USA > Illinois > Williamson County > Williamson County, Illinois, in the World War : containing a brief review of the World War-complete history of Williamson County's activities-photographs and service records of Williamson County's soldiers, sailors and marines > Part 11
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
District No. 96-Meneese School .- Wm. Stanley, Goreville, R. F. D .; David M. Davis, Goreville, R. F. D .; Ira King, Goreville, R. F. D.
District No. 97-Poplar Grove School .- G. W. Green, Goreville, R. R. 1; C. A. Morgan, Goreville, R. R. 1; W. H. Jones, Goreville, R. R. 1. District No. 93-Crain School .- Edgar Krantz. Goreville, R. R. 1; J. M. Jack, Goreville, R. R. 1; G. E. Meneese, Goreville, R. R. 1.
Distriet No. 99-Flats School .- A. J. Stephens, Carterville, R. R. 2; W. E. Manning, Carterville, R. R. 2; Dennis McCree, Carterville, R. R. 2.
District No. 100-Armstrong School .- E. R. Gulledge, Carterville, R. F. D .; Perry A. Stephens, Carterville, R. F. D .; Mary A. Armstrong, Carterville, R. F. D.
TOWNSHIP 10-3
District No. 81-Board of Education,. Creal Springs City Schools .- J. F. Blanchard, Creal Springs; E. E. Copeland, Creal Springs; R. M. Tay- lor, Creal Springs, R. C. Dorris, Creal Springs, R. O. Jennings, Creal Springs; O. T. Cosby, Creal Springs; W. W. Rodgers. Creal Springs.
District No. 82-Odumburg School .- E. E. White, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; Will Mayer, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; J. F. Collins, Creal Springs, R. F. D. District No. 83-Willeford School .- R. S. Carter, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; J. A. Hartwell, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; W. J. Stotlar, Creal Springs, R. F. D.
District No. 84-Donelson School .- J. W. Donelson, Great Springs, R. F. D .; F. J. Donaldson, Creal Springs, R. F. D. District No. 85-Howerton School .- L. W. Lyerla, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; W. H. Kimmel, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; W. F. Meneese, Creal Springs, R. F. D.
District No. 87-White Oak School .- S. D. Clark, Marion, R. R. 4; W. M. Parks. Creal Springs, R. F. D .; Orval Parks, Marion, R. R. 4.
District No. 88 .- Kimmel School .- L. H. Baker, Creal Springs, R. F. D.
District No. 89-Moake School .- T. S. Borum, Marion, R. R. 4; W. E. Lewis, Marion. R. R. 4; Hosea Bor- um, Marion, R. R. 4.
District No. 90-Serrilda School .- Thomas Dunn, Marion, R. R. 4; W. B. McBride, Marion, R. R. 4; C. C. Ward, Goreville, R. F. D.
TOWNSHIP 10-4
District No. 73-Shelton School .- Lillian McSparin, Stonefort, R. F. D .; Curtis Harris, Stonefort, R. F. D .; Fletch Greeney, Stonefort, R. F. D.
District No. 74-Arnold School .- John Boyd, Stonefort, R. F. D .; Wm. Youngblood, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; R. M. Parks, Creal Springs, R. F. D.
District No. 75-Wright School .- John Arnold, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; Frank Vandike, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; T. J. Radford, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; Geo. Buckner, Creal Springs, R. F. D.
District No. 77-Stonefort, School .- R. O. Pankey, Stonefort; L. B. Craig, Stonefort; D. D. St. Johns, Stonefort.
District No. 78-Pleasant Valley .- J. A. Deaton, Creal Springs; J. L. Murray, Creal Springs; Geo. Russell, Creal Springs.
District No. 79-Oak Grove School .- L. S. Simmons, Creal Springs. R. F. D .; W. M. Holmes, Creal Springs, R. F. D .; T. J. Holmes, Creal Springs, R. F. D.
District No. 80 Free Silver School .- John Murrie, Creal Springs; W. O. Chism, Creal Springs; A. Tanner, Creal Springs.
0
Camping On Historical Battlefield of Watterloo, Chas. Green, of Herrin, with Canadian forces, standing in center.
101
FRANK YUILL.
FRED COLLINS.
ED. C ELLES .
JAMES WILSON.
