Franklin County, Illinois - The whole text, 1920 (part 1 of 8)

Room

Containing a Brief Review of the World War - Complete History of Franklin County's Activities - Photographs and Service Records of Franklin County's Soldiers, Sailors and Marines - Industrial and Biographical Review of Business and Professional Firms Who Have Made This History Possible.

University Of Illinois

GEORGE WASHINGTON - Born February 22nd. 1732. The "Father of His Country" and the standard' bearer of the American Colonies in their birth struggle for freedom against the tyranny of the Hanoverian king. George III of England, and the first President of the new republic (1789-1797). It was Richard Henry Lee. of Virginia, who apotheosized him as "First in war. first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen," a place which will never be usurped by any other so long as the nation which his far-sighted wisdom, unswerving faith and superb generalship were instrumental in founding, remains true to the principles which he laid down for its guidance.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN - Born February 12th, 1809. President of the United States throughout the most critical period of the nation's history, and the one chiefly responsible for it remaining "One and indivisible, now and forever." Big-hearted and with a knowledge of human nature which a lifetime of ordinary diplomatic training could not give, he was the savior of the United States during the dark days of the Civil War. His emancipation of the Southern slaves was a blessing in disguise to the owners, as it prevented the monopoly of that great section of the country by a few wealthy cotton planters, and forced the development of its great resources. His death at the hand of a fanatical assassin April 14, 1865, was a calamity to North and South alike.

WOODROW WILSON - Born December 28th. 1856. The world gives to this American President a higher meed of credit for the ending of the Great War than to any other single individual, for it was his now famous "Fourteen Points." as set forth in January, 1918. and their later modifications, that the German Chancellor asked to be taken as a basis for international peace. Although he not only strove to preserve this country's neutrality during the earlier years of the war, but even initiated several attempts to bring about a reconciliation of the European belligerents, when it became evident that the United States could no longer hold aloof with honor, he cast aside the pen for the sword, and prosecuted the war with fervor. His ideal is an International League as a basis for the future peace of the world.

GENERAL JOHN JOSEPH PERSHING - Born September 13th. I860. A West Pointer, and head of the Southern Department of the United States Army up to the date of this country's entry into the war. and following the death of General Funston. Was in command of the American troops during the expedition into Mexico. Went to the Philippines in 1899, where he saw years of efficient service, and is today regarded as the greatest living authoritv on the Moros. It was while in Mexico, in 1915. that the great tragedy of his life occurred, when his wife and three little daughters were burned to death in their home at the Presidio. San Francisco. His work in France, as head of the American Expeditionary Forces, is a glorious page in the nation's history.

FIELD MARSHAL FERDINAND FCCH - Born August 4th, 1851. The present war is not the first in which the Generalissimo of the United States and Allied armies saw a clash between German and French troops. At the age of twenty he witnessed the horrors of the Siege of Paris, and that same year (1871) entered the great French military academy. Forty-three years later, he played the greatest part of any general under Joffre in driving back the German offensive against Paris in 1914. And after the Battle of the Marne it was Joffre who declared him to be "the first strategist of Europe." He was made Generalissimo of all the forces operating against the Central Powers in March. 1918, and although suffering reverses for a time, his policy of a continued smashing offensive brought a complete and sweeping victory.

FIELD MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG - Born June 19. 1861. Known as the "Silent Haig," because of his habit of saying but little in councils of war, but of listening attentively to all suggestions, and invariably selecting the best advice. Before being called to assume command of all the British forces in the war just closed, Haig had seen much active service in India, Egypt and the Sudan. On December 15, 1915, he succeeded Field Marshal French as head of the British armies, and under him the British army, referred to by the German Kaiser as "contemptible," soon became as powerful a force in curbing the Teuton bloodlust as the great British navy.

GENERAL ARMANDO DIAZ - Born in Naples in 1861, the "Savior of Venice." is thoroughly Italian, although his name has caused many to think him a native of Spain, from which land his forefathers came three generations back. He took command of Italy's shattered forces in November of 1917. after their rout by the Austrians the preceding month, due to the alleged treachery of General Cadorna. The beautiful Queen of the Adriatic was almost within the grasp of the invaders, when Diaz by his superb generalship plucked victory from defeat, and began a counter-offensive which swept back the Austrians across the Piave, finally compelling them to sue for peace on Italy's own terms.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT - Born October 27th, 1858. Elected to the Vice-Presidency, he succeeded to the office of Chief Executive on the death of William McKinley, September 14, 1901, and was elected President in 1904 by the largest majority ever given to any candidate for that great office. Clear-thinking, aggressive and fearless, he was a man of letters as well as a man of action, and as contributing editor to a well-known magazine, often attacked President Wilson's policies during the war just ciosed. During the Spanish-American War he organized a troop of cavalry known as the "Rough Riders," which saw hard service in Cuba; and offered to raise and lead in person a division for service in the European War, but his offer was not accepted. His death occurred suddenly January 6, 1919. The Nation lost the most commanding, the most original, the most interesting and the most brilliant personality in American public life since Lincoln.

MAJOR LEONARD WOOD - Born, Winchester, N. H.. October 9, 1860; appointed assistant army surgeon January 5, 1886; Captain assistant surgeon, January 5, 1891 ; volunteered with Roosevelt in the "Rough Riders" at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War as Colonel First U. S. Volunteer Cavalry, and was made major-general, December 7, 1898; awarded Congressional Medal of Honor, March 29, 1898; Military Governor of Cuba and later Governor of Moro Province, Philippine Islands. During the World War was appointed Commander Eighty-ninth Division, N. A., Camp Funston, Kans. Has been acclaimed the greatest military genius in the U. S. Army, but was retained in the United States presumably on account of his ability to train crack divisions, other conditions would indicate "political reasons."

ADMIRAL WILLIAM S. SIMS - Born October 15th, 1858. The first American officer to have a command abroad in the Great War. His high rank at the outbreak of the struggle was due to his excellent work in developing the gunnery of American seamen, which caused President Roosevelt to give him command of a battleship over the heads of many others then outranking him. Fearless in criticism of naval abuses, he caused many of them to be rectified. His work in directing the operation of the fleet of American destroyers did wonders in keeping in subjection the menace of the German submarines, and is responsible for the fact that 3,000,000 American soldiers were carried in France with so little loss.

ALBERT, KING OF THE BELGIANS - Born April 8th, 1875. A heroic leader of a heroic nation. When Germany, treacherously aiming to strike a death blow at France by pouring her armies over the border through Belgium, whose neutrality she had joined in guaranteeing, she insolently demanded that Belgium afford free passage to her troops. Albert's reply to the Teuton envoy was characteristic: "Belgium is a nation, not a road!" And although overwhelmed by the German onrush, all of her land but a few square miles a prey for four years to the invaders, the dauntless spirit of King Albert held together his army of Belgian heroes, who having saved France, have lived to return to their homes in triumph.

KING GEORGE V OF GREAT BRITAIN - Born June 3rd, 1865. A naval officer up to the time of his accession to the throne May 6, 1910, George V is known as England's "Sea King," and it is not to be expected that he will be disposed to yield much at the Peace Conference as regards a diminution in the strength and privileges of the British Navy. He is a thoroughly democratic sovereign, and has played a worthy part in the prosecution of the war, although the peculiarities of the English form of government did not permit of his taking the field in person, like the rules of Belgium and Italy.

RAYMOND POINCARE - Born August 20th, 1860. After a lifetime of productive labor for his country, during which he had served as Minister both of Finance and of Agriculture, M. Poincare was elected President of the French Republic, taking his seat February 18, 1913. The beginning of the Great War was only eighteen months away; but without foreseeing it, he immediately set to work on the general principles of sound policy, and did much to strengthen the relations and alliances of France with other powers. With the nation actually at war he was quick to see the necessity for unity of thought and action and formed a coalition cabinet of statesmen of all political parties. His selection of "the old tiger," Georges Clemenceau, as Premier, had much to do with keeping France's armies in the field after her foes believed her "bled white '.

VICTOR EMMANUEL III - Born November I 1 th, 1869. His wife, Queen Helena, a Montenegrin princess, the sympathies of Italy's King were easily enlisted in the plight of the little Balkan kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegro when they were overrun by the Teuton hordes. But his was a difficult role, for Italy was nominally in alliance with both Germany and Austria. It was, however, one of defense only, and Italy refused to become, like Austria, a cat's paw for the German Kaiser's overweening ambition. Besides, Austria had long held lands which the Italians believed rightfully to belong to their country. Italy therefore joined the Allies, and Victor Emmanuel, like Albert of Belgium, fought with his troops, and with them shares a well-earned victory.

FRANK O. LOWDEN, Oregon, Illinois, Governor (Rep.), was born in Sunrise, Minn., January 26, 1861 ; moved to Hardin County, Iowa, in 1868, and taught school there for five years, beginning in his fifteenth year. He was graduated from the Iowa State University in 1885, from the Union College of Law (now Northwestern) in 1887, being valedictorian of his class in each institution. For several years he was president of the Alumni Association and trustee cf the Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Knox College, Galesburg. He was law clerk in the office cf Dexter, Herrick & Allen, Chicago, and in 1898 he formed the partnership of Lowden, Estabrook & Davis. His law practice was extensive and varied and he was regarded as a most successful trial lawyer. He occupied tne chair of Federal Jurisprudence in the Northwestern Law School. Lowden Hall was named after him for his services there. He purchased Hemenway Farm, now Sinnissippi Farm, on Rock River near Oregon, in 1900. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor at the famous deadlock convention in 1904 and was defeated on the seventy-ninth ballot, Charles S. Deneen being nominated. He served as Republican National Committeeman for Illinois and member of the executive body of the National Committee from 1904 to 1912 and was a member of Congress from the Thirteenth District from 1906 to 1911 when he retired on account of ill health. He was nominated for Governor on the Republican ticket in 1916 with a large plurality and elected by an overwhelming majority. He was married to Miss Florence Pullman, daughter of George M. Pullman, April 29, 1896. They have four children, one son and three daughters.

