USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 66
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 66
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CAMP HAMILTON.
Another account detailed by Aurora press of this period is very appropriate : "Down on one of the sightly spots in Streeter park, where on two sides the green banks slope their tree-shaded sides into Lincoln Creek and where on the other side a beautiful field of Nebraska's king corn proudly nods in the breeze is gathered a band of men such as'never before in the history of Hamilton county assembled on its soil. Last Sunday when these men answered the call of their nation's bugle and lifted their tents on this grassy sunkissed point they wrote a new chapter into the history of their good county. The trees above their heads whispered the old song of freedom, the fields about them spoke of the plenty which they have helped to create and King Corn smiled back a murmured recognition as the only king which these men recognize, and in defense of which principle they are offering their service, their energies, their time and, if need be, their lives. Hamilton county has furnished soldiers before, and within her borders are many men who bear the honorable distinction of having served in the far gone days of civil strife. But this army which gathered last Sunday is the first complete unit of a fighting force ever organized and camped on Hamilton county ground in time of actual war, and the first ever to raise a flag above its camp in opposition to a foreign foe. Therefore, we say that this body of patriots has written a new chapter into our already magnificent history and one that
571
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
shall be cherished by their sires and brothers now living and by their posterity to come.
It is especially fitting that this spot should be named "Camp Hamilton," because the men who are down there drilling and sleeping beneath the flag are destined to add history to this community of which we shall all be proud. How anxiously in the weeks to come will we await news from the men now in Camp Hamilton. How every mother's heart will be atune for every word of news from the boy she has seen march away from Camp Hamilton; How every father's face will lighten when he learns of meritorious and soldierly conduct upon the part of his son, and how the entire people will rejoice at every bit of news which comes to tell that the God of War is dealing kindly with these boys. Today as we look over the beautiful spot called Camp Hamilton and watch the sturdy young men in the active pursuit of what to them is a new and strange vocation, we strive to peer into the future and discern what is in store for them- but in vain. Today no man knows where the call of duty may lead them and no man may know the story they shall write into the State's history before they shall return to the spot from which they are soon to take their leave. We can only hope that officers and men will alike perform their whole duty; that the record which they are eventually to complete will be one well worth a shining page in history's book and that the God of War may lead their steps through paths of safety, in the walks of honor, to the goal of success and back in life and health to those who today are sending them forth with a Godspeed and blessing."
RED CROSS WAR FUND.
At a meeting held in July at the home of Mayor Farley the first step in the organization of that work was taken. Representatives of the Red Cross from all parts of the county were at this meeting and there was complete unison of action upon all matters taken up. The dates fixed for raising the Hamilton county apportionment of the war fund were the last two days of July and the first four days of Angust. The committees consisted of the following named persons :
Aurora District-J. A. Isaman, T. E. Williams, C. S. Brown, W. I. Farley, Clark Perkins, Geo. Wanek, G. L. Burr, C. M. Grosvenor, J. D. M. Buckner, Rev. Isakson, T. B. Johnson and D. A. Johnson.
Hampton District-J. M. Cox, S. C. Houghton and John Peterson.
Stockham District-C. L. Riker, Robert Mccullough and Jesse Salmon.
Marquette District-D. E. Seiver, Ira Bush and J. J. Refshauge.
Hordville District-Aaron Blomquist, P. J. Refshauge, Charles Campbell. Phillips District-(. P. Horn, E. II. Yerkes, E. C. Huxtable.
Murphy District-M. E. Isaacson, Abe Lewis, Enoch Oberg.
Giltner District-F. C. Wheeler, J. C. Bierbower, R. L. Purdy.
Advertising and Publicity Committee-Clark Perkins, G. L. Burr, C. M. Grosvenor.
The district designated for each committee is the same respectively, as announced for Red Cross several weeks ago. Publicity campaign week provides committees for each district to formulate their own method of conducting cam- paign for systematic canvas of each district.