STURGUS SMITH. CLARENCE WALKER.
BEN BULMER.
, JAMES BAILIE.
JOYCE MARGRAVE. LABON CARTER.
LAWRENCE KOEN.
EVERETT CHAPMAN.
ROY FOWLER. ARTHUR WHITTENBERG.
EUGENE FULTZ.
MACK BRANDON.
RALPH STRINGER.
TROY WELPER.
GEO. BENSON.
I.A. PALMER.
HAROLD CRAIN.
SERVICE MEN OF HERRIN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
5
Historical Sketch of the Herrin Township High School
THE Herrin Township High School is the out- growth of the Herrin High School which was first definitely organized in 1903 in an old frame huilding which stood near where the south side grade-school buildings now stand. It was first organ- ized as a three-year high school and there were less than 30 pupils enrolled. The first faculty was com- posed of the following members: Mr. Gilbert Ferrell, Superintendent; Mr. H. T. Mckinney, Prin- cipal; and Miss Crow, Assistant. The first gradu- ating exercises occurred in 1906 with the following members: James Wilson, Richard Stotlar (de- ceased), Lelle Stotlar-Otey, Eva Howard-Russell, Lizzie Kelley, Bernice Baker, Edna Ingraham-Bowie, and Joe Benson. Another class of eight was gradu- ated in 1907, and then the high school was changed into a four-year school and placed on the "recog- nized" list. Because of this change there was no class in 1908; but in 1909 the following individuals were the first to graduate from the four-year plan: Chanie Hindman (deceased), Ethel Tate, James Colombo, Avis McNeill-Walker, Alberta Eubanks- Morgan, and Anna Dale-Krebs. The faculty of the first four-year class were: H. T. Mckinney, Super- intendent; M. L. Beanblossom, Principal; L. A. Mifflin and Miss Jesse Covell assistants.
The high school continued to grow in size and influence and was taken over by the Township in 1913, and the first class to graduate from the Town- ship High School was in 1914, and consisted of 11 members. At that time there was an enrollment of 110 and a faculty of 8; now there is an enroll- ment of 255 and a faculty numbering 12. Soon after the inauguration of the Township system, a high school was constructed at Dewmaine as an annex to Herrin Township High and for the con- venience of the colored people living there. The enrollment at Dewmaine this year is 21. The class
of 1919 was the largest in the history of the school, consisting of 32 members. The present faculty is: M. L. Beanblossom, Principal; Hester E. Renard, History; Bessie Railey and Ralph Stringer, English; Anna Cotton, Language; Guy D. Nicholson and Laura Hanley, Commercial; Chester B. Davis, Sci- ence; Blanche Williams, Mathematics; Lydia Royce, Home Economics; L. A. Bozarth, Manual Training; and T. L. Alston, Colored Department.
During the World War, the Herrin Township High was always "over the top" in every activity. The pupils and faculty not only gave until "it hurt;" but spent many and many an hour canvass- ing, selling tags, peddling benefit tickets and the like. The school purchased more than $300 worth of Victory buttons, maintained a French orphan, bought many hundred dollars' worth of bonds and war stamps, all became members of either the Red Cross or the Junior Organization, and contributed freely as a school and as individuals to all of the many "drives."
Last year the basketball team won the Southern Illinois Tournament and stood fourth at the State Tournament. The school won third place at the Southern Illinois Track Meet. This year we are organizing football, continuing basketball and base- ball, are putting on a $500 Lyceum Course, have a glee club, dramatic club, literary societies, orchestra, quartettes, etc. All in all, we believe we have one of the best if not the best high school in the south- ern part of the State. This is the only high school in the County that could qualify for the Smith- Hughes appropriation, it is on the North Central Association accredited list, and last year was given the maximum extension of three years by the Uni- versity of Illinois. When the $50,000 gymnasium is completed this will enable us to do even greater things at the communities Citizen Factory.
103
MARION TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
-
Marion Township High School
TN September, 1912, the Marion Township High School was organized with a corps of seven teachers and an enrollment of one hundred ninety- two students. Due to the fact that the new building had not then been erected, the high school was housed for the first year of its existence in the old Logan building on East Main Street.
