Shelby County in the World War, Part 8

Author: Shelby County War Historians
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Decatur, Ill. : Review Press
Number of Pages: 224


USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Shelby County in the World War > Part 8


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Chairman Hopkins and her co-workers organized thoroughly for the registration, and the following chairmen were appointed throughout the county and thoroughly instructed in their duties, which were by no means a sinecure :


Mrs. Ella Price, Oconee. Mrs. C. W. Kessler, Herrick.


Mrs. Harvey H. Runkel, Tower Hill.


Mrs. Ralph Ayars, Moweaqua. Mrs. O. A. Jewett, Dry Point. Mrs. Joe White, Rose. Mrs. Bess Meyers, Ridge. Mrs. J. K. Hoagland, Holland. Mrs. Homer Hott, Okaw. Mrs. William Denn, Prairie. Mrs. H. C. Clausen, Fancher. Miss Mae Gleason, Richland. Mrs. Hugh S. Lilly, Windsor. Mrs. Eva Storm, Strasburg. Mrs. John A. Berchtold, Sigel. Miss Gertrude McClory, Big Spring. Mrs. H. C. May, Ash Grove.


Women of other townships where there were no towns and therefore no chairmen were named, reg- istered where it was most convenient for them. The registration primarily was for women who could afford to give their services to the causes; but it also was for women who required their expenses, and also for the woman who must be paid for her time and labor.


The response far cxceeded the expectation of those in charge of the work. The many registrars who volunteered for this serevice were swamped,


but bravely stuck to the work day after day until the registration period ended and it was found that 2,595 women of the county had "enlisted" for service of whatever sort was required of them. .


Miss Mamie Laue, Shumway, a college student in Shelbyville, was the first woman to register in the county seat. Those who registered as housekeepers far exceeded those who registered under any other one classification. However, most of these also sig- nified their willingness to do other things besides housework, to help win the war. Poultry raisers, gardeners, stenographers were among those who of- fered their services to the government, and the list also contained names of those who signed up as motor car drivers. In many instances the registra- tions were pathetic, in that women who were bur- dened with heavy tasks in the rearing of children and the keeping of the home, offered some service to their country.


The registration books were reopened April 20, 1918, when a great number of additional women of- fered their services in war work of various kinds.


VOLUNTEER CLERICAL WORK


Another activity under the Woman's Committee, C. N. D., was the volunteer clerical work done by the women registrants in connection with the admin- istration of the Local Exemption Board. From time to time women who had registered for clerical serv- ice were called on to assist the local board in filling out records of the selective service men, and in the aggregate gave many days' time to this work.


Shelby County women have the grateful con- sciousness of having been aligned with an organ- ization that was 100 per cent. effective, as the Wom- an's Committee of the Council of National Defense, of which Dr. Anna Howard Shaw was National Presi- dent and Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, Illinois State Presi- dent, is conceded to have been the most complete organization of women ever existent in state or na- tion, accomplishing more and better things in line with its purpose than any other body.


Furthermore, the Illinois organization, which was perfected first, was recognized as the most complete and was taken as the pattern for those of other states.


TOOK SPECIAL TRAINING COURSE


In July and August, 1918, Miss Hopkins, chairman of the Woman's Committee, C. N. D., took a six- weeks' course of training in the School for National Service, at Chautauqua, N. Y., where she and others were trained, under strict military discipline, for duties that come through war and other national dis- asters. When the course was half completed, Miss Hopkins was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and placed on the staff as registrar. Perhaps her best work was done as a speaker in the Liberty Loan and Red Cross campaigns, in which she served efficiently and at many points.


Youngest Red Cross Member


The distinction of being the youngest Red Cross member in Shelby County during the war, lay with little Miss Joy Carnes, daughter of Dr. and Mrs .. Wallace C. Carnes of Shelbyville. Born late Satur- day night, Oct. 19, 1918, she was enrolled early Mon- day morning as a member of the Shelby County Chapter, American Red Cross, while little more than thirty hours old. Thus the Carnes home was kept "100 pct. R. C."


Page Forty-Seven


Shelby County War Executive Committee


One of the active, effective bodies that constituted the civilian wartime machinery of Shelby County was the War Executive Committee, composed of heads of and receiving reports from all war and relief organizations of the county.


The War Executive Committee was formed at a meeting held at the court house in Shelbyville on Saturday, May 4, 1918. Mr. J. W. Yantis and Miss Georgie T. Hopkins were made temporary chairman and secretary, respectively, and permanent organiza- tion was effected by the election of the following:


Chairman-J. W. Yantis.


Secretary-John J. Ward.


