World War I - The Centenary Special Edition

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Page 2 November 2018

War declared! White County (Ind.) aroused

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing MONTICELLO — Upon entering World War I, White County officials held several meetings in the courthouse courtroom about the impact of war.

The purpose of these meetings was intended to inform the public to the gravity of war that would affect every man, woman and child in the county. The forthright and honest language directed at the packed crowds seemed somewhat ominous. The speeches were delivered with such frankness that there was no need to read between the lines to realize the full import of this call to arms.

The object of the meetings was to get the area population in sync with the serious side of war and get the lethargic public to understand that each person would be affected in this war, which was pitted against an insolent foe that menaced permanent peace throughout the world. The attendees needed to understand that their enemy would stop at nothing to replace the de-

mocracy in which we live.

The speeches pleaded to the young men of the county to give service to their country.

All others were asked to “do their bit” in any way that would guarantee a victory for the country’s freedom.

Women were told what they could do to hasten victory and peace, and ideas were outlined that even involved the children.

The men and women went home somberfaced, realizing that the war was going to engage every resident of White County.

This was the first time the general public recognized the real meaning of the term “slacker.” Everyone in the crowd realized that this was not the time for complacency.

Prior to the stare of the meeting, the Monticello band played patriotic songs from the courtyard bandstand and 50 men from White County’s Company C, along with new recruits, marched as a body into the courtroom and occupied seats that were reserved for them. In a word, it was a bone-chilling reminder of what was at stake for the county, the state and the

nation.

A choir began the proceedings with a series of patriotic songs that stirred the hearts of true Americans in these perilous times.

Monticello Mayor Carr presided and the Rev. F.L. Hovis, pastor of the Methodist church, opened the meeting with a fervent prayer. Speakers were George F. Marvin, Capt. Arthur B. Cray, Rev. M.M. Rodgers, Capt. A.G. Kaftan and Sen. Emory B. Sellers. The speakers covered every phase of the war situation and the theme of each speaker was the imperative demand for the people to wake up.

The time of whether or not to go to war was not at hand. The nation was at war, as was White County, they said.

Senator Cray used the greater part of his time reading extracts of reported atrocities committed by the German forces in France and Belgium. It became apparent to all who attended that America was at war against a foreign government whose war capacity descended below the level of a savage.

Courtesy of White County Historical Society Monticello Mayor Benjamin Carr, taken circa 1908.

These initial meetings set the tone that would last the balance of the war.

Kean MacOwan is president of the White County Historical Society in Monticello, Ind.

Pershing will lead on French soil

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing

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After the President Woodrow Wilson signed the War Bill, he also ordered conscription of soldiers. Gen. John J. Pershing was selected to send the first expedition of forces to Europe and the President also committed to supply the Allied Forces with aid in the form of energy, arms and food.

The date of departure for the troops was kept a profound secret.

Reports in the newspapers reported that the registration of conscripted men would begin June 5, 1917, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Notice was given that men between 21 and 30 years of age should prepare to follow the colors. The government estimated there were 10 million men in the U. S. who would be required to register.

The signing of the bill set in motion a program designed to produce, with a year, more than 1 million trained and equipped men. The bill also required a reserve force of 500,000 men that would also be ready to bear arms for the country. The U.S. also stockpiled supplies for this reserve force.

In Indiana, the National Guard was called up to report on three different dates. These mobilization dates were July 15, July 25, and Aug. 5, 1917. The National

Guard unit headquartered in Monticello was in preparation and the local unit was ready to begin training for new recruits.

Apparently, the local unit realized early on that they were going to be called up as Capt. Arthur B. Cray, commander of National Guard Company C in White County, stated that the local unit was ready, having already been prepared with supplies and equipment.

May 18, 1917, would become a major historical date in America as two big events transpired in the executive branch of government. It was on that evening that President Wilson signed the war Army Bill that had been passed by Congress.

This bill would establish the first army draft in the United States by selective draft and establish a system of universal military training and also directed that an expeditionary force under Pershing.

This force would be composed of a division of regular troops and would proceed to France at the earliest possible moment.

The general public would not know when the first men would arrive in France until they were walking on foreign soil. At that time, the public would be informed of their movements.

Kean MacOwan is president of the White County Historical Society in Monticello, Ind.

November 2018 Page 3

War’s personal caretaker

Ron Lang tells the stories nobody’s around to tell

By Scott Buckner KV Post-News City Editor

They’re all dead.

There are times where some will refer to World War I as “the forgotten war.” Not because anyone with even a marginal grasp of American history has ever forgotten the so-called “Great War” waged in western and eastern Europe from July 1914 to November 1918 — “the war to end of all wars” — but rather because today, 100 years later, there isn’t a single person alive who participated first-hand in this greatest exercise in human carnage. The last American veteran who served in the trenches was Harry Patch, who died on 25 July 2009, at age 111.

In fact, a good number of our eldest seniors alive today weren’t even born until a good 10 to 20 years after the war ended. So for all intents and purposes, someone might as well be talking to us about the Civil War or Egyptian dynasties.

So, who do we talk to today about WWI, and how might we even start to care about it?

That’s where people like Jasper County resident Ron Lang steps in. Lang, 78, served in the Army during the Korean War and into the very early years of this country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Since that time, as a member of the American Society for Military Insignia Collectors — the oldest group of its kind in the country — since 1955, he has collected, sold, and traded an astounding number of artifacts connected to the two world wars, and even those predating the first war. More history has passed through his hands and been forgotten than most people will remember, and he’s able to speak at great length and depth about some seriously arcane knowledge — not just about the wars themselves, but about the patches, pins, epaulets, helmets and a vast sea of everything else, down to particular units.

“When you get right down to it, World War I would be my preferred field,” Lang said.

“It was the Russians and the French and the English against Germany. It was almost at a standstill, until they got a big push in 1918 [from the United States]. It kinda turned the tides. We stopped ‘em. We were fresh. They were getting beat up for three, four years.

Had Germany won the first war and not been treated so dastardly … and because of the screwballs in Germany preaching all the hate, you see how that was building [toward WW2]. There was a pre-war, WW1 sentiment. They don’t teach this stuff in school anymore.”

Asked whether his knowledge and displays might be put to good use to change that with today’s students, Lang wasn’t sure. “When I was working, I didn’t have time,” he said.

Photo by Scott Buckner “I was a crane operator. I really couldn’t fit in my schedule. It never came about.”

And today, since he’s retired? “I don’t know,” Lang answered. “I’m busier now than when I Ron Lang displays a WWI field jacket made for warmer seasons, as opposed to the heavy wool garments most often displayed in musewas working.”

Lang’s enchantment with world war history took root in the years just after the close of ums.

World War II, when Lang’s father owned a tavern in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. As a youngster, the Lang boy began talking to the war veterans who would make their way into the establishment. One of his most prized possessions are a pair of someone in the head.” rough balsa figurines carved and painted by an American WWII vet and former prisoner For Lang, collecting artifacts is more than just collecting stuff. It’s about the personal connections, the history — particularly photographs and documents of youngsters and of war named Stan. uniformed young men about to know war.

“I was a lad of 9 or 10, and they’d talk to me in the tavern,” he said. Their stories are “what they brought to me. A lot of ‘em just didn’t like talking about the gore, shooting See CARETAKER, page 4

Page 4 November 2018

(Left) An unidentified solder attached to a U.S. Army tank corps unit is seen in a stand-up metallic piece that most often graced tabletops, dressers and shelves of loved ones at home. “I wish they woulda put a name on it,” said local world war historian Ron Lang.

(Below) The evolution of American serviceman dog tags is a part of a Ron Lang display. The earliest tags at left were from WWI and were threaded with ribbon, as were a later brass version, seen at lower right, “so not to make noise,” said world war historian Ron Lang.

Caretaker, from page 3 “That was the start of their life. You know, that’s where it really hits me. In each one, that’s the shame of World War I … You wonder what happened to them. A lot of [soldiers and officers] kinda went a little overboard, and a lot of them were either hung or spent time in jail. But you always wonder what happened to them. Each one of those wars, this was somebody’s life. It was someone’s life being recorded. It’s pleasing to know that you’re taking care of it.”

Sometimes, things in his collections come from families disposing of deceased relatives’ estates, where the family didn’t feel much connection to belongings or photographs of people they really didn’t know.

“I can’t look at it that way,” Lang said. “Kids don’t want to hang onto it or they dispose of it. It irritates me, but it goes into an individual thing, if you have pride, respect what your elders did. If someone wants to respect their family history, they’ll do that.

“There are times where I’ll accept anything from a family, but I tell them ‘If there’s any time you want this back, you can have it back.’ In fact, I would prefer that they have it back.”

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November 2018 Page 5

A group photo of World WarI veterans including Goodwine farmer Julius Carlson.

Goodwine farmer fought in World War I before gaining U.S. citizenship

By Jordan Crook Reporter Julius Carlson had only been living in Goodwine, Illinois, for a few years and had yet to even become a U.S. citizen before answered the call to arms during World War I. Carlson had emigrated from Sweden to live in Goodwine in 1913 and worked for farmers in the area for five years before he enlisted in the Army June 6, 1918.

Carlson’s son, John, recalls that Basic Training in South Carolina was difficult for his father because he wasn’t yet fluent in English.

“He wasn’t even a citizen yet when he fought for the country,” John said. “He was a Swede and he couldn’t speak very fluent English at the time.”

John said his father had to learn several commands during his training.

One of these commands, John said, was to stop and say “Advance and be recognized” after halting someone while on guard duty.

Carlson’s compatriots decided to have some fun with him by telling him the wrong command, which resulted in a humorous encounter with an officer.

“There was a lieutenant there who he stopped one night on guard duty and he went to say ‘Advance and be recognized,’ but they taught my father to say ‘Advance and be circumcised,’” John recalled with a laugh. “So the lieutenant said ‘Well, I’ll advance, but I don’t want to be circumcised.’”

Carlson would encounter the lieutenant again when he was being discharged from the Army on June 18, 1919.

Iroquois County World War I veteran Julius Carlson’s military service record.

“He just happened to meet him again when he was discharged,” John said.

John’s father related many stories of serving in World War I, recalling the rigors of trench warfare that he encountered during his time in the service.

“He talked a lot about the mud and being in fox holes and he talked about the trenches,” he said.

Carlson told his son a gruesome tale regarding a several week, or possibly a month, long period where he was unable to remove his boots and when he finally did he found that his toenails had grown straight through his socks.

Carlson also recalled the harrowing

nature of combat in the war and how he consoled a chaplain who felt he couldn’t go on at one point during the war.

John said his father found the chaplain sitting by a tree and the chaplain said he was too frightened go into an upcoming battle.

“He was real scared and he was afraid to go on into battle,” John said. “They were doing a lot of fighting at the time.”

John said the chaplain didn’t carry a gun and was too scared to advance with the rest of the unit, so Carlson sat with him for a bit and calmed him down.

“He really didn’t want to go,” he said. “So dad talked to him for a bit and calmed him down a little bit so he could go on. Usually, it’s the other way around.”

Carlson saw extensive combat during his service, including one of the most pivotal battles of the entire war.

The Battles of the Muese-Argonne was a major part of the final Allied offensive during World War I. The battle lasted from Sept. 26 to Nov. 11, when an armistice was finally signed. More than 1.2 million American soldiers were involved in the battles and was the largest and bloodiest operation of the war.

Among those 1.2 million soldiers was Julius Carlson.

Carlson returned home to Goodwine seven months after that campaign, sitting next to the same chaplain he calmed down during the war as he was heading home,

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A World War I era helmet that once belonged to Goodwine farmer Julius Carlson.

Julius Carlson but he still wasn’t a U.S. citizen.

Carlson wouldn’t obtain his U.S. citizenship until six months after he returned from fighting in Europe.

“About six months after he was back, a few of the farmers he’d been working for told him they thought he needed his citizenship papers, so they took him down to Danville in front of a judge and got him his citizenship papers that day,” John said.

John recalls that his father had a brother who also served in the military during World War I, but said he doesn’t know many details about his service.

Carlson’s sons would follow his example and entered the military once they reached adulthood.

John said his brother, Lloyd, enlisted and served during World War II, entering the service in 1942 and being discharged in 1946.

“My brother went in during World War II when it was really bad,” he said.

“Everybody was going in, everybody was enlisting then.”

Lloyd would later encourage his brother to enlist in the military.

“My brother encouraged me to go in when I went in,” he said.

The night before he left home to enter basic training, John recalls, his brother and

See GOODWIN, page 15

Page 6 November 2018

Labor, loss and letters from war: Local historians reflect on archives

By Nick Fiala reporter@rensselaerrepublican.com

Plenty of priceless things can be uncovered long after they’re stored away in the back of an old building on some lonely shelf somewhere. Just ask Sue Caldwell, a board member for the Jasper County (Indiana) Historical Society and the County Genealogist through the Indiana Genealogical Society. She spent part of last month digging through several such rooms in the back of Jasper County’s History Museum at the end of North Van Rensselaer Street, searching for preserved newspaper clippings and photographs from the World War I era. Inside those books and binders compiled by their predecessors and selfless county citizens, Caldwell and the society have found endless stories and anecdotes from the past. They are full of beauty, horror and facts about the simple reality of life during war time. And, as the 100th anniversary of that era arrives, the time could not be better to see it again.

“I just got hooked on this,” Caldwell said of her research, as she looked over one of those books in the center of the museum’s main room. “I have been working on things for World War I [for] probably two years, at least. But I started with the cards in 2011, and then it’s expanded dramatically…As I was doing some of this work on the cards, I realized how much other stuff we had.”

The cards Caldwell is referring to were used to survey women for the services they would be able to provide while the young men of that era served in battle.

“The Council of National Defense, during World War I, ordered a survey of all women in the country,” Caldwell said. “Millions of them completed these registration cards. And, right now, we only know of probably only 60,000 of them, but some keep showing up here and there every so often…They’re very rare.”

The survey sometimes asked for very personal details, such as what illnesses or defects the women may have, in order to see what specific skills and strengths they could provide.

“It was supposed to be volunteer stuff, though, to find out what their skills are,” Caldwell said. “I know some women were used as drivers because of this. Some women became nurses…If they needed teachers or cooks, you know, whatever they needed — They could call on them.”

Caldwell said this specific viewpoint of the war, from the perspective of how women contributed, had great appeal for her during her research, not least because much of it isn’t all that well-documented.

“The women’s section simply appeals, because it’s not covered,” Caldwell said. “I mean they didn’t even know about this big survey of women. You hear some things about the women making bandages, but there was a lot more going on.”

One of the notable articles in the society’s collection, preserved from local newspapers of that time, announced what was then believed to be the first man killed in action from Jasper County during the war, who died while serving in France. It was received by Mr. Amos Davisson of Parr at on Nov. 6. of that year.

“Deeply regret to inform you that Private Lonnie Davisson, signal corps, is officially reported as killed in action,” the article states, “Died of Lobar pneumonia, October eighth.”

The article, headlined “OUR FIRST BOY KILLED IN ACTION” is particularly notable because it isn’t correct.

“He was not the first one actually killed,” Caldwell said. “He was the first one we heard about, but Dewey Biggs was killed before him. But we didn’t hear about it right away…He [Biggs] was in the Navy.”

Biggs was later honored as the namesake of Rensselaer’s own American Legion Post 29. And other local veterans would have other unique forms of honor thrust upon them. Fred James, of Remington, notably had the opportunity to cook for the expeditionary forces in France and Germany in the palace of the Kaiser.

“Fred James…is the subject of this queer brand of honor,” another preserved article stated. “A card from him states that since the armistice was signed he has been changed from the mechanical department to the more necessary and highly important department of assistant cook in one of the divisions. The card, which was written a day or

(Above, left) George Donnelly (1918), brother of John Donnelly, and great-uncle of former Jasper County Veteran Service Officer and Vietnam veteran Patrick Donnelly.

(Above, right) Paul Donnelly (1918) brother of John Donnelly and great-uncle of Patrick Donnelly.

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See HISTORIANS, page 7

November 2018 Page 7

Jasper County Genealogist and Historical Society member Sue Caldwell looks over the county’s World War I records and photographs.

The Jasper County Historical Society’s collection of World War I posters, letters, clothes and other paraphernalia was on display at the 2018 Jasper County Fair.

Historians, from page 6

two before Christmas, stated that he was then cooking in the kitchen of the palace of the former Kaiser of Germany…not that of the one in Berlin, but one of the other palaces that the Kaiser kept….However, the honor is just as great, and perhaps the cooks found something very good to prepare in the shack of the Kaiser.”

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Still another article, originally printed for Monday, Sept. 10, 1917, marked the occasion when local communities bid farewell to the boys sent off to enter the war.

“Hundreds witnessed the departure of the 128 members of company M, who left to go into active training for the greatest war the world has every known,” the article stated. “Amid tears and smiles, Jasper and Newton County’s group of 128 men left Monon Station preparatory to hurling themselves into the struggle to overthrow autocracy in far-off Europe.”

The article goes on to note that “the morning of September 10, 1917 will go down in the history of the county as a day that will never be forgotten. 128 young men standing in line, grim, resolute, defiant, and with a look of determination upon their faces, left the armory and wended their way to the Monon station, where they were to catch their train for Fort Benjamin Harrison in the initial step of their journey, which no doubt would end when they were on the battlefields to Europe to fight in the cause of democracy…

“What more noble privilege could be granted them? Each and every one of the soldiers felt the tenseness of the situation and despite their efforts to appear cheerful, a lump arose in each throat and tears streamed down their cheeks as they bid their parents, sisters, brothers and sweethearts goodbye — perhaps in some cases the last goodbyes they would ever be permitted to make.”

The society’s records are not all doom and gloom, however. Anyone looking for happiness in the midst of the all the wartime drama needs to look no further than a letter to home, written by Alfred Ross Thompson, published as “Extracts From Letter of French Ambulance Driver,” on Sept. 24, 1917.

“Last night I heard someone playing the organ, and it made me more homesick than anything since I left the United States,” Thompson wrote. “It sounded so beautiful. I walked over there and had a very enjoyable time…He was playing in a little old room about eight by twelve which served as his kitchen, bedroom, dining room and parlor. It was dark there, except for a little bit of gasoline light that he played by. He had a little old organ worked by the feet and he sat there, a little withered up old man of seventy-two with a long gray beard, and played the most beautiful music. It almost brought tears to my eyes. he was an old soldier, had fought in the war of 1870 and had just escaped hanging by the Germans.”

Thompson said the old man had been starved by the Germans for five days, despite him being a non-combatant, before finally being given soup to eat on the sixth day.

Thompson said he played German and French songs for a long time, before finally playing a song that Thompson referred to simply as “America,” possibly meaning “America the Beautiful.”

“I never heard it sound better,” he wrote, “but it was probably because I was just in the mood. Wish you could’ve seen that picture — A darkened little room, an old bent man of 72 playing an old organ with practically no light and four silent enthralled listeners. You cannot imagine how much you miss music, until you have been out at a godforsaken wilderness where there is none for three months, almost. I surely appreciated it…I am going back tonight and every other night we are here…I love to hear his music.”

