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RACINE COUNTY IN
THE WORLD WAR
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A GERMAN SOLDIERS GRAVE
CAPT. WALTER L. HAIGHT
121st FIELD ARTILLERY'
FOREWORD
PREPARATION of this volume was begun primarily in the interest of the former
service men of Racine County. It was realized as early as January, iqiq, that im-
mediate steps must be taken to collect their records while the facts were still obtain-
able, or the task would become impossible of accomplishment.
It was the hope and expectation of the author that others would assume the work,
but when it became evident that they would not, he reluctantly agreed to attempt it.
Previous efforts had been made to have a similar project financed with public funds, but
had failed because of the large amount involved. Several suggestions were made as to
the best way of insuring the success of the book from a business standpoint In most
instances they involved contributions, or sale of space. Such plans, while legitimate, and
often necessary, usually give rise to charges of favoritism or prejudice, and they were re-
jected.
In the end it was decided to accept no donations of any sort and depend entirely upon
the sale of books to cover the expense. It is gratifying to find that the former service men
and civilians have supported the venture so generally in sub.scribing to the edition that
there will be no financial loss.
After spending a year upon the preparation of '"Racine County in the World War."
the author is more than ever convinced of its importance. It would be difficult for the
average reader to realize the difficulties which beset the path of one seeking the truth in
regard to some of the simplest matters connected with the recent war. Many organiza-
tions of civilian war workers kept no complete records; in other cases the documents
had been mislaid or lost. It was assumed that it would be an easy matter to gather photo-
graphs of soldiers and sailors for publication, when no charge was made for the insertions
of a picture, but it was anything but simple. The main difficulty lay in the fact that most
of the "subjects " had to be persuaded that there was no hidden scheme to get money
from them. Arguing with 5.000 men takes time in itself, but it is disheartening task
when there is added to it the job of first catching the 'j.ooo men with whom one desires
to argue.
The principal part and purpose of this project was the gathering of individual records
of former service men and women. This involved copying records of the History Committee
of the Council of Defense, the Red Cross, the various local Boards and lists published from
time to time in the newspapers. These were cheeked against "honor rolls" of numerous
societies, churches, townships, schools and industrial plants. Note was made of all who
applied for the state bonus for ex-service men. Where complete information was not then
at hand regarding a man, letters of inquiry were sent to his last known address and efforts
made to get in touch with his friends or relatives
There was no official record to which reference could be made. If any are unrepre-
sented, it is not due to any lack of effort on the part of the publishers, but because the men
themselves and their relatives have ignored the pleadings for information presented to
them in newspaper articles, letters, advertisements and circulars.
It should be a fact worthv of some thought that in the .Autumn of iqiQ. one year
after the World War was ended, there was no complete record of the men who served their
country in that war from this county: in fact, not even an accurate list of the Racine men
who gave their lives for thcircountry. If the disclosure of that truth arouses enough interest
to insure that the search will be continued until that record is completed, it will have
justified many times over the time and labor spent upon this book.
In regard to this volume itself, it may be said with absolute confidence that it con-
tains as correct a list of records as could be obtained at this time, and a far more complete
list than is possessed by any county in the state of Wisconsin, That being true, the author
feels that no apologies for minor errors are necessary. Where misstatements of fact occur,
the only explanation to be made is that the data was gathered in the great part from the
men themselves: more than ^.'ioo were interviewed personally and nearly this number
of certificates of discharge were copied. As to the others, every available source of in-
formation was sought.
It may be that the names of some who were not legal residents of the county are
included in the list of service men. WTiere doubt existed on that point it was decided to
give the benefit of it to the man affected and not risk doing an injustice to him by being
too technical in interpreting the term resident. " There aie also many Racine County
men who now reside elsewhere, but who are strictly ot Racine County in an historical
sense. Others who entered service elsewhere are now full fledged Racine County citizens
and as such are entitled to a place in this work, whieli will serve to make easier their ab-
sorption by the community.
Arrangement of the cliapters of the book followed no exact plan, but it was intended
that they appear in a sort of chronological order. There was no purpose of arranging them
in the order of the importance of the topics discussed. Broadly speaking, most people
will remember the events of the war as having occurred about in the way they appear in
the subsequent chapters — military and naval preparations, civilian activities at home
for several months, and then the gradual development of the military strength of the
nation until it culminated in a complete and glorious victory over the foe
To make clearer some facts of local interest it became necessary to develop the topic
of military operations somewhat beyond the lines originally laid down, but it is hoped that
this will serve to make the pages the more interesting. The collection of pictures, both of
local and general subjects adds a great deal to the value of the work.
The story of the civilian war work was taken almost entirely from official records-
Names of workers were obtained from those who were empowered to select and publish
them. For instance, the names of Liberty Loan workers were obtained from the Chairman
of the Liberty Loan Committee and where any question has arisen as to the personnel of
the various sub-committees, his list has been referred to as authoritative.
For the interesting collection of portraits in the book, the thanks of the entire com-
munity are due to E. I". Billings, Harry J. Leonard, John A. Hood, G. A. Malmc, Julius
Pavek, Tom Anderson, 1. B. Grant, and, in fact, almost every local photographer for their
generous cooperation in selecting and reproducing photographs of former service men.
It has been found impossible to give them credit for this in connection with the pictures
themselves in every case, and this opportunity is taken to express my own appreciation
and that of the men so generously served.
Fred. A. Wright, took pictures of almost every draft contingent before it departed
from the city, and the great majority of these groups have been furnished, and arc repro-
duced here. They are of great historical value.
John A. Hood, not only offered the use of his collection of wartime views, but very
generously gave over his studio I'or many days for the purpose of rc-photographing portraits
which were not suitable for engraving in the shape they were received. Views from his
collection will revive wartime memories when readers scan many pages of this work.
It would be impossible to give due credit to the scores of war veterans and other
citizens who gave of their time without stint and in various ways assisted in gathering and
preparing material for this work. Lieut. -Col. William Mitchell Lewis, William Horlick,
Jr., Frank J. Hilt, Max J. Zirbes, John A. Brown, Mrs. J. G. Chandler, Eugene
W. Leach, Walter H. Reed, Miss Minnie Queckenstedt, William W. Storms, and
many others have rendered very great assistance in the work, and offered to do even
more if desired, with no other purpose than to see that a suitable record was made of
those events which soon would have become a dim memory if not collected in some per-
manent form.
The ex-service men showed their very great interest in the historv at all times and
they have been the principal supporters of the project from the standpoint of the business
management. It is earnestly hoped that their support will pro\e to ha\ e been justified
as it was in their interest that the task of preparing the volume was undertaken.
The author feels that this work is not entirely completed, and will not be for some
years. The request is made now of all readers that if errors are detected, or omissions
noticed, that the fact be communicated to him by mail and at some future time it may
prove possible to publish these corrections in some form so as to make the work more
nearly perfect, W, L. HAIGHT
ERRORS
Page 237 and 241— Under cut, second lini-'. it should read "Next to bottom" instea.i of
"Third" and "Next to top" instead i)f "Second".
Patre 243— Third line under cut. first name should be "Louis Wawrzynkewici".
PitKu 264-FollowinB twenty-sixth line, first column, the f.illowinB should be inserted; "Di-
visions narticipatinic in the Mueae- Ar^onne battle were those numbered 1, 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 2G. 28. 29. 32. 33, 36, 37, 42. 77. 7B. 80. 82. 89. 9(1. 91 and 92".
CONTENTS
Page
Chapter 1
The Outbreak of the War 1 5
Chapter 1 1
Racine County Prior to Hostilities IQ
Chapter 111
Preparing to Fight ^3
Chapter IV
Navy Clears for Action 27
Chapter V
Racine National Guardsmen Called iq
Chapter VI
Volunteers Join the Colors 35
Chapter VII
Racine and the Selective Service Law 3q
Chapter VI II
Training Camps in America 5 1
Chapter IX
Protection at Home 53
Chapter X
Racine County Council of Defense 57
Chapter XI
Women's Committee, County Council of Defense 67
Chapter XII
American Protective League 75
Chapter XIII
Semi-Official Auxiliary Organizations 85
Chapter XIV
Racine's Financial Offering qi
Chapter XV
Racine Chapter, American Red Cross 112
Chapter XVI
Saving Food to Win the War 133
Chapter XVII
The Effect of the War on Home Life 158
Chapter XVIII
Clubs, Societies, Politics and Incidents 171
Chapter XIX
Effect of War on Racine Industries
Chapter XX
The A. E. F. in Battle iq7
Chapter XXI
The Navy in Action 213
Chapter XXII
Battery C, 121st Field Artillery 225
Chapter XX! 11
Battery F, 12 1st Field Artillery 235
Chapter XXI\'
1 he Racine Ambulance Company 247
Chapter XX\'
Facts Regarding Various Branches of the Army 263
Chapter XXVI
Soldier's Songs: Getting Wounded 287
Chapter XXVI I
A Racine Man's Experiences in the Army 2Q5
Chapter XXVlll
The End of the War 3 1 q
Chapter XXIX
How Wciunded Men arc Cared For 324
Chapter XXX
Some Letters from Men in Service 330
Chapter XXXI
The Soldiers Return: \ eterans' Societies 34q
The War in Pictures 3L11
Chapter XXXI I
Incidents of All Sorts From Everywhere 401
Chapter XXXI II
Some Figures and Facts About Casualties and War 417
Chapter XXXIV
The Wonderful Occasion of a Supply Train Wreck 425
Chapter XXXV
Work of Welfare Associations 432
Died in Service 435
Chapter XXXVI
Records of Men and Women in Service 467
Additional Records jqq
Index of Illustrations 601
Racine County
IN The World War
A HISTORY
By WALTER L. HA^IGHT
Captain, iiist Field Artillery
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Published at Racine. Wisconsin, in January, iqio
By W alter L. Haight and Frank P. Haight
Copyright iqzo by
W. L. and F. P. Haight
Engraved and Printed by
Western Printing & Lithographing Co.
Racine. Wis.
THE SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE
Scene at the raising of Rarine County's Service Flag, with its 1500 stars, February 22, 191S.
{Illustration Next Page)
PART I
MILITARY PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT
CHAPTER I
THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR
WHEN an assassin's bullet slew Arch-
duke Francis Ferdinand of Austria at
Serajevo on June 28, 1914, it is doubt-
ful whether anyone in the whole world antici-
pated that the act would precipitate a conflict
involving all the great powers.
Austria sent her insolent ultimatum to Ser-
bia on July 23, and the statesmen of Europe
grew grave. Even then but few foresaw more
than another "Balkan storm cloud" such as had
frequently threatened European peace, but
which usually had been banished by a wave of
a diplomatic wand. As the days passed, the
very stupendousness of the conflict which was
threatened made it appear impossible that
civilized governments could permit its begin-
ning. With Germany upholding Austria's
stand; Russia declaring herself bound to sup-
port Serbia; France assuring Russia that the
republic would lend every aid to the autocracy
in case of war; Great Britain insistent that
Germany should not attack France by sea or
through Belgium, the consequences of the first
offensive step were certain to be of tragic im-
port. It did not seem that the Central Powers
would dare assume the responsibility of un-
leashing the whirlwind of war.
Through these fateful days, America watch-
ed from across the seas — at first with an air
of amused tolerance at "much ado about noth-
ing," later with surprise at the growing crisis
and finally with the startled, shocked expres-
sion of one who for the first time recognizes
that what he deemed a clever bit of stage play
is, instead, a gory tragedy of real life.
Then, on August 1, 1914, the storm broke.
Germany declared war on Russia. The Aus-
trian army advanced toward Serbia and man-
ned her own eastern borders. Russian troops
assembled all along the Teutonic frontier.
Germany's green and gray clad hordes, gather-
ed together almost over night by means of her
marvelous mobilization methods, dashed toward
France over the ravished fields of neutral Bel-
gium. France called her manhood to the col-
ors and began the long and terrible fight for
her very existence. Great Britain hesitated
but three days, and then her navy sallied forth
to check the marauding German ships of war,
and her first regiments joined the French on
the continent. The Balkan nations armed
themselves and prepared to take sides as their
best judgment dictated. Italy, for years in the
Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria, de-
clined to take part with them in the assault
upon the peace of the world, and became an
armed camp, albeit neutral.
In the brief span of a week, there was hard-
ly a city in all Europe unaffected by the con-
flict. And before many months had passed
Belgium, eastern France, Poland and Serbia
were drenched with the blood of their defend-
ers and of the invading hosts.
Neutral nations, aghast at the holocaust,
sent words of horror-stricken appeal to all
warring peoples, and silence was the answer.
The Central Powers, by their mighty blows,
hammered their way almost to the gates of
Paris in September and were checked and
driven back across the Marne, Belgium was a
ruin, held by the invading forces of the Kaiser.
Russian armies penetrated into Germany and
then were hurled back in a rout far inside their
frontier. Serbia was overrun. Montenegro
took arms in behalf of Serbia and then Turkey
joined her fate with that of Germany and
Austria. Italy was finally forced into the
Allied camp in 1915. Japan early had put her
navy to the task of avenging a hatred felt
against Germany ever since the Chino-Japanese
war, and entered the Alliance against the Cen-
tral Powers.
On land the movements of armies soon nearly
ceased and trench warfare was ushered in.
The opposing forces faced each other across
mined areas and barbed wire entanglements,
the warriors in systems of earthworks which
reached across Belgium and France from the
English Channel to Switzerland, from the Tyro-
lean Alps along the northern Italian border.
16
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
through the Balkans, and from the Carpathians
to the Baltic sea.
On the seas, the German merchant marine
rushed to friendly or neutral ports to be in-
terned. Teutonic raiders, bold and desperate,
darted across the sea lanes destroying Allied
shipping and spreading terror to distant colo-
nies until they were finally sunk or driven into
permanent hiding. The German and Austrian
fleets were bottled in their fortified harbors,
from where they continued to threaten their
foes.
In the air, great fleets of aeroplanes crossed
and re-crossed the firing lines to spy out ene-
my movements and spread death along the
highways and railroads. As the struggle pro-
gressed, bombing planes were developed which
dropped explosives upon towns and forts and
railroads. Dirigible balloons were sent from
Germany to strike terror and carry destruc-
tion to English cities. London was bombed re-
peatedly and many innocent non-combatants
were victims of the ruthless campaign of hor-
ror. Paris was also an occasional victim of
aerial attacks.
Effort after effort to win a decision on land
failed. The battle lines remained almost sta-
tionary for two and a half years. New de-
vices of warfare appeared. The German chem-
ists reverted to an ancient and discarded
method of killing, and developed poison gases
that could be released from tanks, or convey-
ed into the enemy lines in shells and bombs.
They suffocated, burned and in other ways
slew and tortured thousands. The Allies re-
ciprocated in kind, and soon all soldiers at the
front were provided with grotesque looking
masks containing chemicals to rob the gases
of their power to kill.
Clumsy gasoline tractors were armored and
armed, and rechristened "tanks." They ground
their way across trenches and wire entangle-
ments to deal death among the foe. Machine
guns and automatic rifles of great ingenuity
were perfected, and on battle-fields in time of
action a veritable typhoon of bullets swept
from side to side from concealed positions.
Artillery was developed to a point of efficiency
hitherto undreamed of, and the long range, ac-
curacy and destructive power of the great mis-
siles made territory within their reach impassa-
ble by human beings at times. Opposing in-
fantry lines were so close that hand grenades,
bayonets and short-range mortars replaced
rifles for raids and daily minor brushes. The
efficiency of weapons of all sorts almost totally
prevented daytime actions in the field, and
fighting was done at night or in the misty gray
of the dawn, when Nature clothed the troops
in a mantel of partial invisibility.
Finally, terrified by the blockade which was
threatening her existance, Germany launched
her trump card — the submarine. Creeping out
of her naval bases, the U-boats issued forth to
sea hidden under the waters. They passed the
blockading fleets and invaded the sea lanes
along which ships brought food and other ne-
cessities of life to Great Britain. From their
safe position beneath the waves, the command-
ers of the submersibles searched the seas
with periscopes, located the merchant vessels,
and launched the torpedoes which sent them to
the bottom. Hundreds and hundreds of Brit-
ain's finest ships were thus destroyed with
heavy loss of life. Frequently no attempt was
made by the assailing U-boat to save passen-
gers or crews of their victims.
Driven to desperation by her own domestic
troubles, Germany threw caution to the winds
and sank every craft which could be success-
fully attacked, regardless of its nature, provid-
ed that it was being used to help feed and
clothe the hated British.
Passengers from neutral countries were num-
bered among the victims. Ships of neutral na-
tions engaged in trade with the Allies were
sunk. Protest after protest was made. The
German government explained, apologized, ex-
cused her actions by various subterfuges — but
the disregard for international law and for
the rights of humanity continued with a few
intermissions. When the Cunard liner Lusi-
tania, bearing hundreds of Americans to Eng-
land was sunk off the coast of Ireland with a
loss of nearly 1,.500 lives of men, women and
children, in May 1915, the United States gov-
ernment finally spoke. President Wilson, af-
ter a year of patient efforts to keep this coun-
try from becoming entangled in the awful con-
flict, sent to Germany a note which demanded
that her disregard for law and decency cease.
For nearly a year the German navy indicated
an effort to respect the rights of neutrals while
still carrying on a successful submarine cam-
paign against British and French shipping.
Admiral von Tirpitz declared, after the war,
that had the Kaiser continued to disregard
neutral rights at that time England would have
been decisively defeated before America could
have entered the war in force, and would then
have been able to prevent American transports
from crossing the Atlantic when this country
finally declared war. He declares that the-
mildness of the campaign for the rest of that
year enabled England to take steps to over-
come the submarine menace to some extent.
However that may be, it was the following-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
17
SAYING GOOD BYE TO THE BOYS WHO LEFT JULY 2. 1917
This was the day the Batteries left for war. Some of the old campaign hats of the men may be seen far in the crowd.
The Battery men were sure some attraction that day. Lower picture shows an exciting moment.
18
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
spring when U-boat commanders again became
heedless of neutral rights and on April 19,
1916, President Wilson sent an ultimatum to
Germany threatening to break off all relations
with her unless the killing of American citi-
zens on the high seas cease. Again the Ger-
man government hesitated between the two
possible courses of action and again the danger
of starvation was temporarily lessened in the
British isles while a more humane policy of
warfare was being followed for a time by the
Central Powei-s.
On January 31, 1917, the advocates of un-
restricted submarine warfare against the
Allies, regardless of any neutral rights, won
out in Germany and the Kaiser declared his in-
tention to the world of destroying England at
all costs. The United States immediately on
receiving this insolent declaration, severed
diplomatic relations with Germany and armed
her merchant vessels. She could not permit
any nation to close the high seas to her law-
ful commerce, as Germany frankly stated it
intended to do and plainly was trying to do.
As this rebuke had no salutary effect upon
Germany but rather seemed to incite her to
new acts of lawlessness against American ships
and American lives. President Wilson in April,
1917, addressed Congress asking that war be
declared against Germany, and it was so de-
clared on April 6.
In his address President Wilson cited the
many acts of barbarism committed against
America and Germany's refusal to heed words
of friendly warning; action of the German gov-
ernment in sending hundreds of spies and
secret agents to this country to wreck indus-
tries, promote strikes and disorders and influ-
ence legislation; and her recently detected ef-
fort to incite Mexico to engage in war with the
United States.
At the time this country officially entered
the war our military forces were on a peace-
time basis and entirely unprepared as to
strength, equipment or supplies to begin any
offensive action except on the sea.
Germany was flushed with victories on land,
and with three years of successful effort to
prevent invasion of her own soil. Great Brit-
ain was on the verge of starvation. Admiral
William S. Sims, U. S. N. is authority for
the statement that the British government in-
formed him officially in April that the Allies
would be forced to admit complete defeat with-
in five months if some means were not devised
to end the submarine menace.
Russia had withdrawn from the Alliance
totally defeated by the Central Powers in a
military sense and torn by revolution within.
Italy had made no headway against the Aus-
trians and was soon to suffer a terrible defeat
on the Isonzo front. In France the Allied
spring drive, upon which Germany's foes had
staked everything had just proved almost a
total failure.
The world at large did not realize the terri-
ble straits in which the Allies found themselves
at this stage. The rigid censorship kept the
curtain of secrecy between the terrible picture
of future disaster, and the public. At all costs,
Germany had to be kept in ignorance of how
near she was approaching to victory.
Only in Asia Minor did comparatively un-
important victories come to the British ban-
ners, and they helped to break the spirits of
the Turks and Austrians who might otherwise
have aided Germany more effectively on the
western front.
The manhood of France had been decimated
by the war. Every house, it seemed, mourned
its dead. There were no more reserves. Great
Britain and France had both put forth their
greatest efforts and failed. From now on they
could only hope to ward off total defeat until the
Americans could come to their aid. And Amer-
ica had to start almost from the bottom to create
an army. Its navy alone was ready for war.
That was the situation in April, 1917.
It was nearly a year later when the first
American combat units were in action against
the Germans in France. But by July 1918, the
Central Powers had received their first severe
defeat on the western front since 1914. In
September the Americans administered two
decisive defeats to the foe. Early in October
the whole German front in France and Ger-
many collapsed under the combined pressure of
the Allies. In November, the Kaiser abdicated
his throne and fled, and the German govern-
ment accepted terms of surrender which were
practically unconditional.
The American navy had furnished the addi-
tional strength necessary to overcome the sub-
marine menace; American industries had fur-
nished the necessary material and ammuni-
tions; American money had financed the bank-
rupt Allies; the American people had thrown
their whole heart and soul and strength into
the struggle; American soldiers had met and
mastered the German hosts every day for
weeks; American military strength had given
the Allies sufficient power to drive the hither-
to victorious foe to his knees.
That, in brief, is the story of the great war.
Racine men and women played their part in it,
and it was a part which will be remembered
with pride as long as patriotism and love of
country survive in America.
CHAPTER II
RACINE COUNTY PRIOR TO HOSTILITIES
RACINE county is a typical inland Amer-
ican community. Like thousands of
other counties in the United States it is
populated by intelligent, progressive citizens.
A considerable proportion of the inhabitants
are native born and descended from a line of
pioneer stock. There are likewise a great
many who are immigrants or the offspring of
immigrants who came from foreign shores to
seek their fortunes in this land where Nature
smiles encouragingly upon the hopeful and the
energetic. A dozen nationalities are well rep-
resented here.
The two principal cities of the county — Ra-
cine and Burlington — are factory centers. The
former has for years manufactured and ship-
ped to all parts of the earth a varied assort-
ment of products, ranging from clothing and
prepared foods to automobiles, machinery and
leather goods. Surrounding these centers, and
tributary to them is an area of rich, highly
cultivated farm land where dairying and agri-
culture is carried on by the most modem meth-
ods.
There are millionaires in Racine county, and
there are laborers. There are high salaried
specialists and skilled mechanics. There are
representatives of almost every class known to
American life. It has daily newspapers and
good schools. Its connections with the outside
keep its people in touch with adjacent and dis-
tant lands, and its numerous transportation
lines make travel to all parts of the country
easy. Its prosperity has kept its people happy
and contented. Its steady growth has resulted
in continued optimism. Briefly, it is a thriv-
ing American county, with the qualities and
characteristics typical of American communi-
ties.
The history of Racine county's part in the
World War, therefore, is much the same, in
all probability as that of the great majority of
places in the United States. The story of its
sacrifices and trials and accomplishments is
similar to that of the nation. What America
did, Racine did in a smaller way. What Ra-
cine and its neighbors experienced, the towns
and villages and cities of the entire country
experienced.
The whole story of the great conflict which
deluged the world with suffering and misery
and death from 1914 to 1918 has not yet been
told. It may be a generation before there will
appear an historian able to do justice to such
a theme and with means to assemble all the
data required for such a monumental work.
But it is not too early to attempt to put into
words the tale of one county's part in the war.
It is possible to depict armies and navies in
terms of men whose faces are familiar to the
reader; to explain America's mighty industrial
efforts during the war in words which paint
the tasks performed in local plants; to recall
the nation's financial support to her armies
while many who peruse the lines still own the
bonds which helped to purchase victory; to
describe the loving efforts made in home, and
club and church to provide comfort for those
who had donned the khaki or blue; and above
all to keep fresh the memories of those who
made the great sacrifice for country, while
their families still wear the bands of mourning
on their arms.
At the outbreak of the World War in 1914,
this community had but little fear that the
distant conflagration could spread to this side
of the Atlantic. That Racine might be send-
ing men to France, England and Russia to
fight their country's battles seemed more like
the figment of a disagreeable dream than the
unavoidable and logical result of the turmoil
overseas.
For more than two years Racine county, in
common with the greater part of America,
watched the progress of the terrible struggle
in Europe with startled fascination. From the
flood of charges and countercharges, defenses
and denials, protests and arguments, which
came from the various governments involved,
few people seriously assumed the power to
tell with certainty who was responsible for the
holocaust. Almost everyone denounced Ger-
20
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
many for her base violation of Belgium's neu-
trality, and sympathy was quite generally with
the Belgians. When Great Britain came into
the war, most Americans were inclined to as-
sume that Germany's fate was sealed, now that
the "iron ring" was closing about her at sea as
well as on land. As days passed, and the
armies settled down to trench warfare, the
lingering- idea that the war might spread to
America almost disappeared.
Pacifists opposed any military preparations
on our part, assuming that the vast armaments
of Europe were the cause of the trouble there.
Looking back to the days of 1914-1915, it seems
as if a majority of Racine people had the same
sort of interest in the World War then as they
might have had in some well advertised cham-
pionship prize fight. They discussed in homes,
cafes, cigar stores and clubs the merits of the
various antagonists. They cited statistics on
land and naval forces, and on population and
wealth and resources. They cheered the brave
French poilus for driving the German invaders
back at the Marne: they applauded the Ger-
mans for turning apparent defeat on the Rus-
sian front into an overwhelming victory which
almost destroyed the Czar's armies; they ex-
pressed admiration for the boldness of the
Kaiser's raiders going forth on the seas to al-
most certain destruction, yet spreading terror
and death from Gibraltar to the East Indies
before they met their fate.
There were few, indeed, who hoped for a
real German victory. 'The brutal methods of
the invaders in Belgium and eastern France
caused even the friends of the Teutonic Em-
pire to blush for shame, and dread the adoption
of such rule in wider spheres. Yet there was
also a feeling that Germany was handicapped
in the struggle by her lack of food and other
supplies and to many she appeared as a brave
people being slowly starved into submission
despite her magnificent fight. Americans, too,
had never been inclined to feel, as individuals,
much friendliness for Great Britain. They had
been taught in the schools of our troubles with
her in the Revolution, the War of 1812 and the
Civil War. The Irish-American population had
also told tales of British rule which had not
been without their effect.
Probably, the preponderance of sentiment in
Racine county was in favor of the Allied cause.
But quite frequently the feeling seemed to be
as disinterestedly neutral as that of the woman
who, seeing her spouse in combat with a
grizzly, exclaimed, "Go it husband! go it, b'ar!
May the best one win!"
Early in 191G new factors entered into their
opinions and sympathies. German-Americans,
loud in their defense of the Fatherland were
noticeably backward about trying to get back
to the old country to fight, while quite a num-
ber of young men of French and English, and
particularly Canadian, nativity were quietly
packing up their suitcases and starting for
Allied ports to enlist. Very shortly most of
us could claim some acquaintance with men in
the Allied ranks.
Then the German government began a course
of action which forever lost her the support of
even her admirers. No one claiming to be a self-
respecting American could hear without anger
and resentment in his heart the stories of
American lives lost in the ruthless attacks by
German submarines upon defenseless ships.
Every principle of international law required
that a warship provide for the safety of pas-
sengers before sinking any unarmed vessel,
and this the Germans persistently refused to
do.
Then came the revelations of German intri-
gue in Mexico, and the exposure of the official
instructions from Berlin to agents in Mexico
to stir up a war against the United States.
This followed after the discovery of plots, in
some cases successful, to destroy American
factories which sold goods to the Allies, these
plots being contrary to all law and often times
with utter disregard for human life.
The indiscriminate bombing of English and
French towns with heavy loss of life among
the women and children was also generally de-
nounced. All these things tended to germinate
a feeling of dislike and distrust. The Allies
themselves did many things to grate upon our
feelings, but they did not kill Americans, de-
stroy American property or show a total dis-
regard for the rights of neutrals. Perhaps the
most serious complaint against the Allies was
due to the British rule that neutrals could ship
but a limited amount of food and manufactured
goods to countries bordering upon Germany, it
being claimed that Holland and the Scandina-
vian countries were furnishing the Germans
with supplies. Cargoes stopped in transit and
seized, were paid for, however, so there was no
actual loss. Efforts to stop this interference
with trade were being made when Germany's
actions finally forced us into the war and
then, of course, we were in accord with the
Allies' policy.
Racine people took active part in the plans
to send food and clothing to the Belgian refu-
gees prior to our entry into the struggle, and
funds were contributed by many to aid the
French orphaned children. In Milwaukee,
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
21
PHOTOS BY HOOD
FIRST STEPS TOWARD MAKING SOLDIERS OF RACINE YOUNG MEN
The upper picture shows recruits for Batteries C and F out for drill in a quiet street of the city, early in 1917. Officers
were trying to teach them the mysteries of keeping step when marching, and how to halt in unison. These men did not
get uniforms until they went to Camp Douglas.
The lower picture was a familiar one after September, 1917. It depicts a draft contingent leaving for a cantonment, the
yards of the North-western depot being crowded with friends and relatives of the departing men.
22
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
where there was a large German population,
there were fairs and entertainments held to
raise money for the German and Austrian
civilian sufferers and contributions to these
causes, also, were made here. The Red Cross
Society, being an international organization
for the amelioration of suffering, did work on
both sides of the fighting lines in Europe and
maintained an impartial attitude.
At times, during our period of neutrality,
there were hot arguments and even some fistic
encounters on the streets as a result of differ-
ences of opinion over the war. But it is prob-
ably not far from the truth to say that up to
the spring of 1916 there were very few people
in this part of the country who were so parti-
san that they would have cared to see Amer-
ica enter the war on either side, or who would
have been heart-broken at the defeat of any
of the combatants. Reference to newspaper
files bear out this view of the country's senti-
ment.
Probably in future years, this attitude of
our people will seem one of the strangest fea-
tures of the history of America during the
period of the war.
President Wilson was re-elected in 1916 as a
result of a campaign which had as its political
battle-cry, "He kept us out of war." Yet,
when in the following April he solemnly set
forth the reasons why we could no longer be
at peace, the nation quietly, sternly and with
undoubted loyalty and determination, trans-
formed itself into a mighty fighting machine
pledging its last man and last dollar to the
task of defending the ideals of democracy from
the onslaughts of arrogant militarism and au-
tocracy.
CHAPTER III
PREPARING TO FIGHT
THE United States army was unprepared
for war on April 6, 1917. The country
had plenty of warning that we might
be drawn into the fray, but the administration
felt that any public move to enlarge the army
or actually prepare for battle might precipi-
tate a crisis which could otherwise be avoided.
The extent of the work to put the country in a
position to operate against an enemy had been
confined chiefly to the formulation of a plan
for drafting the young manhood of the land
into service; a hasty census of manufacturing
plants to determine which ones might be
quickly transformed into munitions and army
supply factories; a quiet hunt to disclose the
identity of as many German and Austrian
agents in America as possible; and the plans
of the general staff of army and navy for form-
ing a large offensive and defensive force by
using the regular personnel to direct the train-
ing of recruits.
Immediately upon the declaration of a state
of war the draft bill, or Selective Service Act,
as it was called, was introduced in Congress
and after a lengthy debate was passed on
May 17, 1917. The project was to require the
registration of all men between the ages of 21
and 30, both inclusive, and to make all of these
eligible to the draft as needed, excepting where
exempted for causes to be determined. The
polling booths were to be used for ths regis-
tration, and in Wisconsin it was decided to uti-
lize the election machinery and officials to
handle the work. June 5 was set as registra-
tion day.
Recalling the draft riots of Civil War days,
many officials feared there might be trouble on
June 5, but there was none. The young men
of the nation quietly answered the call of the
president. Over 218,000 were registered in
Wisconsin alone. More than 10,000,000 regis-
tered in the country as a whole. There was
less disturbance than at any general election
ever held in the country. Th's fact did more
to convince foreign observers of the unanimity
of the national feeling regarding the war than
any other single thing.
Following the registration, it became neces-
sary to plan for the work of selection. For this
purpose there was a local board appointed by
the governors of states in each assembly dis-
trict, whose duty it should be to review all
questions of exemptions from the draft law.
There was also a district board for each fed-
eral judicial district to review on appeal, and
modify, affirm or reverse any decision of the
local board.
After the registration, numbers were assign-
ed at random to all registrants, and placed
upon their cards. In each district these num-
bers ran from 1 to 10,500, if that many regis-
tered. It was decided to have a drawing at
Washington to determine the order of liability
of registrants for service. Numbers were
drawn in a central lottery, and then put down
in the order of drawing. This was the "mas-
ter list" and as it was published every regis-
trant could tell the relative order in which his
serial number had been drawn. As soon as it
was determined how many men must be raised
by each district on the first draft, registrants
would report in the proper order for physical
examination and to have their claims of ex-
emption passed upon if any were made. Wis-
consin's quota was given as 28,199, but the
state received credit for 15,274 already enlisted
voluntarily, so only 12,976 were actually re-
quired to be furnished by the draft. In this
respect Wisconsin was the ninth highest state
in the union proportionate to population.
Following their examinations, the first men
were to report at designated training camps
on September 5, 1917.
In the meantime, immediately after war was
declared the National Guard of the various
states was ordered to be recruited to war
strength at once. This was completed, and the
final muster rolls in Wisconsin showed 14,266
in the Guard. The Third regiment was order-
ed into federal service in April and put at
24
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
work guarding bridges, tunnels and munitions
plants in the state. The others assembled at
Camp Douglas, Wis., in July.
Army and navy recruiting for the regular
establishments was continued on a voluntary
basis for the greater part of the war
While these steps were being taken to pro-
vide the men for fighting, great cantonments
were being constructed in record time to house
the recruits. In southern camps the men usu-
ally depended upon tents for shelter. In the
north two-story frame barracks were built,
each camp being arranged to hold from 2.5,000
to 30,000 men.
Factories were taken over by the government
for the manufacture of guns, munitions uni-
forms, foodstuffs, and other necessities. Steps
were taken to conserve food and fuel. Alien
enemies were sought out, listed and kept under
observation, or interned. They were all requir-
ed to register. Plans were made for raising-
vast sums of money by the sale of government
bonds to every American citiEen.
There seemed to be little cheering or bluster;
not much wild enthusiasm for war. The peo-
ple knew too well the horrors of the conflict
which had already been raging for three years.
Yet the whole country had accepted the war as
a grim business which must be tackled; a duty
which must be done; and it was proposed to
perform the task as rapidly as possible, as
thoroughly as possible and with as little lost
motion as possible.
Central organizations to direct the work of
civilian workers were effected. Every effort
was made to prevent waste of money and ef-
fort.
Perhaps the most significant feature of the
conduct of the work at home is that almost
every office was filled by men serving without
pay. Volunteers stepped quickly forward to
assume the work of selective service board
members, resident secret service agents, fiscal
agents, etc.
A few small units of troops were sent to
France and England during the summer and
fall of 1917. Several regiments of regulars
were there by Christmas. At about that time
National Guard divisions began to move toward
the ports of debarkation. The Forty-second
or Rainbow, division, containing three com-
panies of Wisconsin guardsmen, was among the
first to be sent across the ocean. All troop
movements were shrouded in secrecy. By the
middle of March 1918, the Wisconsin Nationai^
guardsmen were all in France. The First divi-
sion, composed of the residue of many regular
units, was in minor actions about that time.
The navy now had succeeded in perfecting
methods of convoying transports across the
ocean with reasonable safety against enemy
attacks. Troop movements began at great
speed. A hundred thousand, two hundred thou-
sand, three hundred thousand trained soldiers
from American camps were put on ships and
rushed overseas each month. The arms and
equipment were provided, too. Despite the
great distance from their base, there was al-
ways on hand in France from 30 to 60 days'
rations for every soldier there.
At home the government proceeded upon the
idea that the war might last for two or three
years and all military, naval, financial and in-
dustrial plans were made with that thought in
view. Huge factories were built to meet the
needs of the distant future. Contracts were
let for goods which would not be needed for
many months. No stone was left unturned to
insure the ultimate victory of our arms, and
there was to be no let-up of effort if over-con-
fidence should come. In fact, every branch of
war work continued up to the very signing of
the armistice just as though the end of the
war was not yet a possibility.
The selective service law was modified to
make it more perfect in the light of experience
here and abroad. Rules for exemptions be-
cause of dependencies, work in essential in-
dustries, etc., were made clear. One main pur-
pose of the law was to exempt married men
who were actually supporting their families.
This was deemed wise from an economic stand-
point, as well as from the standpoint of the
morale of the army and the folks at home.
Wisconsin sent fewer married men to the Na-
tional army (composed of selective service
men) than any other state. While providing
her full quota of men for every draft, she sent
but 914 married men, or a percentage of 3.83
as compared with 10.37 in the country as a
whole. To September 13, 1918, more than 23,-
908,000 men between the ages of 18 and 45 had
registered and been classified in the United
States.
By the first of November, 1918, the armed
land forces of the United States numbered
3,893,000 men. There had been in France ap-
proximately 2,086,000 men, and of these 1,390-
000 had been in action
To show what this meant to the Allies in
terms of figures, it is only necessary to refer
to a confidential chart kept by the British Gen-
eral staff, published by Mrs. Humphrey Ward
in her book, "Fields of Victory." The statis-
tics reveal beyond question that had not that
wonderful troop movement taken place from
America in the spring and summer of 1918, the
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
25
[
PHOTOS 3Y H-)OD
SCENES FROM THE FIRST BIG LOYALTY DEMONSTRATION
In the upper picture is shown a portion of the first great loyalty parade which marked the opening of the first Liberty
Loan campaign in May. 1917. The white clad figures in the other group are women members of the Red Cross, the ban-
ners showing the various auxiliaries of the organization. They were a part of the parade.
26
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Germans would have won an overwhelming vic-
tory on land.
In July 1916 the British had 680,000 fighting
men in France. In April 1917 the British com-
bat force reached its maximum, 760,000, on the
eve of the drive which was intended to win the
war but failed. When the Germans started
their second "march toward Paris" in March
1918, the British force numbered but 620,000,
and this dwindles to 540,000 in May and 465,-
000 on November 11. In the battle of the
Argonne-Meuse, the Americans had 546,000
men actually engaged besides an additional
112,000 at the same time in action with the
British and French armies; a grand total of
658,000 actually fighting at one time. Just
how large the French forces were at this time
no one knows as the French government has
never disclosed its exact strength on the fight-
ing lines, but the belief of experts is that they
were not much larger than the British.
In addition to this preponderance of fighters,
and our possession of additional millions as
reserves for use when needed the American na-
tion was supplying in the last year of the war
the bulk of all material needed by all the
Allies with the exception of artillery and aero-
planes, and these were being produced in large
quantities at about the time the war ended.
Had the conflict lasted until the spring of 1919
America would have been fighting the Germans
in France almost single handed and was prepar-
ed to crush the foe by a tremendous superiority
of everything that counts in warfare. The
German military leaders saw this plainly after
the battles near Chateau-Thierry and St. Mihiel.
General Von Ludendorf, chief quartermaster
and practically chief of staff of the German
armies, admitted it frankly in his post-war
memoirs and said he recommended the suing
for peace as soon as he realized in September
that the Americans were coming too rapidly to
enable him to hope to ever put on another suc-
cessful offensive.
The story of the military accomplishments of
America in the war must be left to other
hands. This work cannot pretend to do more
than touch upon anything but Racine's part in
the war excepting insofar as it is necessary
to explain the greater things briefly so the pur-
pose and effects of the local efforts may be
made clear.
^
CHAPTER IV
NAVY CLEARS FOR ACTION
THE United States Navy, the nation's first
line of defense, was ready for war when
war came. Always a popular branch of
the service for young men, its ranks were kept
filled to whatever degree was desired by volun-
tary enlistments during the first months fol-
lowing the outbreak of the European conflict
in 1914. Warships were in first-class condition
and the armament and ammunition supply and
reserve was equal to the desires of the depart-
ment heads. This much could be done by
America during the period of neutrality with-
out arousing the ire of foreign combatants.
The first important duty of the navy was to
supply guns and gunners for American mer-
chant vessels when the unlimited submarine
campaign was begun by Germany. It was
maintained that even a neutral country had
a right to prepare its merchants vessels to meet
piratical attacks at sea, and that vessels so
equipped could not be classed as fighting ships.
Our government, in common with its people,
had been kept in ignorance of the straits in
which the Allies found themselves in the spring
of 1917. From the President down, our peo-
ple believed the censored reports from France
and England to the effect that the submarine
blockade by Germany was a failure, and that
the menace would soon be entirely removed by
devices recently perfected.
Admiral William S. Sims, U. S. N., was sent
to England late in March when it was seen that
America would certainly be forced into the
war by Germany's attitude. When he reached
there, war had been declared and he was taken
entirely into the confidence of the British ad-
miralty. He was then informed frankly that
"Germany was winning the war, and winning
at a rate that means the unconditional sur-
render of the British empire in four or five
months."
The full statement of the extent of sub-
marine sinkings had not been made public be-
cause of the probable effect upon the Allied
morale, and the fact that the Germans them-
selves did not know how successful their
U-boats had been. The total sinkings in Feb-
ruary, 1917, had been 536,000 tons; in March,
603,000 tons; and a destruction of 900,000 tons
in April was anticipated. These figures were
about three times as large as the ones publish-
ed by the government. It was feared the
situation would get much more serious, as it
was becoming summer when the U-boats would
have longer periods of daylight and fair
weather in which to operate.
Admiral Sims, in his memoirs from which
these facts are gleaned, said that he was as-
tounded and asked Admiral Jellicoe if there
was no remedy.
"Absolutely none that we can see," was the
reply. "It is impossible for us to go on with
the war if these losses continue."
Briefly, the situation was this: The trans-
portation of supplies to the British army and
navy, and the civilian population was being
effectually stopped. The nation was threaten-
ed with starvation. Not many U-boats oper-
ated at sea at a time — perhaps not more than
fifteen or twenty at the most, but they had the
advantage of invisibility and could range
around the British isles and as far south as
the Mediterranean with safety. The length of
their cruises was limited only by the number
of torpedoes carried and used. About the only
defense against them was the use of swift,
shallow draught vessels of the destroyer or
steam yacht type. These boats could approach
them before they could submerge deeply, and
drop depth bombs which would destroy them
or put them out of commission if they explod-
ed nearby.
But the Allies did not have enough of these
vessels to convoy their merchant fleet effective-
ly. Many were required to protect the high
seas fleet and the transports. The Germans
had deliberately sunk one or two hospital ships,
knowing that the Allies would use destroyers
to protect other hospital ships in the future.
It was a barbarous thing to do, but the plan
28
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
worked. Thereafter no more were attacked.
Before America entered the war a large "mer-
chant submarine" visited these shores, and af-
ter we were in the war a naval submarine sunk
a few ships off the New England coast in the
hope that we would keep our destroyers at
home to defend our own shipping. The Unit-
ed States saw through this ruse, however, and
did not allow itself to be led into abandoning
the protection of vessels in the real danger
zone off France and England.
Speaking of the situation in April, 1917,
Admiral Sims says:
"What a dark moment in the history of the
Allied cause: Not only were the German sub-
marines sweeping British commerce from the
seas, but the Germans were also defeating
French and British armies in France. The
high peak of success of the U-boats was achiev-
ed at the very moment that General Nivell's
offensive failed on the western front."
At this time, says Admiral Sims, Premier
Lloyd George was the only high British official
who was at all optimistic, and his view was
explained by his faith in God and in a divine
ordering of history which was so profound that
a German victory never seized his mind as a
probability.
In April 1917 the British had 200 destroyers.
Of these 100 had to remain at all times with
the grand fleet, prepared for battle in case
the German fleet should leave its base. Of
the remaining hundred, those that could be re-
leased from other essential work to guard mer-
chant shipping were pitifully inadequate to
patrol the vast reaches of the Atlantic ocean,
British channel, Irish sea and the North sea.
The first work of America was to see that
the Allies were not defeated. Therefore, the
first request of Admiral Sims was that all
available American destroyers and other light
craft be ordered to Queenstown to cooperate
with the British in their anti-submarine cam-
paign. This was done, and immediate action
was taken to build additional craft of similar
or smaller types.
Two more steps were considered at once.
One was the manufacture of vast quantities of
mines, which at a future date could be used
to cut off the exit of the German surface and
submarine vessels from their bases. The oth-
er was the construction of merchant shipping
to replace that already destroyed. As a re-
sult of the first work, a "mine barage" was
almost completed from Scotland to Norway
before the war ended — a task so stupendous
that the ability of the Allies to perform it had
not even been considered prior to America's
entry into the war. In regard to the other
plan, it was working out in magnificant style
during the following year, when millions of
tons of shipping were turned out by the typic-
ally Yankee method of manufacturing stand-
ardized parts for ships in factories all over the
country, and then assembling them into the
completed ship in a few weeks at yards on the
coast.
But the use of the destroyer fleet was the
first big naval assistance given the Allies, and
it began to turn the tide against the Central
Power at once and contributed largely to their
ultimate defeat.
CHAPTER V
RACINE NATIONAL GUARD MEN CALLED
FOR eighteen years following the Spanish-
American war, Racine county had no
representation in the National Guard.
Lack of a suitable building for armory pur-
poses was one of the main reasons why Wis-
consin's second largest city had not maintain-
ed a military company.
The World War broke out in August, 1914.
Far-sighted citizens who were interested in
National Guard matters to a greater or less
degree, began to feel that America might get
involved in the conflict and that it would be
wise to plan for the establishment of Guard
organizations in all of the cities of the state.
The matter dragged along for a year and a
half. The federal govei-nment apparently hesi-
tated to provide for larger defensive forces.
President Wilson constantly urged, with all
the eloquence at his command, that the people
of America be neutral in thought, word and
deed and there was a pretty general feeling
that Wilson would keep us out of the war, as
he had up to that time.
In 1916 the Mexican situation became too
serious to be longer ignored. The Mexican
government was powerless to control the bandit
and revolutionary forces which swarmed in the
mountains and plains near the Texas border,
and these bands of armed men made frequent
forays on the American side of the Rio Grande,
stealing and slaying.
Most of the regular army was sent to the
border and the National Guard was told to pre-
pare for a call into federal service in June,
1916. Authority was given to increase the
number of companies, and under this order
Major Westfahl of Milwaukee offered to allow
his battalion of field artillery to be completed
by the raising of a Battery at Racine if so
desired there.
Immediate steps were taken to see if the
battery could be recruited. Captain Henry C.
Baker, a veteran guardsman and then chief of
police was a leader in the movement. The
probability of active service at the border prov-
ed a sufficient incentive, and within a few
weeks the necessary 110 men had enlisted and
been accepted. In June, 1916, the Adjutant
General of the state approved the organization
at an inspection in the Commercial Club
rooms, and the next day the governor commis-
sioned as captain, George W. Rickeman, a vet-
eran officer of the Spanish-American war.
James W. Gilson and Richard Drake, were
named first lieutenants. Richard G. Bryant
was named second lieutenant, and a few weeks
later Harry J. Sanders was also named as sec-
ond lieutenant.
Drills were held twice a week at the Lake-
side Auditorium. The older guard organiza-
tions from other parts of the state were called
into federal service and dispatched to the Mex-
ican border in July. The Racine unit, now
known as Battery C, 1st Wisconsin Field Artil-
lery, expected to follow shortly. Its officers
and a number of men were detailed to go to
Texas and take part in the maneuvres there
with Battery A of Milwaukee until their own
battery should be called out. They remained
three weeks or more, some men staying for
several months.
August 14, 1916, the Battery was ordered to
Camp Douglas, Wis., but as there were no guns
or horses for it, the men spent days in foot
drill and then were sent back to Racine.
Nothing more was done about providing equip-
ment, excepting uniforms, so these boys missed
their first chance to see action. The rest of
the Guard returned from the border duty in
the vianter.
After quite a campaign of oratory, the peo-
ple of the city voted at a special election to
have the city build a $50,000 armory, and au-
thorized a bond issue of that amount so that
the battery could obtain guns and horses from
the government. Before it could be built, it
was decided by some of the city officials that
it would be better to put more money with the
$50,000 and erect a structure large enough to
use for public auditorium purposes. Eventu-
30
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
ally this was put up to the people, but the re-
quest for authority to issue $100,000 bonds ad-
ditional was defeated. Before the council could
get busy again on the $50,000 building project,
the National Guard had started for France and
the whole proposition was allowed to drop.
In April, 1917, war was declared against
Germany. The National Guard quota was
again increased and all organizations ordered
to be filled to war strength. Battery C was
recruited to 200 men, and it was decided to
have another battery in Racine to complete the
1st Wisconsin artillery regiment. The work
continued, the Battery C members acting as re-
cruiting agents. There were also three or
four public meetings held. One, on the ex-
treme south side, resulted in the enlistment of
a score of Polish young men. One at Union
Grove added a dozen men to the battery from
that village and surrounding tovras.
A month after war was declared the new
battery was completed, assigned to the regi-
ment as Battery F, and began drilling three
times a week under direction of Battery C of-
ficers. On June 16, the governor promoted
Captain Rickeman to major, and made the fol-
lowing promotions and assignments:
Battery C.
1st Lieut. Richard G. Bryant to be captain.
2nd Lieut. Harry J. Sanders to be 1st lieu-
tenant .
Ludwig Kuehl to be 1st lieutenant.
Sergt. Harry J. Herzog to be 2nd lieutenant.
Pvt. Harrison L. Clemons to be 2nd lieuten-
ant.
Battery F.
1st Lieut. James W. Gilson to be captain.
Hugo A. Rickeman to be 1st lieutenant.
Walter L. Haight to be 1st lieutenant.
Harry C. Stearns to be 2nd lieutenant.
George H. Wallace to be 2nd lieutenant.
All of Battery F officers had been members
of Battery C. Lieutenant Bryant had become
the senior officer in Battery C when Captain
Rickeman was promoted, due to the prior resig-
nation of Lieutenant Drake. The officers at-
tended a two weeks' school of instruction at
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, the last two weeks
in June, 1917.
While the Batteries were being completed.
Dr. William W. Johnston of Racine was asked
to raise a motor ambulance company in the
city to become a part of the National Guard.
The work proceeded as rapidly as expected and
the full quota of 143 officers and enlisted men
was obtained by early in July. Dr. Johnston
was commissioned 1st lieutenant and given
command, Drs. William Salbreiter, William J.
Hanley, Clarence O. Del Marcelle and Luther
N. Schnetz, were given commissions as lieu-
tenants and assigned to the company when
Lieutenant Johnston was promoted to captain
and the company ordered to report at Camp
Douglas, Wisconsin, on July 30, 1917.
Batteries C and F left Racine for Camp
Douglas on July 2d to join the rest of the
artillery regiment, which was composed of
Green Bay and Milwaukee units. The occa-
sion was a dramatic one. The country had
begun to see that the United States would
have to engage in active hostilities against
Germany and it was anticipated that the Na-
tional Guard would be sent overseas as soon as
transports could be provided. Parents did not
know whether they would ever see their boys
again, or if they should, whether it might be
years before they would be reunited. The en-
tire city turned out to watch the soldiers' de-
parture.
The batteries answered roll call at the Audi-
torium at 6 o'clock in the morning. All the
recruits, including all of Battery F, were with-
out uniforms. They carried home-made kit
bags containing toilet articles and a few per-
sonal belongings. None were loaded up with
surplus baggage, and most of them showed by
their countenances that they realized that the
adventure they were starting upon might be a
tragic one.
Shortly before 7 o'clock the two batteries,
headed by a drum corps composed of members
of the two units, marched up Third street to
College avenue, then to Seventh Street and
east to Main street, going then between two
lines of massed humanity to the C. M. & St. P.
railroad, where a special train was awaiting
them. The G. A. R. and Spanish-American
War Veterans acted as escort of honor. Fif-
teen minutes was allowed in the depot yards
for a last farewell. Then came the command to
get aboard, and within two or three more min-
utes the long train had started on its trip
to Camp Douglas, with Racine's first contribu-
tion — 410 picked young men — to the great war.
Fully 30,000 persons saw the boys depart.
Main Street and the vicinity of the railroad
depot were a solid mass of humanity. State
street and Fourth street bridges were jammed
from the girders to overhead arches. Along
the railroad right-of-way people crowded near
the tracks to shout a farewell to the boys.
The fences were lined with men, women and
children almost the entire distance to Corliss.
An almost equal demonstration was given on
July 30th when the ambulance company started
for Camp Douglas.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
31
NATIONAL GUARD UNITS WERE FIRST TO GO, AND MEMORABLE SCENES MARKED THEIR DEPARTURE
The parading of troops in the streets, the entertainments and the packing up, the good-byes and the drilling, were every
day occurrences in the opening days of the war. The batteries recruited up to war strength and spent much time drilling.
On the day of departure the men. some in uniform and some in "civvies," all with packs and bags, marched to the St.
Paul station to leave for Camp Douglas. The pictures show Milwaukee batteries of the 121st Field Artillery off for war.
32
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
As the government had not yet completed
the construction of its mobilization camps, the
Wisconsin National Guard was kept at Camp
Douglas, Wisconsin, the state reservation, for
some time. The men were equipped with uni-
forms, and the Racine batteries began the long
period of intensive training that was to fit
them for overseas service. The older Milwau-
kee and Green Bay batteries had obtained four
3-inch field pieces and caissons apiece, and the
regiment had some sixty horses, which were
utilized by all the batteries in turn for drill
purposes.
In addition to the artillery regiment, there
were six regiments of infantry and two brig-
ade headquarters, a regiment of cavalry, a
battalion each of engineers and signal corps
and three ambulance companies. The total
strength August 5th was 15,266 men.
Captain William Mitchell Lewis of Racine,
who had commanded Company F of this city
during the Spanish-American war, offered his
services to the state in any capacity desired,
and he was commissioned a major and given
command of the battalion of the signal corps.
Rev. Frederick S. Penfold of St. Luke's
church was appointed chaplain and assigned
to the 1st Field Artillery. Dr. Frank H.
Fancher was commissioned 1st lieutenant in
the dental corps, and Dr. Roy W. Smith was
2nd lieutenant in the veterinary corps, both
being attached to the artillery regiment.
B. F. Crandall of Racine was commissioned
1st lieutenant in the signal corps and served
as adjutant for Major Lewis.
There were also quite a number of Racine
men who enlisted in Milwaukee companies of
the National Guard because they preferred
other branches of the service to the artillery.
Members of the guard went through the
required physical examinations, innoculation
against typhoid and para-typhoid, and vaccina-
tion against smallpox. On July 15th both
batteries were mustered into federal service
and during the month that followed the entire
guard went through the same ceremony. On
August 5th an act of congress disbanded the
National Guard as such and all members were
drafted into the United States army, although
National Guard units continued to be designa-
ted by that title for several months in offcial
orders. The following spring all distinction
between regulars, guardsmen, reserve officers
in service and selective service men was drop-
ped officially, as the frequent shifting of men
due to the enlarging of units, replacement of
casualties and changes in organizations made
it impossible to keep the regiments filled with
men from the various parent bodies. For in-
stance, 1,500 men from the Wisconsin Guard
regiments were transferred in a body to the
1st division, generally termed a Regular Army
division, before that organization, went into a
battle.
After six weeks at Camp Douglas, Battery
F was selected as one of a number of organi-
zations to precede the rest of the Guard to
Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas, and prepare
the camp there for the balance of the troops.
It had but two days' notice of the plan, and
most of the boys did not have time to say
good-bye to their folks, although many people
visited Camp Douglas from Racine during the
training period there. On September 12th the
rest of the 1st Artillery regiment, including
Battery C, arrived at Waco and by the latter
part of the month the Wisconsin contingent
was all present and had been joined by the
Michigan National Guard. State officials of
both states had protested against taking the
men so far away from home for training, but
the war department believed it was the better
policy as no provision could be made for hous-
ing men at Camp Douglas. At Waco tents
were comfortable for most of the year. The
climate was mild all year around excepting for
occasional freezing spells in winter and fre-
quent dust storms in the autumn.
The Wisconsin and Michigan units were
combined into the 32nd division, U. S. army.
The regiments were enlarged and renumbered.
The Wisconsin infantry regiments formed the
127th and 128th infantry, as well as portions of
the divisional supply, sanitary and ammuni-
tion trains, and military police companies.
The 1st Wisconsin Field Artillery regiment be-
came the 121th Heavy Field Artillery, and the
1st Wisconsin cavalry was transformed into
the 120th Field Artillery. There was much
mourning over the loss of old regimental identi-
ties, particularly in the infantry, and at the
wholesale shifting of officers entailed. But the
government declined to consider personal de-
sires or sentimental arguments.
For the next three months the division drill-
ed steadily for six days a week from sunrise
to sunset and were not entirely idle on the
seventh day. At Christmas time it was de-
clared ready for combat service, and was the
picture of efficiency and strength. As yet the
artillery had not received its guns, which were
to be furnished in France.
Transports were not ready, however, the di-
vision waited impatiently until January when
the entrainment for Camp Merritt began. The
artillery and ambulance companies left in Feb-
ruary, the batteries entraining February 5th.
They remained at Camp Merritt for almost
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
33
CAMP DOUGLAS BECAME THE SCENE OF UNPRECEDENTED ACTIVITY IN JULY. 1917
Active military training began when the troops arrived at th? state reservation. The men were Riven uniforms and rifles
and camp equipment and were started into a period of dr.llinfr and army practice which continued at Camp MacArthur,
Texas, until the next January. Hundreds went to Camp Douglas to see their soldier friends and relatives and the camp
scenes shown above were as familiar to Racine civilians, almost as to the boys themselves.
34
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
a month, during which many of the men were
quarantined for scarlet fever or mumps. Most
of them were released by March 1st, but a
number were left there and went to France in
casual detachments a few weeks later.
Some of the first units of the division sailed
in January on the transport "Tuscania," which
was torpedoed and sunk off Ireland. Thirty
Wisconsin lives were lost in the disaster. The
artillery brigade, including the Racine batter-
ies, boarded the transport "Leviathan," former-
ly the giant German liner "Vaterland," and
sailed for France March 4, 1918.
They landed at Liverpool six days later, en-
trained for a rest camp at Winchester, Eng-
land, crossed the English channel from South-
hampton to LeHavre five days later, and after
three days at Camp Sanvic entrained for Guer,
in Brittany, where they were provided with
French 155 mm. howitzers. For two months
they studied gunnery and the science of artil-
lery under French instructors, firing every day.
on the range. They were then ordered to join
the rest of the division, which had been scat-
tered through various training camps in France.
On June 8, Battery F entrained for Belfort
and on June 11th its guns were in position near
Bretton, across the frontier in old Alsace, with
the remainder of the personnel at Ettonfont-le-
bas, the rear echelon position. From that
time on its history is closely connected with
that of the 32nd division, and is given more
in detail in later pages of this book.
Battery C, like certain other selected units
of the brigade, was ordered to report to an
officers' training camp to act as school bat-
tery temporarily. The ambulance company
from Racine preceded Battery F into the Bel-
fort sector. Their records also will be recount-
ed on other pages.
CHAPTER VI
VOLUNTEERS JOIN THE COLORS
VOLUNTARY recruiting for the Regular
Army, Navy, National Guard, Coast
Guard, and Marine Corps was begun
energetically immediately after the declaration
of war, but at no time was the great effort put
forth in this direction that marked similar
situations in the Civil war or even the Spanish-
American war. There were several reasons for
not depending entirely on volunteers.
First, the people of the whole world had be-
come intimately acquainted with the disagree-
able side of warfare through reading accounts
of the European conflict for nearly three years.
Glamor of army service from the standpoint of
pure adventure or romantic excitement was
missing among most people, just as it wears
off after actual service in the field. No one
could look on this war as any sort of picnic.
They knew only too well what modem warfare
meant in terms of casualties.
Second, the United States planned to put
in the field such a large army that it was out
of the question to raise it quickly by voluntary
enlistment, judging by the speed of such en-
listments during the Mexican trouble in 1916
or in previous wars. The selective service act
was the only means of getting as many men
as were wanted, just exactly as rapidly as
they were needed, and no faster.
Third, as a matter of justice all military
experts were opposed to the idea of putting the
burden of fighting the nation's battles upon
the men who felt the obligation to offer them-
selves. All who claimed to be American citi-
zens should bear their share. Also, many
might volunteer who could help more efficiently
by remaining on jobs at which they were ex-
pert.
Fourth, the Selective Service act was before
congress right after war was declared, and
many men who might otherwise have enlisted
felt that they were acting entirely within their
moral and legal rights if they waited until the
government asked for them, and occupied the
intervening time in arranging their affairs so
as to suffer as little material loss as possible
from their service. At no time did the gov-
ernment question the fairness of this view-
point.
On the other hand the army and navy need-
ed men at once for the purpose of bringing
regular establishments to a war basis, and
men who volunteered their services gained
some advantages by doing so. They were
pretty sure to see early service overseas.
They could generally pick the branch of serv-
ice they desired to go in, and wherever possi-
ble they were permitted to join the regiments
they selected. Only men of perfect physique
were permitted to enlist; many who were re-
jected upon attempting to do so returned home
only to be drafted and sent to camps a few
weeks later to serve with the National army.
In May, 1917, the army sent a recruiting
sergeant to Racine to assist in filling the quota
for the ambulance company of the National
guard, and during most of the summer regular
army and navy recruiting parties were station-
ed in the Commercial club rooms. Every post-
master of the country acted as part of the re-
cruiting service to the extent of seeing that
men who desired to enlist could reach a re-
cruiting station if none existed near his home.
Some advertising posters were put out urging
men to join the colors. The Commercial Club
donated its rooms as a recruiting office, and
another was established in the Knights of
Pythias building a week after the war started.
In spite of the somewhat mild campaign for
voluntary enlistments Racine contributed about
700 men to the regular army, marine corps and
navy by thatf method before the rule was put
in effect that no more men would be accepted
in the army excepting through the selective
service machinery.
Some of these enlisted here, others went to
Chicago or Milwaukee to take the oath. Upon
doing so they were usually sent to recruit de-
pots for preliminary training and then assign-
ed to regiments as needed.
36
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
In Congress, some of the members put up a
fight against the selective service law on the
alleged grounds that America could always de-
pend upon her volunteer soldiery; but their
real reason was that they feared such a
stupendous measure, put into effect without
having its necessity absolutely proven by ex-
perience, might have a bad effect upon the
political chances of those who supported it.
Army officers pointed out that it would be
several months before the first men could be
inducted into service, anyway, and by that time
a huge army would be needed. Their view pre-
vailed.
Some older men, recalling draft riots and
bounty jumpers of Civil war days, were insist-
ent that men raised by a draft would be of no
value as fighters. Happily, their theory was
proven wrong.
During April, May and June the navy got
most of the Racine recruits who did not care to
join the artillery batteries or ambulance com-
pany. As many as fifteen a day enlisted and
were sent to Great Lakes training station near
Lake Bluff, 111.
In May orders were received from Washing-
ton that no married men should be recruited,
and that those already in service should be dis-
charged upon request. The only exceptions
were in cases where it was shown that the
wives would not be dependent upon the sold-
ier's pay for a livelihood. Of course, some men
who should have come under this ruling evaded
it and remained in service, but it gave the first
indication that the government intended to
raise its army with men who would not leave
dependents at home to become public charges.
Later the rule was modified somewhat, and
married men who wished to serve and who
alloted half their pay to dependents could also
obtain an additional $1.5 per month from the
government to be paid to those actually de-
pendent upon the soldiers for support.
By autumn, the War Risk Insurance law was
made effective, and under this act a soldier or
sailor who might become disabled in service
was guaranteed a certain compensation, based
upon $30 per month for total disability. He
also had the privilege of taking out life insur-
ance in any sum up to $10,000 at a low month-
ly rate. If he were killed or died in service,
this amount would be paid to wife, children,
mother or dependent father, as he should
specify in his policy, in monthly installments
of $58 for twenty years. He himself would be
able to collect on the policy only in case he
were totally, and permanently disabled. The
obvious purpose of the law was to end the
veteran's pension system, and particularly as
applied to families of ex-soldiers.
In practice, the sums awarded for compensa-
tion were entirely inadequate. For instance,
if a person were 50 percent disabled it is quite
likely that he would be unable to get a job, yet
his compensation would be but 50 percent of
$.30, or $15 per month, which would not buy
meals for one at prices prevailing just after
the war. This law was altered after the war.
Late in the summer of 1917, it was decided
that the selective service act was ready for
actual operation, and efforts to obtain volun-
teer recruits were abandoned excepting in the
navy and marines. It was found easy to get
almost enough men for the navy by enlistment,
as there was a definite limit on the number of
men who could be used. Also there was no
heavy loss of life to require replacements.
The marine corps was small, and the splendid
advertising given it enabled it to obtain most
of its quota by voluntary enlistment. All the
recruiting done during the last part of the war
was at the larger centers, such as Chicago and
New York.
A couple of years before the declaration of
hostilities between America and Germany the
government had tried an experiment. It es-
tablished a "Reserve Officers Training Camp"
at Plattsburg, N. Y., to enable business men
who desired to do so to take three months in-
tensive training as soldiers, and then become
members of the army reserve if qualified.
Even the army officers who originated the
plan were astounded, not only at the eager re-
sponse to their invitation, but at the apparent
efficiency of the officers thus graduated. The
military experts had declared for so many
generations that it took at least three years
to make a soldier, that they would not admit
that even a start at creating an officer could
be made in three months.
The men who took the course at Plattsburg,
however, were mature. They knew business
methods and were accustomed to handling men
and also handling problems. They mastered
the elements of military methods in short or-
der.
When the war broke out this plan of obtain-
ing officers from picked classes of men recom-
mended for special training, was tried out at
once. It could be seen that it was the only
possible way of getting officers for the million
National army men who would come into
camps as soon as the Regular and National
Guard divisions were on their way to the front.
Into these camps, then, went hundreds of
young men, mostly college graduates or busi-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
37
PHOTO BY LE0N4R0
First Row — R. P. W. Capwell. Paul V. Brown, Gust Newman, W. O. Axtell, John Strankowski, Archie Knudsen
Second — Edward J. Peters, Harry Herzog, William White. Harry Wagner, Howard Brotherson. Hubert Wendt.
Third — A. C. Owen, Roy Smith, Benoyt S. Bull, Shirley Enimett, John C. Gist, H. Christanson.
Fourth — Hugh Webb, Ludwig Kuehl, Frank H. Fancher, Phillip Clancy, Jack Ramsey. Stanley Belden.
Fifth — John Belden. Judge E B. Belden, Rev. F. S. Penfold, Joseph Oliver. John C. Fervoy, Ted Gushing.
Sixth — Griffith Townsend. Richard G. Bryant. Charles Smader, H. L. Bickel, James Nelson. Harry A. McCuUough.
38
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
ness men holding executive positions. The
candidates from Racine went to the Fort
Sheridan camp in most instances. Some went
to training camps in the west and east. Ra-
cine contributed several score of young men to
the army through the medium of these camps.
Physicians were commissioned in the medi-
cal corps without any examination excepting a
physical one. Their college diploma, license to
practice and recommendation by public officials
was all that was required. Generally medical
men were sent to special training camps where
they listened to lectures on sanitation and
army surgery part of the day, and spent the
rest of the time in drill and fatigue duty just
like the cadets at other training camps.
CHAPTER VII
RACINE AND THE SELECTIVE SERVICE LAW
THE success of the Selective Service law
was due to the fact that the American
people realized that if we were to win
the war, in a military sense, we must put in the
field an army large enough to crush Germany.
The sooner this army was ready the better,
and while half a million men promptly volun-
teered for the army and navy, this number was
not enough. The actual induction of men into
service by means of the draft was not carried
into effect until the volunteer method had been
shown to be too unreliable to answer the pur-
pose of modem warfare. The American peo-
ple were ready to accept the draft cheerfully,
because they had seen all other nations in the
war gradually adopt universal military service
as the only fair method of providing enough
men for their armies and navies.
It would not be truthful to say that all
young American men accepted gladly the
chance to get into service via the Selective
Service law. There are cowards and slackers
in this country as elsewhere; there are men
who place their personal prosperity and com-
fort above their country's welfare.
Local boards foresaw more trouble from
"slackers" than actually )ccurred, however.
The great majority of eligible men, certainly,
accepted the order to report for service with-
out protest. A few opposed their induction
bitterly, taking advantage of every possible
claim to exemption. Some even swore that
they had dependents and otherwise perjured
themselves to escape service. Usually such
subterfuges were of no avail. Their claims
for exemption had to be proven worthy, and
were judged by strict rules laid down by the
judge advocate general's department.
As a general thing, Racine county draft
boards gave the benefit of the doubt to the
government in case of a dispute. Protesting
parents and other relatives were lectured
upon their obligations to the government, and
weak-kneed candidates were handled firmly but
tactfully in an effort to arouse their patriotism
and courage.
However, these cases of would-be slackers
were but the exceptions that proved the rule.
The public accepted and favored the draft law.
Criticism of it was considered unpatriotic and
decidedly bad form, especially as no one could
question the fairness of either the law itself
or its administration. Those who were called
to the colors under its terms realized this and
of all the thousands thus summoned, few in-
deed were intentionally delinquent.
Racine was the headquarters of the district
exemption board, which heard appeals from
the decisions of the local boards. Its members
were Harry W. Bolens, Port Washington,
chairman; A. J. Horlick, Racine, secretary;
Chester D. Barnes, Kenosha; Dr. Grove Hark-
ness, Waukesha; G. L. Harrington, Elkhorn;
Stephen Benish, Racine, chief clerk.
The following account of the work of the
local boards, written for the Times-Call by
Chairman E. W. Leach of Board No. 1, Racine,
I is so complete and interesting that it is re-
y produced here in full:
A few days after his appointment as chair-
man of the Registration Board in May, 1917,
the writer met a well known manufacturer of
Racine at the Post Office corner, who without
breaking his stride as he proceeded up Main
street, greeted him with an expressive wave
of the hand and the following reassuring pre-
diction: "Gene, in three weeks you will be the
most hated man in Racine." If his idea was
to "throw a scare" into us he did not succeed,
for our mind was made up to stay with that
job if it was the last thing we ever did. What-
ever his notion then he has since given full
proof of his patriotism to the credit of himself
and his home community.
At that time, however, there was a general
feeling of uncertainty, bordering on appre-
hension, concerning the attitude of the people
toward the Selective Service Law when its
40
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
administration should be begun, and the pre-
diction seemed safely within the probabilities.
It may now be stated truthfully that not
"three weeks" after that day, nor at any time
since, has any member of Local Board Number
One been made aware that he had incurred
the hatred of any person whose approval would
have been worth having.
On the contrary, it may be recorded as a
fact concerning Racine county, that although
the United States Government, for the first
time in more than a half century, was under-
taking the experiment of drafting men for war,
and for war in a foreign country, the response
of our people in the emergency was so nearly
unanimous in approval, that what little opposi-
tion was felt, was, for prudential reasons, al-
most entirely self-suppressed, and the local
boards had the enthusiastic, effective co-opera-
tion of nearly all of the factory, fraternal and
church organizations, as well as the encourage-
ment and support of influential individuals
when and where they were needed.
The work of the local boards was serious
business. Not since the Civil War, if ever in
this country, has such power been given civilian
bodies as was theirs to exercise in their discre-
tion, under the regulations, in the raising of
the new National Army. There were 4,648 of
these boards, including those in the territories,
with a total membership of 14,416. That there
should have been some misuse of that power
was to be expected under the circumstances;
that such misuse was in fact a negligible quan-
tity and did not at all seriously affect the gen-
erally efficient administration of the law, is
the testimony of Provost Marshal General
Crowder, author and administrator in chief of
the Selective Service system. In closing his
report on the work of the local boards he said:
"But it is idle to attempt to put into words
here the full story of what the local boards
achieved. Every military man must recognize
what they did for the Nation's army; and ev-
ery civilian must recognize what they did for
the Nation's Liberty and welfare. And every
American is proud of them. Whatever of
credit is accorded to other agencies of the
selective service law, the local boards must be
deemed the cornerstone of the system."
With the power placed in their hands there
was laid on the local boards also a burden of
very great responsibility, the sobering effect
of which, in connection with the fact that not
only were the board members acquainted, more
or less intimately with the people with whom
they had to deal, but the people knew the
board members who dealt with them, operated
generally to secure a just administration of the
law, through mutual sympathy and under-
standing. Attention is called here to the para-
graph in the final report of the Provost Marshal
General to the Secretary of War in which this
phase of the work of the local boards is dis-
cussed.
Gen. Crowder says: — "It will be seen that the
responsibility of the Local Boards was stag-
gering. Men hitherto safe from the turmoil
of life were being withdrawn from sheltered
homes; to be thrown into the maw of a military
machine. The course of lives was being radic-
ally and violently turned. Most of the selec-
tives were severing family ties. All were called
for the supreme sacrifice of their lives. Any
other than a democratic government would
have scouted the idea of intrusting to civilians,
in most cases untrained in administrative
capacities, such an enormous and complex task.
The tremendous menace of the German mili-
tary machine was never more obvious than at
the time America took up arms. Many wise
men of our own government doubted the feasi-
bility of creating an army entirely through
civilian agencies. It is an irrefutable proof of
the high capacity of our people for self-govern-
ment, and an everlasting vindication of true
democracy, that a system so intimately affect-
ing the lives of our people should have been
entrusted to untrained representatives of the
local community and that it should have been
so well executed."
The success of the local boards was, in our
opinion, due chiefly to the fact that the law
which they were called upon to administer, was
perfectly adapted for the purpose for which
it was devised. It was reasonable, just and
fair, and where honestly administered left no
room for criticism. As the war progressed
and the system developed, difficulties were en-
countered, in the meeting of which it was a
frequent cause of surprise and satisfaction to
the local boards to discover that almost every
eventuality had apparently been foreseen and
provided for in the law and the regulations.
Another thing that contributed largely to
the efficient working of the Selective Service
System was the policy of the Provost Marshal
General and his aids in disclosing to the local
boards only one step at a time in its develop-
ment with the result that for many weeks af-
ter their organization there was not at any
time any great amount of work in view ahead.
The regulations came along in a series, one set
for each developing phase, and each a little
more serious in its demand on our resources
of time and talent, until it seemed that we had
been extended to the limit, and still they came,
and the apparently impossible had to be done.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
41
FHDTOS BY LEUNAR
Top Row — L. H. Iverson. H. F. Jacobs, A. Anderson, Joe Chiappetta. David DelariEre, F. A. Bauer, J. P. Vakos.
Second — K. C. Blonde, W. B. Tomlinson. A. Knitenski, P. Buechaklian, L. Malinowski, Earl Olson, Arthur C. Johnson.
Third — Wm. Proost, Edw. G. Klepel, H. M. Bohn. Ernest Piepenbersr, Ernest Roever, John P. Nelson, James Brehm.
Fourth — Alex Last, Walter Kobrierski, E. A. Hegeman, Wm. Sopko, Robt. E. Davies. Daniel Dexter. Nels Martin.
Fifth — M. J. Mickulecky, James Matson. Thorwald Pedersen, Frank Granger, H. Hansen, T. E. Morgenson, Jr., J. W. Fall.
Bottom — A. E. Hader, John Hyduke. Paul Kristopeit. A. W. Kohl, Simon Kinosian, Sato Gayegian. Cornelius J. Rooney.
42
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
and was done. It is our conviction tliat if the
whole scheme of the Selective Service System
had been a matter of public knowledge at the
beginning of the war, the final report of its
operation would have been a different and less
satisfying story.
In this connection we are reminded of a scene
in the board room on the day that the "mobi-
lization regulations" came, that we will not
soon forget. The new rules contained the first
intimation that had been given them that the
local boards would have charge of the actual
drafting and mobilizing of the soldiers. From
the manner in which they were received it was
evident that no hint of that responsibility be-
ing put upon them had previously entered the
mind of any member our board.
As John B. Simmons read the document
aloud, and the serious nature of its contents
began to appear, the faces of the men made an
interesting study in expression which we will
not attempt to interpret now. The surprise
was so complete, and the prospect appeared so
serious, that there was nothing else to do but
to have a good laugh at the situation in which
we found ourselves, and then to settle down
to get an understanding of the instructions,
and woi-k out the program outlined therein,
which we proceeded at once to do.
The administration of the selective service
law in Racine began with the appointment by
the Governor of two registration boards, one
for the city of Racine, and one for the county
outside the city. The members of the city
board took the oath of office and organized for
business on May 28, 1917, about six weeks af-
ter the declaration of a state of war between
the Imperial Government of Germany and the
United States. The board was composed of
three members:
E. W. Leach, Chairman.
E. R. Burgess.
F. W. Pope, Jr.
Charles A. Ryba, city clerk, was elected to
act as secretary of the board.
At this meeting Mayor T. W. Thiesen. ten-
dered to the board for the transaction of its
business, the use of his offices in the city hall,
which offer was promptly accepted and these
rooms were the headquarters of the registra-
tion board, and of Local Board for Division
Number One, during the entire period of the
war, from May 28, 1917 to March 31, 1919,
when the work of the local boards was officially
ended.
The uniform courtesy of the city officials in
granting us also at all times the free use of
offices, committee rooms and the council cham-
ber, frequently at inconvenience to themselves.
is entitled to public acknowledgment; without
this co-operation the work of the board would
have been much more arduous and difficult.
The Racine Registration Board had charge
of the registration in the city on June 5, 1917,
of all men of the ages of 21 to 30 inclusive, of
whom there were 6,461 who reported, (includ-
ing late registrants). The regular polling
booths were used, and the work was accomp-
lished without cost to the government, by the
voluntary assistance of 114 registrars, under
the supervision of the board.
The mayor and city council very generously
provided the funds necessary to employ clerks
to copy the registration cards, and to publish
complete lists of the names and addresses of
the registrants in the Journal-News and the
Times-Call, the total appropriation being
$450.50.
The registration in the county was accomp-
lished under the supervision of the County
Registration Board, composed of the sheriff,
Peter Breckenfeld, executive officer, and the
county clerk, Joseph Patrick, clerk, with
headquarters in the office of the latter in the
courthouse. There were registered in this
jurisdiction, on June 5, 1917, 1,930 men of the
ages of 21 to 30 inclusive.
The work of the registration boards was
finished in June, and they were superseded,
early in July, by three local boards in Racine
county which were designated as follows: —
Local Boards for Division Number One and
Number Two for Racine City, and Local Board
for Racine County, Burlington, Wis.
Local Board for Division Number One Ra-
cine had jurisdiction over the following wards:
First, second, fourth, seventh, eighth, ninth
and fifteenth.
Local Board for Division Number two had
jurisdiction over the third, sixth, tenth,
eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth
wards.
The jurisdiction of Local Board for Racine
County included the entire county outside the
City of Racine.
Local Board for Division Number One, City
of Racine was organized June 30, 1917, as
follows:
H. J. Smith, Chairman; E. W. Leach, Secre-
tary; F. H. Schulz, J. C. Hamata, E. R. Bur-
gess, J. B. Simmons, F. W. Pope, Jr.
Dr. Pope, however, did not qualify on ac-
count of his enlistment at this juncture in the
Medical Department of the army, and R. C.
Thackeray was appointed physician member
of the board on July 6, 1917.
There was appointed for each local board a
government appeal agent whose chief duty it
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
43
PHOTOS BY BILLINGS
Top Row — Harvey Piette, R. V. Davis, Arthur >Viii. Fox, Joseph t ic»rf, Alex Hansen, James H. Garrick.
Second — Sophus Hansen, Axel Hansen, Walter Hansen, Har ry Hansen. Harold Helding, Wm. J. Houston.
Third — Erwin Juedes. J. C. Jacobsen, Arthur Rattle, Lester Jirucha, Ben Kolander, Paul Kamien.
Fourth — George Rroes, L. P. Lalonde, Albert Lindeman, Lo uis Lorum, Ed. Lord, Ernest Malmquist.
Fifth — Frank F. Martin, E. G. Nelson, Edward Peters, I. Reiff, C. J. Salak. Oscar C. Smith.
Bottom — Kenneth Collier. B. Sharkey. Jake Ulger, W. H. Watson. Wm. Clayton Dow, John Charmock.
44
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
was to safe-guard the interests of the govern-
ment in the classification of the registrants.
When in his judgment an exemption was im-
properly granted, or secured, it was his duty
to appeal the case to the district board in an
effort to hold the man for service. John H.
Liegler was government appeal agent for local
board number one.
Each local and district board was authorized
to appoint a chief clerk, whose duties were
those which would naturally devolve upon such
an officer. Miss Muriel Fischer was chief
clerk of Local Board Number One, and it is a
notable fact in connection with her service that
from July 31, 1917, when it began, until April
1, 1919, when it ended, she was not absent from
duty for one hour, except to attend the funeral
of an uncle during the afternoon.
Local Board for Division Number Two,
City of Racine, was organized, June 30, 1917 as
follows:
W. W. Storms, Chairman; W. S. McCaughey,
Secretary; Geo. Porter, Ward Gittings, I. O.
Mann, C. H. Krogh, Wm. C. Hanson.
