USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > History of Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 45
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The chorus was made up of ten thousand trained voices, ac- companied by the largest organ in the world, a thousand instru- ments, an anvil chorus with artillery accompaniment stationed outside, with an audience of fifty thousand seated in the building.
In 1865 the Adjutant General of Massachusetts sent the fol- lowing letter to the Selectmen of every town and the Mayors of the several cities in the state. "As a matter of public interest I am endeavoring to ascertain what proportion, if any, of the re- turned soldiers belonging to your town have been guilty of any crime since their return home; or whether their habits have been better, or worse, than they were before they entered the army."
To this inquiry the Selectmen of Dedham made the following reply. "We know of but one returned soldier who has been charged with crime in this town. We also believe that the habits of the others, so far as we can judge, are as good as they were before the war. In short it is our belief that the town of Dedham has reason to be proud of her soldiers, and its moral condition is none the worse for them. Their practise and example are worthy of all praise."
SPANISH WAR. The war with Spain was brief but momen- tous in results, in the control of territory which fell to the United States. When the insurrection broke out in Cuba in 1895, it ex- cited but little interest in the United States; it was regarded as just another Spanish insurrection, but when on the evening of Feb. 15, 1898, the battleship "Maine" was blown up in Havana Harbor the excitement was intense. After due deliberation war with Spain was declared on April 21, 1898. The president issued a
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call on April 23 for 125,000 volunteers, and so great was the en- thusiasm that a million men afforded themselves where only 125,000 could be taken. On May 25, 1898, a second call was made for 75,000 volunteers and again the government was over- whelmed with offers to meet the demand.
Dedham was represented by twenty soldiers in the army whose names are recorded; five in the navy, and three in the United States Marines. Dedham men served in the navy under the gallant Admiral Dewey. The Dedham boys who served in "The First Heavy Artillery" have the proud distinction of serv- ing in a regiment that has been identified for more than a century with American history. Battery D was chartered in 1784 in Roxbury and first saw active service in Shay's Rebellion in 1786. Battery G dates its origin from 1786 with active service in the War of 1812. Battery K was first enrolled at the time of our brief war with France in 1798 as the Boston Light Infantry.
Complete lists of those who represented Dedham in the Colonial Wars, the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War have been compiled but it has been found impossible to get a complete roster of Dedham soldiers who took part in the war with Spain. It is estimated by competent State authorities that the number did not exceed 40 men serving in Cuba, Puerto Rico, China and the Philippines, covering a period from 1898 to 1902. Several were commissioned officers and one, Percival Gasset, was a sergeant in the First Volunteer Cavalry in Roosevelt's Rough Riders. The war with Spain came to a close, after four months' duration, in August, 1898. President Mckinley, addressing the returning army, spoke this truism: The highest tribute that can be paid to a soldier is to say that he did his full duty.
It is to be regretted that so much space has to be given to wars, but is is unavoidable in tracing the history of our country. It should be recorded that it is the women of Dedham who have suffered most in the awful burdens and woes of war which have fallen on the innocent and helpless. "Men go off," says a recent editorial writer, "to the front in gay uniforms, colors flying, crowds cheering, preachers sermonizing, Congress spouting and the newspapers screaming about patriotism. The men come back as worshipped heroes. Or if they don't come back, their sufferings and sacrifices are short, sharp and soon over. Then
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the women take up the burden and carry it through the years. Nobody makes a hero out of the soldier's widow, who goes over the top not once but every morning at daylight to fight her way with unaccustomed hands against a ruthless world. Nobody sells Liberty bonds to clothe and feed and equip the fatherless children condemned to help earn bread for the family of the dead soldier hero. With the aid of women war will be brought to an end."
NAMES OF MEN WHO REPRESENTED DEDHAM IN THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR AND THE PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION .*
Bennet, Charles Allen
Heyn, Frank A.
O'Leary, Edward James
Chapman, Frank
Hollingsworth, John W.
O'Leary, Peter V.
Colbert, Joseph
Hurley, Edward W.
Partridge, Eugene Hale
Colburn, Alvin
Hurley, Patrick
Quirk, Patrick A.
Crane, John Edward
Keegan, James J.
Reynolds, Edward F.
