USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. II > Part 22
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825
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
and boxer from the days of the set-to between Cain and Abel down to day before yesterday, made the announcements, and the bands played merrily in between.
A few less than a million people foregathered in Ellis' pasture at 9 o'clock in the evening to see the fireworks display. All the autos in the world, it seemed like, were parked around the eighty-acre traet. The display was all that it was adver- tised to be, and therefore fully up to the expectations of a multitude that expected a whole lot. There was not a single "bobble" in the whole business. A couple of tableaux were staged during the display, and while the band played "America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" the multitude arose and cheered.
And that finished the program of the day. But the people seemed loath to leave the city, and until midnight the firecrackers kept popping, the people kept buying pop and ice cream and "hot dogs," and the heavens were alight with skyrockets and roman candles.
The celebration was staged under the auspices of the York County Commercial Club, with Frank Borden as the chairman of the committee. And right here and now the Democrat doffs its chapeau to Colonel Borden and hails him as the best Fourth of July go-getter between the two oceans. And to each and every one of his aides the chapeau is doffed likewise.
Celebration Notes
The Red Cross workers let no man escape. They started in with the rising sun and remained on the job until the streets were deserted. Red Cross buttons were as common as sandfleas in California before the day was done.
Col. Charley McCloud took a couple of the Red Cross women in tow about 2:30 in the afternoon and corralled every man who went by. He made sixty of them drop a dollar in the box inside of thirty minutes, and had more fun than a box of monkeys while doing it.
A lot of people who were wise had a lot of fun watching people trying to slake their thirst at the sanitary fountain on the Felton corner. Despite the complaint made in the Demoerat this fountain was not repaired and those who tried to get a drink there received an involuntary shower bath.
"Bob" Bullock on his Eiffel tower bike attracted a lot of favorable attention.
For refusing to countenance a street carnival on the big day the Commercial Club has the thanks of all good citizens. The addition of one of those immoral carnivals would have detracted from the real enjoyment of the day.
The traffic squad had its hands full every minute of the time, but managed to keep things moving and prevented any accidents.
Speaking of sineeures, the special policemen had 'em all day. All they had to do was walk around and see the sights just like the rest of us. There was not a single arrest during the day, not even for speeding.
The "Rube Band" made a big hit all along the line of march. Its music was as bad as the individual make-up was good.
Three bands kept the air full of music all day, and it was mighty good music, too.
Col. Art Thompson officiated as grand marshal of the day, and he rode his prancing charger like a cavalryman of the old school.
Mayor Tom Smith was the proudest man in forty-eight states on the Glorious Fourth. And why not? Isn't he mayor of the best little city in the country? And didn't his city pull off the biggest celebration in the West?
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IHISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
"Cy" Sherman. sports editor of the Lincoln Daily Star. who refereed the wrestling match, is one of York's most enthusiastic boosters. "You've got the best little city of its size I ever visited," said Colonel Sherman. "It's got cities of five times its population backed off the map for energy and civic pride. It is always a pleasure to me to come here, for 1 not only meet a lot of good fellows but I know that I am in a city that does things worth while."
The crowds were too busy to pause long enough to even listen to such spell- binders as Judge Wray, Postmaster Gilbert. Senator Sandall, and other orators who wore thus forced to keep bottled up the thrilling and soul-stirring speeches they had prepared to deliver in aid of the Red Cross. But the buttons sold just as well, anyhow-perhaps better.
The street commissioner deserves praise for the good work of his department in getting the streets cleaned up after the celebration was over. By noon the next day the streets were in as good shape as they were the day before. And it took a lot of work to accomplish this result.
The fire whistle blew just as the crowd was leaving the fireworks display. The department made a record run, but did not have to do any work. But the run afforded a lot of entertainment for the people.
The sandwich and soft drink stands drove a rushing business all day long. The Boy Scout stand was especially well patronized.
Cols. Leland Lewellan and Raymond Abbott of Lincoln had important business to transact in York on July 4.
The merry-go-round and the Ferris wheel were liberally patronized until late at night.
More than $1,500,000 worth of automobiles were parked inside of York's cor- poration limits during the day.
Without exception the local dealers in fireworks observed the ordinance against selling the deadly dynamite crackers, and as a result no fingers were blown off during the day. And at that there was noise aplenty.
Waco sent up a big delegation of Red Cross girls, every one of them as handsome as could be and all of them enthusiastic workers in the cause.
