Starke County, Indiana - The whole text, 1928 (part 2 of 3)

The Starke County Red Cross Chapter made its first shipment of 393 pieces of hospital supplies November 24th, 1917 to the Ft. Wayne headquarters. 'These were made at North Judson and Knox workrooms, the Bass Lake Auxiliary com- pleting considerable work from the Knox shop. The articles consisted of North Judson - 13 suits of pajamas, 21 shoulder wraps, 12 bed shirts, 156 handkerchiefs, 7 pair bed socks and one convalescent robe. From Knox - 54 suits of pajamas, 36 bed shirts, and 13 pairs of knitted socks. A workroom was opened up at Hamlet and their supplies were included in the next shipment.

During the week of January 23rd, 1918, a very interesting and creditable display of knit-wear and hospital supplies made by the ladies of the Starke County Chapters of the American pajamas, 65 bed shirts, two convalescent robes, twelve pair of bed socks, twenty-one shoulder wraps, 125 pairs of knitted socks, 204 handkerchiefs, 50 knitted sweaters, four knitted scarfs, 35 pairs of wristlets, three comfort pillows, eight helmets, thirty-six wash cloths.

From the Hamlet workroom Mrs. H. W. Childs reported on May Ist, 1918 remarkable industry during a period of two months previous. The Hamlet ladies turned out in this length of time 68 suits of pajamas, twelve pairs of bed socks, two pairs of knitted socks, twelve property bags, two knitted scarfs, and their workroom was only open from one to five on week days.

Mrs. Eudora Reinhardt reported that the Red Cross Auxiliary at Grovertown did splendid work especially in knitting. Mrs. William Uncapher president holds the record of twentyeight pairs of socks, Mrs. C. E. Holderman knit twenty-seven pairs of socks and Mrs. Hattie Marsh won third place.

did women of Starke County who gave their time, talents, and energies to this cause. Therefore we hesitate to print any names we have at hand.

The making of surgical dressings in Starke County was in charge of Mrs. Nellie R. Pentecost who wrote the following account: When the call came for surgical dressings, two chapters were organized: one at North Judson and one at Knox. Rooms were properly equipped for these classes. A regular course of study and instruction was instituted and conducted by special instructors. Graduates from this course were honored with diplomas and were qualified as instructors in surgical dressing work. These graduates had supervision of the making of surgical dressings by the ladies of the county, who met at workrooms each afternoon and evening to do this work. 'The Starke County chapters made all kinds of surgical dressings required by our government in treating wounded soldiers, and all orders received from the government during this great war were promptly filled.

The Knox Class consisted of the following members: Nellie R. Pentecost president, Amanda Green Inspector and shipper, Bertha Abner, Ruth Kline, Cloe Kratli, Mabel Hermance, Rhoda Van Alllen, Lucile Rennalls, Vina Fletcher, and Ava

Her report also includes the following interesting specifications: First dressings on wounds made of gauze, Gauze Wipe, 2x2; gauze compress, 4x4; gauze compress, 9x44; gauze strip, 9x3; gauze roll, 3x4%4; gauze roll, 5x41,

It is interesting to note the enthusiasm shown by the high school girls and the young graduates at this critical time in their surgical dressing activities. In both surgical dressing classes there were junior students who won the Red Cross both on the cap and sleeve for efficient work done in this course.

War Relief Work

The awful carnage 1914 to 1918, called upon all the forces of our people to prepare not only the boys who were to make and willingly so, the supreme test for their country but to secure the necessary funds with which to "carry on' and not only that but to see that the boys received the proper food and care. 'The slogan not only was, ""The boys will do their duty' but also in connection therewith, '"'Money will win the war." With these as our slogans the citizens rallied to the call. 'The first meeting was called May 22nd, 1917, and the basement room of the M. E. Church was the place of the meeting. I"his meeting was called for the purpose of raising $350.00 as Starke County's share of the three million dollar fund to be raised for the Y. M. C. A. for the purpose of providing buildings and accommodations "'over there' for our boys. At this meeting a permanent organization during the war was had. The following officers were duly elected, Hon. William C. Pentecost, Chairman; Henry F. Schricker, Secretary, and John W. Kurtz, Treasurer. Seventy dollars was raised at this meeting and the following executive committee appointed, - Charles W. Weninger, North Judson, Jerry H. Brickels, Hamlet; Guy M. Wells, Knox; William W. Osborn, Ober, and John Borg of North Bend Township. The sum was soon raised and applied for the purposes intended.

'The second big drive for the Y. M. C. A. was started in November, 1917. This drive was for thirty-five million dollars and Starke County's quota was four thousand dollars. The preliminary arrangements for this drive for the county Was made at a meeting of the citizens of the county held at the office of Oscar B. Smith in Knox on November 12, L917;

After a careful survey of the matter a county organization was worked out and the following officials chosen, - C. Elmer Tuesberg, Chairman, Harvey G. Dickson, Secretary, and Perry W. Uncapher, Treasurer. To carry out the project big meetings were held, as follows: November 15th, at Hamlet, M. E. . Church; November 12 at San Pierre, and North Judson; November 14th, at Ober, Grovertown and Bass Lake. At these several meetings teams for the purpose of raising the funds were appointed. When the final reports came in from these several teams they showed that Starke County was true-blue and had gone over the top. The writer regrets that a full report of the personnel of these several teams cannot be given. However, this does not dim the glory due them.

The next big drive in Starke County was the United War Worker's Campaign. This drive was set for November 11, 1918. Ata meeting held at the Circuit Court Room in Knox, on Friday, October 3rd, 1918, the following Chairmen were appointed: Guy M. Wells, Y. M. C. A.; Mrs. Mamie M. Nichols, Y. W. C. A.; William J. Reed, K. of C.; Fred Haas, Jewish Welfare Board; John L. Moorman, War Camp Community Service; Harvey G. Dickson, American Library Association; Rev. R. L. Phillips of Hamlet, M. E. Church and Frank J. Vessely of North Judson, associate members. Starke County's quota in this drive was five thousand dollars... The several chairmen and associate members organized the county, made their drives and the writer is advised raised their quota for the county.

Unfortunately there was not at the time of these several drives any active organization of the Y. M. C. A., Y. W.C. A, Salvation Army, K. of C., Library Association or Jewish Welfare Board, but each of the chairmen chosen was a member of the society to which he was elected. Just who had charge of the Salvation Army drive, the writer is unable to learn, however, some of the other writers of this story of Starke County's activities in the World War may know and give. The writer can only say that there was money raised, and that it was put to good use by the heroic lassies who braved the hell fire of

At Camp Taylor in the month of February, 1918, the Y. M. C. A. alone sent 147,822 letters to the boys. This certainly was a worthy act and deserves, as it has, commendation by us all who did our fighting in swivel chairs. The Y. M. C. A.

provided more than one hundred and fifty centers in France. had more than thirteen hundred American Secretaries there to assist the boys and care for their wants.

The P. E. O. Literary Society of Knox, through its efforts in a motion picture benefit show at the Fairy Theatre, contributed to the Armenian Relief.

[t is an unfortunate thing that we did not at the very outset of this war arrange for a complete history of these several activities but in the hurry, stress and excitement of the occasion this was overlooked as all were anxious to do his bit to get those brave boys who had not "'gone west" back to their beloved "United States."" Let us hope that if another war (may it never come is the hope and prayer of the writer) should ever come that the future generations vill take a lesson from our oversight and provide the means of keeping a complete history of all the activities and a list of those whom were the active movers in the various ones.

If the writer has overlooked any it is of the head and not the heart and the lack of necessary information. All honor and glory is given to each and every individual who did his bit in all these various works to save the world for Democracy.

Belgian Relief Work

The first of the activities for the Belgians in Starke County of which we have any account was a voluntary organization of Knox ladies who interested themselves in this work and no November 11th, 1917, made their first contribution which consisted of the following: 14 gingham dresses, 6 boys caps, 4 boys shirts, 9 woolen dresses, 1 pair long pantaloons, 4 coats, 6 petticoats, 5 rompers, 2 boys waists, 2 underskirts, 3 pair knickers (female), 2 pair bloomers, 1 pair knee pants, 2 aprons, 7 hoods, 3 pair wool mittens (boys), 3 pair stockings, 1 pair stocking feet and 4 boys woolen suits, all of which were sent to the proper place.

