USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Andover, Massachusetts, in the world war > Part 6
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The real test of the discipline and training of the men came in the fall. The influenza epidemic was sweeping the country, and the Merrimack Valley was es- pecially hard hit. An emergency hospital was established on Emery Hill, Law- rence, and placed in charge of the State Guard medical corps and soldiers. An- dover company was called on October 15th and in less than five hours was on duty. The men left their work at once and Captain Page took charge. Thousands of patients were treated at the tented hospital, but whether as orderlies at the hospital or on guard duty, the men of Co. H never flinched. A newspaper comment regarding the work of the Andover men, in answer to a criticism by a civilian physician who resented the military discipline at Emery Hill, is interesting. He wrote: "While visiting Emery Hill base hospital I wandered into the camp of Co. H of Andover and was impressed with the military aspects of the streets. Everything was spick and span and a won- derful change had taken place since Captain Page has been in command. It is true that the Lawrence company did all the hard work the first week and about all they received besides their $1.55 a day, were kicks and abuse by "slacker" writers. It is also true that military discipline was somewhat lax, but that cannot be said now. The Lawrence men who volunteered as a detail to help out the An- dover company appreciate the change and told Capt. Page they would stay just as long as he stayed. American Democracy evidently appreciates this kind of 'Kaiserism rampant on Emery Hill.' "
Company H remained for two weeks through the worst of the epidemic, which caused many deaths daily; yet not a case of illness was recorded among the men although they were constantly in touch with the deadly disease. This was a real service and was cheerfully given and at a time when the call for men and nurses for overseas service was at its peak.
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ANDOVER IN THE WORLD WAR
While at Emery Hill first sergeant Henry G. Tyer enlisted in the National army and was succeeded by Nathan C. Hamblin, who served until the company was mustered out of service. Sergeant Tyer was a very efficient and faithful officer. The signing of the Armistice on November 11 did not terminate the work of Company H. Labor troubles and the possibility of an outbreak in Lawrence kept the men busy preparing for such an emergency. Fortunately their services were not required. The men did not neglect their drills, and the rifle range at Wakefield gave an opportunity for many to qualify as marksmen and sharpshooters, and one was rated as an expert. The list of marksmen: Lieut. Billington, Sergt. Bradford, Sergt. Bodwell, Sergt. Stevens, Sergt. Yates, Corp. D. B. Robb, First class privates, Davis and King, Privates McCulla and Smyth; sharpshooters, Lieut. Billington, Sergt. Bradford; expert, Sergt. Bradford. As the spring of 1919 passed the order to reduce the number of State Guard companies was is- sued. It is a matter worthy of record that Andover was selected as one of the companies to be retained. The fact, however, that there was no armory in An- dover prevented the Andover men from remaining in the service, and in May it was voted to seek discharge. The company made its last public appearance on Memorial Day and in July Co. H passed into history.
The roster of the company at the time of its mustering out was as follows:
Captain; Peirson S. Page, 193 Main street
First Lieutenant; Gerard Chapin, Morton street
Second Lieutenant; Jesse S. Billington, 3 Highland Wayside
First Sergeant; Nathan C. Hamblin, 117 Chestnut street
Sergeant; Henry A. Bodwell, Morton street
Sergeant; William A. Stevens, Allen court
Supply Sergeant; W. Dudley Yates, 105 Chestnut street
Mess Sergeant; George A. Christie, 115 Chestnut street
Sergeant; Roy H. Bradford, Main street Sergeant; Alfred Robb, High street
Corporal; Eugene M. Weeks, 19 Wolcott avenue
Corporal; Frederick H. Ladd, 56 Whittier street Corporal; David H. Rae, 9 Chapman court Corporal; Roland W. Thompson, 6 Burnham road Corporal; Philip F. Ripley, 7 Abbott street Corporal; Michael J. O'Connor, 8 Harding street
Corporal; David B. Robb, 6 Morton street First Class Privates;
Chester D. Abbott, 119 Red Spring road John C. Angus, 119 Main street Edwin T. Brewster, Judson road Kirk R. Batcheller, 5 Hidden road
COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY 77
Charles W. Davis, Harding street John Deyermond, 2 Brechin Terrace Robert Dobbie, 6 Maple avenue Hiland F. Holt, Main street Henry S. Hopper, 69 Salem street Ernest C. King, 48 Elm street Harold W. Leitch, Trinity Court, North Andover