Page 8 November 2018

Photo by Wendy Davis Photos and a short write up of several men from around Iroquois County who fought in “The Great War” was researched and is displayed on the museum’s wall.

Iroquois County, Illinois, during World War I The Iroquois County (Illinois) Historical Society has a special World War I display set out at Iroquois County’s Old Courthouse Museum.

The following is a write up in its newsletter in honor of World War I. Iroquois County in the “Great War” — World War I According to our records (three volumes in the Iroquois County Genealogical Society) over 1,600 men from Iroquois County served in “The Great War”. At least one woman from Iroquois County is included in the records: Pearl Van Winkle, who served as a nurse in the

army.

Pictures of the 52 Gold Star Heroes — meaning they lost their lives as part of the conflict — with a brief description of their service are included in the exhibit. Of those 52, one was lost at sea and one drowned in the Rhine after armistice was signed.

Twenty-seven died from influenza, pneumonia or measles, some before they even left training camp in the United States.

The museum display features several actual posters from 1918; information on the Liberty Loan program, which was formed to help fund the war effort; the Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. During the war, local papers published

letters home written by soldiers in which they repeatedly commented on the wonderful services provided by the Y.M.C.A.: providing writing paper, pens, pencils for writing home as well as reading material and movies for their entertainment. Some of these letters are also included in the exhibit, along with items worn or used by soldiers from Iroquois County.

The following is an excerpt from a few letters written by Leon Lindsey published in the Buckley Chronicle, Dec. 7, 1917: Somewhere in France, Sept. 30 — I came in from the front Verdun, about the 7th of September and enlisted in aviation. Shortly

after enlisting I had a nice little trip in the interest of the service, went down to Italy to drive some staff cars back to Paris. We went thru the French Alps and coming back we came by Lake Geneva. On arriving in Paris we started for the training camp immediately and have been here ever since. The camp is very good and almost a heaven after being at the front. There is an awfully good bunch of boys here, mostly exambulance drivers. We are near a beautiful city, which we can visit at leisure. Our daily routine is get up at 5:00, breakfast, fly from 5:45 to 10:30, eat at 11:00, sleep from 11:45 to 1:45, drill from 2 to 2:45, fly from 3:30

till dark, and eat again at 8:00.

When the weather is too bad to fly we have lectures and do our own errands. They certainly are rushing training and that suits me wonderfully well. There has been only one accident in the school since the Americans took it over, a collision in the air, which finished one Frenchman.

There are 250 of our boys here and not one as been scratched.

We receive French training which is very good and am taking care of myself so do not worry on that account. I thank you folks more than I can say for my health and education and realize their value more every day. ….

See ILLINOIS, page 9

November 2018 Page 9

Illinois, from page 8 Oct. 22 — The weather has been bad for some time but am getting on well, fly alone now, and have all the confidence in the world. I seems that I can do absolutely anything with that old plane, but I may get fooled some day. I feel that I am absolutely safe if high enough.

There are two distinct kinds of planes, a fighting plane with one man along with a fighting and bombing place with from 2 to 5 men on them. I certainly want to go on one of the former models, but will have to take whatever they pick for me. The best pilots usually get the fighting planes but our organization is still new and there is a limit to the number available.

I wish you could see the difference between a big bomber and a small fighting plane, you could put one of the small planes in your pocket, so to speak, while a big bomber is bigger than a house. The contrast is wonderful.

Oct. 24 — Do you know I have been here a very long time.

I would give almost anything to go home for just a little while, but I guess there is absolutely no chance. It’s here for one till the affair is finished, Photosby Wendy Davis and it does seem like that would be years yet. War The uniform of 2nd Lt. Harold John Sheetz, Co. does get very monoto- H. 26th Infantry 1st Inf. Division, is put together nous but my work keeps in the corner of the room at the museum. my mind very well occupied and I am glad of that. I hate to think of the affair too much, one is apt to fall into a mood that will last a week.

I dreamed again of being home and flying over the house and landing in the field just east of it. Those pictures of the threshing gang were very good. I can look at them and almost imagine I am there and they make me a little homesick. I had been looking at the pictures over at another aviation camp. When I came home from this camp at about 7 o’clock the earth was beautiful. The setting sun and the full moon were about at the same height, of course I was looking around and enjoying myself when I spied a threshing outfit still working. That is when the spell came on. I thought it over a moment, nosed the old Cauldron up and soon had other things to think about.

Things certainly do happen in this service. I can say that I am getting along very well but am very nervous tonight after the day’s experience. One of those good old cigars from Onarga is keeping me up; the trouble was this: I left the ground in a hurry, put on some warm goggles and they clouded up immediately I climbed too fast, lost all speed and went into a wing slip about 150 feet from the ground. There was only one thing to do, that was to bank and turn into it which I did and I came down to the ground at about 80 per hour and banked at least 15 degrees. Well, my wing missed the ground by about 2 feet and I pulled her out. A person could not do what I did more then once in a lifetime. Honestly I was not a bit frightened, not even after I landed, but I’ve been thinking about it too much tonight and I’m very nervous. You understand that most everything depends upon the motor and I am very thankful that I know a little about motors. Motors have stopped on me and I have had forced landings int he country. It’s not a pleasant sensation but if you have enough altitude, you can generally pick out a good field and make it. There is not so much danger for one can perch an airplane in

a tree if necessary, just pancake down with a loss of speed. The Americans are turning out to be good aviators, most of the men being ex-ambulance men they are accustomed to danger and do not lose their heads easily. One wrong move or a late move certainly causes trouble for one goes so very fast, but really after a few hours in the air, it’s just like riding in an old rowboat.

It will not take much more time of good weather for me to finish this school, then I will go to another, polish up on maneuvers, and get my own plane, and be ready for the front.

Leon M. Lindsey (Leon was in ambulance work before transferring to Aviation in September of 1917.

He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in February of 1918 and sent to the front in March 1918. He served int he 49th Aero Squadron, 2nd Pursuit Troupe.)

Win the War in the Kitchen

Marti Menges - Iroquois County Historical Society As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, it is interesting to look back through cookbooks of that era. From them we learn how Americans aided the war effort through the conservation of food. One such cookbook in the museum’s collection is titled “The Official Recipe Book, What to Eat, How to Cook It”. It was published in March of 1918 by the State Council of Defense of Illinois, and belonged to Watseka residents Judge and Mrs. Frank Hooper.

Page headings read “Win the War in the Kitchen” and “Save Necessities — Use Alternatives”. Its introduction states “Then million American homes and more have taken the pledge to help win the war by joining the United States Food Administration to send to our Armies and our Allies as much as we can of concentrated nutriment …

These things we must send — wheat, beef, pork, dairy products and sugar”.

The Food Administration asked everyone to “rigidly maintain” each day a minimum of at least one meatless meal (no red meat, preserved meat, or lard) along with one wheatless meal. It also designated certain days of each week of conserving these foods — Meatless Mondays, Wheatless Wednesdays and Porkless Saturdays. People were advised to regularly substitute poultry and fish for red meats. In addition, homemakers were requested to use barley, buckwheat, corn, cottonseed, oat, rice, rye or other flours to combine with or replace wheat flour. Furthermore, they were urged to refrain from using fats and instead use vegetable oils. Substitution for sugar were also advised, such as molasses, corn, maple, or fruit syrups, and honey.

The following recipes are copies from the 1918 WWI cookbook, and reflect some of the recommended alternative foods, ingredient substitutions, and smaller serving portions.

Stewed Chicken with Onions 1 chicken 9 tiny onions 3 cups water 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Dress, clean and cut chicken in pieces for serving. Cook chicken with onions and seasonings until chicken is tender. Remove chicken to serving dish. When onions are soft, drain from stock and reduce stock to one cup. Make sauce of three tablespoons chicken fat, three tablespoons rice or barley flour, stock and 1/4 cup skimmed milk.

Add one egg yolk, salt, pepper, and juice of 1/2 lemon. Pour the sauce over the chicken and onions. Cost $1.35. Eight servings.

Cheese in Sandwiches instead of Meat Put 1/2 lb. of cream cheese thru the food chopper with one can pimento. Moisten with two tablespoons cream, oil, or butter substitute. Use for sandwich filling. These fillings are especially nice with rye, whole wheat, or barley bread.

Apple Sauce [from dried apples] Cook [apples] about 30 minutes in the same water in which they have been soaked; then add 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup Karo corn sirup, 1/2 teaspoonful of nutmeg or cinnamon, and mash.

See KITCHEN, page 10

Page 10 November 2018

Several posters from the late 1910s about World War I hang in display at the Old Courthouse Museum.

Photo by Wendy Davis

Kitchen, from page 9 Hominy Muffins 1 cup cooked hominy 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoons shortening 4 tablespoons baking powder 1 egg 3/4 cup milk 2 cups corn flour Mix together hominy, salt, melted shortening, beaten

egg and milk. Add flour which has been sifted with baking powder. Beat well and bake in greased muffin tins or shallow pan in hot oven 25-30 minutes.

Liberty Bread 1 1/2 cups white flour 1 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup bran 6 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups liquid 2 tablespoons fat 1 egg Sift cornmeal, flour, salt and baking powder together.

Add bran and stir thoroughly, adding all moisture, then shortening, beating all the time. Turn into well greased bread tins. Bake in a moderate oven 40 min.

HONORING ALL THE WORLD WAR I SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT FOR

Power Transmission Solutions 705 N. 6th St., Monticello, IN 47960

574-583-9171

OUR FREEDOM.

WE ARE A GRATEFUL NATION.

November 2018 Page 11

War wasn’t exactly hell for this soldier

By Scott Buckner KV Post-News City Editor

When we think of World War I — or any war — it’s easy to forget that not everybody who volunteered or was drafted ended up in the trenches doing the dirty work of shooting or blowing up the enemy. That’s because any army depends on logistics and the support of countless cooks, mechanics, supply clerks and the like a considerable distance from the front to survive and thrive.

Consider this letter, reproduced unedited, from one Sgt. G.C. Bux, who was stationed at the Headquarters Detachment of the American Expeditionary Forces’ 84th Division, sent from “somewhere in France.” His job, from the looks of things, was keeping typewriters in good working order.

By the looks of things, war wasn’t exactly hell for everybody: Some Where In France.

Oct.19th,1918 Dear Friend Hig, I just found time to write you a few lines regarding my experience in France, I know that you will enjoy a little bunk about the is War in this part of the world. Well Hig, my part in this was is to keep the Typewriters on the run to keep up with the Germans, and to do that know one else but a good repairman can hold the job. You remember Dale Cross, he is my old side kick in the game and also my bed partner, but there is one thing about this job, is that I got to get up in the morning about five oclock and you know that is to hard on me, to try to make a good job out of this War I am going to see Uncle Sam and see if I can’t get orders to stay in bed until about ten in the morning in order to do good work, and I know just What his answer will be, it will go some thing like this.

Your in the Army now, your not behind the plow, You’ll never get rich, You Son of a ( so and so) Your in the Army now.

We had a fine time coming over the only thing I could never go that soldiering on Sea, when the Dutch takes a shot at one of the ships you can never get out and run.

For me to be a good solider I would like to have the War in the back yard at 721 Clinton with a man by the name of Higgins,well HIg. a little of this of this go’s a good ways so I had better cut it out.

We came over in good time and had very nice water, landed in England and came

to the place they called call Sunny France. Hear we are all felling fine and drinking lots of wine,not much action as it is hard work to keep on the go after them all the time. The other day we were all in hoes that the War was over but the next morning we found out it was jus a wine fight. and started right out again. Last night was pay night and enough Franks to paper a house, wine was running just like water and knee deep, so I went back to the bar and got my rubber boots as it is not very nice to work at without boots.

Finally we stop the run of wine and came back to sleep,the night pasted very nice and all was well this morning. How it will go to nightI can’t just tell as the supply of money is getting very low, if we can lay in the money the stock of wine should be good. I am going to see what I can do regarding the matter and if Cross puts a hand to its should fair right well.

The weather is just fine and war but the nights are a little cool. We are just about fifty miles from Birdaux that is a large city, but as yet I haven’t had the chance to look it over.

Things are better then I expected they would be when we landed here, we have the best of eats and about ever thing a man can wish for. I can get Cigars at the price of about one dollar a box and candy as cheap as in the states. They give us sowing and chewing about every ten days, and the chewing is old kind that we use to have in the back room.

Robinson is still in the states and has been sick for some time so he tells me. The folks are very nice to all us boys but we can’t talk there lingo, Hig I can’t write a letter like I would like to as they won’t let it go through the censor,so you will have to put up with this, will close hoping to hear from yu some time. Give my best regards to Mrs. Lancaster and tell her to keep my bedroom until I come back next summer.Best Wishes to you and the wife, I am.

As ever Your Old Pal. Bux

amily Tree My F

Iroquois County Genealogy Society 103 West Cherry St., Watseka, IL 60970

815-432-3730 iroqgene@gmail.com www.iroquoiscountygenealogy.org

Page 12 November 2018

November 2018 Page 13

Honor Roll of White County soldiers in World War I

This list was compiled by the War Mothers of the County and printed by the Monticello Herald Co. A Ackerson, Oscar Emil Adams, Clarence Orvan Adams, Floyd Andrew Adkins, Samuel Frank Airhart, Pearl Lawrence Allen, Fred Allen, Floyd D. Allen, Hugh Lowe Allen, Cleo Ralph Anderson, John D. Anderson, Perry Andrews, Howard F. Anheier, Harry Dennis Anheier, John A., Lieut.

Anker, Albert A., Jr. Anker, John Arvin, Frank Ashley, Ogden Atkins, Roba Thomas Atkinson, Clifford Archer, Walter F. Arrasmith, John H. Arrick, George B Baer, Floyd Baer, Roscoe D. Baer, Ray E. Baer, William G. Baer, Walter Levi Bailey, Robert William Baker, Emmet Lee Baker, George F. Baker, Homer S. Baker, Kenneth G. Baker, Leslie Frank Baker, Willis Walker Ball, Benjamin Denton Ball, Bluford Clinton Ball, Ethelbert S. Ballard, Harry Grant Banes, Bert Augusta Banes, Everett L. Barber, Sherman Samuel Barnes, Clifton R., Lieut.

Barnes, Galen A. Barnhart, Glenn Barnhart, Kindle (nurse) Barnhart, Larnon Barnhart, Lloyd Barnhart, Virgil Barrett, Hollis Chase Bartee, Harold G. Bassett, Fred W. Bates, John Harold Baxter, Marcus D. Bayles, George Russell Beagle, John Earnest Beasey, Clarence J. Beasy, Rufus E. Beaucham, Ralph McCord, Lt. Beckner, Herman Lloyd Beckner, Hubert F. Behrens, Train Bell, Elmer Bell, James F., Jr. Benjamin, Ernest

Benjamin, Harrison E. Benson, Harry Berns, David I. Berryman, Frank Beshoar, Daniel E. Beshoar, Perry Godlove Besse, Chester Best, Linnie (Nurse) Biddle, Robert Earl Bidwell, Charles Leslie Bird, Fred Bishop, Fred C. Blackburn, William C. Blair, Lester A. Blanton, Willis Perry Blaze, Edgar A. Blaze, Marion F. Blume, George Blume, Herman Andrew Blume, Elizabeth (yeowoman) Blythe, Marion Isaac Boards, Henry Earl Boigegrain, Walter Booher, Wilford L. Boose, Benjamin H. Boose, Melvin George Bossung, Frank Joseph Bostick, R. Gerald, Capt.

Bowen, Harland Noland Bowsher, Bert Bowsher, Lewis Brearly, Donald Brechbiel, Galen Brehmer, Herbert H. Breckenridge, Walter Brocau Brooks, Orville M. Brooks, William E. Brooks, Larue F. Brooks, Marion S. Brucker, Fred L. Brucker, Henry K. Brumbach, Rex Bugher, Clarence Edwin Broughard, Jesse Broughard, James Brown, Arthur Tremont Brown, Carlyle C. Brown, Charles O. Brown, Douglass H. Brown, Harry Harriot Brown, Victor Brown, Zebba E. Burch, Claude William Burch, Homer E. Burch, Roy Melvin Burks, Roy Burley, Connor Harvey Burley, Eben Burroughs, Ralph H. Burroughs, Samuel Carl Burns, George Burns, Trossie Vernon Bunnell, Boyce William Bunnell, Roy Bushman, Edward Thomas Bushman, Willie Bushnell, Thomas M. Byers, J. Audley Byrkett, Frank Byrkett, Homer Byroad, Lee

C Carl, Earl Carlson, Richard Carroll, Earl Forrest Carr, Warner William, Maj. Carr, Henry W. Carr, Beujamin Harrrson Carrothers, Albert Clarence Carrothers, Henry Harrison Carrothers, John W. Carson, Ernest Paul Carson, Merle Glasgow Case, James Walker Cassman, Quincy Roscoe Casto, Benjamin Quincy Casto, Lowell Johnson Cearing, Clemont Oscar Christy, Samuel Walter Chamberlain, Leo Martin Chenoweth, Paul G. Chilton, Ted Vernon Clark, Galen Ernest Clark, Everett Clark, Merle S. Clark, Russell A. Clark, Walter Henry Clark, William Clarridge, Normal Frank Clary, Homer L. Clayton, G. R., Dr., Lt. Clevenger, Orville C. Click, William Elmer Coble, Clay W. Cochran, Allan Paul Cochran, Guy Waldo Cochran, Vaughn Kenneth Coffel, Virgil L. Coffin, Guy R. Dr., Maj. Coffman, William Vance Coffman, John, Jr. Collins, Gus William Collins, Harry N. Comer, John Earl Comus, Louis J. Conkle, John Edward Conwell, Verlie N. Conwell, George L. Conwell, Dale Conn, John E. Conn, Walter Lewis Cooley, Otto Floyd Coonrod, Aven H. Coonrod, Paul G. Cope, Jesse L. Cornell, Clair Cota, Alexander F. Cottrell, Frank R. Cover, Harry Edman Cowgill, Arthur Arnott Cowgill, William A. Cowger, Clarence Roland Cox, Thomas Sleeth Cox, John Cox, Paul Goodman Cox, Jesse Coyner, Alfred Bruce, Dr. Cray, A. B., Dr., Capt.

