USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 3
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On Sunday evening, June 17, 1917, at the invitation of the Jennings county chapter, Rev. and Mrs. F. Z. Burkette, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Osborn, Mrs. George Deiwert and James Caskey conducted a meeting at North Vernon in the opera house, the first public Red Cross organization meeting held in Jennings county. A large crowd was present and a large number of members were secured. . H. C. Meloy, of North Vernon, presided at the meeting. Those in charge of the meet- ing, both from Greensburg and North Vernon, were highly pleased with the results obtained and the start which this meeting gave the Jennings county chapter in its work of organization.
The series of meetings closed the campaign for membership in Decatur county until the general membership campaign of the week commencing Decem- ber 18, 1917. This was known as the Christmas Campaign for membership and was a general campaign in every State. In this campaign, the Decatur county chapter was represented by John E. Osborn as chairman of the campaign committee.
The following were the township chairman :
Washington, Henry Bonner ; Fugit, A. T. Brock ; Clinton, Horace McDonald ; Adams, A. F. Eubank; Clay, Ed Pumphrey ; Jackson, Steuben Pleak ; Sandcreek, Rev. George W. Swartz; Marion, James Cline; Saltcreek, Fred Baas.
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Homer Meek was the campaign secretary and treasurer and had charge of the headquarter's office. Mr. Meek was assisted by Mrs. Harry Black.
Booths were placed in a number of the stores in Greensburg and at each booth memberships were solicited. Being the week immediately preceding the holidays the stores were enjoying the usual holiday trade and this method of soliciting was, consequently quite effective. The different booths were in charge of Mrs. John E. Osborn.
One of the worst and most extensive snow storms in the history of the ' country occurred just as this campaign opened and during the greater part of the week snow drifts on many of the roads were so deep as to make the roads impass- able. This made the work of the campaign, especially in the country. very difficult.
The organization then adopted the telephone as a means of soliciting mem- bers and the result showed that this method was very effective. Miss Kate Em- mert had charge of the telephone organization, with a telephone chairman in each township and the township chairmen sub-divided the townships into telephone districts and before the week had passed most people in the county had been solicited by 'phone to join the organization.
The newspapers gave freely and cheerfully unlimited space in their columns for advertising and assisted the work of organization in every way possible. Consequently, although weather conditions were very unfavorable for the work. yet the total results were very satisfactory. At the close of the campaign the records showed a total membership of 4,974.
The next general campaign for membership was the week of December 18-25, 1918, which, as before, was general throughout the country and known as the "Christmas Roll Call." This membership campaign was in charge of John E. Osborn as chairman of the campaign committee.
The following is a list of the township chairmen :
Washington, Charles Ryan; Fugit, Erle Hamilton; Clinton, Horace Mc- Donald; Adams, A. F. Eubank; Clay, Will Mobley; Jackson, Steuben Pleak ; Sand Creek, K. L. Adams ; Marion, Ed McConnell ; Salt Creek, George F. Redel- man.
Prof. Will Zetterburg and Mrs. John E. Osborn had charge of the head- quarter's office and jointly filled the positions of secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Osborn also had charge of the membership booths in the stores at Greensburg.
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The booths, the same as in the campaign of 1917, were successful in securing a large number of new members as well as a liberal renewal of old members.
The work of soliciting by 'phone, adopted in the campaign of 1917, as the result of the snow storm at that time proved so successful that this method of soliciting members was again adopted and with the same result as the year previous. Mrs. R. J. Russell was chairman of the telephone organization and was assisted in this work by township chairmen appointed by Mrs. Russell.
The newspapers ably assisted in this campaign the same as the year previous and they are entitled to no small degree of credit for the final result obtained. At the close of the campaign the records showed a total membership of 4,615.
While a number of new members were secured, yet quite a number of the former members declined to join the organization on the ground, as they said, that the war was over. Consequently, in the total results, the new members were offset by the failure of certain of the former members to join the organization again.
During both campaigns Dan S. Perry was treasurer of the organization and throughout the years 1917 and 1918, Mr. Perry's duties as treasurer in keeping a record of all the memberships and the payment of membership dues was a very extensive task.
