World War I News, 1917-1919
from the Denison Review
General Articles About the Times and Events
May, 1917 - April, 1918
Dow City, 5-9-1917
*Part of an article on a patriotic service held in the M. E. church - The 5th number deserves special mention as it was sung by memory and all four verses were rendered beautifully. The recitation given by E. E. Newkirk was one he had learned when a boy which also deserves notice. By permission and special request we send it in for publication:
*Our Flag - What precious associations cluster around our flag. Not only our fathers set up this banner in the name of God over the well-won battlefields of revolution over the cities and towns which they have rescued from despotic rule but think where also their descendants have carried it and raised it in conquest or protection. Thru what clouds of dust and smoke has it passed: what storms of shot and shell what scenes of fire and blood! Not only at Monmouth, Yorktown and Bunevista, but at New Orleans, Lundy's Lane and Chipultipec.
The same glorious old flag which inscribed by the dying words of Lawrence, "Don't give up the ship" was hoisted on Lake Erie by Commodore Derry just on the eve of his great naval victory. Brave hands have raised it above the eternal regions of ice in the arctic seas and have set it up on the lofty mountains in the distant west. Where has it not gone, the pride of its friends and the terror of its foes? What countries and what seas has it not visited? Where has not the American citizen been able to stand beneath its guardian folds and defy the world? With what joy of exultation seamen and tourists have gazed upon its starts and stripes, read in it's history of their nation's glory, received from it the full sense of security and drawn from it the inspirations of patriotism. By it, how many have sworn fealty to their county?
What bursts of magnificent eloquence has it called forth from Webster or Everett! What lyric strains of poetry from Drake and Holmes! How many heroes it's folds have covered in death! How many have died for it. How many living and how many dying have said in their enthusiastic devotion to its honor. Oh, the flag, the starts and stripes and wherever that flag has gone it has been the herald of a better day. It has been the pledge of freedom, of order, of justice, of civilization and of Christianity. Tyrants only, have hated it and the enemies of mankind alone have trampled it to the earth. To all who sigh for the triumph of truth and righteousness, love and salute it. (Denison Review)
Wednesday July 4, 1917 - Front Page
Undoubtedly the most notable occasion in the history of Denison was the farewell on Sunday afternoon to the forty eight Denison young men who enlisted in Company B, 2nd Iowa Infantry, and who were called to report for duty at the armory at Ida Grove not later than July 1. The khaki clad men gathered on west Broadway at 2 o'clock where hundreds of people congregated to grasp each one by the hand and wish them Godspeed. For many it was a sad parting and groups of parents, brothers and sisters could be seen gathered around "their boy" with tear-dimmed eyes bidding him goodbye.
It was a most impressive gathering there near the court house square and brought tears to friends and neighbors as well. The Denison band of over twenty pieces was on hand and livened up the occasion to some extent by playing patriotic airs. Denison was not satisfied in bidding good by to its brave men here, but a great caravan made up of over one hundred automobiles was on hand to escort the boys, their relatives and friends to Ida Grove. The Denison Commercial band was taken along which furnished music at both Schleswig and Ida Grove. Promptly at 2:30 o'clock, the machines fell into line and each recruit was assigned to some particular machine and with the band playing, flags waving and lusty cheers going up from the vast crowd, the pilgrimage set out for Ida Grove by was of Schleswig. Over one hundred machines wee counted as they crossed the I. C. tracks at the edge of town and within thirty minutes the procession moved into Schleswig without an accident of any kind.
The stop at Schleswig - Evidently the citizens of Schleswig were notified that a stop would be made there for the business section was decorated with flags and bunting in honor of the soldiers and the Schleswig band was playing "America" as the soldiers pulled into town. The streets were thronged with the people of Schleswig and farmers of the vicinity who had learned that a stop would be made there. Theo. Rohwer, the banker, welcomed the recruits to Schleswig and stated that the people of that community felt honored that a stop had been arranged for there. He stated that Crawford county should feel proud of the showing of patriotism made by the young men of the county and everyone hoped that they would all return. Mr. Rohwer announced to the soldiers that Schleswig greeted them with open arms and that they were welcome to visit the restaurants and ice cream parlors and order whatever they desired without cost to them. In concluding he stated that arrangements had been made for cars to take the Schleswig band to Ida Grove and that many Schleswig citizens would accompany the recruits to Ida Grove.
