USA > Indiana > Decatur County > History of Decatur County's part in the World War, 1914-1918 > Part 8
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 second drive for funds was made the week of November 12-19, 1917. The following were appointed to superintend it :
Frank L. Donnell, chairman; Homer G. Meek, secretary ; Robert C. Wood- fill, treasurer ; George E. Erdmann, publicity.
96
DECATUR COUNTY
Executive committee : W. W. Bonner, C. P. Miller, Harrington Boyd, Louis Zoller. T. E. Davidson ; Washington township, Henry Bonner ; Fugit town- ship, Earl Hamilton; Adams township, A. F. Eubanks; Clay township, Roy Miers ; Jackson township. Steuben Pleak; Sand Creek township, George Schwartz ; Marion township, Ed McConnell; Salt Creek township, Dr. Harley S. McKee : Clinton township, Horace McDonald.
Mrs. I. Carl Mitchell was appointed chairman of the women. She asked the assistance of Mrs. John E. Osborn, Mrs. John Craig, Mrs. Dr. Russell. They arranged and conducted a Decatur county market in the Warthin block on the north side of the square on Friday and Saturday, November 18-19, and turned over to the county chairman $605.00. On the evening of the last day, A. F. Eubanks, of Adams, auctioned off the remaining articles.
This was the first county market held.
The quota for Decatur county was $7.000.00
The amount subscribed was $8,367.00
On Sunday night, November 11, Dr. F. E. Berry, of Adrian, Mich., delivered an address to a crowded house at the K. of P. Theatre. Dr. Berry was just returned from active service in French and British trenches. W. C. Pulse presided. Rev. J. H. Doddridge, of the First M. E. church offered the invoca- tion. Music was furnished by the K. of P. orchestra and the Choral Society of the Department Club.
The object of the Y. M. C. A. was to take as many home comforts as possible to the boys in the camps and in the trenches, and the good they accomplished can never be estimated. There were, we are sorry to admit a few "black sheep" who succeeded in creeping into the ranks of Y. M. C. A. workers and sold things to the boys that had been donated and for that reason a great many people have nothing good to say of the association and its magnificent work among our boys.
(The statistics for this report were furnished by Frank L. Donnell, county chairman, and R. C. Higby, secretary of the Y. M. C. A.)
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS FOR THE Y. M. C. A.
Reverend F. Z. Burkette was appointed chairman of the Y. M. C. A. drive in the high schools of Decatur county, as well as the entire district.
97
IN THE WORLD WAR
The response was liberal, the boys subscribing $10.00 and the girls $5.00 each, most of them earned the money to pay their subscriptions and so the good work went on.
The amount contributed by the boys and girls of this county could not be learned for it was placed in the district fund as fast as received, but we can rest assured that Decatur county did her part in this, as well as all the other activities.
UNITED WAR WORK CAMPAIGN
The last great drive for funds was in November, from the 11th to 18th. The funds this time were to be divided among the following organizations for war work: Red Cross, Salvation Army, Y. M. C. A., Knights of Columbus, Jewish Relief Commission.
The following committees were appointed to have charge of the campaign: County chairman, John E. Osborne; treasurer, Charles H. Ewing ; publicity, George E. Erdmann.
Executive committee : Louis Zoller, J. H. Christian, Sr., W. W. Bonner, Dan S. Perry, Harrington Boyd, John Huber, Will H. Robbins, S. A. Bonner, George Menzie, C. P. Miller, S. P. Minear, Charles Woodward, John F. Russell, Frank Robbins, Elmer C. Jerman, Will C. Pulse, Charles Zoller.
Township chairmen: Washington, Charles L. Ryan ; Fugit, Erle Hamilton ; Clinton, Horace McDonald; Adams, A. E. Eubanks; Clay, Morgan L. Miers ; Jackson, Steuben Pleak; Sand Creek, Kenn L. Adams ; Marion, Ed McConnell ; Salt Creek, George Redelman.
The quota for the county was fixed at $35,000.00, and the amount sub- scribed was $35,340.00.
It was decided by the committees to make it a one-day drive, Monday, No- vember 11, 1918.
