USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of Perry County, Pennsylvania, including descriptions of Indians and pioneer life from the time of earliest settlement, sketches of its noted men and women and many professional men > Part 62
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Peter S. Albert, Juniata.
Mercer, Manoah.
Harris A. Rohrabach.
Henry A. Albright.
David Adams.
Privates:
Albright, George.
Bitner, John, Carroll.
Bistline, George, Jackson.
Baker, John S.
Barrack, Fred'k, Tuscarora.
McCabe, Joseph P.
Bupp, John, Newport.
Nichols, Charles.
Burd, Ephraim, Juniata.
Power, William, Centre.
Burkpile, Jacob B., Centre.
Bryner, George M., Tyrone.
Best, William.
Reamer, George W., Juniata.
Blain, Jasper, Juniata.
Ricedorff, Henry.
Boston, Thomas.
Robinson, William.
Clouser, Simon W., Centre.
Snyder, Christian, Jackson.
Clemens, Adam, Greenwood.
Sullenberger, T. M., Jackson.
Shatto, Peter.
Swartz, Franklin, Jackson.
Spriggle, Jacob.
Foose, Jacob, Spring.
Shadel, Daniel.
Foose, Isaiah C., Spring.
Snyder, George.
Foose, Frank, Spring.
Surrell, Robert.
Snyder, Henry.
Toomey, Jerome, Juniata.
Tressler, David P., Centre.
Turnbaugh, Jacob, Juniata.
Wertz, Daniel.
Warren, John S.
Zeigler, John.
Garlin, John S., Madison. Gregg, John. High, Jacob. Hirt, Joseph. Heckart, Joseph.
Mercer, John.
Mace, John.
Persing, Win. A. H.
Perry, William H.
Barrack, Andrew J., Tuscarora.
Reapsome, John.
Billman, Daniel.
Dehaven, Wm. H., Liverpool T. Dice, John. Davis, George E.
Foose, Henry D., Spring. Ferris, Henry.
Gantt, Isaiah M., Centre.
Miller, Jonathan, Centre.
Moore, James L., Centre.
Markle, Levi, Centre.
Markle, Robert, Centre.
Mickey, James, Carroll.
Magee, Richard, Carroll.
Loy, John C., Jackson.
Meginly, James L.
Rank, Harvey.
575
PERRY COUNTY IN SECTIONAL WAR
George Rampfer, Henry D. Foose, and William H. Perry were killed at Petersburg, and Joseph Heckart, near the Appomattox River.
COMPANY F.
Gard C. Palm, Capt., Tyrone.
Garber, William H., Madison.
Henry Sheaffer, Toboyne.
Hoffman, Michael, Centre.
Francis A. Campbell, Toboyne.
Hoffman, David, Centre.
Thomas J. Sowers, Tyrone.
Martin H. Furman, Jackson.
Robert H. Campbell, Toboyne.
William Berrier, Jackson.
Hugh Smith. Henry A. Wade.
Samuel G. Smith.
George Bistline, Madison.
George W. Reiber, Spring.
James Meminger, Saville.
John K. Stump, Tyrone.
John A. Newcomer, Tyrone.
David T. Ritter, Tyrone.
Samuel S. McKee, Madison.
Frederick Shull, Saville.
John A. Ettinger.
George H. Hahn, Jackson.
Privates:
Adams, Thomas A., Toboyne.
Armstrong, Win. H., Newport.
Blackburn, Robert A., Toboyne.
Brickley, David B.
Burkel, Gottleib.
Bistline, Solomon, Madison.
Berrier, Thomas, Jackson.
Baltozer, Sylvester K.
Bender, Jacob R., Greenwood.
Sheibley, George, Spring.
Bernheisel, S. W., Madison.
Berrier, Peter, Jackson.
Smith, Samuel G., Blain.
Berrier, Henry, Jackson.
Bistline, Joseph, Madison.
Baltozer, William.
Shumaker, Benj. F., Jackson.
Bryner, George S., Tyrone.
Saylor, David E.
Collins, Joseph C.
Shearer, Jacob, Saville.
Connor, Barnard A.
Seibert, William D.
Daum, Fred.