(**There is more to this article but I did not copy the second page. Anyone wishing to read the rest can order the microfilm for the Denison Review.)
*The Exemption Board Named -The Plan of Operation -
Upon organizing the local boards will take over from the registration boards all registration cars which they will number serially and list for posting to pubic view. Then, after have been advised of the method by which the order of liability for service shall be determined, and of the quota to be drawn from its territory (minus credits for enlistments in the national guard or regular army) each board will prepare a list of persons designated for service in the order of their liability, post the list, give it to the press and within three days send notice to each designated person by mail. As the men so notified appear, the boards first will make a physical examination in accordance with special regulations to be provided, bearing in mind that all persons accepted by them will be re-examined by army surgeons. If the physical examination is passed successfully then comes the question of exemption.
Persons who must be exempted or discharged by the local board include: Officers of the United States, of states, territories and the District of Columbia; ministers of religion, students of divinity, persons in the military or naval service of the United States, subjects of Germany, all other aliens who have not taken out first papers, county or municipal officers, custom house clerks, workmen in federal armories, arsenals and army yards, persons in the federal service designated by the president for exemption, pilots, merchant marine sailors, those with a status with respect to dependents which renders their exclusion desirable (a married man with a dependent wife or child, son of a dependent aged or inform parent, or brother of dependent orphan child under 16 years of age) those found morally deficient and any member of any well recognized religious sect existing May 18, 1917, whose creed forbids participations in war and whose religious convictions accord with the creed.
Claims for Exemption - Claims for exemption because of dependents may be made by the man himself, wife or other dependents or by a third party who has personally investigated the case. A claim made by the husband must be accompanied by a supporting affidavit signed by the wife and by the head of a family residing in the same territory. A claim by a wife or a third party must be accompanied by two supporting affidavits signed by heads of families. Similar rules govern grounds of other dependents when the dependents or third parties being authorized to file claims with supporting affidavits. In each case the board must be satisfied before it grants exemption or discharge that the dependent or dependents actually are supported mainly by the fruits of the man's mental or physical labor. Local boards are required subject to appeal, to pass upon claims for exemption or discharge within three days after the filing of affidavits. District boards must decide appeals cases within five days after the closing of proofs and their decisions are final. If the ruling of a local board is affirmed the person in question stands finally accepted for military service. In passing on claims for exemption on the grounds of employment in necessary industrial and agricultural occupations, the district boards must be convinced that the particular enterprise affording such employment actually is necessary to the maintenance of the military establishment or national interest during the emergency. Certificates of exemption will not necessarily be permanent. They may be revoked with changing conditions or may be granted only for prescribed periods.
(Denison Review - July 25, 1917)
*Respect to Soldier Boys - Friday has been set apart as "patriotic day" when the people of Ida Grove, Odebolt and Denison and other localities in the neighborhood are to pay their respects to the soldier boys now in training at Ida Grove and who are soon to be transferred to a permanent training camp where they will receive the necessary training before being transported to the war zone in Europe. We understand a full and complete program has been arranged for the day and that a supreme effort will be made to impress upon the soldiers the deep and abiding affections of the people of this part of Iowa.
Denison will probably send a much larger crowd than on the occasion a few weeks ago when the Denison soldiers were called to Ida Grove for temporary training. We are pleased to know that such a unanimous sentiment of loyalty and good will is shown upon the part of all the people toward the soldier boys. Everyone realizes that this perhaps will be the last public demonstration in the nature of a reception to the boys before they will be called into active service abroad. We all realize the dangers to which they will be exposed after they leave for Europe. We sincerely hope that our people will rise to the occasion and make such a demonstration as will convince those who believe the country it taking no interest in the war that there is a deep and profound interest in the war and in those who are sent to fight the battles of the country.