Vol. 1-37
4
572
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The apportionment of moneys to be raised in the several districts is as follows :
Stockham District
$ 1,000.00
Giltner
1,500.00
Hampton
1,800.00
Murphy
600.00
Phillips
1,200.00
Marquette
2,500.00
Hordville
900.00
Aurora
8,000.00
Total $17,500.00
Hordville was the one district in the entire county which entered the cam- paign with its money already raised. At a meeting of the Aurora committee, held at the office of J. A. Isaman an organization was affected for systematic work. T. B. Johnson was made chairman of the district organization, Clark Perkins was made secretary and J. A. Isaman treasurer.
Clark Perkins, George L. Burr and Charles M. Grosvenor were named as a committee on publicity, to have entire charge of the advertising, correspondence and news service of the campaign in the county. A committee was appointed to compile the tax list for property valuations. That committee was composed of J. A. Isaman, D. A. Johnson and C. M. Grosvenor.
HAMILTON COUNTY'S BANNER
The handsome flag flying from the staff in the court house park was presented to Company II by T. E. Williams and formally turned over to the people of Hamilton county by Captain Otis M. Newman on behalf of Company H, which he commanded. The ceremony occurred in Memorial Park, west of the court house. Company H attended in a body and that section of the park was filled by a large crowd of citizens, the most interested attention being given to every detail of the program.
Neither Mayor Farley nor Mr. Williams, the donor of the flag. could be present. Captain Newman presided and expressed his gratitude to the donor of the flag, briefly stated the purpose of the meeting and introduced Corporal Brill to speak for Company H.
Corporal Brill, who is a minister in the United Brethren church, and whose home is Broken Bow, is already a popular man among the boys of the company.
A wonderful address was delivered by Judge Stark on this memorable occa- sion. A lifelong patriot of the highest type, the father of an only son who has twice responded to the call of his country, a former judge advocate and friend of the National Guard, and with a fatherly concern for every soldier Hamilton has furnished, he rose on this occasion to the sublime heights of eloquence.
THE FIRST SPLENDID DONATION
Mr. T. E. Williams, a member of the Red Cross War Fund Committee for the Aurora district, when informed by members of the committee of the plan
573
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
outlined for the work of raising funds, at once suggested that the amount which under the proposed levy he would pay was not large enough to suit himself nor Mrs. Williams. Mr. Williams then authorized the committee to place his name and that of Mrs. Williams on the list for a joint subscription of $500.00.
WOMAN'S WORK IS ORGANIZED
As the result of a tour in August of the county made by Mrs. T. E. Williams, county chairman of the woman's auxiliary of the Nebraska State Council of De- fense, accompanied by her husband and John A. Whitmore, chairman of the County Council of Defense, and daughter, Miss Laura Whitmore, the first steps toward an effective organization were taken in the selection of the following of- ficers and executive council :
Chairman, Mrs. Thomas E. Williams; secretary, Mrs. Clark Perkins; treas- urer, Mrs. G. L. Burr; Stockham, Mrs. M. E. Coon; Marquette, Mrs. W. O. Eichelberger ; Hampton, Mrs. Effie W. Gelow ; Phillips, Mrs. George Horn; Hord- ville. Mrs. P. J. Refshauge; Giltner, Mrs. Myrtle Jackette; Aurora, Mrs. F. E. Edgerton, Mrs. A. G. Peterson, Miss Laura E. Whitmore.