Publicity Chairman-Dr. G. Henri Bogart.


Chairman Finance Committee-Dr. J. II. Eddy.


Chairman Tuberculosis War Problem-Dr. II. E. Monroe.


At this time it was officially decided that the chairman and secretary should constitute the nucleus for the Finance Committee, and that the organiza- tion might always be fully effective, the chairman was directed to make a new appointment to succeed any member of the committee who at any time be- came inactive, by failing to attend to the duties of his position.


When the War Executive Committee attained its completeness, it was constituted as follows:


J. W. Yantis, Chairman County Executive Committee and County Chairman State Council of Defense.


John J. Ward, Secretary County Executive Committee.


J. C. Westervelt, Chapter Chairman American Red Cross and County Chairman War Savings Stamps.


John C. Quinn, County Chairman Auxiliary Committee. Dr. J. II. Eddy, County Chairman Finance Committee.


E. G. Munsell, County Chairman Liberty Loan Committee.


Dr. G. Henri Bogart, County Fuel Administrator and Chair- man Publicity Committee.


Jacob A. Lovins, County Chairman Food, Fuel and Con- servation Committee.


A. L. Yantis, County Chairman Legal Advisory Board, Soldiers and Families.


C. R. Ellison, State Mine Inspector.


Miss Georgie T. Hopkins, Chairman Woman's County Or- ganization. Rev. N. H. Robertson, County Director U. S. Boys Work- ing Reserve. Dr. H. E. Monroe, County Chairman Tuberculosis War Problem.


W. H. Chew, Chairman County Exemption Board.


T. B. Shoaff, County Chairman Naval Labor Enrollment.


Mrs. Maude Walker, County Chairman Woman's War Sav. ings Committee.


D. Leslie Davis, County Chairman Four- Minute Men.


Mrs. M. Isenberg, County Chairman Ilospital Supply Com- mittee.


Chas. E. Keller, County Secretary State Council of Defense. Mrs. W. C. Kelley, County Secretary Woman's County Organization.


U. G. Ward, County Chairman Speakers and Public Meet- ings.


E. M. Ragan, County Chairman Farm Labor Enrollment.


The first and third Saturdays of each month were designated as meeting dates, and on these days the members of the War Executive Committee assem- bled to hear reports and transact such business as was necessary. One important matter proposed was the institution of a War Chest, and Messrs. J. C. Westervelt, John C. Quinn, Jacob Lovins, William H. Chew, A. L. Yantis and H. E. Monroe were ap- pointed as additional members of the Finance Com- mittee for the purpose of reporting on the feasibility of the War Chest plan. At a subsequent meeting they presented an adverse report, and the project was not approved nor put into execution.


At the request of the Finance Committee, A. L. Yantis laid before the county board of supervisors a plea for an appropriation of money with which to meet the legitimate expenses of the various war work departments, and he reported to the War Executive Committee that the board had appropriated the sum of $1,000 for the use of the committee for the pur- pose stated.


One of the interesting reports at the June 15 meeting was that of Dr. J. C. Westervelt, who stated that up to that time the sales of War Savings Stamps in Shelby County amounted to more than $130,000, with a special drive for increased sales arranged for June 28.


Miss Georgie Hopkins reported at that time that the women who had registered were now available for work in any department to which they might be assigned, and were at the disposal of the different committees.


T. B. Shoaff, chairman of the Naval Enrollment Committee, reported that between 55 and 60 men had responded from this county and were then at work in the shipbuilding department.


The final meeting of the War Executive Commit- tee was held Aug. 17, 1918. During its activity it gave careful and very effective attention to many de- tails of the war work in the county, that had a de- cided effect on the general war work of the county.


Armenian-Syrian Relief


Consistent with its well-established reputation for turning a willing ear to the cry of the distressed, Shelby County gave with comparative generosity to the relief of the starving, shelterless, suffering peo- ples of Armenia and Syria, when the call came to them in February, 1919.


The organization for the drive consisted of the following:


County Chairman-Rev. M. G. Coleman.


Vice Chairman-Rev. J. E. Kieffer.


Secretary-Rev. J. A. Tracy.


Chairman Speakers' Committee-Rev. N. II. Robertson. Publicity Chairman-Rev. J. M. Ileslin. Treasurer-W. F. Aichele.


The slogan of the drive was "It takes but $7.50 to save a life," and Shelby County was asked to raise $7,500 'of the total amount required to secure the relief necessary. Apportionment was made on the basis of the United War Work Fund, and the amount asked was but one-sixth of the other fund. A mass meeting in Shelbyville was addressed by Professor Albert T. Olmstead of Chicago, and other mass meetings were held throughout the county, with local speakers carrying the message of the suffering people overseas to the people.


