USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 7
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
Automobiles.
82
DECATUR COUNTY
After the parade, the Liberty Guards from Shelbyville and St. Paul, which were said to be the best drilled in the State, under command of Major D. Wray DePrez and Capt. Frank W. Fagel, went through the drills required of our soldiers and were greatly appreciated by a vast throng of people.
A platform was erected at the alley on the west side of the public square on which were seated the soldiers of the Civil war who were the guests of honor.
At 1:30 p. m. the program for the day was rendered from a large plat- form of the elevation of the floor of the court house and extending out about thirty feet and across the west end of the building.
The following is the program :
America By Community Chorus
Invocation Rev. H. W. Reynolds
Solo "Keep the Home Fires Burning" . Mrs. Ross Reed
Introduction of the speaker Mrs. Ed Kessing, County War Mother
Address
Mrs. French, State War Mother
Dedication of Honor Roll of Decatur County.
Solo, "America, Here's My Boy"
Mrs. Winona C. Diewert
Introduction of Speaker
Rev. Alonzo Murphy, Department Commander of Indiana G. A. R.
Address
Private Schuyler C. Mowrer
La Marseillaise
Miss Jeanette Patton
Mrs. Jessie Skeen
Marston Quartet America England
Miss Reine Wilson
France
Mrs. Jeanette Littell
Italy
Reading President's address
Frank Hamilton
Introduction of Speaker
John W. Craig
Address Honorable Claude Bowers
Star Spangled Banner Community Chorus
Benediction Rev. Father Francis
Chorus Accompanist Miss Florine Tillson
Director Community Chorus Prof. F. M. Marston An account of the dedication of the Honor Roll Board is given in the history of the War Mothers.
Mr. Mowrer's address was one of the best delivered in Greensburg by one sent home from France to urge the American people to be one hundred per cent.
83
IN THE WORLD WAR
Americans. It is impossible to record the address but the fact that he held that immense crowd of hundreds of people spell-bound in that broiling hot sun for one hour shows how interesting and instructive his talk was. He had a gas mask and put it on to illustrate how they protected the boys. Mr. Mowrer's sister was a nurse in the Lilly Base Hospital with which Frank Russell and Ernest Erdmann were stationed.
"La Marseillaise" by the Marston Quartet was a thing of beauty. The ladies of the quartet came down an incline from the county auditor's office window, dressed in the costume and carrying a large silk flag of the country which they represented.
An airplane was to have been sent down from Indianapolis and an exhibition given by Lieut. John Swem, son of Rev. E. H. Swem, of Washington City and a nephew of Mrs. Jeanette Howard. The lieutenant came but the airplane did not.
Altogether the day was one long to be remembered by the people of this com- munity and the committee felt well paid for their efforts to make it one of success.
PERSONNEL OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
Adams Township-Charles McKee, Lewis Lines, Miss Ethel Shelhorn.
Clinton Township-Horace McDonald. later E. G. Amos, Elmer Sefton, Mrs. Ed. Meek.
Clay Township-Caleb Wright, Earl Gartin, Miss Lula Smiley.
Fugit Township-Thomas Hamilton, William Kincaid, Miss Nell Fee, later Miss Marjorie Beal.
Jackson Township-Edward Fraley, Edward Thurston, Mrs. Steuben Pleake.
Marion Township-Benjamin Feldman, Charles Stevenson, Mrs. George Luken.
Salt Creek Township-John A. Meyer, C. P. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Harley F. McKee.
Sand Creek Township-Mrs. J. A. Welch, Urso McCorkle, Claude Tyner.
Washington Township-Barton Mclaughlin. Pleasant L. Doles, Mrs. Wil- liam McCoy.
These appointments were made by the County Council of Defense in Febru- ary, 1918, and the selections proved wise ones, as the work of the township coun- cils was efficient at all times.
84
DECATUR COUNTY
LOCAL BOARD FOR DECATUR COUNTY, INDIANA
When the United States declared war, the congress, on recommendation of the President, passed the Selective Service Law, by which, under regulations promulgated by the provost marshal general and approved by the President, our soldiers were to be selected for military service.