Shreffler, Andrew B., Toboyne.
Dillman, Reuben, Saville.
Shope, Elias.
Droneberger, G. W.
Shope, Henry.
Shields, Charles S.
Ernest, Daniel, Madison.
Snyder, John G., Jackson.
English, James, Saville.
Seager, Wm. H. R., Jackson.
Emory, George.
Titzel, John H., Spring.
Foose, James, Spring.
Waggoner, Henry, Madison.
Finley, James A.
Welsh, Samuel.
Fritz, Jacob, Centre.
Wentzel, S.
Getz, John.
Wilt, Daniel.
Gutshall, Jacob.
Walker, George E.
Garland, William, Madison.
Zeigler, Philip.
Frederick Shull, of this company, was killed at Fort Steadman.
COMPANY G.
Benj. F. Miller, Capt., Newport. William A. Zinn, Newport. WVm. Fossehman, Juniata.
Lewis Beasom, Greenwood. William A. Blain, Tuscarora. Wm. S. Hostetter, Centre.
Hull, William A.
Hollenbaugh, D. A., Madison.
Hollenbaugh, W. C., Madison.
Hohenshildt, A.T., Madison.
Henry, Daniel S., Madison.
Hench, John B., Madison.
Johnston, Samuel A., Toboyne.
Kistler, Lloyd K., Sandy Hill.
Kern, Simon, Jackson.
Kline, Charles W., Penn.
Lowe, Jacob S., Newport.
Morrow, Samuel R., Tyrone.
Messimer, Thomas, Jackson.
Mumper, Andrew J., Jackson.
Morrison, Wm. A., Toboyne.
Mathers, John H.
McElheney, Philip.
McElheney, S. W.
Peckard, Jonathan.
Rinesmith, Samuel, Jackson.
Reed, Robert.
Rhea, James D., Toboyne.
Reeder, William T.
Reeder, John.
Shaffer, Samuel F., Spring.
Shoff, George, Centre.
Sheibley, William, Spring.
Shearer, Andrew, Jackson.
Seager, William H., Jackson,
Swales, John.
Bryner, John H., Tyrone.
Stroup, William, Madison.
Delancy, John, Juniata.
576
HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Thomas J. Latchford, Juniata. Jere J. Billow, Carroll.
Nicholas Hogentogler, Greenwood.
D. B. Hohenshildt, Madison.
Lesh, John, Juniata.
Lesh, Baltzer, Juniata.
Long, Jacob M., Millerstown.
Latchford, James P., Tuscarora.
L. H. C. Flickinger, Juniata.
Findley Rogers.
Daniel W. Gantt, Newport.
A. Worley Monroe, Liverpool.
John Howell, Greenwood.
Privates:
Acaley, John, Greenwood.
Arndt, Valentine, Liverpool T.
Byrem, Sylvester, Millerstown.
Baker, Peter S., Tuscarora.
Burrell, George W., Saville.
Bucher, Adam, Tuscarora.
Barnhart, Benj. F., Watts.
Clouser, William H.
Page, Adam J.
Price, Charles N.
Clouser, Cyrus S.
Clouser, Calvin H.
Charles, Henry C., Buffalo.
Cox, John H.
Roush, Justice.
Comp, George L., Juniata.
Comp, Jacob S., Liverpool.
Dunn, Edward T. P.
Deitrick, Wesley, Liverpool.
Sheaffer, Edward G.
Fleck, Alex. M., Newport.
Spahr, George A.
Fair, John.
Smith, John M.
Flickinger, Wm. H., Juniata.
Fosselman, John, Juniata.
Shoop, Christian, Buffalo.
Gardner, Ephraim F., Miller.
Gutshall, John.
Trego, George.
Gantt, Watson L., Newport.
Watts, Frederick.
Hain, Jacob S., Howe.
Wright, John B., Greenwood.
Haines, Wendell.
Wrey, Daniel D.
Hoffman, Jacob.
Witherow, Samuel S., Centre.
Heinbach, William, Greenwood.
Wagner, John W., Spring.
Hain, David W., Howe.
Weaver, Jonathan.
Johnson, William T.