Every person who has an automobile fit for use should devote it to taking relatives and friends of the soldiers who are not able to provide mans of conveyance. On the former occasion when a number of our people went to Ida Grove with the soldiers, complaint was made because a number of people's friends and relatives of the boys were unable to go, while a large number as a matter of display and for the sake of a joy ride, made the trip. This entirely wrong and does not show the proper spirit. We urge upon every individual owning a car to see to it that not a relative or friend of the soldiers shall remain behind at home because of the want of means of transportation.
The families of those who own cars were in evidence on the former occasion and they should consider it a privilege to stand aside in favor of those who are interested but not able to secure means of transportation. If it turns out that a large number of cars go from here to Ida Grove on Friday, loaded with those going out of curiosity merely and a number of deserving - and interested people are thereby deprived of going, it will reflect no credit upon the patriotism of Denison. We believe that on this occasion, as is the custom of our town, it will do credit to itself.
*Crawford County's Young Men Drafted by Uncle Sam -
Crawford County to Furnish 123 Men -
Much Interest Shown in the Drawing of Men Between the Ages of 21 to 31 Inclusive. Busy Day in Denison -
687,000 Men Ordered to the Colors -
Secretary Baker Drew the First Number Which was 258. Friends and the Relatives Swamp Review Office -Never before in the history of Denison and Crawford county has anything created as much interest as did the drawing of the numbers at the national capital last Friday, fixing the order of military liability of the men between the ages of 21 and 31 inclusive. The interest was not confined alone to the men subject to military duty but relatives and friends alike scanned the lists, which were posted in the Review windows as fast as the numbers came in over the wire. The Review made every effort to give this news and received the numbers over the wire until midnight Friday. It was an eventful occasion all over the country and affected every city and hamlet in the United States. Ten million young men registered for service and in order to fix their order of duty the government conducted a lottery.
*How it was accomplished - In order to fix the order the men were to appear for military duty, 10 - 500 had to be drawn one at a time, a task which began in the morning and lasted until the break of day Saturday morning. The lottery was held in the public hearing room of the senate office building with war department officers in charge of the actual drawing and with members of the senate and house military committees as witnesses. As a result of this drawing every registered man is given a definite place in the liability for service list.
*Democratic Ceremony - Already 687,000 have been ordered to the colors to fill to war strength the regular army and national guard and to constitute the first increment of the national army. To secure that total, 1,374,000 men will be called for examination within a few weeks, officials estimating that two registrants must be called for every soldier accepted. These 1,374,000 will be taken from the head of the list, every local district furnishing a fixed quote. The drawing was conducted with ceremonies as democratic as the ideal of citizenship embodied. It was shortly before 10 o'clock when Secretary Baker, intrusted by the president with the carrying out of the draft law, rapped for order. The congressional committees were in their seats and on a small table stood the great lottery jar, sealed with brown paper and showing through its transparent walls the heap of number filled capsules that must be taken out one by one.
*Baker Draws First Number - In front of the table a row of army officers waited with the official tally sheets before them. Down one side of the room ran another table where two score press representatives waited to send out the numbers as they were read. Secretary Baker briefly explained the purpose of the drawing then stepped forward to be blindfolded and draw the first number. Major General Duval broke the seal and with a long wooden spoon bearing a ribbon of the national colors, vigorously stirred the capsules. The secretary reached into the jar, picked up a capsule and handed it to the announcer. It was number 358. Then in quick succession other numbers were drawn while cameras and motion picture machines recorded the scene.
*Announcers Grew Tired - The only interruption was the frequent changes of tired announcers and tabulators and the removal for cleaning of the blackboards where the result was publicly displayed as each number came out. When a group of 500 numbers had been written the first section of the board was taken out to be photographed to establish an absolute record while second section was substituted. By the laws of chance the serial number "one" was drawn from the jar as No. 4,259 in the liability list, while No. 10,500, the top number among the capsules, came out No. 238. The serial 13, fabled bearer of ill luck was drawn in the 7, 890th place. Below we print the list of the first 450 men drawn in the order in which they will appear for service:
( *Please note - this was in very small print and it was difficult to tell the 5 and 6 apart.)
