USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Newton war memorial > Part 5
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 | Part 20
Union Church, Waban
The Ladies' Circle of Union Church, Waban, re- ports contributions made to the Newton South Allies, Red Cross, and Belgian Relief. The Waban Branch of the Red Cross met at Union Church. Among the various activities listed by the organization are "smil- eage books" bought by members, Christmas and com- fort bags for the soldiers, the collecting of books and magazines for camp, entertaining of soldiers and sailors in the homes of the members, the presenting of a ser- vice flag to the church, besides contributions of money.
Congregational Church, Newton Highlands
From the Woman's Church Aid and Missionary Society of the Congregational Church, Newton High- lands, comes the statement that the members of this society worked through the Woman's Associates and the Red Cross. The women from all the churches in Newton Highlands assembled at the school house and worked together all during the war.
St. Paul's Church, Newton Highlands
The following report of war activities comes from St. Paul's Church, Newton Highlands :
"During the war, more than 1200 men from the Navy were entertained in Newton Highlands. Most of these came on Saturday afternoon and remained until Sunday evening. On Saturday evening a party or dance was arranged, the girls from the community coming in to help entertain the men. Many of the parties were held in the homes, but as the number of men increased, a larger room was needed. The vestry of St. Paul's Church offered the Parish House for these occasions.
"Ten dances and one evening of dramatics were given in the Parish House. The men came from thirty different ships, and from thirty-eight states and Alaska.
"At the request of Chaplain Mitchell of the U. S. S. Florida, four parties were arranged for the Midship- men from this ship. The Midshipmen came with Lieutenant Com. Meclewski, their commanding officer, who was so grateful for the attention shown the men that he allowed them to give a dance for the young ladies of St. Paul's Church. This was also given in the Parish House of St. Paul's Church which was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
"The influence of St. Paul's Church during the war was very great. Many of the men who had not been inside of a church for years attended services. Many asked, during the dances, if they might see the church.
"The Committee for 'Home Hospitality' was made
27
up of Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Christian Scientists, and Roman Catholics, all of whom came to St. Paul's Parish House."
Universalist Church, Newtonville
The Special Aid Society of the Universalist Church, Newtonville, was organized in March, 1917. This society made garments during the war for the soldiers and sailors besides surgical dressings, and entertained both soldiers and sailors. Several teachers in the pub- lic schools who were members of the society did work for the government at Washington.
First Church of Christ, Scientist
The Christian Science Church sent members of its church to Camp Devens during the war to entertain the returned soldiers. Miss Lena Hall had charge of the work, which was greatly appreciated by the authorities at Camp Devens. A unit from this church also met weekly for the purpose of making clothing to send overseas.
Church of the New Jerusalem, Newtonville
Though a small body, the Women's League of the Church of the New Jerusalem, Newtonville, was very active during the war in the Red Cross and Special Aid Societies. They also cooperated with the Massa- chusetts Alliance of New Church Women. This so- ciety sewed and otherwise helped a French family in this country whose father was killed during the war. All-day sewing meetings were also held-except on the first Thursday of the month-on Thursdays from January, 1915, to March, 1918. Other activities re- corded are toys sent to English children at Christmas, clothing sent to the War Relief workers in England, money contributions for the Belgian Relief Fund, etc.
Soldiers and sailors were entertained in homes of members, books collected and sent to soldiers in camp. Two Special Aid Units working with the Newtonville Woman's Club for the French War Relief, were given the use of the New Church Parlors, sewing machines, etc.
St. John's Church, Newtonville
The Woman's Guild of St. John's Church, Newton- ville, reports that surgical dressings and bandages were made by them in cooperation with the local Red Cross. Several hundred dollars worth of yarn was donated by one member and made into garments.
Central Church, Newtonville
Another active church organization was the Woman's Association of Central Church, Newtonville. Members of this organization worked with the Special Aid Society, the Seamen's Friend Society, and the local Red Cross. Many contributions were sent to the near East Relief and the starving children of Europe.
