USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 11
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We aim at accuracy in details of the activities of war work done here, but he who expects to find the statements entirely free from error or defects has little knowledge of difficulties in preparation of a task of this sort.
Respectfully,
MARIE VAN PLEAK (Mrs. S. D.)
MARION TOWNSHIP WAR HISTORY
Though Marion is not one of the most populous nor one of the wealthiest of the townships of Decatur county, it stands second to none in loyalty and in duty well performed, in the great crisis through which we have just passed.
A complete and detailed sketch of the various war activities of the township would show that the same love of country, the same devotion to her interests that animated the inhabitants of other townships of the county, were present in no less a degree in Marion township which is merely another way of stating that when the interests of our fair country are at stake, our people will rise as a man. The one object was to defeat the enemy, to win the war and whenever and wher- ever effort was needed to reach this goal, it was given without stint. No better evidence of this fact can be submitted than the honor roll of Marion township. One hundred and thirteen of our boys were called to the colors. One hundred and thirteen stood ready to make the supreme sacrifice, while at home hearts bled
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and ached in silent sacrifice and sought relief only in prayer and in work for the loved ones braving the danger at the front.
The following is a list of men from Marion township in the service: William Clyde Farris, Fred E. Fisher, Henry Wolford, Albert Norwald, Leonard Hahn, Edward Wheeldon, Omer Surface, Raymond Wolford, Frank Hargitt, Lewis Alexander, Lawrence Hahn, Grover Wheeldon, Ora Wheeldon, Paschal Wor- land, Oliver Sutton, Elmer Taylor, Frank Oldham, Clifford Rohlfing, Willard Dunn, Forest Tumilty, Ernest Trittipo, Carter Crawford, William Burkman, Herschel Weaver, Anderson Ketchem, James H. Engle, Floyd Harrold, Everett Ferris, Elmer Wallace, Raymond Stith, Dyar Wood, Harry Parkinson, Alfred Bruns, John Duerstock, Benno Harpring, George Nadermann, John Veerkamp, Henry Brancamp, Joseph Wanner, John Wanner, Maurice Redelman, John Meyer, Henry Zurline, Iran Sutton, Clifford Lehman, William Carson, Sidney Dunn, Clemens Scheidler, Harry Barnes, Riley Crawford, Harry Burkman, Eldo Burkman, Burney Weaver, Edward Zetterberg, Harry Robbins, John Harrold, Troy Hamilton, Otto Borden, Erbie Lee, Jesse Clark, Edward Bruns, Bernard Harpring, Mathias Johannigmann, Louis Schoettmer, Henry Schwering, Joseph Hoeing, John Knoll, Bernard Knoll, George Knoll, Alex Knoll, Clemons Brown, William Brown, George Phlum, Walter Pfeifer, Joseph Wilmer, Frank Wilmer, Harry Wilmer, Lawrence Blankman, Louis Blankman, John Blankman, Anthony Heger, Lawrence Redelman, Louis Redelman, Henry Stuehrenberg, John Vaske, William Mauer, Birney Wilhoit, Allen Hart, John Deweese, Samuel Green, Clar- ence E. Ferris, Edward Feldmann, Louis Feldmann, Alvin Feldmann, Ferdinand Scheidler, Edward Scheidler, Mathias Scheidler, Clemens Lueken, John Wit- kemper, Louis Moenkedick, Albert Zapfe, Elmer Hardebeck, Clemens Herbert, Walter Goodwin, Frank Levell, William Martin, John W. Green, Frank Green, Godfrey Fowl.
The Gold Star Boys of Marion township are as follows:
Otis C. Jackson, killed at Chateau Thierry July 20, 1918.
Mathias Ruhl, died at Columbus Barracks March 19, 1917.
Dana C. Harrold, died at Elwood, Indiana May 25, 1917.
Clarence E. Riley, died at Camp Shelby December 9, 1917.
A careful study of the foregoing honor roll shows that it was not uncommon to find two members from the same family in the service. Even three members trom one family are more than once recorded and in one instance four boys, all they had. the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Knoll, were loyally serving their
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country at the front, while their parents with equal loyalty-though both were born in Germany-were giving in full measure of all they had to give.