A Credit to Benedict-Band of That City Makes Decided Hit with York People
One of the most pleasing features of York's successful celebration of Independence day was the music rendered by the band from the neighboring little city of Benedict. It is only now and then that a town of the size of Benedict comes to the front with a band of that size and ability, and when such happens it is an evidence of civic enterprise, community spirit and musical atmosphere. The Benedict Band of twenty-one pieces. under the direction of George MeCall of this city, rendered splendid music in York on July 4th, and contributed immensely to the enjoyment of the day.
Mr. MeC'all took the Benediet band in charge about a year ago, when it seemed as if that organization was about to disband for lack of leadership. He interested the young men, interested the people, and as a result Benedict can now point with pride to a concert band that would reflect credit upon a city many times larger than York's enterprising little neighbor on the north. York people will look for- ward with pleasure to another entertainment by this capable organization.
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
THE FIRST DRAWING
After York County's sons registered on June 5th, the next step in the selection of those who should be called into actual military service was undertaken by assign- ing to each registrant a number, proceeding serially from one upwards, the series being separate and independent for each local board area in the country. Thus each registrant in York County could be identified by citing his York County local board number and his York County serial number. The local board, by which name the Selective Service Board for the county has been commonly designated, proceeded to number the cards with red ink numbers, consecutively. without regard to alpha- betical arrangement. Five lists were then prepared, one retained for the records of the local board, one copy posted in a conspicuous place in the courthouse, one copy given out for publication by the press. and the two remaining copies furnished to the state authorities at Lincoln and the office of the provost marshal general at Washington.
In order then to designate with the utmost impartiality the sequence in which the registrants qualified for military service should be called as needed, a single national drawing was held on July 20, 1917, for those who had registered on June 5th.
While it was held' in Washington, D. C., this national drawing was a notable event in the history of the lives of so many York County citizens, that it becomes an incident in the history of York County.
Room No. 226, the public hearing room of the United States Senate Office Building, was the scene of the first drawing, ten thousand five hundred numbers were drawn, the first capsule being taken from the glass bowl at 9:30 A. M .. Friday, July 20, and the last at 2:16 A. M .. Saturday, July 21, 1917: elapsed time, 16 hours 46 minutes, during which time the numbers were telegraphed and bulletined all over the country.
The first few numbers drawn were :
1. Newton D. Baker, the secretary of war, 258.
2. George E. Chamberlain. senator from Oregon. chairman. Committee on Military Affairs, 2,522.
3. S. Hubert Dent, Jr., representative from Alabama, chairman. House Com- mittee on Military Affairs, 9.613.
4. Francis E. Warren, senator from Wyoming, 4,532.
5. Julius Kahn, representative from California, 10,218.
6. Tasker H. Bliss, major general, chief of staff, U. S. Army, 458.
7. Enoch H. Crowder, provost marshal general, U. S. Army. 3,403.
8. Henry P. McCain. adjutant general, U. S. Army. 10.015.
The first few numbers that affected York County were:
258 Sparling, Clifford E.
945 Epp, Cornelius C.
458 Harrison, Alvin George 596 Naber, Hugo Henry
1,436 Busk, Edwin Axel 1,267 MeCarty, Fred Paul
854 Gray, Archie
536 Samson, Charles
1,095 Kalitï, Rudolph L.
1,495 Rogers, Joseph F.
1,455 Flint, John Brown
548 Aringdale, Grover
783 Tucker, William Roy
120 Gaskill, George Earl
1,117 Schneider, Henry O. 1,237
Gale. Robert G.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
1,572 Rosenlof, Carl A.
784 Thomas, Frank S.
837 Williams, Orvis
Klone, Walter W.
337 Wilkins, Floyd C.
107 Zersen, Gilbert Henry
676 Krous, John
1,546 Henning. Edward 11.
225 Bills, Joseph J. R.
1,563 Miller, Olag Nels
509 Itaas, Harlow Clinton
1,369 Lankin, Wesley Bacon
1.185 Petersen, Julian A.
616
Stewart. William J.
564 Fischer, Albert John
EARLY ENLISTMENTS
During the early summer of 1917 numerous York County boys and men began to leave their respective stations for posts of duty and enlist even before the call of the selective service reached them.
