USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
The statistics and names of committees for this report were furnished by Frank L. Donnell, county chairman.
RED CROSS MARKET
At the time of the second Red Cross drive for funds in the spring of 1918. some one remembered the value of well cooked food and the ladies of the county were asked to hold a market. The Woodfill room, northwest corner of the square, was donated for the market. Mrs. John E. Osborn was appointed chairman.
The county was divided into sections by townships with the following ladies in charge: Jackson, Mrs. Stenben Pleak; Clinton, Mrs. Ed Meek ; Fugit, Mrs. Clint Emmert; Sandcreek, Mrs. Urso McCorkle: Saltcreek, Mrs. Dr. McKee; Adams, Miss Ethel Shelhorn: Clay, Mrs. Joe Minor ; Marion, Mrs. Joe Lukens ; Washington, Mrs. Cassius Hamilton.
Each township had its own counter and the receipts were as follows: Jack- son, $163.82; Clinton, $154.12; Fugit, $153.25; Sandcreek, $185.19: Saltcreek, $70.18; Adams, $187.44 ; Clay. $116.45 ; Marion, $28.04 ; Washington, $380.83.
39
IN THE WORLD WAR
Mrs. Roselyn K. Donnell was chairman of the miscellaneous department, among the things in this department were cut flowers, fancy work, old rubber, etc.
Cut flowers and fancy work $ 71.78
Old rubber 19.40
Rooster given by Mrs. H. H. Brown 34.50
Quilt given by Mrs. Viola Maxiner 70.00
Hand embroidered handkerchief sent by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson $15.00
Total
$210.68
Frank Baylor held the lucky number for the quilt and B. W. Vanosdol, a Civil war veteran of Company E. Fiftieth regiment, Indiana Infantry, received the handkerchief which he presented to his grandson, Donald Van Hunter, of the famous Rainbow Division, Battery F, One Hundred Fiftieth Field Artillery.
The ladies of Decatur county turned over to the Red Cross $1,650.00 from the market and felt well paid for their work.
Statistics for this report furnished by Grace Osborne (Mrs. J. E.) and Roselyn K. Donnell ( Mrs. Jas.)
RETIRING TREASURER OF LOCAL RED CROSS CHAPTER GIVES ACCOUNTING
(From the Greensburg Evening Times, May 2, 1919.)
To the officers and the executive council, Decatur County Chapter American Red Cross :
The undersigned, treasurer of Decatur County Chapter American Red Cross, submits this, his report covering the time from the organization of said chapter to April 1, 1919, on which date his resignation as such treasurer took effect.
General Fund
He charges himself as follows :
Membership dues
$11,209.00
Donations and receipts from all other sources
7,148.16
Magazine subscriptions
70.00
First aid class fees
39.00
Total debits
$18,471.66
40
DECATUR COUNTY
He claims credit for the following amounts, paid on the following accounts :
Chapter expense $ 273.63
Shop expense
125.44
Salary shop superintendent
347.00
Material purchased for shop manufacture
7,179.97
Express, freight and drayage
151.65
Membership buttons
56.60
Influenza emergency hospital
1,375.46
Printing, stationery and office supplies
213.50
Postage
25.84
Button money refunded and transferred
51.25
Donations for relief
51.00
Donations refunded
12.00
Telephone and telegraph
11.94
Magazine subscriptions remitted
58.50
Transfer to Red Cross war fund
17.47
Goods purchased for re-sale
13.75
National membership dues remitted
5,614.00
First aid class fees remitted
28.50
Balance transferred to Robert Woodfill, treasurer
2,864.16
$18,471.66
RED CROSS WAR FUND
He charges himself as follows:
Received from Wm. G. McAdoo, treasurer
$8,625.57
Transferred from general fund
17.47
Total debits $8,643.04
He claims credit for the following amounts, paid on the following accounts :
G. G. Welsh, local expense $ 6.51
Greensburg Daily News 2.50
700.00
G. G. Welsh, postage
5.00
Material purchased for shop manufacture 4,425.52
Balance transferred to Robert Woodfill, treasurer
3.053.51
$8,643.04
Transferred to Civilian Relief fund
4I
IN THE WORLD WAR
CIVILIAN RELIEF FUND
He charges himself as follows :
Transfer from general fund
$200.00
Transfer from Red Cross war fund
700.00
Expenditures for relief refunded by recipients
90.00
Total debits
$990.00
He claims credits as follows :
Expenditures for relief $319.84
Balance transferred to Robert Woodfill, treasurer
670.16
$990.00
RECAPITULATION
Received account of general fund
18,471.66
Received account of Red Cross war fund
8,643.04
Received account civilian relief fund
990.00
Total Receipts
$28.104.70
DISBURSEMENTS
National dues remitted
$ 5,614.00
Influenza emergency hospital
1,375.46
First aid class fees remitted
28.50
Transferred to civilian relief fund
900.00
Transferred to Red Cross war fund
17.47
Chapter expense
73.63
Shop expense
125.44
Shop superintendent 347.00
Magazine subscriptions remitted
58.50
Material purchased for shop manufacture
11.605.49
Civilian relief
319.84
Other expense as itemized above
601.54
42
DECATUR COUNTY
Balances in various funds transferred to Robert Wood- fill, treasurer :
General fund
$2,864.16
Red Cross war fund 3,505.51
Civilian relief fund
670.16 7,037.83
$28,104.70
Greensburg, Indiana, April 1, 1919.