Nine members of this association were engaged in special forms of war work: Miss Louise Sherman, Near East Relief ; Miss Cornelia Taylor, Y. M. C. A .; Miss Evelyn Stewart, Y. M. C. A .; Miss Margaret McGill, Intercollegiate College; Mrs. George Wilkins, Camp Devens; Miss Isabelle Puffer, Occupational Therapy at Washington, D. C .; Miss Alice Carey, Navy Department at Washington; Miss Esther Wheel- er, with yeomen at Boston, and Miss Alice Boyden at Staten Island, New York.
Methodist Episcopal Church, Newtonville
In the Newtonville Methodist Episcopal Church, two groups met with the Special Aid Society and sewed completing several hundred garments, and a special group of ladies from the church formed the "Knitting League" of the Newtonville Methodist Episcopal Church. This League knitted yarn costing over $1000 and distributed 636 garments before the end of the War. After the War, the knitting was continued, the articles mades being given to the Life Saving Stations, Soldiers', Hospitals, etc. until a total of 908 garments was distributed. Members also worked with the local Red Cross.
Grace Episcopal Church
A report from the Grace Church, shows that at the first meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary of this church in 1914, they voted to work for the Belgian sufferers and families of British soldiers and sailors. All through the War, this organization held meetings in Grace Church Parish House, They also cooperated with the Red Cross, French Relief, etc.
Grace Church opened its Parish House for the work of the American Fund for French Wounded, giving the use of its workrooms, and equipment until the coal shortage caused the removal of the workroom to the Y. M. C. A. Building in Newton.
The Junior Auxiliary of Grace Church during the World War made thousands of compresses, buying the material and presenting the compresses to the American Fund for French wounded. They contributed, also, to this Fund, and supported the Red Cross by subscrip- tions.
The following members of the Grace Church did special war work:
Miss Katharine Holmes Base Hospital, No. 50
Miss Gertrude Holmes, Bureau of Refugees, France
Miss Theodora McNeil, Red Cross Nurse
Miss Mildred Springer, Red Cross Nurse
Miss Dorothy Cunningham, Hospital Unit, No. 5
Miss Evelyn Cunningham, Hospital Unit, No. 65
Eliot Church, Newton
Members of the Women's Association of Eliot Church worked with the Red Cross Organizations and with the Special Aid Society.
Miss Carol Childs of Eliot Church organized and had charge of an orphanage of 40 children in Serbia.
North Congregational Church, Newton
The Ladies' Benevolent Society of the North Congregational Church, Newton, worked through the Newton Special Aid Society and the Newton and Newtonville Red Cross. They also held all-day sewing meetings and did much knitting for both soldiers and sailors.
Miss Minnie Weldon and Miss Edith Rae from this organization did special work, the former overseas under the Y. M. C. A., and the latter in the Merchant Marine in East Boston.
Immanuel Baptist Church, Newton
From the Women's Association of the Immanuel Baptist Church, Newton, reports show that this associ- ation cooperated with the Special Aid Society of Newton one afternoon each week, meeting at Channing Church and, later, in the Y. M. C. A. Building.
28
This association purchased a Liberty Bond of $450 in 1917, and its members made surgical dressings and bandages. They also cooperated with the French Relief and Red Cross Societies. Many articles of warm cloth- ing as well as money were sent by them to Central Europe and Russia.
Five members of this association did special war work: Miss Annette Munro and Miss Edith Jordan, Red Cross Nurses, Overseas; Mrs. H. R. Chamberlin, Head Hostess at the Y. M. C. A. at Camp Merritt, New Jersey; Mrs. Chester L. Cotton and Mrs. Emus Hiltz in canteen work in Boston.