In each of the Liberty Loan drives, Marion township exceeded her quota. The Victory Boys and Girls pledged and paid over two hundred dollars. All the schools of the township sold Thrift Stamps and War Savings Stamps, sixteen hundred dollars being realized from this source in the Millhousen community alone.
Work for the Red Cross was never allowed to lag. Every community in the township did its share of sewing and knitting. Some sent the garments and knitted wear to their relatives in the camps, others disposed of them through the Red Cross shops at Greensburg. The Union Baptist Missionary Society met bi- weekly and spent the day sewing for the Red Cross. Four hundred and twenty garments are listed to their credit. The Mt. Pleasant Ladies' Aid Society as a unit made about thirty garments. Many individual members took out work for the Red Cross to be done in their own homes. The same holds true all over the township. Not only in sewing and knitting were the people active, but in varied fields of endeavor. For example the seventh and eighth grade pupils of the Millhousen school had a war garden which netted twenty-five dollars for the Red Cross.
But why multiply instances? To record every activity in detail would require a volume. The people of the township did their utmost, not that it might be recorded and they be praised therefor but that the country's cause might triumph. Just as the boys at the zero hour went over the top, not because they were receiv- ing the applause of thousands for their bravery, but simply because it was duty, so our people at home gave of their best, not to receive the plaudits of their fellows but that they might equally, with the boys at the front, do their full duty. Praise other than this they do not desire. See personnel of township Historians.
WAR HISTORY OF SAND CREEK TOWNSHIP
The first Red Cross membership meeting in the county was held in the Christian church at Westport April 15, 1917, with Rev. George W. Swartz, of the Methodist church, presiding. Miss Kate Emmert, vice-president of the County Red Cross organization, Rev. F. Z. Burkette, John E. Osborn, James Caskey, and Mrs. George Deiwert, all of Greensburg, attended this meeting.
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Reverend Swartz and Dr. O. F. Welch delivered addresses on the Armenian relief, and quite a large collection was taken in their behalf.
Those from Greensburg were there in the interest of securing members for the Red Cross Society. Quite a number of members were secured. By the time the membership campaign closed practically everyone in the township belonged.
The people of Sand Creek township met every call made upon them by the Government to help win the war.
Y. M. C. A. The first call for funds for the Y. M. C. A. came the week of May 20 to 28, 1917. The following committee served: G. W. Swartz, chairman ; Claude Tyner, J. C. Hill, A. S. Boicourt, T. W. Robinson, R. T. Stott, J. F. Ham- ilton.
The quota was $800.00 and the amount received was $1,165.00.
First Liberty Loan. When the Government asked the people to assist by loaning it their money in June, 1917, the two banks of the township took over the quota, selling the bonds, the public was not solicited.
Second Liberty Loan. The second call for loans to the Government came September 25 to October 12, 1917. The following committee had charge: J. F. Hamilton, chairman ; F. D. Armstrong, George C. Nicholson, J. C. Stott, Londa Wright.
The quota was $54,600.00 and the subscriptions amounted to $58,700.00.
Third Liberty Loan. The Third Liberty Loan call came in February, 1918. The following served on the committee: J. F. Hamilton, chairman ; J. C. Stott, T. W. Robinson, Curtis Gobel, Earl Shera, James C. Hill, A. S. Boicourt, Londa Wright, Herbert Black.
The quota was placed at $28,800.00 and the subscriptions amounted to $33,850.00.
Fourth Liberty Loan. The Fourth Loan drive was held September 23 to 30, 1918. The committee was: J. F. Hamilton, chairman; Earl Shera, Claude Tyner, J. C. Hill, J. C. Stott, Curtis B. Gobel, Clyde Davis, Londa Wright, T. W. Robinson.
The quota this time was placed at $60,800.00 and the amount sold was $61,500.00.
Fifth Liberty Loan. The Fifth Loan was called the Victory Loan and the campaign was made the latter part of April and the first of May, 1919. The committee for this, the last, was: T. W. Robinson, chairman; Ezra Roberts,
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James Hill, George C. Nicholson, Londa Wright, Clyde Davis, Glant Armstrong, A. S. Boicourt.