See Listing of Draft Liability
Dow City, 8-15-17
*At the annual conference of the American Library association in Louisville, Kentucky, in June, 1917, a committee on war service for libraries was formed to aid the government in furnishing reading matter for soldiers during leisure hours. The state library commission has requested all the libraries of the state to cooperate in this movement. Our own local library has been asked to do its share in collecting books and magazines. Those who are willing to donate books for this purpose are requested to leave them at the library during the opening hours on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The librarian will see that they are sent to the state commission at Des Moines and from there they will be distributed to the soldiers' training camps.
Denison Review 8-22-17
*Marriage is No Bar - Exemption From Army Service Must Have Greater Claim - Dependency rather Than Marriage - Washington, D.C. Aug. 21 - If there is to be any modification of the present rigid rulings of the provost marshal general regarding examinations of married men from draft, it is known only to President Wilson, who alone has authority to alter or modify those regulations. The war department so far basing its ruling on what it interprets as the intention of congress in passing the draft law, has gone on the theory that a man's exemption was based on a condition of dependency rather than on the condition of marriage. The department still holds to that view and will urge it upon the president. Today there was no intimation from any official source that the president intends to modify the rulings of the war office.
Vail, 9-26-17
*A big public reception was tendered the boys of the selective draft from this section last Thursday evening. A banquet was given at the Masonic hall. Maurice O'Connor delivered an address and there was an enthusiastic program. A dance took place in the town hall at night. Music was furnished by the home orchestra.
Denison Review, 9-26-17
*Four Thousand Bid Farewell -
People From Every Nook in Crawford County Come to Denison Saturday Morning to See Soldiers Off. -
Business Houses are Closed. Denison Band Out and Boys Given a Morning Luncheon at Hotel Denison -
Fifty Four in All. -
To the tune of Yankee Doodle and amid the waving of flags and the good byes from four thousand people who had assembled at the Northwestern station Saturday morning, fifty young men, the cream of Crawford county's contingent to go on "their way" to France" departed from Denison Saturday morning on the 9:37 train for Camp Dodge, Des Moines.
The young men had all been in Denison the day previous in order that they might be checked up, and see that their papers were all right, and then they wee given a furlough to enable them to go home and spend the next forty-eight hours with their relatives. Promptly at 8 o'clock Saturday they again reported and the roll was called by Sheriff Cummings. All responded as present and they were lined up on the south steps of the court house and Photographer Ferguson took a group picture of the entire bunch.
The Denison Commercial band was out in uniform and played a number of stirring selections, after which a line of march was formed and headed by Sheriff Cummings, the bank followed by the Deloit scouts and the Denison scouts in charge of Rev. C. E. Hamilton, and the newly made soldiers, the march was taken up and the boys escorted to the Hotel Denison, where they were tendered a light luncheon by Landlord Thomas Nielsen. While the boys were at lunch the band entertained the crowd with music and then all started for the station, the procession extending for more than three blocks.
Arriving at the station the sheriff lined the boys up and put them in charge of E. E. Lehman of Schleswig and Ignatius Keane of Vail, and then introduced Rev. C. E. Hamilton who made a very patriotic speech and bid the boys Godspeed. Rev. Hamilton was followed by Sears McHenry, himself a son of a veteran, who gave the boys some splendid advice that served to cheer them up. The intervening time between trains was spent in goodbyes while the band played lively and patriotic music.
When the train pulled in a coach load of boys from Harrison county to Camp Dodge were making things lively by singing and out boys hastily formed acquaintances and joined in the singing. It is safe to estimate that four thousand relatives and friends were at the station to bid the cheer and many eyes were dimmed as the two coach loads of fine young fellows were carried away, and on to France.
The business houses of the city were closed and the clerks and proprietors were all out and helped to give the reception and farewell. Flags waved from housetops, autos and individuals carried the colors. The manner in which the boys conducted themselves, head erect, shoulders squared and step even, and looking straight ahead, caused much favorable remark. They wee indeed a fine bunch of fellows and every one will make a soldier Crawford county can well be proud of. Many of them had been waiting some time to be called and all were eager to be off and commence training.