ILLINOIS sent 351.153 soldiers into the Federal service c'uiirg tho Great War. From the summoning cf the National Guard to Camp Lcwcen in Springfield, until the discharge of the Marines in August, 1919. it was my privilege as Governor of Illinois to see the flower of the State in training camp, marching with fearless eye to the transports, and returning from overseas. There was never any doubt in my mind of the record these men would make. They had a proud heritage to inspire them in their European service. Goirg from the State that produced Lincoln and the matchless soldiers. Grant and Logan, we could not expect them to do other than bring back our banners unsullied and untarnished. We followed our soldiers in all the arduous months in which they were away from us. We followed them with love and pride. We are familiar with the great battles in which they were engaged. We know something of Hamel; we know how Illinois men were among the first there to make all the world know what the American soldier was and what he could do. We know something of the Mort Homme sector; we remember the Bois de Forges. We recall the trying days in the Argonne. Those names will be treasured forever in the history of

Illinois and the history of the United States. We have not forgotten the comrades who will come back no more. The memories of those brave men who fell upon the greatest battlefields of history will be tenderly cherished in the heart of Illinois and in the heart of our common country. For the living, our gratitude, our love ; for these silent comrades, our gratitude, our pride, our tears.

Those who spent months in camps in the United States and had none of the excitement and dangers of battle, but who nevertheless served their country to the best of their ability, are entitled to praise and gratitude. Home is Illinois, - America, - the best country in the world. It has always been worth fighting for. The men now sleeping on foreign battlefields have proven that it is worth dying for.

Now that war is over, a new task awaits. It is the preservation of the liberties for which the young men of America risked their lives. It is the resumption of peaceful relations. Great problems lie ahead and these soldiers must aid in their solution. I am sure that they will not fail in the future any more than they did in the past when they were called upon to risk all.

John A. Logan of Jackson county, Illinois, was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District of Illinois in 1853. Honorable William K.. Parish was, at that time. Judge of the Circuit Court of that District and resided at Benton, Franklin county. Soon after Mr. Logan's election, he removed to Benton to be near the Judge. They were devoted friends, and travelled the circuit every spring and fall in a buggy drawn by Mr. Logan's golden sorrel horse, "Charlie." Shawneetown, Gallatin county, was one of the places for holding terms of Court, hence Judge Parish and Prosecuting Attorney John A. Logan journeyed twice annually to Shawneetown to spend a week or ten days, and sometimes two weeks, in trying the cases on the "docket" at Shawneetown.

My father, Captain J. M. Cunningham, was then Register of the United States Land Office at Shawneetown. He had commanded Company B, First Illinois Infantry Volunteers in the Mexican War. Attorney Logan was a First Lieutenant in Company H of the same Regiment, and an intimate friendship was soon formed between Captain Cunningham and Lieutenant Logan which continued throughout their service, notwithstanding the disparagement between the ages of the two men. The rugged rocky mountains and arid alkali plains had no terrors for either; the daring of each made them kindred spirits. So when the Court convened in, Shawneetown, they were delighted to meet again, father insisting Lieutenant Logan must be his guest during the spring term of the Court.

located near Morganfield, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from our home at Shawneetown, from which I graduated June, 1855. In September, the Court was again in session and Judge Parish and Prosecuting Attorney Logan appeared for the biannual term of the Court. Naturally Lieutenant Logan came to call on my father and mother and we met for the first time.

November 27th, 1855, we were married by Honorable W. K. Parish, who came with Mr. Logan to Shawneetown to perform the ceremony. The late Judge Monroe C. Crawford, then a promising attorney, also of Benton, accompanied them. We were married at high noon in the home of my parents, and after a sumptuous breakfast, we set out for Benton. In those days there were few overland conveyances available. Two-seated buggies drawn by one or two horses were the favorite vehicles in which one could travel from one town to another. Therefore Judge Parish and Mr. Crawford were in one buggy, Mr. Logan and myself in another driving his well-known horse, "Charlie." The animal seemed to realize the importance of the occasion to his master, holding his head high and stepping proudly. We stopped en route for the night at Equality. At noon, the 28th of November, we reached Benton to be domiciled in Judge Parish's unusually pretentious and delightful home until we could secure one for ourselves. From the moment of our arrival, my husband's numerous friends came to extend congratulations and a sincere and hearty welcome to Franklin county. We were soon ensconsed in our home; Mr. Levi Browning having lost his wife was glad to have us occupy his cozy cottage situated on West Main street, opposite the residence of his brother. Judge William Browning. It was not long before we were among the burden bearers of the community. Mr. Logan knew everyone and was expected to continue to take part in the activities of the people which was to make Franklin countv one of the most progressive in Southern Illinois. Notwithstanding her population at that time was small compared to counties north of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, among the prominent citizens of Benton were Honorable Samuel K. Casey. Honorable W. K. Parish. Colonel T. B. Cantrell. Major Wm. Mooneyham (one of the few survivors of that noble galaxy) the Ward Brothers. Honorable Walter S. Aikin. William H. Fountain, the Elstuns, the Jackson Brothers. Dr. Reynolds. Captain Dillon. Colonel Dollins. the Moores of which family Captain Carroll Moore is a worthy descendant. Aunt Betsy Rogers. Mrs. Penny. Mrs. Dudley, and many, many others. In the country were such men as Reverend Moses Neal and his sons; Father McCrearv and his estimable family; Mr. Marvel, the Crawfords and a host of other splendid citizens who followed their various vocations with intelligence, untiring energy and unwavering loyalty to their country.

The majority of the people were religiously inclined. There were churches in different parts of the county which were all well supported, the camp meetings being a notable feature of worship. Their politics were partisan and next to their religion in sacredness. founded as they were upon their construction of the principles which underlie the Republican form of government and the constitution of the United States. A majority of the inhabitants were descendants of the Colonial states, proslavery in sentiment and naturally members of the Democratic party until 1860; when it became evident that the Democratic party was fostering a severance of the Union and secession of the Southern States.

Almost without exception the people of Franklin county arrayed themselves solidly for the Union, and her sons were among the very first to enlist for the defense of the Union. Albeit, their ancestors were south of the Mason and Dixon line and enthusiastic secessionists. The Honor Roll of Officers. Soldiers and Sailors of the Army and the Navy of Franklin county is second to none in the State of a like population. Very few of the inhabitants of Franklin county were descendants of New England families or Puritan stock; it was, therefore, greater evidence of their inborn patriotism that they were ready to respond to the first call of Mr. Lincoln for the defense of the Union.

Events transpired rapidly after the inauguration of Lincoln, and my husband who had been re-elected to Congress in I860, was in Washington for the first session of Congress and voted for the men and measures to carry out Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men to put down the rebellion. He did not get home on that account until weeks after the 4th of March. When he came he was interested in raising a Regiment of Infantry for the Union Army. As soon as Mr. Logan reached home, a great crowd greeted him, impatient to know what he was going to do. Standing in a wagon drawn to the center of the public square of Marion, he told them of his intentions, telling them the action of the secessionists was treason against the government. He pictured the consequences of secession to this great Republic. Without scarcely a dissenting voice, they cheered him to the echo and volunteered to follow where he would lead. The days immediately succeeding Mr. Logan's speech were memorable ones to me - not the least painful. Among them was a nasty trip of Mr. Logan and myself in a buggy behind old "Charlie" to Benton to order the dismantling of our treasured home and a tearful farewell to our beloved friends in Benton and the hundreds from the surrounding country who came to say good-bye to us and to bid us God speed in the troublesome times upon which we were all embarking. Brave men and women with tears streaming down their cheeks forgetting their own forebodings of great sorrows clasped our hands saying "God bless and keep you both till we meet again." The occasion was doubly sad for us as Judge W. K. Parish had died suddenly not long before, and we felt his death was not only a loss to us but to his country. Many of the men promised to join Mr. Logan very soon, and go with him wherever he went. We had lived across the street from Colonel and Mrs. Cantrell and they insisted we should stay with them while in Benton. The day we left Benton. Mrs. Cantrell had provided a splendid repast for a noon dinner as was the custom in those days - a number of friends were asked to remain for dinner - the emotions of the forenoon and a realization of the gathering storm through which the nation must pass robbed everyone of an appetite even for the delicious viands set before them. After going through the mockery of dining, we prepared to return to Marion. We had spent five happy years of our lives with the truest and best of unselfish people and if there were any among them who were not our friends, we were in ignorance of their existence. Our first-born children came to us in a rose covered cottage which was our home there. "Auntv" Fountain and her family; Aunty Rogers. Mrs. Cantrell. Mrs. Parish, Mrs. Browning and her daughters; Mrs. Reynolds and many other neighbors performed for us the arduous service now discharged by trained nurses in cases of illness. Were they not people of true nobility of mind and heart, and can I ever forget them or cease to revere their memories? It is to be hoped that their descendants have emulated their matchless characters.

We were privileged but once subsequently to visit Benton together. During the campaign of Lincoln and McClellan in 1864 - after the fall of Atlanta, General Logan canvassed the state for Mr. Lincoln. In response to an urgent invitation he made a memorable speech in Benton receiving such an ovation from our old friends as few men have had given them. Many of them had brothers, husbands and sons who had followed the flag from Cairo to the capitulation of Atlanta under General Logan's command.

The message he brought of the dauntless heroism of the sons of Franklin county thrilled the vast crowd with such pride that they shouted themselves hoarse applauding the leader and the men who dared to go where he led them.

Space forbids what I should like to write of the good times we had at the "County Fairs," "Court Week," and other social occasions. Like all generations we had our diversions and times when we laid aside dull care and were made better by reasonable indulgence in amusements.