The quota was $59,000.00 and the amount sold was $59,900.00.
Red Cross. The Red Cross in Sand Creek township began at once upon the declaration of war, and practically every member of every family in the township belonged either to the Red Cross or to the Junior Red Cross.
The first Red Cross drive for funds was held June 18 to 25, 1917.
Red Cross committee: Rev. George E. Swartz, chairman; R. T. Stott, J. F. Hamilton, Levi Burns, Dr. Chas. Woods, George C. Nicholson, Wilson M. Shafer.
The township quota was $800.00 and the amount received was $1,395.00.
Second Red Cross Campaign. This campaign assigned for the week of May 20 to 27, 1918, but it was decided to make it on the first day which was done under the management of: K. L. Adams, township chairman; J. F. Hamilton, vice-chairman ; Lucerne Thompson, Rev. G. E. Swartz, A. S. Boicourt, J. C. Hill, Rev. J. W. Gilley, Earl Shera, Parker Greene, T. N. Shaw, Clyde Davis.
Red Cross units were formed at Westport, and at Letts.
Red Cross Unit of Westport, Indiana. The Red Cross Unit of Westport, Indiana was organized May 29. 1918, meeting called to order by J. F. Hamilton, as temporary chairman.
Organization perfected, resulted in the selection of Mrs. Anna Ross, presi- dent ; Mrs. J. L. Houston, vice-president ; Mrs. Carrie Ketchum, secretary ; Mrs. E. R. Boicourt, assistant secretary ; Mrs. J. C. Hill, treasurer.
R. T. Stott was called upon and gave a very interesting talk, as to conditions existing at this time and the manner in which they were forced to contend with conditions at the time of the great Civil war.
A collection was taken with which to purchase thread for use, the amount received was $1.05. The Westport High School ball team playing a game, pro- ceeds for benefit of Red Cross amounting to $15.00. Rev. J. W. Gilley presented the unit with a contribution from one of his charges, amount, $7.44.
The community play given on the Fourth of July, held at the Baptist church at Westport netted $82.38. Ladies sold fans to the amount of $7.02-money received for eggs that were contributed, $3.27. This money being for purchase of thread. Amount on hand at this date, December 29, 1918, $295.37.
The work done by unit was as follows: Hospital shirts, 108; refugee gowns,
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thirty ; refugee shirts, sixty-seven ; refugee drawers, forty-one ; pajamas, twenty- four ; water-proof cases, 100; sweaters, five; socks, fourteen pairs.
The following work was done before unit was organized: Mrs. Ed Whalen, six pajamas, twenty-four shirts; Ladies' Aid of Baptist church, eighty-four hos- pital shirts ; Barthena Burk, six hospital shirts.
The ladies of Fred Small Woman's Relief Corps did splendid work not only for the Red Cross, but in all lines of war work. This corps was organized April 4, 1900, and has twenty members.
Through the kindness of George W. Lanham, of Greensburg, who went to Westport and placed in good running order five sewing machines, for which the ladies of the corps were under many obligations, they made 122 garments for the Red Cross. They knitted eighteen garments.
Amount of bonds bought by members $4,250.00
Amount of War Savings Stamps bought 350.00
Amount donated to Red Cross 80.00
Amount donated to relief work 50.00
Mary E. Stewart was president.
Y. M. C. A. Campaign. The first call from the Y. M. C. A. for help was May 20 to 28, 1917.
The quota was $800.00 and the amount received was $1,165.00.
Committee: Rev. George E. Swartz, chairman; John W. Holcomb, Harmon Cox, A. S. Boicourt, J. F. Hamilton, Earl Shera, Dr. F. M. Davis, Levi Burns.
Knights of Columbus. This was the only campaign held for funds for the K. of C. and was from May 10 to 20, 1918.
Committee: J. F. Hamilton, chairman; Mrs. J. L. Houston, Mrs. Chas. Wood, K. L. Adams, Urso McCorkle.
The quota was $150.00 and the amount received was $200.00.