Weise, George W., Newport.
Kochenderfer, J. B.
Yohn, David.
George W. Weise, of this company, was killed at Fort Steadman, Vir- ginia.
COMPANY I.
Jas. H. Marshall, Capt., Bloomfield. Isaac D. Dunkle, Bloomfield.
Benjamin Shaffer, Spring. Rufus Potter, Buffalo.
John D. Neilson, Bloomfield.
Jacob Seiler, Buffalo.
George K. Scholl, Liverpool.
Samuel Landis.
Henry F. Sweger, Centre.
Jacob P. Kerlin.
Vincent M. Gallen.
John F. Ayle, Centre.
Theodore Jones. Abraham Kitner, Carroll.
Frank W. Gibson, Spring.
Kerlin, Peter. Klinepeter, Jacob.
Kleffman, John I., Greenwood.
Maginnis, Samuel.
Mogel, Jacob. Meredith, Henry C.
Myers, Daniel, Jr.
Miller, Shuman, Millerstown.
Miller, John, Millerstow11.
Miller, Samuel G.
McLaughlin, Jacob.
Nace, Jesse S., Rye.
Newman, William.
Nipple, George F., Greenwood.
Nipple, James C., Greenwood.
Orner, Martin V., Greenwood.
Powell, Lewis W., Tuscarora.
Peterman, George.
Reeder, Thomas A., Centre.
Reichenbaugh, W. C.
Rohm, Frank, Centre.
Reigle, William J., Greenwood.
Rider, Jacob R., Newport.
Duffield, Samuel.
Sweger, George, Carroll.
Ferguson, Jesse M., Centre.
Smith, Andrew C.
Smith, Abraham S.
Fisher, Christopher.
Tschopp, Isaac, Greenwood.
Troup, William H., Oliver.
Hain, Isaac, Howe.
John J. Monroe, Liverpool. Samuel Keen. Edwin D. Owen, Liverpool.
Privates :
Albright, Samuel, Buffalo. Bruner, Owen, Wheatfield.
Isaiah W. Clouser, Centre.
Joseph S. Bucher, Tuscarora. John B. Swartz, Saville.
577
PERRY COUNTY IN SECTIONAL WAR
Behel, Samuel.
Bair, Samuel W., Buffalo.
Bair, Jeremiah, Buffalo. Bair, Samuel W., 11, Buffalo.
Liddick, Samuel, Buffalo.
Lackey, William A., Carroll.
Miller, John H. Miller, Joseph W.
Marshall, Henry, Howe.
Morris, William.
Motter, John P.
Motter, Daniel W.
Myers, George W.
Motter, John N. Meck, Jacob B., Liverpool T.
Mckenzie, William, Centre.
Potter, John, Buffalo.
Rice, John, Bloomfield.
Reubendall, Reuben, Buffalo.
Ritter, John L.
Ready, Joseph.
Swartz, George W., Watts.
Small, Benj. W.
Smith, Israel W.
Shortess, Alex., Juniata.
Sweger, Henry M.
Shearer. John.
Souder, George W., Spring.
Stoner, Emanuel.
Shaffer, John.
Shaffer, Daniel T.
Silks, John W., Buffalo.
Silks, John, Buffalo.
Shottsberger, Jolin, Greenwood.
Shottsberger, Samuel, Greenwood. Shottsberger, Henry, Greenwood.
Shoop, Noah, Watts.
Skivington, Isaiah, Bloomfield.
Spotts, Henry H. Troutman, Emanuel, Greenwood.
Williams, William. Zeigler, John A.
During 1862 and 1863 emergency troops and militia regiments were called to the colors to help repel the invasion of the Confederates into the North. Very many of these men had previously seen service during the war, in other units. The Sixth Regiment, called for that purpose, contained two companies partly from Perry County, D and E.
The Thirty-Sixth Regiment of ninety-day militia in '63 contained Com- panies B and I, partly from Perry County.
COMPANY D, FIRST BATTALION, 100-DAY MEN.
D. C. Orris, Ist Lieut., Saville. George Flickinger, Saville. And. J. Kochenderfer, Saville. Privates:
Bender, Henry O., Saville. Bender. Benj. F., Saville. Flickinger, H. W., Saville. Flickinger. Martin, Saville. Graham, William H., Saville.