But in September, 1912, the new building on West Main Street was ready for occupancy, and the term was opened with an increased attendance. And every September since that date has witnessed a growth in attendance that is in harmony with the growing industrial enterprises of Marion and of Williamson County. From the hundred ninety-two enrolled in 1912, the number has grown to four hundred thirty in September, 1919, and the faculty has grown from seven to seventeen. This increase of almost one hundred twenty-four per cent in eight years, is the best evidence that the young people of Marion and vicinity are awake to the new demands and the new responsibilities of the new age and the new phases of American life. It is also an eloquent tribute to the high scholastic standards and the general efficiency maintained from the beginning in the Marion Township High School.
So rapid was the growth of our high school that by the Fall of 1918 the Board of Education were convinced that they could no longer delay the begin- ning of an addition to the school building. As a result of their decision and of their efforts, a new addition is now being constructed at a cost of one hundred twenty thousand dollars. This addition consists of a new auditorium, a new gymnasium, and a "wing" that will contain seven classrooms. The auditorium will accommodate from six to eight hundred students, and, with the added classrooms and the improvements made in the old building, doubles the capacity of the school plant. All new
equipment will he in keeping with the excellence of the new building and with the general standards of the school, and the people of the township dis- trict inay soon congratulate themselves upon having a high school entirely adequate to the needs of the community.
The Marion Township High School was active in the various fields of war work. Teachers and stu- dents took an active part in selling bonds and war savings stamps. In addition to these means of assistance, funds were raised for the care of one French war orphan, and contributions were made to assist the Junior Red Cross. But perhaps the most important single item in the financial activ- ities, was the purchase of a hundred dollar Liberty Bond. It was decided, by vote of the students, that the hond should be sold after the war was won, and the proceeds used for buying books that treat on the great war problems, and especially upon the ideas and ideals of American government and democ- racy. In this way it was hoped that a permanent means to better citizenship would he put into the high school, while at the same time material aid would he extended to the government in its hour of need.
Nor was the high school deficient in another way of perforining war work. Teachers and students who were within the age limits set by the govern- ment, went into the service until more than fifty of those in high school, or of those who had attended the Township High School, were placed upon our honor roll. All of these served faithfully, and two of them made the supreme sacrifice. As it is the aim of American education in general, it shall be the aim of the Marion Township High School in particular, "that these dead shall not have died in vain," and that our school shall renew its efforts to make the aims of American education come true.
105
5
SISTER'S DWELLING
SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
PARSONAGE
EZM
PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
1
St. Mary's Church and Parochial School in War Time
BY REV. FR. SENESE
St. Mary's Catholic Church and Parochial school from the very beginning of the declar- ation of the war showed their loyalty and support to the government in every way and they were second to none in Herrin in every line of work in which every loyal citizen was called upon to do his bit. The men and ladies of the parish, especially the young people, encouraged by the patriotic addresses given by their pastor, Rev. E. Senese on sev- eral occasions, always came forward to hand their moral and financial support to the good cause.
On July 16, 1918, a very beautiful service flag, the largest in the city, decorated with 152 stars, was solemnly blessed and dedicated in honor of the congregation's brave and true soldier sons and immediately after, a parade took place consisting of band, Boy Scouts, school children, mothers, sisters and wives of soldiers carrying service flags; societies of the parish with flags representing eight nation- alities of which the parish is composed; auto- mobiles brought up the rear of the parade, which covered the downtown district, and back to the church grounds where an elab- orate program took place. Rev. E. Senese, Mayor Geo. K. Crichton, Wm. J. Sneed, Judge D. T. Hartwell of Marion and Rev. J. J. Downey of Cairo, were the orators of the oc- casion. The crowd attending these exercises was estimated at from 2500 to 3000.
When in May, 1918, Italian Day was ob- served by the order of President Wilson, through the untiring efforts of Father Senese, the anniversary of the third year of Italy's entrance in the war was most splendidly cele- brated. There were 400 parochial school
children in the parade and Father Senese's "petit batallion" consisting of twenty-eight little soldier boys between the ages of five and seven years, all dressed in khaki and shouldering a little gun brought forth much comment. In the drive for the Y. M. C. A., also K. of C., and other war organizations. the Catholic congregation gave a splendid example of unprejudiced support, but in the drives for the Red Cross, St. Mary's Church, with the example of the pastor at the head was always in the first line and even the parochial school children set a wonderful record in Herrin when fully one hundred per cent became members of the organization. These good little children, whenever neces- sary and called upon, were always ready to respond very liberally. They helped in the sale of Liberty Bonds, in the purchasing of War Saving Stamps, in collecting old clothes for the Red Cross work, in aiding the poor Armenians, in adopting war orphans, French children, etc., and even gave exhibitions of fancy work made in the school which were sold and the proceeds were gladly and cheer- fully handed to the local chapter of the Red Cross.