Dr. Hanson served as a member of the board
until Nov. 1, 1917, when he entered the Medical
Department of the army, and E. A. Taylor was
appointed physician member in his stead on
the same day. W. S. McCaughey resigned as
secretary on November 20, 1917, and George
Porter was elected secretary the same date,
and served until March 31, 1919.
Board Number Two was located first in
rooms at the branch library, corner of Wash-
ington and Hamilton Avenues, but these soon
proved unsuitable, and on July 16, 1917 a suite
of rooms on the second floor of a new store
building at 1508 Washington Avenue was leas-
ed which was thereafter continuously occupied
until the close of the war.
Milton Knoblock was government appeal
agent for board number two. The board had
two chief clerks as follows:
Emil White from December 6, 1917 to March
15, 1918, and James Peterson from March 15,
1918 to March 31, 1919.
Emil White entered the military service of
the United States in March 1918.
Local Board for Racine County, City of Bur-
lington, was organized July 2, 1917 as follows:
L. H. Rohr, chairman, Burlington; A. J.
Topp, secretary, Waterford; John J. Wishau,
Route 1, Racine; F. A. Malone, Waterford;
George Ella, Rochester.
Lewis J. Quinn, Racine, was government ap-
peal agent for this board. There were three
chief clerks in the course of its history; Louis
F. Reuschlein served from July 23, 1917, to
March 26, 1918; J. H. Wards from April 1, 1918
to June 15, 1918; and Florence Strassen from
June 15, 1918 to March 31, 1919 when the work
of the board was ended. J. H. Wards, entered
the military service of the United States on
the day his service as Chief Clerk ended.
Although the registrations under the juris-
diction of this board were only about three fifths
as many as those of either of the city boards,
its work was much more difficult because of
the natural disadvantages under which it la-
bored, which made it difficult to get in touch
quickly with its registrants, for the reason
that they were widely scattered over the coun-
ty on farms and in small communities.
The headquarters of the County board were
located in the offices of Mr. Rohr, its chair-
man, who contributed their use to the govern-
ment during the whole course of the war with-
out compensation. They are located on the
second floor of the Bank of Burlington Build-
ing, on the third floor of which are also located
the rooms of the Burlington Business Men's
club which the board was permitted to make
gratuitous use of for the physical examina-
tion of registrants.
The first serious duty that the local boards
were called upon to perform was to assign to
each registrant an order number, which num-
ber determined the order of his liability to call
to service. These numbers were assigned in
conformity with a master list of serial numbers
which had been furnished the boards from
Washington. It will not be practicable to
make here a detailed explanation of the method
by which this master list was made and the
order numbers assigned, but it may safely be
said that no single official action of any branch
of the government was ever before examined
with so close scrutiny to detect flaws, or watch-
ed with so universal and jealous an interest to
insure fairness, as was that first drawing of
serial numbers in Washington, on July 20,
1917.
When the drawing was finished and the or-
der numbers were assigned, there was universal
and complete acceptance of the result. Since
that first drawing three others have been made
for as many registi'ations, and none of them
caused a ripple of question concerning the wis-
dom of the method or the fairness of its opera-
tion.
The physical examination of registrants to
determine the degree of their fitness for mili-
tary service was a matter of the first import-
ance. Special regulations governing the meth-
od of conducting them were promulgated,
which were amended from time to time as ex-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORL D WAR
45
9 m
Top Row— W. A. Durstlinp, H. George, Lawrence J. Schcvel, E. L. Hill, A. F. J. StofFel. H. A. McPherson. J. A. Marck.
Second — H. J. Walter Coutu, Konstant Kumiszeo, C. K. Nelson, H. N. Clfroerer, L. N. Schnelz, O. Junkhan, R. J. Schnetz.
Third — H. C. Helgeson, John Hammiller, B. C. Behrend. F. P. Doonan. John Jacobson. L. T. Krebs, L. M. Metten.
Fourth — G. O. Williams, E. G. Loehr, A, C. Christiansen, P. K. Koprowski, G. E. Kuypers. N. E. Jacobson, A. P. Heidenreich.
Fifth — Burton Rowley, Chas. B. Sudgen, Robert Connolly. Ralmundo Llada, William Reis, John W. Kinsler, Nick Schuit.
Bottom — Joseph W. Peil, Louis J. Pitsch, Guy M. Breene, Wm. Musil, Herbert E. Brown, Lester L. Cook, H. Christiansen^
45
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
perience revealed the need. This branch of
the work was under immediate supervision of
the physician member of the board, and he was
provided with as much assistance as was neces-
sary.
Local Board Number One with whose opera-
tions the writer is most familiar was fortunate
in its staff of examiners. Twenty-two hundred
and eight men were examined by them, but the
work was so systematized that the great
amount of time and labor involved was reduced
to a minimum. It nevertheless was an exact-
ing and laborious service that they, in common
with examiners of other boards, performed as
a patriotic contribution toward the raising of
an army and the winning of the war, and
should be given fitting recognition.
The names of the regular examining staff of
board one are:
R. C. Thackeray, H. E. Breckenridge, C. F.
Browne, F. B. Marek, John Meachem, A. J.
Williams, S. Sorenson.
They were assisted at intervals by the fol-
lowing physicians and dentists:
J. T. Corr, Jens Anderson, F. A. Wier, Francis
Richards.
What has been said in appreciation of the
examiners of board number one, is true also of
the other boards of the county. The regular
examining board for board number two was
composed of the follovnng physicians:
William C. Hanson, E. A. Taylor, Chresten
Olson, R. C. Peterson, Peter J. Brown.
They were assisted on various occasions by:
A. J. Williams, S. Sorenson, N. B. Wagner.
The board of examiners for Racine county
board was composed as follows:
W. E. White, John W. Powers, W. A. Prouty.
W. A. Fulton, and L. N. Hicks, Burlington;
F. A. Malone and M. G. Violet, Waterford;
R. W. McCracken, C. A. Obertin, and H. C.
Werner, Union Grove; L. G. Hoffman, Chicago,
Illinois.
The regulations governing the first draft
provided that every registrant should be phy-
sically examined, and that those found fit
should be called for service in the order of their
liability. Only those were to be exempted who
were pronounced physically unfit, or who made
claim of exemption, and produced satisfactory
evidence in the form of affidavits in support of
the claim.
This procedure was early recognized as being
cumbersome, slow and otherwise unsatisfactory
in practise, and in November, 1917, new regu-
lations requiring all registrants, except those
already sent into United States service, to
answer, execute and file with their local boards,
a questionnaire, which was the basis to be used
by the local boards in classifying or fixing the
status of the registrant in his relations to the
draft were issued.
Five classifications were provided for under
these rules: in class one were placed all those
who were first to be called. In classes two, three
and four were placed all others who were liable
to call, but whose call was deferred, and those
so classified were to be called in regular order,
only when the class above it was exhausted.
In actual practice the supply of men in class
one was never exhausted, and none in classes
two, three, or four were called for service. In
class five were placed those who were entitled
to complete exemption from call, which in-
cluded among others those physically unfit, and
aliens.
In the spring of 1918, large drafts were made
on the local boards for men to be sent to can-
tonments to be trained for over-seas service,
and the numbers of those in class one were
being rapidly depleted. It was the very evi-
dent desire and purpose of the government that
none but class one men should be called, and in
order to provide for the emergency that threat-
ened, a registration of all men who had at-
tained the age of 21 years since June 5, 1917
was called for June 5, 1918. Another similar
registration was had on August 24, 1918, and
the result of these two registrations was the
addition to the lists of registered men in Racine
county of 738 names, divided as follows:
Local Board No. 1 312
Local Board No. 2 236
County Board 190
The men who came in under the two last
registrations were called the class of June 5,
1918, and for very obvious reasons furnished
a much larger proportion of class one men than
the class of June 5, 1917. They furnished
enough at any rate to supply all needs until
September 12, 1918. when all men between the
ages of 18 and 4.5 both inclusive, who had not
previously reported, were required to register.
At this registration 10,191 men reported in the
county, divided as follows:
Local Board No. 1 4014
Local Board No. 2 351S
County Board 2659
This made a total registration in the county
of 19,320, divided among the boards as fol-
lows:
Jurisdiction June June Sept.
1917 1918 1918 Totals
Local Board One.. 3363 312 4014 7689
Local Board Two.. 3098 236 3518 6852
County Board .... 1930 190 2659 4779
Totals 8391 738 10191 19320
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
47
Top Row — Aloys Vos, Fred D. Liegler, Earl D. Follansbee. Arthur Lui, Albert J. Wittey, Peter Peterson, D. McElroy.
Second— Albert J. Elsen, Wallace White. Carroll Lange, Harold W. Knoedler. W. Dean Mitchell. T. M. Jensen, J. Michel.
Third— Felii Hone Jr.. Wm. M. Palmer. Lambert Bax. Howard R. Deschler. H. J. Bowman. R. Murphy, L. M. Mullen.
Fourth — Frank L. Westrich. J. Harold Graves. Jerome E. Murphy. B. Thompson. G. Oberjr. L. S. Nelson. L. C. Stewart.
Fifth — Albert T. Jensen, Robert J. Schulte, Victor Falck, Allie M. Zirbes. J. A. Petersen. F. E. Anderson, Arthur Moe.
Bottom — Edwin M. Niebler. Martin Smollcn, Frank Keis, Emil Nelson, Edward Weber, Ed. C. Murphy, Peter J. Marsch.
48
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
The mobilization of the men called for serv-
ice, including their entrainment for camp, was
the culminating feature of the work of the
local boards. It was a more or less continuous
performance, once it got started. Every en-
trainment of newly-made soldiers was an event
of compelling, vital interest to a large num-
ber of people the number varying with the
size of the contingent going to camp.
Except on occasions when very few men were
leaving there was always a parade, and the
men were escorted to their train by the city
and county officials, and military, semi-military
and other organizations, accompanied by one
or more brass bands. Each occasion was a
historic event that will not be forgotten by
those who were a part of, or who witnessed it.
The men were always entrained at the regu-
lar passenger platforms at the railroad sta-
tions with one exception; this was on July 26,
1918, at 2:00 p. m. when 447 men were sent to
Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky,
from the two Racine City boards alone. A
special train was provided for them, the yards
south of the C. & N. W. station were cleared,
and one of the largest gatherings of the people
of Racine that ever assembled, was there to
see them off, and bid them God speed.
The first entrainment by Racine boards was
on September 6, 1917, when eleven men were
sent to Camp Custer. The last contingent en-
trained was on November 11, 1918, (the day the
armistice was signed) when 191 men were
started for Camp Logan, Texas, by the city
boards. They did not get quite as far as Chi-
cago, however, being stopped by a telegram
from the war department, and they returned
to Racine the same day, a disgusted lot of
"raw" recruits. They were discharged on No-
vember 13th, and given three days pay.
When a call for men came to a local board,
accompanied by a train schedule, a list of the
correct number of names was made up in the
order of their liability to service, and an im-
pressive notice was sent to each man to the
effect that he had been selected for service,
and directing him to appear for roll call at a
certain hour of a certain day which was fixed
so that it was not less than six nor more than
twenty-four hours before the hour of entrain-
ment.
A second roll call Tvas had at board head-
quarters an hour or thereabouts before the hour
of entrainment and a third at the railroad sta-
tion on arrival there. From the hour designat-
ed for the first roll call, the inducted man was
in the service of the United States whether he
had put in an appearance or not. If he failed
to appear for entrainment he was reported as
a deserter, which in time of war is a very seri-
ous matter.
The total number of men inducted into serv-
ice and entrained for camp by the local boards
of Racine county was 2881, divided as follows:
Board One, Racine 1088
Board Two, Racine 1036
County Board 757
All of the local boards availed themselves
freely of some very generous and competent
voluntary assistance, without which patriotic
co-operation their record for efficiency would
have suffered. Pupils of the High School, and
of Wisconsin Business College, did much valu-
able copying for Local Board Number One and
some forty or fifty grade teachers in the public
schools came day after day and helped in more
important work, under the supervision of prin-
cipals W. L. Hood of the Winslow school and
D. A. Shepard, of the Garfield school.
Besides these there were individuals who
helped at various times when the work was
crowding, and altogether the volunteer assist-
ance was a valuable and much appreciated con-
tribution towards the success of the work of
the local boards.
At Board Number Two, principal H. U. Wood
of the Howell school, with the assistance of
Ann Rank and Hazel Wichern did valuable
work in October and November of 1918, in mak-
ing up reports called for by the Provost Mar-
shal General at a time when the other work of
the boards was most pressing.
In the late summer of 1918, it appeared to
dawn on the military authorities that special
preliminary instruction in military tactics, and
in many other matters of interest to prospec-
tive soldiers,, was desirable and feasible, and
in special regulations sent out in August, local
boards were directed to appoint Boards of In-
struction.
A detailed account of the work of these
boards would be an interesting and informing
story, but it will be enough to say here that
before the signing of the armistice on Novem-
ber 2nd, they had had time to demonstrate
clearly the wisdom of the plan; each succeeding
contingent of men went away better trained,
better informed, in better spirits, and in every
way better fitted to begin camp life than the
preceding one. It is a matter for regret that
these boards could not have gotten into action
sooner, for the value of the work they did in
the little time they had, was not only very
great, but promised greater things for the fu-
ture had it been necessary to go on.
The board of instruction connected with Local
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
49
at
PHOTOS BY LEONARD
Top Row — F. G. Mahler, Fred Dacquisto, E. Kraupa. M. W. Younffs, Bert Fisher, J. Jacobson.
Second — F. J. Jadrny. P. J. Henkes. Chas. Frisco, S. H. Roche. Edgrar Olson, Thos. Sadowski.
Third — George Kloster, Arthur Clausen, P. J. Hartman, S. R. Harrison, H. W. Falk, Joe Kwojeski.
Fourth — Neil Bach, Walter Gothe. Finer A. Evenson. J. W. Itzenhuiser, L. L. McConnell, Harry Nelson.
Fifth — Walter Remkus, Geo. Dokletor, Lawrence Quirk, Wm. King, Tony Castrovilli, R. P. Bragar.
Bottom— G. H. Wallace, Clar. Nelson. C. F. J. Delschaft, E. Peterson, P. Araboglaus, H. L. demons.
50
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Board for Division Number One was organized
September 18, 1918, as follows:
Henry C. Baker, Chairman; Charles A. Ryba,
Secretary; Fred Haumerson, John Olson, John
H. Liegler.
The board of instruction connected with Local
Board for Division Number Two was composed
as follows:
Wm. C. Hood, Chairman; L. C. Brooks, Sec-
retary; Paul Matson Henry Clark, E. A. Tay-
lor, Chris. Krogh, Wallace Loomis.
The board of instruction connected with Local
Board for Racine County was as follows:
William E. Smieding, Jr., Racine; E. John
Wehmhoff, Burlington; F. L. Witter, Burling-
ton.
As the members of the local boards review
the labors of the twenty-two months of war
service, there is one feeling that dominates,
and that compensates for all the weariness and
the worry, and that is a sense of gratitude that
we have had the privilege of helping in a small
but more or less vital and effective way to win
the great war. Nothing else matters much in
comparison. All else will pass. That will re-
main.
The following gives the date, number of men
and cantonment camps, to which selective men
were sent from Racine in groups under call of
Provost Marshall Crowder:
Date
Number
Camp
Sept.
6,
1917
11
Custer
Sept.
26.
1917
117 .
Custer
Nov.
19,
1917
112
Custer
March
.30,
1918
107
Custer
April
27,
1918
110
Custer
May
1,
1918
24
Columbus Bar.
May
27,
1918
217
Grant
June
28,
1918
39
Ft. Riley
July
6,
1918
117
Columbus Bar.
July
16,
1918
114
Columbus Bar.
July
24,
1918
27
Greenleaf
July
25,
1918
20
Valparaiso
July
26,
1918
447
Taylor
July
29,
1918
15
Syracuse, N. Y.
August
2,
1918
125
Taylor
August
4,
1918
12 (negroes) Custer
August
6.
1918
39
Jefferson Bar.
August
6,
1918
35
Syracuse, N. Y.
August
9,
1918
13
Shelby
August
13,
1918
46
Kansas City
August
14,
1918
4
Iowa City
August
15,
1918
13
Wisconsin Univ.
August
15,
1918
5
Indianapolis
August
15,
1918
4
Beloit, Wis.
August
15,
1918
10
Peoria, 111.
August
27,
1918
22
Sherman
August
30.
1918
20
Dodge
Sept.
1,
1918
7
Indianapolis
Sept.
3,
1918
51
Grant
Sept.
5,
1918
46
Greenleaf
Oct.
2,
1918
18
Jefferson Bar.
Oct.
15,
1918
16
Wisconsin Univ.
Oct.
15,
1918
6
Beloit College
Oct.
21,
1918
109
Shelby
Oct.
25,
1918
36
Jackson Bar.
Nov.
11,
1918
259
Logan
CHAPTER VIII
TRAINING CAMPS IN AMERICA
THE mobilization camp for the National
Guard of the states of Wisconsin and
Michigan was Camp MacArthur, just
■outside the city of Waco, Texas. The National
army cantonments to which the majority of
Racine selectmen were sent were Camp Grant,
Rockford, 111.; Camp Custer, Battle Creek,
Mich.; Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Ky.;
Camp McClellan, Anniston, Ala., and Columbus
Barracks, Columbus, Ohio. Men were sent to
the camps near their homes when practicable,
but when replacements were needed elsewhere
they were forwarded direct or transferred from
cantonments which had an oversupply.
The local boards always appointed one of
the selectmen as captain of the contingent
leaving home, and other men were named as
non-commissioned officers, these appointments
being for the period of the journey only. The
train schedules were provided by the govern-
ment. Upon arrival at a cantonment, the con-
tingent was met by camp officers who guided
them to their section. The men undressed and
were put through a rigid medical examination.
They passed thirty or forty doctors in turn,
each one examining but one organ or function.
Each physician would examine two or three
men a minute. Following this, clerks would
examine the men as to their occupation in civil
life, preference as to branch of service, quali-
fications as to military work, education, mental
ability, etc. By the time the examination was
concluded each recruit was pretty thoroughly
classified.
Uniforms and full equipment was then fur-
nished and he was assigned to a barracks, and
a company or detachment. On about the sec-
ond or third day in camp his regular schedule
of military training began. The company of-
ficers in the National army were generally
graduates of the Reserve Officers Training
camps. Non-commissioned officers were ap-
pointed as rapidly as possible, and if they prov-
ed inefficient there was no hesitancy in reduc-
ing them to the ranks and naming their suc-
cessors.
Following is a typical schedule of calls for
one day in a training camp:
A. M.
.5:45 First call.
5:.55 Reveille.
6:00 Assembly for roll call and setting-up
exercises.
6:.30 Mess.
7:00 Police and sick calls.
7:30 Drill.
11:30 Recall from drill.
12:00 Mess.
P. M.
1:00 Drill.
4:30 Recall from drill.
5:00 Guard mount
5:30 Retreat and parade.
6:00 Mess.
7:30 Officers' School.
9:30 Call to quarters.
10:00 Taps.
On Saturday afternoon in most camps there
were athletic events in which all men were re-
quired to take part. Sunday morning was
given over to inspection of equipment and
clothing, and church. On Sunday afternoons
and evening the men were free from duty ex-
cepting for their turns as guard, kitchen police
or other fatigue work. Non-commissioned of-
ficers generally attended school two or three
evenings a week. Details of such matters vari-
ed in the different camps, however.
Camp barracks were two-story frame build-
ings, capable of housing from 200 to 300 men
each. There was one large room upstairs and
one large room and a small office room down-
stairs. The men slept on cots. The buildings
were well heated. The camps were laid out
to hold from 25,000 to 30,000 men and were
constructed in sections, each section having its
own mess halls, drill grounds, officers quarters,
etc.
In the southern camps, tents were used by
52
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
the soldiers for sleeping quarters, but the
severity of northern winters made this out of
the question at such camps as Grant or Custer.
In all camps, however, there were frame mess
halls with screened doors and windows. Gar-
bage incinerators were provided, and great at-
tention was paid to sanitation.
Had it not been for the terrible epidemic of
Spanish influenza which swept through Europe
and America in 1918, the death rate from di-
sease in the war would have been kept to a
very low figure. Thousands died in almost
every large city and military cantonment as a
result of this dread disease.
Every recruit in the military and naval serv-
ice was vaccinated against smallpox and inno-
culated against typhoid fever. As a result
there was almost an entire absence of these
diseases, which usually take such heavy toll of
lives from armies in war time.
It was the original intention to raise a com-
plete combat division of approximately 27,000
men in each cantonment. In most cases the
plans went awry, as constant requisitions were
made on the cantonments for replacements to
be sent to divisions already in the field. For
that reason the National Army organizations
were frequently broken up and scattered just
as they were becoming well trained.
This usually happened after the company and
higher officers had worked diligently to create
a fine spirit of pride in the organizations. The
war department's disregard for the morale of
units was one of the greatest causes for com-
plaint and dissatisfaction on the part of men
and officers. It was only after most heart
rending protests on the part of divisional and
regimental commanders in France that Gen-
eral Headquarters would lend any assistance to
soldiers desiring to return to their old com-
mands after having been separated from them
for a time, due to Mlness, wounds or other
causes. At no t'me was it easy for them to do
so. This was the first time in American his-
tory that the war department failed to make
an effort to foster pride in regiments and divi-
sions, and its policy in this respect was un-
questionably a serious error, although it may
have been a means for saving some expense.
Some of the National Army necessarily had
to become replacement outfits, under the sys-
tem which abolished voluntary enlistments for
the Regular Army and National Guard. Be-
fore a good plan was perfected to provide these
replacements without destroying the effective-
ness of whole new divisions, the war was end-
ed.
The 8.5th division, formed at Camp Custer, is
a good example. It was organized and train-
ed. Then a large number of its men were
sent to other divisions as replacements. New
men were sent to the 8.5th and there was more
training. The division went to Europe, and
one whole regiment of infantry was sidetrack-
ed and sent to Russia, while the rest of the
division went to France. There on the eve of
going into the lines, a call for army replace-
ments depleted almost every unit in the divi-
sion again to the point where they could hard-
ly be termed organizations at all.
The rules at the training camps were quite
severe. The strictest observance of the mili-
tary forms and courtesies was insisted upon.
During drill hours, only ten minutes rest was
permitted out of every sixty, and usually no
smoking was allowed on the drill field at all.
Passes to leave the camp area were seldom giv-
en, general permission to do so being granted
only for the hours between evening mess and
taps, without a pass. The government requir-
ed the closing of saloons in the vicinity of all
cantonments, and the selling of liquor to men
in uniform was prohibited all through the
country. Immorality of all kind was severely
frowned upon and limited in every possible
way. Weekly inspections of all men in service
was one of the many methods adopted to in-
sure the maintenace of a high standard of phy-
sical health among the troops.
The army Y. M. C. A. had "huts" at every
camp, where men were encouraged to gather
for entertainment, and to write letters home.
Stationery was furnished free. "Sings" were
held frequently, when thousands of men would
attempt en masse to raise the very roof with
the power of their more or less harmonious
choral efforts, under the direction of song lead-
ers. Moving pictures were exhibited at camps,
and there was a general policy of attempting
to keep the new soldiers in a cheerful and con-
tented frame of mind during their periods of
recreation. The Knights of Columbus did ex-
cellent social service work through their field
secretaries, and the Y. W. C. A. established
"hostess houses" where relatives of soldiers
could rest while on visits to the cantonments.
Books were donated by citizens all over the
country and most camps, hospitals and ships
had quite large libraries for the use of the men>
especially toward the end of the war.
CHAPTER IX
PROTECTION AT HOME; THE STATE GUARDS
WITH the departure of the National
Guard troops of the various states
to their mobilization camps, the states
themselves were left without any military
forces. The same, or greater necessity existed
for them during war time as in days of peace.
The suppression of riots, enforcement of law
when local authorities were unable to maintain
order, the training of citizens in the use of
arms, the maintenance of a force at home
which could be called upon by the government
in times of peril — all of these duties had been
shouldered by state militia organizations since
the foundation of the government.
On August 24, 1917, a meeting was held at
the Commercial club rooms in Racine and it
was decided to raise two companies of militia
in Racine for home guard service during the
war. Most of those accepted were men unfit-
ted by age or physical condition for active serv-
ice with the combat forces, or exempt from
such service by reason of dependencies or their
employment in essential industries. Neverthe-
less, they desired to be trained for military
duty, and stood ready to "do their bit" as far
as possible.
The state guard was to be subject to the call
of the governor at any time for duty within
the state, and probably could have been sum-
moned into federal service anywhere within
the boundaries of the nation to repel invasion
or suppress insurrection, if needed.
On September 28, 1917, the two local com-
panies organized by the election of the follow-
ing officers by ballot:
Co. I. — Captain, Paul M. Matson; 1st Lieu-
tenant, Wallace F. McGregor; 2nd Lieutenant,
Rudolph P. Peterson.
Co. K. — Captain, Richard Drake; 1st Lieu-
tenant, John T. Olson; 2nd Lieutenant, John H.
Owens.
When Captain Drake resigned to enter the
United States army, Lieutenant Olson was com-
missioned Captain, 2nd Lieutenant Owens be-
came 1st Lieutenant, and F. C. Haumerson was
named as 2nd Lieutenant.
The two companies were mustered into serv-
ice October 4, 1917, and eventually were as-
signed to the Seventh regiment, of which
Horace M. Seaman of Milwaukee was colonel,
and Henry C. Baker of Racine lieutenant-col-
onel.
The annua] encampment of the regiment at
Camp Douglas, July 6-13, 1918 was attended
by practically the full membership.
During the year drills were held weekly.
The muster rolls showed 65 men in each com-
pany.
The state guard was held in service until
steps could be taken to reorganize the national
guard regiments after the demobilization of
the national army. Fortunately, there was no
need for any demonstration of the fighting
ability of the citizen soldiery, but undoubtedly
they would have rendered good account of
themselves had there been any cause for their
shouldering rifles, for serious work.
The non-commissioned officers of the two
companies are as follows:
Co. L— First Sergeant, J. E. Wilson; Q. M.
Sergeant, C. B. Washburn; Sergeants P. F.
Peterson, A. W. Johnson, Ed. Rasmussen, A. W.
Clutter. Corporals: William Myers, S. E.
Craig, D. C. Washburn, A. E. Wilkins.
Co. K. — First Sergeant, John Konnak; Q. M.
Sergeant, W. M. Rodgers; Sergeants, B. M.
Kerr, T. M. Kearney, Jr., Lee Archer; Corpor-
als, Charles Nelson, A. D. Hermes, Peter Ver-
heyen, E. Findley, Arthur Ehrlich, Elmer Dur-
gin.
The state guards did valuable service in help-
ing to train selected men who expected to be
called to the colors soon. Many of these
drilled with the local companies and obtained
an elementary knowledge of drill and tactics
which resulted in their rapid promotion after
they were inducted into federal service.
PART II
CIVILIAN ORGANIZATIONS
CHAPTER X
COUNTY COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
THE raising of an American army by
means of the selective draft necessarily
brought the war home to every com-
munity, every factory, every farm and every
family in the county. The public attitude to-
ward the draft might have been one of curiosity
or distrust or even hostility; but in fact it was
one of active sympathy with its purposes and
was marked by a real desire to help.
The deep-seated patriotism of the Racine
people could never be doubted. From the very
day war was declared the great majority of
men and women were asking themselves and
each other "What can I do to help?" A state
of bewilderment existed. All felt that big
tasks would be required of them. What these
were no one knew.
The privilege of fighting for one's country is
not given to all. Age, sex, infirmities, de-
pendencies and other causes may and do make a
large share of the people unfitted for the bat-
tlefield. Production must be kept up or armies
are helpless.
In Racine, as everywhere, there was an im-
mediate attempt upon the part of many peo-
ple to "organize something." Realizing that
the civilian population must do its part, there
naturally arose numerous ideas and sugges-
tions as to what it had better do and how it
had better do it. Each advocate had his or her
ideas on the subject, and proposed to demon-
strate their value.
Fortunately, clear-sighted men and women
began at once to evolve a system which would
obtain the greatest results from the work of
civilians with the least amount of waste mo-
tion and useless expense. The government it-
self gave the matter careful consideration.
Within a short time the civilian activities were
pretty well concentrated along the following
channels.
First: A central body which should assume
the responsibility of telling the people what
the government wanted done, and provide
means for doing it. This was the County
Council of Defense. Its principal subsidiaries
were: (a) Local organizations to assist in
financing the war, such as Liberty Loan,
Thrift Stamp and War Chest Committees: (b)
A Women's committee to aid in directing the
efforts of women in the home and elsewhere,
solving industrial problems aff'ecting the se.x,
and cooperating with the other branches of the
Council and of the government; (c) Certain
bureaus and committees charged with the
work of giving information to the public, con-
serving the necessities of life and industry, and
increasing production. Examples of these are
the Food Administration, Four Minute Men,
War Garden Committees, Etc.
Second: The local branch of the American
Red Cross. This was part of the nation-wide
organization which supplied comforts to men in
service, conducted relief work, maintained con-
tact between men in service and their families,
and assumed the task of providing certain
surgical supplies for army hospitals as well as
recruiting nurses for hospital work. It had
32,000 members in Racine.
Third: Organizations created at the request
of the government to assist in administration
of draft laws, alien enemy legislation, etc.
Among these were the Legal Advisory Board
and American Protective League.
The ofl'-shoots of the County Council of De-
fense in many cases assumed the importance
of entirely separate organizations and perhaps
over-shadowed the council itself at times, but
they were all part of a co-ordinated whole.
The council outlined plans, appointed those to
execute them and turned to new problems.
The Council was what it was intended to be,
the directing spirit of civilian war work out-
side of certain specified lines.
There were many other organizations which
must be given due credit for their useful and
patriotic labors. Most of them, however, were
adjuncts of the parent bodies named above, or
in some cases merely temporary or neighbor-
58
RACINE COUNTY^ IN THE WORLD WAR
hood associations intended to deal with certain
phases of the larger problems.
There were hundreds of individuals also who
did valuable work outside of the organizations
formed upon the broad lines indicated. The
scope of their efforts was so varied that it
would be impossible to attempt to record them.
One of the great duties of the civilian popula-
tion was to maintain the morale of the armies
in the field, and there is no one who can esti-
mate the actual worth to the nation of the
cheerful letters sent to homesick boys in can-
tonment and field; the burdens assumed by
patriotic women that men might be enabled to
serve in uniforms; the individual financial sac-
rifices made to assist the country in its time
of peril; the welfare work done for those in
service, and the almost unanimous attitude of
willingness to do whatever task might be re-
quired to add to the effectiveness of the na-
tional efforts regardless of inconvenience, dis-
comfort or expense.
Racine, like other communities, presented a
united front to the enemy; its people were
eager to do their share, and did their part to
prove that a peaceful nation, ambitious only
for its prosperity, freedom and happiness, can
none the less be relied upon in times of na-
tional danger to sacrifice anything and every-
thing that our democracy may live.
On April 16, 1917, President Wilson outlined
a practical plan for civilian work. He propos-
ed a central administrative body, the National
Council of Defense, with State Councils at
each State capital appointed by the governors,
and subordinate to them, the County Councils
of Defense which would be the basic, responsi-
ble unit. These organizations were semi-offi-
cial, with the authority of the government and
state back of their work, and yet they had no
legal executive powers. Probably they accom-
plished more than they would had they been
armed with an autocratic authority to compel
obedience for the American people dislike to
be driven. The County Council soon had local
committees in every town and village, so that
in case of need an order from Washington
could be transmitted to almost every fireside
within a few hours, by the orderly function-
ing of this large organization. The same plan,
reversed, enabled the central body to collect
information and obtain an expression of senti-
ment promptly.
Before America entered the conflict there
had been in existence a Committee of Ten, in
this and other cities, for the purpose of outlin-
ing a scheme for the mobilization of national
industries and resources in case of war. This
was the outgrowth of a plan prepared by Mar-
tin J. Gillen, a Racine- attorney, and adopted
throughout the country.
The Committee of Ten responded to the
presidential announcement of the new plan by
calling together a number of leading men of
the city to form the Racine County Council of
Defense. The first gathering of this body was
held at the Commercial Club at 8 o'clock on
the evening of Tuesday, April 17, 1917. The
aims of the organization were read by J. H.
Brannum, who acted as chairman, and then
he went right to the point by stating that the
first order of business was the election of a
permanent chairman, and that Captain Wm.
Mitchell Lewis was the man. His election fol-
lowed and in a brief utterance Captain Lewis
tersely charged the group with their duties.
"It is necessary that every member of this
body go the limit to accomplish what may be
set out for them to do," he said.
Like the people generally, the members felt
that great responsibilities were being assumed,
but they did not know yet just what they were.
In the first days of its organization the Council
members were much at sea as to their duties,
their powers and their objects — but they dis-
creetly said little about it and let the public
believe what it would. They awaited instruc-
tions from Madison.
Wisconsin was the first state to create a
state council of defense by legislative enact-
ment (April 12, 1917) and it was the first state
to perfect its state and county organizations.
The legislature in May authorized a county
tax to provide funds for the County Councils.
At the first meeting of the Racine Council of
Defense referred to above, the following ob-
jects were outlined :
To assist nation and state in doing all things
necessary to bring about the highest effective-
ness and to co-ordinate all activities; to re-
ceive, distribute and execute orders and sug-
gestions from the National and State Councils;
to increase production and conserve food pro-
ducts; to aid the military plans; to study
sources of supplies; to investigate the acts of
persons suspected of disloyalty, and to inter-
est all organizations and citizens in problems
which might arise and secure their aid in solv-
ing them in such a manner as will result in the
greatest possible benefit to the nation.
Following the election of Captain Lewis as
chairman, there were spirited addresses by Mr.
Gillen and Rev. C. S. Nickerson.
William H. Armstrong, later elected mayor,
was made vice-chairman. At the suggestion of
Captain Lewis a conference was arranged with
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
59
PHOTOS BY LEONARD
Top Row — W. J. Pearmain, L. C. Pedersen, Arthur Kick. A. C. Hanson, A. L. Affne, Theo. Jacobson, E. T. Bjorkman.
Second — Anthony Miller, J. J. Menkes, Frank Abbati. Fritz Reichert, Theo. Schliesmanii, Wallace Kelly, Chas. Wratten.
Third — Edw. Wurz. L. E. Ganss, F. A. Frudenwald, B. F. Crandall. Edw. Piepmeyer. H. Trinke, Rud. Prott.
Fourth — R. R. Green, R. P. Driver, L. L. Georee, A. R. Miles, A. A. Bradlev, Ephrlam Hansen. J. W. Gulbrandsen.
Fifth— R. A. Fisher, N. P. Hansen, W. A. DeYoung, W. R. Wadewitz. C. T. Peterson, G. W. Schutten, R. F. Jungck.
Bottom — J. H. Mura, A. J. Christensen, E. N. Mangold, L. J. Christiansen, E. H. Wood, Oscar Johnson, T. R. Foxwell.
60
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
William Horlick, Jr., in the hope of getting him
to act as treasurer. The hope was realized.
Miss Minnie I. Queckenstedt was suggested as
permanent secretary. This capable young
woman accepted, although declaring that she
was not quite sure what she was getting into,
but was willing to answer the call of duty.
As it turned out her worst fears were confirm-
ed, but she remained at her post to the last and
when it was all over, was probably glad of it.
As a matter of fact none of the council was
just sure what lay ahead, but all were willing
to "take a chance," and after Captain Lewis
concluded one of his terse, characteristic
speeches, in which he said that the idea was to
"go to it" and to deliver, the spirit of deter-
mination was born in that organization.
Subsequently the membership was subjected
to changes by resignation, etc., but following
is a complete list of all those who served at
one time or another during the war: William
Mitchell Lewis* and F. Lee Norton, chairmen;
Wm. H. Armstrong, vice-chairman; Minnie L
Queckenstedt, secretary; William Horlick, Jr.,
treasurer; Peter T. Stoffel, Milton H. Pettit,
Frank H. Miller, Jacob Heim, A. C. Mehder,
O. C. Friend*, Mrs. F. R. Pettit*, Mrs. John W.
Owen*, Peter J. Myers, John D. Jones, Jr.,
Frank B. Renak, Jr., W. J. Hansche, S. B.
Walker, John H. Dwight, Mrs. Stuart Webs-
ter*, W. T. Harvey, N. C. Nelson, Mrs. R. S.
Preble and Mayor T. W. Thiesen, ex-officio,
all of Racine; A. S. Titus and Henry Caley,
Waterford; A. G. Cady*, A. B. Steele and M. H.
Herzog, Corliss; H. A. Runkle*, Mrs. W. G.
Rasch, C. Roy McCanna*, George W. Walker,
Albert Hanson and D. A. Warren* of Burling-
ton; Joseph Smerchek*, John H. Kamper* and
L. C. Christensen Franksville; O. P. Graham*,
Robert Nugent and J. Z. Collier, Union Grove;
Matt Lavin, Kansasville; George Ela, Roches-
ter.
The earlier meetings of the council were oc-
cupied largely with matters concerning the
organization — getting into its stride and feel-
ing its way about in regard to its powers and
duties. One of the first matters to come up
for action was the report that many sailors on
furlough from the Great Lakes Naval Train-
ing station were getting liquor in Racine and
had lately appeared in all sorts of stages of
intoxication, in spite of the government order
that prohibited the selling or giving liquor to
men in the uniform of the United States. In-
vestigations were carried out and one report
submitted stated that the boys got their liquor
at South Milwaukee. At about that time the
•Indicates resignations. Captain Lewis resigned to en-
ter service and F. Lee Norton was elected to succeed him.
military authorities caused action through fed-
eral civil channels which resulted in a much
stricter observation of the rule against selling
liquor to men in uniform. The practice of uni-
formed men going into saloons had not been
prohibited, and when one of them would stand
alongside a civilian customer who had a drink
before him, and take it and consume it, pro-
secution was out of the question for there was
no law against the men taking drinks if they
could get them.
The organization for the First Liberty Loan
was also before the council in this period and
hardly had that plunge "over the top" by Ra-
cine county been properly recorded before plans
for the Second loan in October were taken up.
The loan campaigns, which were problems
primarily in the hands of the council, are de-
scribed in another portion of this volume.
Functions and powers of the council were
by this time fairly well defined. The council
had altered somewhat in personnel. Captain
Lewis had gone into the army as a Major of a
signal battalion, Mrs. F. R. Pettit had resigned
and Mrs. John W. Owen has succeeded her.
But the old guard, Milton H. Pettit, Peter Stof-
fel, Mrs. W. G. Rasch, Wm. Horlick, Jr., and
others were regularly on the job. F. Lee Nor-
ton had succeeded to the chairmanship and
also had a lot of other work on other war-
time organizations. The routine concerned the
lining up of "slackers" of various kinds —
Liberty loan, selective draft and the like and
the encouragement of various wartime service
organizations. A canteen had been established
at the home of Mrs. Paul Ostergaard, where
visiting soldiers and sailors were fed, enter-
tained and extended various comforts. The
Motor Corps had been organized to answer
Red Cross, Secret Service, Home Service and
Council calls. The Women's Committee of the
Council, as a co-ordinate of the Council had
been organized and was producing some re-
sults.
The general effectiveness of the Council soon
became apparent. The experiment of an or-
ganization to carry out the federal and state
plans, which extended to wards and precincts
in cities and townships and even sections in
the country, had proven a mighty institution.
Should another national crisis arise which de-
manded universal activity from President to
the humblest workman, this system will doubt-
less be used, and at another time its organi-
zation and effectiveness can be developed in a
fraction of time that was employed in estab-
lishing it in 1917-8.
Along in October the labor shortage question
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
61
rnou.
nwr?*?=ss«~ ^ * i^*v'it«*Ai
PHOTOS BY HOOD
Top Row — Fred Danzer. Louis Demant. Ingv, Amundsen, August Sustachek, B. W. Kolander, And. Jensen. T. Thompson.
Second — B. Dembrowski, !>. J. Swencki, Apkar Markarian, Paul Citiagro, Arthur Petersen. Arthur Konrad. Joseph Block.
Third — Myrl E. Ward, Ba^has Yahnian, Nels Nelson, Giura^ros Hurshostian. Gustav Zelmer. Kobt. Smitt. M. J. Thomsen.
Fourth — Ermino Zamin. Louis Buisse, Matt M. Mohr, Martin Nurnberger. Herman Nissen, Emanuel Carlson. Ed. Stegner.
Bottom — Julius Weiss, H. E. Pfarrdrescher, Anthony Pinuta, A. E. Stephans, C. Paolocci. Mike KalaRian. L. E. Brierly.
62
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
became serious both on Racine county farms
and in the city factories. It was reported to
the council that hordes of loafers were about
town and many of them were aliens and not
susceptible to the selective laws. The problem
was before the council for months in an effort
to get a special law to deal with this class of
"birds," but the war had nearly ended when the
"Work or Fight" order was promulgated.
Another matter developed at the October 11
meeting. That was a tendency of some mem-
bers of the council, itself, to shirk. It was
found that a number of members had not at-
tended more than one or two meetings, and it
was finally decided to notify delinquents that
unless they appeared at the meetings or sent
sufficient excuses, their resignations would au-
tomatically follow. Three members were drop-
ped at the next meeting as a result. But there
also was a feeling that the council was not
getting the proper reach and the question of
enlarging the membership was taken up, so
that its influence would extend into the coun-
try districts. In addition to the decentraliza-
tion of the council into the corresponding local
or community councils, it was decided that
standing committees of the County Council
should be made up of members of the council,
who were to gather about themselves an ad-
visory body of men and women especially fitted
for handling the problems presented. In all its
efforts the Council had the support and aid of
other organizations engaged in war work.
In December, 1917, the council proposed the
curtailment of Christmas giving, both as an
aid to thrift and to reduce the need of extra
help in stores. At about the same time in-
vestigation of stories of alleged disloyalty was
begun and several persons of pro-German pro-
clivities w-ere put on the grill and warned to
mend their ways.
"Daylight saving," procured by setting the
clocks ahead an hour in the summer, was given
local approval and finally was accomplished by
law.
The more important, definite tasks of the
Council are discussed in later chapters devoted
to its subsidiary bodies — the Liberty Loan
Committees, Women's Committee, Food Ad-
ministration, etc. Numerous problems, how-
ever, were handled by the membership of the
board itself. Among the principal committees
were those on:
Agriculture — A. S. Titus, W. J. Hansche,
A. B. Steele, Peter J. Myers, Frank B. Renak,
John D. Jones, Jr., S. W. Walker, and A. L.
Thomas. Purpose, to encourage production.
aid in securing seeds and fertilizer, and assist
in finding markets for products.
Labor— G. A. Kanters, E. A. Policy, H. C.
Berger, Jacob Heim, J. H. Smith, John F.
Kovar, John H. Dwight, A. J. Hay and Joseph
Christianson. Purpose, to analyze the labor
situation, discourage idleness, and cooperate
with the government in matters affecting the
supply, distribution and welfare of labor.
Re-Classification of Farm Labor — A. E. Pol-
ley, A. B. Steele, John D. Jones, Jr., and A. L.
Thomas. Purpose, to see that justice was done
in respect to the exemption claims of farm
workers. Some confusion existed as to wheth-
er the owner or employe on a farm was the
essential worker in the industry, and as to
what constituted a skilled farmer. It was
also reported that some men were getting ex-
emption from service as "farmers" when their
only claim to distinction in that line came from
recent purchases of rural property.
Threshei-men's Committee — H. M. Thomas,
W. T. Harvey, and A. E. Policy. To eliminate
waste in the threshing and regulate rates.
Boys' Working Reserve — L. W. Brooks, A. R.
Graham, W. E. Stone, A. E. Policy, E. V.
Donaldson, Frank LaBudde, H. C. Berger, Al-
bert Koehn. To encourage boys under draft
age to engage in productive agriculture during
vacations.
Marketing— M. H. Pettit, A. J. Lunt, D. E.
Fitzgerald, W. H. Reed, C. E. Brewer, W. H.
Armstrong, Mrs. W. H. Reed, Mrs. N. C. Nel-
son. This committee started three public mar-
kets for produce. It also arranged for the pur-
chase and sale, w-ith no administrative cost,
of several carloads of potatoes and apples, and
large quantities or rutabagas, fish and beans.
Nearly 200 farmers were supplied with seed
corn during the shortage in 1918.
Old Glory Committee — Thos. G. Dickinson,
Oscar P. Hoppe, E. D. Kosterman, Vilas E.
Whaley, T. J. McCrory, Henry S. Keefe, Julius
Jappe, A. C. Hanson, Christian H. Heck, Gus-
tave Hilker, O. E. Gertenbach, H. P. Kohlmann,
Ed. Hilker, Peter J. Myers, Thorwald Thomp-
son, Max C. Lau, H. S. Mogensen, William G.
Maxted, Elmer J. Knudson, Louis Peterson,
A. J. Eisenhut, Cliff Russell, Mat Myrup,
Robert Hurley, Axel W. Richard, E. G. H.
Wendt, John P. Barry. This committee made
a pei-sonal call at every residence, business
house, office and factory, asking that the Na-
tional Colors be displayed.
War Gardens— A. J. Lunt, Max W. Heck,
W. H. Reed, James Pottinger, Mesdames A. A.
Guilbert, W. G. Rasch, and J. W. Owen, and
the members of the city park board. This com-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
63
1
#
PHOTOS BY PAVEK
Top Row — Olaf Anderson. J. D. Christensen, J. O. Siebert, H. M. Holden. W. McK. Christensen, S. A. Titus. S. Martino.
Second — H. F. Schulz. Alex Wolgat. John Fachko, Frank Ma nko. J. T. Saras. Francesco Brancaccio. E. H. Alstad.
Third — J. Kurianowicz. F. Lloneo. John Sadowski. P. Yenidunian. Henry Black. Wm. Miller. Alf. Anderson.
Fourth W. F. Wolff. Arthur Moe. Chas. Vrana. R. Maritat o. Keshan Kenasian. Mihram Dadian. Frank Higgins.
Bottom — Nichola Riviello. Frank Maur, Vine. Cefalu. Adolp h Sopinski. H. C. Anderson. Ulgar Peterson. A. Christensen.
64
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
mittee listed the vacant property in cities and
towns, arranged to get permission for amateur
gardeners to plant vegetables, and then re-
ceived applications and assigned the lots. The
committee provided 364 lots in 1917, 450 in 1918
and 250 in 1919. In addition, it reported 3,427
war gardens which were not under its supervi-
sion. The Boy Scouts assisted in protecting
these war gardens from theft and school chil-
dren aided in cultivating and protecting them.
Non-War Construction — F. Lee Norton, Her-
bert F. Johnson and James V. Rohan. Its duty
was to carry out the order of the War Indus-
tries board to reduce non-essential building to
a minimum that men and materials might be
used for war work. As a result, construction
work of an unnecessary nature almost entirely
ceased until after the armistice. It was con-
sidered unpatriotic to make repairs that could
be postponed. As in other movements of the
kind, the public took pride in living up to every
suggestion of the committee.
There were also numerous committees named
for temporary work in connection with the
gathering of information of all sorts for the
state and national Councils. There was even
a committee appointed which successfully car-
ried out its purpose of encouraging community
singing of patriotic airs.
The Council secured a list of enemy owned
property in the county; took the initiative in
seeking a law providing for the arrest of per-
sons circulating propaganda which might hind-
er the successful prosecution of the war; co-
operated in a rigid enforcement of vagrancy
laws to stamp out idleness; kept a record of
men in service; presented a huge Service Flag
to the county; arranged patriotic parades on
Memorial day, 1917 and April 13, 1918, the
largest ever held in the county; collected cloth-
ing for the destitute people of France; distri-
buted posters; assisted in arranging housing
for employes of the government (Dupont) high
explosive plant; assisted in organizing the
Home Guards; enrolled 400 men for the Ship-
building board; supervised solicitation of funds,
and discouraged all campaigns not approved
by the state council; collected maps and pic-
tures of localities in western Germany for use
of the army; secured donations of field glasses
for the navy; aided in the elimination of weeds
and insects injurious to crops; took up the
"soldiers' pal" movement, to insure that all
soldiers had correspondence from home people;
and assisted in the Americanization of foreign-
ers.
Early in 1919 it was decided to take definite
steps to insure the collection and preservation
of facts and records which would show Racine
county's part in the war. A general commit-
tee was named, consisting of E. W. Leach,
chairman; F. R. Starbuck, George W. Waller,
Mrs. W. G. Rasch, W. S. Goodland and J. Z.
Collier. Localities were represented on a sub-
committee which included Henry Caley, A. S.
Titus, T. H. Skewes, W. J. Hansche, Robert
Nugent, George Ela, Albert Hanson, F. B.
Renak, Jr., John D. Jones, Jr., Matt Lavin,
L. C. Christenson and Clarence Beaumont.
Mr. Leach took active charge of the work.
He obtained a room in the public library for
the collection of data and within ten months
had almost completed the labor of listing all
men and women in service, collecting photo-
graphs and indexing newspaper files so that it
will be simple for future seekers of knowledge
to obtain the data and information which they
seek. The results of his labors will be per-
manent property of the county and will be of
great value as the years pass. He has filed for
reference a mass of interesting facts which
would provide material for a dozen volumes the
size of this.
One of the interesting activities of the Coun-
cil of Defense was in connection with the sup-
pression of all pro-German talk. Information
coming to the Council in April, 1918, of the
meetings of the Staats verbund here, a com-
mittee was appointed to investigate. As a re-
sult of the disclosures regarding the society,
the Council advised it to disband, which it did.
The funds in the treasury was used to purchase
Liberty bonds.
In September there was complaint from Bur-
lington that the Schwaebsden Saengerbund of
Chicago had been having a three day "session"
at Burlington, talking entirely in German and
singing German songs. Burlington men who
had attended the parties said the songs were
merely drinking songs. As there was no wit-
ness handy who could testify that the songs
were German patriotic melodies, the matter
was dropped.
During the Fourth Liberty loan drive re-
ports came in regarding disloyal talk at Water-
ford, and a visit was paid there by representa-
tives of the Council to warn certain German-
Americans that they had better exercise more
discretion.
About the same time it was discovered that
slips of paper containing poems in the German
language were being circulated in Burlington.
Investigation disclosed that they were the work
of an old man entering his "second childhood"
and the poems when translated had little or no
meaning.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
65
RE-PHOTOS BY HOOD
Top Row — Theo. E. Beach, C. K. (Bud) Carey, C. J. Griese, H J. McKinsey, Alfred Noll, James Milner.
Second — O. E. Seaholm. E. J. Kate. F. T. Hueller. Mathew Milkie, Fred Hansen, Nicholas Schroeder.
Third — Wm. P. Pooch, J. I. Chour, J. J. Meyer. Andrew Wojcik, Wm. J. Swoboda, B. I. Middleton.
Fourth — Roy L. Johnson, John J. Johnson. Louis Swoboda, Jack H. Swan, Walter Sharpinski, Reinholdt Forwark.
Fifth — C. P. Christensen. Edward Zika, Harry James, Herb. Fel^enhauer. L. C. Alleman. Anton Fedders.
Bottom — R. J. LaFortune, L. W. Powless, Andrew Pallesen, Nick Venetos, Roscoe Guilbert, Harry Wagner.
66
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
As an example of the things which frequently
came up in Council meetings, there might be
cited the case of Miss Johnson's haylot. It
seems that Miss Anna Johnson owned 40 acres
in Mt. Pleasant, and the hay was not cut on
it. Neighbors wanted to know why, and the
usual rumors ran their course. Inquiry devel-
oped that she had had some trouble with the
man who usually bought the hay, and as he
wouldn't carry out his alleged agreement she
had decided to let the field remain uncut. She
finally told the Council it could have it cut
and use the proceeds as it wished. By that
time the hay was too old for use, and the
matter ended with an agreement that the next
season would see the field used for adding to
the food or forage supply of the nation.
Another tempest in a teapot arose over a
petition from people in the town of Raymond
that L. C. Christensen, a member of the board,
be asked to resign. In an effort to find out
what was the matter, a committee was sent
there to conduct a hearing and a large number
of farmers appeared as witnesses. It appear-
ed that Mr. Christensen had aroused criticism
by his efforts to have the rules of the Council
strictly enforced. The report of the board
completely exonerated him. When the town
board refused to appropriate money to carry on
the work, the Council of Defense decided to pay
all necessary expenses of the local branch.
The County Council of Defense disbanded on
August 28, 1919, after a remarkable record of
service and usefulness. The last business was
the turning back to the city and county the bal-
ance of the funds on hand, and passing resolu-
tions thanking Chairman F. Lee Norton for his
conscientious labor in behalf of the Council.
In responding Mr. Norton expressed his appre-
ciation of the cooperation of the Council mem-
bers in performing their arduous and often
thankless tasks.
"I know why you have done it," he concluded,
"and you each know why. You sacrificed your
time and your business that you might aid this
community in doing its full share in support-
ing our nation in carrying on the war to a
successful conclusion. Racine county has made
an enviable record through the work of the
Council of Defense. Not only you gentlemen,
but practically every citizen of the county has
done his share. I think we are all entitled to
feel well pleased at what was accomplished."
During the year and a half of its existence,
the County Council of Defense had a total of
$14,726.60 at its disposal, $9,000 coming from
the county treasury and $4,852.70 from the
city. The balance was the proceeds from en-
tertainments, interest on bank deposits and
sale of vegetables. When the Council dis-
banded it had money on hand, and returned it
to the principal sources from which it came,
'.16 to the county and $474.56 to the city.
Most of the money spent was for advertising
and printing; decorations; general office ex-
penses and hall rental. The Minnesota fire suf-
ferers were given $1500; the collection and filing
of war history material cost $2,641, and there
was expense of about $2,600 in connection with
the Liberty Bond campaigns for advertising
and luncheons for workers.
CHAPTER XI
WOMEN'S COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
ABOUT the middle of April, 1917, Mrs.
/-\ F. R. Pettit obtained authority to or-
-^ -*■ ganize in Racine a branch of the Na-
tional League for Women's service. She called
a meeting of women at the public library April
26, 1917, and this group endorsed the plan and
immediately elected officers, as follows: Chair-
man, Mrs. F. R. Pettit; vice-chairman, Mrs.
E. P. Kastler; Mrs. Martin Clancy and Mrs.
D. H. Flett; Recording secretary, Mrs. John W.
Owen; corresponding secretary. Miss Katharine
Lewis; treasurer, Mrs. Paul Ostergaard; com-
mittee chairman, Registi-ation, Mrs. John W.
Owen; Social and Welfare, Mrs. E. P. Kastler;
Red Cross Co-operation, Mrs. Emil Podlesak;
Food Conservation, Mrs. J. Welti; Motor Serv-
ice, Mrs. James W. Gilson.
This was the beginning of an organization
which eventually developed into the Women's
Committee of the County Council of Defense,
and as such became officially responsible for
the organizing of the women of the county for
whatever work might be required outside of
the Red Cross, and for cooperation with all
branches of the government during the war.
Like most war-time associations, this one went
through a period when a good deal of its en-
ergy was exerted in trying to And out what was
wanted of it; this being followed by strenuous
efforts to keep up with all the tasks assigned
to it, and then a reorganization and decentral-
ization plan was adopted which enabled it to
fulfill every requirement at about the time the
first year of the war came to an end.
The promoters of the plan realized at once
that they could accomplish nothing without the
support of the women of the community, and
they first set out to ask the women's clubs to
assist, and also to register as many individuals
as possible who would signify their willingness
to cooperate.
Office rooms were obtained through the gen-
erosity of I. Friedman, and Miss May Burgess
was appointed chairman of the office adminis-
tration division. In May, note was made of
the fact that the County Council of Defense
was willing to assist in meeting expenses of
organization, and considerable advertising was
done. There was a plan made to have a series
of "mass meetings to inform women of the
necessity for activity in war work," but this
was called off at the suggestion of the National
Council. It is doubtful whether it was neces-
sary. The women merely wanted to know
what to do. Attention was then centered upon
the big Patriotic parade to be held on May 29,
and which was one of the big affairs of the
year. Nearly ten thousand men and women
took part in it.
The Central Council of Women, composed of
representatives of various clubs, discontinued
its meetings and the clubs and societies gradu-
ally turned to the League for leadership in war
work outside of the Red Cross activities. Sev-
eral committees were added, including: Home
Economics, Mrs. E. J. Stormer, chairman; Com-
forts Committee, Mrs. Ella Lewis; Ward Or-
ganization, Mrs. S. L. Phippen; War Orphans,
Mrs. Stuart Webster; Baby Welfare, Mrs.
John Reid, Jr.
Funds were raised to provide for many
orphaned French children, and yarn was pro-
vided for women desiring to knit sweaters, etc.,
for men in service. On July 2 silken guidons
were presented to Battery C and Battery F,
prior to their leaving for mobilization camp.
In July Mrs. Pettit resigned as chairman,
and Council of Defense selected Mrs. John W.
Owen to succeed her as presiding officer of
the League and as member of the County Coun-
cil of Defense. Mrs. Stuart Webster was
chosen secretary.
A committee consisting of Mrs. John Reid,
Jr., Mrs. Harry Mann and Miss Lydia Fuller
was appointed in July to arrange for dances
and other entertainment for enlisted men visit-
ing Racine. One was held in September as
an experiment, and later on they became regu-
lar events. The boys from the Great Lakes
68
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Naval Training station came in large numbers
to attend these affairs.
Word was received in August that the boxes
of clothing collected for French war sufferers
had been lost at sea when a freighter was tor-
pedoed.
Following the request of the National Coun-
cil of Defense the league c?ianged its name to
the Women's Committee of the County Council
of Defense in November, and became an in-
tegral part of that organization in name as
well as in fact. By this time the work of the
various departments had become somewhat
systematized and through the ward organiza-
tions assistance was rendered to the Red Cross
work and public movements such as the Liberty
Loan and Savings Stamp drives. Strict at-
tention to duty was required of members of the
executive board and several were dropped be-
cause of failure to attend meetings without
sending satisfactory excuses. Among the new
members added were: Mrs. Fred Osius, Mrs.
Merrell, Mary L. Thomas, Mrs. B. E. Nelson,
Miss Helen King, Mrs. E. E. Lewis, Mrs. I. B.
Grant and Miss Helen Gorton.
Much attention was given to the truly femi-
nine problems of cookery and food conserva-
tion. War recipes were prepared and distri-
buted, canning was encouraged and various de-
vices found and put into effect for effecting
economies in the kitchen. While each family's
share in this work was small, it resulted in the
saving of millions of tons of food in America
during the war and was a great factor in keep-
ing all the Allied peoples and armies in com-
parative comfort.
On March 6. 1918. Mrs. John W. Owen re-
signed as chairman and was succeeded by Mrs.
Stuart Webster. As some minor difficulties
and friction had developed by this time, as was
natural in such a large organization with such
a multiplicity of objects, it was decided that
all committee chairmen should resign, and
leave the new chairman free to entirely re-
organize the Women's Committee. Mrs. Owen
remained as an active member of the commit-
tee and did remarkable work as organizer of
the county women in the Liberty Loan drives.
One of the innovations soon established was
the "Thrift shop," a store where people could
donate cast-off articles of all sorts, and have
them sold for the benefit of the war work.
The report of Mrs. Webster, on October 1,
1918 six weeks before the close of the war,
indicated the scope of the tasks accomplished.
The committee was divided into nine major di-
visions under a chairman, and the following
shows the lines of work followed :
Division 1. Ward Organization. — A general
chairman was named in each ward, and she had
as assistants eight department chairmen to
carry out the work planned by the chairmen
of the corresponding division of the Women's
Committee. The ward chairman was respon-
sible to the Women's Committee executive
board for all the work done in her ward. The
ward chairmen met each week with the execu-
tive committee. One thousand women were
active workers in these organizations. The
ward chairmen and one member in each ward
acted as sugar deputies to enforce food ad-
ministration regulations.
Division 2. Social Service. — This depart-
ment studied the problems of health and re-
creation for girls in the community, and pro-
vided dancing parties and other clean enter-
tainment for visiting sailors from the training
station. It worked in hannony with the War
Camp Community service.
Division 3. Soldiers and Sailors Canteen. —
Mrs. Paul Ostergaard had offered her home on
College Avenue as a canteen in 1917, and the
committee helped her to make it a real home
for visiting service men, to whom "Mother"
Ostergaard greatly endeared herself. Thous-
ands of meals were served there in addition to
the free distribution of lunches, cigarettes, etc.
The Patriots fund and many citizens contri-
buted directly to this work.
Division 4. Thrift Shop. — This was con-
ducted at 804 Villa Street by Mrs. J. G. Wil-
liams. It showed a profit of more than $1000,
part of which went to the Social Service com-
mittee.
Division 5. Home Economics. — Every effort
was made to teach housewives the value and
best uses of wheat substitutes, and to do all
possible to conserve the nation's food supply.
It urged the reduced use of sugar in baking
and canning and various displays, lectures and
meetings were held throughout the county in
the interest of the movement. Mrs D. E. Cal-
lender arranged with sixty-two merchants to
have potato exhibits in their windows in one
week and a great increase in the sales of this
food was the result. A corresponding reduc-
tion in the demand for breads resulted, the city
bakers reported. Miss Helen Gorton arranged
to have ministers preach on the merits of the
potato as food. More than 19,000 women were
supplied with literature regarding war cookery.
About 200 women devoted many hours each
week to the work of "winning the war through
food."
Division 6. Liberty Loan and Speakers
Bureau. — Hundreds of thousands of dollars
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
69
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
were raised by this department in the drives,
as will be shown in subsequent pages. Women
speakers made dozens of addresses regarding
war work throughout the county.
Division 7. Child Welfare. — A census of
children was taken and 90 percent of them
were weighed and measured, 10 percent being-
examined by physicians and nurses. Classes
were established for mothers and newspapers,
moving pictures and other agencies were
utilized to interest people in child welfare as
one of the big war time problems.
Division 8. Motor Corps. — Twenty-one
girls, fifteen of them driving their own cars,
enrolled and were put in active service with
distinctive uniforms provided. They took a
course in automobile mechanics. They were
at all times ready to answer calls from County
Council of Defense, Red Cross, Home Service
department or the secret service. They ren-
dered most excellent service and devoted many
hours daily to their arduous tasks.
Division 9. Cooperation With Red Cross. —
Through the co-operation of ward chairmen,
this department provided the Red Cross with
several hundred sweaters, socks, wristlets and
knit helmets for the army and navy.
In addition to these sustained departments,
the members did publicity and war propaganda
work for all phases of government work.
On October 6, 1918, Mrs. Webster resigned
as chairman on account of leaving the city, and
Mrs. Robert S. Preble was chosen to carry on
the work. Mrs. Webster was made honorary
chairman in recognition of her excellent serv-
ice. Mrs. Preble proved to be a very capable
and tactful executive.
Owing to the ban on public meetings during
the epidemic of Spanish influenza, little work
could be done in the following month except-
ing relief work for the victims of the epidemic.
The canteen was utilized to provide soup for
sufferers and the motor corps rendered splendid
assistance during the crisis. Clothing and bed-
ding was gathered to aid sufferers in emer-
gencies. A girls, bicycle corps was also or-
ganized for messenger service. The announce-
ment of the armistice found the Women's Com-
mittee prepared to meet any demands that
might be made upon it. It had already accom-
plished great things in assisting every phase
of civilian war work.
The following roster gives an idea of the
size and strength of the organization. Owing
to occasional resignations, etc., no such list can
be completely accurate, but it shows the ac-
tive workers at a period shortly before the
close of the committee's labors, during the
chairmanship of Mrs. Preble:
Board Members — Chairman, Mrs. R. S. Pre-
ble, Mrs. E. P. Kastler, Mrs. Martin Clancy,
Mrs. E. J. Stormer, Mrs. Prostrednik, Mrs.
H. M. Wallis, Mrs. F. R. Pettit, Mrs. W. T.
Walker, Mrs. H. G. Mitchell, Mrs. Stuart Webs-
ter, Mrs. Paul Ostergaard, Mrs. J. G. Chandler,
Mrs. Wm. H. Crosby, Mrs. J. B. Simmons, Mrs.
John Reid, Jr., Mrs. J. F. Clancy, Mrs. O. W.
Johnson, Mrs. M. M. Barnard, Mrs. H. E. Mer-
rell, Mrs. B. E. Nelson, Miss Mary Thomas,
Mrs. E. L. King, Mrs. John W. Owen, Miss
Helen Gorton, Miss Arminda Wood, Miss
Dorothy Kastler, Miss Stella Blake, Miss Mae
Burgess, Mrs. S. L. Phippin, Mrs. F. W. Merri-
man, Mrs. W. F. McCaughey, Mrs. N. C. Nel-
son, Mrs. B. Talbot Rogers, Mrs. T. F. Powers,
Mrs. Wm. Harvey, Jr., Mrs. E. W. Rapps, Miss
Sarah Morrison, Mrs. Harry Mann, Dr. Susan
Jones, Mrs. Wallace MacGregor, Mrs. H. F.
Foster, Mrs. Fred Osius, Mrs. G. B. Wilson,
Miss Hannum, Miss Kate Mehder, Miss Kate
Shields, and Mrs. Fannie Botsford; Miss Flor-
ence Apple, of Franksville; Mrs. Gittings, Mrs.
O. P. Graham, Mrs. R. W. McCracken, of Union
Grove; Miss Edith Thomas, of Caledonia; Mrs.
Louise Smader, Mrs. Thomas Kearney, Jr.,
Mrs. F. L. Pierce Mrs. John Lutz, Mrs. W. S.
Dooley, Miss Millie Le Prevost, Mrs. Frank
Wtipil, Mrs. Millard S. Edmonds, Mrs. M. J.
Goepfert, Mrs. D. Raffone, Miss Elizabeth Git-
tings, Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich, Mrs. A. J. Eisen-
hut, Mrs. J. Hanson, Mrs. J. O. Tobias, Miss
Dorcas Miller, Mrs. Helen Van Arsdale Bebb,
Mrs. J. G. Williams, Miss Martha Shelp, Mrs.
W. C. Harvey, Mrs. Harriet Harvey, Mrs. Clin-
ton Skewes, Mrs. John Dwight.
The executive committee was composed of
the following division chairmen:
Social Service — Mrs. E. P. Kastler.
Health and Recreation — Miss Geneva Bower.
Canteen — Mrs. Paul Ostergaard.
Thrift Shop— Mrs. Jack Williams.
Juvenile Protection — Miss Kate Mehder.
Home Economics — Mrs. Elsie Stormer.
Child Welfare— Mrs. Willard Walker.
Ward Organization — Miss Mae Burgess.
Co-operating — Mrs. Jos. Prostrednik.
Publicity — Mrs. David Grisvvold.
Speakers Bureau — Mrs. E. E. Herrick.
Motor Corps — Mrs. Helen Bebb.
Women in Industry — Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich.
Bureau of Information — Miss Hazel Buck.
Ward Chairmen — General chairman. Miss
Mae Burgess; First Ward, Mrs. Louise Smader;
Second Ward, Mrs. Thomas Kearney; Third
Ward, South Precinct, Mrs. F. H. Foster, North
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Precinct, Mrs. L. F. Pierce; Fourth Ward, Mrs.
Joseph Prostrednik; Fifth Ward, Mrs. John
Lutz; Sixth Ward, Miss Millie Le Prevost;
Seventh Ward, Mrs. Frank Wtipil; Eighth
Ward, Mrs. M. S. Edmonds; Ninth Ward, Mrs.
M. Goepfert; Tenth Ward, Miss Elizabeth Git-
tings; Eleventh Ward, Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich;
Twelfth Ward, Mrs. August Eisenhut; Thir-
teenth Ward Mrs. Eben Burroughs; Fourteenth
Ward, Mrs. Thomas Powers; Fifteenth Ward,
Mrs. J. Hanson.
Home Economics Committee — Mrs. E. J.
Stormer, Mrs. Fred B. Stafford, Mrs. Taylor
Jelliff, Mrs. John F. Hyde, Jr., Mrs. H. E.
Breckenridge, Mrs. H. J. Cadwell, Mrs. Jens
Jensen, Mrs. Whalen, Mrs. Frank Wtipil, Mrs.
Jude, Mrs. John Erlands, Mrs. Wm. F. Kaiser,
Miss Nan Gorton, Mrs. Frank Kammerer, Mrs.
John Overson, Mrs. Eben Burroughs, Mrs. John
Pugh, Jr., Mrs. Fachko, Mrs. J. O. Tobias.
Sugar Deputies — First Ward, Mrs. Louise
Smader, Mrs. Fred B. Stafford.
Second Ward — Mrs. T. M. Kearney, Jr., Mrs.
Taylor Jelliffe, Mrs. John F. Hyde, Jr.
Third Ward— Mrs. H. F. Foster, Mrs. H .E.
Breckenridge, Mrs. L. F. Pierce.
Fourth Ward — Mrs. Jos. Prostrednik, Mrs.
Albert Stoffel, Mrs. Fellows, Mrs. H. J. Cad-
well.
Fifth Ward — Mrs. John H. Lutz, Mrs. Jens
Jensen, Mrs. Christ Larsen, Mrs. Wm. Dittman.
Sixth Ward — Miss Millie Le Prevost, Mrs.
Arthur Wilkins, Miss Margaret Seater, Mrs.
Whalen.
Seventh Ward — Mrs. Frank Wtipil, Mrs. Gus
Derrick, Mrs. John Konnak, Mrs. Nicholas
Murray.
Eighth Ward— Mrs. M. S. Edmonds, Mrs.
Harold Smith, Mrs. Clarence Ticknor, Mrs.
Sherman Blandin, Mrs. A. J. Fatten.
Ninth Ward— Mrs. M. J. Goepfert, Mrs.
Wm. F. Kaiser, Mrs. F. L. Mitchell.
Tenth Ward— Miss Elizabeth F. Gittings,
Mrs. F. A. Botsford, Miss Nan Gorton.
Eleventh Ward — Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich, Mrs.
Thomas Hay, Mrs. Frank Kammerer.
Twelfth Ward— Mrs. A. J. Eisenhut, Mrs.
John Overson.
Thirteenth Ward — Mrs. Eben Burroughs,
Mrs. Harriet Harvey, Mrs. S. W. Chamberlin,
Mrs. George Due.
Fourteenth Ward — Mrs. Thomas Powers,
Mrs. John Pugh, Jr., Mrs. Fachko.
Fifteenth Ward — Mrs. J. Hanson, Mrs. J. O.
Tobias.
County Territory — Mrs. Wm. Osborne, Mrs.
C. B. Washburn, Mrs. Thomas Harcus, Mrs.
S. B. Walker, Mrs. R. W. McCracken, Mrs.
Wesley Shepard, Mrs. Bullis, Mrs. Hawkins,
Miss Flora Apple, Mrs. Dessie Wishau, Mrs. A.
Lawer, Mrs. Clint Ellis, Mrs. C. G. Fancher,
Mrs. Frank Fost, Iva Ives, Mrs. Mogenson,
Mrs. George Smith, Miss Edith Carmen, Dr.
Schreiber.
Child Welfare — Mrs. Willard T. Walker,
Chairman; Mrs. Louise Smader, Mrs. P. H.
Batton, Miss Mooney and Mrs. John Powers,
Mrs. Mrvicka, Mrs. John H. Lutz Miss Millie
LeProvost, Mrs. Frank Wtipil, Mrs. George
Peterson, Mrs. Goepfert, Miss Borne, Mrs.
Arthur Ehrlich, Mrs. M. Nelson, Mrs. Harriet
Harvey, Mrs. W. P. Marr, Mrs. Diem.
Speakers Bureau — Mrs. E. E. Herrick, Chair-
man; Miss Medora Roskilly, Miss Rose Webbers,
Miss Louise Springhorn, Miss Rosa Pope, Mrs.
Clarence Adams, Mrs. E. A. Cornwell, Mrs.
George Van Wie, Mrs. I. B. Grant, Mrs. F. L.
Stafford, Mrs. J. W. Owen, Mrs. J. W. Carter,
Mrs. W. F. McCaughey, Miss Perkins, Mrs.
W. H. Reed, Miss Ethel Estberg.
Publicity Committee — Mrs. David Griswold,
Chairman; Mrs. M. M. Barnard, Mrs. Wm.
Harvey, Jr., Mrs. W. F. MacGregor, Mrs. Harry
Wilson, Mrs. W. F. McCaughey, Miss Hannun,
Miss Wratten, Miss Lucy McCaughey, Mrs.
Helen Haight.
Knitting Chairmen — Mrs. Louise Smader,
Mrs. George Miller, Mrs. E. A. Taylor, Mrs.
Charles Miller, Mrs. George Gates, Mrs. Gay-
lord Shephard, Mrs. Clara Ticknor, Mrs. Louise
Nelson, Mrs. Charles Nelson, Mrs. Mills, Mrs.
B. Talbot Rogers, Mrs. LaPogevin.
Girls Motor Corps — Helen Van Arsdale Bebb,
Major, Dorcas Miller, Captain; Helen Knight
Townsend, First Lieutenant; Lucy McCaughey,
Second Lieutenant; Pearl Trumbull, Hildegard
Bauman, Helen Merriman, June Dietrich, Agnes
Clancy, Alice Clancy, Josephine Carroll, Henri-
etta Fuller, Bernice Greene, Margaret Breed,
Florence Miller, Margaret Flett, Majorie Pauli,
Marjorie Morey, Mrs. Opitz, Luella Ray, Zelda
Stoffel, Alice Wackerhagen, Anna Van Arsdale,
and Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich, Mrs. Walton Miller,
Mrs. Willard T. Walker, Reserve List.
Bicycle Corps — Mrs. Helen Van Arsdale
Bebb, chairman; Catherine Rugh, Beth Davies,
Florence Mainland, Mildred Lewis, Betty Rus-
sell, Jean MacGregor, Anona Driver, Sophia
Wiegand, Letitia Rabe, Edna Gunther, lona
Johnson, Jeanette Tooman, Ruth Kisterous,
Pearl Wickern, Delta Sorenson, Lorrian Olle,
Anna Margaret Clifford, Polly Lewis, Julie
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
73
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74
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
White, Fluvia Nixon, Grace Cahoon, Helen
Marr, Margaret Browne, Claire Murphy, Louise
Cahoon, Katherine Dietrich, Collene Smith,
Jean Murphy, Marjorie Alschuler, Katherine
Ramsey; Reserve List, Florence Held, Lorraine
Hunt, Rebecca Ellis, Jean Barnes, Isabella
Hamilton, Josephine Dietrich, Katherine Marr,
Beth Bloom.
Juvenile Protective Division — Miss Rosa
Pope, Henrietta Wiechers, Sena Jensen, Ada
Briggs, Margaret Eaton, Mrs. Archer, Gertrude
Fratt, Louise Jensen, Maud Wolcott, Madeline
Sieger, Mrs. M. GriflFith, Mrs. Goepfert, Miss
Ruth Beckus, Miss Minnie Veth, Mrs. Miller,
Miss Gertrude Hanson, Helen Blythe, Nettie
Meljinek, Mrs. Margaret Anderson, Miss Lillian
N. Sharp, Mesdames J. F. Clancy, Gruhn,
Gaffey, George Gorton, Henry Hall, Miss Mat-
tie Hermes, Jennie Hanson, Nellie Jones, Dr.
Susan Jones, Miss Bertha Morgan, Anna Neit-
zel, Mrs. Phippen, Mrs. H. C. Severance, Mrs.
H. M. Wallis.
CHAPTER XII
AMERICAN PROTECTIVE LEAGUE
DETECTIVE stories have a fascination
for most red-blooded people. Some day
the full story of the secret service work
of the American government in war time may
be published. That it will be intensely inter-
esting is beyond any question.
Just as the voluntary organization of ex-
emption boards throughout the country made
the successful operation of the selective service
law possible within a short time, so a volun-
tary society of American business and profes-
sional men, serving without pay and receiving
not even public credit for their work, perform-
ed the work of seeking for enemy agents; aid-
ing draft boards; discounting enemy propa-
ganda; enforcing the laws against sabotage
and espionage; investigating the character of
applicants for military and civil offices, and
performing numerous other functions generally
placed in the hands of the investigation division
of the United States Department of Justice.
The name of this organization of civilian
agents was the American Protective League.
It had 300,000 active members in the country.
It had half a hundred local agents in Racine
county. It was the "eyes and ears of the gov-
ernment." A. Bruce Bielaski, chief of the
bureau of investigation. Department of Jus-
tice, declares that the United States was the
best policed country engaged in the war, and
that in spite of the fact that the outbreak of
the war found the government with only a few
score operatives in the secret service branch.
The national organizers and directors of this
league were A. M. Briggs, Charles D. Frey and
Victor Elting. They got into communication
with a few men of prominence and of un-
questioned loyalty in each state. These men
were asked to head a state division of the lea-
gue. The state was then divided into local
districts and a man chosen in each to act as
local chief. He was told of the purposes of the
organization and asked to name an assistant
chief, and half a dozen captains who would be
in charge of the operatives. Each captain then
recommended names of from ten to twenty
operatives and a lieutenant or two. If they
were approved by the chief, they were given
necessary instructions and credentials after
taking the oath of service.
This work of organization proceeded very
rapidly. Soon every important county in the
country had representatives at work. The op-
peratives and local officers reported to the
local chief. In many instances the operatives
knew no members of the league other than
those in his own squad.
The local chief reported directly to the gov-
ernment department of justice office in his
district, or to the national headquarters of
the league at Washington, according to the na-
ture of the matter in hand. Mail and tele-
grams were franked. The league's telephone
messages to headquarters took priority over
all private calls.
It is a matter of regret that the membership
of the Racine organization cannot be made
public even yet. The chief is a prominent
business man whose connection with the league
was quite generally known or suspected. Some
of the operatives were known as a result of
their activities in specific cases. But many of
the most effective workers were men in shops,
or even members of alien societies and clubs
whose efficiency was due to the fact that their
connection with the league was never suspect-
ed. Some allowed themselves to become ob-
jects of suspicion. It is contrary to the policy
of the government to permit publication of
names of persons engaged in such work.
The work of the American Protective league
was second in importance only to the military
branches of the service themselves.
A brief recital of conditions at America's
entry into the war will explain the necessity
for a large secret service force of some kind
in this country.
For three years the German and Austrian
governments had been attempting to prevent
the Allies from purchasing supplies in niutral
76
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
nations. The legality of such sales could not
be questioned under international law, but the
Central Powers were proceeding on the prin-
ciple that necessity knows no law. When the
submarine blockade, so-called, did not prevent
these shipments from reaching England and
France, it was decided to have secret agents
destroy machinery, burn factories and ships,
create discord among workmen, "corner" raw
material and interfere with transportation
service. This disregai-d for the rights of a
friendly people was one of the causes of our
entry into the war.
In our own population were many families of
German birth or descent who sympathized
with the Fatherland to some degree early in
the war, and most of them had been taught
from childhood to hate Great Britain and
France. When the Central Powers appeared
to be gaining a military victory, they were
pleased and said so. While not entirely proper
in a neutral country like ours, there was no
way of preventing this. The right of free
speech is guaranteed to all in times of peace.
Funds were raised for German Red Cross work
and for German charities in America, just
as they were for French and Belgian charities.
This sort of thing tended to solidify the Ger-
man-American element and encouraged many
of them to express openly their hopes for a
German victory in the war. When America
was forced into the war, this situation im-
mediately assumed a grave character. Those
who had been shouting for Germany did not
feel like changing their tune at once. Besides
those who were actually enemies at heart, and
perhaps under pay of the German govern-
ment, there were many who were on record
as being anxious to see the Kaiser victorious.
It was essential that reports be made upon
every one of these men and women; that the
traitors and spies be jailed or interned; that
other pro-Germans be warned and made to
keep quiet; that the many rumors about Ger-
man-Americans be investigated and the truth
sifted from the falsehoods. It was, obviously,
too big a job for the small secret service force.
It was also realized that there would be soon a
tremendous work in sight in connection with
the enforcement of the selective service law
and registration of aliens.
When the American Protective league offered
its service to the Department of Justice, the
offer was accepted. As a result, they later put
on the job a quarter of a million high-class,
intelligent men eminently suited for the work,
and yet they were the sort who in ordinary
circumstances could never have been hired by
the government. Their accomplishments more
than justified the confidence placed in them.
Operatives scattered in every shop and office,
in hotels and banks, working on railroads and
boats, and members of lodges and societies,
quickly made reports on all seditious utter-
ances. They investigated complaints against
alleged German sympathizers. They passed
upon the loyalty of all candidates for commis-
sions and government positions. They traced
to their source the numerous stories circulated
with intent to injure the morale of army and
citizens. They prepared evidence regarding
suspects. They inquired into the business of
men travelling from place to place for mysteri-
ous purposes. They unearthed the names of
all who had contributed to German war work,
and of German reservists in America.
When their facts were assembled and writ-
ten — and only provable facts were accepted —
they transmitted them through their local
chiefs to the governmental agencies. The
chief often added his recommendation as to
desirable action. The government then con-
cluded the case — procured an indictment, re-
leased a suspect, published facts to counteract
some enemy lie, interned an enemy alien, or
continued the investigation through other chan-
nels, as the case might be. The league mem-
bers did not make arrests; they gathered evi-
dence.
Aside from the actual work done the league
had a tremendous effect upon enemy activities
in this country because it soon became appar-
ent that the government had "eyes and ears"
everywhere; that it was dangerous to indulge
in seditious remarks anywhere. No one knew
who the federal agents were, but it was evident
that they were numerous and in every conceiv-
able place.