Gutshall, David, Saville. Jacobs, Henry S., Saville.
Kerr, Irvin, Tuscarora.
Long, Peter, Saville.
Odell. William T., Tyrone. Odell, John A., Tyrone. Rice, David M .. Saville. Stambaugh, Wm. P., Saville. Stambaugh, John A., Tyrone.
Bruner, Wm. H., Centre. Bruner, George W., Penn. Bair, Peter, Buffalo. Clegg, James, Centre.
Clouser, John A., Bloomfield.
Clouser, Cornelius, Bloomfield.
Cless, Daniel, Bloomfield.
Clouser, Andrew J., Bloomfield. Clouser, Simon S., Centre.
Carl, Abraham, Saville. Duke, William, Juniata.
Dehiser, Wm. J., Juniata.
Derr, John T., Liverpool.
Dressler, George, Landisburg.
Dressler, Edward, Landisburg. Dile, Abraham. Donaldson, Wm. H. Fetrow, Elias L., Bloomfield.
Gibney, James, Carroll. Garlin, Abraham, Saville. Gibney, Patrick. Gohn, Samuel. Gurdom, Ernest. Grubb, Josiah, Liverpool.
Holmes, Benj.
Hench, John W., Madison.
Hunter, Levi, Liverpool.
Hilbert, Daniel, Buffalo.
Haines, Samuel. Hammaker, Geo. Hain, Jacob, Buffalo. Hull, Jacob.
Hilbish, John A., Buffalo.
Howe, Abraham E., Buffalo.
Hunter, Robert, Buffalo.
Inch, William, Liverpool. Kepperly, Samuel.
Kumler, William, New Buffalo. 1,ickel, Christian.
Lenhart, George S., Liverpool.
37
578
HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
COMPANY E. SECOND BATTALION, 100-DAY MEN.
Joel F. Fredericks, Capt., Bloom- field.
John Jones, Juniata.
Samuel Briggs, Carroll.
Hohenshildt, D. M., Madison.
Hoffman, Aaron, Madison.
Kochenderfer, Geo., Saville.
James P. Laird, Bloomfield.
Miller, John. Mickey, Silas H., Carroll.
Israel Bair, Buffalo.
James E. Woods, Jackson.
Wilson D. Messimer, Bloomfield.
Carson S. Gotwalt, Bloomfield.
Charles B. Heinbach.
Noll, Samuel, Spring.
Noll, John M., Spring.
Adams, John C .. Tyrone.
Demaree, David R., Newport.
Dumm, David T., Spring.
Eby, Henry B., Toboyne.
Frank, John, Newport.
Grosh, A. Blain, Jackson.
Lebkickler, Geo. W., Liverpool T.
Long, William, Liverpool T. Lutz, Isaac, Liverpool.
McLaughlin, G., Liverpool.
O'Neil, Jeremiah, Liverpool. Reifsnyder, Lewis C., Liverpool.
Ritter, Wm. R., Liverpool.
Roush, Daniel, Liverpool.
Shull, Henry, Liverpool.
Dudley, John C., Liverpool.
Deitrick, Jacob R., Liverpool.
Funk, James, Liverpool.
Holman, Jacob, Liverpool.
Shuman, Michael, Liverpool.
Sheesly, Geo., Liverpool.
Williamson, Cyrus, Liverpool.
Inhoff, Benj. H., Liverpool T.
Keiser, Jacob, Liverpool.
Knight, Cyrus, Liverpool T.
Zaring, John W., Liverpool.
Zeigler, Alfred C., Liverpool T.
This company was mustered in early in March, '65, and was mustered out on June 28, '65, their term of service being less than three months.
EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT, COMPANY I.
The following Perry Countians were enrolled at Harrisburg, in Com- pany I, Eighty-Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during February, 1865, serving until the close of the war. They were mustered out in June, 1865.
John S. Campbell, Sgt., Newport. Gantt, John C., Newport.
Privates: Hay, Thomas, Newport.
Gardner, James T., Newport.