THE Franklin County War History Society was organized in October. 1919, for the purpose of compiling a history of the county's achievements in the different wars in which Illinois took a conspicuous part.

This society was organized with the idea of producing a history of which the citizens would be proud for many generations. The patriotic citizens who make up the personnel of the society did the work assigned them and did it well, serving

The nature of the work required the services of an expert compiler and publicity man, and Mr. S. S. Baird, who had just finished the history of Williamson county, was secured to direct the work, and was elected as secretary and manager. Mr. Baird was the only member of the society who received financial compensation from the society.

Exemption

ON November I I , ' 18, Civilization, warweary but triumphant, planted the banner of Freedom over the prostrate wreck of Autocratic Militarism. For on that date the most stupendous, the costliest and the bloodiest war in the history of tne world came to an end in the French village of Senlis with the signing by five German envoys of an armistice, the terms of which were set by the French Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Generalissimo of the armies of the United States and the Allied Powers of France, Great Britian, Italy, Belgium and the smaller nations having armed forces in the field against the Teuton craze for world domination. It was the close of the most terrible war the world has ever known, for Terror and Frightfulness were the watchwords of the German hordes from the day (July 29, 1914) when they swept across the Belgian border to attack France from a quarter which Germany herself had joined in solemnly declaring should be inviolate, all through the four and a quarter years of uninterrupted slaughter and rapine, pillage and brigandage. "Make yourselves as terrible as the hordes of Attila the Hun," said the German Kaiser to his troops, and as "Huns" they became universally known and execrated. At the outset of the war, the two Teuton empires, Germany and Austria, faced only two other great European powers, Russia and France, together with the little kingdom of Serbia. But the rape of Belgium brought Great Britain into line against them, as well as Italy in less than a year. The powerful British navy rendered helpless the German surface warcraft, but the German submarines could not so easily be held in check. It was their ruthless and treacherous manner of preying upon belligerent and neutral shipping alike which contributed largely to Germany's undoing. For the torpedoing by them of the great transatlantic liner "Lusitania" off the coast of Ireland on May 7, 1915, sent such a wave of indignation sweeping over the world, that even in this country neutrality became little more than a mere diplomatic phrase.

Outrage followed upon outrage, in spite of lying promises, broken as soon as made, until in April of 1917 the United States threw itself and its vast resources whole-heartedly into the war, and Germany was doomed. Russia, honeycombed with graft, her whole political system poisoned with a combination of autocracy, ignorance and anarchy, had practically collapsed a year previous before the onrush of Von Hindenberg. Serbia deserted by all of its Balkan allies except Roumania, had been crushed under the heel of Von Mackensen. Bulgaria and Turkey had allied themselves with the Teutonic forces, and Greece would have done so but for the staying hands of Great Britain and France. The collapse of Russia, which became an actuality with the downfall of the Czar's regime and the abject treaty of Brest-Litovsk, signed with Germany by the Bolsheviki March 3, 1918, threw a heavy burden on American shoulders; but by this time this country was well on its way to an effective war footing. Huge sums had been raised through four voluntary Liberty Loans, the combined subscriptions to which totalled $16,000,000,000; millions of the finest of its youth had been hastily drilled in camps and cantonments in this country and abroad, and by the aid of British transports a vast army had been assembled in Europe, under the leadership of Major-General John J. Pershing. At last they were ready to strike. But not before they were sorely needed. The Germans had started a tremendous offensive in March, 1918, an offensive which seemed irresistible. The forces of Field Marshal Haig, the commander-in-chief of the British forces, and of General Petain, the head of those of France, were slowly but surely being pushed back under the sheer weight of German divisions released from the Eastern front. Never had matters looked so black for the Allies. On May 27 their line had been broken between Soissons and Rheims. The situation was desperate. And then, the very next day, masses of youngsters in olive drab seemed to rise out of the earth. They marched, singing gaily, to the spot where the deadly hail was thickest, beat to pieces the flower of Prussia's troops - and "Cantigny" was written on America's battle-flags. But still the steam roller went on. Paris was threatened more nearly than ever since those dark days in the fall of 1914 when Von Kluck's army was thrust back from its very gates.

At Chateau Thierry, on June 6, the French commander ground his teeth as he prepared to move back still further his hospital and supply base - if the deadly German fire permitted even that. But they came in time - the "Yankees"! Division after division of them. With bayonets fixed they plunged across No Man's Land, straight through a perfect hell of machine-gun fire, shrapnel and high explosives, and simply annihilated the guns and gunners. They were a devastating whirlwind, and they stopped the German drive and saved Paris. They did far more than that ; they saved Europe and they saved Civilization, for when, on July 18, Marshal Foch began his great counter-offensive, it was to the First American Army tnat he delegated the all-important task of wiping out the St. Mihiel salient, the great bulging advance of the Germans since March.

On September 12 the Americans did it, taking 15,000 prisoners and shortening the battle line by a score of miles. It was the beginning of the end. Germany had staked her all on a last desperate drive - and it had failed. Events of supreme importance became daily occurrences. Bulgaria was the first to surrender. She was soon followed by Turkey, whose armies in Syria had been decisively beaten by the British under General Allenby. The Italians, under General Diaz, recovered by force of arms all that they had lost the preceding October through the alleged treachery of General Cadorna; and Austria ceased to be a factor in the war. Beset by revolution at home and the consistently victorious advance of the Americans and Allies at the front, Germany begged President Wilson to use his endeavors to secure an armistice "on land, on sea and in the air." The proposal was referred to Marshal Foch, and four days after the Americans had captured the historic city of Sedan, where Germany had taken prisoner the Emperor of the French forty-seven years ago, the empire of Bismarck and Von Moltke, which then had its birth, came to an inglorious end. For the signing of the armistice at Senlis was immediately followed by the abdication and flight to Holland of the German Kaiser, and a state of socialistic anarchy throughout Germany. The pagan "superman" German doctrine that might makes right had been shattered, and in the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln, "government of the people, by the people and for the people" had not been permitted to perish from the earth.

Aug. 2 - German troops enter France at Cirey; Russian troops enter Germany at Schwidden; German army enters Luxemburg over protest and Germany asks Belgium for free passage of her troops.

Aug. 4 - France declares war on Germany; Germany declares war on Belgium; Great Britian sends Belgium neutrality ultimatum to Germany; British army mobilized and state of war between Great Britain and Germany is declared. President Wilson issues neutrality proclamation.

Aug. 15 - Japan sends ultimatum to Geimeny to withdraw from Japanese and Chinese waters and evacuate Kiaochow; Russia offers autonomy to Poland.

Dec. 16 - German cruisers bombard Scarborough. Hartlepool, and Whitby, on English coast, killing fifty or more persons; Austrians said to have lost upwards of 100,000 men in Serbian defeat.

Feb. 22 - German war office announces capture of 100.000 Russian prisoners in engagements in Mazurian lake region; American steamer Carib sunk by mine in North sea.

May 7 - Liner Lusitania torpedoed and sunk by German submarine off the coast of Ireland with the loss of more than 1 ,000 lives. 102 Americans.

Sept. 9 - Germans make air raid on London, killing twenty persons and wounding 100 others; United States asks Austria to recall Ambassador Dumba.

Sept. 25-30 - Battle of Champagne, resulting in great advance for allied armies and causing Kaiser Wilhelm to rush to the west front; German counter attacks repulsed.

Oct. 5 - Russia and Bulgaria sever diplomatic relations; Russian, French, British, Italian, and Serbian diplomatic representatives ask for passports in Sofia.

Dec. 12 - Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg announces in reichstag that Germany will propose peace; new cabinet in France under Aristide Briand as premier, and Gen. Robert Georges Nivelle given chief of command of French army.

Feb. 3 - President Wilson reviews submarine controversy before congress; United States severs diplomatic relations with Germany; American steamer Housatonic sunk without warning.

Feb. 12 - United States refuses German request to discuss matters of difference unless Germany withdraws unrestricted submarine warfare order.

April 2 - President Wilson asks congress to declare that acts of Germany constitute a state of war; submarine sinks American steamer Aztec without warning.

July 14 - Aircraft appropriation bill of $640,000,000 passes house; Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg's resignation forced by German political crisis.

July 19 - New German Chancellor Michaelis declares Germany will not war for conquest; radicals and Catholic party ask peace without forced acquisitions of territory.

Feb. II - President Wilson, in address to congress, gives four additional peace principles, including self-determination of nations; Bolsheviki declare war with Germany over, but refuse to sign peace treaty.

Feb. 25 - Germans take Reval, Russian naval base, and Pskov; Chancellor von Hertling agrees "in principle" with President Wilson's peace principles, in address to reichstag.

Unty, Ill. War

Dardanelles forts, bombardment - Feb. 19, 1915. Dogger bank British naval victory - Jan. 24, 1915. Douaumont fort, captured by Germans - Feb. 26,

Fiorina taken by Serbs - August 18, 1916. Fresnoy captured by Canadians - May 3, 1917. Gallipoli, allies land at - April 22, 1915; evacuated by British, January 9, 1916. Gaza, battle of - March 26-27, 1917. Geudecourt captured by British - Sept. 26, 1916. Gheluvelt, battle of - October 31, 1914. Ghent captured by Germans - October 12, 1914. Givenchy, battle of - December 19-21, 1914. Goritz captured by Italians - August 9, 1916; recaptured by Austro-Germans, October 28, 1917. Grandcourt captured by British - February 7, 1917. Guillemont captured by allies - September 3, 1916. Helgoland, naval battle of - August 28, 1914. Hermannstadt, battle of - September 30, 1916. Hill 70 (near Lens) captured - August 15, 1917. Hindenburg retreat began - March II, 1917. Hooge, battle of - August 3-9, 1915. Huloch, battle of - September 25 - October 2, 1915. Jaffa captured by British - November 18, 1917. Jericho captured - February 21, 1918. Jerusalem captured by British - December 9, 1917. Jutland, naval battle of (Skager-Rak) - May 31, 1916.

