USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Adams County in the World War : April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 > Part 1
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ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
GETT F 157 . A2 E34 c.3
APRIL 6, 1917
NOVEMBER 11, 1918
Gettysburg College Library
GETTYSBURG, PA.
Presented by
John B. Keith '37 and Mrs. C. Harold Johnson
in memory of their father
Atty. John D. Keith Class of 1899
.
Accession
146430
F
GETTYSBURGIANA
Shelf
157
A2E34
c.3
14.430
+2534
ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
APRIL 6, 1917 TO
NOVEMBER 11, 1918
THE EVANGELICAL PRESS HARRISBURG, PA.
GETT F 157 AZE34
MATERIAL COLLECTED BY PAUL L. FOULK
BOOK EDITED BY PERCY S. EICHELBERGER
Copyright Foulk and Eichelberger 1921
1
Dedicated to our County's Living Dead who made and kept their pledge that their country might stand and to their dear kin- dred, especially the parents, wives and children, who shall always feel the paug of bercavement.
. . .. .. .
THIS MEMORIAL ERECTED ENT DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE BOYS OF
ADAM'S COUNTY - WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE WORLD WAR.
73.3.21
BERNARD E. ALTHOFF ROYAL ALLEN LEASE
JOHN W. BATTERNAR
ALBEREL LENT3
ALBERT D. BELL
CYPRIAN W MC SHERRY
GEORGE & BLACK
JACOB MARKLINE
CHARLES LOWER
ANDREW E NICKLEY
RALPH & BRAME
GUY MILLER
WALTER & BREAM EARL JF MYERS
CHARLES G. BUCHER
GEORGE E. NAYLOR
CHARLES T CASSATT
JOHN WOCKER
GEORGE E CRIST
FABIAN ORNDORF
SAMUEL CLAPSADDLE
GEORGE R. PRETZ
PAUL F COLE
JOHN F RICE
JOHN A. DEKKER
CLAIRE RICHWINE
CHARLES DIEHL
FRANCIS E. RIDER
JOHN B DUCKSTAD
HARRY RIDER
WILBUR V. FINK
DENNIS ROBINSON
FRANK GARDNER
HOMER WROBINSON
WILLIAM F GEHRING
WILFORD RUPPRECHT
HARRY GUISE
LUTHER A SCOTT
ALLEN HARTMAN
CHARLES SHUYLER
WILLIAM B. HOKE
GEORGE E. SNYDER JOSEPH P. SOCIA
ELMER JACOBS
CLARENCE J. STRAUSBAUGH
GEORGE A. JACOBY
JOSEPH E. WEAVER
JOHN W. JOBE
HARRY M. TAYLOR
CHARLES KRAL
JOSEPH WILLIAMS
IRA E. LADY
DUPONT WOLF
PRESENTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF ADAMS COUNTY 1920
OUR HONORED DEAD.
Wherever they may be lying, whether on foreign soil or in the homeland, they are lying on "Fame's Eternal Camping Ground" fairly theirs by service and sac- rifice. There we tenderly leave them, sweetly sleeping, watched over by angels, venerated by comrades and enshrined in the gratitude of a glorified nation.
P. S. E.
Nov. 11, 1920.
-
FOREWORD
In this history the attempt is made to sketch in general the work done by each individual during his tour of duty in the World War. It is manifestly impossible to give adequate space to every phase of the campaigns or the full rôle played by each service man. It is not the motive of the writers to eulogize any particular individual or organization, or to pass over the deeds of others. But it has been necessary in places to mention the work of certain ones. So apologies are offered to those who did daring exploits for their comrades and country and which are not fully mentioned in this record.
To all of the men from Adams County who fought and worked belongs the greatest praise. Not only does this credit belong to the men of the line, but to those who have performed the drudg- ery and work in the preparation and bringing up of food and medieal aid under most trying circumstances, to those responsible for the maintenance of supplies and ammunition, to those who performed the elerical work necessary to the functioning of the organization and to those at home, who by their toiling and sac- rifieing not only provided for the needs, but also instilled within the boys at the front an unconquerable spirit.
