USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 1
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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01816 8564
CHARLES WALLS 232 E WALNUT ST GREENSBURG IND 47240
GENEALOGY 977.201 D35DEI
V
HISTORY
---- OF-
DECATUR COUNTY'S PART
IN THE
WORLD WAR
1914-1918
Printed and Published by Order of the County Board of Commissioners of Decatur County, Indiana, at Their Regular Board Meeting, on April 3, 1922 GEORGE C. HAMILTON, President of Board. CHARLES P. JOHNSON, GEORGE C. WALKER. Compiled by the COUNTY WAR HISTORIAN Appointed by the County Council of Defense, June 6, 1918
PREFACE
"Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation."-Joel 1-3.
The object of this book is the collection and presentation of accounts of the work of the citizens of Decatur County to help win the Great World War.
Early in June, 1918, the State Council of Defense issued a bulletin instructing the councils to select a committee to collect letters, pictures, records, etc., apper- taining to the county's war activities, these to be sent to the State library.
The County Council of Defense selected Mrs. George Deiwert and Arthur Donnell for this work. Later the order came to make scrap books of newspaper clippings, letters, pictures, etc., present one to the State library and the duplicate was to be preserved in Decatur county. Before much headway had been made along this line the order was changed to each county to have a War History of its own, at this time Mr. Donnell withdrew from the committee.
The work of collecting reports of the various war activities has been long and strenuous. but with the hearty support of the splendid people who were in charge of the many activities the work was finally accomplished.
Accounts of the work of every organized body in the county, and of every committee appointed for any war work, however insignificant, were asked for. If, upon scanning the pages of this book, any omissions are found, they are due to failure to receive reports.
As county war historian, I hereby wish to thank the County Council of De- fense for the honor bestowed upon me, and for their confidence in me, when they made the appointment. I also wish to thank all who assisted in any way the compiling of this record. Without their assistance nothing could have been accomplished.
WINONA CRISLER DEIWERT, (MRS. GEORGE) County War Historian.
WINONA CRISLER DEIWERT (MRS. GEORGE) War Historian Decatur County
PROCLAMATION OF THE MAYOR FOR PATRIOTIC MEETING ON APRIL 6, 1917
The die is cast. We have crossed the Rubicon. The Nation is at war.
The elective governing authorities of this free Nation have declared that a state of war exists with Germany.
It matters not what we may have felt yesterday. One purpose nerves our arms. Every loyal and patriotic American will heed the call to defend our country's honor and the lives of its citizens. The Flag must stand for something. To say "I am an American" must mean something, or else the Republic falls.
Ambushed from the depths the Flag has been assailed and American lives taken. Unarmed and unwarned American ships have been sunk upon the free high seas.
The fires of liberty, lighted by our fathers at Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill and Appomattox must be kept burning. We must again prove true to the mem- ory of Washington, of Jackson, and of Lincoln. If we are worthy of our sires, we will rally as one man to repel and destroy that military despotism which has dared lay its sacriligious hands on the emblem of our country and taken the lives of our citizens in a thirst and desire for more power and world supremacy.
Cherishing such sentiments and holding such views let us meet together at the K. of P. Opera House on Friday, April 6, 1917, at 7:30 p. m. to consider ways and means through and by which we can best serve our country and uphold the hands of those charged with the heavy responsibilities of the hour.
JAMES E. MENDENHALL, Mayor.
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DECATUR COUNTY
The Great European war which finally became a World war began in 1914. After many offenses against the United States by the Imperial government of Germany, the United States Congress declared, April 6, 1917, that a state of war existed between Germany and the United States.
It seemed that a higher hand was directing affairs in Decatur county, Indiana for even when the whistles began to blow and the bells to ring announcing the declaration of war which had been hourly expected for several days, people were on their way to the Y. M. C. A. building where a large Flag was presented by "Pap" Thomas Woman's Relief Corps Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. The following program was rendered.
Music, Y. M. C. A. Orchestra.
America, Audience.
Prayer.
Music, Y. M. C. A. Orchestra.
History of our Flag, Mrs. Eliza J. Crisler, president W. R. C.
"Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean," Mrs. Winona C. Deiwert.
Taylor F. Meek, Civil war veteran bringing in Old Glory, and Ed Ware representing the army and Jack Foster the navy, both ex-service men.
Presentation of the Flag, Mrs. Taylor F. Meek, patriotic instructor W. R. C. Acceptance, Dr. C. C. Morrison, president Y. M. C. A. board of directors.