THE HOME GUARD
The Home Guard Company was organized at a meeting held in Aurora August 20, 1917. Those who first enrolled to serve under Captain Clark Per- kins, First Lieutenant Myrl Mather and Second Lieutenant Joseph R. Peters were: S. G. Abercrombie, A. W. Hickman, C. A. Peterson, Frank A. Burt, W. E. Lounsbury, T. E. Williams, Clyde E. Eisely, W. G. Ward, Geo. W. Baird, C. E. Neir, Thomas O'Neil, A. B. Cowley, F. L. McCarty, Clark Perkins, Lou A. Morris, W. O. Eichelberger, Joseph R. Peters, Frank E. Quinn, Harold Boberg, E. A. De Waters, Austin L. Higby, Robert M. Mitchell, E. S. Johnson, D. A. Johnson, G. C. Eaton, G. Anawalt, T. A. Harrison, F. C. Mather, G. W. MeDougal, Bert Foss, L. A. Pfost, A. L. Burr, Ross Leymaster, M. F. Stanley, Oscar Gunnarson, George Wanek, W. J. Lozier, E. B. Arnold, C. M. Grosvenor, Frank Boyland, C. W. Wentz, Richard W. Hogg, J. H. Grosvenor, J. W. Spray, J. F. Cole, T. M. Scott, Myrl S. Mather, Henry V. Nelson, Fred Jeffers, C. W. Wood, Millard F. Green, Jas. Christopaule, S. N. Peterson, Alek Carlson, F. C. Miller, F. A. Thomas, B. O. Bergeson, Joe Egerstrom, J. D. M. Buckner, W. E. Copeland, W. I. Farley, John G. Davis, L. W. Weikel, John F. Powell, E. O. Price, Robert Hedgecock, Peter IIedlund, Jas. E. Schoonover.
COMPANY H'S DEPARTURE
On Friday, September 14, 1917, the final good-byes were said by the people of Hamilton County to their beloved Company H.
At six o'clock the long line formed on the north side of the square, where the final roll call before departure was taken. Captain Newman, First Lieutenant Earl Dorland, Second Lieutenant Clyde Widaman and one hundred and forty- eight enlisted men were in the line, Privates Spencer and Schultz both being too ill to respond or accompany the command.
514
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
On the opposite side of the street and faeing the men of Company H were stationed the men of the home guard company, under command of Captain Per- kins. The company had been called out the night before for the first drill, and reported at 6:30 Friday morning to escort the soldiers to the station. Eighty of these men were in line and many of them had sons in the ranks of the men just in front of them.
At 6:30 the whistle at the Aurora Electric Company plant blew the long call and a few minutes later the men fell into marching order and filed down the streets toward the Burlington. The home guards company, as special escort. lead the march to the station, Old Glory at the head of the column, the men in khaki in elose formation behind.
THE ABANDONED CAMP
After a visit to the spot on the day of the departure of Company H, Friday. September 14, 1917, J. H. Grosvenor penned the following lines to the men of Camp Hamilton :
I have heard their bagle calling When the evening sun was low ; I have felt the darkness falling About their campfire's glow.
I have heard their youthful laughter As they marched, or played, or drilled ; I have felt their "soul-glow" after My vision has been filled.
I have heard the valiant war oath, From the lips of dauntless youth ; I have felt as one who knoweth, Their courage, worth and truth.
I have heard their sturdy foot-falls On their eager march away; I have felt the sorrow that enthralls, Hallowing that camp today.
I have heard the silence broken, Round that camp-ground in the glen, By woman's sob, love's token, Wailing for our gallant men.
I have heard the war wind calling "Onward" to our flesh and blood ;
I have felt the darkness palling, Over Death's all-whelming flood.
3
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
I have heard, as though in slumber, Their returning ranks march home ; I have felt, "Each has God's number," Wheresoever called to roam.
WOMEN'S REGISTRATION
1
There were 1,526 women over sixteen years of age in the county who showed by registering their names their desire to "do their bit" for their country in its crisis. Following are the number who registered from each precinct : Aurora, 78; Beaver, 26; Bluff, 56; Deepwell, 47; Farmers Valley, 15; Grant, 51; Ham- ilton, 41; Monroe, 47; Orville, 53; Otis, 40; Phillips, 65; Scoville, 41; South Platte, 125; Union, 59; Valley, 182; Aurora City : First ward, 202; Second ward, 174; Third ward, 217, a total of 1,519. In addition to these there were seven non-residents who registered in Hamilton county.