Too much credit cannot be given the numerous individual workers in each membership campaign. The organization regrets its inability to give a full list in this history of each solicitor and of every one who contributed to the success of the membership campaigns but it would be difficult to procure a complete and accurate list of all the workers. Consequently, the organization has deemed it advisable, in this history, simply to name the heads of the county and township organizations.
Like all of its other war work, Decatur county stands among the leading counties of the State in its Red Cross work and organization and the local chapter takes this opportunity, in the name of our soldiers and Red Cross nurses, of thanking every one who in any way contributed to this splendid record.
Respectfully, JOHN E. OSBORN.
CUTTING OF GARMENTS FOR RED CROSS
The first cutting was done in May, 1917. For several weeks it was done in the Red Cross shop over the Morris store. After the surgical dressings were
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started in these rooms, the cutting was transferred to the basement of the high school building during the summer months. When school opened, a room was secured in the court house which remained the headquarters of the garment work, where all materials were cut and from which all garments were distributed.
In the summer of 1917, a group of cutters living in the country neighbor- hood of Mrs. William A. McCoy, was organized with Mrs. McCoy as chairman. These ladies did all the cutting of the hospital shirts from that time on in the home of Mrs. McCoy, and later at the shop in the court house.
No Red Cross work was more arduous, or taxed the physical strength of the women as did the cutting. Some were so faithful that the last days of cutting found a few still at work after seventeen months, who had reported for work the first day any cutting was done. The last cutting at the shop was done October 3, 1918. After that time all garments were sent already cut from head- quarters in Cleveland.
The cutters working under the guidance of Mrs. S. A. Bonner and Mrs. S. P. Minear, were: Mrs. D. S. Perry, Mrs. Stanton Guthrie, Miss Vessie Riley, Mrs. Locke Bracken, Mrs. C. J. Ely, Mrs. D. A. Myers, Mrs. E. T. Riley, Mrs. Charles Dowden, Mrs. Herbert Taylor, Miss Lizzie Thompson, Mrs. D. E. Doug- las, Mrs. George Davis, Mrs. Frank Rohe, Mrs. Fred Erdmann, Mrs. William Erdmann, Mrs. James Caskey, Mrs. Amos Loper, Mrs. Will Haas, Mrs. Robert McCardle, Mrs. P. D. Brown, Mrs. W. E. Thomas, Miss Mary Rankin, Miss Dora Dickerson, Mrs. Charles Stegmaier, Miss Kate Stewart, Mrs. Daisy Magee, Mrs. Russell Perry, Mrs. Frank Hamilton, Mrs. E. H. Zach, Mrs. Hubert Thomas, Mrs. U. S. Holecraft, Mrs. H. R. Anderson, Mrs. Alex Stevenson, and Mrs. Mort Richie.
The cutters with Mrs. McCoy as chairman were: Mrs. George Hamilton, Mrs. Charles Throp, Mrs. Alva Reed, Mrs. W. K. Stewart, Mrs. Robert Naegel, Mrs. Chris Bowman, Mrs. Tom Draper, Miss Amelia Jackson, Mrs. Mart Meek, Mrs. Scott Murphy, Mrs. Cassius Hamilton, Miss Lillian Hamilton, Mrs. Chal Robison, Mrs. Clifford Elder, Mrs. Tom Hamilton, Mrs. Hiram Barniclow, Miss Clara Ardery, Mrs. Lizzie Logan, Mrs. Henry Reinkie, Mrs. P. L. Doles.
All the garments were packed in boxes for shipment by Harry Black and Isaac Martin.
KATE S. MINEAR, Chairman of Women's Work.
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WORK OF MRS. S. P. MINEAR
Among the throng of Red Cross workers, no one merits honorable mention more than Mrs. S. P. Minear. As chairman of women's work, she was constantly active in her oversight of every branch of the work.
After her difficult task of buying the material, down through the cutting, making, marking and shipping of thousands of garments, Mrs. Minear daily, hourly kept all of the work running in harmony. Her kind consideration for each worker made the work easier for others, although her burdens were increased.
Added to her busy oversight of others, she made many garments and knitted socks whenever a spare moment came.