War Savings Stamps. This campaign was in May, 1918, the quota was $38,900.00 and the amount sold was $48,000.00. This was under the direction of : J. F. Hamilton, chairman ; Claude Tyner, James C. Hill, Clyde Davis, W. M. Shafer, Earl Shera, Harmon Cox, M. D. Harding, John W. Holcomb, Rev. G. E. Swartz, A. S. Boicourt.
United War Work Campaign. This campaign was held in November, 1918,
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and Sand Creek went over the top the day before the campaign began. The quota was $2,475.00 and the amount received was $2,810.75.
Committee : K. L. Adams, chairman; J. F. Hamilton, A. S. Boicourt, J. C. Hill, J. W. Holcomb, M. D. Harding, Clyde Davis, T. N. Shaw, Earl Shera.
The loyalty and patriotism of the citizens of Sand Creek township can best be estimated by the number of her men to join the ranks.
Submitted by
J. F. HAMILTON.
REPORT OF THE VARIOUS WAR ACTIVITIES IN SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP, DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA DURING THE YEAR OF 1917 AND 1918
The First Liberty Bond Issue. The allottment for the township was $10,000.00 of the bonds. There was no general canvass among the people for the sale of the bonds. The First State Bank pledged the amount of the bonds to be sold and depended on the good will of the people of the township to come and offer their subscriptions to take all the bonds. The bonds were all sold to about thirty subscribers before the campaign was over.
The Second Liberty Bond Issue. The allottment for the township for this issue was $15,000.00. As in the first issue there was no general canvass for the sale of the bonds and the First State Bank guaranteed the sale of the bonds. The bonds were all sold to about thirty-five of the citizens of the township.
The Third Liberty Bond Issue. The allottment for the township was placed at $16,100.00. George F. Redelman was appointed chairman and a general organization of workers was completed. The plans were made for a three days' campaign to sell the bonds and at the end of that time the solicitors reported the sale of $33,000.00 bonds to about two hundred customers. The township had the distinction of being the only township in the county of selling over two hun- dred per cent. of their original quota, and received the only quota flag having two stars. given to any township in the county.
Fourth Liberty Bond Issue. The quota for the township was placed at $27,200.00. George F. Redelman was appointed township chairman and Fred C. Baas and Cliff Kirkpatrick, precinct chairman. A. complete organization of so- licitors was effected. Sales amounting to about $32.000.00 were reported to 261 customers.
DELST IR COUNTY HONOR HOLT
Service Flag of "Pap" Thomas Wirmans Aring Corps No. 113 1. Gold Stars
OR POLL
0
-
-
T
ACHT
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DECATUR COUNTY'S HONOR ROLL BOARD AT GREENSBURG
HONOR ROLL BOARD AT ST. PAUL
THE LARGEST SERVICE FLAG IN THE COUNTRY Contained 344 Stars and 4 Red Crosses
SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP'S HONOR ROLL BOARD AT NEW POINT
SAND CREEK TOWNSHIP'S HONOR ROLL BOARD AT WESTPORT
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The following is a list of all parties assisting in the sale of the four issues of the Liberty Bonds : John A. Meyer, Mike Hoff, Edward O'Day, Tony Harlow, Lewis Bare, Ward Williams, H. M. Loyd, John Schilling, Robert F. Carr, Loren Doles, William Krone, Adam E. Huber, Edward Neimeyer, H. S. McKee, John M. Greene, R. B. Gwinn, Adam T. Shazer, Charles Lange, Fred Tresler, Albert Geis, Edward Hoff, Walter Hadler, Walter Thackery, Fred C. Baas, John Hoff, John Koehne, Edgar Meyer, Albert Weimer, Edward Miller, Robert Hermesch, George Neimeyer, Frank Volk, Chas. Risinger, Fred Beck, Fred Neimeyer, Will- iam Colson, Cliff Kirkpatrick, George F. Redelman.
Women's Committee: Florence Hoff, chairman, Loretta Meyer, Mrs. Will- iam Thomas, Mrs. H. S. McKee, Mrs. Edward O'Day.