For various apparently insurmountable reasons, the county's quota was unobtainable, the total re- ceipts being only $1,909.10.


Page Forty- Eight


save


1- wheat


2- meat


3- fats


4- sugar


BLOOD OF BEEFAD


You will dort


and serve the cause of freedom


FEED a FIGHTER I al only what you Jverd- "Wusste nothing -


Be Patriotic sign your country's pledge to save the food


----


food


1- buy it with thought 2- cook it with care 3- use less wheat & meat


4. buy local foods 5- serve just enough 6- use what is left


WAR RAGES in FRANCE


MIIST FERD THEM


War Savings Committee


The National War Savings Committee was or- ganized as a war expedient. Its purpose was two- fold-to instil in the American people the habit of thrift, not alone for the duration of the war, but per- manently, and to procure funds to aid in the suc- cessful prosecution of the war.


Martin A. Ryerson of Chicago was appointed chairman of the Illinois State War Savings Com- mittee, and Dr. J. C. Westervelt of Shelbyville was appointed chairman for Shelby County, with au- thority to organize the district and appoint aids. Townships and school districts were organized, Chairman Westervelt making the following appoint- ments of township chairmen:


A. C. Werner, Oconee.


J. D. Burris, Herrick.


C. F. Hunter, Cold Spring.


C. A. Lowery, Tower Hill.


Edw. C. Eberspacher, Rural.


Wm. McGinley, Flat Branch.


S. S. Clapper, Moweaqua.


A. W. Moore, Dry Point.


J. HI. Eddy, Lakewood.


W. G. Furr, Rose. E. D. Kerr, Ridge.


Levi Corley, Pickaway. DeForest Baird, Penn.


J. K. Hoagland, Holland.


J. C. Westervelt and W. II. Brown, Shelbyville.


O. E. Stumpf, Okaw. Ralph Schwartz, Todd's Point.


A. C. Mautz, Prairie.


Henry Faster, Jr., Richland.


E. G. Munsell, Windsor. Ben H. Kunkler, Sigel.


John C. Quinn, Big Spring.


Sylvester Clawson, Ash Grove.


These men were well chosen, and the sales of Thrift Stamps and War Savings Stamps went for- ward satisfactorily. Even the children caught the spirit early, and played no inconsiderable part in swelling the totals. Wanoma Phelps, the little daughter of Leverett Phelps, a clerk in the Shelby- ville post office, was the first purchaser of a Thrift Stamp through that office. The sales campaign gathered such momentum that during the interim between June 1, 1917, and Jan. 1, 1919, more than $500,000 was secured through the War Savings Com- mittees of the county, while the sales since that time have been considerable. In addition, the sales of the 1918 series of Thrift and War Savings Stamps through the post offices of the county, as reported by the accounting postmaster, Frank Stone of Shelby- ville, amounted to $430,000, and those of the 1919 series to $28,298.66 on Oct. 14. Sales through the banks of the county and other agencies, reports of which are not available, greatly increase the total of returns from these sources.


Dr. Westervelt served as county chairman of this organization for nearly two years, resigning the position in the spring of 1919. The appointment then went to D. Leslie Davis, but upon his declination William Harris, superintendent of the Shelbyville public schools, was induced to take the county chair- manship and still is serving in that capacity.


County Food Administration


In the year 1917 the United States Food Adminis- tration was organized with precise thoroughness. Herbert Hoover, who had done such splendid relief work in Belgium, was United States Food Adminis- trator, and Harry A. Wheeler was appointed Food Administrator for the State of Illinois.


Dr. J. C. Westervelt served as Food Administra- tor for Shelby County, and organized the district, appointing a representative in each township of the county. These appointees, who did fine service until the close of this particular work, were:


Jacob Gaskill, Oconee. I. R. Holt, Herrick.


C. F. Hunter, Cold Spring.


C. A. Lowery, Tower Hill.


Edw. C. Eberspacher, Rural. Wm. McGinley, Flat Branch. S. S. Clapper, Moweaqua. B. A. Prater, Dry Point.


J. H. Eddy, Lakewood. Wm. G. Furr, Rose. Bryant Corley, Ridge. J. E. Dazey, Pickaway, Penn, Okaw and Todd's Point.


James N. Wortman, Ilolland.


J. C. Westervelt; W. H. Brown, assistant, Shelbyville.


A. C. Mautz, Prairie.


Edwin H. Faster, Richland.


