Adams County in the World War : April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918, Part 2

Author: Eichelberger, Percy S.; Foulk, Paul L
Publication date:
Publisher: The Evangelical Press
Number of Pages: 310


USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Adams County in the World War : April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 > Part 2


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The aggregate number of surgical dressings and hospital and refugee garments prepared between April. 1917 and April. 1919 was as follows :


Surgical dressings. 39,550


Hospital supplies and garments. 7,068


Refugee garments, 634


In addition Mrs. David Forney and Mrs. P. M. Mishler super- intended the preparation of 107 layettes.


KNITTING DEPARTMENT.


The knitting department, under the direction of Miss Annie W. Horner. shipped to Philadelphia or presented to our own sol- diers or to those in the camp 2.960 sweaters. pairs of soeks, wrist- lets and other articles. This department received especial com- mendation from division headquarters. We were informed that practically all garments were perfect. a record which was almost unique. During the absence of Miss Horner from home for a few months. Miss Elizabeth McClean served ably as her substitute.


READING AND GAME ROOMS.


The establishment of the camp suggested the advisability of the opening of reading and game rooms and for this purpose the chapter was permitted to use the Sunday school room of the col- lege church and a room in the First National Bank building. Mr. Harry Godecke, a student in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, was employed as custodian during the first summer. Thousands of soldiers from all parts of the country found comfort and quiet in these rooms, which were well equipped with writing materials. magazines, books. games of all sorts, a piano and vietrola.


It should be mentioned in this connection that the neighbor- ing and larger chapters of Carlisle, Chambersburg and Harris- burg responded promptly and generously to a request for aid in providing enrrent magazines and other articles.


During the second summer the reading room was taken in charge by the members of the church, but the Red Cross did not


21


THE RED CROSS IN ADAMS COUNTY.


cease to cooperate with the citizens and with the representatives of the War Camp Community Service for the entertainment and comfort of the soldiers.


HOME SERVICE DEPARTMENT.


The first activities of the Home Service Department were for the benefit of the wives and families of the soldiers who hastened to Gettysburg at the opening of the camp. Few had made ar- rangements for living before they arrived and many were low in funds after the long trip from the Mexican border, from which the nucleus of the camp had come. The chapter gave them all possible counsel and assistance. Under the direction of Mrs. MeClean and Mr. Godecke, added to the custody of the reading rooms was the supervision of this work.


During the fall of 1917 and the winter of 1918 as our own sol- diers left for camps. their problems were taken up by the Home Service Committee.


In the spring of 1918. when the Chapter learned that Gettys- burg would again be a camp site, and that. therefore, the local chapter would be responsible for somewhat disproportionate duties, the Executive Committee asked that the Pennsylvania Di- vision join them in appointing a home service secretary. Dr. John K. Lamond, professor of mathematies in Pennsylvania Col- lege, was accordingly employed to give at first part. then full time, to this work. He became secretary of the Home Service Committee of the Gettysburg Chapter and also representative of the American Red Cross at Camp Colt, serving in both these ca- pacities until November, 1918. when he was called to serve in Division Headquarters at Philadelphia as director of military relief.


Upon his departure Miss Margaret MeMillan became home service secretary.


The work of the Home Service Committee may be best under- stood by the reading of a portion of Dr. Lamond's report.


"Between May and October, 1918, the Home Service Section dealt with 104 soldiers' families. This does not include many minor services of which we kept no record. Of these 104 families. 82 are residents of Adams County. Sixty cases are listed in our card index and have required correspondence. copies of which are on file. The remaining 44 are families of draftees who have been visited. or to whom other services have been rendered.


"In behalf of the 60 families. 173 letters have been written. Twenty-six telegrams have been sent. usually in an effort to se-


22


ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.


cure a furlough for some Adams County boy. A frequent re- qnest that comes to us is to look up an allotment and government allowance which is overdue.


"In some cases allotment papers have been lost, or men were sent overseas before the passing of the War Risk Insurance Act. In such cases the dependent family may make application through the Red Cross. Men who have been discharged for physical disability, or their families, or the families of men who have died during service may make application for compensa- tion. These applications involve the collection of considerable data, the accurate filling-in of long questionnaires, the securing of certified copies of births and marriages and sworn affidavits of persons who know the circumstances of the applicant. To date seven applications for allotment and government allowance and two for compensation have been filed with the Bureau of War Risk Insurance."


