secretary, Miss Louise Mense; other officers, Mrs. Julius Han- sen and Mrs. George R. Dunlap. The sum of $1,- 892.28 was raised. Sixteen Christmas boxes were sent overseas, 25 filled comfort kits were furnished soldiers direct, and 291 sewed garments, 164 knitted garments and 3,985 surgical dressings were manu- factured.
WESTERVELT BRANCH
Mrs. W. C. Kelley and the Reverend N. H. Rob- ertson of Shelbyville were the organizers of the Westervelt Branch, on Nov. 14, 1917. Miss Rolfa Barrickman and Mrs. Paul Christman were elected chairman and secretary, respectively, and later were succeeded by Mrs. H. M. Jackson as chairman and Miss Bessie E. Fritz as secretary. The Branch had a very satisfactory membership, and raised a total of $3,144.19. Three hundred thirty-five garments were made, and a number of Christmas boxes were sent overseas. The number of these could not be fur- nished by the secretary, as they were sent through the Chapter headquarters at Shelbyville.
TOWER HILL BRANCH
Sept. 14, 1917, was the date of the organization of the Tower Hill Branch, of which the following named persons were officers: Chairman, Mrs. Min- nie B. Eiler: vice chairman, Mrs. Eva Cannon; secretary, Mrs. Della Werstheimer; secretary-treas- urer of Hospital Supplies Department, Mrs. Julia Maze; treasurer, H. H. Runkel. The Branch had a membership of 445, and raised $1,768.76, sent 23 Christmas boxes overseas and manufactured 885 garments, of which 463 were sewed and 422 knitted.
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TROWBRIDGE RED CROSS WORKERS
TROWBRIDGE BRANCH
The Trowbridge Branch was organized Sept. 22, 1917, and attained a membership of 200. The of- ficers were: Chairman, Mrs. Cleve Rogers; secre- tary, Miss Gertrude McClory; other officers, Mame Quinn and Annie McClory. The Branch raised $910.63, sent 11 Christmas boxes overseas and made 1,025 garments. Among the social activities of this Branch was a reception given the returned soldiers and sailors of Big Spring township, when about thirty of those who had seen service were enter- tained at a social and dance, with nearly 600 per- sons present to honor them.
DOLLVILLE BRANCH
The Dollville Branch in Rural township was or- ganized Nov. 6, 1917, with the following named offi- cers: Chairman, Mrs. Mathias Maurer, Tower Hill: vice chairman, Mrs. Andrew Metzger, Tower Hill; secretary, Mrs. John Weber, Tower Hill; treasurer, Mrs. Chris Munzenmaier, Pana. The Branch had a membership of 197, and raised $1,462.48, sent four Christmas boxes overseas and made 422 garments.
FANCHER BRANCH
The Fancher Branch was organized in May, 1918. Its officers were: Chairman, Mrs. William Marsh; secretary, Mrs. H. O. Clausen; treasurer, Henry Da- vidson. The Branch had a membership of 29, and raised $168.33 and made 48 garments.
STEWARDSON BRANCH
Stewardson had a regular Branch of the Shelby County Chapter, and a Woman's Auxiliary as well. Both were organized June 8, 1917. The officers of the former were: Chairman, Mrs. William Denn; vice chairman, Mrs. J. S. Belles; secretary, Miss Rose Streng; treasurer, Mrs. A. C. Mautz. The officers of the Auxiliary were: Chairman, Mrs. Edith Wil- son, Stewardson; secretary, Miss Grace Spain, Trow- bridge. The membership of the regular Branch was 369, and of the Auxiliary 17. The receipts from the membership fund amounted to $2,481.94, while the sum of $1,470.29 was raised in addition, making the grand total received, $3,952.23. Fifty-five Christmas boxes were sent overseas, and 709 garments were made.
