USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 2
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On September 4, 1918, an educational committee of the Decatur county chapter was appointed by the chairman, S. P. Minear. Those appointed were: Dr. D. W. Weaver, chairman, Mrs. Myrtle Bonner, secretary; Mrs. D. W. Weaver, Mrs. Charity Baker, and Dr. C. C. Morrison.
This committee was appointed by request of the national organization for the purpose of promoting all first aid classes, including first aid to the injured, elementary hygiene, home care of the sick, and surgical dressings. Dr. Weaver became the instructor of the first aid and conducted classes at Star Church, Clarksburg, Spring Hill, Westport, and two in Greensburg, with a total enrollment of one hundred and two members. Two of these classes finished before the influenza epidemic, but the other classes were discontinued during the epidemic. An effort has been made to reorganize these unfinished classes, but without avail.
Mrs. D. W. Weaver, a graduate nurse residing in Greensburg took out the necessary papers to enroll as a Red Cross nurse in order to act as supervisor for the home care of the sick classes in Decatur county. An evening class of twenty- one and an afternoon class of twenty-one were enrolled October, 1918, for the study of "Home Care of the Sick." After two meetings, owing to the prominence of influenza, these classes were necessarily suspended. The evening class resumed work February 7, 1919, with twelve members.
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CIVILIAN RELIEF
The Department of Civilian Relief (Home Service) was organized December 17, 1917.
The membership of the committee appointed by the chairman of the chapter, S. P. Minear, was as follows :
Rev. Walter H. Reynolds, chairman ; Mrs. Myrtle Bonner, executive secre- tary ; Mrs. Charles R. Bird, S. A. Bonner, Judge J. W. Craig, D. E. Douglas, M. D., Mrs. Taylor Meek, Miss Edith Patton, I. M. Sanders, M. D., Judge Hugh Wickens.
The committee had occasional meetings for consultation and planning and review of work. It had the help of a visit from Mr. Watts, a representative of the Lake Division Headquarters, A. R. C. Its executive secretary attended a three day conference of workers held in the University of Cincinnati.
It had printed a placard announcing its aim and the names of its members with an invitation to consult them in case of desire to get information concerning sons or other relatives in the army. This placard was placed in every church, postoffice and bank in the county.
It had published a circular giving an announcement of its general program of work and a condensed statement of information for soldiers concerning govern- ment allowance and insurance. These circulars were distributed as widely as possible among the families of the county and it was the endeavor of the com- mittee to have a copy placed in the hand of every soldier as he has left home for camp.
A committee at large as an auxiliary to the central committee was organized with an official representative in each township in Decatur county :
Mrs. Chas. Short, Washington; Mrs. Chas. Clemons and Mrs. Walter Hite, Clinton; Mrs. M. D. Snyder and Mrs. H. S. McKee, Saltcreek; Mrs. C. B. Emmert, Fugit; Sister Leonissa, Marion; Mrs. Urso McCorkle and Mrs. J. L. Houston, Sandcreek ; Mrs. G. J. Donnell, Jackson; Miss Hannah Baker, Mrs. Edna Seal, Miss Fannie Johnson and Mrs. Mary A. Brown, Clay ; Mrs. Clyde Yater and Mrs. Walter Hungerford, Adams.
A report of the work done was sent on the first day of each month to the Lake Division Headquarters. The character of the work done was such that it does not allow of an itemized report, but a summary may be given as follows:
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five hundred and eighty-eight families were visited or called at the office for information and help.
A very great number of letters were written. Emergency help was extended in the way of loans to those whose allowances were delayed. Through correspond- ence carried directly to the proper parties at Headquarters many perplexing matters were cleared up for anxious relations of soldiers or sailors. The home folks of the soldiers who died in battle or in camp were visited wherever it was possible and with expressions of genuinely felt sympathy the services of the A. R. C. offered in the execution of the sad, but necessary business of settling up (without expense to the beneficiaries) the insurance and other matters requiring immediate attention.