Sale of War Savings Stamps for Ycar 1918. Salt Creek township's quota was placed at $2,000.00 per month. No sale organization was completed until the drive held in June. Up to that time the sales amounted to about $12,000.00. The result of the drive was sales and pledges amounting to about $13,000.00. The total sales for the township for the year were over $26,000.00. The teachers and pupils of the New Point school sold about $3,000.00 of this amount through their efforts during the spring of 1918.
Library Fund for Books for the Soldiers. The township was asked to raise $15.00 for this purpose. The required amount was raised by general subscription in October, 1917.
Knights of Columbus War Camp Fund. The first amount asked of the township was $30.00 in July, 1917. This amount was raised without any organiza- tion for soliciting.
The second drive for funds was made in May, 1918. George F. Redelman was appointed chairman for the township. A committee was appointed. The quota was $200.00 and $211.50 was raised by the committee.
Y. M. C. A. War Camp Fund. The township was asked to raise $100.00 for this purpose in May, 1917. No general organization for soliciting was made but a committee was appointed by the county organization consisting of George F. Redelman, H. S. McKee and Fred C. Baas. The required amount was raised in a few days' time by this committee.
The second drive for funds was made in November, 1917. The township's quota was placed at $200.00. H. S. McKee was appointed chairman of this drive and he perfected an organization of solicitors who collected $212.75 during the drive.
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Honor Roll Board. A committee of the citizens of New Point had erected a board of honor for all the boys who gave their services to their country in this war. In all, there were about sixty-five boys from the township in the various branches of service. The township was fortunate in not having lost any of her boys in action, but three were lost by disease while in camps in this country and in France. Charles Forkert and Leslie Shazer died of influenza in camps in this country and Joseph Kinker died while in camp in France. The funds for the erection of the honor roll were raised by solicitation of the citizens by the com- mittee.
Red Cross Activities. The first call for funds from the township was made in June, 1917. At that time the township was asked to raise $300.00. George F. Redelman was appointed township chairman and a thorough organization of solicitors was effected and the plans were made so as to cover the whole township in a few hours' time. When the solicitors had all their reports in on the first day of the drive the surprising sum of $709.80 had been raised. The township proba- bly has the honor of getting the largest per cent. oversubscription of any town- ship in this part of the State.
The first Red Cross membership drive was made in December, 1917. Fred C. Baas was appointed chairman of this drive and he called in a number of so- licitors who were assigned parts of the township to canvass. The allottment for membership was placed at three hundred, but the result of the drive was 340 members for Salt Creek township.
The second call for funds for the Red Cross was made in May, 1918. The quota for the township was placed at $400.00. George F. Redelman was town- ship chairman and Fred C. Baas and Cliff Kirkpatrick, chairman of the two precincts. Various other solicitors were appointed and plans were made for a three days' canvass. The township raised $600.00 on this drive for funds, being an oversubscription of fifty per cent. of their allottment.
The second membership drive was made in December, 1918. At that time about 350 members were secured. A committee was appointed to solicit in their respective neighborhoods in the county and the woman's committee did the solicit- ing in the town of New Point. Florence Hoff was chairman of this committee and her committee of solicitors consisted of Mrs. John Parmer, Martha Huber, Ethel Brown, Loretta Meyer and Virgil Minning.
United War Workers' Fund. The drive for funds was made in November 1918, from the 11th to the 18th. The quota for the township was $1,088.00
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George F. Redelman was chairman and a thorough organization of the solicitors was effected. Fred C. Baas being chairman of the south precinct and Cliff Kirkpatrick chairman of the north precinct. The result of the drive being $1,185.10. The Victory Boys and Girls of the township raised over $40.00 of this amount.
The solicitors, who so ably and willingly assisted in all of these drives deserve personal mention, but they were so numerous that it would be nearly impossible to give theni personal mention without missing some of them, which would be an injustice to the one not mentioned, for without the generous assistance of all of them, the funds could not have been collected on all of these good causes.