The final work on the Relief for the Belgians was done the week of September 16th to 23rd, 1918. The writer was selected as County Chairman, notices were given in each of the county papers, the Starke County Democrat, the Starke County Republican, and the North Judson News - calling on the citizens to send or bring to Knox, at the Red Cross Headquarters, all of the old clothing they could possibly give and township and town chairmen were appointed. At the prescribed time the clothing came, it came by car load, by the wagon load and on the arms of children and in all the ways imaginable, and it came in great quantities until we got almost a car load. There were hats and caps, boots and shoes, one person I do not remember, at this time, who it was, brought at least a dozen pairs of little boots with red tops and copper toes that had never been worn. Everyone in connection with the drive at the headquarters was highly elated over these and especially the men, all of the older ones well remembered when they had a pair just like them. They all commented on the fact that

Lucifer never was as proud as they were the first time they put them on. There were shirts and skirts, coats and vests, wraps and suits, socks and stockings, union and non-union suits of underwear, and in fact there were garments for all, the old and the young, the infant and the child, the boy and the girl, the mother and grandmother, the father and grandfather. There were whole suits, pants, knickers (both male and female) and teddys for the ladies. In fact the ladies who assisted the writer in sorting and packing the outfit ready for shipping were astonished that so many things could come for this purpose, out of our County, which is not densely populated, is small and not very wealthy. This fact leads us to believe that almost every family in the County gave something. Along about the last day there came two little children, a girl and a boy, the boy carrying a little suit and sweater. the girl a little dress and bloomers - these children seemed so happy to be able to give their bit that after that the sorting and packing seemed so much easier and we were soon through and started the goods over the Nickel Plate to their destination.

The garments and all of the material that came in to the headquarters were in fine shape. Clean and well preserved and useful - and the writer hopes that the Belgians who received them were as grateful and received them in the same spirit in which they were sent. As Chairman of the Belgian Relief, the writer wishes to thank each and every individual that contributed to the Relief. And to the good women - whose names have escaped the writer's memory, who so gladly gave of their time and labor in sorting and packing the garments, the writer, on behalf of the recipients of all the goods and on behalf of the Belgian Relief Association of the United States extends thanks.

This article has been written from what could be gathered from the newspapers in the various notices and comments made during the war, from friends and from memory. If anything has been overlooked, or any one forgotten, remember it is because no complete data is at hand. Your conscience and mem- ory will be your mentors if you have been forgotten or overlooked, and if you did your bit in any of the many war activities the memory of those acts in the future will be as sweet recompense as if your name was in this record.

County Food Administration

One of the first truths to be impressed upon the people after the declaration of war was that food must be conserved at whatever sacrifice. '"'Food will win the war,' became one of the first slogans to be adopted by the country.

During the period of neutrality the people of the United States were advised from time to time how they could conserve food. Frequent appeals were also made to save in various ways, and many people tried to accommodate themselves to these suggestions. With the outbreak of the war, the food situation presented one of the very important problems. Europe was almost destitute and in large sections of the country people were on the verge of starvation. The entire matter reduced itself to the simple proposition that the production and conservation of food stuffs must be most stringently supervised and controlled, or the war would be lost for lack of sufficient food to keep up the morals of the allies.

On October 25, 1917, F. Forrest Whitson was appointed County Food Administrator for Starke County. He received his appointment from the President through H. E. Barnard, Starke Food Administrator for Indiana, and upon the recommendation of the County Council of Defense. It became his duty to publish and promulgate the orders of the National and State Food Administrations, and to see that such orders were enforced.

It was his duty to organize the county for production and conservation of food stuffs, to regulate the sale of various foods, and to see that the rules against hoarding were strictly ob-

S. Shoemaker

Various other people were appointed Deputy Food Administrators at various times as the need arose to perform some specific duty, such as the issuing of flour and sugar cards. Among those who served in this capacity were Otto Dolesal, Owen Daly, Lester Short, L. B. Wakeman, Frank Black, Emery Turner and several others whose names have escaped the writer. "The duties of the Deputy Food Administrators were to assist the County Pood Administrator in promulgating and publishing the various rulings of the Federal Food Administration, and to report to him any violations of such rulings.

"Suckling pigs shall not be killed and served as in other years during the holidays. The slaughter of immature animals must be stopped. Hogs must be kept on the farm until fully matured. 'This will apply likewise to calves, except for scientific purposes. The practice of raffling food: of giving prizes consisting of food, of holding turkey shoots, in violation of the purposes of food control and will not be permitted. Food must be distributed in its usual channels to those who need it."

'Purchase of sugar must not exceed three pounds per capita per month. 'The practice of some persons going from one dealer to another and buying a pound in each place will not be

On December 10, 1917 an order was made requiring all bakers to operate their establishments under a license granted by the Federal Government, and making it illegal to operate such establishments without such Federal License. This order made it possible for the Government to control the use of substitutes for wheat flour in the manufacture of bread.

On December 22, 1917, further orders relating to the sale of sugar and flour and to advertisements tending to induce customers to increase their purchase of flour and sugar were issued as follows:

"Sugar will be sold in towns and cities to consumers in two and five pound quantities. To farm and rural' consumers in five and ten pound quantities."'

'Flour in towns and cities shall be sold in eights to quarter barrel quantities. To farm and rural consumers in quarter and half barrel quantities.' serving refreshments were requested to discontinue the practice unless such refreshments took the place of one of the three regular meals. The food program for the new year, beginning January 1, 1918, was announced as follows:

On Tuesday afternoon, January 8, 1918, every dealer in food stuff in Starke County met with the Food Administrator in the farmers room at the court house at Knox where the food situation was discussed. 'This was the first of a series of meetings which were held from this time until the close of the war. One hundred per cent cooperation was pledged the Food Administration and it is the belief of the writer that this pledge was conscientiously observed by practically every dealer in Starke County. At this meeting Harry Kramer was elected to act as a delegate from Starke County to attend a State meeting which was held at Indianapolis two weeks later.

On February 6th, 1918, a new ruling was issued which provided that no merchant, feed store, or elevator might sell any wheat flour to the customer unless the customer would at the same time buy an equal amount of some recognized substitute. The recognized substitutes were rye, barley, soy bean flour, buckwheat and corn flours, cornmeal, potato flour, and sweet potato flour. Bakers were also compelled to mix substitutes with the wheat flour in their corn bread. This ruling, together with the sugar regulations was very difficult to inforce, and caused more friction and bad feeling than any other act of the food administration. A few days later another order was made limiting the amount of sales of wheat flour to one pound per capita per week, with a maximum of five pounds in the city and twelve and one-half pounds in the country.

Some attempt at price fixing was made about this time by the Food Administration. Certain limits' were set as to the profit which merchants might take, and a fair price schedule was published weekly in all the county papers. 'The price of bread was fixed as follows:

Because of the critical shortage of wheat it was decided to permit the use of more meat. Therefore porkless Saturday was abolished. Also one meatless meal each day was abolished. Meatless 'Tuesday still remained in force. The price of sugar was fixed at nine cents per pound.

A system of sugar and flour cards for Starke County went into effect the week of April 24, 1918. All merchants were instructed to sell no sugar or flour unless the customer had a card. 'The cards were issued at some central point in each Township, were numbered and registered, and a record kept at the Food Administrator's Office at Knox, of all cards issued. When the card was filled it was sent to the Food Administrator, and another was issued from his office. Only one card was issued to each family and no cards were issued to people living outside of Starke County. The flour quota was one and onehalf pounds per capita per week. Not over thirty days supply could be purchased at one time, and not over fifty pounds could be sold to a country customer or over twenty-five pounds to a person living in a town or city. The sugar quota was three pounds per capita per month. The limit was ten pounds to a country and five pounds to a town customer.

The card system was never applied universally over the State. Where it was used it proved very efficient. It was very effective in putting a stop to the practice of buying one's full quota of flour or sugar at several stores. It also brought home to people in general that the need for conserving these two commodities was acute. It required a great deal of time and bookkeeping to operate, however, and after about four weeks it was discontinued. A picture of a flour card, perhaps the only one in existence, accompanied this article. Flour sales were listed on one side and sugar sales on the other.

On May 15th the sugar regulations were modified to the extent that twenty-five pounds of sugar might be purchased in addition to the three pounds per capita limit provided that the purchaser would certify that the sugar was required for canning purposes. Canning fruit was very popular that season. About this time also a regulation went into effect forbidding the sale of hens for slaughter. This rule did not prevent the sale of roosters. Neither did it prevent the sale of hens and pullets for the purpose of egg production.

During the Summer months the regulations varied from week to week as the necessity arose, the limit of sugar being sometimes two and sometimes three pounds per capita per month. An effort was made to induce all merchants to adopt the cash and carry plan. This was only partially successful in Starke County, as the practice of extending credit was very deep rooted and hard to break up. Numerous food clubs and similar organizations were formed over the County for the purpose of conserving food. The people as a whole gave the work of the Food Administration their whole hearted support and much was accomplished. School children were encouraged to plant gardens and it is probable that more food stuff was produced in Starke County in the year 1918 than any other year in its history.