If ever she failed in doing all she could, no one found it out.
Contributed by Miss Lizzie Wilson, assistant superintendent Red Cross sewing shop.
SURGICAL DRESSINGS
Soon after the declaration of war, Miss Bright Emmert and Mrs. Elizabeth Stevenson went to Indianapolis and took a course in the art of making surgical dressings. Upon their return the surgical dressing shop was opened over the five and ten cent store on the west side of the square, the Red Cross sewing being sent out and the cutting room moved back, but the work grew until larger quarters had to be found. The surgical dressing room was moved to the Hamilton block, north- east corner of square and the garments to the court house.
Miss Emmert and Mrs. Stevenson had charge of the surgical dressing work for one year, when Mrs. Charity Alley Baker became superintendent. The interest in this work grew until larger quarters had to be secured, none of this work was given out, but all was done under the most sanitary conditions in the shop.
The work of Miss Emmert and Mrs. Stevenson was their contribution toward helping to win the war. From June, 1917, the date of the opening of the surgical dressing shop, until October 4, 1918, 68,091 surgical dressings were made by the Decatur county chapter.
Upon arriving at the shop, a white veil of cheese cloth twenty-seven inches square was pinned over the hair and a big white sleeved apron slipped on over the dress. The hands and finger nails were thoroughly cleansed with soap and water. After registering, places were assigned at the tables. These were covered with black oil cloth. All folding and creasing was done with silver knives, while the flat iron was used as a weight. These were sterilized each day.
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The following report furnished by Mrs. Charity Alley Baker will give an idea of the dressings made :
Article Description
Code No. I Gauze Compress 4 in. x 4 in.
68 Gauze Compress 8 in. x 4 in.
4 Ganze Compress 9 in. x 9 in.
II Gauze Sponge
IO Gauze Squares 9 in. x 9 in.
67 Gauze Wipes 2 in. x 2 in.
17 Ganze Wipes 4 in. x 4 in.
6 Folded Ganze Strips 6 in. x 3 in.
23 Ganze Packing, or Drain 1/2 in. x I yd.
22 Gauze Packing, or Drain
2 in. x 1 yd.
12 Abdominal Band- Muslin age, 471/2 in. x 171/2 in.
8 Four-tailed Band- Muslin age, 8 in. x 36 in.
15 Many-tailed band- Muslin age,
54 in. x 18 in.
69 Scultetus Band- Flannel, or Flannel
9 T Bandage Muslin
13 Triangular Band- Muslin
age
16 Webbing Splint
Strap 11/2 in. x I yd.
76 Webbing Splint Used to retain splints or dressing on the extremities
Strap 11/2 in. x. 2 yd.
How Used
Used in wards and operating rooms to cover open wounds Used in wards and operating rooms to cover open wounds Used in wards and operating rooms to cover open wounds
Used as sponge during operations and in ward dressing; also for cleaning around wounds, applying iodine, etc. Used as loose dressing over clean and healing wounds; also used for same purpose as No. 11
Used as sponge during operations and in ward dressing; also for cleaning around wounds, applying iodine, etc. Used as sponge during operations and in ward dressing; also for cleaning around wounds, applying iodine, etc. Used as sponge for packing in operat- ing room. When unfolded makes con- venient fluffed dressing. Used also as face mask
Used for packing to control bleeding during operation. Also used as drain.
Used for packing to control bleeding during operation. Also used as drain.
Used to retain dressing on abdomen
Used especially in fractured jaw; also to retain dressing over chin
Used to retain dressing on abdomen and extremities in those cases where frequent changing is necessary
age, Outing- Used to retain dressing on abdomen and for warmth when needed Used for retaining dressing on peri- neum, rectum and scrotum Has thirty uses; such as sling, conve- nient covering for dressing on various parts of the body, etc. Used to retain splints or dressing on the extremities
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IN THE WORLD WAR
Code Article
Description
How Used
Nô.
14 Gauze Rolls 3 yd. x 41/2 in.
77 Gauze Rolls 5 yd. x 41/2 in.
2A Absorbent Pad 8 in x 12 in. 2B Absorbent Pad 8 in. x 12 in.