James E. Smythe, 60 Red Spring road Oswald Tower, 32 Phillips street Henry G. Tyer, Morton street Harold K. Veazie, 1 Highland Wayside
Privates:
George E. Abbott, 72 Maple avenue John Anderson, Harding street John R. Bacon, 11 Pine street Arthur J. Boucher, 25 Brechin Terrace Albert Brearley, 16 Russell street, North Andover George W. Campbell, Abbott street Peter Campbell, 4 Brechin Terrace Arthur N. Comeau, Highland road Joseph Connolly, 31 Shawsheen road Francis Geddry, 8 Brechin Terrace Arthur T. Harkins, 66 High street Amos Henault, 7 Brechin Terrace William Lewallen, 10 Wolcott avenue Thomas Low, Jr., 17 Cuba street Alfred J. Lundgren, 53 Whittier street William R. McCulla, 33 Chestnut street James H. Morss, 75 Chestnut street James Page, Burnham road Albert Ruhl, 86 Summer street Frank S. Valentine, 20 Elm street Musicians:
Arthur Bliss, Highland road David S. Lindsay, 47 Summer street
Cooks:
Frederick Hall, Essex street Jesse West, 15 Florence street Mechanics:
James M. Gorrie, 18 Brechin Terrace
Clerk:
George A. Christie
-
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ANDOVER IN THE WORLD WAR
At the banquet of the company in the Peabody House in January, 1919, Col. Cox, alluding to the spirit prevailing in the Andover company, spoke of Phillips Academy and the town, which for more than 100 years had never mixed. He said the State Guard had accomplished something which no other agency had been able to do in all these years - it had brought the men of the Hill and the men of the Town together; if for no other reason than this, the State Guard had justified its existence. By comparing the street addresses of the members of the company at its mustering out it will be readily seen that every section of the town was represented in Company H, and that instructors in the Academy and teachers in other schools took orders from the worker in the factory. It was the true Andover spirit of democracy.
Company H had probably the oldest State guardsman in service, James C. Hunter, who in spite of his nearly three score years and ten, scarcely missed a drill until the time of his discharge in January, 1918. Two other members were obliged to leave because of inability to pass the physical test: William Benson, who died during the influenza epidemic, and Corporal James Low, who afterwards enlisted in the Canadian expeditionary forces and saw service overseas.
Company H had a record of men in the service second to none. Members of the company served with distinction in the American and Allied forces, and the number who went from the ranks was not excelled by any other company in the State Guard. Not only was the number large, but the records of the men brought honor to the company and the Town of Andover. One of them, Private Charles A. Young, was the first Andover boy with the American forces to give his life for the cause. Others rendered valiant service, and no man had a more brilliant record than the organizer of the company, Bartlett H. Hayes. He went overseas with the American forces in the infantry branch of the service and was made a major on the field of battle. Out on the front line where men were face to face with death, another leader in the State Guard, Markham W. Stackpole, gave spiritual comfort to the boys as they passed to the Great Beyond. There was hardly a branch of the service which did not have a representative from Company H of the State Guard. Here is the honor roll of the Company:
Private Charles A. Young, Co. F., 101st Inf., Died of wounds, August, 1918.
SERVICE ROLL
Major Bartlett H. Hayes, Infantry, France.
Major Percival Dove, Ordnance Corps.
Major Claude M. Fuess, Quartermaster Corps.
Capt. Markham W. Stackpole, Chaplain, 102d F. A., 26th Division.
Capt. Philip W. Thomson, Headquarters Company, 76th Division, A. E. F.
Capt. Charles D. Thomson, Aircraft Construction Dept., Washington, D. C. Sergt. Alexander M. Ness, 302d M. G. Battalion, France.
79
COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Sergt. Sharon O. Brown, Headquarters Company, Camp Devens. Sergeant C. Carlton Kimball, Camp Devens.
Corp. David B. Campbell, 8th Field Amb. Casuals, C. E. F., Siberia. Private Charles H. Ross, 8th Field Ambulance, C. E. F.
Private James Low, Aero Signal Corps, C. E. F., France.
First-Class Private Edward Downs, 55th C. A. C., 3d Regiment, France.
Private Frank L. Carrie, 55th C. A. C., 3d Regt., France.
Private Roy E. Hardy, Co. N, 116th Engineers, A. E. F.
Private James K. Nicol, Canadians. Private Lewis C. Rokes, North Andover, U. S. Cavalry.
Private Charles W. Davis, limited service.
First-Class Private Claremont I. N. Gray, U. S. Army, Camp Devens. Private Harold Gray, U. S. Army.
Capt. Augustus P. Thompson, Red Cross, France.
Frank L. Quinby, Athletic Instructor, France.