Being primarily a history of the records of the individual from the county in the World War, no attempt is made to cover the proud records made by the various organizations to which these men belonged.
It has been our endeavor to make the work of the individual as complete as possible ; our ambition was to show portraits of all our fallen heroes. We exhausted every available means to get these pictures, but in a few cases it was found impossible to ob- tain them. We have utilized every means to obtain the names and record of the personal work done by each service man, but some failed to cooperate.
To those people who answered our requests for pictures and material relative to home work, we are deeply indebted. and take this opportunity to publicly express our gratitude.
To the many ex-service men of Adams County, who supplied us with information. we desire to express our sincere thanks. for without your cooperation this history could not have been pub- lished.
P. S. E. P. L. F.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Chapter I Council of National Defense 11
Chapter
Work of the Draft Board 13
Chapter
III Red Cross in Adams County
18
Chapter IV Liberty Loan Campaigns 28
Chapter V
War Savings Stamps
34
Chapter
VI
In Memoriam
37 39
Chapter
VII
Adams County's Gold Star Men
Chapter
VIII
Abbottstown, Arendtsville, Aspers
76
Chapter
IX
Bendersville, Biglerville 85 97
104
Chapter
XII Gettysburg
119
Chapter
XIII
Gettysburg
150
Chapter XIV
Greenstone, Hampton, Hanover, Iron Springs
184
Chapter XV Littlestown
194
Chapter XVI
McKnightstown, MeSherrystown
215
Chapter XVII
New Oxford
231
Chapter
XVIII
Orrtanna, Seven Stars, York Springs . General Summary
243
Chapter XIX
252
Chapter XX
Sinking of the "Tuseania"
258
Chapter XXI
Chateau-Thierry
262
Chapter XXII Crossing on a Floating Arsenal 276
Chapter
XXIII Meuse-Argonne Offense 281
Chapter x
Cashtown, Centennial, East Berlin
Chapter XI
Fairfield, Flora Dale, Gardners
CHAPTER I. THE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND COM- MITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
By C. E. Stable, Executive Secretary.
The object of the publishers, in the preparation of this work, is. I understand, to present to the public a concise and acenrate statement of the facts connected with Adams County's part in the World War. Such a statement would, of course, be incom- plete without reference to the organization which had, in part directory. and in part, advisory, supervision of practically all war activities; hence a chapter devoted to the Council of Na- tional Defense and Committee of Public Safety is in place.
Soon after America became engaged in the war. Pennsylvania organized a Couneil of National Defense, with subdivisions in each of her sixty-seven counties. This body was given national recognition and was practically a part of the national system of war management; later it became a unit of the Federal Council of National Defense and Committee of Public Safety. It was a responsible agency of the government. and among its duties was the obligation to promulgate the orders issned by the proper authorities and to enforce compliance therewith; to assist in all war work; to suggest persons suitable for appointment to the various offices in the several local organizations, and to exercise general observance of war activities. Through it cooperation between local, State and Federal bodies and agencies and ad- ministrators was effected. Its officers and members were ap- pointed by the Governor of the State.
The officers of the Adams County unit in service at the ter- mination of the war were Dr. Charles H. Huber, chairman. and Charles E. Stahle, executive secretary (succeeding Hon. S. McC. Swope, chairman. and W. S. Sehroder and Prof. C. B. Stover. secretaries, resigned). The members, in addition to the above officers, were: Rev. Fr. W. F. Boyle. Gettysburg: J. W. Eich- oltz, Esq., Gettysburg; John D. Keith, Esq., Gettysburg; S. Miley Miller, Gettysburg: Harvey A. Seott, Gettysburg; Harry F. Stambaugh. Abbottstown: George W. Baker. Abbottstown : Charles E. Raffensperger. Arendtsville; Dennis C. Asper,
11
12
ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.