Creese, Reed Lee Cripe, Clarence Milford Criswell, Ira Muriel Cromer, William F. Crull, James

Current, Homer E. Currie, James Roscoe Culp, Charles W. Culp, Glenn Tyson Cunningham, Walter R. Cunningham, Eldon Culp, Vernon R. Culp, Ernest

D Daggy, Roy M. Dahling, Lewis Ferdinand Danford, Oliver Darrow, Frank Wilson Darrow, Ray Hicks Dart, Harry Franklin Davidson, George O. Davidson, Glen C. Davis, Albert Earle Davis, Charles Elmo Davis, Ira H. Davis, Ralph W. Davison, Clarence A. Davisson, Robert A. Dawson, Clarence Dawson, Jay Leo Dawson, Paul Revere Deardorff, Ira Willis Dellinger, Charles O. Dellinger, Marion Ottus DeMoss, Louis J. Denton, Carl Denton, John Henry Denton, Thomas J. DeVault, Harry Glen DeVault, Charlie Dibell, Harry C., Lt. Didlake, Edmund Hale, Lt. Dieterle, Bernhardt David Dillon, Jesse Jackson Dieterle, John Herbert Dieterle, Larry Wolever Dimmit, Howard Dixon, Clarence Fielding Dixon, John Ledward Dodge, Charles Robert Donaldson, Lester L. Douglass, Herman A. Dowell, Claud Downey, Clarence O. Downey, Mary (nurse) Downing, Henry Baker Draves, Edward H. Drewry, Raymond E. Duff, Robinson Earl, Lt. Duffey, William Maurice Dunlap, Virgil Dye, G. Russell Dye, Robert M. Dyer, Griffith Dyer, Harry Oscar Dwane, Michael M. H. E Easterday, Jesse Edward Edwards, Orland Claud Elder, Floyd Earl Eldridge, Ezra T. Ellis, Albert O. Ellis, Earl Amos Ellis, Homer Elston, Harry L.

Englert, William P. Ernst, Paul I.

Gonce, Sherley Theron Goodrich, Louis Walker Goodwin, Ulysses Grant, Lt. Gordon, Earl E. Gosman, Clarence R. Graham, William Vernon Graham, Edward Graham, Robert Graham, Ralph Gray, Ralph B. Gray, Gerald Kenneth Gray, Dennis Nuthin Griffin, Arion Griffin, Fred Carl Gregory, Kirchie L. Gross, Alonzo Wesley Gustavel, Carl R. Gwin, David Monroe

F Fagon, Omer Owen Fastnow, Frederick Martin Fastnow, William Christian Fastnow, John Carl Fauber, Dean Earl Fausett, William O. Felz, Ira A, Felz, Frank, Jr. Feinstein, Isadore Firth, Charles M. Fisher, Marion Ray, Lt. Fisher, Hutt Jan Fisher, John Earl Fisher, Robert Lynn Fisher, Clellan Grove Fisher, Clarence Guy Fisher, Warren Fisher, Walter Foltz, Effie (Nurse) Ford, Lloyd Fosher, Edward Henry Ford, Robert Andrew Foust, Albert Franklin Foust, Curtis Fox, James P. Fraser, Roscoe R. Friday, George Leland Frye, Herbert B. Fulkerson, Linus F. Fulmer, Homer E. Fulmer, Calvin W. Fulmer, John Barnard Fulks, Jesse Orin Fulks, Karah Franklin Funk, Elmer LeRoy Funk, Clarence Grant Funk, Samuel Vincent Furr, Glen G Gadd, James Earnest Galbreth, Raymond D. Ganger, Elsworth Gano, Oscar William Gardiner, William Walker Gardner, Everett L., Col. Gardner, E. Randolph Gardner, Forrest Irwin Gardner, Herbert A., Maj. Gardner, William Jacob Gaumer, Emanuel Clarence Gibson, Doss Allison Gibson, Herbert Earle Gilbert, Julian Gillespie, Maxwell Gillespie, Frank Andrew Gillespie, Merle S. Gilmore, Albert Gilmore, Orville E. Gilpin, Roy L. Gilsinger, Raymond H. Girard, John Amasa Girard, William Ensley Goble, Charles Goble, Orel J. Goble, Ulva L. Godby, L. B. Gochenour, Walter Waldo, Lt.

H Harp, Ray Harp, Earl Hardy, Frank Hardacre, John Edward Harmon, Robert Levi Harmon, Earl Lorain Harrison, Cecil Eli Harrison, Roy M. Harvey, Carl Harvey, Homer Perry Hartman, Isaac Eugene Harrison, Silas Ray Harrison, Wallace Hagle, Marvin Truman Hagle, John M. Hamblin, Thomas, Jr. Hampton, George Oliver Hamilton, George Wesley Hamilton, Ralph Francis Hamilton, Robert Taylor Hanson, Everett James Hancock, Cecil B. Hanawalt, Leslie Hanway, Herbert T. Hansen, Herman E. Hann, Grover C. Hann, Ralph W. Hann, Alfred Hasselbring, Fred Carl Haskins, Jefferson D. Hathway, Ruben Hatton, Alva Fayette Hauer, Lafe J. Headdy, William Dale Headdy, Roy Chetuyn Heath, Horace K., Lt. Heath, Raymond Earl Heartt, George Helfrich, John F. Heims, Fred Henry Heimlich, Herbert Henry Heimlich, Walter George Heimlich, John Clemens Heimlich, William Edwin Heimlich, Fred J. Hemphill, James Burwyn Hemphill, Mark O. Hepp, Francis D. Herr, Harry Lewis Hicks, John Roy, Chaplain Hill, Homer E. Hines, Frank Leslie

See ROLL, page 14

AFFORDABLE GARAGE DOOR, INC.

Clark’s Cutting Edge, Inc.

1250 W. 180TH LANE LOWELL, IN

Family-owned and Operated Since 2004

16 East North Street, Remington

Office 219-261-2861

Cell 219-863-4174

Thank you to all who served during WWI

219-696-4279 www.affordabledoorinc.com

Page 14 November 2018

Flag from Austrian ship ‘Lucia’ seized!

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing MONTICELLO, Indiana — On May 29, 1917, one of the trophies sent to Monticello was a flag from the Austrian merchant ship Lucia, which was seized in New Orleans.

The Austrian ship was seized by American officials when war was declared by the U.S. Austria, of course, was an ally of Germany. The U.S. declared war on Germany on April 4, 1917; later, on Dec. 7, 1917, the U.S. declared war on AustriaHungary.

The flag was obtained at that time and came into possession of Fred Barber, a White County boy who was a member of the revenue cutter Comanche crew that seized the vessel. The war trophy flag was sent to Monticello to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Elvira Cunningham.

The flag was 9 feet by 6 feet and made of wool bunting. The background is red, white and green, and bears the royal insignia of the Austria-Hungry Empire. The flag was tattered, had frayed edges and had been patched in several areas. The seized ship Lucia was remodeled into what was believed to be an unsinkable ship, but became the victim of German submarines when it was stuck by torpedoes on Oct. 17, 1919. Lucia was the last ship sunk before the armistice was signed at war’s end.

Barber enlisted in the military in 1908. In April 1917, he was transferred from Courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command the Coast Guard and found service in the Navy, where he became one of those (Above) Survivors of the USS Lucia are seen in a rescue boat on Oct. 17, 1918. soldiers that chased U-boats in the Atlantic Barber would continue in the service of the country even after World War I Destroyer class USS Fairfax is seen in the background. Seized by the U.S. ended. In 1920, he was serving in the Merchant Marines as a machinist based in when it entered World War I, SS Lucia was placed under American registry California. In 1921, Barber was promoted to mechanical engineer on the ship and operated by the U.S. Shipping Board, and later by U.S. Army QuarterYale, which served during WWI as a troop ship. master Corps, as the USS Lucia. On Oct. 17, 1918, while in the western AtlanAfter leaving the service, Barber would continue working as a machinist in California. He had married Iva Cunningham, whose mother, Elivra Cunningham, tic, Lucia was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-155. lived with them in Long Beach, Calif. Elvira died in Long Beach in 1961; Iva in And what happened to the flag? In 1923, the flag was donated by the family to the Monticello 1970; and Fred in 1971.

Library.

Roll, from page 13 Hines, John Henry Hipsher, Silas Quincey Hoagland, Jennie (nurse) Hodshire, Glen J. Holmes, Oris William Holladay, James H. Hollcraft, Harry James Hopkins, Carl H. Hornbeck, Willard D., Lt. Hornbeck, Walter Horner, Herbert H., Lt. House, Ralph Doane Hough, Logan E. Houser, Frank Howell, Earl Howell, Max Huffman, Glenn Hufford, Glen D. Hufford, Clarence V. Hughes, Arnold S. Hughes, Archie Earl Hughes, Morris S. Hughes. Charles Elmer Hughes, Eugene M. Hughes, William M. Humphreys, Richard Evans Humphreys, Almond Parker Humphreys, Ovid Leonard Hunter, Janies Franklin Hurst, Berchel C. Hutson, Clifford Elsworth Hutson, Henry Ward Beecher I Inskeep, George Armin Irelan, Andrew H. Irelan, Eliot Irelan, James S. Ireland, Charles R. J Jaegers, Henry Otto Janssen, Fred Bruce Janssen, John D.

Jarvis, John Luther Jeffries, Styles Jeffries, Charles Clapper Jenkins, Russell Jennings, William E. Johnson, Howard Johnson, Leonard H. Jones, Everett Elmer Jones, Harry J. Jones, Jesse W. K Kaehler, Donald F. Kassabaum, Floyd L. Keefe, Janies Thomas Keever, Fred Oscar Kelley, Ora E. Kelley, Alba E. Kellenburger, Elijah Kellenberger, Samuel Clayton Kellenburger, John Kellenburger, Ervin D. Kellogg, Willard Clayton Kendall, Oscar Kent, Laurie Martin Kent, Horace Alexander Kercher, Adam Kesler, Harvey E. Kestle, Harry Key, George W. Kiblinger, Ora O. Kilgus, Samuel A. Kingsbury, Fern E. Kinser, Everett W. Kinser, Jesse Elmer Kiser, Forrest L. Klemme, Earl John Klemme, William Henry Klob, Earl Klopfenstein, Gary Knaur, George Diamond Kochel, Edward E. Krapff, Frank Ives Krintz, Louis Walter

Krone, Harry L Lachmund, Andrew Austin Lane, Carl Wilson Landis, George E. Langwell, Samuel E. Lash, Joseph Harris Lasley, Fred N. LaTourette, Clarence Ora Laughlin, Vance Lawrie, Robert Ward Lawrie, Roy Francis Lawson, Henry Leach, Herbert Willard Lear, Everett Vernon Leslie, Charles Leslie, LeRoy Leslie, Merle B. List, Raymond Andrew Little, Guy McCain Lods, John E. Long, Grant F, Loughry, Howard Kendall, Col. Loughry, Lawrence Chester Love, Samuel Albert Love, Grover V., Lieut.

Lowe, John L. Lucy, Paul Wickham Lucas, Herbert Luse, Corliss A. Lutes, Clayton H. Lutes, Harvey H. Lutes, Elmore Lux, Verdent Lytle, Charles William M Mabbitt, Coral Clay Magee, Ernest Raymond Mahin, Lester Cecil Malone, Guy A. Malone, Virgil Marion Manchester, Paul Thomas

Maple, Ralph Maple, Hollis Margowsky, Albert Margowsky, Samuel Marsh, Russell Martin, Merle Coxie Martin, Charles Orland Martin, John Claude Martin, Morris Martin, William Herbert Martin, Louis Martin, Wilbur Alfred Martin, Charles Marvin, Paul Henry Mattix, Elbert Cassius Matthews, Alonzo May, William M. Meeker, Donald Raymond Meeker, Fred W. Melladay, Stephen J. Mellady, Paul Vincent Merchant, Arthur Isaac Merchant, Clarence Leroy Merchant, Earl Frank Merchant, Russell

Mertz, Jacob C. Mertz, Roy Alexander Mertz, John Ray Middlestadt, Carl Drake Mikesell, Herbert Mills, Herman Mills, William Millet, Benjamin Franklin Miller, Leonard Miller, Frank Marshall Miller, Frank L. Miller, Willard L. Miller, Joseph L. Miller, Cecil L. Miller, Lawrence Minor, Leo Minnicus, George Minnicus, Kenneth Minnicus, Leon Mitchell, Joseph Stephen Montz, William E. Moore, Lloyd Moore, Alonzo Roswell Moore, Chauncey Moore, Cecil Clifford

Moore, Thomas Paul Morehead, Joseph Estle Morris, R. Brooke Morris, Charles Mitchell Morris, Wayne D. Mowrer, Schuyler Colfax Mowrer, Edna C. (Nurse) Mull, Jesse Morris Mull, David Lewis Murlin, Leon Murlin, Harmon L. Myers, Whorley Myers, Owen Reed Myers, Melville G. Myers, Frederick Holmes McBee, Allen Day McBee, Arthur Gordon McBee, George McBee, Belle (Nurse) McBeth Walter, Dr., Capt.

McCarty, Wave McClurg, Ralph Conner McClure, James Robert McCollum, Lewis F. McCollum, Lewis F.

See CALL, page 15

We proudly salute our Veterans

NAPA REMINGTON

6221 W. US HWY. 24 • Remington

(219) 261-2992

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November 2018 Page 15

Goodwine, from page 5 father each trying to teach him which foot to start off with when marching.

“The night before I left for service back in 1955, we were on the farm, they were both telling me which foot you start off on when you start marching,” he said. “They both had different ideas.”

Lloyd told him to start off with his left foot while his

father told him to start with his right foot. John said it turned out that his brother was right.

“I can just remember them standing there arguing about what foot you start off on when you start your training,” he said.

John would wind up serving from 1955-1957 in Germany.

John said he was fortunate that he didn’t face combat during his time in the service.

“I was trained to be in the infantry, to fight, but I didn’t have to and I was tickled for that,” he said.

John’s father would live out the rest of his life farming and raising a family of seven children. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 94.

Call, from page 14 McCollum, Cecil William, Lieut.

McCollum, Lowell Sylvester McCombs, Eldon J. McCombs, Aldus Monroe McConahay, Leo P. McCormick, Willie W. McCully, William M. McCully, Charles Harvey, Dr. McDonald, Alfred C. McDonald, Byron George McIntosh, James Andrew McIntosh, Donald Lewis McKee, Ivan McKinney, Freeman Dale McLean, Archie McMullen, J. F., Jr. McMullen, Marion Earl McMullen, Frank Lester McNett, Frank L. N Nagle, John C. Nairn, Ray John Neel, Clancy H. Nelson, Albert H. Nelson, Harry Sell Nelson, Basil G. Nelson, John Preston Nesbitt, Joseph Neukam, Fred John Newbolt, Emory Newton, Chester Valentine, Capt.

Newton, Lewis B. Nicholas, Lewis Nicoles, George Nicholas, Lee M. Nixon, Emory Noland, Harry O. O O’Connor, Joseph Patrick O’Donnell, John E. Ogborn, Walter M. Ogle, Clifford H. Overly, H. Russell Overy, Martin J. Overy, George Alysius Overy, Louise Pauline (nurse) Overman, Pery Chesley P Palmer, George Fayette Parcel, William Loyd Parks, Everett Van Parsons, Ray Parsons, Guy Paul, Allen Paul, Benjamin D. Peak, Melvin Peak, Harry Frederick Pemberton, Irvin Grove

Pemberton, Merit Pennington, Merit Peregrine, Mearl Harley Perrigo, Harry S. Perrigo, Lowell Perrigo, Robert Samuel Peter, Ray A. Phebus, Gilbert John Phebus, Everett Phebus, Conrad Landis Phelps, Silas, Jr. Pherson, Edwin Vern Pickens, Charles B. Pierce, Elmer Verne Pilkington, Von Pirie, Alexander Plumb, Arthur Plumb, Everett C. Plumer, Glen Porter, Raymond Victor Porter, Ernest Lee Powell, Otto S. Preston, Joseph L. Price, William Mack Price, Homer Clarence Pritchett, Robert Pritchard, Othel E. Purgett, Lawrence J. Q Quade, William W. R Rader, James N. Rader, J. Cloid Rainier, Lowell G. Ralph, Harry Rankin, Jesse B. Randall, Jesse H. Lt. Rapp, William Frederick Rariden, L.B., Dr., Raub, Andrew Durvane Raub, Clyde Webster Rawlins, King Parks Read, Verle V. Rector, Samuel A. Rector, John E. Reeder, John W. Redding, John C. Redding, Spencer William Reed, Clyde Reed, Alonzo E. Reed, Alva Reed, Fred Reece, William Reid, Frank G. Reigle, Charles E. Reigle, Clarence Merl Reprogle, Chester A. Rickey, Floyd Washington Rinier, George G., Lt.

Rinker, Walter Roberts, Frank., Lt. Roberts, Charles S. Robertson, Wm. M. Robertson, Eugene Field Robinson, Harry E. Robinson, Oscar Hugh Robinson, Howard F. Robinson, Howard F. Rodman, Prince Rodgers, John E. Rogers, Harper Pogue Rogers, Vere R. Rogers, Vida Clay Rogers, Glen O. Roland, Winifred Ross, Charles Edward Ross, Milton D. Ross, Rufus H. Roth, Orville Rotruck, Clarence Dill, Lt. Rotruck, Virgil W. Rotruck, Cecil G. Rothrock, John Allen Rouhier, Charles Eugene Ruemler, Robert Charles Ruppert, George A. Ruppert, John Adam Russell, Charles S Saltzman, Frank L. Saltzman, Allie (nurse) Salla, Lewis Gregory Sandberg, Edward Saunders, William R., Lt. Sayler, Wallace H. Schlademan, Edward Sherwood Schlademan, Harry Schlademan, Walter B. Schlegelmilch, Ernest J. Schlegelmilch, Edward George Schlegelmilch, Fred W. Schofield, Avery Thomas Schoonover, Fred H. Schoonover, Charley Field Schornstein, Martin C.F. Schrader, William J. Schuyler, Walter Wesley Scott, Ernest Scott, Owen D. Seckme, Tony Sell, David Rudy Sents, Lloyd Sentz, Charles Shafer, Charles R. Shafer, Harry Melber Sharp, Guy Nolan Sharp, James Dexter Shell, Andrew Lloyd Shell, Dale

Shell, Beryl C. Shenk, Arthur B. Shepard, Park Shesler, Clarence A. Shigley, Randolph Rollie Shiveley, Aaron Shock, Bernard D. Shock, Clarence Ralph Short, Richard Showalter, Russell A. Showalter, Charles Albert Shull, Robert R. Siegfried, Raymond Henry Simons, Walter A. Simons, George Browning Slaughter, Marvin D. Slaughter, Willis Vance Slenker, Glenn Raymond Sluyter, Samuel Clayborn Smith, Willard Smith, John Anthony Smith, Elmer B. Smith, John L. Smith, Willie E. Smith, Walter A. Smith, Ray S. Smith, Ernest E. Smith, John Smith, Jacob A. Smith, John Carson Smith, James Smith, Howard Smith, Wilbur Forrest Smith, Lewis William Snyder, Franklin Ray Sorenson, Louis Sparks, Ralph Spencer, Kenneth Dale Spencer, Perry Spencer, Russell G. Stamper, Ora Stephan, Wilbur Mills Sterner, Charles Edward Sterner, Clarence Leroy Sterner, Earl Everett Stewart, Wilbur Porter Stewart, Bert L. Stewart, Daniel Webster Stierr, Charles G. Stinson, Russell A. Stoker, Emmet Lewis Stombaugh, Wilbur Hugh Stout, Daniel A. Strantz, Albert Walter Strantz, William A. Stuhmer, Adolph H. Swanson, James E. Swartz, Everett Swartz, Dr. Lieut.