On one Liberty Loan Sunday, after Father Senese had spoken on the duty of every Cath- olic to stand by the Stars and Stripes and of the necessity of helping the government in the hour of need, both children and young people, at the door of the church in less than an hour had solicited subscriptions to the amount of $10,000.00. Everyone in Herrin can testify to the loyalty and patriotism both of the pastor and the people of St. Mary's church and school, during the whole period of the war.
107
Hurst Bush School, District No. 27
THE District was organized in 1865 under the name of Russell School. The following com- prised the first board of directors: T. P. Russell, John Hall and E. A. Spraig. Three frame buildings have been erected on the present site. In 1916 a magnificent brick building consisting of eight
The present board consists of J. W. Buzbee, presi- dent; O. E. Sutton, clerk; W. R. Clark, W. E. Hosler, E. T. Oneal, J. M. Robison, Bert Treadway.
Many pupils who have attended the school have become prominent in the business world. Among the great number of successful business men are
rooms and basement, with modern equipment, was erected and in January, 1917, was dedicated by Assistant State Superintendent W. S. Booth. Inas- much as the school accommodates both Hurst and Bush, the name was changed to Hurst-Bush School.
The patrons of the school have always been awake to the school interests, and support to the fullest, any move for the betterment of the school conditions.
Many of the pioneer citizens of the district who have labored so zealously to promote the school interests have either passed to the Great Beyond or have moved to distant places, so that few of them are left. Among the older citizens are C. W. Rus- sell, John Edmonds, Jerry Hestand and T. P. Russell.
These older citizens are as active in school affairs as they were years ago. This fine spirit of the older citizens has been transferred to the present inhabitants and we challenge any district in this section of the state to produce men of greater school visions.
The present corps of teachers is H. A. Wilson, principal; Miss Gladys Morse, assistant principal; 1. L. Sidwell, supervisor of music; Helen Ballence, Ruth Phillips, Daisy Kelley, Ruby Mayer, Bessie Peer, Johanna Ruppel and Myrtle Hull.
T. P. Russell, banker, Hurst; T. J. Campbell, at- torney and county judge, Chamberlain, S. D .; W. B. Hall, largest real estate dealer in southern Illinois, Du Quoin, Ill. The district furnished more than eighty men during the war and many of the number from the school. Among the names are Joe V. Russell, T. P. Russell, Jr., Ernest Robison, Loren Robison, William. Robison, Noal Robison, Roy Huhbs, John Duddy, Kenneth Short, George Vaughan, E. Rosenswipe, Roland Springer, Ottis Peppers and David Signaigo.
The school was the first in the county to dedicate a service flag and the first south of Springfield to raise a centennial banner. The only school in the county to give an entire day to celebrating "Cen- tennial Day" at which time a pageant was given. Every teacher and pupil in the school were Red Cross members, and most every pupil in school bought from 25c to $100.00 of Thrift Stamps or War Savings Stamps. The school took part in two flag raisings, by parading and singing, and helped in Red Cross drives. The school is accredited for two years of High School work. The playground contains four acres and has one hundred fifty trees of natural growth.
There are at present five hundred sixty-five pupils enrolled.
108
-
Williamson County Churches
By REV. JOHN I. GUNN
The part taken by Williamson County Churches, was very creditable, as the mem- berships were active in all war work. The task of compiling detail data and giving names was too much of a task and consume space in the history that should be devoted to our boys who enlisted in the service.
An attempt was made to get information from every church in the County, but the pastors of a few failed to reply to the re- quests, and for that reason have been com- pelled to limit the church report to what is given below.
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Marion John I. Gunn, Minister
Blue Stars
44
Gold Stars
4
Silver Stars
2
Y. M. C. A. Worker.
1
Blue Stars
11
Red Cross Worker.
