USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Morristown > History of Morristown, Vermont > Part 14
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
This war was a world war in every sense of the word. Not only did it include nearly all the civilized nations, but, more than any other struggle, it involved the entire civilian population who were organized and grouped together to back up the men at the front.
The first of these various organizations was the Com- mittee of Public Safety, which was formed even before war was officially declared. On March 22, 1917, Governor Graham, in accordance with a plan adopted by the other New England States, appointed such a committee to cooperate with the Federal Government in recruiting sol- diers, speeding up production, and aiding in conservation. Hon. F. G. Fleetwood of this town was a member of this . committee, serving on the important sub-committee of publicity. Both Mr. Fleetwood and Justice G. M. Powers were among the public speakers which this organization furnished as they were needed. The state was sub- divided into districts, each with its own local directors, and, in this district, Justice G. M. Powers, Lieut .- Gov. R. W. Hulburd of Hyde Park, J. M. Kelley of Morristown, M. C. Lovejoy of Stowe, with F. M. Small of this town as secretary and treasurer, formed this local body.
On May 18 the Selective Service Law was signed by the President who designated June 5, 1917, as the day upon which all males between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one, inclusive, should present themselves in the town which was their legal residence or the town in which they could vote, and register. The local Registration Board consisted of Moderator T. C. Cheney, Town Clerk A. A. Niles, Health Officer W. T. Slayton, together with F. G. Fleetwood, M. P. Maurice, L. M. Munson and J. M. Kelley. Dr. C. W. Bates served on the County Exemption Board. One hundred and ninety-nine young men, about seven per- cent of the population of the town, thus registered.
Registration was quickly followed by the first of the Liberty Loan drives, in which the town went "over the top" by a subscription of $64,500. Had someone told its citizens that five times in succession they would buy bonds to the extent they did, the statement would have been greeted with incredulity to say the least. Nearly a half century had elapsed since they had been called upon to sacrifice in a common cause such as this.
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
VERMONT VOLUNTEER MILITIA
When it became certain that the National Guard would be called into active service, thus leaving the state with- out any form of military protection, the Governor caused an executive order to be issued asking for the formation of a force of twelve companies of not more than fifty-three men each, to be called the First Regiment Vermont Vol- unteer Militia. The men must be American citizens or aliens who had declared their intention of becoming citi- zens who were at least thirty-one years of age and not more than fifty, or men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one who had been rejected from the draft because of slight physical disqualifications or dependent relatives. While they served without pay unless brought into active service, they received such clothing and equip- ment as was necessary. So generous was the response to this call that within a month after the executive order was issued the companies were established and the com- missioned officers appointed.
Company F was located at Morrisville and included men from here and a few from adjacent towns. The fol- lowing officers were appointed : Captain, L. M. Munson ; First Lieutenant, J. M. Kelley; Second Lieutenant, Craig O. Burt of Stowe. A school of intensive instruction for the officers was held at Norwich University, Northfield, from July 5 to 14, and the men returned to the business of drilling the recruits who took up the work with enthusiasm and aptitude. Some months later, in May, 1918, Company F acted as host at the first May muster of the Second Battalion of the Vermont Volunteer Militia, which included Company E from St. Albans, Company G from St. Johnsbury and Company H of Newport. The fair ground was the site of the rendezvous, and the manoeuvres executed there indicated that the state was not without military protection should an emergency arise. The grim background of war gave the occasion a serious- ness which the old June training lacked. This organiza- tion was not demobilized until June, 1919.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
The World War as fought was unique in many respects and especially in the different factors which entered into the contest. Never before had printers' ink
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
and propaganda played so important a part. Millions of dollars was spent in this country alone in advertising matter sent out in connection with the Liberty Loans and the various drives, while public meetings in every little hamlet throughout the country aroused the people to the white heat of sacrificial giving.