E. G. Munsell, Windsor. Ben H. Kunkler, Sigel. John C. Quinn, Big Spring.


F. E. Storm, Ash Grove.


A record was made at once of every food dis- penser, each and every dealer was advised of the food laws and regulations, and the restrictions on staples, particularly on flour and sugar, were strictly enforced.


Considering the fact that theretofore their tastes, appetites and inclinations had been denied only by the limitations of the wherewithal with which to pur- chase, the cheerfulness with which the people of the county, in common with the whole country, adjusted themselves to the new order of things, was little short of marvelous. The restrictions, required by the crying needs of the peoples across the sea, soon sat easily upon the patriotic men and women; though


Page Forty-Nine


4


Victory is a Question of Stamina Send-lhe Wheat Meat Fats Sugar the fuel for Fighters


don't waste it. .. ... .


for the sake of truth it must be admitted that most of them would like to have stricken the word "sub- stitute" from their vocabulary.


"Famines" in sugar and flour were of frequent occurrence, though with the greatly decreased use of these staples the demand was greatly less. Dealers were sorely pressed at times to obtain a sufficiency of substitutes, and their mathematical skill was brought into play to apportion their sales equitably under the rules and sell any wheat flour at all. Some dealers in flour disposed of their stocks to bakers, and suspended trade in that commodity until the close of the restricted period.


Here and there appeared a "hoarder," but his dis- covery was inevitable and patriotic neighbors made


it so uncomfortable for him that a second or con- tinued offense was unlikely.


Notwithstanding the cheerfulness of their sacri- fice, announcement by Food Administrator Wes- tervelt on Thursday, Nov. 14, 1918, that no more substitutes need be used for wheat flour, brought delight to the housewives, and immediately it was white bread for all except those who through ex- tended use had acquired a liking for the corn bread and other substitutes that for months had been a part of the daily diet.


Dr. Westervelt served as County Food Admin- istrator from October, 1917, to January 1, 1919. On the latter date the organization was discontinued. While the war was a frightful thing, it taught many an American that less expensive tastes are as well as the old extravagances.


Practical Food Demonstration


Shelby County people who had been told that to save an ounce of this or that a day will accomplish such and such in a year, but without getting the practical application, were given a demonstration on Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9, 1918, that failed not of its purpose to teach by example as well as by precept the importance of food conservation.


The demonstration was in the form of a Food Show, given in the Sparks gymnasium under the direction of the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense, which was accorded the fullest co-operation of the Food Administration, the Free Public Library, the schools, the press and the food dealers. The huge gym was profusely decorated with banners, bunting, flags and food posters, and everywhere, though in orderly array, were displays of various foods and food products, arranged at- tractively and uniquely with a view to giving the beholder a graphic object lesson as to what and how the people could save, in order to patriotically sup- port the government in its fight for democracy.


The exhibits were placed under six general classi- fications, namely: Proteins, Sugars, Starches, Fats, Fruits and Vegetables, and the Library section. Each division was complete in itself, with exhibits ar- ranged in a striking manner. One or two examples will suffice to illustrate the methods used to carry the desired message of economy and saving to the beholder: In the Protein division a small slice of ham, one ounce in weight, was laid beside three large hams, with a poster stating that if each person in Shelbyville would save an ounce of meat a day, it would save the larger quantity-36 pounds-in the same length of time. A slice of bread placed beside the picture of a battleship illustrated the fact that the saving of a slice of bread a day by the people of the country would build a battleship.


In the Library section there was a generous dis- play of posters of striking design, some of them the


work of pupils of the local schools; a plasticine ex- hibit of various foods, showing their relative value in eggs, meats, fruits, vegetables, sugars, bread, etc .; a number of books and leaflets on gardening, and a miniature truck patch, the work of E. M. Harwood, illustrating what might be accomplished by intensive gardening.


A spectacular feature of the display, carrying with it a peculiar appeal to Shelby County people whose boys were at Camp Taylor or had passed through that cantonment, was the children's section, designed to show "How Children Can Help." Camp Taylor, with the Shelby County soldiers therein, was repro- duced as the central figure of the design to illustrate the poster declaration that the saving of one pound of wheat, two ounces of fat, seven ounces of sugar and seven ounces of meat for one day by Shelby county people, would keep the Shelby County boys at the cantonment in sugar and fats for eleven months, and in meat and flour for eight months.


Entertainment features included singing by the Woman's Chorus at each session, demonstrations by the Boy Scouts, Children's Folk Dances, and each afternoon Miss Katheryn Patterson, instructor in Domestic Science at the Shelbyville high school, gave a cooking demonstration. At noon hour a "war" luncheon was served by the Surgical Dressing Class of the Red Cross, and was generously patron- ized. In the evening a clever little playlet, embody- ing the "Blue Bird" idea and worked out by Miss Okla Sturgis, was given by a group of children.


