Lee County, Illinois - Chapter 7, 1920

The Woman's Coiumittee C'ouneil of National Defense, Lee County Unit was organized under the direetion of State Chairman, Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, in September 1917. Mrs. Douglas G. Harvey, in the absence of Mrs. John G. Ralston, perfected a County Organization which consisted of a ( h.-iirman appointed in each of the Twenty-two Townships of Lee County. From the date this ( )rtiaiiizatioii was started \uitil it was disbanded a complete County Organization was maintained, with liut one change in the personel of the Township branches during the entii-e period of the war.

The aim of the Women's National Committee was to organize completely over the I nited States and to be ready to meet any emei'gency or perform any War Service that was asked by our Covermnent.

Amboy, Mrs. Josephine Ziegler and Mrs. C. T. Barnes Nachusa, Mrs. R. E. Herbst and Mrs. Fred K'iiig The first service the Government requested of tlu' ^^'(lman's ( 'iimniittee was a (-omplfte registration of all women. It was a census which gave the capabilities of each woman on a Card Index Form wdiich classified women into various groups, including those who could serve as stenographers, post office clerks, overseas telephone operators, professional nurses, and those desiring to enter hospitals for training, women willing to do industrial work as also those desiring to serve over seas, even to the Home Knitter or the woman who coidd g\yc two to four hours a day to sewing, and lastly those who were entirely occupied, yet wanted lo be on this War Registration and who registered as loyal American Women. And this Card Index was not only used by Local L^nits but when reciuests would come for certain work from State or National Committees these lists were effectively used. These files were also used by Government Officials in locating unpatriotic citizens, there being attached to this Card Index a list of the name.s of women who did not register. This census is now being held by the former Chairman in each Township and is accessil)le through her. The total number of women registering in Lee County was 5,64L It was imperatively necessary that eveiy woman in Lee County do some War Work, or otherwise the landen would fall very heavil>- on a fi'W. Women everywhere were willing, and all that was needed was a complete (Hiianizatidii in every Township so that meetings to do Relief Work for Men in Service mitihi be carried on. To this end we organized our Allied Relief Unit under the Illinois Chaiiniaiishii) of Mrs. Russell Tyson of Chicago. Upon Mrs. Tyson's visit to Dixon to organize oui- Unit our connnittee was told of the twelve or fifteen Countries that neede.l aid, and from this list wi' selected France, and the American Fund for French Woundetl, which was duly authorized in this country and which worked under the Service de Sante of France. We chose this service because it enabled us to work for the French soldier, who was at that time holding the line until our army in numbers could get there, as well as otir own American Boys. French Hospitals, where our supplies were sent, were filled with American Wounded and it was in this way that our surgical dressings, shirts, knitted goods and hospital supplies reached our American Boys. In fact, the first Lee County boy who gave his life died in a French Hospital. The National Council of American Fund for French Wountled worked very closely with the heads of the Red Cross in New York, and it should be stated that the American Fund for French Wounded shipped through thi' American Reil ( idss Trans- Atlantic Service up until the early part of 1919. It was only in a few isolated cases where these services did not work together.

We first established headcuiarters in the Countryman Building later for a short time the Schuler Building was used; then the Knights of Columljus gave us their heated rooms

Aliout the tirst of June we were given the use of the main floor of the store Building owned liy Cordon Utley on Galena Avenue. This generous gift of Mr. Ut ley's made possible a large amount of work during the hot summer months which otherwise could not have lieeii accomplished. We occupied the Utlcy Store until our War Work was finished, in the spring of lUlit, Afr. Utley furnishing us with heat in the winter months. Unlike other War Activities no provision was made by our Government for financing the work of the Women's Committee Council of National Defense. It was, therefore, necessary at the outset for the Lee County Conuiiittee to make provision not only for the work of knitting and sewing, ct c, l)ut also to raise funds foi' the payment of everythuig used, which included large amounts of yarn, muslin, tennis flannel, gauze, cotton and other materials, as also for the payment of expen.ses of other Committees including Social Service, Conversation, Child Welfare, the Fatherless Children of France and others. At the start time was too precious to spend in raising needed funds. There was immediate need for every kind of supplies for French and American Wounded, and the quick shipments of small (luantitics at that time meant the saving of hves. The call came urgent and strong from Headciuartei's to our Dixon Unit to rush forward in small shipments to be followed by larger ones a few weeks later. At that moment without formal action by the Dixon Unit materials were jiurchased in Chicago at wholesale and the work was started without delay. .\ few weeks later when invoices were checked, and it was found that purchases had been made amounting to about .S2000.00, without a single dollar in hand to meet these obligations, the serious ciuestion of financing this undertaking was nothing short of staggering in its proportions, as these women had not previously been confronted with the financial prolilems of this magnitude. But the cause, coupled with the greater enthusiasm which was in all hearts, made the greatest of undertakings seem easily possible, and in the faith that some way would be found by which we could finance this patriotic undertaking the work went steadily on and the question of finances was left for later solution.