Channing Church, Newton
Channing Unitarian Church, Newton, through its Alliance actively supported the Newton Branch of the Surgical Dressings Society, the Red Cross and Special Aid Societies of Newton. This church opened its parish house for the use of the Red Cross and Special Aid Societies from April, 1917, until all Relief So- cieties of Newton Corner were removed to the Y. M. C. A. Building in Newton. In the Surgical Dressings Society, Miss Georgia Emery was chairman, Mrs. Charles B. Beasom and Mrs. Frederick W. Stone, active members.
Mrs. Samuel L. Powers was the first chairman of the local Red Cross Branch, and Mrs. Sterling Elliott, Mrs. Edward M. Moore, and Miss Maude B. Henry were all instrumental in the forming of the local Special Aid Society. In this society, Mrs. Elliott was the second chairman, Miss Emery, the third chairman, and Miss Maude Henry, the treasurer. Mrs. Moore was chairman of the workroom from April, 1917, until October, 1919. Miss Emery was in charge during the last six months of the society's existence.
Miss Dorothy Emmons of Channing Church was
engaged in reconstruction work at Mattapan for the two years following the Armistice. Miss Carolyn Clark also did hospital work.
Auburndale Congregational Church
Members of the Ladies' Benevolent Society of the Auburndale Congregational Church worked through the Navy League, Fund for French Wounded, Woman's Seamens Friend Society, and the local Red Cross. Before the organization of the latter, some of the members contributed bolts of cloth which were made up into garments. Many hours were devoted weekly to sewing, knitting, and surgical dressings.
Mrs. F. F. Davidson was President of the Junior Red Cross, and Miss Helen W. Balch, chairman of the sewing. Daughters of members who served overseas were: Miss Caroline Herron, Miss Lillian Draper, Miss Mary Thomas, and Miss Dorothy Weeks. Miss Anne Dennett was a nurse at Camp Devens.
Church of the Messiah, Auburndale
The Woman's Guild of the Church of the Messiah, Auburndale, did sewing regularly in connection with the local Red Cross and assisted in making surgical dressings and in entertaining sailors.
The above account of the work of the women of the churches in Newton, unfortunately is not complete, many of the churches having failed to keep records, and many of those who had charge of such records as were kept having moved elsewhere.
Although no word has been received from the Catholic Churches, the women of these churches did valiant service working with their sisters in other churches all during the war, and cooperating with them in all community affairs.
29
"Farm, Finance or Fight"
FINANCE
31
FINANCE
Every resident of Newton can point with pride to the splendid record made by this city in the tremendous task which faced the country in financing the Great War, either by loans to our Allies or meeting the enormous expenses incurred in preparing this nation for war purposes.
In addition to these most important tasks there were many incidental drafts on the pocket-book of the nation for United War work, Y. M. C. A. work, Red Triangle campaign. 101st Regimental fund, Thrift Stamps and War Savings certificates, War Camp Rec- reation fund, Tobacco fund, and drives in Newton- ville. West Newton and Newton Highlands for com- munity work.
THE LIBERTY LOANS
It will be recalled that there were four issues of Liberty bonds followed after the Armistice by one issue of Victory bonds. The method of procedure was the same in each of these campaigns. A general com- mittee was organized for each of these loans with sub- committees in each village of the city. Each village was divided into districts and a house to house can- vass made of the entire city. This work was done by committees of men and women with splendid assist- ance by the Boy Scouts. Four minute speeches were made by prominent citizens in the churches and theatres and full pages of advertisements carried in the newspapers. Each subscriber to a bond was given a button to wear and a placard to place in the window of the home.
The results were most gratifying. The first Liberty Loan drive ended in June, 1917, with a total of $3,- 986.850 subscribed by 5868 persons on a previously determined quota of $1,000,000.
The second Liberty Loan drive ending in October, 1917, resulted in pledges of $6,090,600 by 6696 sub- scribers on a quota of $3,475,000.
The third drive, terminating in April, 1918, brought out $5,012,450 from 7,996 persons on a quota of $2,500,000.
The "fighting" fourth Liberty loan drive was even more successful with pledges of $8.801,500 from 13,088 subscribers on a quota of $5,778,000.