Respectfully submitted,
DAN S. PERRY, Treasurer.
Audited and approved :
LOUIS ZOLLER, HARRINGTON BOYD,
Auditing Committee.
HESTER DAVIDSON
MISS IVA JEANETTE CORNLEY
MISS MARY TYNER MISS RUTH GROINEAR Overseas MISS
MISS EULA CHRISTIAN ESTELLA TURNER
LAVON MARLIN
44
DECATUR COUNTY
RED CROSS NURSES
The value of the work of Red Cross nurses can never be estimated. There were eight Decatur county girls who contributed to this work.
Miss Mary Pauline Tyner, of Westport, was about the first one to enlist her services as nurse with the Red Cross of America. She enlisted September 10, 1917, and served at General Hospital No. 1, and Saint Mary's Hospital, Hoboken, and Ellis Island with Base 32 ... Was discharged November 17, 1917.
Miss Tyner re-enlisted September 3, 1918, and was stationed at Camp Mead, Maryland, and United States General Hospital No. 2, Fort McHenry, Mary- land with all overseas patients-reconstruction hospital. She was discharged July 1, 1919.
Miss Mary Ruth Gronier was the only Red Cross nurse from this county to be sent overseas. She enlisted May 1, 1918, and was assigned to Camp McClel- lan, Alabama. September 12, 1918, she left Camp McClellan for mobilization with Base Hospital No. 63, at New York, for foreign service, embarked on the George Washington, October 1, 1918, and reached Brest, France October 13, and went immediately to the Naval Base hospital for one week when she was sent to Base Hospital No. 69, remaining there until February 21, 1919, at which time she joined Base Hospital No. 63.
May 1, 1919, she was transferred to Base Hospital No. 109 and on June 20, 1919, was sent to Mentes, France and from there to the demobilization center for nurses.
Miss Gronier sailed from France on the Aquatania July 1, 1919, and reached New York July 7. She left New York for Greensburg, Indiana, July 21, 1919.
When the terrible influenza epidemic swept the country, in the fall of 1918, Miss Estella Winifred Turner, of Greensburg, and Miss Lavon Marlin, of New- point, enlisted their services as Red Cross nurses and were sent to the Students' Training Camp at Bloomington University, where hundreds of our boys in camp were stricken with that terrible disease.
Miss Lillian VanAusdall enlisted her services with the Government early in the struggle, but upon taking the final examination at New York the discovery was made that she was under weight one and one-half pounds. The disappoint- ment was great, but she was stationed at once in hospitals in this country, and when the influenza was raging in Greensburg, and the emergency hospital was established in the Elks' building, Miss VanAusdall was secured to take charge
45
IN THE WORLD WAR
of the work and the splendid efficiency which was shown by her in those trying days, endeared her to the hearts of the people in her home town.
Miss Hester Davidson, of Greensburg, was a member of the Red Cross Nurse Association and was waiting in New York for order to go across, when the armistice was signed.
Miss Eula Christian, of Greensburg, while not a Red Cross nurse, was the nurse in charge of the town of Waldron, Shelby county, when almost every family was stricken with the influenza.
Miss Iva Jeanette Comley requests that she be placed with the Decatur county nurses. The Rush and Decatur county line runs through the home place with the dwelling-house just over the line on the Rush side. She is a member of the Star Baptist Church at Downeyville, and all of her interests are in Decatur county.
Miss Comley enlisted September 24, 1918, and was sent to Camp Sevier, South Carolina. Afterwards she was sent for duty to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and to Barnes Hospital, Saint Louis.
From there she was sent to nurse in the Walter Reed hospital, Washington, D. C., then to the Henry street settlement, New York City, back to the Walter Reed, then to Camp Benning, Georgia.