Among the very early recruits in this spirit were: Ora Devore, son of Mrs. J. H. Devore, who left for the navy, and Frank Peck, another York County boy, who went through the hospital corps, returning in May. J. H. Wilson, for a long time the superintendent of Odd Fellows' Home in York, resigned his position, left for Fort Snelling for the first officers' training camp. Howard Bell was also another York County son to leave for this same eamp. Chick Hannis went to the Navy early in June. Harold Requartte, son of H. F. Roquartte, enlisted in the hospital corps in July.
LATE SUMMER AND EARLY FALL OF 1917
York County's first gold star came with the death of Sergeant Leo of Com- pany M, Fourth Nebraska Infantry, in camp at Grand Island, in July. it was reported first that Sergeant Leo had died of ptomaine poisoning, and that other members of the company were dangerously ill. Immediately strange and alarming rumors were set afloat. Investigation by the military authorities, however, revealed that Sergeant Leo had died of a cerebral hemorrhage and that there were no traces whatever of poison. No other members of the company were siek.
Sergeant Leo enlisted in Company M from Merna, Nebraska, and was well liked by his comrades because of his soldierly qualities and his unfailing good humor. The remains were taken to Merna for interment.
A mighty fine bunch of young men left York early in August bound for Fort Crook to join Company M, Fourth Nebraska. These young men found their num- bers well towards the top in the draft drawing, and just to show that they had neither fear nor hard feelings, they beat the draft board to it by enlisting. Follow- ing are the names of these loyal young recruits: Leonard W. Herrold, Benedict ; Andrew J. Eberle, York ; Cecil G. Thorpe, Waco; Edwin L. Humphrey, Bradshaw ; Victor F. Pickrel, Bradshaw ; William J. Bergen, McCool; Adolph Kreshel, Tobias; Allen E. Fay, Bradshaw : George W. Dickerson, Bradshaw; Blaine Grover, MeCool; William R. Courtwright, York ; Leo V. Jacks, York ; JJames A. Blackman, Gresham ; Frank A. Schall, Waco; Henry I. Brown, Vermont, IN., and Virgil L. Shadel, York.
Some idea of the magnitude of the task thrown upon the shoulders of each county's selective service board, which consisted of the sheriff, the county clerk and one chosen member of the county's medieal profession, is gained by the following account published in August. 1917, of the progress of the physical examinations made in York County to supply the first call made upon the county.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
"Physical examination under the draft for the purpose of securing 129 soldiers from York County began at the courthouse last Monday morning. Under the direction of Doctor Mckinley. assisted by Doctor King, an average of about fifty men a day have been physically examined. The board proper consists of Sheriff Miller, County Clerk Beck, and Doctor MeKinley. Nearly fifty per cent of those examined are disqualified for physical reasons. and the claims of exemption are running well above that figure. Some of the dependency claims are far fetched, and the closest examination will be given all claims.
"It is now quite certain that the second call for 245 men will be pretty well exhausted before the required 129 men are secured. All elaims for exemption on ocenpational grounds will have to be submitted to the district board, and appeal lies from exemption allowances. If appeal on dependency grounds is denied, then the man so denied has the right of appeal to the district board. Also, if anyone believes that an exemption has been wrongfully allowed, the one so aggrieved may appeal. It is a common expression that the County Council of Defense should be represented when exemptions are allowed on claims of dependency and see to it that all such claims are well founded."
The York County Woman's Committee of the National Council of Defense was organized in August, 1917, and did valiant service in the different lines suggested by the names of the following committees, which are given here with the names of the ladies who acted as chairmen in the City of York :
Registration, Mrs. C. A. McCloud ; Food Conservation, Mrs. Elton Mead ; Child Welfare. Mrs. Hanna ; Safeguarding Moral and Spiritual Forces, Mrs. Wasser; Home and Foreign Relief ( Red Cross). Mrs. Jennie Stephens: Naturalization, Mrs. Wade Read : Publicity, Miss Grace Moore, Miss Phila Sedgwick. Mrs. Welch.
The registration under this plan had been taken by the women before the end of September, showing the following by townships: Stewart. 114; Thayer, 46; Morton, 111 : Arborville, 35; Bradshaw, 40: Lockridge, 22; New York, 47: Waco, 99; Beaver, 14; Leroy. 13; Baker. 55; Brown, 5; Henderson (A), 36; Henderson (B), 12; Hays, 54; McFadden, 67: West Blue, 68-total, 859; York, First Ward. 200: York, Second Ward, 136; York, Third Ward, 96: York. Fourth Ward, 158-total, 590; sum total, 1,449.