Sand Creek township was so afraid some other township would get their report in first that they phoned Sunday afternoon at 3:25 o'clock. Their quota was $2,475, and the amount raised by those splendid people was $2,810.75.
Two hundred solicitors assembled at the Eagles' Hall at noon, where a luncheon was served by a committee of ladies of whom Mrs. Will Ehrhardt was chairman.
Greensburg and Decatur county "proved up" in this case just as they always do when called upon. The district chairman for the United War Work campaign was Frank L. Donnell and the State chairman was Thomas E. Davidson.
98
DECATUR COUNTY
SALVATION ARMY
There was no organization which did more real practical work for the boys at the front than the Salvation Army, and no organization is spoken of quite so highly by the boys as is the Salvation Army. "They did not preach religion to us, they lived it. When going into the trenches, and the doughnuts and hot coffee were given us, we felt it was done for His sake, and we were stronger spiritually for what was before us." This is the story told over and over again by the boys.
No real Salvation Army drive was made in Decatur county until the United War Work drive, which included them. Some will wonder "Why?" The funds used by this most wonderful organization were furnished by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of America.
THE SIGNING OF THE ARMISTICE
America waited anxiously for news of Germany's calling a halt-things were going very much against the German forces. With the American boys fol- lowing a Flag that always goes forward, and the Armenians standing as a stone wall in front of the oil fields in the Caucasus mountains, the end was drawing near.
When the midnight train from Cincinnati came through, November 8, 1918, with plenty of steam, and the whistle tied down, great excitement prevailed, but in the morning it was learned it was a false alarm, but on the next Monday, November 11th, German representatives did surrender to the terms of the allies. These representatives were met a number of miles from the meeting place, blindfolded, and their automobiles taken over by allied chauffeurs. After signing the Armistice they were blindfolded again, and taken back to their own chauffeurs.
The firing ceased at 11:00 a. m., but just an instant after-one solitary shot rang out, it was fired by Eddie Rickenbacker, of Indiana.
It was several days before the German navy was lined up and met the allied fleet to surrender.
Three Decatur county boys, Franklin Wilson, on the "Texas"; Forrest Turner, and Herbert Boling, on the "Arkansas" were present.
When the German admiral went aboard the Flag Ship, "New York," and surrendered to Admiral Rodman, he asked where the rest of the American ships were, and was told they were all there, the "New York," "Texas," "Arkansas," "Wyoming," and "Florida." He remarked that if they had known the United
HERBERT BOLING Present at the Surrender of the German Fleet Battleship Arkansas FRANKLIN WILSON Present at the Surrender of the German Fleet Battleship Texas FORREST TURNER Who Was Present at the Surrender of the German Navy, Stationed on the Battleship Arkansas
100
DECATUR+ COUNTY
States had only five ships over there, they would never have surrendered, and we can understand his chagrin when we know that the parade of German ships, sub- marines, etc., was 200 miles long, keeping about 300 feet apart.
On the night of November 11th, an impromptu jollification was held in Greensburg, with bon-fires, and everything to make a noise. The Kaiser was hanged in effigy in the Court House Park, amid appropriate ceremonies. Some- time later in the night he was cut down and dragged through the streets tied to the back of an automobile. The police worked sometime on the case as it was the only Kaiser this county had, and should have been lowered with proper dignity.
The tree upon which the hanging took place died the coming spring.
WAR TAX AND RAISE OF POSTAL RATES. INCOME TAX AND
EXCESS PROFIT TAX.
A war tax was levied by the Government on all pleasures and luxuries, drugs, etc., of 10%. This tax levy was made in 1914, or 1915, and is still in existence at the time of the publication of this history.
The American people soon became used to having the salesman count in 10% extra on their purchase for war tax.
All entertainments given where an admission was charged had to pay 10% of the receipts to the Government.
The postal rates were raised from 2c for a letter to 3c, postal cards from 1c to 2c, and a 2c stamp had to be placed on a post card.