*Here's What You Buy With Your $50 Liberty Bond -
You buy enough ether or chloroform to anesthetize 250 or more wounded soldiers during operations. You buy twenty-five treatments of antitetanic serum for gunshot wounds which, untreated, might develop lockjaw. You buy three Springfield rifles. You buy 1,500 rounds of ammunition. You buy food for one soldier for 150 days. You buy enough smallpox vaccine to make 500 soldiers immune from that scourge. You buy a base hospital laboratory. You buy fifty gallons of peroxide of hydrogen. You buy four gallons of tincture of iodine. Look over the above list, decide upon the things that you would particularly like to buy for your country, and then buy a $50 liberty bond for each of those things. That's all you have to do. Uncle Sam will do the rest. And remember - While you are buying those things, which will help with win the war and defeat the Kaiser, you are also buying peace and content for your mind, the consciousness of having done your bit for American, and - You are buying something of solid value to yourself.
*Your Share - The boys who enlisted are giving their blood - in battle for mine and me: The women and babies are giving their food in countries across the sea: They suffer privations undreamed in our land for the same ideals we hold; They make sacrifices we can't understand where in plenty are bread and gold: The Mothers, the children, the old, the unfit are giving their all over there. By George! I don't want to do merely by bit but do my full share - my share! It's little enough I can do over here for the boys who are fighting for me. But I'll give "till it hurts" and I'll give with good cheer when it pinches the prouder I'll be. Why, the shirt from my back I would joyfully tear jus to feel less accused, less ashamed. Every time my thoughts turn to our boys over there and the women and children and maimed: Just to feel I was doing my utmost with grit. Just to feel I was playing things square. Just to know I was not merely doing my bit but - thank God! - I was doing my share.
Denison Review, 10-31-1917
*In all probability the monument erected by Crawford county in memory of those from this locality who fought in the civil war will be dedicated on Saturday, November 17th. The Review has learned that Governor Harding has offered to come to Denison on that date and deliver an address. The committee in charge of the dedication of the new soldiers' monument has as yet taken no official action on the matter, but will probably meet this week and arrange a suitable program. Denison will have an opportunity to make November 17th a red letter day in the history of Crawford county. We have it on good authority that Major General Plummer, who is in charge of Camp Dodge has promised to give every Crawford county man at the camp a leave of absence from Friday until Monday to permit them taking part in the exercises. C. J. Welch, who is chairman of the committee that is acting in conjunction with the old soldiers is working out a suitable program, telephone from Des Moines yesterday and stated that Governor Harding would be at liberty to come to Denison on the 17th if the committee should decide to unveil the monument at that time. Mr. Welch interviewed Major Plummer in regard to allowing the Crawford county boys at Camp Dodge a leave of absence to attend the exercises and the major advised him that he would permit them to go home Friday and return to the camp Monday.
Denison Review, 12-19-1917
*STRICKEN EUROPE NEEDS OUR HELP -
American Red Cross Answering Appeal on Wonderful Scale -
Finest Peace Work in History. Now Red Cross Asks you and Me to Do Our Part for Those "Over There" -
So We Must Join. In art-torn Europe today there are millions of mothers and babies at the point of death from actual starvation. Winter is at hand. Yet they are ragged and homeless. They are diseased - tuberculosis, dysentery, skin infections, fevers are ravaging them. They are widowed and orphaned and broken with grief. In order to protect American and save the liberties for which the allies have been battling three years, our own lads are over there now, fighting and dying so that you and I and our wives and our daughters and babies may not suffer unspeakable cruelties at the hands of enemy savages.
Now then: The people of America, through their Red Cross, have undertaken to right the hideous wrongs the Teutons have done to non-combatants in Europe. It means building thousands of homes, providing fuel, clothing and care for millions, conducting hundreds of hospitals on a large scale and thousands of medical dispensaries. It is the biggest peace job the world has ever seen. But that isn't all - not by a long shot.
The American Red Cross has a colossal war labor to perform. It must establish and operate hundreds of large military hospitals of various kinds for our own armies and those of our allies. It must provide necessities and comforts for the fighting men and for the noble women who are nursing the wounded. In short, it must do everything possible to take some of the curse out of war. This work is already well under way.