Fifteen hundred school children and hundreds of citizens were present. Old Glory was sent aloft by Masters Philip Diewert and Von Scott, amid tre- mendous cheers. "The Star Spangled Banner" was sung. Miss Jane Mckay leading with the cornet.
Norman C. Schlemmer made an address appealing to the young men of the county to volunteer at once their services in support of the government. He and Ira Miller were organizing a company.
Mayor Mendenhall had already arranged for a patriotic meeting to be held at the K. of P. Opera House at 7:30 on that same evening. At 7:15 the theatre was packed, and the doors closed. An overflow meeting was held at the court house. Hundreds of people were unable to gain admittance at either place.
The Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Relief Corps and the Daughters of the American Revolution were seated on the stage.
Pandemonium broke loose when a drum corps preceeded by Recruiting Officer, Sergeant Hayes bearing a large American Flag, and followed by Walter Crisler, Claude Coher, E. J. Harbison, Will Kline, John Boyl, Harry Robbins,
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Ed Ware, Frank Buckley, and Sam Evans, all ex-service men in the navy, marine corps or the army, all in their service uniforms marched in and across the stage. The sight of these men' who had seen actual service in the defense of "Old Glory" sent thrills of patriotism and love of country through the hearts of the people that will not soon be forgotten.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor James E. Mendenhall.
A chorus of school children was in the gallery, under the direction of Miss Ehlers, teacher of music in the city schools, and led the audience in the singing of "America."
Prayer was offered by Rev. James B. Lathrop, a Methodist minister who was past ninety-one years old, and had been in the Mexican war.
Rollin A. Turner read the Mayor's call for the meeting :
The programme was then turned over to Walter W. Bonner, the permanent chairman.
Mrs. Winona Crisler Deiwert sang "The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground." The galleries echoed with thunderous applause until she consented to sing again, her encore being, "Don't Bite The Hand that's Feeding You." She being forced to sing the chorus again and again. (Greensburg Times)
Mr. Bonner then introduced the speaker of the evening, Hon. Archibald Hall, of Indianapolis. Mr. Hall swept his hearers to their feet time after time and the applause was tremendous. Mr. John F. Russell, chairman of a committee on reso- lutions read the following which was unanimously adopted by the audience :
Resolutions adopted at Patriotic Mass Meeting
"Whereas, the congress of the United States by virtue of the constituted authority vested in it has declared that a state of war exists between the imperial German Government and our beloved country, and
"Whereas, the imperial German Government has brought about this deplor- able state of affairs through its deliberate and intentional acts of aggression and hostility toward us, and its defiance of all the principles upon which are founded liberty and justice, in that it has wantonly and maliciously murdered our citizens upon the high seas while engaged in their peaceful pursuits, torpedoed and sunk our ships without warning in the waters of the Atlantic and the Mediteranean, plotted against our national unity by surrounding us with spies and attempting to
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DECATUR COUNTY
incite Nations with whom we are at peace to acts of aggression against us, and "Whereas, the time has come when it is the duty of every American citizen who would preserve unsullied the Flag of freedom, cleansed by the blood which flowed from patriotic veins at Bunker Hill, drenched the field of Gettysburg and stained the slope at San Juan, to assert himself in this hour of national stress, and
"Whereas, Decatur county has at all times in the past given freely of her sons and wealth to preserve liberty, and defend the Nation's honor, and her soil tonight is hallowed as the resting place of heroes who served with Washington, Jackson, Scott, Grant and Lawton.
"Therefore, Be it resolved that we, the citizens of Decatur county, assembled on this April 6th, 1917, desiring to give further proof of our loyalty to and affection for our country and its government, do hereby give our unflinching support to our president and congress and pledge anew our blood and treasure. We endorse a vigorous prosecution of hostilities to the end that the war may be brought to a successful conclusion and the dawn of peace witness the vindication of the principles of justice and human liberty, so dear to the hearts of every true American, and
"Be it further resolved, that with reverent hearts we invoke for the success and glory of our arms, the aid of Almighty God, whose watchful care and guiding hand have been manifested in every stage of our national life, guarding and pro- tecting us in time of peril and safely leading us in the hour of darkness and of danger.
"JOHN F. RUSSELL, "HUGH WICKENS, "THOMAS E. DAVIDSON, "LOUIS ZOLLER,
"Committee."