The enthusiasm of our people naturally abated some- what after the Armistice and the fifth or Victory loan fell off somewhat from the splendid record made in the earlier loans. The result was still most creditable to the patriotism of our people, with a total of $6,310,- 150 pledged from 6,478 subscribers on a quota of $4.335,000.
The total subscriptions from residents of this city for the five loans amounted to $30,201.550. It is in- teresting to note that comparisons of the four Liberty loans show that residents of this city subscribed at the rate of over $500 per capita, while the average rate for the entire country was only $160 per capita.
The record made by Newton as compared with some of our neighbors in Massachusetts is also of interest
and the following figures show the percentage made in each drive on the quota assigned to each.
2d
3d
4th
5th
NEWTON
175
200
152
146
First Federal District
159
142
126
118
Boston
215
121
108
87
Brookline
64
194
125
122
Cambridge
99
132
116
104
Malden
112
130
117
109
Quincy
123
202
112
102
Somerville
32
79
109
82
Springfield
146
112
134
108
Waltham
93
114
119
104
Watertown
143
148
134
116
Worcester
288
113
130
111
Figures of the first drive are not available and it should be borne in mind that in that drive, many sub- scriptions made by residents of the suburbs were credited to Boston. In each of the subsequent drives, all such subscriptions were credited to the city or town where the subscriber resided.
The credit for the success of these drives should be given in large measure to the efficient committees which handled all the arrangements and to the splendid co- operation given the committees by the Newton Trust Company, the First National Bank of West Newton, the Newton Savings Bank, the West Newton Savings Bank and the Newton Centre Savings Bank.
Hon. Seward W. Jones, president of the Newton Trust Company, was chairman of the general com- mittee, Mr. Frank L. Richardson was secretary and Mr. Henry Whitmore was in charge of publicity.
The executive committee was composed of these gentlemen with Joseph B. Jamieson, Newton; Fred M. Blanchard, Newtonville ; Charles E. Hatfield, West Newton; Guy M. Winslow, Auburndale; Lawrence Allen, Waban ; A. H. Elder, Newton Highlands ; Wil- liam J. Doherty, Nonantum ; Thomas W. White, New- ton Upper Falls : James W. Spring, Oak Hill; H. H. Bemis and W. L. Allen, Chestnut Hill.
This committee was assisted by Mayor Edwin O. Childs, William F. Bartholomew, George P. Bullard, J. R. Carter, William F. Chase, Charles H. Clark, Henry B. Day, Bernard Early, William F. Garcelon, Percy Gilbert, William T. Glidden, Jr .. S. Harold Green, Frank J. Hale, Sydney Harwood, George Hutchinson, Henry J. Ide. Henry H. Kendall, Henry J. Nichols, Horace W. Orr, Edwin M. Richards, Charles E. Riley, George S. Smith, Loren D. Towle, Daniel G. Wing, Harry P. Bradford, James S. Can- non, Herbert M. Cole, Henry I. Harriman, Andrew C. Hughes, Louis K. Liggett, Grosvenor Calkins, George M. Heathcote. Howard Whitmore, Sidney R. Porter, James C. Irwin, J. W. Weinberg, Herbert G. Pratt, James A. Stafford. Fred W. Stone, Arthur C. Dun- more. John H. Gordon, Oscar E. Nutter, Peter C. Baker. Arthur C. Badger, M. H. Gulesian.
The Women's Committee consisted of Mrs. F. E.
33
Stanley, Mrs. Henry I. Harriman, Mrs. Frank H. Stewart, Mrs. Edwin S. Webster. Mrs. A. S. Hutchin- son. Mrs. C. H. Porter, Mrs. A. P. Carter, Miss Caro- line Lovett. Mrs. H. P. Converse, Mrs. Charles R. Mills, Mrs. P. C. Baker, Mrs. I. O. Palmer, Mrs. E. Ray Speare, Mrs Hector M. Holmes, Mrs. H. S. Daw- son. Mrs. B. E. Taylor, Mrs. W. H. Allen, Mrs. Sum- ner Clement. Mrs. E. W. English, Mrs. Charles H. Kecler. Mrs. J. W. Bartlett, Miss Louise Peloubet, Mrs. Warner Marshall and Miss Gertrude Osborne.