HERRICK BRANCH
The Herrick Branch was organized in October, 1917, and at the same time a Woman's Auxiliary was formed. Of the former, C. B. Latimer was chair- man, I. R. Holt secretary and G. W. Kelley treas- urer, while of the latter Mrs. C. B. Latimer was chairman, Mrs. fone Burrus secretary and Mrs. Alice Nowlein treasurer. Splendid work was done by these organizations. The sum of $900 was raised. 400 garments were made, and 24 Christmas boxes were sent to boys overseas. The membership of the Branch was 197.
WINDSOR BRANCH
Windsor organized a Branch of the Shelby County Chapter, American Red Cross, on May 15, 1917, and on July 28 of the same year added a Wom- an's Auxiliary to the great force for the accom- plishment of war work. The officers of the regular Branch were: Chairman, Dr. A. B. Storm: vice chairman, C. H. Sexson; secretary, Lucille Reich; treasurer, E. G. Munsell. The officers of the Aux- iliary were: Chairman, Mrs. M. E. Barton: vice chairman, Mrs. G. E. Dunscomb; secretary, Leota Garvin; treasurer, E. G. Munsell. The membership of the Branch was 394, and of the Auxiliary, 50. The cash receipts of the former were $1,112.64, and of the latter, $1,810.92, the Woman's Auxiliary exceed- ing the regular Branch by $698.28. Christmas boxes were sent individually, and five sweaters, one scarf and two helmets were furnished direct to soldiers, while a total of 4,086 garments were made.
YANTISVILLE BRANCH
The Yantisville Branch was organized Nov. 15, 1917, with Mrs. J. M. Yantis, Findlay, as chairman, Miss Laura Belle Syfert, Findlay, as secretary, and Miss Hazel Bateman, Findlay, as treasurer. The membership roll bore the names of 166 persons. The sum of $789.93 was raised, five Christmas boxes were sent overseas, and 143 knitted articles and 152 sewed garments were manufactured.
FINDLAY BRANCH
The Findlay Branch was organized July 13, 1917, and was aggressively active from the first. The offi- cers were: Chairman, Dr. A. W. Askins; vice chair- man, Mrs. John Cribbet: secretary, Miss Mabel Combs; treasurer, Mrs. William M. Pogue. The Branch had 245 annual members, one life member, one contributing member, and three subscribers. Twenty-one Christmas boxes were sent overseas, and a total of 2,920 articles of wearing apparel, bandages, kits, etc., were manufactured. The Branch raised $2,731.28, using unique methods from time to time to swell the fund. During the Findlay Community Festival, Oct. 24-27. 1917, the Branch netted $305.12 from the sale of Red Cross tags, donations and the like. One feature of the money-raising campaign consisted of the carrying of a large sheet, with the Red Cross emblem, through the streets for dona- tions; another was an auction sale where two pounds of butter sold for $6.00, a white lamb for $70, a black lamb for $100.00, and a Red Cross quilt, made by Miss Edith Alward of Todd's Point, for $9.25. On June 8, 1918, an auction sale was held in the Find- lay park. Girls dressed in Red Cross uniforms sold refreshments from a stand, and the stand and auc- tion netted the Branch $1,396.34. At the Com- munity Festival, Oct. 12. 1918, a Red Cross quilt made by the women of Forrest School District was sold and resold three times, bringing a total of
Page Twenty-Eight
$135.00. Before and after the sale girls carried the quilt through the streets and received $200.00 in contributions thrown into it. Red Cross benefits were held in several of the country schools.
LAKEWOOD BRANCH
The Lakewood Branch, with the Woman's Aux- iliary, was organized July 2, 1917, and attained a membership of 169. Clyde Foor, Charles T. Bow- man and Dr. J. H. Eddy were chairman, secretary and treasurer, respectively, of the Branch. Mrs. Mary Bowman was made chairman of the Woman's Auxiliary, and later was succeeded by Mrs. Dollie Specht. Mrs. Bertha Askins was the first secretary, and later this office was held by Mrs. Leila Newkirk. Mrs. Mary Eddy was chairman of the cutting de- partment, and in the later months practically the en- tire burden of the Red Cross work in this community has rested on her and her husband, Dr. J. H. Eddy.
