USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 19
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McGlothlin, Lewis C.
Nieman, Allen Ross
McKee, Forest Gardner
Norris, Will Victor
McMurray, Charles R.
Nutter, Lunsford
Mabery, George (colored)
Odell, Fred Odle, Silas Allen
Maher, Leo
O'Kell, Otto Clarence
Osborne, George William
Major, Schwab S.
Marr, Roy Thomas
Marshall, Ray
Mason, Rue Finley
Owens, James Ely
Odell. Alvis W.
Odell, Lewis Melvin Oder, Gabriel Clark
Macey, Allen Edgar
Malott, Ervin Earl
Nelson, Joseph Earl
McGarvey, John Henry
268
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Oliver, Leslie A.
Phillips, Jesse Norval
Overman, Benjamin H.
Pipes, Eugene
Owens, Raymond C.
Pitts, Younger Arnold
O'Dell, Charley
Polk, Graham
O'Dell, Silas Virgil
Porter, George Frank
O'Hare, Clifford
Porter, Willard
Orfan, Tony Samuel
Potter, Allen B.
Owens, Clarence
Potter, Ray L.
Owens, Reuben
Prather, Roy
Padgett, Clifford A.
Presley, Don Hazel
Paradise, Earl
Price, Guy Vaughn
Parks, Hugh A.
Pugh, Samuel Lawrence
Patrick, John
Palmer, John D.
Payne, John Sidney
Parker, Kenneth H.
Perkins, Leo
Patrick, Charlton E.
Peters, Wilson White
Patton, W. Sidney
Petty, Eugene Orville
Payne, William Albert
Phillips, Ernest Cleve
Peters, Roscoe Franklin
Pickett, William Darr
Perrin, Theodore V
Poe, Earl Manson
Pfeisterer, Simmie Colon
Pointer, Jesse P.
Pickett, Ralph
Porter, Fred B.
Pixlee, Franklin Beverly
Porter, Paul
Porter, Dewey
Poteet, Clifford A.
Porter, Norfleat Emerson
Potter, James Franklin
Portwood, Thomas
Prather, Lee H.
Potter, Clayton E.
Prather, William Hamlet
Prather, John
Price, Glendon Wayne
Prather, William
Puckett, Ray P.
Prewitt, Pete O.
Page, Lorn M.
Price, William James
Parauaqua, August W. N.
Ragle, Roy H.
Paton, Walter Coffman
Rector, Charles Austin
Patrick, William N.
Raimey, Ernest
Payne, Marion Franklin
Ray, William
Peters, John F.
Reel, Charles
Petropoulas, Andrew J.
Richardson, George
Petty, Thornton Pixlee
Richmond, Paul Prescott
269
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Ricketts, Gilbert Baker Roberts, Arthur F.
Robertson, Samuel
Robertson, Sterling Price Robison, Thomas Clifford Roosa, George Leona Rosenbaugh, Ulsferd
Rogers, D. W. Roselle, Arthur Clay Rothwell, Wellington O. Rowland, Porter Ruddle, John Raymond
Saad, Demetry G.
Sandusky, Miller Allen
Rowland, David Frank Roy, Archibald
Salisbury, John Sarver, William Franklin
Russell, Walter Joseph
Sandboth, Joseph
Reece, Thomas Clyde
Savage, Paul H.
Rardin, Gordon A.
Schill, Dewe August
Reasor, Lawrence Crit.
Schueler, Carl A.
Reynolds, Luther Lee
Schroeder, Ernest Charles
Richardson, Homer Willis
Schroeder, Frank Wesley
Richmond, Rider Larabee
Scott, James Lester
Riffe, Luther Roberts, Windsor Hall
Scott, Ray G. Scrivner, John Henry
Robeson, Lewis
Searcy, Wilson
Robinett, Harold Lee
Sevier, Robert Earl
Roebken, Carl Buddenburg
Sellers, Geo. Avery
Rose, Richard Parks
Shanks, Lee
Ross, Lee
Shannon, John Edgar
Sharo, James Madison Shepherd, Billie A.
Shepherd, Frank
Race, Albert Lee
Sherwood, Samuel C.
Ramsey, John B.
Shields, Oscar Elridge
Ray, Russell Reed, Allen Bevins
Shipp, John Clay Shaver, Everett
Reynolds, William B.
Shu, John Lloyd
Richardson, Opal H.
Shuey, Newman L.
Sickel, John Tyler
Simmons, James W.
Simms, Jas. Robert
Simpson, Chas. Robert Sims, Rochester F.