The volunteer system of raising an army is and always had been a ready and patriotic method of upholding the right and dignity of our Nation, but expe- rience had taught that it was not the ideal way of securing those who best could serve, and best be spared. Those engaged in agricultural production and essential enterprises, if permitted to voluntarily enlist would, out of patriotic duty, join the army and deplete the ranks of civil life to such an extent, that in case of an extended conflict our country would suffer. Then husbands and fathers and others with dependents would have gone, to the injury and loss to those left behind. So the selective service system of providing the army by the actual selection of those who best could go under efficient regulations and investigation, proved the wisdom of the law. And under the direction of the president, a local draft board was chosen and named in Decatur county, whose duty it was to select the boys who were to serve, all under specific regulations, by which the board was governed.
The board, as first organized, consisted of County Clerk W. G. Fraley, Coun- ty Sheriff Charles W. Beeson, and Dr. Ira M. Sanders. This board conducted the first registration of those between the ages of twenty-one and thirty inclusive, held June 5, 1917.
The personnel of the board was then changed, and John W. Craig, George Menzie and Dr. Paul Tindall were named, on July 7, 1917. This board continued as thus formed until by an order of the provost marshal general, that no one of conscription age should serve on the board, at which time Doctor Tindall, by reason of his age, was relieved and Doctor Sanders was reappointed. The board then remained the same until it was finally discharged, on March 31, 1919.
The duty of registering, classifying and examining physically the persons within the jurisdiction of the board was an arduous task. The unqualified sup- port of the public, the unstinted help and assistance, of all the lawyers, the doc- tors, the school teachers and others of the county, made the labor as light as pos- sible and easier to bear. . A highly efficient chief clerk in the latter period of the war enabled the board to make a high record for dispatch and completeness and
85
IN THE WORLD WAR
correctness in the records and the making ready for service the quota from this county on every call.
At the June, 1917 registration, there were 1.233 persons on the list ; at the June and August registration, 1918, when those of our boys had attained the age of twenty-one years since the previous registration, were required to register, there were one hundred and twenty-seven enrolled ; at the September, 1918 regis- tration, when those up to forty-five years of age were called, two thousand. seven- teen (2,017) were registered. This made a total of three thousand, three hundred seventy-seven. (3,377) names of men within the jurisdiction of this board. At the close of the war, this county had inducted into the military service under the Selective Service Law, a total of four hundred five (405) of our best manhood, and each did his full part in bringing about the victory for right and democracy.
Prepared and submitted by Mr. John Craig.
THE MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD OF DECATUR COUNTY
Physicians : Dr. P. C. Bentle, president ; Dr. D. W. Weaver, secretary ; Dr. O. F. Welch.
Dentists: Dr. Ed D. Mclaughlin, Dr. A. C. Gilchrist.
The duties of the board were to examine all appeals from the medical exam- ination of the local conscript board, those referred to medical advisory by the local board, and those who were registered in other counties or states but were in Decatur county when they were to report for medical examination. Examina- tions made by the advisory board were returned to the conscription board in the county of the registrant.
ON ACTIVE DUTY IN MEDICAL CORPS
Dr. Charles R. Bird, British Army Medical Corps.
Dr. Paul R. Tindall, American E. F. Medical Corps. Dr. W. R. Turner, United States Navy Medical Corps.
Dr. William Meyer, United States Army Dental Corps.
86
DECATUR COUNTY
THE MEDICAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Scope. Enlistment of all available physicians for service in army, navy, public health, and civilian practice at home, or in communities in need of physicians.
The county chairman, D. W. Weaver, was appointed through the National Volunteer Medical Service Corps, upon the recommendation of the State chair- man of the Medical Volunteer Corps.
Through the efforts of the chairman, every physician in the county volun- teered for civilian practice where needed ; some for work on medical boards ; some for army or naval medical service, and others for public health service.