Private Roy S. Haggard, Government Service, Sheffield, Ala.
Andover's company in the State Guard was organized for the specific purpose of providing a measure of protection to the citizens of the town in cases of emer- gency. It was not intended for service outside the State, but, had the call come, its members would have volunteered as readily as they did on every occasion during the two years of its existence. It was a valuable training for the men who went across and for the men who stayed at home. Its record was an honorable one and worthy of its place in the annals of the town.
IV
THE LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
BY BURTON S. FLAGG 1
T HE first call for organized effort in selling Liberty Loans at Andover was re- ceived from the Governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, in a letter addressed to Mr. Nathaniel Stevens, President of the Andover Na- tional Bank.
President Stevens called a meeting of the Finance Committee of Public Safety to be held in the Lower Town Hall, Andover, on Saturday, May 19th, 1917, at 8.00 p.m., to consider the organization of a Liberty Loan Committee for Andover and North Andover.
The following memoranda are taken from the minutes of the early meet- ings of this committee:
"Mr. Nathaniel Stevens was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. George Abbot temporary Secretary.
Voted: That the Liberty Loan Committee of Andover and North Andover consist of the Finance Committees of Public Safety of both towns, together with John H. Campion, John .N. Cole, Harry M. Eames, Burton S. Flagg, Frederick H. Jones, John H. McDonald, Samuel D. Stevens, and James J. Murray. The following permanent officers were elected:
Nathaniel Stevens, Chairman Alfred L. Ripley, Vice-Chairman Chester W. Holland, Secretary.
Voted: That the Chairman appoint an Executive Committee to carry on the active work."
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Liberty Loan Committee of Andover and North Andover was held on Thursday evening, May 24th, at 8.00 p.m., in the banking room of the Andover National Bank.
At this meeting were present:
Messrs. Nathaniel Stevens Alfred L. Ripley John H. Campion
James J. Murray
Harry R. Dow
John H. McDonald
James C. Sawyer
Burton S. Flagg C. W. Holland
Plans were discussed at some length regarding the best method to be used in directing the Liberty Loan in Andover and North Andover. It was finally moved
JOHN JOSEPH MURPHY Sergeant, 101st Infantry, U. S. Army Killed in action, October 27, 1918
[82]
83
THE LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
and seconded that the following committees and committee chairmen be ap- pointed, who were, in turn, authorized to choose members for their respective committees, to aid the floating of the Liberty Loan in Andover and North An- dover.
MANUFACTURERS' COMMITTEE George F. Smith, Chairman
COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS - Andover, Fred G. Cheney North Andover, James J. Murray
WOMEN'S CLUBS AND WOMEN'S SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS Andover, Mrs. James C. Sawyer North Andover, Miss Kate H. Stevens
COMMITTEE ON CHURCHES AND CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Andover and North Andover, Frederic S. Boutwell
COMMITTEE ON GRANGE
Andover, George Averill North Andover, Peter Holt
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS
Andover, Henry C. Sanborn North Andover, Dana P. Dame
PHILLIPS AND ABBOT ACADEMIES
James C. Sawyer
COMMITTEE ON PUBLICITY John N. Cole
COMMITTEE ON SPEAKERS
Mr. Ripley and Judge Dow
At the request of the chairman, Alfred L. Ripley, Esq., gave a brief talk re- garding Government Loans and also the facts pertaining to the United States Government 312% Loan, known as the "Liberty Loan."
The several organizations were approached, and the First Liberty Loan Campaign was discussed before the members by the presidents of the following organizations, either at regular or special meetings:
Garfield Lodge - James Soutar. I. O. O. F., Andover Lodge, - David Leslie. Shawsheen Lodge, Ballardvale, - Elizabeth Bruce. Lincoln Lodge, - Lincoln Cates.
84
ANDOVER IN THE WORLD WAR
Royal Arcanum, - Warren L. Johnson.
Andover Canoe Club, - Horace Hale Smith.
Grand Army, - George W. Chandler. Hibernians, - David Lynch. Ballardvale, I. O. G. T., - D. H. Poor. Sons of Veterans, - Elmer E. Philbrick. Clan Johnston, - Samuel R. Harris. Masons, - M. B. McTernen. R. C. O. A. - Harry Sellars. <
Andover Club, - David Lawson.
Degree of Honor, - Mrs. Joseph H. Nuckley.
Rebekahs, - Mrs. George E. Holt.
Ladies' Auxiliary to Clan Johnston, - Mrs. Graw. Women's Relief Corps, - Mrs. Franklin S. Valentine.