In this connection the following letter issued by the Newton Trust Company under date of January 8. 1919 may be of interest :
"To the Liberty Loan subscribers of Newton:
"During the year just closed the people of Newton have made a magnificent record for themselves which has reflected the greatest credit on their city and added much to its good name. The 3rd and 4th Liberty Loan campaigns were successfully carried over the top. In the 3rd appear 10.000 subscriptions and a grand total of $5,000,000 plus, and in the 4th the splendid record of over 13,000 subscriptions for a total of $8.734,000 as compared with quotas of $2.500.000 and $5.778,000 respectively tells the story of hard. effective work by the patriotic Liberty Loan committees and the fine response by the people of the city to the Nation's call.
"The Newton Trust Company wishes to take this opportunity of thanking you for giving it the privilege of handling your subscriptions to the various Liberty Loans as well as many of your generous contributions to War Charities. It has found the task a heavy one at times and the strain on our organization, weakened by the enlistment of most of our young men, including many of our experienced officers, has been severe, but in spite of the handicaps which it has suffered and its many short-comings it sincerely hopes that your ver- diet of its work will be one of approval.
"During the four Liberty Loans the people of New- ton have subscribed for approximately $22,000 000 of bonds, or more than $500 for every man, woman, and child in the city. The average for the entire country has been about $160 per capita. The Newton Trust Company has handled almost 20.000 subscriptions as follows
First Loan 3800 for total of $1.050.000.00 Second Loan 4200 for total of $2,650.000.00 Third Loan 4800 for total of $1.575.000.00 Fourth Loan 7015 for total of $2.640,000.00
"Every dollar has been accounted for and, dependent only on the receipt of bonds from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. bonds have been delivered to every subscriber on presentation of his subscription receipt. The tremendous amount of detail involved could never have been successfully handled without the whole- hearted support of the clerical force of the bank and particularly of our Liberty Loan Department, com- posed entirely of young women who have thrown their whole souls into the work : worked days, nights, and Sundays when necessary-and to whom the greatest credit is due.
"The Woman's Liberty Loan Committee of Newton did excellent work throughout both campaigns and dur-
ing the Fourth especially in the midst of an epidemic of influenza it rendered through the Newton Trust Com- pany the most timely and valuable assistant ; taking subscriptions at all offices from morning until night and doing a very large amount of clerical work in con- nection with the Loan. Their patriotic enthusiasm was inspiring to all.
"U'p to the issue of this letter over 1500 bonds have been received for safe keeping in our vaults from those who have no facilities for keeping them. Coupons are cuit when due and credited to each owner's account in savings or checking departments-all without charge in accordance with the desires of the Treasury depart- ment of the Government.
"Loans secured by Liberty Bonds have been offered most freely to all during the campaigns and at low rates suggested by the Federal Reserve Bank of Bos- ton in order to encourage subscriptions to the utmost.
"The directors and officers take much pardonable pride in pointing out that while the expenses of those activities have been considerable, they have not been met in any way through profits at the expense of any subscriber, large or small ; the $50.00 subscriber paying one or two dollars a week having had his bond car- ried for him at the rate of interest yielded by the bond and no charges have accrued for anything.
"The entire organization, directors, officers, and clerks, thank you again for having made use of us in handling your subscriptions. It was our greatest op- portunity to do our bit toward helping to win the war and it was and is appreciated and valued accordingly.
FRANK L. RICHARDSON. Treasurer."
The splendid record made by Newton in the drives for Liberty and Victory loans gave the city first place in the Metropolitan district in the amount of bonds per quota per capita.