'The signing of the armistice of course brought all this to a stop. In theory the Food Administration remained intact until the formal declaration of peace, some time later, but it's work was finished and very little more was done.

Fuel Administration

Harry E. Johnson who more than anyone else in the county was accountable for the strict conservation of fuel and light, passed on in the summer of 1921, so unfortunately we are unable to secure any definite material on the subject. However it is a well known fact that Harry E. Johnson performed the duties of his office in a commendable and highly satisfactory manner and received high praise throughout the county.

The week of October 31st, 1917 the important appointments in Starke County were made - that of Harry E. Johnson of Knox as county fuel administrator, and F. Forrest Whitson of Knox as county food administrator. These appointments were made by the County Council of Defense. The duty of the fuel administrator and his local committee is (1) to gather information regarding the supply of fuel in their community (2) to ascertain the fuel needs of the community with special regard to the points of immediate need (3) to investigate and report at once to State Administrator prices at which each size and quality of coal is sold in the community and continue to so report weekly (4) to report to the State Administrator the gross margin which is being charged by each dealer in each community for every size and quality of coal and whether such margin is excessive (5) to investigate the statue of contract between the jobbers or operators and the industrial plants of the community.

of soft coal was fixed as follows: Indiana coal at the car, bin or delivered, $5.00 per ton; Illinois coal $5.50 at the car or bin, $5.75 delivered.

As the war continued and the drain on all manner of fuel supplies became so great it was necessary for the government to issue very stringent conservative measures in order that military operations should not be hampered by lack of coal. Therefore the following regulations were put into effect. Upon and after the 15th of November, 1917 no corporation, association, partnership or person engaged in whole or in part in the business of furnishing electricity for illuminating or power purposes, and no corporation etc. maintaining a plant for the purpose of supplying for their own use electricity for illuminating or power purposes shall use any coal for the purpose of generating or producing in whole or in part electricity before 7:45 P. M. or after 11:00 P. M. and no electrically illuminated signs or display advertisements except as in special cases provided for, after 11:00 P. M. This applied to porch lights - hotel lights and street lights also. Perhaps the effects of this measure were not felt so keenly in the small towns such as our county possesses but in such cities as South Bend, Fort Wayne or Indianapolis the darkness of the large electric signs along the great business streets was greatly noticeable and the atmosphere of warfare brought impressively home to the people.

Beginning January 28th, 1918 the nine Mondays following this date were declared holidays for all stores except those amusement places, saloons could not be opened on those days. where food and drugs were sold; business houses, offices, Grocery stores were only open until noon.

July 18th, 1918 no city, village or town and no person, or town shall use or consume coal for street lights, parks or firm or corporation under any contract with any city, village public places of the city under the following retrictions; lights may not be lighted before sunset and shall be turned out not later than sunrise. Amount of lighting only enough gor public safety.

covering heating; (1) no fuel burned for heat of offices or banks, in business houses on Sundays and holidays or on Saturdays after 12 o'clock noon or on other days after five P. M. elevator service between 6:00 P. M. or 7:00 A. M. (2) Wholesale and retail business may be heated from 9:00 A. M. to 5:00 P. M. except stores formerly remaining open after 6:15 may be heated not later than 10:00 P. M. (3) Churches must be kept closed except on Sundays. Schools were placed on one session basis and factories inaugurated daylight service.

An incident which caused considerable comment throughout the county is worthy of mention here. While Knox was laboring under the strict coal regulations and each home or business house was allowed only a limited amount of coal in their bins at a certain time two or three of our prominent business men in Knox were completely without coal and no coal in Knox. Mr. Johnson felt very badly that he was unable to supply them with a small amount at least. As it happened upon that particular day a train of coal was passing through Knox on the C. I. & S. directed to some town down the line. Mr. Johnson with the authority of his office commandeered an entire car of this coal much to the chagrin of the train officials and so everyone who was destitute of coal in Knox got at least a small share of that car.

Another unusual occurrence was the gasless Sunday law which stipulated that no autos might be run for pleasure during a certain length of time on Sundays. One of our prominent citizens of Knox received an urgent call from a sick relative and while passing through several small towns on his way to his destination he was nearly mobbed for his seemingly unpatriotic attitude. From this incident one might see the tenseness of the feeling of our people during the strenuous days of this World War. .

'The success of any patriotic movement depends much upon the sentiment of a community as created by public speakers. It is said that the southern half of Illinois was saved from ceces- + sion in 1860 by the eloquence of that noted patriot, John A. Logan. Realizing the value of public sentiment as aroused by speakers this government, early in the World War, set about to promote patriotism through the medium of men and women speaking from every platform throughout the land. In consummation of this plan Starke County played her part fully and well. While the speaking was done in the interest of some "drive'' for the purpose of selling Liberty Bonds or War Savying Stamps, or to raise money for some relief work, yet the burden of all speeches was patriotism and "'winning the war." In this work men and women of all shades of political beliefs and religious creeds worked together harmoniously. "There was no strife, no bickering, no trickery. All were headed in the same direction, in truth and in fact. But one object was in view, to win the war and get the boys back home. In this work credit belongs in particular to no party, sex or creed. It was a common job, performed by all in common, greatly to the credit of Starke County as a whole. 'The call for speakers was almost constant, and by day and by night men and women answered this call freely and uncomplainingly. The political campaign of 1918 was almost forgotten so intent were the people upon the one great object at hand. As I now recall it, I do not remember a political speech having been made in Starke County that year. 'There was a common prayer upon every life, a common hope in every heart. All thought, all action tended in one direction. Starke County was a patriotic County, made so not only by those who wore the Nation's Uniform, but by the men and women at home who applied themselves to the many tasks assigned them.

Patriotic Gatherings And Demonstrations

Following the declaration of war on the part of the Congress Of the United States against the Imperial German Government, the peoples of Starke County lost no time in planning appropriate demonstrations for public utterance of the patriotic spirit that filled their breasts. They were anxious to show their loyalty to flag and country, and in almost every community thoughtful men and women quietly began to lay the foundation on which the county's splendid war record should find a permanent and lasting setting.

Nowhere, we dare say, was the clarion call to patriotic duty sounded more clearly or more frequently than in the churches of our county, and the call for observance of ''Patriotic Sunday,'' May 20, 1917, coming from the executive committee of the Y. M. C. A. war work, met a hearty response in practically every pulpit. This was a great day in many of our churches and was featured with special patriotic sermons at the morning service and wonderful mass meetings in the afternoon or evening. Let it be said here and now that the patriotic services rendered by our ministers throughout the war were of inestimable value and cannot be emphasized too strongly.

Great credit for patriotic service is also due the Sunday Schools of Starke County, all of them aiding very materially in carrying on the war work in their respective communities. Every Sunday School carried its Honor Roll of young men who had been called to the colors and many inspiring programs were given. In this connection we are pleased to reproduce a war proclamation to the Sunday Schools of Starke County, issued president of the county association, which reads as follows: "The President of the United States has designated July Ist as Patriotic Day. I would be pleased if every Sunday School in this county would observe this day with appropriate - exercises."'

Numerous meetings of patriotie character, relating principally to organization work for the various home war activities, were held in homes, churches, schools and halls throughout the county during the summer months of 1917, and with gratifying results. In every town and township loyal men and women of every political party and religious creed were earnestly co-operating in this highly important organization work so that by early fall our people were pretty well prepared for those strenuous and never-to-be-forgotten days just ahead. And in this connection let it be said that the three newspapers of the county, namely, the North Judson News, the Starke County Republican and the Starke County Democrat, gave freely and liberally of their space and advertising materials in support of every war meeting or measure. The editors of these papers in the order given above were Chester A. McCormick, who later entered the service; John L. Moorman and Henry F. Schricker.

Immediately following the government's first call for men under the selective service law, the people of North Judson planned a great Red Cross banquet and farewell reception to Starke county's soldier boys, and the same was held in the basement of the Catholic Church of that city on Thursday evening, September 13, 1917. The banquet was spread by the Ladies' Aid societies of the several churches of North Judson, and those in attendance will never forget how splendidly the ladies acquitted themselves on that occasion. Starke County's first contingent of fighting men were the honor guests at this feast and were given a special table in the banquet hall. The

Knox Band furnished music for the occasion and_ patriotic speeches were made by the following: Editor Chester A. Mc- Cormick, Rev. A. C. VanRie, of the Catholic Church; Rev. W. B. Collier, of the Methodist Church: Senator John G. Reidelbach, Judge F. M. Trissal, Mrs. Albert Fisher, Lon E. Bernethy, chairman of the County Council of Defense, Dr. F. G. Davis and Editor Henry F. Schricker. The hall was packed with people from all parts of the county and the proceeds of the supper went to the county's Red Cross War Fund.