The following resolutions adopted by the G. A. R. were next read by comrade Rev. Alonzo Murphy :
"Hall Pap Thomas Post No. 5, Department of Indiana, G. A. R.
"As members of Pap Thomas Post No. 5, Department of Indiana, G. A. R. we would offer the following resolutions :
"1. We greatly deplore the fact that a state of war again exists within the precincts of our beloved land.
"2. By a bitter experience, all our own, we know better than any others the
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IN THE WORLD WAR
horrors of war. It means that the whole of our Nation's resources are to be offered as a willing sacrifice upon the altar of our country. Such offerings consist mainly of men, munitions and treasure ; poured out like water as a libation for the sins of our time.
"3. We hereby give our most hearty endorsement to the national adminis- tration for the position taken, and the recommendations given, concerning our present war situation. '
"4. We favor immediate and universal co-operation upon the part of our whole people. All our citizens, both native and naturalized, should 'fall in upon the colors.'
"5. We profoundly sympathize with that portion of our citizenship, whoever they may be, of whatever nationality, that by either birth or blood, may be related to our enemies in this war. The war being forced upon us, as it was very much against our will or wish, there is, we think, but one way open to these much esteemed and highly respected citizens, viz .- That to the last man they fall in with us as we line up against our enemy and theirs.
"6. The outcome of this conflict is becoming more apparent every day. That the final treaty will eventuate in the complete overthrow of every autocrat in Europe no thoughtful student can doubt, and that their mad dynastics are working out their own swift destruction is equally obvious.
"7. The only possible explanation for this war and its only rational inter- pretation is to be found in the greater enfranchisement and disenthrallment of Europe itself. So when the ranks are full and the issues finally met, the Kings and Kaisers, Emperors and Czars, will hear the crack of their relentlessness and irrevocable doom. The central powers will then be as free as America.
"Behold, how beautiful already is Russia without a Czar! And imagine how happy Germany will be freed from the blight of their life-long military despotism and without a Kaiser.
"Therefore, all liberty loving Americans, Attention! Fall in! Forward March !"
These resolutions were also adopted by the audience.
At this meeting it was announced that a Red Cross Society had been born in Decatur county. A short address on the Red Cross was made by John Craig. He told of the purpose of the society and what it took to be a member. A large number became members at this time.
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DECATUR COUNTY
Norman C. Schlemmer and Ira Miller made a plea for the young men of Decatur county to respond to their country's call.
Before closing the meeting Mr. Bonner thanked the Knights of Pythias for the free use of the opera house, and read the telegram from the lodge to Presi- dent Wilson pledging its support.
"The Star Spangled Banner" was sung, led by Miss Ehlers and the school children. During the singing a large American Flag was lowered and raised as a drop curtain on the stage.
The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Walter H. Reynolds of the Presby- terian church.
At the court hose, John E. Osborn presided, Mr. Hall delivered his address, Rollin A. Turner read the resolutions, Frank Hamilton, T. E. Davidson and Rev. F. Z. Burkette of the Christian church delivered short addresses. Dr. C. R. Bird spoke on the Red Cross, and Norman Schlemmer again appealed for volunteers. Mrs. Deiwert also sang with great effect.
At the opera house meeting Mr. Bonner spoke of this being the greatest of republics, and when he made the statement that we are at war with the greatest fighting machine in the world, a man in the balcony cried out, "Thank God for That !" Cries of "throw him out," "hang him," "kill him," were heard and the vast audience was on its feet in an instant. He explained that he thought Mr. Bonner said the "United States was the greatest fighting machine in the world." The man was a stranger and most people thought his explanation was just to save his neck. But he kept very quiet the rest of the evening.
MISS LUCY HAZELRIGG Red Cross Shop DR. C. F. BIRD Organizer of Red Cross in Decatur County MISS NELL DOLES County Secretary-Treasurer of Junior Red Cross
CHARITY ALLEN BAKER Supt. Surgical Dressing Shop MRS. LILLIAN DICKERSON HARTMAN Red Cross Shop MISS GERTRUDE WALKER County Chairman of the Junior Red Cross
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DECATUR COUNTY
DECATUR COUNTY CHAPTER AMERICA RED CROSS
In March, 1917, Dr. Charles R. Bird issued a call through our local papers to all interested in Red Cross and first aid work to meet him at the Y. M. C. A. About twenty-five responded, but no organization resulted as the meeting was an informal one. In compliance with the rules of the American Red Cross, the application blank for organizing a chapter was filled out and sent to headquarters.