Cotton
Oakum
Sphagum Moss
Cotton
Oakum
Sphagum Moss
Used particularly for dressing stumps and very large wounds; also for head covering. A substitute for laparotomy pad Used particularly for dressing stumps and very large wounds; also for head covering. A substitute for laparotomy pad Used for large wounds with copious discharge Used for large wounds as covering when discharge is fecal or foul Used as covering for large wounds with copious discharge Used as covering for large wounds with copious discharge Used as covering for large wounds when discharge is fecal or foul Used for large wounds as covering with copious discharge
Absorbent and non-ab- Used to cover large suppurating wounds which are treated by continu- sorbent cotton ous or intermittent irrigation
Assorbent, non-absor- Used bent cotton and paper to cover large suppurating wounds which are treated by continu- ous or intermittent irrigation. Paper
to protect the bed
Absorbent and non-ab- Used sorbent cotton to cover large suppurating wounds which are treated by continu- ouls or intermittent irrigation
5B Irrigation Pad Paper back 16 in. x 24 in.
Absorbent, non-absor- Used to cover large suppurating bent cotton and paper wounds which are treated by continu- ous or intermittent irrigation. Paper
to protect the bed Used for wounds needing irrigation
19
20
18
21 Splint Irrigation Pad, 21 in. x 26 in. Ganze Laparotomy Pad, 6 in. x 6 in. Gauze Laparotomy Pad, 4 in. x 16 in. Gauze Laparotomy 12 in. x 12 in. Pneumonia ets
Absorbent and non-ab- sorbent cotton
Used to protect and wall off field of operation during a laparotomy Used to protect and wall off field of operation during a laparotomy Used to protect and wall off field of operation during a laparotomy
Used at a certain stage in pneumonia
70 Jack- Gauze and non-absor- bent cotton
ZIA Shot Bags 3 in. x 4 in. 71B Shot Bags 31/2 in. x 41/2 in. 72 Heel Rings Muslin and Cotton
Muslin Used as weights
Muslin Used as weights
Used to protect heel, elbow or other tender part of the body
3B
3A Absorbent Pad 12 in. x 24 in. Absorbent Pad 12 in. x 24 in.
3C Absorbent Pad 12 in. x 24 in. Irrigation Pad 12 in. x 18 in.
7B Irrigation Pad 12 in. x 18 in. Paper back
5A Irrigation Pad 16 in. x 24 in.
7A
2C Absorbent Pad 8 in. x 12 in.
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DECATUR COUNTY
The American Red Cross made other dressings for the front line, that we were not called upon to make in this county.
From June, 1917, to October 4, 1918, there were 68.091 surgical dressings made by the Decatur county chapter.
SURGICAL DRESSING SHOP FROM MAY, 1918, TO THE CLOSE
As the surgical dressing work had grown in volume it was thought best to begin the second year with definite assignment for those of experience in this part of war work. The personnel were as follows:
Supervisor. Mrs. Charity A. Baker.
Advisory Committee, Miss Bright Emmert, information, experience, general advice.
Mrs. C. B. Ainsworth, in touch with clubs, societies, etc., to keep up the interest.
Mrs. J. Frank Russell, in touch with young people. Personnel of the nursery.
Packers, Mrs. Chas. H. Johnston, chairman; Mrs. T. E. Davidson, Mrs. D. W. Weaver, Mrs. Amos Loper, Mrs. Harry T. Woodfill.
Instructors, Miss Bright Emmert, Mrs. Elizabeth E. Stevenson, Mrs. T. E. Davidson, Mrs. Chas. J. Erdmann, Mrs. D. W. Weaver, Mrs. Charles H. Johnston, Mrs. Frank Schilly, Mrs. Chester Reinke, Mrs. Clyde Meek, Mrs. Cliff P. Meek, Mrs. Fred L. Thomas, Mrs. Amos Loper, Miss Lucy Hazelrigg. Mrs. Leslie Crume, Mrs. Harry T. Woodfill, Mrs. J. Frank Russell, Miss Emma Magee, Miss Florine Tillson.