Just one week later, on Thursday evening, September 20, 1917, the county witnessed its first great 'Farewell'? demonstrations in honor of thirty-two selected service men who entrained for camp the following morning. 'This demonstration was held in Knox and it attracted hundreds of people from all sections of the county. Martial music was furnished by the

Walkerton, San Pierre and Knox Bands and a stirring patriotic program was staged before a large audience at the Reiss Opera House. An elaborate banquet at Hostetler's Cafe preceded the meeting and a mighty chorus of cheers went up from the audience as the soldier boys took their places on the stage for the program, which reads as follows:

"The Star Spangled Banner' Bands and Audience Opening Address Henry F. Schricker "America The Beautiful' Knox High School Chorus Patriotic Address John L. Moorman Violin Duet Harold Loring and Jacob Byers Vocal Solo Frances Chapel Recitation Miss Vesta Golding "Somewhere in France is The Lily''............ Ya We G, Gels Patriotic Address............. Frade VG nce BA Chester A. McCormick "What America Can Do" Mildred Sands "Good-bye Broadway, Hello France'... Knox Band Quartette Vocal Solo Sylva Reiss Jonas

With Thomas J. Daly, of San Pierre, in charge of the contingent the following stalwart and happy young fellows departed for Camp Taylor the next morning:

The departure of the county's second contingent of service men, on October 15, 1917, was made the occasion for another though hurriedly arranged demonstration in Knox, and this consisted of a fine banquet and patriotic program at Hostetler's Cafe the preceding evening. This group also went to Camp Taylor and was composed of the following members:

On the afternoon of October 2, 1917, the citizens of Knox and vicinity staged a fine patriotic program at the foot of the county's new 75-foot steel flag pole, which had been erected on the court house grounds September 25th by Smith Daniel and Melville A. Geiselman, of the Winona Telephone Company. The county commissioners were generously commended on every hand for making this permanent and timely improvement. The dedicatory program consisted of a fine parade of school children, Red Cros workers and North Judson Boy Scouts, headed by the Knox Band and Barnum's Drum Corps, and patriotic addresses by Attorneys Charles H. Peters, Harry C. Miller and Thomas J. Hurley. Mark Anderson, custodian of the court house, enjoyed the privilege of raising the first flag to the top of the new pole on this occasion.

group of soldier boys. A local committee, composed of Ollie D. Hepner, William S. Peters and Dr. Louis W. Bortz, arranged a fine patriotic program at the Fairy Theatre which followed an elaborate banquet for the boys at Dan's Cafe. Attorney Charles H. Peters delivered the farewell address on this occasion and other numbers on the program were: Vocal solos by Sylva Reiss Jonas and John D. Moorman; songs by a North Judson mixed quartette; selections by the Knox Orchestra; a fine reading, entitled '"IThe Kid Has Gone to the Colors,'' by Miss Charlotte Arnold, of North Judson; songs by a Knox girls' quartette, and piano solos by the Misses Mabel Weigner and Florence Akers, of North Judson. The following young men, twenty-three in number, departed for Camp Taylor the next morning:

ORIN EAT OALAD oa > 03 ete th ok ee ee Knox - JAMES BECHA, JR. ......... RATE IY Te wi ened er ors ap San Pierre AREY RWIS PERE yb, us eke re Grovertown - CHARLES H. ASHLEY ..:.....2.... Boal feet) North Judson Robo a, Cre H. tai ee! ee Fes A ae os Walkerton IMLARSHALL-T. MARKSOS ..iooso ili oda lesenc Grovertown POA Ad ee oe. oo av ein Pik ten, ee: North Judson Pe AUGUeh ELD! store ieee ake North Judson CICARENG@Ee (AGEN... ohioel tn OF. North Judson CUARENCE J: IGHNSON cra) ice i Hamlet PETER OU RUT ES 24.0 ac: Fe ae ed ie ta Knox Pere ORB y = Le ie nt aus, North Judson SIMO FOU AWSON: 8. ht hn ea San Pierre BVILLA "Sete es too et Sela a Denham JOHN: WESLEY "NORMAN - i500 0..020 An A. Se a2 Hamlet Piskey - G, WYLEMD, so Oe ce Ee: Grovertown - PAIN EWE a ae te 2 North Judson - Bens OF) BODAMBR io. xc. cise ok ain 2 Donaldson RALPH STEPHENSON 90.2205 2A me aies English Lake gone? PRWLISe <:, 2.285 fot Se ar ee San Pierre LAWRENCE H. ABRAHAM ............... the ght ied oe: North Judson Piper Le WOM «ocd tee Nee os Bass Station

The War Department's fourth call for soldiers was answered by twenty-seven of Starke county's sons, and their departure from Knox on the morning of April 26, 1918, was made the occasion for another big night program at the Reiss Opera House. Hundreds of relatives and friends from all parts of the county came to attend this demonstration and the crowds were so large that many failed to gain admittance to the opera house. The program followed the usual banquet at Dan's Cafe and consisted of music, songs and patriotic addresses. All

'of the men under this call, excepting two, Carl Brown and Burdett Wood, entered Camp Taylor for military training. Brown and Wood, under a special call, entered the School for Aviation Mechanics at Purdue University. The Camp Taylor contingent included the following:

Still another and fifth call for soldiers, under the selective service law, was answered by twenty-five of our boys on May 24, 1918, and their departure for camp furnished the setting for another rousing farewell program at the Reiss Opera House. This program, following the customary banquet, was made doubly attractive by a home talent playlet, written by Sylva Reiss Jonas especially for this occasion. The evening's entertainment consisted of the following numbers:

The closing number was the above-mentioned playlet, entitled "If War Were Like This,'' and the cast presenting this clever sketch was composed of the following young people: Weldon Bogan, Ward Wilhelm, Mrs. Ralph Kline, Mary Gorrell, Grace Hisey, Bernice Wilhelm, Irma Stevens, Harry Johnson and Beulah Baldwin.

Six of our boys under this call went to Camp Taylor for training and the balance of the contingent reported at Columbus Barracks for duty. Those going to Camp Taylor were:

Possibly the largest patriotic meeting held in Starke County, in point of attendance, during the World War, took place in the spacious pavilion of the Bass Lake County Club on Sunday afternoon, June 16, 1918. More than seven hundred people were in attendance and several hundred automobiles to say nothing of other conveyances, were parked on historic Cranberry Point during the afternoon. The object of the meeting was to organize the exempted men of the county with the view of accomplishing the greatest results in the war work that had to be done at home. Enthusiasm ran high and every township in the county pledged to do its utmost in carrying on this work. The principal address of the day was delivered by Prof. E. J. Llewllyn, superintendent of the New Castle schools. Henry F. Schricker presided over the meeting and County Agent Charles A. Buechner gave in interesting talk on the needs of the organization, laying special stress on the farm labor problem. Editor John L. Moorman made a special appeal for support of the War Savings Stamp Drive then sweeping the country. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the following county officers were chosen: Charles A. Buechner, president; Mark D. Falvey, vice-president; Orville W. Nichols, secretary, and Dr. F. G. Davis, treasurer. The Knox Band, which never shirked a call during the war, furnished music for this great meeting.

L4Z Starke County

The Center Townhip exempted men held an organization meeting the next night and elected the following officers: Kusseil E. hompson, president; Ralph Kline, vice-president; F. F, Whitson, secretary, and John Tannehill, treasurer. Other townships also completed their organizations, but detailed information on this subject is lacking.

The War Department's sixth regular call for service men brought twenty-five enthusiastic young fellows to Knox on Tuesday, July 23, 1918, and they left for Camp Taylor the following morning. This group was splendidly entertained with a banquet, theatre party and also a dance at Van Derweele's Hall. The-following boys joined the colors under this _

Many special calls from the War Department were filled by - the local Conscription Board from the last of July to the close - of the war and these were recorded in the local papers as follows:

July 31 - Benjamin M. McCoy and Victor Beerwart were sent to Syracuse, N. Y., for limited military service. A few days later Harry Rock was sent to the same camp.

September 4 - -Ten men were sent to Camp Taylor for military service, as follows: Rudolph J. Dusek, Henry F. Dubas, Albert P. Jana, Harry E. Long, Edward Huston, Mike Amico, Prank W. Noetzel, William H. James, Donald R. Strader and Anthony Jana.

October 15 - -Judson H. Pulver and Albert Christoph were sent to Warsaw, and Charles King and Grant Tietz were sent to Interlaken school, all to take training in motor transportation, made to the many other "'war activities' meetings held in school houses, churches, halls and theatres throughout the county during the war. Scores of meetings in support of the various Liberty Loans, War Savings Stamp sales, Red Cross drives, etc., played a most important part in putting our little county ''over the top" in all of her undertakings, and these, no doubt, will find deserving space in other chapters of this history. It must always be a matter of great pride to this as well as the coming generations to know that the vast majority of the citizens of Starke county were intensely loyal to their government during the world crisis and that they did their full duty in the wine | ning of a glorious American Victory on the bloody fields of - France.