Vimy ridge captured by Canadians - April 9, 1917- Warsaw captured by Germans - Aug. 4, 1915. Wytschaete captured by British - June 7, 1917. Ypres, first battle of - October 20-31. 1914; second

Men Killed In The Great War

ON the 23rd day of May, A. D. 1917, a small group of citizens of Benton met and signed a petition asking for the authority to form a Red Cross Chapter for Franklin county. The petitioners were Rev. J. L. Meads, Prof. Ralph Jackson, G. C. Cantrell, Dr. G. C. Buntin, S. C. D. Rea, Judge W. H. Hart, Miss Vastis Seymour, Dr. D. T. Woodard, J. L. Ohle and Mrs. Clyde Heasley. Rev. J. L. Meads was made temporary chairman, and Mrs. W. H. Hart, secretary.

The petition referred to above was accepted, and on the 9th day of June, 1917, the secretary received the necessary authority to begin the organization; accordingly a meeting was held in the First Baptist church on Sunday afternoon, July 19, 1917, to further explain the plans of the work of the American Red Cross. After considerable discussion it was moved and seconded that they form a Chapter according to the requirements provided by the National headquarters at Washington, D. C. This particular meeting then adjourned and met again in the Elks Hall, July 24, 1917, for the purpose of electing permanent officers. At this meeting twelve directors were chosen, together with the following officers - Directors: R. R. Ward, Moses Pulverman, N. S. Helm, G. C. Cantrell, J. E. Jones, Judge W. F. Dillon, Virgil Center, Mrs. Clyde Heasley, Mrs. Harry Stotlar, Mrs. J. L. Browning, A. S. Cleveland and Ed. Bottomley; Officers: Chairman, F. H. Stamper; Vice-chairman, S. C. D. Rea; Secretary, Mrs. W. H. Hart, and Treasurer, G. C. Cantrell. Committees were also appointed to lead in the various lines of activities in which the organization would be expected to engage.

First a committee was appointed to take care of the financial work, composed of the following: Dr. L. W. Brand, Carl Burkhart, Will Rogers, Mrs. A. E. Martin, Mrs. Harry Stotlar, Mrs. W. H. Alvis and Mrs. Harry Moore.

Committee on supplies for fighting men: Capt. R. E. Hickman, Paul Hockman, Dr. R. E. Poindexter, J. L. Browning, Virgil Center, W. W. Williams, Geo. A. Powers, F. L. Skinner, Mrs. J. P. Reed, Mrs. J. B. Moore and Mrs. F. H. Stamper.

Committee on instruction for the woman's work: Mrs. W. H. Hart, Mrs. Harry Stotlar, Miss Nancy Browning, Mrs. Fred Pulliam, Mrs. J. L. Meads, Mrs. L. S. McKown, Mrs. R. E. Poindexter and Mrs. W. S. Cantrell.

The committee on financial work became very active and a campaign was launched whereby a house-to-house canvass was made to secure a larger membership for this organization which all conceded to be the effective way for doing war relief work. At the first meeting held forty-two members were secured and from that time on until the close of the war new members were continually added to their list.

Most of the meetings, and in fact most of the activities of the Chapter, were held in the Elks Hall, which was kindly tendered to us by this organization, whose courtesy will long be remembered with gratitude by those engaged in the work.

Membership day was held on Tuesday, June 26, with the determination to secure 2,000 new members for Benton, 15,000 for Franklin county, and $30,000.00. The city was divided into sections, and Will Rogers, Pearl Robinson, Marie Moore and Charles

Amidon were appointed as chairman for the different sections of the city to be canvassed. In this we did not only reach our quota, but went "over the top" by a large majority. F. H. Stamper, Rev. J. L. Meads and J. E. Jones were active in interesting the miners throughout the County for contributions and donations. Mr. Stamper and Rev. Meads visited every mine local in the County with the result that each local had a 100 per cent, membership which was checked off from their pay. Many miners also took out memberships for their entire families. The local at Orient paid in $1.00 per month for three months for each member. A telegram was received from the State President of the miners' union offering his services in any way and that he would cooperate with the Red Cross to the fullest extent. The miners were very enthusiastic and assisted in every way.

A First Aid Class was started at the Mine Rescue Station early in the war period and was supervised by Jas. Towal, chairman of the first aid work.

The headquarters of the American Red Cross were at the Benton State Bank, a room being given over for use of the secretary and her assistants. This courtesy was greatly appreciated.

It was recommended at one of the meetings that a proper authority be given for an instructor to give training to the women that the work finished would be standardized. Later it was thought best not to engage this instructor, and it was then that Mrs. W. H. Hart went to Chicago to take a course in

The branch of the American Red Cross at Christopher was under the able management of Nelson Browning, with Mrs. Alta Brayfield as secretary. This organization worked with the greatest harmony through- out the entire war period, making and shipping many garments, surgical dressings and clothing; besides sending many boxes and barrels of clothing for the Belgium relief. The finances of this branch were managed and controlled entirely within its own organization, and no money was sent from there to the Chapter except that which had to be sent from Franklin county to the National Headquarters for membership. We believe that it is safe to say that one-fourth of all the support sent from Franklin county came from the Christopher branch. When the mine explosion occurred at North Mine the Red Cross organization offered their services for the relief of those who were burned and injured. The relief consisted in furnishing first aid, cots and bedding for those injured as well as help to comfort the families of the wounded and dead men.

At West Frankfort the work was started early, and never did it lag. All the calls for funds were responded to most cheerfully; many merchants giving over their entire sales for one day to the fund of the American Red Cross. The work was organized under the leadership of Harry Dixon as chairman, and Miss Helen Kelley, secretary. A large group met regularly, first in the Christian church, two or three times a week, and later moved into the Odd Fellows' hall, which was kindly tendered them graciously by the Odd Fellows. Never did the officers of the American Red Cross call upon West Frankfort that it was not returned cheerfully and willingly. Among those who served most faithfully were Mrs. W. J. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Lela Gardner, Mrs. W. F. Pharis, Mrs. R. P. Blake, Miss Fannie Harris and Mrs. Theims.

J. L. Summers, secretary, Mrs. Snyder acting as chairman for the woman's work. The women of this place worked faithfully sewing, making surgical dressings, etc. Many helped to make knitted articles, among them were many kintters long passed the meridian of life. We will mention Mrs. Martha Tinsley, aged 78, who knitted 1 03 socks and Mrs. T. E. Means, aged 87, who knitted and helped knit many articles during the entire period.

The branch at Sesser was continued under the management of Geo. B. Gray, chairman, and Mrs. Pearl Rea Hutson, secretary. Most faithfully did the men and women of this place co-operate, not only with the chapter, but with the entire community under which they had their jurisdiction. We are not able in this sketch to give the exact amount of money collected by this branch as it was totaled in with the county's financial report.

At Thompsonville, M. G. McCreery was chairman, and Bailey Heard, secretary. The women also had an organization in connection with this branch, which met regularly in the Masonic Hall, which was tendered them by this organization, where they worked faithfully under the leadership of Mrs. W. H. Hart of Benton. This branch carried on all the membership drives and received many donations from people who were inclined to assist financially.

In the Royalton branch, Wm. Lovell, Jr., served as chairman and Mrs. Rella Eddiemen, secretary, and Mrs. James Royal, chairman of the woman's work. Mrs. Mollie Thornton led the women who made the knitted articles at this place.

In the Ewing and Whittington branch, Mrs. Charles Clark acted as chairman and Mrs. Alice Long as secretary. While these are small communities the amount of work done was large and, in fact, could hardly be estimated; every phase of work had a hearty response from these people.

Rend did lots of work and responded to all the calls, but they had no organization, giving their money and help in other ways to the Chapter.

At Buckner, J. Hughes was chairman, and through his efforts together with the chairman of the Franklin County Chapter the miner's union was used to help promote very materially the work of the American Red Cross. The woman's work was not thoroughly organized at Buckner, but the chairman visited them at several times and the women did splendid work in sewing and making surgical dressings.

C. G. Heard was chairman of the organization at Logan and through this organization quite a sum of money was raised and many members secured; but on account of there being no place for the women to meet, many homes were opened for sewing and knitting and other phases of war work were taken up and carried forward.

At Orient the work was under the management of L. E. Jenkins, ably assisted by Ed. Durham and others who through the war period made a good showing for the Orient people.

At Zeigler, Miss Carrie Bressler, principal of the schools at that place, did some very fine work in helping the organizations of the work there which was done systematically and with good results.

The women worked faithfully in every way all through the entire period, never did they shirk in anything which they were called upon to do, for this was their way of serving their country, and we had to be behind the boys to offer whatever we could for their comfort, assistance, etc., when they were going forward to fight our battles for us.

the supervision of Mrs. W. H. Hart and Mrs. R. E. Poindexter, and continued for six weeks. During that time seventy-six patients were cared for in a very efficient way, as both practical and professional nurses were secured to care for the sick. Many volunteer nurses contributed their services, and no charge was made to any patient. Every attention was given to every one cheerfully and gladly. A hospital was also opened at Orient, and a large sum of money was spent at this place in caring for the sick. Several women from Benton devoted the largest part of their time to caring for the patients at this place.

1919, after the crisis had passed. The hospital was under the management of Mrs. George Lamb, a trained nurse of West Frankfort. More than thirty patients were cared for, resulting in only one death.

Financial Statement

The amount of receipts from the second War Drive Fund ending July 31, 1918, as reported to the County Chapter, West Frankfort and Christopher not reporting, was $18,333.92.