The work of the Home Service Committee did not diminish after the armistice, but grew rapidly heavier. In her report for 1919 Miss Margaret MacMillan wrote as follows:


"With the return of the discharged soldiers and sailors new problems have arisen, and the men themselves have brought their problems to the Red Cross for its friendly solving. Our most important trust is that of being the agent of the discharged, dis- abled man who is in need of compensation and who must have vocational training in order to overcome his handicap in return- ing to civilian life. We are asked to reach and to help these men in every possible way, not merely to aid them when they apply, but to seek them ont. We are asked where there is urgent need to give loans to help tide the man and his family over the necessary interval between his applying and his receiving com- pensation or vocational training, and we have done this in sev- eral cases.


"During the year since our last annual report, we have had 830 visits to the office for information or assistance. We have reached an average of 42 families each month; 452 letters have been received and 424 written. Onr expenditure has been about $100 per month."


Miss MacMillan's report for 1919-20 shows practically no de- crease of demands. A visitor to the Red Cross office who hears the always good-natured account of an ex-service man, often a wounded man, as he tells of his difficulties in seeuring the com- pensation or the medieal attention or vocational training which is rightly his, because of lack of understanding of government


23


THE RED CROSS IN ADAMS COUNTY.


regulations, will soon be convinced of the necessity for a home service secretary for a long time to come.


CANTEEN DEPARTMENT.


The canteen work conducted by Mrs. McClean was unusual in that it was not given at railroad stations, but to army truck trains, traveling over the Lincoln Highway with supplies from western factories to eastern camps and shipping points. On December 27, 1917. the first train of eighty-six men was sup- plied with sandwiches, coffee, apples and tobacco. Between this date and the middle of April, 2,700 men were entertained. Lunches and dinners were served in the dining room of St. James Lu- theran church. For some of the trains sleeping accommodations were provided. The number served at one time reached as high as 120. Much of the service was given in bad weather when the men came in from their drive over the mountains stiff with cold. When trains arrived without long notice late in the evening or on Sundays the securing of sufficient food for so many hungry men was sometimes a problem. The Canteen Committee, how- ever, never failed. To the contributions secured in Gettysburg were added large donations of fruit and vegetables from the county.


After the truck trains had ceased to travel through Gettysburg the Canteen Committee found a new duty and pleasure in the entertainment of wounded soldiers from United States Army Hospital No. 31 at Carlisle. For seven months parties of con- valeseents numbering from twenty-five to fifty were brought hither weekly and were provided with dinner and with a trip over the battlefield.


At the time of the home-coming celebration on Labor Day. 1919, the committee served dinner and supper to 300 returned soldiers.


JAM. JELLY AND FLOWER DEPARTMENT.


With a view to providing delicacies for the sick in the eamp hospital. Miss Anna Reek collected at her residence jellies. pre- serves, and other food suitable for the sick. Presently flowers were gathered several times a week and brought to Miss Reek. who arranged for their transportation to the camp. From a small beginning this department grew to be one of the most ac- tive in the Red Cross organization. During the influenza epi- demie it became one of the most important. In all, more than 3.000 jars and glasses were collected. a large proportion coming from outside of Gettysburg. Contributions ranged from a single


1


2


3


1. AMERICAN TRUCK TRAIN IN GETTYSBURG. 2. ADAMS COUNTY'S HOSPITALITY TO HER SERVICE MEN. 3. WELCOME HOME, SEPTEMBER 1, 1919.


25


THE RED CROSS IN ADAMS COUNTY.


jar to 800 jars and glasses. As the canteen work continued after the camp was closed the donations were given to this object and were greatly appreciated by the hungry truck men.


FIRST AID CLASSES.


Four first aid classes were conducted in the county under the management of Mrs. John D. Keith; two in Gettysburg, which were instructed by Dr. JJ. P. Dalbey and Dr. J. MeCrea Dickson ; one in Fairfield, conducted by Dr. N. C. Trout, and one in New Oxford by Dr. George Seakes.


CAMPAIGN TO ENROLL NURSES.


The chapter was requested to present the cause of the Red Cross to the graduate nurses in the county with a view to enroll- ing them in either active or home defense service. As a result five were enrolled. The chapter was requested also to enroll pupil nurses and seeured eleven, some of whom were assigned to hospitals.


As a continuation of this campaign Misses Nancy and Reba Adams. of Gardners. made a complete nursing survey of the county, listing all nurses, trained, practical and first aid.


CHRISTMAS GIFTS.