Aspers; Dr. J. G. Stover, Bendersville; George W. Schwartz, Cashtown; William P. Baker, East Berlin; Calvin P. Bream, Fairfield; Chester J. Tyson, Flora Dale; Edwin L. Weikert, Green Mount ; W. S. Adams, Gardners; James D. Spalding, Littlestown; Charles H. Mayers, Esq .. Littlestown; F. V. Topper, MeSherrystown; T. E. Warner, New Oxford; E. F. Strausburgh, Orrtanna; William E. Grove, York Springs.
The committees and agents in charge of the general administra- tion of war activities, functioning at the time of the Armistice, with the chairmen, were the following: Liberty Loan, Dr. Wil- liam A. Granville; Food Administrator, Dr. E. H. Markley ; Fuel Administrator, William McSherry, Esq .; Red Cross, H. T. Weaver, chairman, Mrs. Elsie Singmaster Lewars, secretary ; War Savings Stamps, George C. Fissel. vice Charles II. Huber, resigned; Four-Minute-Men, J. L. Williams, Esq., vice C. E. Stahle, resigned; Community Sing, I. L. Taylor; Civilian Serv- ice and Labor, George M. Rice; Construction and Materials, Dorsey Dougherty; War Camp Community Service, Roy P. Funkhouser; Roll of Honor, Miss Annie H. Major; Military Service, J. Donald Swope, Esq .; Legal Advisory Board, William Arch McClean, Esq .; Home Defense Police, A. V. Weikert; Farm Labor Manager, George M. Rice; Highways Transporta- tion Committee, A. B. Plank; Boy's Working Reserve, W. W. Wood.
Reference to the specifie labors of these several organizations is not properly within the scope of this article; separate chapters being devoted to them, in part at least, elsewhere in this volume ; but it may be said that not only those immediately concerned, but as well our people generally, believed, practically unanimously, that America's cause was just, and were, with but few exceptions, enthusiastie in their support of the Government in all of its war measures. If we were to undertake to present the names of all of our citizens who were engaged in service in all of the many de- partments we would be required to inelnde a considerable portion of our population. War work was the order of the day and was recognized as the paramount duty.
CHAPTER II.
WORK OF THE DRAFT BOARD.
When war with the Imperial Government of Germany was de- clared April 2, 1917, the question of raising a large army imme- diately forged to the front. Should the work be done by solicit- ing voluntary enlistments, or should we profit by the delays of the Allies and legislate for a draft system. To depend upon en- listments would mean the utilizing of energies which should be applied to works bringing about direct results. To legislate for a draft system would mean the unquestionable raising of a large army, the use of energies for other war works, and the selection would bring men of all walks of life together where each man could play his part at work similar to that in his civilian life.
The guiding hands of our nation determined upon a system of draft and called for a day of registration; on this day all men between the age of twenty-one and thirty-one years were to be registered. June 5, 1917, was the day selected. The arrange- ment and preparation for this task in Adams County was placed under the direction of Sheriff Howard J. Hartman. He then announced that the registering would be done in the voting dis- triets; each man to register at his voting precinct. The as- sessor and a specially appointed registrar were given full charge of the work in their respeetive districts.
After all reports were sent in and the cards compiled by Sheriff Hartman, Dr. J. MeCrea Dixon and Henry B. Slagle, it was learned that 2,441 men of Adams County between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one years would be called upon to present themselves for examination for armed duty in defense of our coun- try. This number of registrants comprised 2,396 white and 7 eol- ored citizens and 8 aliens. Exemptions to the number of 1.558 were asked on the following grounds : holding a publie office. 1; totally disabled. 35; having dependents. 1,338; occupational ex- emptions elaimed, 171.
The following will give the number of men in the first registry of the county. the towns and the townships given in alphabetical order with the number of registrants :
13
14
ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.
Abbottstown, 22
Huntingdon Twp., .. 89
Arendtsville.
25
Hamiltonban Twp., . 132
Biglerville, . 37
Latimore Twp., 60
Berwick Twp.
53
Littlestown, 108
Bendersville, 23
Liberty Twp., 50
Butler Twp., . 90
Menallen Twp., 118
Conewago Twp .. 120
Mt. Pleasant Twp. 107
Cumberland Twp ..