Our Red Cross is helping all the stricken people on a great scale. Our Red Cross must not fall down on the job. You and I are responsible for the success of the enterprise. Of course we can't go over there and actually build houses and feed the hungry and clothe the naked and nurse the sick. But we can back up the great machines already in the field and at work. What can we do - you and I? Well, first of all we must be members of the Red Cross. At this writing the organization needs millions more of us on its master rolls. We compose the army at home supporting the arm in the field - both peaceful armies. At home here we form chapters and circles that furnish clothing and hospital supplies for soldiers and civilians in Europe.
(Denison Review 12-19-1917 )
*BUSIEST PLACE IN CRAWFORD
Constant Stream of Young Men Seeking Reclassification in Selective Conscription at Court House The court house is undoubtedly the busiest place in Crawford county this week and it will continue so for the new two weeks. The reason for the constant stream in and out of the doors of the court house is the reclassification of the 2200 Crawford county young men subject to selective conscription.
The corridors have been crowded each day with men who have received their questionnaires, who are accompanied by their wives, children, relatives and friends who are required to sign supporting affidavits. There is no fun making in the corridors either and all appear serious for from the questionnaires as made out the exemption board will classify the men in the order in which they will be called into the service.
In a small room on the third floor of the court house, which is almost inaccessible, sits a man at a typewriter who is working night and day getting out the questionnaires to the men in the order in which the men were originally drawn. His job is no small one either. Each day he must mail 111 questionnaires or 5 per cent of the men who were registered. This man is following the instructions laid down by the government and is doing the work well.
The legal advisory board commenced work Tuesday morning at the court house. Here the various members of the Crawford county bar are helping the registered men to properly fill out their questionnaires. From one to three hours is required to fill out each blank and it is no small task. Hugo Bottger was the first man to appear before the legal advisory board yesterday for assistance and the second man was Jas. Murphy.
The lawyers have found that they will need assistance if filing out of the blanks is accomplished within the time required by the government. They have asked the Review to send out an appeal to anyone familiar with clerical work to offer their services. Those who can devote a portion of their time to this work should notify Andrew Bell, Jr. who is chairman of the advisory board. The advisory board has been handicapped somewhat owing to the fact that registrants fail to bring their supporting witnesses with them to the court house to sign the affidavits.
Persons claiming deferred classification on the ground of dependency should bring in these dependents to sign supporting affidavits, except children who are too young to take an oath. Those claiming deferred classification on grounds of being engaged in agricultural enterprise should, if he is a renter, bring in the owner of the farm and a neighbor to make out the supporting affidavits. If the registrant owns the land he is farming he should bring in two nearby neighbors to sign the supporting affidavits and if the registrant is working as a hired man, he should bring in the employer and one nearby neighbor.
( rest of article missing)
LIGHTLESS NIGHTS NOW FASHION -
J. H. Patterson, Fuel Administrator for Crawford orders Electric Light Plant Shut Down After Midnight
Library Opened for One Day -
Coal dealers Report a Shortage of Fuel of Acute Nature
Patrons Supplied Few Pounds at Time.
The prediction made by the Review last week that Denison folks might be called upon to observe lightless nights, as well as meatless and wheatless days, is now a reality in part.
Last Thursday J. H. Patterson, the local fuel administrator, ordered that the night service of the municipal light plant be cut down in order to conserve fuel and the city council held a meeting and decided to shut down the plant from midnight until 5 o'clock in the morning. Many of the merchants are not at all pleased with the new order. They feel that their places of business are in jeopardy of fire or burglary, but are making the best of the matter nevertheless. With the electrollers cut off in the evening there is barely enough light for pedestrians to find their way along the streets. Denison presents the appearance the appearance of a backwoods city.
There is not the slightest doubt but what there is a shortage of fuel. The city is only able to secure enough coal to keep the plant in operation without a reserve supply. Today there are two car loads of coal at the municipal plant, one of which came this morning. While the city officials have promises from the .. for a sufficient amount of coal, ....