April 2, 1917, a meeting was held at the Y. M. C. A., with Dr. Bird as chairman, which resulted in the appointment of a committee to nominate officers for the organization of a local Red Cross. This committee was composed of Mrs. J. W. Ray, Mrs. Myrtle Bonner and Dr. C. F. Kercheval, who nominated the following officers :
Chairman, S. P. Minear.
Vice Chairman, Miss Katherine Emmert.
Treasurer, Dan S. Perry.
Secretary, Miss Mary Ardery.
These officers were elected and the granting of the chapter (from Wash- ington) was read.
The purpose of the Decatur County Chapter of the Red Cross is to aid the work of the American National Red Cross in time of war by participating vigor- ously and loyally in furnishing such relief as may be necessary for the army and navy or other forces in the country ; in furnishing civilian relief for the depend- ents of soldiers and sailors. And in time of peace by responding to general appeals for relief made by the central committee, by collecting and distributing money and supplies ; by providing systematic relief in case of disaster, and in general, by rendering relief and performing services in conformity with the charter and by-laws of the American National Red Cross, and such policies and regulations as the central committee may from time to time establish.
At the meeting of April 4, the chairman appointed an executive board com- posed of Dr. C. R. Bird, Rev. W. H. Reynolds, Dr. I. M. Sanders, Miss Bright Emmert, Mrs. S. P. Minear, Louis Zoller, Rollin Turner, Mrs. J. R. Ray, Mrs. Myrtle Bonner. On account of illness Miss Mary Ardery was unable to continue her duties as secretary and Mrs. Myrtle Bonner was appointed to take her place. Miss Vessie Riley was chosen to fill the place made vacant by the transfer of Mrs. Bonner, and John Osborn was appointed in place of Mrs. J. W. Ray, who resigned.
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Committees on finance and membership were appointed, and chairmen were appointed for the surrounding towns, each chairman to appoint a committee for his community. Everything possible was done to secure members and money for the work which was to start immediately. Women went out on the streets to secure members, a house to house canvass was made, and George Erdmann, with his whole postoffice force helped. Nearly all the towns in the county were visited and Red Cross meetings held. Mrs. Diewert sang her sweetest and Rev. Reynolds, Rev. Burkette, John Osborn, Dr. Bird, Dan Perry and Rollin Turner gave their time and influence.
With the declaration of war by the United States, it at once became apparent what form the chapter work of the Red Cross would assume, and preparations were begun for the making of hospital garments and surgical dressings. Mr. Morris of the five-and-ten-cent store donated for the use of the Red Cross the two front rooms over the store; telephone, lights, tables, sewing machines, also were donated and the draymen donated their services.
So on April 9, the work began in earnest with Miss Lucy Hazelrigg and Mrs. Lillian Miller in charge of the work room. Eight hundred yards of ma- terial had been purchased.
With the exception of the secretary who served three weeks, and the first vice-chairman who served for one year, the officers who entered on their duties in the beginning remained at their posts throughout the period of the war, having been re-elected at the annual meeting, October 23, 1918. These officers and the principal chairman of committees were representative men and women of the community who held the respect and confidence of the people. They regarded their official connection with the Red Cross an obligation for service which com- manded their constant attention and much of their time. The personnel is as follows :
S. P. Minear-Chapter chairman, April 2, 1917, to March 18, 1919. Miss Kate Emmert-Chapter vice-chairman, April 2, 1917, to March 18, 1918. Miss Mary Ardery-Chapter secretary, April 2, 1917, to April 23, 1917.
Mrs. Myrtle Bonner-Chapter secretary, April 23, 1917, to March 18, 1919; and Home Service secretary, December 17, 1917, to April 12, 1919. Mrs. Alva Reed-Chapter vice chairman, April 16, 1918.
Dan S. Perry-Chapter treasurer, April 2, 1917, to March 18, 1919. Rev. W. H. Reynolds-Home Service chairman, December 17, 1917.
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DECATUR COUNTY
Mrs. S. P. Minear-Women's Work chairman, April 9, 1917, to March 18, 1919.
Miss Bright Emmert-Surgical Dressings chairman, April 9, 1917, to May 1, 1918.
Mrs. Charity A. Baker-Surgical Dressings chairman, May 1. 1918, to No- vember 15, 1918.
Mrs. Lillian Miller-Red Cross shop superintendent, April 9, 1917, to July 2, 1917.