Boys Working Reserve

A big and important work was undertaken by the National Council of Defense at the beginning of the war; to enlist the youth of the country, boys between the ages of sixteen and twenty in a working reserve that was to supply the demands for labor on the farms, in the shops or wherever they were needed during the period of the war. Indiana was expected to enroll fifty thousand youths in the Boys Working Reserve and Starke County's quota was fixed at One hundred and sixty. Lon E. Bernethy, chairman of the County Council appointed C. W. Cannon as director of this work and Mr. Cannon in turn, selected the township trustees as enrolling officers for their respective townships.

State Of Indiana

We the undersigned Citizens of the County, desire to make a statement, setting forth the purpose of the '"'United States Boys Working Reserve.'

In order that there may not be any misunderstanding regarding this Reserve force, after having carefully investigated the proposition, we find it is desired to organize the reserve force to take the place of our boys who will soon leave to fight for our Country; they are given an opportunity to enlist to perform such labor as may be assigned them from time to time on Farms and in Factories, or if a boy is already employed on his father's farm or in any capacity of labor, he will be al- lowed to remain. His enlistment will be for the Honor it confers on him as having enlisted to help the working force of his Government, and we find that his enlisting does not in any way make him liable for military duty as some have supposed, and we do especially recommend that all boys between the ages of 16 to 20 enlist to show their Loyalty and Patriotism to our Country at this present critical time.

The week of March 8th, 1918 was set aside for a special drive for the Boys Working Reserve. Every teacher in Starke County was requested to spend three to four minutes each day explaining the Reserve. Each teacher was an enrolling officer and was supposed to have one enrollment card. If there were any slackers among the teachers theh fact was reported at once.

The Boy Scouts of this county were exceptionally active in all the work assigned to them during the period of the war. They were always on hand ready to assist in the various drives and to do any task that was asked of them.

and under instructions from headquarters, solicited Liberty Bond sales April 26th, 1918. They had been eager to get at this job but until instructions were issued from headquarters, they had been forbidden to do so.

There is no organization in the United States today that does more for the training of young boys in the line of patriotic citizenship than that of the Boy Scouts of America.

Agricultural War Work

It is difficult to draw the line of discrimination between the farmer of Starke County in actual patriotic service and in agricultural war work. Since our county is principally a county of farmers, naturally the brunt of all the war work fell heaviest upon the shoulders of our loyal farmers. Their spirit from beginning to end was extremely praiseworthy and too much cannot be said in commending their attitude through sacrifices which they made to help our boys who fought for them. A World War History of Starke County would be far from complete if nothing were said regarding the part they took. Although working under a great handicap because of the fact that - theh soil of this county is not highly productive, and that the industrial centers made such a drain upon the farm labor, practically every farmer in the county came loyally to the front - and contributed far beyond his means toward helping win this - great war.

In every drive for funds, the farmer laid aside his work | and assisted in the soliciting that brought Starke County's quota up to the maximum. Although short of help, he in- - creased his crop acreage way beyond normal times and worked night and day to tend the additional crops. j

In February, 1918, Governor Goodrich urged the planting - of war gardens. I. L. Totten proprietor of the greenhouse at Knox added a new vegetable plant house to his equipment in - March, 1918, and every available foot of his very best space - was devoted to garden plants. Thousands of these plants were sold for war garden purposes.

In July, 1918, threshers cards were issued and all farmers were instructed to keep a strict record. The instructions read as follows: Threshers directed by Secretary of Agriculture to_ fill our threshers cards for statements covering acreage, yield 1917-1918, prices charged, and total threshing of their cereals. Following is the Starke County Market Report for June 21st, 1917:

The schools of Starke County were proud of the number of former pupils who served our country in -various ways during the war, and the pupils vied with the parents in helping out the war drives, food conservation campaigns, and other enterprises, and in arousing the people to a high pitch of patriotic service.

'The schools were found to be a ready medium of communication with the entire country, and all kinds of war communications and government enterprises were sent to the schools, and through the patriotic devotion of the teachers, and the willing workers among the pupils, these ideas were placed in the homes throughout the land in an incredibly short time.

The teaching of patriotism in the schools has always been an important consideration, but during this time an especial emphasis was placed upon war work in every class recitation possible, Agriculture classes took up food production for the soldiers; Domestic Science classes used the "'War substitutes" menus sent out by the government, for their cooking classes, and sewing for the Red Cross or for the ''Soldier Boys' became a regular part of the sewing class work. High school credit was given for '""War work on the farm." Music, High School English, Science, History, and every subject in the curriculum that could be made to bear upon the war in any way, was used as a means of keeping the people in class touch with the War Program of the Government.

As an example of the uniformity of war work in connection with school work, the following was given as a regular part of the daily work of the Starke County Teachers' Institute, the last period of each day having been given over to spec- ial war topics: Monday, Patriotic Day; Tuesday, Red Cross Day; Wednesday, Boys' Working Reserve Day; Thursday, Food Conservation Day; and Friday, Woman's Work in the War. 'This is only one example of the many special programs of war service that were put on by the teachers, and that were carried into every part of Starke County by the teachers, and these patriotic ideas used in the regular school work each day, and in the special patriotic programs which were given by the schools throughout the entire period of the war.

Very few young men were teaching at the outbreak of the war, but among them were a few who entered the military service, most of them returning to active teaching service in Starke County or elsewhere at the close of the war. Among the Starke County teachers in the service we find the name of Hobart Barr, Orlyn Clawson, Julius Henry, Elmer Lucas, Harry Doyle, and George Meyers. Several other former teachers were probably in the service, from some other locality, whose names were not reported to us. Other teachers assisted in war work in such a patriotic manner that a record should have been kept of their activities in keeping alive the war spirit. Miss L. Agnes Laramore, a teacher in the Knox Schools, was a member of the County Council of Defense, and rendered active service in that important branch of the war work. County Superintendent J. Allen Barr was County Director of the Boys' Working Reserve, was a "Dollar a Year Man'"' under the Federal Food Conservation Department, and near the latter part of the war, at the time of the re-organization of the State Council of Defense, was made a member of the Educational Division of the State Council of Defense.

More than a hundred boys, from all parts of Starke County joined the Boys' Working Reserve, holding themselves ready at any time to do active work in any productive activity that might be required by the government. Most of these boys worked on the farms, and helped loyally in producing the food necessary for the successful carrying on of the war. Some of the boys afterward went into factories or other war work, and carried with them the same ideas of patriotic service that had prevailed in all the war work of the schools. A few finally entered the military service, and took up their part together with the large number of former Starke County pupils, in helping fill the required number to swell our armies into such magnificent numbers of trained men in so short a time. And these school boys, large and small, felt the need of intense effort, and entered into the war work, with a zeal as intense as that of their older brothers who were in active military service.

The work of the girls is no less deserving of special mention. As the work was done through different organizations it is impossible to give the number of sweaters knit by the school girls, the number of garments made for the Belgians, for the hospitals, and for the soldiers, and the active work of the girls in the Food Conservation campaign.

In addition to these actual efforts at war work we found many schools with every member of the school a member of the Junior Red Cross, every pupil with a ''Thrift Card'' and a very large number with '"'War Saving Stamps,'' and in nearly every school a few who were able to purchase a government bond. However, these actual contributions of money were not more helpful than the persistent activity of the school children of the county in the sale of Savings Stamps and of Bonds. They were such successful salesmen, that the success of some of the "War Drives' was partly due to the untiring efforts of the boys and girls to see that Starke County purchased its required number of bonds or contributed its quota in the ''Drives'' for contribution as for various war activities.

War meetings and community gatherings for patriotic purposes were held in most of the school houses in the county at various times throughout the war period, and the pupils were always ready to assist with patriotic songs and in other ways to help entertain those who had gathered to discuss war problems. Such meetings were so numerous, and the work of pupils was so helpful in this as in other war activities, that any attempt to discuss the part Starke County played in the war which omitted this important work of the schools would be unfair to those who were so ready to help war activities of all kinds. The community meeting was not new to the schools, but the use of this kind of meeting to advance the war interest of the government made it the community meeting a valuable asset in the great war program.

Besides the regular work of the schools, which was conducted with the idea of war needs always in mind, and the help extended in the '"'War Drives' and in the "Community War Meetings, and in the special exercises and programs given in the schools repeatedly, the helpfulness of such organizations as the Boys Working Reserve, recruited largely through the schools, and the Junior Red Cross, composed entirely of school children has been mentioned. The former did not function as a regular part of the school work, but was recruited partly from the older boys at school and their brothers who had already quit school, while the work of the Junior Red Cross was carried on as part of the regular school work.