FRANKLIN County's participation in the financial part of the Great War was no small item in comparison with other counties in Southern Illinois. In addition to the men, material was furnished consisting of that necessary product of which we are abundantly blessed, viz: COAL. The amount of money loaned Uncle Sam through the various issues of the Liberty Loan and the Treasury Certificates of Indebtedness and the War Savings Stamps is four million dollars, invested as follows: Liberty Loan

One fact of which the organization is proud is, that no "strong arm'' methods were used in the realization of their aims in meeting different quotas called for by the Eighth Federal Reserve District organization.

All the loan campaigns were directed by the same organization which remained undisturbed during the entire war period, which speaks well for the members as having done satisfactory work. Nelson Browning, President of the First National Bank, Christopher, was chairman of the county organization; G. C. Cantrell, Vice-president of the First National Bank, Benton, director of sales; Robert R. Ward, President of the Benton State Bank, Vice-chairman of the

State organization, was director of speakers, and through this organization the County was thoroughly organized in such a way that the best results were obtained with a minimum effort. Preceding each Loan a representative from each of the twenty banks in this County were present at a meeting held in Benton and at this meeting the entire quota was under-written by the banks and was to be disposed of by each bank in proportion to its total assets, thus it was up to the banks to see that its quota was purchased by the people in its vicinity and while it was in a way detrimental to the earnings of the banks, yet it was found that the deposits instead of decreasing increased in volume, while today the total resources exceed that of pre war days.

The aid of every organization in the County was used in all the drives and especially the Woman's Clubs were instrumental n soliciting the subscriptions.

County, Ill War History

It is impossible to mention and give praise to all to whom it is due, and we might add that the large percentage of the people of the County purchased bonds and aided in every way to meet the demands of the Government in furnishing our proportionate part of the money.

The number of War Savings Stamps sold through the efforts of the War Savings Stamp organization through the miners' locals and other means of salesmanship was the sum of $439,400.00. These stamps were purchased by a great many miners, through their local unions, who were authorized by them to check off their pay, one stamp each pay day

The large number of subscribers was due to the fact that we have about 10,000 miners in the County and during these loans nearly all participated in some of these subscriptions for at least a $50.00 bond, thus showing their willingness to aid, even in a small way, the financing of the gigantic task.

The banks assisted further in the financial program to the extent of $414,500.00 in the purchase of Treasury Certificates of Indebtedness, issued in anticipation of the Liberty Loan, and were called on from time to time to purchase such amounts as they

Through these activities our County has loaned the Government the sum of $4,000- 000.00 without a burden on the business enterprises. The income of that amount figured at 4% per cent is $170,000.00 annually, which is a nice sum for distribution to the bond holders.

Director Of Sales Publicity Men For

When war comes to a nation, the first essential for the prosecution of that war is money. It is necessary for arming and equipping an army and navy. It is essential for food, for ships, for dependent families of soldiers, for everything that makes for efficient prosecution of war.

To raise the stupendous amount of money needed in the World War, Congress authorized the issuance of government bonds to be known as Liberty Bonds; these to be offered to the people of the United States as a safe and glorious investment.

The Secretary of the Treasury stated that he felt certain no democratic appeal could be made to the country without the support of women citizens, and soon after tne first war loan, the National Woman's Liberty Loan Committee was created in Washington, D. C, in May, 1917, with Mrs. William G. McAdoo, Chairman; Mrs. Antoinette Funk, Vice-chairman; Mrs. George Bass, Secretary Mrs. Funk and Mrs. Bass being Illinois women. This committee appointed a Federal Reserve chairman for each Federal Reserve District in the United States, also a state chairman for each state, supported by a district chairman, county chairman, township chairman, ward and precinct chairman, and local committees. Miss Florence J. Wade of St. Louis was Federal Reserve chairman of the Eighth Federal Reserve District of which Southern Illinois is a part. Mrs. Howard T. Wilson of Virden, was state chairman of Illinois; Mrs. T. S. Browning, of Benton, chairman of the 25th Congressional District; Mrs. E. T. Kell, of Benton, chairman of Franklin county.

The organization of the county was completed for the second loan and was one of the fifty-one counties out of the one hundred and two in the state to send in an official report at the end of the drive.

Franklin county women devised many ways to assist in the advertising of bond sales and taking subscriptions. They were perhaps more active in the Fourth Liberty Loan than in any otner. During this loan the County Chairman wrote letters to one hundred school teachers, urging them to organize the boys and girls for the work and an all-day conference was held in Benton to which all township and city chairmen were urged to be present.

The local committee of Benton, under the leadership of Mrs. J. E. Webster, comprised the following women: Mesdames Harry Stotlar, A. E. Martin, W. H. Alvis, F. H. Wykes, G. A. Hickman, C. H. Miller, Harry Ferrell, C. E. Seeber, F. E. Goodin, W. F. Spiller, William Brinley, C. A. Aikin, Sr., Arch Johnson, J. W. Williams, N. S. Helm, H. L. Frier, Misses Nancy Browning, and Martha Hickman.

This committee made a house-to-house canvass, conducted booths at each bank, and in different stores, made talks at the school buildings and churches. They also went to other towns to help in meetings arranged by women. Mrs. Webster and Mrs. W. H. Hart and Mrs. J. P. Mooneyham spoke at a meeting in Valier. Mrs. Kell and Mrs. Stotlar helped the women of Thompsonville sell their city's whole quota, at an afternoon meeting during the Third Loan.

191 7, with a "Liberty Fire" across the street on the historic Logan lot. The Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls assisted. The "Liberty Fires" were lighted all over the country on this date.

The Women's Committee of Frankfort and Denning townships, in the Fourth Loan, with Mrs. Chas. Gardner, as chairman, sold more bonds than any other township in the county. This work was done in co-operation with the Men's Committee and through the schools, churches and women's clubs. In this drive they overreached their quota $1 1,450.00, Mrs. J. L. Harmon having sold the largest number of bonds. The following women assisted as members and workers: Mrs. Chas. A. Gardner, chairman; Mrs. Fred Walker, sales director; Mesdames E. E. Jacobs, F. W. Jacobs, C. A. Summers, W. J. Fitzgerald, R. P. Blake, S. M. Fink, Henry Webb, John Webb, J. McNealy, W. G. Mitchell, Troy Rotramel, J. L. Harmon, Leora Belden, R. S. Huff, Wm. Webster, E. R. Henson, E. B. Pharis, John Rotramel, W. E. Hart, Wm. Webster, J. L. Smith, Haskins, B. E. Russell, N. V. Greathoise, Elizabeth Shipp, C. W. Rodenbusch, T. A. Sinks, W. B. Crawford, Geo. Williams, A. J. McFadden, E. R. Evans and Misses Ruth C. Williams, Irene McNama, Bess Perry, Irene Duncan and Mae Dunn.

The Christopher Local Committee comprised the following women: Mrs. Ollie Knight, chairman; Mrs. L. T. Clem, Mrs. Cecil Davis and Miss Ethel Harrison. Mrs. Knight served in all the Loans, and while her committee was small they never failed to do their part. The work of this committee was done in conjunction with the banks, tne bankers supplying them with the names of prospective buyers of bonds. They went to the different mines in and around Christopher and made many sales.

Mrs. S. Lemons, of Logan, has the distinction of having sold the largest single subscription of any member of the women's committee in Franklin county, which was a $20,000.00 bond in che Fourth Loan, to the Black Star Mining Co.

In the Fourth Loan, Miss Gladys Hubbs, with the help of the school children of Royalton, had sold their entire quota before the sale opened. On the first day of this loan, the Women's Committee of Zeigler, Sesser, Valier and Rend had almost sold their quota.

The State was the unit of organization in all loans, with the exception of the Victory Loan. At this time it was decided to change the plan of organization to conform to Federal Reserve districts. This change enabled the men and women to work in closer harmony, and proved more convenient, as it eliminated the confusion of working under the Federal Reserve Districts, and Mrs. W. H. Hart of Benton was appointed State Chairman for the forty-four counties in Southern Illinois included in the Eighth Federal Reserve District.

At this time, Mrs. Kell resigned as chairman of Franklin county and Mrs. Fred Pulliam was appointed for the Fifth or Victory Loan, and she appointed the following women for township and city chairmen: Mrs. Ollie Knight, Christopher, and Mrs. J. L. Harmon, West Frankfort; Mesdames W. F. Spiller, Benton; J. S. Vise, Ewing; Elmer Quillman, Valier; Douglas Plasters, Thompsonville; Clarence Hutson, Sesser; J. S. Summers, Akin and Miss Gladys Hunns, Royalton.

Some very attractive advertisements were furnished for the Victory Loan in the form of a large blue "V" on a white ground, which each of the workers were asked to wear.

At the end of the drive, war service medals made from captured German cannon were awarded by the United States Treasury Department for valued service to the Government in the flotation of the Victory Liberty Loan in Franklin county.

TO us it seems there has been always a wild enthusiasm that grips every true American upon the least discovery or thought of evil to our government - a sort of psychological mystery, which bubbles like a boiling spring, in the soul of every descendent of that brave and sturdy army of men that first settled the wilds and conquered with the aid of the rifle each formidable foe, and it has been the infusing by the fathers into their sons, this spirit of dauntless courage and love for things most worthy, that has made the American soldier the bravest and best fighter that ever went forth to battle and brought victory to our arms in every conflict. And as our men are of such material it is quite natural that the same strain of blood should flow through the veins of our women.

But for all this, little did the small band of women in West Frankfort when organizing the Tuesday Art Club in the year nineteen hundred ten, dream that in future years should come the "clarion call" to and for women which sounded throughout our land in nineteen hundred fourteen. And little did the world think that our women, loved and protected as they so long had been, could prove so thoroughly they could be far beyond the "clinging vine" - a staunch and ever ready support for those who had the firing line to face.