The Home Service Department of Civilian Relief is the government's agent for keeping in touch with the families of soldiers and sailors who had gone from our country to the army, or navy.
The American Red Cross was with the boys overseas and with the families at home.
THE JUNIOR RED CROSS CHAPTER OF DECATUR COUNTY
On January 30, 1918, S. P. Minear, chairman of the local chapter of the American Red Cross received notice from Washington that a new class of mem- bership had been authorized by the American Red Cross, to be known as the Junior Red Cross membership. The purpose being to stimulate the patriotic activities of all school children in the United States.
This organization, the Junior Red Cross of Decatur County, was effected February 28, 1918 at a meeting held in the office of the county superintendent with S. P. Minear presiding. The following officers were elected :
Miss Gertrude Walker, chairman.
Miss Nelle Doles, secretary and treasurer.
This committee to constitute both the executive and chapter school committee, and was instructed to organize and plan the work for the entire county.
A committee was also appointed to aid in securing membership throughout the county. This committee was as follows:
Mrs. Edith Latham, Ethel Skillman, Adams township; Mrs. H. H. Wilson, Edna B. Seal, Clay township; Mrs. Mozingo, Margaretta Hester, Clinton town- ship; Mrs. R. Donnell, Isabella Hamilton, Lucile Young and Lorretta Meyer,
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Fugit township; Mrs. Steuben Pleak, Lennie Dixon, Jackson township; Sister Leonissa, Zolla Martin, Marion township; Dale Denniston, Ruth Johnson, Sand- creek township ; Mrs. M. D. Snyder, Marguerite Metz, Saltcreek township, Cer- trude Walker, Lillie O'Day, Washington township; Mrs. Margaret Rankin, Car- rie Stewart and Nellie Doles, Greensburg city schools.
After consent of the school authorities, both county and city, the chapter school committee, through the co-operation of the officials, principals, and teachers of the various schools, and the above named membership committee, organized thirty-seven auxiliaries, enrolled three thousand children, purchased material for thirty infants' layettes, which have been made in the schools, and used in war relief work.
Auxiliaries were organized as follows:
Adams township-Adams, St. Omer, St. Paul.
Clay township-Burney, Milford, Ewington, Tanner.
Clinton township-Sandusky.
Fugit township-Clarksburg, St. Maurice, Kingston, Memorial.
Jackson township-Alert, Forest Hill, Sardinia, Waynesburg, Big Horn.
Marion township-Millhousen, Slabtown, Lehman, Hager, Hazelrigg. Saltcreek township-New Point, New Pennington, Walker, McChanicsburg. Sandcreek township- Letts, Westport, Fredonia.
Washington township-Goddard, Hamilton, Robbins, Washington, Clemons, Middle Branch.
Greensburg city schools-High school, west building, east building.
On October 5, 1918, it was voted to add to the chapter school committee, the county superintendent, J. R. Crawley, and one teacher from each township in the county as follows :
Adams township, Mrs. Edith Latham; Clay township, Mrs. H. H. Wilson ; Clinton township, Mrs. O. L. Newman; Fugit township, Miss Marjorie Beall ; Jackson township, Mrs. Lennie D. Hern; Marion township, Sister Leonissa ; Saltcreek township, Mrs. M. D. Snyder ; Sandcreek township, Miss Lois Gilchrist ; Washington township, Miss Gertrude Walker.
The following is the financial report from date of organization, February 28, 1918, to April 7, 1919:
Total amount collected $875.74
Total amount expended 260.29
Balance in treasury
$615.45
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Aside from assisting the local Red Cross with some sewing, this organization was unable to do much active work the last few months of 1918 owing to the prevailing epidemic of influenza.