Through the Volunteer Medical Corps three physicians of the county, Dr. Will Thomas, Dr. Prosser Clark, and Dr. E. T. Riley, were assigned to the United State Public Health Service to do epidemic work in the East, and Dr. Charles Beall, who was retired, again assumed a civilian practice in the Clarksburg com- munity during the absence of the local physician.
Prepared and submitted by,
D. W. WEAVER, Chairman.
LIBERTY BONDS
When the Government issued Liberty Bonds to help meet the expenses of carrying on the war the response of the people of Decatur county was promptly and willingly made.
The quota for the county in the first drive, July, 1917, was fixed at $262,000, and the amount sold was $425,000.
The quota for the second loan, October, 1917, was fixed at $476,000 and the amount sold was $648,000.
The splendid bankers of the county took the responsibility of these two drives.
The Third Liberty Loan was issued in March, 1918, and this time a county committee comprised of W. W. Bonner, C. W. Woodward, Dan S. Perry and Harrington Boyd was appointed with a committee in each township. The quota was placed at $370,000 and the sales amounted to $674,850.
Decatur county was the first county in the State to go over the top, the quota
87
IN THE WORLD WAR
being reached by 9:00 o'clock a. m. of the first day. Jackson township was over at 6:00 a. m.
Quota
Percentage
Sales
Adams township
$38,500
135%
$52,000
Clay township
46,700
102.6
47,950
Clinton township
23,800
150
35,700
Fugit township
28,200
180
50,800
Jackson township
33,300
130
43,000
Marion township
16,100
170
28,000
Salt Creek township
16,100
205
33,000
Sand Creek township
28,800
187
33,850
Washington township
68,300
125
85,750
Greensburg
70,200
303
231,400
Total
$370,000
180%
$641,450
The women, under the leadership of Miss Mary Rankin, assisted in this loan drive and did splendid work selling from 109% to 480% in different townships.
Sales made by the banks :
Third National Bank
$185,000
Citizens National Bank
122,350
Greensburg National Bank
120,000
Union Trust Company
65,000
First National Bank of Westport
21,600
Letts State Bank
16,100
Burney State Bank
18,350
St. Paul Bank
31,000
First State Bank of New Point
36,000
Alert State Bank
21,850
Clarksburg State Bank
37,600
Total
$674,850
A mass meeting was held at the opera house, April 9, 1918. The house was packed and many were turned away. Henry Lane Wilson, former ambassador to Mexico was the speaker. A detachment of Sousa's Great Lakes Naval Station Band, together with a drill squad, were on the stage. The music of the band
88
DECATUR COUNTY
and the drilling of the drill squad met with much applause of appreciation. This band was here three times during the war campaign.
W. W. Bonner, head of the Liberty Loan campaign in this county, presided.
Misses Adelaide Robison, Mary Ehrhardt and Mildred Emmert took the solo parts in the songs sung by the High School Glee Club.
Robert E. Mckay read a poem written by W. A. Kirkpatrick.
FOURTH LIBERTY LOAN
The quota for Decatur county was fixed at $800,000, based upon the bank resources of the county. The following tables show Decatur county's part :
Township
Quota $ 78,700
Amount $ 92.250
Adams
Clay
100.300
102,050
Clinton
53.200
54.950
Fugit
66,200
61,400
Jackson
76,300
69,000
Marion
37,900
41,250
Salt Creek
27,200
27,500
Sand Creek
60,800
61,500
Washington and Greensburg
299,400
383,000
Total
$800,000
$892,900
Banks
Quota
No. Subscribers
Sales
Alert State Bank
$ 29,200
152
$ 25.000
Burney State Bank
26,500
118
26,500
Clarksburg State Bank
38,200
136
58.150
Citizens National Bank
140,200
502
157,750
Third National Bank
194.200
960
295,800
Greensburg National Bank
122,100
330
174,100
Union Trust Company
100,400
204
55,000
First State Bank, New Point
40,400
255
31,450
St. Paul Bank
33.100
101
19,600
First National Bank, Westport
51,000
313
44,950
Letts State Bank
24.700
117
25.450
Total
$800,000
3188
$913,750
89
IN THE WORLD WAR
Bishop William E. Anderson, of Cincinnati, of the Methodist church, spoke to a crowded house at the K. of P. theatre on the night of October 23, 1918. The house was full one-half hour before the time for the address. The people were entertained by the music of an orchestra composed of Harry Robbins, Edgar Ware and Walter Ehrhardt.