Any school which contributed as much as twenty-five cents for each member of that school was enrolled as a unit of the Junior Red Cross and entitled to receive suggestions and plans from the general headquarters of the Red Cross. Some of the activities of the Junior Red Cross in Starke County, were - the gathering of nuts and shells for carbon, the location of walnut trees for the use of the government, the collection of tin foil, the sending of books and magazines to the encampments, the collection of paper, rags, and rubber, the scraping of lint for the use of the hospitals, knitting sweaters, making layettes, and other clothing for the Belgians and other refugees, the planting of ''War Gardens," the pledges taken for saving coal, sugar, flour and other needed food, and, in fact, taking part in nearly every phase of war activity possible to be shared by children. And the children of Starke County did this willingly, gladly, and were very proud of the fact that they actually belonged to a recognized war organization. The total of membership dues and donations for the county was $806.50 - and was contributed by the following schools: Knox, North Judson, Hamlet, San Pierre, Grovertown, Center Twp. consolidated, North Bend Township consolidated, Ober, Ora, Toto, West, Geddes, Fuller, Union, Eagle, Point, Winona, Kelley, Horner, Macielek, Casey, Marsh, Weninger, Brantwood, Schroeder, Lawrence, Fancher, Jolly, Mickow, Spoor, Maple Grove, White, Benton Grove, Bass, Aldine, California, Center, Coffin, Cottonwood, Oak Grover, Center Grove, Election, and Eagle Creek. "The largest donation by any one school was San Pierre $86.61, the next was Center Twp. consolidated, $67.60, with the Lawrence school a close third with donations of $67.25. Some of the schools merely paid their membership in the Junior Red Cross and devoted their money-making activities to other lines of war work. Most of the schools not given above did active service in the same lines of work and in other lines of patriotic work, until it is safe to say that there was no pupil in the public schools of Starke County who did not feel that he had a real part in the war, and that he was doing his share in making the schools of the county of real service to the nation.

Teaching patriotism by calling for active service, such as has been mentioned in detail, was the great objective of the County Schools throughout the entire duration of the war, and the loyal response on the part of teachers, pupils and parents placed Starke County in the ranks of the most patriotic counties, and emphasized the use of the schools as training schools for loyal citizenry as it could not have been emphasized in any other way. All the teachers and all the pupils deserve to have mention made of their special part in this great work, but the roll is too long, and the services too varied and too numerous to permit this. However, each of these who served so willingly when the country was in need will remember the part he played in the great struggle, and will be proud of the patriotism and the loyalty of the Starke County boys and girls at this important era in our country's history.

Points Of Reference

Perhaps at the present time the items that are to follow will not mean so much to the readers of this History as they will to the future generation when these things will be a matter of reference rather than memory. So I consider that it does not come amiss to record in this chapter a few of the things which are representative of this war and therefore this age.

Indiana like every other state has its individual flag which was adopted in 1917. The field of the flag is blue; its dimensions are five feet six inches fly, by four feet four inches on the staff, and upon the field is centered a flaming torch in gold, or buff with nineteen stars. "Thirteen stars are circled around the torch representing the original thirteen states. Inside the circle is a half circle of five stars below the torch representing the ~ five states admitted to the Union prior to Indiana. The outer circle of stars is so arranged that one of them appears directly in the middle of the top of the circle. The word '"'Indiana'' is placed in a half circle over a large star, typifying the state, which is just above the flame of the torch. Rays from the torch radiate to the three stars of the outer circle. "This banner is to be carried in addition to the American flag by the militia forces of Indiana and in all public functions in which the State officially appears.

A letter from John Norman in the U. S. Infantry in France, a Hamlet boy. Somewhere in France. Dear Mr. Schricker: ~ If it isn't too much trouble I am going to ask you to publish this letter in your paper. I feel that my old friends back in Indiana will be glad to hear from me in this way. We have been in France for some time, I'm not saying how long and we had a very long trip across the ocean. The submarines were under cover I guess for none showed up along the entire route. We were ready and waiting for them every minute. It was sixteen days before we put our feet on land.

We landed in Brest, France on the 26th day of May and have been going from one place to another for a month or more. France is a much different place than I thought it was, The weather has been good but much cooler than the United States. The French people are very good to the American boys and very glad to see us. We have visited a great many towns and cities including Paris, but of all the sights have found none that will compare with the good old U. S. A. and the good old towns of Hamlet and Knox. Most of the Starke County boys that I accompanied to Camp Taylor are scattered all around. Oakley, Marks and Skibbe are here with me and they are the only home boys that came to France when I did. We are in the 47th Infantry and in good trim to meet the Huns face to face. We are getting some real training now and expect to go over the top in about two weeks. Its a man's game over here and quite different from the training we got in. the States. Our pack weighs about 75 pounds and we often drill under that weight all day and then take a five to eight mile hike in the evening. Our first month was the hardest but we are going pretty good at present. We had a little entertainment today, July 4th, and the boys are passing the evening at playing horseshoe and cards.

The Americans and French are doing great work on the firing line now. We see German prisoners brought in quite often. I think the Yanks will end this before the first of the year. We got paid the 29th of June and I drew 280 francs for two months service that is about $49 in our money.

It is time to hit the hay. Hoping this finds old Starke County in fine condition with plenty of good crops and that we will be back in U. S. A. before long, I remain,

Officers Of U. S. Army

General - Four stars of silver. Lieutenant General - Three stars of silver. Major General - Two stars of silver. Brigadier General - One star of silver. Colonel - Eagle of silver.

The official uniform of the army was the Khaki: of the marines was the Olive Drab; and of the Navy was the Blue flannel middies and bell bottom trousers with the small white washable cap or the round navy blue flannel sailor cap.

A very interesting paper was published by our boys over in France, called "The Stars and Stripes.'' This paper contained all the news which was allowed to be printed and much inspirational Editorial material along with jokes and personels. This publication enjoyed an immense circulation both throughout the battling areas and at home in U.S. A. After the war the "American Legion Weekly'' was published the circulation of which is seconded only by the Saturday Evening Post.

Headquarters First Division

May 3, 1920. Mrs. Allawa Williams, R. 2, Box 24, Culver, Ind. My dear Mrs. Williams: - General Summerall wishes me to acknowledge the receipt -

"After a personal interview among members of this organi- - zation the following information is submitted from members of this company. Cpl. Albert Williams was in charge of an © automatic-rifle squad and the company was at that time occupy- - ing the front line trenches, in the Tou Sector, about 11 o'clock on the night of March 25th, 1918, the enemy threw a box bar- - rage on our front with intentions of raiding our Trenches and as Cpl. Williams and his squad were helping to repel the raid, an enemy shell struck in the center of his squad, killing his crew and wounding Cpl. Williams in different parts of his body. As soon as the enemy barrage lifted, Cpl. Williams was carried to the rear, by the soldier from whom this information | was obtained, and died from wounds the following morning as he was being carried to a field hospital."' 4 both his superiors and subordinates alike. In making his great sacrifice he brought credit to his name and country, success to our arms and confusion to the enemy. You should be proud. Let that same spirit of courage that prompted you to send him to defend his country, sustain you in his loss.

We are proud of the noble deeds of your son, and we sincerely hope that you will find much comfort in the knowledge of the affection in which he is held by members of the First Division.

I guess you wonder why I haven't written sooner but I haven't had much of a chance to write letters of late. But I will let you know that I am not much worse off for my experience in the big battle last week. I have seen war in all its horrors and except for getting a little gas I am all O. K.

It was the worst battle ever fought by the Americans over here. I thought all the Kaisers men and the machine guns were shooting at me at once. "Thought we battled the hell out of them and drove them back several kilometers the first day and captured many prisoners and guns.

My company took four machine guns and crews. Our machine guns did fine work and accounted for many of them devils. I expect we will go after them in a few days. It was an awful sight to see. I got an iron cross off a dead German major. We had six British tanks with us and they surely put - the fear of Christ in the Boche. The first three hours the whole earth was shaking to pieces. Shrapnel and shell fell like rain and a never ceasing pour of their machine guns made a fellow feel awful queer and you think every moment is your last,

Well our guns more than returned the fire and in thirty minutes our objective had been gaining and we kept on pushing them. By noon the pretty fields of ripe grain were completely torn to pieces with big shell holes and whole woods shot away. We finally got them on the run and the huns who stayed for the hand to hand stunt will probably remain there for some time. .