The Lakewood Branch raised a total of $1,085, sent five Christmas boxes overseas, and made and forwarded to headquarters in Shelbyville about 500 knitted and sewed articles. One of the activities of this Branch was a Red Cross sale, conducted in the summer of 1918, the receipts of which were in the neighborhood of a thousand dollars.
MOWEAQUA BRANCH
The Moweaqua Branch, organized May 31, 1917, and with a Woman's Auxiliary formed at the same time, has the county record, outside of Shelbyville, for the amount of funds raised for the work of the Red Cross. Moweaqua's total cash donations amounted to $7,978.06, of which $6,674.61 was derived from a Red Cross sale on May 4, 1918. The mem- bership of the Moweaqua Branch the first year of its organization was 438, while in the second year it was 266. Fifty-three Christmas boxes were sent overseas, many sweaters, helmets, socks and other articles were furnished the soldiers direct, while 1,000 garments were made. The Branch has the distinction of sending two nurses into the field, one of them across seas and the other into the home service. These are Miss Minnie Snyder and Miss Ethel Yantis, whose records are given elsewhere in this volume. The officers of the regular Branch were: Chairman, Dr. J. L. Sparling; secretary, Miss Aileen Day; treasurer, K. R. Snyder. The officers of the Woman's Auxiliary were: Chairman, Mrs. B. F. Stults; secretary, Miss Aileen Day; treasurer, Aliss Mattie Snell.
W. H. TAYLOR J. W. BAILEY GEO. E. DUNSCOMB MRS. ROSE WORLEY FRED PLOG I. S. STORM T. B. SHOAFF
The Press in Wartime
The press of Shelby County fulfilled its mission nobly in wartime. Without exception the thirteen newspapers of the county lined up solidly behind every project that had for its purpose the welfare and encouragement of the "boys," the heartening of the folks at home, the smashing of autocracy and the making of the world safe for democracy. These newspapers were:
The News, Moweaqua.
The Enterprise, Findlay.
The Gazette, Windsor.
The Advocate, Sigel.
The Clipper, Stewardson.
The Herald, Strasburg.
The Reflector, Cowden.
The Journal, Herrick.
The Breeze, Tower Hill.
The Democrat, Shelbyville.
The Shelby County Leader, Shelbyville.
The Shelbyville Union, Shelbyville.
The Daily Union, Shelbyville.
It is a well recognized fact that these thirteen newspapers did more than any other one agency to maintain the morale of the great civilian army of Shelby County, and also were a leading factor in the sale of bonds and raising of funds in whatever campaign was ordered by the government or great beneficent organization.
The newspapers gave thousands of dollars worth of space in the aggregate to propaganda and pub- licity, without which the county would have failed abjectly in playing its full part in the great scheme
of the World War and war work. Without stint the publishers opened their columns to reading mat- ter and display advertisements setting forth the ne- cessities of the government and to the dissemination of information and orders it desired the public to receive. The various Liberty Loans, the War Sav- ing Stamps, the conservation of fuel, the increased production of foodstuffs, the conservation of flour and sugar, the calls sfor volunteers for both military and civilian service-these and other interests of the government were "played up" in the press with a prodigality of space that marked the publishers as patriots, indeed, ready to contribute of their "stock in trade" in a measure beyond the average class of men in bringing success to the allied arms.
Nor was their contribution of valuable space made to the government alone. The Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., the United War Work, the Salvation Army, and the many other institutions that served in any measure to help the American and Allied armies to "carry on" to a successful consummation, had free access to the columns of the Shelby County press with their appeals for money or workers.
In a few of the drives, it is true, an advertising fund was provided; but in the great majority of these campaigns the newspapers were asked to contribute space without hope of monetary reward, and right splendidly did they meet the demand by their ready contribution of space.