The Food Show, carefully planned and conducted, and with premiums for superior products the ingre- dients of which conformed to war-time restrictions, unquestionably did much toward instilling the spirit of saving into the minds of the people, and had a very material bearing on the unanimity with which Shelby County people conformed to the govern- ment's food regulations.


He Loved His Adopted Country


A fine example of a man's love for his adopted country and the spirit that prompted the real patriot to go into the field against the autocracy of the Central Powers, was shown by Henry Anderson of Sigel, who, though a Dane and subject to the gov- ernment of that country, registered June 5, 1917,


waived exemption and asked for early induction. He said:


"I came to America poor. I came here to make my living. All I have, I made here. This country has afforded me protection and a living, and I am ready and- willing to bear arms in its behalf."


Page Fifty


REV. N. H. ROBERTSON Scout Master


C. H. BELTING County Adviser


J. K. HOAGLAND President Farm Bureau


Farm Labor Enrollment


With the urgent cry for increased production of farm crops that the world might be fed, and with the ranks of farm labor decimated by the transfer of the experienced young farmers into military serv- ice, it became necessary to draw upon the ranks of men in other lines of activity for assistance in tilling the soil and harvesting the crops. The condition be- came acute in the summer of 1918, and a country- wide call was issued for the enrollment of men for farm labor.


Elza M. Ragan was appointed County Chairman of the Farm Labor Enrollment in Shelby County, and in the discharge of his duties worked in co-opera- tion with Farm Adviser C. H. Belting. A store-to-


store and office-to-office canvass was made, not alone in the county seat but in the other towns of the county as well, and a magnificent response was obtained. Not a man, whatever his business or pro- fession, refused to enroll for farm labor when needed. Merchants, doctors, lawyers, ministers and members of other professions instantly signified their willing- ness to "help out" in agricultural necessities, and did give of their time and energies when requested later to do so.


The demand was less than the supply of volunteer labor, however, though some workers were furnished through this department. Later, the work was han- dled directly through the Farm Bureau.


Shelby County Farm Bureau


The Shelby County Farm Bureau was an efficient aid in carrying on the war work in Shelby County, particularly along agricultural lines with the co-ordi- nation of crop production and food conservation. The officers of the bureau were:


Adviser-C. H. Belting, Shelbyville. President-J. K. Hoagland, Clarksburg. Vice President-Theo. Roessler, Shelbyville. Secretary-C. B. Manning, Shelbyville.


Treasurer-S. S. Lorton, Cowden.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


E. C. Eberspacher, Pana.


J. A. Lovins, Windsor.


Edward Christman, Findlay.


Theo. Werth, Strasburg.


M. W. Stewart, Moweaqua.


Farm Adviser Belting was in close touch with the labor needs of the farmers, and was enabled to render valuable assistance in furnishing the labor re- quired to properly handle the crops.


The Boy Scouts in War Work


The Boy Scouts of Troop No. 1, Shelbyville, did heroic work for the Nation and the World in all the Liberty Loan campaigns, the Red Cross drives, the United War Work activities, and even sent one of its members to France for active work on the firing line. In all their activities, into which they entered with a zeal that was commendable, they were di-


rected by their Scoutmaster, Rev. N. H. Robertson, pastor of the First Christian of Shelbyville.


The Scouts were allowed to sell bonds only in the first three campaigns. Every Scout who sold ten or more bonds received a medal from the Depart- ment of the Treasury at Washington, and a bar was given on the same basis after an emblem was se- cured.


Page Fifty-One


The Scouts distributed a great amount of litera- ture in the five Liberty Loan campaigns. The fol- lowing is a summary of the work done both in this and the bond-selling activities of the Scouts:


Pieces of literature distributed in the First Loan. 2,000


Pieces of literature distributed in the Second Loan 3,000


Pieces of literature distributed in the Third Loan .. 4,200


Pieces of literature distributed in the Fourth Loan. 3,500


Pieces of literature distributed in the Victory Loan. 2,700


Total 15,400


No.


Amount


Bonds sold in First Loan by three Scouts ... 47


$ 18,200


Bonds sold in Second Loan by twenty Scouts. 373


74,300


Bonds sold in Third Loan by twenty-one


Scouts 252


49,550


Totals 672 $142,050


Twenty-nine different Scouts had part in this splendid work. They, with the recognition accorded them by the Department of the Treasury, were as follows:


Three receiving a medal and two bars:


Eugene Carr Hamlin Mertens Herman Beetle




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