During the week of March 19-26, 1918, the local chapter of the D. A. R. was appointed to conduct a campaign for clothing for the French and Belgian refugees. They succeeded in collecting wearing apparel, blankets and comforts, the weight of which amounted 1.205 pounds and included 1,474 articles.
The American Red Cross issued a request that all chapters during the week of September 23-30, 1918, conduct a campaign for the collection of clothing for the Belgium Relief Committee. The Decatur county chairman again appointed the local chapter of the D. A. R. to manage this campaign. So once more the D. A. R. performed a valuable service for the Decatur county chapter. Mrs. C. H. Johnston, chairman of this committee and her competent assistants weighed and packed and sorted 4,218 garments weighing 3,352 pounds.
The splendid success in this campaign would not have been possible except for the hearty co-operation of the Red Cross units throughout the county. The chairman of these units did much telephoning and their members loyally re- sponded.
Another drive was called by the American Red Cross for used clothing for the liberated countries of Europe, for March 24-31, 1919. The chairman ap- pointed the Loyal Daughters' class of the Christian church to undertake this campaign. They carried it through to a successful conclusion and shipped forty- four sacks of clothing, weighing 965 pounds.
On September 23, 1918, Chairman S. P. Minear received word that the Red Cross had been appointed the principal agent of the Government to arrange the collection of important materials such as fruit stones and pits and nut shells to be used in the manufacture of carbon for gas masks. The Government asked the assistance of every Red Cross chapter. Prof. Crawley and P. D. Brown were appointed to superintend this work for the Decatur county chapter. Three thou- sand one hundred and eighty-four pounds of this material were shipped from this county.
On September 30, 1918, the "nursing survey" committee of the Decatur county chapter was appointed : Mrs. Alva Reed, chairman; Mrs. W. C. Pulse, secretary ; Dr. Bentle, Ed Batterton and Mrs. D. W. Weaver. This committee
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reported they had made a very careful and complete survey of the nursing resources of Decatur county.
On October 10, 1918, the "Spanish Influenza" committee was appointed : F. M. Henry, chairman ; Dr. Sanders, Mrs. Alva Reed, Rev. W. H. Reynolds, and Mrs. D. W. Weaver.
On October 12, 1918, S. P. Minear appointed the parcel committee to take charge of the Red Cross Christmas parcel service for the Decatur county men overseas : Mrs. James S. Donnell, chairman ; Miss Lucy Hazelrigg, Mrs. W. V. Erdmann, Mrs. W. C. Ehrhardt, Mrs. I. C. Mitchell, George Erdmann, Carlos Harrison, S. P. Minear. A total of 220 boxes were sent to our soldiers overseas.
On June 7, 1917, was held a meeting of the officers of the executive board and of the chairmen of the committees on finance and membership. This meeting was in response to the second telegram from Washington concerning the war fund campaign to be carried on from June 18 to June 25. A telegram was sent to Washington promising assistance.
At this meeting the general plan of campaign was decided upon and the following men were elected: Publicity man, Charles H. Ewing ; captains, Frank L. Donnell, G. G. Welsh, John Osborn, Charles Zoller and E. C. Jerman.
In response to their efforts sixteen thousand two hundred and thirty dollars ($16,230.00) was subscribed. Out of this twenty-five per cent. was allowed by the Government for local work.
One of the most remarkable things that ever happened in Decatur county was the great one day Red Cross drive, May 20, 1918.
Seven thousand two hundred dollars, the apportionment for Washington township, was raised in four hours and several other townships did equally well. Before evening every township had reached its quota and most of them had gone far beyond. The county raised $20,000.00, its quota being $16,000.00.
Donations of various kinds which were sold at auction contributed a total of $1,078.00 to this war fund. A cow and calf donated by Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Jackson brought $1,005.00, a pen of chickens by Joe Strausburger, $37.00, forty rods of wire fence by W. W. Townsend, $26.00.
Twenty public spirited men entertained the 150 workers of Washington township at a noon luncheon.