1
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CARTERVILLE E. A. Powell, Minister
Blue Stars
40
Gold Stars
1
Silver Stars
1
Red Cross Nurses.
2
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Herrin
John L. Brandt, Jr., Minister
Blue Stars
70
Gold Stars
2
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, HURST Irl R. Sidwell, Minister
Blue Stars
60
Gold Stars
2
Silver Stars
4
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, JOHNSTON CITY R. O. Rogers, Minister
Blue Stars
21
Gold Stars
1
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CAMBRIA
Geo. W. Osteen, Minister
Blue Stars
6
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
FIRST M. E. CHURCH, MARION
Rev. W. C. McCurdy, D.D., Pastor
Blue Stars
58
Gold Stars
4
Y. M. C. A. Worker.
1
SPRING GROVE M. E. CHURCH
Rev. W. P. White, Pastor
Blue Stars
5
CRAB ORCHARD M. E. CHURCH
Rev. W. P. White, Pastor
PLEASANT GROVE M. E. CHURCH
Rev. W. P. White, Pastor
Blue Stars
11
PITTSBURG M. E. CHURCH
Rev. W. P. White, Pastor
Blue Stars
18
UNION GROVE M. E. CHURCH
Rev. W. P. White, Pastor
Blue Stars
7
Gold Stars
1
JOHNSTON CITY M. E. CHURCH
Rev. S. D. Berst, Pastor
Blue Stars
49
Gold Stars
1
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
HERRIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. W. C. Mahr, Pastor
Blue Stars
26
Gold Stars
1
MARION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. G. A. Adamson, Pastor
Blue Stars
11
Gold Stars
1
CARTERVILLE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Rev. E. J. Sabin, Pastor
Blue Stars
24
Gold Stars
1
109
NORTHERN BAPTIST
CON-
VENTION CHURCHES
(Formerly. Free Baptist)
WARDER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
J. W. Mckinney, Pastor
Blue Stars
11
LIBERTY CHURCH
Rev. W. F. Smart, Pastor
Blue Stars
1
FREEDOM CHURCH
Rev. W. T. Smart, Pastor
Blue Stars
14
HARMONY CHURCH
W. A. Pittman, Pastor
Blue Stars
2
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, JOHNS-
TON CITY
Rev. F. C. Stalker
Blue Stars
19
UNION CHURCH
F. V. Wright, Pastor
Blue Stars
11
Gold Stars
1
MCKINNEY CHAPEL
Rev. Marshall Jones
Blue Stars
4
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH,
CARTERVILLE
Rev. F. V. Wright, Pastor
Blue Stars
17
CAMBRIA CHURCH
Rev. J. H. Browning, Pastor
Blue Stars
18
Gold Stars
1
CRAINVILLE CHURCH Rev. Wm. Barringer, Pastor
Blue Stars 14
COTTAGE HOME CHURCH Rev. J. H. Browning, Pastor Blue Stars 11
Gold Stars
3
LONE OAK CHURCH Rev. Lee Futrell, Pastor
Blue Stars
5
SOUTHERN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCHES MARION BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Julian Atwood, Pastor Blue Stars 68
CARTERVILLE CHURCH Allen Ferrell, Pastor
Blue Stars
23
HERRIN CHURCH James A. Gore, Pastor
Blue Stars
37
Gold Stars
3
CRENSHAW CHURCH C. Ray Chrisman, Pastor
Blue Stars
6
Blue Stars
23
CANA CHURCH T. C. Milton, Pastor
CRAB ORCHARD CHURCH Chas. B. Taylor, Pastor
Blue Stars
13
Gold Stars
1
Gold Stars
20
1
CREAL SPRINGS CHURCH
H. R. Burkhart, Pastor
Blue Stars
30
Gold Stars
3
SHILOH CHURCH
Pastor
Blue Stars
8
Gold Stars
1
Gold Stars
3
METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH, SOUTH
M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH, MARION
Rev. William Graham, Pastor
Blue Stars
30
Silver Stars
2
Gold Stars
1
M. E. CHURCH, HERRRIN
Rev. C. R. Phillips, Pastor
Blue Stars
43
M. E. CHURCH, CARTERVILLE
Rev. George Van Eman Gray, Pastor
Blue Stars
42
Silver Stars
4
Gold Stars
1
110
FAIRVIEW CHURCH
Arthur Travelstead, Pastor
Blue Stars
1
SPRINGHILL CHURCH
T. O. Milton, Pastor
Blue Stars
36
Gold Stars
3
HURRICANE CHURCH
B. E. Green, Pastor
Blue Stars
2
DAVIS PRAIRIE CHURCH
Blue Stars
3
Gold Stars
2
INDIAN CAMP CHURCH
Arthur Travelstead, Pastor
C
Blue Stars
JOHNSTON CITY CHURCH
J. E. Hart, Pastor
Blue Stars
34
Miner's War Activities
BY A. T. PACE
During the Great World War, the Ameri- can workingman played a vital part. While all the workers measured up to the standard, the United Mine Workers of America de- serve special mention, on account of their unswerving loyalty and true devotion to their country in its most critical period.