The first public meeting held in this town for any of the various organizations which served throughout the war was a union gathering held at the Methodist Church - for the purpose of raising funds for books for the soldiers. This movement was sponsored by the American Library Association, which undertook, according to its slogan, to raise "A million dollars for a million books for a million soldiers." Books were recognized by all the nations as . one of the best aids for keeping up the morale of the troops and besides this first campaign for money the March fol- lowing a drive for books was made in which the local library participated by collecting and forwarding them to the state headquarters, from which they were sent to the various training camps. This first mass meeting of October 7, 1917, was addressed by local speakers only, and $126 was raised.
Ten days later a War Convention for Lamoille County was held at the town hall, which building proved entirely inadequate to accommodate the crowd which came, and an overflow meeting was held in the Congregational Church At this meeting the people were given the opportunity of hearing men who had a wide outlook upon the situation and the events which led up to it. Prof. W. B. Guthrie of the College of the City of New York; Hon. W. W. Gil- bert, former governor-general of the Philippines; Col. C. S. Bigelow, representing food control; and Joseph O'Toole of Washington, D. C., were the speakers who aroused the patriotism of their hearers to a high pitch.
FOOD REGULATION
By the time the United States had entered the war it was evident that the struggle had become a process of gradual wearing out the contestants with victory on the side having the strongest reserves of supplies and men, and that one great service in which everyone could engage was to produce and conserve food. As the months passed wheat, meat, and sugar became of the greatest importance.
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
So October 21-28, 1917, became Food Crusade Week. The Food Administration force from Herbert Hoover, who had been appointed in August, 1917, down to the local officers had been completed. J. M. Kelley and Mrs. Harriet Ide of this town had been made chairmen of the county and the Rev. W. T. Best and Mrs. Charles Chapin had charge of the campaign in the town. The Campfire Girls and Boy Scouts distributed the cards throughout the town, and by the end of the week 488 families were enrolled in the food conservation campaign and were offering to abstain in a large measure from the foods which had always been their staple diet.
The menu as planned by the National Food Adminis- tration was as follows:
Monday and
Tuesday and
Friday Wheatless meal
Wednesday Thursday
Wheatless day
Meatless day
Meatless meal
Meatless meal
Wheatless meal
Saturday
Sunday
Porkless day
Wheatless meal
Wheatless meal
Meatless meal
With the purchase of each pound of wheat flour it was necessary to buy an equal quantity of substitutes such as rye, buckwheat, oatmeal, etc. Recipes for the use of these substitutes were freely circulated and housewives began to adapt themselves to a new type of cooking. In some cases where there were invalids or semi-invalids these regulations worked a real hardship, but for the most part they were generally observed.
In July, 1918, the sugar ration cards were introduced, limiting the amount of sugar to from two to five pounds per person per month, and the disagreeable task of hand- ling these cards was given to the Rev. W. T. Best. Later the cards were changed allowing three pounds to a person and the purchase of a month's supply at one time was per- mitted. Hooverizing had become a part of the daily routine of life and the slogan "Food Will Win the War" had become an accepted truth.
Less than three weeks after the County War Conven- tion, came another union service at the Congregational Church to open a drive for funds for the Y. M. C. A. This
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
meeting was addressed by Congressman Frank L. Greene of St. Albans-and D. M. Claghorn of Boston, who was state campaign director. T. C. Cheney was chairman for Lamoille County, and so heartily did both young and old respond that over $1,700 was raised for this branch of war work. It will be remembered that one feature of this drive as later developed was the enlisting of the boys to earn and give ten dollars each. This matter of organiz- ing the boys for this effort was left to the Rev. Frank Stockwell and fifty-three boys from Peoples Academy. and the upper grades pledged and turned in the required amount.
The work of the Y. M. C. A. was of especial interest . here since several people well known to local residents were engaged in that. form of war work. Supt. B. E. Merriam, a native of Elmore but a graduate of Peoples Academy, and then residing in Bellows Falls, was among the first to volunteer for service overseas. Later J. M. Kelley from here and M. G. Morse, a Peoples Academy graduate; the Rev. C. C. St. Clare, a former pastor of the Congregational Church, who had recently gone to New York State; and M. S. Stone, graduate and former prin- cipal of Peoples Academy, saw duty overseas, while the Rev. Frank Stockwell of the Universalist Church served in Y work at Camp Devens and later entered the Chaplain's Training School at Louisville, Ky., received his commis- sion as chaplain, and was prepared to go over when peace was declared.