W. W. Bonner presided. Prayer was offered by Rev. W. H. Reynolds of the Presbyterian church.
Prof. F. M. Marston sang, "My Own United States."
Bishop Anderson was in Germany in July, 1914, when war was near at hand and told of the trouble he and his wife and five daughters experienced in leaving that country.
The Fifth Loan was called the Victory Loan.
Decatur county's quota was fixed at $600,000 and the amount raised was $803,000.
The amount subscribed by the splendid patriotic citizens of Decatur county for the five Liberty loan drives was $3,514,600, a record of which the county might well be proud. The assistance of the women was invaluable in the selling of bonds.
There were four hundred sixty people in the county who assisted in selling Liberty Bonds as a token of appreciation, the Government presented to each of them a medal made of captured German cannon. On one side is an engraving of the United States treasury, with the spread eagle below. On the other side is the inscription. "Awarded by the United States Treasury Department for pa- triotic service in behalf of the Liberty Loans. Made from captured German Cannon."
Statistics for this report furnished by W. W. Bonner and Dan S. Perry.
WOMEN'S WORK IN LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
In the midst of the Second Liberty Loan campaign Miss Mary Rankin was appointed chairman of the women's committee and a small organization was effected in Greensburg.
For the Third Loan Campaign the county was thoroughly organized with three hundred women instructed in every detail of the work.
Miss Mary Rankin was the county chairman, Mrs. Dan S. Perry was the county secretary.
90
DECATUR COUNTY
The following were the township chairmen: Adams, Miss Ethel Shelhorn ; Clinton, Mrs. Robert Goddard; Clay, Miss Lulu Smiley ; Fugit, Miss Ruby Em- mert ; Salt Creek, Miss Florence Hoff; Jackson, Mrs. Steuben Pleak; Marion, Mrs. George Lueken ; Sand Creek, Mrs. L. A. Eckhart ; Washington, Mrs. Pleas- ant Doles, Miss Willa Pleak.
The ladies in Greensburg who assisted: Mrs. Eliza J. Crisler, Woman's Re- lief Corps; Mrs. Charles H. Johnston, Daughters of the American Revolution ; Mrs. Cal Crews, order of the Eastern Star ; Mrs. Ella B. Wright, Women's Chris- tian Temperance Union; Mrs. Roy C. Kanouse, Department Club ; Mrs. Fred Thomas, Tri Kappas ; Mrs. Will Brazelton, Royal Neighbors; Mrs. Frank Rus- sell, Psi-Iota-Xis.
It should prove a humiliation to those few of our residents who were able to help in this work, but refused to do so, and that their neighbors' boys do the fighting for them, and that their neighbors supply the sinews of war, may share equally in the protection thus provided.
Upon the women's committee of the county was placed the responsibility of selling one-fourth of the quota in the respective townships, and that they were more than equal to the demand made upon them, and, can at all times be depended upon for their full share of the work in any and all war activities of every nature, is fully demonstrated in the following schedule :
Township
Quota
Sales
Per Cent. 109%
Adams
$ 9,650
$10,550
Clinton
5,950
7,600
128
Clay
11,700
19,550
166
Fugit
7,050
21,450
304
Salt Creek
4,050
10,000
247
Jackson
8,350
14,450
173
Marion
4,050
6,950
171
Sand Creek
7,200
17,200
240
Washington
17,100
21,950
128
Greensburg
17,550
83,950
480
Totals
$92,650
$213,750
230.7
91
IN THE WORLD WAR
Of the fourteen minute women of the county Mrs. I. Carl Mitchell was the only one who spoke on the subject of the Liberty Loan, and was greatly appre- ciated wherever she was heard.