THE CONTINGENT STARTED
Six men were York County's first contribution under the selective conseription act. The county board selected the following: Carl W. Hehns, Ralph [. Hoatson, Andrew Kline, Dan Berger, James S. Barbee, Benne F. Barbee. This was five per cent of York's quota. These six young men left York at 1:54 P. M., Thursday, September 6th.
York's second draft contingent started off to training camp Saturday morning, September 14th. Fifty-two stalwart young men, good samples of the Nebraska spirit. answered "Here" when the roll was called, and fifty-two earnest young men waved their hands and cheered in response to the cheers of relatives and friends as the long train moved away from the depot. Those called for this contingent were: Archie Gray, Henry O. Schneider, John Krous, Fred Paul McCaty, George Earl Gaskill. William James Stewart, Louis Augustus Schlechte, Ray Elsie Anderson, Floyd L. Hudson, Alkana Ben Cantrell, Harry G. White, August Brown, Fred Rus-
830
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
sell Nixon, Earl Lee Stratton, Will Harry Moody, Fred Duber tine. William E. Summers, Walter E. Shofroth, Harry D. Hawley. Vale L. Fox, Robert E. Mayland, Johann Heinrichs, James C. Meglemre, David A. Watson, Lewis H. Archer, Henry Beyer, Robert J. Campbell. Hans Chris Lautsen, Verle E. Hedrick, John T. Magnu- son, Louis M. Price, Chester L. Johnson, Charles Fay Tharp, Ruie T. Watson, Leslie ('lem Austine. Buchard H. Wiemer, Herbert E. Hulse, Lemuel R. Wileox, John C. Siebert, Andrew Kline, Roy Edward Carlisle, James Gobboney Stewart, Henry J. D. Tieken, Eskil F. Hanson, Arthur John Johnson, William D. De Voss, Fred Henry Goche, Charles Francis Sherwood, Jesse Edward Welch, Harry Leo Crounse, Miller Evan Edgar. Harry Foreman.
The third contingent left for camp Funston on October 6th and were given a rousing farewell by the citizens of York.
LIBERTY BOND DRIVES
The first Liberty Bond Drive was met in York County, as in practically every other county, by the banks taking virtually the entire subscription, and in some cases parceling part of it out to their larger customers who wished to help. By the time the second drive came plans were made to allow the entire community to take part. In October explanatory plans in this matter were launched when ex-Senator Burkett made a rousing patriotic speech at the courthouse as a preliminary to the general hustle, and he put the "pep" into them in fine shape. The bankers held a meeting the evening preceding and arranged for their share of the big drive. The next Sunday had been designated as a day of prayer by President Wilson, and the Christian men and women of the nation prayed for the success of our soldiers and sailors who were fighting the big battle for the preservation of democracy. The churches of York observed the day with appropriate exercises. York County's quota in the second Liberty Loan was $519,000, and the banks immediately took $300,000 of this at their own risk in disposing of that part they could not very well handle themselves.
LATE FALL AND EARLY WINTER OF 191%
Late in October as an auxiliary effort to the work of the County Council of Defense, local bureaus were established to assist the farmers in securing corn huskers in the uniform rates that had been established by the local and state councils of defense. This work in the various communities was in charge of the following men: York, George W. Shreck; Henderson, L. R. Misner : Waco, S. A. May : McCool Junction, J. E. Finney.
In November Floyd Hudson, another of the soldier boys from York County, died at Camp Funston, pneumonia being the cause of death. His wife and father were with him at the last. His mother expected him home on sick leave and hurried from church Sunday morning to get ready for him. Instead of seeing her boy she was met by a telegram announcing his death.
Young Hudson, although married, elaimed no exemptions, and when Uncle Sam called him he answered with a cheerful "Here." Quietly and patriotically he per- formed his duty to his country. It was not given to him to sail to "somewhere in France" and engage his country's enemies face to face. For him there was no glory and dash of the battle line, no shouting and tumult as the charge swept on.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
But Floyd Hudson, soldier of the Republie, doing his duty where his lot was cast, is .entitled to the thanks of the country he served, and dying in the ranks the honors of the soldier dead are his.
The following poetical tribute to the first three American lads to make the supreme sacrifice on foreign soil, penned by a man then a citizen of York County, is inserted at this point as being worthy of preservation.