The Williamson County miners are among the very best to be found anywhere. They are conservative, loyal to their Government, and one hundred per cent American. A large per cent of the miners of Williamson County own their own homes.
During the war the miners laid aside their own personal interests in order to increase production, as coal was an important ele- ment in the winning of the war.
There were in Williamson County during the war, eleven thousand members of the United Mine Workers of America. The officers of the Miners during the war in this immediate section were as follows: Hugh Willis, Board Member District 12; A. T. Pace, Traveling Auditor, District 12; Fred Cooper, Investigator, Sub-District Nos. 9 and 10. The Sub-District officers were: Wm. J. Sneed, President; Fox C. Hughes, Vice- President; Wm. G. Davis, Secretary-Treas- urer. Board members: A. A. Pearce, Sam E. Evett, Chas. M. Jones. Auditors: David Babington, George Baker, and Jerry E. Tay- lor. International organizers: Albert Frank- lin and Wm. Prentice.
The coal report shows that more coal was produced during the war than was ever pro- duced during any like period. This was due to the effort and enthusiasm the miners put into their work, in their desire to back up the boys at the front.
The miners bought in Liberty Bonds, and contributed to other war activities, such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus, War Saving Stamps, and Y. M. C. A., one and one-quarter million dollars.
Every Local Union in Williamson County conducted its own individual drive, and in every instance "went over the top." There was a friendly rivalry. between Local Unions to see which Local Union would excel in this great work.
Notwithstanding the great number of so- called foreigners, the miners were one hun- dred per cent Americans, as is shown by their magnificent record in increasing coal produc- tion, and the purchase of Liberty Bonds, War Saving Stamps and also in the different war drives.
The officers of the miners were staunch workers for the government, and while their own work was at times arduous, yet they de- voted all their spare time, day and night, in addressing meetings and serving on commit- tees in the interest of "backing up the boys" in France and Flanders.
The miners of Williamson County fur- nished twelve hundred soldiers in the select- ive service and among the volunteers. This quota was made up of practically every na- tionality. When it came to patriotism, all classes, regardless of color or nationality, showed their "true blue" patriotism in their devotion to their country.
When the government needed men to serve in responsible positions, the miners answered the call to duty and served with credit to themselves, and distinction to the American Government.
For these and many other reasons, the miners of Williamson County deserve ever- lasting credit for their humble part in win- ning the war in order that "The world might be made safe for Democracy."
Number of men in service 1,200
Bonds purchased by individual members $1,300,000 Local unions 30,000
111
Top row, left to right-A. T. Pace, Hugh Willis, Wm. G. Davis, Fox C. Hughes. Bottom row, left to right-George F. Cooper, Wm. J. Sneed.
HUGH WILLIS-37 years of age, member of Local Union No. 1248, U. M. W. of A .; has filled practically every position of trust in his local union and is now serving his third elective term as Board Member of the district organization. He was the labor member of the County Council of Defense during the World War; was instrumental in helping to secure a substantial increase in wages for the motormen and conductors on the Coal Belt interurban lines that connect Herrin, Marion and Carterville, without a strike, which other- wise would have resulted in the mines around Marion and Carterville being tied up for want of transportation for the miners, as coal at that time was the chief necessity of Uncle Sam. He is a member of the Masons, Red Men and W. O. W.
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.