Rowland, Lester Joseph Roy, Harve Ruyle, Park
Rickart, Harry Alexander Riffe, Melvin Robertson, John
Robeson, John G. Robinson, James A.
270
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Sims, Grover C.
Stevenson, Jesse Joseph
Sires, Clyde C.
Sisk, William Harry
Stewart, Cephas
Smallwood, Chester H.
Stewart, Harry
Smiley, John R.
Stewart, Samuel Harry
Smith, Earl L.
Smith, Ezra
Still, Thos. Franklin
Smith, Fred G.
St. John, Emol Alex
Smith, Leroy
Stockwell, Lorin H.
Smith, Percival Gardner
Stone, Dudley S.
Smith, Porter Brown
Stone, Edgar
Smith, Raymond Franklin
Stone, Geo. Bernard
Smith, Ree Burn
Stone, William Lewis
Smith, Rolla K.
Smith, Roy Rothwell
Smith, Russell D.
Smithey, Bert Norwood
Snow, Frank
Snow, Isaac R.
Snow, Joseph
Snow, William Ambrose
Snyder, Henry A.
Sparks, Hickman E.
Sparks, Robert H.
Sumpter, Allen Sheridan
Spence, Albert G.
Sumpter, William H.
Squires, Jesse Lee
Squires, Albert Gallatin
Stack, Nin H.
Stack, Pinckney C.
Stamper, Cad
Swaney, Hugh G.
Stamper, George
Swiger, Floyd Dolphus
Stannard, Ely Martin
Steele, Oliver Ira, Jr.
Stein, Arthur Louis
Sterling, John Franklin
Sympson, Ralph W.
Stevenson, Nealy Ford
Swan, Edgar Raym, Jr.
Swan, Calvin Earl
Swan, Edwin Riley
Swinney, John J.
Swinney, Matthew L.
Talbott; William N.
Story, Paul
Stowers, Jas. Evans
Slaughter, Joe H.
Strode, William Flynn
Suggett, Starling Green
Sulliven, Harry Price
Summers, Leroy
Summers, Rothis Summers, Virgil
Sparks, Scobie
Sumpter, Elmer K.
Swader, Dwight
Swale, John
Stevenson, John Arthur
Stewart, Scott Jennings
Stewart, Van William
271
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Tatham, Arthur R. Taylor, Albert Lee
Tritt, James Emmett
Tritt, John Wm.
Tronjo, Lawrence
True, Richard
Tulley, Robert S.
Taylor, Geo. E. Taylor, James S.
Turner, Ruford
Taylor, Landon Lee
Turpinot, Leo
Taylor, Richard Irvin
Tutt, Arthur Crafton
Teaney, Harry Lloyd
Tyrees, Everett
Teagarden, James David
Tyrees, Joe Grand
Unger, Benjamin
Unger, Emil Pearl
Thomas, Brack A.
Vance, James Donald
Thomas, Geo. Clifford
Van Horne, Geo. Wm.
Thomas, John Carroll
Vanlandingham, Harry C.
Vertreese, Egbert
Thomason, Joe Thomason, Chas. M.
Vincent, Lloyd
Thomason, Hugh W.
Vivion, Gordon Dale
Thomason, William M.
Wade, Andrew
Thompson, Arthur J.
Wade, Herbert Thomas
Thompson, Clarence R.
Wale, Herbert
Thompson, Geo. W.
Walse, John S.
Thompson, John Harvey Thompson, Lulu R. Thompson, Luther
Walker, Guy
Walker, Marion
Walker, Stephen D
Thompson, Thos. G.
Walker, W. H., Jr.
Walker, Willard H., Jr.
Walker, William Wiers
Wall, Jasper Henry Walls, Rose R.
Wallace, Paul Garker
Wallace, William Earl
Waller. James Brooks
Walrafen, Geo. Leonard
Walters, Gilbert R.
Walters, Joseph Lewis Waltz. Walter Allen
Thompson, Robert Grace Thurston, John Tickle, Home Tillery, Wm. Orvil
Tindayy, Raymond Kible
Totman, Harold W.
Todd, Glenn Lec Todd, Harry W. Towler, E. D. Trigg, Clarence E. Tritt, Ira Stewart
Taylor, Daniel Arthur Taylor, Daniel W.
Teagarden, Milton Teixeira, Daniel Milton
272
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Waring, Alba G.
Williams, Oscar
Waring, Geo. H.
Williams, Robert
Warren, Burt B.
Williams, Samuel H.