From Georgia, she was returned to the Walter Reed and received her dis- charge from the Government September 3, 1921.
During the first three weeks of October, 1918, Miss Comley was seriously ili of influenza, at Camp Sevier, South Carolina.
IRA G. RIGBY County Council of Defense
LEM P. DOBYNS Secretary-Treasurer of the County Council of Defense
DR. C. C. MORRISON County Council of Defense
MORGAN MIERS County Council of Defense
JOHN F. GODDARD County Council of Defense
MISS KATHERINE EMMERT Vice-Pres. Decatur Co. Red Cross and Woman Member of the County Council of Defense LOUIS ZOLLER Chairman Decatur County Council of Defense
47
IN THE WORLD WAR
COUNTY COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
Those at the head of the Government decided that a special committee in each State and county could best promote the war work in America. When these were selected they were known as councils of defense.
The president appointed the National Council, the governors the State Coun- cils, and the judges of the circuit courts appointed the County Councils.
These councils were comprised of seven members: A woman, a capitalist, a farmer, a laborer, a lawyer, a professional man, a business man.
On the 7th of June, 1917, Judge John W. Donaker called together and appointed the following to serve as Decatur County's Council of Defense: Miss Kate Emmert, Louis Zoller, Morgan L. Miers, Ira G. Rigby, John F. Goddard, Dr. C. C. Morrison, Lem P. Dobyns.
Many committees were appointed by the council of defense.
The success of the people's efforts and the high standing of Decatur county in the State is largely due to the untiring efforts of the County Council of Defense.
The township councils were appointed by the county councils and were com- prised of one woman and two men.
Many bulletins were received ordering committees appointed for work which applied to large foreign settlements, but the reports of all county committees show something of the responsibility placed on the county council, many of these com- mittees worked in secret and oftimes the members were in dangerous positions, but true patriotism prevailed.
According to the records of the secretary of the County Council of Defense fifty-three committees were appointed by them to conduct the war activities in the county.
Early in the fall of 1917, the County Council of Defense purchased over $200.00 worth of yarn and needles (yarn 50c a pound), and under the supervision of Miss Kate Emmert the ladies knitted many pairs of socks, the heels and toes had to be made according to new directions, not a bit like our grandmothers used. These directions caused a great deal of confusion and trouble, but the socks were finally finished and shipped to the mnen in the service.
Miss Emmert as the woman member of the Council of Defense did splendid
48
DECATUR COUNTY
work by organizing fifty-one Food clubs, and caused the circulation of food regulation and window cards. Anyone treating the solicitor in an ungracious manner, or refusing to abide by the rules of food regulation was visited by Miss Emmert, and with but few exceptions, at the end of her call the housewife was willing to do her part to assist in the ending of the war.
No improvements, either public, or private, could be made without the permission of the County Council of Defense.
The record of Decatur County's Council of Defense is one which every citizen of the county should be proud. More war work was superintended in the county with less expense to the tax payers than in any other county in the State.
The expense of all war meetings in the way of speakers, music, etc., was met by the council of defense, the fourth of July alone cost $1,000.00.
The war pictures shown were under the direction and supervision of the Four Minute Men.
THE WAR MOTHERS
The Decatur County Council of Defense appointed Mrs. Ed Kessing as War Mother for Decatur county, October 17, 1917.
A meeting of the mothers of the boys of the county in the service was called for December 19, 1917, at the Y. M. C. A. parlors, at which time twenty war mothers of Decatur county organized and selected the following officers: Mrs. Ed Kessing, war mother; Mrs. Chas. H. Johnston, vice-war mother; Mrs. W. V. Erdmann, secretary ; Mrs. Alva Reed, treasurer ; Mrs. Alex Porter, historian.
This organization of splendid women grew until the number enrolled was 100.
At the big war council, held February 7, 1918, under the direction of the County Council of Defense, the war mothers were given the place of honor on the stage of the K. of P. Opera House. At the women's session Mrs. Will V. Erd- mann, the secretary, presided, introducing Miss Rose Marie Lalure, a French girl who was French instructress at Indiana University. Miss Lalure was in Belgium at the time of the German invasion and her relating of her experiences at that time was thrilling and interesting.
The war mothers were to be congratulated in securing so able a speaker with first hand information.
Mrs. Alex Porter, in a few well chosen words, introduced Mrs. Grace Julian Clarke, of Indianapolis, who delivered quite an address on "War Thrift."