A single man had to pay tax on his income if it amounted to more than $1,000 a year, and a married man if it was over $2,000, with $500 allowed for each dependent child. The lawyers reaped a bountiful harvest in making out the income tax blanks. One man paid his lawyer $25.00 to make out his papers and after much figuring it was learned he did not owe any income tax.
The name "Excess Profit Tax" explains itself. The people with much money objected, as did the large corporations, to these two tax levies, and it was the people in ordinary circumstances who paid what the Government asked without objections.
TOWNSHIP WAR HISTORIANS
The reports of the war work of the people of the various townships were prepared by the following people :
GERTRUDE WILLIAMS CLEMONS (Mrs. Chas.) Historian of Clinton Township
MISS NELLIE McKEE Adams Township Historian
J. F. HAMILTON Historian of Sand Creek Township JESSIE EUBANK Historian Adams Precinct, Adams Township MISS FLORENCE HOFF Historian of Salt Creek Township
MRS. FRANK WERTZ Adams Township Historian
GEORGE REDELMAN Historian Salt Creek Township
102
DECATUR COUNTY
Adams: Mrs. Frank Wertz, Downeyville Precinct; Miss Jessie Eubank, Adams Precinct ; Miss Nellie McKee, St. Paul Precinct.
Clinton : Mrs. Charles Clemons.
Clay: Mrs. Ray Miers.
Fugit : Mrs. W. K. Stewart.
Jackson: Mrs. Steuben Pleake.
Marion : Sister Leonissa, from statistics collected by Lawrence G. Scheidler.
Sand Creek: J. F. Hamilton.
Salt Creek : George Reddleman, Miss Florence Hoff.
Washington : County Historian.
WAR ACTIVITIES OF ADAMS TOWNSHIP
The following report of the war work of the citizens of Adams township was prepared by Miss Jessie Eubanks, of Adams; Mrs. Frank Wertz, of Downeyville, and Miss Nellie McKee, of St. Paul.
The war work of Adams community :
The Adams High School girls conducted a Flag-raising on Sunday, April 22, 1917. The Flag was made by the girls, assisted by their teachers. The pole which was seventy-five feet high, was raised the afternoon before, on the vacant lot of D. W. Hazelrig in the center of the town.
The address was delivered by Will C. Ehrhardt, of Greensburg, and the Flag was hoisted by the following Civil war veterans of the community: George Shupperd, Robert Anderson, David Waite, James Wilson, John Bright.
Appropriate music was rendered. The Service Flag of the Methodist church contained twelve stars; one a gold star for William Baxter, who was killed in France.
The Flag of the Baptist church contained thirteen stars.
Red Cross Unit : The Adams Red Cross Unit was organized Friday, April 5, 1918, in the I. O. O. F. Hall. This hall was donated by the lodge for all public meetings in the interest of war work.
The organization was in charge of Mrs. Ada Webb and Miss Ethel Shelhorn. Forty-three were present. Mrs. Grace Higgins was elected president and Miss Jessie Eubank secretary.
A silver offering was taken which amounted to $4.85.
The membership increased to eighty-four.
103
IN THE WORLD WAR
Meetings were held each Friday afternoon until quarantine on account of influenza epidemic prevented further public gatherings. Following the organiza- tion two meetings were held in the I. O. O. F. hall when a work room was estab- lished in the domestic science room in the school building. Use of sewing ma- chines were donated by G. W. Lanham, of Greensburg; Mrs. Renna Miers, Miss Sarah Wright, domestic science class of Adams public school; and one sewing machine was purchased by several men of the community and presented to the unit.
The following methods were used for raising money for a yarn fund.
Serving meals for the election board $39.23
Served lunch for two public sales 89.92
Sale of Sunday eggs 5.12
Production of home talent play entitled "Topsy Turvy" 145.95
Voluntary contributions 20.23
M. E. Sunday School Children's Day 5.55
The following work was accomplished :
Garments were brought out from Greensburg Chapter by the president who distributed them to members to be made. Boxes of home-prepared dainties were sent to every young man from Adams community who was in training camps in the United States.