The same organization was ready for work in the Fourth and Fifth Loans. but it was thought unnecessary to use it. The women, however, who did excel- lent service in these two campaigns were: Miss Audrey Denniston, and Mrs. J. T. Alexander, in Jackson township ; Miss Elvina Kramer, at St. Maurice, Fugit township, and Miss Ethel Shelhorn, of Adams township.
The task of handling the posters in the Third and Fourth Liberty Loans was largely delegated to the women's committee, and they were ably assisted by Sheldon Morrison, and Dan Alden Edkins.
Material for this report furnished by Miss Mary Rankin and Mrs. Elsie Perry, (Mrs. Dan S.)
THE MILLS
A number of the mills of the county, both planing and flouring, filled Gov- ernment orders.
Pulse & Porter furnished many thousands of tent stakes.
The Garland Milling Company and the Hornung Milling Company sent great quantities of flour to our boys over seas.
Complaint was made to the State food administrator's office that the mill at Clarksburg was selling flour to its customers without the required amount of substitutes. The penalty for disobeying the food laws was the cessation of busi- ness. The county administrator investigated and some arrangements were made for the mill to continue operations. (Found at the State food administrator's office. )
Reports were asked for from all the mills in the county, but these came up like several others requested.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS IN DECATUR COUNTY
Immediately following the declaration of war, Greensburg Council Knights of Columbus No. 1042, unanimously adopted a resolution pledging support to all patriotic movements and calling upon its membership to aid the Government in all war work. A general committee was selected to have charge of all war work as
92
DECATUR COUNTY
follows: John C. Huber, chairman ; George F. Redelman, Bernard M. Duffy, J. Frank Hamilton and Hugh Wickens. This committee managed all the activities on behalf of the order during the war and had the hearty co-operation of all members.
Under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus and Knights of St. John, services were held at St. Mary's church on Decoration Day, May 30, 1917, ap- propriate to the day and time and a substantial collection was taken up for the Red Cross. In his sermon on this occasion, Father Francis traced the historical development of Decoration Day from All Souls' Day as observed in the Catholic church.
With the Daughters of Isabella, the Knights of Columbus raised the first service flag in Decatur county, at St. Mary's church in Greensburg, showing six- teen members of that church then in service which number increased to forty-four before the end of the war.
In the first Knights of Columbus war drive, held in July, 1917, while only called upon to raise $300.00, the sum of $756.00 was raised and forwarded to the national headquarters. The Knights of Columbus, both as an organization and through its individual members, took an active part in and contributed to all patriotic drives.
In the second Knights of Columbus drive, held in May, 1918, Greensburg Council was called upon to raise $1,800.00, in Decatur county. This quota was over-subscribed and the sum of $4,600.00 contributed. In the United War Work Drive in November, 1918, the Knights of Columbus took an active part and very materially assisted in raising the quota for the county, $35,000.00. The Knights of Columbus were active not only in soliciting and contributing funds, but also did a full share in advocating and arousing public sentiment necessary to win the war. Under its auspices or with its co-operation, a number of patriotic meetings, addressed by prominent speakers, were held at St. Mary's Hall and its members took an active part in all other patriotic meetings in the community.
Forty members of Council No. 1042 were with the colors in the army or the navy during the World war. The activities of the Knights of Columbus in this war work have been fully approved by all and its membership in Decatur county increased 300% since the commencement of the war.
Prepared and presented by
HUGH WICKENS
93
IN THE WORLD WAR
LIBRARY WAR FUND
Everything was done by the patriotic people at home to make the army life of the boys as pleasant as possible. The following committee was appointed to have charge of raising funds to buy books to send to cantonments and hospitals : Prof. J. R. Crawley, chairman; Judge Hugh Wickens, Mrs. Alex Porter, Prof. Elmer C. Jerman, Mrs. Eliza J. Crisler, secretary ; Albert Boling, treasurer. Three hundred nine dollars and sixty cents in money was received and good books by the hundreds.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Early in the war the great Y. M. C. A. tendered its services to the Govern- ment as funds would be needed to carry on the vast work planned, a drive for subscriptions was made from May 20 to May 28, 1917.