Woods, Samuel W., Newport.
PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY, TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, COMPANY C.
The late Geo. W. Campbell and Andrew J. Fickes were members of Company C, Pennsylvania Emergency Troops.
Smith, David R., Spring.
Shuler, Philip, Jackson.
Waggoner, Alfred, Spring.
ONE-YEAR SERVICE-COMPANY A, FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
J. W. Eshelman, Corporal, Liver- pool.
Privates:
Beigh, John R., Liverpool.
Bowers, John H., Liverpool T.
Brink, Bradford, Liverpool.
Brink, William, Liverpool.
Charles, Ira, Buffalo.
Snyder, Chas. C., Liverpool.
Sponenberger, Foster, Liverpool.
Sponenberger, Fred, Liverpool.
Hamilton, Levi W., Liverpool.
Hunter, Isaiah, Liverpool.
Williamson, Ramsey, Liverpool.
Weirick, Henry H., Liverpool.
Kline, Jonas, Liverpool T.
Lebkickler, Joseph, Liverpool T.
Gibbons, Anthony, Spring. Hollenbaugh, D. H., Madison.
Hench, Alex. M., Madison.
George S. Lackey, Carroll.
Isaac B. Trostle.
Lightner, Andrew.
Musser, Isaiah D., Newport.
Murray, Charles, Bloomfield.
Musser, John S., Newport.
Privates:
Rice, Benj., Spring.
Sheibley, Wm. W., Madison.
Sheibley, Wm. F., Madison.
579
PERRY COUNTY IN SECTIONAL, WAR
OTHER SOLDIERS.
Names not contained in any of the units, but known to be Perry County soldiers, are Benjamin Culler, Saville; Jacob Kleckner, who lost his right arın at Gettysburg; David Graham, killed in action; Frank Hench, killed at Gettysburg.
It is to be regretted that the home districts of the soldiers are not avail- able, as official records never carried them, which accounts for the ab- sence, no doubt, of many brave and good men who were in the service of their country. As previously stated, some of the names here mentioned are not Perry Countians, but where the umit was practically all from Perry, their names are included, in order to keep the rosters of such com- panies intact.
Even so great a Southerner as Henry Watterson, probably the greatest of all American editors, and long editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal, in his autobiography published in 1919, tells how he was swept into the army of secession, probably just as were hundreds of others. It follows :
"I could not wholly believe with either extreme. I had perpe- trated no wrong, but in my small way had done my best for the Union and against secession. I would go back to iny books and my literary ambitions and let the storm blow over. It could not last very long ; the odds against the South were too great. Vain hope! As well expect a chip on the surface of the ocean to lie quiet as a lad of twenty-one in those days to keep out of one or the other camp. On reaching home I found myself alone. The boys were all gone to the front. The girls were-well, they were all crazy. My native country was about to be invaded. Propinquity. Sympathy. So, casting opinion to the winds, in I went on feeling. And that is how I became a rebel, a case of 'first endure and then embrace,' because I soon got to be a pretty good rebel and went the limit, changing my coat as it were, though not my better judg- ment, for with a gray jacket on my back and ready to do or die. I retained my belief that secession was treason, that disunion was the height of folly, and that the South was bound to go down in the unequal strife."
Along with Watterson there is in the Southland to-day an ele- ment and an overpowering one, who, with the North and West, are a unison in the sentiment expressed by the song :
"Sail on, O Union, strong and great ! Humanity with all its fears, With all its hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on thy fate."