The reports sent out from the Racine branch
to the department of justice were numbered in
the hundreds. A few examples of the duties
of operatives may be cited:
A circular from headquarters asked all local
operatives to be on the lookout for a foreigner
wanted elsewhere. He was suspected of seek-
ing information in factories making products
for the government. It was found that this
man had been in Racine, stopping at a local
hotel. The suspect had paid a bill with a
check. Inquiry at a bank here showed he had
deposited $5000 in a lump at that bank. The
league arranged to watch that account. A few
days later a check for the total balance was
drawn on the local bank in favor of a bank in
an Ohio manufacturing town. The local league
chief notified the department of justice. It
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
77
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
notified the Ohio league agents. They located
the man and put him under surveillance. Evi-
dence was found that he was using the money
for bribing employes of factories engaged in
war work. The secret service was given the
evidence. They siezed the man. His fate is
not known here. The ultimate outcome of but
few cases was known to the league members,
as the government did not often report results
to the organization.
Late in July 1918, the league branches were
told to take steps to round up all slackers and
draft evaders; to carry out the "work or fight"
rule. The Racine branch chose thirty citizens
to act as squad captains, and one hundred state
guardsmen and fifty Spanish War veterans to
assist. They were summoned quietly to the
court house, and the squads formed. The three
companies of men supposed they were to take
part in a parade to greet a visiting notable.
On the night of August 3, all these men were
ordered to report at the Lakeside auditorium.
Thirty automobiles were waiting near the junc-
tion, supposedly to meet a delegation of Great
Lakes Jackies and band. The raiding squads
were told that they were to pick up slackers.
Each squad had certain blocks in which to oper-
ate. All instructions were given quietly. The
autos then came to the auditorium, picked up
the raiders and carried them to their scenes of
operation. Within fifteen minutes the round-
up had commenced. Every man of draft age
who did not have a registration card with him
was taken to the auditorium. There he was
examined, and if he could not produce proof
of his identity and of being properly register-
ed, he was required to produce the necessary
witnesses or was turned over to the police.
Many humorous and semi-tragic incidents
occurred. For several days the newspapers
had carried notices that all men within the
draft age should carry their cards with them
at all times, so no excuses were accepted.
Men coming from theaters were taken away
from the sides of girls they had escorted. One
man stepped from an automobile containing
his wife and baby, to do some shopping. He
was nabbed and unable to return to his
waiting and much worried spouse for nearly
two hours. A blonde young man wept copious-
ly as he told the investigators that he was "in
bad" with his wife and had only been allowed
to go down town that evening on his promise
to be back at 10 o'clock. He feared he never
would be allowed to go out of the house alone
again. He didn't get home until midnight, but
a league representative went with him to ex-
plain to the wife that her recreant husband had
not been carousing but was "engaged in gov-
ernment business and unavoidably detained."
Out of 1500 men rounded up that night,
seventeen were put in the custody of the police
as slackers, suspects or unregistered citizens.
Congress provided the Department of Jus-
tice with efficient instruments when it passed
the espionage act and the anti-sabotage act.
These made it a crime to assist an enemy, talk
against the government, discourage enlist-
ments, interfere or attempt to prevent bond
sales, attempt to prevent manufacture of goods
needed by the government in the war, interi-upt
transportation service, or otherwise hamper
the carrying on of the war. With these defi-
nite laws on the books, the operations of enemy
sympathizers slowed down to a marked de-
gree, and it was possible to promptly arrest
and punish violators. Reports were made on
the character and activities of almost every-
one in Racine suspected of enemy sympathies.
These reports were favorable to the suspect in
many cases, but frequently they resulted in
having the man called "on the carpet," at Mil-
waukee or Chicago and warned by a United
States district attorney as to what was ex-
pected of him. In a few instances Germans or
Austrians were taken from the city in custody
of secret service agents and never returned
again.
A fruitful source of information relative to
men's views on the war was the reports from
civilian committees selling government securi-
ties — Liberty Bonds and Savings Stamps. Fre-
quently men would supplement their refusal to
buy bonds with some remark to the effect that
they didn't "propose to give money to help
England oppress poor Germany," or that
"America has no business in this war." Oc-
casionally boys who were planning to enlist
would repeat the story of how some one ad-
vised them not to enter the army or navy "be-
cause Germany was sure to win, and American
transports were certain to be sunk." All these
things were followed up to see whether the
man making the comment was inspired by real
feelings of treachery to America, or whether
he merely had expressed himself more em-
phatically than was intended, due to some
temporary excitement.
Enemy propaganda was the most difficult
thing with which to deal. No satisfactory
method could be found to reach it without cur-
tailing freedom of press and speech. Warn-
ings from the department of justice generally
had a salutary effect upon persons circulating
harmful stories.
The Protective league did its share in con-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
79
80
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
trolling the menace of I. W .W. agitators and
a few other anarchistic and revolutionary
workers during the course of the war. Such
menaces could be reached only through some
such organization, which would be able to
place agents on the inside of secret societies
and gain the confidence of the promoters. Af-
ter this was done, the task of scattering the
members and breaking up their organizations
was not impossible.
The American Protective league remained in
effect after the armistice. It was disbanded
officially on February 1, 1919, when it received
the thanks of the department of justice and
the military intelligence department of the
army. Most of the members will never receive
any public acknowledgment of their valuable
work. At the most they will only have as
souvenirs the little badges which were used in
emergencies to identify the wearers to mem-
bers of police departments or government
secret service bureaus. These agencies placed
full confidence in the league and acted hand in
hand with it.
The national directors, in closing the affairs
of the league stated in part:
"The mainspring of action of the American
Protective league has been voluntary subordi-
nation to authority, and strength rather than
weakness has developed. The unquestioning
perfoi-mance of arduous tasks; the cheerful ac-
ceptance of rulings on debatable questions of
policy and the complete self-effacement of
most of the members contribute an inspiring
chapter to the league's work in the war. We
admire beyond words the spirit that endured
in silence when everywhere about was the ex-
citement of work in the open, crowned with
public praise. Other citizen leaders and work-
ers were known in their communities and re-
warded with open gratitude of their neighbors.
Others marched with waving flags or spoke
from the public platform. Not so with mem-
bers of the league. So far as their daily work
in the public view was concerned, their lives
gave no answer to the question, 'What are they
doing to win the war?' But their spirit en-
dured and they should have the thanks of a
grateful country."
The very fact that unseen forces were busy
in Racine to root up enemy works and silence
enemy advocates was sufficient to start the
"rumor factories" working overtime. Almost
the first week of the war, stories spread like
wild fire affecting the avirful fate of certain
prominent citizens of German extraction. So
rapidly did these tales spread that there was
no chance to stop them. In April, 1917, a man
went to Milwaukee to buy a suit of clothes.
He returned the same evening, and before he
reached home had been told by no less than
seven persons of a generally-credited report
that he had been taken to Ft. Leavenworth
prison that afternoon by agents of the govern-
ment.
A real estate man with relatives in Germany
finally had to ask the assistance of the news-
papers in squelching a tale to the effect that he
had been "beaten to a pulp" for expressing
pro-German sentiments and was even then un-
der arrest awaiting trial for his life as a spy.
During the war rumors constantly sprang up
regarding the fate of soldiers in France. At
one time, the story spread over night that Bat-
tery F had been wiped out in one day's fight-
ing near Chateau-Thierry and it was a long
time before parents of boys in the battery were
entirely convinced that there was no basis for
a story which was retold by hundreds. Mail
service was so slow to France that similar
stories had plenty of time to go the rounds
before they could be disproved. Use of cables
for private messages was almost entirely pro-
hibited and the censorship made news dis-
patches generally indefinite when dealing with
the identity of units in action.
Along in May, 1917, a report became cur-
rent that a certain Racine man who was bom
in Germany, was preparing to raise a regiment
of his former comrades and march against
Canada. The story gathered momentum as it
travelled, until it carried such details as the
point of rendezvous for his troopers near the
Canadian border; the amount he was paying
for horses with which to equip his cavalry
troop; the hiding place of old army rifles and
shot guns with which he would arm his forces,
etc.
When someone finally confronted him with
all these "facts" and denounced him as a traitor
in our midst, he was probably the most as-
tounded man in the community. He had never
heard a single whisper of the story until it
was put up to him in the most damning form,
with all details complete and seemingly accur-
ate. Fortunately he was able to prove his in-
nocence of the charge. It is doubtful if his
accuser would have been satisfied with the
mere knowledge that the old gentleman was
in no physical condition to ride from here to
Canada, much less to mount a fiery steed and
lead his army across the country to attack
Winnipeg.
One of the interesting incidents with the
rumors about enemy activities had as its hero,
or victim, no less a personage than Mayor
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
T. W. Thiesen of Racine. Mayor Thiesen was
in New York when the two local batteries re-
ceived order to board the transport Leviathan
on March 4, 1917. Troop movements were sup-
posed to be kept secret, of course, and the fact
that the 57th Field artillery brigade was to
sail that day was not known to many persons
outside of Camp Merritt.
The Leviathan was a big ship, however, and
it had a big crew. It was known in New York
city that she was in the Hoboken slip across
the river and was the object of great interest
to passengers on the ferries. The fact that she
was to sail that week was quite generally
known throughout the city, because even sail-
ors talk sometimes. The writer, for one, was
told by a total stranger on the streets of New
York that the transport would sail on March
3 or 4.
Mayor "Bill" Thiesen was told by some of
the people at the camp that the 121st F. A.
was to go on the boat. He was asked not to
say anything about it until they left, and he
agreed, or course.
The day of sailing came. Battery C had
embarked March 2 and Battery F on March 3,
and on March 4 the great vessel backed out of
the slip, and steamed down the bay past the
Statue of Liberty, while thousands upon thou-
sands of men and women cheered her from of-
fice windows, ferry boats and housetops along
the shore. Aeroplanes escorted her, whistling
tugs accompanied her for a ways, and an ob-
servation balloon preceded her, high in the air.
Early in the afternoon the Leviathan was out
of sight beyond the eastern horizon. That
night Mayor Thiesen decided that he owed it
to the anxious parents and friends of the Ra-
cine soldiers to let them know that the boys
had sailed, for the rules prohibited them notify-
ing their parents in advance. He could see no
harm in doing so then, as the facts were well
known by everyone in New York.
He therefore sent three telegrams to Racine
telling of the batteries' departure. They were
addressed to city officials, and one suggested
that the newspapers be informed of the big
news next day. They were.
Then the storm broke. Someone suggested
that the Germans, reading the news, would
send a submarine out to sink the Leviathan.
Everyone knew the Germans would do it if
they could, and didn't stop to think that all the
German agents in New York saw the ship sail
twenty-four hours before anybody in Racine
heard of it and they could communicate with
Berlin rather more easily than a spy could from
Racine.
It was reported that the telegrams from the
Mayor were signed with various names. This
was substantiated. One had been signed "Bill,"
one "Thiesen" and one "Prexy," a nickname ac-
quired by Mr. Thiesen when he was president
of the city school board. Added to all this evi-
dence was the undoubted fact that the mayor
was of German parentage.
When Mr. Thiesen arrived home, expecting
to cheer up the soldiers' parents by telling how
nicely the boys got away on their long journey,
he was met with icy stares. Argument avail-
ed nothing. The fact that the sailing of the
Leviathan was public knowledge all over the
country didn't help him. That he was one of
the most patriotic of war workers couldn't off-
set his German name. The fact that almost
everybody in town was in the habit of calling
him by one or another of the names signed to
the telegrams could not discount the statement
that the use of those different signatures "look-
ed mighty suspicious."
A Racine man wrote a highly colored account
of the matter to the United States district at-
torney. The mayor heard of it and hastened
to Chicago prepared to be thrown in jail as a
spy. He related the whole story frankly. He
was told to return home and "forget your trou-
ble; we don't want you."
But it will be a long time before "Bill" Thie-
sen forgets the outcome of his efforts to spread
good cheer and comfoi-t to the friends of the
Battery boys.
"If the U-boats had ever sunk the Leviathan,
I would have been strung up to a lamp post
before I could have said a word," said Mr.
Thiesen a year later in recounting the episode.
"I don't know yet how they figured that there
could be anything suspicious in my perfectly
plain telegrams, which were accepted without
question by the government telegraph company
at New York, but I guess some people thought
the messages proved me to be the head of the
enemy intelligence service in America."
Nothing was more significant of the tense
nerves of the nation than the uncanny speed
with which rumors of tragedies and catastro-
phes spread from coast to coast, from the
Canadian border to the gulf.
All that was necessary was for some person
to pass some remark, such as "I guess that
tuberculosis is taking a heavy toll of lives
among the soldiers in France," and if two or
three persons heard it, the idea would gain
ground until within a week almost everyone in
the United States would be repeating the
s.ory of terrible lists of deaths as gospel truth,
whether there was any foundation for it or not.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
83
84
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
There is hardly a person today who does not
remember the story that a shipload of Belgian
children had arrived in New York, all of them
with one or both hands cut off by Germans.
The government press bureau declared that the
source of the story could not be traced, al-
though hundreds of intelligence officers and
A. P. L. agents tried to locate its origin. There
is a question whether any Belgian children ever
had their hands cut off by Germans. If they
did, they probably died as a result. None
came to America.
There was a rumor current that hundreds of
American soldiers had returned minus both
legs and both arms and that, classified as
"basket cases" because they were kept in a
sort of clothes basket arrangement, the grue-
some company occupied one entire floor of a
New York hospital. Plenty of people had
"talked with those who had seen them." But
no such case was ever recorded in the annals
of the army medical department during the
war. To a person who took time to think about
it, there would seem little chance for a soldier
who was thus injured on the battlefield to
survive even long enough to be put in a basket.
Almost every civilian in the country "knew
a friend who saw" trainloads of Japanese soldi-
ers going across this country on their way to
France. But none ever went.
In regions from which certain army divisions
came, there would come occasional reports that
entire organizations were drowned at sea or
killed in battle. The war department felt
morally bound to deny these fabrications.
These were the only "wireless rumors" which
the government felt might have eminated from
enemy agents. The purpose may have been to
get the government to disclose the location of
organizations in order to correct the false-
hoods. This would have given the foe valu-
able military information. If this was the
plan, it failed as the location of units was never
given until it was known that the Germans
were aware of the fact through other sources.
CHAPTER XIII
SEMI-OFFICIAL AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
THE Legal Advisory Boards and the as-
sociate legal advisers appointed to as-
sist the boards, performed one of the
most important tasks in connection with the
administration of the Selective Service Law.
The legal adage that "ignorance of the law
excuses no one" could not, as a general proposi-
tion, be applied to the execution of the provi-
sions of this law. After a few months it was
realized that a law applying alike to literate
and illiterate, and the success of which de-
pended upon the promptness with which the
registrants complied with its provisions, could
be successfully enforced only by careful in-
struction of the people as to its requirements.
The American Bar Association volunteered
to assist in finding the remedy for the draft
boards' troubles, and within one week an-
nouncement was made that in every state a
central board of attorneys had been created,
and that within a few days each county would
have a committee of attorneys known as the
Legal Advisory Board, who would see that ev-
ery registrant had an opportunity to obtain
competent legal advice regarding the law. free
of charge.
The bar associations took a firm stand
against any lawyer charging fees for any
service in connection with the draft law, af-
ter the Legal Advisory Board was created.
Claimants for exemption were not permitted
to appear by counsel, as a general thing.
It was so arranged that men could take the
somewhat complicated questionnaire to one of
these advisers and get all necessary assistance
in filling it out. Offices were opened for this
purpose in each draft district.
As a result, the draft boards had but little
difficulty in sorting over and classifying the
questionnaires and they were relieved of the
endless labor which would have been the result
if each registrant had descended upon the
board to have things explained to him.
Legal Advisory Boards were consulted rela-
tive to legislation affecting the selective serv-
ice act. They gave advice to the various war
work organizations. They cooperated with
local boards in effecting the rectification of
classifications in May, 1918 when it was seen
that Class I was not as large as it had been
anticipated. In September, 1918, they were
confronted with a task equal to all they had
accomplished before when the new registra-
tion brought forth thousands of new regis-
trants.
The legal advisory board appointed for Ra-
cine county consisted of Peter J. Myers, Fulton
Thompson and George W. Waller.
The associate members of the board were:
Racine — O. E. Ahrens, M. Armen, H. N. Bacon,
Rev. J. M. Bach, John C. Barry, Thorwald Beck,
Arthur N. Bell, A. J. Berg, Charles O. Beach,
Guy A. Benson, C. O. Bergener, E. B. Belden,
J. F. Bickel, M. C. Bidwell, A. E. Black, George
S. Bliss, Helen L. Blythe, George H. Bolton,
John Breese, J. H. Brannum, R. E. Browne,
Dr. C. F. Browne, George L. Buck, E. E.
Cahoon, Rev. J. W. Carter, Charles V. Carter,
George N. Case, W. H. Carpenter, Martin
Christiansen, Jens A. Christensen, Nels Chris-
tensen, W. S. Coley, H. G. Cowles, S. E. Craig,
George G. Dana, William C. Davis, Joseph
Domanik, Frank F. Dunse, H. F. Edmands,
M. S. Edmonds, W. M. Edmonds, Arthur Ehr-
lich, George N. Ellefson, S. L. Emmett, John O.
Erlands, Malcolm E. Erskine, John B. Ettel-
dorf, E. L. Evans, Thomas A. Fagan, David H.
Flett, Jerome J. Foley, Fred H. Foster, Leslie
M. Fowler, Russell Frank, E. F. Freeman,
H. C. Freeman, H. G. Fyhrie, W. C. Gausch,
John A. Gemmill, C. C. Gittings, Elmer E.
Gittins, E. H. Glantz, H. Goldsworthy, Frank S.
Gordon, Arthur Haas, R. G. Harvey, H. V.
Harvey, E. B. Hand, Edward J. Hate, Frank
L. Haven, Max W. Heck, T. S. Hegard, E. J.
Herrington, Fred J. Hermes, Geo. H. Herzog,
H. E. Hinkle, John C. Hood, W. F. Hood, Josiah
Hocking, Knud Holland, H. G. Hulett, Chas. O.
Jandl, A. R. Janecky, Arthur R. Janes, Sophus
Jeppesen, Arthur N. Jerstad, O. W. Johnson,
85
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
P. E. Johnson, A. Gary Judd, Thomas M. Kear-
ney, Thomas M. Kearney, Jr., Henry S. Keefe,
George H. Kehl, Roswell P. Kelley, A. W.
Koerner, H. M. Koelbel, Martin P. Koke, E. J.
Kraft, Isadore Krasnow, Charles Krenzke,
Prof. Lannerd, A. R. Laube, E. R. Lehman,
H. D. Mann,, W. F. MacGregor, Leo C. Maut-
ner, W. F. McCaughey, Walton H. Miller,
Frank G. Miller, Louis Mogenson, F. A. Morey,
P. W. Morrissey, H. J. Mueller, A. J. Nack,
Rev. J. M. Naughtin, J. C. NeCollins, Harry
F. Nehoda, F. P. Nelson, Sophus Nelson, N. C.
Nelson, C. R. Nevin, Rev. C. S. Nickerson, B. F.
Nield, Charles O'Connor, J. B. Overson, John
W. Owen, Walter C. Palmer, Edward J. Parker,
Joseph J. Patrick, L. A. Pease, P. Walter Pet-
erson, Al. Pfister, T. J. Pryce, William H.
Pugh, Lewis J. Quinn, Walter H. Reed, E. F.
Reitmeier, Edward N. Rice, J. A. Ritt, J. V.
Rohan, C. S. Roherty, John D. Rowland, L. H.
Rowlands, John E. Schelling, Simon H. Sauter,
William Smieding, Robert J. Statz, J. W.
Spenee, A. M. Schneider, W. F. Schimming,
Arthur Simonson, Rev. V. Slavinas, John
Preston Smith, L. W. Smith, Walter S. Smalen-
ski, Viggo Sorenson, T. W. Stewart, F. B.
Swingle, W. D. Thompson, Jack Verfuth, Dr.
P. T. Van Ornum, Harry C. Voss, Mortimer
Walker, Warren H. Walker, D. C. Washburn,
Vilas H. Whaley, J. E. Wilson, W. J. William-
son, A. B. Wilty, John A. Wood, Julius J.
Wosilait, Edward L. Wratten.
Burlington — Joseph T. Groff, John T. Git-
tings, H. W. Halbach, T. Parker Hilbome,
R. H. Fitch, Mattie E. Karcher, Fred W. Kemp-
er, G. F. Meredith, Herbert A. Moussa, Henry
Plucker, William Sanders, F. H. Schwaller,
George E. Stickney, George W. Waller, How-
ard A. Wood, E. J. Wehmhoff, K. A. Stimpson,
Louis H. Zimmerman.
Waterford — Charles E. Apple, Fred Cooper,
Max T. Huber, Richard K. Manaton, Raymond
McCrory, A. J. Smith.
Union Grove — John T. Asby, Henry Barnes,
Anthony N. Erz, W. E. Stone.
In Racine there were from fifteen to twenty-
five of these men on hand at the court house,
and as many at the city hall, all day and until
10 o'clock every evening. The courts adjourn-
ed for weeks at a time so attorneys would be
free to perform these tasks and so that court
rooms could be used for headquarters. At times
one or two hundred men would be lined up
awaiting advice from the hard working board
members and numbered cards were given out
to them so they would be sure to keep their
proper place in line. Some members of the
board devoted almost all of their time to this
work, without any reward.
Offices were established for the board mem-
bers in most of the large factories so the em-
ployes could get the necessary assistance with-
out going down town. With every question-
naire mailed to a registrant went a letter of
instructions showing where he could get free
counsel in regard to the manner of filling it
out.
The board fulfilled an arduous duty well, and
its labors went far toward making the suc-
cessful administration of the draft law possi-
ble. Perhaps no single factor outside of the
draft boards themselves was as important.
The Medical Advisory Board was created in
each community to examine physically those
registrants whose claims for exemption had
been appealed by the registrant, a government
appeal agent or the local board. The boards
were made up of specialists in various branches
of medicine and surgery, and to them were re-
ferred doubtful cases of registrants who had,
or claimed to have, obscure physical defects.
The members served without compensation at
considerable sacrifice to themselves. Natural-
ly, their work was of incalculable value to the
draft boards. The Racine county Medical Ad-
visory Board consisted of Dr. J. S. Keech, W.
P. Collins, W. S. Haven, Emil L. Tompach,
L. E. Fazen, G. W. Nott, T. J. McCrory, J. G.
Meachem, P .T. Van Ornum and F. C. Christen-
sen.
Four Minute Men
The Four Minute Men were speakers who
volunteered their services to lecture on the
war, on drives for funds or such other topics as
the Committee on Public Information at Wash-
ington desired to have put before the people.
Wherever there was an assemblage of people
(as, for instance, at theaters, clubs, political
meetings, etc.,) a Four Minute man made his
appearance to discuss in forceful language
some issue which the government desired to
have elucidated. In this way it was practic-
able to reach those men and women who did
not read the daily newspapers thoroughly.
A. J. Lunt was in charge of the local organi-
zation of Four Minute Men. He arranged to
fill all requests for speakers, and also saw that
invitations for speakers were forthcoming from
such meetings as might prove fertile ground
for the seeds of thought the orators were pre-
pared to scatter.
The following men enlisted for this unique
service: Rev. Charles S. Nickerson, Jerome J.
Foley, Rev. J. M. Naughtin, Elmer E. Gittins,
Milton J. Knoblock, R. G. Harvey, Rev. B. Tal-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
bot Rogers, Peter J. Myers, William D. Thomp-
son, William H. Armstrong, Elbert B. Hand.
L. J. Quinn, Mortimer E. Walker, Guy A. Ben-
son, Max W. Heck, William Smieding, Jr.,
Thomas Kearney, Jr., Thorwald Beck, the Rev.
Arthur MacDavitt, the Rev. J. W. Carter and
Vilas Whaley.
The speakers visited churches, schools, and
public halls to deliver their four minute mes-
sages. One-minute community singing was
finally added to the plan, and this feature was
developed under the direction of Miss Lillian
Watts.
To assure the official character of the brief
speeches they were prepared at National Head-
quarters in continued consultations with the
proper officials of each Government depart-
ment responsible for them and were published
in the form of bulletins from which the speak-
ers were required to select the material for
their speeches during each campaign designat-
ed.
With the exception of the first two or three
which were put on before the oi-ganization was
formed in Racine, Racine Four Minute men
put on the campaign for every bulletin furnish-
ed by the National organization in Washing-
ton and the following- table will serve to indi-
cate just what the Racine Four Minute men
talked about in 1917 and 1918 until their dis-
charge in December 1918.
"Onward to Victory."
"Second Liberty Loan."
"Food Pledge."
"Maintaining Morals and Morale."
"Carrying the Message."
"War Savings Stamps."
"The Shipbuilder."
"Eyes for the Navy."
"The Danger of Democracy."
"Lincoln's Gettysburg Address."
"The Income Tax."
"Farm and Garden."
"President Wilson's Letter to Theaters."
"Third Liberty Loan."
"Organization."
"Second Red Cross Campaign."
"The Meaning of America."
"Mobilizing America's Man Power."
"Where Did You Get Your Facts?"
"Certificates to Theater Members."
"Register."
"Four Minute Singing."
"Fourth Liberty Loan."
"Food Program for 1919."
"Fire Prevention."
"United War Work Campaign."
"Red Cross Home Service."
"What Have We Won."
"Red Cross Christmas Roll Call."
"A Tribute to the Allies."
It is impossible to set an adequate value on
the good accomplished in this patriotic service.
Heavy calls were made upon their time but
they responded willingly and cheerfully and
the high standard of their work was reflected
in the great aid given to the various drives.
Another organization which did good work
during the war was the Wisconsin Loyalty
Legion. This was a state society founded
primarily to stamp out sedition by patriotic
propaganda and, where deemed necessary, to
take part in political campaigns to insure the
election of loyal men to office. The main thing
done was the distribution of literature from
the Bureau of Public Information. Some 4,-
000,000 documents were thus distributed. The
newspapers of the state were supplied with
matter for publication, and the league offered
to provide speakers for large gatherings in
any part of the state. Walter S. Goodland of
Racine was a vice-president of the legion.
Solving the Labor Problem
Wisconsin was first in carrying out the
government's war labor program and received
much praise from national authorities. George
P. Hambrecht was State Director as well as
chairman of the State Industrial commission.
An agent of the United States Public Service
Reserve was named in each county to assist
in recruiting labor for essential industries. A
community war labor board was named in each
industrial center to handle labor questions and
see that there was "a man for every necessary
job." The position of the government was ex-
pressed thus: "If we can have enough shells
in France we can blast our way to Berlin. To
the extent that we fall behind in the supply of
material, we shall have to make up the deficit
from the living bodies of our young men. This
is not rhetoric. It is cold, precise, military
calculation. As soon as Americans realize it
they will cease to carry on 'business as usual'
and swarm into war work."
In every community hundreds of men were
recruited for essential industries and placed in
suitable positions. Toward the end of the war
the hiring of common labor through other chan-
nels than these agencies was prohibited. The
Racine employment office was in charge of
Arthur P. Kuning, W. R. Levy, H. G. Presser,
examiners, and Miss Anna Behrmann, superin-
tendent of women's division.
The Community Labor board consisted of
Arthur P. Kuning, chairman, Angus R. Callen-
der and Miss Sarah Jelliflfe, employers; William
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
89
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90
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
H. Sommers and Miss Sadie Devine, employes.
The local branch of the United States Public
Service Reserve consisted of Warren H. Walk-
er, G. A. Kanters, John Konnack, Russell S.
Olson, Walter H. Reed, Frank Starbuck and
D. E. Callender.
E. A. Polley of Rochester was the county
labor agent.
Isabel Swantz of Union Grove was county
director of the Boys' Working Reserve, design-
ed to aid farmers during vacation periods.
With the first approach of cold weather in
October, 1917, the government asked a survey
of the fuel situation in all parts of the coun-
try. While it was desired to provide enough
fuel to keep American homes comfortable, it
was essential that necessary industries be sup-
plied with all the coal they needed, that trains
and ships be kept moving and, if necessary,
that provision be made to export fuel to our
Allies.
The County Council of Defense appointed a
committee consisting of Messrs. A. C. Mehder,
M. J. Pettit and William Horlick, Jr., to in-
vestigate local conditions. It seemed probable
that Racine had sufficient coal in sight for the
winter, but the question had to be viewed from
a national standpoint and every possible energy
exerted to conserve the supply. The winter
proved to be the most severe in many years.
The Council of Defense finally created a
County Fuel Administration consisting of F.
Lee Norton, Herbert F. Johnson and James V.
Rohan. The state sent a commissioner to
Washington to represent the governor in an
effort to secure shipment of coal to lake ports.
By vigorous action, the county administration
was able to procure through that channel
enough fuel to obviate the danger of a fuel
famine, but citizens resorted almost entirely
to use of soft coal for furnaces. Wood also
became popular as fuel during the war and
people who had not swung an axe in forty
years were glad to obtain a wagon load of
chunks for use in furnace or stove. The Wis-
consin Gas & Electric Company was a big fac-
tor in preventing a fuel famine, for it manu-
factured hundreds of tons of coke weekly as a
by-product of its gas plant. Wagons were of-
ten lined up all night near the plant waiting
for the opening of the yards in the morning,
when the night's output would be ready to dis-
tribute. The company sold the coke as fast
as it was made, reserving only the right to
give priority to the needs of hospitals, public
institutions and homes where there were sick
persons or little children. It also limited de-
liveries to one ton at a time.
Fortunately the winter of 1918-1919 was very
mild and the supply of coal received here up
to the time of the armistice agreement was
ample to carry the city through until spring.
To conserve fuel the public everywhere re-
sorted to such methods as "lightless nights,"
"lightless streets" during the greater part of
the night, and the elimination of electric signs,
lights in show windows, etc. When this tend-
ed to cause people to seek substitutes for lights
obtained from the use of coal, the government
actually prevented a shortage of gasoline for
warships, motor transport and aeroplanes by
decreeing that no gasoline should be used on
Sundays by civilians. It was not a law — only
a request — yet no law was ever more strictly
observed or enforced. A man riding in an
automobile on Sunday was hooted, scoffed at
and perhaps assaulted. A few had forgotten
the edict on the first gasolineless Sabbath, but
they never forgot it again. One experience
with a stern public sentiment was enough.
The patriotic people operated furnaces in
their homes only when absolutely necessary
during the war. There were certain days upon
which no stores were to be heated. Small
things, these seem, yet in the aggregate
amounting to huge sums for the whole country.
And it was these small things, earnestly and
enthusiastically carried into effect by all the
people, which enabled America to go through
the war with a minimum of suffering and with-
out ruining her normal industrial structure and
upsetting her habits of life for all time.
CHAPTER XIV
RACINE'S FINANCIAL OFFERING
THERE were many remarkable features
connected with the financing of the war
by the sale of government bonds to the
people of the country. Racine county's ex-
perience in finance is like that of other places,
excepting that it was a pioneer in some re-
spects and conducted its campaigns more effi-
ciently than most communities.
In previous wars it had been customary to
sell war bonds to banking houses, which under-
took to dispose of them, for a premium, to
wealthy investors. Taking a hint from the
methods used in Europe, the United States
started out to make as many people as pos-
sible owners of the bonds. This would give
every family a new sort of personal interest
in the conflict and in the welfare of govern-
ment. It offered additional opportunity for
spreading government propaganda. Immense
amounts must be paid in interest on the bonds,
and it was felt that this should go to as many
people as possible, inasmuch as everyone
would have to assist in redeeming the paper
later on. Instead of paying fiscal agents to
sell them, the interest rate could be made more
attractive to the prospective purchaser, at no
greater cost to the government. Finally, it
was believed that everyone was anxious to help
as best he could, and the people would wel-
come this method of aiding the forces in the
field.
The first big problem was that of educating
the masses to the character and purpose of
bonds. Probably not one in five hundred men
had ever owned one. This universal ignorance
of long term investments made the progress of
the first loan slow. The difficulty decreased
with each succeeding loan until by the time the
Victory loan was floated in the spring of 1919
there was no one who did not know all about
the advantages of government bonds.
The first loan demonstrated, however, that
merely offering the bonds for sale at banks
and other places would not answer the pur-
pose. Volunteer salesmen must go into the
offices and homes, explaining the project and
appealing to the patriotism of the individuals.
There wei'e few who could raise the objection
of poverty, for the bonds were in denomina-
tions as low as $50 and $100, and were to be
sold on the installment plan. By the practice
of economy, which the nation demanded of
everyone anyway, a bond was within the reach
of all who were earning money or obtaining
any sort of an income. To overcome the last
possible obstacle, the banks were willing to
loan money to those temporarily unable to buy,
but who wanted to do so.
When the loans began to be floated, there
was one question which was in the mind of
thinking men: What effect will it have upon
our banks to draw out these millions of dol-
lars in deposits and have the vast sums sent
away to be used for government purposes ? It
did seem as though it might decrease the de-
posits to almost nothing. However, the banks
saw their duty, and from the start of the war
asked for no quarter in this respect. They
knew the government must have the money,
and if it closed them up in the process they
would take their medicine. Incidentally, they
proposed to handle the bookkeeping for the
installment payments, and subscribe to large
amounts of bonds themselves.
Without waiting to put the details in their
proper chronological order, a summary of the
effect of the bond sales upon the banks of the
county will show the unexpected climax:
Deposits in Racine city banks
Oct. .31, 1914 $ 7,296,794.44
Deposits in same banks June
30, 1919 13,498,450.79
Deposits in country banks Oct.
31, 1914 2,539,517.50
Deposits in same banks June
30, 1919 4,028,937.40
A total gain in deposits of $ 7,691,076.26
92
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
But during- that same period the people had
boug-ht Liberty Bonds of the value of $16,-
201,000.00.
These figures indicate that the people of the
county gained in actual money wealth some-
thing like $23,892,000 during the war, for the
bonds they bought were as good as gold when
the victory came to the banners of the Amer-
ican army. Of course there should be sub-
ti-acted from that amount the unknown sums
previously hoarded in homes.
The people had more money than ever, the
banks had prospered beyond all precedent,
wages were high (and prices also) and all this
in spite of the fact that the nation was turn-
ing its energies to the manufacture of things
meant only for destruction, and 4,000,000 of
the most efficient men of the nation had been
engaged in unproductive employment in army
and navy.
Before the war started in Europe, statesmen
said it could not begin because the financial
condition of the countries involved was too
poor to permit of a titanic struggle such as
was forecast.
After the war opened, many financiers said
it could not continue many weeks, because
every belligerent nation would be bankrupt
and unable to supply their armies and navies
with necessities.
They were wTong. No belligerent did with-
out a single gun, a single ship or a single
round of ammunition because of lack of mon-
ey. Germany, suiTounded as she was by the
encii'cling ring of her enemies, had millions
and millions in gold ready to buy everything
she needed if the means could only be found
to import them. Great Britain and France
were able to purchase every item they wanted
in America and in other neutral countries.
Their only limitation was in the number of
vessels in which to carry the goods across the
seas. They could have paid for any number
of ships if there were any to be bought. The
credit of every nation remained ample. All
that was necessary was to mortgage the future
for as many generations as was deemed suffi-
cient. Lack of money did not bother them as
much as it did the Confederate States, which
fought for three years after they were bank-
rupt in 1862.
America had profited immensely from the
war up to the time of her entry into it. For-
eign gold and paper came in great quantities
to pay for war supplies, and there was noth-
ing the belligerent nations had to offer us in
exchange for the goods, excepting money.
Our impoi'ts almost ceased. As a result our
own money stayed at home. Millions of dol-
lars annually remained here which in normal
times would have been expended in foreign
travel and for the pui-chase of such luxuries
and souvenirs as travellers are accustomed to
pui'chase.
The people of this country, watching the
struggle abroad, were more cautious of ex-
penditures. Factories were inclined to save
their profits instead of expanding during such
unsettled times Individuals cut down ex-
penses.
When we entered the war the habits of
economy became more pronounced among the
masses. The government needed supplies
pi'omptly and spent money lavishly to get
cjuick results. Protected by government con-
tracts, many manufacturing concerns expanded
their plants and hired all the men they could
get. Farmers raised more, and were paid
higher rates than ever under government
guarantee of prices. Everyone who worked
prospered. Only the soldier, the sailor and
the people living on small fixed incomes suf-
fered financially from the war. As so often
happens, some people made fortunes through
favorable war contracts, and many, indeed,
earned them by their services, sorely needed.
Many wealthy men gave their services to the
government at a salary of $1 a year.
In Racine, people who had been in the habit
of spending their money in larger cities re-
mained at home. Travelling was discouraged.
Economy was urged. Money earned here was
either spent here or banked. Factories mak-
ing war supplies drew back to Racine much of
the money which had been sent away for Lib-
erty bonds. Other plants manufacturing lines
outside of war supplies were busy supplying
customers with tractors, farm machinery, mo-
tors, and hundreds of other products which
were necessary to carrying on the nation's
business.
They brought added millions of money to
town. Even those concerns whose output was
limited by government order appeared to pros-
per because of increased prices.
A vei-itable "wheel of fortune" resulted; a
circular chain of finance. The people saved
money and bought bonds, which enabled the
government to buy supplies here and else-
where, which gave local factories lots of work,
which brought money to the city, which was
paid out in wages and dividends, which were
again invested in bonds, and so on. Just as
the banks of Germany were overflowing vnth
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
93
94
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
money after four years of devastating warfare,
so the banks of Racine found themselves ex-
panded beyond their wildest dreams by the
very process which had seemed more likely to
reduce them to the proportions of a village
counting house.
Of course, some one has to pay for the ex-
pense of the war. Future generations of
Americans will do it in part. The present
generation is doing it now. But the custom-
ary post-war decrease in the value of money
already has tended to make the burden much
easier than might have been expected. It is
not hard to pay a debt of $1 with a $1 which
is worth only half in labor or goods what it
was when the debt was contracted. In 1914
a dollar was a third of a day's pay for skilled
mechanics in many lines. It was the equiva-
lent of a bushel of wheat. In 1919 the dollar
used to pay off the debt, was but a sixth of
the same mechanic's daily wage. It took less
than half a bushel of the fai-mer's wheat to
pay off his dollar of indebtedness.
The United States financed the war largely
by bonds. The five issues amounted to $18,-
500,000,000. The amount was huge, but every
issue was over-subscribed. In the case of the
last two or three, it required only a couple of
weeks to sell them all.
For the entire country, the per capita sales
averaged $162.54. In Racine county, the aver-
age sale per capita was $192.40, or 147 per
cent of the amount of bonds allotted to the
county. Of the total, the banks of the city of
Racine themselves subscribed to $1,696,100.
The other banks of the county took bonds
worth $262,350. The city banks took rather
more than their share according to the per-
centage of deposits, while those outside of the
city took less. All together, they absorbed
11 Vs per cent of the county's total of bonds.
Following is a tabulation showing the dates
of the various bond issues during the war, the
amount of them allotted to this county, the
number of individual purchasers, and the value
of the bonds bought:
Date Quota Buyers Amount
May, 1917 $ 941,000 6,663 $ 1,815,350
Oct., 1917 2,646,000 9,418 3,384,350
Apr., 1918 1,641,000 20,394 3,360,200
Oct., 1918 3,601,800 23,224 4,427,050
Apr., 1919 2,776,400 18,330 3,214,050
Total $11,606,200 78,029 $16,201,000
Every loan saw Racine county "go over the
top" with a large margin to spare. In the
third loan, floated just as the American army
was preparing to take a major part in the
operations in France and the first large casual-
ty lists were beginning to appear, the county
subscribed to bonds amounting to 221 per cent
of the quota assigned. There were 20,394 in-
dividual subscribers. This percentage was
never equalled, but the total sales and number
of subscribers was exceeded on the fourth
loan, floated just at the time that Germany
was being crushed beneath the weight of the
American armies this money was helping to
equip and supply.
The Council of Defense was appealed to by
the government to handle the first loan, in
May, 1917. No instructions were given or
advice offered. The county was asked to take
$941,000, which seemed a pretty big sum at
the time. A committee consisting of F. Lee
Norton, W. H. Armstrong, H. N. Bacon, War-
ren J. Davis, W. C. Hood, A. F. Erickson, Wil-
liam Horlick, Jr., O. W. Johnson, F. J. Osius,
L. J. Quinn, H. J. Rogers and John Weichers
was appointed to plan the sales.
It was decided to try selling the bonds over
the counter at the banks. To assist in this,
advertising space was used in newspapers and
the banks themselves urged their customers
to invest. In three weeks a third of the issue
was sold, but as the campaign was to close
June 15, it was realized that something must
be done to speed matters up, and it was also
appreciated that what was needed was the
education of the people to both the necessity
and the wisdom of buying the Liberty bonds.
It was to assist in the advertising of this
loan that the huge Loyalty parade was held
on May 29, 1917. Business was suspended and
practically the entire city participated in this
parade, despite a drizzling rain. On June 7
the loan committee called a meeting of a num-
ber of business men and it was decided to fin-
ish up the campaign -ttith a week's drive simi-
lar to those organized in years past to raise
large sums of money for local institutions.
In substance, this involved the appointment of
a central executive board which would appeal
to wealthy people and factories, and a large
number of "teams" of five workers each, headed
by a "major," who would by dint of numbers
be able to make a rapid canvass of houses,
stores and factories. This sort of organization
was formed roughly and the members of the
teams were carefully coached in the educa-
tional talks which must be given to the people,
if the bonds were to be sold.
Although the plan was hastily adopted, it
sent Racine county "over the top" within the
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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96
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
week, and not only that but the subscriptions
were ahnost double the allotment. These
pioneer workers had answered the question of
how to do it, and thereafter the subscription
of Liberty loans was never a matter for worry
in Racine county.
Other problems than the mere amount of
money to be gotten did arise, however. It was
desired that everyone should become a partner
of the government in this war enterprise, and
as time went on the faithful solicitors not only
tried to over-subscribe their quota, but they
"hitched their wagon to a star" and proposed
to devote their utmost efforts to see that every-
one in the whole county owned at least one
bond.
While this was not accomplished literally,
perhaps, the total sales to 78,029 subscribers
in five drives indicate that they did not fall
far short of their goal. In the first loan little
attempt was made to sell bonds outside of the
city.
When announcement was made regarding
the second loan, the people of this and every
other community received a jolt. They had
decided that by hard work they could dupli-
cate the result of the first campaign, in spite
of the fact that many had subscribed to an
amount which they felt was their limit. But
they drew a deep breath when they were in-
formed that Racine county's quota this time
would be three times as great as before, or
$2,646,000. The solicitation of such an amount
of money w-as by all odds the biggest thing
ever attempted in the covmty. However, there
was no faltering. It had to be done, and it
was deemed wise to take another leaf from
the book of peace-time solicitors and do it
quickly. It was resolved to finish it in one
week.
On Oct. 3, 1917, a meeting was held at the
Commercial club to perfect an organization
for selling the bonds. J. V. Rohan, John
Dwight, Otis \V. Johnson, F. Lee Norton and
Herbert F. Johnson formed the executive
board. 0. W. Johnson was chosen as general
chaii-man. J. V. Rohan was given charge of
the work in the city, and Peter J. Myers of
the woi-k in the rest of the county. John
Weichers was to have charge of solicitation
in factories. Mrs. John W. Owen, chainnan
of the Woman's Committee of the Council of
Defense agi'eed to organize the women to as-
sist. At another meeting on Oct. 1.3 it was
decided to incorporate the Boy Scout troops
into the Liberty Loan organization, and they
did fine work in all subsequent drives.
The second campaign began Oct. 15, and at
noon that day the captains of the various
teams reported about $800,000, or veiy near-
ly a third of the quota, subscribed. By Thurs-
day, Oct. 18, only $100,000 was needed. On
the following day the quota was $125,000
over-subscribed, and the workers decided to
keep on so as to overcome a possible shortage
elsewhere. By Saturday night sales of $3,-
384,350 were recorded.
It was six months later when the third loan
was floated, and Racine sui-passed all its
previous records. The drive was fixed for the
week beginning April 13. It opened with a
half holiday. All places of business were
closed in the afternoon, and at 2:30 o'clock
there was a huge civic parade, headed by a
naval band from Great Lakes naval station,
and including nearly 16,000 men and women.
More than 1,500 marched under the banner
of the Red Cross society. Business institu-
tions were represented by floats. Two features
were a huge replica of a howitzer, and a "life-
sized" tank, bristling with guns. These were
made at the plant of the J. I. Case T. M. Co.
After the parade a great mass meeting was
held at Lakeside auditorium, where W. S.
Goodland of Racine, Clarence Darrow of Chi-
cago and others delivered patriotic addresses.
The first meeting and luncheon for workers
was held the following day, Tuesday, and it
was reported that sales of $1,000,000 worth
of bonds had been made. Before the end of
the week the whole quota was taken, and it
was agreed to double it. The workers went
at the job with a whoop, and continued the
campaign for another five days until the total
had reached $3,360,200, or 221 per cent of the
allotment. Hardly a family could be found
which had not invested in one or more bonds,
and those who did fail to buy were marked
from that time forth.
Just as the families who had boys in the
ai-my would not give aid and sympathy to
"slackers" desiring to evade sei-\'ice, so those
who had "given until it hurt" would accept no
excuses from those who v.-ere unwilling to loan
their money to the government in time of need.
Refusing to purchase a bond, or trying to sell
it after it was purchased, was looked upon as
a despicable act, and mere excuses did not
sei-ve to clear the name of the offender. The
selling of the bonds was discouraged because
it was thus passed on to a person who might
othei-wise have purchased from the govern-
ment, and was now unable to do so.
One man was subjected to very severe criti-
cism. He bought a considerable quantity of
bonds— perhaps $10,000— later sold $9,000 of
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
97
QUOTA SENT OUT SEPTEMBER 6, 1917 FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Marius E. J. Wisby, Erwin H. Sorenson. Cornelius Rooney, William R.
Raney. Olaf J. A. Furrenes.
QUOTA FOR CAMP SHERMAN AUGUST 26, 191S FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were iisted for entrainment the following: — Franit J. Kaiser, Edward Kunz, Charles L. Erickson, James Aceto, Jim
Sabo, Herbert H. Stoffen, Nazar Dadien, Rosso Gogliardo.
QUOTA FOR JEFFERSON BARRACKS OCTOBER 1, 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 1
The following were listed for entrainment: — Edward Jos. Ruetz, Herbert C. Hoffert, John M. Albino, Louis L. Nielsen,
Gerald O. Bernard. Floyd P. Shephard. George W. Bartlett, George B. Gates, George R. Spangenberg, Joseph Fucilla,
John Andersen, Walter C. Schubert, Romain Lonage, Wallace E. Baumann, Aaron C. Matson, Stanley Boguszewicz,
Nicholas Baddaker. Those shown in the picture are: — Byron A. Gere, Fred Wm. Schacht, Franklin A. Schacht, Harold V.
Brown, Edward J. Cashman.
98
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
them for $8,700. He felt willing to stand the
loss of the ?300 and thought liis action all
right. The public felt differently, however.
They pointed out that he had received praise
for making a generous purchase of bonds.
Therefore he should keep them. The men who
bought of him would have then been able to
buy 88,700 worth of bonds from the regular
salesmen and thus increase the county's show-
ing. In other words, the original buyer had
obtained considerable advertising for the sum
of $300 and had sidestepped his obligation. He
was bitterly spoken of by all who heard the
stoiy.
Bonds were supposed to be purchased to
the very limit of one's ability, and then were
to be kept. That was the unwritten rule.
To do othenvise would be like a soldier hiring
a substitute, and this was prohibited absolute-
ly by law.
The government desired that the bonds be
held by as many persons as possible. It
would have prohibited traffic in them were it
not that they had to be negotiable to be a de-
sirable investment for the future. So public
sentiment was depended upon to do what could
not be done by law.
The county was presented with a service
flag bearing a bar for each time the county
went "over the top" on a drive. For doubling
the quota in the third loan, it received a star
on its flag.
The fourth loan was floated in October,
1918. The end of the war was in sight if
America continued to exert evei-j- ounce of
effort. It was believed that the way the peo-
ple responded to this new demand for loans
would have an appreciable effect upon our
Allies as well as our enemies. By this time
the people knew all about bonds. The need
for education had passed. All were prepared
to give and give again to the vei-y end of their
resources.
The campaign opened on October 8 with
practically the same organization as before.
Nearly two-thirds of the quota was subscribed
the first day. Enthusiasm ran high at the
meeting of workers. Following an address
by Ml'. Rohan, he was authorized by unani-
mous vote to send a telegram to President
Wilson declaring: "We are unanimous in de-
manding unconditional surrender as the only
terms to be considered."
On Friday the quota of $3,601,000 had been
suipassed by $300,000. On the following day
another half million dollars was reported. Of
all the campaigns, this was the easiest from
the standpoint of the solicitors. Fonner sub-
scriptions were duplicated, then doubled and
tripled without argument or urging.
Prior to the opening of the campaign, cards
had been prepared showing what each person
had bought before. No one could make any
false claims about his foiTner record on bonds,
if he wanted to. Various devices invented
elsewhere to humiliate "slackers," such as "yel-
low tickets," painting a house yellow, visits by
"night riders," etc., were not needed in this
county to obtain the desired total of sales. In
a fe\\- instances some rather harsh language
was used to men who still maintained that
their interest in the war did not waiTant them
investing money in Liberty bonds. But not
even people of pro-Gei-man tendencies cared
to be brought to public attention through their
failure to do this much for their country.
Five months after war ended, the fifth, or
Victory Loan, was floated by the government.
It was required to close up the war, bring
the troops back home, and pay for many of
the things used in bringing the conflict to a
successful conclusion.
Now that the fighting and the shouting
had become things of the past it was suspect-
ed that it might be rather difficult to sell the
county's quota of $2,776,400. The fears were
not realized. The same workers as before
assumed the task on April 2.5, 1919. Within
two days the county had almost subscribed its
full share, and by the end of the week all lo-
calities were able to report the task com-
pleted. The subscriptions totaled $3,214,050.
Considering the conditions, this result was
perhaps the most remarkable of any in the
history of the five drives for funds.
The men who devoted their time and best
efforts to the accomplishment of the Libei-ty
Loan work are desei-\'ing of great pi'aise.
Their task was hard, often disagi"eeable and
had no reward beyond the knowledge of a duty
vrell done.
It is impossible to give the names of all
who participated in eveiy Loan campaign.
There were some who were appointed to teams,
and then dropped because they failed to give
the necessary time to it. Some worked dili-
gently in some campaigns, and were prevent-
ed from doing so in others, by reason of ill-
ness, absence from the city or pressure of
other affairs.
In the main, however, the organization re-
mained the same throughout the year and the
list of Victory Loan workers presented here-
with is also fairly representative of all the
other drives:
O. Vi. Johnson, Racine County Chaimian.
J. V. Rohan, City of Racine Chainnan.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
99
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100
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
P. J. Myers, Chairman Outside of Racine
City.
Horace Sims, Chainnan Speakers' Bureau.
Arthur Simonson, Publicity Chairman.
Executive Committee — F. Lee Norton, chair-
man; M. H. Pettit, A. J. Lunt, Arthur Simon-
son, O. W. Johnson, J. V. Rohan, H. F. John-
son, Wan-en J. Davis, F. J. Osius, J. H.
Dwight, George Murphy, W. H. Loomis, Horace
Sims.
First Ward — David Winters, major; William
Pultz, J. R. Powers, Edward Zahn, Edward
Schowalter, Fred Hei-mans.
First and Eighth Wards — A. F. Erickson,
major; M. N. Gales, E. E. Gittins, W. E.
French, F. J. Hermes, J. A. Christensen.
Second Ward— E. E. Russell, A. A. Steel,
O. J. Thomas, L. P. Munroe, Elmer Durgin.
Third Ward — R. E. Browne, major; G. G.
Jones, P. Walter Peterson, T. J. Dickinson,
Oscar Hoppe.
Fourth Ward — Thoma?; A. Fagan, major;
George L. Buck, Sol Haas, Fred Greene, E. B.
Funston, Fred Bauman, F. A. Morey, Robert
Sieber, George Caystile, Edward Freeman, P.
T. Stoffel, V. Joseph Jandl.
Fifth Ward— C. R. Nevin, major; John
Carls, Leslie Fowler, A. G. Hemies, Frank R.
Starbuck. N. Rice.
Sixth Ward— E. B. Hand, major; P. H. Bat-
ten, W. J. McElroy, Elmer C. Green, J. H.
Brannum, W. F. McGregor, Jerome I. Case,
John Reid, Arthur Ehrlich, Fred Laper, D. B.
Eisendrath, George B. Wilson.
Seventh Ward — John A. Bro^\'n, major;
John Peterson, Frank Weiss, Ernest Mrkvicka,
Joseph Dollister, Peter Nelson, R. M. Har-
bridge.
Ninth Ward — W. T. Dooley, major; George
Due, N. C. Christensen, Dan Casterton, Rob-
ert Hindley, Jlathew Keefe, C. C. Mortenson,
C. E. Pollard, L. W. Smith, W. R. Gittings,
Edward Acklam, Josiah Hocking.
Tenth Ward — Boyd Adams, major; J. F.
Bickel, A. A. Bishop, W. E. Loomis, Frank
Rogers.
Eleventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Wards —
Warren H. Walker, major; R. P. Howell, A. H.
Harris, M. L. Blodgett, A. H. Black, C. W.
Chapin, Otto Hueifner, Arthur Schroeder, W.
A. Walker, C. B. Cook, Thomas Lloyd, James
Pritchard, Fulton Thompson, N. C. Nelson,
Jerome Ritter, W. F. Kisow, Fred Haumerson,
Will Rohan, William Richardson, W. F. Saw-
yer, A. H. Barnes, James Bennett, D. Eugene
Callender, Caleb Olson, James Collier, Horace
Sims, John Pugh, Matt Cooper, William Os-
borne, A. A. Guilbert, Louis Hoi'^ath.
Thirteenth Ward — W. H. Carpenter, major;
J. S. Hart, J. M. Jones, Jolm Sieb, E. McAvoy,
Fred Foster, N. Christensen, Edward Cahoon,
E. J. Harvey, Henry Wiegand, J. D. Rowland.
Fifteenth Ward — Harold Smith, major; A.
J. Ki'oupa, B. J. Rohan, Joseph Kaiser, J. E.
Bright, George Schmitz, J. H. Asdahl, E. H.
Wadewitz, M. E. Erskine, L. J. Quinn.
Lakeside — L Friedman, major; Willianr
Smieding, Jr., W. C. Davis, Charles Van
Oi-num, W. F. Walker, W. S. Goodland.
Coimty Employees — W. C. Palmer, major;
John J. Barry, Martin Christensen, George
Kehl.
City Employees — George Jorgenson, major;
P. H. ConnoUey, August Eisenhut, Charles
Ryba, James Cape, H. C. Baker, C. E. Longe-
necker.
Factory Team — M. H. Pettit, major; Warren
Walker, F. J. Kidd, Harold Freeman, A. R.
Calendar, R. C. Rueschaw, P. H. Batten, W.
E. Loomis, George Wherry, D. B. Eisendrath,
R. P. Howell, C. A. Armstrong, A. H. Barnes,
F. R. Pettit, B. M. Pettit.
Women's Committee Chaimian — Mrs. Jolin
W. Owen.
First Ward — Mrs. Joseph Mrkvicka, major;
Mrs. W. P. Pultz, Mrs. Gertrade Williams,
Mrs. Fred Laper, Mrs. A. A. Mack, Mrs. L.
V. Hinds.
Second Ward — Mrs. T. F. Powers, major;
Mrs. W. B. Robinson, Mrs. J. Lawton, Mrs.
William H. Annstrong, Mrs. E. R. Wagoner.
Third Ward — Mrs. W. J. Payne, major; Mrs.
Harry Campbell, Miss Rose Tears, Miss Clara
Driver, Mrs. Harry Mann.
Fourth Ward — Mrs. Joseph Prostrednik,
major; Mrs. John Konnak, Mrs. Jacob Bauni-
stark, Mrs. Rose Jensen, Mrs. Sidney Miku-
lecky, Mrs. John Burkhert.
Fifth Ward — Mrs. Jens Jensen, major; Miss
Louise Jensen, Mrs. J. E. Wilson, Mrs. J. T.
Chj-noweth, Mrs. J. H. Campbell, Mrs. Holger
Bing.
Sixth Ward— ]\Irs. W. C. Dow, major; Mrs.
Charles Van Omum, Mrs. Marshal Moses,
Miss Camille Bennett, Mrs. Charles Nelson,
Mrs. Charles Killian.
Seventh Ward — Mrs. W. S. Dooley, major:
Mrs. John Lutz, Mrs. F. W. Archer, Mrs.
George Herzog.
Eighth Ward— Mrs. Matt Wilke, major;
Mrs. George E. Peterson, Mrs. E. F. Hilker,
Mrs. George Lynch, Mrs. Alva Foster, Mrs. G.
E. Gustafson, Mrs. Gruetzmacher.
Ninth Ward — Mrs. M. J. Goepfert, major;
Mrs. George Goepfert, Miss Olga Rasmussen,
Mrs. Louis Nelson, Mrs. Charles Kammerer.
Tenth Ward — Mrs. Joseph D. Williams,
major; Mr.s. H. C. Lawton, Mrs. Fred Fair,
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
101
QUOTA FOR CAMP GREENLEAF SEPTEMBER 3, 191S FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Robert J. Chappell. Louis Wesa, John H. Rulle. Frederick C. Nielsen,
Leo R. Draves, Sigilfredo Governatori. Percy S. DeBrier. Lor in \V. Clark, Ray W. Blatz, Georjre Miller. Geo. Halberstadt,
G. B. Rierson, David Wright. Harry F. Krupp, Joseph Summsrs, C. Plocek, J. J. Schwartz. Ed. Amundson, M. Catapana.
QUOTA FOR SYRACUSE. N. V.. Al'GUST 1. 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following:: — John A. Thorjr?nson. Adolph H. Knolle, Lars R. Meyer. Joseph J.
Mastiaus. Edwin Schuiz, William H. Shook. Finer Hansen. WilLam H. Rwapil.
QUOTA FOR CAMP TAYLOR AUGUST 2. 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following: — A. C. Wa^ilewski, Camelo Minitte, Arthur A. Pahl, Howard L. Machia.
George B. Sleigh. Henfy Cipar. John Halverson, Ezegial Antrasian, Walter E. Anderson. Gaetono Presta, Frank Rahdatz,
Bernard Loener, Hans Prins. Adolph P. Zimprich. Peter Rasniussen, Austin Jannes Craney, James Gibbs. John Bohrmann.
Harry Alperson, Joe Tappy. Hugas Melkesian. Pietro Carraro. Peter N. Boye, Frank Lia, Reinhold Hopke, Carl B. Thomp-
son, Arthur Francis, Ben Silvermann, Frank J. Schliesmann, Paul F. Wolff Jr., Nick J. Jerger, Sahag Kaiserlian, Raffaele
Nicotera, Herbert Falk, Irving F. James. George Jensen. Adolph Hoppe, Henry Qualheim, Chas. Lamar, Howard Layton,
Joseph Zabac, Charles W. Arndt. Frederick E. Coles, Harry Maidens.
102
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Mrs. W. C. Palmer, Mrs. Charles Van Omum,
Mrs. John R. Powers, Miss Tessie Mooney.
Eleventh Ward — Mrs. S. Sklute, major;
Mrs. Prank Miller, Mrs. L. F. Miller, Miss
Bessie Spence.
Twelfth Ward — Miss Ada Johnson, major;
Miss Amanda Johnson, Mrs. H. C. Hotchkiss,
Mrs. A. P. Vreeland, Mrs. Charles Personette,
Mrs. E. E. Bailey.
Thirteenth Ward — Mrs. R. L. Soule, major;
Mrs. W. H. Carpenter, Mrs. Andrew Dietrich,
Mrs. A. T. Kerr, Mrs. Louis Swenson, Mrs.
William Pauli, Mrs. Menzo Wait.
Fourteenth Ward— Mrs. C. W. Carter,
major; Mrs. Boyd Adams, Mrs. Mary Rohan,
Mrs. Raymond Weins.
Fifteenth Ward — Mrs. E. A. Taylor, major;
Mrs. J. C. Spencer, Mrs. John Pugh, Jr., Miss
Josephine Carroll, Mrs. E. C. Billings, Miss
Frances Herzog, Miss Margaret Eaton.
Burlington — H. A. Runkel, Eda Meinhardt,
Albert Meinhardt, Herbert A. Moussa, George
A. Uebele, John T. Prasch, G. C. Rasch, Fred
Itzen, C. Roy McCanna, Walter Keebler, H. E.
Zimmermann, L. H. Zimmermann, W. R. Dever,
F. N. Brehm, Mrs. G. A. Harper, Mrs. J. W.
Powers, Miss Minnie Schwaller, Mrs. J. M.
Christenson, Rev. P. H. Dreis, Rev. T. P. Hil-
bourne, Mrs. John T. Prasch, Ralph Storey,
William Rosenberg, Fred L. Wilson, Robert
Southey, John C. Yonk, Dr. W. A. Prouty, I. G.
Wheeler, George W. Waller.
Caledonia — Frank McCullough, John D. Dan-
ek, Arthur Kittinger, George L. Smith, Joseph
Smerchek, Q. P. Sand, W. C. Robotka, Joseph
Stephan, Philip Siegel, N. H. Fuhrman, Leon-
ard Thelen, Herman Erbe, Joseph Peterka,
John Kovar, Mat Matson, Joseph W. Miku-
lecky, John Spang, John Smerchek, Alex Sand,
G. J. Ellis, Patrick Williams, Vincent Novak,
Sr., A. L. Thomas, Hub Sebastian, William Ul-
rich, Frank Morris, W. G. Lorence, Arthur
Peklo, Edward Robotka, Paul Smerchek, Ruebin
Klofanda, George Bouska, Frank Kwapil, Er-
nest Frudenwald, Erwin Halter, Albert H.
Braun, Frank Peterka, Edward Schelling.
Burlington Township — William Beck, Leo
Albright, William K. Bushnell, George J.
Bieneman, Mrs. Louise A. Cunningham, Jacob
Kramer, D. A. Warren, William Bauman,
Frank Boschert, Newton Bottemley, Nettie E.
Karcher.
Noi-way Township — H. F. Johnson, Robert
Smiley, Albert Smiley, Albert Andersen, Mar-
tin Anderson, H. J. Ellertson, Albert Malchin,
Jul. Christenson, J. E. Jacobson, J. A. Jacob-
son, Thomas Overson, J. L. English, J. A. An-
derson, Thos. Hanson, Abe Storley, Harvey
Britton, H. P. Olson, Theodore Bauer, O. M.
Johnson, J. J. Buckstorf, Albert Hanson.
Corliss — A. G. Cady, Charles Nystrom, E. H.
Christensen, J. E. Christensen, M. H. Lee, J.
T. Lee, J. L. Holm, Joseph Weber, H. M.
Lingsweiler, Elmer Acklam, Chris Jacobsen,
William Osborne, J. C. Burns, J. W. Simmons,
Louis Kradwell, Harry Sorenson, Louis Ras-
mussen, A. O. Spear, John Hanson, M. H.
Herzog.
Waterf ord Village — Charles E. Frost,
George Sopham, Arthur Smith, Walter Jones,
William Sanders, G. W. Schenkenberg, Ed-
ward Leakee, Ernest Miller, J. D. Robei'ts,
Walter Belt, Jr., A. S. Titus.
Waterford Township — R. E. Bennett, Charles
Meyer, H. C. Greeley, Arthur Peacock, George
Peacock, H. O. Bayley, Mrs. Bert Brown, Bert
BrovsTi, Herbert Weltzine, James McDonald,
William Herbert, H. M. Bendickson, Mrs. E.
Beardsley, Elaine Beardsley, James Greeley,
Henry Krueger, John Alasson, Ira Earushaw,
Morris Healy, Le Roy Morrow, Walter Morton,
Elisha Lewis, Jr., Fi'ed Mochu, Ernest Rauke,
John Peters, Mrs. John Bennett, Henry Caley,
Fremont Utter, O. H. Bayley, Mrs. Elaine But-
tles, Elaine Buttles, G. H. Caley.
Raymond — Mrs. Thomas Morgensen, Miss
Viola Lindeman, David Ketvis, Stephen Jonas,
Jacob Stephenson, Charles Hindel, Thomas
Morgensen, Michael Posansky, Elmer W.
Moyle, Allen J. Hay, Hans E. Kastinson, Wal-
ter Shimmway, Sherman Brice, L. C. Christen-
sen.
Mount Pleasant — John D. Jones, Charles
Ybema, Arthur Schacht, Emmert Emmertsen,
Walter Pearce, W. R. Rowley, P. E. Kimpel,
Clarence Smith, Walter Buhler, C. C. Chris-
topherson, Christ Matson, C. P. Nielson, Roy
Freeman, De Grove Bull, A. Bell, J. Kedke,
Frank Kaiser, Robert Wherry, Jr., N. S. Drum-
mond, Henry Halter, Thomas Piper, E. L.
King, A. M. Seidell, H. W. Lewis, W. J.
Hansche, Tony Olson, Irving Gillette, L. A.
Hansche, Henry Lange, Sam Walker, Henry
Harmann, Louis Sorenson, B. O. Tradwell, W.
J. Davis, George Smith, Joseph P. Weber, Les-
lie Herzog, Martin Larson, B. F. Kimpel, N. P.
Larsen, Louis Lamp, N. M. Christensen, F. E.
Anderson, George Gillette, George Burgess,
James Torpegaard, T. C. Roberts, W. C. Fan-
cher, Louis Foster, Fred Bose, Walter Chris-
tenson, Nels Nielsen, E. E. Gittins, F. F.
Sewell, A. B. Steele.
Union Grove — J. Z. Collier, Joseph Alby,
Merrit Anderson, Henry Barnes, W. D. Bixby,
R. T. Bosustow, Thomas Bufton, W. J. Cal-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
IO3
QUOTA FOR FORT RILEY JUNE 29. 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the followlns:. with seven men who were transferred from other boards : — George B.
Rosenberg, John Matranga, August C. Sauer, Peter Kapolos, Antonio Aceto. Adolph Taicher. Jacob M. Hansen, Edward
Boehlman. Irving W. Walch, Joseph Stegncr, Peter Rasmussen. Roy McCarthy, Jesse C. Blount, Ruffalo Derose.
QUOTA FOR CAMP DODGE AUGUST 30, 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Richard Aul, William H. Jenks, George E. Davies, Seggar M. Rood,
Clarence Howe, John Saras, Alfred E. Poulson, Henry C. Roest. Edward Block, Arthur G. Anderson.
QUOTA FOR LEWIS INSTITUTE AND VALPARIASO, JULY 15. 1918 FROM BOARD No. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Arthur J.Jacobsen, Charles W. Tiede, Edgar R. Lehman. Oscar Christ-
ensen. Sterling W. Albright, Lester McLennan, Christian An dersen, Albert H. L. Bartz, Edward F. Studey, John M.
Gizinski, Jerome P. Danhauser, Louis Schrader.
104
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
lender, J. C. Colby, F. A. Dixon, Peter Engel-
rup, J. T. Jacobson, Frank Jones, John Jones,
F. W. Callender, C. A. Martin, Mrs. R. W.
McCracken, Mrs. W. H. Morgan, C. W. Price,
W. G. Roberts, George Rodhe, Rev. William
Rowlands, A. F. Ruzicka, Richard Salm, A. J.
Smith, William Smith, W. E. Stone, E. H.
Swantz, Henry Swantz, Miss Isabel Swantz,
W. D. White, A. M. Wilson, Henry Vyvyan.
Yorkville — Martin George, Bert Rosendale,
Charles De Groot, Alex Sumpter, Don Martin,
Edgar Bertke, George Vyvyan, Edward Sh3p-
hard, Thos. Skewes, Wendle Birchell, Harry
Dale, William Tucker, Arthur Scutt, Roland
Lee, Frank Bullis, Henry W. Frichen, R. R.
Nugent.
Rochester — A. A. Burgess, George Wallis,
Frank Patten, Rev. J. W. Jordan, W. J. Ed-
wards, Clarence Beaumont, J. B. Willmer,
Samuel Prent, Henry Millei', Roy Vaughan, J.
W. Summers, Charles Reesman, Mrs. Jessie
Burkett, John Penpenny, Hari-y Bauman,
George Ela, Ferdinand Paulson, Theodore Al-
by, Leslie W^illey.
Dover — Edward Edwards, Edward Rov^ti-
tree, Gilbei-t Ballock, George Beaumont, M. A.
Loomis, J. W. Gomann, J. H. Smith, Stephen
Cox, John Hardie, Charles Mealey, Thomas
Finan, H. Spriggs, Al. Noble, Andrew Hinch-
cliff, Dennis Callahan, Fred Schroeder, Gus
Bratz, Lee Cunningham, Robert Wilson.
War Savings Stamps
In addition to the Liberty bonds, the gov-
ernment floated another form of security
knowni as the War Savings stamp. It was de-
signed to encourage people to save small sums
and invest them in such a way as to assist in
carrying on the war. The War Savings stamps
had a face value of $5, tut could be purchased
for less, as the face value represented the pur-
chase price plus interest for five years, at the
end of which period they would be redeemed.
As a part of the plan the Thrift stamp was
devised. This could be bought for 25 cents.
When a card was filled with sixteen of these,
it represented the value of a War Savings
stamp at the beginning of the current period.
It could be exchanged for a "W.S.S." although
after the first week there would be a litt'.e ac-
crued interest to pay — varying from one cent
to twenty cents according to the date of pay-
ment.
Despite the sale of more than $16,000,000 in
Liberty bonds here, the county purchased
Thrift and Savings stamps for which they
paid .$1,143,308.65. A large part of this came
from children. The contents of most toy sav-
ings banks were spent for these unique secur-
ities.
The campaign for the sale of the War and
Thrift stamps, was inaugurated in the spring
of 191S'^nd it was placed in the hands of a
committee consisting of Warren J. Davis,
president of the J. I. Case T. M. Co., Post-
master George H. Herzog and Mrs. John W.
Owen, who had been very active in previous
campaigns for funds.
It was decided that the Racine postoffice
should act as the central office for the dis-
tribution of these stamps for the entire county,
excepting the City of Burlington, the sales
there to be in charge of Postmaster Henry
Zimmermann.
A plan of campaign was mapped out and
with the assistance of the committees in charge
of Liberty Loan drives, became interesting and
was most successful.
School children played an active part in the
great campaign by making a house to house
canvass in their respective districts. Cele-
brating of the Fourth of July was dispensed
with and the work of selling stamps was sub-
stituted for the usual fireworks.
In factories, schools, business houses, of-
fices and other places the campaign was waged.
Pledge cards were passed about, each signer
agreeing to purchase a number of War Sav-
ings stamps, during a period from June to
December, 1918.
The people, especially children, were urged
to purchase Thrift Stamps and later to ex-
change them for War Savings Stamps. Pen-
nies were saved and they soon resulted in pur-
chases, at 25 cents each, of Thrift stamps, and
later these were exchanged for War Savings
Stamps of a valuation of $5 each.
When the campaign closed, early in the win-
ter, the committee found that the War and
Thrift Stamps of a cash value, not face value,
of §1,037,104.04 had been distributed from the
Racine post office and through the Burlington
office War and Thrift Stamps of a value of
$106,704.61 had been distributed, making a to-
tal value of stamps sold of $1,143,808.65. The
total number of War Stamps sold through the
Racine post office was 229,800 and of Thrift
Stamps 299,332.
The letter carriers of the city delivered and
sold 73,377 War Stamps, each of a value of $5
and over 100,000 Thrift Stamps.
The remainder of the stamps sold in the dis-
trict outside of Burlington, were sold through
banks.
The Burlington postoffice distributed $103,-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
105
OFFICIALS OF THE DISTRICT APPEAL BOARD LOCATED AT RACINE
The Appeal Board had jurisdiction over appeals made from seventeen Local Boards in Waukesha. Sheboygan. Fond du
Lac. Ozaukee. Green. Marquette. Dodge. Washington and Racine counties. The members were (above) Geo. Harrington.
Elkhorn; A. J. Horlick. Racine; Stephen Benish. Racine (belovi) Chester D. Barnes. Kenosha; Harry W. Bolens. Port
Washington; Dr. Grove Harkness, Waukesha.
LEGAL ADVISORY BOARD OF THE COUNTY
The board consisted of (left to right in picture) — Fulton Thompson, Peter J. Myers and Geo. W. Waller.
106
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
387.61 of War Savings and $3,317 in Thrift
Stamps, the latter having been purchased by
children. Pledges which were made to the
campaign workers were fulfilled to a very high
percentage, the committees reported, thus
again proving the loyalty of the residents of
Racine county.
It is regretted that the names of all who
served in various capacities in the Liberty Loan
and other war fund work do not appear in the
official lists made during the final weeks, but
the explanation of t h e omission of many
names appears in another place. As example
of such instances may be cited two typical
ones. Mrs. Harry Mann was the major of a
women's team in the first four Liberty Loan
drives and did most excellent work, but as she
was unable to participate in the fifth drive, her
name does not appear in the list in this chap-
ter. She was also chairman of the Girls' Sen.--
ice Units. Ed Makovsky was recognized as
one of the most active workers for the Liberty
Loans and War Relief funds in the town of
Calendonia, in the team captained by Frank
Renak, but by some oversight his name was not
in the official record at all. Probably there
are other cases of the same sort.
County War Relief Fund
One of the most ingenious plans growing out
of war conditions was the Racine County War
Relief Fund. It was designed to enable people
to contribute money to war relief work of
various kinds, with the assurance that it
would be expended intelligently. Besides this,
and equally as important, it did away with any
obligation, moral or otherwise, to give money
to any other project excepting for the pur-
chase of government securities.
In brief, the scheme provided for a central
council of fifteen men who would act as trus-
tees for this fund. They would receive appli-
cations for money from the various welfare
and relief organizations, consider their merits,
and appropriate from the treasury such pro-
portion of the money on hand as they felt was
reasonable and wise. If a I'equest was not ap-
proved, the citizens in general were justified
in feeling that the cause was not worthy of
their individual support.
The money was raised by voluntary, but very
general, contributions in amounts based upon
the earnings of the donor. All employes were
expected to give the equivalent of one-half
hour's work per week to the fund. The pay
clerks were to deduct this from tha employes'
pay. The employer would add an equal sum
and give the total to the committee. Indi-
viduals who could not be classed as either em-
ployers or employes were put upon their honor
to give a proportionate sum, and send their
check to headquai'ters once a month.
The factories and stores co-operated vrith
such good effect that they were represented by
100 per cent contributions in almost every
plant and store.
A thorough canvass was made of all per-
sons in the city and county not thus reached.
In cases where they had bank accounts, they
signed a card which was kept by the commit-
tee and which, when presented to their banks
after the first day of each month, authorized
the bank to pay out the specified amount from
their accounts to the fund. In other instances
the people merely signed a pledge card prom-
ising to pay a certain sum each month.
The secretary of the committee kept track
of all the individual pledges and saw that the
money was forthcoming. The employers did
the accounting insofar as it affected their em-
ployes, and sent a check for the total at regu-
lar intervals.
The proposition was so entirely fair, and at
the same time so necessary, that it became
almost compulsory. A man seeking a job was
frequently required to show that he gave to the
War Relief Fund and had bought Liberty
Bonds, before he could obtain a position.
The idea of the fund above described origi-
nated in Kenosha. Secretary Walter H. Reed
of the Commercial Club learned that it was be-
ing discussed there and made inquiries. On
Dec. 17, 1917, he brought up the subject at a
meeting of the Commercial Club and strongly
urged its adoption. His suggestions received
instant support, because there were dozens of
patriotic organizations planning campaigns to
raise huge sums, and the average citizen felt
helpless to refuse them or to decide intelli-
gently between them if forced, for financial
reasons, to make a choice.
The president of the Commercial club, P. T.
Stoffel, appointed F. Lee Norton, J. H. Bran-
num, W^alter H. Reed, Fulton Thompson and
Herbert F. Johnson to arrange for the pro-
posed organization.
The committee was authorized to increase
its member.ship if it desired, and it decided
upon a total membership of fifteen. The addi-
tional ones appointed were William Horlick,
Jr., L. P. Christensen, John H. Dwight, George
Jorgenson, John D. Jones, Jr., C. Roy Mc-
Canna, F. J. Osius, M. H. Pettit, J. V. Rohan
and Stuart Webster. Mr. Webster resigned in
September, 1918, and W. T. Hai-\'ey succeeded
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
107
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108
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
him. Mr. Norton was chairman, Mr. Johnson
vice-chairman, Mr. Horlick treasurer, and
Horace P. Edmands was secured as an execu-
tive secretary. The outline of the plan was put
into writing and approved by the Council of
Defense, Commercial club and business men
in general. On Dec. 20, 1917, a meeting of
manufacturers was called to arrange the de-
tails of methods of handling factory subscrip-
tions.
On March 18, 1918, a ten-day campaign was
put on to get everyone to sig:n the pledge
cards and the remarkable number of 27,207
people in the county subscribed. This was
fully a third of all the men, women and chil-
dren in the county. It was understood that
the pledges were to remain in effect until the
termination of the war and that any funds
then left on hand could be used in the dis-
cretion of the committee for some public
charitable pui-pose.
All of the soldiers' and sailors' welfare
organizations were beneficiaries of the fund.
It was customary in national drives for money
for the Y. M. C. A., Red Cross, Salvation Army,
Knights of Columbus, War Camp Community
Senice, American Library Bureau, Jewish
Welfare Board, etc., to allot a certain amount
to be raised in each county throughout the
nation, and through the local relief fund here
these assessments could be met without fur-
ther solicitation or trouble.
The Racine County War Relief fund was
variously knowai as the War Chest, Patriots'
Fund, and other titles, most of which had been
applied to similar organizations in other
cities.
A total of $500,880.06 was paid into the
fund, and about $?.00,000 had been expended
when the armistice was sig^ned. A balance of
$130,000 remained on Nov. 11, 1919, and the
committee of fifteen were still trying to decide
what to do with it.
The subscribers to the fund included:
One hundred and thirteen factories, 12,318
factory employes, 221 merchants, 75.5 em-
ployes of merchants, 3,568 personal pledges
from the city of Racine and 4,232 subscnbers
of all classes in the county outside of Racine.
The country subscribers were divided as fol-
lows:
Towns of Burlington, 278; Caledonia, 482;
Dover, 230; Mount Pleasant, 420; Noi-way,
211; Ra^^nond, 344; Rochester, 53; Waterford,
252; Yorkville, 283; City of Burlington, 975;
Villages of Corliss, 137; Rochester, 91; Union
Grove, 244; Waterford, 231.
The factories and merchants and their em-
ployes gave $364,870. The personal pledges
in the city netted $88,246. The other portions
of the county gave as follows:
Town of Burlington $ 2,534.70
To^\Tl of Caledonia 5,557.51
Town of Dover 2,994.60
Town of INIount Pleasant 5,259.79
Town of Noi-way 1,688.00
Town of Raymond 2.302.27
Town of Rochester 510.00
Town of Watei-ford 2,342.30
Town of Y'orkville 2,739.45
City of Burtington 16,000.00
Village of Cortiss 1,440.47
Village of Rochester 704.37
Village of Union Grove 1,969.00
Village of Waterford 1,720.66
Total $47,763.12
At the meeting held May 13, 1918, it was
agreed that in order to gain a comprehensive
knowledge of the various organizations doing
war relief work, who had already or who
might in the future ask for appropriations
from this fund, it would be necessary to
fomiulate a questionnaire that would meet
the requirements of the Committee of Fifteen.
A committee consisting of M. H. Pettit, J.
H. Brannum, and Fulton Thompson was ap-
pointed to meet with the Secretary and draft
a foi-m of questionnaii-e, with the result that
the following foi-m was presented and ap-
proved by the full committee:
"The Racine County War Relief Fund Com-
mittee of Racine County, AVisconsin, being the
custodians of a Public Fund raised for War
Relief purposes only, can make no disburse-
ments for any purpose unless full infonna-
tion is given them regarding the objects for
which the money is used, and the conditions
surrounding its e.xpenditure. Applicants for
contributions are, thei'efore, requested to fill
out the following questionnaire, to be filed
with the records of the Committee:
1. Is your committee or organization incor-
porated? (Yes or no)
2. (a) Have you a national organization?
(Yes or no)
(b) Give the names and addresses of
officers of your National Organization.
3. (a) What is the total amount of fund
now to be raised throughout the
country ?
S
(b) For how long a penod?
4. What amount was raised and disbursed
by your committee in 19 ?
$
5. (a) Have you a Wisconsin State Or-
ganization? (Yes or no)
RAClNE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
109
LOCAL BOARD FOR RACINE COUNTY LOCATED AT BURLINGTON
The members were (at the top) George Ela, A. J. Topp, secretary: John J. Wishau, (below) Dr. F. A. Malone and L. H.
Rohr, chairman.
PRICE COMMITTEE OF THE U. S. FOOD COMMISSION AT RACINE
At the rear are Jens Jensen. Wm. Erick, J. E. Evans and J. J. Otradevec. Seated at the table are Fred Radewan. Frank
Luxem. Lester Bowman, W. T. Harvey, S. W. Chamberlin, Charles Christensen, Sidney Mikulecky.
110
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
(b) Give the names and addresses of
officers of your State Organization.
6. What amount, derived from any source,
was paid out in salaries or commis-
sions in 19 ?
Furnish the numbei' of people working
■ on salaries or commissions and cite
representative salaries or commissions
paid, including the highest.