Cutters, Miss Kate Emmert, chairman; Mrs. I. M. Sanders, Mrs. Lyde Covert, Mrs. John E. Osborn, Mrs. Judson Dils, Mrs. I. Carl Mitchell, Mrs. E. G. Schultz, Mrs. Elmer Davis, Mrs. Al Thomas, Miss Kate Stewart, Mrs. Ed Shields.
Reception Committee, Monday, Mrs. J. Frank Russell ; Tuesday. Miss Emma Magee ; Wednesday, Mrs. Jessie Serff; Thursday, Miss Stella Murphy ; Friday, Mrs. Alva Reed.
Nursery, Miss Marguerite Tillson, Miss Willa Pleak, Miss Mary Ainsworth, Miss Mabel Rogers, Mrs. Alice J. Reed, Miss Ruth Sefton, Miss Mabel Welsh, Miss Gail Boyd, Miss Rachel Turner, Miss Mary Wolverton, Miss Mildred Emmert, Miss Dorothea Miller.
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IN THE WORLD WAR
As the warm days came on, we moved the shop from the upper floor of the high school building to the gymnasium. It was beautiful and touching to see that large room full of loyal earnest women and girls in their white aprons and white veils-with an instructor wearing a red veil, superintending each table. At the lower end of the room were cutters, wearing their little red bow of ribbon, as their special insignia.
All our gauze was cut by thread, which enabled the workers to make a more uniform dressing. At the end of each month the finished dressings were inspected. counted, baled, packed and sent to the Indiana Warehouse at Indianapolis. The dressings were so well made, the packers were so accurate in their counting, and so neat in packing, that we received special commendation upon our work,- part of it being sent overseas without further inspection.
The reception committee looked after the new people, provided white aprons, had them register, and introduced them to the instructor and others.
An excellent corps of young women looked after the care of the children, while the mothers were busy making dressings.
There was much interest taken in working seventy-two hours for a red cross. Quite a number won this cross,-and a few the second cross-before the surgical dressing work was finished.
At times we had short talks, group singing, vocal and piano music, letters read, or extracts given from the boys overseas,-all of which made the day more pleasant and relieved the tension of the three hours' work.
The surgical dressing workers participated in two parades given to arouse interest in the successful carrying on of the war.
An instructors' class was held in the fall, and the following finished the courses : Mrs. Chas. M. Woodfill, Mrs. John E. Osborn, Mrs. A. W. McCracken, Mrs. Fred H. Nordmeyer, Mrs. Alva Reed, Mrs. Frank Rohe, Mrs. C. L. White, Mrs. C. F. Northern, Mrs. A. L. Howard, Miss Inez Theis, Mrs. Elmer Davis, Mrs. Addie Wiles.
It was a very happy time when the armistice was signed; and later when we knew that enough surgical dressings were in storage to care for the world's wounded.
FIRST RED CROSS CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS
The week of June 18 to 25, 1917, was set for the first Red Cross fund cam- paign. The work of the Red Cross in the great World war can never be known
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DECATUR COUNTY
until the scroll is unrolled in the great hereafter. The people of Decatur county loosened their purse strings in a most satisfactory manner. Of course the secret of this was in the perfect organization of committees throughout the county which were as follows:
County chairman, Frank L. Donnell.
Executive committee : Louis Zoller, S. A. Bonner, C. P. Miller, Charles H. Ewing, George Erdmann, T. E. Davidson. John E. Osborne, G. G. Welsh, W. C. Woodfill, John F. Russell, W. C. Pulse, Charles Zoller, J. H. Christian, Sr., S. P. Minear, W. W. Bonner, Dan S. Perry, Harrington Boyd, John Huber, Elmer C. Jerman.
Treasurer, G. G. Welsh.
Publicity, Charles H. Ewing.
Township chairmen: Washington, Henry Bonner ; Clinton, Horace McDon- ald; Adams, A. F. Eubanks; Clay, Roy Miers; Jackson, Steuban Pleak ; Sand- creek, George Schwartz; Marion, Bernard Zapfe; Saltcreek, George Redelman; Fugit, Homer Campbell.
The quota for the county was placed at $7.800.00, and when reports were all in it was found that the amount subscribed was $16,000.