Mothers' Club, - Mrs. James Feeney. Bradlee Mothers' Club, - Mrs. Ralph Bruce.
Tuesday Club, - Mrs. John V. Holt.
November Club, - Miss Kate Swift.
The first and second loans were handled by this organization jointly. The third, fourth, and fifth were managed by each town individually, the Federal Reserve Bank having allotted a definite amount to Andover based upon its bank- ing resources and assessed values of real and personal property. These amounts were very considerably in excess of the allotment to other towns upon a per capita basis, mainly because the Andover Savings Bank, representing one of the larger institutions of this class in the State, was located in Andover.
ORGANIZATION
The preliminary meetings of the solicitors were held at the Insurance Offices in the Bank Building. There was seldom an absentee from these meetings. The group of solicitors were carefully trained as to the technical features of each loan, their maturity, their dates, the amounts, interest and tax features, and were thor- oughly instructed as to the answers to various questions and problems.
In the later loans, the Andover National Bank took care of the full payment or cash plan : the installment or ten monthly payment arrangement was conducted in the Andover Savings Bank and affected largely those who purchased bonds in fifty and one hundred dollar denominations.
85
THE LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
All reports as far as possible were made daily, and credits were received from the Federal Reserve Bank each day for subscriptions made by Andover people, whether at home or in other towns and through other than local banks. Nearly every Andoverian saw to it that his home town received credit for his subscrip- tion, and it was most gratifying to find how many purchasers elsewhere endeavored personally to follow up the Andover record to make sure that their home town did actually receive the credit.
The working personnel of the Andover organization remained practically in- tact throughout the several campaigns.
Many avenues of approach were adopted to acquaint the public with the various phases of the loans. Leaflets were furnished in many languages for dis- tribution to those who were not familiar with English. Posters, literature, and stickers for each loan were allotted a township upon the basis of population, and prior to the solicitation for each loan in Andover, distribution was made by the Andover Boy Scouts in all public places, stores, homes, railroad stations, churches, garages, and mills.
The cooperation of the Boy Scouts, under the direction of Scout Master Henry G. Tyer, was noteworthy in the punctuality, intelligence, and fine spirit displayed. The conspicuous workers in behalf of the Boy Scouts were: Knowlton Stone, Daniel Allen, Harold Robbins, Allen Buttrick, F. Tyler Carleton, Frederick Cole, Leslie Monan, Geoffrey Nichol, Lawrence Reed, Windsor Wade. The local organization accomplished so much that the members were utilized in all Liberty Loan work where possible. They often assisted as messengers, made house to house distribution, spread Liberty Loan propaganda, and made them- selves generally useful.
The Colonial Theatre, under the management of Mr. Resnik, cooperated to all extent possible in the local presentation of war pictures. These films were made by the motion picture industries at large expense and were government property.
The Executive Committee relied upon a wide publicity through:
1. Local newspaper space for educational purposes, and much reading space in addition.
2. Acquaintance with and capable presentation of loan features by the so- licitors to the individual purchaser.
3. Distribution of circulars to every householder.
4. Advertising by representative business men and citizens.
5. Loan advertisements contributed by some firm or individual. (The Andover Townsman issued April 3, 1918, carried 38 advertisers who sent special Liberty Loan copy. The spirit of all advertisers was "Use as much of my space as you wish.")
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ANDOVER IN THE WORLD WAR
The large posters effected wonderful accomplishment, particularly in the Fourth and Fifth Loans. Convincing posters were used to prevent citizens from disposing of Liberty Bonds for other securities. Solicitors reported that one of the most telling cards of distribution throughout Andover was "If you haven't bought Liberty Bonds, don't talk war around here."
For the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Campaigns, a clock arrangement was in- stalled on the Bank Building, indicating day by day the local progress of the Loan.
The government, through the Treasury Department, had arranged to award every Liberty Loan worker a medal for patriotic service in behalf of the Liberty Loans. These were made from captured German cannon, and were distributed at the close of the Liberty Loan campaigns as a distinct recognition of the service of the Liberty Loan workers.
Two helmets were awarded to each town. One helmet was given to the per- son through whose definite influence the largest amount of subscriptions during the various loans was received. This helmet was presented to George F. Smith, in view of his patriotic undertakings. The second helmet was damaged in transit and was so entirely incomplete that it could not be used.
The Executive Committee were ably assisted in the Fourth and Fifth drives by the Women's Committee, chairmaned in the Fourth Campaign by Mrs. James Cowan Sawyer, and in the Fifth, by Mrs. John Voorhis Holt.