Eighteen suits, each consisting of a sweater, helmet, wristlets and two pairs of socks were made by members of the unit from yarn purchased from the local fund and distributed among the local men in the service. Thirty-seven pairs of socks were knitted from yarn procured from the Greensburg chapter and returned to them. One comfort kit was provided by the unit for a soldier. Several sweaters and pairs of socks were given service men who did not care for complete suits.
Work Completed for Greensburg Chapter: Seventy pajama suits, 108 hos- pital shirts, forty-five refugee garments, twenty-five water-proof cases, twenty- five comfort kits made by the Deughters of Rebekah, and thirty-seven pairs of socks.
Prepared by Jessie Eubank, secretary.
WAR WORK OF THE DOWNEYVILLE COMMUNITY
Early in the summer of 1917 a Red Cross membership meeting was held in the new Little Flat Rock Baptist church at Downeyville. John E. Osborn, of
104
DECATUR COUNTY
Greensburg, was the speaker. Miss Ethel Shelhorn, accompanied on the piano by James Caskey, sang several patriotic songs. The following ladies aided in the organization of this unit, which reached a membership. of 100: Mrs. S. P. Minear, Mrs. Sam Bonner, Mrs. Chas. Woodfill, Miss Kate Emmert, Miss Rebecca Lugen- bell.
On the same evening the ladies gave an ice cream festival clearing $22.25.
The following Thursday a meeting was held and the Red Cross Sewing Society was organized, at which time Mrs. Frank Wertz was elected president and treasurer.
Mrs. Wertz's report is as follows :
On October 13, 1917, these ladies again served a supper clearing fourteen dollars, ($14.00).
During the month of November, 1917, they husked and collected one hundred seventeen dollars' ($117.00) worth of corn. This money was used to buy yarn, out of which were knit twenty-one sweaters, fifteen helmets, fourteen pairs of wristlets, and twenty-seven pairs of socks. These were given to the boys of the community who were called into the army, with the exception of a few articles which were sent to other soldier boys from Decatur county. In some of these cases the parents or friends donated to the society eighteen dollars and sixty-five cents ($18.65).
On June 30, 1918, the children's exercise collection was donated to the Red Cross, which was fourteen dollars and six cents, ($14.06).
Forty-four dollars and six cents ($44.06) of the money made by the society was donated to the local Red Cross Chapter at Greensburg.
One Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1918, the service Flag for the com- munity was dedicated at the church and stars were pinned on for the following boys : Park Foster, Ralph Boicourt, Emmert Maple, Roy Harbert, Claude Garrett, Denzel Doggett, John Barnard, Alfred Schantz, Joseph Little, Walter Redington, Clarence Gosnell.
Rollin A. Turner, of Greensburg, was the principal speaker. Mrs. Robert Donnell and Mrs. Clint Emmert, fourteen minute women, gave short talks on food conservation and child welfare registration. Also an appropriate program was given by the children of the community.
Later the names of the following boys were added: Walter Theabold, Da- vid Clinkenbeard, Joshua Lemmons, Everett Barnard, Jesse Harbert, Harold Risk, Edgar Schantz, Elmer Cummley.
105
IN THE WORLD WAR
Also a silver star was pinned on for Miss Iva Cummley, who had gone as a nurse. Later a gold star was added for Harold Risk, who died at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, of Spanish Influenza.
In all, the ladies raised the sum of one hundred eighty-five dollars and ninety- one cents ($185.91) which was all used in behalf of the Red Cross.
Forty-eight wash cloths and twenty-five wipes were knit and donated to the local chapter. The ladies made one hundred rubberized pocket books, thirty pairs of drawers, fifty-four pajamas, one hundred four hospital shirts, besides donating liberally to the markets at Greensburg, that the local chapter gave.
Also garments were donated to send to the suffering French and Belgians. The society members gave liberally to the Armenian, Santa Claus and Furlough House funds.
These things were accomplished by the ladies of the Star Red Cross Society, between the date of organization and the signing of the armistice.
(Signed) MRS. FRANK WERTZ, President.