Miss Lucy Hazelrigg-Red Cross shop assistant superintendent, April 9, 1917, to July 2, 1917.
Miss Ella Wilson-Red Cross shop superintendent, July 2, 1917, to February 27, 1919.
Miss Lizzie Wilson-Red Cross assistant superintendent, July 2, 1917. to February 27, 1919.
Miss Mary Rankin-Knitting chairman, June 1, 1918, to February 27. 1919.
Frank Donnell-Chairman War Fund Drives, June 18-25, 1917, and May 20, 1918.
John Osborn-Chairman membership drives, December 17-24, 1917, and December 17-24, 1918.
Miss Gertrude Walker-Junior Red Cross chairman, February 28. 1918.
The auditing committee, consisting of Louis Zoller and Harrington Boyd, appointed at the time of the chapter organization, audited the books of the treasurer from time to time according to the requirements of the National Red Cross.
Other committees were appointed by the chairman on receipt of instructions from headquarters and a survey of these committees and their work shows the growing activities of the chapter as it strove to meet the needs and emergencies of the time.
The committee of Women's Work was the first to become active. The personnel here given was not appointed at any one time, as the committee grew as new demands were made upon the chapter: Mrs. S. P. Minear, chairman ; Mrs. Myrtle Benner, Miss Bright Emmert, Mrs. T. E. Stevenson, Mrs. Charity Baker, Miss Mary Rankin, Miss Vessie Riley, Mrs. Wm. A. McCoy, Mrs. F. H. Erdmann.
The work of this committee consisted in the management of the cutting and making of hospital and surgical garments, surgical dressings and knitting. The
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Red Cross rooms, first occupied and known as the Red Cross Shop had to be given up after a few months and from that time the surgical dressings and the garment work were carried on in different buildings. The surgical dressings were moved twice, first to the Hamilton Block, northeast corner square, which was donated, then they found their final home in two large airy rooms in the new high school building. Another room for the garments was secured in the court house, and this remained the cutting center and distributing point for the entire county throughout the remainder of the war work.
The making of the surgical dressings was done almost entirely by the women living in Greensburg, but the sewing and knitting were done by women throughout the county. Every township had its sewing unit and each week many dozens of garments found their way back to the court house. where they had been previously cut, for inspection by the superintendent before shipment. No more arduous work was done than that of the cutting which for the first eighteen months was done without machinery, by hand scissors. Later the garments were sent already cut from division headquarters. Some of the cutters were so faithful the last day found these same women at work who reported for duty when the first cutting was done.
Until the last few months, shipment of garments was made weekly, and surgical dressings monthly. After the work was well started and the township units organized, for many weeks not less than one hundred and fifty garments were shipped each Tuesday. The largest shipment in one week was four hun- dred and one articles. When the inspection sheets of these shipments were sent to the chapter from the warehouse, where they were received it was not an un- common thing to have noted on the margin, "Fine workmanship," "Beautifully baled box" and other comments which have become the pride of the chapter records. It was due to the viligance in inspection of the chairman of knitting, Miss Rankin, that one inspection sheet of knitting brought back this message from Mrs. Hugh McGibeny, state inspector, "It is a noteworthy achievement and very helpful to us when you send us a shipment of perfect socks. Thank you."
At various times fifty-one organizations helped with the work. The Eastern Star was longest in the field, and their steady output of garments each week was of inestimable value to the chapter.
The work of Miss Ella Wilson, superintendent of the Red Cross Shop, was of such character as not to attract the notice of the public very largely, but the faithfulness and efficiency with which it was done was most commendable. To
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DECATUR COUNTY
her and her sister, Miss Lizzie Wilson, are due the chapter's appreciation and gratitude.
On November 15, 1918, the surgical dressing work was stopped according to an order from B. P. Bunland, of Division Headquarters. Appropriate closing exercises were conducted by Mrs. Charity Baker, the chairman, and her workers were urged to enlist in the garment making.
On February 27, 1919, the Red Cross Shop in the court house shipped its last box, and closed its doors. For many years to come memories of the war, and especially of the Red Cross activities will linger in the corridors and grounds of the old court house whose bell tolled with solemn measure the day war was declared, and rang with wild clamor when the victory of the allies announced the peace of the world.
Dr. Paul Tindall was appointed July 18, 1917, as instructor in first aid classes. He conducted two classes of thirty-six members, thirty of whom finished the course and received certificates. Dr. Tindall retired to enter the service May 1, 1918.
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