89
McSherrystown, 128
East Berlin, 23
Mt. Joy Twp.,
63
Freedom Twp .. 34
New Oxford. 63
Fairfield Twp., 22
Oxford Twp., 66
Franklin Twp.,
135
Reading Twp., 82
Germany Twp ..
69
Straban Twp.,
86
Gettysburg.
333
Tyrone Twp., 52
Highland Twp ..
28
Union Twp., 60
Hamilton Twp.,
51
York Springs, 19
The question that next came to the draft authorities was, what shall determine the order in which these men shall be called be- fore the draft board ? A lottery was considered the fairest means. So in preparation for this, each man was numbered according to alphabetical order, first by districts, then by men in each dis- triet ; thus in Adams County the first district was Abbottstown, and the man numbered one, was the man whose name began with the first letter of the alphabet from that district. This enumera- tion was followed until the number 2441 was reached, which gave each man a number. This was the county's initial preparation for the lottery, but the drawing was done at Washington, D. C. Many capsules each bearing a number were placed in a jar, and were drawn at random one by one, until all were removed. Each number less than 2441 when drawn made known to a county boy the order in which he would appear before the county's draft board.
On July 20, 1917, the county board received a call for 252 draftees. Preparations were made to conduct the physical ex- aminations and to handle the great amount of clerical work. About three weeks elapsed before the men began to appear for examination and present claims for exemption. The first group summoned, consisting of thirty-seven men, appeared at the court house. August 16th. The physical examination was conducted by Dr. J. P. Dalby, who was appointed August 14th, after the resignation of Dr. Dixon ; and the exemption claims were regis- tered by Draft Board Chairman Sheriff Hartman and County Commissioner Slagle. To examine and classify thirty-seven men
15
WORK OF THE COUNTY DRAFT BOARD.
per day constituted the average day's work for our draft board for a few days only; by August 28th they had increased the number to 110 men per day. It is shown that one out of seven was accepted, and of the number examined August 28th only fifteen did not claim exemption in any form.
The first contingent, consisting of 142 Adams County men, was called for September 18, 1917. Twenty-one of this number claimed exemption and were refused. These men left for Camp Meade, Md., and were assigned to the 79th Division. The draft board, however, kept working daily and by October 3d had ex- amined 1,488 men, of which number 200 did not ask exemption, 375 claimed physical unfitness, 146 asked occupational exemp- tion, dependent exemption claimed 700, and 67 failed to answer the summons of the draft board.
The second contingent to leave consisted of twelve men, who went to Camp Meade, Md., October 6, 1917. On the 29th day of October seven of the county's colored men were sent to the same camp, and by this time the draft board had selected 75 men for the next call. This eontingent departed November 5th. On the 12th day of November an order was received by the draft board to summarize all past records and prepare to put in force a new plan of classification. The summary was made known No- vember 15th and showed that 1,492 of the 2,441 registrants were examined; from these 215 were accepted and sent to Camp Meade toward the county's quota of 241 men, 68 failed to ap- pear, and 17 were transferred to other boards; death claimed three, and one was seriously ill. Of the 1,492 called only 254 failed to pass the physical examination, and 13 sent to camp were rejected. Of the exemptions claimed. 18 were on the grounds of religious objection.
Questionnaires containing approximately two hundred ques- tions for each man were received by the board for distribution. The reelassification was conducted according to the answers re- ceived on the questionnaires and each man was placed in one of five classes. This thrust upon the draft board what seemed an almost endless amount of work, but they remained at their post through it all and by January 20. 1918, the new elassifieation showed that of the 2.428 county registrants. 276 were in Class 1. These claimed no exemption ; 55 who were farm laborers consti- tuted Class II: Class III, composed of farm managers and de- pendent parents, brother or sister, claimed 82 of the registrants ; 1,275 having dependent wives and children were placed in Class IV; Class V claimed those in service and the ministry. The
16
ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.
number in eamp at this time was 201; number rejected, 33; those before the draft board, 171.
A small contingent of men went to Camp Meade on February 1st, and by February 12th 40 were ready to go; 32 of these went to camp, February 26th. Men whose physical condition was considered doubtful were sent to Harrisburg and examined at the hospital by the medical advisory board. By April 13th examina- tion for all Class I men was complete and 183 found ready to call.