In 1917 the chapter was requested to pack five hundred Christ- mas parcels for our troops abroad. This allotment was filled without drawing upon our chapter treasury, gifts and funds being collected throughout the county. Each package contained writing paper. a pencil, candy and other sweets, handkerchiefs and other articles. A number of letters of thanks were received.


In 1918 the chapter superintended the shipment of Christmas boxes to individual soldiers by their families. The cartons pre- seribed by the government were supplied by the Red Cross, and in Gettysburg, New Oxford, Fairfield, Biglerville, MeSherrys- town. Littlestown. York Springs and Abbottstown. committees examined the gifts and assisted in the packing and directing ac- cording to the provisions of the government. Three hundred and seventy-three boxes were shipped.


COLLECTION OF USED CLOTHING.


The chapter conducted three collections of used clothing for war sufferers abroad, totalling approximately ten tons.


JUNIOR RED CROSS.


The work of the Red Cross was not confined to adults. In 1918 Miss Cope reported 59 sehool auxiliaries with a total enroll-


26


ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.


ment of 2,871 and a contribution of $492.91. In 1919 Mr. Ray- mond W. Shank reported 61 school auxiliaries with a contribu- tion of $577.63.


The children of the county assisted in many ways. In some schools refugee garments, scrap books, etc., were made. There was a prompt response to requests for aid in the distribution of posters or of reading matter and the collection of peach seeds, tin foil or other articles.


FINANCES.


The total amount of money raised in Adams County for Red Cross purposes up to January 1, 1920, was $46,423.60. Of this amount $5,423.13 was collected in the First War Fund Drive and $17.052.98 in the second. Both War Fund Drives were directed by Judge D. P. McPherson. The treasurer's book shows, how- ever, only a portion of Adams County's gifts. Food was con- tributed to the value of several thousands of dollars at least, and during the epidemie in eamp, supplies and comforts of all kinds were lavishly donated.


THE EPIDEMIC.


No account of the work of the Red Cross is complete without mention of the influenza epidemic. The county itself was visited somewhat lightly, but upon Camp Colt, which numbered at thee- time about 4,000, the scourge descended heavily, taking a toll of almost 200 deaths. The situation was made almost desperate by the fact that in preparation for the breaking up of camp the nurses had been transferred elsewhere and the hospital was, therefore, not equipped even for normal conditions.


With the aid of the Red Cross, working under the direction of Dr. Lamond, the emergency hospital of a hundred beds was promptly arranged in Xavier Hall and hither the most serious of the cases were brought. To furnish this hospital the county was levied on not only for bedding but for many other hospital supplies. Broth, fruit, jelly and other supplies of food were sent constantly to both the regular and the emergency hospital.


The Gettysburg work room was in operation every day, inelud- ing Sundays, and the office was closed for only a few hours in the twenty-four. The chapter succeeded in seenring thirty-one graduate and undergraduate nurses, answered scores of anxious inquiries from all parts of the country, and served in every pos- sible way the stream of relatives and friends who came to visit. many of them too late, the strieken man. No complete record could be kept of Red Cross activities during this period because there was not time even to remember all of them.


If the chapter looked for a reward it would have been amply


27


THE RED CROSS IN ADAMS COUNTY.


satisfied with the statement of the officer in charge: "If it had not been for the Red Cross, I don't know what we should have done," and with the word of approbation from division head- quarters: "In the work of relief in the camp emergency the Get- tysburg chapter played a major part whose value in time and money cannot be estimated."


AFTERMATHI.


The international Red Cross was only for a short time a purely military organization. Though it was organized to care for those wounded in battle its comfort was soon extended, thanks to the far-sighted humanity of Clara Barton, to those suffering from any sudden and overwhelming calamity, such as a great fire or flood or an extensive epidemie. Its scope has now been further extended to include the families of soldiers and also other families and individuals, especially children, who need the aid of the community.


In 1918 the Gettysburg chapter asked and received permission from headquarters to aid the civilian families whose heads had been smitten by influenza. In 1919, realizing that there was no other organized agency in the county which could offer social service, the executive committee asked for permission to apply the resources of the Red Cross to other local needs, intending to cooperate with all existing agencies of church and state.


In 1920 our secretary began this civilian relief work, aiding the county medical director in his work in the schools, assisting the home demonstration agent of State College in conducting a class in sewing and cooking for little girls, conducting a very success- ful baby clinic. and cooperating in many cases with the local civic nurse, and with the Travelers' Aid Society and the associ- ated charities of several cities.