This same spirit was manifest in Bird Sefton, John Osborn, and Harry ,
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Lathrop, citizens of Greensburg who were temporarily absent, but telegraphed their donations.
The greatest praise is due Chairman Frank Donnell and Treasurer Glant Welsh and their efficient assistants for the management and success of the War Fund Drive.
During the period of the war activities of the women of the Decatur county chapter from April 9, 1917, to February 27, 1919, the following shipments were sent to the Indianapolis and Cleveland ware houses: 4,318 pajamas, 5,706 bed shirts, 71 convalescent robes, 809 pairs of bed socks, 400 operating gowns, 50 layettes, 380 men's under drawers, 67 napkins, 612 comfort kits, 1,000 water-proof cases, 150 comfort pillows, 224 fracture pillows, 27 rugs, 1 afghan, 383 men's under shirts, 403 girls' nightgowns, 106 girls' dresses, 11 bath towels, 307 hand towels, 610 wash cloths, 619 knitted wipes, 800 handkerchiefs, 67.280 surgical dressings, 483 sweaters, 1,086 pairs knitted socks, 40 helmets, 10 mufflers, 36 wristlets.
November 25, 1917, at a meeting held at the Greensburg Bank to make plans for the Christmas membership drive, John Osborn was chosen captain. Four thousand nine hundred and seventy-four new members and renewals were secured.
For the second membership drive, December, 1918, known as the Christmas Roll Call, John Osborn was again appointed campaign manager. This drive resulted in 4,615 members.
On the evening of December 4, 1918, the county health officer, Dr. I. M. Sanders, called up the chairman of the chapter and said the influenza situation in the county was such it was necessary to open a Red Cross emergency hospital. The epidemic was so serious the menace to the public health demanded such a course.
A meeting of the executive board was called the next morning, attended by both city and county health officers. The board was convinced by these physicians that the hospital was an immediate necessity. The trustees of the Elks' lodge
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were called before the board and requested to loan the Red Cross the use of their club rooms for the emergency hospital.
The committees on purchasing and arrangement were appointed at 11:30 a. m. At 1:00 p. m. the committee on arrangement were at the Elks' club rooms with two cleaning women. As rapidly as the rooms were dismantled of the Elks' furnishings, the rooms had a thorough cleaning of walls, woodwork, windows and floors. The committee on purchasing laid the linoleum and sent beds and bedding. The report of the needs was soon known and donations began to arrive.
The front room was converted into the women's and children's ward : the middle room, the men's ward; the dining-room, a pneumonia ward, and two small rooms up stairs were a private room and nurses' room. The barber shop was converted into the physicians' office.
At 4:00 p. m., December 6th, the Emergency Hospital, with fourteen beds and two cots complete, which included pillows, sheets, blankets, etc., with gowns, pajamas, towels, clean cloths, paper bags, and napkins-with the kitchen in run- ning order and staple food on the shelves-was turned over to Dr. McKane, sent from Indianapolis by the National Red Cross to receive the patients.
After some days of readjusting, Miss Lillian Van Osdal, a Red Cross nurse, formerally of Greensburg, was placed in charge.
The hospital cared for twenty-eight patients, four of whom were brought in a dying condition and passed away.
The Red Cross settled all bills, which amounted to $1,600.36.
The last patient was taken home December 30.
The Emergency Hospital, after being fumigated, was dismantled and cleaned. The Elks' committee and directors were invited on a tour of inspection, after which the rooms were turned over to the Elks on January 9, 1919.
On March 18, 1919, at the close of a meeting of the executive committee, the chairman. S. P. Minear ; secretary, Mrs. Myrtle Bonner ; treasurer, Dan S. Perry, and chairman of Woman's Work, Mrs. S. P. Minear, tendered their resig- nations as such officers to take effect at once. The reason for the resignations being tendered at this time, is that the war work of the Decatur county chapter of the American Red Cross is closed and now the Red Cross takes up the question of its place in time of peace, the present officers felt that it would only be a matter of justice to the new officers to have them take up their duties at once so that they might begin at the start of the peace program.