7. What is the salary or commission ex-
pense contemplated for 19 in na-
tional or local organization.
8. Is this application a part of a general
campaign throughout the United
States for funds? (Yes or no)
9. State ratio of expense to relief in such
a way that our committee can ascer-
tain what proportion of money con-
tributed by Racine County War Re-
lief Fund will go to actual relief.
10. State how you believe the Racine
County Relief Fund should conti-ibute
to this campaign, together with your
reasons for this and any computation
upon wliich they are based.
(The population of Racine County is
65,000.)
11. On what basis was the quota of Racine
County deteiTnined ?
12. Is the above pro rata set up as Racine's
"Fair share" in line with an equally
suitable call upon all other communi-
ties of approximately the same size?
13. Are equal monthly payments satisfac-
tory? ( Yes or no)
14. If not, state reason.
15. State specifically how money is to be
spent by giving budget, or listing
large items.
16. (a) Is this work in any way a duplica-
tion of the American Red Cross ?
(Yes or no)
(b) Or any other national organization
now in existence? (Yes or no)
17. Why is this not a duplication of the
Red Cross woi'k ?
18. Does not the Home Sei-vice Department
of the Red Cross do this work?
19. Explain as fully as possible why there
should be a special organization for
this woi'k.
20. What various kinds of woi'k will your
funds be used for?
21. Give the names and amounts other war
chest fund committees are appropriat-
ing to your fund.
22. What other similar committees or or-
ganization are collecting for or dupli-
cating your work?
23. Under whose authority or by whose ap-
proval or sanction is your fund being^
raised ?
24. Make any further statements you think
will assist the committee in making a
just decision as to your application.
"The foregoing questionnaire has been filled
out accuiately for the
at this by
their duly authorized agent.
Signed
By
"Without the satisfactory filling out of this
questionnaire no war relief organization seek-
ing money for their work will receive an ap-
propriation."
Each questionnaire, as well as all other
available infonnation was sci-utinized care-
fully and if thought necessai'y the organiza-
tions seeking appropriations were requested
to give further infonnation.
A summary of the organizations to which
appropriations have been made, together with
the amounts appropriated, is shown on the op-
posite page.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR 111
REPORT OF WAR RELIEF FUND, JANUARY 1, 1920
Organization Date Amount
National Surgical Dressings Committee Apr. 9, 1918 $ 21.76
Armenian-Syrian Relief May 6, 1918 5,000.00
Salvation Army May 6, 1918 6,000.00
Woman's Committee (Soldiers and Sailors' Canteen) —
$1,000.00 May 6, 1918
500.00 Jan. 27, 1919
116.57 Jan. 27, 1919
1,000.00 Apr. 14, 1919 2,616.57
Franco-American Corrective Surgical Appliance Committee. . . . May 15, 1918 250 00
American National Red Cross $50,000.00 May 13, 1918
Memberships 26,755.00 Dec. 9, 1918 76,755.00
Racine Chapter Red Cross 5,000.00 May 15, 1918
10,000.00 Sept. 9,1918 15,000.00
Boy Scouts of America July 8, 1918 2,500.00
Comforts Forwarding Committee (Christian Science) July 8, 1918 1,200.00
Fatherless Children of France —
$3,650.00 July 8, 1918
3,650.00 Mar. 10, 1919 7,300.00
American Chocolate Fund Aug. 16, 1918 200.00
Methodist War Relief Fund Aug. 12, 1918 1,200.00
American Jewish Relief Committee Sept. 9, 1918 10,000.00
Nurses' Fund Sept. 9, 1918 180.71
Medical Advisory Board Sept. 9, 1918
(Reclamation work on men to fit them for the service)
St. Luke's Hospital $ 93.90
St. Mary's Hospital 779.75
Burlington Hospital 86.43 960.08
National Allied Relief Committee Oct. 14, 1918 500.00
French Heroes' Lafayette Mem. Fund Oct. 14, 1918 1,000.00
**United War Work Fund Nov. 11, 1918 185,000.00
Y. M. C. A 58.65 per cent
Y. W. C. A 8.80 per cent
K. of C 17.60 per cent
Jewish Welfare Bd 2.05 per cent
War Camp Service 8.80 per cent
American Liberty Association 2.05 per cent
Salvation Army 2.05 per cent
Children of the Frontier Nov. 25, 1918 500.00
Permanent Blind Relief Fund Nov. 25, 1918 1,500.00
Polish Victims' Relief Fund Nov. 25, 1918 6,000.00
Committee for Relief in the Near East Jan. 15, 1919 18,000.00
Roumanian Relief Committee Jan. 27, 1919 325.00
American Fund for French Wounded Jan. 27, 1919 1,000.00
National Lutheran Council Feb. 10, 1919 3,500.00
Serbian Aid Fund Nov. 25, 1918 200.00
Apr. 14, 1919 500.00
American Jugo-Slav Relief Mar. 10, 1919 650.00
Italian War Relief Fund of America Mar. 10, 1919 1,000.00
Permanent Blind Relief Fund July 21, 1919 1,500.00
Near East Relief Committee Dec. 16, 1919 12,000.00
Total $362,359.12
*Balance unpaid Jan. 1, 1920 60,000.00
CHAPTER XV
RACIiNE CHAPTER. AMERICAN RED CROSS
THE American Red Cross is the greatest
relief organization in the world. Main-
tained in peace time to I'ender prompt
service in emergencies due to fire, famine,
wrecks, storms, epidemics and other disasters,
it also is constantly prepared to meet such de-
mands as may be made upon it in time of war.
When the World War began the American
Red Cross sent hospital units and supplies for
civilian sufferers to all the belligerent countries
impartially, but it never lost sight of the fact
that America might be drawn into the conflict
and the government would need all the co-op-
eration which the Red Cross could give. Plans
were made early in 1914 for expanding the
membership, raising funds, listing available
nurses and physicians and outlining the poli-
cies to be followed if a declaration of war
should come.
As a result of the foresight of the society's
officers, the activities of this splendid organi-
zation during our participation in the war can
not but afford gi'atification to the hundreds of
thousands of men, women and children who
supported it so generously throughout the
period.
When the armistice was signed, the Ameri-
can Red Cross was operating twenty-two mili-
tary hospitals, had treated 89,5.39 men in these
institutions and had extended assistance in one
form or another to 2,800 French hospitals as
well as maintaining welfare workers in all
American army hospitals. Its paid workers
manufactured all the splints used by ai'niy
surgeons, manufactured the nitrous oxide gas
used as an anaesthetic, supei'vised emergency
hospitals, diet kitchens, dispensaries and con-
valescent homes.
More significant than those figures, howev-
er, are the records of the labor performed at
home by the army of women who saw in the
Red Cross a suitable agency through which to
do those things for the men in service whi:-h
every patriotic woman wanted to do — to pro-
vide comforts for the men aboard ship, in
camp, on the battlefields, and, above all, in the
hospitals. The government authorized the Red
Cross to perform many of those acts which
made the lot of the soldier and sailor much
more bearable, but which the authorities them-
selves felt they were unable to do properly.
The grim nature of a Depf.rtment of War
during hostilities did not lend itself readily to
such tasks as writing letters for bed-ridden
victims of battle, furnishing music and even
flowers for homesick wounded men, informing
parents of the whereabouts and health of their
boys, buying games and books for convalescent
patients or supplying wounded men with pa-
jamas. Yet the sternest-visaged army com-
manders realized that such things had actual
value, as aids to recovery and maintaining
the good spirits of men whose services might
be needed again in the field.
To obtain the material necessary for Red
Cross work, the women at home devoted every
available moment. Without reward or even
hope of official recognition of any sort, Ameri-
can women prepared and delivered more than
22,000,000 surgical dressings in the last nine
months of 1918; made thousands of quilts and
comforters; provided enough pajamas and
socks to furnish all that were needed to all
of the wounded in base hospitals, and in ad-
dition to these great tasks met every demand
for garments for civilian sufferers in France
and Belgium, and for numerous smaller I'e-
quii-ements in the way of aprons, mittens, knit
helmets and sleeveless sweaters for vai'ious
branches of the army and navy.
The Red Cross was also able to supply the
army with 77,000 surgical instruments, 3,000
cots and vast quantities of drugs from its re-
serve stores.
Racine county was one of the banner counties
in the country from the standpoint of propor-
tionate production of supplies for the Red
Cross. The chapter here was efficiently organ-
ized and more than met every requisition
made upon it. It had an actual membership
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
113
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
of 32,000 men and women who paid $1 a year
for the privilege, and as the county had a to-
tal papulation of barely 70,000 the member-
ship figures show the almost unanimous co-
operation given the Red Cross.
The policy of the Racine chapter was, in
brief, to furnish everything asked by the na-
tional organization, and as much more as pos-
sible. The men of the county, particularly,
were asked to provide all funds necessary for
buying yarn, cloth and other material, and
the women were to transform this into the
articles required. The program was carried
out with an enthusiasm and success which is
a cause for real pride to every citizen of the
community.
The Racine Chapter of the Red Cross was
organized Sept. 20, 1915, with twelve charter
members. The meeting had been called owing
to the patriotic foresight of Mrs. William How-
ard Crosby; working hand in hand with her
and ably seconding every effort were Mis.
James G. Chandler and Mrs. Otis W. Johnson.
At this first meeting, the following officers
were chosen:
Chairman — Mrs. James G. Chandler.
Vice-Chairman — A. J. Horlick.
Secretary — Mrs. William H. Crosby.
Treasurer — Malcolm Erskine.
Work was begun immediately to enlarge the
membership, and gratifying results were at-
tained. In January, 1917, at the request of
J. J. O'Connor, manager of the central division
of the Red Cross at Chicago, the constitution
of the chapter was extended so as to include
the entire county.
In April, 1917, Herbert F. Johnson was elect-
ed chairman of the finance committee and
largely as a result of his energetic manage-
ment, the citizens of the county donated $118,-
000 to the Red Cross in the first War Fund
campaign. The quota assigned to Racine
county was only $60,000, and the procuring of
nearly f-wice this amount shows plainly enough
how the people felt toward the society which
had been termed "the greatest mother in tbe
world." Later, on the resignation of A. J.
Horlick, Mr. Johnson was made vice-chairman.
At the first annual meeting of the Racine
Chapter Mrs. Frank J. Miller was elected sec-
retary to succeed Mrs. Crosby, who resigned
on account of ill health. Special recognition
is due to Mrs. Miller for her service. The sec-
retarial work had assumed enormous propor-
tions, but no high salaried executive could have
been more faithful or efficient. Assisting Mrs.
Miller every day up to the time of her depar-
ture from the city was Mrs. Ralph W'ilson.
The following directors have served on tht
governing board of the Racine Chapter since
its organization:
1916 — J. G. Meachem, Mrs. F. J. Pope, elect-
ed for one year; Mrs. E. C. Beyer, Mrs. Jas. E.
Bush, Mrs. W. R. Kirkby, F. A. Morey and
W. H. Reed, elected for two years; Mrs. Jas. G.
Chandler, Mrs. W. H. Crosby, A. J. Horlick,
Malcolm Erskine, and the Mesdames J. D. Hal-
lowell, 0. W. Johnson, W. T. Lewis, G. F. Mc-
Nitt and A. 0. Simpkins, elected for three
years.
1917_H. C. Baker, J. S. Blakey, A. F. Erick-
son, M. J. Gillen, A. T. Titus, George A. Waller,
Miss Bertha Kelley and the Mesdames John F.
Clancy, Warren J. Davis, John Dickson, P. S.
Fuller, A. R. Huguenin, J. S. Keech, J. P.
Pearce, J. S. Sidley and Stuart Webster.
1918— H. F. Johnson and Mrs. Frank J. Mil-
ler, elected for two years; Jerome J. Foley,
O. P. Graham, John D. Jones, Jr., Walter C.
Palmer, A. C. Mehder and Mrs. W. W. Ramsey,
elected for three years.
Prior to our entry into the war, the Racine
women had been doing a considerable amount
of knitting and sewing, and sending the fin-
ished garments to the Red Cross headquarters
at Milwaukee or Chicago. As the demand for
more work increased, paralleling the growth
of our army and navy, Mrs. Chandler quickly
saw the necessity of having more and more
volunteer workers and providing means for
them to do what was wanted. For this pur-
pose, she adopted the excellent plan of form-
ing Red Cross auxiliaries from the member-
ship of the various women's clubs, churches
and societies of all kinds, and also community
auxiliaries in rural towns. Owing to its size
and importance, Burlington was authorized to
form a "branch" of the Red Cross, with the
customary subsidiary departments. In other
cases, the local "auxiliaries" performed only
assignments of specific types of work request-
ed by the Racine County Chapter with head-
quarters in Racine. Mrs. George A. Harper
was chairman of the Burlington branch and
they had eight auxiliaries there.
Union Grove had the distinction of forming
the first auxiliary, with Mrs. O. P. Graham
as chairman.
Following is a list of the town, village,
church and society auxiliaries, with their chair-
men :
Caldwell Auxiliary, Mrs. A. H. Peacock,
Chairman.
Caledonia Auxiliary, Mrs. George Smith,
Chairman.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
115
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Corliss Auxiliary, Mrs. William Osborne,
Chairman.
Franksville Auxiliary, Mrs. A. Lower, Chair-
man.
Honey Creek Auxiliary, Mrs. Frank Page,
Chairman.
Hood's Creek Auxiliary, Mrs. Phillip Olley,
Chairman.
Ives Grove Auxiliary, Mrs. Frank Beach,
Chairman.
Kneeland Auxiliary, Mrs. Isaac P. Kotvis,
Chairman.
Mt. Pleasant Auxiliary, Mrs. W. R. Rowley,
Chairman.
North Cape Auxiliary, Miss Anna Apple,
Chairman.
Raymond Auxiliary, Mrs. Thomas Morgen-
.sen. Chairman.
Rochester Auxiliary, Mrs. F. Patten, Chair-
man.
South Lake Shore Auxiliary, Mrs. W. F.
Hansehe, Chairman.
St. Mary's Dover Auxiliary, Mrs. F. W. Mc-
Manus, Chairman.
Union Grove Auxiliary, Mrs. J. H. Youngs,
Chairman.
Waterford Auxiliary, Mrs. Fred Cooper,
Chairman.
Yorkville Auxiliary, Mrs. Clinton Skewes,
Chairman.
Bethesda Auxiliary, Mrs. Ann Seager,
Chairman.
Catholic Woman's Club Auxiliary, Mrs. J. F.
Clancy, Chairman.
Church of Atonement Auxiliary, Mrs. Louis
Jensen,. Chairman.
Czech Ladies Auxiliary, Mrs. J. Prostrednik,
Chairman.
Dania Ladies Auxiliary, Mrs. S. Soi-enson,
Chairman.
Danish Bethania .Auxiliary, Mrs. Knud Han-
son, Chairman.
Danish Immanuel Auxiliary, Mrs. Louis
Christensen, Chairman.
Danish Sisterhood Auxiliary, Mrs. C. S. Ras-
mussen, Chaii'nian.
Daughters of Israel Auxiliary, Mrs. Gluck,
Chairman.
Eagles Auxiliary, Mrs. Anna Amundsen,
Chairman.
Emaus Auxiliary, Mrs. Nels Hansen, Chair-
man.
First Baptist Auxiliary, Mrs. J. E. Pritchard,
Chairman.
First Congregational .Auxiliary, Miss Louise
Jensen, Chairman.
First Evangelical Auxiliary, Mrs. H. O
Frank, Chairman.
First Luthei-an Auxiliary, Mrs. H. Dahlen-
burg, Chairman.
Junior Relief Auxiliary, Miss Jeanette Hilk-
er. Chairman.
Gethsemane Auxiliary, Mrs. Jorgensen,
Chairman.
Good Shepherd Auxiliary, Mrs. F. W. Logan,
Chairman.
Grange Avenue Auxiliary, Mrs. W. L. Gar-
rett, Chairman.
Harvey School Auxiliary, Mrs. Chas. J. Root.
Holy (jommunion Auxiliary, Mrs. John P.
Hansen, Chairman.
Holy Innocents Auxiliary, Mrs. Anne Mc-
Caughey, Chairman.
Immanuel Episcopal Auxiliary, Mrs. J. Os-
borne, Chairman.
Italian Baptist Auxiliary, Mrs. A. Raffone,,
Chairman.
Joan Club Auxiliary, Mrs. Catherine B.
Irons, Chairman.
Lakeview Auxiliary, Mrs. C. Kristerius,.
Chairman.
First Methodist Auxiliary, Mrs. Mable Sax-
ton, Chairman.
National Woman's Relief Auxiliary, Mrs.
Dora Undemvood, Chairman.
North Side M. E. Auxiliary, Mrs. J. E. Hay-
man, Chairman.
Our Savior's Auxiliary, Mrs. Geo. Due,
Chairman.
Plymouth Auxiliary, Mrs. S. M. Harbridge,
Chairman.
First Presbyterian Auxiliary, Mrs. L. L. Ga-
boon, Chairman.
Pythian Sisters Auxiliary, Mrs. Geo. E. Rod-
gers. Chairman.
Sacred Heart Auxiliary, Mrs. Geo. Sideski,
Chairman.
Salvation Army Auxiliary, Mrs. Annie A.
Knudson, Chairman.
Soldiers' Relief of the PolisTi Auxiliary, Mrs.
A. Rademacher, Chairman.
St. Hedwig's Auxiliary, Mrs. Frank Fachko,
Chairman.
St. John's Lutheran Auxiliary, Mrs. Peter
Stoffel, Chairman.
St. John's Nep. Auxiliary, Mrs. Jos. Chadek,
Chairman.
St. Joseph's Auxiliary, Mrs. Peter Prudent,
Chairman.
St. Luke's Auxiliary, Mrs. G. A. Gallagher,
Chairman.
St. Paul's Lutheran Auxiliary, Mrs. Harvey
Nelson, Chairman.
Stephen Bull School Auxiliary, Mrs. Henry
Wiegand, Chairman.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll'lllllllllllll
117
LIEUT.-COL. WM. MITCHELL LEWIS
107th Field Signal Bn. Col. Lewis was the RankinK Officer in the U. S. Army From
Racine County
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118
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Swedish Lutheran Auxiliary, Mrs. Einar
Beck, Chairman.
Swedish M. E. Auxiliary, Mrs. Emil Bloom,
Chairman.
Tabernacle Auxiliary, Mrs. R. G. Roberts,
Chairman.
Tabor Czech Auxiliary, Mrs. Anna Swanda,
Chairman.
Trinity Lutheran .\uxiliary, Mrs. J. Makov-
sky. Chairman.
Woman's Club Auxiliary, Mrs. .John Dickson,
Chairman.
Local workers for the Red Cross were not
expected to purchase and contribute manufac-
tured goods; what was desired was the mobili-
zation of the nation's womanhood to perform
woi'k of manufacture at home in order that
increased production would be obtained. The
purchase of machine and factory made goods
was made by the national Red Cross where
needed, but they were not supposed to be ac-
cepted from local chapters. The output of the
auxiliaries, therefore, was an absolute net gain
in estimating the productive power of the na-
tion.
With perhaps 20,000 workers at her service,
the local chairman, Mrs. Chandler, realized
that it would be impossible for her to continue
to give personal supervision to all the details
of work and she proceeded to complete an
organization which would function as efficient-
ly as any great industrial corporation. With
the president as the executive and supervising
head of all departments, she divided the cen-
tral body into sections conforming with the
organization of the national society of the Red
Cross. Each section had its chairman and
executive committee. Each of these chairmen
received instructions as to the woi'k to be
done, and then worked out her own plan for
accomplishing it. At the service of these de-
pai-tments, were placed the total membership
of the numerous auxiliaries, which received
their instructions through their chairmen from
the department heads of the Red Cross with
the approval of the president.
Yarn, cloth and other materials were fur-
nished the auxiliaries by the central organiza-
tion. Rooms were provided where the workers
could sew and knit, if desired. As these were
occupied every hour of the day by some group,
quick action could be obtained on any requisi-
tion for completed work.
For the efficiency of the organization as a
whole in Racine county, Mrs. Chandler cer-
tainly is entitled to unstinted praise. The
management of the business problems; the co-
ordinating of the effort of thousands of women;
the maintenance of enthusiasm of toiling heads
of departments; the smoothing out of occasion-
al differences between women from every class
and station of life; the responsibility for the
financial policy of the chapter; the constant
demand for her services in organizing new
auxiliaries, answering questions and soliciting
support — certainly these duties required tact
and managerial ability of the highest order,
and their possession by Mrs. Chandler was
amply shown by the remarkable results ac-
complished here.
The direct responsibility for results natural-
ly fell upon the department heads, and they
are every one deserving of the credit and en-
comiums given them, not only by the chapter
chairman but by those whose efforts they su-
pervised. In many instances, these patriotic
women devoted their entire time to the work
to the utter disregard of their personal and
household affairs.
Following are the departments and their
chairmen:
Hospital Garments — Miss Bertha C. Kelley.
Surgical Dressings — Mrs. John S. Sidley
(1917) and Mrs. Herbert F. Johnson (1918).
Knitting — Mrs. Otis W. Johnson.
Comforts for Fighting Men — Mrs. Warren
J. Davis.
Civilian Relief— Lt.-Col. H. C. Baker.
Finance — Herbert F. Johnson.
Instruction for Women — Mrs. Arthur Hugu-
enin.
Motor Corps — Mrs. W. H. Reed (captain).
Foreign Refugee Relief — Mrs. John Barr.
Canteen — E. L. Wratten.
Conservation — Mrs. Ralph Rugh.
Junior auxiliaries — F. M. Longanecker.
Three of these departments had almost un-
limited tasks in view from the very start.
They were the ones devoted to the supplying of
surgical dressings, hospital garments and knit-
ting. The others had tremendous demands
upon them part of the time, and less urgent
work at other periods.
Of course, the accomplishment of their
labors would have been impossible but for
the unselfish and whole heai'ted response to
every demand of the nation by the men, women
and children of the county — particularly the
women. Each was ever ready to perform her
share, and more, of the humanitarian work re-
quired by the great war. Each one did her
part in making the Red Cross the strongest
and best organization in the world for the
relief of suffering humanity.
The Hospital Garments department was giv-
en the arduous task of keeping all the auxili-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
119
SOME RACINE COUNTY MEN WHO ATTAINED THE RANK OF MAJOR AND LIEUT.-COL.
120
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
aries supplied with work and assembling the
output for inspection and shipment to the
central division in Chicago. Material was cut
out to pattern a hundred or more at a time
by an electrical cutting machine and then sent
to the various auxiliaries for completion.
Miss Kelley had as her assistants: Mmes.
Bernice Sherman, Clara Copeland, W. H. Fan-
cher, Evan Catteral, A. H. Barnes, M. C. Bar-
rington, J. C. NeCollins, Louis Christiansen,
Owen McKivitt, and Miss Mary Roberts. These
women worked most faithfully in the base-
ment of the Badger building. During the war
about 7.5,000 garments were inspected and
shipped by this committee. Especial mention
should be given Mrs. Bernice Sherman, who
with Miss Kelley did this volunteer work for
the Red Cross every single day from the time
America entered the war until the armistice
was signed.
Following is a list of articles shipped by
this committee during 1918 and a portion of
1919 for hospital use and the relief of refugees
in France and Belgium:
7 Knit Afghans, 500 Women's Aprons, 60
Bedside Bags, 420 Hospital Bags, 2,500 Water-
proof Bags, 335 Chemise, 1,070 Drawers, 35
Children's Dresses, 23,226 Hospital Garments,
3,479 Refugee Garments, 2,565 Handkerchiefs,
815 Jackets, 20 Layettes, 1,500 Masks, 1 Muf-
fler, 425 Night Gowns, 1,345 pairs Pajamas, 165
Petticoats, 65 Pinafores, 190 Bath Robes, 72
Scrap Books, 315 Shirts, 190 shirts for men,
5 skirts for women, 25 suits, 1,336 Under-
shirts, 185 Boys' Underwear, 200 Vests, 180
Boys' Blouses; Waists, 11,000 Gun Wipes,
Total .53,461.
When the demand for more and still more
work became evident, the surgical dressings'
section became a department of its own. Mrs.
John Streeter Sidley, daughter of Wni. Hor-
lick, was made the first Chairman.
Preparations for the establishment of this
department were really made in the spring of
1917. Mrs. Sidley, who was a graduate Red
Cross instructor, opened her home, "The Oaks"
lor the purpose of conducting a class. A sec-
ond class was formed by Mrs. Arthur Hu-
guenin, chairman of the department of instruc-
tion classes for women, and Miss Bessie Greene
of Milwaukee was engaged as its instructor.
Mrs. Percival Fuller opened her home to
classes soon after, and Mrs. Huguenin's class
and other volunteers made dressings there and
became known as the South Side auxiliary.
Under Mrs. Sidley, the following were gradu-
ated as instructors: Mesdames W. V. Adams,
E. W. Bartley, John Dwight, James W. Gilson,
A. J. Horlick, H. F. Johnson, John Reid, Jr.,
E. Von Buddenbrock, Mortimer E. Walker, and
Misses Arnold, Gertrude Davis and Edna Wil-
liams. From Mrs. Sidley's classes were also
graduated the following supervisors: Mes-
dames Walter H. Reed, Maxwell, A. F. Erick-
son, Walter Karll, Willard Walker, F. R. Wash-
burn, C. F. Johnson, Witmer, J .V. Rohan, E. F.
Freeman, Leo Miller, Joseph Miller and Warren
Walker, and the Misses Virginia Gordon,
Mabel Judd and Elizabeth Gaboon.
Under Miss Greene, the following instruct-
ors were graduated: The Misses Edna Bil-
lings, Edith Chandler, Mildred Dickson, Bertha
C. Kelley, Helen Kelley, Nellie Mae Olson, and
the Mesdames Richard G. Bryant, William
Fish, Percival Fuller, Arthur Huguenin, F. W.
Pope, Jr., Henry D. Robinson, Stuart Webster
and Henry G. Mitchell.
The following supervisors were graduated
under Mrs. M. E. Walker: The Misses Louise
Clarke, May Nelson, Estelle Keech, Anna
Weeks, Fidelas Rawson, Mabel Walker, Rade-
macher and the Mesdames Lutz, Edith Gard-
ner, William Sawyer, Goldsworthy, Andrew
Simonson, Arthur Simonson, and P. L'Heureux.
Mrs. Herbert F. Johnson succeeded Mrs.
Sidley in January, 1918, and the department
was recognized and ably carried on as one of
the most important activities of the Chapter.
The Wisconsin Telephone company at this time
donated its former office building as headquar-
ters for the committee, with heat and light
furnished, for the duration of the war. Miss
Mary Colville was assistant to Mrs. Johnson,
followed by Mrs. Grace Fish, who was also
made chairman of inspection and packing. She
was assisted in this work by Miss Clarke, Miss
Nelson and Miss Mabel Walker. Mrs. J. S.
Keech was chairman of the cutting work, as-
sisted by the Mesdames L'Heureux, Simonson,
Merrell, Maxwell, Belden, Rohan, Gorton, Bots-
ford and Thorby and Miss Cahoon. Messrs.
Tom Jones and Andrew Raymond donated their
services as experts to supervise the cutting of
the dressings.
The committee more than met all demands
for supplies, and upon occasions turned out as
many as 6,000 dressings a day. The heaviest
quota asked was for 10,000 dressings to be
completed in two weeks, and the department
delivered double this number within seven
days. All kinds of dressings were made, in-
cluding triangle bandages, pneumonia jackets,
rolls, pads, tempons, compresses and abdominal
bandages. Llore than 800 women gave their
time to the work. Often during the working
hours, songs were sung, letters from "over
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
there" were read, or Miss Hannan of the public
library would read books and articles of inter-
est to the women as they cut and stitched.
During Mrs. Sidley's chairmanship of the
section, 58,806 surgical dressings were made,
and during- Mrs. Johnson's regime there were
added to this, 164,788 di'essings. Eight hun-
dred women assisted in the work.
Mrs. Otis W. .Johnson, chairman of the knit-
ting department, had as members of her com-
mittee Mmes. Walter H. Stearns, John B. Sim-
mons, Jerome I. Case, Miss Emma Sage, Mrs.
Henry G. Mitchell, Mrs. H. M. Wallis, Mrs.
F. J. Osius, Mrs. L. P. Monroe, Mrs. W. V.
Osborne, Mrs. Ralph N. Soule, Mrs. J. S. Keech,
Miss Nellie Gorton, Mrs. Lizzie Merrell, Mrs.
Belle Galloway and Mrs. Louisa Smader.
This department assumed the responsibility
of providing yarn to the various auxiliaries
and individual workers and inspecting and col-
lecting the completed articles.
As much of this work was done in the homes
and could not be completed under the personal
supervision of the volunteer inspectors, criti-
cism and rejection of garments was often a
most embarrassing duty devolving upon the
committee. It was made necessary by the
strict regulations of the central division. Knit-
ting was the universal war work of all women,
including aged women, invalids and little girls.
There was no mother or housewife so busy but
that sTie was able to devote some hours every
day to the task. It became a custom for
women to never let their hands be idle. Their
knitting was carried on wherever they went,
in the street cars, trains, public meetings, and
even during church services. Even some men
with idle time at their disposal acquired the
habit. Many women who wei'e expert at this
art volunteered their services as instructors.
For example, Mrs. F. J. Osius offered to devote
her whole time to this work and hundreds of
women came to her home at all hours of the
day and evening to receive instruction in purl-
ing, and the intricate rules for making the
Kitchener toe and the heel: "Slip 1, Knit 9,
Slip 1, Knit 1, pass slipped stitch over knitted
stitch; Knit 1, Turn."
From June, 1918, to the end of the war, the
knitting department provided the following
articles for men in service:
Four Ear Muffs, 5 Refugee Garments, 387
Knit Helmets, 35 Mufflers, 393 Children's Muf-
flers, 5,933 pairs Socks, 66 Stump Socks, 918
Children's Stockings, 1,639 Sweaters, 739 Chil-
dren's Sweaters, and 430 Wristlets.
Four Thousand articles had also been sent
during the three months ending Feb. 1, 1918.
The Comforts Department of the Red Cross
had the duty of supplying as many comforts
as possible for the fighting men — both at home
and overseas.
Each man who left Racine was presented
with a perfectly equipped comfort kit, and hun-
dreds of letters received from the boys testify
to their appreciation of this gift.
This Department also supplied aviators'
jackets, mess bags, Christmas boxes, and took
entire charge of inspecting, wTapping and ship-
ping all Christmas parcels which were sent to
soldiers overseas in 1918.
The following is a brief summary of the
work of the Department:
2,587 Comfort Kits made and sent to Central
Division, Chicago.
3,238 Comfort Kits packed and distributed
to Racine men in Army and Navy.
1,500 Christmas parcels packed and shipped
to soldiers in United States Camps, Christmas
of 1917.
50 Aviators' Jackets made and shipped to
Central Division, Chicago.
320 Mess Bags made and shipped to Camp
Logan.
1,368 Christmas parcels inspected, packed
and mailed to soldiers overseas, Christmas of
1918.
The Committee in charge of this department
was: Mrs. Warren J. Davis, Chairman; Mrs.
Frank K. Bull, Vice-Chairman; Mrs. Andrew
Simonson, Mrs. A. F. Erickson, Mrs. W. W.
Ramsey, Mrs. Fannie Botsford, Mrs. J. S.
Keech, Mrs. A. J. Eaton, Mrs. Geoi-ge Gal-
lagher, Mrs. Donald McClure, Miss Estelle
Keech, Miss Margaret Eaton, Miss Nellie Goi--
ton. Miss Anna Gorton, Miss Helen Clancy.
The Junior League gave very valuable as-
sistance in the making of comfort kits, as well
as in other branches of the work, and a gi-eat
many women gave freely of their time to as-
sist the Committee in sewing garments, pack-
ing and shipping of supplies, etc.
It seems appi'opriate to embody in this re-
port a letter received from the Local Board,
Division No. 1:
November 25, 1918.
"We are retui-ning today about one hundred
comfort kits for which we expect to have no
use because of the cancellation of calls for the
men for whom they were intended.
"Will you permit us to take this opportunity
to express our appreciation of the very practi-
cal service your society has rendered the select-
ed men in furnishing these 'kits,' and to assure
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
QUOTA FOR MADISON, WIS.. AUGUST 15, 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 2
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Charles E. O'Connor, Charles M. Creuziger, Soren Christ Clausen,
Floyd R. Bassindale. Elmer Ross Hermes, Wm. LeRoy Petersen, John Curico.
QUOTA FOR VALPARIASO, IND., JULY 15. 191S FROM BOARD NO. I
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Sterling W. Albright, Lester McLennan, Christian Andersen, A. H. L.
Bartz, Edward F. Studey, John M. Gizinski. Jerome P. Danbauser, Louis Schrader. .John Theodore Corombo, William
King, John J. Kropp, Walter C. Maibohm, Arthur Johnson, Charles Tiede.
QUOTA LEAVING FOR CAMP SHELBY. AUGUST 8, 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 2
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Peter Sukulawsky, Andrew Poulson, Arthur Haley, Harry H. Lempke,
Orville B. Newcomb, Alex Kennedy.
QUOTA FOR SYRACUSE, N. Y., AUGUST 1» 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 2
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Harold Avard. Fred M. Williams, Swend B. Nelson Victor Matoskio,
Wm. H. Lahiff.
124
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
you that the men themselves have given abun-
dant evidence of their appreciation.
"Not a single man has declined to accept
one, and sometimes when it appeai'ed that he
might be overlooked, the soldier has inquired
about the 'Red Cross Kit.' It is worth remark-
ing also that not a single man has gone out
for whom a comfort kit has not been ready.
Very respectfully,
E. W. LEACH,
Secretary."
The comfort kits were in the shape of leath-
erette folders, about 10 inches by 8 inches, with
pockets and holders containing useful articles
such as soap, shaving material, needles and
thread, extra buttons, tooth brush, mirror, etc.
Mrs. John Barr was in charge of the collec-
tion, sorting and marking of old clothes which
were shipped overseas for the use of civilian
refugees of the Allied countries. She devoted
a great deal of time to this arduous work.
During 1918, this committee sent 8,6.57 pounds
of garments, in addition to 486 garments and
14 large boxes of clothing which wei-e not
weighed.
The Salvage Bureau of the ways and means
committee also collected old rubber tires and
books, which were sold for $796, the money
being turned into the treasury of the chapter.
Mrs. Sarah Edmonds was in charge of this
work. Mrs. R. E. Rugh was chairman of a
committee to collect peach pits and nut shells
for use in making gas masks. More than a
ton of these were gathered and shipped.
The Racine Chapter of the American Red
Cross Motor Corps came into existence Oct. 1,
1918, to meet the demand for training women
for overseas service in the Motor Ambulance
Corps and to supply efficient transportation
wherever needed by the local Red Cross Chap-
ter.
Mrs. Walter H. Reed was selected as Cap-
tain. Volunteer service was offered to hos-
pitals, charitable institutions, home service
bureau and local health department. The other
officers were: 1st Lieuts., Clara Driver and
Mrs. H. C. Severance; Adjt., Carrie K. Rapps.
The influenza epidemic swept over the city
about this time and the motor corps gave in-
valuable service to the city nurses, responding
to 277 calls and giving 790 hours of service
during the month of October.
Each day the need for workers brought
new recruits and shortly the records showed
an active membership of 44 and 17 reserves,
with 4.5 cars ready for use.
October 30th the Red Cross society pur-
chased a regulation Ford Ambulance which
proved to be most useful during the epidemic,
conveying a large number of patients to the
local hospitals. The Motor Corps sei'ved as
Ambulance Corps.
A class in automobile mechanics was oi'gan-
ized with an enrollment of sixty-three women.
Dean W. Payne of the U. S. Ordnance Depart-
ment was instructor and gave a course of six-
teen lessons at the Stephen Bull Garage and
Case South Works. At the close of these class-
es the Motor Corps was instructed in military
drill and discipline by Lieut. McGregor.
From the time of its organization during
the remaining period of the war, the Motor
Corps, through volunteer service, rendered
great aid to chapter officials and home service
workers, to the Health Department for civilian
relief and ambulance work, to Central Associa-
tion and Public School nurses, and to the local
hospitals, responding to 793 calls and giving
2,077 hours of service. The members of Red
Cross Motor Corps were: Camilla Bennett,
Mrs. Mabel Brandeis, Mrs. Amanda C. Crooks,
Clara Driver, Margaret Cosgrove, Elizabeth R.
Fratt, Gertrude Fratt, Mrs. Stuart M. Har-
bridge, Nina Huie, Carrie Rapps, Sarah Jel-
liffe, Florence Jelliffe, Georgie A. Malone, Mrs.
Margaret L. Nelson, Mrs. Leone P. Miller, Olga
Piper, Mrs. H. C. Sovei'ance, Amelia Smieding,
Mrs. Walter H. Reed, Tillie E. Thorkelson, Eli-
nor Parker, Mrs. Willard Walker, Mrs. Warren
H. Walker, Mrs. J. H. Brannum, Mrs. E. F.
Freeman, Mrs. Blanche Secor Rixton, Mrs.
Frank Alshuler, Mrs. E. E. Bailey, Louise E.
Bolton, Edith Schulz, Mrs. Walter Brown, Mrs.
Opal J. Gist, .Jeannette Hilker, Mrs. Taylor
Jelliffe, Louise M. Jensen, Vera E. Johnson,
Katherine L. Kearney, Mrs. Fred E. Koehler,
Mrs. Henry C. Miller, Nellie K. Mohr, Mrs.
Milo Griffith, Esther Holmn, Lilly H. Peterson,
Mrs. Dick Kennedy, Mrs. Helen Lewis Wilson,
Dessie Wishau, Mrs. William V. Osborne, Mrs.
Berniee Sherman, Grace Laursen, Margaret S.
Fergus, Ethel E. Olle, Erabelle M. Ingersoll,
Abbie L Munn.
The Red Cross chapter as a whole did some
remarkable work in connection with the "flu"
epidemic, referred to above. The necessity
for an emergency hospital was seen at once,
and the only available empty house of sufficient
size was that belonging to Richard Robinson
at Eleventh and Main streets. Mr. Robinson
was in Florida, but a telegram was sent to
him explaining the situation and asking for
the use of the palatial residence. He answered
immediately granting the request and offering
any other assistance he could give. Newspaper
notices were published asking the donation of
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
125
QUOTA FOR CAMP SHERMAN AUGUST 26. 191S FROM BOARD NO. 2
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Paul Struck, Hubert Stuart Stanton. John Youtes. Henry Johnson,
Louis Orval Davis, Emilian Alban. John Joseph Heinisch, Harry Wright Lewis, David E. Davis. Edward J. Bowers.
QUOTA FOR CAMP GREENLEAF JULY 24, 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 1
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Knute G. Anderson, John Chickadaunce. Harry O. Johnson, August J.
Grapentin, James F. Middleton, George Wholust, Bakdasar Bokaholian, Vaghan Koroghlanian, Rapan Manandician, A. J.
Pluhar, H. Macullin.
k
^ 1
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QUOTA FOR CAMP GRANT SEPTEMBER 7. 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 2
There were listed for entrainment the following: — Edward Joseph Tecktonius. David D. Stone. Finer H. Jacobsen, Ed-
mund R. Jayne. Arthur Hay, Thomas Allen. Chris M. Sorenson. Fred Levinson, Walter Malonowski.
QUOTA FOR CAMP DODGE AUGUST 30. 1918 FROM BOARD NO. 2
There were listed for entrainment the following:: — Joseph Zaborowicz. Peter A. Johnson. Jos. Petak. Benny Ryskiewicz,
George Earl Gatfield, Ludwig Nissen, Harold T. Rosenquist.
126
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
beds, rugs and other fui'niture and plenty were
forthcoming immediately. The house was reno-
vated from top to bottom, the furniture in-
stalled, and within four days the place was
opened as a hospital with 40 beds. Thirty-
eight patients were installed at once. Three
died there. Nursing service was also provided
at twenty-five homes where no one remained
untouched by the disease to care for others
who were sick.
The Civilian Relief department had its be-
ginnings through the untiring efforts of Mrs.
Arthur Huguenin, who urged that preparations
be made to assist in maintaining the morale
of the army by assuring the men that in case
of emergency their families would be cared
for, and at the same time aid in keeping up
the spirits of the folks at home by serving as
a channel of communication between families
and absent men. The first task could not be
conducted as a public charity, but must be per-
formed in a way to make the recipients of the
service feel that they were in the care of
friends. The second feature of the work was
possible becau.se the vai-ious branches and
agents of the Red Cross throughout the world,
in co-operation with government officials, as-
sumed the job on a wide scale and local branch-
es were given the benefit of the entire organi-
zation's operations.
The importance of having some sort of in-
formation bureau to which worried parents
could go for advice can be realized only by
those who remember the censored letters, the
aggravating delays in mails, the "losing" of
men due to transfers from one organization to
another in France and the weeks and months
of waiting before the government foi-warded
any definite news in regard to the whei-eabouts
or fate of men reported sick, wounded or
killed. In every hospital representatives of
the Red Cross were furnished lists of the pa-
tients, and from the American headquarters at
Washington they received lists of men regard-
ing whom information was wanted at home.
In this way trace was often found of men
whose mail, sent to' old addresses, had been
returned unopened, or who had failed to write
for one reason or another.
Lt.-Col. H. C. Baker was chairman of this
local section during the war. The advisory
committee consisted of E. B. Hand, Dr. A. J.
Williams, Miss Kate Mehder and Miss Rose
Webers. After the war Mr. Baker resigned
and J. H. Brannum acted as chairman. War-
ren Walker was also added to the committee.
Headquarters of the department were in the
Postoffice building until the spring of 1919,
when they were moved to a suite of roOmS
in the Baker block.
With the return of the men from the army
and navy, the nature of the work changed but
it did not decrease. The department, re-named
the Home Service section, accepted the respon-
sibility of acting as adviser for returned sol-
diers in solving problems relating to errors in
pay, allotments, insurance and compensation
for disability. The department was given in-
structions as to the proper method of getting
desired information, and by its efforts was
able to relieve the government of much cor-
respondence and confusion in settlement of
claims.
Mrs. C. A. Hamilton acted as secretary of
the Home Service section from March, 1918,
through the rest of the war and then during
the period of demobilization. Owing to the
amount of work in the office, she was author-
ized to employ several assistants.
There is no possible way in which well de-
served credit can ever be given to the thou-
sands of women who devoted their time to the
Red Cross work. Many who served for an
hour or two a day did so at a great sacrifice
because this time was in addition to a long
day's work in homes, factories or offices. Some
whose sacrifice of time meant little in respect
to other occupations, were gladly giving up
pleasures and more congenial occupations
which might have been theirs had they pre-
ferred. Still others left remunerative positions
to as great an extent as they possibly could
in oi'der to knit and sew for soldiers, and there-
by sacrificed their own financial welfare.
Many assumed labors which were distasteful
to them, and trained themselves in unaccus-
tomed work, because they felt that they must
help where their help was most needed, regard-
less of personal preferences.
It was taken for granted that everyone was
willing to do all that could reasonably be ex-
pected, and then more, and this faith in our
women by the government and the Red Cross
organization was justified beyond all pi'ece-
dent.
It was planned that some sort of record be
kept of the time spent in Red Cross work by
the various individuals, but it was soon agreed
that time spent in keeping such records might
be more profitably used in productive employ-
ment. Also, it was realized, as previously
stated, that to lots of women the giving up of
a few hours each day or each week might be
more of a sacrifice than the donating of all
the waking hours of another.
However, in order to give some official recog-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
nition of service rendered it was decided that
badges be given all who had 800 hours' service
for the Red Cross, and a decorative bar be
added for each additional 800 hours. Workers
were asked to keep an account of their own
time for this purpose. Those awarded the
badges were:
Mrs. E. B. Adams, Mrs. Stanley Anderson,
Mrs. John Barr, Maria A. Burns, Mrs. Louis
L. Cahoon, Annie Catterall, Edith C. Chandler,
Mrs. J. G. Chandler, Mrs. E. E. Cheesman,
Mrs. L. C. Christensen, Mrs. Floyd Coling,
Clara Copeland, Mrs. Wm. H. Crosby, Mrs. C.
Ehlers, Mrs. R. Jones Evans, Grace S. Fish,
Mrs. Christ Gabrielson, Mrs. Geo. Gallagher,
Mrs. Wm. Garrett, Mrs. Theo. Godske, Jane B.
Goldsworthy, Nellie L. Gorton, Mrs. O. P. Gra-
ham, Mrs. Florence Grant, Mrs. Clara F. Grif-
fith, Mrs. M. E. Hamilton, Mrs. Anna M. Han-
sen, Mrs. Kirsten, Mrs. C. W. H'Doubler, Mrs.
Chas. Horner, Mrs. Petrea Jensen, Miss Anna
Johnson, Mrs. Marie Johnson, Mrs. O. W.
Johnson, Mrs. Walter E. Jones, Bertha C. Kel-
ley, Mrs. E. L. King, Mrs. Mamie Laper, Mrs.
W. La Venture, Mrs. Ollie Leichtwelhs, Alta
J. Lewis, Mrs. H. W. Lewis, Jessie Stage L'
Heureux, Mrs. F. W. Logan, Mrs. J. H. Lutz,
Mrs. Cathryn McKivett, Mrs. John G. Meach-
em, Mrs. L. K. Merell, Minnie W. Miller, Mrs.
Henry G. Mitchell, Mrs. Louis P. Munroe, Mrs.
J. N. NeCollins, May E. Nelson, Mrs. Thos.
Olle, Mrs. Wm. Osborne, Mrs. John V. Pearce,
Mrs. F. G. Peehn, Mrs. Charles J. Pfost, Mrs.
J. Prostrednik, Mrs. Ada Pultz, Miss Mayme
Rademacher, Mrs. Wm. Rimhardt, Mrs. Annie
E. Roberts, Miss Mary C. Roberts, Mrs. Henry
D. Robinson, Mrs. Geo. E. Rodgers, Mrs. W. R.
Rowley, Mrs. R. Saim, Helen Sargent, Alma M.
Schaefer, Bertha Schroeder, Mrs. A. M. Sewell,
Mrs. Bernice Sherman, Mrs. S. Sorenson, Mrs.
A. P. Speer, Mrs. Walter H. Stearns, Caroline
B. Stebbins, Mrs. Geo. Van Wie, Sarah Vetter,
Mrs. D. M. Walker, Mrs. Sam Walker, Mrs.
Stuart Webster, Mrs. A. Darlington, Mrs. S. F.
Harcus, Mrs. W. F. Hansehe.
Miss Bertha C. Kelley had the remarkable
record of having donated 5,652 hours to the
Red Cross. Others who gave more than 2,000
hours were Mrs. J. G. Chandler, Miss Edith
Chandler, Mrs. Grace S. Fish, Mrs. Charles
Horner, Alma M. Schaeffer, Mrs. Bertha
Schroeder, Mrs. S. B. Walker and Mrs. Stuart
Webster.
Like all other wartime organizations which
were suddenly called upon to assume tremen-
dous responsibilities without time for adequate
preparations or selection of personnel, the
American Red Cross was occasionally sub-
jected to criticism for certain minor policies,
but this criticism was never directed against
its local organizations in Racine county.
One of the aggravating features of all war
work was the occasional necessity of deciding
between two or more conflicting orders, or of
interpreting orders which were not entirely
clear.
There are few women who worked for the
Red Cross who do not remember the piles of
neatly finished pajamas, or socks or surgical
dressings which were returned as "disap-
proved" by some overly conscientious inspector
at Chicago or Washington. Probably every
article passed by the local inspectors was en-
tirely suitable for the purpose intended, but
very frequently some "higher up" would decide
that a seam was turned the wrong way, or a
surgical dressing was not an exact rectangle,
or a sock was possessed of a casting which
would not allow it to stretch easily to a 14
inch circumference at the top. Protests and
arguments were useless; everyone was under
voluntary discipline in war time and was not
supposed to question any order or ask the
reasons why. Then it became the sad duty of
the local inspectors and advisors to explain to
the proud and willing donors of work and sup-
plies that their efforts had been of no use,
and the garments must be reduced to their
original elements and then reconstructed in
accordance with the exact rules laid down.
The difficulty arose from the fact that gen-
eral rules at national headquarters to guide
the workers were interpreted too literally by
divisional inspectors who did not understand
the uses to which the articles were to be put
finally. For instance, there was a general im-
pression that the socks knit at home were to
go to the men in the trenches to keep them
warm in winter, and that therefore the least
irregularity in knitting might chafe the feet
of marching men or cause a blister on a man
standing at his post. In actual practice, com-
bat troops in the American army received socks
of the regular issue of heavy, machine-made
type, and the home knitted articles went to
men in hospitals. Often they were merely bed
garments. In the course of hasty issuing and
haphazard laundering there, no patient ever
received the same pair of socks twice and was
fortunate if he drew two socks of the same
size.
In the case of surgical dressings, women
v/orkers were urged to prepare these in exact
sizes, some of the inspectors going to such
lengths as to require the pulling of a thread
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
129
SMALL DRAFT CONTINGENT READY FOR DEPARTURE
In the rush of sending men away some of the photo groups were not properly identified. The above was one of them.
A PLEASANT DIVERSION FOR A WINTER EVENING
Identifying members of the draft group, which the Local Board and photographer failed to enumerate on the copy, will
be easy for those who are part of it, but rather difficult for persons who are not familiar with the faces.
LAST OF THE UNIDENTIFIED GROUPS
Neilher the namfs of the members of the quota nor the destination of the group could be obtained from the photo-print.
Those shown in the picture will recognize, no doubt, names and dates.
SOME OF THE SAME MEN AFTER REACHING FRANCE
The passion for running away from food was characteristic of the A. E. F. Here are a number of men in the act of
breaking out through the windows of the mess hall in the barracks at (it is believed) Is-Sur-Tille, France.
130
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
to make them perfect, or sewing the edges over
again to make them the proper shape. In the
hospitals they were cut and slashed to make
them some convenient size to cover wounds,
regardless of any exact measurements. Had
the facts been understood the surgical dress-
ing classes could have made many times the
number of dressings they actually turned out.
The same is true of pajamas and similar
articles. Stress was placed upon the impor-
tance of making the garments with a certain
shaped collar band, and a misplaced pocket
was deemed cause for rejection at Chicago.
The chapters were not allowed to use their
odds and ends of cloth to make pajamas which
had a coat of one color and pants of another.
In hospitals, such garments did not return
from the laundry to the men who had sent
them, but were issued promiscuously as need-
ed. Often a patient would have a blue striped
coat made for a man twice his size and a pink
lower garment which barely reached his ankles.
This was no cause for worry to men who had
been sleeping in their uniforms in mud for
weeks at a time, and who asked only for fairly
clean clothing at the hospitals without regard
for appearances.
It undoubtedly was the original intent of
the national directors of this work to ask care-
ful workmanship, and nothing more, but at
times the regulations were carried to extremes
In this connection it may prove interesting
to record a copy of rules issued to knitters by
a chapter of the Red Cross in connection with
directions for knitting the various gai-ments
wanted :
"Don't Cast on Tightly — In setting up a sock
the casting on should never be done tightly.
An otherwise well knitted sock may become
useless by a tight cord at the top. The tcp
of a sock should be large enough to stretch
over a cardboard seven inches long. .
"Don't Knot Your Wool — Join the ends by
running one end into the other with a darning
needle for about six inches. Finish off threads
OP wrong side by running thread with darning-
needle through a bias run of stitches in two
or more opposite directions.
"Don't Make a Heel With a Seam on the
Sole — Remember, a man may not have a
chance to change his socks for many days, and
a lump or knot brings a blister. If the blister
breaks blood poisoning may set in and result
in the loss of a foot or even a life. We cannot
afford to lose our men through negligence or
ignorance.
"Don't Fail to Make the Kitchener Toe —
This has been proved to be the best toe for
men in service.
•'Don't Use Needles too Fine for Wool — The
knitting should be elastic and loose, but not too
loose; if too tightly knitted the sock becomes
hard and felt-like from bad washing and steri-
lizing.
"Don't Make Double Heels — Bad washing
and sterilizing shrink them in a hard, felt-like
lump.
"Don't Make a Foot Less Than Eleven Inches
Long — The average sizes of 11 to 11% are
best. Use judgment in making pi'oportions of
sock correct — a leg suitable for size of foot,
and vice versa. People do not seem to realize
that making a foot size 12 with a leg and
ankle suitable for a size 9 shows lack of judg-
ment.
"Don't Knit Bands of Color into Top of Sock
without first boiling the wool for ten minutes
in salted water and rinsing. This is to set
the color and prevent blood poisoning from
color running. One can save much wool by
using up odd bits of contrasting color in this
way. The men love it, as it helps them to
match up their socks when washing, and they
have a superstition that it is lucky and keeps
them from being wounded.
"Cast on loosely and count rows so that
socks will mate when finished.
"Wash socks before turning them in. This
should be done in warm water, and the rinsing
should be in a light suds. Ironing is not neces-
sary. Lay them on a flat radiator top and pat
into shape, and you will be surprised to find
your sock looks .50 per cent better and feels
softer.
"Darn sock lightly at point of gusset, if
there is a hole there caused by needles not
being held tightly together while narrowing.
Also darn lightly any other place that the sock
is thin or stitches separate.
"A soldier who had been unable to change
his socks for several days felt that a blister
was coming on one of his toes. On removing
the sock he found a little roll of paper which
had been rubbing his toe. On it was written,
'God bless your poor tired feet!'
"All garments made from yarn purchased or
given out at Red Cross Knitting Headquarter?
must be returned there."
Mrs. Arthur Huguenin was appointed chair-
man of the department of instruction for
women in the autumn of 1916, and in the fol-
lowing January several First Aid classes were
formed. These were followed by classes in
home nursing, diatetics and surgical dressings.
Mrs. L. A. Schnetz was appointed secretary
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
131
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OFFICIALS OF DRAFT BOARD NO. 2
Reading from left to right they are: — Ward Gittings. I. O. Mann, George Porter. W. \V. Storms (chairman), W. S.
McCauphey (secretary). Dr. E. A. Taylor, C. H. Krogh. Jame; Peterson.
iititttNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin
IN iiitiiiiii tmiiiitn
OFFICIALS OF DRAFT BOARD NO 1
Readiner from left to risht they are: — Upper Row — E. R. BursesB. F. H. Schulz. Dr. Thackeray. J. C. Hamta. Lower
Row — -J. B. Simmons. H. J. Smith. (Chairman). E. W. Leach. (Secretary).
132
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
of classes, and Mrs. Fanny Botsford and Mrs.
F. H. Pope were added to the committee.
Rooms were given the committee in the Racine
public library. About 200 students took les-
sons in First Aid.
The following physicians patriotically do-
nated their services as instructors: Drs. E.
Von Buddenbrock, W. W. Johnston, J. H. Ho-
gan, C. F. Browne, F. C. Christensen and S.
Sorenson. Dr. Susan Jones gave her services
as examiner for all the classes.
About 85 women attended the classes in home
nursing which began in May, 1917. Red Cross
nurses who directed these classes were the
Misses Edna McGovern of Milwaukee; Amanda
Schmidt, E. Fees and Gertrude Davis of Ra-
cine. All of these nurses were later in serv-
ice.
The Misses Bessie C. Nevin, Elizabeth Hood,
Verna Glllen and Mabel Wilton were made
Red Cross dietitians and instructed seventy-
five high school girls. During the vacation
period the school board donated the use of
the domestic science kitchen in the high school
and Miss Gillen donated her services as in-
structor there.
Miss Elizabeth Greene of Milwaukee in-
structed several classes in surgical dressings
and later a number of ber graduates were made
instructors in this work. Mrs. Percival Fuller
opened her home and fitted out several rooms
in the required manner. Here several thou-
sand dressings were made by volunteer work-
ers.
In October, 1918, under the chairmanship of
Mrs. LaVenture, the department conducted
several classes in home nursing and first aid
work.
The junior auxiliaries of the Red Cross were
organized in the public and parochial schools
in 1918. Children were asked to take mem-
berships at 25 cents each, or else the school
must qualify as an auxiliary by subscribing
an amount which would average 25 cents per
pupil, even though each individual did not
contribute. St. Patrick's Catholic school on
Douglas avenue was the first one to qualify
with a 100 per cent subscription.
All Red Cross supplies sent from Racine
were carried to Chicago by the Goodrich
Transit Company without charge, and all ship-
ments reached their destinations safely.
CHAPTER XVI
SAVING FOOD TO WIN THE WAR
THERE was no more interesting feature
of civilian war work than the almost
unanimous efforts of American citizens
to conserve the food supply of the nation, so
our army abroad and the inhabitants of Allied
nations could be fed. "Saving Food Will Win
the War," was one of the earliest of war-time
slogans, and while it could not be tenned the
sole cause of winning the war it unquestion-
ably proved one of the important factors in the
ultimate victory. Soldiers can and often do
fight without adequate aiTns and ammunition;
patriots will "carry on" while clad in rags and
tatters, but no army can fight and no nation
can support its armed forces if starvation
stalks in its midst.
France was nearly self-supporting as to food.
Italy needed to import a great deal of wheat.
England depended almost entirely upon the
outside world for her sustenance, and the sub-
marine campaign had cut off her maritime
connections with her colonies. The vast wheat
fields of Russia were of no use to the rest of
the world with Turkey holding the Dardanelles.
An unexpectedly large proportion of the
world's tonnage was being used for naval and
transport purposes, and to carry munitions of
war. In addition to the needs of the Allied
peoples, America was sending hundreds of
thousands of men overseas who must depend
upon their own country for their food. To
make conditions more serious, the United
States and Canada both suffered from very
short crops in 1917.
To meet this situation, the co-operation of
every man, woman and child was asked, and
government representatives were appointed in
every county to advise them what was expected
of them. Few laws were passed, and the
arbitrary powers given the Food Administra-
tors of nation, state and county were seldom
needed. As in other matters affecting the war,
public sentiment proved moi'e efficient in ob-
taining results than all the laws that could
have been placed upon the statute books.
William T. Hai-vey was County Food Ad-
ministrator for Racine county. He gave his
sei-vices voluntarily and for more than a year
devoted practically all of his time, without re-
muneration, to the task. He was ably as-
sisted by his wife, Mrs. Jane B. Hai-vey, who
transacted most of the correspondence and de-
voted many hours each day to planning oi'gan-
ization and detail work.
When the drastic regulations were first
published, there was more or less good-na-
tured grumbling. It took some time to get
used to such things as coming into a town af-
ter a long auto ride and stepping into a
re.staurant with the intention of devouring a
huge steak and a generous dessert, only to be
informed that it was a meatless day, and that
desserts were taboo, and each customer could
have but one spoonful of sugar. But like
everything else, it soon became a matter of
course and "food slackers" who sought to
evade the government i-ules were scorned by
their more patriotic neighbors.
One of the problems arising was that of the
right of a fanner to use all the white flour
he wanted, inasmuch as he himself had raised
wheat. The Food Administration i-uled that
the person producing food should not be ex-
empted from the rules which others were ex-
pected to obey. One of the farmers protested
to Mr. Han"ey one day, and said that inas-
much as he had raised a large crop of wheat
he should not be required to sell any more of
it than he wished, and he should be allowed
to have it made into any kind of flour he
wanted for himself and family.
"See here," answered Mr. Harvey, "your
next door neighbor raised a boy, and the gov-
ernment took him into the anny. Lsn't it fair
that the government should also take as much
of your wheat as it deems necessary in order
to feed that boy? Especially when you are
being paid a good price and are not asked
to starve yourself?"
The agriculturist saw the point, and grinned.
134
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
"You are right," he said. "I never thought
of it that way before. You will never hear
another kick from me on any i-ule the govern-
ment makes." And he became one of the ac-
tive workers in spreading the "Save Food"
propaganda.
A Racine physician was inclined to assist
people who asked permission to use more wheat
flour than the government allowance, by de-
claring that it wa? necessary for their health.
Mr. Haivey obtained written opinions from
half a dozen leading doctors to the effect that
oat meal bread, com meal and even the de-
tested barley bread was more healthful than
bread made of fine patent flour. This fact
was publi.shed, and people were warned not
to try to circumvent the law by such subter-
fuges. The trick was never tried again and
the abashed physician retired into his shell
for the period of the war.
From the very start of hostilities, the sei-^'-
ing of a fourth meal in the afternoon or late
at night was discontinued. If banquets were
to be held, they were limited to plain food and
were served at such a time as to replace a
regular meal. Cakes and pastry became rare
sights, and fancy frostings requiring consider-
able sugar almost disappeared entirely for
many months.
The Food Administration's work was notable
because it proved so entirely successful; it
was the first time that anything of a similar
nature had been attempted in America, and
because more than any other one thing it
touched the lives of every individual in the
United States.
Eligible young men might escape army serv-
ice; women might neglect to do their part
for the Red Cross or other organizations;
wealthy people could "get by" without
buying Liberty bonds, under certain condi-
tions, but there was no one who could fail to
feel the strong hand of a free and democratic
government upon them when every meal con-
tained some reminder of the work of the Food
Administration, and when gold itself could not
give them any advantage over their neigh-
bors when they tried to obtain a better quality
or a greater quantity of certain staple food
products.
There was never any attempt to get the
American people to cut down their food to
the point where there was any real discom-
fort. It was felt that the greater part of the
people actually were in the habit of over-eat-
ing and sen-ing food wastefully. All that was
asked was that waste be eliminated, that meals
be prepared in a simple and inexpensive man-
ner and that substitutes be used for those
forms of food products which could most
easily be transpoi'ted to Europe or used in the
army camps at home.
Oatmeal, potatoes, cabbage and hash became
a symbol of American patriotism.
Congress passed the Food Act on August
10, 1917. In this law, the President was given
autocratic power over the food supply of the
whole country. Herbert Hoover was made
Federal Food Administrator on August 17.
His experience in Belgium made him the log-
ical man for this great responsibility. It was
evident that the available food resources of
the world were going to be less than the re-
quirement: that America must provide not only
for her own people, but also for much of
Europe.
Further, it was foreseen that as the demand
became greater than the supply, prices would
advance to a point where the laboring people
would be unable to obtain sufficient food with-
out tremendous advance in wages. Prior to
the passage of the food act, flour was selling
at $18.00 to $20.00 per barrel retail. Congress
fixed the price of the 1918 wheat crop at $2.20
per bushel and limited the profit of the millers^
wholesalers and retailers of flour. Under this
arrangement, flour sold at $12.00 to $14.00 a
barrel. This plan was later extended to the
1919 wheat crop and the price of flour was in
this way stabilized for the period of the war
and a year or more thereafter.
The Food Act contained three major pro-
visions.
1. To encourage production.
2. To control distribution.
3. To consen-e supply.
To encourage production, the farmers were
urged to do everything possible to produce
more wheat and com, oats, sugar beets, beef,
pork, poultry, eggs and daily products.
The city and village inhabitants with back
lots, were urged to plant war gardens.
The respon.se to these appeals was so great
that 1918 crops were record breakers. The
wheat crop of the United States for 1918 was
918,000,000 bushels, or nearly fifty per cent
greater than 1917.
Racine County had raised very little wheat
for many years, but the spring of 1918 saw at
least a few acres of wheat on every faiTn.
Many fields averaged over 40 bushels per acre
and the total production for the countiy was
estimated at forty thousand bushels. Back
yards and vacant lots were converted into
vegetable gardens which furnished a large
amount of food and enabled every family to
save on the wheat, meat, fats and sugar which
were needed for the amiies in the field.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
While the people of the country at large are
entitled to great credit for tlie unanimous re-
sponse to the appeal of the food administra-
tion for the large production of food, we must
also give credit to Providence for favorable
weather conditions throughout the season.
In assuming control of the distribution of
food, the Food Administration issued licenses
to all manufacturers of food and to all whole-
sale dealers in food. No manufacturer or
dealer was permitted to charge more than a
reasonable profit over the cost price of food
products. This was done to prevent them
from taking advantage of the food shortage
and did much to steady the market.
These concerns were required to make
monthly ]-eports showing the cost of their
goods and also their selling prices. In addi-
tion to this, inspectors were sent out by the
Food Administration to check them up.
The retail dealers were not licensed but in
cases where they did not comply with the rules
of the Food Administration, the wholesalers
were notified to sell them no more goods and
in this way it was possible to control them.
Racine County food dealers, with few excep-
tions, showed a fine spirit all through the war
period. In only two cases were dealers asked
to contribute §25.00 to the Red Cross, as a
penalty for overcharging for fiour in one case
and for selling canning sugar without a permit
in another case.
In order to control prices of all food stuffs,
dealei-s both wholesale and retail, were per-
mitted to charge only a reasonable percentage
of profit over their cost prices. The profits on
such staples as flour, sugar and coffee are al-
ways much less than on luxuries. The pre-
war basis of profit on any item of food was
acceptable to the Food Administration. If a
grocer had a big stock of canned salmon
bought at a low price he had to give his cus-
tomers the benefit of his purchase. Racine
County, like all other counties, had a "Fair
Price Committee," composed of the following:
W. T. Hai-vey, Chaimian, John Wiechers,
Fred Radewan, Jens Jensen, Clarence R.
Nevin, Chas. Christensen, Chris Sorenson,
Frank Luxem, Jos. Otradovec, Lester Bowman.
George Black, Sidney Mikulecky, J. K. Evans,
Stewart Chamberlain, Wm. Eric and Percy
Conroe. These men met faithfully once or
twice a week for the entire year of 1918 and
adopted a price list for the more staple lines
of food. These prices were published in the
local papers and served as a guide to prevent
profiteering.
In the great work of conservation of food,
Mr. Hoover had to make the choice between
voluntary conservation or rationing the people
He saw that rationing would be a tremendous
task, requiring a large force of inspectors and
decided that he would appeal to the patriotism
of the people to conserve the essential foods.
To accomplish this, a great publicity cam-
paign was necessary and the first great effort
was the distribution of twenty million home
pledge cards.
These cards appealed to the housewives of
the country to conserve food in every pos-
sible way. They provided for wheatless and
meatless days in each week and also one
wheatless and meatless meal each day. Ev-
ery housewife, boarding house, restaurant and
hotel proprietor was asked to sign a pledge
card to help save the food that was necessarj
to win the war.
The co-operation of the people of the country
was so hearty that in a few months it was
possible to release some of the meat i-estric-
tions, as the farmers and packers complained
that meat was not being consumed as fast as
it was being produced and transportation fa-
cilities were not adequate to carry the surplus
to Europe.
Our wheat crop of 1917 was only 62.5.000,000
bushels: bai-ely enough for our o\^m require-
ments and for seed. In spite of this fact we
sent large quantities to Europe and our people
used the wheat substitutes, viz: — corn, barley,
rice, oats, etc., during the first half of 1918.
In December, 1917, the Food Administration
decided upon what was known as the "snbsti-
tute rule" requiring that, for everv pound of
wheat flour purchased, the dealer nnKt s^ll
and the buyer must take one pound cf sub-
stitute consisting of corn meal, corn flour,
bai-ley flour, oatmeal, rice, etc. This was done
to compel everyone to share alike, in the use
of wheat and of the substitutes. This rule
was kept in force until the 1918 wheat crop
was ready for the market. Had it not been
for the wide use of these substitutes, the
wheat supply of the country would have been
entirely exhausted early in 1918.
This substitute rule pi'obably aroused more
complaint on the part of the selfish and un-
patriotic than any other restriction. They
complained that their stomachs w-ere weak and
that white bread was the only bread they could
eat. Nothing short of a doctor's certificate
was sufficient to enable them to get wheat
flour without a substitute. One woman living
in a fine home just outside the city was re-
ported to have a considerable amount of white
flour stored away. When ask to repoi-t, she
admitted that she had about 100 lbs., while
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
137
1 ho COS by Malme-Pavek-Grant
Top Row — Edward A. Christensen, Herman Kugel, Edward Bahlman, Frank Luedke, Albert (i. Gcrber, August Luedke.
Second — Micheal Howoicik, R. C. Evans, Theodore Meyer, Perry Osterffaard, Orville C. Anderson, Einer Christensen.
Third — David Jacobson. Caprial Keshishian, John Iverson, William Dymacek, Stephen Tieser. Joseph Mazurkievicz.
Fourth — Miram Chordig. Theo. W. Held, Herbert H. Held. Edward Dudek. LeRoy Butler, August Rudat.
Bottom — Lawrence Markisen, Allie Markisen, John Stallman, John P. Greene, Hans Nygaard, Stanley W. Bergstrom.
138
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
25 lbs. was the maximum any one could have
at that time. As an excuse she claimed that
her hired man didn't eat anything but white
bread. She had 10 lbs. of cornmeal and was
asked to donate all but 10 lbs. of her white
flour to the hospitals and then get herself and
servants on the half wheat, half substitute ra-
tion.
All the best hotels and dining cars pledged
themselves voluntarily, to use no wheat dur-
ing the period of the shortage. Rye bread,
corn muffins and Johnny cakes were used in
place of wheat bread.
Flour was milled in one grade and the mills
had to make 74 lbs. of flour for every 100 lbs.
of wheat — the other 26 lbs. being middlings
and bran for cattle.
Fine patent white flour of which only 49
lbs. could be made from 100 lbs. of wheat was
not permitted during the war.
The bakers were required to make bread out
of 75 per cent wheat flour and 25 per cent sub-
stitutes. In order to compel a uniform observ-
ance of this rule the bakers organized in every
county and elected one of their number "cap-
tain." O. B. Schulz was captain of the Racine
County bakers. Monthly meetings were held
and methods of making good bread wath the
required amount of substitutes were developed.
The most palatable substitutes were corn
starch, corn flour, rice flour and oat meal.
Barley flour was the most unpopular.
In the spring- of 1918 we were almost at the
bottom of the wheat bins. Farmers were noti-
fied to bring in all wheat left after seeding,
and no one was allowed to feed wheat to stock
or poultry. Fortunately the 1918 crop ripened
early and an abundant supply was available
from the Southern harvest fields by mid-sur.-
mer.
In the early part of 1918 the supply of sugar
was short of the requirements. Prior to this
time, the Food Administration had urged con-
stant conservation of sugar and had made very
strong rules regarding the hoarding of sugar.
The people were requested to buy not more
than five pounds at one time in the city and
ten pounds in the country. This method of
voluntary conservation would doubtless have
pioved sufl'icient had it not been for the sudden
appearance of German submarine boats on the
west side of the Atlantic and the sinking of a
considerable number of ships carrying sugar
from the West Indies.
The canning season was at hand, calling for
large quantities of sugar for preserves and
jan-'s.
The Food Administration immediately issued
oi'ders to all dealers that they must sell only
three pounds of sugar for each person per
month. Later this was reduced to 2 lbs. per
month. The retail merchants were compelled
to file statements of the amount of sugar
bought the previous year and were allowed
only fifty per cent of this amount. In addition
to this, they were required to keep "a sugar
book" and make a record of every sale of
sugar. The merchants were further required
to sell only to their regular customers and
inasmuch as they had a limited supply it was
necessary for them to comply with this rule.
The candy factories, pop and soft drink fac-
tories were allowed only fifty per cent of
their former sugar supply. Factories pre-
serving food for future use were allowed their
full requirements.
Housewives requiring sugar for canning had
to obtain permits from the County Food Ad-
ministrator or his deputy and they had to
pledge themselves to use the sugar, so ob-
tained, for canning or preserving purposes.
At the beginning, the limit was placed at
t^venty-flve pounds which a housewife could
purchase at one time for canning purposes.
This was later reduced to ten pounds, but ad-
ditional ten pound lots could be obtained pro-
vided the applicant produced satisfactory evi-
dence that she had no sugar on hand and need-
ed more sugar for canning purposes.
In order to carry out this work, fifty women
deputies wore appointed throughout the County
who were authorized to issue permits to buy
canning sugar. The work of these sugar depu-
ties was one of the outstanding features of
the food administration work of this county.
It was a serious problem to distribute the
shoi't supply of sugar so that every family
could get a reasonable supply for canning.
The grocers were permitted to sell each family
on their regular list of customers one-half
pound for each person per week for table use
and cooking. To get sugar for canning the
pui'chaser had to obtain a signed permit from
one of the sugar deputies. These permits were
all returned each week to the County Food
Administrator's office by the grocers. Here
they were filed and anyone who tried to get
more than a fair amount was notified to repoit
and explain.
The County Food Administi'ation had auto-
cratic power in such cases and where it was
evident that anyone had misrepresented the
facts to get sugar he or she was requested to
make a donation of $10 or $25 to the Red
Cross.
Very few such penalties were inflicted be-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
139
Photos by Pavek-Grant-Billings
Top Row — John Hansen, C. A. Hansen. C. H. Hauser, Arthur Johnson. P. J. Ebben. R. J. Gieseler. H. P. Saugman.
Second — Peter Lange. Jens Christensen. Alex Lehti. C. J. Stork. O. A. Wespelal. Frank Bohn, F. P. Scharping.
Third — Clar. Thompson. H. E. Hebblelhwaite. C E. Godske. C. O. Matson, A. F. Brautigam. F. C. Spychalla. C. Morganson.
Fourth— Oscar M. Jones. F. E. Welsh. Conrad Akvick. Alb. Kuchti. Vahan Kurigian. W. J. Iselin. OUe Nystrom.
Fifth — Tinus Christensen. G. Nalbantian. H. Durgerian, M. Mangialardo. E. Zauierucha. A. W. Nickel. H. H. Reth.
Bottom — Ray S. Hamper. I. I.. Driver. Carl Christensen. Chas. Krueger. John Mandro. R. L. Peterson. R. J. Goebel.
140
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
cause the people generally realized that we
were in the midst of a terrible war, and that
it was just as necessary for those at home to
do their part as it was for the armies in the
field to obey orders.
During all this time of sugar shortage, the
price was maintained at 9 and 91/2 cents per
pound. Had there been no restrictions sugar
would have undoubtedly sold for twenty-five to
thirty cents per pound, and those who needed
it most would have been unable to secure suf-
ficient supply. In fact, after the war the price
rose to 20 cents a pound within a year.
The work of the United States Food Admin-
istration was cai'ried on entirely by voluntary
service. There was a Federal Food Adminis-
trator in each State and there was also a
County Administrator in each County.
The County Administrator, Mr. Harvey, had
jurisdiction over all grocery stores, bakeries,
meat mai'kets and public eating houses. It
was necessary to hold frequent meetings of
grocers, bakers and the proprietors of hotels,
restaurants and boarding houses to keep them
all informed of the rulings of the Food Admin-
istration. The co-operation of the people at
large was hearty and it was rare that any-
one resented any of the food rules. In case
of objection, an explanation of what the Food
Administration was doing, was usually suffi-
cient to enlist the support of the objector.
In the spring of 1918 the National Food
Administration organized a department cover-
ing all threshermen.
It was necessary for every thresherman to
procure a license to operate and sign a pledge
to avoid all possible waste in threshing.
A county committee consisting of County
Food Administrator W. T. Harvey, County
Agent E. S. Polley of Rochester, and H. M.
Thomas of the Case T. M. Co. held a meeting
of the threshermen in June and instructed
them fully on the rules of the Food Adminis-
tration. Later this committee inspected as
many of the machines in operation as possible.
It was estimated that this effort saved thou-
sands of bushels of grain in every county.
Herbert Hoover's decision to appeal to the
people of the United States to do their part
in the production and conservation of food
and their response to this appeal will always
be one of the glories of the great war. The
nation produced moi-e, prices were maintained
on staples such as flour and sugar at reason-
able figures; food was distributed fairly, so
that no one had to go without, and the people
conserved so well that they were able to spare
large quantities of food for the people of
Europe who were threatened with famine.
The various women's organizations gave
hearty co-operation to Mr. Harvey throughout
his administration. Housewives everywhere
exercised the greatest ingenuity in planning
meals so as to conserve food.
The Home Economics Department of the
Woman's Committee of the Council of De-
fense, for example, bought and canned 300 lbs.
of beans when, through a shortage of labor,
it was feared many beans would be wasted.
The work was done by the girls and teachers
of the Vocational school, supervised by Miss
Elizabeth Fratt. This furnished a valuable
canning lesson to over .500 girls. By the ef-
forts of Miss Elizabeth Hood, her corps of
teachers and the gii'ls of the High School,
1000 quarts of fruit and vegetables were
canned. Five hundred glasses of jelly and
many bottles of fruit juices were made. The
jelly was made with part syrup to save sugar.
The materials were furnished by the women
of the community who were too busy with
war work to do their own pi'eserving. One
quart from every twelve was kept by the de-
partment for the work done.
A group of twenty volunteer workers trained
under Miss Helen Henderson, Home Demon-
stration Agent, demonstrated the use of sub-
stitute floxirs — the making of sugarless cakes,
etc., and canning by the "cold pack" method
throughout the County. Also demonstrations
were held in evei'y school in Racine, once a
week.
Demonstrations were held in each of the 10-
cent stores with great success.
Twenty thousand pamphlets and bulletins
were distributed to interest women. This liter-
ature was obtained by Miss Helen Gorton of
the Public Library,- who acted as librarian for
this department of the Food Administration.
Three Conservation shows were held, at
which the fruits and vegetables canned by
the High School and Vocational School stu-
dents were sold. Demonstrations of economi-
cal dishes were given by women of various
nationalities, such as how to make Bohemian
breads, eighty ways of preparing Italian
spaghetti, etc., as well as demonstrations of
wheatless breads and sugarless cakes.
Prizes were given for best assortment of
canned vegetables, fruits and juices.
Invaluable service was rendered by the
Gii'ls' Motor Corps of the Woman's Commit-
tee, carrying baskets of materials, demonstra-
tors and bulletins to their destinations. The
honorary member, Edward Stormer, 12 years
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
141
^Bt mattt^W^ ^
9
^^BjR'vi^
Photos by Billings
Top Row — Frank Hensman. Paul Johnson. Edward Jayne, Joe Wilfer. G. M, Hixon. Lee Homan, E. Elliott.
Second — E. O. .Sorensen, Peter Krogh, Geo. Porter, C. M. Cain. Arthur Zratzky. Sidney Wright. John Christenson.
Third — Adolph Tandrup. Roy Howarth. Harold Brown. C. Anderson. M. F. Sorenson. Anthony Marsch. Peter Skandor.
Fourth — Peter Mickelsen, John Usik. Howard Sumpter. Joe Jirush. Joe Garbo. P. W. Paulson. Wm. K. Alcorn.
Fifth — Fred DeBroder. I. L. Pratt. John Skrivcr. A. J. Rowlfv. W. J. Nissen. Wm. Weyres, Geo. Sorenson.
Bottom — Walter Butzine. fi. Micheloni. E. Sargen. A. E. Nielsen. S. Hughes, E. F. Schowalter, W. C. Peterson.
142
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
old, drove 5,000 miles while helping- in this
wofk.
The sugar deputies were selected by the
Woman's Committee, and their names appeal
in the chapter devoted to that organization.
Mrs. E. J. Stormer was chairman of the Home
Economics division and as such had charge of
the important work of planning for co-opera-
tion between the public and the Food Adminis-
tration.
By July, 1918, most of the rulings of the
Food Administration had become thoroughly
understood by all, but there was a great
amount of detail work in connection with the
County Administrator's office. To take care
of the many questions coming up, Mr. Hai'vey
appointed Walter Uebele and Walter Keebler
deputies for Burlington, and John Gittings
and A. S. Titus for Union Grove and Water-
ford, respectively. Miss Louise Bolton volun-
teered her services in the main office, and she
assisted Mr. and Mrs. Harvey for the remain-
der of the year. Mr. Harvey had turned one oT
the rooms in his residence into an office, and
from 6 o'clock in the morning until 9 or 10
o'clock at night there was an almost endless
series of visitors and telephone requests for
information and instructions. The correspond-
ence alone occupied several hours of the da>
for Mrs. Harvey and Miss Bolton.
The requirement that a merchant must show
his record of sugar purchases for the previous
year before he could buy his supply for 1918
caused much excitement for it developed that
many of the smaller storekeepers had kept
no records. They were in the habit of buying
a few bags as they needed them, paying cash
and destroying the receipt. Mr. Harvey had
to use his judgment regarding the amount re-
quired by them.
The deputies had many funny experiences.
One had had to give a bit of a lecture to a
woman who had declined to hang a food
pledge window insignia in the window, be-
cause she thought it was not an artistic deco-
ration. She was given one of these as well
as the card of instruction to hang in the
kitchen and told that the government wanted
all patriotic women to display the emblem.
She agreed. A few days later the deputy was
standing in front of the house, which was on
a corner, and noticed that both the emblem
and the kitchen card were in the front win-
dow. The deputy had been waiting for a
friend, and when the latter caught up they
walked around the corner. To her surprise she
saw the two cards in the side window. Her
curiosity was aroused sufficiently so that she
went back after a few minutes, and found that
the front window was empty. Apparently the
lady of the house had wanted to be sure that
the deputy knew she was obeying' the letter
of the law, if not its spirit.
The canning-sugar regulations caused a
great deal of labor in the food administrator's
office. Record was kept of the names of all
purchasers of sugar, together with the amounts
received. There were many thousands of these
cards. Several school teachers donated their
time in spare hours to help keep these ac-
counts. They were the only means possible
for finding "repeaters."
One housewife applied for a third 25-lb. lot
of sugar. The sugar deputy thought that the
number of glasses of jelly reported as made
ought to be enough for the winter. The ap-
plicant appealed to Mr. Harvey, who said that
he agreed vfiih the deputy.
"You can't eat more than that amount of
jelly," he said. "That should last all \\antei-."