Warren, Clarence Arthur
Willis, Arthur Joe
Warren, Henry L.
Willmot, Miller E.
Warren, Leonard Arthur
Wilson, Edgar O.
Warren, Ray
Wilson, Otto
Waters, Edward
Wilson. Ralph W.
Watson, L.
Wilson, William Alfred
Watts, James L.
Wingfield, Harry
Watts, Willie
Wingfield, Thomas
Wear. John Samuel
Wise, Charley
Weber, Arley Philip
Wittmeyer, Urban
Weber, Henry Conrad
Wolfes. Thomas
Weber, Herbert James
Wolfert, A. L.
Wells, Bryan Jennings
Woods, Benjamin
Wells. Lawrence Allen
Woods, Elise Carl
West, Harvey A.
Woods, Hugh
Westbrook. Ernest B.
Woods, John Arthur
White, James D.
Woodson, Samuel Cameron
White, Ford
Woodworth, Clyde Lewis
Wherrit, Alan Francisco
Wornall, Thomas J., Jr.
Widener, Roy
Wrigley, Floyd
Wigington, Clarence Roy
Wrigley, Harry
Wilcox, Ralph Lee
Wright, Roddie
Wilkerson. Edgar Lee
Wright, William
Wilkerson. Riley D.
Wubbenhorst, Hiram L.
Williams, Ernest Irvin
Yancey, Chas. E., Jr.
Williams, Frank C.
Yancey. William Bell
Williams, Glen E.
Yates, Edward Chas.
Williams, Herbert
Yates. Lewis D.
Williams, Floyd Roberson
Yates, Luther
Williams, Ivey
Yeager, Roy Ellis
Williams. James Edward
Yingling, Oda
Williams, James J.
Young, Estell La Force
Williams, Marshall
Zidell, Joseph Mordecai
Williams, Neal Dow
273
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
NECROLOGY.
The Honor Roll of the Gold Stars.
Frank Wesley Schroeder, corporal, died November 1, 1918, in France. from wounds.
Lewis Calvin Cook, first lieutenant, artillery ; died October 18, 1918, in Argonne Forest.
Earl D. Chanslor, infantry; killed July 15, 1918, in France, on the Marne.
Paul Hansen, National Army; died November 26, 1917, at Camp Funston, of meningitis.
Clyde Gustine, 43d Division ; died May 27, 1918, in France, from gas and wounds.
Graham T. Elliott, infantry, 35th Division; died of wounds October 2, 1918.
Bernard George Stone, infantry ; killed August 10, 1918, on a quiet sector in Alsace.
Coleby C. Cowherd, corporal, National Army ; died October 12, 1918. at Camp MacArthur, Texas, of influenza.
Jasper A. Boone, corporal, infantry, 89th Division; died November 11, 1918, from wounds received November 5th in Argonne mattle.
J. D. Jacks, navy, died in 1917, in Philadelphia, of meningitis.
Lloyd Kingery, infantry, 89th Division; killed in action November 19th, 1918.
Carl Fred Musbach, marine; killed July 18th, 1918, at Chateau- Thierry.
Selden Howe Murray, corporal, medical corps; died October 21, 1918, in Rouen, France, of influenza.
James Philip Irminger, marine; killed June 25th, 1918, at Chateau- Thierry.
Oscar Lloyd Evans, navy ; died of meningitis, May 14, 1917.
Sparrel Harris, died of disease December 27, 1918, in Germany.
William Edward Blevins, killed September 28. 1918, in Argonne Forest.
Frank William Bullock, died November 21, 1918, after being dis- charged because of a nervous breakdown.
274
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Stanley Barnett, died November 18, 1918, in France, from wounds.
Robert H. Baker, died probably September, 1918, in Commune of Baulny, Department Meusc, France. The Liberty Post of the American Legion was named in his honor.
American Effort in the World War.
Total armed forces
4,800,000
Total in army
4,000,000
Men who went overseas
2,086,000
Men who fought in France
1,390,000
Total registered in draft
24,234,021
War cost to April 30, 1919
$21,850.000,000
Battles fought by American troops
13
Months of American participation
19
Days of battle
200
Days of duration of Meuse-Argonne battle
47
Americans in Meuse-Argonne battle
1,200,000
Americans wounded
236,000
American deaths from disease
56,991
Total deaths in army
112,422
Clothing was shipped abroad in following quantities :
Wool socks, pairs 131,800,000
Undershirts
85,000,000
Drawers 83,600,000
Shoes, pairs
30,700,000
Flannel shirts
26,500,000
Blankets
21,700,000
Wool breeches
21,700,000
Wool coats
13,900,000
Overcoats
8,300,000
1
1
I
1
The signal corps strung in France 100,000 miles of telephone and telegraph wires. The lines numbered 15,000 and reached 8.959 stations.