WAR WORK OF ST. PAUL COMMUNITY AND WAR DRIVES OF TOWNSHIP
The first Red Cross membership meeting was held in the St. Paul Opera House about the middle of April, 1917. Quite a number from Greensburg were present. Mr. John E. Osborn and Rev. F. Z. Burkette were the principal speakers. Mrs. George Deiwert with James Caskey, as accompanist, furnished the patriotic songs. A large number joined the Red Cross at this meeting. From this time until the close of the war, the people of St. Paul were active in all branches of war work.
A large Flag was raised in the school yard soon after the beginning of war activities.
George Boling was elected president of the Red Cross unit. The sewing turned in at the Greensburg shop was: Fifty-nine pajamas, 166 hospital shirts, six refugee drawers.
Uncle Sam's Willian Workers were organized in November, 1917, at St. Paul. The officers elected were: Mrs. Grace McCain, president ; Mrs. Nellie Hungerford, secretary and treasurer ; Miss Mamie Martz, inspector.
Every woman and child was recognized as a member of this organization. They solicited money, gave musicals, gave a moving picture show, sold water-
106
DECATUR COUNTY
melons and did numerous other things to raise money. The amount raised by them was $268.05. The amount spent for yarn was $238.05. The garments knitted were as follows: Fifty-two helmets, seventy-five pairs of wristlets, 116 pairs of socks.
Each boy received two and one-half hanks of knitted yarn, as long as they could send them to the soldiers. After the armistice was signed, they ceased knitting and divided the remainder of the yarn and money between the Red Cross stations in Decatur and Shelby counties.
Under the supervision of the domestic science teacher, Mrs. Edith Latham, the girls of the St. Paul High School made the following garments for the Senior Red Cross Society : Nine hospital shirts, four suits of pajamas, four surgeon's robes.
Assisted by the seventh and eighth grade girls, they made: Two infant layettes, twenty-five housewives and fourteen pounds of comfort pillow clippings.
Every member of the entire school had a paid membership in the Junior Red Cross.
Eleven girls in school volunteered for war garden work.
The Adams Township Council of Defense was organized in 1918. It con- sisted of the following persons: Charles O. McKee, president ; Lewis Lines, secretary, and Ethel Shelhorn. There was a local board of defense organized at St. Paul, Indiana, with Elmer Palmerton as secretary. There were one hundred twenty-five members of this board. They were quite a help to the township board in the way of keeping them informed as to what was transpiring in the western part of Adams township.
The first drive that took place in 1918, was the seed corn drive supervised by C. O. McKee and his helpers, who were as follows: Ernest Allison, Frank Wertz, Lewis Lines, Frank Brown, Roscoe Bright, Newton Bennett, C. P. Miller, P. D. Brown, county agent.
They succeeded in locating enough good seed corn to supply the farmers of Adams township.
The following men gave their services in the draft enrollment in Adams township: Adams precinct, Newton Bennett and George Platt; St. Paul pre- cinct, Jacob Johannes and Edgar Barnes ; Downeyville precinct, Joseph Stotsen- burg and William Kelso.
The St. Paul Liberty Guard was organized in the town of St. Paul, in April, 1918. It was organized for the express purpose of home protection during the
107
IN THE WORLD WAR
World war, the men to be discharged at the expiration of the war. The men who organized the company were: Walter Hungerford, of the St. Paul Bank ; Wray Deprez, of the Shelbyville State Guard; Clyde Yater, a civil engineer of St. Paul, and William R. Crisler, a veterinarian of St. Paul.
The commissioned officers of the company were: Captain Milligan Owen, who had previously served three years in the regular army ; First Lieutenant Clyde Yater, a civil engineer, who had taken a course in a military school; Second Lieutenant Dr. William R. Crisler, who had served three years in the Fifth United States Regular Infantry in the Philippine Islands. There were eighty enlisted men in the company. It was said at one time the St. Paul company was one of the best drilled companies in the State. The St. Paul guards were the only uniformed armed guards in the county. They were called to St. John church, two and one-half miles north of St. Paul, to quell a mob of German sympathizers and also one mile west of St. Paul on account of trouble with German sympa- thizers.