Swartz, Sikko Swartzell, Clyde Jasper

T Talbutt, Gifford Talbutt, Everett David Talbutt, John Clifford Tam, Elmer Roy Tatum, William Alfred Tatum, Carl Tedford, Frank A. Telfer, Frank Templeton, Rowland Templeton, Paul Tharpe, Floyd Oscar Thompson, Reuben H. Thomas, Harvey Gwin, Lt. Thompson, Bernard R. Thompson, Levi J. Thompson, Floyd E. Thrasher, Glenn A. Thrasher, Lawrence Cleveland, Jr. Tillett, George H. Timm, Orla E. Timmons, Ronald E. Topp, William Townsley, Harley Truman Townsley, Val Allen Townsley, Frank I. Townsley, James Robert Townsley, Frank L. Troxel, Ben F. Truax, Dayton Ray Tull, Edwin Carter U Unroe, John Walker V Vandervort, Merl Vandervort, William C. Vanderplatt, James LeRoy Van Deman, James Van Meter, Stewart Gerald Van Voorst, Marion Van Voorst, Henry Vehnekamp, Henry H. Victor, Homer Virgil Vornis, Carl Newport W Ward, Lewis William Ward, John R. Ward, Roy Ward, C. Ward, James Austin Warfel, Lloyd W. Warfel, Harry Warner, Joseph C. Warren, Earl C. Watkins, Earl C. Watson, Frank Watson, Charles

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November 2018 Page 17

A

W O R L D

A T

W A R

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Letters to a President

By WENDY DAVIS, Reporter Relief Program, but to me the shoes were like a million wdavis@intranix.com Franks because they were leather and I had been wearJane Fransaer was proud to be an American. ing wooden shoes nearly all my life. I wanted to much She had a particular awe in the United States starting to wear those shoes on that wonderful day when I was when she was growing up in Belgium, and the pride in awarded my diploma for shorthand writing (125 words her new country swelled when she noticed she received a minute) but I had no brown sox [sic] and we were recognition of her thanks to the States when she was a very poor. child.

“My mother, a widow with two girls, was in poor “She was a perfect, happy American citizen,” said her health during the war. So I looked in the bag of rags daughter, Denise Corke. my mother kept and found an old pair of wool sox with Corke was a war bride who came to America herself knees and feet full of holes. Mother took her yellow cotin December of 1948. She said her mother followed her ton bedspread that she had crocheted when my father over in the 1950s after Corke had her second child. “I was living (he died in a streetcar accident when I was was grateful to 5) and she knit have her. knees and feet “Everybody to the woolen knew her sox, but that as because she on a Saturday took care of night and everybody’s Mother had children.” no time to dye Fransear’s them. So on given name Sunday I was as a child was so proud with Adolphine my nice shoes Jeanne Allard. and my mothShe grew up er made me a during World dress too from War I, as the things that explained by were in my Corke. package from Photos contributed the Relief.

At that time the United “She told me, Food was sent in white flour sacks from the United States to States, under Belgium as relief during World War I. Ladies in Belgium emthat surely President I would be broidered the sacks they received.

Woodrow Wilthe prettiest. son, was giving aid to Belgium through the American When I was in school I had to wait for my diploma and Relief Program.

I was standing on a balcony, when suddenly I saw boys Within that program, Fransear received a pair of and girls looking up and laughing. I remembered my shoes. yellow knees they saw because my dress came just even This receipt was documented from a letter Fransear with the brown of the sox. I was ashamed for a while wrote to Wilson, which she later found in a Herbert and then I went for my diploma and ran home crying. I Hoover Library Museum in West Branch, Iowa. She fell in my mother’s arms but she said to me, ‘Don’t cry, wrote a letter to Hoover, also, explaining her story as he dear. I am sure nobody had nicer shoes than you and was writing his own book, An American Epic, which you are so pretty’. tells about the American relief work during World War “I never forgot it and when all the Brussels pupils had I. to make up a letter to thank the President Wilson for The letter explains her story: all that American did for Belgium, it was my letter that “Dear Sir, I read in the American Weekly that you was chosen to be sent to America. I was the one who are writing a book called An American Epic and treats wrote it. I was then in the school no. 20 Rue du Canal, of American relief work in Belgium and France. I was Brussels, and my name was Adolphine Jeanne Allard. I in Belgium in the first world war and oh! how I have wrote that letter with all my heart. prayed the Lord for you and America. At that time I “Dear Sir, and now after so many years I am here in was only 12 years old and I had been given a nice pair the United States living with my daughter and I became of tan shoes with many other things from the American an American citizen on Feb. 25, 1959, and am proud

Belgian Jane Fransaer, the mother of Denise Corke of Watseka, who later became an American citizen, wrote a letter to two United State presidents — Herbert Hoover and Woodrow Wilson. One of the letters was once found in the Herbert Hoover Library Musuem. of it and thankful to the Lord. With a coincidence that the speech the judge made to me were the words that ex President Woodrow Wilson said to the immigrants in his time, too.

“I hope with all my heart that this letter will reach you and I hope to be able to read your book, An American Epic.

“Respectfully yours, Jane Frannaer” Corke had a letter her mother received from Hoover.

It read: “It is seldom that I receive such a letter of appreciation and such a gracious statement. I am glad you are in America.

“With every good wish, Yours faithfully, Herbert Hoover” Corke said she’s contacted the Hoover libraries and has been unable to find where her mother’s letter is now.

Page 18 November 2018

November 2018 Page 19

Monon’s Lutes brothers participated in WWI effort

By Michael Johnson Kankakee Valley Publishing MONON — The Lutes family of Monon gave more than their fair share to the World War I effort in White County.

Three brothers from the family enlisted for service and participated in the fighting overseas.

Clayton, Harvey and Elmore Lutes were born in the late 1880s and all three enlisted for military service during World War I. Clayton Harrison Lutes was born Dec. 3, 1888; Harvey H. Lutes was born Dec. 2, 1894; and Elmore, the youngest, was born Oct. 6, 1898.

According to Connie Linback, a descendent of the Lutes brothers, not much is know about Clayton or Harvey, other than they served during the war. She said neither of them talked much about their experiences during “The Great War.” Elmore, however, was a private who enlisted Dec. 15, 1917, in Indianapolis, as part of Field Artillery, Battery E. He trained at Camp Stanley, Ky., and Camp McArthur, Texas, before embarking for Hoboken, N.J. on May 27, 1918.

From there, Elmore traveled to Liverpool, England, on June 12, 1918. He began more training in France between June 15-29, 1918.

Linback said Elmore took part in battles at Vosges Mountains (the old border between the German Empire and France from 1871-1918); Verdun; Battle of St. Mihiel and Argonne Forest.

According to Linback, Elmore was “slightly gassed” on Sept. 23, 1918, while repairing telephone lines under shell fire at St. Mihiel. For this, Elmore received a medal for bravery.

Elmore was transported to a military hospital in Toul, France, and set sail back for the United States on March 19, Courtesy photo 1919. He was discharged and re-enlisted in the regular Army at Camp Taylor, Ky. The Lutes brothers — Elmore (left), Clayton Elmore passed away on Nov. 14, 1934, at age 36 from what the family believes was the effects of being exposed to chlorine or mustard gas in St. Mihiel. (middle) and Harvey — of Monon, enlisted Harvey Lutes passed away Nov. 17, 1938, at age 43, while Clayton passed away Sept. 17, 1964, at age 75. for military during World War I

World War I remembered with museum display

By Nick Fiala reporter@rensselaerrepublican.com November 11, 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. To honor the memories and experiences of those who fought and died in the war, the Jasper County Historical Society, headed by County Historian Judy Kanne, put up a display in the County History Museum on North Van Rensselaer Street for part of the year.

The display, entitled “World War I at Home and Abroad,” contained all kinds of genuine artifacts and paraphernalia, from recruitment posters to uniforms, to photos and postcards.

One of the things which makes the display particularly intriguing is a noticeable emphasis on the services women provided during the war. Displays in-

clude records from the Women’s Section of the Jasper County Council of Defense.

“And these women were doing all of the knitting of garments for the soldiers,” Sue Caldwell, member of the historical society, said.

In one or two ways at least, Jasper County is set apart from virtually any other Indiana county which helped in the war effort. According to the Historical Society’s research and displays, Jasper County’s own town of Wheatfield has been referred to as “the town that boasted more volunteers than any other town of its size in the state.”

“And I’ve seen that in other things,” Caldwell said of the research. “...And the people of Wheatfield also gave a tremendous amount of money to the Liberty Bonds.”

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vast legacy of World War I service, with connections going all the way down to the city’s very name. One Conference Committee of the Navy League was notably headed by a certain Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Frazer, a relative of city founder James Van Rensselaer himself.

Caldwell enjoyed reading her amusing writings which referenced this during the war.

“She was from the same Van Rensselaer family that started our town,” Caldwell said. “...She says ‘I’m always interested in anything from Rensselaer, and I hope my namesake town will continue the work.’”

The society also notably arranged displays at the 2018 Jasper County Fair and inside the Jasper County Library.

Sue Caldwell of the Jasper County Historical Society looks over letters and articles on the activities of local World War I veterans.

★ WE HONOR ★

More than four million American families sent their sons and daughters to serve in uniform during the Great War. 116,516 U.S. soldiers died from combat and disease. Another 200,000 were wounded, a casualty rate far greater than in World War II.

Page 20 November 2018

Brook men of WWI Brook men called to service for WWI, among them are John Kline; Clarence Lowe; Bud Hess; third from left, Ed Baer; second from right, Roy Sell; far right, the first Newton County soldier killed in the war, Chester Harry. Reprinted from “Brook, Indiana, Washington and Iroquois Twp. Sesquicentennial Collection,� 2006 and provided by The Newton County Historical Society.

Grenades A German postcard shows soldiers during practice throwing hand grenades.

Photo contributed

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November 2018 Page 21

Photo by Wendy Davis Attica Public Library has an E.M. Viquesney’s “The Spirit of the American Doughboy” statue placed in its front park.

American Doughboy remembered

By WENDY DAVIS, Reporter wdavis@intranix.com There’s a special remembrance of World War I on display outside the Attica (Indiana) Public Library.

It’s home to monument called “The Spirit of the American Doughboy”, created by Ernest M. Viquesney of Spencer, Indiana, and it’s one of many placed throughout the United States..

The statue is approximately seven feet high on a seven foot base.

Attica Library Director Norma Fink said it’s something the library, located at 305 S. Perry St. in Attica, is proud of having.

She said the American Legion makes sure the statue is kept up.

“It’s nice to have a memorial like that here. It helps us remember those who served in ‘The Great War’ that happened so many years ago,” Fink said.

The marker was erected in 1927, dedicated Nov. 11, 1927, by Francis M. Dodge and Wilbert M. Allen. The signage on the statue notes “other citizens in grateful recognition of the patriotic service rendered by Fountain County men and women during the

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World War 1917-1918.

The Fountain Warren Democrat newspaper from the era wrote about the statue being placed.

From Oct. 20, 1927, “The Bronze Doughboy Statue and Bronze Inscription Tablet Completed — Work Being Pushed on Base and Pedestal. … The bronze tablet bearing the inscription for the memorial arrived here Monday by express from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the committee here on Tuesday received a letter from the Doughboy sculptor stating that the bronze doughboy for the memorial will be shipped this week. …”

From Nov. 17, 1927, “The Impressive Services Characterize Unveiling” a front page article tells about “A large crowd of Attica people and citizens from the surrounding country gathered in the library park… … to pay tribute to the men and women of Fountain County who served in the World War by dedicating to their memory a large bronze statue…

“The National Car Coupler Band (local company) marched from the down town district to the park playing a patriotic air. On reaching the (library) park they formed a circle around the memorial and played another patriotic selection while the people continued to gather.”

The memorial has been pronounced a real work of art by the area. The sculptor who visualized and designed “The Spirit of the American Doughboy” is Ernest M. Viquesney of Spencer, Indiana. The Vaughan-Taylor Monument Co. of Lafayette built the concrete foundation, the Bedford stone bases and pedestal on which the doughboy rests, and erected the entire memorial in the library park.

According to the Historical Marker Database write up on the statue, “It is a World War I infantryman advancing through the stumps and barbed wire of No Man’s Land. He holds a rifle in one hand and a grenade in the other.”

See DOUGHBOY, page 22

Page 22 November 2018

Editorial cartoons of the day

Doughboy, from page 21 There are about 140 Viquesney Doughboy statues across the United States; among them are one at Soldier Field, Alton, Columbia, Herrin, and Naperville in Illinois, and Evansville, Fort Wayne, Greencastle, Hartford City, Hobart, Muncie, New Castle, Peru, Spencer, and Winchester in Indiana. The original Doughboy was actually the second to be placed as a memorial, and it was put in Nashville, Georgia, in the summer of 1921. The first Doughboy placed as a memorial was the second manufactured, and it was dedicated June 21, 1921, on the campus of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Viquesney’s last Doughboy was delivered to Verona, Pennsylvania, in 1943.

The statue was copyrighted in 1920 and again in 1934. It’s guessed the Doughboy’s stance was inspired by the Statue of Liberty.

It’s noted by Doughboy enthusiasts from doughboysearcher.weebly.com that Viquesney said he devoted a lot of effort to studying battle gear worn by the Doughboys, and that some veterans posed for him in field uniforms and gear and that he viewed many photographs. That statement is supported by the fact that in a letter he received in April of 1921, his Doughboy was judged in a national American Legion competition of World War memorial sculptures to be a “100 percent perfect” representation of equipment and gear the Doughboys wore.

It’s frequently been speculated that Walter Rylander was the Doughboy model. He and A. B. Turpin are known to have been among those who posed for Viquesney in their war gear. Viquesney said the face was a composite of many he’d seen personally or in photographs. It’s been erroneously contended in several instances that some local person was the model for the local Doughboy.

While some reports have stated that Viquesney Doughboys are located at “hundreds” of courthouses across the country, only 35 actually occur on courthouse grounds. Still, more Viquesney Doughboys are located on courthouse grounds than anywhere else, and it’s believed that during the 1920’s, counties could obtain $1,000.00 from the U. S. Government to help underwrite the cost of a World War memorial. That could help explain the number located on courthouse grounds and the fact that county governments often contributed funds to help acquire Doughboys placed at other sites.

Other common sites include city or county squares, parks or common areas, cemeteries, prime intersections (either in or at them), and American Legion or VFW posts.

Most are in or near principal local business areas.

Various prices were charged for the Doughboys over time. At first, they ranged from $1,000 to $1,500 plus freight, excluding the cost of pedestals and installation. By the latter part of the 1920s, prices had increased to the point that some were sold for roughly $1,700 to $2,000, plus freight. As the Depression set in and memories of the war faded, prices fell dramatically. In 1934 Viquesney switched from pressed copper to cheaper cast zinc to lower the cost of production.

There are replicas of the statue found in all sort of forms and sizes.

Sculptor E.M. Viquesney’s (1876-1946) grandfather was Charles Alfred Viquesney, a stonecarver born 1802 in Caen, Calvados area of France who came to the United States in 1842, establishing a farm near what is now the city of Belington, West Virginia.

Charles A. returned to France in the 1850s or ‘60s with his wife and youngest son, leaving his other four sons in the U. S. (one of whom also eventually returned to France). One of the remaining three sons who stayed permanently in the U. S. was Alfred Paul Viquesney, who moved to Indiana in the late 1860s. Alfred Paul eventually settled in Spencer, Indiana around 1874, where he set up a stonecarving and monuments business. It was here that his son, Ernest Moore Viquesney, learned the trade early on.

Ernest Moore Viquesney, the only child of Alfred Paul and Jane [Lehman] Viquesney, was born in Spencer August 5, 1876, and lived there most of his life.

He was known locally around town as “Dick”, though it’s not known how he got that nickname (his first wife, Cora Barnes, called him “Dickie” as a pet name). He learned sculpting, engraving and carving from his father, and was also a portrait artist in his youth. When he died in 1946, some Spencer families still had crayon portraits he had

created in his youth. It’s been said that he sometimes gave small plaster sculptures to neighbor children who broke them into pieces to use as chalk to mark up the sidewalks.

Viquesney served in the Spanish American War and was stationed at Pensacola, Florida at least part of that time. Later, he was commander of the Spencer Spanish American War Veterans post on more than one occasion, and held that position at the time of his death. Dick Viquesney married Cora Barnes in 1904, and during the 17 years from 1905 until early 1922, 16 were spent living and working in Georgia, and most of that time in Americus. The Viquesneys also lived briefly in other places such as Atlanta, Canton and Marietta, Georgia; Shelbyville, Indiana; Peoria, Illinois; and Hackensack, New Jersey.

Viquesney was employed in Americus by, among others, Clark’s Monumental Works (above) and Schneider’s Marble Company, and was involved in the design/construction of monuments placed in the nearby National Cemetery at the Andersonville Civil War Prison site. He stated (in his own self-written obituary) that he knew sculptor Gutzon Borglum (of Mount Rushmore fame), and it’s been speculated, but not verified, that he worked with him in some capacity related to Borglum’s Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial sculptures. Viquesney created his most known work, “Spirit of The American Doughboy,” in 1920 in Americus by the dedication of time, study and effort that began with sketches made in 1918. During his lifetime, he also made several other monuments and sculptures both life-size and in miniature.

November 2018 Page 23

Conscription Board sets up for ‘The Great War’

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing

MONTICELLO, IND. — When the call to arms came for Hoosier men to conscript for service in The Great War, White County set the standard.

In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson decided to rely on conscription, rather than voluntary enlistment, to raise military manpower for World War I when only 73,000 volunteers enlisted out of the initial 1 million target in the first six weeks of the war.

In 1917, 10 million men were registered. This was deemed to be inadequate, so age ranges were increased and exemptions reduced. By the end of 1918, this increased to 24 million men that were registered, with nearly 3 million inducted into the military services — with little of the resistance that characterized the Civil War.

By July 1917, a White County conscription board was established. Their work was to verify, copy and number the registration cards of the 1,400 young men who had register in the county by June 5.

The chairman of the board and executive officer was E.B. Sellers. William N. Loughry became secretary and Dr. B.N. Reagan, of Monon, was medical officer. Miss Hazel Kingsbury was selected as clerk for the board, which was ordered to forward draft registration cards to Washington no later than July 7, 1917.

On July 20, 1917, an article appearing in a local newspaper noted that White County would need to provide 96 additional men minus credits for excess enlistments in the regular armed forces. Under the apportionment of men in Indiana, the state total was 18,258. The conscription board felt that approximately 192 men would be called for examination.

The general rule was that half of the men would be exempted for support of family, employment in war material production, and physical or medical deferments. In total, the nation was committing to a first army of 686,000 men. For the surrounding counties, the shortfalls were: Benton 76, Carroll 92, Cass 237, Newton 61, Jasper 82 and Tippecanoe 260.

In order for White County to sustain its reputation of providing a full quota of soldiers

The Jasper Newton Veterans Assistance Fund (JNVAF) was created to help local Veteran families going through a financial crisis.