The committeemen for the different precincts were: Aurora, Mrs. S. B. Otto; Beaver, Mrs. Theodore Paschke; Bluff, Mrs. P. J. Refshauge ; Farmers Valley, Mrs. Perry Reed; Hamilton, Mrs. William Sautter; Monroe, Miss Ella Johnson ; Orville, Mrs. M. E. Coon; Phillips, Mrs. George Horn; Otis, Mrs. Ira Bush; South Platte, Mrs. W. O. Eichelberger; Union, Rev. R. L. Purdy; Valley, Mrs. Effie Gelow ; First ward, Aurora, Miss Laura Whitmore; Second ward, Mrs. M. F. Stanley ; Third ward, Miss Elsie Chidester.
WOMEN'S LIBERTY LOAN
The precinct chairmen and offieers of the Women's Auxiliary, Council of De- fense, who solicited actively for the sale of Liberty Bonds, included the following : Aurora, Mrs. S. B. Otto; Beaver, Mrs. Theodore Paschke; Bluff, Mrs. P. J. Refshauge; Deepwell, Mrs. T. W. Cavett; Farmers Valley, Mrs. Perry Reed; Hamilton, Mrs. William Sautter; Orville, Mrs. M. E. Coon ; Phillips, Mrs. George Horn; Scoville, Mrs. William Case; South Platte, Mrs. W. O. Eichelberger; Union, Miss Mabel Wilson ; Valley, Mrs. Effie Gelow; Aurora City, First ward, Miss Laura Whitmore; Second ward, Mrs. F. E. Edgerton; Third ward, Miss Elsie Chidester ; Mrs. T. E. Williams, Mrs. G. L. Burr, Mrs. Clark Perkins, Mrs. A. G. Peterson, Liberty Loan Committee ; Mrs. T. E. Williams, County Chairman.
Y. M. C. A. DRIVE STARTED
Hamilton county, which was one of the five in its district, was well repre- sented at a Y. M. C. A. district meeting held at York, Tuesday night, November 6, and Judge Stark was one of the three principal speakers. The meeting was at- tended by one hundred and forty delegates from this district and of these Ham- ilton county furnished twenty-eight. It was the best represented county in the district, save York, where the meeting was held.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The apportionment for the county according to precincts and population in 1910:
Precinct.
Population.
Amount. $103.96
Farmers Valley
452x23e
Orville
760×23c
174.80
Union
1032x23c
237.36
Scoville
460x23c
105.80
Beaver
472×23c
108.56
Aurora
684x23c
157.32
Hamilton
528x23e
121.44
Deepwell
552×23c
126.96
Valley
1072×23c
246.56
Grant
644×23€
148.12
Monroe
776×23c
178.48
Phillips
588×23c
135.24
Otis
692×23e
159.16
South Platte
1160x23c
266.80
Bluff
768x23c
176.64
City of Aurora :
First ward
1040x23c
239.20
Second ward
912×23c
209.76
Third ward
868×23c
199.64
Population, 13,460; apportionment, $3,095.80.
The main speaker of the evening was District Judge H. S. Dungan of Hast- ings. Congressman Charles II. Sloan of Geneva and Judge W. L. Stark of Aurora both made good talks caleulated to send the delegations home to their various counties full of enthusiasm and courage for the raising of these funds.
THE "HONOR ROLL" BEGINS
News of the death of another Hamilton county soldier reached this com- munity, October 9th. Theodore John Peterson, of Monroc precinct, being the third victim of the Spanish influenza from this county to die at Camp Grant, Illi- nois. He was a son of the late Charles Anderson of Monroe and was survived by the mother, one brother and six sisters. His father died just about a year before, following a surgical operation in Chicago.
Theodore was twenty-eight years of age and went to Camp Grant on the 6th of September. The mother and one of her daughters had started to the camp on receipt of the news of his illness, but upon reaching Omaha word of his death awaited them.
Reports reached this city soon afterwards that Jess Ummel, son of the late Eli Ummel, of near Phillips, had died at Camp Dodge, Iowa, of Spanish in- fluenza, the first Hamilton county victim to be reported from that camp. His father died a few weeks before and he had been at home on a furlough at that time.