The people of the township should also be thanked and praised for the noble and generous manner in which they responded to all the many drives for funds which were made throughout the township. As in most other townships, it was a regrettable fact that there were a few individuals who were able financially, but did little to take care of our brave boys who were in the service during this war. Fortunately the number who did not do what they were able to do are few, but they will be long remembered as slackers by the good people who did their full duty in making the township one of the first to go "over the top" in every drive that was made in the county.
GEORGE F. REDELMAN
NEW POINT SCHOOL
During the period of the war the school of New Point was very enthusiastic to do any work that could be done.
During the term of 1917-1918 many children pledged five dollars ($5.00) to the Y. M. C. A. fund. This money was earned by the children.
The school as a whole joined the Junior Red Cross, the total amount of membership fees amounted to $42.01.
Red Cross sewing was done by the Domestic Art Class. They turned out complete, three hospital shirts, two complete layettes and one dozen "housewives" for comfort bags.
The boys of the high school joined the Boys' Working Reserve and did any work that they could possibly do to "help along." In the spring of 1918, the
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school carried on an extensive drive to push the sale of War Savings and Thrift Stamps. The total amount of sales amounted to $3,000.00.
In the Autumn of 1918, twenty-eight boys and girls joined the "Victory Club."
CHRISTINE M. PARMER
P.
Through the efforts of the following teachers of the New Point school, the work was accomplished : Merrill C. Wilson, Mrs. Mollie Snyder, Mrs. John F. Parmer, Mrs. Ralph Linville and Mrs. Adolph Siebert.
The New Point Chapter of the American Red Cross was organized June 28. 1917, with Florence E. Hoff as chairman and Mrs. John Hoff as supervisor of sewing. During the period of their existence, 253 hospital shirts, fifteen refugee gowns, fifteen pairs of drawers, fifty water-proof comfort kits and seventy-five pairs of pajamas were made. The ladies who so kindly contributed their time and work are as follows: Mrs. Minnie Dowden, Mrs. Eleazer Layton, Mrs. D. C. Price, Mrs. Leal Freeland, Mrs. Jud Branham, Mrs. Howard Starks, Mrs. R. B. Gwin, Mrs. Thomas King, Mrs. Henry Wolfe, Mrs. Curtis Wolker, Mrs. Clell Wolfe, Mrs. William Thomas, Mrs. John Hoff, Mrs. V. H. Minning. Mrs .. U. G. Brown, Mrs. Lillie Williams, Mrs. Amanda Mason, Mrs. John A. Meyer, Miss Loretta Meyer, Mrs. George Redelman, Mrs. E. F. Starks, Mrs. Fred Wolfe, Mrs. H. S. McKee, Mrs. George W. Metz, Mrs. H. M. Loyd, Mrs. Robert McKee, Mrs. James Starks, Mrs. Wm. Freeland, Mrs. Sub Demaree, Miss Leonella Meyer, Miss Beatrice Meyer, Miss Flo. Freeland, Mrs. Ed Harding, Mrs. George Nei- meyer, Mrs. Rudolph Kramer, Mrs. John F. Parmer, Mrs. Henry Greene, Mrs. I. A. Parmer, Mrs. A .. I. Shazer, Mrs. Frank Thackery, Miss Leona Puttman, Mrs. F. C. Baas, Mrs. Wm. Chapple, Miss Cora Starks, Mrs. Web Freeland, Mrs. Robert Carr, Miss Luella Meyer, Miss Edna McDermott, Mrs. Ruth Hil- liard, Mrs. Walter Kling.
Mrs. Henry Greene, of New Point, will certainly be remembered for her generous donation to the Red Cross. A quilt specially designed and quilted by herself in Red Cross blocks. The quilt when sold with another quilt netted the sum of $73.00.
Mrs. Greene also had charge of the knitting at New Point. The ladies who
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contributed to this work were: Mrs. Minnie Dowden, Mrs. Elizabeth Kuert, Mrs. George W. Metz, Mrs. Richard King and Mrs. Henry Greene.
(Signed) FLORENCE E. HOFF.
WAR MEETINGS HELD DURING 1918, AT NEW POINT, INDIANA
During the summer of the year 1918, a series of three meetings, connected with war work, was held in the Christian church at New Point, Indiana. The meetings were well attended by relatives and friends of the "Boys."
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