CHAPTER XXXH
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
C LOL. A. K. MCCLURE, in his "Recollections of Half a Cen- tury," says: "Soon after William Mckinley entered the Presidential office he was confronted with the Cuban trou- bles which ultimately resulted in a war with Spain. I saw him many times during the progress of events which led up to the war. and he was often torn by conflicting desires. Like Lincoln, he was profoundly averse to war, and shuddered at the sacrifice of lives of his countrymen ; but the wrongs of Cuba became so intolerable and aroused the country to such a measure of resentment that when the battleship Maine ( which had gone there on a friendly errand) was blown up and the lives of hundreds of our brave sailors sac- rificed there was no alternative but to accept the arbitrament of the sword in behalf of humanity and justice. He was reluctant until the last moment to accept war, but when it was no longer possible to avoid it with honor he entered into it with all the ear- nestness of his patriotic nature. After battles had been fought and victories won by both our army and navy he was earnestly for peace, and was largely instrumental himself in effecting the pre- liminary agreement that practically ended the war. But for the extraordinary efforts of himself, his cabinet and warm personal political supporters, the country would have been involved in inter- minable complications at the very ontset of the war. It required all the political sagacity and moral power of the government to restrain Congress from involving us in the recognition of the Cuban Republic and making us accountable to the world for obli- gations entirely beyond the scope of our humane purposes or our national necessities."
This war of short duration, declared against Spain on April 20, 1898, was really the outcome of the horrible crimes committed by General Weyler in Cuba, the blowing up of the Maine having had a somewhat similar effect to the firing upon Fort Sumter prior to the War between the States. Perry County being a county of small population, had no military contingents of the National Guard within its confines, and accordingly had few soldiers in this war, as the army was almost wholly drawn from that source. From other contingents the following Perry County names are taken :
580
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
581
Barrack, Win. H., served in Cuba.
Black, John, Tuscarora Township; Co. B. Nebraska Regiment. Died U. S. Hospital, Cavite, September 5, 1898.
Blain, Win. A., Greenwood Township; Troop L, U. S. Cavalry. Enlisted at Reading, June 2, 1898.
Burd, John W., Buffalo Township; Co. D, Eighth Regt., P. V. I.
Fissel, Wm. H., Duncannon; Co. 1, Fourth Regt., P. V. 1.
Fosselman, John J., Tuscarora Township; C. G, Fifth Regt.
Frank, John R .; Co. C. Twelfth Regt.
Gettys, H. A., Marysville; Co. 8, Fourth Regt., P. V. I.
Gunderman, Edward C .; Ninth Infantry and Fifteenth Cavalry, Philip- pines.
Hain, Wm. J .; Sheridan Troop, Tyrone, Pa.
Jones, Harry E .; Co. I, Fourth Regt., P. V. 1.
McNeely, John M .; Co. I. Fourth Regt., P. V. 1.
Moyer, Chas. W .; Co. E, Twelfth Regiment.
Ney, Charles L .; Co. I, Fourth Regiment, P. V. I.
Pfafflin, Adolph R., Marysville; Co. I. Fourth Regt., P. V. I.
Patterson, Harry A., Marysville; Co. 1, Fourth Regt., P. V. I.
Sellers, Harvey, Marysville; Co. I, Fourth Regt., P. V. I.
Shaffer, Elmer E., served in Philippines.
Shannon, Frank A.
Sharon, Austin C .; Co. I, First Regt., P. V. I.
Toland, Thomas E., Duncannon; Co. I. Fourth Regt., P. V. I.
Died in
Wise, Walter E., Marysville; Co. I, Fourth Regt., P. V. I. Brooklyn Naval Hospital, September 7, 1898.
Wolfe, Harvey F .; Co. I, Fourth P. V. 1.
Wright, Jesse W .; Co. B. Twelfth Regt., Philippines.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE WORLD WAR, AND PERRY COUNTY.
"It's not the guns nor armament, Nor funds that they can pay, But the close cooperation That makes them win the day. It's not the individual Nor the army as a whole, But the everlasting teamwork Of every bloomin' soul. -Kipling.
N O human being could ever tell the stupendous story of this war. Much of it was a part of the annals of particular contingents, and, before there had been time to make any record, its men had again faced the enemy and paid the last great price. It was the most marvelous war of all ages. For over four years it swept through the continent of Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. Thirty nations and scores of different races were in- volved. Almost ten millions of men were slain in battle and thirty millions injured. Thousands were made blind and insane. No country on earth escaped the attendant losses and terrors of the war in one form or another. The high seas were ravaged and thousand of ships sent to the bottom. Millions of noncombat- ants, nurses, teachers, mothers and even little children-were slain or suffered death of starvation and disease. And then, when it was about over, that dreadful influenza, said by many to be one of the frightful war schemes, carried to their graves many thousands and left many other thousands with enfeebled systems.