"All winter!" she exclaimed. "Why it's al-
most all gone now. We like it fresh!"
She then learned to her surprise that the
sugar rationing was not for the purpose of
providing tempting morsels at the time, but
to aid in preserving the food supply until
later.
As a rule, the poorer families and the for-
eign element of the population caused but little
trouble and obeyed the regulations without a
murmur. Most of the violations were the acts
of owners of automobiles, who could go from
store to store and even town to town and
establish their trade sufficiently to get a few
extra pounds of sugar. One family was showTi
to be buying sugar in three counties^Racine,
Walworth and Kenosha. When the three
County Food Administrators got on their trail
it proved to be pretty expensive sugar.
A woman who was quite prominent in war
work was found to be buying sugar from a
store, although she boarded out. A letter was
sent to her asking that she call at Mr. Har-
vey's office. She ignored it. A few days later
Mrs. Harvey was surprised to see her come
briskly up to the door and knock. Upon being
admitted, she said she was soliciting funds
for some patriotic scheme and wanted a dona-
tion for the cause. Mrs. Harvey said, "I will
speak to Mr. Harvey." The visitor gasped and
said, "Does Mr. Harvey live here? Oh I
thought this was someone else's house." And
she beat a hasty retreat. A second letter
mailed that day brought her to the office again,
when she reluctantly admitted that she had
been getting extra sugar to cari'y to the
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
143
P!io'^05 by Grart-Leonard-Billings
Top Row — Wm. Juranck. Norman Anderson, Frank Speiker. Henry Vandermeier, David Stone, Jas. Clausen, E. Giordano.
Second — John Tauskela. Har\ey Mattery, G. A. Case, J. N. O'Brien, W. F. Richow, Joe Holy. Earl Harding.
Third — G. W. Jones. Geo. Smollen, Eugene Morelle, Joseph Kubek, C. P. Nelson. Percy De Brier, Anthony Shinski.
Fourth — C. H. Ouimette. G. A. Dase, P. Szimanski. M. Ohly, F. C. Fisher. E. Breckenfield, John Scholzen.
Fifth — J. A, Forsman, Clar. Wagner, G. Deshais, L. J. Cisco, Martin Nelson, C. O. Schimelpfenig, Wm. Jensen.
Bottom— A. B. Quella, C. B. Klippel. G. F. Mrotek. T. W. Harris, G. F. Erbe. Paul Palazzo. Harold Van Bree.
144
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
boarding' house table, as she and her husband
liked plenty of it with their meals. She later
contributed the value of the sugar to the Red
Cross, by request.
A baker whose report showed that he had
not been using the proper amounts of substi-
tutes for flour was asked for an explanation.
He sent by mail a statement that the recipe
he had would not make bread, and enclosed as
evidence a loaf so hard that it could not be
nicked with a butcher knife. He said he had
tried to feed it to his chickens, but they could
get no nourishment from that batch of bread.
Mr. Harvey found a new formula for him
which produced a more edible form of bread
and pardoned the first offense.
The Home Economics department of the
Woman's Committee gave valuable assistance
to the F'ood Administration. Mrs. E. E. Storm-
er was chairman, and the advisory committee'
was composed of Mrs. Stormer, Mrs. John F.
Clancy and Mrs. H. M. Wallis. A group of
members, consisting of Mrs. Anna Prostrednik,
Mrs. Raffoni, Mrs. Polk, Mrs. Harry Mann,
Mrs. Bullis and Mrs. Zagora volunteered to
demonstrate a number of economical foreign
dishes at the domestic science kitchens of the
schools. They accomplished such feats as pre-
paring macaroni in eighty different ways;
serving- burdock stems so that they I'esembled
asparagus; baking Bohemian bread, etc. In
October, 1917, a War Garden exhibit was held
at the Commercial club rooms under direction
of the Council of Defense. Mrs. Clancy had
charge of the daily cooking demonstrations
there. Among the exhibits at that show was
a single barrel filled with earth in which
nearly a bushel of potatoes had been pro-
duced.
There were numerous women volunteers who
went wherever asked to demonstrate the use
of wheat substitutes. Among these were Mrs.
Angus R. Callender, Mrs. Edward Hoernel,
Mrs. Louis Hahn, Mrs. George Kettelson, Mrs.
George Lynch, Mrs. F. B. Stafford, Mrs. F. A.
Kamerer, Miss Angela Hegnei', Mrs. H. J. Cad-
well, Mrs. P. H. Connolly, Miss Margaret Ro-
han and Mrs. A. G. Miller.
A woman who had been watching a demon-
strator in a downtown store was much inter-
ested and said she would like to do that work.
She was told to get in touch with Mrs. Storm-
er, who told her where she could take a week's
course of intensive training. She did this, and
provided herself with the uniform apron used
by demonstrator.s, and then at her request was
told where to go to address a meeting the next
day. At that point she asked about the amount
of salary paid. She was told that this was all
volunteer work.
"Good night!" she exclaimed. "Do you think
I am going to do this kind of woi-k for noth-
ing?" And she swept out of the place while
the other volunteers looked on in astonishment.
The instructors had taken it for granted that
she understood the situation and were as much
surprised as she was at the climax.
Women who were skillful cooks cheerfully
gave their services as instructors in preparing
and preserving foodstuffs. Teachers in do-
mestic science were especially in demand and
most of them devoted all their spare hours to
this task. Miss Alice Brown of the staff of
the County Agricultural school at Rochester
was one of the most active of these, and trav-
elled from one end of the county to the other
for many weeks, demonstrating the "cold
pack" method of preserving, and other devices
for canning food cheaply and effectively.
Never in all history was so much canning
done in any country. Every fruit and vege-
table not required for table use was "put down"
for the winter. If sugar was not available for
making jelly, the fruit juice was kept in air-
tight jars until the sugar could be obtained.
Sweet corn was parched. String beans and
beets were canned by the bushel in most
homes. Root cellars were constructed and
used. Stated briefly, each household tried to
put itself upon a basis which would not re-
quire the purchase of canned goods imported
from other parts of the country. The wild
nut crops were carefully saved. Pumpkins
were not used for Hallowe'en celebrations.
Home grown apples replaced fancy southei'n
and imported fruits. Public markets were es-
tablished to enable farmers to dispose quickly
of their products, and housewives to obtain
them while they were still in first-class condi-
tion.
Besides raising some wheat, every farmer
was asked to raise some sugar beets to help
reduce the sugar shortage. Every foot of till-
able land was expected to be used to produce
food or forage.
It was the custom of Mr. Harvey, the County
Food Administi'ator, to provide the newspa-
pers every day with a list of fair prices for
staple products, and it was urged that all citi-
zens refuse to pay more than these amounts.
Examination of these shows that despite the
shortage of food throughout the world, the
prices in Racine during the war were main-
tained at much lower figures than in the period
following the signing of the armistice. The
following is the price list published on April
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
145
. l>y Billings-Leona'-d-Hood
Top Row — John Korosos, Harry Johnson, C. J. Hille, W. S. Taylor. Wm. J. Clemens, Alfred Bohn.
Second — E. F. Johns. Leo Hollmaier, Rube Duda. Leo Krebs, A. D. Jepeway, Frank Davies.
Third — A. N. Johnson, Herbert Haudek, E. F. Behrend, Clarence J. Jensen, Theo. Christiansen, Curtis Hall.
Fourth — C. Bellaire, M. Selbach. John Baker, Getmer Weiter, Christopher Pugh, R. L. Fiedler.
Fifth — David Chandler. R. C. Jennings. Marius Jensen, A. Laatz, Leo Scholzen, Geo. Admadt.
Bottom — R. B. Allen, Harold Johnson, R. A. DeMint. John Proost, Fred Thomas, Hugo A. Rickeman.
146
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
23, 1918, when the situation was moi-e grave
than at almost any other time;
EGGS
Strictly Fresh 37-40c per dozen
HAMS
Whole 32-36C per lb.
Sliced . 40-50cperlh.
BACON
Whole Pieces 3.5-50c per lb.
Sliced . 40-55c per lb.
LARD
Best Kettle Rendered
In cartons 31-34c per lb.
Standard Pure
In bulk . 30-.32C per lb.
Substitutes
In bulk 26-28cperlb.
BUTTER
Creamery . 44-48c per lb.
Brick . 46-49cperlb.
OLEOMARGARINE
Standard Grades
In cartons 32-35c per lb.
In rolls 26-30cperlb.
PEANUT BUTTER
In bulk 25-30cperlb.
MILK
Evaporated (Unsweetened) 7- 8c per can
Condensed (Sweetened) 14-1.5c per can
CHEESE
Brick . 27-33cperlb.
American . 30-36c per lb.
POTATOES
No. 1 White iy2-2cperlb.
RICE
Fancy Head 13-14c per lb.
Blue Rose 10-12c per lb.
BEANS
Navy, Hand Picked 17-20c per lb.
Lima . 19-20c per lb.
SUGAR
Granulated in bulk 9c per lb.
FLOUR
Wheat 1/8 bbl. 1..50-1.60
Graham
In 5 lb. bags 7c per lb.
Rye
In .5 lb. bags 8- 9c per lb.
Barley
In 5 lb. bags 7- 8c per lb.
CORNMEAL
Bulk . 8c per lb.
OATMEAL
Bulk . 7- 9c per lb.
All hotels and restaurants co-operated with
the Food Administration and although it was
feared at first that measures might have to be
adopted to force compliance with the rules,
experience showed that public eating houses
actually met the requirements of the govern-
ment more promptly than many private citi-
zens. The fact that they did so was of great
assistance to- the Food Administration and not
only helped to advertise the regulations re-
garding food but prevented people from evad-
ing the rules meant for homes by going to
restaurants to eat. It probably will prove of
interest to people of future generations to read
one of the summaries of general orders issued
to restaurants, and carried out by them to the
letter:
"For the purpose of the following general
oi-ders, public eating-places shall be defined to
include all hotels, restaurants, boarding houses,
clubs, dining cars, and steamships and all
places where cooked food is sold to be con-
sumed on the premises.
"The following general orders have been
issued by the Ignited States Food Administra-
tion governing the operations of all such public
eating-places, these orders to be effective Oc-
tober 21, 1917. It has not been deemed advis-
able or necessai-y at the present time actually
to license the operation of such public eating-
places, but in cases where the patriotic co-op-
eration of such public eating-places can not
be secured by other means, the United States
Food Administration will not hesitate to se-
cure compliance with its orders through its
control of the distribution of sugar, flour and
other food supplies.
■'A failure to conform to any of the follow-
ing orders will be regarded as a wasteful prac-
tice forbidden by Section Four of the Food
Control Act of August 10, 1917.
"General Order 1 — No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served any bi'ead or
other bakery product which does not contain
at least 20 per cent of wheat flour substitutes,
nor shall it serve or permit to be served more
than 2 ounces of this bread, known as Victory
Bread, or if no Victory Bread is served, more
than 4 ounces of other breads (such as corn
bread, niufiins, Boston brown bread, etc.).
Sandwiches or bread served at boarding camps,
and rye bread containing 50 per cent or more
of pure rye flour, are excepted.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
147
Photos by Leonard
Top Row — Allen F. Gere, Emil White. E. R. Pick. R. L. Fidler, Ralph Millar, Glenn DeMars, John F. Devitt.
Second — Laurits Molbach, J. M. Comply, W. R, Christenson, A. Hay, Lowell C. Wadmond, S. Thravalos, P. L, Johnson.
Third — Art Miller, Geo. Bronson. Natale Giardina, D. A. Vicillen, H. L. Mapes. R. R. Green, E. P. McConnell.
Fourth — Armand Prudhomme, Lars C. Pedersen, Steve Steibel, H. W. Kranz, Walter Henry, Geo. Hansen, G. R. Ratchford.
Fifth — Joe Adamski, Vincent Lon;?o, C. A, Fancher, O. J. A. Furrenes, W, C. Lohse, Ernest Lud\vig:, Carl O. Neuman.
Bottom — James P. Peterson, Louis Bartlett, Einer Knudsen, J. Van Eimeren, S. F. Overson. H. Christenson, H. E. Raush,
148
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
"General Order 2— No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served bread or
toast as a garniture or under meat.
"General Order 3— No public eating-place
shall allow any bread to be brought to the
table until after the first course is served.
"General Order 4— No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served to one pa-
tron at any one meal more than one kind of
meat. For the purpose of this rule meat shall
be considered as including beef, mutton, pork,
poulti-y and by-products thereof."
Later on this rule was amended to permit
the serving of liver and bacon together.
"General Order 5— No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served any bacon as
a garniture.
"General Order 6— No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served to any one
person at any one meal more than one-half
ounce of butter.
"General Order 7— No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served to any one
person at any one meal more than one-half
ounce of Cheddar, commonly called American,
cheese.
"General Order 8— No public eating-place
shall use or permit the use of a sugar bowl
on the table or lunch counter. Nor shall any
public eating-place serve sugar or permit it
to be served unless the patron so requests and
in no event shall the amount served to any
one person at any one meal exceed one tea-
spoonful or its equivalent.
"General Order 9 — No public eating-place
shall use or permit the use of sugar in excess
of two pounds for every ninety meals se^ed,
including all uses of sugar on the table and
in cooking, excepting such sugar as may be
allotted by the "Federal Food Administrators
to hotels holding a bakery license. No sugar
allotted for this special baking purpose shall
be used for any other purpose.
"General Order 10— No public eating-place
shall burn any food or permit any food to be
burned and all waste shall he saved to feed
animals or reduced to obtain fats.
"General Order 11— No public eating-place
shall display or permit to be displayed food on
its premises in any such manner as may cause
its deterioration so that it cannot be used for
human consumption.
"General Order 12— No public eating-place
shall serve or permit to be served what is
known as double cream or cream 'de luxe;'
and in any event, no cream containing over 20
per cent of butter fat shall be served."
Of course, numerous other orders were is-
sued from time to time. For instance, people
were asked to reduce the amount of coffee
used so that so many ships would not be need-
ed for importing this staple. The same was
true of tropical fruits.
Everyone was asked to devise ways for using
all left-overs, and the gospel of the clean din-
ner plate was preached everywhere. Children
were taught "to help lick the Kaiser" this way.
As a result of the tremendous savings effected
through the co-operation of all of our people,
it was seldom necessary to ask the substitu-
tion of one foodstuff for another excepting in
the case of wheat flour for bread. The rule
became a general one: "Save all foods." One
of the minor results of the Food Administra-
tion laws was a universal saving of money due
to decreased budgets for the table. Another
was a more general effort on the part of
housewives to learn the relative food values
of various dishes and plan their meals more
intelligently from this standpoint.
Families got in the old fashioned habit of
having- but one big meal a day. Suppers or
luncheon frequently consisted of one or two
dishes, such as soup, or salmon and a vegetable.
Many housewives discovered the merits of a
food made by boiling small pieces of meat
with corn meal, and then serving this sliced
when cold. Desserts became a rarity, almost
extinct. Here are some of the recipes for bread
issued by the government and used by almost
all American families, although the methods
were varied with practice:
Bran Bread
"Soak 1 cake of compressed yeast in V4 cup
of warm water and add to the following batter:
% teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon molasses
114 cups cooled, scalded milk
1 cup raisins soaked and seeded
2 tablespoons shortening
214 cups whole wheat flour
1% cups bran
Barley Bread
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups barley meal or barley flour
1 cup water
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons molasses
V2 yeast cake (compressed)
1 teaspoon salt
"Boil milk and water and cool. Add molass-
es, salt and yeast mixed with a little cold
water. Stir in flour and barley meal (or
barley flour) which have been sifted together.
Knead to a soft dough, adding more flour if
necessary. Cover and let rise until the mix-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
149
Top Row — Alexander Salagin, T. Fredericksen. A. C Monty. Wm. Sigwart. H. Bedvilen. H. Bagdissian. B. M. Kuehnert.
Second — Otto F. Luedke, Mike Kachickian. Arthur Patzke, Gianni Jennello, J. Schleck, C. Petavina. H. E. Hanson.
Third — John Theos, Giuseppe Greco. Erline J. Septon. Martin Ra-smussen. Geo. F. Studey, John Riolo, Karabet Bokosian.
Fourth — Paul F. Wolff. R. H. Esson. John Biluk. Giacento Furno, Max Budko, Mike Gougisian. John Kuspudis.
Fifth — Mike Shimeta, Kaspar Sabastian, Dominic Sister. Joseph Leitner, James Giolli. Archie Berlin, Antonio Caruso.
Sixth — Jacob Jacobson, M. Simeoni. Mihren Bashirian. Henry Barsamian, David Collins. S. C. Anderson. R. H. Leissner.
Bottom — Wm. J. Beller, Clifford Valley. Albert Mixdorf, Felix Gliniecki. Vincent Wacker. L. W. Daniels. Wm. L. Ulrich.
150
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
turo is double its bulli. Knead a second time,
form into loaves, place in well-greased pans
and let rise a second time until the dough has
doubled its bulk. Bake in a hot oven from
one-half to one hour, the time depending on
the size of the loaves.
Rye Bread
"Use any method for white bread but be
careful to use 2 cups of rye flour for each cup
of wheat flour mentioned in the recipe. Rye
bread should be softer than white bread but
well kneaded. When light, form into loaves
and allow to rise to double their size. Brush
over with water and egg and bake in a slowei
oven than for white bread.
Rolled-Oat Bread
"Scald one cup rolled oats in 1 cup boiling
water and allow to stand one hour. Make a
sponge of
1 cup water
1 cake compressed yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons shoi'tening
% cup flour
"Add rolled-oat mixture to sponge and then
flour to make medium soft dough. Form into
loaf and let rise to double its bulk and bake.
Cornmeal Bread
"Use either white or yellow cornmeal. Pro-
ceed as in the case of rolled-oat bread. Sub-
stitute two teaspoons of sugar for molasses
and use the same method.
Rice Bread
"Follow directions for rolled-oat bread but
use 1% cups cooked rice instead of the scald-
ed oatmeal.
"All the preceding recipes may be made into
rolls. When the dough has risen the first
time, form into rolls of desired shape and al-
low to rise until very light. Bake in hot oven.
If desired, the amount of sugar and shortening
used may be increased.
Potato Bread
1 cup mashed potatoes
1/2 cup potato water
% teaspoon salt
V2 cake compressed yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons melted shortening
V2 cup flour
"Make into a sponge. Keep warm. When
light, add sufficient flour to make a mediun.
soft dough. Let rise to double its bulk and
bake."
Housewives wei'e all asked to sign a card
containing a pledge to conserve food, and these
were kept on file so that in case of violation
of the Food Act the culprit could be confront-
ed with her previous promise and properly re-
buked. Later on a food pledge insignia card
was provided and this was displayed in the
windows of homes where the pledge had been
signed. Celluloid buttons were also provided
which could be woi'n on the go\vn or coat lapel
to signify the same thing.
In homes and hotels it was urged that the
use of china, silver and table linen be limited
so as to reduce labor. Rigid economy regard-
ing ice was asked. This was especially true
in the South. Ammonia, which is used for
making artificial ice, was needed in the manu-
facture of munitions.
In all sections of the country, people were
asked to eat local and seasonable foods, as
these did not require abnormal use of railroads
and steamships to transport them, at a time
when all ships and cars were needed for war
purposes. This was one of the factors in the
popularity of the "war gardens" in back yards
and vacant lots in all cities and villages.
In every home, the government Food Ad-
ministration asked to have displayed the fol-
lowing rules and suggestions regarding con-
servation of food, and provided copies of them
on printed cards for the purpose:
"Our problem is to feed our Allies this win-
ter by sending them as much food as we can
of the most concentrated nutritive value in the
least shipping space. These foods are wheat,
beef, pork, dairy products and sugar.
"Our solution is to eat less of these and
more of other foods of which we have an
abundance, and to waste less of all foods.
"Bread and cereals — Have at least one
wheatless meal a day. Use corn, oat, rye,
barley, or mixed cereal rolls, muffins, and
breads in place of white bread certainly for
one meal and, if posfiblc, for two. Eat less
cake and pastry.
"As to the white bread, if you buy from a
baker, order it a day in advance; then he will
not bake beyond his needs. Cut the loaf on
the table and only as required. Use stale
bread for toast and cooking.
"Meat — Use more poultry, rabbits, and es-
pecially fish and sea food in place of beef,
mutton and pork. Do not use either beef,
mutton or pork more than once daily, and then
serve smaller portions. Use all left-over meat
cold or in made dishes. Use soups more free-
ly. Use beans; they have nearly the same
food value as meat.
"Use all of the milk; waste no part of it.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
151
Photos by Pavek-Grant
Top Row — Oscar J. Curley. Henry Stuebe. Harry Hanson, Elmer C. Petersen, Erwin A. Schroeder, Mariniis Peterson*
Second — T. G. Morris, Chris Sorensen, Ray Gleason, H. R. P. Hansen, Frank J. Kaiser, Ernest R. Aul.
Third — J. J. Mohrbacher, LeRoy A. Olson, Harry R. Hughes, Walter C. Roth. J. S. Driver, Chas. W. Frudy.
Fourth — Otto Hansen, Honas Green, Edward L. Comply, John E. Jensen, John A. Campbell, Fred C. Sondergaard.
Fifth — L. A. McDowell, Marius Jensen, Hiram James, Paul Nerenberg, Einer A. Erickson, C. A. Schneider.
Bottom — G. M. Guilbert, Edmund C. Sorenson, Jos. Youska, John L, Sieger, Jos. E. Misorski, Otto Musiel.
152
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
The children must have whole milk, there-
fore, use less cream. There is a great waste
of food by not using all skim and sour milk.
Sour milk can be used in cooking and to make
cottage cheese. Use buttermilk and cheese
freely.
"Dairy butter has food values vital to chil-
dren. Therefore, use it on the table as usual,
especially for children. Use as little as pos-
sible in cooking. Reduce the use of fried
foods to reduce the consumption of lard and
other fats. Use vegetable oils, as olive and
cottonseed oil. Save daily one-third of an
ounce of animal fat. Waste no soap; it con-
tains fat and the glycerine for explosives.
You can make scrubbing soap at home, and,
in some localities, you can sell your saved fats
to the soap makei-, who will thus secure our
needed glycerine.
"Use less candy and sweet drinks. Use less
sugar in tea and coffee. Use honey, maple
syi'up, and dark syrups for hot cakes and waf-
fles without butter or sugar. Do not frost oi
ice cakes. Do not stint the use of sugar in
putting up fruits and jams. They may be used
in place of butter.
"We have a superabundance of vegetables.
Double the use of vegetables. They take the
place of part of the wheat and meat, and,
at the same time, are healthful. Use potatoes
abundantly. Store potatoes and roots properly
and they will keep. Use fruits generously.
"Coal comes from a distance, and our rail-
way facilities are needed for war purposes.
Burn fewer fires. If you can get wood, use it.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS
"Buy less; cook no more than necessary;
serve smaller portions.
"Use local and seasonable supplies.
"Patronize your local producers and lessen
the need of transportation.
"Preach and practice the 'gospel of the eleaii
plate.'
"We do not ask the American people to
starve themselves. Eat plenty, but wisely, and
without waste.
"Do not limit the plain food of growing
children.
"Do not eat between meals.
"Watch out for the waste in the community.
"You can yourself devise other methods of
saving to the ends we wish to accomplish.
Under various circumstances and with varying
conditions you can vary the methods of econ-
omizing.
"Abstain from meat on Tuesdays and wheal
on Wednesdays.
"The men of the Allied Nations are fight-
ing; they are not on the farms. The produc-
tion of food by these countries has therefore
been greatly reduced. Even before the war it
was much less than the amount consumed.
The difference came from America and a few
other countries. Now this difference is great-
er than ever and, at the same time, but little
food can be brought in from the outside ex-
cept from America.
"Therefore, our Allies depend on America
for food as they have never depended befoi'e,
and they ask us for it with a right which they
have never had before. For today they are
our companions in the great war for democ-
racy and liberty. They are doing the fight-
ing, the suffering, and dying — in our war.
"England, France, Italy, and Belgium, taken
together, import in peace time forty per cent
of their breadstuffs. But now, with their re-
duction in harvest, they must import sixty
per cent. We must increase our normal ex-
port surplus of 88,000,000 bushels to 220,-
000,000 bushels. It can be done but in one
way: by economizing and substituting. The
people of the Allies can not substitute corn
alone for bread, as we can. They are using
other cereals added to wheat flour to make
war bread, and can thus use up to twenty-five
per cent of corn for wheat. We have plenty
of corn to send them, but, except in Italy,
whose people normally use it, our Allies have
few corn mills, and corn meal is not durable
enough to be shipped by us in large quanti-
ties. Moreover, the Allied peoples do not make
their bread at home; it is all made in bakeries,
and corn bread can not be distributed from
bakeries. There is but one way: we must re-
duce our use of wheat. We use now an aver-
age of five pounds of wheat flour per person
per week. The whole problem can be met if
we will substitute one pound of corn or other
cereal flour for one pound of wheat flour
weekly per person; that is, if we reduce our
consumption of wheat flour from five pounds
a week to four pounds a week.
"The food animals of the Allies have de-
creased by 3.3,000,000 head since the war be-
gan ; thus the source of their meat production
is decreasing. At the same time, the needs of
their soldiers and war workers have increased
the necessary meat consumption. Our meat
exports to our Allies are now already almost
three times what they were befoi'e the war.
The needs of the .\llies will steadily increase,
because their own production of food animals
will steadily decrease because of lack of feed
for them. If we will save one ounce of meat
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
153
Top Row — Stewart Sloan. Frank Mertens, Herbert Goeffrey, A. J. Kramer, R. F. Wood, Gazaroo Hagopian. G. S. Jensen.
Second — F. L. Stemmer, Peter Redewald, Sam Abresch, J. G. Young, Eugene Ireland. E. C. Mensior, L. Kuchenbecker.
Third — Earl H. Nelsen, W. A. Halbach, V. D. Gleason, I. C. Eckert, Stanley Borns. Henry E. Hansen, Joe Candido.
Fourth — Stanley Rusinski, Wm. Harpke, Irv. Christiansen, N. Kaylegian, Jas. Kinnerup, Kai H. Studt. I. D. Mosher.
Fifth — T. L. Weyres. E. F. Studey. Henri Bovyn, P. Karalumas, B. V. Jensen, Edwin Bauer, Christ Olsen.
Bottom — L. H. Thelen, Harold Kinberg. T. B. Jorgenson, Joe Petraitio, C. S. Thompson, T. M. Coryell, Melvin Christensen.
154
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
per person per day we can send our Allies
what they need.
"The decreasing herds and the lack of fodder
mean a steady falling off in the dairy products
of our Allies. They have been asking for larg-
er and larger exports from us. Last year we
sent them three times as much butter and al-
most ten times as much condensed milk as we
used to send them before the war. Yet we
must not only keep this level up, but do still
better.
"Before the war France, Italy, and Belgium
produced as much sugar as they used, while
England di-ew most of its supply from what
are now enemy countries. France and Italy
are producing less than they need, while Eng-
land is cut off from the source of seventy per
cent of her usual imports. These three Allied
countries must now draw 1,. 500, 000 tons more
of sugar than they did before the war from
the same sources from which we draw our
supplies. We must divide with them. We can
do it by economizing. The usual American
consumption per person is just double that of
France.
"Let us remember that every flag that flies
opposite the German one is by proxy the
American flag, and that the armies fighting
in our defense under these flags cannot be
maintained through this winter unless there
is food enough for them and for their women
and children at home. There can only be food
enough if America provides it. And America
can only provide it by the personal service and
patriotic co-operation of all of us.
"The small daily service in substitution can
be done by all; the saving in waste by the ma-
jority, and the lessening of food consumed by
many. This individual daily service in 20,000,-
000 kitchens and on 20,000,000 tables multiplied
by 100,000,000, which is the sum of all of us,
will make that total quantity which is the solu-
tion of the problem."
The work of the Food Administration was
completed when the work of bringing the
American Expeditionary Forces back from
overseas had gotten well under way. In Feb-
ruary, 1919, the office of County Food Admin-
istrator was abolished and at that time Mr.
Harvey sent the following letter to the trades-
men in Racine who had co-operated so willing-
ly in the conservation of food, often at con-
siderable loss to themselves:
"Racine, Wis., Feb. 12, 1919.
"To the Bakers, Grocers, Hotels, Restau-
rants and Markets, whose business came under
the jurisdiction of the United States Food Ad-
ministration.
"On Aug. 10, 1918, the Congress of the
United States passed the Food Act to encour-
age production, control distribution, and con-
serve supply, in order that all — rich and poor
alike — might be assured a supply of the staple
articles of food while we were at war.
"Such interference with business had never
been attempted in this country before. Deal-
iiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiililiillllllllillllllllllllllllliltillllllllrl
llitllliiiliiiiiiillitlllllllillll iiiiilllllllllllllltllltlltitililiillililllllllllllllllilllil
The personnel of Board No. 2's contingent which left on
July 26, 1918. (See illustration on page 155). — Leo Mater-
nowski, Oscar Rose. Martin W. Severance, Richard M.
Siejrmund, Thorlief Anderson, William G. Groelingr, Raf:ii
Gineit. Svend Peter Haboff. Nels C. Hansen, Dominek
Swensky, John Aug. Dresen, Frank Mikel Meischke, Petsr
Koetting. Chas, B. Frankel, Louis Borgenson. Willard A.
Blosser, Thomas Langlois. Edwin Gustave Carlson, Ralph
Millar, Clarence Mauger, Casimer J. Radevich. HaroVl
Jance. Allen W. White, Otto Albert Oertel. Edward Wjh.
Lensart, L. L. Cook, Andrew Chris Davidson, Reinhold
Pels, Joseph J. Small, George Sorenson, Fredrick P.
Scharping, Nick Venetos. John J. Pawzum, Arnold M.
Anderson, Tom Kuzt, Walter Hansil Martin, Nick Schram,
Jim Kozlowsky, Hilten Hansen, John G. Jensen, Chris E.
Sorenson, Jr., Harold E. Olsen, Michael Hansen, Louis E.
Bartlett. Stanley Shadiz, Theodore Jacobsen, John Thomas
Mauger, Joseph Henry Timer, Edward J .Hodges. John
Wisewaty, J. A. Dembosky, Walter Jenas, Ralph Gentile,
Sote Jayejian, Shukel Hasa. Stef Swareewicz. Albert G.
Wrixton, Raymond J. Johnson, Peder B. Jensen, Carl C.
Johanson, George Kenderis, Claude Conant, Bernhard J.
Dreher. Charles C. Anderson. Vincent Szymobeski, W. J.
Netzinger, Netzinger. Martin Nelson, Edward N. John-
son, Axel Christensen. Julian Kosakowski, Carl Poulson,
Helmuth G. Sorensen, Robert J. Burns, Viggo Rasmussen,
Joseph Duski, Peter F. Peterson. James L. Jensen, Jake
Roeschen, Tony Slabodianiuk, Peter Bertelson. Conrad
Akvik, Walter Remkus, Albert Szkopiec. Rome S. Kas-
provich, B. Peter Rodewald. Fred Anderson, Axe! M.
Andersen. George Jensen, Jerome H. Kosterman, L. E.
Hagen, Hans Madsen, Charles F. Wratten, Thomas J.
Pryce, Albert J. Huck, Karl John Ki'ug, John Spezelanin,
Felix Gliniecki, Walter Obry. John Nielsen, Joseph Milusz,
Paul Koraiumas. Grover F. Grosse. Herman Pearson,
William Fick. Arthur C. Amend, Joe Zuk. Stanislaus
Grobowski, Harry E. Dibble. Harold Braunling. Peter
Peterson, John Ambrose Budnik, Carl Jensen, Joseph
Mazurkiewicz. Frank John Pfister. Morris N. Jorgenson,
Jno. Wojtowitz, Joseph Kubek, Joseph H. Webster, Jno. J.
Larsen. Louis Plantz. Louis John Bronenkant, Walentz
Orzol, William P. Meischke, Thomas E. Flood. Peter J.
Bohn, Richard D. Butler, Leo Wellnitz, Christian P.
Thomassen, Penfield Kapiak. Joseph Latka. George Emil
Barth, Alexander Bunka. Magus Wm. Petersen, George
Klein. George L. Hughes. Stephen J. Brown, William H.
Watson, Steve Krapdlowski, Henry Stadther, Leonard C.
Jenkins. Albert C. Iggulden, Geo. Sarkis, Mores Falwich,
Robert E. Davies, George Miskinis, John W. Madden, John
Petaka, Louis M. Schrader, Thomas A. Jensen. John W.
Roberts, Axel Johnson. Martin Sorenson. James A. Mat-
son. Emil Petersen. David Hdishian. Jno. Higgins, Stanley
Wroblewski. Michael Wieprucas, Michael Korostick. A. J.
Holmes, Charles Mattie. M. N. Jensen, Michael PeganoflF.
W. C. Williamsen. Geo. H. Pertwood. George Kriatseulas.
Patrick Cullen. Frank Karos. Abraham Silver, R. T.
Smith, W. L. Toohey, Walter Holtz. Arthur F. Wernicke,
Joseph Miniat. Cazimir Kudirka. Emilo L. Fellice, Jacob
Sokolosnsky. Thos. Johnson. Alele Safakes. Carl Prokop.
Charles J. Nelson, Benny Wessualski. Frank W. Walker.
Carl L. Funk. Jacob A. Forsman. Joseph Litwinowicz,
John S. Sholzen. Stanley S. Schneider. C. A. Streiner,
Frank J. Julka, David Collins. Anton L. Moutry, Jacob M.
Beck, Marvin J. Lloyd. Viggo A. Helding. Charles F.
Beyer, Hans P. Olson, Herman Henry Schaars, Harry P.
Sinnen. Harry E. Schoolcraft.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
j"-^*!"-
155
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156
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
ers in food were confi'onted with rules that
were difficult to understand and still more
difficult to follow.
"The administration of the food laws was
left to a Federal Food Administrator for each
County. Some kind friend recommended me
for appointment as Racine County Food Ad-
ministrator and in Nov., 1917, I accepted that
responsibility.
"I have now received instructions to close
the office but before doing so, I wish to ex-
press to each of you my appreciation of the
conscientious and patriotic effort you made at
all times to carry out the rules of the Food
Administration. You did this cheerfully and
many times at a sacrifice of business and prof-
its.
"During the year 1918, our stocks of wheat
and sugar were inadequate to supply our arm-
ies and civilians with a normal quantity. The
fighting men got their flour and sugar first;
we divided what was left among our home
folks, each taking a pound of substitutes with
a pound of wheat flour and each one limiting
to two pounds of sugar per month.
"The patriots smiled and claimed that sub-
stitutes improved their health; the selfish
grumbled and protested, but we saved the flour
and sugar and we won the war. We will not
say that food won the war but we can say that
the war could not have been won without food.
"The Food Administration taught the people
to produce more food; to distribute it cai'efully
to all alike and at much lower prices than
would have prevailed without it; and to save
food.
"Therefore, the Food Administration helped
to win the war. My association with the Food
Mei-chants of Racine County duiing the great
war will be a pleasant memory. Yours sin-
cei'ely,
"W'lLLIAM T. HARVEY."
Personnel of Board No. I's contingent. July 26. 19 IS.
(See illustration Page 157). — James Plunkett, Joseph F.
Schliesniann, Chas. F. Prudent, Bank Maksimoniz, Harry
Loff. Paulo Citrangola. John Theos, George A. Gatzke.
Harabed Tamooiian, Joseph Zoborowicz, E. J. Chadek,
Arnien Kurkjean, John S. Walker. Bernard H. Steiner,
Louis Kraft, Nels B. Johnson. Frank W. LaFave. Charles
Fiebach, Alfred C. Simonsen, August Gioninni. Philip
Pinekenstein, Carl Anderson, William T. Colbert, Peter
Araboglous, John Mandro. Arthur Bicha, Andrew Mura.
Emil B. Hansen, Viggo Peterson, Edward G. Halberstadt.
John H. Weill, Jr., Lester F. Bowman, Herman P. Kugel,
Edward J. Zimpi'ich, Frank Stolpa, John Olson. David
Sheppard, Marine Michele. Han-y Vartasian. Edward
Hueffner, August Schnik. Carl E. Anderson. Allen Peder-
sen, Guiseppe Chiappetta. Lawrence S. Bakken. Joseph
Peshek, Frank R. Karasek. Charles Krueger. Rudolph
Greer, Tom Sadowsky, John S. Langenfeld, Palolo Palazo.
Frank Mauer, Edwin Emil Nelson. Elmo V. Donaldson,
Thomas E. Lavin, Giovanni Scaglione, Peter Cauglosi.
Rafaele Maritato, Louis G. Bergholte. Edward Dvorak.
William C. Krupp, Nels C. R. Beck. Walter Anderson.
Carl H. Nielsen, Marderos Mekailian, Hacher Monachian,
Carl E, Peterson, Elmer Breckenfeld, Henry C. Eickhorst,
Peter E. Matson, Angelo Mangiavillano, Geo. C. Whiteney.
John Johnson, J. C. A. Boye, Arthur Gall, John Sadowski.
Miran Chrodijian. Hans Bonde. Nick Dacquisto. Joseph J.
Mohrbacher. Joseph Ciolina. William Ernest, Celestino
Paclossi, Rudolph F. Miller. Edward C. Sage. Wiliard J.
Iselin, F. N. Siebold. Dick Akgorbian. Orrin F. Bilhorn,
Louis Lee Landon, Antonio J. Ruzicka, Geo. E. Bronson,
William Augustsen, H. Christsensen, Antonio Giagliardo.
John E. Preuss. Hooseph Bagdasian, Charles E. Hanson.
Rexford T. Fryer. Frank Filpi, Walter Block, Rufus E.
Junck, Tatios Keochakian. Frank Hynek, Harold Wm.
Duerr, William Gutzman, Frank Korzinek. John Kaplan,
Francesco Abatti. Enevold Anderson, Otto P. Nitzke,
George Nazarr. Harry E. Carlson, Erling J. Seton, Profilio
Modesti. Harry DeRocher, Evald G. Nelson. Van David
Gleason, Mike Aromian, Paul A. Hansen, John Block.
Irving J. Albright, Leo Chobanian, William Buending. '
Jacob Roedema, Thurber W. Gushing, Geo. B. Rindfleisch,
Louis Theama. Charles Theama, David Jacobsen, Carl T.
Olson, Charles Petavino, Charles R. Petrizilka, H. W.
Rasmussen, Frank J. Svec, Alfred Sorenson, Jas. Elbing.
Nels Dybrad, E. C. Peterson, Abraham Noshbin, Arvid C.
Carlson, Hari-y Yahnian, Salvatore Migaldi, Guiseppe
Greco. Sarkis Astickies, Channes Ekizian, Mihran Kar-
gunian. Tony Matranga, Charles Sieger, Fred J. Weiss.
John Hosp, Theo. J. Schliesman, Conrad M. Moe, HeniT
Keup, Joseph Denman. Jr.. Griffith T. Roberts, Louis
Pinnow, Edmond Collins, Folmer H. Jorgenson, Wm. A.
Keup. Ed. H. Miller, Edward Kroupa. Henry Hausner,
Charles J. Sohr, Theodore J. Schmitt, Carl F. J. Larson.
Anton Karwely, Soren C. Christensen, Armen Meghrouni.
Fred Lensert, Fred Gaulke, William F. Bindel. Amintore
Silvani. Andrew G. Prestos, Frank V. Flannigan, Sahag
Jansouzian, Margas Shakinian, Arthur E. Nelson. P. P.
Koleske, Jos. Naveratil, Joseph Ruffalo. Minas Minasian,
John Klenn, Vincent Degardio. Chris Sandergaard. J. W.
Larson, Arthur Gulbrandson, Nicola DeBonis. Dominic
Sesto, Ohannes Davidian, Walter R. Voss, Loritz Jorgen-
son. Lwarence E. Spreeberg. Hagop Manandian, Russell
Burdick, Arthur A. Rick, Arthur W. Kosterman, H. L.
Paulsen. Chas. O. Jandl. Mike Chobanian. F. H. Christen-
sen, Roy Buamann, Oscar A. Beyer, John A. Wiesechel,
George W. Wilkins. Vito Peccorano.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
157
CHAPTER XVII
THE EFFECT OF WAR ON HOME LIFE
THE pomp and glory of mai'ching hosts,
the excitement and din of battle, are
far removed from the quiet hearths of
a nation at war. Young men find compensa-
tions even for the weariness and discomforts
and dangers of campaigns against a powei'ful
enemy. Youth provides its own panacea for
ills such as these. But heavy rests the hand
of the war god upon the shoulders of those
who are left at home to wait and watch and
endure, while their loved ones are facing un-
knowi\' and terrible dangers, and they are pow-
erless to offer aid.
It has been the lot of mothers in all ages to
see their babes grow to stalwart manhood and
face the hour of duty and sacrifice; to watch,
sad-eyed and heavy-hearted, as their sons
marched away, and yet to smile encourage-
ment and seek to strengthen them in the pa-
triotic purpose which might cost their lives.
The father shouts a last and perhaps a jovial
farewell to his boy departing for an adven-
ture the end of which no one can foresee, and
turns away to hide his unaccustomed tears.
Then, like mothers and fathers everywhere,
the parents wend their way homeward to mu-
tually pledge that none but messages of good
cheer and optimism should go forth from them
to their young hero, and that thenceforth every
bit of energy, every ounce of strength, should
be exerted to the end that their boy and other
boys in khaki and in blue should have the
clothing and equipment, the guns and ammuni-
tion, the food and the medicines, which are
necessary to insure an early and decisive vic-
tory for American arms. No words of criti-
cism, even though deserved, must hamper those
directing the nation's destiny. No call for
money or labor or supplies must be ignored if
needed to aid our growing armies. No habits
of life, no social customs, no individual's con-
venience, must be allowed to stand in the way
of America's thorough mobilization of all re-
sources in this titanic struggle against a for-
eign foe.
That was the predominant spirit in Racine.
And no more remarkable sight was ever seen
in the history of the world than the voluntary
placing of almost every citizen of this free
land under the discipline and direction of the
governmental authorities. Few laws were
passed to control the actions of our people.
Few were needed, because a suggestion, a re-
quest or an appeal from any recognized agency
met with a whole-hearted instantaneous re-
sponse which resulted in the accomplishment
of any task, no matter how difficult.
Was more food needed? The farmers pro-
duced it. Was more clothing necessary?
Women's hands provided it. Did the govern-
ment require huge sums of money? Millions
of dollai's more than was asked for was forth-
coming in a twinkling. Men, gold, supplies-
all were offered without stint, and the people
of America asked only that they be taught
other ways in which to show their patriotism
and support of the country's ideals. There
was little time for cheers — or tears. All must
keep busy, lock out of their minds all thoughts
of possible tragedy, and do everything to back
up the men at the front.
A letter written by a Racine woman to her
son in France in November, 1918, is so inter-
esting a story of the experiences of one per-
son during the dark days of 1917-1918, and so
typical of the cheerful messages sent by hun-
dreds of parents to boys across the sea, that it
is reproduced here almost without alteration.
It tells better than a mere author could of the
meaning of war when applied to the "home
sector:"
My Own Dear Son: We have been reading
good news in the paper these days. It seems
as if our prayers are about to be fulfilled, and
once more an American army is to return home
ci'owned with victory. Oh! you boys have been
doing some wonderful deeds over there and
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORT. D WAR
159
Top Row— John H. Raiser, R. F, Miller, Ed Wilfer. Elmer K?ehan. H. B. George. Geo. M. Nelson. Ralph Geneit.
Second — Edw. C. Engman. J. H. Davidson, E. P. Siegel. L. B. Hansen, Louis C. Bradshaw. L. F. Mehlhouse, R. R. Harcus.
Third — Olaf Johnson, Enrico Lucarelli, Carl N. Frost, F. J. Abrahamson, Mike Camalo, C. T. Larson, Henry Erbe.
Fourth — F. B. Jorgensen, Arthur Peterson, Jas. L. Anderson, R. E. Johns, Ole Valde, M. Boyaffian, Chas. Sorenson.
Fifth — Christ Nelson, Wm. Foxwell. Joe Cicero, P. A. Petersen. Otto DuBois. G. Sweetman. L. N. Nelson.
Bottom — Marius Jensen, Fred W. Schacht, Nepoleone Calvino. Thomas J. Clark. C. Mashewsky. Ray Haag, Emil B. Hansen.
160
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
everyone appreciates it and praises you to the
skies. I hope that you are still well and as
happy as when you wrote before. Please do
not risk your life needlessly; that can do no
good. Remember, dear boy, that we want you
home again to tell us of your great adventures.
We have all been trying to do our bit back
here. You asked me to tell you something of
the war work in Kacine and I vdll.
The city really seems changed. People have
a different attitude toward life. Working for
others does us all good, I think, and that is
what American people at home are doing now.
Women who have not done work in years now
spend hours every day knitting and sewing on
hospital garments. I even heard that Mrs.
, who has considered herself an invalid
for a long time, forgot all about her supposed
illness and is dashing around doing this thing
and that, collecting garments, soliciting money
and even making speeches occasionally. I
don't suppose she will ever have time to be
ailing again until the war ends.
We all await letters from our boys in
France very anxiously, of course, and when a
bag of foreign mail arrives everyone in town
knows it. We run to meet the postman, who
tells us whether the letters have been dis-
tributed or whether we must wait until after-
noon to get ours. Those who receive letters
first call up the other mothers and shout the
glad news that "everything seems to be fine;
a few boys have been slightly wounded, but
none seriously," and then we settle dowii to
wonder whether you tell us the whole truth
about your hardships and perils. Perhaps you
are trying to keep us cheered up!
You never saw people read newspapers the
way they do. One can hardly wait to get a
daily paper and scan the bulletins to see
whether the Americans have driven these aw-
ful Germans back a few more miles. Usually
they have! The long casualty lists make sad-
der reading, but there are few surprises in
them, for the government notifies families of
the wounded and dead before the names are
given to the press. Racine appeal's in the list
quite frequently lately, as you probably are
aware. How our hearts go out to the moth-
ers who have lost their boys!
I suppose the censorship of soldiers' mail is
necessary to keep spies from getting news,
but it seems hard that you cannot write all
of your experiences and let us know where you
are and what your regiment is doing. You
must remember everything, and tell us later
when you come home.
Ever since the war began the women have
been spending lots of time knitting so I sup-
pose you will have plenty of sweaters and
warm socks when winter comes. It is the
custom for us all to carry our knitting and
start working just as soon as we are seated
anywhere — in a street car, on a train, at lec-
tures or while making calls. There are no par-
ties nowadays — just gatherings to work for
the soldiers. Refreshments are never served
by patriotic people, excepting sometimes just
a cup of tea, outside of the regular three meal
hours. I think there would be a riot if some-
one were to give an old-fashioned reception
or luncheon this year.
These customs give time for work, and save
food. You probably remember that a meatless
and a wheatless day each week were instituted
before you sailed. There is no law, but every-
one is very strict in obsei'ving them. Mrs.
went to Milwaukee last Spring and
remained to dinner with a friend's family. It
was a meatless day, and when the hostess
brought on a roast beef, Mrs. just
got up from the table, grabbed her wraps, and
departed without saying good-bye! That's the
way good people feel about such things. Wo
have wheat flour, of course, but we are sup-
posed to use as great a quantity of substi-
tutes (such as corn meal or rice) as we do of
the wheat and everybody is very careful to do
so. In fact you have to buy the substitute
when you buy the flour. When someone re-
marked that she might feed the substitutes to
the chickens, as she could aff"ord to buy plenty
of wheat flour for her family, she got a cold
shoulder right in the knitting bee the other
day, and although we were all friends, some-
body reported her to the food administrator
to have her case investigated! You see, peo-
ple are not supposed to even joke about cheat-
ing you boys of your food and clothing. It is
not considered decent, when so many are suf-
fering and dying for us.
The coal situation was pretty bad last year,
and most of us ruined our wall paper and per-
haps our furnaces by burning soft coal and
anything else we could get for fuel. But we
all are willing to wear our vwaps in the house
occasionally if it will help give the navy the
necessary coal. The heatless days in stores
and public buildings certainly saved a great
deal of fuel. I hope next winter won't be as
cold as the last. For a while we had two heat-
less days a week for stores and offices.
Speaking about women's work, there has
arisen the term "pig-knitting," which is ap-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
161
Top Row — H. C. Stearns, C. C. Clausen, H. C. Kamin. E. T. Anderson. Clifford Naleid, S. Ciampaglia. John Corombo.
Second — R. W. Pinto. L. C. PuKh, S. E. McKee, O. C. Gastrow. F. L. Chour. W. H. Rastall. Mike Hijenia.
Third — J. H. Hogan. Axel Olson. H. N. Chambers, O. Q. Chambers. Vincent Novak. M. Falewicz. J. J. Hilt.
Fourth— H. Vartasen. T. Keochakian. A. W. King, S. C. Christensen, P. J. Wisriefsky. R. A. Hyde. F. C. Reinardy.
Fifth — F. C. Pella. P. T. Weber. Earl Anderson. R. J. Buetow. Aug. L. Hanson. P. J. Prudhom. Marvin Whitton.
Bottom — L. J. Heimes. Arthur Jensen. J. H. Ruelle. C. A. Pope. Modesti Proflis. N. Dadian. H. Yahnian.
162
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
plied to work of this sort done for one's self
when we are supposed to be knitting for serv-
ice men. Rather a descriptive term, don't you
think? One doesn't dare wear any knitted
material, no matter how old, for fear she will
be accused of pig-knitting.
It is astonishing how many service flags are
displayed around Racine. It seems as if three-
fourths of the houses have them, many bear-
ing two, three or even more stars to represent
men in service. I think it is a pretty custom.
Some have gold stars, now, to stand for those
who have given their lives for the cause. The
blue stars on a white field, surrounded by a
rectangle of red, are very striking and signifi-
cant. I am so proud of mine. The Stars and
Stripes fly from almost every home.
Sugar is scarce with us, as I suppose it is
with you. We are limited pretty closely, and
no one uses it any more for such useless things
as frostings, puddings, etc. Restaurants give
one lump per customer, to be used on the spot.
We can get 10 pounds for canning if the sugar
deputies are sure we will not waste it. Per-
haps we can get more for this purpose if the
supply equals expectations, as they try to en-
courage canning in every way.
One funny thing has resulted from the war.
Attics that have not been cleaned for years
and years are being emptied to meet requests
from the government for war material. Old
books and magazines, old copper kettles, feath-
er beds, woolen and leather goods, and almost
any kind of metal, is wanted. The Red Ci'oss
collects old automobile tires, and car ovsTiers
are expected to throw them in a heap which
has been started on Monument square. We
even collect nut shells and peach stones for
making chemicals to go into gas masks. Rub-
ber is badly needed and high in price. Long
ago they asked for field glasses for the navy;
old lenses of all sorts for cameras, etc., and
worn out gloves to make wind-proof vests for
aviators. We don't buy many new things
either; it is considered unpatriotic to waste
money on clothes, or decorating homes or in
hiring done what we can do ourselves. Labor
must be used for war work. Travel is also dis-
couraged excepting when on government busi-
ness. When one does go on a train, as likely
as not he will be awakened in the middle of
the night between stations to be informed
that the car is to be taken off' and attached to
a troop train. The meals on trains are avrful,
too, since the government took hold. Even the
little children have learned to refuse candy and
to cut down their sugar ration at home to help
the soldiers. They are so enthusiastic, and trj
so hard to help! Many of them contribute
their pennies to aid the funds raised to adopt
orphans, and they help in every other way
they can. Little Genevieve went without sugar
on her oatmeal for two weeks, and said she did
it so you could have plenty in your cofl^ee in
France. Wasn't that sweet?
Lately we have been having "gasolineless
Sundays" at the request of the fuel administra-
tion and it warmed my heart to see how
promptly everyone discontinued the use of
automobiles on Sunday. The streets were ac-
tually deserted excepting for occasional old
ramshackle horse-drawn rigs, and puffing
pedestrians. And every Sunday has been
beautiful weather for riding in the country,
too. Howevei', people have that much more
time to sit in the parks or on porches and knit
for the Red Cross. It never was comfortable
knitting in an auto, anyway.
We have seen the order that we can send
small packages to our boys in France for
Christmas but we must have a form letter
from you authorizing it. Only one package,
the size of a 2-pound candy box can go to each
soldier, and there is lots of speculation about
what to put into it. We know so little about
what you need. One woman plans to get thir-
ty articles in the box, such as a stick of gum,
stamps, a couple of cigars, cigarettes, kodak
picture, fountain pen and so on. As nearly as
I understand from your letter you would like
a good pocket knife and some candy. If you
really need anything else, please let me know
when you send the order. I want so much to
give you something you want. It has seemed
hard not to be able to send you your cigarettes
and candy every week as we had planned, but
I presume if everyone did that there wouldn't
be room on ships to carry food and ammunition
to the two million over there.
Father sends his love and tells you to keep
after the Kaiser until you get him. He is
working day and night on all sorts of war
work. Liberty loans, etc., and I think he is
feeling blue because he can't take a riffe and
jump right into the thick of it. He is so
proud that his son is on the firing line. You
should hear him talk about you! Write us as
often as you find time and tell us all you can.
Mav God bless and keep you, my dear, brave
boy. MOTHER.
In the back yards of almost every home,
men and women worked with spade and hoe
and rake to help increase the production of
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
163
I'h.it.'s by Pavek-Grant-Malms
Top Row — H. J. Sanders. I. F. GilUn. G. F. Botstord, Rudie Mensior. Edw. Buetow, Ernest Maik. W. C. Hieffins.
Second — A. C. Sittic. H. A. LaFortune, Geo. Zieich. Walter Sorensen. F. H. Boehmer. A. P. Dienken, B. V. Olson.
Third— J. Simonak. H. C. Bauer. L. T. Flynn. H. W. Phillips. Joseph Zobac. Frank Pfister. R. E. Heath.
Fourth — C. T. Skow. Walter Jonas. H. E. Iverson. Otto Oertell. Adolph Jensen. Irvin Bauman. H. A. Ruston.
Fifth — J. Pistulka. W. H. Frank. P. F. Rossman. M. Ohanian. Anseer Hanson. F. H. Schreiber. Thos. Evans.
Bottcm — W. M. Dederich. John Herchen. Clinton Killips, J. J. Bonnar. J. Bohnsack. A. B. Madsen. C. J. Kannenberg.
164
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
foodstuffs. To this purpose was dedicated
the extra hour of daylight gained by setting
the clocks ahead one hour. There were many
blisters created and many spinal columns
ached from the unaccustomed toil, but Racine
people raised hundreds upon hundreds of
bushels of vegetables and assisted mateiially
in supplying the home demand for food. This
not only saved money and relieved market
conditions, but saved transportation by obviat-
ing the necessity of bringing so much food-
stuffs to the city by rail. This was an im-
portant consideration and every community
wliich tried to make itself self-supporting was
doing a big work for the nation.
Whatever was asked, whatever was de-
manded, it was the intense public sentiment
which kept every one hard at work, no matter
how he might view any particular decree of
the government. "Slackers" were not toler-
ated; evasions of any nale or order were
looked upon as little better than treason.
Public opinion did what no autocratic law
could ever have done in Ameiica, and it was
fortunate that the goveniment was prompt to
see this fact. The only legislation regarding
civilians which was needed was an espionage
law to control enemy aliens. Even the censor-
ship of the press was voluntaiy — and there-
fore much more strict than if the authorities
had attempted to force it upon the news-
papers.
What America accom.plished in her homes,
and the way in which it was done, will be an
eternal testimonial to the ability of a free
people to adjust themselves to any conditions
to uphold the nation of which they are a part.
In addition to all organized war work, there
were, of course, innumerable individual plans
for helping the government and the men in
sei-vice. Mrs. L. K. Merrell, for example,
traveled to Waco, Tex., while the 32nd
Division was encamped there, and spent sev-
eral weeks sewing and darning for the Racine
boys there. The number of socks repaired
and buttons replaced is not a matter of rec-
ord, but if the figures were Known they un-
doubtedly would be astonishingly large. This
unique service was much appreciated by the
boys, not only because of the work itself, but
because of the spirit in which it was done.
Later on Mrs. E. B. Belden did similar work
at Camp Custer, where her husband. Judge
Belden, was gi\ang his time to camp Y. M.
C. A. w'ork.
One rather odd incident of the war was
the attempt of some sentimental goveniment
official to tack the name "Sammy" onto the
American soldier. It was intended to be used
as a casual greeting to a soldier, much as
"Tommy" is applied to the English fighting
man. There were two prompt reactions. The
first was an acceptance of the idea by thou-
sands of civilians all over the nation, who felt
that any suggestion from Washington should
be obeyed. The second was a sharp and un-
mistakable roar of protest from every army
camp and bivouac clear up to the front in
France. No such "kiddish" title for thern!
Well meaning and bene\-olent gentlemen were
snubbed and even rebuked profanely for using
it in addressing soldiers to whom they had
not been introduced. All American soldiers
. were "Yanks"; sailors were "gobs"; one man
addressed another as "Buddy"; members of
the infantry demanded and were granted the
honored title of "doughboys." All the wel-
fare artists in the world could not give birth
to a poetical name that would be accepted in
place of these. Among themselves, sei-vice
men might yell to some stranger, "Hurry up,
Jack," or "Hi, there, leather-legs," or even
more weird and profane expressions, but the
men preferred to have civilians call them
"Soldiers" or even "Mister." They detested
the idea of petting and coddling, and the
diminutive "Sammy" smacked of this, even
though it was derived from the name of the
American national figure. Uncle Sam. This
very objection to being considered as a crowd
of little boys was what caused the fei-vent
protest against measures taken to keep them
from drinking, to protect their morals and to
force them to save money. They were will-
ing enough to admit the merit of all these
ideas, but it grated upon them to have a part
of the home-staying public assume a "holier
than thou" attitude which allowed civilian
"slackers" and "profiteers" to do about as
they pleased while eveiy reformer and plat-
foiTn lecturer and paid welfare worker insisted
upon all sorts of restrictions being placed upon
the habits of "our poor, innocent boys."
Psychologists probably can discuss the whys
and wherefores of this feeling on the part of
the soldier better than can a mere writer.
One veiy evident reason for it was that the
majority of American soldiers were not boys,
but gro\\'n men old enough to vote and con-
duct themselves as men. Another was that
the nonnal activities of a member of an army
in training- allowed no opportunity for any
carousing or dissipation, and he objected to
hearing the constant implication that he was
on the way to perdition, and needed the watch-
ful care of some salaried uplifter. The Amer-
ican army had the highest rating of all aiTnies
for morality because it was composed of
RACINK COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
165
Photos by Billin[?s-Giant-Huud
Top Row— Matty Smith. Thorwald M. Beck, Paul Collins, Clarence Lange, O. F. Bllhorn. Al. Wagner.
Second — E. L. Woods. Herbert C. Holferl. A. C. Fredericksen. Harry Groenke. Walter Klapproth. Arthur Klapproth.
Third — Geo. Salak. Earl Hanson. Harold R. Olson, R. V. Davis. Guy A. Benson. Werner G. Hinz.
Fourth — Irving C. Kappel. Martin Buerger, A. C. Davidson. Wm. Sheahan. Albert Davies. J. T. Corr.
Fifth — Newton Perry. Clarence Theisen. J. J. Waitesek. G. W. Frost. Bert Perry, Dell Van Wie.
Bottom — Andrew Tilton. H. J. Rodgers, Arthur Fritchen. John Newman. Walter Hansen. Max Zirbes.
166
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
American men, and not because of any laws
or regulations.
One of the tragic incidents in connection
with the war was the epidemic of Spanish
influenza, or flu, as it was called. This diead
disease had taken its toll of deaths in Europe
at intervals for many centuries, but never in
modem times had it appeared in such malig-
nant and fatal foi-m as in the autumn of 1918.
Cases were reported during the summer
from Austria, Spain, Gennany and France.
Whispers were heard of its ravages in Europe
during July and August, but the real extent
of the scourge was not realized at first' be-
cause of the belief of many physicians that
its victims had succumbed to pneumonia,
grippe, quick consumption or other diseases.
It became epidemic in Spain before its exist-
ence was really acknowledged.
Late in August, 1918, reports of numerous
deaths began to be publi-shed in .seaboard
cities. By the middle of September the news-
papers were commenting upon its spread in
America. On September 30, an Associated
Press dispatch told of seventy-five recent vic-
tims, and health officers everywhere were
warned to be on the lookout for it. Within
three days it was announced in Washington
that a careful survey had shown nearly 14,000
cases in the anny camps. Movements of
troops and draft contingents made its control
impossible for a time, particularly as medical
authorities were not certain of the exact steps
to follow. Men going to camp were dying on
trains. Morgues eveiywheie were full of flu
victims. The civilian population was assailed
by the plague. Hundi'eds were reported dead
eveiy day in the larger cit'es.
On October 7 a general warning was issued
to close all theaters, prohibit public meetings,
close public libraries and limit all traveling to
a minimum. Eight thousand soldiers and sail-
ors had died in American camps up to October
10. Hospitals were unable to care for all the
patients, and the over-worked nurses and doc-
tors were giving way under the strain of al-
most constant labor without a chance to rest.
Many of them contracted the disease. The
average daily deaths in camp rose to 800, and
every effort was made to find a way to check
the pandemic before it should wipe out the
whole population. Bodies of several Racine
soldiers were returned home here for burial.
In Racine the disease made terrible headway.
The Red Cross society was granted pemiission
to use the Stephen Bull mansion. Eleventh
and Main streets, as an emergency hospital
and volunteer nuises were called for and pro-
vided. The house was filled with patients and
every possible agency was enlisted to insure
suitable care of the victims. Doctors worked
day and night. Professional nurses were
rcarce in civilian life, and in many cases pro-
vision had to be made to assist families where
all the members were ill at the same time.
The soldiers' canteen furnished soup to all
who asked it. Newspapers published instruc-
tions for preventing the spread of the dis-
ease and caring for those who were ill.
Placards containing similar information were
posted in public places. In infected houses
and hospitals, nur.ses and visitors wore gauze
masks over their faces. People were warned
not to sneeze or cough when others were near.
The epidemic here died down for a time,
but there was a recurrence in December.
Schools were closed for nearly a month. Even
church sei-vices were taboo. By the first of
the new year the disease was under control,
but the long list of dead was sad evidence of
its dire power. In all it is estimated that
500,000 persons died in the United States of
the flu, and 227 of these were inhabitants of
this city. Many others were broken in health
and some of these became victims of other
diseases while in their weakened physical con-
dition. Two hundred died here from pneu-
monia which resulted from, or at least fol-
lowed, the flu.
During the long months between the arrival
of the first contingents of American troops in
France in 1917, and the ending of the con-
flict, the people at home did but little celebrat-
ing of American victories. Experience with
"official bulletins" of other governments in
1914-1.5-16 had caused them to place small
faith in the communiques. So when the first
official accounts were given of the successful
exploits of our armies in the early summer of
1917 the rejoicing, while sincere, was not
noisy. As the days passed the fears of pos-
sible untold disasters dissipated; the progress
of the Allied aiTnies became too evident to
admit of pessimism. By October, when the
Yankee hordes had begun their drive through
the hitherto impregnable fastnesses of the
Meuse-Ai'gonne sector, there could no longer
be any doubt of the superiority of the Amer-
ican fighter over his foe, and then the daily
reports began to be the subject of hearty
cheers and enthusiastic applause undimmetl by
any dread of possible defeat.
Maps were posted up in almost every home,
and families gathered around these each eve-
ning, with colored pins and long strings in
hand, to mark out the progress of the Allied
armies since the last communiques. The
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
167
Top Row — Andy Rierstad. M. Basaksisian, Fair Demir, Jens P. Jensen, Peter Hanson, Ben Silverman, James Clancy.
Second — Christ Bcnda, Geo. Neidhardt, J. J. Hegeman, Herman Jenson, A. C. Larson, Victor Rasmussen, T. Linneman.
Third — Phillip Tentcher. Paul Kopecky, D. R. Nelson, L. A. Fishman. W. A. Holtz, Vincent Conto, A. A. Foxwell.
Fourth— Louis Matson. Sam Aiello, John Murouski. P .W. Pea. Henry Sonturi, H .J. Murphy, Rudolph Zank.
Fifth — Paul Boranes. John Dolce, Tony Cappazzo, E. F. Duray, R. E. Harter. John Belden, G. O. Zitka.
Bottom— Carl A. Larson. Jacob Adams, O. T. Jacobson. A. F. Rose, Edward Evans, A. A. Gatzke, Ernest B. Haase.
168
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
United States then saw that her labors and her
sacrifices had borne fruit.
Only the rapidly growng casualty lists re-
mained to cloud the ever-growing joy of the
home folks.
No overconfidence was permitted. Every-
one settled himself to work more diligently
than ever to perfonn every task which might
help clinch the victory. On Oct. 12, thousands
paused in their work, in response to a semi-
official suggestion, to face the east and shout
"No! No! No!" simultaneously as an answer
to the reported proposal of the Germans that
peace terms other than unconditional surren-
der might be arranged. America was de-
termined to see the thing through!
The World War came to an end with the
signing of the aiinistice on November 11.
1918.
The whole world celebrated the cessation
of hostilities after more than four years of
bloody strife.
Yet, by one of the strangest freaks of news-
paper reporting in all history, the close of the
war actually seemed but little more than an
anticlimax to an announcement made on
November 7, which spread from one end of
the earth to the other despite frantic efforts
of government officials and news bureaus to
stop it.
It had been known for a week that the Allies
had the Germans so completely "on the i-un"
that only capitulation could save their soi'ely
harassed armies from capture or annihila-
tion. An exchange of peace notes had shown
the Kaiser that only by unconditional sur-
render could his legions be saved. The world
awaited the result with nei-ves aquiver.
Suddenly there came a message fi-om France
to the United Press Association that the
armistice had been signed. Not a word of ex-
planation followed, and the censorship pre-
vented further communication on that subject
for some reason still unknown.
Before noon a bulletin had been posted by
the Racine Times-Call at its office, and by
newspapers all over the country. It consisted
of these two brief dispatches:
"Paris, Nov. 7 — The Allies and Germany
signed an armistice at 11 o'clock this
morning. Hostilities ceased at 2 o'clock
this afternoon. The American aiTny took
Sedan before the armistice became effec-
tive."
"Paris, Nov. 7 — The greatest war of all
times came to an end at 2 o'clock this
afternoon. The Allies and GeiTnany signed
an armistice three hours earlier on the field
of battle. The German delegation had
come into the Allied lines under a white
flag."
The news spread like wildfire. Wliistles
were blown and church bells rung. Men
stopped work, put on their coats and left shops
and offices without asking permission or saying
goodbye. Women locked the doors of their
homes and joined the throngs. Flags were
flung to the breeze ever.vAvhere. For an hour
or more thousands of celebrants besieged the
newspaper offices for further news. None w^as
forthcoming. There could be no denial ob-
tained, either. Officials of the government at
Washington merely replied to all queiies, "We
have received no word. We cannot get into
communication with headquarters in France.
We do not know." This was considered as
good as an acknowledgment of the truth of
the story. The entire country accepted this
view.
The subsequent celebration seemed to run
lai'gely to noise. Automobiles tore up and
down the streets with strings of tin cans and
bells tied behind. Homs were blown con-
tinuously. Men yelled. Women cheered.
Children shrieked. Perfect strangers shook
hands with hitherto dignified citizens, and
slapped them on the back, and the usually
dignified ones responded to the strange assault
by Comanche-like cries and outrageous antics.
By early afternoon not a store was open.
Business absolutely stopped evei-j^where with-
out warning or reason.
Evening came, with no further infomiation,
denials or details. The Racine Joumal-News
continued to stand fast on the word of the
Associated Press that the government knew
of no aiTTiistice, and was hooted for its pains.
The Times-Call could get no confirmation or
proof from the I'nited Press, which said it
had told all it knew and believed its corre-
spondent.
Effigies of the Kaiser appeared in the hands
of howling marchers, and were "burned" or
"drowned" to the music of the crowds'
screams. Hundreds of reputable and some
disreputable citizens got frankly and openly
drunk and even disorderly, while other thou-
-sands were apparently as intoxicated with ex-
citement and joy as those who had looked
upon liquor when it was red.
Mayor Thiesen issued a proclamation call-
ing on everyone to join in a big time down-
town in the evening, and the bedlam received
renewed impetus. Before the sun had set
every band in town was playing around Mon-
ument square, and those who did not belong to
hands brought various noise-making instru-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
169
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Photos by John Hood
RACINE'S GREATEST PARADE IN HISTORY
It took place May 29. 1917. — The first picture shows the lad on a pony leading- the 30,000 marchers who turned out to
*'show" the Kaiser. Then come Spanish War veterans, a throng at a corner, a motorcycle float, a fraternal order's con-
tingrent, a Jackie band on Main street, a section of be-bloomered workwomen, another women's section, the loyalty meeting
at the park and at the end is shown the ceremony of scattering flowers on the waters in honor of sailors who had given
their lives.
170
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
ments along and played them at the same
time, regardless of measure or hai-mony.
The joyous uproar continued until early
moming. When official denials of the signing
of the aiTnistice finally came, nobody would
believe them. They seemed too preposterous
after everyone had celebrated so unanimously.
It was noon the next day before the town had
fairly settled down again and there was a
general acceptance of the fact that something
important had been missing in the affair;
namely, a good reason for it.
But Racine did not need to be embarrassed
among her neighbors. From Alaska's icy
shores to the wind-swept plains of Argentina,
from the villages of France to sunny Aus-
tralia they were all doing it. Paris, London
and Rome celebrated even as Racine, Corliss
and Burlington. Chicago and New York were
as bad as Milwaukee. And, strange to tell, in
eveiy city and town evei-j-where, as far as can
be learned, the same things happened in the
same way. The people just naturally quit
evei-ything and went out on the streets to
make all the noise and uproar and disturbance
that they possibly could to demonstrate their
approval of the war's end. On November 8
and 9 the public awaited impatiently for news
of the actual finish of the war. On Sunday
the 10th extra editions told of the abdication
and flight of the Kaiser, and it was forecast
that the annistice would be signed the next
morning. Many sat up all night awaiting the
fateful dispatch. Early in the morning the
news came — authentic and correct beyond a
doubt. Again the whistles blew and the bells
rang. Again men, women and children sallied
forth with all thoughts of the day's work cast
aside. Once more the city, the nation and the
whole world gave itself over to a day of
noisy celebration. Joy was unconfined — and
often unrefined.
The celebration of the real armistice was an
improvement on that of November 7 in only
one way. After the populace had awakened
after the first fete, many persons had thought,
"If I had only done so and so, I could have
made lots more noise yesterday." All these
"hindsight" ideas were now put into execution,
and new and improved devices for raising
the Old Harry made the welkin ring more
tumultuously than before. However, it is dif-
ficult to call forth at will such a spirit of
mischief -making and general abandon as arose
spontaneously throughout the land on Novem-
ber 7 and the justified celebration appeared a
trifle forced. Too many of the people on the
streets were there to get amusement from the
antics of others, rather than let themselves go
\vithout restraint in expressing their joy. At
that, it was the second biggest day the country
had ever seen. An old-fashioned national elec-
tion celebration was a Quaker meeting in com-
parison. But that first affair — well, that was
SOME day. No one participating will ever
forget it. In connection with the "fake armi-
stice," as it was called, it probably should be
stated as a matter of history that a full ex-
planation has never been made. The United
Press, a very large and reputable news asso-
ciation, has always maintained that it i-eceived
the infonnation regarding the annistice from
a confidential source which it considered abso-
lutely reliable at the time, and which it is
still inclined to credit. Soldiers in France in
large numbers maintained that the "kitchen
wireless" carried some likely sounding stories
to the effect that the agreement to end the
war was actually made on November 7, but
that delays were required in making it public
so that the Kaiser could ran away before his
people learned their fate. Probably there is
nothing to the yam. The complete stoi-y of
the ending of the war has not yet been pub-
lished, and it may make some revelations bear-
ing on the great hoax.
CHAPTER XVIII
CLUBS, SOCIETIES, POLITICS AND SOME INCIDENTS.
ALL civic and fraternal organizations
turned tlieir whole membership into
committees for war and relief work dur-
ing the period of hostilities. After the men
began to i-eturn home from service, they as-
sisted in giving them a cordial community wel-
come and in most instances gave dinners and
entertainments for their own returning mem-
bers. Such lodges as the Masons, Knights of
Columbus, Knights of Pythias, etc., had special
bureaus to watch out for the welfare of their
members everywhere. The Eagles provided a
death benefit of $1,000 for families of all mem-
bers who might die in service. Several Racine
families were beneficiaries of this plan. The
Elks made a special effort to assist the welfare
work of the Salvation army and Red Cross,
and were active in all lines of war work. It
gave a big "welcome home" banquet to the
members of the two batteries and the ambu-
lance company after they had come back from
France. All societies and lodges aiTanged to
carry the membership of men in service with-
out requiring payment of dues. They also
sent gift packages to men in service.
The Racine Commercial club was the lead-
ing civic organization in the community at the
outbreak of the war and embraced in its mem-
bership about 500 of the leading business men
of the city. It dropped almost every form ol
activity excepting such as were related to the
great conflict. Its offices were used for re-
cruiting purposes, public meetings of all sorts
were held there and many of the official gov-
ernmental agencies made their headquarters
in the club rooms on Main street, at the corner
of Fifth street. It co-operated with all war
organizations and originated the plans for
many. It was Secretary Walter H. Reed who
proposed the establishment of the War Relief
Fund. The report of Secretary Reed on Nov.
1, 1918, is given here in part to show the man-
ner in which this and other organizations were
transformed during the conflict:
"It hardly seems necessary, in offering a
summary of the various activities of the Com-
mercial Club during the past year, to call at-
tention to the fact that the first consideration
of the organization was that which should un-
questionably be supreme with evei'y individual
citizen of this country, and that is to Help Win
the War in which we are now engaged. All
other activities which the Commei'cial Club
could conduct at the present time would amount
to but very little or even to nothing, if the
lack of patriotic national support by every
community would I'esult in the defeat of the
thousands of 'our boys' engaged in the actual
struggle against autocracy and Hunnish fright-
fulness.
"With a full appreciation of the crisis con-
fronting our Democracy and the apparent need
of whole-hearted support by every individual
and every organization, the Racine Commer-
cial Club has, during the past year, endeavored
to meet every demand from this direction. In
consequence it has been necessary to refrain
from promoting many activities which normal-
ly could easily have been taken care of, and
without a doubt every loyal citizen of Racine
approves that the Commercial Club continue
to give prior consideration to all national is-
sues and to all demands made upon it by the
Government to assist as best it can towards
the successful prosecution of the war. Be-
cause of this policy the Club has been looked
to by the community as the organization ex-
pected to take the lead in the many issues of
the past year, and a review of these activities
will indicate that through the Club the com-
munity forces were well mobilized and that
success marked every endeavor. Accordingly
the Club considers as its most important and
foremost achievement the fact that it is help-
ing to win the war.
"Among the Government war agencies with
which the Club actively and continuously co-
operated were the War Industries Board, War
172
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Trade Board, U. S. Shipping Boai-d, the Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation, U. S. Food Admin-
istration, Railroad Administration, the United
States Fuel Administration and the Council
of National Defense. During the year fre-
quent requests have come from different de-
partments and boards of the Government for
suggestions of men qualified and trained for
particular lines of service in Government em-
ployment. In many instances names have been
furnished which have resulted in the selec-
tion of men thus suggested for Government
service.
"The history of the year under review has
demonstrated that the Club members are will-
ing to make any sacrifice necessary to enable
the nation to fulfill its destiny in helping to
win the war. The conditions under which
business has been conducted necessarily fluc-
tuated from time to time, leaving the business
men uncertain as to the amount of sacrifice
really required, as to the regulation or proced-
ure under which they should continue their
affairs so that they might preserve their busi-
ness integrity and thereby be prepai-ed to meet
the nation's needs after the military side of
the war is over. Through the vision and sol-
emn judgment vested in the Directors and staff
this organization has been able during the
year to render great assistance to the business
men in meeting the war problems surrounding
the conduct of business.
"Not a day passes by but some request is
received from the Government to co-operate in
some special respect or to furnish information
or submit records. These requests come from
the different commissions, administrations,
boards and bureaus, all having as their ob-
jective the successful prosecution of the war.
At the request of Government depaitments the
Club also distributed several hundred pam-
phlets on various subjects, such as canning,
preserving, selection of foods, conservation of
fuel, federal income tax reports, etc.
"The first year of participation in the World
War by the United States has produced un-
precedented problems both for Government and
for business. In the attempt to solve these
problems, co-ordination and co-operation be-
tween Government and business is one of the
necessary elements. The events of the past
year have demonstrated that this is more and
more being understood, and that to an increas-
ing degree the machinery of such organiza-
tions as the Racine Commercial Club, already
existent and prepared for service, has been
utilized and has proven to be an efficient in-
strumentality for service in our present war
problems.
"This fact emphasizes the opportunity af-
forded to business men and business units for
co-operating and serving through participation
in such an organization."
The local Knights of Columbus were very
active throughout the war in supporting a field
organization to distribute comforts to the men
in service. Every member of this powerful
Catholic organization was assessed for the
purpose, not only in Racine but throughout the
country. Less than two weeks after the start
of the war the Racine lodge offered its serv-
ices in any way desired to the County Council
of Defense, and a committee consisting of Rev.
A. J. Berg, George W. Miller, T. A. Fagan,
James Higgins, Vilas H. Whaley, Jerome J.
Foley, A. D. Hermes, Edmund Collins, Edward
Kosterman, L. B. Sanders and Dr. John Hogan
was appointed to carry out this purpose.
Even children had their part in the war work.
Through the schools and churches, they were
organized to plant war gardens, sew for the
Red Cross, dedicate their nickels and dimes to
the purchase of Thrift Stamps, or to the re-
lief of the orphaned children of France and
Belgium.
Girls as young as six or seven years of age
were taught to knit squares of woolen yarn,
which were sewed together at Red Cross work-
rooms and then sent to Europe to serve as
shawls and blankets for refugees.
The Boy Scouts proved a most valuable or-
ganization. There was hardly a patriotic gath-
ering during the war at which these manly
young fellows did not play some part. There
were eighteen Troops in Racine, with a total
membership of about 400.
The boys of these troops served as ushers
at Liberty Loan meetings, and distributed
posters for government agencies. They de-
livered War Relief Fund information cards to
practically every home in the city, and per-
formed similar work for many of the war ac-
tivities. When large contingents of draft men
were leaving, they patrolled the streets along
the line of march, and they were of great as-
sistance to the police in regulating traffic dur-
ing parades and upon the occasion of the bat-
tery's homecoming.
On the "gasless" Sundays they took the li-
cense numbers of all automobiles seen on the
streets. During the influenza epidemic they
served as messengers for the Red Ci-oss and
other relief organizations, and they even were
utilized to call upon those who were back in
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
173
Photos by Pavek-Malme-Grant
Top Row — Anthony Kralicek. Wm. H. Hayman. Hubert Gree or, J. K. Wishau, C. S. Peterson. Jno. Sinsky. M. C. Kolinsky.
Second — Jas. Kahn, Rueben Anderson, E. H. Frahm. Anton Pederson, Harry Rooney, A. S. Hunter, G. J. Jensen.
Third — J. J. Schliesmann. E. J. Klema, Jacob Schwartz. Aug. Drisner. W. J. Parks, M. E. Hoyer, J. C. Santkus.
Fourth — J. Msciwujewski, I. H. Nelson, August Jensen, Cornelius Post, Martin Sorensen, R. L. Parks, G. E. Dickson.
Fifth — August Wolf, Einer T. Brown, F. R. Magnan, Joe Fazzan, K. Krikonian, A. N. Kramer, Matthew Kowder.
Bottom — N. J. Klein, Caspar Rizzo, Leon Korpuk, V. Keorglanian, H. Y. Grossman, Ralph Miller, Segard Husby.
174
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
their payments to the War Relief Fund. The
various troops planted two acres of war gai--
dens. They secured 2,970 members for the
Red Cross in 1918 and solicited $463,300 for
Liberty bonds. Many received medals from
the U. S. Treasury Department for selling
Liberty bonds. Among- them were:
Horace Burdick, Gregory Bush, Frederick
Foster, Millard Williams, Einer Jacobson,
Charles Dilday, John Christensen, George
Field, Alfred Hansen, Marvin Ross, Harold
Konnak, Theodore Ruffalo, Frank RufTalo,
Evan Miller, Michael Gillotte, Rell Barrett,
John Johnson, Gordon Walker, Robei't Hansen,
George Christophei'son, Clyde Mehder, Richard
Sorenson, Arthur Dunleavy, Ralph Kister, Le-
roy Pruerner, Frank Dieter, Kenneth Hancock,
Arnold Griesmer, Mervil Piel, Bert Burdick,
Gabriel Balazs, Kenneth Kehl, Mel Russell,
Louis Moe, J. Trumbull, Glen McCaughey, V.
Parmenter, Erick Lucht, Jr., Lewis Payne,
George Skow, Arthur Carpenter, William
Hunn, Thomas Harvey. Allan Kidd, Roland
Smiley, Francis Weins, Gordon G. Harris, Per-
ry Thomas, Carl Lange, Kenneth Brown, Stan-
ley Knudson, Sam Meyers, Harry Johnson,
Mai-vin Jansen, Donald Wadewitz, Randall
Roth, Ralph Kinpel, Waldemar Ernst, Milton
Haumersen, Carl Scheible and Hari-y Theres.