It was a big victory for us. By night they had retreated several miles and we had taken several small towns and many prisoners and machine guns. One poor kid was chained to a machine gun and he started to cry when he saw he was captured. Another one came running up to me holding his hand high and yelling, ''Kamerad"' at every jump. I didn't feel as if I wanted to be bothered so I told him to wait there until the burial squad came around. ok

Its a great and glorious feeling to go through it all. Tell grandma I got her an iron cross for a breast pin. The German Major who was the proud possessor of it will never have use for it any more.

Charles

_ The following letter from Norman Pattison was written some weeks before the armistice was signed, to his mother, Mrs. Fred Marsh of near Grovertown.

Your most welcome letter received and as it was the first since I came to France it was more than welcome. I also got one from Elizabeth, Aunt Della and Miss Borgman. You would think we were mad if you had seen us go for that mail. We had not had any for a long time.

"'cooties.'" Gosh, one of our sergeants took off his shirt and Oh! there were a million. It-can't be helped, the durn things breed so fast that it seems there's no use trying to get rid of them. It was comical last night to see the fellows get up and take off their shirts and look for them. It almost sets me crazy, but laugh until we were sick.

The big guns are going now and I suppose old Jerry does not enjoy it very much. Our reports are very good and we are very confident of the outcome in the near future. It sure is a shame the way France is destroyed by shelling. It is beyond all human imagination to try and picture it. Not a building standing, not a'living thing around. It seems as if the very ground moans when you step on it. It sure is awful. I will try and tell you as far as possible how an attack is carried out without letting out any information.

First there is what is called "'zero hour.'' That's when we go over. 'Then there is a fixed line we all lay on. At the given hour a barrage starts. A barrage is an artillery attack and it seems as if the very heavens above break loose and fall. The noise is deafening. Big shells, little ones and about everything one can think of. About every 4 or 5 minutes the artillery lifts and the shells drop about 70 yards ahead and then we advance within about 70 yards of the shells. This keeps up until we get to the Hun and then a fight starts, man to man, and that's where Jerry gets his wind up hollers '"'Kamerad."' Never saw it fail. He will stick to a machine gun shooting at us till we get on top of him and then wants mercy - but it can't always be done. When he gets our men it hurts too much and he has got to pay the price with his life. That's not saying that we have lost any men as yet.

Then the best part is getting the souvenirs. We strip them of everything. It is a human hell, but I am only too glad to go through it because of the things I have seen. An Australian told me that in one town they captured they found a little cat nailed to a tree. A nail through each little paw and still alive. Can anyone in the States feel that the Huns are still alright? If they do they are worse than the Germans. Things like that make anyone's blood boil and some of the tricks they play. They will leave an old helmet or fountain pen or leave a door open or most anything and if we'd touch it we would be blown to pieces. But we are a little too wise for him. Well, that's about all the war for this time.

I understand that the crops were not very good this year. I am sure sorry, but then things could be a lot worse. The cows and chickens will help a lot. It must be hard for P - without his boy, but it seems they are all getting a chance. [ am more than glad I enlisted. I am also glad you are feeling good again, Mother, because that worries me more than all the Germans. Its just you, and I am glad my last letter was what you wanted. I realize more now than ever what home is and there are two things I want to come back home for and that's for you and Elizabeth. We are in the right and I don't believe the good Lord will fail us. And so I hope we will all come back.

Oh, yes, one of the men in our squad got honorable mention from the British Army for bravery. A German machine gun was bothering us so our squad was detailed to put it out of action. I was the machine gunner, so I poured fire into the nest while this fellow went around from the side and killed them. We got the gun: The reason I poured fire into the nest was so they would have to keep down and couldn't tell where he was.

Well, Mother, I guess I wrote about all I can think of. I guess this will pass the censor because it contains no information. Give my regards to all and write often, Mother, because mail is the only connection we have with home. Give my regards to Mrs. Wyland and tell her I will keep a sharp lookout for Harry. But it will only be a chance meeting. Send me his address the next time you write.

Norman In The World War 169

I have written a few letters to all the rest in the family and now comes your turn. It seems as though it is always "'ladies first'' in everything excepting war and no doubt it makes a great many of them jealous because they are not called in that.

We have been here almost one whole year and: the fellows seem to like it very much. However we will be glad when the day comes for us to sail for the good old U. S. A. for there is no place quite so good. But really I have never spent a year of all my life that has passed quite so fast as this last one. Guess it is because I have felt so good all the time and there has been plenty doing most of the time. We have been having some very pleasant weather at present. "The days are very warm and the nights are cool enough for one to sleep under three large wool blankets. It reminds me a great deal of the climate of the mountains of Arizona, only it rains more here.

Mother writes me that the saloons in Knox have closed for good. I can't imagine what some of the fellows will do for their beer when it gets real hot. We fellows over here have learned to drink water for the beer they make in France is not very good and besides they don't make much of it and they don't keep it on ice either. The French are strong for their wine but it never made much of a hit with the Americans,

I have developed into a real good checker player and when I get back home will sure take you on for a couple of games. I shall never forget how you beat me when I was home in 1914 and I shall try to get revenge.

Well Father no doubt you are anxious to hear some war news. 'That is something we dare not write and if we were allowed to tell all we know it would make a very large book.

You can read more in the papers than any of us can tell you © however we are close enough to the front to hear the guns and © see the aeroplane battles. In fact we hear and see enough to - make the work interesting and have all the confidence in the 5 world that we will win the war. Its only a matter of time _ until those Boche will get one of the worst beatings that any- One ever got and the Americans will help to give it to them. - But one thing is sure they will have to stick.

Whenever you hear anyone talking peace over there change - the subject and talk war for that's what we're bound to have 4 until the Huns get all that's coming to them. Then we will not have to talk peace we will have it. If some of the peace loving people of the States would come to this country and - see what the Germans have done in the way of destroying - churches and homes and killing old men and women and little | children, they would say, ''Never stop until the last Dutchman 2 is dead,"' for that's what I've begun to think it takes to make a good one. 4

There's an old fellow and his wife near our camp who are _ at least 75 years old. When the Germans invaded this section of the country they captured them and put an eye out for each © one. 'They have a son who is a prisoner in Germany. Now - they sure hate the Boche and there are hundreds of cases worse 4 than that. So all you people back there need to do is send over 2 plenty of food and ammunition and believe in us and it won't - take long. :

I will be glad when Bill gets over for I am sure he will like - it here. This is a very healthy country that is if a fellow stays out of the way of the steel and gas. I have gained in weight since I came over. a

Well, you have asked me to tell you some of the happenings over here so first of all I will tell you of our trip over. We got on the boat at and our trip over was very pleasant. There were no storms but about two or three days from land the waves were awful big. The ship would go down in a hollow between them and we couldn't see a thing but water, just like a wall all around us. You never could imagine how it looked unless you could see for yourself. "There were six thousand on the ship I came on and there were quite a fleet of transports.

I spent most of my time on deck looking for land but of course it was some time before we could see any. On the first of November we were in port and I got my first glimpse of a French city. It sure was a sight to see - a very pretty little town and most of the people wore wooden shoes so you can imagine the noise they made when about half a dozen came down the street at once.

They took us to a camp near by and kept us there for about two weeks, then we were moved on to an artillery camp. one of the largest in the world. There's where we began our real training.

Some time after that we took an advance position and shot at a German battery that had been stationed in that one place for two or three years and they couldn't get them out. But when we got busy things sure did fly. Yes, we blowed them to pieces and the French Major said it was one of the greatest pieces of artillery work he had ever witnessed... We are mighty proud of our record.

The other evening we had just finished our supper when we heard a shot and looking up saw a German plane. It seemed to drop right out of the clouds and I do not believe it was over nine hundred feet in the air. Our anti-aircraft guns were shooting away over him because he was so low, but they finally got him. It isn't safe for the Germans to try to see what we are doing, for just two weeks ago a German plane came over us and the anti-aircraft gun would not let him go back to his own line and pretty soon we heard a "'pat - pat'' and one of our planes dropped right down near the German. There was sure some fun for a little while, but the German soon came down.

We just got through a three days battle with the huns 'and it was a very beautiful sight to see all the guns firing at night. In the day-time you never could see them they are so well camouflaged but after night when they are firing you could get on a little hill and see guns everywhere.

We had to throw water in the barrels of our guns it got so hot we couldn't see through it and couldn't touch the largest part of the breech but we did our share and we sent the first shot on its way.

Just as soon as we opened up it sounded as though the world was coming to an end. You could never think how much noise we can make unless you could hear it.

Well I guess this is all for this time but I will write again soon as we are back in our billets for a week's rest and I have plenty of time to write.

Private Lee D. Lain In The World War 173

Am in receipt of your very welcome letter of Feb. 21st. It is always a pleasure to hear from friends in Knox. Am pleased to hear of the patriotic work that is being done by the people of Starke County. It is gratifying to say the least, to know that the people back home are doing their bit and no one realizes how important that ''bit'' is better than we who are over here.