The ability to offer assistance locally streamlines the turn around time as well as provides a unique opportunity for donors to assist others within their communities.

The Jasper Newton Foundation Inc. is a local nonprofit organization that connects residents of Jasper County and Newton County, Indiana with causes they care about through coordinated investments and strategic grantmaking. It’s a way for local people to come together and solve local challenges facing Jasper and Newton Counties every day, leaving a long-term impact and legacy in the community. By working as an advocate for the whole nonprofit sector and connecting residents and organizations across the two counties, the Jasper Newton Foundation enables a larger impact beyond what one individual nonprofit or donor can accomplish.

Donations can be designated for Jasper or Newton County Veterans. All donations can be made to the Jasper Newton Foundation with the Jasper or Newton Veterans Assistance Fund in the memo line. PO Box 295, Rensselaer, IN 47978. For more information on donations or applications, please contact your local Veterans Service Officer in Jasper or Newton County.

219.866.5899 301 N. Van Rensselaer St. P.O. Box 295 Rensselaer, IN 47978 www.jaspernewtonfoundation.org

for the first call without resorting to the draft, it had some work to do. At least 10 more recruits were secured in a week’s time from Monticello for Company C. The conscription board felt there would be no need to draft any men based on the outpouring of patriotism throughout the county.

The good news was that a credit was issued for 21 men, which lowered the total number required for this first call to service. In total, the first army raised of White County men was 257. Articles in area newspapers encouraged men to enlist if they were going to be a part of Company C, where they could be with local men. In the intervening weeks, it was announced by the government that a call for a second army would be required.

If there were a trophy on what township raised proportionately Courtesy of White County Historical Society more than any other for the first This is a copy of Harry Arrick’s registration card. In call to arms, it the Monticello area, he was known as “Fuzz.” After the was Honey Creek war, he opened a well-known restaurant in Norway Township. There were no slackers (north of Monticello) called “Fisherman’s Paradise.” in Honey Creek. It was on the lips of every resident that White County needed to be the only county in the state that did not draft the first man with the first call.

The new totals found that Honey Creek had already furnished 180 men for service, which was an excess of 21 men. Reynolds’ new recruits added nine men and 11 others gave their address as Reynolds. Reynolds and the township furnished about 20 percent more than was required — more than their fair share.

It was with jubilation when White County first heard it had exceeded its quota — and they were the only county in Indiana to do so.

An editorial appearing in the Monticello Herald stated: “White County has established a unique record of patriotism that should live long in the history of the state that is noted for its achievements in both the arts of war and arts of peace.

“Due to the intense loyalty and patriotism of the young men of White County, the exemption board there finds itself without a job. While other communities are preparing to meet the obligations imposed by conscription, White County goes industriously about the work of assisting in food production and conservation. She has already furnished more than her quota of soldiers for the first call and it will be several months at least before any more of her men are taken, unless the ranks of the regular army and the national guard are further augmented by voluntary enlistments from the source.

“There will be few, if any, other counties in the United States that will achieve a similar record, and if White County sees fit to assume some rather important airs, she will not be lacking in justification, for her record is one of which she may feel proud.”

Page 24 November 2018

November 2018 Page 25

Page 26 November 2018

Courtesy of White County Historical Society William Van Pelt (far right) plays the fife during a Decoration Day parade in Chalmers. Van Pelt was one of the last three Civil War veterans left in Monticello. He once played the fife in 1858 during the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates and had the opportunity personally meet Lincoln.

U.S. Flag became symbol of power, emblem of freedom across the world

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing WHITE COUNTY, Indiana — In mid-April 1917, Burnettsville started an event that would be replicated throughout White County.

The people of Burnettsville raised a 16-foot by 20-foot American flag atop a 105-foot tall pole. School children paraded the streets carrying small flags and red lights, and packed a church where they listened to oratory and patriotic music.

The whole affair was very successful and the pride of Burnettsville for their troops prevailed upon all residents in attendance. The flag-raising and parade that followed were conducted by the Rev. Walton and the addresses were made by A.K. Sills, L.D. Care and Capt. A.B. Cray, who was in charge of Company C composed of White County men. Capt. Cray brought three squads of Company C to the event.

In May 2017, a similar flag was raised in Monon.

It was hoisted atop a 65-foot sycamore pole that was planted near the Monon Depot. The residents of Monon felt that one flag would not sufficiently express their patriotism, so they raised two poles from which flags were to flown.

May 8, 1917, was the date for the Monon flags being unfurled and flown.

Brookston’s Commercial Club announced that on May 6, 1917, they would erect a 50-foot pole. This event included a parade of Civil War and Spanish American War veterans, school children and citizens. On Saturday, May 5, 1917, Buffalo conducted a flag-raising ceremony.

Buffalo residents responded with patriotic music and guest speakers.

The town of Reynolds decided that its celebration would be Wednesday, May 30 — otherwise known as Decoration Day. In the morning, about 75 children conveyed in automobiles decorated the graves of the soldiers

in the Catholic, Bunnell, Lutheran, Lane and Swisher cemeteries. In all, 55 graves were decorated. Before entering the cemeteries, “America” was sung and then flags and wreaths were placed on graves.

Due to inclement weather that morning, the activities in Reynolds took place at the Christian church. The speaker for the day was the Rev. W.W. Griffith.

Children marched to the site of the flag-raising, where a 65-foot pole had been erected near the Reynold’s depot.

The 16-foot by 20-foot flag was raised while the audience sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” with accompaniment of the local band.

Nathan Ward, a young man who raised money to purchase a U.S. flag, was given the honor of hoisting it.

Following the flag-raising, the program was closed by a flag drill by nine local girls.

Ward, who secured subscriptions to pay for the Reynolds flag, was a lifetime resident of Reynolds and a fourth-generation White County native. He passed away

See FLAG, page 27

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November 2018 Page 27

WWI Vets in Morocco Group of WWI Vets taken on State Street in Morocco after the war. Top row, l-r, Bill Brunton, Grover Hammond, Van Cox, Tom Watson (Marine), Unknown, Boyd Smart (Navy), Unknown, Bob Carlson, John Ringer; Kneeling, l-r, Harry Blaney, Don Robinson, Unknown, Paul Ringer. Photo is from the Carlson family collection, provided by The Newton County Historical Society.

Flag, from page 26 in 1978 after working as a machinist and land surveyor. He is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Reynolds.

Not to be outdone, Chalmers residents erected a 120-foot pole for their flag, which was nine feet by 18 feet.

The Chalmers event was a little out of the ordinary. While several towns had GAR (Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization composed of Union veterans of the Civil War) members march in parades, it was Chalmers that raised the bar.

The town enlisted the help of William Van Pelt, who had played the fife in his Civil War band. Chalmers’ parade featured the fife and drum corps as they marched along the streets, with dozens of elderly Civil War veterans in tow.

Van Pelt had the distinction of playing the fife at the Lincoln-Douglas debates at the state capital in 1858, and had personally met Lincoln.

Van Pelt was one of the last three Civil War veterans left in Monticello before he succumbed to pneumonia in February 1931. Van Pelt is buried in Riverview Cemetery.

Idaville’s flag raising was conducted in April 1917. The town raised a flag that measured six feet by 13 feet on a 55-foot pole on Main Street. Their patriotic demonstration was celebrated by the children of the schools taking an active part. The town paraded the streets with children carrying flags and singing patriotic songs. Music was furnished by the Burnettsville band.

The patriotic address was made by the Rev. Charles Manchester, pastor of the Church of God. The affair was patriotic in spirit. The flag was positioned so that travelers on the Pennsy Railroad could see it as they passed through town.

What about Monticello? Did they have a flag raising?

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Monticello decided to combine their flag-raising with Decoration Day activities.

The city opted to have several events, beginning at 10 a.m. by decorating the graves of soldiers, followed by 2 p.m. patriotic exercises at the city park and a flag-raising on the courthouse square.

The customary parade was conducted like those in other towns, but residents gathered at the old Monticello Cemetery north of town.

William N. Loughry, chief marshall, and his aides, Ben Price Jr. and George Kassanbaurm, were mounted on spirited horses that led the parade.

The horse troup was followed by the city band and then the entire enrollment of the city schools with flags in hand marched behind them. Ladies of the GAR, Miss Capper dressed as Columbia was mounted on a black charger with two little boys dressed as sailors, guided her steed. Behind Miss Capper, the boys from Company C, Boy Scouts, Girls Auxiliary to Company C, followed closely behind.

Next came a large American flag carried flat by 30 young girls of the city schools. The girls preceded the elderly members of the GAR whose ranks were filled with elderly soldiers, in automobiles, to remember their fallen comrades at the cemetery.

At the cemetery, patriotic selections were played by the band and large choirs from three churches sang while the men from Company C decorated the graves of their fallen comrads. Company C’s Honor Squad fired the salute and then a thunderous roar echoed across the cemetery when the Civil War cannon was fired from near the Tippecanoe River.

The parade formation was retained and the procession marched back to the city after “Taps” was sounded. The parade march led to the Presbyterian church and disbanded.

At the church, Spanish American War veteran Capt. William Guthrie was the orater. The address was heralded as “finer in every way of any Memorial Day address.” The address was described as approriate, eloquent and inspiring.

Local businesses displayed their patriotism by hanging flags outside their establishments.

Russell Gardner, son of famed Ed R. Gardner, the hardware dealer in Monticello, struggled with figuring out how to best show their flag so that everyone could see it.

After a little experimenting, he opted to fly it horizontally instead of letting it hang down.

He attached a iron pole to the side their building at angle. He attached pulleys to the bar, which made it easy to raise and lower. People in the community thought he should have patented the idea, but he didn’t.

It is now the method most people use display the flag.

Kean MacOwan is president of the White County Historical Society in Monticello, Ind.

Page 28 November 2018

A look at some of the World War I exhibits featured at the Vermilion County War Museum.

Vermilion County War Museum hosts World War I collection

By Jordan Crook Reporter The Vermilion County War Museum has an extensive collection of World War I on offer for visitors to see.

Susan Micelli, development manager at the Vermilion County War Museum, recently discussed the museum’s collection of WWI items, many of which highlight the history of county WWI veterans.

Micelli said the museum is constantly finding new items for the WWI displays, mainly borrowing them from collectors or receiving them as donations from people within the community.

She said there is a significant amount of interest from museum patrons regarding World War I, especially now with the upcoming 100th anniversary.

“There’s a lot more interest about studying World War I,” she said.

Micelli said World War I and World War II are the two features of the museum that draw the most interest.

Micelli agreed with the view that many people find an interest in World War I by viewing it through the lens of World War II. Micelli pointed out how the lingering effects of World War I led directly to World War II, so when patrons develop an interest in one conflict it generally leads them to the other.

“It’s almost like the lines blur,” she said. “There’s a lot of flexibility.”

Micelli feels that people have an easier time engaging with World War II’s history because it’s history is more focused on the people involved whereas World War I’s history is more about the evolution of warfare.

“Suddenly we had an evolution of different kinds of warcraft, different kinds of guns and fighting tactics,” she said. “We took what we learned from the Civil War, the Span-

ish American War, the War of 1812 and they started going ‘This worked and this didn’t, maybe we won’t get blown up if we do this.’”

Beyond that, Micelli said most people today don’t really have a connection to World War I whereas there are still many people who have family members or people they know who either served in World War II or lived through that time period.

“As the years progress, farther and farther away, we have to sit there and realize that World War I was 100 years ago,” she said. “My generation and your generation doesn’t really know about World War I, we can’t relate to World War I. But, World War II, that would have been our parents or grandparents generation. So we can relate to that.”

One of the key displays from the WWI exhibit at the museum is a full uniform set,

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November 2018 Page 29

Vermilion, from page 28 including the leg wraps, which are a rarity.

“We don’t normally get those in,” Micelli said. “They didn’t come back a lot of the time.”

While the museum boasts several items from local veterans who served in World War I, Micelli said the stories many of those soldiers brought back with them from the war were lost to the ages.

“We only have the bits and pieces that we get from their families,” she said. “A lot of the soldiers, they came back and they didn’t talk about it. And that’s history that we’ve lost.”

Even so, Micelli said, there is still information available about how Vermilion County took part in the war effort.

“The unique thing about Vermilion County is that when the call to serve went out the men responded,” she said. “That is why our collection is as big as it is. These guys were proud to serve.”

Thousands of World War I veterans who were wounded during the conflict were tended to at the Danville VA Hospital and many of them were buried at the National Cemetery at the hospital.

The Vermilion County War Museum will be hosting a special event in honor of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in November.

Micelli said the museum will be presenting an open house Nov. 13-17 that will highlight the World War I exhibits.

The Vermilion County War Museum is located at 307 N. Vermilion St. in Danville. The museum is open from noon-4 p.m. TuesdayFriday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday and is closed Sunday and Monday. Learn more about the museum at www. vcwm.org or by calling 217-431-0034.

(Above) A rare example of a full World War I uniform on display at the Vermilion County War Museum.

(Right) An exhibit highlighting the history of World War I veteran Private Everett R. Andrews, of Alvin, that is on display at the Vermilion County War Museum.

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Some of World War I-era the dog teams and medals that are featured at the Vermilion County War Museum.

A few World War I-era propaganda posters on display at the Vermilion County War Museum.

Page 30 November 2018

Something Old That’s New to Me Jasper County men, women heavily involved in World War I

By Judy Kanne Jasper County Historian What I know about the impact of World War I in Jasper County is limited. However, it expanded a great deal with the display at our Jasper County Historical Society Museum exhibit called “World War I: At Home and Abroad” by Sue Caldwell.

World War I began for the United States on July 28, 1914 and continued through November 11, 1918.

I know, given Jasper County’s population of about 13,000 at the beginning of the war, the percentage of people who served was quite high for Indiana. In my Spring 2018 Vintage Views of Rensselaer, Indiana column, it was noted that 781 Jasper County Hoosiers served. That number represents 762 military members who returned after serving, 19 who died with wounds or illness, and 5 Jasper County nurses.

Those recently attending the “Memories Alive at Weston Cemetery” heard the story of Hickory Hill. The 19 shagbark hickory trees were planted on the hill at the entrance of the cemetery to honor those 19 men who lost their lives serving in World War I. If you visit the Jasper County Historical Society Museum, you learn that one of our proudest and rare collections is the set of The Women’s War Census on National Defense cards. Our files have over 3,200 women’s names living in Jasper County in 1918. The women registered on forms provided by the Council of National Defense.

This detailed survey recorded each woman’s education, citizenship, employment, and special skills to help with the war effort. You may have a female relative who signed a card.

A new World War I character surfaces via a handsome scrapbook of Earl “Nub” Hemphill. Earl was born to parents Martin Luther “Lute” Hemphill and Mary English Hemphill, the fourth son. His older brothers were Fred, James, and Harve. Earl attended our local schools.

The scrapbook shows he served on the USS Oklahoma for most of his service in the Navy from September 20, 1915 to September 19, 1919. The USS Oklahoma was part of Battleship Division 6. Its job was to protect Allied convoys crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

The USS Oklahoma was launched on March 23, 1914

by Oklahoma’s Governor Lee Cruce’s daughter. It was a Nevada class battleship, the first of US standard class battleships. During the war, they were located on the United States East Coast, and the shores of Ireland and England.

Earl shared many of the activities the sailors participated in during his service. There were boxing matches, jazz programs, plays, and follies. The ship had a track team, a dinghy crew, a sailing team, and an American football team.

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Earl in Paris with shipmates

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New, from page 30 Earl mentioned, too, that during the flu pandemic, the USS Oklahoma lost six men. The men in charge of his ship during his service were Captain Roger Welles, Rear Admiral Thomas S. Rodgers, and Admiral Charles B. McVay, Jr. During Earl Hemphill’s last year of service on the USS Oklahoma, one of the ship’s tasks was as a convoy escort for President Woodrow Wilson’s trip from Portland, Maine to Paris, France.

One of the items included in the scrapbook is a page in which signatures surround a photograph of the ship. His shipmates who signed the page were from the states of Minnesota, Kansas, Tennessee, New Jersey, Louisiana, Illinois, and Indiana.

Earl returned to Rensselaer after his four-year tour. He worked in William Hoover’s building where there was a dining room and a Model T Ford sales room. Earl operated the Billiard Parlor area in that building that later became Kanne’s and then Rafferty’s Restaurant, now our City Hall. Later, Earl was the proprietor of the Ritz Theater, located at the time on West Washington Street. He married Hazel Iona Grant of Kankakee, Illinois in 1933.

There are many stories of the men and women who served in World War I, and Earl’s was one of them.

Please visit the Jasper County Historical Society Museum 479 N. Van Rensselaer Street, Rensselaer on the first and third Saturdays to view the local National Defense cards, the Hemphill scrapbook, and more. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or by appointment at jchsmuseum@gmail. com.

(Left) The signature page around the USS Oklahoma’s photograph of Hemphill’s shipmates.

(Inset) A head shot of Earl Hemphill

Photos contributed

Page 32 November 2018

White County native joined Canadian Volunteers to fight in ‘The Great War’

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing MONTICELLO, Indiana — At the outbreak of The Great War, George W. Wilcoxon, son of Mrs. Martha Wilcoxon, of Monticello, notified his mother in early May 2017 that he was a private in the 247th Battalion, Canadian Volunteers.

At the time, he was stationed at Regina, Saskatchewan. The battalion was preparing for active service across the Atlantic. When Wilcoxon enlisted in the Canadian Volunteers, his occupation was listed as a harness maker and was living in North Dakota.

Upon enlistment, Wilcoxon was one of four men who cooked for 500 men in the Canadian battalion. He was delayed from deployment due to a diphtheria outbreak in the camp. In a brief article in a local newspaper of the time, Wilcoxon and the battalion recovered from the outbreak and were expected to deploy overseas. Prior to deployment, he returned to Monticello on leave.

In the early spring 1918, Wilcoxon arrived in England and later went to France. In a short letter, Wilcoxon stated he was feeling “a little short changed” as he was not close to the front where the fighting was taking place.

On August 21, 1918, Wilcoxon was in the trenches in France with the war waging all around him. His letter home stated he had not be injured as of that date. By mid-October, he was wounded in his left leg and in an emergency Australian hospital the Somme, France.

Wilcoxon was later transferred to a hospital in Northamshire, England. He did not return to Canada until March 2019.

When the war was over, the men were slow coming home. Wilcoxon, in one of his letters, thought he would be discharged and come home in April.

In March, he arrived in Monticello on leave. The wound he received was healed and he no longer walked with a limp.

Wilcoxon would later leave Monticello and work in Washington, D.C. He died in 1973 at the age of 78 in Florida.

Kean MacOwan is president of the White County Historical Society in Monticello, Ind.

This is a World War I recruitment poster depicting the Canadian Mounted Rifles. Courtesy of U.S. Library of Congress digital archives.

Let’s Put Our Hands Together for Our Veterans For their service and their sacrifice, we salute America’s brave veterans.

Thank you for your dedication to this great country and our values as a nation.

Your courage and conviction make us proud to be Americans.