One child crippled by infantile paralysis was sent to the Jeffer- son Hospital in Philadelphia and operated upon with the excel- lent prospect of being able to walk. At the time of writing the chapter is completing its preparations in conjunction with the state nurse for a clinic to which our many cases of infantile paralysis may be brought.


In a sense the new Annie M. Warner County Hospital is an expression of the spirit of helpfulness created by the necessities of war. The lack of suitable accommodations for the sick soldiers during the influenza epidemic brought to a head the long-cher- ished intention of Mr. John M. Warner to establish a hospital and we do not doubt that many persons who will give to its sup- port received their initial impulse to helpfulness through their work for the Red Crosss.


ELSIE SINGMASTER LEWARS. Secretary.


CHAPTER IV. LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS.


FIRST LOAN.


On the 6th of April. 1917, the war resolution was passed. Sec- retary McAdoo immediately advised congress of the financial necessities and on April 24, 1917, the greatest bond bill in the history of the United States and one of the greatest financial measures in the history of the world became a law by unanimous vote of congress. The measure authorized an issue of $5,000,000,- 000 in bonds and $2,000,000,000 in certificates.


The first appeal for finances was made to the people in the form of Liberty Bonds. The response of the American people to the $2,000,000,000 loan campaign was heartening to every pa- triot, and to every lover of freedom. More than $3,000,000,000 was subscribed. The great success of the first installment of the Liberty Loan echoed throughout the world as a conclusive reply to the enemies of America, who claimed United States was only half-heartedly in the war.


Two means were used in financing America's part in the World War: taxation. which fell equally upon all, and bond issues, which gave every liberty-loving American an opportunity to do his part toward waging war against autocracy. Taxation repre- sents the financial burden to be borne by the present genera- tion which engaged in the war, and the bond issues represent the financial burden to be borne in part by succeeding genera- tions as the price of the liberty which we fought to preserve for them.


Adams County's quota for the first loan was $150,000, the banks subscribing almost $200.000, completed the loan before the end of June, 1917. A few months later the quota of $1.000,000 for Adams County was announced as the amount for the Second Liberty Loan. Hon. Samuel MeSwope was named to head the work. Patriotic citizens purchased bonds through their bank- ing institutions. At the expiration of the time allotted for the loan the amount toward the $1,000,000 mark to be raised was $450,100, collected as follows:


28


29


LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS.


Arendtsville National Bank,


$8,000


Bendersville National Bank,


3,000


Biglerville National Bank, 5,000


East Berlin National Bank,


35,000


East Berlin Peoples Bank,


15,000


Fairfield National Bank,


20,000


Gettysburg First National Bank,


65,000


Gettysburg National Bank,


100,000


Citizens Trust Company,


35,000


Littlestown National Bank,


30,000


Littlestown Savings Institution,


27,250


New Oxford Farmers and Merchants Bank, 69,850


York Springs National Bank,


25,000


MeSherrystown,


12,000


THIRD LOAN.


Intensive preparation was made for conducting the Third Liberty Loan. Dr. William A. Granville was named county chairman, to be assisted by Rev. W. F. Sunday. S. Miley Miller was appointed organizing secretary. The call went forth from these men to all banks and newspapermen to aid in the coming campaign. The cashiers of the banks and the editors of the newspapers of the various districts were appointed as chairmen of local committees. By this plan each of the forty voting dis- triets conducted its own campaign. Each district was divided into suitable subdivisions, a captain was appointed for each and he was assisted by a lieutenant appointed by him. By this means every patriotic farmer was given an opportunity to ex- press his loyalty. On the 1st of April. 1918. the allotment for Adams County in the Third Loan was announced at $832.590 at +14%. A few days later the amount was increased to $1.069.530.


The district subscriptions were collected and forwarded to county headquarters through the banking districts. The follow- ing table gives the banking districts, its subdistricts, the quota as- signed to each and amount of bonds purchased through each :


Amount


Banking District.


Quota. Purchased. $68,020 $45,750


I. Arendtsville,


Franklin Township.


II. Bendersville,


48,170


51,000


Menallen Township.


III. Biglerville,


80,960


60,000


Butler Township. Tyrone Township.


IV. East Berlin,


133,840


220,750


Abbottstown. Reading Township. Hamilton Township. Berwick Township.


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ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.


Amount


Banking District.


Quota. Purchased.


V. Fairfield,


59,980


63,350


Hamiltonban Township. Liberty Township.


VI. Gettysburg banks, 275,110


479,000


Cumberland Township. Straban Township. Highland Township. Mt. Joy Township. Freedom Township.