Frank C. Donnell was selected chairman for Decatur county. His executive committee was comprised of : Will C. Ehrhardt, Dr. C. C. Morrison, Harry P. Scott.
The county was organized by townships as follows: Washington, Frank L. Donnell; Fugit, George Dobyns ; Clinton, Horace McDonald; Adams, Raymond Pleak; Clay, Roy Miers; Jackson, Frank Shaw; Sand Creek, George Schwartz ; Marion, Ed Buckley ; Salt Creek, George Redelman.
The quota for the county was $2,500.00 and the amount subscribed was $3,600.00.
A patriotic mass meeting was held at the opera house, Sunday evening, May 19. The choirs of the city furnished the music, led by J. L. Turner, physical director of the local Y. M. C. A. Harry P. Scott, the Y. secretary, presided. The address was made by Dr. Loren Henry, secretary of the Y. M. C. A. of Egypt. The message he brought from that far away land stirred the hearts of his hearers, for he had rendered actual service to the Australians and other British subjects during their warfare with the Turks.
Mrs. Lock Bracken sang "Indiana" in her own pleasing manner.
Many of the war meetings were held in the Y. M. C. A. building and a large number of committee meetings were also held there. The Red Cross of Decatur county was organized at the Y. M. C. A., and the First Aid Class met there.
In all: 35 Red Cross meetings, 5 Armenian Relief meetings, 12 Boys' meet-
MRS. ROSALIN K. DONNELL Red Cross Market Committee, $1,600.00 WANETTA SEITZ Chairman of War Mothers' Market, $600.00 MRS. JOHN E. OSBORN Chairman County Red Cross, $1,600.00
MRS. ED. O. DAY County Chairman of the K. of C. Market, $400.00 MRS. I. CARL MITCHELL Chairman of the County Y. M. C. A. Market, Which Was the First County Market. Also One of the 14 Minute Women
95
IN THE WORLD WAR
ings, 8 Council of Defense, 15 Liberty Loan, 8 Soldiers', 10 Thrift and War Sav- ings Stamps, 50 War Mothers', 35 Miscellaneous meetings were held at the local Y. M. C. A. building. Total, 178.
Besides, headquarters were established in the building for various drives.
OTHER WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION
Secretary H. P. Scott took active part in all patriotic campaigns held ; also recruited men for Y. M. C. A. war work.
Physical Director John L. Turner served for five months at Camp Lee, Vir- ginia as Y. M. C. A. director.
Five troop trains that were unloaded at Greensburg for rest at various times were given the use of shower baths and swimming pool. Six hundred soldiers from Louisiana being served at one time.
Four mass meetings were held in the gymnasium.
The association co-operated with the Red Cross in the interest of recon- struction work for returned service men.
Eighty-two members of the Greensburg Y. M. C. A. were in the service, and of the blue stars placed upon the service flag for them, the one for Glenn Trestor turned to gold.
Full privileges of the association were extended to all Decatur county service men for a period of three months after their discharge.
While so many of our boys were in training at Fort Harrison in the summer of 1917, Secretary Scott arranged to have the boys of the Junior Department, boys from ten to fourteen years old, taken up for the day in automobiles. The trip was made July 13, 1917, starting at 7:00 a. m., about eighty boys went.
The following people donated their machines: H. P. Scott, secretary ; J. W. Beck, Robert Woodfill, Homer Meek, Rev. F. Z. Burkette, Rev. C. B. Jones, Mrs. Nelson Mowrey, Robert Naegel, Hugh Flint, C. E. Lockhart, Ira Starks, John Patterson, Jeremiah Braden.
To say that the boys had a splendid time only expresses it mildly. The day was ideal. and when they returned they knew all about trenches, and everything connected with camp life.
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.