THERS
THE WAR MOTHERS OF DECATUR COUNTY
50
DECATUR COUNTY
An honor roll board was erected just north of the west walk in the court house yard, by the War Mothers in honor of their boys in the service. The dedication exercises were held July 4, 1918. While the heat was terrific, hundreds of people attended the exercises which were opened with the singing of "America," led by Prof. F. M. Marston. The invocation was pronounced by Rev. Walter H. Reynolds, of the Presbyterian church.
"Keep the Home Fires Burning" was sung by Mrs. Ross Reed, whose hus- band was in the service, after which Mrs. Ed Kessing, the county war mother, who had three sons in the service, introduced Mrs. Alice M. French, of Indianap- olis, the State war mother, (later the national war mother) who delivered the dedicatory address.
At this time the board contained six hundred and seventy-thrce names, eight of them being marked with gold stars, indicating that these had made the supreme sacrifice and gone into the West.
Mrs. Deiwert sang "America Here's My Boy."
The War Mothers took part in a number of patriotic parades and were always given the place of honor.
Arrangements were made to compile a history of the boys, for the boys, by their mothers, and on April 18 and 19, 1919, a market was held in the Woodfill building, northwest corner of the square, with Mrs. Fred Seitz, Sr. as chairman, to raise funds for publishing the history ; at this time $730.00 was made.
Special donations for the market were as follows: A quilt, Mrs. Fred Seitz, Sr. : a pig, Bernard and Alfred Duffy ; a fox terrier puppy, Mrs. John Pat- terson ; a white Wyandotte rooster, Mrs. Will McCoy.
Ernest Magee acted as auctioneer to finish the sales the second night.
On account of the death, March 19, 1919, of Mrs. Alex Porter, the War Mothers' historian, the plan of publishing the history was abandoned and the money made at the market was voted to be used to furnish a room in the mem- orial hospital.
In Memoriam
In the death of Mrs. Adah Porter, not only the War Mothers, but the entire community lost one of its most talented and capable citizens, one who was always kind and thoughtful toward all who were unfortunate, or in distress. Of this good woman we know nothing more fitting than the Scripture text: "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31-31.
51
IN THE WORLD WAR
THE FOUR MINUTE MEN
On April 6, 1917, war was declared by the American people upon the imperial German Government.
It at once became necessary to mobilize our entire strength, physical, mental and spiritual.
In March of the same year a number of young business men in Chicago had organized a patriotic committee to send speakers into the moving picture theatres to present to the people the urgent reasons for new military service requirements.
The original organization took the title of "Four Minute Men," in dual reference to the "Minute Men" of the Revolutionary war, and the time limit imposed upon the speakers.
The work of this organization came to the knowledge of the National Council of Defense and the Committee on Public Information. Its methods of presentation appealed to these committees, and at once the plan was adopted for a national organization of "Four Minute Men" who were and did become the official messengers of the Government for the entire period of the war.
By September 30, 1917, Indiana had seventy-five "Four Minute Men" or- ganizations, which number was increased to 120 by December 24, 1918.
The Decatur county organization was one of the first in the State.
The committee was composed of Thomas E. Davidson, chairman ; Robert Pierce, Charles Ewing and Robert St. John. This committee directed the speak- ing throughout the county.
The "Four Minute Men" speakers were: Thomas E. Davidson, Rollin A. Turner, John E. Osborn, Edgar E. Hite, John F. Goddard, Hugh Wickens, John W. Craig, Harry M. Settle, Myron C. Jenkins, Frank Hamilton, Rev. F. Z. Burkette and Will Ehrhardt.
These speakers spoke in the motion picture theatres and the churches throughout the county, delivering stirring patriotic addresses to many thousands of our people in support of all national drives and bringing to them, in short but burning sentences, the great messages of the war.
The "Four Minute Men" kept the fires of patriotism burning and performed a great service in keeping up the morale of the "People Over Here" and thereby backing our "Boys Over There."
Prepared and submitted by Thomas E. Davidson.
52
DECATUR COUNTY
FOOD ADMINISTRATION
Early in the war it became apparent that if the United States did its part, the Government would have to control the food, for so many men who called them- selves Americans were worshipers of the "almighty dollar" and were boosting prices of the everyday necessities beyond all reason.
The Lever Act was passed by congress August 10, 1917, authorizing Govern- ment control, and in searching for the man most thoroughly fitted for the work the choice fell upon Herbert C. Hoover, who was then in London, and when the long arm of the Atlantic cable beckoned him, he came and assumed the tremendous task of righting the Old Ship of State.
Herbert Clark Hoover was the son of Quaker parents. He was born in Iowa, August 10, 1874, and entered the Leland Stanford University in 1891, working his way through by establishing and conducting a laundry for the students, which was a great success. In 1895, he graduated from the department of mining engineering and filled important Government positions in the mining centers of the United States, Australia and China.