Fairbanks, Eben M.
Krentel, Alois Arno
Rizkalla, Geo. N.
Fitzgerald, Wm. Henry
Lawton, John
Smith, Charles S.
Fuller, Horace Fisher
Martin, John
Smith, John Francis
Gassett, Percival
Moran, John J.
Weld, Joseph M.
Gould, Wm. B. Jr.
Morhoff, Wm. C.
Wells, Jarvis A.
Harney, David J.
O'Day, Michael J.
White, Henry Joseph
Smith, Fred P.
Gallagher, Robert L.
Meyer, Oscar
* As time goes by from year to year orators on Memorial Day are very apt to slight and quite frequently omit entirely in their patriotic speeches any remarks in reference to the Spanish War. As this nation has always stood for freedom within its own territory so did it stand in behalf of its neighboring friends in Cuba in their trouble with Spain and also in the so-called family troubles with the people in the Philippine Islands. The suffering and disabilities caused our troops in their service in the Philippine Islands were enormous in comparison with previous wars.
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CHAPTER XXVII
WORLD WAR
W HEN the great World War broke out in 1914 sympathetic and public spirited citizens of Dedham immediately aided in raising funds for the stricken countries. How much was done for Belgium will never be recorded, nor will the amount of assistance given the French wounded in the early years of the war ever be told.
DEDHAM'S AID FOR FRANCE. The first community work in Dedham for the World War was organized in May, 1915, and was called "Dedham's Aid for France." The call for workers met with immediate response from women eager to help in the great cause and soon the Vestry of the First Church,* where the war work commenced, became the center of untiring activity which was kept up during the entire war. Every day the workers for "Dedham's Aid for France" turned out a large number of surgi- cal dressings which were made under trained directors and steri- lized before shipment abroad. Soon the work was enlarged and hospital garments, comforters, useful articles of almost every de- scription, were being sent overseas by this organization. Dedham people will long remember the zeal with which they ransacked their houses for old linen, old cotton, feather beds to be converted into pillows, bits of felt and carpet to be made into slippers, but- tons, sewing materials, soap, and games, in fact everything that could add to the comfort of the brave French soldiers. Through this and kindred organizations, from May, 1915, to November, 1918, 1,000,949 surgical dressings and hospital supplies were sent to Europe from Dedham. As the war went on "Comfort Cheer Bags" were made by some of the organizations and later sent to the boys overseas. As the women of Dedham spun and wove and knit for the Continental Army in the Revolution, and the women of Dedham made clothing for the troops in the Civil War, so the women of Dedham united in the World War to meet the needs of the army.
* The vestry of the First Church was the town hospital during the terrible influenza scourge that visited us. The large airy room was filled with cots, the ladies' parlor and stage included, and a number of persons passed their last hours here faithfully attended by unprofessional and volunteer nurses.
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"Photo by U. S. Signal Corps."
ENTRANCE TO DUCOUT IN FRANCE
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Top, AMERICAN LEGION POST HOUSE; bottom, U. S. S. JACOB JONES POST HOUSE
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DEDHAM CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. The American Red Cross, ever active in humanitarian work, es- pecially appealed to the patriotic, public-spirited citizens of Ded- ham, and at least one citizen (Miss Marie Ells) spent nearly two and a half years as a Red Cross nurse in the French, British and American service. The Red Cross is one of the most beneficent in- struments of our American history. As the great war went on citizens of Dedham, hoping to carry on its work more efficiently, organized October 7, 1916, the Dedham Chapter of the American Red Cross, with meetings on Monday and Tuesday mornings, in the Vestry of the First Church. In this way they demonstrated their interest in the prevention of suffering and the ministrations of mercy to those in sickness, peril, and need. In the very efficient work of the Dedham Chapter no one in any department, sewing, knitting, surgical dressing, or for service in Boston, received a salary. The work was wholly voluntary. President Wilson desig- nated the week of June 17, 1917 as Red Cross Week, and asked the people of the Country to raise $100,000,000 to be used for the needs of the soldiers and sailors on both sides of the water, includ- ing the work of the Red Cross. This vast sum was needed for housing and providing for the comfort and amusement of the men. In this drive Dedham raised $4,487.80. In the 1918 Red Cross Christmas Roll Call, to raise the membership to ten million, Dedham's quota was 2,767; the Town went over the top with 2,796 members. Dedham's Red Cross Day, May 23, 1918, was marked with great enthusiasm. In the early evening a procession marched through the principal streets of the town and a Mass Meeting followed in Memorial Hall with an overflow gathering of a thousand people in the square. Patriotic addresses were given by several service men.