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V
V
A Psalm of Thanksgiving
V ICTORY hath attended our arms, O my Country, and Triumph percheth upon our banners. The enemy hath been vanquished and goeth no more up and down the Earth, seeking whom he may slay or what nations he may conquer.
I look out upon the fair lands of the U. S. A., and mine eyes behold no devastated fields nor ruined villages.
My heart is glad when I hear the happy laughter and observe the smiling faces of little children, whose songs have not been stilled, whose hands have not been severed and who have two feet upon which to run and jump and play.
My soul riseth up within me in a great thanksgiving of praise because our wives and daughters have no need to hang their heads nor seek to hide themselves because of the unspeakable lechery of the ravishing Huns.
I rejoice exceedingly in my heart that our brave sons, with a forgetful- ness of self, with high ideals and patriotic fervor answered the call of Humanity and followed "Old Glory" to the aid of their stricken brothers across the sea, where with minimum sacrifice of life, and maiming of body they smashed the Monster of War and gave assurance that Liberty and Justice and Peace shall not perish from the earth.
Verily, my heart uttereth a Paen of Praise for the valor of our boys and the cessation of war.
In thankfulness, therefore, before my God, as freely as we gave our sons to the service of the World, I shall pour my Gold upon the altar of my country, that the cost in dollars of the campaign that caused the war to cease at least three years before the end could otherwise have been expected and myriads of our precious boys to be brought home alive, shall be paid and the integrity of our nation be maintained.
Gladly, cheerfully, thankfully I Will See It Through.
The Thanksgiving Victory Loan
Written by D. Leslie Davis Director of Publicity, Shelbyville, Illinois
V
V
Published here at the special request of the Victory Loan Chairman
Page Thirty
LIBERTY LOAN CHAIRMEN O. W. WALKER
E. G. MUNSELL
GEO. B. HERRICK
THE LIBERTY LOANS
Four and a quarter million dollars was Shelby County's response to the United States government's request for loans of cash with which to finance its preparations for and conduct of the war and to ex- tend credit to the sorely-pressed and all but bank- rupt Allies. Through the five popular loans the people of this county poured out their golden store unstintedly in the purchase of Liberty Bonds, in ad- dition to their heavy purchases of War Savings Stamps and their free-will gifts to the various hu- manitarian organizations through which war work was being done.
It must be admitted that in the First and Second loans the spirit of the people had not yet arisen to the point where they were whole-heartedly back of the bond flotations, and at the end of each of these campaigns, both of them in 1917, there was a defi- ciency in the quota allotted to Shelby County. By the spring of 1918, however, with American soldiers in a steady stream pouring into Europe and America participating actively in the maneuvers in the war zone, men and women of all classes and varied financial conditions were ready to back their govern- ment with their money and from then on Uncle Sam asked nothing he did not get.
THE FIRST LOAN
The First Liberty Loan was floated in midsum- mer of 1917, the drive taking place officially between the 11th and 18th of June, though an extension of time was granted in order to clean up the work. In Shelby County Geo. B. Herrick, cashier of the Citi- zens National Bank of Shelbyville, was appointed chairman of the campaign. The Shelby County quota was placed at $300,000.