With the County wide Registration finishetl, and with supplies bought and in hand the next urgent need was to get at once all of the Townships of Lee County actively engaged in War Work. It should be stated up to that time - about January 1918 - only Nine of the Twenty-two Townships in Lee County had been organized for War Work. Heavy snow stoiins came in .lanuai-y which made the roads in the c'ountry difficult to travel, but with the women in Thirteen Townships organized and unprovided w-ith material for War Work, our Committee went forth clay after day in sleighs over country roads which were almost impassable, often being compelled to dig through the drifts; until it was mad<' i)lain to eveiy community that there was woi'k to be done and that it must be started without delay. The eag(>r enthusiasm with which the women throughout the country gr.asped this o|)porlunily to do their i)it to hel|) win the War greatly lessened the burden of this work.

With the County tliroughly organized and materials distiibutctl, attention was turned to the serious problem of finances which up to February had been given but scant attention. We had, however, in December made a most encouraging start by having the good fortune to secure Capt. R. High Knyvett, the famous Australian fighter and scholar, who delivered a most thrilling address, picturing the terrible tragedies of the war in such a vivid way as to fire the heart and mind of every one present to the highest jiitch of patriotic fervor. It is safe to say that th(> vast audienc.t' that filled the Dixon Opera House

At the time of the influenza epidemic Mrs. W. E. Weurth called the Ladies of the Red Cross and other Organizations to the Comicil of Defense Headquarters to see if it would not be possible to be of some immediate help to those families who were stricken with this terrible disease. . The outcome of this meeting was that a Soup and Food Canteen was established at the Covmcil of Defense Headquarters which was kept open morning, noon and night to receive any orders from Doctors or requests from families where nourishing food was needed. This Committee of young women worked constantly for ten days. We also established a registration for Nurses and tliidugh this service many families were greatly aided.

Special mention should be made of ]Mrs. George Lauer, ]\Irs. Homer Parsons and Mrs. Frank Emmons for liberal financial aid, also for large quantities of excellent work turned out; for liberal financial aid. Miss Dorothy Barnett; for large quantities of excellent work and also various donations, Mrs. J. B. Dougherty, Mrs. F. M. Banker, Mrs. S. L. Shaw, Miss Louella Powers, Mrs. E. C. White, Mrs. Fred King, and Mrs. Harry Byers; for loyal suppoit and general good work, Mrs. J. W. Ziegler, Mrs. C. T. Barnes, Mrs. W. J. Brown, Mrs. C. F. Griffith, Mrs. Daisy Paine, Mrs. R. E. Herbst, Mrs. George Ross, Mrs. John .Ab.rrisey, Mrs. Clarence Stitzel, Mrs. Fred Wagner, Mrs. Michael Sullivan, Mrs. H. G. Keigwin and ?klrs. George Weber.

An itemized statement covering all financial icceiiits and disbursements from the beginning to the close of this work has been duly verified and audited by our Executive Committee, as by the Dixon National Bank. After paying all indebtedness there remains in this Fund a balance of $1315.62. This Fund is now deposited at the Dixon National Bank to the credit of the Woman's Conunittee Cotmcil of National Defense, Mrs. A. P.

Aniiington, Treasurer. None of this money can be used for any purpose excciif l>y ihc unanimous approval of the following Committee duly appointed, viz., Mrs. John (1. Ualston, Mrs. Douglas G. Harvoy, IMrs. A. P. Armington, Mrs. W. E. AYuerth, and Mrs. W. ('. McWethy.

Any Review of the aceomplisliments of the Woman"s Connnittee Council of National Defense would be sadly incomplete without special mention of the service performed by Mrs. W. E. Wuerth, Mrs. A. 1'. Aimington, Mrs. W. C. McWethy, Mrs. W. F. Strong, IMiss Ada Decker, Miss Maiy Morrison, Miss Rosanna Dement, Miss Annetta Dimick and Mrs. A. H. Nichols, the aforesaid ladies having lieen ('h:iiiirian of the various Committees. It is one thing to give up an occasional hour each w('<'k in some patriotic work, but when it comes to dedicating the larger part of one's time day after day - week after week. f(i I he services of a great cause, that represents the true measure of noble womanhood. ( ithcr Chairman of Committees that showed utmost zeal in their work were Aliss Helen Brown, :\Irs. Harry C. Warner, Miss Florence Noble, Airs. K. A. Clcvidencc, Airs. John M. Batcheldcr, Aliss Alary Wynn, Mrs. W. (b Kent, Mrs. T. J. Cbillion, and Mrs. F. D. Linclstroni.

As we glance in oui' mind's eye ov<'r tlie ahnosi insurmountable obstacles and iccall the manjr serious problems that liad to lie met and solved by oiu' l'Necuti\'e Connnittee, and consider how loyally-, persistently and courageously all of these women worked, our hearts are hlled with admiration, love and gratitutle.

It is far from our thought to exaggerate in the least the magnitutle of the work accomplished or the efforts put forth by our women, singly or collectively, nor would we enter upon any eulogies, for none are sought or needed. The Reports of various Committees larely eutlines the work that was accomplished in the Ijrief period of twelve months. It is not too much to say that i( is a highly credible showing.