The campaign for the Y. M. C. A. was followed at once by the Second Liberty Loan drive, when through posters, newspapers, and speakers the way was prepared for the canvass conducted by willing workers.
THE FUEL SITUATION
As November advanced people became aware of the fact that they were face to face with another serious prob- lem, that of winter weather, and a shortage of fuel. While this lack doubtless aggravated the consciousness of the cold, still that it was not simply a state of mind is proved by the weather reports. The following extracts from the local newspaper speak for themselves: "Decem- ber 31st local thermometers registered from 40 to 50 degrees below zero and all records for forty-seven years
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
were broken. On - January 27th, 1918, thermometers . registered from 20 to 50 degrees, according to kind, condi- tion, make, and location. On February 4th and 5th there
was a regular western blizzard. The thermometers regis- tered from 24 to 38 degrees below in the morning and 23 degrees below at noon while the wind blew a gale. The evening train from the east was cancelled and the first mail from Burlington came at 9:00 P. M." Again on February 9 there was another blizzard which tied up train service. On March 10 another blizzard nearly broke all March records. This was perhaps the last struggle of winter, for mild weather came on and the ice went out of the Lamoille River on March 31. In the weeks following people began work on the land, eager to do their part in raising food."" In the village, lawns were plowed up, and on the farms all available land was tilled, and everyone started work on their "war gardens." But it seemed as though the forces controlling the weather were on the side of the enemy when people awoke on the morning of June 20 to find there had been a killing frost which ruined corn, beans, and in some instances potatoes. At Northfield, Vt., the official record was twenty-eight degrees and weather bureau reports indicated that it broke all June records since 1816.
A diary, whose record was unofficial but probably fairly accurate, reports that there were fourteen days in December, seven days in January, six days in February and three in March when the mercury went below zero. Such an unprecedented winter as this would have meant careful planning on the part of many to avoid suffering under normal economic conditions. With the fuel shortage that faced the country, it was appalling. The unusual demand for coal to supply battleships and auxiliary craft, for the manufacture of war supplies, and for heating the military cantonments, together with the reduction of the number of men working at the mines and the difficulties in securing transportation made the problem of securing coal for the state a serious one.
In September, 1917, the State Fuel Administrator, H. J. M. Jones of Montpelier was appointed, and in each town where there was a coal dealer a local fuel committee was designated who should regulate the local price and distribution of wood and coal, and conduct a local cam- paign to secure economy in the use of all fuel. The
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Morristown committee consisted of L. M. Munson and C. A.
Slayton. When on November 1 an appeal was made to supplement coal with wood, the village bought one woodlot and the stumpage on another and held a supply of four- foot wood on hand which was sold out at a reasonable price in small lots. This was not meant to interfere in any way with those farmers who brought in their regular amounts which were quickly bought up. It was rather an emer- gency measure which prevented real suffering. Some- times as many as thirty cords a day were distributed, and over 2,000 cords were sold in all.
There was some coal available. The local newspaper reports in December that "coal has been doled out during the past week to families. having babies and no wood stoves for heating their houses, 300 to 500 pounds to a family." In the meantime everyone joined in conserving fuel. All rooms in private houses not necessary for daily use were closed; beginning with the last of December the library was open only one day per week; services were held in the vestries of some of the churches instead of the auditoriums ; and in common with other towns, schools did not begin after the Christmas vacation until January 14. On Jan- uary 28 came the first of the "heatless Mondays," when all manufacturing plants, business offices, etc., were for- bidden to use fuel unless the nature of the business made it necessary. The winter following, the supply of coal was limited, and many became acquainted with the peculiarities of soft or bituminous coal and buckwheat coal, but the wood situation was well in hand and there was no suffering, only inconvenience.