America had stood aloof too long. In 1917, the world stood aghast. Was civilization to be overwhelmed? Then America plunged into the very vortex and was largely instrumental in grasp- ing victory from defeat. From farm, mill and office two millions of Americans were rushed across the Atlantic, although a fiendish government had its submarines lurking beneath the waves to sink the liners and transports, just as they had sunk a passenger ship containing women and children some time before. To-day thou- sands of those boys are buried on foreign soil.
As long ago as 1899 it was no secret that Germany was prepar- ing for war, and when Admiral Coghlan (then a captain), at a Union League dinner in New York, recited a pertinent poem, "Meinself und Gott," caricaturing the Kaiser, it caused a diplo- matic flurry and even a conference between President Mckinley
582
583
THE WORLD WAR AND PERRY COUNTY
and the German Ambassador. During all those years the great Krupp works were turning out huge cannon and other manufac- turers were making smaller firearms in vast quantities. For what ? "The day!" (When Germans met they always drank toasts to "Der tag.") That day finally came when the little Austrian Arch- duke was assassinated. Germany started its army to invade Bel- gium, although there was no trouble there, and that was the begin- ning of the most horrible holocaust of all ages. But that was not the first time the Teuton has shown his perfidy. It dates back to the early days of written history, 55 B. C., when Cæsar was on the banks of the Meuse and the Germans made an armistice with the Romans. Scarcely had the envoys left when the Germans fell upon the Roman brigade.
Perry County is only a small part of one of the forty-eight states, but the effect of the war on the nation was felt there just as every- where else. During those memorable days of 1914, the average American little dreamed of the great effect the war would have on the United States and that eventually we would be drawn into it. German propaganda was at work, however, and the public press, the religious press, the forum and the pulpit of the nation were insidiously and unknowingly corrupted. A strain of American citizenship was organized with a hyphen name. War was levied on our industry and commerce. An effort was made to embroil our country in a war with Mexico and Japan, and this having failed, Americans were impudently warned off the great high seas, in an advertisement in the public press. A ship, disregarding the warn- ing, was torpedoed, and hundreds of women and children, along with the men-all noncombatants-were drowned in midocean.
Perry County had been largely settled by a German population (many Wurtembergers), but not Prussianized Germans of the type that started the war, and there were mighty few sympathizers of the Prussian war machine, be it said to their credit. Government loan quotas were oversubscribed in the county, the quotas of troops went with regularity, and many a lad of German strain was in the ranks. Germany had long been held up as an example of efficiency, but America put them to shame. Germany had been preparing for forty years, and America was unprepared for war; yet in less than forty weeks she was operating a big railroad system on foreign soil, her merchant marine had grown to be the second largest in the world, she had dredged a foreign harbor and made docks for forty ships, and had a convoy system which was the marvel of the ages. The war had been in progress 1,452 days until America got to the front line, and in just 115 days the armistice was signed. German propaganda had kept us out of the war when we should have been in, but once in the Americans changed the German spell- ing of the word efficiency, to inefficiency.
5.81
HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Just as Col. A. K. McClure is quoted in the nation's affairs at various places in this book, let another former Perry Countian now be quoted. Charles William Super, Ph.D., LL.D., Ex-Presi- dent of the Ohio University and noted author, studied at Tübingen, Germany, in 1869-71, and in 1882, 1896 and 1903 he again visited that country in research work. He has an intimate knowledge of Germany and its people, and until 1914 was an ardent pacifist. It is from such an authority, who even witnessed the bombardment of Strasburg in the Franco-Prussian War, that we would quote. The following is from his "Pan-Prussianism," 1918:
"I am not ashamed to confess that up to July, 1914, I was an ardent paci- fist. Although I was not unaware of the spirit that reigned in Wilhelm- strasse, I could not believe it capable of the perfidy that it soon came to make a part of its settled policy. I was opposed to spending money on a great navy, because I was convinced that we had nothing to fear from any European or Asiatic power. I saw no use in fortifying the Panama Canal, because I believed that every government would pledge its word to regard it as passing through neutral territory and keep its pledge.
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