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815-432-2416 www.watsekachamber.org

November 2018 Page 33

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History of American Legion Post #81 in Monticello, Ind.

By Susan G. Wright and W.C. Madden Kankakee Valley Publishing MONTICELLO, Ind. — The Monticello American Legion Post was first organized at a meeting on Sept. 20, 1919. Several former military members met to secure a charter to the new nonprofit organization

made up of anyone who served in the military during the World War 1 — a.k.a. the “War to End All Wars.”

The Monticello post was the 81st in the state to form.

The national organization officially began in March 1919 and grew like a wind-blown wildfire across the nation. By Oct. 1, the number of posts

had reached 5,670.

The officers elected at the meeting were: President Dr. A.B. Cray; Secretary Walter Simons; and Treasurer George Inskeep.

Cray had been a captain in the U.S. Army during WWI. The amount of dues was fixed at $2 and the name given to the local legion was “Thorton Williams

See MONTICELLO, page 46

This plaque commemorates the new home for the American Legion, which was dedicated on May 5, 1973.

The Legion was given a U.S. flag on behalf of Indiana Sen. Birch Bayh to fly at the post. A memorial torch was also lit.

Courtesy photo

Teaching World War I through the lens of World War II

By Jordan Crook Reporter The history surrounding World War I is often forgotten by many.

Unlike other conflicts involving the U.S. such as the Civil War or World War II, many people don’t have an ingrained knowledge of the conflict or it’s impact on the world.

This likely to do with the fact that people haven’t exposed to the conflict through various types of media, including books, television and film, like other wars have been.

This lack of ingrained knowledge can make a teaching the history of World War I somewhat challenging.

Eric Zorns, a history teacher at Hoopeston Area High School, has taken up this challenge by getting to engage with the history of World War I by having them view the war through the lens of World War II.

the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but don’t know much about the state of the world after World War I directly led to World War II. “Most of them know nothing about World War I coming into the class,” he said.

Hoopeston Area splits up their U.S. History into two main classes: U.S. History up until the Civil War is taught in middle school and U.S. History from after the Civil War is taught in high school.

The Evolution of Warfare Once he has the students engaged with learning about World War I, Zorns said he approaches the war by focusing on how it represented a change in mindset when it came to warfare.

“Let’s talk about how war changed,” he said.

Zorns points out to students how World War II was a modern war with tanks, planes, ships, and then he contrasts that

“They’ve never known of World War I veterans, they’ve

conflict that is more focused on the people involved, whereas World War I is viewed more for the change in warfare tactics.

“World War I is more about the tactics and how that changed warfare forever,” he said.

Zorns pointed to the invention of long-range weaponry, the use of gases as a weapon of war and early use of planes in warfare as just a few of the elements of war that came out of the conflict.

“Everything that they know from World War II was created out of necessity in this war,” he said.

Zorns said students interested in learning about these aspects of war and the impact they’ve had on modern warfare.

He pointed to the unfortunate fact that war has become part of modern society with the protracted conflicts in the Middle East and, as a result, many students are acutely aware of war and often know some one who has served in the military during these conflicts.

never heard much about it because something else overshadowed

A Blank Slate Many of Zorns’ students come into his U.S. History class eager to learn about World War II. “They come into class asking about ‘World War II, World War II,’ everything about World War II,” he said. “At the start, I talk to them about where World War II came from because that’s what they’re familiar with.”

Zorns said the students know about how the U.S. got pulled into the war after

it later on, so they just don’t know.

Those students who do know anything about World War I coming into the class usually pick up that information from other classes, such geography, or from an outside interest in history.

Zorns said he backtracks from World War II so students can see how the stage was set for World War II by what happened in World War I. “That’s kind of the hook, the World War II part, because that’s what they want to talk about,” he said. “They become very interested in World War I after that,” he said.

with how World War I began with warfare tactics straight out of the Spanish-American War where horseback was supreme.

“The countries, in the beginning, thought it was going to be a war just like before,” he said. “The British, during the first battles of the war, went into it on horseback and thought ‘We’ve got a dominant calvary, we’re going to win’ and then the Germans opened up with machine guns.”

Zorns explained how World War I and World War II are viewed differently by people, describing World War II as a

”

A Personal Connection to History Having that personal connection is another element that has instilled in students more of an interest in World War II than World War I. Zorns said students, in the past and even still today, often have relatives who either served in World War II or who lived

See TEACHING, page 34

Page 34 November 2018

Some of the Hoopeston area men chosen for Selective Service during World War I gather for a photo in 1918.

Photo contributed

Teaching, from page 33 during that time.

Zorns points to a project students do at the start of the second semester each year where they are told to interview someone, preferably a veteran, who lived during World War II or Vietnam.

Zorns said he encourages students to find World War II subjects because the people who lived through that time are getting up there in age, so they should seize the opportunity to learn as much as they can while they’re still around.

“I tell them to take the chance and do the interview and a lot of them do,” he said.

As time has gone by, Zorns said, students are now more likely to have living relatives who either served in or lived during the time of the Vietnam War, but he still has students who find interview subjects from World War II. “It surprises me how many of them still either personally know or has someone who gets them in contact with someone connected to World War II still,” he said.

Zorns said that personal connection to people who lived during that time is something that endears students

to learning about World War II. That personal connection doesn’t exist for World War I since the last World War I veteran died several years ago and the youngest a person who lived during the time of World War I would be 99-years-old.

“They’ve never known of World War I veterans, they’ve never heard much about it because something else overshadowed it later on, so they just don’t know,” he said.

Zorns did encounter some local World War I history while teaching his class.

During homecoming preparations, Zorns said a student brought in a bunch of what they considered to be trash from their farm to be used on a float that was inspired by the movie “Twister.”

When they were decorating the float, Zorns came across two World War I-era recipe books mixed in with the trash from the barn and asked the student if he could keep them.

Zorns now uses the cookbooks to teach students about how World War I affected the homefront in the U.S. He said recipe books were published as part of an ef-

fort to get people to ration their use of goods that were needed for the war effort.

Zorns described how the recipes in the book don’t exactly sound appetizing.

“It’s called ‘Egg-less/Butter-less Cake,” he said. “It sounds terrible.”

Complex Beginnings Though he is teaching World War I in a U.S. History class, when Zorns starts teaching his students about the war, specifically the run up to the start of the war, he almost approaches it like it is a world history class.

He said the origins of the conflict are rather complex and the U.S. doesn’t actually get involved with the war until it’s almost over, so he has to approach it from a broader world view to set the stage for the war.

After showing what’s going on around the world at the time, Zorns moves the class back towards what’s going in the U.S. as the war is unfolding.

“We’re watching this, we’re trying to stay out of this, we’re trying to negotiate peace…they weren’t interested,”

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More, from page 34 he said. “If I don’t use a little bit of that world history aspect, they’re confused.”

Parsing down how the various alliances, defense treaties and politics of the time ultimately led to war after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand represents another challenge.

Zorns said he walks students through how Ferdinand’s assassination didn’t start the war, it was just one aspect of a multitude of causes that had been building throughout Europe for years.

“I emphasize to them, when we get to Ferdinand, that this wasn’t a cause of the war,” he said. “One guy getting shot, that didn’t cause a world war. That’s the spark that ignited the whole thing.”

Zorns said they go into detail about the alliances, the militarism and the imperialism that ultimately led to war in class.

As the class learns about these various parties and sees how the tension had been bubbling below the surface, Zorns said the students start to piece together how a conflict as large as World War I could occur and was, indeed, somewhat inevitable.

Zorns also takes students through how the U.S. took a leading role during the war and afterwards.

“We had no interest in being in this war. We got kind of dragged into it kicking and screaming,” he said. “But once we were in it, we were going to take care of business.”

Zorns said the way the U.S. handled the end of World War I and other conflicts has led to the viewpoint from some that the U.S. is just hungry for war.

Zorns disagreed with that viewpoint, feeling that the U.S. tried to stay out of the conflict for as long as possible but was dragged into eventually.

He said the U.S. took the leading role in trying to prevent future conflicts of this sort.

President Woodrow Wilson led the charge for the creation of the League of Nations to prevent future large-scale conflicts, but his efforts were stymied by European leaders.

Zorns said the Europeans disregarded Wilson’s efforts because they felt the U.S. didn’t experience the same horrors of war that they had.

“Even Germany is saying, ‘This is a European affair, you stay out of it,’” he said.

“When they probably should have listened to Wilson because he was trying to make a lasting peace, not just a punishment for Germany because we saw where that got us.”

Zorns said his students are able to recognize how the Treaty of Versailles severely punished Germany for the war, which ultimately led to the collapse of the German economy and created the environment that would allow Adolf Hitler to rise to power.

“We had no interest in being in this war. We got kind of

dragged into it kicking and screaming. But once we were in it, we

A Peace That Couldn’t Last One element of the war that Zorns focuses on with his students is the attempt at peace after the conclusion of World War I. “That’s kind of what leads directly into the next war,” he said.

Zorns said students recognize how poorly the Treaty of Versailles handled the end of the war.

“The kids will go ’This didn’t solve anything,’” he said.

were going to take care of business.

”

No Simple Narrative Ultimately, Zorns said students are more interested in World War II than World War I because the overall narrative of World War II is easier to grasp.

Whereas World War I is rooted in a complex tangle of military alliances and political upheaval without clear examples of heroes of villains, World War II is ultimately a war of good versus evil.

“It’s easy to describe the cause of World War II,” he said. “Japan bombed us, well we’ve got to go to war. Hitler’s trying to take over the world, we’ve got to go to war.

World War I is a little harder to describe.”

Unlike World War I, Zorns said he doesn’t have to spend an entire day teaching the causes of World War II since most of the students already have a good grasp on it.

The multitude of popular culture related to World War II through movies, literature and video games have also served to instill a unique interest in the war among the population.

Zorns said there are so many examples of popular culture that are dedicated to World War II, yet there are precious few that are dedicated to World War I and those are generally from the early 20th century.

Zorns shows one of the few examples of modern film that is dedicated to World War I, a made-for-television movie called “The Lost Battalion” which aired on A&E in 2001, in his class. The film chronicles the members of the U.S. Army 77th Infantry Division who were cut off and surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest in 1918.

“The kids find that very interesting and it’s a true story,” he said. “They would have never watched that otherwise.”

Even when it comes to honoring the history of the conflict, World War I gets the short end of the stick.

Zorns said that the World War I Museum is in Kansas City, Mo., which is not exactly a destination city like Washington D.C. “Why isn’t that in Washington D.C.?” he said.

Even so, Zorns feels that it is important to teach students about World War I, largely because of it’s lasting impact on the world at-large.

“It’s important to understand because of everything that comes after it,” he said.

One of the articles Zorns has his students read is titled “World War I: Why It Matters” that delves into how World War I is directly responsible for many of the conflicts that have been seen in recent history.

The article specifically delves into how World War I relates to the conflicts seen in Iraq and elsewhere.

“That whole region of the world changed,” he said.

Zorns said giving these examples of how a conflict from 100 years ago still has an impact on the world they are living in helps to get students engaged in learning about World War I. “They get interested in it,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting them to understand. It doesn’t take long.

Page 36 November 2018

‘Patria’ whips up support for U.S. participation in ‘The Great War’

By Kean MacOwan For Kankakee Valley Publishing MONTICELLO, Indiana — The Great War was the first that used mass media as a tool to shape American’s attitudes toward a pro-war opinion.

That included the relative new form of media known as “moving pictures,” that played to background piano music.

One of those was a series titled “Patria,” and it was featured weekly for about 15 weeks throughout 1917 at Monticello’s Strand Theater.

The Strand Theater was located along South Main Street until a fire destroyed it in 1933.

“Patria” — pronounced PAYtree-uh, as in “patriot” — spotlighted a noted actress of the period — Irene Castle — who was chosen by the film industry to star in the series shown in theaters nationwide, as well as internationally. The 15-episode serial appeared on the Strand Theater’s screen every Monday evening. It focused on how Americans at home could prepare for a possible foreign invasion.

“Patria” was funded by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst to the tune of $90,000 — or about $1.8 million in today’s dollars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

Even though Japan was considered an ally, the plot of “Patria” involved Japanese spies attempting to steal the Channing family’s “preparedness” fortune and invade the U.S. via New York. The Japanese then ally themselves with Mexico. The Japanese are stopped by the efforts of munitions factory heiress Patria Channing and U.S. Secret Service agent Donald Parr.

The serial was based on the novel, “The Last of the Fighting Channings,” by Louis Joseph Vance. The first episode of the series, which debuted April 23, 1917, at the Strand Theater, went by the same title.

According to a story in the April 20, 1917, edition of the White County Democrat, “It is fitting, too, that Mrs. Castle should be appearing in a picture that awakens American patriotism while her husband, (Vernon Castle) is fighting for England and the allies as a member of the English Aviation Corps.

“Predicting that the Strand will be packed next Monday evening and on each subsequent Monday night while the serial is running is more nearly stating an assured fact.”

Irene and Vernon were dance performers and the husband-and-wife team were ballroom dancers who appeared on Broadway and in silent films early in the early 20th century. They are credited with reviving the popularity of modern dancing.

“Patria” was directed by Jacques Jaccard for scenes filmed in California, and by Leopold and Theodore Wharton for scenes in Ithaca, N.Y. Along with Castle, the movie starred Milton Sills and Warner Oland.

The series also starred Rudolph Valentino in an uncredited role as a club dancer.

Kean MacOwan is president of the White County Historical Society in Monticello, Ind. Michael Johnson, editor of the Herald Journal in Monticello, contributed to this story.

(Inset) Courtesy of White County Historical Society This advertisement for “Patria” appeared in the White County Democrat on April 20, 1917. (Right) Vernon and Irene Castle Ballroom Dancers.

Ensuring Our Freedom

Join us in remembering our nation’s heroes who served, fought and died to preserve our freedom.

We can never repay the debt of gratitude owed to our nation’s WWI Veterans.

Thanks for your services and a job well done!

November 2018 Page 37

White County’s war effort impeccable 1917 EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article on White County was written by W. H. Blodgett, staff correspondent for the Indianapolis News. The extracted piece was published Aug. 25, 1917.

MONTICELLO, Ind. — Tip your hats to White County. It is the only county in Indiana, and perhaps the only county in the United States, that did not have to draft a soldier, did not have a request for exemption and only filled their quota, but enlisted twenty-one extra recruits, who have been credited to other counties whose quota was short.

When Bill Herschell, of the Indianapolis News, wrote his now famous marching song, “Long Boy,” he knew nothing of the remarkable recruiting record of White County, but the record of White County fits well into the last verse of Bill’s song:

One pair of socks was his only load

When he struck for town by th’ old dirt road.

He went right down to th’ public square

An’ fell in line with th’ soldiers there.

Th’ sergeant put him in uniform, His gal knit mitts for to keep him warm, They drilled him hard, they drilled him long, Then he sang his farewell song.

What White County Has Done And that is not all. White County had nine men in the first training camp at Ft. Benjamin Harrison; it has twelve men in the Navy; it has two men in France with General Pershing; it had ten applicants for the second officers training camp; it has three doctors in the serve, all having been accepted by the government.

Nor, is that all that White County has done. It was asked to raise $6,500 for the Red Cross and it raised $10,000. It has raised several thousand dollars for the Y.M.C.A, but the amount cannot be given at this time.

And that is not all that White County has done. It has a crack national guard company, recruited to full war strength. It is commanded by Capt. Arthur B. Cray, and when it was on the Texas border as Company C. Third Regiment, it was regarded as one of the most efficient companies there, and Captain Cray was regarded as one of the best company commanders at Llano Grande.

The women of White County have provided this company with comfort kits and Courtesy of White County Historical Society comfort pillows. A meeting was held recently at which there were representatives from Portrait of White County’s Civil War Hero Capt. Henry Snyder, who helped inspire all parts of White County to arrange a program for a demonstration when the company the county’s men to enlist in The Great War. leaves for Hattiesburg. The company is camping in the city park here before taking the train for the south. appropriately decorated with the color the country represented.

No Exemptions Asked The total draft registration for White County was 1,353 and the county’s quota was 159. The enlistment was 180 men and not a man has asked for exemption.

The local board is composed of Emory B. Sellers, chairman and executive officer, William N. Loughry, of this place, and Dr. Ross M. Reagan, of Monon. But the board has nothing to do. Its members just stick around to let the government know they are ready if needed. This board not only paid its own expenses, paid its own stenographers, but served without charge as each member dropped his business interests for the time being.

And while you are tipping your hats to the men of White County, don’t fail to salute the women, for they have done great work and without their aid it is doubtful if the county would have the good record credited to it.

There never was a time that the women were not busy. They gave a Red Cross military garden party on the courthouse law on Saturday July 28th. All proceeds going to the local unit of the Red Cross. All of the allies were represented by booths that were

Our Veterans, Our Heroes It's time to honor the brave soldiers who safeguard our peace and freedoms.

Thanks, veterans. We salute you for your extraordinary courage and dedication to your country.

Berry’s Processing 522 E. Elm St., Watseka • 815-432-3264

The Red Cross Committee The executive committee of the local Red Cross is composed of Mrs. W.N. Loughry, Mrs. W.F. Brucker and Miss Mary Casad. The finance committee is made of the three women named and the following men: John M. Turner, William Anheier, W.F. Bunnell, Ora Hamill and Bernard Goodman. These had general charge of the garden party but the booths were in the charge of another cadre of members.

Everybody involved is getting a share of public approbation for the great work they are doing and credit does not belong to any one person or set of persons. There is glory enough for all and all are getting their share.

All Swore Allegiance Just as soon as war was declared, the people up here began putting into operation the plans they had prepared expecting that war would come. A rousing meeting was held at the opera house and this was addressed by Mr. Sellers, who asked everyone present to take the oath of allegiance, the audience repeating the words after the speaker.

“Will our boys be sent to France?” someone in the audience asked. “We are going to send them to Berlin,” answered the speaker, amid applause that lasted five minutes.

Then meetings were held in all parts of the county and at these meetings, Lawrence D. Carey, George Marvin, Addison K. Sills Jr., William Anheier and Wright J. Hinkle, chairman of the county defense board, were particularly active, and the result of their activity is shown in the remarkable record the county has made.

The young men were active, too. At Ft. Benjamin Harrison were Jay Dawson, Harry Dibell, John Anheier, Walter Simons, Donald Brearley, Horace K. Heath, Frank Roberts, Gwinn Thomas and Frank Woods, the latter having qualified as a sharpshooter.

See EFFORT, page 38

Page 38 November 2018

Effort, from page 37 Dr. Grant Goodwin, Dr. Walter I. McBeth and Dr. R. Coffin, the latter a brother of George Coffin, sheriff of Marion County, have enlisted and are lieutenants in the medical corps ready for service.

Postmaster Gives Three Sons James P. Simons, postmaster, has contributed three sons, two having enlisted in Indiana and one in California. There is hardly a family in White County that is not affected directly or indirectly by the enlistment for the present war.