In February, 1918, through a new ruling of the Provost Marshal General, men not physically fit for the army but able to perform other duties were called and this order took fourteen more youths.
On March 5 a Win-the-War meeting was held in con- nection with the town meeting in response to a request sent out by Governor Graham. In common with other towns throughout the state, at eleven o'clock all other busi- ness was suspended, the Governor's letter was read and Justice G. M. Powers read a patriotic address prepared by the State Committee of Public Safety.
April brought the Third Liberty Loan, the campaign for which was opened on April 26 with a rally and a parade which included the school children. Morristown's quota
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
was $60,100, and over $65,000 was subscribed. In this campaign a Woman's Committee functioned for the first time and secured $15,500.
In June, twelve more boys who had become twenty- one since the last date of registration were enrolled pre- paratory to entering the service. June and July also saw the development of the drive to purchase War Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps. Justice G. M. Powers was county chairman and the Rev. W. T. Best, Mrs. Harriet Ide and Miss Lou Slocum had charge of the local work. The allotment for the state was $20 per capita and an intensive campaign to attain this goal was put on. A committee of thirty young people canvassed the town and the campaign closed with a rally at the town hall, in which the school children participated. The town did not reach its quota as it did in the various Liberty Loans, but it did raise over $34,500 in these small sums, which was an average of $13.03 per capita. This was less than the average of $13.90 for the state, but in excess of the per capita of $9.64 for the nation.
In September, the possible duration of the war was brought forcibly home by a further registration of all men between the ages of eighteen and twenty and between thirty-two and forty-five. This undoubtedly gave momen- tum to the Fourth Liberty Loan drive, which started on September 28. W. M. Sargent, who had conducted the three previous campaigns, had been made county chairman, so Charles M. Chapin succeeded him as local manager in the last two drives. The "Fighting Fourth Liberty Loan" had added impetus from the War Relic train which visited Morrisville on October 1. It consisted of two flat bottom cars, one box car, and one sleeper, and the flat cars were mounted with guns, bombs, shells, parts of airplanes and other implements of war. It arrived at 8:30 A. M. and remained here three hours. By actual count 4,267 persons passed through the cars and inspected their contents. Speeches were made by A. J. R. Helmus of the New Eng- land Liberty Loan Committee; William H. Kenney, an American, who volunteered as an ambulance driver; Private Ketchum of Putney, Vt., a member of the 101st Ammuni- tion Train, who had been gassed; County Chairman W. M. Sargent. and Lieut .- Gov. R. W. Hulburd of Hyde Park. Two Frenchmen, decorated with the highest military emblems of the French army, accompanied the train. The
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Morrisville-Stowe Band was in attendance, and the Home Guards were on duty at the station. As a result $6,500 worth of bonds were subscribed for on the spot. The Woman's Loan Committee also put on a Community Sing which was a success both in numbers and enthusiasm. The Morristown quota for the Fourth Loan was $120,200 and the amount actually raised was $145,200, of which over $24,000 was raised by the women. It is a significant fact that there were 686 subscribers to this fund, or practically one in four of the entire population of the town.
In September, also, the organization of the War Work Council of the Y. W. C. A. was completed. Mary Jean Simpson, then principal of Peoples Academy, was county chairman, and Mrs. T. C. Cheney was local chairman. In this campaign the girls between the ages of ten and twenty were enrolled and pledged to earn five dollars each. In the meantime it had become evident that all the differ- ent welfare organizations were in need of money with which to continue their work and were about to launch a drive for funds. At the wise suggestion of President Wilson, it was decided to combine these various appeals into one intensive campaign. In this United War Work Campaign, T. C. Cheney was county chairman and W. M. Sargent county treasurer and M. P. Maurice town chair- man. The highspot in this drive was the rally held on the evening of November 7, the day on which the great peace hoax swept the country. The mass meeting was addressed by Guy Potter Benton of the University of Ver- mont and others. By that time, the peace report was denied and the necessity of continuing the welfare work was stressed even though peace came soon. There was pledged for this work $5,200.