When war broke out in 1914, Mr. Hoover was living in London and was greatly interested in the work in behalf of the suffering humanity of Belgium. After rescuing seven thousand Americans, who were stranded in Europe and securing transportation home for them, he was asked to act as chairman of a commission for the relief of the Belgians. And in spite of all kinds of obstacles, and hindrances he succeeded in providing 10,000,000 people with food, every pound of which had to be imported.
Mr. Hoover was appointed national food administrator of the United States in April, but the Lever Act giving him full authority was not passed until August 10, 1917, which was an act to further for the national security and defense by encouraging the supply and controlling the distribution of food products and fuel.
Upon taking command Mr. Hoover advised a call for volunteers. Workers who were capable of handling the situation could not be hired, and when these men who were college presidents, a president of a $50,000,000.00 grain corpora- tion and various big interests were asked to go to Washington to plan readjusting affairs they went gladly, not one hesitated serving their country freely and with- out pay.
53
IN THE WORLD WAR
Each State had a State food administrator. Dr. H. E. Barnhill being chosen for Indiana. Some one was selected for each county. Charles Zoller being selected by the County Council of Defense, October 29, 1917, as Decatur county's administrator. His commission giving him authority was issued by the State administrator.
When the papers informed the people that Mr. Zoller had been appointed to the important position of food administrator, with but few exceptions they caught the step and fell in line to do all in their power to help win the war in the shortest time possible. The merchant received his orders and with the exception of two or three cases carried them out to the letter.
The object of the food administrator was to guide the trade in food commo- dities, thus eliminating speculation : to guard our exports, thus supplying our own people and the Nations of the world, and to encourage the greater production of food products.
The county administrator was directly responsible for the enforcement of the food law.
The killing of young animals and poultry for food was prohibited, the raffling of food, the giving of prizes, consisting of food, and turkey shoots were also barred.
The price of milk was not allowed to be advanced without permission from the State food administrator.
Wholesale dealers had to have license and were not allowed to delay the unloading of fruit and vegetables which had to be done within twenty-four hours.
It was very important that the supply of sugar to our armies and to our allies should not be interfered with, and still those at home be supplied, so the sugar card was instituted. Each house-wife had to present her sugar card to be stamped when purchasing sugar-finally each member of the family was allowed eight ounces per week.
Special permits were issued by the county administrator, five pounds per member of family for canning purposes and preserving, more than this amount was promptly confiscated. Anyone charging more than nine cents a pound was profiteering.
Hotels and restaurants were not allowed to put more than one teaspoon of sugar to a cup of coffee, and no sugar bowls were placed on the tables.
Saccharine was used by many as a sugar substitute, especially for canning
54
DECATUR COUNTY
pickles. Molasses and syrups took their places in cooking. The Christmas candies in 1917 were made of glucose and molasses.
Bread caused the greatest work and anxiety because for every pound of flour purchased the same amount of substitutes had to be purchased also, and they were not allowed fed to the chickens or thrown away, but had to be prepared for the family to eat.
Substitutes : Barley flour, corn flour, corn-starch, hominy, potato flour, rice, soy bean, buckwheat, corn meal, corn grits, oat meal, rice flour, rolled oats, sweet potato flour.
All bakery bread was made with the substitutes and called Victory Bread, and the bakers did not have much better luck than the house-wives, for some- times their bread was terrible, too. But it was to help win the war and no com- plaints were made, at least very loud. However, whenever two or three women were seen talking together, in nine cases out of ten, they were comparing expe- riences with substitutes. Bread raised from five cents for a one-pound loaf to ten cents, and the one and one-half pound loaves were fifteen cents.
Paper hangers were forbidden the use of flour and corn-starch for paste. Bakers made weekly reports to the food administrator.
In January, 1918, wheatless Mondays and Wednesdays, with one wheatless meal each day was established.
Then came the meat question. Everything that could be held in cold storage was being held, so the order went forth that poultry, eggs, butter, and fish were not allowed held in cold storage longer than thirty days, and all eggs had to be candled. Meatless Tuesdays, porkless Saturdays, and one meatless meal each day was in effect. Crisco and Wesson Oil were substituted for lard. The sale of hens was prohibited. New Year's celebrations with lunch at midnight were abandoned, and social functions did not serve refreshments between meals.
In 1918, the home or war garden was universal, many people planting vege- tables in their flower beds. Vacant lots in Highland Place and Oklahoma were plowed by the city and seeds furnished a number of people who were financially unable to have gardens.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.