The first contingent to other than Camp Meade, Md., consisted of 31 men, who left April 30th for Camp Lee, Va. On June 1, 1918, nine were sent to Columbus Barracks, Ohio. At this time the board was requested to register all men who became twenty- one years of age since June 5, 1917. According to this registra- tion. 254 men reached the draft age. of which number 70 were married. On the 27th day of June, 48 men were sent to Camp Lee, Va., and at the same time all registrants were reclassified, this time according to occupation.
By June 12th the classification of the 254 men recently regis- tered was completed. Of this registry 138 were placed in Class I, deferred classes 83, and under appeal 33. On August 2d the classification for the next call was complete and showed that only 34.2% were qualified for general military service. Another registration was prepared for August 25th, at which time those becoming of age since June 5th made themselves known. Fifty- seven registered and 35 of these were placed in Class I, eight in Class II, two in Class III. nine in Class IV. and three in Class V. At this time the board had 100 prepared to go to Camp Lee on August 28, 1918.
Thus most of the men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one years had been examined, selected, rejected or ex- empted. Something was necessary in order to continue sending men to camp. A registration of all men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years was held September 12, 1918. This was done in prompt and willing response and showed a total of 3.630 registrants in Adams County. Comprehensive question- naires were sent to all the new registrants, making a stupendous task for the local draft board. They continued at their grinding labor and on November 10th sent their last contingent to camp, but the men comprising it were returned the next day, due to the signing of the armistice.
The final results of our draft board show that 548 of Adams County's men were selected for armed service. Only two delin- quents from 6,376 registrants are recorded: a record of which we may justly be proud. Those accepted and at camp on Novem-
17
WORK OF THE COUNTY DRAFT BOARD.
ber 11, 1918, were 535. The record on December 3d, according to the classification in the five groups, was as follows:
Number of men in Class I. 962
Number of men in Class II,
562
Number of men in Class III 155
Number of men in Class IV
3.630
Number of men in Class V.
476
Men in Emergency Fleet,
20
Delinquents.
2
Failed to file questionnaires,
32
Total,
6,376
Number of registrants on June 5, 1917. 2,433
Number of registrants on June 5, 1918. .. . 255
Number of registrants on August 24, 1918 58
Number of registrants on Sept. 12, 1918. .. 3.630
Total, 6.376
The final report of the Adams County draft board was sent to State Headquarters, Monday, March 31, 1919. This marked the passing away of a faithful board of patriotic citizens.
2
CHAPTER III. THIE RED CROSS IN ADAMS COUNTY.
ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS.
The Gettysburg Chapter of the American Red Cross was or- ganized on April 17. 1917, in the Adams County court house, au- thority for organization having been granted to Professor C. II. Huber, temporary chairman; to Mrs. E. S. Lewars, temporary secretary, and to Dr. William A. Granville, Rev. Dr. J. A. Sing- master, Judge D. P. McPherson, Mrs. W. A. MeClean and Hon. C. William Beales.
Though the territory of the proposed chapter was to be the whole of Adams County, it was thought that the name Gettys- burg had an historic interest which made it the better title for the chapter.
The following officers and heads of departments were elected and all served throughout the war: Chairman, H. T. Weaver; vice-chairman, Mrs. D. P. MePherson ; secretary, Mrs. E. S. Lewars; treasurer, C. W. Stock; workroom, Mrs. C. B. Stover, Mrs. William Hersh ; home service and canteen, Mrs. W. A. Me- Clean ; Junior Red Cross, Miss Helen Cope; knitting, Miss Annie W. Horner.
Additional directors were Dr. J. MeCrea Dickson, C. S. Reaser, Mrs. Helen Keith. the Rev. W. R. Glen. and Miss Anna M. Reek.