Twenty-four hour service delivery is so slow that it was determined wise to curtail the service for a time at least. Patterson, so we understand, has requested that the Carnegie library be closed with the exception of one day each two weeks. This will permit people to secure books at the library and return them. The library committee will hold a meeting today and come to a decision in the matter.
Local coal dealers report a shortage of fuel that is most acute. There is not a pound of coke or hard coal on hand and the supply of soft coal is Meager. Patrons are being supplied with only a few hundred pounds at a time and in This way dealers hope to be able to keep all supplied. One local coal dealer found last week that he could secure two tons of hard coal at Schleswig and a motor truck was sent up there for the black diamonds. There is a great demand for wood and farmers who have a supply of this for sale should notify Mr. Patterson.
Buck Grove Items, 1-30-1918
*By order of the United States marshal it is deemed important to give the greatest publicity to the alien registration which is to take place beginning February 4th at 6 a.m. and closing February 9th at 8 p.m. All male German alien enemies over the age of 14 years must register. Each applicant for registration must come equipped with four photographs 3 x 3 inches in size, to place on different blanks and affidavits to be filled out. The photographs must be on thin paper with a light background so they can be pasted on the forms. The postmaster at Buck Grove has been appointed assistant registrar by the attorney general of the United State to look after matters in this community pertaining to this registration. The necessary blanks can be obtained at the post office and the postmaster will assist in every way possible all who may apply at the office for registration. At the expiration of the registration time, February 9th, those who have not complied with these requirements will be subject to be taken in custody by the United States marshal.
Deloit, 1-30-1918
*Many farmers in our vicinity and persons handling feed or grain have on hand many burlap sacks which they count as useless and which they allow to go to waste. On account of war conditions, importation of material from which these sacks are made has been seriously affected, so attention has been turned to using these sacks for potatoes and other course commodities, thus saving what new material is received for purposes that require new sacks. If you are willing to be patriotic and do your bit you may save these sacks. Even if they have two or three small holes in them, tie them in bundles and bring them to the Red Cross. The Red Cross will tie them in bundles of 100 each and ship. All freight or express charges are paid by the firm receiving them and in addition, 7 cents each will be received for them. This will not only be a conservation but will help buy material for a wounded or sick soldier. These may be left at True's store, the bank or Northwestern depot. Every sack means 7 cents for the Red Cross.
Denison Review 3-6-1918
*TOO OLD TO GO - Chicago Post:
There are people who express compassion for the young men who must serve their country on the line. Have they never a thought for the men whose soul's desire is to serve and who are forbidden because the cold eye of authority, taking a look at them, discovers the traces of the years. The official edict "too old to go" follows the scrutiny. There is no misery in the service like that out of it in the ranks of those who once followed the colors, saluted them as they broke down from the sunset masthead and fought for them in the heart and heat of the fight. The records of the war department show that since last April thousands upon thousands of veterans of the army or the navy, have begged for the chance once again to play the game with death in behalf of the flag. The persistence of the veterans has been of the caliber of their fighting service. They do not know what "no" means any more than they knew what defeat meant. They are still at it and the war department is still at it, letting them down as gently and sympathetically as stern necessity permits.
Denison Review 4-10-18
*Doctors Making Determined Fight.
Noted Physicians are Determined to Locate the Source and Stop Pneumonia at Camp Dodge.
Farmers to get furloughs. Those Having Pressing Agricultural Duties Will Assist at Home During Planting Season. Division Headquarters, Camp Dodge, April 15. While there is nothing alarming on account of the scourge of pneumonia that is prevalent at Camp Dodge, nevertheless a most determined fight is being made to ascertain the source of the disease and to this end the most noted physicians in the United States are battling with the deadly visitor. As stated in a previous letter, the large number of cases of pneumonia are attributed to the dusty condition of the camp. No rain of any consequence has fallen since the fertile farms along the Beaver were converted into the abode of thousands of men last fall. The only real wetting the ground has received was from a snow fall in February. That was before the frost was out of the ground and only the surface was thoroughly wet.