West Frankfort's population consisting of so many foreigners caused us to give many more of our own red-blooded American boys. Our hearts were burdened and to sacrifice in some way for them seemed to fill the void occasioned by their absence. Thus, away back home far from tumult and danger, some one loved, prayed and worked for them, never shirking nor feeling that any burden was too heavy to bear if in any way it should prove helpful to the wonderful cause for which they were fighting.

Hart, president, who rendered wonderful and untiring service and inspired each and every member to do their full duty regardless of seeming obstacles. Following her was Mrs. C. 0. Lane, who kept the standard of the first year's work. During both their terms of office the club was kept constantly busy with the various calls from tne government.

First came the Registration - and no other city could have had a greater task than was ours. There being people of almost every nationality and but few who were able to speak English, made our work in that line doubly difficult. But after all there were but few, if any, who did not register.

Next came the call from the Y. M. C. A. for the sum of twenty-five dollars to which our club readily responded. Our club did much work under the Council of National Defense, of which Mrs. Lula Pharis was chairman. We sent many garments to Belgian children; also contributed financially. Under the Council of National Defense came the lectures and demonstrations of food conservation, and much pleading with tne women of our club and city to realize the importance of their work within their homes in keeping life smoothly balanced, together witn the idea that each woman in her own kitchen handled the biggest war problem - food conservation. Services of Miss Nolan of the University of Illinois were given us and some very intellectual talks and demonstrations were had at our club meetings.

During the Third Liberty Loan drive, of which Mrs. Edna Fox Wilson was chairman, the club bought one fifty-dollar bond and ably assisted West Frankfort as a whole in more than doubling its quota. Mrs. C. A. Summers proved quite an efficient saleslady in the drive, as in the space of two hours

In April, 1918, the club collected and donated many books to the war libraries; also, during the cold winter months of 1918, coal was furnished by the club to families of soldiers who were in need of fuel.

A lecture on "Russia and the War" was given by Prof. C. A. Waller, citing us to the absolute necessity of crushing the German forces and making us feel the importance of self-denial in every phase in order to win the war.

In the Fourth Liberty Loan Drive, of which Mrs. Lela Gardner was chairman, the work of the various members of the club is to be commended, urged as they were by Mrs. Gardner, who puts every fiber of soul and body into whatever she undertakes. They sold more than eleven thousand above the quota.

Mrs. Gardner was also chairman of the Red Cross Work-room, Home Service Department, also Y. W. C. A. work in West Frankfort, and with her intensity of application, tenacity of purpose, and business organizing capacity, they sacrificed mucn, and accomplished more in their patriotic devotion.

The club did much in the knitting for soldiers - Mrs. Thienes leading all in the number of sweaters knitted. The number was somewhere in thirty. Mrs. Clara Allen followed close in her wake. Auction Sales were conducted by Mrs. Gertrude Fitzgerrel and Mrs. Gardner.

During che winter of 1918, an emergency hospital was arranged by the club, together with others, and valuable and efficient service was rendered by Mrs. Birdie Webb, Mrs. Gardner and others.

In 1918, the club adopted a Belgian baby, and paid $36.50 for its support. Also gave $22.00 for American Women's Club Convalescent Hut and another $25.00 to the Y. M. C. A.

Mrs. R. P. Blake was chairman of the Junior Red Cross and a goodly amount of work was done by the school children under ner supervision and direction.

"In the primary grades, material was provided for "snipping" for pillows. In the intermediate grades dozens of towels were hemmed. And in the seventh and eighth grades, garment making was undertaken. A number of garments and layettes were made for destitute Belgian and French children.

"Some of the larger boys helped by running errands, packing and shipping packages. The larger girls also worked at the Senior Red Cross rooms.

In the Victory Loan Drive, which seemed as though it would surely be the hardest of all, due to the fact that most every one had given to their utmost, Mrs. Lola Harmon with her sweet and appealing personality again brought Frankfort "over the top" with an excess of more than two thousand dollars. Mrs. Nellie Crawford is to be commended for her work in the Victory Loan in Frankfort Heights and surrounding community. A very unique and effective appeal arranged by Mrs. Harmon and the following named ladies, Mesdames Dudenbostel, Fitzgerrel, Gardner, Hart, Hampton, Campbell, Cline, Crawford, and Blake, at the home of Mrs. Blake, was a silver Colonial Tea. The reception committee was dressed in Colonial attire, as also were the ones on programme for entertainment. The women were generous in their offerings and the men, who it seemed had already gone their limit, were even more so. One one-hundred dollar Victory Bond was purchased by the club.

At the close of the war a committee consisting of Mrs. Mae Campbell, Mrs. Fitzgerrel, and Mrs. Pharis was appointed to assist in the erection of a band-stand as a memorial to our soldiers and sailors. The sum of one hundred dollars was paid by the club besides soliciting outside and contributing food to be sold to help raise the balance due at the time of dedication. The full amount was raised the evening of dedication.

In 1919, Mrs. Julia Webster was elected president of the club, and she has energetically taken up the unfinished war and reconstruction work. Christmas she personally sold Christmas seals to the amount of $46.00.

Thus we find in answering the question, what is, or rather was, women's war work, that modern war has revolutionized its warfare, and patriotism does not always call for an expression as was given by Joan of Arc or Molly Pitcher, but for women behind the lines, wherever dependence is, whether man, woman, boy or girl, our supreme war work was to uphold our national standards, and be ready, as we were, to hand them back intact to the nation when peace came. A full list of the club members is given here and we fully appreciate the fact that each one in some way helped maintain the victory for which to God we must ever give thanks.

Our Boys Loyal Daughters Club

LOYAL DAUGHTERS CLUB This was another club of patriotic ladies of West Frankfort that was very active in the local war activities. The president was Miss Ruth Williams, and the secretarytreasurer, Mrs. Lela Gardner. The club was composed of twenty-five members and while most of their work was in conjunction with other clubs, some of the work, as a club, is worthy of mention. In the United War Work drive the club donated $150. The club bought bonds of the First, Second and Fifth Liberty Loan drives. During the Third Liberty Loan campaign, Miss Williams, Miss Fannie Harris, Mrs. Lela Gardner and Miss Irene McNamar, club members, sold sandwiches on the streets and donated the proceeds amounting to $96.00 to the Y. M. C. A. fund. All calls for patriotic workers found the members of the Loyal Daughters Club always ready and willing.

West Frankfort Woman'S Club

WEST FRANKFORT WOMAN'S CLUB The above club as a whole was active in the local war activities, but as the membership and most active workers were with few exceptions the same women who are mentioned in the report of the Tuesday Art Club, the ladies believed the one report was sufficient to cover the work.

Since work was started on this book the two clubs have consolidated under the name of the West Frankfort Woman's Club. The purposes of the Clubs were primarily for the purpose of advancing social and charitable co-operation among the women that they may take their proper portion of the activities for the betterment of all mankind.

THE object of the Benton Woman's Club is to promote mutual sympathy and united effort for intellectual development ; improvement of social conditions and the higher civilization of humanity. When the tremendous adventure of the World War thrust itself upon our country, Benton had in this club an organization ready as were the "Minute Men" of old; and not one of its members hesitated when the "what's next" question presented itself. "Oh, the world is full of countries, but there's one that is our -this was the sentiment that brought every ounce of energy confined in the bodies of these women into action that makes their record of war service deserving of space in Franklin County's War History.

Far from the excitement and the heroic deeds, the incentive that comes from the display of great courage, our women played their part at high pressure in the numerous activities in their endeavor to keep life steady, normal and sane.

of Mrs. W. H. Alvis, president, and Mrs. J. E. Webster, acting president for several months, who gave splendid service in inspiring the club membership to keep pace with our heroic American soldiers who were fighting our battles.

The club has four departments: namely- Civics, Home Economics, Literature, and Music. All of these assisted in the various Red Cross, Liberty Loan, Y. M. C. A., Salvation Army, War Savings Certificate drives and in the registration of women. Mrs. T. S. Browning, serving as District Chairman, Mrs. E. T. Kell and Mrs. F. C. Pulliam as County Chairman, and Mrs. J. E. Webster as City Chairman, for Liberty and Victory Loans; Mrs. A. E. Martin as Chairman for War Savings Certificates; Mrs. W. H. Hart as Secretary of Red Cross and with Mrs. F. H. Stamper assisting as General Director of Red Cross work; Mrs. E. Austin as Supervisor of Junior Red Cross; Mrs. R. E. Poindexter and Mrs. W. H. Hart superintended the management of the Red Cross Emergency Hospital; Mrs. Harry Stotlar as director of Registration of Women and County Chairman of Council of Defense; Mrs. H. A. Vise as Chairman for Tuberculosis Nurse secured appropriation from the County Board of Supervisors and from sales of Christmas seals, a fund sufficient to provide a County tubercular nurse. Mrs. G. E. Browning, W. C. Simpson, J. R. Gardner and Mrs. F. H. Wykes cooperated with the War Garden Commission, in organizing the local School Garden Army, inspecting the gardens and distributing the insignias to those who had earned them.

A philanthropic fund is provided by an "Annual Tag Day" and was found most useful in assisting families of the soldiers whose allowances from the Government were delayed, as well as furnishing clothing, food, and securing medical aid for those who are unable to provide for themselves.