Congressman Cooper Defeated.
The war had its effect upon politics. It was
a vital issue in the congressional campaign in
1918, and that bitter struggle at the polls re-
sulted in the defeat of Congressman Henry Al-
len Cooper of Racine, who had represented the
First district for twenty-six years.
Two years before, Mr. Cooper had been re-
elected with but little opposition and it was
becoming a popular belief that he would hold
his seat as long as he lived. In 1916 President
Wilson had been re-elected on a "He kept us
out of war" slogan, and even this Republican
district had been strong for Wilson against his
Republican opponent, Hughes, who had started
his campaign with intimations that Wilson was
not taking a firm enough stand against Ger-
many.
Mr. Cooper may have interpreted the vote
here as meaning that the First district was op-
posed to war for any reason. At any rate he
voted on cei'tain pre-war bills in such a way
as to indicate that it would be better to stand
discomforts from German activities rather than
get embroiled in the conflict. When the mat-
ter of declaring war came up, he and six other
Wisconsin congressmen opposed it. He had
previously opposed arming merchant vessels to
protect them against submarine attacks.
When the election of 1918 approached, his
habitual political enemies combined with those
who had turned against him because of his
pre-war record, and they proceeded to go after
him hot and heavy. An informal conference
of 400 Republicans was held at Elkhorn, May
13, 1918, at which resolutions were passed de-
claring, regarding Mr. Cooper's record: "That
the present representative from the First dis-
trict has failed to represent or interpret the
true spirit of loyalty to country and devotion
to the liberties and institutions demanded by
the great mass of our citizens, that in voting
and speaking against war with Germany he
failed to protect and guard the honor of the
nation and the property of the people
That by his actions he, in effect, justified the
submarine atrocities against America and
neutral nations That in voting against
the espionage bill he refused to recognize the
deliberate violation of the hospitalities of this
nation by the official representatives of the
German government That his action in
eflrect tended to protect spies and propagandists
who are engaged in attempting to spread dis-
sension among our people." The committee
on resolutions consisted of James Kavanaugh,
O. A. Oestrich, F. A. Kiser, A. J. Lunt and H.
M. Youmans.
When the convention started to select an op-
ponent to fight Cooper at the primary election,
there was a deadlock for several hours, -with
various members voting for W. S. Goodland of
Racine; David Agnew, Waukesha; Judge Ran-
dall, Kenosha; L. C. Whittet, Edgerton, and G.
L. Harrington, Elkhorn. The convention it-
self was informal, but an agreement was
reached whereby each county had a propor-
tionate number of votes, and the ones to cast
the ballots were to be decided by the delegates
who weie present.
Eventually Judge Clifford E. Randall of
Kenosha was chosen and given unanimous en-
dorsement. A campaign followed in which every
voter in the district was reached by canvass-
ers, mail and newspaper articles. On Aug. 6,
Congressman Cooper came home to defend him-
self. He held a meeting at Lakeside audito-
rium. It was one of the hottest days of the
year and barely 300 persons turned out. He
challenged his foes to show that he was dis-
loyal, and said he had voted since war was de-
clared for every measure that the President
had signed. He charged his enemies with per-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
175
Photos by Hood
HERE AND THERE IN WAR DAYS
At the top, the throng that Kreetcd the batteries home: below, a draft contingent leaving. Next shows the crowd view-
ing a war exhibit and camouflaged railway coach; below. Horlick employes forming to join Loyalty parade. At top, right,
a feature of the Armistice celebration: below. President Wilson speaking from a train. Next is a group of returned bat-
tery boys (note admiring kids in front) ; below, captured German U-boat docked at Racine on way to Chicago.
176
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
sonal animus. On Aug. 25, the Joui'nal-News
contained a lengthy attack upon Cooper by
Martin J. Gillen, in which it was alleged that
Mr. Cooper had taken no hand in war work,
and had failed to encourage his neighbors at
home in their efforts. His opponent, Mr. Ran-
dall, maintained that Mr. Cooper was derelict
in not even sending a message occasionally to
Liberty Loan workers, and to the draft con-
tingents about to leave for camp.
On Aug. 30 Mr. Cooper held another meet-
ing at Dania hall, attended by 200 persons.
E. E. Gittins introduced him. At the previous
meeting Albert Linck of the Trades & Labor
council had presided and was the only person
on the stage with the Congressman.
The primaries were held on Sept. 3 and al-
though Cooper carried Racine county by 445
and Walworth by 73, Judge Randall got a ma-
jority of 467 in Kenosha county, 94 in Wauke-
sha and 110 in Rock, and was declared the Re-
publican nominee by a majority of 153.
Congressman Cooper believed that the ver-
dict did not express the will of the people, and
after a fervid defense of his record in a speech
before Congress on Sept. 19, he announced him-
self as an independent candidate for election,
and obtained the necessary number of signa-
tures to get his name on the ballot in that
capacity.
The Democi-atic candidate was Calvin Stew-
art of Kenosha, who had run for the office sev-
eral times before. Another fierce campaign
followed and the candidates and their friends
were kept busy making speeches and circular-
izing the voters. Several newspaper advertise-
ments regarding his record appeared in the
newspapers over Mr. Cooper's signature. He
made a strong fight and his wide acquaintance-
ship stood him in good stead throughout the
district, but he was defeated ovei-whelmingly
at the election Nov. 5. Racine county gave
him a plurality of 1000 over Judge Randall,
but he was swamped elsewhere. Judge Ran-
dall was elected by 750 over Stewart and 3848
over Cooper. Congressman Cooper retired
March 4, 1919, and was given a good federal
job at Washington.
Despite the result of the election, there was
never any reason to believe that Mr. Cooper
was really disloyal. The outcome merely is
an indication of the popular attitude that any
person whose record did not show continuous
and hearty support of all measures to main-
tain American rights against Germany was
not a suitable man for public office.
There was considerable contrast in this re-
spect between the feeling in the First district
and in Milwaukee, which had thousands of pro-
German sympathizers. Victor Berger, a So-
cialist, was an active speaker against govern-
ment war measures even after war was de-
clared and not only was his newspaper barred
from the mails, but he was indicted and con-
victed for treasonable utterances. Despite this
he was re-elected to Congress from the Fifth
district. Congress promptly refused to per-
mit him to be seated and declared the election
null and void, in accordance with numerous
precedents. Berger, while awaiting an appeal
from his prison sentence, in November, 1919,
became a candidate for the office again and
actually was elected again due to the numer-
ous Germans and Socialists of his district. In
fact, so un-American was the district that the
most pronounced objection to his election again
seemed to be the fact that the voters felt he
would not be able to serve because he would
either be unseated again or be in the peniten-
tiary. During the campaign the national con-
vention of the American Legion was held and
passed resolutions asking Congress to deport
Berger to his native Austria.
A Man Without a Country.
America expected every citizen to do his
part in the winning of the war. It co-operated
with the governments of the Allied nations in
procuring the enlistment of eligible men who
were residents of the United States, but citi-
zens of those countries. It could not. of
course, require military service of men who
were still subjects of alien neutral nations.
As soon as the Selective Sei-^'ice act was
passed, a question arose as to the status of
those foreign-bom residents who had declared
their intention of becoming citizens of the
United States, but had not yet applied for
their "second papers." Technically they were
still subjects of their mother country if they
cared to ask for protection there.
In order to avoid any complications, these
men were required to register and were as-
sumed to be loyal Americans. To prevent any
violation of international treaty obligations,
however, Congress pro\'ided that any subject
of a neutral countiy who had declared his in-
tention of becoming an American citizen
should be relieved from military sei-vice upon
his making a foiinal declaration withdrawing
his declaration of such intention.
But by this action he would forever be de-
barred from becoming a citizen of the United
States.
Records of the Provost Marshal General's
\
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
177
RACINE FIGURES IN CROSS-CHANNEL AERIAL SERVICE
The big G Farman planes used in aerial passenger service between Paris and London have to depend on Racine for effici-
ent handling. The picture shows a Case tractor used to haul the planes to their hangars when they come in from a
trip. It is an evidence of the many uses this versatile machine can be put to. and one of the results of war advance-
ments. It also proclaims to the world that Racine is on the map.
GETTING WAR-INJURED LANDS BACK ON A PAYING BASIS
Racine figured in a great extent in the reclaiming of European lands which were laid waste by war. A fleet of Case
farm tractors, plowing flelds in Italy, is shown in the illustration. They are manned by soldiers in uniform indicating
the scene existed before close of hostilities.
178
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
office show that 77,644 declarants were regis-
tered. Of this number 818 in the whole
United States obtained exemption by with-
drawing their applications and thereby sacri-
ficed forever the right to become American
citizens.
In the summer of 1918 there appeared be-
fore Local Board No. 1 in Racine a certain
Erik E. Ei-ickson, who had previously de-
clared his intention of becoming a citizen, and
was now called upon to maintain the honor of
his adopted country by taking aiTns in her
defense. But Erickson, who had left Sweden
to take advantage of the opportunities offered
by this free land, cared more for his own skin
than he did for the country of his adoption,
and wanted to keep out of the ai-my. All
other methods failing, he decided to withdraw
his declaration of intention. He finally per-
fonned this grave act, although he was given
several days to think it over before he was
required to make a final decision.
Walking from the office of the local board, he
met an acquaintance and told him what he had
done. His companion, who had been friendly
with him for months, expressed his opinion
of Erickson in no mild language and turned
his back upon him. News of the matter
I'eached the factoiy where Erickson worked,
and at the request of fellow employes Erick-
son was promptly discharged.
Unable to obtain emplojTnent here, the "man
without a country" went to Rockfox-d and ob-
tained a job. A letter sent there, giving his
history, resulted in his separation from his
employers. He went to Minneapolis. His rec-
ord followed him and he was refused work.
On September 29, Erickson, poor of purse
and broken in spirit, returned to Racine and
appeared before the local board, begging for
an opportunity to undo what he had done. He
had seen the error of his ways, and he was
then willing to don a unifonn and fight, or
even die, to regain the priceless right which
he had thrown away to escape temporary dis-
comfort and danger.
But it was too late. The law was inexorable.
"By this action he shall FOREVER be de-
barred from becoming a citizen," were the
words which had been pointed out to him a
few weeks before and which he had chosen as
a refuge from ai-my sen-ice.
With tears streaming down his face, he
sunk his chin deep into his collar and slunk
down the stairs, around a corner and thence
into oblivion insofar as Racine is concerned.
Where he went, or how, no one in this com-
munitv knows — or cai'es.
IIIMIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIItrilll
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
The roster of the Racine College S. A. T. C. fwhich is
shown in the illustration on opposite page I contained
the following: names: — Alfred L. Agne, Keith A. Beecher,
Norman B. Bengtson, William C. Benson, Frank Borsh.
Harvey L. Buslett, John A. Carpenter, William H. Cart-
tington, William P. Cizek. Hugh C. Cordick, Earl G. Cril-
singer. Grover F. D. Croll. James C. Cullen. Carlton E.
Douglas, Allen J. Dinimm, William H. Dummer. Thomas
Dumphy. Solomon J. Edwin, Eugene A. Erny, John W.
Fitzpatrick, Russell G. Flagg, Van H. Fossler. Frederick
W. Fredelake. Russell W. Frederick, Carl J. Freres, An-
drew S. Gamble, Frederick D. Gebhardt. Roy W. Gower,
Harry W. Groenke, Russell F. Groenke. Darwin E. Healey,
Frederick E. Hegeman. Godfred F. Heinish. John E. Helm,
Alfred Hermann, Wallace B. Hessler, Melvin F. Hoernel,
Walter G. Horn. Clyde N. Home. Louis Horvath. Ralph J.
Humble. Albin T. Johnson. Carl V. Johnson, David John-
son. Neville Joyner. Frederick H. Joyner. Earl W. Kaiser,
Fred B. Kark. Donald M. Kastler. Leon L. Katafiasz,
Lawrence O. Kellogg, Edward P. Kersten. Joseph C.
Kolinsky. Warren E. Lalande. Arthur G. Lunde. John D.
McCarthy. Howard R. McVey. Harvey L. Marcoux. Eu-
gene J. Mayer, Edward W. Mazzoni. Edwin B. Milne,
Walter M. Mirow. Allyn L. Mogensen. Geo. W. Mogensen.
Samuel Morgan. Earle J. Morser. Gus. V. Motteler, A. W.
Neitzel, Edward Ossko. George B. Patrick. John Pekarske,
LeRoy J. Penberthy, George Petersen. Victor A. Pezano-
ski, Arnold O. Pieper. Walter M. Pohl, Ervin C. Raatz,
Paul E. Riebs. Stanley M. Rose. Benjamin G. Schaefer.
Cyril J. Schaller. Henry J. Schmidt. Ira Schnell. A. A.
Schultz, Martin O. Schulz. George B. Scriven. George K.
Seeber, John B. Shaughnessy. Walter J. Sieb. Walter S.
Smolensk!, Ed. C. Sorensen. Harold Sorenson. Harold J.
Strang, Joe E. Tennes, Walter V. Wagner. Emniett M.
Wallace, Jerome Wexberg. Wm. E. Wiechers, Howard F.
Wiesen. Walter E. Wilson. Ed. M. Wochinski, Claire A.
Wolfe. Thomas S. Wood. Emerald G. Wright, Bernard H.
Yopp, Otis G. Youngquist. Armin G. Zapf, W.atson W.
Mitchel, Lieut. Cyrus J. Droppers, Porter B. Price.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
179
CHAPTER XIX
EFFECT OF WAR ON RACINE INDUSTRIES
EVERY manufacturing plant in Racine
felt the effects of the war in some man-
ner. Before the United States became
involved in the conflict, several concerns were
engaged in making supplies of various sorts
for the Allied countries. The Mitchell-Lewis
Motor Company, which had absorbed the old
Mitchell Wagon company, turned out a large
number of baggage wagons and rolling kitch-
ens for the Russian and French governments.
The Gorton Manufacturing Company was mak-
ing machines which facilitated the cutting of
steel and iron for the manufacture of guns and
shells. There was a project on foot in Janu-
ary, 1917, to establish a huge shrapnel factory
at Corliss to engage in a contract with the
Trench and British governments.
When America declared war, practically
every factory in Racine offered its services to
the government, either for the making of their
normal products or for any other production
that might be required.
Naturally, the first effect of the war was a
shortage of labor due to enlistment of the
most patriotic of the young men of the com-
munity. This matter threatened to become
serious beyond woi'ds when the draft should
begin to operate. The government had wisely
foreseen all phases of the problem, however,
and with the institution of the draft, exemp-
tion was given to essential employes in all
industries, and a large proportion of employes
in essential industries, if their services were
needed at home.
While the employers were confronted with
a likely shortage of labor, they soon were faced
also with a shortage of material and rising-
prices. For instance, the government restrict-
ed the manufacture of inner tubes for automo-
bile tires to 50 per cent of the previous year's
production, to conserve the supply of rubber,
while the price of pig iron and similar raw ma-
terial advanced from 100 to 300 per cent, with
deliveries limited to plants manufacturing
necessary articles. The sugar shortage cur-
tailed production of many foodstuffs. How-
ever, the government adopted many wise meas-
ures to keep any industry from being destroyed,
and so well were matters arranged that gov-
ernment contracts for essential things were
distributed among factories which otherwise
would have been closed as non-essential, and
the industrial life of the nation was kept in a
healthy condition.
Inquiry among thirty or forty large manu-
facturers of Racine county brought out the
information that practically all of them ex-
perienced these effects of the war, while it
was in progress:
First, shortage of labor and material.
Second, it was easy to sell anything they
could produce.
Third, profits were larger than in peace
times.
The shortage of labor was offset to some
degree by the fact that women and old men
took the places made vacant by departing sol-
diers and sailors, and the high wages were
attractive to all who were able to work. Fur-
thermore, there was an incentive for those at
home to keep all industries going at high speed
and thus help win the war. There was very
little labor trouble here during the war. The
government made it very plain that all who
were not willing to work at fair wages must
go into military service.
Racine was fortunate iri that its manufac-
tures were mostly of such a nature as to be
classed as necessities for either the govern-
ment or the civilian population. While no
guns or ammunition was being manufactured,
other things almost as important were being
turned out in immense quantities.
The Walker Manufacturing Company fur-
nished the government with auto jacks and
other accessories. The Hartmann Trunk Com-
pany made locker trunks for army and navy
officers. The Racine Tool & Machinery Com-
182
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
pany was making' cut-off machines for cutting
steel and iron. The Hill^er-Wiechers Company
and the Alschuler Manufacturing Company
made shirts and other parts of uniforms, and
shoes were sold to army and navy by the Mill-
er Shoe Company, and the Racine Shoe Com-
pany. The J. I. Case T. M. Company was
making tractors for the United States and
Allied governments, and the J. I. Case Plow
Company did the same with plows and har-
rows. The Chicago Rubber Clothing Company
manufactured rubber aprons and sheeting for
hospitals, and rain coats for troops. The Hor-
lick Malted Milk Company's products were
used in many military establishments and hos-
pitals, and the company was perfecting a con-
densed emergency ration to be carried by all
soldiers and sailors. The Mitchell-Lewis Motor
Company had contracts for auto trucks and
trailers, and the Gold Medal Camp Furniture
Company sold all of its vast output of cots,
tents and camp supplies to the army.
No attempt will be made to list all of the
products made here which were considered
essential to the carrying on of the war, but
it can readily be seen that Racine county in-
dustries were doing their shai'e.
The Racine Manufacturing Company, for
example, practically originated a new line of
industry — the building of lifeboats and life
rafts in large quantities. Prior to this time,
these were produced by hand work, and the
process was very slow. The organization of
the Emergency Fleet Corporation under gov-
ernment auspices, and the announcement of
plans for the construction of hundreds of sea-
going vessels in a short time, made the pro-
duction of these accessories very necessary.
The lifeboats were made with a steel keel and
a releasing gear, so they could be launched
from their davits automatically. The lifeboats,
as shipped from Racine, were complete with
canvas cover, emergency rations for a capacity
load for five days, oars, sail, boat hooks, pails,
hatchet, matches, compass, lantern, cups, dis-
tress signals, rockets, sea anchor and hand
pump. The life rafts were nearly as well
equipped with supplies. They consisted of two
metal cylinders to which was bolted a frame-
work of wood. The rafts were meant to be
thrown in the water, so people could hold onto
them until picked up by boats.
The Freeman Manufacturing Company also
rendered great sei'vice to the United States
Shipping Board. When it was planned to con-
struct a huge fleet of wooden ships, the Fi^ee-
man Manufacturing Company accepted a con-
tract for a special type of marine boiler and
manufactured forty-two of the monsters. To
do this it was necessary to interrupt work on
many private contract jobs, and for a time the
government would not allow the company to
send out any of its men to repair boilers of old
customers. Realizing the necessity for haste,
the employes of the plant often worked thir-
teen hours a day to get the work out for the
government.
The Silver Iron & Steel Company, organized
to buy and sell scrap material, reported that
they collected and shipped nearly a thousand
tons a month of metal for use in war indus-
tries during 1918.
Practically every foundry in Racine had sub-
conti'acts for making pai'ts of machinery used
in war work of some sort.
The factories were the centers for much of
the war work at home. In all the Libei-ty
Loan drives, for instance, there was an organi-
zation at each plant to solicit from each em-
ploye, and when the Racine County Relief
Fund was instituted all employes donated the
earnings of one-half hour each week to this
fund, while the employers contributed a sum
equal to the donations of all their employes.
The J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company
is the largest manufacturing institution in the
county. There were 844 of its employes in the
service of the government, or one out of every
five of the 4,000 employed. Some of these
were from bi'anch houses in other cities, but
the majority were from the Racine works.
As an example of the way in which the fac-
tories assisted in civilian war work, it is worth
while to record the following figures showing
the record of J. I. Case T. M. employes in the
Libei'ty Loan drives:
Employes Per Company
Sulweribed Capita Subscribed Totals
First S 63,950. $21. $ 100,000. $ 16.3,050.
Sieond .... !)0.000. m. 200.000. 290,000.
Tliird 185,000. 62. 300,000. 4.S5,000.
Fourth .... 251,000. 99. 400,000. 651,000.
Fifth 276,000. 79. 400,000. 675.250.
SS66.2O0. $1,400,000. $2,266,200.
Besides buying Bonds to the limit, the em-
ployees pui"chased $111,265.00 worth of War
Savings Stamps.
Early in the war, on the first Y. M. C. A.
drive, a sum of $1,700.00 was raised at the
plant. In November, 1917, when our country
had become more deeply involved in the strug-
gle, the people from the company I'aised $9,-
211.75 for the "Y." This was twelve per cent
of the entire allotment for Racine county.
Probably the most war-like activities noticed
around the plant was the period when a com-
pany of the 37th Engineers from Fort Meyers,
Virginia, were stationed at the South Works.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
183
■'^>'^' • V^'^'^''^
;;v;:!«s
Official U. S. Photo
ROAD CAMOUFLAGE— PROTECTION FROM AERIAL OBSERVATION
The strange looking scenery shown above doesn't look very substantial from the ground, but when an enemy was above
it, the strips of wiring presented a ground shadow which completely obscured moving troops or trains.
Photo by H. J. Sanders
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED IN FRANCE
Many Battery O men attended the Memorial services on May 30, 1918 at Camp Williams Cemetery, Is-sur-Tille. as shown
in the illustration. On each of the graves a tiny American tlag fluttered the message of Liberty from those who lay
sleeping there.
184
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
These soldiers were sent here by the Govern-
ment to study the operation and construction
of the modern iron horse, the tractor. While
they were in Racine, they were comfortably
quartered at the Motor Works, which was con-
verted into a fine barracks. They were fed at
the South Works restaurant, on regular civil-
ian chow. While here the men studied the
ti'actor as it was constructed in the shops, and
also did practical work of plowing and prepar-
ing the seed bed on surrounding farms. Lec-
tures and classes were also conducted by the
Case Research Engineering and Educational
Departments.
Another phase of the v.-ar work in the Case
plant, which while it did not assume to be any-
thing tremendously great, yet it illustrated the
splendid feeling of fellowship that existed be-
tween the soldiers in overalls and the soldiers
in khaki, was the Case Eagle jitney fund. This
was purely and simply a stunt put on by the
men in the factory themselves.
Immediately after the boys of the Batteries
and the Ambulance departed for camp, there
was posted around the shop, a placard bearing
the following slogan, "A nickel or more for
the Case Boys at war," and was dubbed "The
Jitney Fund." Everyone contributed anything
from a nickel to a quarter each month. The
money thus raised was used to purchase candy,
tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, paper, pencils, shav-
ing soap, tooth brushes, and other toilet ar-
ticles, and in general, many of those little
things which the boys were in the habit of
having at home. A jitney package such as this
was forwarded each month to every Case boy in
service, as long as he could be kept track of.
After the boys reached the other side, of course
it was not as easy for the packages to reach
their proper destination. While this fund was
in active existence, it collected $2,800.56, and
spent in jitney packages $1,597.44. At the
end of the war there was quite a sum being
held in trust, to be used to aid some worthy
Case soldier or his family. Money from this
fund was also used to send floral tributes to
the funerals of Case soldiers who died and were
buried in this country.
There is published at the J. I. Case Thresh-
ing Machine Company's factories, a little
monthly factory paper, known as the "Case
Eagle." On July 18th, 1917, the editor of the
Eagle established a section in this paper, and
termed it the "Old Abe Warrior." This de-
partment was given over entirely to the doings
of Case boys in service. Letters were pub-
lished, photographs were printed, and anything
interesting to Case soldiers could also be found
on these pages. The Eagle was always mailed
each month to every former employee in the
service. Many interesting stories have been
told how the "Eagle" helped many fellows to
locate their friends, through reading the "Old
Abe Warrior" section.
The officials of the Company were also very
active in the war. Warren J. Davis, the presi-
dent of the company, served as Racine County
Chairman of the War Savings Stamp Commit-
tee. During the war Mr. Davis wrote letters
to every boy in service, advising them on the
matter of War Risk Insurance, and received
hundreds of replies from the young men. Mil-
ton H. Pettit, vice-president in charge of plants
and production, was an enthusiastic worker
in the Racine County Council of Defense. Oth-
er officers and division sales managers were
always prominent in the various drives. When
the two companies of Wisconsin State Guards
were formed, five out of the six commissioned
officers were men from the Case organization.
Richard P. Howell was in direct charge of most
of the Liberty Loan and other financial war
work at the plant.
In the summer of 1918 Racine was on a war
basis. Her young men wei-e rapidly being en-
rolled in the armed forces of the nation. Her
factories were working at high speed to make
military supplies and products needed by the
civilian population of America and the Allied
nations.
Toward the end of July some strangers ap-
peared in the city and made a hasty survey of
TROOP NO. 10, RACINE BOY SCOUTS. WHO WERE IN ACTIVE SERVICE DURING THE WAR. (SEE PAGE 185.)
These Boy Scouts were veteran scout troops. They were
active in war garden work, liberty loan drives (capturin;^
highest honors in one) and in all kinds of service which
their organization was called upon to give. There were
other troops as active during war days, but photographs
of them were not available at the time these pages went
to press. In the photograph are shown :
Top Row — Clarence Rassmusen, George Christopherson,
Gabriel Balazs, Glenn McCaughey. Bui-t E. Burdick, Wil-
liam Foster, George Peterson.
Second — Clyde Mehder, Frank Dieter, Kenneth Hancock,
Kenneth Russell, Ervin Shrader, Louis Moe, Arnold Bor-
nofska.
Third — Melvern Russell. William Wenszell, Arthur Kuck-
enback, Harold Kuckenback, John Johnson, Robert Han-
son, Ralph Kister, S. C. Burdick.
Bottom — Leroy Puerner, Arthur Liesner, Arnold Gres-
mer, W. J. Burdick, John Trumbull, Richard Sorensen,
Rell Barrett.
The insert upper left hand corner is Harold E. Burdick
who died in service.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
185
186
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
lands lying north of the city, neai' Ives, in the
town of Caledonia. They were followed by
other men, who were evidently engineers of
considerable authority, who checked over the
work of their advance guard, and made in-
quiries regarding railroad facilities, labor mar-
ket, water supply, and other matters. They
presented credentials to Secretary Walter H.
Reed of the Commercial club. Postmaster Her-
zog, and other prominent citizens, showing
that they ^yere representing some government-
al department. They kept their mission a
secret, and asked that they be given such in-
formation as they needed but that their opera-
tions be not talked about.
Officers of the Commercial club were in-
formed that the government had in view some
important construction work. As was custom-
ary, details of such matters were not discussed
in war time.
After a few days spent here, the engineers
began to ask for options on a huge tract of
land near Ives, and the Commei'cial club and
Council of Defense were asked to assist, as a
patriotic task. Federal representatives came
and went. It became known that all property
between the Four and a Half Mile road and
the Seven Mile road, and east fi'om the Chi-
cago & Northwestern right of way to Lake
Michigan was needed.
Rumors began flying thick and fast. Some
said an aeroplane factory was to be established.
Others decided a big base hospital was contem-
plated. One man claimed to know that a fac-
tory for making naval guns was intended. A
shipbuilding yard was deemed possible.
Finally a party of engineers arrived to stake
out a system of roads through the tract, and
on some of their baggage were seen the words,
"Dupont Engineering Company." The cat was
then out of the bag and it was realized that
this concern proposed to erect a plant for
manufacturing high explosives. Eventually it
was admitted that this was the case, and that
the recently perfected "TNT" powder was to
be made there.
There was objection to the proposal at once,
as citizens feai^ed to have such a dangerous
neighbor. The Dupont people were unable to
get their options. The War department then
took a hand.
Owners of property were appealed to as pa-
triotic citizens to grant the option. Public
sentiment, the most powerful instrument for
any purpose during the war, was crystalized in
favor of the project. Racine people felt that if
their boys across the water could stand having
TNT shot at them, the home folks could risk
having it manufactured near them. On such
grounds, the land owners, mostly farmers,
agreed to give sixty day options to the govern-
ment. A Mr. G. B. Groesbeck of Cincinnati
was in charge of this work.
While the options were being signed up, two
representatives of the Industrial Service Divi-
sion of the Department of Labor came here
and obtained the assistance of prominent citi-
zens in making- a thorough industrial survey
of the community. In three days these men
were able to give the government agents exact
facts regarding every feature of the city and
county which needed to be considered in con-
nection with the establishment of a huge in-
dustry.
The Dupont company, as contractor for the
government, then entered upon the 2,200 acres
of land under option and proceeded to do some
rather rapid work. Owners of the small farms
were evicted. Signs were posted ordering
trespassers to keep out, as it was a govern-
ment reservation. Railroad sideti'acks were
built into the tract. Trainloads of supplies be-
gan to arrive. Laborers were imported by the
thousands. All available lumber and building
material in the city was purchased regardless
of price. Teams and trucks were engaged at
prices which then seemed fabulous.
Buildings were erected almost overnight to
house the workers, and other structures were
begun for offices, engine rooms, warehouses,
etc. A complete water system was installed
with many miles of mains leading from a
pumping station near the lake. Expensive
roads were built. The tract was graded, and
surface soil used to fill depressions. Along
with this went crops of potatoes, cabbages and
other vegetables which the contractors would
not allow the land ovmers to remove lest they
interfere with the work at hand.
Expense seemed to be no object. On the
contrary, no bill ever seemed to be questioned.
Laborers and clerks were hired at wages high-
er than they themselves asked. The rates of
pay for everyone was far above what was paid
for the same class of work in the city, and a
serious industrial situation was thi'eatened in
Racine due to the enticing of help from the
local plants. Office girls who had been get-
ting $40 to $75 a month in town were given
jobs at $125 to $175 a month without any at-
tempt being made to test their ability. Skilled
mechanics could double their income by taking
a job at the TNT plant.
Special trains were run to the plant every
day from Milwaukee and Racine, and the con-
tractors paid half of the employes' carfare.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
187
SAVING PARIS FROM THE BIGGEST BERTHAS
The railway artillery guns moved up to the rail heads and from that point, with aid of aeroplane observation, were able
to drop sufficient material upon the long-distance German pieces to nullify their operations against Paris.
4
, . •••-- -. -v^ .
^'^ . •*•
^ v>*- s.^if. -.•■'». ..':.-■
SHELL DROPPED IN A GERMAN MACHINE GUN NEST
The results are apparent to anyone and pay tribute to the excellent aim of American gunners. The M. G. crew is scat-
tered about the landscape together with the equipment. Scenes of this kind were common to the advancing Yanks in the
late days of the war as they followed the advancing barrages of their own artillery.
188
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
So many men were working, that often there
would be a line of 1,000 men waiting to check
in at the timekeeper's gate at 8 o'clock, and
the last man would not be at work for an hour
or two later. But his pay went right on.
It was stated that the Dupont company was
to build the plant without profit, but it was
the general belief that the contractors received
cost plus 10% profit on the work. It seems
reasonable, inasmuch as no eff'ort seemed to
be made to reduce costs and there were indi-
cations that high costs were preferred. Of
course on a "cost plus" basis, the contractor
would make more money if the cost was high.
From 8,000 to 12,000 people were working
on the munitions plant, and money was flowing
like water, when the armistice was signed.
With the suspension of hostilities, the great
powers vested in the War department were
suspended automatically. Construction was
ordered stopped. No money was obtainable to
pay for the land occupied under the options,
and there was no way to get it. The govern-
ment no longer wanted the land. That much
was understandable by all.
But what of the property o\vTiers ? When
their land was seized they were informed verb-
ally that the options were to be exercised and
the property purchased. They were actually
evicted from their premises. Some had borrow-
ed money and made payments on new farms.
Others moved into Racine and sought employ-
ment while awaiting reimbursement. Their
farms were ruined, in many cases. Concrete
roads, frame buildings, I'ailroads and other
"improvements" of this natui'e do not serve
any good use on a farm. Much of the fertile
top soil had been hauled away. Buildings had
been torn down ruthlessly. Guards still pa-
trolled the borders of the tract to prevent even
the owners from entering.
For a time, the owners waited patiently for
word from Washington. Then they began to
worry. Finally they started to hire lawyers.
The public sympathized with them. The man-
ner in which the nation's money had been
wasted caused much bitter comment, and re-
sulted in some grumbling during the last two
Libei'ty Loan drives. Purchasers of bonds saw
that any amount they could give would be
wasted in a few minutes at the Ives plant
alone.
As the winter passed, and spring came,
every possible effort was made to learn the
government's intentions. The men who had
planned the munitions works had left the fed-
eral service. Others answered letters ad-
dressed to their departments, and often the
successors would be gone before explanations
could be completed. The owners could not get
the land. There was no sign that they would
be reimbursed for their sacrifices. The land
was not being used, yet the government seemed
unable to relinquish possession because of the
large quantities of material stored there.
Agents came to investigate and nothing was
heard of their reports. Real estate men from
Racine were asked to estimate the damages
sustained by property owners. They made re-
ports which disappeared into pigeon-holes at
Washington, and even their pay for the ap-
praisal was not forthcoming.
Up to January, 1920, the only progress made
was the announcement that the buildings on
the premises would be sold to the lowest bid-
der, and a Chicago firm obtained them at the
auction. In the meantime it had developed
that in other parts of the country land owners
had been deprived of their property in a simi-
lar manner for other government projects, and
a congressional investigation of the methods
used was decided upon.
Other industries in Racine did not suffer
greatly as a result of the sudden ending of the
war. All of them had plenty of private con-
tracts in sight as soon as the government busi-
ness could be disposed of, and the transforma-
tion of the factories from a war to a peace
basis was accomplished with hai'dly a ripple
of excitement. In fact, the year 1919 was
by all odds the most prosperous ever experi-
enced in the history of the city and only the
scarcity of material with which to construct
new buildings prevented a tremendous growth
in population in that year. There was a great
shortage of houses and it was also difficult for
manufacturing plants to obtain material and
sufficient labor for enlarging their plants, as
they desired.
Plenty of Jobs for Soldiers
The federal government was determined
that no former soldier or sailor who desired
to work should enter upon a period of en-
forced idleness upon return from the camps,
after being mustered out. Elaborate plans
wei'e made to furnish the agencies whei'eby
men could be transported from one city or
state to another, if necessary, in order to
place them in jobs. Fortunately, the prosper-
ous condition of the country kept the service
from being absolutely necessai-y. Almost all
service men were able to obtain lucrative em-
ployment immediately and be earning high
wages while seeking some particular position
which they desired.
The government proposed to use, and did
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
189
SOME THINGS THAT THE GOBS SAW
'*'■ P- Shellberg, sailor, snapped, above, a line of ships on the near side of their smoke screen, with which they confused
submarine commanders. The middle picture shows what sea weather and camouflage do to the images of two vessels.
At the bottom an exploding mine is shown. An idea of its power is contained in the jet of water thrown up.
190
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
use, the employment service organized during
the war as the basis for the scheme. Refer-
ence is made elsewhere to the Racine U. S.
employment office, which was designed to regu-
late the labor supply for war work. It had
engaged some 1,400 men for the government
TNT plant at Ives and about 500 men for
construction work at Camp Grant and the
Manitowoc Shipbuilding project. H. G. Pres-
ser was superintendent of the office.
For the purpose of placing men who were
being mustered out, the Bureau for Returning
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines was organized
on December .30th, 1918, at the Council
Chambers; a special conference having been
called for this purpose. The following is a list
of names of those present at this conference
and the organization which each one repi'e-
sented :
Wm. Thiesen, Mayor of Racine.
C. C. Gittings, representing the Y. M. C. A.
Milton Pettit, representing the Manufactur-
ers' Association.
F. R. Pettit, representing the Manufactur-
ers' Association.
Mrs. F. R. Pettit, representing the Central
Association.
Wm. Armstrong, President of the Eagles.
Angus R. Callender, representative of the
Community Labor Board. (Management.)
Wm. Sommers, representative of Labor, of
the Community Labor Board.
A. P. Kunig, Chairman of the Community
Labor Board.
W. H. Levy, Examiner of the U. S. Employ-
ment Service.
H. G. Presser, Examiner of the U. S. Em-
ployment Service.
Miss Nellie M. Olson, Supt. of the Women's
Division, Kenosha.
Miss Anna Behrmann, Supt. of the Women's
Division, Racine.
Walter H. Reed, Racine Commercial Club.
T. S. Rees, Vocational School.
Wm. Pauli, Alderman.
T. Olson, Alderman.
Thomas Smader, Alderman.
.John Heims, Council of Defense.
Adolph Weber, Grand Army.
Jens Peterson, Danish Lutheran Church, Sil-
ver street.
John Jones, Elks' Club.
R. L. Bullock, Knights of Pythias.
R. E. Brown, Sons of Veterans.
W. W. Kradwell, Spanish War Veterans.
S. F. Gates, Spanish War Veterans.
J. H. Brannum, Brannum Lumber Company.
Mrs. Foster, Racine Woman's Club.
Mrs. Chas. Carter, Racine Woman's Club.
Miss Harvey, representing Y. W. C. A.
Miss Devine, Representative of the Commu-
nity Labor Board.
Rev. J. Dressier, Lutheran Church of Atone-
ment.
Mr. Bradshaw, Y. M. C. A.
E. W. Leach, Local Board No. 1.
Carl Straubel, Walker Mfg. Co.
Stanley Weinerowski.
Rev. B. P. Burand, St. Stanislaus Church.
R. C. Rueschaw, Mitchell Motors Company.
W. B. Mitchell, American Skein Company.
L. T. Vance, Ajax Rubber Company.
Mr. Schwartz, Webster Electric Company.
Albert Wirry, Walker Mfg. Company.
Walter Rasmussen, Walker Mfg. Company.
Henry Burns, Trades Labor Council.
Rev. Rusten, State St. Lutheran Church.
John Konnak, President of the Turnover
Club.
Rev. G. M. Thimell, First Swedish Church.
Miss Kate Mehder, Central Association.
Mrs. Ostergaard, War Community Service.
Rev. C. R. Nickerson, Preshyterian Church.
A. J. Link, Trades Labor Council.
N. C. Christensen, Trades Labor Council.
The purpose of this Bureau was chiefly that
the soldier, sailor or marine returning to his
town or to a strange town could have some
certain place to go to to find out information
as to what kind of employment was open for
him. At the time this Bureau was organized,
many soldiers, sailors and marines and war
workers were being demobilized; many going
to cities where they were relatively unknown.
Wherever they went, it was the duty of the
community to see that every possible oppor-
tunity was given to them to get jobs — to get
the best jobs for which they are qualified.
These men gave up their work at the country's
call, without hesitation. To some of them,
their old positions remained open, with others,
such was not the case. Still others had ac-
quired new purpose and strength and in many
cases new skill, which fitted them for better
work than they had formerly. It was both a
national and a community duty to see that as
they came back everything was done to enable
them to return to positions wherethey could do
most effective work.
The co-operating agencies registered at this
office all opportunities for employment which
came to their attention. Employers were
urged as a patriotic duty to register their op-
portunities for employment with specifications
as to types and kinds of men wanted and other
necessary details. They kept the Bureau in-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
191
Photos by John Hood
SCENES OF THE DAYS OF THE DEPARTURE OF DRAFT CONTINGENTS
The series shows the head of a draft procession, accompanying ofTtcials, the line of the marchers and sidewalk specta-
tors, crowds in the streets accompanyinff the boys. Home Guards and officials waiting for the train that was to carry the
men away, sorrowing friends and relatives (note serious faces and woman with handkerchief pressed to eyes in next to
bottom picture), and, finally, the contingent on its way, waving flags an dshouting farewells through the car windows.
192
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
formed as such positions were filled or as new
jobs were open. The full resources of the
Bureau were open without charge to any re-
turning soldiers, sailors, marines and war
workers, regardless of where he or she first
made application. The Bureau used all means
at its disposal to furnish them with correct
information on the various questions that con-
fronted them, or directed them to places where
such information couid be obtained. This was
the general method of operating the Bureau.
In charge of each Bureau was a Bureau
Manager, who was selected by the Board of
Management. H. G. Presser was selected as
Bureau Manager for this Bureau. He was
sworn into the Federal Service as a Special
Agent of the U. S. Employment Service of the
Department of Labor, and was entitled to the
franking privileges of such Department, and
subject in the e.xecutive details, to the in-
structions of the Director General of the Em-
ployment Service, and of the Federal Director
of such Service for this city.
The U. S. Employment Service appointed
an agent to be stationed in every demobiliza-
tion camp who was there assisted by the camp
representatives of the affiliated organization.
Each such agent so far as possible, was to
telegraph the Federal State Director the prob-
able time of arrival of discharged soldiers as
soon as definite information was available.
The Federal State Director in turn informed
the Bureaus affected. As far as possible, this
information contained the number of men who
signified their intention to call on the local
Bureau for assistance, and a general state-
ment of the predominating kinds of woi'k de-
sired. He mailed a cai'd for each man who
had signified a desii'e for assistance, stating
the kind of work desired. These cards were
classified and filed by the Manager of the
Bureau, and where possible, matched up with
available opportunities before the man called
at the Bureau, so that on arrival he could be
at once referred to a definite opening.
In Racine there was an average of about
150 registrations per month, and an average of
about 120 placed in employment. Of this
amount thirty per cent were outsiders, that is.
men coming here from different cities who had
never before been in this city. A great many
of these applied several times for the reason
that their position was not available, while
others took temporary positions until they
could obtain their pre-war position.
The office was maintained by the Govern-
ment paying the salaries of the employes there-
in and the city paid all other expenses, such
as rent, fuel, heat, light and telephone charges.
PART III
MILITARY ACTIVITIES
PEKSHING PINNING D. S. C. ON 32ND DIVISION PRIVATE
CHAPTER XX
THE A. E. F, IN ACTION
THE American Expeditionary Forces in
Europe consisted of 2,079,880 men, all
of whom had been transported from the
United States after May 1, 1917. It was by
far the largest army ever sent so far from its
home base of supplies and its organization in-
volved many new and difficult problems of
warfare.
Some of these difficulties may be realized
from a brief statement of conditions confront-
ing the Army and Navy. First of all, it was
necessary to provide the arniy itself, and the
manner in which this was done has been re-
counted in previous chapters. The movement
of 2,000,000 men across the Atlantic would be
a big job at any time, but it was an enomious
one when thei'e was a shortage of suitable
transports, and enemy warships menaced every
mile of the sea paths.
After the army arrived in France, it had to
be clothed and fed. Provision for this must
be made before the men landed, because the
submarine warfare might at any time sever
the lines of communication for days or weeks
at a time. It was the policy of the govern-
ment to send to Europe at least a month's pro-
visions for every man at the same time as the
man himself embarked, and thereafter main-
tained a reserve supply in France equal to that
amount. Of course it was necessary to ship
the supplies for the normal automatic issue of
rations and equipment, also.
To land the men and supplies it was neces-
sary to provide ports, and vast wharves and
warehouses were constructed by the Americans
at the points designated as debarkation points
for the Yanks. These were St. Nazaire,
Nantes, Brest, Bordeaux and La Rochelle.
Ti'oops were also landed at Le Havre from
England, but no American tenninal facilities
were provided there.
French I'ailroads offered no possibility of
transporting the needed men and supplies to
the training centers and the front line sectors,
so an Amoican railroad system was con-
structed from the west coast right through
to Verdun. Rails, spikes and rolling stock all
had to be shipped from here. France could
furnish little excepting wooden ties, and even
these were scarce.
Huge refrigerating plants were installed —
the largest in the world, in fact. Vast supply
depots were built. Training camps were con-
sti-ucted. Artillery ranges were laid out. Of-
ficers' schools were opened.
As soon as war was declared, Gen. Pershing
was sent to France to perfect the organization
of this Sei-vice of Supply and plan for the
utilization of the combat forces which the
United States would send as soon as possible.
Almost immediately there arose hundreds of
exasperating questions, due to the ancient laws
and customs of Europe. It was a difficult mat-
ter for the government of France to condemn
land quickly for use of the Allied annies. Ob-
taining rights to build a railroad, American
fashion, involved more red tape than our State
Department ever saw in its palmiest days.
Legal restrictions surrounded every step con-
nected with the purchase of timber and other
supplies. Eventually Pershing arranged to
smooth out what difficulties he and his staff
could, and then proceed to do what he wanted
to on the assumption that claims could be made
for damages later on. What could be brought
fi'om America was brought. The troops first
arriving were used mainly in the work of con-
straction for several months, and several
boatloads of ci\'ilian mechanics were brought
from the United States to supervise the tasks
of construction. Regiments of troops were
formed of volunteers from many trades, such
as railroad men, foresters, etc., and these pei'-
formed gigantic tasks with a skill and ease
which caused the more conservative Europeans
to gasp in astonishment. The miles of wharves,
warehouses and railroad yards at Bordeaux
were constructed by American workmen in less
time than the French engineers had estimated
198
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
would be required to complete the plans and
take out the lines.
The British and French high commands pro-
posed that American units be not utilized as
parts of an American army, but be used as re-
placement units to supply the Allied ranks as
they became depleted through death, wounds
and illness. The plan had merit only insofar
as it provided a quick way of training soldiers.
Fortunately Gen. Pershing knew his country-
men well enough to be sure nothing but trouble
could result from placing American soldiers
under foreign commissioned and non-com-
missioned officers. He insisted American
troops fight under their own flags and under
their own officers. Beyond this, he was will-
ing to send them wherever they were needed,
either acting as a separate force or sen'ing
under British or French troops commanders
when the latter were in danger of defeat. He
urged that all the Allied armies be put under
one commander-in-chief, so that they could act
in harmony at all times. Failure to do so
had been one of the contributing causes of the
low ebb of the Allied cause in the spring of
1917. Partly as a result of the American
views, the plan was adopted and Field Marshal
Foch of France was chosen to fill the important
post. Prior to this time, the plan of unified
command had been side-tracked for months
because each of the Allies wanted its own
army commander to be made generalissimo.
America had no candidate for the job and
favored Foch partly because of his known skill
as a tactician, and partly because he repre-
sented France, on whose soil the war was be-
ing fought to a decision.
For the puipose of training troops, Gen.
Pershing obtained the sei'vices of numerous
British and French instnactors. In artillery,
particularly, it was necessary to depend upon
the French as they were to furnish guns for
the first contingent of Yanks and no American
officei's were familiar with the now famous 75
millimeter and 155 millimeter field pieces. At
first, American quartenmaster department of-
ficers were placed in charge of the oi'ganiza-
tion of the Sei-xdce of Supply in France, but
Gen. Pershing soon saw that while West Point
turns out good soldiers it doesn't necessarily
equip a man for a business career, and this was
essentially a big business proposition. So
America was drawn upon for some of its most
famous engineers, bankers, contractors, mer-
chants and other civilian leadei's to take charge
of the work. They were given army rank and
they showed the world what speed meant when
applied to construction and distribution.
Wherever possible, the French turned over
buildings for hospitals, and furnished all sur-
plus cars for use of the American transporta-
tion service but the demand was far greater
than the supply.
As many troops would be sent to France
via England, arrangements had to be made
there for the care of men in transit. Lines of
communication were established from Liver-
pool, London and Southampton to numerous
rest camps, training camps and ports, and
across the Channel to France. All of this not
only requires time and material but meant the
detachment of many army officers and men for
the operation of the sei-\-ice and to maintain
laisson with the Allied governments and of-
ficials.
The spot in France where the first con-
tingent of American soldiers set foot in 1917
is not Brest, or St. Nazaire, or Bordeaux. It
is not even on the seacoast of France. To find
the landing place of the fii'st of the two mil-
lion, you must go one hundi'ed miles up from
the mouth of the river Seine, one hundred miles
as the river winds through one of the most
beautiful valleys in the world, until you come
to the ancient town of Rouen, capital of the
one-time province of Nonnandy, where Joan
of Arc was burned at the stake.
The stone quay that is the north bank of
the river in the shadow of Rouen's Grand Pont
was made historic on May 25, 1917, by the un-
announced coming of the first boatload of
Americans. That pilgrim band was not the
vanguard of the First Division. It was not a
Regular Anny detachment rushed over to
buoy up the hopes of the Allies, for it was
almost a month later that General Pershing
and his escort of troops landed at St. Nazaire.
That first band at Rouen was composed of sol-
diers who had been civilians twenty days be-
fore. It was Base Hospital No. 4 which had
been assembled at Cleveland, Ohio, on May
5, 1917.
When, at 7 o'clock of the long spring twi-
light of May 25, the British transport Western
Australia swung to in the river channel in
Rouen, there were strange unifomis at her
rails. While the transport was edging toward
her moorings, the word spread among the
crowds at the tables under the trees of the
terrasse of the Cafe Victor Hugo that the
Americans had come. That crowd of the
Rouen waterfront terrasses was indisputably
the most cosmopolitan in all the world at that
time, for Rouen was the place of all places in
France where the conglomeration of i-aces
fighting under England's flag i-ubbed elbows
and at the same time mingled with the native
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
199
Photos by John Hood
HOME AGAIN AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF WAR SERVICE
At the top the waiting crowds at the railway stations : below scenes when the boys unloaded and got on the solid ground
of Racine once more; in the upper picture at right a small admirer is looking at one of her heroes: below are scenes of
the last marches of the boys before doffing the uniform and getting back into civil life.
200
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
French and France's black colonials and yellow
auxiliaries.
The whole cosmopolitan mass came to the
waterfront to greet the Americans. Out from
the cafes, out from every building, out of the
street ends they hurried until the broad, cob-
blestoned roadway was filled witli them. Ropes
were stretched to keep them from crowding
too closely, and from the boat decks it looked
as if the first line behind the ropes was com-
posed exclusively of mesdemoiselles, waving
the earliest welcome. And behind the mesde-
moiselles was the mixed mass of the British
Army — for Rouen was the biggest B. E. F.
base in France.
Yes, and there was a platoon of German
prisoners that stopped under escort. Such
was the crowd which extended an impromptu
welcome to the first of the A. E. F., a welcome
that rang tnae despite the fact that Rouen had
long before grown dulled to the unifonn and
the march of men.
Sergeant R. C. Madden, of Brooklyn, who
had been two years in the Regular Army, had
the honor of being the first man ashore. Af-
ter him came the score of medical officers,
thirty nurses and one hundred and fifty en-
listed men who composed the unit.
The record of organizing this first unit and
landing it in France within twenty days is one
of the unusual stories of the war. In addition
to being the first in France, the unit also was
the first to land in England, racing with the
HaiTard unit to win the honor.
Assembled in Cleveland on May 6, the outfit
proceeded to New York on a special train, en-
listment papers being completed on the train.
On May 8 it sailed from New York on the
Cunard liner Orduna. Losses from submarines
in the week before the Orduna sailed had been
heavier than in any other week of the war, and
it was generally known aboard the boat that
American destroyers were waiting off the coast
of the British Isles to convoy the Orduna
through the danger zone. On May 18 the
Orduna sailed quietly into Liverpool.
It was on board the Orduna that the enlisted
men of the unit began their training as sol-
diers. There had been no time to obtain and
put on unifoiTns before sailing, so while the
men were marching aboard in their civilian
clothes great packing cases full of blouses and
breeches, leggins and shoes and other equip-
ment were being stowed on the lower decks.
Several days out at sea, while the medical
officers were still busy distributing shots-in-
the-arm, while seasickness was still more
powerful than the top-sergeant, the unit was
introduced to the ways of the supply sergeant
— and the recruit who had that job wished
upon him had a hard time living down the
memories of that first "issue" day. Clothing
crates were knocked open and the men lined
up to "take what you can get." The depot
quartennaster at Philadelphia had thrown to-
gether an assortment of sizes based on average
AiTny requirements, so that Boy Scout sizes
and 42-stouts predominated.
The transfonnation from civilian clothes
into uniform under the circumstances out-
raged the sartorial sense of 150 men, and it
was only by days of exchanging that the av-
erage appearance approached presentability.
Never was drilling done under more unusual
circumstances. On tetering decks the entire
command marched and counter-marched, first
by squads, and then as a detachment. The
proportion of men with at least a smattering
of di-ill knowledge was so large that after
seven days of continuous drilling the com-
mander pronounced the unit as well drilled as
the average recruit organization after three
months.
All the time the Cunarder kept zig-zagging
in her course, and the strain of the submarine
menace was as obvious in the boat crew as
among the military passengers. Then, with
the real danger zone several days ahead, came
an ominous order. By command of the British
captain of the boat, all Americans in uniform
must take them off and keep them off until the
ship had met her convoy. In case the ship were
torpedoed and those aboard had to abandon
her, the Gei-mans certainly would shell the
lifeboats if they saw them filled with uniformed
men, and the captain didn't want to take any
chances of a new sea horror in which women
civilian passengers might be victims.
So off came the uniforms. Followed hasty
bargaining with the British sailors who al-
ready had come into possession of scores of
Yankee suits and shirts and civilian shoes, and
the ship I'etumed to the civilian aspect it had
when it sailed from New York. About the
same time, the captain of the ship gave orders
that all bugling must stop.
A real jolt came, however, when the word
was spread about the ship that the Gei-mans
had tried to lead the Orduna into a U-boat
trap — that in order to escape, the ship had
turned and was even then heading far north
on her course. The Germans had sent a wire-
less message, so the report was, pui-porting
to arrange a meeting with the United States
destroyer which was to convoy the Orduna to
port. But they had slipped up. They had
gi\en the name of the destroyer as the "Wads-
worth" and none of the British officers could
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
201
S. A. TITUS
T WM. THIESEN
COUNTY AND CITY ADMINISTRATIVE HEADS DURING THE WORLD WAR
S. A. Titus was chairman of the County Board and Mayor T. W. Thiesen was head of the City Government.
The lot of the public official during war time is not an
enviable one. With public feelinRs running hiph, and
every action subjected to the test of its value in winninp
the war, a decision by any responsible official was likely
to be "viewed with alarm" by a large portion of the popu-
lation. Durint? the recent war, too, it was customary to
cry "pro-German" at any who might entertain views con-
trary to one's opinions. The county government was less
in the limelight than the city, but even it had some trou-
bles.
Mayor T. W. Thiesen was elected mayor of Racine in
1915 and re-elected in 1917. He had proven a very capa-
ble executive and his administration had resulted in much
■constructive work on the part of the city government.
One of the first matters presented to him was the prob-
lem of finding an office for Local Board No. 1, and he
solved this by giving the draft board the use of his rooms
in the city hall. A good deal of the mayor's business was
transacted in the city hall corridors thereafter. During
the war he was called upon daily by the relatives of men
in service to obtain information regarding them, and it
later became his duty to notify families of deceased soldi-
ers of the deaths of these men. When the Transport Tus-
'Cania was sunk, and it was known that Lieut. Salbreiter
and several Racine ambulance company men were aboard,
he was in communication with Washington day and night
until definite information could be obtained regarding
these soldiers. When notified of the death of Sargeant
Hawley it took considerable work to locate his relatives,
who were in Milwaukee.
Families of men in service appealed to him for all sorts
of assistance, and on one occasion when two men called
to the colors and dreaded leaving because their parents
had no fuel in the house, the Mayor had to find a way to
get it. He offered to give them half of the supply in his
cellar but this was prohibited by the rules of the fuel ad-
ministration and might open him to the "pro-German"
accusation. Eventually he was able to divert to the de-
sired goal a wagon load of coal intended for a friend of
his who still had a ton or two on hand. Upon another
■occasion when the fuel administrator wanted all city
teams for hauling coal, there was quite an argument as
to whether it would be of any use to utilize them thus
until they had been used to haul enough snow from the
istreets to allow coal wagons to travel. Finally the teams
were put to the job hauling snow, and then when the streets
were clear the teams were turned over to the other job.
When the first thrift stamp campaign started, the state
directors proposed that high school students conduct the
drive. The boys and girls had just finished a drive for
the Red Cross and Mayor Thiesen protested against keep-
ing them from their studies again. He said that as it
was desired to subscribe more than a million dollars it
would be better to have an adult committee and he offered
to take the chairmanship. The state officers would not
give up their idea, however, and the school chilidren were
enlisted. In the course of this. Mayor Thiesen was de-
nounced as pro-German by a Milwaukee newspaper be-
cause of his opposition to the scheme. It aroused lots of
talk and much bitterness. However, the results vindicated
his stand as it was necessary to get the grown-ups at
work to make the campaign a success.
The mayor had other disagreeable experiences whenever
the city outlined any policy, such as discontinuing con-
struction, etc. Whatever decision touched the pocket-
books of some class of people, gave cause for criticism
and charges which sounded very bad in wartime. Mr.
Thiesen's former residence in Germany made his position
particularly difficult, and the fact tiiat he was able to
conclude his administration without doing anything which
would subject him to criticism founded upon cool consid-
eration of the circumstances is greatly to his credit.
One of his final acts as mayor was the supervising of
the armistice celebration, and his responsibilities on that
day were not light, in view of the exuberance of spirits
of the citizens. As an example of the mayor's duties in
those days, it is recalled that on the armistice day. he had
to arrange for the departure of two draft contingents in
the morning while he was also considering petitions of
ministers and others asking that saloons be kept closed
all day. Seeing no authority for closing the saloons, he
delegated men to help keep the crowds moving all day
and provide attractions to keep them outdoors. By night
everyone was so tired from the long celebration that they
went home shortly after the supper hour. The firts word
of the signing of the armistice came to Mayor Thiesen in
the form of a telegram from the Chicago Herald-Ex-
aminer, and after he had verified it by a message from
Washington he ordered all whistles to be blown and bells
rung. This was at 4 a. m., November 11th.
202
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
find such a boat listed. Inquiries were made
quietly among the Americans, and someone
was found who thought that "Wadsworth" was
the name of a boat to which a friend of his
in the Navy had recently been assigned as
purser. Then, in violation of Admiralty orders,
the Orduna's wii'eless sending apparatus was
unsealed and a message flashed out to the
Wadsworth asking the name of her purser.
Back came the answer, confirming the conjec-
ture. The Orduna turned back into her course,
and next morning, on the edge of the new
graveyard of the Atlantic, the Wadsworth
came bobbing over the horizon.
After landing in Liverpool on May 18, the
men of Base Hospital No. 4 electrified little
groups of English civilians by a rapid march
through the streets from the dock to the York-
shire and Lancashire railroad station, but the
secrecy of the arrival was maintained until
London newspapers were allowed bi'iefly to
note the occasion when the unit was given a
tremendous welcoming at Blackpool, the At-
lantic City of the British Isles.
During June a few combat troops arrived in
France. These were small detachments of the
Regular ai'my. Eventually all the Regulars
were organized into regiments and brigades in
France and by adding a brigade of Marines,
two divisions of about 20,000 men each, were
organized. These were the First and Second
divisions, the Marine brigade being a part of
the Second. When the new tables of organiza-
tion were prepared to make our units more
like those of the French and British aiTnies,
other contingents were added, most of the
new men being trained soldiers from National
Guard divisions. The ultimate number of men
included in a division was about 27,000. In-
fantry companies were increased to 250 men.
Ten companies constituted a regiment, and
two regiments a brigade. A division consisted
of two infantry brigades, one artillery brigade
consisting of three regiments, a battalion of
engineers, a signal corps battalion, a trench
mortar company, a quartermaster company,
two or three ambulance companies, a field
hospital, medical detachments assigned to each
combat regiment, machine gun companies,
bakeiy companies, headquarters companies and
a few other organizations necessary to making
a division a self-supporting unit in the field.
Balloon companies and aerial squadrons were
occasionally attached to divisions but more
often functioned in connection with corps or
ai-my headquarters. The same is ti-ue of rail-
road and forestry regiments, intelligence de-
partments, heavy artillery, mobile repair shops.
Corps organizations, including three or more
divisions, were perf"ected in the field in the
spring of 1918. The American First anny was
in action as a unit in the late summer of 1918.
The Second army was formed just before the
ai-mistice was signed, and was preparing for
a drive through Lorraine. The size of a corps
and an army was not a rigid matter. Gen-
erally a corps included about 100,000 men, and
an army might include from .300,000 to .500,000
or 600,000. All of these units were much
larger than ever before in American history,
and they were supposed to be kept in full
strength by the providing of replacements as
rapidly as the ranks of any company or reg-
iment were depleted. This system was a vast
improvement over former methods. In the
Civil war, for instance, the normal strength of
a company was 100 men and of a regiment,
1,000 men. But due to the depletion from
death and disease, a company would often be
in the field for months with only twenty-five
or thirty men answering to roll call, and a reg-
iment which had been in action a few times
could seldom muster as many effectives as an
infantry company had present continuously
during the recent conflict.
The following table shows the rapidity with
which American troops were moved to Eng-
land and France during the World War:
1917
May 1,543
June 15,091
July 12,876
Aug. 19,403
Sept. 33,588
Oct. 40,027
Nov. 23,722
Dec 48,815
1918
Jan. 48,055
Feb. 49,239
March 85,710
April 120,072
May 247,714
June 280,434
July 311,359
Aug. 286,375
Sept. 259,670
Oct. 184,063
Nov. 12,124
The war upset completely all the previous es-
timates as to the length of time it requires
army hostilities to train soldiers in large num-
bers. While most military text books and
critics had maintained that an efficient soldier
required two years of intensive training, in this
war the average American soldier who went to
France received six months of training in the
United States before he sailed and but two
more months of training in France before he
went into the battle line. This fact is deduced
from a study of data on the training of the
1,400,000 men who actually fought in France.
One month in a quiet sector before entering
battle was also a part of the average experi-
ence of America's fighting men.
The German drive that got fully under way
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
203
Dlvi
I From *The War with Gormany: A
Ll3 organization to arrival In Praaod ^'{^^r^^o^^ ^S^v'^T
^■''■'\ Arrival in Franco to entering lln»
t.,:\^l Entering line to active tattle servlco
HB Service as active oom'bat division
War Record of A. E. F. Divisions — How lon^ tliey trained, \\o\v long tliey fouglit ; A comparative
Study of the character of service rendered by Regular, National Guard and National
Army Divisions
204
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
in June, 1918, cut down the average training
period of the American soldier. After the
starting of the drive in March American divi-
sions were rushed to France after they had
been filled out with best trained men, no mat-
ter where they could be obtained. Divisions
called to France in July had to meet numerical
shortages vdth men called to the colors in the
spring. By November the average of training
in the United States had been cut to four
months, and the average for the whole five
months preceding the armistice probably was
five months.
After reaching Fi-ance men on the average
received two months' training before entering
the front lines, but this period was cut greatly
for men in certain divisions which were made
replacement outfits. At replacement centers
in France a part of the effort made to prevent
untrained men being sent to the front consisted
in picking out the less skilled and putting them
through a ten-day course of intensive rifle and
bayonet work.
The infantry soldier was trained in the di-
vision, which was our typical combat unit.
Training and sorting organizations of about
10,000 men, known as depot bi'igades, were also
utilized, but as far as possible the recruits were
put almost immediately into the divisions which
wei'e the organizations in which they would go
into action.
Before the signing of the armistice there
were trained and sent overseas forty-two
American divisions. The training of twelve
more was well advanced, and there were four
others that were being organized. The plans
on which the army was acting called for eighty
divisions overseas before July, 1919, and 100
divisions by the end of that year.
To carry forward the training progi-am,
shelter was constructed in a few months for
1,800,000 men. For the national guard and
national army divisions, sixteen camps and
sixteen cantonments were built in America.
About 4,000,000 men served in the army of
the United States during the war (April 6,
1917, to Nov. 11, 1918). The total of men serv-
ing in the armed forces of the country, includ-
ing the army and navy, the marine corps, and
the other services, amounted to 4,800,000. It
was almost true that among each 100 Ameri-
can citizens five took up arms in defense of
the country.
During the civil war 2,400,000 men served in
the northern armies or in the navy. In that
struggle ten in each 100 inhabitants of the
northern states served as soldiers or sailors.
The American effort in the war with Germany
may be compared with that of the northern
states in the civil war by noting that in the
present war we raised twice as many men in
actual numbers, but that in propoi'tion to the
population we raised only half as many.
More than 500,000 came in through the regu-
lar army. Almost 400,000 more, or nearly 10
per cent, entered through the National Guard.
Jlore than three-quarters of all came in
through the selective service or National army
enlistments. Of every 100 men ten were Na-
tional guardsmen, thirteen were regulars and
seventy-seven belonged to the national army,
or would have if the services had not been
consolidated and the distinctions wiped out on
Aug. 7, 1918.
About 200,000 commissioned officers were re-
quired for the army. Of this number, less
than 9,000 were in the federal service at the
beginning of the war. Of these, 5,791 were
regulars and 3,199 wei'e officers of the national
guard in the federal service.
Figures show that of every six officers one
had had previous military training in the
regular army, the national guard, or the ranks.
Three received the training for their commis-
sions in the officers' training camps. The other
two went from civilian life into the army with
little or no military training. In this last
group the majority were physicians, a few
of them were ministers, and most of the rest
were men of special business or technical
equipment, who were taken into the supply
service or staff corps.
When combat troops first arrived in France,
it was deemed advisable to let them learn
something about the methods used in this war,
from actual observation. For this reason after
each division had spent a couple of months in
training camps to receive instruction from
French and British officers, they generally
were sent into comparatively quiet sectors in
Alsace-Lorraine to get their first experience
in the trenches. It was especially important
that they learn how to execute relief of troops
in ti-enches at night, and how to carry out
raids and scouting expeditions through No
Man's land. The Americans, most of whom
had read everything ever written on these sub-
jects and had practiced the movements in
training camps, felt ready for any sort of
battle after a few days of the trench experi-
ence. Incidentally, most of them determined
they never would remain stationary in those
muddy, smelly, vennin-infested trenches if
they could obtain permission to attack and
advance the lines.
In the opinion of most impartial observers.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
205
206
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
the American troops as individuals were ready
to fight and win long- before they were per-
mitted to attempt it. High officers, particu-
larly the European commanders, simply would
not believe that soldiers could be made in such
short time and they were terribly afraid that
a defeat to the Americans might upset the
growing morals of the Europeans, who wei'e
depending entii-ely upon our ultimate strength.
The newly commissioned American officers
probably would have benefited from a longer
course of training, but the line officers were
generally able to handle small units efficiently
in battle, and the intelligence of the American
soldier was such that no such leadership was
required for them as was needed in European
armies.
Some American officers and detachments,
particularly the higher staff officers, visited
the various fronts during the summer of 1917,
but it was October 21, 1917, when the first
Yankee artillery and infantry took their places
at the fi'ont as units, under the direction of
French and British officers. They had "gone
in" near Seichepi'ey, in a quiet sector. On
January 19, 1918, the First division took over
this Toul district as an exclusively American
sector. On Sept. 12, 1918, the same division
went over the top near the same spot at the
beginning of the successful St. Mihiel battle.
In June, 1918, the Thirty-second division
went into the trenches east of Belfort in Al-
sace, and from that time on, the Alsacian sec-
tor which had been ruled by Germany since
1871 became another American headquarters
to hold during the war.
The First division was completely organized
during the winter of 1917-18 and functioned as
a combat division at Cantigny on May 28, when
this town was captured from the Germans in
a brief but bitter night battle. Previous to
this it had been in one or two minor defensive
operations. The Twenty-sixth division had
repelled a German raid in strength at Seiche-
prey in April. Scattering Yankee medical de-
tachments had been with the British at the
Battle of Cambrai in 1917.
Up to the first of June, 1918, the American
casualty lists remained quite small, as neither
side desired a battle during the winter, and
while the Allies were waiting the completion
of the American army the Germans were quiet-
ly preparing for a huge offensive which they
hoped would bring them victory early in 1918.
For a time it seemed as if they might succeed.
The campaign of 1918 opened with the Ger-
mans in possession of the offensive. In a
series of five drives of unprecedented violence
the imperial great general staff' sought to
break the allied line and end the war. These
five drives took place in five successive months,
beginning in March. Each drive was so timed
as to take advantage of the light of the moon
for that month.
The first drive opened March 21, on a fifty
mile front across the old battlefield of the
Sonime. In seventeen days of fighting the
Germans advanced their lines beyond Moyon
and Montdidier and were within twelve miles
of the important railroad centers of Amiens
with its great stores of British supplies. In
this battle, also known as the Picardy offen-
sive, British and French troops were engaged.
The attack upon Amiens had been but part-
ly checked when the enemy struck again to
the north in the Armentieres sector and ad-
vanced seventeen miles up the valley of the
Lys. A small number of Americans, serving
with the British, participated in the Lys of-
fensive.
For the next attack (May 27) the Germans
selected the French front along the Chemin
des Dames, noi'th of Aisne. The line from
Rheims to a little east of Moyon was forced
back. Soissons fell, and on May 31 the enemy
had reached the Marne valley, down which he
was advancing in the dii'ection of Paris. At
this critical moment our Second division, to-
gether with elements of the Third and Twenty-
eighth divisions, were thrown into the line.
By blocking the German advance at Chateau-
Thierry, they rendered great assistance in stop-
ping perhaps the most dangerous of the Ger-
man drives. The Second division not only halt-
ed the enemy on its front, but also recaptui'ed
from him the strong tactical positions of Bour-
esches, Belleau Wood and Vaux.
The enemy had by his offensive established
two salients threatening Paris. He now sought
to convert them into one by a fourth terrible
blow delivered on a front of twenty-two miles
from Montdidier and Noyon. The reinfoi'ced
French army resisted firmly and the attack was
halted for an initial advance of about six miles.
Throughout this opei-ation (June 9-15) the ex-
treme left line of the salient was defended by
our First division. Even before the drive be-
gan the division had demonstrated the fighting
qualities of our troops by capturing and hold-
ing the town of Cantigny (May 28).
There followed a month of comparative
quiet, during which the enemy reassembled his
forces for the fifth onslaught. On July 15 he
attacked simultaneously on both sides of
Rheims, the eastern corner of the salient he
had created in the Aisne drive. To the east
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
207
of the city he gained little. On the west he
crossed the Marne, but made slight progress.
His path was everywhere blocked. In this
battle 85,000 American troops were engaged —
the Forty-second division to the extreme east
of Champagne, and the Third and Twenty-
eighth to the west, near Chateau-Thierry.
The turning point of the war had come. The
great German offensives had been stopped. The
initiative now passed from Ludendorff to Mar-
shal Foch, and a series of allied offensives be-
gan, destined to roll back the German armies
beyond the French frontier. In this continuous
allied offensive there may be distinguished six
phases of major operations in which the Ameri-
can expeditionary forces took part. In four
of the six operations the American troops en-
gaged were acting in support of allied divi-
sions and under the command of the generals
of the allies.
The moment chosen by Marshal Foch for
launching the first counter-offensive was on
July 18, when it was clear that the German
Champagne-Marne drive had spent its force.
The place chosen was the uncovered west
flank of the German salient from the Aisne to
the Marne. The First, Second, Third, Fourth,
Twenty-sixth, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-second,
and Forty-second American divisions, together
with selected French troops, were employed.
When the operation was completed (Aug. 6)
the salient had been flattened out and the
allied line I'an from Soissons to Rheims along
the Vesle.
Two days later the British struck at the
Somme salient, initiating an offensive which,
with occasional breathing spells, lasted to the
date of the armistice. American participation
in this operation was intermittent. From Aug.
8 to 20 elements of the Thirty-third division,
which had been brigaded for training with the
Australians, were in line and took part in the
capture of Chipilly ridge. Later the Twenty-
seventh and Thirtieth divisions, who served
throughout with the British, were brought over
from the Ypres sector and used in company
with Australian ti-oops to break the Hinden-
bui'g line at the tunnel of the St. Quentin canal
(Sept. 20-Oct. 20).
In the meantime simultaneous assaults were
in progress at other points on the front. On
Aug. 18, Gen. Mangin began the Oise-Aisne
phase of the great allied offensive. Starting
from Soissons-Rheims line, along which they
had come to rest on Aug. 6, the French armies
advanced by successive stages to Aisne, to
Laon, and on Nov. 11 were close to the frontier.
In the first stages of this advance they were
assisted by the Twenty-eighth, Thirty-second
and Twenty-seventh American divisions, but by
Sept. 15 all of these were withdrawn for the
coming Meuse-Argonne offensive of the Ameri-
can army.
The day after the opening of the Oise-Aisne
offensive the British launched the first of a
series of attacks in the Ypres sector which con-
tinued with some interruptions to the time of
the armistice and may be tenned the 'Ypres-
Lys offensive.' Four American divisions at
different times participated in this operation.
The Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth were en-
gaged in the recapture of Mount Kemmel from
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. The Thirty-seventh and
Ninety-first were withdrawn from the Meuse-
Argonne battle and dispatched to Belgium,
where they took part in the last stages of the
Ypres-Lys offensive (Oct. 31 to Nov. 11).
With the organization of the American first
army on Aug. 10, under the personal command
of Gen. Pershing, the history of the American
Expeditionary forces entered upon a new stage.
The St. Mihiel (Sept. 12-16) and Meuse-Ar-
gonne (Sept. 26-Nov. 11) offensives were
major operations planned and executed by
American generals and American troops.
In addition to the twelve operations above
mentioned, American troops participated in the
battle of Vittorio-Veneto (Oct. 24 to Nov. 4),
which ended in the rout of the Austrian army
in Italy.
The first distinctly American offensive was
the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient carried
through from Sept. 12 to Sept. 15, largely by
American troops and wholly under the orders
of the American commander-in-chief.
In the attack the American troops were
aided by French colonial troops. The Ameri-
cans were also aided by French and British
air squadrons.
The attack began at 5 a. m., after four hours
of artillery preparation of great severity, and
met with immediate success. Before noon
about half the distance between the bases of
the salient had been covered and the next
morning troops of the First and Twenty-sixth
divisions met at Vigneulles, cutting off the
salient within twenty-four hours from the be-
ginning of the movement.
Two comparisons between this operation and
the battle of Gettysburg emphasize the magni-
tude of the action. About 550,000 Americans
were engaged at St. Mihiel; the union forces
at Gettysburg numbered approximately 100,-
000. St. Mihiel set a record for concentration
of artillery fire by a four-hour artillery prep-
aration, consuming moi'e than 1,000,000 rounds
208
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
of ammunition. In three days at Gettysburg
union artillery fired 33,000 rounds.
The St. Mihiel offensive cost only about 7,-
000 casualties, less than one-third the union
losses at Gettysburg. There were captured
16,000 prisoners and 443 guns. A dangerous
enemy salient was reduced and American com-
manders and troops demonstrated their ability
to plan and execute a big American operation.
The object of the Meuse-Argonne offensive,
said Gen. Pershing in his report of Nov. 20,
1918, was "to draw the best German divisions
to our front and to consume them." This
sentence expresses better than any long de-
scription not only the object but also the out-
come of the battle. Every available American
division was thrown against the enemy. Every
available German division was thi'own in to
meet them. At the end of forty-seven days of
continuous battle our divisions had consumed
the German divisions.
The goal of the American attack was the
Sedan-Mezieres railroad, the main line of sup-
ply for the German forces on the major part of
the western front. If this line were cut, a re-
tirement on the whole front would be forced.
This retirement would include, moreover, evac-
uation of the Briey iron fields, which the Ger-
mans had been using to great advantage to
supplement their iron supply. The defense of
the positions threatened was therefore of such
importance as to warrant the most desperate
measures for resistance. When the engage-
ment was evidently impending the commander
of the German Fifth army sent word to his
forces, calling on them for unyielding resist-
ance and pointing out that defeat in this en-
gagement might mean disaster for the father-
land.
On the first day, the twenty-sixth of Septem-
ber, and the next day or two after that, the
lines were considerably advanced. Then the
resistance became more stubborn. Each side
threw in more and more of its man power un-
til there were no more reserves. Many Ger-
man divisions went into action twice, and not
a few three times, until, through losses, they
were far under strength. All through the
month of October the attrition went on. Foot
by foot American troops pushed back the best
of the German divisions. On Nov. 1 the last
stage of the offensive began. The enemy pow-
er began to break. American troops forced
their way to the east bank of the Meuse.
Toward the north they made even more rapid
progress, and in the seven days reached the
outskirts of Sedan and cut the Sedan-Mezieres
railroad, making the German line untenable.
In the meantime (Oct. 2 to 28) our Second
and Thirty-sixth divisions had been sent west
to assist the French who were advancing in
Champagne beside our drive in the Argonne.
The liaison detachment between the two armies
was for a time furnished by the Ninety-second
division.
The battle of the Meuse-Argonne was be-
yond compare the greatest ever fought by
American troops, and there have been few, if
any, greater battles in the history of the world.
Following is the number of German prison-
ers captured by each American division during
the war:
Second, 12,026; First, 6,469; Eighty-ninth,
.5,061; Thirty-third, 3,987; Thirtieth, 3,848;
Twenty-sixth, 3,148; Fourth, 2,756; Ninety-
first, 2,412; Twenty-seventh, 2,357; Fifth, 2,-
356; Third, 2,240; Twenty-ninth, 2,187; Thirty-
second, 2,153; Ninetieth, 1,876; Eightieth, 1,-
813; Thirty-seventh, 1,495; Forty-second, 1,317;
Seventy-ninth, 1,077; Twenty-eighth, 921;
Eighty-second, 845; Thirty-fifth, 781; Seventy-
seventh, 750; Thirty-sixth, 549; Seventy-
eighth, 432; Eighty-first, 101; Seventh, 69;
Ninety-second, 38; Sixth, 12; Eighty-eighth, 3.
Total, 63,079.
Following is the number of kilometers each
United States division advanced against the
enemy during the various offensives:
Seventy-seventh, 71%; Second, 60; Forty-
second, 55; First, 51; Eighty-ninth, 48; Third,
41; Eightieth, 38; Twenty-sixth, 37; Thirty-
second, 36; Thirty-third, 36; Ninety-first, 34;
Thirty-seventh, 30; Thirtieth, 291/2; Fifth, 29;
Ninetieth, 28%; Fourth, 241/2; Seventy-eighth,
21; Thirty-sixth, 21; Seventy-ninth, 19 1/2;
Eighty-second, 17; Thirty-fifth, 121/2; Twenty-
seventh, 11; Tw^enty-eighth, 10; Ninety-second,
8; Twenty-ninth, 7; Eighty-first, 51/2; Seventh.
1: Sixth, 0; Eighty-eighth, 0. Total, 782 1/2.
The aggressive tactics of the Americans and
their constant superiority over the German
soldiers are shown easily enough by the bare
facts that no American unit ever lost a foot
of ground which was not regained within twen-
ty-four hours; that practically every American
division which was in action at all had to its
credit a considerable advance made against ac-
tual opposition by the enemy; that the Ameri-
can army gained every objective laid out for
it by the high command, and while it had heavy
casualties due to being constantly on the of-
fensive, the American army lost only 2,082
prisoners as opposed to more than 60,000 cap-
tured from the enemy. Fully as significant, is
the fact that the number of German dead
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
209
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210
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
buried by Americans almost equalled the total
number of Americans killed in action.
During their operations in France, there
never was a time when any American soldier
felt any doubt, or had any real reason to have
any doubt, as to his superiority over the Ger-
man soldiers.
"The total battle deaths in the recent war
were greater than all the deaths in all wars for
more than 100 years previous," says Col. Leon-
ard P. Ayi'es in "The War With Germany."
"Of every 100 American soldiers and sail-
ors, who sei'ved in the world war, two were
killed or died of disease during the period of
hostilities.
"Russian battle deaths were thii'ty-four
times as heavy as those of the United States,
those of Germany thirty-two times as great,
the French twenty-eight times, and the British
eighteen times as large.
"The number of American lives lost at home
and abroad was 122,.500, of which about 10,000
were in the navy, and the rest in the army
and the marines attached to it.
"In the American army the casualty in the
infantry was higher than in any other service,
and that for officers was higher than for men.
"For every man killed in battle seven were
wounded.
"Five out of every six men sent to hospitals
on account of wounds were cured and returned
to duty.
"In the expeditionary forces battle losses
were twice as large as deaths from disease.
"In this war the death rate from disease
was lower, and the death rate from battle was
higher than in any other previous American
war.
"Inoculation, clean camps, and safe drinking
water, practically eliminated typhoid fever
among the troops in this war.
"Pneumonia killed more soldiers than were
killed in battle. Meningitis was the next most
serious disease.
"Of each 100 cases of venereal disease record
in the United States, ninety-six were contract-
ed before entering the army and only four
afterwards.
"During the entii-e war available hospital
facilities in the American expeditionary forces
have been in excess of the needs."
Corrected figures a year after the war end-
ed showed that the army abroad and marine
corps units attached, had a total of 116,492
killed and 205,690 wounded, a total of 322,182.
These figures include losses to army and ma-
rine units on all fronts. Killed in action to-
taled 35, .585, or 11 per cent of the entii'e list;
died of wounds, 14,742; died of disease, 58,073;
died of accidents and other causes 8,092.
A list of battle casualties by divisions fol-
lows :
Battle
Division Deaths. Wounded.
Second 4,478 17,752
First 4,411 17,201
Third 3,177 12,940
Thirty-second 2,915 10,477
Twenty-eighth 2,551 11,429
Forty-second 2,644 11,275
Twenty-sixth 2,135 11,325
Fourth __- 2,611 9,893
Seventy-seventh 1,992 8,505
Twenty-seventh 1,789 7,201
Thirtieth 1,629 7,325
Fifth 1,976 6,864
Eighty-second 1,298 6,248
Eighty-ninth 1,433 5,858
Thirty-fifth 1,067 6,216
Ninetieth 1,392 5,885
Thirty-third 989 6,266
Seventy-eighth 1,384 5,861
Seventy-ninth 1,419 5,331
Eightieth 1,132 5,000
Ninety-first 1,414 4,364
Thirty-seventh 977 4,266
Twenty-ninth 951 4,268
Ninety-third 584 2,.582
Thirty-sixth 600 1,928
Seventh 302 1.516
Ninety-second 176 1,466
Eighty-first 251 973
Sixth 93 453
Eighty-fifth 142 395
Eighty-third 112 319
Forty-first 154 263
Fortieth 79 81
Eighty-eighth 29 89
Eightieth 6 29
Eighty-seventh 2 30
Two out of every three American soldiers
who reached France took part in battle. The
number who reached France was 2,084,000, and
of these 1,390,000 saw service at the front.