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Immediately upon the acceptance of resignations of these officers by the executive committee, the following officers were elected to fill the unexpired term until the annual meeting in October :
Chairman of committee, D. A. Batterton; vice chairman, Mrs. A. M. Reed; secretary of chapter and Home Service, Miss Mary Rankin; treasurer, Robert Woodfill.
The Decatur county chapter of the Red Cross has had the loyal support of nearly every man, woman and child in Decatur county, all of whom cannot be mentioned, but we feel justified in referring to Dr. C. R. Bird. He it was who called the people together even before our government has formally declared war. and urged the organization of a Red Cross in Decatur county. He lent all the aid of his knowledge and enthusiasm to the local society until his fervor carried him "over the top." May 11, 1917, when he left home and until the end of the war did good service among British soldiers in a hospital in England.
S. P. MINEAR, D. A. BATTERTON, MYRTLE BONNER, KATE MINEAR, MARY RANKIN.
Prepared and submitted by Mrs. Kate Minear, (Mrs. S. P.) and Myrtle Bonner, (Mrs. Sam.)
RED CROSS MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNS
On the evening of the day the United States declared war on Germany, April 6, 1917, a mass meeting of the citizens of Decatur county was held in the K. of P. Opera House at Greensburg. Not more than one-half the crowd was able to gain admission to the opera house and an overflow meeting was held at the court house. Walter W. Bonner was chairman of the opera house meeting and John E. Osborn was chairman of the court house meeting. Walter W. Bonner and A. M. Hall, of Indianapolis, addressed the meeting at the K. of P. Opera House. John E. Osborn, Thomas E. Davidson, A. M. Hall, Rollin Turner, Frank Hamilton and Rev. F. Z. Burkette addressed the meeting at the court house. Mrs. George Deiwert, assisted by Walter Crisler, sang several patriotic songs at both meetings.
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At the court house meeting, Ed Fee and Nathan Logan, of Clarksburg, led the audience in singing "America."
The Decatur county chapter of the Red Cross had been organized only a few days before this meeting and the first general solicitation for membership in the local chapter was conducted by Mrs. S. P. Minear, Mrs. S. A. Bonner, Miss Kate Emmert and Miss Bright Emmert at the opera house meeting. Approximately fifty members were secured at this meeting.
At the adjournment of the opera house meeting, the ladies soliciting new members proceeded to the court house meeting which was still in progress, and there, assisted by John E. Osborn, chairman of that meeting, the solicitors pro- cured more than one hundred members.
These meetings, coming on the evening of the day of the declaration of the greatest military conflict in which our country was ever engaged will long be re- membered by all present.
On Sunday afternoon, April 15, 1917, the first meeting in the county arranged especially for Red Cross membership, was held at the Christian church at West- port. Rev. George W. Swartz, pastor of the Westport Methodist Church, pre- sided at the meeting. Miss Kate Emmert, vice-president of the local chapter ; Rev. F. Z. Burkette, John E. Osborn, James Caskey and Mrs. George Deiwert, all of Greensburg, attended this meeting. Addresses were delivered by Rev. George W. Swartz, Dr. O. F. Welch, Rev. F. Z. Burkette and John E. Osborn. Mrs. George Deiwart, accompanied by James Caskey, sang a number of patriotic selections. There was also music by the local choir. At the close of the meeting a large number of members were secured.
The next meeting was held Thursday evening, April 19, at Sardinia. There- after, during the spring and early summer of 1917, Red Cross membership meet- ings were held at Alert, St. Paul, Letts, Millhousen, New Point, Clarksburg, Spring Hill and Sandusky. The last of the series of public meetings for mem- bership was held at the Star church in Adams township.