While Dedham's quota was $16,380, the town made a contri- bution of $20,000 as the citizens appreciated the vital work that was being done "over there" in the hospitals and the blood- drenched battlefields. The magnitude of the work of the Dedham Chapter in the war is shown by the annual report of 1918, when the Surgical Dressing Department made 409,391 articles and the Sewing Department, in ten months, furnished 11,157 items. A Junior Red Cross was organized in each Public School. Entertain-
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ments were given by the pupils to crowded houses, to raise money for the purchase of materials. Pupils did much knitting and en- gaged in making games for convalescent soldiers. In less than three months the Junior Red Cross raised more than $1800 in the Dedham public schools. In the High School more than three hundred, including the entire sophomore class, joined the Junior Red Cross, although forty were already members of the Senior organization.
PREPAREDNESS DAY. All roads led to Boston on May 27, 1916, which was celebrated as Preparedness Day. Forty thou- sand men and women marched through flag-lined streets. All of Greater Boston joined to make the day a memorable demonstra- tion of patriotism.
SELECTIVE DRAFT. In the first registration under the se- lective act of 1917, of those who registered in June, 1917, of the ages 21 to 30, eight hundred and seventy-five were residents of Dedham. In the second registration, held in June, 1918, of those who registered as having attained their 21st birthday since June 5, 1917, fifty-two were of Dedham. In the third registration held September 12, 1918, of the ages of 18 to 45, one thousand two hundred and twenty-six were residents of Dedham. On the morning of the first registration in the selective draft, church bells were rung and whistles blown at 7 A. M., the hour for open- ing the registration booths. James O'Brien was the first man to complete his registration. During the day young ladies from the Dedham High School pinned badges on the lapels of the coats of the young men as they passed down the aisle after registration. In the evening young men from the High School took their places. The badges were in the National colors. Across the center was the word "Registered" and around the outer edge the words "United States Military Service." Francisco Antonio Barbuts was the first person to be drafted and Henry Frank Lehmann has the distinction of being the first man from Dedham to be registered for the call to the colors. It should be noted that in every war in which the country has been engaged, those of foreign birth or descent have stood side by side and shoulder to shoulder with the natives of the town. Of the six hundred and forty-two men who served Dedham in the World War, four hundred and
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forty-three were in the Army; one hundred and forty-seven in the Navy, and fifty-two in the Marine Corps. And of this number eighteen died in the service. All branches of the service were represented by Dedham service men.
Henry Weston Farnsworth was the first Dedham boy to make the supreme sacrifice and perhaps the first to enlist in the war. In the early days of the great war he went to France and in January, 1915, enlisted with the French Foreign Legion. In the battle at Tahure, France in October, 1915, between the French and Austro-German forces he was killed, our first to die for World democracy. John Ruddeman, Jr., was the first Dedham soldier to lose his life in the United States service. He died of scarlet fever January 14, 1918 at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washing- ton, D. C. Robert R. Bayard, Jr., was the first Dedham soldier to die in action. He was in the battle at Chemin des Dames, France and was killed on February 9, 1918. It should be recorded that two Dedham boys, Joseph Leon Fiola and Norman G. Barrett, were among 60 soldiers who braved death in the voluntary inocu- lation with trench fever germs, to enable Army surgeons to study the cause of the spread of this disease in the army in France. Dedham is proud of the heroism of her sons who went through a long and weakening sickness in order that their comrades might be safeguarded against the bane of the Western front, trench fever.
FLAGS. From April 2, 1917 the National flag was prom- inently displayed in town during the period of the war on all pub- lic buildings and many private houses. In the churches of Ded- ham for the first time the National flag and the flag of the Com- monwealth found a place; the one at the right and the other at the left of the altar. Service flags also adorned the churches.