How Did They Do It? Everyone seems to ask this question when White County’s recruiting record was made public. Well, to begin with, there was good, strong basis for it. White is one of the fair counties of Indiana and has within its borders a class of people who are always willing to offer themselves as a living sacrifice in the cause of liberty.

Before it became a county, some of its early settlers fought in the Indian Wars as well as the War of 1812.

The county was named when it became a county after Colonel Isaac White, who was killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe while fighting under General William Henry Harrison.

In the Mexican War, White County provided its quota of men. In the Civil War, White County provided the Union forces with a soldier for every three and a half citizens of its population at that time.

In the Spanish-American War, White County had Company I, Captain William Gurthrie, 161st Regiment, commanded by Colonel Winfield T. Durbin.

State Senator (David) Turpie came from White County and White County also is the home of Emory B. Sellers, former U.S. district attorney and fomer state senator.

County’s Military History White County’s military history is well in keeping with what it has done in providing soldiers to fight Germany.

In the Civil War, it had soldiers in twenty-one different infantry and calvary regiments. It also had ten of its citizens in the Navy.

White County has provided its share of heroes, too.

Colonel William A. Glassford, of the regular army, who has a son in the army and one in the Navy, is a White County citizen. The old soldiers of the county all remember the fame of the “Bloody Twentieth” who fought in about every bloody engagement in the Civil War. Two companies of the men in the Twentieth were made up of White and Carroll County men.

The man most talked about in Monticello can be found in a little back office on Main Street. He is now old and feeble and suffering from diseases contracted during the Civil War. The man still suffers from a wound he received on the battlefield. He is modest and unassuming.

To everyone in the county, he is a hero, particularly to the recruits of the current war.

The man is Captain Henry Snyder, who was a member of the 46th Volunteer Infantry.

Captain Snyder fought in twenty-five battles throughout the south. At Sabin Crossroads, two horses were shot from under him, and he was badly wounded in the leg by a sharpshooter when his third horse was killed.

Capt. Snyder was under fire for 200 days, and there was not an hour in the 200 days that death was not close to him. Capt. Snyder seldom talks of his Army record, and yet there are a few men in the country that has a like record. The record of Capt. Snyder has been an inspiration to many of the young men who have enlisted in White County.

Editor’s note: You can listen to the original recording of “Long Boy” by visiting https://archive.org/details/StevePorterwithAdaJones

Courtesy of White County Historical Society This is the cover to sheet music for “Long Boy,” written in 1917 by Bill Herschell, of the Indianapolis News.

Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village

221 West Division Road • DeMotte, IN 46310 • 219-987-7005

www.oakgrovecrv.com Live, Here. For the Best of Your Life.

November 2018 Page 39

Army PFC Martin Hoffman (Below) DeMotte, Indiana, resident and Army PFC Martin Hoffman poses in his WWI uniform in this photo at the DeMotte Historical Society’s Depot Museum. (Left) Also on display is a full WWI uniform, complete with (far left) gas mask bag and gas mask. Hoffman (1893-1983) would go on to marry Sena Walstra, and have one child, Lois Hoffman DeVries (1929–2014). Hoffman’s grave is located in DeMotte’s Holland Cemetery.

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Page 40 November 2018

Dorothy Kessler and other ladies of the area completed the Red Cross class titled “Elementary Hygiene and Home Care of the sick during the WWI era. This display of the WWI Red Cross Class can be seen at the Newton County Historical Society in Kentland. (NCE PHOTO/GREGORY MYERS)

A Welcome Awaits Our Returning Heroes -Headline from the Newton County Enterprise, November 21, 1918

By Newton County Historical Society The local newspapers deserve high accolades for their contributions toward the war effort. The humble owners would have shrugged the accolades, stating that they were “just doing their job.” Perhaps they did not initially realize the importance of ‘their job’ at the time or understand the impact it would have on future generations.

Their publications unveil the community fortitude our ancestors carried with them before, during and after the Great War. One hundred years after the fact, it needs to be said, “Thanks, for a job well done.”

Newton County residents surely celebrated the news of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. Energies spent toward raising money for Liberty Bonds and the Red Cross, fulfilling obligations of the Home Guard and War Mothers, and families compensating for the departure of a farm or business worker, would shift toward welcoming back their way of life before the Great War. Boys “Over There” Want to Come Home The weekly published soldier’s letters initially resounded with the excitement of travelling to new places, experiences of life at boot camp, and thankfulness for the hand-made items sent by the local Red Cross. Over the course of a few months, the effects of the war on the writers could be seen between the lines of their letters.

On the front: In late September 1918, U.S. troops were fighting in the area of the Meuse- Argonne Forest. By the time fighting stops, 1.2 million troops have arrived at the front. In October, Germany’s new chancellor asks Presi-

dent Wilson to arrange peace based upon his 14-point speech given in January. Wilson forwards this request to the other allies.

On November 4, 1919 Austria- Hungary surrenders and orders demobilization – on November 9th, Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates and leaves Germany.

Excerpts of letter Samuel E. Molter, France, November 6, 1918 to Mr. Davis “Dear Mr. Davis – Just a line or so that you may know that we are still here where things are happening thick and fast. We go to bed while the big guns bark, and we wake while they are still barking. But the most fun is watching the anti-aircraft guns try to shoot down the Boche (German) planes. I have seen them upon five different occasions, but they have never succeeded in bringing any down. You see they fly at such an altitude that fire from the ground is very ineffective. But they do keep them guessing so that whatever their purpose may be they invariably fail to accomplish it. The attacks after night are much more spectacular. Great searchlights sweep the sky and after they succeed in locating the plane they pepper away with the guns. We have been in the habit of standing out in the open while the fight is on, little realizing the danger. What curious American boy wouldn’t want to do the same? … It looks as if this awful affair would soon be over, but even so, I think it will be some time before we see the Statue of Liberty again.”

“This Christmas will be the first I have ever spent away from home but if my plans are not interfered with, I expect to spend the most pleasant time of all. You see there are quite a number of quite pitiful refugees quartered here in the camp where our school is located, and a number of them are the dearest little children you ever saw.

The fathers have given their lives for France, their homes are destroyed and their mothers, if living, are here partly under the care of the government, and they pick up a few coins by washing for the Americans. Well I’m going to try to give the whole outfit a real Christmas. …

We are going to have a real tree and of course I insisted on being Santa Claus because I acted in that capacity so many times when I was in school, that I believe I am quite proficient in the art. … If my work doesn’t take me so far from here, but that I can carry out my plans, I will be the most satisfied man on Christmas, I believe, who is on this foreign soil.”

Letters that appear after Armistice Day give an insight to life as a soldier, (not much sleep and constant movement) – and the life of the survivors of wartorn Belgium and France.

On the front: November 11, 1918 an armistice is signed between the allies and the central powers – the fighting would stop. The Great War is finally over – celebrations begin across the world. A national holiday is declared, Armistice Day, today celebrated as Veteran’s Day. By January 1919 peace talks had begun in France.

Excerpts of letter dated December 8, 1918, Paul McDonald, Apremont, Meuse, France.

“Dear Friends, “Seven months ago today, myself and 5,000 “Yanks” sailed out of Hoboken on the boat America. I cannot describe the feeling as we turned for a last look at the Statue of Liberty, and in a short time out of sight of land. I was happy, I thought, for I was eager to get over here and help a little, and yet there was a queer feeling in the pit of my stomach for I did not know how long it would before I saw home again, if ever. Oh, it

See WELCOME, page 41

November 2018 Page 41

Welcome, from page 40

This is pretty tough for them as I think if they are as anxious to get home as I am to get to mother’s table. We are quartered in billets here that have just been put up. … I understand all the boys from Camp Taylor go back there to be mustered out. …” wasn’t altogether a pleasant feeling. … Now the war is over, our eagerness to get over Good News . . . I’m Coming Home here does not compare with what it does to get back to the only country worth living in.

The news of soldiers and volunteers returning home to Newton County after the first … While at Dun Sue Meuse, we got just four words, “The War is Won.” It was enough for of the year filled the front pages of the local papers. The Enterprise reported that the first we knew what it was and from that moment I think that about the first words spoken by Kentland boy reported to have landed in New York was Corp. Robert P. Heistand, brothany of the A. E. F. (American er to Howard Heistand. Soldiers from the Brook area stopped in the Brook Reporter Expeditionary Forces), was: “When are we going home.” I know it was with me. … I office and gave their accounts of their war experiences. These articles started appearing stayed in that place for two days and then was ordered back to my Company and from in the early spring and continued throughout the following months. The soldiers and there sent out again salvaging the wire we run broadcast all over the Argonne volunteers were coming home - it was time to plan a celebration of their homecoming.

Forest and believe me there is some bunch of it. I did not think there was so much wire in France, and if I had known I was going to have to pick it up I don’t believe I would have been so generous with it, and it wasn’t nearly as hard to put down in the first place even though we were used by the Germans as moving targets for their practice. Now it is twisted, crisscrossed, tangled, broken by shells, covered and buried deep in mud. It is some job.”

“A few soldiers and volunteers did a bit of sight-seeing before returning, but eventually all of them were eager to return home to their family and communities.”

Excerpts of letter dated February 12, 1919 from Miss Cecil Burton, Bad Neuenahr, Rhineland, Germany, Army of Occupation to Mrs. Sara Smith, Kentland.

“Dear Mrs. Smith – I promised myself time and again I’d write you, but somehow I never get it written. Here we are, away over here in ‘Dutchland’ watching their darned old Rhine river for ‘em and cryin’ for home every day. Glory be, how we do want to get back! But rumors are flying fast now that we are to leave these parts soon, and everyone is hoping that they don’t prove be rumors only. ….

We went on the Champagne front, before Chalons, and for three days, July 15th- 18th, we were with the French in stopping the German drive for that city. It was the holding of the line at this point that gave Foch the chance to hit it up all along the rest of the fronts the way he did. But those three days were awful! That was the most intense artillery bombardment of the whole war (or at least that is the word we get), but personally, I think the beginning of the last big drive in the Argonne on November 1st was about as bad, all the shooting then was on our side. The champagne firing was the combined efforts of the Dutch and the Allies.”

Excerpts of letter dated February 21,1919 from A.M. “Lon” Skinner, Co. F. 105th Supply Truck, Forwarding Camp, France, to his father, Elmer.

“Dear Dad, Well I haven’t written you for a long time, so I guess I had better drop you a line. I am all O.K. and waiting to board the train for Brest. … This camp is near LeMans. You see the troops are all sent through here for their final inspection and delousing. We had our final inspection today and passed all right. I am sure getting tired of these eternal inspections. … Most of the division is stationed here now, all but the Engineers and I understand they are held here for road work.

Gold Star Honor roll — Jasper County, Ind. GOLD STAR HONOR ROLL JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA A Record of Indiana Men and Women who Died in the Service of the United States and the Allied Nations in the World War. 1914-1918 BIGGS, DEWEY ---Petty Officer, U.S.N. Son of Marion Eugene (deceased) and Clara Biggs; born January 14, 1898, Pike County, Ind. Moved to Jasper County in 1910. Laborer. Entered U.S. Navy May 31, 1918, Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, 1ll.

Sent to Camp Paul Jones Navy Yards, Pa. Overseas in August, 1918. Died of pneumonia October 4, 1918. First Jasper County boy to die in service. Body returned and buried in Weston Cemetery, Rensselaer, Ind. The American Legion Post, Rensselaer, Ind., is named in his honor.

CASTER, EARL WILLIAM ---Private Son of George W. and Martha J. Caster; born December 21, 1895, Milroy Township, Jasper County, Ind. Farmer. Called into service October 2, 1917, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to

Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to Company B, 309th Engineers Corps. Died of pneumonia December 19, 1917, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Crockett Cemetery, Jasper County, Ind. CLAYTON, CLARENCE C. ---Private Son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Clayton (mother deceased); foster son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. LaFevre; born June 14, 1900, near Wheatfield, Jasper County, Ind. Entered service in October, 1917. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky.; assigned to Battery E, 17th Field Artillery. Overseas in December, 1917. Fought

See GOLD, page 42

Page 42 November 2018

Rensselaer Legion Post 98 years old

By HARLEY TOMLINSON harley@rensselaerrepublican.com

While several American Legion posts celebrated 100 years when the calendar fliped to 2018, the Rensselaer’s Legion Post 29 felll just shy at 98 years.

Rensselaer’s post was created in 1920, two years after the end of World War I, and currently maintains a membership of 160 veterans.

According to post commander Jim Malott, the post didn’t doing anything special for the 100th year anni-

Boulder at Flat Iron Park honors WWI vets

versary of the end of World War I, but will likely make plans for the post’s 100th year sometime next year.

“I’m sure we’ll have something,” Malott said of the approaching anniversary of his post. “One hundred years is a long time.”

Malott said Post 29 is at “around 63, 64 percent membership” compared to last year and welcomed six new members in 2018 with two months remaining.

“We have 160 members, but a lot of them are older and live in Texas, Arizona, Florida …,” Malott said. “We don’t have a lot of members who live in Rensselaer.”

In 1927, Rensselaer American Legion Post 29 honored the city’s World War I veterans with a large boulder, which has since found a home at Flat Iron Park on North McKinley Avenue. A marker is fixed on a boulder, which is surrounded by well-kept hedges in front of a tall flag pole flying the U.S. and Indiana State flags. In the very corner of the park is a large World War I military gun, preserved for visitors to appreciate the soldiers of the Great War for the fighting and sacrifice that was made for all the generations that followed. The plaque reads: To honor those who went from Jasper County to serve in The World War. This stone was erected by The American Legion Auxiliary Dewey Biggs Post No. 29 . Dedicated November 11, 1927

Gold, from page 41 at Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, and Belleau Wood. Returned to U.S., and died May 29, 1919, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., following an operation for appendicitis. Buried at Medaryville, Ind. DAVISSON, LONNIE ---Private Son of Amos and Lydia Davisson; born November 1, 1895, near Rensselaer, Ind. Farmer. Entered service January 9, 1918, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.; assigned to Company C, 317th Field Signal Battalion.

Overseas in July, 1918. Participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Died of pneumonia October 8, 1918, in Evacuation Hospital No. 9. Buried at Vanbacourt, Bar-le-Duc, Section M, Grave No. 117, France.

FRITZ, GEORGE ---Private

Son of John (deceased) and Theresa Fritz; born April 22, 1892, Walker Township, Jasper County, Ind. Farmer. Entered service September 6, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to 40th Company, 10th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Died of pneumonia October 14, 1918, in Base Hospital, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Catholic Cemetery, Medaryville, Pulaski County, Ind. GRATNER, GEORGE WELLINGTON ---Private Son of William and Emma Lewis Gratner; born December 14, 1896, near Rensselaer, Ind. Farmer. Called into service September 6, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to 40th Company, 10th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Transferred to 28th Com-

pany, 7th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Died of pneumonia November 20, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried, Rensselaer, Ind. KNOX, JOHN McCONNELL ---Private Son of Thomas A. and Rachael Pierce Knox; born March 21, 1891, Chillicothe, Ohio. Removed to Rensselaer, Ind. in early life. Educated in University of Illinois. Traveling salesman. Enlisted in U.S. Quartermaster Corps December 11, 1917, Chicago, 1ll. Sent to Camp Joseph E. Johnston, Fla. Overseas in June, 1918, with Supply Company 312. Located near Gievres, France, where he died December 5, 1918, of pneumonia. Body returned in November, 1920, and buried in Weston Cemetery, Rensselaer, Ind.

LANHAM, RAYMOND ---Private Son of Benjamin and Margaret Lanham, (deceased); born August 23, 1898, Hamilton County, Ind. Working on a farm in Jasper County, Ind., when he enlisted in Company M, 3rd Infantry, Indiana National Guard (Battery C, 137th Field Artillery) May 30, 1917. Sent to Camp Shelby, Miss. Went overseas in June, 1918. Participated in battles of St. Mihicl, and Argonne Forest. Died of pneumonia October 8, 1918, France.

(Burial place unknown).

McGLYNN, CLARENCE DEWEY ---Private Son of Dominic and Emma McGlynn; born November 8, 1898, Remington, Jasper County, Ind. Carpenter. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army May 10, 1917, Ft.

See STAR, page 43

November 2018 Page 43

County Celebration for the Soldier Boys - July 4, 1919 Provided by The Newton County Historical Society George Ade Hosts Event at Hazelden The crowds began gathering around 10:00 a.m., the observation in the Newton County Enterprise the following week stated: “It looked like every automobile in Indiana and a part of Illinois was parked in and around the grounds. In one field twelve hundred cars were parked within three hours. There were other fields, and the road side was lined on both sides.

Estimates on the size of the ground ranged from 12,000-20,000.

It was impossible, however, to get a very accurate lineup on the grounds. But regardless of the exact numbers, all agreed that it was one of the largest gatherings ever held in the county, and one of the most orderly and best behaved. A big county picnic in every sense of the word.

Friends gathered in little groups under the stately oaks, or en masse watched and participated in the games and entertainments.”

W. O. Schanlaub presided as master of ceremonies during the afternoon program.

Rev. Sicafoos offered prayer, and Warren T. McCray made the address of welcome. Samuel E. Molter then conducted a half hour “sing” and later the awards of the day were made.

The article mentioned that the dancing was especially appealing to the young people in the pavilion and on the lawn, which continued un-

abated throughout the day and night.

The Brook Reporter wrote that “with the exception of a few of the boys who are still in the service and others just returned there were few uniforms seen on the grounds. A happy, contented crowd wandered over the well-kept lawns, admired flower gardens and trees and shrubbery, visited and talked of everything except war. This topic seemed by mutual consent to be tabooed.

The soldiers and sailors quietly slipped out of the game area and enjoyed themselves just as the balance of the crowd, refusing to take a special part in the program. As they seem better satisfied to merge themselves into the general crowd, we are willing that they should enjoy themselves that way.

“The veterans of ’61 took part in the horseshoe contest with Joseph Whiting and Morris Jones of Brook carrying off the honors, beating the Goodland set consisting of Henry Griggs and Ben Davidson.

“Each man in service from Newton County will receive a souvenir stickpin. Special prizes to each war mother with three or more sons in service during the war; Oldest Newton County man in late war; Tallest soldier in late war; Shortest soldier in late war; Newton County soldier most recently married; Oldest Civil War soldier veteran present.”

Note: Winners of the special prizes were never published.

Star, from page 42

Wayne, Ind. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky. Overseas in May, 1918; transferred to 10th Machine Gun Battalion, Headquarters Detachment, 4th Division. Fought at the Marne, Verdun, and in the Argonne Forest. Killed in action October 15, 1918. Buried in Cemetery of Bois-de-Fays, Grave No. 2, France. The American Legion Post, Remington, Ind., named in his honor.

Son of James and Lillian Murray; born November 18, 1895, Jasper County, Ind. Farmer. Entered service August 30, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio; assigned to 31st Company, 8th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. Died of influenza October 9, 1918, Base Hospital, Camp Sherman, Ohio. Buried, Wheatfield, Jasper County, Ind.