Soon thereafter news reached Aurora of the death of Melvin Marney, one of the young men who left Hamilton county in June and who was with the men
572
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
who went to Camp Funston. The men left Aurora on Friday, June 28th, and it was just about one week later, according to the reports, that young Marney died in a hospital there.
He had been employed in the county and registered there under the draft.
LESTER HARTER DIES IN BATTLE
Fighting gallantly for his country and surrounded by a swarm of enemy battle planes, Lester Harter, youngest living son of Mrs. Esther A. MeKay of this city, made the supreme sacrifice and died gloriously for the cause of freedom on the German front September 18.
Lester Harter enlisted in the aviation branch of the service from Keokuk, Iowa, where he had been engaged in the auto business. He enlisted early in the war and left for France fourteen months previous to his death. After his term in the training camps he was sent to the front and had seen much exciting serv- ice since that time.
After the American army became so active on the front, Lester had done an immense amount of bombing work and had earned the admiration of his friends in the service for his coolness and daring, as is attested by letters from them. Mrs. Andrew Grosshans of Aurora is a sister, and his brothers, J. J. and Harry, live near Stockham. His father was the late Jacob Harter, whose widow be- came the wife of former county commissioner T. A. McKay. His action in writ- ing his name upon a slip of paper while his plane was falling, to insure identifica- tion, probably established a worthy precedent in aeronautical affairs.
Paul M. French died at Camp Pike, Arkansas, on Saturday, October 12, 1919. He entered the service from Cotner University and was in the officers' training department at the time of his death, which resulted from pneumonia. A lieutenant's commission would have been his reward for his apt learning and discipline some time in November.
Paul was a devoted Christian, being a student in the Theological Department of Cotner University and a very intimate friend of Rev. C. C. Dobbs of Aurora.
DIED WHILE FACING THE HUN
Just as the first great tide of rejoicing over the close of the war was sweep- ing over the community and just as hearts everywhere were assuming new hope for the return of their loved ones, the tragic war messenger sped his way to Aurora and planted the ineffaceable mark of sorrow in one of its best known homes.
Nevember 12, shortly after the hour of eight, a message from Major Harris came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Day, announcing the death of their youngest son, Robert J., from wounds received while in action. The date of his death was given as October 10th.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
A large audience was present on Sunday evening, November 10, 1918, in the United Brethren church at the Memorial service of Eldred Dusenberry. Mr.
578
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Clark Perkins gave a well worded and coneise tribute based on the words of Captain Newman, who praised Private Dusenberry as one of the most exact in detail of drill. Rev. C. C. Dobbs led in the Memorial prayer as all reverently stood in silent tribute. Rev. Ileberly sang the solo, "The Little Blue Star in that Window That Changed to Gold," and spoke on the United War Campaign, using Daniel Poling's book, "ITuts in Hell," for illustrations of the work done for the boys.
HAMILTON COUNTY WENT OVER IN FOURTH LOAN DRIVE
Although the kaiser and his clan were sending peace talk statements over the land, influenza was reaching its destroying hand over the country and Hamilton county had lost its big corn crop-all of this did not deter the people from carrying on in the most magnificent assault against the Hun which the county has ever been called upon to make. It was one great united attack upon the common enemy and there was never a rest until it had been finished. And, like the boys over there, the people at home were not satisfied with reaching the ob- jective, but pushed on far beyond. Accordingly the people of Hamilton county in a few days' time subscribed the Fourth Liberty Loan quota of $850,000.00 and exceeded the amount by almost eight per cent.
Each bank's quota and the amount subscribed was as follows :
Aurora :
Quota.
Subscribed.
Farmers State Bank
$ 90,250
$ 94,000
Fidelity National Bank
118,250
140,600
First National Bank
117,750
118,000
American State Bank
11,000
11,500
Giltner :
Citizens Bank
45,000
47,100
Giltner State Bank
42,500
78,300
Hampton :
First National Bank
75,250
55.700
Farmers State Bank
56,500
56,750
Hordville :
First State Bank
43,750
47,350
Marquette :
Farmers State Bank
29,750
37,900
First National Bank
80,250
80,250
Murphy :
First State Bank Phillips :
32,750
36,300
Bank of Phillips
41,000
33,550
Stockham :
Stockham State Bank
35,250
44,000
Total.