Of the forty-two divisions that reached
Fi'ance twenty-nine took part in active combat
service. Seven of them were regular army di-
visions, eleven were organized from the nation-
al guard and ele^'en made up of national army
troops.
American divisions were in battle 200 days
and engaged in thirteen major operations.
From the middle of August, 1918, until the
end of the war the American divisions held
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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during the greater part of the time a front
longer than that held by the British.
In October the American divisions held 101
miles of line, or 23 per cent of the entire
western front.
On the first of April the Germans had a
superiority of 324,000 in rifle strength. Due to
American arrivals the allied strength exceeded
that of the Germans in June and was more
than 600,000 above it in November.
In the battle of St. Mihiel 550,000 Americans
were engaged, as compared with about 100,000
on the northern side in the battle of Gettys-
burg. The artillery fired more than 1,000,000
shells in four hours, which is the most intense
concentration of artillery recorded in history.
The Meuse-Argonne battle lasted forty-seven
days, during which 1,200,000 American troops
were engaged.
The total battle advances of all the Ameri-
can divisions amount to 782 kilometers, or 485
miles, an average advance for each division of
seventeen miles, nearly all of it against des-
perate enemy resistance. They captured 63,-
000 prisoners, 1,378 pieces of artillery, 708
trench mortars, and 9,650 machine guns.
In June and July the American army helped
to shatter the enemy advance toward Paris
and to turn retreat into a triumphant offensive.
At St. Mihiel they pinched off in a day an
enemy salient which had been a constant men-
ace to the French line for four years. In the
Argonne and on the Meuse they carried lines
which the enemy was determined to hold at
any cost, and cut the enemy lines of communi-
cation and supply for half the western battle
front.
American troops saw sei'vice on practically
every stretch of the western front from Brit-
ish lines in Belgium to inactive sectors in the
Vosges. On Oct. 21, 1917, Americans entered
the lino in the quiet Toul sector. From that
date to the armistice American units were
somewhere in the line continuously.
m
CHAPTER XXI
THE NAVY IN ACTION
THE United States Navy began to func-
tion efficiently and with pronounced ef-
fect from the very moment of the dec-
laration of war on April 6, 1917.
A telegraphic order put the ships that were
in reserve into full commission. All supplies
were on hand where needed. The wireless
notified distant ships and stations that the war
was on. The Navy was in action.
Guns and gun crews wei'e placed on all
American merchant vessels starting for the
submarine zone. A destroyer flotilla was
mobilized and started for Queenstown on
April 24, to report to Admiral Bayly of the
British Navy for convoy and other service
off Ireland. Admiral Sims, U. S. N., had
sailed to England before war was declared,
and he was at once invested with the com-
mand of the foreign fleets operating in Euro-
pean waters. He became American member
of the Allied naval council, with headquarters
at London. Under his charge were subse-
quently the destroyers at Queenstowoi, Brest,
and Gibraltar, the submarine-chasers at Corfu
and Plymouth, a mixed force at the Azores
and the battle squadrons at Scapa Flow wath
the Grand Fleet, and at Berehaven, Ireland.
While Admiral Sims was commander-in-
chief of all these detachments, and could send
them wherever he wished, they were under
the direct command of Bi'itish naval authori-
ties when going out on specific missions. This
situation was the same as that of American
army units in France, which were under com-
mand of Gen. Pershing but occasionally were
sent to operate with British or French armies.
The Navy's task was, first, to co-operate
with the navies of the Allies in controlling the
submarine menace and maintaining a fleet at
Scapa Flow sufficiently large to insure the
defeat of the German Navy if it should venture
from its place of concealment. As soon as
these missions were accomplished, or well be-
gun, the Navy had to take charge of getting
American soldiers to France. How well it did
this is shown from the fact that 2,079,880
troops were transported; 911,047 in American
naval transports and 41,544 in other United
States ships. British ships carried 1,066,987
men across the Atlantic, and the balance trav-
elled in French and Italian vessels. Not one
American transport was sunk on the way to
France, and only three on the return trips.
The loss of life in these was very small. Sev-
eral hundred lives were lost in the sinking of
the British transports Tuscania, Moldavia and
Otranto, carrying American troops.
The American Navy furnished convoys for
its owm transports and also for many of those
belonging to our allies. This wonderful move-
ment of troops will stand as a monument to
both the Army and Navy as the greatest feat
of the sort ever attempted. One ship, the
Leviathan, formerly the German liner Vater-
land, alone can-ied 100,000 soldiei's across the
ocean without accident. She made her voyages
without escort excepting for the last twenty-
four hours of each east-bound trip, and for a
similar period at the beginning of her return
voyages.
In addition to the work of the Navy at sea,
sailors manning huge long range 14-inch guns
were at the front in France before the war
ended and did great work in destroying rail-
road lines and gun emplacements far inside
the German territory.
Other gigantic tasks assigned to the Navy
were the construction of the "mine barrage"
of 70,100 mines across the North sea; the
building of an oil pipe line clear across Scot-
land, the reconstruction of poi'ts and wharves
for landing men and supplies in France and
the patrol of the French coast.
The Navy operated all wireless stations in
use in the United States, and constructed the
largest radio station in the world at Bordeaux.
It built its own aircraft factory at Philadel-
phia and on March 17, 1918, the first aero-
214
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
plane produced there was given its trial flight.
Hundreds of seaplanes were turned out and
sent abroad during- the summer following.
The Navy also manufactured 2,800 cannon
of medium calibre, 1,800 of which were placed
in service.
There were 344 serviceable vessels in the
navy when the war began. When the armi-
stice was signed, the Navy was operating 2,000
ships of all classes, including transports, cargo
carriers and barges. There were 777 strictly
naval vessels, and 655 more of these under
construction. Those in service included 39
battleships, eight armored cruisers, twerity-
three cruisers, ninety-two destroyers, seventy-
nine submarines, thirty-seven gunboats, :!00
submarine chasers, and numerous torpedo
boats, tugs, monitors, hospital ships, fuel
ships, converted yachts, etc.
The main body of the Atlantic fleet was
kept at home ready for a call to action from
any part of the world.
Among the inventions and perfected appli-
ances credited to American genius are the Y-
gun for firing depth charges at submarines;
a depth bomb which was safe to handle under
all conditions; a new star-shell for illuminating-
enemy vessels without disclosing the position
of the ship firing it; listening devices to de-
tect the appi'oach of other ships; the paravene,
to sweep mines from a ship's course and vari-
ous minor devices.
As camouflage was perfected on land to
conceal the presence of men or material from
the enemy, so on sea there was developed the
"dazzle system" of painting ships -with gro-
tesque designs to make it difficult for a sub-
marine commander to determine its exact size
and shape, and the direction of its course.
All ships going into the submarine zones were
given a "dazzle coat" and it probably proved
of considerable value. The designs are impos-
sible to describe in detail, but they often con-
sisted of huge diagonal stripes of black, white,
gray, blue and even red running from the
water line to the top of the ship, these stripes
being of different sizes on diff'erent sections of
the ship, and running in one dii-ection near the
bow and in the opposite direction near the
stern. Near the waterline, curved lines were
often painted in. The general effect in misty
weather was to make a ship look like some
shapeless monster. The camouflage could not
make a vessel invisible against the sky, but it
often fooled an enemy in regard to the proper
place to direct a torpedo. Sometimes a lonif
ship would lo^k like two small ones, when
seen in the dusk or mist.
The convoy system of conveying troops
proved a success from the start. It was as old
as maritime history, yet it had not been
deemed useful under modern conditions. Ad-
miral Sims pointed out its possibilities forcibly
in April, 1917. The British naval council,
pleading for more destroyers and sub-chasers,
had declared that any square mile or two of
sea could be made safe from submarines if
destroyers were available. "Then," said Ad-
miral Sims, "Why not make the square mile
around a group of transports safe, and then
move this square mile, so to speak, right
across the ocean?" It was not hard to see the
point, and the method was tried out and never
abandoned.
The first convoy of 14 troop and cargo ves-
sels under guard of six cruisers and twelve de-
stroyers left New York in a dense fog June
14, 1917. It was attacked t-wice on the way
to France and in both cases the convoying
destroyers chased the submarines away -with
ease.
The first American transport to be sunk was
torpedoed off Ireland on Oct. 17, 1917, and
sank in four minutes -with a loss of 67 lives.
It was the transport Antilles, homeward bound
vrith 234 persons aboard. It was grouped -with
five other vessels returning to America. Com-
mander D. T. Ghent gives the following de-
scription of the sinking, which was typical of
hundreds of submarine attacks during the war:
"Just after daylight a torpedo was sighted
heading for us about two points abaft the port
beam on a coui'se of 45° -with the keel. The
torpedo was seen by the second officer on the
bridge, the quai'termaster and signalman on
watch; by the first officer and first assistant
engineer from the port side of the promenade
deck, and by one of the gun crews on watch
aft. They estimated the distance from 400
feet to as many yards. Immediately on sight-
ing the torpedo the helm was put 'hard over'
in an attempt to dodge it, but before the ship
began to swing the torpedo struck us near the
after engine-room bulkhead on the port side.
The explosion was terrific; the ship shivered
from stem to stern, listing immediately to
port. One of the lookouts in the main top,
though protected by a canvas screen about 5
feet high, was thro-wii clear over this screen
and killed on striking the hatch. This case is
cited as indicating the power of the 'whip'
caused by the explosion. Guns were manned
instantly in the hope of getting a shot at the
enemy, but no submarine was seen.
"The explosion -wrecked everything in the
engine room, including the ice machine and
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
215
dynamo, and almost instantly flooded the en-
gine room, fireroom, and No. 3 hold, which is
just abaft the engine-room bulkhead. The en-
gine room was filled with ammonia fumes and
with the high-pressure gases from the tor-
pedo, and it is believed that everyone on duty
in the engine room was either instantly killed
or disabled except one oilei-. This man hap-
pened to be on the upper gratings at the tinio.
He tried to escape through the engine-room
door, which is near the level of the upper grat-
ings, but found the door jammed, and the knob
on his side blo^vn off. Unable to force the door,
and finding he was being overcome by the gases
and ammonia fumes, he managed to escape
through the engine-room skylight just as the
ship was going under. Within a few seconds
after the explosion the water was over the
crossheads of the main engines, which were
still turning over slowly. Of the 21 men on
duty in the engine I'oom and firerooms only 3
managed to escape. Besides the oiler, 2 fire-
men managed to escape through the fireroom
ventilator. The fact that the engines could
not be maneuvered and the headway of the
ship checked added to the difficulty of abandon-
ing ship.
"Just as the torpedo struck us I was on
the way to the pilot house from the scene of
fire. Before I could reach the bridge the offi-
cer of the deck had sounded the submarine
alarm, and I immediately sounded the signal
for 'Abandon ship.' The ofliicer on watch, quar-
termaster, and signalman went to their boats.
Radio Electrician Watson being relieved by
Radio Electrician Ausburne in the radio room,
reported on the bridge for instnactions. I sent
an order to get out an S. O. S. signal. Radio
Electi'ician Watson, who was lost, remained
with me on the bridge until the gun crews for-
ward were ordered to save themselves. He was
wearing a life jacket and was on his way to
his boat when I last saw him.
"Before leaving port all boats had been
rigged out except the two after boats, which,
owing to their low davits, could not wdth safety
be rigged out except in favorable weather. All
hands had been carefully instructed and care-
fully drilled in the details of abandoning ship.
The best seamen in the ship's crew had been
detailed and stationed by the falls; men had
been stationed by the gripes of each boat, and
all boats had been equipped with sea painters;
two axes had been placed in each boat, one
foi-ward and one aft, for the purpose of cut-
ting the falls or sea painters in case they
should get jammed, and men had been detailed
to cast them off. That only 4 boats out of 10
succeeded in getting clear of the ship was due
to several causes — the short time the ship re-
mained afloat after being torpedoed; the head-
way left on the ship, due to the fact that the
engine-room personnel was put out of action
by the explosion; the rough sea at the time;
the fact that the ship listed heavily; and that
one boat was destroyed by the explosion.
"When there was no one left in sight on
the decks I went aft on the saloon deck, where
sevei'al men were struggling in the water in
the vicinity of No. 5 boat and making no at-
tempt to swim away from the side of the ship.
I thought perhaps these men could be induced
to get clear of the ship, as it was feared the
suction would carry them dovm. By the time
that point was reached, however, the ship,
being at an angle with the horizontal of about
45 degrees, started to upend and go down, list-
ing heavily to port. This motion thi-ew me
across the deck where I was washed overboard.
The ship went dovioi vertically. The suction
effect was hardly noticeable.
"The behavior of the naval personnel
throughout was equal to the best traditions
of the service. The t^vo foi^ward gun crews, in
charge of Lieutenant Tisdale, remained at their
gun stations while the ship went down, and
made no move to leave their stations until or-
dered to save themselves. Radio Electrician
Ausburne went do^vn with the ship while at his
station in the radio room. When the ship was
struck Ausburne, realizing the seriousness of
the situation, told McMahon to get his life pre-
server on, saying, as he left to take his station
at the radio key, 'Good-bye, Mac' McMahon,
later finding the radio room locked and seeing
the ship was sinking, tried to get Ausburne
out, but failed.
"As soon as the Henderson saw what was
wrong she turned to starboard and made a
thick smoke screen which completely hid her
from view. The Willehad turned to port and
made off at her best speed. The Corsair and
Alcedo began the rescue of the survivors, the
Corsair continuing to look for the submarine.
The total number of persons on boai'd the An-
tilles was 234, the Corsair rescuing 50 and the
Alcedo 117. Too much credit cannot be given
to the officers and men of the Corsair and Al-
cedo for their rescue work and for their whole-
heartedness and generosity in succoring the
needs of the survivors. The work of the medi-
cal officers attached to the above vessels was
worthy of highest praise.
"An instance comes back which indicates
the coolness of the gun crews. One member
was rescued from the top of an ammunition
216
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
box which by some means had floated clear
and in an upright position. When this young
man saw the Corsair standing down to pick
him up he semaphored not to come too close,
as the box on which he was sitting contained
live ammunition."
In the above instance the German submarine
commander made no attempt to rescue sur-
vivors of the wi'eck. This was generally the
policy, but sometimes a boat-load of sailors
would be "given a tow" toward land, and on
other occasions the lifeboats would be shelled
and sunk by the assailant. It seemed to de-
pend upon the nature of the U-boat captain
rather than upon any rules recognized by the
German navy.
The methods used to combat the U-boat men-
ace have been touched upon before in this
volume.
Commander Taussig gave the following in-
teresting description of the voyage of the first
flotilla of destroyers and their work:
"When the United States became a belliger-
ent, one of the first requests the Allies made
was that we send as many destroyers and oth-
er patrol boats as we could possibly muster
over to the other side to assist them in com-
bating the submarines. At 9:30 one April
night I received orders to proceed at daylight
to my home navy yard to fit out for distant
service. What was before us I did not know.
There were five other commanding officers of
destroyers who received the same orders, and
at 5 o'clock the following morning we left
Chesapeake Bay and were on our way to New
York and Boston at a high speed, in order that
"we might get ready, as soon as possible, for
whatever it was to be.
"So anxious was the Navy Department that
the outside world in general know nothing of
the movement of these ships that not even I,
who was in command of the expedition, was
informed of our destination. We went to the
navy yards, the ships went in dock, had their
bottoms cleaned and painted, we took en stores
and provisions to last three months, and in a
few days sailed from Boston.
"My orders were to proceed to a point fifty
miles east of Cape Cod and then open my
sealed instructions. Until I got to that point,
at midnight of the first night out, I did not
know that our first port of call was to be
Queenstown. It was quite natural that the
few in authority who knew our movements
watched with anxiety for news of our crossing.
It was the first time that vessels of this type
had ever made po long a continuous passage
without refueling or without the company of
larger vessels.
"We were ten days in making the ti'ip, due
mostly to a southeast gale, which accompanied
us for seven of the ten days. So rough was
the sea during this time that for seven of the
ten days we did not set our mess tables; we
ate off our laps. On the ninth day we were
pleased to be met by a little British destroyer
named the Mary Rose. She picked us up early
one morning and came along flying the inter-
national signal, 'Welcome to the American
Colors.' To this we replied, 'Thank you, we
are glad of your company.' The Mary Rose
then accompanied us to Queenstown. I am
sorry to say that three months later the Mary
Rose was sunk wth all hands by a German
raider in the North Sea. We received a very
hearty welcome at Queenstown by the Bintish
Admii'al, Sir Lewis Bayly, and by the others
in authority there. They were very glad to see
us.
"Things were looking black. In the three
previous weeks the submarines had sunk 152
British merchant ships. It was manifest that
this thing could not go on if the Allies were to
win the war. The British Admiral gave us
some wholesome advice in regard to how best
to fight the submarines. We immediately pre-
pared for this service by having what are
known as depth charges or depth bombs in-
stalled. We put ashore all of our surplus
stores and provisions in order to lighten our
draft, as it was possible that a few inches
might save us from striking a mine.
"The seriousness of the work before us was
made evident, not only by the large number
of vessels that were being sunk, but by the
fact that the night before we entered the
harbor a German submarine had planted
twelve mines right in the channel. Fortunate-
ly for us, they were swept up by the ever-vigi-
lant British mine sweepers before we arrived.
The day following our arrival one of the British
gunboats from our station was torpedoed and
her captain and forty of her crew were lost.
Patrol vessels were continually bringing in the
survivors from tlie various ships as they were
sunk.
"The British Admiral told us that we would
go on patrol duty for six days at a time, and
then come in for two or three days' rest. In
this patrol duty we were assigned to certain
areas, as far as 300 iniles off shore, as the
submarines were then operating that far out.
Our orders were to destroy submarines; to
escort or convoy valuable merchant ships; to
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
217
GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING STATION SCENES— NOW A MEMORY
"The Lakes" was a familiar place to Racine people, for hundreds of local boys went into service there. The pictures
above were taken when the station's roster was at its largest. Thousands occupied tents on the grounds and the walks and
parade were thronged at all hours of the day. Below is shown contingents of men lined up with their kit bags really to
entrain to coast points for sea duty. Men selected for these adventuresome journeys were told of it only a few hours be-
fore their trains started and they had little more than time lo get their belongings together.
218
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
save lives if we could. We did escort many
ships, and we did save many lives.
"I cannot say that we sank many subma-
rines. The submarine, I found, is a very diffi-
cult bird to catch. He has tremendous ad-
vantage over the surface craft. In the first
place, he always sees you first. This is be-
cause when on the surface he is very low, and
when submerged he has only his periscope out,
or perhaps nothing at all. As he was not
after destroyers, he avoided us whenever he
could. That is, if he saw the destroyer on the
horizon, the submarine immediately went the
other way.
"When we saw a submarine, which some-
times happened frequently, and at other times
several days might pass without seeing one,
we would immediately go after him full speed,
and open fire with our guns in the hopes of get-
ting in a shot before he submerged; but he
always submerged very quickly. Only once did
my vessel in seven months succeed in actually
fighting a submarine. He then went dowm
after the fifth shot was fired. At that time
he was five miles away. But what they are
afraid of are the depth charges or depth
bombs.
"I will tell you how they operate. A depth-
charge is about two or three hundred pounds
of a high explosive. It is fitted so as to ex-
plode automatically at any depth we may de-
sire. The destroyers and patrol vessels carry
them on deck at the stern. When we see a
submarine submerge we try to find his wake,
and if we can see the wake of a submerged
vessel we run over it, di-op the depth charge
by simply pulling a lever, and in a few seconds
there is a ten-ific explosion.
"This explosion is so great that on one or
two occasions, when I happened to be in the
chart house when they let go, I thought my
own ship was torpedoed. They can be felt
under the water for a distance of several miles,
but, of course, they must be dropped very close
to the submarine in order to destroy him. If
we get it say within ninety feet of the hull, it
may damage it enough to cause him to sink,
other-wise only superficial damage may result.
"The patrol duty was vei-y trying, as the
ocean was strewn with wreckage for a distance
of 300 miles off shore. It was hard to tell a
periscope when we saw one. Fish, floating
spars, and many other objects were taken for
periscopes and fired at; we could not aff"ord
to take a chance, as our whole safety depended
on our being vigilant.
"The submarines did less damage, as the
summer woi'e on, due, undoubtedly, to our hav-
ing moi'e patrol vessels.
"Then the scheme was taken up of having
convoys. The advantage of a convoy is that
six or ten destroyers can protect from twenty
to thirty merchant ships, while in the patrol
system only one destroyer could be with one
merchant ship at a time. The convoy system
developed so that practically all vessels passing
through the danger zone were in large convoys
of from ten to thirty with an escort of from
six to ten destroyers.
"These convoy trips would take us out of
port from six to eight days. They were very
trying days, especially during the latter part
of fall, when the weather got bad. When we
are at sea in this way we do not take off our
clothes, neither officer nor man. We must be
ready at all times. We do not even have the
pleasure of taking a bath, as something might
happen and we would not be ready for it. As
one young officer expressed it, we had to come
down to the Saturday night bath habit, and if
we happened to be at sea Saturday night we
might be out of luck.
"The night work was very difficult, as the
danger of collision was great wth so many
ships without lights operating in close proxim-
ity. There are frequent collisions, and we
must use our judgment as to whether we
should turn on our lights and avoid the danger
of collisions, and take the risk of a submarine
seeing us,- or keeping our lights out and taking
our chances. We have this to remember, that
if a submarine sinks us she only sinks one ship,
but a serious collision may result in the sink-
ing of two ships, so it is a matter of judg-
ment."
The American destroyers operating in the
war zone had been on constant duty for seven
months before the first and only one sunk
by enemy submarine, the Jacob Jones, was tor-
pedoed. The little Chauncey, of 592 tons dis-
placement, had been, on November 19th, sunk
in collision with a British transport, 18 lives
being lost. The Cassin was struck by a tor-
pedo on October 15, but was taken to port and
repaired. But one man was killed. Gunner's
Mate Osmond K. Ingram, who gave his life to
save the ship. To commemorate this coura-
geous act, Secretary Daniels named one of the
new destroyers the Ingram. Commander W. N.
Vernou was in command of the Cassin, which
was patrolling off' the Irish coast about 20
miles south of Mine Head when, at 1:.30 P. M.,
a submarine was sighted some distance away.
The Cassin went at full speed for the spot,
but the submarine had submerged.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
219
What occurred afterward is told in the offi-
cial report:
"At about 1:57 P. M. the commanding officer
sighted a torpedo apparently shortly after it
had been fired, running near the surface and
in a direction that was estimated would make
a hit either in the engine or fire room. When
first seen the torpedo was between 300 and
400 yards from the ship, and the wake could
be followed on the other side for about 400
yards. The torpedo was running at high speed,
at least 35 knots. The Cassin was maneuver-
ing to dodge the torpedo, double emergency
full speed ahead having been signaled from the
engine room and the rudder put hard left as
soon as the torpedo was sighted. It looked for
the moment as though the torpedo would pass
astern. When about 15 or 20 feet away the
torpedo porpoised, completely leaving the
water and sheering to the left. Before again
taking the water the torpedo hit the ship well
aft on the port side about frame 163 and above
the water line. Almost immediately after the
explosion of the torpedo the depth charges,
located on the stern and ready for firing, ex-
ploded. There were two distinct explosions in
quick succession after the torpedo hit.
"But one life was lost. Osmond K. Ingram,
gunner's mate first class, was cleaning the
muzzle of No. 4 gun, target practice being just
over when the attack occurred. With rare
presence of mind, realizing that the torpedo
was about to strike the part of the ship where
the depth charges were stored and that the
setting off of these explosives might sink the
ship, Ingram, immediately seeing the danger,
ran aft to strip these chai-ges and throw them
overboard. He was blown to pieces when the
torpedo sti'uck. Thus Ingram sacrificed his
life in performing a duty which he believed
would save his ship and the lives of the officers
and men on board.
"Nine members of the crew received minor
injuries.
"After the ship was hit, the crew was kept
at general quarters.
"The executive officer and engineer officer
inspected the parts of the ship that were dam-
aged, and those adjacent to the damage. It
was found that the engine and fire rooms and
after magazine were intact and that the en-
gines could be worked; but that the ship could
not be steered, the rudder having been blown
off and the stern blown to starboard. The ship
continued to turn to starboard in a circle. In
an effort to put the ship on a course by the
use of the engines, something carried away
which put the starboard engine out of commis-
sion. The port engine was kept going at slow
speed. The ship, being absolutely unmanage-
able, sometimes turned in a circle and at times
held an approximate course for several min-
utes.
"Immediately after the ship was torpedoed
the radio was out of commission. The radio
officer and radio electrician chief managed to
improvise a temporary auxiliary antenna. The
generators were out of commission for a short
time after the explosion, the ship being in
darkness below.
"When this vessel was torpedoed, thei'e was
another United States destroyer, name un-
known, within signal distance. After being
torpedoed, an attempt was made to signal her
by searchlight, flag, and whi.stle, and the dis-
tress signal was hoisted. Apparently through
a misunderstanding she steamed away and
was lost sight of.
"At about 2:30 P. M., when we were in ap-
proximately the same position as when tor-
pedoed, a submarine conning tower was sight-
ed on port beam, distant about 1,500 yards,
ship still circling under port engine. Opened
fire with No. 2 gun, firing four rounds. Sub-
marine submerged and was not seen again.
Two shots struck very close to the submarine.
"At 3:50 P. M., U. S. S. Porter stood by.
At 4:25 P. M., wreckage which was hanging
to stern dropped off. At dark stopped port
engine and drifted. At about 9 P. M., H. M.
S. Jessamine and II. M. S. Tamarisk stood by.
H. M. S. Jessamine signalled she could stand
by until morning and then take us in tow. At
this time sea was very rough, wind about six
or seven (34 or 40 miles an hour) and in-
creasing.
"H. M. S. Tamarisk prepared to take us in
tow and made one attempt after another to
get a line to us. Finally, about 2:10 A. M.,
October 16th, the Tamarisk lowered a boat in
rough sea and sent grass line by means of
which our 8-inch hawser was sent over to her.
At about 2:30 A. M. Tamarisk started towing
us to Queenstown, speed about 4 knots, this
vessel towing well on starboard quarter of
Tamarisk, due to condition of stern described
above. At 3:25 hawser parted.
"Between this time and 10:37 A. M., when a
towing line was received from H. M. S. Snow-
drop, various attempts were made by the
Tamarisk and two trawlers and a tug to tow
the Cassin. An 11 -inch towing hawser from
the Tamarisk parted. All ships, except her,
lost the Cassin during the night. The Cassin
was drifting rapidly on a lee shore, and had
it not been for the Tamarisk getting out a
220
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
line in the early morning, the vessel would
unrloubtedly have grounded on Hook Point, as
it is extremely doubtful if her anchors would
have held.
"About 35 feet of stern was blown off or
completely ruptured. The after living com-
partments and after storerooms are completely
wrecked or gone, and all stores and clothing
from these parts of the ship ai'e gone or
ruined. About 4.5 members of the crew, in-
cluding the chief petty officers, lost practical-
ly everything but the clothes they had on."
Lieutenant Isaacs, who was captured by the
submarine which sank the Transport Presi-
dent Lincoln, had one of the most remarkable
experiences on record. The U-boat was
bombed by American destroyers, and for a
time it seemed that he would perish with all
aboard the German vessel. Taken to Germany,
after repeated attempts in which, time and
again, he risked his life, he managed to es-
cape, and made his way to Switzerland. De-
scribing his experiences. Lieutenant Isaacs
said:
"The President Lincoln went down about
9:30 in the moi-ning, 30 minutes after being
struck by three torpedoes. In obedience to
orders I abandoned ship after .seeing all hands
aft safely off the vessel. The boats had pulled
away, but I stepped on a raft floating along-
side, the quarter deck being then awash. A
few minutes later one of the boats picked me
up. The submarine, the U-90, then returned
and the commanding officer, while searching
for Captain Foote of the President Lincoln,
took me out of the boat. I told him my cap-
tain had gone down with the ship, whereupon
he steamed away, taking me prisoner to Ger-
many. We passed to the North of the Shet-
lands into the North Sea, the Skaggerak, the
Cattegat, and the Sound into the Baltic. Pro-
ceeding to Kiel, we passed down the canal
through the Heligoland Bight to Wilhelms-
haven.
"On the way to the Shetlands we fell in
with two American destroyers, the Smith and
the Warrington, who dropped 22 depth bombs
on us. We were submerged to a depth of
60 meters and weathered the storm, although
five bombs were very close and shook us con-
siderably. The information I had been able
to collect was, I considered, of enough im-
portance to warrant my ti-ying to escape. Ac-
cordingly in Danish waters I attempted to
jump from the deck of the submarine but wa.s
caught and ordered below.
"The German Navy authorities took me from
Wilhelmshaven to Karlsruhe, where I was
turned over to the army. Here I met officers
of all the Allied armies, and with them I at-
tempted several escapes, all of which were un-
successful. After three weeks at Karlsruhe I
was sent to the American and Russian officers'
camp at Villengen. On the way I attempted to
escape from the train by jumping out of the
window. With the train making about 40
miles an hour, I landed on the opposite rail-
road track and was so severely wounded by
the fall that I could not get away from my
guard. They followed me, firing continuously.
When they recaptured me they struck me on
the head and body with their guns until one
broke his rifle. It snapped in two at the small
of the stock as he struck me with the butt on
the back of the head.
"I was given two weeks' solitary confine-
ment for this attempt to escape, but continued
trying, for I was determined to get my infor-
mation back to the Navy. Finally, on the
night of October 6th, assisted by several
American Army officers, I was able to effect an
escape by short-circuiting all lighting circuits
in the prison camp and cutting through barbed-
wire fences surrounding the camp. This had
to be done in the face of a heavy rifle fire from
the guards. But it was difficult for them to
see in the darkness, so I escaped unscathed.
"In company with an American officer in
the French Army, I made my way for seven
days and nights over mountains to the Rhine,
which to the south of Baden forms the boun-
dary between Germany and Switzerland. After
a four-hour crawl on hands and knees I was
able to elude the sentries along the Rhine.
Plunging in, I made for the Swiss shore.
After being carried several miles down the
stream, being frequently submerged by the
rapid current, I finally reached the opposite
shore and gave myself up to the Swiss gen-
darmes, who turned me over to the American
legation at Berne. From there I made my
way to Paris and then London and finally
Washington, where I arrived four weeks after
my escape from Germany."
Within little more than a year the person-
nel of the Naval service grew to a force of
half a million. To house and train these re-
cruits a score of new camps and stations were
erected, each a little city in itself; and numer-
ous schools were established to train men in
special branches. Sir Eric Geddes, First Lord
of the British Admiralty, said of this:
"The dauntless determination which the
United States has displayed in creating a huge
trained body of seamen out of landsmen is one
of the most striking accomplishments of the
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
221
MAJ. GEN. WM. G. HAAN WITH MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF
The commander of the Thirty-second Division (Les Terrtbles) who took command of Wisconsin and Michigan troops at
Camp MacArthur, Texas in 1917 and led them until after the victory of the Allies over the German Hordes. He was
promoted to command of a corps in the Army of Occupation but later, at his own request, was assigrned to command of
the 32d Division on its return home.
222
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
war. Had it not been effectively done, one
would have thought it impossible."
Secretary Daniels announced in 1917 that
the entire war-building program of the Navy
embraced nearly a thousand ships. Most of
the vessels authorized by the three-year pro-
gram of 1916 were contracted for early in
1917; but the necessity of concentrating every
energy on smaller craft to combat the sub-
marines and the absorption of shipbuilding
facilities, labor and material in our huge un-
dertaking of building vitally necessary mer-
chant vessels prevented the pushing of work
on capital ships which could not be completed
in time to be used during the war. Within
a short time after hostilities began, contracts
had been made for every destroyer that Ameri-
can yards could build. But the call came for
more, and yet more of these swift fighting-
craft which had proved the most effective
weapons against the submarine. To produce
them, new facilities had to be created. The
naval authorities set to work to solve the
problem. Congress adopted the recommenda-
tions of the Navy Department and on October
6, 1917, appropriated $.350,000,000 additional
for the construction of destroyers, the creation
of new facilities and the speeding up of those
already contracted for. That very week the
contracts were signed, and work was begun on
the enlargement of existing shipyards, the
building of new yards and new factories to
produce engines and forgings. The way in
which this huge undei'taking was carried out
was inspiring.
Perhaps the most striking instance was the
building of the Victory Plant, at Squantum,
Massachusetts, where on land that had been
almost a swamp, rose in a few months the
largest and most complete plant in existence
devoted entirely to the building of destroyers;
and in April, 1918, six months after ground
had been broken for the yard, the keels of
five destroyers were laid in a single day. New
records wei'e made in construction, vessels be-
ing completed in eight months from the lay-
ing of the keels when previously from twenty
months to two years had been the usual time
required. In a special instance, to see how
quickly it was possible to construct a destroy-
er, the Mare Island Navy Yard, by "field riv-
eting" and other "hurry up" methods, succeed-
ed in launching the destroyer Ward in 17%
working days after its keel was laid and the
vessel was put into commission in 70 days.
On July 4, 1918, no fewer than 14 destroyers
■were launched, eight of them at a single yard,
the Union Plant of the Bethlehem Shipbuild-
ing Company at San Francisco. The U. S.
Na\'y has built or has under construction or
contract more destroyers than any two navies
possessed at the beginning of the European
war — and our new destroyers are of the most
modern type — 31.5 feet long, 28,000 horsepow-
er, with a speed of 35 knots.
The staunchness of our destroyers was
proved on many occasions. When the Manley
collided with a British steamship, depth-
bombs on her rear deck exploded and her
stern was almost blown oflf, yet she was suc-
cessfully taken to port, repaired and put back
into service. The Shaw was cut in two by a
collision; the vessel was so badly smashed that
it looked like scrap-iron; yet the two parts
remained afloat and were towed to port.
The largest naval training station in the
country was located at Great Lakes, 111., about
40 miles south of Racine. Most of the naval
recruits and the draft men assigned to the
navy were sent to this station for intensive
training. Prior to the war the station con-
sisted of a dozen roomy brick buildings to
house officers and men, and dockage facilities
for boats on the lake shore. After the begin-
ning of hostilities, plans were put into execu-
tion immediately to expand the camp, and
about two square miles of additional property
were acquired. On this in a few months were
erected hundreds of barracks, and all the neces-
sary adjuncts for the care and training cl
80,000 sailors at one time.
Racine people became very familiar with this
station as it was near enough to permit of fre-
quent visiting back and forth. Hundreds of the
"gobs" came to Racine over each week end and
parties innumerable were given for their en-
tertainment. The women's clubs arranged
dances, and it became quite the thing for peo-
ple here to invite some of the young sailors to
dinner each Sunday. Occasionally a big review
would be held at Great Lakes, and it was a
magnificent sight to see from 50,000 to 60,000
young men in .their immaculate blue and white
uniforms on pai'ade, marching to the music
of a massed band of nearly 900 pieces.
From Great Lakes, recruits were sent to
training ships on the sea coast and then as-
signed to duty with one of the naval squad-
rons. Many Racine men were sent to officers'
training school and obtained their commis-
sions.
While American warships did not partici-
pate in many important engagements at sea
owing to the bashfulness of the German high
seas fleet, the war's finale found many Yankee
bluejackets at the front on dry land in France.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
223
The last shot of the American naval railway
batteries excavated enough of the yard of the
Longuyor railway junction for the basement
of a skyscraper should the French ever care
to build one there. It was fired from the
greatest mobile land instrument of destruc-
tion yet devised, the fourteen-inch railway bat-
tery, the success of which the Navy had proved.
Short as was the period of their activity
in the struggle, the history of the five four-
teen-inch railway batteries is one of brilliant
achievement. The design, manufacture and
shipment of guns, mounts, carriages, cars,
locomotives and other necessary equipment
I'epresented a stupendous task which was ac-
complished in record time.
Plans and drawings were completed by the
Naval Gun Factory, January 25, 1918. In less
than a month, February 23, arrangements had
been made for material and manufacture, and
the monster guns were in the making.
As soon as actual work on construction was
started, America's sailors of the land were
selected, 500 men and thirty officers. Their
training was a period the intensity of which
they will not forget. Ninety per cent of the
men were training station recruits, land sail-
ors, but of a different sort. Their knowledge
of naval guns was limited to rifles with which
they had drilled at Great Lakes or Norfolk or
Bremerton. They knew practically nothing of
weapons of large caliber.
The Navy's new dragon of war emitted its
first roar on April 30. It was at the Sandy
Hook pi'oving grounds. The gun discharged
from a safe distance, a wire of considerable
length being connected to the firing circuit,
but the precaution was unnecessary. The
sixty-foot weapon threw forth its 1,400-pound
projectile, propelled by 484 pounds of smoke-
less powder, recoiled the prescribed forty-four
inches like a crouching animal, and then re-
turned to battery gracefully and safely.
The test was a success that gave navy of-
ficials the thrill that is born of accomplish-
ment.
The gun came apart in far less time than
it was put together and soon was on its way,
with four more, across the ocean in quest of
more vital targets. The reassembling of the
first locomotive and car, for the battery em-
braced not only the gun but its equipment, for
transportation to the front, began at St. Na-
zaire, July 20. On August 11 the first train
was ready for the front.
Over more than 350 miles of Fi'ench rail-
roads it went to Helles-Mouchy. Its six-miles-
an-hour speed enabled it to pass many a troop
train, though doughboys gazed with interest
from their huit-cheveaux, de luxe coaches at
the long train of the railway battery, and their
interest changed to envy when they saw the
comfortable berthing cars with their uppers
and lowers.
"How far do it shoot ? " one dusky infantry-
man asked another of his outfit.
"Man, it shoots a thousand miles and then
throws rocks at yuh," his sophisticated brother-
in-arms replied.
The French knew of its coming. News had
traveled faster than six miles an hour. Cheer-
ing throngs greeted the bluejackets at every
station as Battery 1 sped on to war. Flowers
were showered upon them. Old salts wore
blossoms in improvised button-holes in their
greasy dungarees and so did young salts, or
"boots," as the Navy calls its recruits.
The French found a new awe and a new
joy sweeping them when it was discovered
that the -wTeaths they had made to bedeck the
guns were not big enough to encircle the gi-
gantic muzzles.
But with the arrival of Battery 1 at Helles-
Mouchy, August 23, and Battery 2 a day later,
the Navy found on land just what it had
found at sea. The Hun ran from the answer
to his own challenge. The two batteries had
come to fire upon the long-range gun which
had startled the world with the shells it had
dropped on Paris. B^ore they could get into
position the Germans had moved their prize.
Parisians still wonder what caused the ces-
sation of the shower of shells it received at
such a tremendous range. The firing stopped
as suddenly and as mysteriously as it started.
They have the naval guns to thank, although
those guns did not fire a shot at the cause of
the disturbance. Big Bertha beat it before
they had a chance.
When he ran he left Batteries 1 and 2 with
nothing in particular at which to throw 1,400-
pound projectiles. With no immediate mis-
sion to perform Battery 1 was sent to the
French proving ground to give demonstrations
for French students of artillery.
Battery 2 went on another search for battle.
At Rethondes, in the forest of Compeigne, it
took another stand, to fire upon the ammuni-
tion dump at Tergnier. Again the thrill of
action evaded the Navy. Only one shot had
been fired when Tergnier fell.
But action did not evade for long. Battery
1 moved to Soissons and took a position near
St. Christophe Cemetery on September 11.
Battery 2 moved to Fontenoy-Ambley. And
they were joined by the other three batteries,
224
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
which arrived at the artillery base at Haussi-
mont, Marne, on September 26.
When the Germans started their retreat
from Laon, September 28, the speed at which
Hun legs scurried over the terrain was in-
creased by the frequency with which the four-
teen-inch guns dropped enormous and amaz-
ingly destructive shells on objectives near the
town. About 200 shots were fired by the big
guns before the German retreat left the tar-
gets in the hands of the French Tenth Army.
It was real action, too. The Germans found
the range of Battery 1 on October 5 and
opened a spunky retaliatory fire. A shell
burst directly over the big gun with no casual-
ties. Shells fell on both sides of the train,
but only one direct hit was scored. It sent
a bucketful of "scrub and wash" clothes scat-
tering over the landscape. The casualty list
contained nothing closer to humanity than
navy undei'wear.
Another move sent Battery 2 to Flavy-le-
Martel, near St. Quenten, and. it gave Mortiers
a shelling from October 11 through October
13. Batteries 3, 4 and 5 chugged away to
Thierville, on the outskirts of Verdun, to fire
upon Longuyon and other points of strategic
importance. But soon Battery 4 was moved
to Charny, where it was joined by Battery 2.
From the forest of Velaine Battery 1 began
firing on Bensdorf, November 6. Three days
later Battery 2 moved up to a point twenty
miles east and was given Saarburg, as an ob-
jective. The two points were minor objec-
tives on the path to Metz, and it is evident
that the huge guns would have taken an im-
portant part in the big drive of November 14,
but again the Hun ran — this time holding aloft
a white flag of surrender. The guns were
blazing away at the finish. J. A. Koffla, ship-
fitter, second class, fired the last shot at
10:57.30 in the morning of November 11.
The operations in which the five batteries
engaged were not many. They fired only 782
shells, Battery 3 leading with 236 and Battei-y
.5 trailing with 112. They were fired on only
twenty-five different days. But their fire was
effective. Examination of the targets proved
it, and German prisoners admitted it. Their
ranges of fire at the front wei^e from 30,000 to
40,000 yards.
The batteries suffered only five casualties —
one dead, four wounded, all of Battery 4.
They fired only from prepared positions, al-
though fire from the trucks on which they were
transported was possible.
Each battery train consisted of a locomotive,
gun car, construction car, construction car with
cranes, sand and log car, fuel car, battery
kitchen car, two ammunition cars, three berth-
ing cars, one battery headquarters car, battery
headquarters kitchen car, and workshop car.
The complement of each battery train em-
braced a commanding officer, construction offi-
cer, orientation oflicer, medical officer, chief
turret captain, two gunner's mates, first class;
gunner's mate, second class; two machinist's
mates, second class; boatswain's mate, first
class; two coxswains; electrician, first class;
electrician, second class; chief machinist's
mate; eight ship fitters, first class; eight ship
fitters, second class; eight carpenter's mates,
first class; twenty-three seamen; ship's cook,
first class; baker, first class; ship's cook, sec-
ond class, and four ship's cooks, fourth class.
CHAPTER XXII
BATTERY C, 121st, F. A.
BY FRANK J. HILT
BATTERY C, Racine's first unit in the
new Wisconsin national guax'd, was or-
ganized during the early summer of
1916, and was formally mustered into the state
service on June 8, 1916, by Col. John G. Salz-
man, assistant to the adjutant general of the
state.
Its organization was part of the program of
preparedness, which was then beginning to
sweep the country. War with Mexico was
looming on the horizon, and some of the more
far-sighted wei'e urging the enlargement of
the army in event the United States should be
drawn into the European imbroglio.
Originally it was intended as a three-inch
battery. It was part of a battalion of artillery
formed in this state, with Battery A of Mil-
waukee, which had been organized for some
time, as the nucleus. Battery B of Green
Bay was the other unit in this battalion.
There was a race between Racine and Green
Bay for the honor of having the second battery
formed in the state. Green Bay filled its mus-
ter roll first, applied for admittance and com-
pleted the other technicalities, however, and
its organization was formally called Battery
B. Racine was only one day behind.
The Commercial Club rooms were the scene
of the mustering-in of Battery C. Colonel
Salzman had charge, and was accompanied by
Chief H. C. Baker of Racine, Capt. Philip
Westfahl (later colonel of the 121st F. A.)
and Lieut. Reed, the last two of whom were
then officers in Battery A. There were 12.5
Racine young men on the roster, and as their
names were called, they stepped forward. All
took the solemn pledge to uphold the constitu-
tion of the United States and to fight for it if
necessary.
The first drills were held at the Commercial
Club rooms, which were turned over gratis for
that purpose. When the troops were called
to the Mexican border a short time later, Bat-
tery C confidently expected to be among them.
Owing to lack of uniforms, equipment and the
short training, the Racine unit, together vrith
Green Bay, was left behind. An appeal was
made, however, for recruits to fill Battery A,
which was called, to war strength. Several
members of the battery responded and took
l)art in the maneuvers in Texas.
The battery received its first war training
during the latter part of August, 1916, when
it was ordered to Camp Douglas for a ten day
training period. A hundred and ten men made
the trip, leaving Racine on August 20, 1916, on
a special train. The time was spent in foot
drills, hikes, lectures on war subjects, and in
other details of this kind. The officers endeav-
ored to make the drill as varied and interest-
ing as possible, so as to relieve the monotony.
Captain George W. Rickeman (who later be-
came a major) was the commanding officer,
virith Richard Drake and Richard Bryant as
lieutenants. George Wallace was the first
sergeant. Later George Wallace and Harry C.
Sanders were appointed second lieutenants,
the former being assigned to Battery F.
At Camp Douglas, the battery members re-
ceived their first uniforms, consisting of a wool
O. D. blouse, trousers, socks, campaign hat,
and shoes. Their civilian clothing, with which
they had marched to the special train which
took them to Camp Douglas, was shipped home
by expi'ess, so that they would not be encum-
bered with bundles when they arrived home.
The metamorphosis undergone by the battery
surprised the people of Racine on its arrival
home after the ten days' encampment. The
motley crowd, dressed in every style and color
of civilian raiment, had been changed into a
uniformly attired unit in O. D., marching with
springy step and every foot in cadence.
Then followed nine months of steady and
monotonous drill. Lakeside Au litorium had
been leased, and drills were held nre a week
226
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
School for the aspirants for non-commissioned
officers' positions were held at the Commercial
Club rooms after drill. Owing to lack of
equipment, most of the drill consisted of the
various foot maneuvers, although some pre-
tence was made to instruct the men in the posi-
tions and duties to be assumed in firing a gun
by using chairs to denote the cannons and
caissons.
The battery had been promised horses, three
inch guns and other equipment as soon as an
armory to house the material had been ar-
ranged for. Besides their weekly di-ills at the
Auditorium, the battery members, assisted by
patriotic residents of the city, began the drive
for such a building. The original proposition
was to erect a building which could be used
both as an armory and a municipal auditorium,
and which would net revenue to the city year-
ly. Special committees appeared before the
common council in its behalf, designating $50,-
000 as the sum needed for its erection. A
bond issue for that amount was submitted to
the voters, and was acted on favorably by a
big margin. But the preliminaries leading up
to this bond issue had taken considerable time,
and owing to the war, the price of building
material had soared. When everything was in
readiness to build the armory, it was discov-
ered that nearly twice as much would be need-
ed for the building planned.
It had been practically decided to abandon
the plan of a combined building, and commit-
tees were seeking a place which could be pur-
chased cheaply for housing the horses and guns,
when the news that America had declared war
on Germany was received. The armory propo-
sition was dropped, and everyone turned their
attention to recruiting the United States forces
to war strength. The war department decided
to raise its national guard artillery in Wiscon-
sin from a battalion to a regiment, which
meant the recruiting of three new batteries.
Racine was given a chance to be represented
by one of these new outfits, and also to recruit
an ambulance corps.
No difficulty was experienced in raising the
ful! number of recruits for the formation of
Battery F and the ambulance corps.
On July 2, 1917, Batteries C and F left Ra-
cine for Camp Douglas on a special St. Paul
railroad train. The last assembling place was
Lakeside Auditorium, and the time designated
was 6 o'clock in the morning. There were
brief ceremonies after roll had been called,
the Red Cross presenting each man with a
comfort kit.
Battery C was officered at that time by.
Captain Richard Bryant; 1st Lieut. Ludwig
Kuehl; 1st Lieut. Harry Herzog; 2nd Lieut.
Harry Sanders; 2nd Lieut. Harry demons.
Lieut. Kuehl had an operation shortly before
the battery left for Camp Douglas, and did
not arrive there until a few weeks later.
Every resident in Racine turned out to bid
farewell to the first complete outfit to leave
this city for war training. Led by the drum
corps, the men marched do-wn Main street,
which was jammed with humanity on both
sides. There was such a crowd on Second
street, down which thoroughfare the men
marched to reach the special train, that it
was difficult for the two batteries to force
their way through. State street bridge was
so crowded that there was grave danger of
its collapsing. Whistles shrieked from every
factory all along the route as the train pro-
ceeded out of the city, and handkerchiefs
waved a last farewell from every residence
window.
Arriving at Camp Douglas, the work of get-
ting in shape was begun in earnest. The two
batteries were among the first to arrive at
the state camping grounds, and began woi'k
immediately.
At midnight, July 15, the two batteries au-
tomatically went into federal service with the
rest of the First Wisconsin Field Artillery
regiment. On July 24, the federal examina-
tions were conducted, and the soldiers received
their first inoculations as a guard against
typhoid fever. They were also vaccinated to
ward off smallpox.
The drill outlined for Camp Douglas seemed
strenuous to the men fresh from civilian life,
but compared to after events, it was a lark.
Much of the time was spent in getting the
battery in shape, picking those men particu-
larly adapted for special jobs, appointing
"non-coms," and in physical training. Ovidng
to the fact that Batteries A and B were the
only ones with equipment, much of the time
had to be spent in the monotonous foot drill.
The various batteries in the regiment took
turns at using the equipment, and the few
head of horses that were at Camp Douglas.
There was no real progress, except at foot
drill and in getting the men in shape, and
under discipline.
There are three events at Camp Douglas
which stand out prominently in the memoiy of
the battery members. The first was the kid-
napping of "Battering Ram Bill," the goat mas-
cot. The goat arrived on August 8, and with
much ceremony, was designated as battery
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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mascot. A few days later it disappeared. The
mystery was not explained until August 18,
when Battery F left for Waco, Tex., and "Bill"
was peering from the baggage coach door as
the train pulled out. The other two dates the
men will remember are August 28, when "hot
cakes" were served for the first time, and
August 29, when the first long foot hike was
held. Col. Westfahl led the regiment in the
hike, and fourteen miles, over sandy roads,
wei'e covered.
On Sept. 2, the battery, with the remainder
of the troops at Camp Douglas, turned out to
bid farewell to those units of infantry which
entrained for Camp Mills to join the Rainbow
Division.
The start for Camp McAi'thur, near Waco,
Tex., which had been designated as the train-
ing grounds for the Wisconsin and Michigan
national guard outfits, was made on Sept. 9.
The regiment was divided into three different
sections, each of which left at a different time
during the day. The train containing Batteries
C and D was composed of fifteen coaches and
three freight cars, the latter containing the
baggage of the men. Camp McArthur was
reached on Sept. 12, but owing to the fact that
it was late at night, the men slept aboard train
until morning.
Equipment was expected when Camp Mc-
Arthur was reached, but the men found that
the same drill schedule which had been length-
ened to more hours, however, awaited them.
"Squads east and west," under a hot Texas
sun and occasional sand storms, was relieved
by lessons in equitation, trench building, wig-
wag woi'k, drill on the guns and lectures on
various subjects. The day was divided into
periods and the men into classes. Each period
was of forty minutes' duration, and a different
subject was taught during each. Wednesday
and Saturday afternoons were devoted to ath-
letics, and every Saturday morning there was
a regimental hike. An inspection of personal
equipment was held every Sunday morning.
Tents, the same as at Camp Douglas, were
provided as living quai'ters. Realizing that
they were to remain at least sixteen weeks at
this camp, the men began to make themselves
as comfortable as possible. A collection was
taken up in each tent, and enough money se-
cured to put in wooden floors and sidewalls.
This seemed like real luxury after several
months with dirt floors and flappy canvas walls.
The wood side walls provided a background for
the installation of shelves, and the canvas habi-
tats began to assume a homelike appearance.
At Camp McArthur the men became thor-
oughly efficient in foot diill, the manual of
arms, guard duty and other details of this
kind. The officers were given a chance to se-
lect permanent cannoneers and drivers by ob-
serving the aptitude shown by each individual
at gun drill or equitation. The gun drill was
mostly simulated, with timbers repi'esenting
the pieces and caissons. Each battery had
about thirty horses, however, and the drivers
wei'e given a chance to become proficient in
horsemanship.
It was a period of uncertainty. One day the
unofficial announcement would be made that
the regiment was to be motorized, and the
next that it would be horse drawn. A few
days later it would be changed to six inch
artillery, and then would return to three inch.
In order to be prepared, the men were in-
structed in drill for both the three inch and
six inch.
On Dec. 3 the battery had its first hike with
the three inch material and horses, covering
twenty-two miles. The men camped at noon,
and ate their dinner by the roadside. On Dec.
7, they wore their gas masks for the first time.
More than five months after entering into
service, the men fired the three inch guns for
the first time, at a week's maneuvers, which
were held at China Springs, about eighteen
miles from camp. Each battery was given a
day on the range. Battery C had its turn on
Dec. 15.
Its training period completed, the regiment
began preparing to move in January, 1918.
The horses were turned into the remount sta-
tion on January 3, and on Feb. 5 it boarded
trains for Camp Merritt. While stopping over
at Kansas City, Mo., for a few hours. Battery
C received its first news of the sinking of the
Tuscania.
At 11 o'clock Sunday night, Feb. 11, the
train section containing Battery C arrived at
Cresskill, N. Y., the station nearest Camp Mer-
ritt. It was bitter cold and the hills were
covered with ice, but trains were badly need-
ed for the carrying of troops at that time, and
Battery C disembarked and marched to the
camp. It was after midnight when they
crawled under the blankets in the wooden bai--
racks, but reveille sounded at the usual early
hour next morning.
Three weeks were spent at Camp Merritt,
waiting for the ship which was to transport
the artillery regiment and other units across
the ocean. It was a pleasant three weeks, the
men being given a chance to see New York
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
229
230
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
and the daily routine consisting of a two hour
hike in the morning and a medical examina-
tion.
The battery was aroused at 4 o'clock on the
morning of March 2, packed its equipment, and
was taken by train to Hoboken, N. J., where it
boarded the converted liner Leviathan, former-
ly the Vaterland. It was one of the first out-
fits aboard the ship, and it was assigned quar-
ters far up forward. On Sunday, March, 3,
the other troops embarked, and at 9:£0 Mon-
day morning, March 4, the ti'ansport steamed
for Liverpool, Eng. The men wei'e required to
stay below decks until the craft had passed out
of the harbor, so that spies might not obtain
information as to the number of troops ab-^a- '.
The ocean trip was uneventful. Owing to its
speed, the Leviathan could outdistance subma-
rines, and it crossed the ocean with no convoy.
It was not until the last day at sea that a con-
voy, which was to escort it into Liverpool, was
picked up. The ship docked at Liverpool on
Tuesday, March 12. The artillerymen re-
mained aboard during that day, and started
for an English rest camp near Winchester on
March 13. The trip was made in the small
English coaches, and the men arrived at camp
at midnight, March 14.
The stop at the rest camp was brief. On
March 18 the regiment was again aboard trains
bound for Southampton, from which port it
was to cross the channel to LeHavre, France.
On the "Queen of Douglas," a small sid?-
wheeler. Battery C started to cross the channe':
on Monday evening, March 18. It was a clear
night, and the hazard from submarines was too
great, so the craft turned back after only go-
ing a short distance. A successful crossing
was made next night, however.
One day was spent at LeHavre, and the
regiment was again on its way. Camp Coet-
quidan, near Guer, France, was reached March
2.5. It was the final training camp for the
regiment, where equipment was to be issued
and pi-actice on the range given. Each outfit
was given a full complement of guns, cais-
sons, field kitchens, wagons, horses and other
material, and the work of learning to handle
them was begun in earnest. Non-commis-
sioned officers attended school during the day-
time, and there were also special classes for
the officers. Each battery was given certain
days each week to fire the guns, under the di-
rection of French and American instructors.
There was considerable fatigue work in get-
ting the camp in shape, each battery being
called upon on some days to furnish as many
as 150 men for guard duty, digging trenches,
and other working details.
While at Coetquidan, a requisition came in
for two batteries, to be used for a twelve week
term in instructing aspirants for officers' com-
missions at artillery schools. Battery A of
Milwaukee was sent to Gondrecourt, and Bat-
tery C assigned to Veauxhalles. On March 25,
the Racine battery loaded its guns and horses
aboard cars, and started for the small French
village. Genei'al Chamberlain, Col. Westphal
and others were at the railroad depot to watch
the loading.
On April 29, the battery arrived at its des-
tination. Its members were the first troops to
be quartered in this small French village, and
every inhabitant was at hand to watch the
proceedings. Gaunt from their four days' ride,^
the horses vs^ere hitched to the guns and cais-
sons and the procession to the village, about a
mile distant, started. The town was so small
that the battery passed through it, and it was
not until the circuitous road led it back to the
depot again, that the mistake was discovered.
It was six o'clock in the evening before the
picket line had been built, the guns parked,
the men billeted and the rolling kitchen set up.
A few days were devoted to getting things
in shape, and then the battery started firing
for the Second Corps Artillery School, which
was situated at Montigny-sur-Aube. Battery
P of the 147th Field artillery, an outfit with
75 millimeter guns, fired mornings and Battery
C in the afternoon. Reveille was at 6 o'clock
in the morning, and taps at 10 o'clock, and
every minute of the time was occupied. In
the morning, the drivers attended their horses,
cleaned harness and had lessons in equitation,
while the cannoneers did detail work, con-
structed gun pits and drilled with the ma-
terial.
The range was six miles from town, and it
was not until six o'clock at night that the guns
were hauled into the park for the evening.
The men then had supper, after which retreat
was held. The horses were groomed in the
evening, from 7 to 8:30 o'clock. Every "non-
com" was required to attend school for an
hour and a half in the evening.
After six weeks, the artillery school was
moved to the Swiss border, leaving the two
batteries behind. Word was expected daily
which would start the battery toward the regi-
ment, which was rumored to be on the Alsace
front. Before such word was received, how-
ever, the two outfits were assigned to an
aviation school at Chattilon-sur-Seine, where
RACINE COtJNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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aeroplane observers for artillery were being
instructed. They retained their billets in the
little villages, the aviators and observers mak-
ing the trip from Chattilon in aeroplanes.
Disappointment among the men was keen,
as they had been assured that after twelve
weeks' firing for the artillery school they would
join the regiment. During the twelve weeks.
Captain Richard Bryant had been transferred
to another outfit, and Capt. McQueen S. Wight-
man of New York had been placed in com-
mand of the battery.
Their work was cut when they joined the
aviation school, each battery being required
to fire only three days a week. Wireless sta-
tions were established to receive the sensings
from the observers in the aeroplanes. Spade
trails were constructed at the range to facili-
tate shifting from one target to another. Ev-
erything possible was done to make the work
as easy and as interesting as possible.
The aeroplane observers directed the firing
of the batteries, flying high above them and
observing where the shots landed. They would
then send down corrections, until they had
finally put the shells on the target.
The men sought diversion from the monotony
of firing day after day, at the same target and
with practically the same deflection and range,
by joining in the social life of the village. A
canteen was established, which later developed
into one of the largest Y. M. C. A.'s in the
Chattilon section. There were moving picture
shows once a week, and the men also held im-
promptu entertainments. The various sections
competed against each other in a basketball
tournament. There were baseball games be-
tween the various outfits in the Chattilon area,
Battery C capturing the championship after a
lively battle. The battery also won the foot-
ball championship and the basketball title.
There were horse shows and athletic meets.
Three different times orders were received
for the battery to join the regiment. But at
the last moment, after horses and material
had been gotten into shape, these orders were
cancelled for some reason or other.
The battery was close enough to the front
to hear the booming of the big guns at times,
where the other units of the regiment were
making history. Finally five of the men
packed their belongings, and jumping on a
troop train, reached the regiment at Mont-
faucon where it was taking part in the Ar-
gonne Drive. These five were Arthur Hader,
Edward Linn, Eward Stilb, Walter Williams
and Walter Maas. They remained at the front
fourteen days, and were then sent back with
twenty-three casuals, who were necessary to
fill up the battery so that it might function
properly.
For during the time that it was at Veaux-
halles, the battery membership had rapidly
dwindled. Some men had been transferred to
other outfits, some had taken ill and were in
hospitals, and many were on special work.
Conditions had become such that there were
not sufficient men for details, firing the guns
and caring for the horses, and a requisition for
more men had been sent to the regiment.
When it seemed as though the hopes for the
battery rejoining the regiment were slim, re-
quests for transfers began piling up on the
captain. Practically every man in the outfit
asked for a transfer between April 29 and
November 11, when the Armistice was signed.
Armistice Day was appropriately celebrated.
It was declared a holiday for the battei-y, and
the soldiers joined in with the French people
in appropriately observing it. The opportuni-
ties for celebrating were slim, but the men
took advantage of every one of them.
With the war at a close, the men felt confi-
dent that they would rejoin their regiment.
But the work of training artillery observers
was uninterrupted. Instead of being stopped,
it increased, more firing days being added and
the sections being divided into battalions so
that more observers could receive instructions.
It was not until a few weeks before the bat-
tery was prepared to start for Gondrecourt,
near where the regiment was stationed, that
the firing finally ceased.
During the nine months at Veauxhalles, the
battery turned out 388 aeroplane observers,
and trained 200 aspirant artillery officers, be-
sides doing the routine work necessary for the
care of its equipment and keeping itself in
shape to answer a call to the front at a mo-
ment's notice.
On Feb. 14, 1918, the battery took its fare-
well from Veauxhalles. The entire town turned
out to wave a last goodbye as the procession
wound its way through the main street. There
was not a dry eye, as during the nine months
there was not an inhabitant but knew every
man in the outfit.
After five days on the road. Battery C finally
pulled into Pershing's Park at Rozieres-on-
blois on Feb. 19. Owing to the lack of bar-
racks, it was quartered in barns in the village
below. Its horses were turned in, and tractors
and trucks were issued in their stead. Work
on the erection of barracks started immediate-
ly, so that the battery might be quartered with
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
233
PERSONNEL OF THE U. S. COAST GUARD STATION AT RACINE
In the upper row are Chas. Olson. Andrew Fisher, O. A. Johnson, Eugene Grann. In the lower are R. J. LeCIair. Hans
Kvamme (warrant officer). J. A- Olander (c. p. o.>. Peter Larson and Nels Jacobson.
the remainder of the regiment at Pershing*s
park, which occupied the top of a high hill ad-
jacent to the town. These barracks were com-
pleted a few weeks before the regiment start-
ed on the long trek homeward.
Following is a list of the members of Bat-
tery C, officers and enlisted men, from the time
the battery was ordered to Camp Douglas on
July 2, 1917, until its return in 1919. Men
who were transferred from the oi'ganization
before it sailed for France are designated with
a §; those who came from other cities and
were assigned to the battery after July 2,
1917, are designated by a f-
Lloyd T, Abraliamson
Benny AeUlof
Matteo Aelliot
•Charles H. Albright
James L, Anderson
Elmer S. Anderson
Alfred E. Anderson
Hans C Anderson
Joe Antoski§
Harry E. Augustine
■Carlton L. Austinf
George K. Barnes
Elmer J. Bartels
Wesley M. Bassindale
John C. Bayer
Washington Bezucha§
Alvin A. Bohnsack§
Clarence C. Bramow
James F, Brehm
Harry C. Breheim
George Bringedahlf
Edward Brinkman
Richard G. Bryant
George D. Brokawt
Harold T. Brown
John Burdettet
EdwMrd R. Burgert
Arthur Buse
Edmund A. Byerly
Guisejipi Caj^aldit
■George W. Carey
Marshall Carlson
Fred Catley
Josejjh I, Chour§
Arthur J. Christ ianson§
Edward G. Christraanf
Harrison L. Clemons§
Glenn F. Clickner
Bryan Correll
Benjamin Crandall§
Jame& Craig§
Earl L. Crouch §
Harry C. Cunliffef
Oscar J. Curley
George Danek
Fred P. Danzer§
David DeBarge§
Vincent Delvechio
Dionisios Demitropolous
Beauford H. Dirks§
John Diflfatte
Charles H. Doolin
William J. Dupuis§
Emanuel G. Eberhardt
Harvey W. Ellisonf
Edward E. Evans
James L. Evans§
Michael Evansgt
Julius Feiges§
Stephen S. Filochowski
Russel A. Fischer
Henry G. Fritges, Jr.f
Ignatz Gabryzewskit
Alonzo F. Gaidos§
William J. Gaiser
Alvin J, Gascoigne
William Geb§
Otto J. Genich
Lyle L. George
William F. Gersoude§
John A. Geyer
Hilmar H. Giortz
Svend V. Gjellerup
Barney J. Gramsf
Lieut. J. Gi'ant§t
Norman Gross f
Roscoe P. GuilbertS
Frank C. J. Haase§
Arthur E. Hader
Carl E. Hanson
Hans C. Hanson
Harry E. Hanson
Ephraim F. Hansong
Alvin E. Haumersen
Charles J. Haumersen
Howard F. Hauptt
Leonard J. Heimes
James O. Hayes t
Emanuel Helfmanf
Henry J. Hemm
Lawrence Hendricksont
George F. Herbst
Harry J. Herzog
Robert Hetli
Clarence C. Hill§
Frank J. Hilt
George Hindlet
Adolph M. Hoffman
John F. Hoffman t
Stanley D. Howr
John I. Hoytt
Madison R. Hughcst
Josef Hwalisz
John H. Hubert
Paul W. Intast
Julius J. Jacksont
Henry W. Jacobson
Otto Jandl
Charles Janechy
Clarence Jensen
Walter L. Jensen
Raleigh L. Jerstad
George Johnsont
George Johnson
Nels M. Johnson
Holgia Johnsont
Roy A. Johusong
Peter W, Johnsont
Christ R. Johnson§
Howard C. Johnson
Ellsworth O. Jones
George R. Jonest
Owen P. Jones
John Jorgenson
234
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
George E. Juneo§
Clarenco Kaestiier
Joseph F. Kaiser
William E. Kaiser
Clarence Kaltenbacli
Robert A. Kamraien§
Anton KaMaryck§
Moses Kevorkian t
Earl L. Kinner
John Kolodziezvkt
Albert J. Housek
Paul Kristopeit
Aupiist A. Kristopeit
Arthur J. Krueger
M. Kubelikg
Ludwig T. Kuehl§
Charles E. Laffertvt
Peter W. Lahr
AValter E. Larson
Alexander H. G. Last
Lyle W. Lewis§
Edward J. Linn
Josejih Lisuzzot
Tlieodore D. Lorentzen§
Constant Looseveltt
John W. Luker
Walter J. Maas
Charles C. Mackeyt
Jacob P. Madsen
Flovd Magnan
Mitchell J. Malouf
Fred H. Mandrey
James S. Marsh t
Jacob O. Mauer
Fred T. Maxted
Franklin X. McCormick§
Lieut. C. McGrawSt
William McNicol
Paul O. Meyer
Peter J. Menden
George H. Miller
William Miller§t
Edward C. Milstead
Demetrius Mischuk§
Peter E. Mogensim
Robert E. Mokracikf
Edward R. Mross
Hugh A. Munn
John J. Murphy
\V it Iter Mogeuson§
Samuel Mnrmino§ t
.i»*thnr XaleidS
Clarence Naugherf
t rank Nelson
Godfrey M. Nelson
Leslie H. Nelson
Sieger A. Nelsout
Louis N. Nelson
Victor P. Nelson
Ward C. Nieldg
Frank J. Nowakt
(xeorge H. Nullert
Peter Oblsikev
Vitto Oddot
Arthur F. Olson
Earl L. Olson
Sidney H. Olson
Joseph H. 01iver§
Joseph Orzelt
John B. Ourent
Valdemar Ove§
Willis J. Parks§
Walter L. Pawlakf
Al L. Perkins
Olaf Petersen?
Peter E. Peterson
Vigo Peterson
Mark M. Piel
Louis F. Pierce
Zymund Piotrowski
Tony Piazza
Paul C. Poulson
Edward Pvardt
Edward Pytlak
Edward H. Rapps§
Arthur Rattle
Mason C. Roberts
Alphonse J. Roberts?
Charley J. Rockief
William B. Rogahn
Ti-ipon Roman§
Benjamin Rnset
Joseph Uuffalo§
Tomothy J. Ryanf
Joe Sadoski
Charles J. Salakg
George Salak§
Harry J. Sanders §
Ernest H. Sawyert
Elmer J. Sbertolit
Paul Sehlosser
Irving Schlevensky
Fred W. Schwarzt
William Schroederf
George Seater§
David R. Semmes
Harold W. G. Shaw§
Ijewis C. Shaw§
John Sheehyt
August W. Skow
Clarence L. Smith
Dewev D. Smith
Lyle F. Smith§
Frank L. Snowdonf
Kostek Sobeilarski
Paul W. Sommerst
Christ C. Sondergard
Peter C. Sorenson
Oscar Sorensont
Oscar L, Sorenson
Martin Sorenson?
Reuben R. St. Louisf
George M. Stiglbauert
Eward W. Stilb
Rov N. Stream
Evald P. Strand?
Ronald Stauss
M'illiam J. Svoboda
William T. Taylorf
Soren Thiesen
Norman A. Thomas
Iren C. Thomas
Charles M. Thomet
Joseph M. Thome
Walter B. Tomlinson
Alviu T. Troestler
George M. Trotterf
Gerhard A. Voss
Ernest E. Voss?
Harry W. Vosst
F. Van Wie?
William R. Wadewitz
George E. Wagner
John C. Wartnert
Andrew N. Wellsf
Carl A. Wendt?
Harry E. Wherry
Verne Whitneyt
Oscar Wilket
Walter G. Williams
William W. Williamsf
Vernon J. Willetf
Boleslaw \\'ilczekt
Elmer Wilson
William Wilson
John Wisnieskit
Edwin J. Wiset
McQueen S. ^\'ightmant
David L. Woulfet
Ernest E. Wrixtong
Joe Yerkes
Frank Yilek?
S(i*'aw«"'Kw.
CHAPTER XXIII
BATTERY F, 121st F. A.
TO Battery F, 121st Field Artillery, 32nd
division, belongs the distinction of be-
ing the only combat unit recruited exclu-
sively in Racine to see action in France. It
was composed entirely of volunteers who en-
listed after the outbreak of the war with Ger-
many. As a part of the Thirty-second division
it participated in the great offensives desig-
nated as the Aisne-Marne, the Oise-Aisne and
the Meuse-Argonne, and also spent two months
in defensive warfare in Alsace. It lost three
men killed in battle, seven dead from disease
or accident, and thirty wounded. Ninety men
were seriously enough ill to require treatment
at a field or base hospital at one time or an-
other. In addition to supporting the infantry
of the Thirty-second division in three offen-
sives, Battery F also supported at various
times the Third, Seventy-ninth, Twenty-eighth,
Eighty-ninth, Ninetieth and Forty-second
American division infantry units, and the First
Moroccans of the French army.
It was in active offensive combat from Aug.
1 until Nov. 5, with a rest of only ten days
late in September. Whenever the infantry of
the Thirty-second division was withdrawn to
act in support or reserve, the artillery re-
mained at the front, and assisted other divi-
sions by sending over showers of high explo-
sive and gas shells, conducting interdiction
fire, harassing fire, and destructive fire and
helping to form creeping or stationai-y bar-
rages.
The early history of Battery F is recounted
in one of the first chapters of this volume.
During its service it undei-went many changes
in personnel. Officers were transferred, pro-
moted and assigned to other units. Men were
sent away to officers' training schools, trans-
ferred to other organizations, and lost by death
and illness. Usually when a man was sent to
a base hospital, he had great difficulty in re-
turning to his old organization. Convalescents
were sent to replacement camps and foz^ward-
ed to the divisions which needed men at that
time. Of the 205 officers and men who left
Racine for Camp Douglas July 2, 1917, only
111 men embarked from France for America
with the Battery. None of the original offi-
cers were with it.
In France Battery F was equipped with 155
millimeter howitzers of French design. There
were four of these guns and eight caissons
for each battery, a French fourgon and chariot
du pare (wagons), an American supply wagon,
a forge outfit on wheels, a rolling kitchen, a
water cai't and, usually, a motley collection of
native carts and carriages picked up in I'uined
villages en route to carry surplus supplies.
By the early autumn, however, the number of
horses had been reduced so by shell fire and
gas casualties that it was difficult to haul
the authorized wheeled vehicles. The battery
was furnished with 220 horses upon arrival
in France, and had thirty-two left when it
was taken out of the lines in November for
lack of animals to pull the material forward.
These horses were of native heavy stock, all
mares and stallions, and as they understood
no English and were inclined to be wild, there
were some desperate encounters during the
ti'aining of them.
The howitzers fired two types of shells, six
inches in diameter. One was comparatively
light and sharp nosed, to be used normally for
ranges of more than 6,000 meters. The other
was longer and heavier, containing much more
high explosive powder, and was designed for
destroying defenses. It was also more ex-
pensive. The guns could send shells up to
11,000 meters, and owing to the two weights
of shell and the fact that the driving charge of
powder could be varied, the guns were able to
accomplish many sorts of missions. A heavy
powder charge and a light shell allowed a
piece to be fired with a low trajectory like a
rifle. A smaller powder charge could be used
for shorter ranges, or to cause the shell to
236
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
take a high trajectory and strike the target at
a wide angle. This was especially useful in
firing at objects behind steep hills, and in ob-
taining deep penetration in the gi'ound. Vari-
ous sorts of fxises were used to detonate the
shells on impact, some causing an explosion
instantaneously and others causing the shell
to explode in from one-fiftieth to one-fourth of
a second after striking the ground. In loading
the gun, a fuse was screwed in the nose of the
projectile, the projectile was then pushed into
the breech of the piece, as many small bags
of powder as were needed were put in behind
it, and the breech was closed. A primer cart-
ridge was then inserted in a small hole in the
breech block. A pull of the firing pin lever
then caused the firing of the primer, which
ignited the powder and propelled the shell to
its destination. When desired, time fuses
could be used which would cause the shells to
explode in the air at a certain distance from
the gun.
Each ho^vitzer was hauled by four pair of
horses on the road. Three pair were used on
each caisson, and one or two pair on the other
carriages. A driver was mounted on the near
horse of eath pair. Non-commissioned officers
and officers were mounted when there were
enough animals. The gun crews marched be-
hind their respective pieces, one of them being
in charge of the brakes. In the zone of the ad-
vance carriages generally kept fifty yards
apart for safety, but on crowded roads it often
was deemed wise to close up to keep other
organizations from getting between sections
and splitting the units.
In action guns were concealed as much as
possible under nets of camouflage material, or
beneath branches of trees. The men dug pits
neai'by for shelter from shell fire, and when
not at their guns occupied shelters or dug
caves which would protect them from bullets
and shell splinters. It was impossible to con-
struct shelters in a few hours which would
save them from the effects of a direct hit by a
shell.
Gas shells were used by the enemy in large
quantities to harass the artillery. Battery F
men worked their guns many times for hours
while wearing the cumbersome and oppressive
anti-gas masks provided for their protection.
The battery fired 3,468 shells during their
training period, and 10,876 against the enemy.
During its entire period of service it had a
record remarkable for its character. The bat-
tery was composed of enthusiastic, patriotic
young fellows who were anxious to do their
duty in every respect. There were few cases
of court martial, and these wei-e for offenses
which would be considei-ed trivial by a civilian.
It accomplished every mission assigned to it,
never received an official rebuke and was
praised several times for its efficient work in
battle and elsewhere in France. Its morale
was of the highest and there was practically
none of the internal dissensions which marked
many military organizations.
Battery F left Racine on July 2, 1917, for
Camp Douglas. It was selected to precede the
regiment to Waco, Tex., and spent a month
there as a detached organization, awaiting the
arrival of the rest of the troops which were to
constitute the Thirty-second division. It was
intended for a light field artillery battery, but
after being variously classified as light, heavy,
horse-drawn and motorized artillery, it be-
came heavy horse-drawn field artillery. It had
some drill with 3-inch guns at Camp Mac-
Arthur, but most of the time there was spent
in foot drill and simulated gun drills, using
logs to represent guns. It was equipped with
rifles and had some practice on the range.
There was an anti-aircraft machine gun section
in each battery.
With the rest of the division it underwent
the misery of blistering weather, terrific dust
storms, practice marches and deferred hopes
at Camp MacArthur. It was ready for over-
seas service by Dec. 1, 1917, but lack of trans-
ports kept most of the army in America. By
•January, 1918, it was announced that the
ships were available.
About the first of the new year the division
started to entrain for Camp Merritt, N. J.,
to embark for France. Battery F left Waco
on Feb. .5, arriving at New York three days
later. After some delay due to quarantine and
shortage of vessels, the regiment embarked on
March 3 on the U. S. S. Leviathan, formerly
the Hamburg-American liner Vaterland, and
arrived at Liverpool 6 days later without see-
ing an enemy submarine. From Liverpool the
regiment was transferred by rail to a camp
at Winnel Downs near Winchester, England;
thence to Southampton and across the English
channel to Havre. After a few days in the
rest camp at Sanvie, near Havre, the men en-
trained again and were taken to Camp de Coet-
quidan, at Guer, France, where for two months
the artillerymen studied gunnery, fired on the
range and learned everything which their
French instructors could teach them about the
15.5 mm howitzer and the science of trench and
field warfare. On June 8 Battery F, with the
rest of the regiment, entrained with guns and
horses and equipment, for Belfort, from which
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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city they marched to Ettonfont-le-bas, near
the Alsatian frontier. On June 11 tlie batter-
ies were formed in eschelon — guns and cais-
sons in position to fire, horses and drivers bil-
leted in nearby towns and the reserve drivers,
cannoneers, supply wagons, etc., remaining in
the rear at Ettonfont.
This method of escheloning was generally
followed throughout the war to avoid needless
risk for men not actually engaged in handling
the pieces, although at times it was not possible
to withdraw the rear eschelon entirely from
the danger zone.
The firing battery was near the village of
Bretton, across the frontier and well into Al-
sace. Later on it moved about two miles fur-
ther east where it was in active support of the
infantry.
While the regiment was at Camp de Coetqui-
dan. Battery C, of Racine and Battery E of
Green Bay were assigned to duty at officers'
training camps in France and did not rejoin
the organization until the conclusion of the
armistice. The regiment, therefore, had only
four batteries at the front — A, B, D, and F.
The Second battalion consisted of D, and F
batteries and as the battalion was the tactical
unit at the front they were always together.
Its battalion commanders were, in turn, Maj.
George W. Rickeman, Maj. E. V. Cook and
Maj. Kane. Capt. Haight of Racine was bat-
talion adjutant and Lieut. Roscoe Guilbei't of
Racine was battalion telephone officer. Bat-
talion headquarters was generally between the
firing batteries in action. Regimental head-
quarters was usually from half a mile to a
mile or more to the rear, near the battery
eschelons and connected with the battalion
headquarters by field telephone lines. The fir-
ing batteries were from half a mile to a mile
and a half back of the front infantry lines, ac-
cording to the movements of the infantry.
On June 14 Battery F, fired its first shot at
the enemy, and from that time on indulged in
fairly frequent "shoots" at the German trench-
es. On June 30 a heavy barrage fire was laid
down by the entire divisional and French sup-
porting ai'tillery, for on that evening the in-
fantry made a raid on the opposing trenches.
All branches received high praise for the man-
ner in which the maneuver was conducted. Al-
though the Battery, and especially its advanced
observing pai-ties, were under fire in this area
several times, there were no casualties. For
various reasons this sector was immune from
serious battles or attempts by either side to
gain territory. These reasons were partly
topographical, but mainly political.
Training under actual field conditions having
been completed the division was withdi'awn.
The artillery entraining at Belfort on July 24,
arrived the next day at Ormoy-Villers. From
there the command marched to Pont St. Max-
ence, presumably for a week's rest.
At this time the German drive toward Paris
had finally been stopped near Chateau-Thierry
by American and French troops and a counter-
offensive begun. It was decided to hurl all
the available strength of American arms into
the fray to relieve the war-wearied French
troops and the two divisions of Americans who
had forced the Germans across the Marne.
On twelve hours' notice the Thirty-second
division started for Chateau-Thierry July 27.
The artillery brigade marched the 92 miles in
four night marches, without losing a man or
horse, a truly remarkable performance. The
men became terribly fatigued, often walking or
riding for miles while sound asleep. They car-
ried full packs and rifles and only the drivers
were allowed to I'ide, as it was essential that
the horses be saved as much as possible. The
men slept in fields and woods when halted,
seldom taking time to pitch their shelter tents.
Arriving at Chateau-Thierry the division
was put in action at once in the effort to drive
the German invaders out of the territory re-
cently conquered, and insure the safety of
Paris, Rheims and numerous railroads and ave-
nues of communication of the Allied armies.
A month before the fortune of the Allies had
been at its lowest ebb, and only the magnifi-
cent stand of the newly arrived Americans at
the Marne had lent hope to the sadly harassed
armies of Foch.
Battery F moved daily trying to keep in
touch "with the infantry, which ignored all prec-
edents by pushing forward constantly, re-
gardless of the success or failure of units on
the flank. While the artillery often was left
behind in these rushes, it gave all the assist-
ance needed and was able to neutralize and
out-shoot the foe, most of whose cannon were
kept on the roads ti-ying to escape capture.