275
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Achievements of American Troops.
From the middle of August to the end of the war, the Americans held a front longer than that held by the British. At the time of the greatest American activity in October, 1918, this front was 101 miles long, or about 23 per cent of the entire allied battle line.
American troops captured 63,000 prisoners, 1,318 pieces of artillery, 708 trench mortars, and 9,650 machine guns. In June and July they helped to shatter the enemy advance towards Paris and turn retreat into a triumphal offensive. At St. Mihiel, they pinched off, in a day, an enemy salient that had been a constant menace for four years. In the Argonne and on the Meuse, they carried lines which the enemy had determined to hold at all costs and cut the supply line of communication and supply for half the Western battle front.
The American air force at the front grew from three squadrons in April, 1918, to forty-five in November, 1918. These American squadrons played important roles in the battles of Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. In addition to the information, aid and protection given to the army, they brought down 755 enemy planes, while their own losses were only 357 planes.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE CLAY COUNTY COUNCIL OF DEFENSE.
(By Robert S. Withers.)
RAPIDITY OF RESPONSE-COUNSEL OF DEFENSE CREATED BY CONGRESS-WAR DECLARED-GOVERNOR GARDNER CALLS MEETING -- CLAY COUNTY REPRE- SENTATIVES-PURPOSE AND DUTIES-MEMBERS.
In order that we may appreciate the rapidity with which Clay County, a peace loving rural community, girded on her armor and get into her place in the front ranks of the nation's effectives, a brief resume of some dates is appropriate.
On August 29, 1916. The Council of National Defense was created by act of Congress and approved. On April 2, 1917, the United States Congress assembled in special session and was addressed by President Wilson who asked Congress to declare war. On April 6, 1917, the Presi- dent issued the proclamation of war with Germany. On April 9th, the Secretary of War addressed a message to the governors of the various states asking for the establishment of State Councils of Defense.
Governor Gardner of Missouri responded April 12th by calling a meeting of representative men from all walks of life. These men con- vened in Jefferson City on April 23rd to hold a war conference. The citizens invited to represent Clay County were Edwin Yancey, E. E. Kirkland, Frank C. Hamilton, Soper J. Taul and Robert S. Withers.
The meeting was a very patriotic and enthusiastic demonstration of Missouri's determination to do all in her power to win the war and on the following morning Governor Gardner announced the appointment of
277
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the members of the Missouri State Council of Defense. Robert S. Withers of Clay County was appointed by the governor among the original twenty-nine who formed the State Council and was immediately ap- pointed County Chairman of Clay County. Thus Missouri was practically the first state to form a State Council of Defense and Clay County was among the very first counties of the state to be organized.
The purpose of the State Council of Defense was, in the words of the governor, "to be the supreme authority of the commonwealth in relation to the state's duty to the nation during the entire period of the war."
It will be seen at once that the duty of the County Council of Defense was to support the state in every way in this work. However, the in- telligence and patriotism of Clay County was of such high order that many duties that were most arduous in other counties were little in evidence here. In fact the duty of the County Council of Defense in Clay County resolved itself into keeping the people informed as to what the administra- tion wanted done. The people responded spontaneously.
Missouri ranked among the highest three in the National Council of Defense and Clay County ranked equally as high in the state organization.
A great deal of the work of the Council of Defense, much of its most valuable work, was of a confidential nature and was not made public at the time. Later all records kept by the entire state were made public prop- erty by being placed on file in the archives of the Missouri State Historical Society at Columbia, where they can be inspected by any one at any time.
Some of the duties assigned to the Council of Defense by the adminis- tration were as follows: To arrange a suitable farewell for each draft contingent; to locate skilled men for the army's technical work; to detect draft evasion and assist the local board in every way; to recruit for the regular army ; to recruit for the aviation school and pass on the applicants for the same; to assist in the location of military units in colleges; to co- operate with the British Recruiting Mission in locating British subjects ; to establish Home Guard units; to investigate disloyalty ; to co-operate with the Secret Service Department; to prevent non-war construction; to return an alien property survey ; to pass on all applications for Army Officers Schools, Red Cross work in military service, the Salvation Army and Y. M. C. A. service at the front and in camp and the Near East Relief service.