WAR SAVING STAMPS. A drive for selling War Saving Stamps was carried on. The stamps and instructions were ob- tainable from the Postmaster. A thrift card with space for six- teen stamps was issued. When the card was filled with twenty- five cent Thrift Stamps, it became exchangeable for a War Saving Stamp for which the United States Government prom- ised to pay five dollars on January 23, 1923. The work was vig- orously carried on in the public schools and to their credit a large percentage of all enrolled pupils bought War Saving Stamps.
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COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SERVICE. A committee of Pub- lic Service for Dedham and Westwood was organized March 17, 1917, with twelve sub-committees, all of which were organized for efficient work. Many patriotic Mass Meetings were held under the auspices of the Public Service Committee and through its ef- forts the citizens of the town were held to a high degree of en- thusiasm throughout the war period. In July, 1917 the Public Service Committee sent cards through the mail to all women resi- dents, inviting each to sign the card and by so doing become a member of the United States Food Administration in the conduct of her household. All signed cards were sent to Washington where they were held for reference.
FOOD ADMINISTRATION. The United States Food Admin- istration, of which Henry B. Endicott of Dedham was the State Food Administrator, regulated the distribution of food products during the years of the War. In 1918, to meet the shortage of wheat, flour rules limiting jobbers (grocers) to 70 per cent of the amount handled by them the previous year were adopted. Rules were also issued limiting the distribution of flour to twenty- five pounds in cities and fifty pounds in rural districts. The Ad- ministration also ruled that all consumers must purchase substi- tutes with all flour purchases, one pound of corn meal, corn flour, barley meal, or barley flour (33 per cent) for each four pounds of wheat flour purchased. In December, 1917, to prevent hoarding, only a small quantity of flour was sold to each customer, prefer- ably as low as one eighth of a bushel. All were urged to use as much corn meal as possible. This was not a hardship in New Eng- land as corn had been used here in making Johnny cake or Indian sponge cake, as it was sometimes called, and other dishes since the settlement of the Colony. The armies and the Allies could not use corn as they had no mills for grinding corn into meal, nor were they familiar with the use of corn in bread-making. The Government issued twenty recipes for the use of corn meal in bread-making, desserts and other uses.
Early in 1918, only a limited amount of sugar (two pounds- was allowed each person. On Tuesday, August 6, 1918, under new regulations, sugar cards were issued at the Town Hall allowing two pounds per person each month and limiting the purchase to two pounds at a time. No sugar was sold by the local dealers
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WORLD WAR
without the presentation of the sugar card; later in the year, how- ever, an allowance of four pounds per capita was made. Prices ran very high; corn sold at $4.00 a bushel, and wheat at $6.00. Farm help ran from $70 to $80 per month or $5.00 a day. Men looking for jobs asked $6.50 for farm work. Potatoes (at one time) sold for $6.00 a bushel, eggs, $1.20 a dozen, flour $18.00 a barrel, su- gar 28c a pound, milk 18c a quart, and butter 60c a pound. A good average cow cost from $150 to $200, while a good pair of farm horses cost $500. There were five gasless Sundays in 1918. No one was allowed to go out in autos except on errands of mercy or necessity. All were made to feel that gasless Sundays meant gasless Sundays. A Dedham physician whose auto failed him in visiting the sick called home for aid and those members of his family who went to his assistance were hooted, as they rode through the streets, by the bystanders who assumed they were out for pleasure. Those who did business in the city will long remem- ber the five-day closing order, which was made on the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 1918, that for five days beginning the following Friday the consumption of coal in territory east of the Mississippi River would be forbidden to all industries except ship- building and food producing plants. This meant that all stores and office buildings were to be closed followed by ten heatless Mondays. For a period of time all office buildings were opened at 9 o'clock in the morning and closed at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. There was a Government embargo on the use of paper at this time and full editions of magazines and newspapers were not allowed. No-white-bread-week was put into effect August 6, 1917. Corn meal was re-introduced and rye bread was in greater demand than ever before. The State Food Administrator ordered that for two days each week all citizens eliminate white bread from their tables. A home card issued by the United States Food Adminis- trator stated: "Our problem is to feed the Allies and our soldiers abroad by sending them as much food as we can of the most con- centrated nutritious values in the least shipping space." The fol- lowing program was offered. Have two wheatless days (Monday and Wednesday) in each week, and one wheatless meal in each day. Have one meatless day (Tuesday) in every week, and a meatless meal in every day. Have two porkless days (Thursday and Saturday) in each week. Saturday, January 4, 1918 was a "porkless day" except for use in baked beans. In the fall of 1917
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Mr. Hoover advocated two fish days in each week, estimating that in this way two billion pounds of meat would be released for the armies. War-time restrictions were placed on all eating places, which remained in force until January 1919, when patrons were allowed to eat as much bread, meat, butter, cheese, and other foods as they desired. The Food Administration furnished home cards to hang in kitchens, and use as a chart by which to solve the problem of how to serve the country in its "time of trial." Thus the war diet of the American people was made up.