ENRIGHT, GRESHAM AND HAY
'Neath the lilies of France, where the Stripes and Stars Gleam bright 'neath the wintry sky; Where each long, brown rank in the trenches dank Is ready to fight and die- They sleep the sleep of our soldier dead, But sleeping they live alway. And a Nation gives them a laurel wreath- Enright, and Gresham, and Hay.
For they have come from a fighting race That ever shall dare and do When the Old Flag's call to her brave boys all Is answered with hearts so true. And so they answered to Freedom's plea ; "We are coming, Old Flag," said they. So over the waves to their hero graves- Enright, and Gresham, and Hay.
They have given all for their God and Right ; For us they have paid the price. And a Nation's love is their treasure trove As reward for their sacrifice. As the long days come and the long nights go O'er the fields of a world-wide fray, The Old Flag waves o'er thy hallowed graves, Enright, and Gresham, and Hay.
Enright, and Gresham, and Hay; sleep on In the soil that thy blood has stained. Old Flag, wave on till the fight is won, And a world is for Freedom gained. When the trump shall sound that a war-cursed world Has won to the great Peace Day, Then the Allied Flags shall be dipped to you- Enright, Gresham, and Hay. WILL M. MAUPIN.
Arthur Wolf, a resident of Erieson and formerly a student at York College, died at Camp Funston late in November. Monday morning, November 26th, memorial
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
services for the young soldier were held at the college chapel. The students of the business college attended in a body. The services were solemn and impressive. Young Wolf went to Camp Funston as a member of the Wheeler County contingent. The services held in his memory were a fitting tribute to his loyalty and his patriotism and were befitting to the young soldier of the Republic who died in the line of duty.
William Sullivan, a York county soldier boy assigned to Camp Cody, died at the camp hospital on December 12. The body was sent home and buried with appropriate ceremonies in the cemetery at Exeter.
William Sullivan enlisted from York County and at the time of his death was a member of Company G, 134th Infantry. Captain Henlon says he was a good soldier, well liked by his comrades and always ready for duty.
Sunday morning, January 6th, the Congregational Church organization hung out a service flag with thirteen stars, showing that thirteen young men of that con- gregation had joined the colors. The names of the thirteen young men were read as follows: Martin Ettel. Cloyde Mckinley, Ernest Ettel. Wendell Froid, Edward Gould, Ora Devore, Arthur Bell, Allen Lamb, Charles Hannis, Harold Hade, Adolph Smaha, Floyd Richard, and Floyd Thompson.
THE QUESTIONNAIRES
Following the drawing on July 20th, the local selective board had proceeded during the summer and fall months to call in groups of registrants as their numbers were reached. give them a physical examination, and receive and determine upon their elaims for exemption upon the various grounds designated. That method of calling all men as their numbers were reached and discharging or accepting rested upon the general assumption that a specific number of men were known to be needed for military service at a given time, and, therefore, enough registrants should be called by the county board in the sequence of their order numbers and selected according to the laws and regulations, until a number of qualified men has been obtained equal to the board's current quota, and the remainder discharged or exempted.
That was necessarily adopted for the early stage of the war, and proved effective for the purpose whether in all instances absolutely fair to all concerned or not. But experience was showing that it was wasteful, and would grow more ineffective as the quotas grew larger and speed became more necessary in meeting the quotas. So, late in the year of 1917 a new method was worked out by the authorities of the War Department. This became effective on December 15, 1912, at which time the first call for 687,000 men had been more than filled by local boards and a lull in the work presented the opportunity for changing the plan.
The essential change was this: First. that the physical examination followed, instead of preceding, the determination of the claim for discharge or exemption ; second. the registrant was required to fill out a document that will always occupy a historical place in American life hereafter-the questionnaire.
The questionnaire was a document of some twenty pages, which included lists of questions that all registrants must fill out: others that needed only be answered when applicable to the particular case and essential to constitute the proof for filing a claim for discharge or exemption ; and the whole document covered every
833
IHISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
angle of the classification systems, for which it was the basis of information and proof.
LEGAL ADVISORY BOARD
The attorneys of York met with the legal advisory board in December and arrangements were made for handling the work incident to the making out of the questionnaires which were then being mailed to the registered men at regular inter- vals. The legal advisory board consisted of Judge Corcoran, Judge Spurlock, and Senator Sandall. There were twelve lawyers, besides these gentlemen, and two attorneys who sat with a member of the board each day to attend to the business as it was required.
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