In honor of this event the city was awarded the privilege of christening one of the fleet of ships con- structed by the nited States Shipping Board. Emer- gency Fleet Corporation. Mayor Childs appointed Miss Marguerite W. Jones, the daughter of Hon. and Mrs. Seward W. Jones of Newton Highlands to act as sponsor. and Miss Jones accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Jones and Alderman and Mrs. Frank L. Richard- son went to the Newark Bay Plant of the Submarine Boat Corporation at Newark, N. J., and on August 7 1919 christened one of these ships the "Nonantum."
THE RED TRIANGLE
Newton was asked to raise a fund of $75,000 for work by the Young Men's Christian Association un- der the above title. Hon. Seward W. Jones was chair- man : F. L. Richardson, secretary: William T. Rich, treasurer, and other members of the committee were Mayor Childs. H. W. Orr, Henry Whitmore, H. H. Bemis, Vernon B. Swett, William F. Chase, W. Lloyd Allen, G. M. Heathcote, G. M. Winslow. Herbert E. Locke. Lawrence Allen. Howard Whitmore. H. H. Kendall, and O. M. Fisher. A committee of women headed by Mrs. W. Hermon Allen and Mrs. Frank T. Stewart. Mrs. H. Belden Sly and Arthur L. Sprigg also assisted. The drive began early in November, 1917, and by November 23rd, $133.361 was raised for this purpose.
34
WAR CAMP RECREATION FUND
A committee composed of Fred M. Blanchard, chair- man, Mayor Edwin O. Childs, Stephen H. Whidden, Arthur W. Hollis. Arthur Kendrick, James S. Cannon. and William H. Rice was in charge of raising a quota of $10,000 for the above purpose. About $7000 was realized.
WAR SAVINGS STAMPS
A drive for the sale of War Savings Stamps was inaugurated June 21. 1918, in charge of a committee of which James A. Stafford was chairman : Frank W. Remick and H. J. Nichols, vice-chairmen; William C. Bamburgh, in charge of publicity ; Horton S. Allen. secretary, and Mrs. S. Hardy Mitchell, in charge of the women's committee. As a result of this drive $322.285 was raised in this manner. Work among the pupils of the Newton schools produced $95,913 up to December 31, 1918.
UNITED WAR WORK
In November, 1918, a drive was started to fill a quo-
ta of $300,000 for the United War Work. H. J. Nich- ols was chairman, J. A. Stafford and William D. Nu- gent, vice-chairmen, and O. M. Fisher, W. Lloyd Allen, Herbert M. Cole, W. J. Spaulding, G. M. Heathcote, Lawrence Allen, Herbert E. Locke, C. H. Bingham, E. Clifford Potter, H. D. Cabot, W. H. Zoller. George S. West and James W. Spring were members of the committee. This committee was assisted by a group of boys under the leadership of Mayor Childs, and bv a group of girls under the direction of Mrs. Frank H. Stewart. As a result, $325,000 was raised, 165% of the quota.
The committee was assisted by the Victory Girls, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Frank H. Stewart, as- sisted by Mrs. E. S. Webster, Mrs. C. B. Wilbar, Mrs. L. H. Marshall, Mrs. E. E. Conway, Mrs. Russell Baker, Miss E. W. Sabin, Mrs. S. J. Surbeck, Mrs. C. S. Cook, Jr., and Mrs. J. M. Allen.
This drive was for a community service fund for the Y. M. C. A .. the National Catholic Council, the Jewish Welfare Bureau, War Camp Community Serv- ice, American Library Association, and the Salvation Army.
BONDS -- AND BONDS
By AMos R. WELLS
Buy a bond to break a bond, Buy to ransom others. Buy a bond to break a bond Fettering your brothers.
Chains are cleft by golden swords, Dollars conquer legions, Silver ships are banners bare To the farthest regions.
Purses hold the lives of men. Money means decision, Golden eagles lift the soul To the heights of visions.
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.