In April, 1918, the club collected and donated books and magazines for War Libraries; purchased $20 worth of yarn and made it into socks for soldiers; bought two fifty-dollar bonds and one one-hundred-dollar bond in 1918; adopted Maurice Lander, a French orphan, Dec. 4, 1918, by paying $36.50 for his yearly support; gave $50 for protective work for girls; $5.50 to Victory Commission; $26.25 to Recreation Fund for soldiers in camp; secured contributions amounting to $101.65 for Armenians; and gave the Red Cross $20.00 in addition to $50.50, the proceeds from a concert given by the Music Department, July 23, 1917, at which time the purpose of the Red Cross was explained in detail by Rev. J. L. Meads and Mr. F. H. Stamper, which awakened all present to the responsibilities the war had placed upon us. An impressive feature was the camp scene with Ira Humerickhaus and Joseph Whittington representing wounded soldiers and with Miss Thelma Fish and Pauline Rice as Red Cross nurses attending them. Corporal Joubert Webb gave the bugle call. Mrs. F. H. Wykes, chairman of the committee in charge, was most grateful to Robt. Edmonds and sister, Miss Kathryn, Misses Julia Hickman, Majorie Burkhart, Lula Reed, Hildred Kirsch, Nina Reed, Grace Mundy, Margaret Cantrell, Leora Seeber and Messrs. V. H. Center, B. F. Sparks, L. Hake and Pearl Robinson, whose contributions made the evening's entertainment most enjoyable.

The Music Department gave of its time and talent whenever needed. In the time of sorrow they gave to the community a feeling of buoyancy by means of song -

"It touches every key of memory and stirs all the hidden springs of sorrow and of joy. I love it for what it makes me forget, and what it makes me remember."

We are indebted to the Home Economics Department for the bringing of the Food Demonstration Car to our city; for the war time luncheons; for the food show directed by Mrs. Fred Goodin, Mrs. Guy Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Carl Burkhart, presided over by a Government demonstrator; for the "Eat More Potato" campaign - that other foods might be sent overseas - this campaign being in charge of Mrs. Thos. Warren, Mrs. Harry

Ferrell, Mrs. G. A. Hickman, Mrs. John Payne and Mrs. N. S. Helm who visited the schools telling the story of the Potato Campaign to the students. This department secured the services of Miss Jones, teacher of Domestic Science at the S. I. N. U. to tell us of "Our Duty in the War" ; and on the same date gave a demonstration on war bread and meat substitutes - Misses Ruby Freeman and Martha Kirkpatrick were the demonstrators. This department's efforts were most commendable in aiding food conservation and providing demonstrations and exhibitions along those lines, beseeching women to be careful of the administration of their kitchens.

The Literature Department members offered their services in operating night schools for men and women of foreign birth, and co-operated in every line of presented endeavor.

The patriotic spirit that actuated the members of the Woman's Club to participate in the many war activities was most commendable and there was no agency that so exemplified the spirit of unselfishness as did the Women's Club.

If space permitted, many inspiring reports of individuals who gave unselfish remarkable service could be given; however, the foregoing record indicates that each club woman responded on call to the great crisis and extended her sympathies and enlarged conception of tne duty in such wise that the consciousness of her county's needs became tne actual impulse of her daily activity - she bore a valient part in the great world strife.

The days of war have passed - now in the days of reconstruction may we express our belief, as a body of women, one hundred and sixty strong, devoted to higher purposes and to humanity, in the ultimate outcome of truth and justice and righteousness in the God of mankind.

As it would be impossible and impractical to mention the names of all who did noble work when called upon, many volunteering at great expense in time and money, we give the complete membership as they were all enthusiastic workers:

Associate Members

The first food administrator appointed for Franklin county was Robt. R. Ward, president of the Benton State Bank. Mr. Ward could not accept the appointment permanently as he was actively engaged in the Liberty Loan activities, being vice-chairman of the state organization and county director of speakers. Mr. Ward soon appointed J. A. Dalby, sales manager for Stamper- Myer Grocery Co., as his assistant and recommended Mr. Dalby for county administrator.

position which not only demanded a real knowledge of supply and demand of those commodities on which restrictions were necessary, but also of the business interests of the county. The work was quite extensive and not practical for one man, and as Mr. Dalby upon agreeing to serve had promised to give everyone a square deal, he accepted the official appointment as administrator for Benton and Browning townships, but voluntarily did the work in an unofficial capacity for the entire county until the appointment of Rev. L. S. McKown, or the Benton Methodist church.

Considerable tact but also firmness was necessary to conduct the administrator's work in Franklin county, and although there was no record of any extensive hoarding of sugar or the selling of flour without substitutes, there was considerable work in educating the merchants and citizens to the rules that must be obeyed.

There are records of several cases of hoarding and inattention to the different requirements that required diplomacy to adjust without publicity which would have created a spirit of combativeness, but all such cases were handled by the administrator with credit to himself and the community.

THE Local Board of Franklin county was at first composed of Dr. R. E. Poindexter, Rev. J. L. Meads and Kent SStotlar. Tnese men undertook the work with little idea of the vast amount of labor and responsibility involved. The entire Draft Law with its amendments was new and but little understood. The people were excited, and the war at first seemed unpopular. A law was passed, automatically removing all members of any Local Board who were registered in tne Draft, or eligible to military service, and, therefore, Judge Thomas J. Myers was appointed to take the place of Kent S. Stotlar. His wide acquaintance with all classes of people in the county and his varied experience in public life made him a very valuable member.

By mutual consent of the Board members, Dr. R. E. Poindexter took the responsibility of conducting all physical examinations for fitness of the soldier boys, while Rev. J. L. Meads acted as chairman, and Thomas J. Myers was made secretary, or clerk, of the Local Board, and looked after the clerical work and correspondence. With the large number of registrants it was a very arduous task. The Board's location at first was in the office of Dr. R. E. Poindexter, but after the reorganization the office of the Board was moved to the private law office of Judge Myers, on the north side of the public square, which from that time on, until the signing of the armistice, was the scene of much activity day and night.

This Board was one of the largest in the State of Illinois, in registration and amount of work done and soldiers entrained. The Franklin County Local Boaid took fifth place in registration; the board ranking highest was Chicago Board No. 67, with 18,435 registrants; the second in size was Cook County Board No. 6, with 15,435 registrants; the third in size was Rock Island Board No. 2, with 14,203; the fourth in size was Chicago Board No. 36, with 13,985; the fifth in size was the Franklin County Local Board, with 13,936. The registration in Franklin County Local Board was more than the combined registration of

Marion and Herrin Local Boards, and was as large, lacking ten registrants, as the combined registration of the counties of Perry, Jefferson and Hamilton. The combined registration for these three sister counties was 13,946- - that of Franklin alone was 13,936. Practically one-third or more of the registrants of the Local Board of Franklin county were alien or foreign-born people, making the clerical work a tremendous task.

The Board had on its clerical force at different times many competent and trusty clerks, among which at the beginning were Marie Moore, Ailien Meads, Grace Clayton, Jewel Sechrest, Mayme Potter and Nina Meads, and later Ruth C. Meyer, Ruie Cardwell, Mrs. Grace Simpson, Mrs. Clyde Heasley, Mrs. Jessie Sullivan, Mrs. Ida B. Neal, Emily Reed and Kate Gunter. These were assisted by two limited service clerks furnished us by the Government, viz: James Mitler of Golconda and Harry C. Miers of Crystal Lake.

Mrs. Ethel Myers, wife of Judge Myers, was made chief clerk of the Board, and won the admiration of the members and the public in general by her courteous, untiring and faithful service and kind treatment to the registrants.

Nearly 1 ,200 men were sent to the training camps at the various cantonments, of this number 1,129 were accepted at the camps after a careful examination for physical fitness for overseas service and other military duties. The disqualified men were rejected for many reasons, and quite a large number were held for limited service. Many of the boys from Franklin county were killed in action or died of disease while in service. Besides the 1 ,200 above mentioned perhaps as many as 200 were released to join other branches of the service. When the influenza struck the training camps, we had standing ready for call to entrain 197 men, which were held in readiness until the armistice was signed.

It was very gratifying to see the abrupt change in sentiment and feeling when our men learned more about the war and the justice of the cause. In the beginning many clamored and pleaded for exemption on some trivial matter; later, as the war progressed and the cause was better known our office was thronged with men "rarin' to go", and could not be held back without many disappointments.

An order came to get 1 1 9 men ready for Camp Dix, N. J. When the roll was called for entrainment, 131 responded, and when we told them that some would have to stay for another time, we could take only 119, the answer we got was "not me to stay at home, I am going" Feeling in sympathy with the boys in their anxiety for active service, the Board arose above Government orders and said, "All right boys, we will send you all". All went and the Local Board was not rebuked for over-filling orders - we had the boys "ready and willing."

We had connected with us an Advisory Board, W. F. Spiller, Judge W. F. Dillon and Judge T. J. Layman. This Board was assisted by the entire Bar Association of Franklin county, and the attorneys deserve much credit for their untiring efforts in helping to fill out the questionaires for the registrants free of charge, which was a great help.

The physicians, also of our county, deserve mention in their labors for the Government in assisting in the physical examinations of the registrants, among whom were Dr. Edgar Austin, Dr. J. B. Moore, Dr. G. C. Buntin, Dr. H. A. Vise, Drs. Alvis, Dr. Phillip, Dr. Dudley, Dr. Ezra Phillips, Dr. Sidney Moore, Dr. D. L. Carter and Dr. R. E. Poindexter being the chief examiner, and by strange coincidence Dr. R. E. Poindexter died on the very day and hour that we were closing the work of the Local Board and shipping all records to Washington, D. C.

The Elks deserve the gratitude of the whole people for giving the use of the commodious Elk's Hall for the physical examination, with great inconvenience and expense to themselves. On the whole, no county in the State of Illinois responded more nobly and liberally than did Franklin county in everything pertaining to the welfare of our Country - she offered her sons

Classification

The classification of the registrants of the Franklin County Local Board for June, 1917. and June, 1918, including August 4, 1918. reached a total of 5,561, of which 1,761 were in Class One; 76 were in Class Two; 91 were in Class Three; 2,232 were in Class Four and 1,401 were in Class Five. Of this number our records show 3,208 were married men, and 2,353 single men.