During the war all service for the Red Cross was voluntary with the exception of a small amount of necessary clerical work. After the armistice it was decided to employ a secretary, who should give her whole time to the duties of the offices whose ac- tivities would be indefinitely continued, namely, those of chapter secretary and secretary of home service and civilian relief. Miss Nina Storriek served as chapter secretary, succeeding Mrs. Lew- ars; then Miss Margaret MacMillan was elected to fill both the above-named offices.
ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTY.
The executive committee proceeded immediately to organize county auxiliaries. with the result that eighteen branches were formed at the following places and with the following officers :
18
19
THE RED CROSS IN ADAMS COUNTY.
Branch. Chairman.
Secretary. Treasurer.
Abbottstown, Gro. W. Baker,
. Miss Grace Hollinger, S. A. Nangle.
Arendtsville,
. Dr. William E. Wolfe, Prof. G. M. Rice,
. S. M. Rice.
Bendersville, Robert Eldon,
Mrs. II. W. Raffens- I. C. Bucher. perger.
Biglerville,
. A. E. Rice,
. Mrs. G. W. Koser, Hoke Slaybaugh.
Cashtown, Clarence Bream,
Mrs. Albert Woomer. Mrs. Albert Woomer.
East Berlin,
Mrs. Bessie Grogg, Miss Mary E. Reynolds, Miss Mary Reynolds.
Fairfield,
Miss Martha Witherow, Miss Ruth Bream, . James Cunningham.
Hunterstown, . Il. G. Dea(rick,
Miss Gail Bell, J. L. Taughenbaugh.
Idaville, Edward Group,
Miss Iva Day, Miss Iva Day.
Latimore, Il. H. Starry,
Mrs. G. E. Heller, II. W. Sowers.
Littlestown, . E. D). Buckey,
Mrs. Chas. E. Mayers, Warren Jones.
McKnights(own, Miss Cora Mickley,
Miss Mary Mickley, . Miss Mary Mickley.
MeSherrystown, Rev. 1. Aug. Reudter,
Stan. E. Krichten, H. S. Riegel.
Mt. Tabor, Guy Sherman, Miss Irene Wolf, Miss Charlotte Wal-
hay.
New Oxford, Rev. C. W. Baker, Miss Helen Snyder, .. . Miss Mae Gilbert.
Orrtanna, ,lohn A. Cease,
Miss Ruth Biesecker, . Miss Ruth Biesecker.
Two Taverns, . P. W. Epley
Mrs. Claude Sherman, Mrs. Claude Sherman.
York Springs, . . J. Harvey Neely,
Miss Mae Gardner, .. . I. W. Pearson.
In both the chapter and the branch organizations the per- sonnel of the executive committee remained practically the same throughout the war, those who assumed this patriotic duty in the beginning performing it until the end. In a few cases those who were elected were able to serve but a short time and successors were chosen. In the above list are those who served the longer period.
MEMBERSHIP.
Subseriptions to the Red Cross were received at the organiza- tion meeting and immediately thereafter a thorough canvass of Gettysburg was made, followed by a canvass of each town as the branches were organized. By the time of the annual meeting in October there was an enrollment of 662 members in Gettysburg and 1,788 in the county, making a total of 2.450. During the second year of the war this number rose to 5,095.
THE WORKROOMS.
In Gettysburg a workroom was opened immediately in the parish house of the Church of the Prince of Peace, and the manu- facture of surgical supplies and hospital garments was begun. In a short time other rooms were opened through the county. In Gettysburg there were auxiliary workrooms in the parish house of St. Francis Xavier church and also in several houses. Later the main workroom was transferred to the small schoolhouse on East High Street.
The finished articles were at first shipped to headquarters at Philadelphia, but with the opening of the camp at Gettysburg permission was given to serve the camp hospital. When the camp was demobilized supplies were forwarded to Philadelphia until after a few months troops were again sent here and Camp Colt was opened for the training of the Tank Corps.
20
ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.
In addition to the articles prescribed for manufacture by Red Cross chapters many others were gladly furnished, such as eur- tains, cooks' suits and caps, operating sheets, ete .. and also in order to avoid the delay of requisitions at the time of the opening of the hospital. many commercial surgical supplies. The chapter held itself in readiness to grant every possible aid to the sur- geons and nurses.
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