MADDOX, CALVIN^McKINLEY ---Private Son of Joseph and Caroline Maddox; born April 5, 1896, Medaryville, Pulaski County, Ind. Farmer. Called into service September 1, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Arsenal Technical School, Indianapolis, for training.

Transferred to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Ind., where he died of pneumonia January 4, 1919. Buried in Medaryville, Pulaski County, Ind.

MYERS, ROY AUSTIN ---Seaman Son of Charles Chester and Melissa Belle Myers (both deceased); born March 8, 1896, Cory, Clay County, Ind. Moved to Jasper County in 1915. Farmer. Enlisted in U.S. Navy, November 21, 1917, South Bend, Ind. Sent to Great Lakes Naval Station, Ill.; then to Brooklyn Navy Yards, N. Y., where he died of pneumonia March 21, 1918. Buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Riley, Vigo County, Ind.

MURRAY, ARTHUR DWIGHT ---Private

SMALL, GEORGE HARVEY ---Corporal

Son of John and Etta Small; born June 27, 1888, Ashland Kan. Moved to Jasper County, Ind. in 1917. Laborer.

Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army June 30, 1917, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky.; later transferred to Syracuse, N. Y. Overseas in September, 1917; assigned to Scout Duty, Battalion Headquarters, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division.

Killed in action October 7, 1918, in Mont Blanc Sector.

Buried near the place where he fell.

STATH, WILLIAM THEODORE ---Private Son of Charles F. and Anna M. Stath; born October 14, 1895, Newton County, Ind. Moved to Jasper County in 1897. Farmer. Called into service September 6, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to 40th Company, 10th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Transferred to Battery D, 69th Field Artillery.

Died of pneumonia October 18, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Weston’s Cemetery, Rensselaer, Ind.

See LIST, page 45

Page 44 November 2018

Morocco American Legion heads into Centennial year

By Cheri Shelhart kvpreporter@gmail.com The William Chizum Post 146 of Morocco, ind., was chartered on Oct. 24, 1919.

The post is named after World War I Army Infantryman William Chizum, who died in France on Aug. 2, 1918, a the age of 23. Chizum was assigned to the 132nd U.S. Infantry 66th Brigade, 33rd Division. The American Legion was born in 1919, after the end of the first World War. According to the Morocco Centennial book, Post 146 began with 28 charter members and included veterans of World War I and World War II in 1951, the 100th anniversary of the Indiana town.

The post met in various businesses until renting a room at the Knights of Pythias building, which still stands in downtown Morocco. After this, the members met in the theater building, the Ira Murphey building, then the Recher building. In 1935, the post members were able to buy their own building on State Street, the main street through town.

The current building was built in 1952 and included the four lane bowling alley, the only operating four lane American Legion owned bowling alley left in the state. The bar area of the post was the area now used to store the rental bowling shoes. The current bar and dining area was built later, in approximately 1958.

According to long-time Legion member, Bob GodFrom the Morocco dard, there were 27 WWI veteran members in 1958.

A memorial marker was erected in memory of Centennial Book, Chizum. Every year, until the marker was moved to 1851-1951: “The sons of Morocco Recher Park, Armistace Day, now Veterans Day, was celebrated at the Murphey cemetery where Chizum were again in distant was buried. A parade would march from downtown army camps. For Morocco to the cemetery. The American Legion firing squad would fire the traditional gun salute over his some there was the journey overseas, and grave according to the History of Beaver Township, Newton County Historical Society. letters came to the The American Legion Auxiliary of the post was home folks from their organized in 1930 with 21 charter members. In 1951, soldiers who had been there were four Gold Star mothers in the organization; at Chateau Thierry, Blanche Augustin, Alma Garmong, Ida Purdy and Belleau Woods or the Myrtle Fleming.

On Oct. 8, Post 146 had its first visit from the Argonne Forest.

American Legion National Commander. With the “Then on Nov. 11, American Legion celebrating its centennial year, the 1918, the church bells new commander, Brett Reistad, along with a continrang. it was Armistice gent of Legion officers from the national and state level Day and the fighting visited the small post as a part of the celebration.

Goddard said, “It is quite an honor to have the nahad ceased. tional commander here for the first time in 99 years.”

“The post-war days Reistad began his 15 month term as the national ushered in an era of commander on Aug. 30. “We are celebrating our prosperity. Business centennial year and this is the time to plot the course for the next 100 years,” he said. He said he is the head boomed and land cheer leader for the 100 year old organization. values rose.”

“We want to promote our history at the local level,” he said.

The first American Legion meeting was held in France, in 1919. The first national meeting was held in Minneapolis, Minn. In August, the American Legion celebrated the start of its 100th year by returning to Minneapolis.

The marker memorializing William Chizum still stands in Recher Park in Morocco. Every year, on Memorial Day, the William Chizum Post 146 holds its memorial observance at the marker, remembering all who have lost their lives in the service of this country from the Revolutionary War through current day. They still march to the park in a small parade to begin the annual ceremony.

(Right) Bob Goddard (seated front) is a long-time member of the William Chizum American Legion Post 146 in Morocco, Ind. At 85, Goddard is the First Vice Commander for the post.

Photo by Cheri Shelhart

(Inset, left) William Chizum

A related photo is on page 47.

American Legion bowling alley The renovated bowling alley is still in use. it is the only four lane bowling alley owned and still in use by an American Legion Post in the state. The bowling alley was built in 1952 by Post 146 members.

Photo by Cheri Shelhart

On November 11 each year, we honor the generations of men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. As we celebrate this Veterans Day, we salute these dedicated Americans for their service, their sacrifices and their contributions to our country. Thank you, veterans, for all you have done and all you continue to do to protect our freedom and our nation.

Bob Burd

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November 2018 Page 45

White County soldiers display heroism during The Great War

By Michael Johnson Kankakee Valley Publishing MONTICELLO, Ind. — White County citizens played a huge role during the latter stages of The Great War. Unfortunately, much information is unavailable — either lost and/or forgotten, but newspaper accounts at the time provide some insight into what we know about some of White County veterans who participated in that war.

According to records from the Monticello Herald, White County raised $2.88 million for the war effort — $2.6 million of which was invested in Liberty Loans, with the rest designated for the Red Cross, War Savings stamps, YMCA, Council of Defense and Knights of Columbus.

White County had 946 official registered soldiers — 29 of whom lost their lives while serving, both statewide and overseas.

Some received military commendations ranging from the Silver Star and the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, while others served small-but-important roles in the giant war machine that was the American Expeditionary Forces.

The following are three stories of White County soldiers who contributed to America’s involvement in the world’s first truly international war.

Walter Levi Baer.

Baer, of Monticello, was a corporal with Company F, 7th Engineers, 5th Division and a Silver Star recipient. According to the Indiana Historical Collection, he saw action at St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.

Military records state, “During the entire period of activity at the front of his organization, this soldier, on duty as motorcycle driver for the battalion commander, displayed unswerving loyalty and exceptional devotion to duty

1914-1918” recipients during World War I include Gen. George S. Patton, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker and Sgt. Alvin C. York.

Taylor formerly owned and operated a monument business in Monticello and Lafayette, and worked as a developer in Monticello. He was also one of the principal owners of the Monticello Outdoor Theater.

He was one of the original members of the White County Memorial Hospital Board and served two terms as a White County commissioner.

Born Aug. 9, 1898, he was the son of John and Ida Coleman Taylor. He died June 16, 1983, at the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette. He lived a majority of his life at 205 S. Main St., Monticello.

Courtesy photos These pieces belonged to White County World War I veteran Clarence Hendershot. At right is the World War I Victory Medal, for his service. Because he and his 309th Engineers did not see action, the clasp is marked “France” for his service in that country. At Clarence D. Hendershot left his Hendershot’s “dog tag.”

Hendershot, of Chalmers, was a wagparticularly marked during the days and nights of Nov. 4, 5, and 6, when he drove almost continuously under fire, leaving his machine and delivering vital messages on foot when necessary, and assisting materially throughout the reconnaissance and construction of the heavy pontoon Bridge at Dun-sur-Meuse.”

Born Sept. 5, 1898, in Monticello, he was the son of Benjamin R. and Lulu M. (Elston) Baer.

Alvin L. Taylor Originally from Warren County, Taylor was a veteran of one of the U.S. Army’s numerous “Aero Squadron” units.

For his service, Taylor earned the “Croix de Guerre 1914-1918” from the French government. The award recognizes French and allied soldiers cited for valorous service during World War I. Other notable Allied “Croix de Guerre

oner with Company E, 309th Engineers, 84th Division — also known as “The Railsplitters,” which was charged with repairing the devastation of the war to expedite troop movements such as surveying, bridge and road repair, constructing buildings, maintaining communication lines, removal of land mines and “booby” traps, digging trenches and constructing shell, gas and splinter-proof shelters, providing clean water and constructing or removing barbed wire.

They also launched gas attacks, built hospitals, barracks, mess halls, stables, target ranges, and repaired miles of train tracks. Their extensive and timeconsuming duties left them little time for rifle practice and drills and they were not relied upon for frontline combat.

In fact, the 309th Engineers never saw front-line combat.

Hendershot, as a wagoner, managed

List, from page 43 STEIN, JOHN ---Private Son of Barnard and Katharine Stein; horn September 5, 1894, Will County, Ill. Moved to Jasper County, Ind. in March, 1896. Farmer. Called into service September 6, 1918, Rensselaer. Sent to Camp

Taylor, Ky.; assigned to Battery E 69th Field Artillery. Died of pneumonia October 16, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Rensselaer, Ind. STEVENSON, WILFRED ---Private Son of Samuel and Anna Reefer Ste-

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venson (both deceased); born November 1, 1895, McGuffey, Ohio. Moved to Jasper County, Ind. in 1899. Farmer. Called into service June 23, 1918. Sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio; assigned to Headquarters Company, 363rd Infantry, 91st Division. Overseas in September, 1918.

Killed in action November 10, 1918, near Waereghem. Buried in American Cemetery No. 1252, Waereghem, West Flanders, Grave No. 158, Hot D. WARFEL, CLARK ---Private Son of John R. and Ella Warfel (deceased); born May 8, 1891, White County, Ind. Moved to Jasper County in 1911.

Laborer. Entered service July 23, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to 5th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Trans-

Clarence D. Hendershot horse-drawn vehicles transporting war materials to the front. The 309th, made up of farm boys from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky, were prime for the job since much of the work involved horses and other beasts of burden.

Hendershot survived the war and returned home to operate a farm and raise a family. He first settled in Wolcott — where he had lived since 1922 — and moved to Chalmers a few months before his death.

He was born in 1896 in Spencer, between Bloomington and Terre Haute. Hendershot passed away April 13, 1967, at the age of 70.

Johnson is editor of the Monticello Herald Journal in Monticello, Ind.

ferred to Camp McClellan, Ala.; assigned to Battery C, 35th Field Artillery. Died of pneumonia October 19, 1918, Camp McClellan. Buried in Rensselaer. Survived by widow, Lulu Warfel (Green) and two children, Willard, and Ruth Warfel.

WHITE, GREGORY ---Private Son of John E. and Elizabeth Halleck White; born February 28, 1891, Fair Oaks, Jasper County, Ind. Garage employee. Entered service July 23, 1918, Rensselaer, Ind. Sent to Camp McClellan, Ala.; assigned to 35th Field Artillery.

Contracted influenza; discharged and sent home, where he died February 12, 1919, from disease contracted while in Camp. Buried, DeMotte, Ind. Survived by widow, Anna White, and one son, Edward White, Whiting, Ind.

Page 46 November 2018

WWI was the dawn of military aviation World War I marked the emergence of military battle aviation, best colored by what became known as the dogfight. As Stephen Sherman wrote on the website Acepilots.com in 2001 and 2013: “They fought in canvas and wood biplanes that could barely fly 100 mph. Men like von Richthofen, Rickenbacker, Bishop, Guynemer, Mannock, Ball, who flew airplanes with names like Spad, Fokker, Albatros, Nieuport, and Sopwith Camel. High above the trenches they fought heroic battles with these primitive weapons.

“When the pilots ventured 10 miles over the enemy lines, that was a notable event. The pilots carried no parachutes. The airplanes were made of wood and canvas; when they caught on fire, it spread quickly, and spelled certain death for the occupants.

“The press and public, desperate for propaganda heroes amongst the waste and useless battles of the trenches, idolized the young heroes.”

One of those German pilots was Karl Fredrick Reck, born in July 1876 in Muggensturm/Rastatt. seen here in his official-uniform photo and another in his pilot gear, which included a leather flying helmet, goggles, scarf, and a leather overcoat. It was cold up there, so the padded helmet and coat were needed.

Reck enlisted in 1898, served as a pilot in the war, was wounded in 1916, and obtained a number of “dependable” and “gut” (good) recommendations as a pilot, as seen in one of the pages from his military passbook. While Reck may have been a commendable pilot, he couldn’t escape falling victim to one of the more common mishaps to those flying those canvan-and-wood biplanes: Ending up nose down and tail up after landing. Here, Reck is seen in one of those common, um, wrecks.

Monticello, from page 33 Post” in honor of the man.

Williams was a native of Reynolds and a graduate of Monticello High School. He was the first soldier from White County to lose his life in World War I. He died in May 1918 and was buried with full military honors in Bunnell Cemetery in Reynolds.

The first national convention of the new national organization was scheduled for Nov. 11, which would be known as “Armistice Day,” in Minneapolis, Minn.

The local American Legion decided to meet in a room in the White County Courthouse until 1954. That’s when they purchased a store building from Opal Carmichael across the Tippecanoe River from the City of Monticello on Washington Street. The Legion remodeled the building into meeting rooms and a bar. It was used for 19 years as the post home until a new building could be constructed. Then it was razed to make room for the parking lot.

Work on the new building began in November 1971 by Church Builders Inc. The original date for completion was supposed to be Memorial Day 1972, but the work could not be completed in time. The members of the building committee were Clyde Sickler, Don Sigman, Gilbert Beaver and Adlai Wolf.

Several members of the Legion helped complete the new home: Irvin McCutchan, Virgil and Ron Seymour, Bill Ware and Mike Norris. Harold and George Dahlenburg and Don See were the workmen who helped in the construction.

The new building was completed early in 1973 and cost about $100,000. The new building was 62-feet wide by 102-feet long and contained 6,000 square feet of space on the main floor. The upstairs featured a large ballroom, dining room, large kitchen with a walk-in cooler, two restrooms, bar room and a TV room. The basement had about 3,000 square feet of space, featuring an office, meeting rooms, a Boy Scout room, recreation room, utility room, and storage.

The grand opening and dedication of the new home for the American Legion was May 5, 1973. The Legion was given a U.S. flag on behalf of Indiana Sen. Birch Bayh to fly at the post. A memorial torch was also lit.

The American Legion originally was an organization that was exclusive to World War 1 veterans, and in 1942 the charter was amended to allow for World War II veterans to join. As foreign military wars have occurred, those veterans were able to join as well.

In addition to providing guidance to the survivors of war, the American Legion serves to teach historical perspective and Americanism to youth. Programs such as Boys’ State and Boys’ Nation are organizations developed by the American Legion, while the American Legion Auxiliary has the administration of Girls’ State and Girls’ Nation.

Courtesy photo American Legion Post 81 is now located at 405 E. Washington St. in Monticello.

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November 2018 Page 47

OLD BLOOD: Legion works to attract younger vets

By James D. Wolf Jr. EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in the KV Post-News in August 2017.

Last May, the electronic sign outside DeMotte’s American Legion Post 440 flashed an ominous message: “Building for sale due to low membership. Inquire within.”

The quite-new building wasn’t for sale, of course. It was a clever way to recruit new membership.

Still, the sign was an indication of the difficulty many legion posts nationwide are facing in attracting new members.

Nationally, the organization has seen its membership slump to 2.4 million, down from 3.1 million 20 years ago.

As veterans of the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam — most in their 70s and 80s — begin to fade away, legion posts are grappling with ways to bolster membership in order to simply survive.

So far, it’s been a tough slog.

Patrick Donnelly understands how hard it is for younger veterans to commit to a group like The American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

There are children to raise, the demands of jobs and other things that those veterans of the Middle East wars have to contend with, said Donnelly, the Adjutant for American Legion Post 440 in DeMotte and the Jasper County Veteran Service Officer.

A veteran of Vietnam, he felt that way himself years ago, but found the value of keeping the Legion’s programs running for other veterans.

Without the veterans of Desert Storm and Afghanistan, ranks are thinning, he said.

His post, Rensselaer’s American Legion Post 29, and Wheatfield’s American Legion Post 406 are able to carry on, “but the Vietnam guys, we’re all getting up in years,” Donnelly said.

He thinks the stereotype of American Legion posts being smoky bars where members drink cheaply and tell war stories keep some younger vets away, and some posts are like that, he said.

However, the Jasper County posts have been becoming more family-oriented, par-

Thank you to all who have Served our Country!

tially to appeal more to younger vets.

But to continue with that trend, the posts need more younger members — both male and female veterans — to show and tell what they want.

The established members want to keep the posts relevant and thriving, but “they need new ideas,” Donnelly said.

There are also programs and traditions that veterans should want to continue and probably would, if they knew about them.

When a veteran becomes wheelchair-bound, Legion members will donate time and possibly materials to build a ramp at their home, Donnely said. The Legion also helps veterans who need assistance with utility and other bills, and it gives scholarships to graduating high school seniors, he said.

The American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion also serve the community with the a contest for younger kids’ essays on the American flag, where winners could participate nationally and win scholarships.

Some programs have disappeared, though.

Legion baseball, which used to be a major thing in Jasper County, disappeared because no one took responsibility for the teams, Donnelly said.

Even if younger vets can’t make a major commitment to the Legion programs, dues and occasional help would keep programs going. “They would participate when they can,” he said.

The Legion relies a lot on word of mouth to recruit, although they’re increasing public events to help, Donnelly said.

A year ago, members from all the county posts and the Rensselaer VFW Post 1279 gathered in their uniforms to take a photo in front of the county courthouse.

This year, Legion members plan to have a booth at the Touch of Dutch Festival, and the Jasper County Veterans Council is working on getting the traveling Vietnam wall in Rensselaer for Memorial Day. Donnelly also acknowledged that younger vets might not be joining veteran organizations because of a more mobile society.

The more-mobile society may also affect whether younger veterans join, he said.

Many move from their hometowns, where they’re more likely to join the organizations they grew up with.

He meets some veterans moving into Jasper County when they come to his office to get access to a veterans’ clinic or to file for disability benefits, and when Donnelly meets them, he suggests they join.

However, there’s no way to know if there are other vets moving in.

“Right now, that’s one of the best vehicles we have to identify veterans that are moving into the area,” he said.

Contributing: Scott Buckner, KV Post-News City Editor

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Photo by Cheri Shelhart (Above) National Commander Brett P. Reistad, Morocco Commander David Hoaks and Indiana State Commander Rodney Strong greet each other after the many speeches given at the beginning of the 100th year of the American Legion and the Morocco American Legion William Chizum Post 146.

A related story and photo are on page 44.

Page 48 November 2018

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