I would hesitate to express my opinion of the war situation if I had any, but - tthis may be interesting to you - the French people were never more confident, I might say, as confident, as they arenow. The American boys will and have given a wonderful account of themselves, but we must remember that Our Allies have given such account of themselves for nearly four years and the German is not licked yet. I did not enter this war under the hallucination that it would be a short war, but I must confess that I now believe that it will be longer than I thought then.

My work is very interesting. I have been pilot for some time, but I am still undergoing advanced training in the flying game. When.I will see actual service I cannot say definitely, but it will not be long. I have not attempted to figure out my chances for returning. If I do return, however, the chances are good that I will be as sound as when J left.

Pat Maloney

Our trip over was uneventful except that we ran into two storms. 'The first was about three days out and was only a light one. It was bad enough, however, to make most of us sick and we were glad when it was over. Our sailing was pleasant then for a while and, outside of guard duty every other day for our company, there was nothing to do except eat.

Our next storm wasa real one. The sailors did not like to say so at the time, but we found out from other ships crews that there seldom was a heavier sea. (I happened to meet a sailor from a freighter in the Y. M. C. A. here, who was on the ocean at the same time.) Although on a large boat, it and at times, the waves washed over our deck, forty feet above the water line. First our boat was out of the water and then . our propellers. 'This lasted a day and a half and we did not make over three knots an hour any of the time . Needless to say it was nearly impossible to serve any meals and all the more so to keep them down. Except when on duty I was in my bed trying to read or sleep. Some of our life boats even washed away. .

At last we sighted land and anyone, who had not had the experience, does not know how good it feels to see the first lighthouse or cliffs. Some fellows swore that they would eat some of the land to be sure it was not water. An aviator showed his delight at our arrival by circling and diving around about us.

The next day we received some Christmas bags sent by the kind people of the land, and that cheered us all up. Mine had some raisins, candy, knife and other articles very useful to a soldier. That was the only sign of Christmas here. The people don't seem to know Christ was ever born. There were no decorations or programs at all.

The people at home do not need to think they are missing a great deal when they do not come here. Although the French can show us a few things, we have it over them in so many other ways that they are not in it at all with the Yanks.

Parents In Knox

Well I've been in France now three days. Arrived on the day the big American Drive started at Chateau Thiery and I was put right to work. I cannot tell where I was because of censor but I want to say one thing that the American soldiers are the world's gamest. The spirit is wonderful and all in all they are superb. I worked with the Red Cross (loaned from the Y) as a stretcher bearer at a base hospital for three days from 3 P. M. to 11 P. M. and I only saw a small part but what I saw convinced me that the Americans and French will put the Kaiser and his gang on the run before very long. As I said the spirit of our boys is wonderful. I was carrying one big private from Oklahoma who had part of his stomach and groin shot away and do you think that he complained at his terrible wound? Not he, he kept apologizing for being so heavy to carry, and wondering how soon he'd get well and get back. Poor fellow, he's under the poppies now. You cry or fight to keep from crying at their wonderful nerve, I am very proud of my country. I stood by and helped at an Operation of another lad who had had a head wound. When he came out of the ether we had to hold him down. Finally he looked at me and said, "I wonder if Cecelia knows?" Then a minute or two after he said, '"You area Y. M. C. A. man. You fellows always stick by us, don't you." And believe me ma and pa and Prank it was the best birthday present I ever had. It was my birthday and it paid me for all I sacrificed in coming over. There is 'certainly lots of work to do here. The French actually love us. Our uniforms are keys to the best they have and too much cannot be said in praise of the French people and soldiers. I have not had time to visit and see sights in Paris. No one has. Even the children on the streets seem nervous and determined and realize that the war must be won. It will be the same at home some day.

On Monday I go out to my division and stay indefinitely. I cannot tell you where that is except that it is in a safe zone at present and in a beautiful part of the country where it is warm most all the time. I will not move from there until the division moves. They now assign us as a part of a regiment and the odd thing is that Hay and I are in the same division although they tried to separate us. I wish you and pa and Frank could get over - just because you could do so much good. I can't say anything about the fight but I already have a Boche helmet as a souvenir, have seen them in piles along the road. Also their equipment, overcoats, guns, helmets; everything they could throw away to give them more speed because they surely needed it when our Yanks got after them, and I don't think I am giving away a secret when J tell you that one of our company came so close to capturing the Crown Prince that he'll never forget it.

You people back home cannot of course understand everything but I wish I could impress upon you that our American gains in this last scrap were greater in proportion than any other and our losses very small. We have the best officers in the world and the finest men and General Pershing is a father to every boy over here. From now on mail for me is going to be a matter of speculation. I will no doubt get it all but it may be weeks. My mail to you will be the same but if you don't hear from me regularly don't be worried. No news is good news and my station is not in the danger zone. I will write at least once a week so you will hear from me once in a while. There is a W. S. Wallace here so address all my mail from now on to Walter Jerome Wallace, 12 Rue d'Aguesseau Paris, France.

ter. Got quite a bit of mail today, one from Nat Collins. Surprised to hear from him. We are having real warm weather over here now. I just had a vacation. Was on a pass to a city and had a swell time. It seemed good to get where there was a real town and sleep in a real room and a real bed even if it was French . I had ham and eggs and beer every meal. Say it was great. The French beer is like our Homo like they used to sell at Monterey.

I received the pictures and it made me feel homesick to look at them. You all look so natural and homelike. You don't know how much I would like to be there with you but then a fellow can't stay at home and call himself a man and an American these days.

Uncle Sam needs all the boys over here that are able to come and as much as I would like to come home I wouldn't come if I had a chance until the Germans are whipped out. And this will be before we get through with them believe me. There are no gloomy discouraged Americans over here and there is only one way as they can see it for the scrap to end and that is with Uncle Sam bringing home the bacon. Well I must close for this time. With love to all,

Stories Of The World War

It hardly seems proper to think of incidents that occurred during the awful stress of those times, when the civilization of two thousand years hung in the balance. Yet we are advised that, "'a little wit now and then is relished by the best of men.'

Col. John Moorman was one of the very active speakers in these campaigns and when making a speech at one of the places of the county he had about exhausted his set talk and could not bring forth the necessary coin. He gave way to another speaker and that one exhausted his vocabulary but did not ring the bell. The crowd seemed adamant and with stoical indifference paid little heed to the talks. Finally as a dernier resort the Colonel (Moorman) again took the floor, and with tears streaming down his face and his voice wet with emotion named over each of the boys who had gone from that section of the County and were "'over there.'' He said, ''now these boys are over there - who is here so lost to his country that he is not going to subscribe enough money to bring them back?' This had the desired effect - it seemed to electrify the audience and soon the subscriptions were all made except for one boy - they all seemed not to care for him. But the Colonel persisted. Now he said, '"You have subscribed enough to bring them all home excepting this one (naming him). Yet this son of his mother had the courage of his convictions and this night is standing in those trenches willing and ready to give his life that your wife and my wife, that your daughters and your neighbors daughters may be saved from worse than death, and yet not one man among you is willing to give us a few dollars to bring him back. Are you all ready to sit there and for the lack of a few paltry dollars see him left in the trenches after his willingness to make the supreme sacrifice?'' He stopped an instant when one of the good citizens who could no longer endure the tears and pleadings of the Colonel arose and with a voice shaky with emotion but of sufficient power to be heard all over the room said, "I will give the sufficient amount." Thus the full quota was subscribed.

Another one of our speakers was James C. Fletcher, President of Starke County Trust & Savings Bank of Knox, Indi- - ana. "'Jim,'' we call him, had his famous white horse story. It seems that in an earlier day "Jim'' had gone to the Public School and in one of his reading books of that remote. period had read the story of the white horse, which runs as follows: A stranger was traveling through the country with his family in a covered wagon drawn by two horses. The wagon, the horses and family with a small amount of household goods was all the stranger had of goods of this world. He came toa bridge across a small stream and in crossing the same the bridge by some unaccountable reason broke down and killed one of the stranger's horses. Of course, all the folks living near the place came and all were profuse in offering their sympathy to the stranger when suddenly there came before the scene the toughest citizen of the neighborhood, so the people called the newcomer. Well the newcomer got out of his wagon, saw what had occurred, heard the laments and the offers of sympathy, stood a moment and looked at the stranger, pulled out his pocket book, took the shoe lace from around it and handed the last ten dollar bill he had to the stranger. '"'Here is my sympathy" he said. This act on the part of the newcomer had the desired effect and soon the stranger had sufficient funds to buy another horse and was on his way rejoicing.

So "'Jim'' would make his talk to the crowd at the various places and finally wind up with his ''White Horse' story which invariably brought forth the desired sympathy - in Dollars.