They were discharged from service in January, 1919.
Food Club: St. Paul's Food Club was organized in May, 1918. Viola Palmerton was elected president. The lieutenants were: Mrs. Nellie Mueller, Mrs. Edna Wolfe, Mrs. Nellie Hungerford, Mrs. Edith Latham, Mrs. Bessie Hun- gerford, Mrs. Mande Templeton, Mrs. Emma Palmerton, Mrs. Charles McCain.
A food parade with the ladies in uniforms was made on the streets, followed by a program at the opera house.
At the monthly meetings demonstrations were given with different food sub- stitutes, at the first was the use of flour substitutes, at the second sugar substi- tutes, at the third instructions were given in the art of canning and drying, the fourth demonstrated sugarless desserts and the fifth taught pickling and brining.
The following were Thrift and War Stamp solicitors, also bond salesmen : Charles C. McKee, chairman; L. A. Jewett, George Boling, John Cuskaden, di- rectors ; Raymond L. Pleak, Chester Davis, John L. Jackson, Carl G. Wolfe, John Garrett, R. D. Templeton, B. F. Mason, R. E. Greely, J. B. McKee, Jacob Johan- nes, C. R. Yater, George Meals, William Larrigan.
The St. Paul postoffice sold 9,825 War Stamps of the 1918 series.
The pupils of the St. Paul school purchased to the amount of $3,153.75 in stamps and $750.00 worth of bonds. The faculty of the school also purchased $625.00 worth of stamps and $850.00 worth of bonds.
108
DECATUR COUNTY
The quota in War Stamps for the township was $27,306.00 and under the able direction of Frank Eubank the township chairman the amount sold was $30,000.
The first and second bond drives were made by the banks of the county, and the townships were not kept separate, but the sum of Adams township's quotas for the third, fourth and fifth loans was $177,200 and the amount sold was $191,250.
At a meeting of the citizens of St. Paul in July, 1918, for the purpose of deciding on something in honor of our boys who were serving their country. It was decided to erect an honor roll and service flag combined for our St. Paul and vicinity soldier and sailor boys. L. A. Jewett and R. D. Templeton were selected as a committee of two to procure and have same built. Edgar Avery constructed and completed the work. The honor roll and flag is ten by fourteen feet, both sides being covered with metal, nicely painted letters and lighted. It contains a service flag on both sides three feet by fourteen feet at the top, with a service star for each name on the honor roll below. The work was completed at a cost of nearly two hundred dollars, contributed by citizens of St. Paul and surrounding country.
The honor roll was dedicated on Sunday, August 4, 1918. The dedication service was conducted by E. C. Toner, of Anderson, Ind. Music was furnished by the Burney band and Goodwin Glee Club. Civil war veterans, Sunday school children, and war mothers and wives formed in a parade and marched to the school house lawn where the services were held. Some four thousand were present to enjoy Dr. Toner's address and to show their patriotism.
The honor roll contains 112 names of which eighty of them are for the boys of Adams township, the others are on the Shelby county side of the line.
The five gold stars for those of Decatur county were placed for: John H. Barnes, William Baxter, Harrison Wiley, Pleasant Dennison, Harold Risk.
The following are the blue star boys: Lowe Bush, Allie Baxter, Cumberland Bush, John Barnard, Orla Howard, Loyd Bailey, Everett Barnard, Ralph Boi- court, Charles Brown, Ruthen Courad, Ralph Collins, Earl Craig, David Clinken- beard, Denzil Doggett, Harold Davis, Edward Darby, Franklin Miers, Ray Ed- wards, Emmett Favors, Donald Hungerford, Francis Hester, Oscar B. Howard, George Hurst, Kenneth Jewett, Edward Kurr, Basil Kanouse, Dale Kelso, Wil- liam Lindner, Paul Lindner, Joseph Luttle, Joshua Lemmons, Earl Leffler, Walter Leffler, Bryan Leffler, Wallace Davis, Clay Manship, Carl Martin, W. R. Turner, Frank Favors, Dan Favors, Jarrett Ficklin, Clarence Gosnell, Charles Green,
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.