A number of citizens in Fourth Ward of Greensburg met some time before the drive was to begin and decided that as so many of the industries of the town were located with them, that each plant would make their donation as coming from its special industry, thus a contest was started to see which plant would make the largest contribution.
The following men were named to take charge of the subscriptions from their respective places of business : W. H. Robbins Co., wholesale grocers, Grover Redington ; Meek Ice & Coal Co., Roy DeArmond; Garland Milling Co., George Shoemaker ; Big Four Freight House, N. A. Crawford; Pulse & Porter, lumber dealers, Roy Rutherford; Big Four Passenger Station, John McHugh.
It was impossible to ascertain the result of this contest, but we know the patriotic men and women of these different industries did their full share.
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 17, it was estimated that two thousand people met in the court house park for a great patriotic address by Hon. Michael E. Foley, of Indianapolis. The day was perfect for an outdoor meeting.
A drum corps furnished music for a half hour preceding the exercises.
Rev. J. H. Doddridge of the First Methodist church presided. After prayer
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IN THE WORLD WAR
by Rev. F. Z. Burkette, John E. Osborn was introduced and explained the general plan for the Red Cross drive for the coming week.
Rev. Homer Campbell, of Kingston, spoke briefly.
Dwight A. Murphy, of Indianapolis, sang "Lest We Forget," and Mrs. Geo. Deiwert sang, "America, Here's My Boy," and "The Old Flag Never Touched the Ground Boys."
Mr. Foley, the speaker, was introduced by Rev. Father Frances of St. Mary's church. Mr. Foley was a forceful speaker and held his vast audience enthralled for one hour and a half. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Frederick Elliott, of Springhill.
This was surely a day long to be remembered by the people of Greensburg and vicinity.
SECOND RED CROSS CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS
This campaign was arranged for the week of May 20 to 27, 1918. Again, Frank L. Donnell was chairman, G. G. Welsh was treasurer, Charles H. Ewing, publicity.
Executive committee : Louis Zoller, Harrington Boyd, John F. Russell, John Huber, Elmer C. Jerman, Will C. Woodfill, S. P. Minear, Charles Zoller, John E. Osborne, Gland Welsh, Charles H. Ewing, Sam A. Bonner, George Erdmann, W. W. Bonner, Thomas E. Davidson, Will C. Pulse, Dan S. Perry, George Menzie, J. H. Christian, Sr., C. P. Miller.
Township chairmen as follows: Washington, Hal T. Kitchen; Fugit, Earl Hamilton ; Clinton, Horace McDonald; Adams, A. F. Eubanks; Clay, Earnest McGee ; Jackson, Steuban Pleak ; Sandcreek, Kenn Adams ; Marion, Ed McCon- nell ; Saltcreek, George Redelman.
The quota for the county was fixed at $15,000.00 and the amount raised was $20.013.64.
A big Red Cross parade was held the afternoon of May 18, with Van Wood- fill as chairman and Henry Bonner, marshal. This parade comprised of school children, workers in the various branches of the Red Cross, War Mothers and dozens of automobiles.
One of the funny things connected with this parade, and still was not con- sidered by those personally interested at the time to be very funny, was that
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DECATUR COUNTY
Mayor Ryan of the recruiting station at Indianapolis sent some of his men down with an army machine to lead the parade, just as he had been doing in various places over the State for some time. For some cause or other this car was not even allowed in the parade and the men returned to Indianapolis that evening to report their failure to perform the work assigned them. This car was a four passenger, gray in color with red, white, and blue lettering, urging the young men to offer their services to their Government in its hour of peril.
After the parade a cow and calf, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Jackson, were auctioned off, the proceeds going to the Red Cross.
This campaign was arranged for and carried out the first day. May 20, the per cent. for the county was one hundred thirty-three.
Marion township, under the management of Ed McConnell, reached two hundred and seven per cent. (207%), being the highest in the county.
About five hundred solicitors did this splendid work, and at noon the one hundred fifty of them for Washington township took luncheon together at the Y. M. C. A. building. Mrs. Mills Henry was chairman of a committee of twelve or fourteen ladies who served the luncheon.
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