Early in the afternoon of November 7, the citizens were startled by the ringing of the church bells. One after another they joined the chorus, not tolling as if to announce some calamity, but ringing joyously as if telling good news. The bells were soon joined by the blowing of whistles and as people rushed out to inquire the cause of the outburst they were met by the joyful news that the armistice had been signed. An excited throng soon gathered at the Randall Hotel, where soon there blazed a huge bonfire fed by boxes, old wagons, hayracks, anything the excited crowd could get hold of.
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Four days later when the great deed was actually con- summated another celebration was staged, less spon- taneous, but no less joyful. This time the bonfire was made at the junction of Park and Main Streets and music by the band, speeches, and a parade all gave expression to the happiness which everywhere prevailed.
THE RED CROSS
The World War brought to public attention an organi- zation which had been functioning for some time, but had not been fully appreciated before, the Red Cross. Miss Mary Moody was president of the local chapter through- out the war and gave untiringly of her time and strength to direct its activities. The bank directors gave up the second floor of the bank for a work room, and here day after day groups of busy women met to make surgical dressings, bandages, knitted sponges, and all the other articles necessary for use in the hospitals, while at home young and old worked on socks, sweaters, mufflers, helmets, and other articles used to bring comfort to the men at the front.
The treasurer of the society reported for the year beginning in October, 1917, receipts of $4,000, aside from the labor contributed, while this branch had the proud distinction of not paying out a cent for overhead expenses. Fuel, trucking, rent and all such expenses were freely given. The women on the Randolph Road, at the Corn- ers, on the LaPorte Road, and on West Hill were organized and did splendid work. From the girls in the Junior Red Cross in the lower grades at school to the oldest residents in town, all were proud to have a part in the service. Three of the valued workers were Mrs. Esther Spaulding, who was eighty-six years old; Mrs. C. M. Boynton, eighty- nine; and Mrs. Alma Shaw, ninety-five.
The latter days of the war were marked by one of the most severe epidemics which ever swept the world, the influenza. While Morristown was extremely fortunate in being comparatively free from its ravages, it greatly affected the activities of those closing weeks of the war. That the loss of life was not greater here was undoubtedly due to the prompt action of the local Board of Health, which closed all places for public meetings, all churches, schools, clubs, etc., on October 2, an action which was taken by the State Board of Health a few days later. At that time there had been only three cases in town and only
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HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
one death, but Barre, Montpellier, Waterbury, Stove and Herdwick were severely addicted and the week following an embargo was laid upon travel to and from these such persons being kept in quarantine six day dese measures proved so effective that after a mom was lifted, and schools reopened after all ti
been immunized. The latter part : November sa return of the disease which led to the resumption quarantine, which lasted some time lo ing Jammary the Red Cross secured the y of the Cz- gregational Church and frted it up as a temporary hospital to care for those victims who could not be cared for at home, and here several patients were house-l
In the April following came-the last, or Victory . L
Once again committees were rranged, the then
which registered the progress the ce
play, and another War Peli e to try
people the re Mization of what rar r
the town responded to the am $87.000.
The total amount: subscribed by residents of this cannot be obtained exactly since the official report india some money raised in Stome, which m sent in through this bank, but the Union Savings Bank & Trust Co. stande on record as forwarding $623,000. was divided as follows : First loan, $74.000; Second loan. $98.000: Third loan. $109.000. Fourth Joan, $215.000: Fifth I Da= $132.000. Of this amount nearly a
= M.vristouz.
The World War turally c
Civil War in its
The number of soldie smaller. i
one in every ten re shouldered
marched to the f the World War.
fought from trench or have rested battlefields of "61 was lost in the later struggle which ad become ma bien ti e. more deadly. bat less romantic. The con ralest in the Civil War was able to return to his fami operate. bot thoz- sands of miles of ocean interv between the boys of
1917 and their homes. The ganications back of the soldiers in the earlier conflict with the various agencies, like the Red Cross, the Y. the Salvation Army, etc. Both wars left their ingrin:
the lives of millions amd in 1917. as in 1861. the
played with credit its part in the great drama.
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