Their efforts amplified in no uncertain way the men's organization already in trim, and the Executive Committee only wish that the women's organization had been actively participating in previous loans, all of which would have resulted in even larger quotas both in Andover and elsewhere.
FIRST LIBERTY LOAN
The first loan largely represented free investment capital. No appeal to sell the bonds upon business grounds was made. They were taken by those who had money on hand or who could sell securities to raise the amount of their subscrip- tion. The result was liquidation of some proportions.
The solicitors were instructed to encourage the installment plan of pay- ment, but to discourage withdrawals from banks, or the sale of securities. The Andover National Bank was the agency for the partial or installment payment plan.
The operation of this issue had naturally many complications. Human na- ture in the men and women would many times object to the low interest yield.
87
THE LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
The Government studied this delicate situation and its plans for the second Liberty Loan were accordingly more clearly set forth: the seriousness of the current problems, what was being done with the money, the relation of the in- terest to the loan itself, the financial condition of the country and the protection of other investments, and many other factors that were essential in so gigantic a task.
The partial payment plan contemplated ten payments of an equal amount each month, commencing July 15, 1917, upon the maturity of which the pur- chaser received his first Liberty Bond.
Huge as it was, the absorption of this loan was a warning for Germany. Although it was large, it made no such demand on our resources as did the $500,000,000 loan in 1862, which amounted to 3.33% of the total wealth of the Northern States and was sold direct to the people in currency at par. Our First Liberty Loan amounted to 3.39% of our National wealth, but our per capita wealth was $2000 as against $500 in '62.
Advertising propaganda was used to no particular extent in floating this loan. Nor were marked efforts made to urge our people to make drastic reforms in their mode of life. The local Committee, however, endeavored to acquaint all people through the local press and limited advertising, as to the methods of payment, the place of subscription, and the care of the bond. Many purchasers had never owned a bond before.
The First Liberty Bond Sale closed at noon, June 15, 1917, and Andover and North Andover, doing as was expected, raised their allotment and several thou- sands of dollars besides, which did not pass directly through the Andover Banks but for which the Andovers received credit. The results were as follows:
Allotment
, $400,000
Total amount sold
434,250
Ten Payment Plan .
·
132,550
Government Installment plan
· 158,100
Cash Purchases
. 143,600
Record Day, June 8th
· 158,950
Number of Contributors, 1931
On June 20, 1917, the Executive Committee publicly expressed their deep appreciation of all that had been done to make the Liberty Loan successful, stating that "our Andover people have not only lived up to their traditions, but have proved loyal to the Government and the cause for which we fight."
The total amount subscribed by the two towns in the first loan ranked high among the cities and towns of Massachusetts, and it was believed, although no records were or are available, that from all sources, Andover presumably sub- scribed nearly $700,000.
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ANDOVER IN THE WORLD WAR
SECOND LIBERTY LOAN
The Executive Committee of the "Liberty Loan Committee of Andover and North Andover," were called into session in November, 1917, at the Andover Na- tional Bank, to consider a Second Liberty Loan.
The country had learned by experience that, if the raising of $2,000,000,000 had caused liquidation, the raising of $3,000,000,000 as the Second Liberty Loan allotment, would cause 50% more liquidation. If that were the case, the war could never be financed. The campaign for the Second Loan was accordingly one of education.
The Government stated that its sound cash position was the basis of a large amount of credit which would have no limit except what the citizens wished to make it. This support meant the backing, with money, of those industries on which the Government must depend for its supplies - transportation, farming, mining, and manufacture.
The solicitors were impressed with the fact that buying bonds should mean real sacrifice; that less should be spent and more saved; that approximately one- half of the income of every individual of the Nation must go into government war loans and taxes; that the government must not be cramped; that her pro- gram must be carried out.
The names of all possible subscribers in each household were listed, including the head of the house, adult children, servants, etc. Subscriptions were held con- fidential. People were urged to pay for the bonds out of current earnings, and the solicitor was told to offer his services in making arrangements with sub- scribers' employers, or otherwise, when necessary. Additional subscriptions were obtained by suggesting to parents that subscriptions be made for their minor children.
A systematic division of Andover was made comprising seven districts with captain and lieutenants for each.
At the conclusion it was found that Andover and North Andover had again accomplished what they were asked to do, and far more, with a
Total Amount of Bonds sold
$1,249,950
as against
An Allotment of
672,000
The Executive Committee expressed gratitude to all solicitors "for the thor- oughness of the work and fine spirit of cooperative effort in solicitation." They further requested that the present organization be kept intact for the Third Lib- erty Loan.
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