VII. Littlestown,


93,330


165,050


Germany Township. Union Township. South Mt. Joy Township. Mt. Pleasant Township.


VIII. MeSherrystown, Conewago Township. Mt. Pleasant Township.


80,360


65,000


IX. New Oxford, Tyrone Township. Oxford Township.


89,530


76,000


X. York Springs, Latimore Township. Huntington Township.


81,870


110,000


Thus the total amount of subscriptions was $1,392,650, which was almost $400,000 over the mark, or about 37% more than the county 's allotment. There were 6,304 subscribers of a total popu- lation of 34,319. showing more than 18% of our people are Third Liberty Loan bond owners.


FOURTH LOAN.


The Fourth Loan was also conducted by W. A. Granville as chairman, assisted by Rev. W. F. Sunday and Mrs. O'Neal. The publie speakers' bureau and four-minute-men were directed by Charles E. Stahle, Esq. Mr. Stahle did very effective work throughout the county in the Third Loan drive by condneting speaking tours which not only enlightened but stirred up the spirit of patriotism, and the necessity of backing up the cause. Charles W. Gardner served as chairman of the committee on publicity. The plans for collecting were the same as the third drive, that is according to banking districts with subdivisions, a captain and a lieutenant serving in each. The quota announced for this drive was more than twice that of the third, $2,064.940 being the amount to be raised by Adams County. A comparison of the proportion of our population to loan allotments with some other counties and the proportion of their population to allot-


31


LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS.


ments shows that more per capita had been requested from Adams County patriots.


On September 25, 1918, Mr. Stahle resigned the chairmanship of the four-minute-men, and Mr. J. L. Williams was appointed to conduet the work during the fourth drive.


The Fourth Loan, though falling slightly below the quota, brought forth the heroism marking the influenza epidemie. The fatal results of that scourge are still in the minds of many. The individual loss and bereavements have prevented a general knowl- edge of the way the workers behind the Fourth Loan pushed it to success despite all personal dangers from contact with the dis- ease.


Many rallies were in process of preparation when the epidemic caused a halt to the activities. Great extra effort was necessary to continue. Publie gatherings were stopped and publicity was very difficult to give from this time on. The communities worked courageously and untiringly. The perseverance and endurance of real fighters was evident. They stood by their guns and fought for the success of the fighting Fourth Loan as bravely and determinedly as the boys in the trenches. The following statis- ties explain the work done in each district in comparison with its quota and population :


District.


Allotment.


Amount.


Popu- lation.


Buyers.


Arendtsville,


$26,020


$26,550


383


74


Franklin Twp.,


106,880


119,880


1,948


192


Bendersville,


26,580


30,450


355


74


Menallen Twp.,


67,000


84,050


1,511


229


Biglersville,


37,770


57,000


386


130


Butler Twp.,


97,860


18,050


1,243


172


East Berlin,


108,070


117,970


672


186


Abbottstown,


45,540


30,000


62


Reading Twp.,


73,880


42,200


1,095


156


Hamilton Twp.,


46,250


27,650


667


74


Fairfield,


33,400


39,100


373


93


Hamiltonban Twp.,


55,650


47,450


1,509


72


Liberty Twp., .


31,380


25,450


768


82


Gettysburg, 1st Ward,


162,250


178,250


1,501


571


Gettysburg, 2d Ward,


153,590


167,450


1,135


467


Gettysburg, 3d Ward,


47,300


67,000


1,394


227


Cumberland Twp., . .


69,630


71,700


1,520


194


Straban Twp.,


75,610


47,700


1,392


153


Highland Twp.,


24,520


25,300


411


71


Freedom Twp.,


24,220


25,600


476


43


Littlestown,


83,640


98,800


1,347


285


Germany Twp.,


39,500


32,200


733


101


Mt. Pleasant Twp., ..


$4,500


52,250


1,804


242


sold.


. .


32


ADAMS COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR.


District.


Allotment. Amount. sold.


Popu- lution.


Buyers.


MeSherrystown,


1st


Ward,


20,220


26,400


769


146


MeSherrystown, 2d


Ward,


41,240


25,350


955


151


Conewago Twp.,


77,510


41,950


1,540


203


New Oxford,


77,440


84,500


838


238


York Springs,


29,090


31,300


299


67


Latimore Twp.,


66,100


48,250


1,082


104


Oxford Twp.,


55,940


30,100


996


99


Berwick Twp.,


42,970


8,200


568


32


Mt. Joy Twp.,


65,000


43.650


1,374


184


Union Twp.,




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