At most of the meetings the organization was represented by Miss Kate Emmert, as vice-president, and with a few exceptions, Rev. F. Z. Burkette and John E. Osborn addressed the meetings on behalf of the organization. Mrs. George Deiwert sang a number of patriotic selections and James Caskey fur- nished the instrumental music at practically all the meetings. The most popular patriotic songs sung by Mrs. Deiwert during the series of meetings were the following: "The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground, Boys"; "Don't Bite the
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Hand That's Feeding You"; "America, Here's My Boy"; and "When They Follow the Stars and Stripes." Mrs. Deiwert sang these splendid patriotic songs with good effect and Mrs. Deiwert's part on the program was always appreciated to the fullest extent by the different audiences as reflected in the hearty applause.
At the Star, church meeting, Miss Ethel Shelhorn sang with splendid effect, "We'll Never Let the Old Flag Fall." S. P. Minear, president of the local chapter ; Mrs. S. P. Minear, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Bonner, Miss Lucy Hazelrigg, Miss Bright Emmert and Mrs. Lillian Dickerson Hartman, representing the organization, attended a number of the meetings. Dan S. Perry, treasurer of the local chapter, and Rollin Turner addressed the meeting at Millhousen. Mr. Perry also addressed a second meeting at Westport and at New Point. Rollin Turner also spoke at the meetings at St. Paul and Sandusky.
All of the meetings were well attended and were characterized by intense enthusiasm. The spirit of patriotism was pronounced.
The meeting at Alert on Sunday afternoon, May 13, was the largest in point of attendance. The meeting had been arranged at the church but as the crowd began to gather it was apparent that the church would hold only a part of the audience. The meeting was held at the store at the intersection of the highways near the center of the village. The crowd which assembled blocked the highways at the intersection of the roads.
In giving an account of this meeting, we quote from The Greensburg News of the issue of May 14, as follows:
"The patriotic and Red Cross meeting held at Alert Sunday afternoon was the largest gathering of its kind every held in that community and would give credit to a much larger vicinity. Approximately 1,000 to 1,200 persons stood during the entire service and were so enthusiastic that they did not notice the cold and disagreeable weather. The program was opened by the singing of "America" and prayer by Rev. Bell, of Sardinia. The Flag was hoistde to the top of a very tall flag pole and appropriate services followed. While "Old Glory" was being hauled up and cast to the breeze, six old soldiers, the Dark Corner Band, and a quartet of Alert singers furnished appropriate music. Following this exercise, Mrs. Winona Deiwert, of this city, sang two partiotic songs in her usual rousing manner.
Rev. F. Z. Burkette was then introduced and gave a brief address along patriotic lines. John E. Osborn made the principal address of the afternoon and, as is his custom, gave a masterful address which stirred every one who heard it. The immense audience stood in the cold and scarcely a man moved, so great was the interest in the program.
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At the close of the program, Rev. Burkette and Mr. Osborn took up the Red Cross subject, rather reluctantly, due to the fact that a previous meeting had been held in Alert in the interest of the society, but in a very short time 110 new mem- bers were enrolled. As thirty-eight joined at the previous meeting, the member- ship in this branch society is now almost to the 150 mark, which is considered a record. Great credit is due the men who arranged the meeting for the way in which they work it up and aroused enthusiasm. A good many from this city were in attendance."
At the close of the series of meetings, a total of approximately 1,500 mem- bers had been secured.
In May, 1917, Miss Kate Emmert, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Osborn, Miss Lucy Hazelrigg and Mrs. Lillian Dickerson Hartman, representing the local chapter, attended a district meeting of the Red Cross organization at North Vernon. Arthur F. Bentley, of Indianapolis, State organizer, presided at this meeting. Each county in the Fourth Congressional District was well represented and plans were discussed and adopted for carrying on membership campaigns for each county in the district. A comparison of views and plans by the differ- ent organizers at this meeting was very beneficial to all present.
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