FUEL COMMISSION. In the spring of 1918 James J. Stor- row, of the Fuel Commission of Massachusetts, issued the follow- ing: "The people of New England should realize that there is going to be a shortage of coal as long as the war lasts. If we expect to get through next winter without individual suffering and without the closing of many war industries, it will be neces- sary for every one to cut down the use of coal. Stock up the woodshed instead of the coal bin." All householders were re- quested not to use coal for heating before the first day of Novem- ber or, after the first of May, unless the temperature in their homes was below 60 degrees. In July 1918 householders were notified that they might be put on a ration as in England and France. On July 19, 1918 the Fuel Commission gave notice that no house should be heated with coal before December 1, and only as much coal was allowed as was necessary to heat a house to 68 degrees. To conserve coal the Dedham Public Library was closed two days in the week and semi-public buildings were not opened at all. Dealers in coal had to file weekly reports, stating the name and addresses of all customers to whom deliveries had been made the previous week, with the quantity delivered to each. Any violation of this regulation was subject to a severe penalty.
WOOD CUTTING. Following the suggestion of Commissioner Storrow residents of Dedham engaged in wood cutting in 1918. Business men took advantage of Sundays and holidays to chop wood which was either used at home or sold to relieve the shortage of coal. Men of the First Parish cut wood on the Church wood lot, with which to heat the Meeting House for the Union religious services held during the winter of 1918.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. In 1915 members of the Ded- ham Grange became convinced that as an organization they ought
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to do something for the welfare of the community. As the basic principle of the order is the promotion of agriculture, it was con- ceived that no better work could be undertaken than engaging school children in War Gardens: the interesting of them in raising flowers and vegetables and in keeping home premises in good condition. The work met with the hearty approval of the School Committee and through the cooperation of teachers the school children were informed that the Grange would give cash prizes, gold and silver medals, and ribbons, for the best-kept vege- table and flower gardens and the most tidy premises in each school district. One hundred and fifty Grammar School pupils enrolled in the work. A Committee of the Grange examined each proposed garden plot and inspected home premises. In the fall the Grange gave an appropriate entertainment and in the pres- ence of a large audience presented the prizes to the proud winners.
LIBERTY DAY. On April 26, 1918, Dedham observed "Lib- erty Day," dedicated to sixty-nine young men then at the front blazing the way for patriots at home. A parade was held in the early afternoon through the principal streets of the town; the dedication of a tablet in front of the Dedham Historical Building, bearing the names of the three hundred and eighty-two of the town's sons in the army and navy ; the delivering of addresses and a band concert. At the dedication of the Tablet an address was given by the Reverend Francis Lee Whittemore, followed by an address by Lieutenant Richard R. Murray, a member of the first continent, Canadian Engineers, at home because of wounds re- ceived at the front. There were two thousand persons present in Memorial Square and each event of the day was marked by great enthusiasm.
DEDHAM SUBURBAN RELIEF WORKERS. At the sug- gestion of the Knights of Columbus, who financed the work, more than 200 Christmas boxes were sent to Dedham boys in the serv- ice in 1918. As a part of the contribution, the Relief Workers added to each kit an extra heavy sweater. Henry B. Endicott donated to the Association his extensive lawn, prepared and pro- vided with seeds for a War Garden: with the cooperation of inter- ested friends the garden was such a success that from the pro- ceeds, the work of the Association was carried on during the entire winter of 1918. The Dedham Suburban Relief established a can-
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