In addition to discharging the above duties, the Clay County Council
278
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of Defense co-operated with the special committees in all Liberty Loan and War Savings work and in all other war drives that were made.
The following constituted the membership of the Clay County Council of Defense:
Robert S. Withers, Liberty, Chairman.
E. H. Norton, Liberty.
R. R. Fleet, Liberty.
E. L. Black, Liberty.
Miss Grace Tickle, Liberty.
Mrs. Ralph Davidson, Liberty.
Mrs. Robert S. Withers, Liberty.
Harry Gordon, Smithville.
Ben Will Thatcher, Smithville.
R. C. McIlvain, Kearney.
Hugh Wilhite, Excelsior Springs.
Charles Fish, Excelsior Springs.
Ernest Holt, Excelsior Springs.
Allen Thompson, Nashua.
Ernest Davidson, North Kansas City.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CLAY COUNTY WOMAN'S COMMITTEE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE.
(By Mrs. Robert S. Withers.)
WOMAN'S PART IN TIIE WAR-WOMAN'S DIVISION OF MISSOURI ORGANIZED- REGISTRATION-FAMILY ENROLLMENT-LUNCHEON AT LIBERTY-PROGRAM -FOOD CONSERVATION-CHILD WELFARE WORK-WORK OF TRAINING CAMP ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE-WAR SAVINGS AND LIBERTY LOAN CAM- PAIGNS-MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES-TOWNSHIP CHAIRMEN-TOWN CHAIR- MEN- COUNTY DEPARTMENTAL CHAIRMEN-FOOD CONSERVATION-CHILD WELFARE-RED CROSS-LIBERTY LOAN-TRAINING CAMP ACTIVITIES- PATRIOTIC EDUCATION AND AMERICANIZATION-REGISTRATION.
From the day that the United States entered the World War it was realized that this was to be a war in which every resource and influence must be utilized, and immediately recognition was given to the tremendous power resting in the hands of the nation's women. Ida M. Tarbell said, "The task before us is to make women think and serve in terms of the nation as a whole; to make them, in fact, soldiers in the service of the country. The accepted wartime tradition is that men must fight and women must weep. In this day and age, however, woman has her definite place and task, which is to be a national woman."
To utilize this great power and to co-ordinate and intensify the work of women in war service. The Woman's Committee Council of National Defense was appointed on April 21, 1917 by the National Council of De- fense. The Missouri Division of the Woman's Committee was organized
280
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
at once and county units followed. Mrs. Robert S. Withers of Liberty was appointed Chairman for Clay County. Later, to bring about complete co-operation between the men and women in the defense work of the state, Dr. F. B. Mumford, Chairman of the Missouri State Council of De- fense, appointed Mrs. Withers as a member of the Clay County Council of Defense.
The women of Clay County organized for war service in July, 1917. The first step was the registration of women on July 28th. After an in- tensive preliminary campaign carried on for two weeks by Mrs. Ralph Davidson and Mrs. Robert Withers during which meetings were held, speeches made, letters written and articles published, the women of the county were only partially familiarized with the need for the registration of women for war service. Over a thousand registered the first day and this thousand became the nucleus of a most enthusiastic, loyal body of workers. Later others registered bringing the number to 1,500, but many women gave freely of time and energy who never actually registered. 536 reported as trained in more than one occupation ; a number registered to go anywhere for service.
The women who led in the registration in July, a month later were leaders in organizing an active Red Cross Chapter. This work grew and prospered under the efficient direction of Mrs. Henry C. Harper whose compilation of data concerning Red Cross activities in Clay County appears elsewhere in this volume.
In the Family Enrollment Campaign which was conducted from Octo- ber 28, to November 4, 1917, by the Food Administration, the Woman's Committee was the chief worker and the women were responsible for the thorough organization which resulted in the signing of the Hoover Pledge by 8,000 men, women and children. Back in July on the day of Women's Registration, only 384 Hoover Pledge cards were signed. This showed that the Woman's Committee was becoming effective in its effort to spread the idea of personal responsibility in the matter of food regulations.
Up to February, 1918, there had been no general war conference in which the women from all parts of the county could participate. Town- ship and town chairmen had been appointed and they were doing those things suggested by the county chairman, but it was felt that it was vitally necessary that more women should understand the work of the Woman's Committee and be interested in it. With this in mind, the
281
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
County Chairman arranged for a Hoover Luncheon at the Major Hotel in Liberty on February 12th, with guests from every section of the county -a hundred in all. For the sake of future generations, the menu as arranged by the County Food Conservation chairman, Miss Grace Tickle, is given, as well as the program which was planned by the County Chair- man.