The organization was not extensive, yet there were willing workers in all parts of the county. The drive was handled principally from Shelbyville, how- ever, Chairman Herrick, representatives of the other banks and Boy Scouts visiting various sections in the interest of the loan. The city of Shelbyville had a working organization in the various wards, the men and women composing the several ward committees being as follows:
O. W. Walker E. E. Herron
FIRST WARD
John M. Heslin Mrs. H. E. Cook
Mrs. W. E. Lowe SECOND WARD
George C. Bolinger Mrs. Theo. Thompson
C. M. Duncan
Mrs. F. C. Bolinger
John A. Tracy
THIRD WARD
John Morehead Miss Stella Gregory Miss Lois Fisher
Frank C. Read
Carl F. Lauer
FOURTH WARD
O. P. Miles
Miss Georgie T. Hopkins Mrs. Della Miller
B. S. Yost
A house to house canvass was made in Shelby- ville June 12 and 13, the value of which was seen in the fact that of the total amount subscribed in the county, $126,300 was taken in Shelbyville. The grand total for the county was $260,550, taken largely by and through the following named banks:
SHELBYVILLE First National Bank and Shelby Loan and Trust Company .$65,300
Citizens National Bank. 25,000
Shelby County State Bank. 35,500
MOWEAQUA
Ayars Brothers, Bankers .. 2,000
First National Bank. 10,500
V. Snyder & Company, Bankers. 28,600
WINDSOR
Commercial State Bank 50,000
Citizens State Bank 3,000
COWDEN
First National Bank
2,000
State Bank of Cowden 200
OTHER BANKS
The Strasburg Bank, Strasburg 1,000
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Stewardson. 16,000
The Tower Hill Bank, Tower Hill. 1,400
First National Bank, Westervelt .. 12,500
One Bank at Lakewood. 50
Shelby County's subscription to the First Loan was about 82 per cent. of its quota of $300,000.
Page Thirty-One
N. H. Robertson
THE SECOND LOAN
Geo. B. Herrick's splendid work as chairman of the First Liberty Loan campaign in Shelby County was recognized in his appointment as chairman of the Second Liberty Loan organization, when in the fall of 1917 the county was asked to purchase $1,050,- 525 worth of the government's big bond issue of $3,000,000,000. The first public meeting concerning the bond drive was held at the First National Bank on Thursday, Sept. 27, when Mr. K. W. Moore, a representative of the Federal Reserve Bank, con- ferred with and instructed local workers.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, was set aside as "National Liberty Day," and the drive proper continued from Oct. 1 to Oct. 27. Well before the opening of the campaign the forces in Shelbyville and Shelby County were well organized. The women, rallying to the call of the government, threw themselves into the work with a will, and the Boy Scouts actively participated in solicitation and bond sales. The Shelbyville Free Public Library and Reading Rooms also gave assist- ance. Every book that was put in circulation during the month contained a card bearing the potent mes- sage: "Proclaim Liberty Througout the Land, and Win the World War for Democracy by Doing Your Part."
Through the early days of the month good work was done, but during the last week an intensive cam- paign was waged. The supervisor of each township, with two assistants named by himself, arranged for a patriotic meeting in his township, at which there appeared speakers provided by the county organiza- tion and subscriptions to the bond issue were urged.
On Wednesday evening, Oct. 24, a big county meeting and demonstration was held at the First Methodist church in Shelbyville, with Judge A. J. Steidley as chairman and H. C. Roer, cashier of the Fort Dearborn Trust & Savings Bank of Chicago, as the principal speaker. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Shelbyville Commercial Club and the Shelby County Liberty Loan committee. There was a parade from the court house square to the church, with the Commercial Club, the Loan organ- ization, the Boy Scouts and other male citizens in line. At the church the Liberty Loan Chorus, which did splendid service throughout the drive, sang, and little Miss Virginia Parrish, in costume, sang a patriotic selection.
The direct results of the meeting were subscrip- tions totaling $13,000.
At the conclusion of the campaign it was found that Shelby County had subscribed a total of $585,- 500, and while she did not reach her maximum allot- ment, $1,050,525, she did meet the requirements for her pro rata of the $3,000,000,000 minimum.
Of the county's total subscription, the women took $116,700 worth of bonds, and the Boy Scouts turned in subscriptions totaling $54,050. Shelby- ville's portion of the total was $213,000, with Windsor second with $94,150. The other towns of the county reported the following totals for their communities:
Moweaqua $79,500
Stewardson
51,200
Findlay
40,400
Westervelt
30,000
Sigel
20,000
Tower Ilill
18,550
Strasburg
18,500
Cowden 8,850
Herrick
5,700
Oconee
4,500
Lakewood
1,150
More detailed mention of the women's work and that of the Boy Scouts will be made in the chapters allotted to their activities.
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