As to citizenship, 3,781 were native born citizens; 172 were naturalized citizens, 1,208 were aliens; 396 were declarant aliens with first naturalization papers.

In the second registration of September, 1918, the total registered was 8,353. Those of the ages from nineteen to thirty-six inclusive and eighteen year old registrants were classified by the Local Board as follows: 1,782 were in Class One, 215 in Class Two, 36 in Class Three, 1,532 in Class Four and 707 in Class Five. The registrants ages 37 to 45 years inclusive were not classified and numbered 4,090.

Many appeals were taken from the Local Board by the registrants to the District Board at East St. Louis. In almost every case where the appeal was taken the Local Board was sustained in its action. As to the industrial claims provided for by the Draft Law a large number of such claims were taken by the registrant after they had been classified by the Local Board, and in almost every case the claims were denied by the District Board. Those filing industrial claims were men mostly engaged in the mining industry, filling places of trust in and around the mines. A very few industrial claims came from the agricultural industry.

Colored Registrants

Perhaps no county in Southern Illinois had as few colored registrants as did Franklin county. The reason for this is that until a very few years ago Franklin county could boast of having only one colored man, and that was William Bird of Benton, who was reared here in Benton by a family of our best white citizens, the St. Clair family.

Local Board

William Bird was a model citizen, very religious and honest, and it was said of him time after time that "Bill Bird" was colored only skin deep. But as the mines began to develope in Franklin county, colored people began to come in, and of the large number of registrants our record shows only nineteen colored men. These were mostly from West Frankfort and Freeman.

Entrainment Of Delinquents

Of the number of delinquents on our record we managed from time to time to get several of them into the service, viz: Aruc Laskso, inducted at Carlton, Minn.; Geo. Bennett, at Little Rock, Ark.; Joe Brindzo, at Plymouth, Pa.; Matous Stepmartis, at Pinckneyville; Alonzo Landaski, at Madison; Charlie Andenskauk, at Madison; Louis Gogiat, at Staunton; John Baroselli, at Taylorville; Nick Bozovich, Edgar Helms, Fred Davis, Joe McKegg and Sam Boich were inducted by order of the Franklin County Local Board. Several of these registrants were rejected at different camps on account of being aliens or non-declarants.

From time to time many were released from our Local Board to join different branches of the service, going into the Canadian Army, the Navy Reserves, the Marines and some joining the Navy. Perhaps at least two hundred of our registrants were released to join these branches of the service.

Franklin county being in the heart of the coal fields and in the center of an industrial area, a large number of our registrants were rejected by the Local Board physician on physical disqualifications, viz: loss of leg, loss of arm, loss of eye or some injury received in the coal mines or other industry. A large number were rejected at camp after having passed the physical examination of our local physicians, among this number are as follows: Andrew J. Connor, Harrison Ewing, Perry L. Newman, John Tulo, Denny Lyons, James M. Border, Kasimer

Mrs. Grace Simpson Mrs. Clyde Heasley

Yugo, Lemist Pack, John Zickus, Clarence Seiler, John Johnson, Lorenzo Phillips, Pete Capelini, Gus Pantlauis, Guy Darnell, Frances Hodge, Geo. Beattie, Martin Raglin, Jas. T. True, Thomas Kirk, Solomon W. Hayes, W. R. Arthurs, Ed. Vineyard, Joe Markarabisz, Clyde Hobbs, Arthur Potter, John McNeill, Oakley McReynolds, Roy Shaw, John Vitkon, Eddie Bird, Floyd Dethrow, Ed. Paynter, Charles Earlie, Lem Burkitt, Charles R. Schneiderwein, Frank Waite, Ira Fitzgerald, Geo. Southerland, Geo. Popovisch, Thos. Grimmet, Ray Simpson, Jack Carso, Geo. H. Moore. Besides this number who were rejected definitely, a large number were placed in limited service, and were used by the Government to do various kinds of work. Most all Local Boards needing assistance in their clerical work were furnished with limited service men.

Perhaps no county in the state of Illinois outside the large cities, had a greater number of different nationalities than had the Franklin County Local Board. The records show Belgians, English, Irish, Scotch, Welch, Canadians, French, Italians, Portugese, Russians, Servians, Chinese, Austrians, Hungarians, Bulgarians, Turks and lastly Germans.

Our Inductions

THIS organization of The Council of National Defense was perfected early in the activities of the war, the members being Judge W. H. Hart; Wm. P. Seeber, attorney; Harry L. Frier, editor, Walter W. Williams, attorney, and Mrs. Harry Stotlar. The Council was further perfected in selecting Judge Hart as chairman; Mrs. Stotlar as secretary; and Editor Frier as treasurer. On account of the regular secretary being burdened with other war work much of the clerical duties were performed by Miss Mabel Smith.

The work of the local Council was perhaps no different from that performed in all other counties, but, thanks to the general patriotic spirit of our citizens much of the work supposed to be looked after was practically eliminated.

The Council at various times was called upon to grant building permits, see that the fuel and food orders were being enforced, assist in the various Loan Drives, etc.

On the evening of June 5, 1918, under the direction of the Council, a meeting was held at the Court House in the interest of the Salvation Army, at which time speakers sent out by the parent body addressed a very large and enthusiastic audience, with the result that a fund of $578.77 was raised and later turned over to Lieut. V. D. Sharp and Capt. F. A. Smith, of the St. Louis branch of the Salvation Army.

The systematic, almost perfect and enthusiastic work of the different war-working organizations of the county, over which the Council was suposed to ever keep at watchful eye, were conducted in such a systematic and patriotic manner that many times the Local Council of National Defense was not required to function.

THE first work done by the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense, in Franklin county, was preparing the women for registration for the different kinds of war work. This was done under the leadership of Mrs. Harry Stotlar. Seventeen hundred women in the county registered the first registration week. The cards were filed away in the different townships. They were of great value later, in securing clerical help for the draft registration, and also for help in filling out questionnaires. These cards also proved to be of great value during the influenza epidemic.

Seven food conservation and canning schools were held under the direction of Miss Ferna Harris, district advisory chairman. One food demonstration was held at the Catholic church in Benton, for the women of foreign birth. Mrs. Hazel West Adams, at that time Domestic Science teacher of the Benton Township High School, assisted by Miss Martha Kirkpatrick and Mrs. W. F. Spiller, had this in charge.

Mrs. H. A. Vise, finance chairman, raised funds to the amount of $360.57. The request for this money came from the State Chairman. While the request was for $1,000.00, the quota was not reached. But they sent the amount raised to headquarters, and then had the privilege of making requisitions for the money, for use in the county. This has been done and it is now in the bank to be used to furnish a room in a hospital when built in Benton. Fifteen dollars donated to the American Hospital in France, was to help maintain a bed in honor of Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, State Chairman of the C. N. D.

The Centennial pageant was of great interest, and a long to be remembered event. This was given under the very efficient direction of Mrs. C. A. Cantrell, chairman of the Centennial committee. Two greatgreat-grandsons and two great-great-granddaughters of Isham Harrison, who helped frame the Constitution of the State of Illinois, had part in this pageant.

THK work of securing the service records and photographs of the soldiers of Franklin County was indeed an arduous task, and without the volunteer work of the patriotic people of the county and especially of the pupils of the different schools the work could never have been accomplished in the period necessary for the completion of the work.

The first effort made to secure the records and photographs was on "soldier's day" of the Franklin county fair held on Oct. 1,1919. Through the efforts of Lieut. Col. 0. C. Smith, this soldier's day was arranged, and as the U. S. army had a display at the fair grounds, arrangements were made for the distribution of the regular service buttons issued by the government to the discharged soldiers. Pupils of the Benton high school volunteered on this day to take the service records of the soldiers applying for the buttons, and others who called at the Government display for the purpose of giving their records for publication in this history. The work at the fair grounds was directed by Lieut. Col. 0. C. Smith and S. S. Baird. The following pupils of the Benton school are those who volunteered their service on that day: Rebecca McKemie, Mary Hickman, Irene Smith, Eloise Barrick, Mabel Hart, Thelma Fish, Dora Moore, Eva Davis, Martha Kirkpatrick, Nina Meads, Helen Machiels, Virginia Moore and Nellie Jones. Sometime later, when the work of compiling the history had been actively started, arrangements were made for pupils of the schools to make a canvass in Benton, and it is to be said with credit to the pupils who volunteered, that the work was very worthy and a great credit to their efforts. After the canvass had been made in Benton, similar arrangements were made in Christopher and West Frankfort.

Besides the work above noted the War History Society on several occasions sent out requests to the soldiers to send in their service records and photographs, and the great number of service records and photographs in this history is the result of the combined work here given.

THE Churchesof Franklin Countywere uniformly patriotic during the unhappy days of the War. The buildings were always open to public gatherings of a patriotic nature and the ministers cheerfully gave their time and service. Perhaps no other institution was so well prepared to quickly and efficiently respond to the Government's programme of education and publicity as the church. Without neglect to the ministery of the Gospel which is the churches' greatest mission, and with an increase rather than dimidiation of prayer, the pastors and speakers found ample time to educate the people concerning the draft, food saving and the appeal of the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., care of the war orphan in France and Belgium as well as countless other relief movements. Some of the pastors in this county devoted a great part of their time to war

We would like to make special mention of some ministers who were especially active but we could not hope to name all of them, therefore this would be an injustice to many ministers who were equally as willing if not actually engaged.

In all the churches, service flags were placed with a star for each soldier identified with the organization directly or indirectly. The parents of the heroes who fell in France came to the church for consolation, nor did it fail them. Other parents, in the days and weeks of uncertainty when letters were delayed and word failed to reach them from their beloved ones, came to the church to participate in its fellowship and prayer and to receive strength to support them in these hours of anxiety and days of uncertainty.