Lee County, Illinois - Chapter 31, 1920

At the begmninn of the Second Lilicrt>- lu.an a patriotic mcctini;- was held in Long's hall. The use of this hall f.n' all mcctin-s held was donated to the c(,mnuttcv by the owiht, Edward F. Long,

E. J. Mannion pivsided at the meeting, at wliii'h Attorneys Harry Edwards, John Devine and A, H. Hannekcn, gave able a<l<lresses. At the close, an opportunity was given to all who so desired to sign u]5 for laonds. The ciuota for the township was $39,500. Tliis was overscribed by $12,550. This sum was raised by solicitors who made a house to house canvass. The committee was assisted by P, H. Kugler, A. A. Conner, E. J. Morrisey and A. A. Mekeel.

The first Y. XL ('. A. drive was not the success that it should have been, as the solictors, Geo, E. Koss and John Graham, waited in vain until tlie last .lay for the supply of buttons, then went out and got $47. Some of the citizens subscribed in other towns, as they were unaware that each town was assessed its quota to raise.

Mrs. Joseph McCleary of Dixon came to Harmon and met the ladies of the township at the Frank Hettinger home and organized a working auxiliary of the Red Cross. ]\L'S. V. Hettinger was chosen president, Miss Mary Gibhn, secretary; and W. H. Kugler, treasurer. The ladies met every week at the president's home and made slings, bandages and knit sweaters for the boys; also gave the b<iys a, nice Christmas present.

The drive for funds for the P>ed ( 'ross was conducteil on tlie \'olunteer plan. Misses CeHa and Emma O'Brien received the subscriptions at the bank, while Elmer Hess attended to those who came to his store at Van Petten. The neat sum of $1207.50 was raised. At the close of the drive the ladies of the community served an elaborate banquet in Hettinger and Smallwood's garage, the use of which was kindly donated by the owners. At this banquet, W. H. Kugler presided. Patriotic speeches were given by Harry Warner, John Devine and John Crabtree of Dixon; Father Thomas Moore of Harmon, and Rev.

Thornton of Napervillc A nmsical program, consisting of solos, duets, drills and choruses was also given. Ovci siod was added to the fund by the banquet.

The Harmon scIkkiI. >uidci- the leadership of John Graham, received a United States flag for selling more l\rd ( 'russ Christmas seals for the nund)er of pii|)ils ein'ollcd, than any other city school in the c(iUMt>".

The finance committee dccideil to apportion the i\nnX-d for the township, for the Third Liberty loan accdidinii' to the school districts and let the directors receive the slUiscriptioiis. TlK.sr wh.i had thr g I fortune tc, be ,~.ch(M,l dnecturs, and jmuped into the collar, were R. W. Long antl John Murray, Alfred Clatworthy and P. F. Talty, A. A. Mekeel, assisted by Elmer Hess, Charles Nicklans and J. R. McCormick; George E. Ross assisted P. H. Kugler and J. P. Long. John W. Graham, scout master, and the Boy Scouts were givi-n the opportunity (if working in this drive. I-dlis Kugler, Douglas ('oiisidin(\ Nelson Coiinery and Thdiiias Drew were the l>ii\s who hung on until tlu' slacker came across. The amount raised for this loan was .-s24,<t()l).

In the sirring of 1918 three rural mail carriers, E. T. McCormick, George E. Ross and Joe Sinallwood, under the supervision of Ada Dewey, postmistress, made a house to hotisc canvass on their routes, for the sale of war savings stamps. They had fair success but not enough to complete the townshiji quota. Then the finance committee sent the directors to work in the school districts. Tliose taking active part were D. T. Hill and Will Kranov, R. W. Long and John Murray, Gatchel and Charles Nicklaus, E. T. McCormick, T. P. Long and Elmer Hess. The value of stamps taken was 818,755, being .|1705 more than the township's quota.

During this drive a rally was held in Long's hall. At the meeting Father Moore, with Attorneys Edwards and Hanneken, furnished the oratoiic'al fireworks.

At the beginning of the Fourth Liberty loan drive a mass meeting was held in Long's hall. Mrs. Will Kranov and Mrs. Gertrude Mclnnery favored the audience with jiatriotic solos. Miss Stella Long gave a reading, while Picv. .1. 15. Keima. Ivlward \'aile and Attorney Winn were the speakers.

The volunteer plan was adopted for the drive, the citizens coming to the Bank at Harmon and Hess's store at Van Petten. The subscrii)tions at the liank were taken care of by Charles Kent, L H. Perkins, Miss Nelhe Burns, Teresa Jeanquenat, Celia and Emma O'Brien. At Van Petten, P. P. Talty and Miss Vera Donahue helped Mr. Hess take the subscriptions. The amount received was $42,600.00, being $1450 over the top.

As the volunteer plan had worked fine in the former drive it was continued at the same places for the war activity drive, and was a success, as $1360 was given for this work.

Activities of W. C. C. N. D. Mrs. George E. Ross was appointed township chairman of the Woman's Committee Comicil of National Defense. She appointed Miss Mary Giblin, secretary, and Mrs. R. W. Long, registration officer, Mrs. John Graham, Mrs. Will Kranov, with the secretary, registrars. Other workers were Mrs. W. H. Kuglers, Mrs. Tom Mannion and Mrs. Elmer Hess. On November 9 and 10, 1918, one hundred thirteen women of the township came to the village cotmcil room and registered.