TOMATO BOUILLON. Use 110 croutons.
CHICKEN PATTY.
For meat use poultry, rabbits, fish and sea foods. Conserve the trans- portable meats-beef, mutton, pork.
CREAMED CARROTS AND PEAS. Grow vegetables and use them abundantly.
WAR BREAD.
Corn helps us feed the world.
COMBINATION SALAD-MAYONNAISE DRESSING.
Use perishables. Use vegetable oils-cocoanut, olive, corn, peanut, cottonseed.
LIBERTY PLUM PUDDING.
Conserves sugar, wheat, fat, and fuel. No eggs. No shortening.
COFFEE. HONEY OR CORN SYRUP. Use honey, maple and other dark syrups as substitutes for sugar.
NO FLOWERS. Buy a Thrift Stamp.
MISSOURI APPLES. "An apple a day will keep the doctor away."
282
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Program.
Invocation-Mrs. James Love.
Luncheon.
Purpose of Conference-The Chairman.
Toast to the Flag-Mrs. M. H. Moore.
County Council of Defense and Woman's Registration-Mrs. Ralph Davidson.
Food Conservation-Miss Grace Tickle.
Baby Bond and Thrift Campaign-Mrs. Jack Dougherty.
Y. M. C. A .- Mrs. E. C. Griffith.
Red Cross-Mrs. Henry Harper.
Our County Institutions-Mrs. J. H. Mereness.
Four Minute Men-Mrs. R. R. Fleet.
Solo-"Spring Song", "My Rows Awry",-Mrs. Boggs.
State Council of Defense and Woman's Committee, Missouri Division -Mrs. B. F. Bush.
General Discussion. Announcements.
This delicious luncheon, adhering strictly to Mr. Hoover's instructions, was served as a practical demonstration in food conservation.
The talks made by the local women about the different war activities and their status in the county gave the State Chairman of the Woman's Committee Council of Defense, Mrs. B. F. Bush, of St. Louis, inspiration for a splendid discussion concerning the co-ordination of all the efforts of women in war work.
Our belief that such a meeting would be of value was justified and at once there was a marked increase of interest in various lines of war work. Food conservation met with greater approval, new Red Cross units were organized and more women were ready to help push new campaigns.
Following this conference in February, 1918, the Woman's Committee organization was completed in the county with six township chairmen, twelve town chairmen, twelve county department chairmen, and one woman in each rural school district whose business it was to co-operate with her Township Chairman.
283
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Food Conservation Work.
Work in the interests of Food Conservation was carried on most actively during 1918. Seventeen demonstrations in war cookery were given at various points by Miss Gray, District Emergency Home Demon- stration Agent. Miss Grace Tickle gave the course sent out by the State Food Administration on "The Preparation of Food and Meal Planning" to twenty-seven women in Liberty, ten of whom took the examination and received certificates from the State Food Administration. The following received certificates: Mesdames T. J. Slaughter, Nolan Brasfield, S. C. True, E. E. Kirkland, E. A. Ross, C. H. Black, Mary L. Davis, C. M. Wil- liams, J. E. Davis and Robert S. Withers.
In July, 1918, the Woman's Committee carried on a successful cam- paign for a County Home Demonstration Agent. The Clay County Home Bureau with over 700 members was organized with Mrs. Dan B. Field as first president. The county court appropriated $720.00 to the necessary local funds. On September 11, 1918, Miss E. Hoffman, our first County Home Demonstration Agent, arrived.
This work, begun as a war measure, has continued in peace time and is of great benefit to the women of the county.
Many novel and interesting ways were used to keep the food situa- tion before the public mind. Exhibits of wheatless breads and sugarless sweets were placed in store windows, war recipes were published, leaflets and War Economy Cook Books were distributed and on one occasion the advertisement of a great mystery to be solved at the motion picture theatre in Liberty drew a large audience to hear a talk on the food situation and to sample hot biscuits made without wheat and caramel cake made with potatoes.
On November 22, 1918, the County Food Chairman, Mrs. Robert S. Withers, who had succeeded Miss Grace Tickle in the work, was called to Jefferson City together with all other County Food Chairmen to hear about the food plans for the coming year. The slogan had been "Save Food and Win the War", it now became "Save Food and Save the World", and the first week of December, 1918, was set aside as World Relief Week, during which the most intensive food campaign ever staged in this country was carried on.
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