Grass seed has been sown over all of the loose, bare ground and sprinkling from innumerable hose nozzles will soon convert the dust centers into beautiful lawns. It is believed that the dust element as far as it my contribute toward the presence of pneumonia has been eliminated. Two noted specialist have joined the medical corps at the base hospital, Capt. George L. Bates has been ordered from Ft. Riley as division tuberculosis specialist. Capt. Kent E. Williams has also been ordered from Ft. Riley for duty.
Every precaution possible is taken to prevent the further spread of pneumonia, which caused some twenty deaths the past week. Wards are all under quarantine. Caps and gowns and masks are worn by every person who enters the wards, visitors not excepted. Doctors put on freshly sterilized clothing before entering each separate ward. Thousands of pneumonia masks are being made in Red Cross work rooms throughout the country for use in the contagion wards of military hospitals. The masks consist of several layers of gauze with tape at the four corners and are tied over the nose and mouth. They are sterilized each time before they are used. Sheets are hung between every bed. When a patient reaches the stage where he is able to walk again he is also given a mask.
The nurses are girls who have been especially selected for this work after Years of training. They are patriotic and willing to sacrifice, otherwise they would not be willing to relinquish better salaries to serve in the military hospitals. Maj. F. C. Todd, commanding the base hospital at Camp Dodge, says; In the pneumonia ward where our worst cases are confined, it is almost impossible to pass down the length of the room without being moved to tears when one sees the tender care which is given these terribly sick boys - some of whom perhaps, may never recover.
All our nurses have the smile habit and it is the most contagious thing in the hospital. Its value is inestimable. Major Todd says it would be impossible to establish a system of care-taking and supervision in a civilian hospital equal to that maintained in military hospitals in the United States. In every ward besides crops of nurses, there is a ward surgeon and his assistants who are constantly in touch with the most minute developments of each case. Over three wards there is another supervising surgeon who is so assigned because of sheer professional ability. In addition, surgeons are appointed to manage groups of wards. By this system over sights and mistakes are practically impossible.
Orders issued at headquarters of the Eighty-eighth division at Camp Dodge provide for the inspection of all Y.M. C.A., Knights of Columbus and other buildings of like nature, for sanitary defects. Surgeons of organizations within whose areas these buildings are located make these inspections. Every civilian employed in the camp has been ordered inoculated with typhoid serum. About 400 soldiers at Camp Dodge attending the officers training school will have completed the work April 19th. They will not be given commissions immediately, but will remain for a time as privates. According to report at headquarters it will be but a short time before they are commissions.
Orders have been received at Camp Dodge making it possible for those having pressing agricultural duties on hand to get furloughs during the busy planting or harvesting season. The application for a furlough must come from the applicant himself, or from relatives, even though his services may be needed by someone not related. The soldier while on furlough must be paid the customary farm wage but his pay as a soldier is stopped during such furlough except enough to keep up his insurance and Liberty bond payments. A list of questions must be answered by the person making application for the furlough. This list must state the number of acres cultivated, the size of the farm, the yield last year of different farm products and the amount of available help. After these questions are all filled out they must be sworn to by the applicant and turned over to the local board who, in turn, must endorse it and then action will follow. It is not believed that many men will make application for such furloughs.
No furloughs will be granted to men above the rank of first sergeant nor to soldiers in organizations that are liable to immediately call for transfer. Twelve cantonments within the United States were supplied by Camp Dodge recently with selected men who it is assumed will see service in France many months before less fortunate men left at the 88th division. The number of men transferred cannot be used because of the censorship placed on such matters. It is permitted, however, to say that the transfer were started early in March and that they were not completed until Tuesday, when the last quota of 2,000 men arrived at Camp Upton, N. Y. Men sent from the 88th division are from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Illinois. The cantonments to which they have been transferred are: Camp Logan, Denver, Colo.; Camp Upton, New York; Camp Sevier, South Carolina; Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga.; Camp Doniuhan, Lawton, Okla.; Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill; Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich; Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, O.; Camp Dix, Trenton, N. J.; Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass.; Camp Meade, Maryland; American University, Washington, D. C.
Transcribed by Melba McDowell