$820,250
$881,300
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
OTHER HONOR ROLL NAMES
Another sad war message came when a telegram came to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wolff of Aurora announcing the death of their son, Verne O., in France from wounds received in action. The message as delivered to the parents read as follows :
"Washington, D. C., October 9, 1918.
"Fred Wolff, Aurora : Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially re- ported that Private Verne O. Wolff, infantry, died August 30th from wounds received in action.
"HARRIS, Acting Adj. Gen."
Verne was a young man well known in Aurora, where for a long time he was in the employ of the Peter Hedlund grocery. He was among the first to enlist . in Company H and was the first young man of that company to lose his life from wounds received in battle.
Just one month from the day of his arrival at Camp Grant, Illinois, Clarence Earl Kenney, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Kenney, of Aurora, gave up his life -the second Hamilton county victim of influenza and pneumonia in that camp. Clarence left for the Illinois camp on September 6, the same day and in the same car with Clarence E. Bute, the first Hamilton county victim, and Theodore John Peterson, who died in that camp about October 4th.
Reports of the death of another well known young man at the Lincoln camp came soon thereafter, Reuben Franklin Larson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Larson of this city, having died of pneumonia the night before. Reuben was twenty-two years of age and went to the Lincoln training camp on the 15th of August. His parents bought the C. E. Neir property in the Third ward some time before then.
FOOD COMMISSION NAMED
Immediately after his return from a conference with Food Administrator Wattles at Omaha, A. W. Hickman completed the county food organization by the appointment of the following committeemen :
General, John A. Whitmore, chairman county council of defense; F. A. Burt, A. Grosshans, Glenn Anawalt, J. S. Isaman; Hampton, N. Peterson ; Stockham, E. A. McVey ; Giltner, Fred Burr; Phillips, T. E. Nordgren; Mar- quette, Harry Orbin ; Hordville, A. Blomquist.
The familiar food price lists published weekly can be preserved by the fol- lowing example of one of these interesting mandates.
Fair prices recommended for Hamilton county by price committee, Federal Food Administration for Nebraska :
Sugar, per lb. .10
Flour, No. I Patent, 24-1b. sack 1.50
48-1b. sack 3.00
No. 2 Patent, 24-1b. sack 1.45
48-lb. sack 2.90
580
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Corn meal, 6-1b. sack .35
12-1b. sack .70
Nebraska potatoes, best No. 1. per bu.
1,60
No. 2 1.50
Butter, No. 1 creamery, per lb .50
No. 1 country, per lb .45
No. 2 country, per lb .38
Eggs, No. 1, fresh, per doz
.45
Rice, No. 1, in bulk, per lb
.121/2
Oatmeal, No. 1, large pkg
.30
No. 2, large pkg. .25
Pure lard, packing house, per lb., No. 1
Compound, per lb., No. 1 .33
.25
Beans, navy, No. 1, per lh .13
Pinto, No. 1, per lb .15
Bread, 16-oz. loaf
.10
24-oz. loaf
.15
32-oz., loaf
.20
Rye and graham bread, same as wheat.
GILTNER HOME GUARDS ORGANIZE
The meeting held at the high school auditorium Monday evening, January 28th for the purpose of organizing a company of home guards was productive of good results, thirty-six signing the muster roll and taking the oath required for members. The meeting was ealled to order by Superintendent Weisel and he was elected temporary as well as permanent chairman. Joseph Heganbart was elected captain, Nels Le Baron, first lieutenant and O. E. Bedell second lieutenant.
OTHER DEATHS IN SERVICE
Elmer A. Fox, volunteer in the United States aviation service, the third young soldier of Hamilton county to give up his life under the flag of his coun- try and the first from the city of Aurora, was given the fullest military honors, when an impressive funeral service was held at the Christian church in this city. The following tribute was paid by the Aurora press :
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