On July 30 the divisional infantry engaged
in a bitter hand to hand fight for the wood of
Grimpettes, and on the following day had
cleared the foe from its environs. They neared
Cierges, which lay in a valley. The Germans
filled the town with mustard gas during a
severe bombardment. After fierce fighting
there, the Americans went around the town,
captured or crushed the machine gun nests on
the heights to the north, cleared out the woods
of Joublets and on the 1st of August had ad-
vanced until thev confronted Reddv Fai'm and
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Hil! 230, both strong points of resistance. On
the first assault the 32nd division infantry
gained both positions, capturing many prison-
ers. When Battery F moved forward past
Reddy Fai'm the artillerymen found the ground
literally covered with human corpses, and car-
casses of German horses. Grain fields had been
mowed down by machine gun fire and every-
where were strewn rifles, grenades, helmets,
and equipment of the fleeing foe.
On the afternoon of August 1, Batteries D,
and F, undei-went their first direct attack from
the air. Four German aeroplanes swooped
down on them near the village of Fresnes and
poured a stream of machine gun bullets along
the column. Some of the missiles passed be-
tween carriages but not a man was wounded.
Not a soldier left his position in column, and
by the time the first plane reached the head
of the column the four machine guns mounted
on the caissons were firing on it, and the can-
noneers and drivers kept up a hot rifle fire
against the aerial raiders. It was believed
that the leader of the squadron was wounded.
Anyway, he darted away from the vicinity of .
the road and the other fliers followed him back
toward the German lines. This was the first
of many similar attacks. In some instances the
aviators would drop grenades or bombs on the
roads.
For six days the indomitable infantry
crawled and ran and shot and bayoneted its
way northward through Cohan, and Dravigny
and the hilly ground north of Saint Martin,
manoevering where necessary, flanking when
cleverly concealed machine gun nests foiled
frontal attacks — but always gaining, always
fighting, never giving their sorely harassed
foes a chance to reform their lines or establish
firm positions. The one road into the sector
was jammed by traffic, covered with mud and
debris, subjected to fire from guns on the
gi'ound and aviators overhead. Finally the in-
fantry got to Fismes and the valley of the
Vesle and on Aug. 4, with assistance from the
artillery, they forced their way into the village
and after house to house and hand to hand
fighting there for nearly two days drove the
last of the living invaders across the Vesle
to their old lines on the heights beyond.
Battery F had its shai'e in the attacks. It
had several casualties, William Weiss being
killed and sixteen wounded, and it lost some
thirty horses by shell fire. Remaining in
"Death Valley," a mile south of the Vesle for
nearly three -weeks it undei^went the discom-
forts of constant bombardment, poison gases,
aeroplane attacks and the pi'esence of the sick-
ening odors of the battlefield. One gun was
put out of action by shell fire on Aug. 19.
During- this period the battery eschelon was at
Cohan and regimental headquarters at Dra-
vigny.
Although the infantry crossed the Vesle
river occasionally on successful raids, it was
seen that the German positions there were too
strong for immediate capture, and the high
command decided upon a flanking movement,
which proved successful. The battery was
withdrawn from the sector on August 23,
moved in long marches around west of Sois-
sons, and after a brief halt in the woods of
St. Etienne was sent north across the Aisne
river, from where an assault was launched
toward Juvigny In an easterly direction. The
tactics of a month before were repeated and
again the Americans, aided by the First Mo-
roccan division of the French army, drove the
Germans back in confusion during a week of
bloody, hand to hand battling.
During this campaign Battery F's eschelon
was at Hors, the firing battery moving first
to Epagny, where it was under fire for a day
and night in a wooded valley, and then ad-
vanced to a ravine a mile or so from Juvigny.
Here it -was under severe fire from aeroplanes,
enemy machine guns, rifles, and ai'tillery, a
sudden falling back of the infantry putting
the battery within a few hundred feet of the
front line of the infantry. Both F and D bat-
teries suff^ered many casualties in this posi-
tion, which was the most exposed of any held
during the war. Battery F lost Corporal
Harold Kister killed and two officers and 16
enlisted men wounded and gassed. At no time,
however, did it fail to provide the firing called
for, and it received commendation for its work
at this dangerous position.
About Sept. 2 the infanti-y captui'ed Juvigny
in a terrific attack and within another day had
advanced to Terny-Sorny, and the German lines
above the Vesle river were now so endangered
from the flank and rear that they had to be
evacuated.
Off to the southwest, part of the First Ameri-
can army had now begun its attack on the St.
Mihiel salient. The Thirty-second division had
concluded its job, and was started off to assist
at St. Mihiel, but later recalled and given a
ten days' re.st, Battery F being at Wassy. It
seems that the disheartened Germans had
fled and the Americans nipped off this salient
without difficulty. Resolved to continue the
policy of hammering every^vhere and continu-
ously, the high command sent all reserve
American forces, including the 32nd division.
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242
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
into the Argonne sectoi-, west of the Meuse,
and under the cover of fog and rain they were
massed there for attack. By Sept. 2.5 Battery
F was in position near Esne, after a march of
about a week. The esehelon was near Dom-
basle in a woods.
On Sept. 26 the surprise attack was launched
after a three hour artillery preparation. The
121st ai'tillery supported the 79th division, oiu'
own infantry being in reserve during the first
five days of the Argonne battle.
The surprise was complete. The artillery
drove the Germans into their dugouts deep
under the ground and before they had realized
the time for attack had come, the American in-
fantry went over the top on a ten mile front
and went across the muddy, shell torn fields,
throug:h the battered barbed wire and into the
foe's defenses, capturing or killing all the foes
there. Without a pause, before the German
artillery could get into action effectively, the
"doughboys" followed the American barrage
forward to the slopes of the towering hill
of Montfaucon.
This Meuse-Argonne sector had been consid-
ered as impregnable. The Germans were con-
fident of it. The French had long ago given up
hope of its recapture. The latest feat of the
Americans aroused the greatest enthusiasm
throughout France.
The territory was barren, bleak and desolate.
No Man's Land was a torn and forbidding
sti'etch, containing the mud encrusted bones of
thousands who had died during the attack on
Verdun in 1916. Barbed wire guarded the en-
tire front. The German trenches were deep
and perfectly built and maintained.
In the rear of the trenches was a long
stretch of rolling country, filled with treacher-
ous gullies and spotted with patches of woods
and underbrush which offered perfect conceal-
ment for machine guns and artillery. Rail-
roads brought supplies to the Germans at all
points along the line.
When the Americans advanced they had to
build roads to bring their supplies foi-ward.
They encountered mines and man traps. There
was little drinking water obtainable. They
were harassed at every step by aeroplanes
and long range artillery.
Battery F, with the other artillery moved
forward day by day. The men were undaunted
by lack of food, water, clothing and supplies.
Near Montfaucon the Battery's machine guns
assisted in bringing two aeroplanes to earth.
The ar-tillery work itself was magnificent.
Again the men were under fire for days at a
time and suffered numerous casualties, includ-
ing Nick Garski killed and five men wounded.
From Montfaucon the battery moved to
Eclesfontaine, and on October 25 again went
forward to Roniagne, where it assisted in the
general offensive on Nov. 1. On Nov. 5 the
number of horses having been so reduced by
shell fire as to make rapid advances impossible,
and the end of the war being in sight, the regi-
ment was withdrawn to a position in reserve,
and three days later started back to Bussy,
near Bar le Due, to be motorized. It was en
route there when the armistice was signed.
Battery F participates in the numerous cita-
tions in praise of the 32nd division and its
members can be proud of an unblemished and
honorable record during the historic days.
The battery remained at Bussy until Dec.
22, and entrained at Revigny for Dumont, and
from that point marched to Rozieres where it
went into camp and received motor equipment.
It was assigned to the 88th division temporari-
ly for maneuvers and drill. With the rest of
the Fifty-seventh brigade it left April 15, 1919,
for Brest and sailed April 30 for Boston on the
U. S. S. Geoi'gia. The battery was mustered
out at Camp Grant, 111., on May 19, 1919, and
entrained for Racine in a body, with Battery C
and the rest of the 121st Field Artillery regi-
ment.
Despite numerous changes in personnel dur-
ing the war, a fairly complete roster of officers
and men of Battery F has been preserved
through the foresight of First Sergeant Max
J. Zirbes. The names in it include casuals and
replacements who may have been members for
only a short time. In the following list on page
244 the ones who were wounded, gassed or shell-
shocked are designated by a (*), and fui-ther
details regarding the Racine men are in their
individual records in another chapter. Those
who were killed, died of wounds or died of
disease are designated by a (d) before their
names:
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
243
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244
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
BATTERY F ROSTER
Captains — James W. Gilson, Alvin A. Kuech-
enmeister, Louis J. Hofnian.
First Lieutenants — Hugo A. Rickeman,
^Walter L. Haight, Oscar Frings, Charles E.
Laft'erty, -Richard T. Bennett, E. O. Blair,
Joseph S. Nelson.
Second Lieutenants — Harry C. Stearns^
George H. Wallace, Ward R. Griffing, Oscar
Frings, Fred G. Kendall, Robert E. Graewin,
John Mulder, Ii-ving K. Fearn, R. B. W^arden»
Ralph Beaudry, '''Carlton L Austin, Joseph S.
Nelson, W. E. Howell, W. D. H. Rodiquez, R.
A. Jacobson.
Enlisted Personnel
L. W. M. Amborn
Otto Anderson
C. R. Baggeson
L, J. Bastian
C. P. Baumstark
T. R, Beach
S. M. Bensinger
Erail Bidstrup
d Menzo J. Bixljv
W. F. Boden
H. E. Brinknian
W. J. Brunker
* E. B. Baldwin
Fred Bauman
R. J. Baumstark
Alois Bell
Einer Bei'tleson
I. E. Blish
Ralph Bragor
Leonard Borchardt
H. K. Bi-uner
C. J. Busch
* Joseph Chadek
C. P. Christensen
H. C. Christensen
Daniel Chubb
K. J. Collier
W. C. Curtiss
Walter Czarnerki
d Guerino Caselliui
d Enricho Chiurri
H. M. Dale
H. W. Dawson
F. De ^'icola
Clvde Dillman
X.' M. C. Due
A. R. Christensen
H. W. Christensen
V. D. Christofferson
C. P. Clemmensen
E. L. Corrie
B. Czacharowski
David Cilley
* C. AV. Colbert
Boleslaw Danis
Louis Demant
W. A. De Young
^ Stanlev Dorka
John il. Duffv
E. F. Eagle
* A. H. Ellefson
A. M. Elliuger
Elmer Erb
Arthur England
* P. J. Ebben
Henry Ellefson
Wm. Enghind
Oscar Evans
d Gilbert O. Evans
John Fachko
J. L. Farlev
J. C. Fladseth
Edward Frayer
A. J. Fritch
C. Filla
* J. L. Farlev
H. W. Fish
Otis Ford
Oscar Frings
C. K. F'ullerton
R. J. Gallagher
Edward Gierhart
W. M. Grady
John Guelnianson
Stefan Gurska
Nick Garski
R. J. Gatskiewicz
John Gilday
P. T. Granger
John Gulbrandson
Julius Gutawski
G. Gioniomio
Christ Hansen
F. H. M- Hansen
Xels P. Hansen
Peter Hanson
Leo F. Harter
A. H. Haumerson
G. J. Hebert
J. H. Heusdens
Charles Holmes
Stanley Hood
Jack Hubert
Bartle Humble
Joe Hwalisz
Emerv Hanson
Carl R. Henry
. . . Holmes
Hans P. Hansen
Harold Hanson
Victor Hanson
Roy E. Harter
Wm. H. Hayman
R. L. Hertfeldt
J. H. Hoag
John V. Hood
ilartin Horner
Sexton Hultberg
H. F. Huss
John Hyduke
John Hoyt
Carl E. Hanson
Joe Janecky
Anton Jensen
Christ Jensen
J. J. Jirush
Peter Jacobson
Harry Johnson
Franic A'. Jones
Stanley Jembrzycki
Arthur Jensen
Marius G. Jensen
Arthur C. Johnson
ilelvin Johnson
Edgar Johnson
Ray W. Jones
James Kahn
C. A. Keeshan
L. O. Klandrud
P. X. Knudson
Harold Kister
Stephen Kikosiecki
Wm. R. Krueger
W, F. Kuehnemann
W. H. Kannenberg
A. J. Klandrud
H. P. Knudson
* Walter Kobierski
Arthur Kindschy
* H. J. Kreyche
Antoni Krusienski
Arthur W. Kwapil
Oliver C. Lange
C. E. Levers
Vincent Lewandowski
Frank Lomasky
* F. H. Layton
Geo. Levinson
H. E. Lorenzen
D. J. Manwaring
W. C. Martin
Viggo ilatson
Herman JIattice
Arthur Miles
F. P. Mohrbacker
E. J. C. Moritz
* Otto Musiel
* J. E. McMillan
* A. G. Markison
V. J. Maskiewicz
Peter Matson
Jack R. Melvin
E. J. Mischke
A. H. Morgan
Albert F. Murray
d C. L. Maroney
* Hugh Nichols
Einer Nelson
* Knute M. Nelson
Ray J. Nichols
Ed, Nelson
George A. Nelson
Charles Nesetril
J. R. Norgard
Chester Olson
Paul R. Olson
Clarence Olson
Frank R. Orton
Peter Palleson
Charles Pederson
A. J. Peterson
Axel Peterson
George W. Peterson
Thorwald Peterson
Einer Peterson
Nick Pamelas
Edgar Perkins
Arthur Peterson
* Carl A. Peterson
Richard R. Peterson
Alf N. Pederson
C. J. Rasmussen
W. M. Roberts
C. R. Rowland
Ravmond Russell
Harold Rush
Edward Roberts
A. R. Roskilly
John P. Riietz
George Rybacek
Thos. Rakusek
E. E. Sanville
Oscar E. Scheel
E. A. Scholz
E. F. Schowalter
Joseph Schweitzer
H. L. Seguine
H. O. Silverness
Harry L. Smith
Louis E. Sobota
E. C. Sorenson
A. G. Spillum
Stephan Staszewski
Arthur E. Stindle
T. G. Sullivan
Jolin Sakowski
John Stnigala
H. P. Saugman
P. A'. Schoenning
Alfred Schommer
Fred A. Schultz
W. H. Sedlar
E. R. Septon
Frank D. Smith
Stanley J. Smith
J. C. Sonenson
W. A. Sorenson
G. W, Springer
C. O. Steffenson
Jos. Striekfaden
Jul van Szkudlarek
.... Skzyp
Andrew Sorenson
A. O. Tandrup
Elmer E. Therv
Cecil S. Thorpe
H. P. Tommerup
H. B. Taylor
Henry A. Thompson
Joseph Tobako
Joel Tomter
Joseph Ulicki
John L^sik
George Van])irr Wal
C. A. Voelker
.... A''ranich
Peter Verbeten
A. Van Sickle
L. AV. AVawrzynkewicz
Adolph White
J. A. AVilson
William Weiss
Earl T. AVilson
Joseph Webber
A. L. AVilson
Felix AVysocarski
A''incent AVasiak
Milton W. Youngs
Larry J. Zachar
Edward Zika
Max J. Zirbes
Fi-ank Zielinski
Alex Zilla
Edward Zlevor
In addition to the men noted above as ha\'-
ing been wounded seriously enough to require
treatment at a field hospital or base hospital,
many others suifered slight injuries which
were treated at the first aid stations without
requiring absence from duty. About seventy-
five men also Avere sent to base hospitals be-
cause of illness. The majority of the cases of
illness were reported after the armistice. This
is partly due to the fact that during action,
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
245
Photos by Wright and Maj. Rickeman
BATTERY F IN CAMP DOUGLAS AND FRANCE
At the top, getting mail at Camp Doug^las. next to top is sh ^wn the battery lined up in its eompany street; nest below,
the famous "pa jam a parade;" washing up (^ante-cootie days) ; line of "mushroomed" tents — furled for inspection; waitinR
for "chow" supplies. At top, right (in France) one of the 155 mm. guns of the Racine unit; Captain Hofman and a re-
connnitering party; ready for the "feed bag;" on the road to the front. At end. chow time at Camp Grant — home again.
246
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
soldiers seldom would ask to be relieved from
duty as long as they felt able to stand up.
Living in the open air during a comparatively
warm season of the year may also have con-
tributed to the low sick record in the war.
It is a fact, however, that there were numerous
cases of dysentery in all combat organizations
from July 1 to November. The army head-
quarters physicians ascribed this to the un-
sanitary conditions of the battlefields, the mil-
lions of flies and other insects, the poor water
supply, eating of canned or preserved food al-
most exclusively and the fact that hardly a
day passed when the tired, hungry men did not
get wet through from the autumn rains. Colds
were infrequent. Presence of poison gas
caused a considerable proportion of men to
have husky voices for weeks at a time. Very
frequently a man would get quite badly burned
by sitting or lying where a mustard gas shell
had exploded and left some of the poisonous
contents on the ground. There was no typhoid
fever reported. Pneumonia was the most
serious illness with which the American army
in France had to contend, and many of the
cases of pneumonia developed while crossing
the ocean in crowded, dark and unheated trans-
ports.
CHAPTER XXIV
THE RACINE AMBULANCE COMPANY
/» MBULANCE Company 127, 107th Sani-
f-\ tary Train, Thirty-second division, was
completely organized by the end of May,
1917, at Racine. It entrained for Camp Doug-
las, Wis., July 29, and remained there with
the rest of the Wisconsin National Guard, as
a part of which it was called Ambulance Co.
No. 2, W. N. G. It entrained for Waco, Tex.,
Sept. 28, and spent four months in intensive
drill. During this period it became a motor-
ized organization, and was given its perma-
nent designation as a member of the division.
Jan. 17, 1918, the company entrained for
Camp Merritt, N. J., preparatory to going
overseas. On Feb. 7 it embarked on the Trans-
port Martha Washington and on Feb. 26 dis-
embarked at Brest, France. After travelling
half way across France by rail, the unit
reached its first station at Champlitte and the
men were billeted in barns and houses and
began the customary procedure of getting ac-
quainted with French words and inhabitants,
and cleaning up the village streets and door-
yards in accordance with the sanitary regula-
tions.
On March 27, thirteen men and one officer
were detached and assigned to the Second
division. On April 4, headquarters were
moved to Prangey. On May 14 the company
started for Alsace for its first experience in
a quiet sector of the front, near Belfort. The
new station was at Anjoutey. The ambulances
were put into service immediately caiTying
sick and wounded men from the front to the
Belfort hospitals, and the remainder of the
company were divided into sections which took
turns serving at dressing stations in and near
the trenches. On July 21, the Ambulance com-
pany again received orders to move and trav-
elled overland to Pont St. Maxence. After a
few days' rest the company was notified that
it was to accompany the rest of the division
to the scene of active operations around Cha-
teau-Thierry, and on July 27 the command
reached the Marne river.
The story of the company's experiences
from here on has been compiled from "The
Silver Bugle," the official publication of the
Ambulance unit. The publishers of "The
Silver Bugle" very generously granted permis-
sion for the use of their material, and while
it could not be reproduced in full the extracts
presented herevidth will disclose a fairly com-
plete record of the subsequent experiences of
this veteran organization:
"We arrived at Azy about midnight, July 27;
tired, wet, and hungry. It was too late to find
billets, so each man had to shift for himself.
Any space, that was large enough for a man to
stretch out in, was a bed that night. We were
too tired to be pai'ticular. The follovring morn-
ing we were up at 5 A. M. We established our-
selves in a barn and set up the kitchen. After
breakfast, we spent our time exploring the
town.
"The people had fled at the approach of the
Germans and the big bridge, spanning the
Marne, was blo\vn up. We had the whole town
to ourselves and, after our inspection of the
place, we enjoyed a good svrim in the Marne.
All day long there was an endless column of
traffic, going to and from the front. Wounded
were being transported back in ambulances,
ti'ucks, wagons, or anything that could be
drafted into service. All this hustle and
bustle, this tremendous business end of war,
and the sight of the many wounded, had a be-
wildering effect on our imagination, for, it
must be remembered, we were on the eve of
going into battle for the first time ourselves.
"We were not given a long time to think
things over, for our machines were called out
that evening to evacuate from Chateau-Thier-
ry. At the same time our combat units went
into the line. The next day, the 29th, three of
our officers and thirty men went up to establish
a dressing station. The rest of the men were
still working on the machines. This trip was
one never to be forgotten. We went up in
trucks over roads filled with traffic, passed
248
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
through Chateau-Thierry, and reached LaChar-
mel about 11 P. M. We were astounded at the
sights on the way up; — every town was in
ruins, roads were filled with shell holes, trees
were cut or blown down, dead horses were
everyw^here, along the roads and in the fields.
Salvage of all description wa? strewn about,
including guns, blood-stained clothes, gre-
nades, shells, broken wagons, Boche and Ameri-
can helmets, and every conceivable art,cle tha_
is used in modern warfare. In the valleys the
stench from dead men and horses was unbear-
able. In the haste of the great drive no one
had time to bury these unfortunates.
"We were in La Charniel about fifteen min-
utes when our artillery opened a terrific bar-
rage. The big and little guns wei-e all around
the town and the roar was simply deafening.
Natui'ally evei'y one was excited, as the Boche
returned the fire. We had a number of gas
alarms to make our first night more uncom-
fortable. We felt sorry for the men in the
woods and valleys, who were operating our
guns, for that was where most of the shells
were falling. But just then we received or-
ders that we would have to spend the nigM
in those woods, and establish a dressing sta-
tion in the morning. Well, what a feeling!
This was to be our first time under intensive
shell fire. We said nothing. There was nu
time to talk. The Boche shelled all nieht and
w^e had one gas alarm after another.
"The next morning the shells began falling
closer and we were very much relieved when
we received oi'ders to proceed to La Fosse
Farm, about 2% kilometers up toward the
front. We were ordered to march in sets of
twos, about fifty yards apart, so that we
wouldn't 'all be killed at once!' How consid-
erate! When we emerged from the woods, we
beheld a sight we shall never forget. Sti'etched
out on the field, on both sides of the road all
the way to La Fosse Farm, was one line of
guns after another, all firing at once. Hun-
dreds of them. The noise and vibi'ation was
terrific !
"We arrived at the Farm without mishap and
found only one building that was not in ruins.
So here, July 30, 191S, the anniversary of our
going to Camp Douglas, we set up the first
dressing station of the 32nd Division in action.
This Farm was the center of a mass of artil-
lery, and many German shells, meant for our
artillei'y, fell uncomfortably close to our sta-
tion.
"As soon as we were set up, our machines
came to work with us, and for 48 hours we
worked without let up or sleep. There was a
steady line of wounded and each one received
first aid dressings, good hot drinks, and warm
blankets and was then taken back to a hos-
pital in the rear.
"From here we went to Longeville Farm. It
was during our stay here that Major Bruins
and Captain Mitten were captured by the
Germans and did not return to us until Janu-
ai'y, 1919, at Sayn. When we slept, we slept
in a barn; but when it rained, we were out of
luck; as none of the buildings had a roof. It
rained a good deal here and the mud was often
a foot deep. There were many graves about
the place and we buried a few while we were
there. From time to time we advanced our
station, as the lines advanced. Captain John-
ston was placed in command of the Ambulance
section in place of Major Bruins, who was
captured at Fismette.
"The division reached the Vesle and captured
Fismes and was relieved on the 7th of August.
We went back to Fresnes for the night, taking
a different road back, but we soon found that
all the roads were in a deplorable condition.
Many graves dotted the roadside and salvage
of every description was strewn over the fields.
Fresnes was on our left flank and pretty well
back, so that we had a good sleep for one night.
"The afternoon of the 8th we moved from
Fresnes to Reddy Farm, near Charmery, a
place captured by our division and full of in-
terest.
"At Reddy Farm, we received authority to
wear a gold chevron, signifying six months in
service overseas. Captain Johnston hei-e took
Major Bruin's place formally and Lieut.
Schnetz became our commanding officer. Capt.
Dew was transferred to the supply train and
Lieut. Rhynerson went to Ambulance Co. 125.
Lieut. Shaw and Lieut. McCulla joined our
company.
"On Aug. 24 we moved out of the sector
to the big forest outside of St. Etienne. We re-
mained there resting until the 27th, when we
moved to Vic-sur-Aisne to do evacuation work.
On Sept. 2 we moved to a huge cave near Tar-
tiers, and remained there four days adminis-
tering to the wounded. The work of the am-
bulance drivers was very difficult and danger-
ous. No lights were allowed. The roads were
badly torn up and subjected to severe shell
fire during the fierce battle for possession of
Juvigny and Terny-Sorny.
"The cave was a large one, but at the time
of our arrival was somewhat congested with
Moroccan and German wounded. Every pas-
sage way was littei-ed with wounded men, wait-
ing for attention. We all set to work imme-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
249
■Col. Phillip Westfahl, commanding officer of 121st F. A. from the time of its organization as a National Guard Unit
until July 20. 1918. After being in charge of railway construction works in France nine months he resumed command
of the regiment and was in command of it when it returned to the United States in May. 1919. The illustration shows
his wife at his left and his mother at the right.
250
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
diately, cleaned a space in which to place oui
dressing station, and were soon alleviating the
congestion. The Boche wounded seemed to be
very much pleased and anxious to get back to
an American base hospital.
"During the night, six inch rifles were placed
just outside the cave, and at 4:30 the following-
morning a rolling barrage was commenced.
These big guns, combined with many guns of
the 75 m. m. caliber, kept the cave trembling
vsdth continuous vibration. An ill-timed shell,
fired from one of the big guns, exploded a few
feet fi'om the muzzle of the gun, tearing a big
hole in the ground and wounding several
Frenchmen. From this we concluded that the
woods and territory occupied by the Huns,
where these big shells wei-e landing, was a mod-
ern inferno.
"Not many shells were coming our way, until
one afternoon, when a Boche aviator came over
and located our batteries. Shortly aftel•^vard
we underwent a barrage, but our artillery soon
put the Huns out of action. Some of the Hun
gas shells landed near the cave, and at one
time the sneezing gas was so concenti'ated that
it became almost necessary for us to don our
gas masks. The usual round of profanity was
at once meted out to Kaiser Bill, and needless
to say, many select words of the vocabulary
were used.
"Every now and then a Boche plane would
introduce itself from up in the clouds; then
our anti-air craft and machine guns would at
once open fire with a barrage, and Fritz would
either take a hard bump on good old Mother
Earth, or immediately get out of range. Men
would pick up rifles and start pecking away
and it sure was hot for any Hun who ever
ventured in this neighborhood. The Allies had
complete control of the air in this vicinity and
it was a common sight to see 50 or 100 planes,
in battle formation, going over to pay their
compliments to Fritz.
On Sept. 10 we were on our way out of the
Soissons sector and went to Sommancourt for
an 11-day I'est, interspersed with periods of
drill and practice hikes. From here the out-
fit drove to Bar-le-Duc and thence to the
Meuse-Argonne sector, where the final great
offensive of the war had begun on Sept. 26.
On the morning of the 28th, the ambulance
men started out in the darkness for the vi-
cinity of Montfaucon, captured from th? Ger-
mans the day before. It was foggy and rainy,
but by 6 o'clock in the morning it began to
get light and we could see that the fields and
roads over which we were going, were fll^d
with shell holes. After some difficulty, we
finally came to a place where we had to leave
the road and cross a shell-torn field which,
after a short time, led us to another road.
Here the traffic was so congested that we could
hardly move. The M. P.'s along the way were
unable to take care of the traffic and things
were in an avsrful mess. Finally, after an all
day struggle, we came to our destination after
dark.
"We were in Very and it was dark and rain-
ing. The noise of the guns was deafening and
shells were breaking all around us. Along the
road were dead horses and broken wagons.
We were ordered out of the cars and were told
to hunt shelter. Some of the men crawled into
a tunnel, which later was found to be a water
drain, while the others packed themselves into
a small room and had to stand up the rest of
the night. Our cars were immediately put into
action with the 91st division, which, we later
found out, we were to aid for the next week.
And they surely needed help. Wounded men
were lying all around in the rain and mud, get-
ting no attention, and the next day one of our
officers and two of our men helped them in
their dressing station and cleaned up the con-
gestion in shoi't order. What a relief when
daylight came. Everyone was tired and
hungry and welcomed the meal of beans, hard
bread, and coff'ee which the cooks had prepared
for us. After this hearty meal, a place for
our dressing station was found in some dug-
outs the Germans had made.
"On the afternoon of October 3rd, we re-
ceived oi'ders to close our dressing station at
Very and to proceed farther foi-ward to estab-
lish another in the tovra of Ivory. In about
an hour we were packed and ready to move.
On account of the congestion of the traffic and
the shelling of the roads in that direction, only
two machines were sent out at a time, two
others following at fifteen-minute intervals.
The distance was only about five kilos but the
roads were bad. For some distance we were
obliged to travel over a rough, one-way, plank
road. After leaving this, we passed through
the shattered village of Epionville which was
under shell fire most of the time, and then
on to our destination.
"When the first of the cars to be sent out
reached Ivory, they were greeted by a 'young
barrage' from a German battery, and, instead
of being able to look about for a site for a sta-
tion, all had to take shelter until the firing had
ceased. The Hun was showing no pai-tiality
that night, so from here he shifted his fire over
to the plank roa 1 where two more machin?s
were being held up by two balky mules. These-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
251
THE WELCOME HOME OF THE AMBULANCE BOYS
Ambulance Company 127 returned at the end of May, 1919, after (22) months in service. When they arrived from Camp
Grant they were met by the town.
GETTING STARTED TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE CITY
Automobiles, bands, marching men and thousands of spectators participated in the event that amounted to a climax of all
wartime incidents when the last of Racine's Units came home.
252
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
cars were evacuated in a hurry, and the men
ran, looking for a place of safety. Some
crawled into 'fox holes' in an adjoining field,
while others felt perfectly safe under an ammu-
nition cart by the road side. After banging
away for about fifteen minutes, Fritz stopped;
and these cars, along with the rest of the
train, reached their destination without further
disturbance.
"It was growing dark by the time we landed
and the work of establishing our station was
made more difficult. Already in the town —
which, by the way, like all others in that area,
was pretty well battered up — was the regimen-
tal aid station of the 126th infantry. They
were occupying about the best building in the
place; it had at least a roof over it. We took
the next best to it — a large, old stone structure
which undoubtedly had been a French peasant
home and barn combined. The roof was about
gone and in many places the walls were shat-
tered. But we found three fairly good rooms
on the ground floor. One we used for the
dressing room; one, for the office and soup
kitchen; and the other, for a place in which to
house the patients. In the old barn we set up
our company kitchen. There was evidence of
German occupation everywhere, as Fritz had
moved out only two days before. Luckily he
left us a few old stoves, so things were made
fairly comfortable.
"All work had to be done by candle or lantern
light, after all doors and windows were well
blanketed to prevent observation by aeroplanes.
In about one-half hour, we wei'e all set and
ready to receive patients. Things were vei-y
quiet that night on the line, so the regimental
station was able to care for all casualties. 01
course our cars were put to work at once,
evacuating those patients that did come in.
"After the night detail was appointed, the
rest of us started to find a place to sleep.
Scattered about in the old building were many
bunks that the Germans had used; these were
immediately taken. Others preferred the .-o-
called dug-outs, which were only galvanized
iron tunnel affairs about 5 feet in circumfer-
ence. These were vei-y safe unless something
struck them.
"Our work here, as in other stations, consist-
ed of re-dressing the wounds; applying splints:
administering the anti-tetanic serum; and mak-
ing the patient comfortable with hot blankets,
hot drinks, and morphine. From here they
v.'ere transported back in our cars to the field
hospital.
"These were dangerous days for ambulances
and their drivers, as the roads were being con-
.■^tantly shelled. Soon they were being driven
forward beyond our dressing station to an aid
str.tion just behind the line. More than once
I, he boys had narrow escapes from being blown
ofi the map.
'"("'ay after day we went through the same
routine. One could not keep from feeling more
or less tired and blue, for ours was not the
riost cheerful work. But on the third or fourth
day, things brightened up a lot. The reason
•vas, that mail came, and we are safe in sayin;;
Ihat never before nor since were letters from
home more welcome than they were at this
time. They certainly helped a great deal.
Vv hen the work would run light, we had vari-
ous means of passing the time away. One
f.ivorite was for a crowd to gather in the
.station and to discuss, pro and con, the various
rumors of peace that were then in circulation.
Another was to have a 'shirt reading contest,'
the object being to see who could find the
largest number of 'cooties,' for at this time
we were all peppered with the pests. On quiet
evenings our orchestra would liven things up
with many of the old favorite tunes.
"It was while we were here that we had our
first casualty. Private Keefe was injured by a
fragment of a shell while acting as a litter
bearer to the line.
"One thing caused us little worry now and
that was enemy planes. We were too far for-
ward for rear area bombing and, anyway, the
majority of the nights were cloudy and rainy.
Mud was ankle deep. But during the day we
saw plenty of aerial activity and many inter-
esting air battles.
"Not a day passed during our stay but what
shells dropped all about us; but luckily, none
came near enough to do any damage.
"On the 19th our division was relieved and
was moved back into support and two days
later we also went back to a location on the
road between Very and Avocourt.
"October 21 dawmed wet, foggy, grey, and
dismal. Our division had been relieved and
our company had received orders to move
toward the rear. After a fifteen kilometer
journey over the diiliest, muddiest, roads
imaginable, we suddenly broke upon the wilds
of Boise de Chappy and dowm into the bottom
of what we immediately termed 'Muddy Hol-
low.' No name was ever more adequately
chosen. It sure was a hollow and it sure was
muddy. Gobs and oodles of it.
"Rumor had it that we were to go away
back and enjoy a 60 or 90 day rest period. But,
as oft before, we were doomed to disappoint-
ment! We were told that our division was a
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
253
MAJ. JOHNSTON MARCHED AT THFJ HEAD OF THE COMPANY HE WENT AWAY WITH
As to whether this event was idolized or not may be gathereJ from the expression on the face of the "kid" in the front
row. The thousands on the walks cheered wildly.
THE LAST MARCH OF THE 127th AMBULANCE COMPANY
Along Washington avenue the men paraded into the city, the last march they were to make as
glorious and hard working months they experienced in Europe.
a unit, after this long.
254
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
fighting unit, nnd that our rest would come
only when the war was finished.
"So there was nothing to do but make the
best of it. Immediately we started in to make
ourselves at home. Pup tents were pitched
and each man tried to make himself as com-
fortable as possible. As usual, the first night
found Fritz above us, kicking out his tail gate.
The visit lasted only a few minutes, during
which Roy Schnetz and 'Skeeter' Bowman
were awakened out of a sound sleep, but when
they jumped into a shell hole filled with water,
they were soon wide awake.
"On Thursday morning, November 7th, we
were up at 5:30, taking down our pup tents,
rolling our packs, and preparing for another
move. Breakfast was served at 6:30 and by
7:30 we were bidding Muddy Hollow our last
fond fai'ewell. The pages of our memory books
are full of many happy events that befell us
during our seventeen day sojourn here, and it
was therefore with a pang of regret that we
now left behind us the ease and comfort of
our temporary 'homes' and moved forward to
Romagne.
"Our stay at Romagne was a short, but
memorable one. Rumors were flying 'thick
and fast.' Everybody had a different story to
repoi't. The vei'y atmosphere was permeated
with a dynamic, mysterious uncertainty that
caught and held us all. We all felt that the
end was near; but how, and when, and under
what conditions hostilities would cease, wei'e
the questions and problems for which various
and conflicting solutions were suggested, and
in the discussion of which we were all engaged.
Momentous events were transpiring in the his-
tory of the world, and the news of most of
them reached us only through the most devi-
ous channels. We didn't know whether to be-
lieve the rumors or not. Hope, fear, belief,
and doubt were the emotions that swept us
from the very pinnacle of joy to the very
depth of despair. Papers reached us only
once a week and then they were generally a
week old. But the news they did bring to us
was most cheerful and promising. Turkey had
surrendered to the British; the Bulgarians had
met disastrous defeat at the hands of the Si-
berians and French; 500,000 Austrians had
been captured; and Austria and Hungary had
been forced to surrender to Italy. One calam-
ity followed another and a very avalanche of
disaster was sweeping the allied enemies to
destruction. A revolution had broken loose in
Germany, the Kaiser had abdicated, the sol-
diers refused to fight any longer. The dawn
<d{ a better day was breaking and the dai'kness
of fear and despair was quickly giving way
to the brightness of new hope and courage.
"We felt all this. It was in the air. It
somehow fastened itself in one's mind and
heart and just naturally couldn't and wouldn't
be shaken ofl^. Somehow, someway, something
was going to happen and that something was
going to be 'grand and glorious.' But at that
we weren't prepared for what took place the
first evening of our stay in Romagne. It
came so suddenly, and broke upon the dark-
ness of the silent night with such unexpected-
ness and force that it swept us right ofl' our
feet and carried us on the crest of a dangerous
pre-peace celebration. It was 6:30 on the eve-
ning of November 7th when the first inkling
of what was soon to happen, reached us. Out
of the north it came. From the front of the
far flying battle line it reached us faintly, at
fi.rst like the rush of many waters nearer it
came till it swept over us like a torrent and
caught us in the ebb of its irresistible flow.
We had to join in; we couldn't withstand the
infection of the moment. Lights were lit, flares
and rockets were sent up, and huge bonfires
sprang from the surrounding hill sides as
though set off by some magic wand. Ambu-
lances, trucks, motorcycles, and limousines
passed by -i^ath glaring head lights, full aflame.
The tooting of horns, the blowing of whistles,
and firing of rifles all broke upon the silence
of the night. A very bedlam had broken loose
and the word 'Peace' was on everybody's lips.
The celebration lasted only about one hour and
was as abruptly ended as it had been mysteri-
ously started. We can thank God that it was
a wet, foggy night and that flares and lights
were unable to penetrate through the dense
atmospheric condition to any great extent, for
had it been a clear, cloudless night we might
be writing a diff'erent story now.
"The following morning we found out that
the previous night's celebration had not been
without its cause. A German Peace delegation
had crossed the French line at Hauchory and
was in confei'ence -with Marshall Foch. This
was the beginning of the end.
"November 11th, the day that was to mean
so much in our lives, came like any other day.
We awoke after a sleep, uninterrupted by
Boche bombers, and set about performing our
vai'ious duties. This was supposed to be the
'great day,' the day for which we had risked
all. Our imaginations were dead, and our
hopes and inclinations to believe in rumors
were exhausted. In a great stoi-y or play this
would have been a dramatic scene with every-
one realizing the full significance of the ocea-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
255
Phutos by John Hood
RACINE'S GREATEST CELEBRATION, "FAKE" ARMISTICE DAY NOVEMBER 7. 1918
Mr. Hood's pictures show the crowds that started gathering in the streets when the "news" first was heard. Marchers
with flags, auto trucks, automobile parties and bands of children are shown pouring down State street toward the center
of the city to swell the howling mobs in the streets. The lower views (right) show Monument Square as impromptu
parades were forming. These continued until night, growing every moment as the day progressed.
256
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
sion. But this was not a play; it was real —
too real. The absence of enthusiasm and cheer-
ing was uncanny, for we had long expected
that when the war came to an end the greatest
celebration would be at the front. But the
shock was too great. So many things had hap-
pened in so short a time that we were be-
wildered. Men scarcely spoke. All went
about their duties like men dumfounded by
some supernatural event. By noon we knew
that it was all over but the same silence hung
over everyone, for men found their physical
powers too inadequate to express and mani-
fest the wonderful emotions which they felt
in their hearts and souls. Thus was this mem-
orable day spent, each man living to himself,
with vivid thoughts of home and the future
occupying his mind to the exclusion of all else.
"On the 12th we were shaken from our ap-
parent stupor by orders to proceed to Liny
Devant Dun. The machines had come in the
night before after evacuating the last wound-
ed to the rear, so we had plenty of transporta-
tion.
"We left Romagne at noon and passed over
the remainder of the territory which had been
the scene of that now famous battle, the
Meuse-Argonne. The first town on our route
was Bantheville where our division had been
relieved after 21 days of fighting in October.
Passing by this town we went through Dulcon,
Dun sur Meuse, and finally to Liny.
"Our purpose in coming to Liny was to op-
erate a large delousing plant which the Ger-
mans had built. The town was partly de-
stroyed, being one of the last towns reached
in our advance before the armistice. However,
this plant showed very little signs of the bom-
bardment and we found it in a fairly good con-
dition. The Germans did not have time to
destroy it, but they did leave the rooms in a
filthy condition. The whole company set to
work and in two hours we had the place look-
ing like a modern auditorium.
"As now we had passed from the sphere of
active warfare to the operation of a plant, we
believe that this unique experience, our first
post bellum activity, deserves a brief descrip-
tion.
"The delouser was a frame building about
150 feet long and about 50 feet wide. In front
was a large porch, in the center of which was
the main entrance. On either side of this
entrance was a large dressing room with bench-
es for the men to sit on and a large stove to
make them comfortable. Behind these rooms
was one large room, the entire width of the
building. Here were the ovens in which the
clothes were placed to be steamed. On either
side of the ovens were counters where towels
and soap were issued as the men passed to the
rear where there was another large room con-
taining showers.
"In fact, each side of the building was the
same, complete in itself; and each was sup-
posed to be worked by a separate crew. First
the dressing room, then the ovens, then the
showers, after which the men returned by the
same way; turned in their soap and wet tow-
els; got their clothing; and entered the dress-
ing room.
"In the basement were four large furnaces,
one for each oven and two for the hot water
in the showers.
"Theoretically this was a fine plant but when
we came to work it the bubble burst. First
the coil in one furnace sprang a leak, and, when
that was repaired, another burst. The flues
of the ovens did not work well and we had to
give up the idea of delousing the clothes. We
centered all our attention on the shower baths
and from then on, till we left, we bathed on
the average of four or five hundred men per
day. We had one regiment of infantry and one
machine gun brigade to clean up. The rest of
the division was distributed among five other
bath houses in the vicinity.
"The work at Liny was not the only interest-
ing part of our stay. For many months we
had lived in anything we could find, which was
usually an old barn, a dugout, a rock pile, or a
mud hole. Hei'e we were to live in class, not as
we should have at home; but, nevei'theless, fine
as compared to what we had been accustomed.
Most of the houses near the plant had at least
survived the bombardment. Of course they
had suff'ered the neglect of four years of war
during the German occupation, but each had a
roof and a stove. There were quite a few iron
beds in the bathhouse and hospital and there
were few of us who didn't appropriate one of
these. If there was a billet without a stove
already in it, we soon supplied the want; for
each machine carried a stove along for emer-
gency. This wouldn't be considered the best
military form in a 'best seller,' but it was con-
sidered good soldiering around our neck of the
woods. For many times we had to sleep in a
hole and our stoves always came in handy.
The town was searched for every kind of furni-
ture, kettles, wash pans, tubs, and pails; and
after the first night we were living fine. We
could also have lights now as there would be
no more danger. Hence we did not have to go
to bed at sunset but could sit up and read,
write, and play cards.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
257
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258
RACINE COUNTY IN
' n R L D WAR
"Histoi-y is never complete without a word
about old Dame Rumor. There were only thvee
rumors afloat at this time. The most impor-
tant was that we were to delouse our division
only and then go back to the states. Next in
line came the cruel rumor that we had to op-
erate this delouser for the whole first Army,
which meant a steady job. Last, but not least,
we were one of the honored divisions to be
chosen for the Ai'my of Occupation. Nvi one
believed this first rumor; we hated to think of
the second; but somehow all felt thnt thoy
could tolerate the third.
"It was while we were hei'e that thi- men
seemed to realize after all that the war wa.-,
over. The Fifth Division, with whom we
fought on the last day, came and camped on
the hills near us. Each man had an individual
bonfire; and, as there were thousands of them,
it looked on those dark nights as if some con-
stellation had fallen from heaven in all its
glory. Everyone was shooting up their spare
flares, star shells, and rockets; and it was moi-e
beautiful than any 4th of July we have ever
seen. Now and then a great chaser would go
up from one hill, only to be answered by men
on another. Everyone was happy beyond de-
scription.
"While hei'e we received the daily papers,
the things we always longed for and seldom
received, and read to our satisfaction of the
Armistice terms.
"On November 15th, we were told that oui
work here was finished and that we should pi-e-
pare to hike to the Rhine, only about 150 miles.
"We were willing to make the hike for its
historical value but, oh, how we hated to leave
our happy homes here. However, we were still
in the army and orders were orders; so we
made the best of it. We received orders to be
ready to move on the 17th. Before going, we
received the famous Barred Red Arrow as our
divisional insignia.
"We went to bed early on the 16th so as to
get rested up well before starting on our long
hike. On the 17th we were up bright and early
with packs all rolled for hiking, but to our
pleasant surprise we learned that we were to
ride in our machines. The morning was spent
in policing up the grounds as usual and after
dinner we assembled, ready to go.
"After a wait from 2:30 P. M. until 4:30,
we finally started on our way.
"On Nov. 21 we were in Belgium, but had it
not been for the maps, the flags, and the peo-
ple along the way, we should not have known
the difference. Along the road were German
guns and trucks that had been turned over to
the Allies. At every stop we would get out and
examine the cause of so many months of worry
for us. As we passed through towns, all the
people were celebrating and Allied flags flew
from every house. At dark we found ourselves
in a town called Strassens, just over the bor-
der of Luxemburg. Here we were told to stop
for the night. After a little difficulty, we
found some barns that were none too clean, for
our sleeping quarters. An hour later the cooks
had a meal ready for us, stew and coffee.
After this hearty repast, we found oui'selves
with nothing to do but visit a cafe or go to bed.
"We were up at six, with our packs all
made and waiting for breakfast. After break-
fast we piled into our trucks, and, after a short
ride over a very pretty country, we arrived at
Walferdange. Much to our surprise, we found
it to be a good sized town where we were to
stay a week or so.
"Thanksgiving day fount! us still in Walfer-
dange. Thanksgiving dinner consisted of
steaks, potatoes, gravy, tomatoes, bread and
butter, and pumpkin pie. Considering the ra-
tion difficulty, we declared it a regular meal
and did justice to it.
"Passes were issued for a visit to the city of
Luxemburg. German souvenirs were in de-
mand and the Luxemburg merchants did a
wonderful business. If one had the necessary
mai'ks, he could procure a regular meal in the
Luxemburg hotels and restaurants. Chocolate
was the scarce article, a small piece selling for
the sum of 18 Francs. So one had to be pretty
well 'heeled' if he desii'ed to satisfy his sweet
tooth.
"On Dec. 13th we crossed the Rhine and
reached the tovvri of Urmitz on the west bank
of the river.
"At 2 A. M. on December 14, we arrived at
the town of Weis and were told that this was
where we were to stay. We parked our cars
and were shown to our billets which we found
to be the regular issue of barns and into which
30 or 40 men were crowded.
"Of the five days that we spent in this place,
nothing unusual happened. It was the same
thing over — setting up exei'cises and hikes.
"On Thursday, December 19, we were told
to pack up and be ready to move at 2 P. M.
"At the appointed hour we were all set and
piled our packs into the trucks and started on
our three kilometer hike to Sayn, which was to
be our destination for some time.
"We were all settled by the 22nd, when we
received orders to send a number of men out
on detached service. The wagoners were sent
out vifith the machines to operate with the
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
259
BATTERY C FROM RACINE TO WACO
At the top is "C" marching to the train on July 2, 1917, below is a demonstration of cleanliness, then the train that took
"C" to Waco. The next two show the camp at MacArthur (Waco); two "hike" picture are at top. riffht, and below can
be seen the rookie artillerymen doing a little shoveling near camp. At bottom is a group with heads clipped to represent
billiard balls. The small views at the top are of Veauxhalles, France (at the left) and a regimental football game at
Waco, Texas.
260
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
hospitals. Many were sent to various infantry
outfits in order to transport any sick who had
to be taken to a hospital. Thirty men wei'e
sent to Rengensdorf to work with Field Hos-
pital 127. Later the Y. M. C. A. asked for
drivers and men to work in the theatre and
then the Red Cross wanted a few; so by the
time all the details were out, we hardly had
enough men left to make a respectable pla-
toon. Consequently, we had no drill, much to
the satisfaction of those who were left. How-
ever, those who remained had a good deal of
K. P. and guard duty.
"Next to one of the billets was a bathroom
with a number of good showers. The Germans
kept the furnaces hot all the time so we could
bathe most any time of the day.
"It seemed that, for once in all our experi-
ence, we had everything in the town to make us
happy, or at least comfortable.
"There was a good theatre, run by the Y. M.
C. A. Divisional headquarters of the 'Y' lo-
cated here and in addition a branch of the
Red Cross. The 'Y' also had a canteen where
we could buy most anything we wanted. It
had been a long time since we had been able
to get chocolate and cookies and we were
mighty glad to get them.
"There were plenty of women glad to do our
washing for a few marks so we were relieved
of that piece of disagreeable work.
"Not long after we were there, Divisional
Headquarters sent out circulars asking that
each unit furnish some kind of a show to be
run on a divisional circuit. The various units
were scattered around in many towns. Thus,
besides making life easier for the men, the
show troupes would have a chance to travel
around and see the different towns. All play-
ers were taken off details and had nothing else
to do but practice and show. All together
there were about 15 different shows traveling
around and showing at different toviTis once
or twice each week.
"The 107th Sanitary Train put out a good
minstrel show. As our company had a jazz
band as well as a goodly number of singers
and dancers, we made up the greater part of
the show and it took well wherever it went.
So each day or so after their duties were over,
the men could look forwai'd to seeing a fairly
good show and having some good laughs.
After all the shows of our division had covered
the circuit, we exchanged with the Second Di-
vision on our right. Their shows lasted nearly
up to the time we left Sayn.
"Saturday, April 19, 1919, was a memorable
day, for we were told to pack up and start for
home. It was hard to realize that at last we
were to return to the United States, and no one
would really admit believing it until we were
aboard the battleship Virginia at Brest.
"The fourteen days spent at Brest seemed
to us, in contrast to what they might have
been and should have been, about the most dis-
agreeable of our army experience. At no other
place did we see American soldiers given such
discourteous treatment as at Camp Pantan-
azen.
"Everything possible was done to make our
enforced stay a hard and strenuous one. When
we left Sayn it had been reported that no
longer than four days were to be spent in
the rest camp at Brest. Well, once more, as
usual, we established another recoi-d. Again
we were the 'goats' and fourteen long, weary,
nerve-racking, laborious days we ground and
slaved in that camp of physical, mental, and
spiritual torture. We were on detail all the
time, day and night. And when it wasn't that
it was inspection, or bath, or some other such
bluff that some of these camp 'looies' pulled
off on us. Oh, they sure had us jumping at a
lively rate, and we'll never forget the time we
had there. We did everything fi'om mixing
cement to building duck-walks, and the last
day they had us hauling high, heavy sticks of
cord wood and laying railroad tracks. Oh, yes,
it was a rest camp all right, but our fingers
fairly itched to lay hands on the pest who in-
vented that name.
"But the grand and glorious day finally
came; and Wednesday, May 7th, found us once
more on the move. We were up at 4 a. m.,
rolled our packs, and made ready to leave.
Had our last bi'eakfast in the old kitchen. No.
14, at 5:.30. Put finishing touches to our re-
spective tents, and by 7:20 we lined up per the
passenger list, and bade our final silent adieu
to the place that had housed us for the past
two weeks.
"The packs were heavy, the way they chose
was the longest, and befoi'e we I'eached Brest
we were a tired, worn out bunch. Oh, boy!
That hike was a terror, and the one thing that
kept us keyed up was the knowledge that at
last we were 'homeward bound.' At the pier
everything worked like clock-work and once
more the Red Cross was on the job, handing
out the goods. The .3-3rd Division band played
us a number of farewell pieces, and the last
one we heard as we left the harbor in our ship
was the grand old piece, 'Homewai-d Bound.'
A 2nd 'Looie' jammed us in that little ship till
he nearly squeezed the life out of us. But we
stood for it all without a murmur. We were
RACINE COUNTY IN THE W^ORLD WAR
261
RACINE DEVICE THAT HELPED THE BOYS KEEP CLEAN
Portable field laundry, nsed by the A. E. F. that was pulled around France by a Case tractor and furnished with power
for washing by the same Racine machine. This was snapped at Is-sur-Tille by Lt. H. J. Sanders.
RACINE TRACTOR NOW USED BY THE NEAR EAST FARMERS
The picture shows American women instructing Asiatics in the operation of a Case tractor which was one of hundreds
sent to Asia Minor to aid in reconstruction work.
262
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
taking no chances. Naturally we thought a
lot, but 'mum' was the word and silence
reigned supreme. In fact the whole trip from
the Pantanazen Camp to the pier was a silent,
noiseless, songless one. We were ordered to
refrain from talking while on the march; and,
needless to say, we followed instructions. This
also made our hike seem longer and more
strenuous, because there's nothing like a song
to cheer a fellow up on a long, hai'd march. It
was about 10:45 when we left land and walked
the first gang-plank into the small vessel that
was to transport us to the battleship Virginia.
At 11:30 we walked the plank up the big fight-
ing sea-dog."
The ambulance company landed at Newport
News May 20, and after four pleasant days
at Camp Morrison, the boys entrained on a
regular American train with seats and berths
and windows for Camp Gi'ant, 111., to be mus-
tered out. This ceremony was completed on
May 29, and then thirty-five automobiles pro-
vided by Racine Commercial club members
brought the boys back to their home towii. It
was a beautiful day, and the ride was most
enjoyable. At its conclusion. Ambulance com-
pany 127 formed ranks for the last time on
Washington avenue, and under command of
Major Johnston, marched down to the center
of town between lines of cheering people and
were dismissed in the court of honor on Third
street. It was a happy and fitting conclusion
of two years of service during the greatest of
all wars.
The personnel of the Ambulance company
underwent numerous changes during its serv-
ice. A dozen men were transferred from its
ranks shortly after its arrival at Camp Doug-
las, owing to an order altering the size of
various medical units. A large proportion of
the members, however, remained on its rolls to
the time of mustering out. Sergeant James
P. Hawley was lost when the Transport Tus-
cania was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland
early in 1918, Private "Jack" Clancy, a lov-
able lad not yet out of his 'teens, died at a
hospital near Chaumont, France, Sept. 23,
191S, of pneumonia, after he had undergone
two months of service at the front. The com-
pany lost no men killed in action. Paul Hecht
and Andy Lang succumbed to illness shortly
after reaching France.
Following is the muster roll of the unit just
before it left Racine for Camp Douglas in July,
1917:
Captain — William W. Johnston.
1st Lieut. — William J. Hanley.
1st Lieut. — William F. Salbreiter.
SERGEANTS
Stoflfel. Arthur F. J.
Reis, William
Barnes. Geo. K.
Schiilte. Kohert V.
CORPORALS
Hawley, James P.
Nelson, Eniil
Zohni. Richard H.
COOKS
Reis, FVank
Mrotek. Gnst F.
Marck, Joseph A.
PRIVATES 1st CLASS
Fuller, Russell A.
Guilbert, Gordon !M.
Lange. Carroll E.
Van Rree. Harold K.
Williams. Glenn
PRIVATES
Anderson. Frank E.
Archanibault. Adelbert A,
Baldwin, Harold C.
Bax, Lambert
Behrens. Bernard C.
Bowman. Herbert J.
Brown. Herbert E.
Christensen, Arthur C.
Christensen. Andrew M.
Christensen, Herman
Clancy. John F. P.
CoUotta. Frank
Connolly. Robert
Coutu. H. J. Walter
Crook, Lester L.
Daceno, Jack
Deschler. Howard
DeVroy. Anthony J.
DeVroy. Rueben J.
Doouan. Frank P.
Durstling, William A.
Dowding. James A.
Dyer, William E.
EUingsen. Adnlph
Klingsen. Sigw;ill
Elsen. Albert J.
Engman, Edward C
Evers. Henry A.. Jr.
Evers. John R.
Falck. Victn-
FVidle. James C.
Gavahan, Lawrence
George. Harry
Gfroerer. Herbert H.
Godske, Carlyle E.
Gnthe. Walter
Graves, Jay Har ild
Greene. Guy M.
Greenman. Sterling: W.
Hall, Willard C. Jr.
Hammiller. John
Hansen. Hans C.
Hansen, Leo
Harris. Thomas R.
Hart, Eugene C.
Heidenreich, Anthony P.
Helgeson. Harry C.
Hill. Ben L.
Hill. Edward L.
Hush. William H.
Hone. Felix, Jr.
Hecht. Paul
Jaeobsen. John
Jaeobsen. Nels E.
.James, Hiram
James, John, Jr.
Jensen. Albert T.
Jensen, Martin
Jensen. Thorwald M.
Jorgensen. John
Johnson, Finer S.
•Junkhaui, Oscar J.
Kaestner. Clarence
Kasten, Homer
Kinsler. John W.
Klippel, Connie B.
Knoedler, Harold W.
Kopecky, Paul
Koprowski, Paul P.
Kulbacky, Peter
Kumisco, Konstant
Kuypers. Geo. Ei
LaCrosse, Arthur H.
Lange, Andy M.
Larsen, Chris.
Liegler. Fred Dewey
Lljida. Raimundo
Lui, Arthur
Marsch, Peter
Mav, William
McElroy, Donald
McXabb. Walter
ilcPherson. H. Alexander
^lencfeldows'ci. Edward A.
Metten. Louis JI.
Meyer. Edwin D,
ilichel, John
Mitchell, Dean
Moe. Arthur
Mullen, Lawrence M.
Murphy. Edward C.
Murphy, Jerome E.
Murphy, Raymond F.
Mnsil, William
Xelson, Chester A.
Xelson, Christ K.
Nelson, Louis P.
Xelson. Louis S.
Xiebler, Edwin M.
Xovaicky, Gabriel
Oberg. George
Olsen. Axel
Peil, Joseph W.
Petersen. J. Arthur
Peterson, Peter
Piazza, Tony
Pierce, Louis P.
Pitsch. Louis J.
Plummer. William X.
Po])lowski, Stanley E.
Prailes. Otto A.
Quella, Alov B.
Riee, Joe H.
Rockei, Charley J.
Rowley. Burt'in
Schmidt, Richard F.
Scholey. Fred A.
Schnetz. Roy J.
Sehuit, Nick
Shevel. Lawrence J.
Slammon. John J.
Smollen. Martin T.
Snyder, Henry D.
Stagwillo, Ray
Stankus. Gus.
Stewart, Lonie C.
Sugden, Charles B.
Tarr. Willis W.
Thelen. Louis H.
Thompson. Bruno
Urban, Alvin P.
Voss, AloT H.
Waller, William C.
Weber. Leo M.
White, Wallace
Wittey. Albert J.
Zarzeeki. Joseph
Zirbes. Allie M.
Larsen, Neils A.
Westrich, FVank L.
Follansbee, Earl D.
Simpson, Edward G.
Krelis. Lucas T.
Weber. Edward E.
Loehr, Edward G.
CHAPTER XXV
FACTS REGARDING VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE ARMY
RACINE county men were in almost every
division of the American army in
Prance. Some became members of
tlieir organizations intentionally through en-
listment; some were in smaller units assigned
to certain divisions; some were members of
draft contingents sent to cantonments where
divisional organizations were being completed,
and still others were "casuals" or members of
replacement detachments sent to France to
replace casualties.
In addition to these combat divisions, there
were numerous other military organizations
necessary to the operations of the army in the
field. The most important of these was the
Sei-vice of Supply, which extended from the
ports of embarkation in America to the end
of the railroads directly behind the zone of
the advance, or "the front." In the Service of
Supply (or "S. 0. S.," as it was universally
known) were scores of subsidiary organiza-
tions, such as factories, repair shops, mills,
railroad systems, warehouses, docks, labor bat-
talions, motor truck trains, arsenals, clerical
departments, a bureau to mark and care for
soldiers' graves, a secret service section, chemi-
cal research department, salvage plants, tailor
shops, butchering plants, remount depots, in-
ternational courier force, army post offices,
ti-aining centers, replacement camps, civilian
mechanics, prison camps and dozens of other
institutions required to supply the army in the
field quickly and efficiently with everything
needed, from men to harness, from shoes to
jam, from aeroplanes to bullets. Inasmuch as
every organization in the field asks constantly
for every article which it thinks might make it
more comfortable and useful, the problems of
transportation and priority of demand were
neither small nor easy of solution.
Every requisition for material of any sort
had to be foreseen and provision made to meet
it. As most of it came from America and
cargo space was very limited, it is not hard
to see why the successful functioning of the
S. 0. S. was one of the most remarkable fea-
tures of the work of the A. E. F. As an ex-
ample, American made automobiles were sup-
plied to the army. The S. O. S. had to figure
out which parts were likely to give out first,
and have plenty of spare parts on hand. These
had to come from the United States and it
would not do to use cargo space for too many
of them when every cubic foot of room was
needed for munitions, food, clothing and other
supplies. At first, many of the guesses were
pretty wild, but by the end of 1917, the S. O.
S. appeared to be using an uncanny foresight
in anticipating wants of all sorts.
One of the biggest jobs for the S. O. S. was
the transportation of troops in France. Rail-
road Transportation officers were stationed at
all railroad junction points and important cen-
ters to direct troop trains and arrange for the
care of men and horses en route. As a freight
train could only carry one battery of artillery
or three companies of infantry it can be seen
that the problem of moving divisions of 28,000
men around was no small undertaking in it-
self.
The combat divisions of the army in France
were forty-two in number. Not all of these
reached the lines in time to participate in
actual hostilities. Most of them, however, had
some experience at least in quiet sectors.
The offensive operations with which the
American forces were identified were officially-
classified as follows:
Ypres-Lys — From Aug. 19 to Nov. 11, 1918.
The fighting was done in the vicinity of Ypres,
Lille and Armentieres. American divisions en-
gaged were the 27th, 30th, 37th and 91st.
Champagne-Marne — From July 15 to July
18, 1918. Near the Rheims-Paris highway west
of Chateau-Thierry. Divisions engaged were
the 2nd and ."rd, with the 28th in reserve.
Aisne-Marne — From July 18 to Aug. 6.
From the semi-circle through Rheims, Chateau-
264
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Thierry and Soissons, north to the Vesle river.
Divisions engaged, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 26th,
28th, 32nd.
Somme — From Amiens and Montdidier north-
east between Laon and Cambrai, from Aug. 8
to Nov. 11. Divisions engaged, 27th 30th and
part of 33rd.
Oise-Aisne — Aug. 18 to Nov. 11. From Sois-
sons and the line of the Vesle river north-east.
Divisions engaged, 28th, 32nd, 77th.
St. Mihiel— From Sept. 12 to Sept. 18. From
St. Mihiel east, north-east and north. Divi-
sions engaged, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 26th, 42nd,
82nd, 89th, 90th, with the 33rd, 3rd, 35th, 78th,
80th and 91st in reserve. The objectives were
reached before it was necessary to call on the
reserve divisions for relief.
Meuse-Argonne — From Sept. 26 to Nov. 11.
From a line eastward from Verdun through the
Argonne forest, almost straight north to Se-
dan. At the close of hostilities, the American
fi'ont line ran from Sedan in a south-easterly
direction to a point on the Meuse river north
of Verdun, and then south a few miles, then
east toward Metz, then south-east to the Swiss
border, through Alsace-Lorraine.
In addition to the divisions named, the War
department records show that some time was
spent in quiet sectors by the 92nd, 6th, 81st,
88th and some units of the 41st, 83rd, 85th,
7th, 8th and 76th. Those listed as not having
reached any portion of the front but which
were training for battle in Finance, were the
40th, 39th, 87th, 86th, 84th, 34th, 38th and
31st.
Statistics relative to the number of days
spent in battle by each division, and published
on another page, are intended to refer to di-
visional organizations as a whole. Some regi-
ments saw more actual service than others.
Artillery regiments generally stayed in the
lines continuously, supporting new divisions
when their ovm infantry was relieved tempo-
rarily. No field artillery is known to have re-
ceived more than a total of ten days' rest from
the time they first entered the zone of the ad-
vance until the end of the war, excepting as
they might have to leave the lines to transfer
from one sector to another. They could stand
it, as their living conditions wei'e not as nerve-
racking as those under which infantry existed
during an ofi'ensive.
The army divisions bearing numbers from 1
to 15 were nominally Regular Army organiza-
tions. Those numbered from 25 to 50 were
National Guard divisions. Those numbered
above 50 were made up of drafted men. In the
National Guard and National army divisions,
the infantry regiments were numbered consecu-
tively in accordance with their divisional af-
filiations and as there were four infantry regi-
ments to a division it is possible to tell what
division a regiment belonged by dividing its
numerical designation by 4. If the answer
contains a fraction, take the next largest
whole number. Thus, to determine what divi-
sion the 339th Infantry belonged to, divide by
4, which gives 84%. Taking the next larger
whole number, you have 85, the number of the
division to which the regiment belonged. This
rule does not apply to Regular Army regi-
ments, as many of them were known by their
old designations.
The two overseas divisions which contained
the largest number of Racine county men were
the 32nd and the 85th, the first a National
Guard and the other a National Army unit.
The Thirty-second division, composed of
Michigan and Wisconsin men, went overseas
in January, February and March, 1918. After
two months of intensive training it took its
place in the lines in Alsace in June and re-
mained there until the Aisne-Mai-ne offensive
began. As its field of activities were across
the German frontier as established in 1871, it
was the first American division to fight on
German soil. I,ate in July it was sent to the
vicinity of Chateau-Thierry to join in the of-
fensive operations, and won high praise for
its work in that bloody affair.
On the night of July 29-30 the 64th infantry
brigade relieved the 3d U. S. division on the
Ourcq in the vicinity of Rencheres. The 3d
had been fighting continuously since the Ger-
man offensive started two weeks before and
it was up to the 32d to overcome strong Ger-
man resistance in the Bois de Gi'inipettes.
Just three and a half hours after the sector
had been taken over troops of the 127th in-
fantry followed a rolling barrage and went
over the top into the wood. They pushed
through until they were stopped by machine
gun fire from the right flank, but they gained
the edge of the Cierges wood and established
themselves there.
Just before midnight the enemy delivered a
counter attack, but in a fiei'ce bayonet combat
the Americans won. Heavy shelling followed,
but during the night the 63d infantry brigade
relieved the 28th division on the right, and on
the morning of July 31 the two brigades of the
32d, side by side, attacked to capture the vil-
lage of Cierges and Hill 212.
After a brief artillery preparation, the ad-
vance was made under the protection of a bar-
rage. On the left the 63d infantry brigade
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
265
Photos by Leonard-BilHngs-Pavek
Top Row — Gustav C. Peters, Chas. Plocek, Earl Ray, Carl James, George Noe, H. W. Lewis.
Second — Holger Larson, Carl Schulte, Wm. Fred Mau. Michael Welch, Walter Draeger, A. Brown.
Third — Robt. Jorgenson, Harry P. Newell, George Bridgman, John Nyberg, Harry Heneman, Wm. D. Brown.
Fourth — John B. Gilday, Herbert E. Brown, Carl Zager, Stephen S. Brown, Wm. T. Droysen. Viggo Helding.
Bottom — Julius Pavek, Earl Shepston. Byron A. Gere, Philo E. Harpster, Louis Kraft, E. A. Rodiger.
266
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
promptly reached its objective, Hill 212, and
on the right the 127th infantry took and passed
beyond the village of Cierges, where it was
held up by a heavy fire from Bellevue farm,
a strong center of resistance.
This position could not be taken by a frontal
attack, but the right flank of the 64th brigade
succeeded in filtrating through as far as Hill
230. This was a fire swept salient in a short
time, as French troops on the right could not
advance to straighten the front. A withdrawal
was effected from the hill and a position was
taken up on the reverse slope between Cierges
and Bellevue farm.
The line of the Ourcq had not been broken,
but it was badly battered, and Maj. Gen. Haan
decided to attack along his entire front on the
morning of Aug. 1. That attack captured both
the Bois de la Planchette and Hill 230, maneu-
vered the boche out of Bellevue farm, and gave
the division the key to the entire enemy line
north of the Ourcq.
When Hill 230 fell the Germans were forced
to retreat, and during that night information
was obtained showing they pushed their re-
tirement with great rapidity. Therefore the
commander of the 6th French ai-my ordered a
consolidated advance for the following morning
— Aug. 2.
Progress was I'apid. Early in the day the
32d reached its objective on a line south of
Chamery, but the pursuit was pressed ener-
getically onward to north of the village of
Dravegny. This was reached at nightfall after
an advance of approximately six kilometers.
The pursuit was resumed the following
morning, and at the end of the day the Michi-
gan-Wisconsin men had gone another seven
kilometers to the hills overlooking the valley
of the Vesle. Continuous streams of artillery
and machine gun fire were poured in by the
Germans from the heights north of the river,
but at midnight came orders to advance to the
river and provide means for crossing it.
The 63d infantry brigade attacked the rail-
road yards on their front and in spite of the
heaviest resistance took them in the late after-
noon, and succeeded in getting a few small
patrols across the river during the night, but
were unable to maintain them there and they
were withdrawn.
At 3 p. m. the 127th moved out from St.
Gillies toward Fismes. During the attack it
was badly cut up and late in the day Col.
Langdon organized a provisional battalion out
of what was left of his regiment and sent it
forward to storm the town. After a desperate
assault the battalion succeeded, about night-
fall, in passing through the city and establish-
ing itself on the south bank of the river.
In the morning, Aug. 5, these troops mopped
up the west half of the town and attempted to
cross the river. That night the 3d battalion
of the 128th — the only strong battalion left in
the brigade — came up as reinforcements, and
on the morning of Aug. 6 relieved the 127th.
This battalion continued to mop up Fismes.
In the eastern part of the town German and
American patrols fought throughout the day,
but by nightfall the Americans completely oc-
cupied the town.
During the night the 28th division took over
the sector from the 32d and relieved the 128th
in Fismes the morning of August 7th. The
32nd division artillery remained at the front
for two weeks more, however.
In the seven days of fighting the Michigan-
Wisconsin troops had gained nineteen kilo-
meters, had broken through the strong German
line on the Ourcq, had stormed, taken, and
held the city of Fismes, and had completely
occupied the south bank of the Vesle.
The Thirty-second division next saw heavy
action on the Oise-Aisne front as a part of the
Tenth French army under Gen. Mangin.
On the night of Aug. 27 it relieved the 127th
French division and at once received orders to
attack in liaison with the French.
The 63d infantry brigade in the front line
promptly gained its objective, the railroad
tracks west of Juvigny, lying facing the enemy
on high, open ground on the slope of a hill
containing little cover except shell holes,
where the men were subjected to steady artil-
lery and machine gun fire.
Shortly after noon the enemy delivei'ed a
counter attack, but it was stopped by artillery
and machine gun fire, and orders were issued
by Gen. Mangin for a general attack at 5:25
the following morning — Aug. 29.
The enemy machine gun strength was so
great that the artillery preparation failed to
silence them, and the barrage did not keep
them from operating as the infantry advanced.
The 125th infantry made a slight advance and
captured a few prisoners on the left. On the
right the 126th in isolated groups crossed the
jumping off line and penetrated deeply into the
woods, but it was impossible to bring the whole
line up. No real advance was made, and this
was true of the entire army. Casualties were
severe.
The front line was thinned out, but the posi-
tion was not favorable. Arrangements were
made to improve it by taking the woods south-
west of .Juvigny, but corps orders directed that
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
267
Photos by Leonard-Billings
Top Row — C. O. Driver. John Ronsholdt. C. Marquette. L. F. Harter, E. Zlevors, Howard Layton. Walter G. Williams.
Second — Elmer C. Peterson. Z. Piotrowski, A. J. Krueger, Stephen Gurski. F. A. Schultz. E. G. Simpson, J. V. Hood.
Third— J. H. Heusdens. S. G. HultberE. Harry Augustine. O. C. Lange, E. O. Jones, H. L. Gebhardt. Frank Sheffield.
Fourth — James Bie, John Halvorsen. Orrin Layton. Harold Homl. J. A. Carpenter, A. E. Poulson. Alfred Ball.
Fifth — Wm. Gulbrandsen. E. Larsen. Aage Larsen. A. J. Sarenson. Axel Olsen. M. J. Bohn. Jesse Bowman.
Bottom — Kenneth Nelson. Louis Rulfalo. Ray W. Jones. E. J. DeMars, Allen Pederson. Julius Strauss, Wm. Frey.
268
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
it be withheld in view of a general attack to be
made the next morning. But that attack wa&
not ordered. Instead the Wisconsin-Michigan
men lay exposed on the hillside until word was
received that the 59th French division had
penetrated the German line on the right and
corps orders directed the 32d to advance in
liaison ■with that organization.
This gave the desired opportunity to attack
at Juvigny, and with the 64th brigade in the
front line the 32d made its way through a ra-
vine to a position south of the town, partly
enveloping it to the east. One battalion of the
128th infantry moved forward west of Ju-
vigny and finally reached a position to the
north of the town. In this way it was practi-
cally surrounded.
A heavy counter attack failed to check the
movement, and troops from the 127th entered
it from the southwest and mopped up after
considerable bloody fighting. The town was in
American hands for some time before enemy
shells began to fall in it, doubtless because the
enemy did not know it had been captured.
On the following morning — Aug. 31 — the
front line of the 82d was considerably in ad-
vance of the divisions on its right and left,
and from this position it led a general attack
at 4 a. m., following artillery preparation that
had begun at midnight. Arrangement of a
triple barrage across the broken front was diffi-
cult, but it was accomplished successfully and
progress across the whole front continued un-
til the division reached the Terney Sorney-
Bethancourt road.
On the extreme right of the sector, however,
in ravines and sheltered places, machine gun
nests held up the division on the right of the
32d and some of its own forces. The general
advance stopped and infiltration was used to
capture machine gun nests and other strong
points on the right. But the time was too
short. Darkness fell and the position held was
reorganized for further operations the next
day.
In the morning further attempts were made
to improve the positions, and a number of ma-
chine gun nests were cleaned out. An effort
was made to assist the 59th French division
to come up on the right, and this task was
under way when orders came for the relief of
the 32d by the 1st Moroccan division.
In this operation the Wisconsin-Michigan
outfit attacked a strong enemy well supported
by artillery and intrenched in highly organized
positions in a country naturally lending itself
to defense, had again broken through a German
key position, had penetrated his line to a
depth of five and one-half kilometers and start-
ed an enemy withdrawal, thus paving the way
for a forward movement by the whole 10th
French army, which ultimately outflanked the
German positions on the Vesle and the Chemin
des Dames.
On Sept. 5 the 32d division received orders
to join the 1st American army, which then was
preparing for the big offensive at St. Mihiel
and in the Argonne.
Moving to a rest area at Joinville, north of
Chaumont, it received replacements and began
training them, but the training had not prog-
ressed more than eight days 'when orders
came to move forward as a reserve unit. At
once it was moved to the Verdun front and as-
signed as reserve to the 5th army corps.
On Sept. 26 it was directed to occupy as a
garrison the original front of this corps, which
that morning had gone over the top and at-
tacked the enemy in the Argonne. The two in-
fantry brigades were placed about four kilo-
meters south of what for four years had been
No Man's land, and in that position at 6:30
p. m. on Sept. 29 were ordered to proceed at
once to the vicinity of Ivory and relieve as far
as possible that night the part of the 37th di-
vision then in the front line.
One hour after the orders came both bri-
gades were under way. It was a rainy night,
and the roads were so bad that nothing but
the lightest vehicles could be taken across No
Man's land in the darkness. But the infantry
marched all night, covering from eleven to
eighteen kilometers. The relief was completed
the night of Sept. 30, so that on the morning
of Oct. 1 the 32d occupied the sector, with a
front line, extending east and west about four
kilometers, lying half a kilometer south of the
village of Cierges.
The position was a bad one, and it had been
slightly improved by carrying the front line
up beyond the village, when the division was
shifted to the left to relieve the 91st.
Improvement of this position by an advance
of one kilometer put the 64th brigade almost in
front of well placed, well protected enemy ma-
chine gun nests in the Bois de la Morine. The
brigade made an attempt to take these woods
virithout artillery preparation, but, although
some progress was made, it was found neces-
sary to wait for a deep artillery barrage.
Then, with gas and flame troops and a sec-
tion of tanks, both brigades attacked on the
morning of Oct. 5. The Bois de la Morine was
ovemvhelmed and the machine guns wiped out,
and the attack was shifted toward the north
and the Bois de Chene Sec. There was hand
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
269
Rephoto by John Hood
Top Row — Geo. R. McCourt. D. Dorgcs. Louis Borserson. I. Saskowski. Harry DeWUde. G. A. Gatzke Peter Larson
Second— Alex Safake. Frank Francis. Peter Hanson. G. F. Farduti, Arthur Lemke, Peter Kuldacky, Cerbell Peterson
Third— Harry Harvey. John James Jr... H. E. Cooper. Wm. Funk, W. G. Zacharias, Joseph Stegner. Mclvin E Hart
l.?»1u T •T,*';.^i.''^""- ^- ^ Doolin. F. K. Cicero. Alfred H. Sorenson. Louis Williams, Rasmus Sabel, Walter C. Jensen-
*ifth— A. B. HoR-man. Burton M. Anderson, Art Price, Louis Swenson, W. A. Hart. Ben Sigcln. Clarence Jacobson.
Hottom— Edw. krupp, Dommick Pozzi. Vested Jensen. Carl C. Jensen, Herman Christensen, Harry O Johnson
270
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
to hand fighting in these woods, but they also
finally were mopped up and the advance pro-
ceeded as far as the strong enemy positions on
Hill 255 and Hill 269. Two days then were
spent in reducing the strong points in the Ger-
man line.
The division was ordered forward November
5th minus the artillery brigade, which had to be
withdrawn because of the heavy casualties to
horses. Tractors were borrowed to get the
field guns back to a I'eserve area to be re-
equipped. The armistice found the balance of
the division still in the lines advancing toward
Sedan. It later went into Germany as a part
of the army of occupation.
The Eighty-fifth division, which contained
several hundred men from Racine county and
vicinity, was organized at Camp Custer, Mich.
All of the first, second and third draft con-
tingents from the lake shore counties of Wis-
consin became part of the division, and most
of the Racine county contingent were in the
340th infantry. Company D of that regiment
was made up of soldiers from Racine county
and Port Washington.
The division was at full strength late in No-
vember, 1917, but its training was interfered
with by the fact that it began to function as a
replacement division almost immediately. A
large contingent was sent to the 89th division
at Camp Pike in November, and many of these
men were in action in France in the St. Mihiel
drive in the following September, and later
in the Meuse-Argonne battle. Forty-five men
from Company D were sent to the Fourth di-
vision at Camp Green in December, and these
were fighting as early as August, 1918. In
April, 1918, Co. D was filled with recruits from
■Camp Grant and another contingent of Racine
men arrived and were assigned to the 337th
Infantry. Other replacements were sent away,
and in June more new men arrived and were
given a strenuous two weeks' drill on the
field and at the rifle range. On July 15 the
division began its movement overseas from
Camp Mills. The 340th infantry embarked
late in July on the Corinthic, landed at Lon-
don after a voyage of seventeen days and
camped at Romsey for three days. Then it
was transpoi'ted across the channel to Le
Havre where it was joined by the 335th in-
fantry. They were sent to a training center
at Veaugues, near Bourges and again began
to function as a replacement division for or-
ganizations in the lines. It was only a skele-
ton of its former self when ordered to take
position in the lines in the Toul sector on Nov.
'7. It arrived there too late to see any fight-
ing. The division was filled by replacements
in November, and returned to America in
April, 1919, a fairly complete organization.
One regiment, the 339th, was detached from
the division in England and sent, with the
310th Engineer battalion, to Archangel for
service in northern Russia. They were joined
there by the 337th Ambulance Company and
337th field hospital unit. The expedition land-
ed in Russia the fii'st week of September, 1918.
They found British and French contingents
there. They were supposed to guard Allied
stores; prevent any German activities on the
White sea coast and assist the Russians to
combat the revolutionists and reorganize an
army for use on the German front.
The supplies were all stolen, burned or lost
before the Allied ti'oops arrived. No sign
was found of the German White sea expedi-
tion. The Russian people didn't seem to have
any desire to light the revolutionists, or Bol-
shevikis. So the Allies decided they would
have to do it themselves.
The Allied lines formed a semi-circle around
Archangel, the radius being from 120 to 300
miles. Up to Nov. 11 the lines had been ad-
vanced from 20 to 75 miles without there being
any change in the general situation. The Arc-
tic winter swooped down upon the land. On
Dec. 31 the allies planned an ofi'ensive but the
"Bolos," as the enemy was nicknamed, beat
off the attack and later drove the Americans
back several miles by a great superiority in
men and artillery, on the Vaga front. There
was nothing but guerilla warfare from then
to May, when the Americans left for home.
Americans lost in 9 months 104 killed, 337
wounded, and 80 died of disease and accident.
There were many hardships connected with
the expedition which were unique in American
army history but the soldiers thei'e were repaid
by the memory of an interesting service well
performed.
Semi-official records of all the divisions in
the army were prepared before the departure
of the troops for home, and a summary of
these records is published here. There is also
given a description of the shoulder insignia
worn by the members of the various divisions.
Many interesting stories are back of the selec-
tion of these insignia. State traditions, sym-
bolical emblems, conditions in training camps,
citations, and numerous other things offered in-
spiration for them. The insignia were worn
on the left arm just below the shoulder, and
were intended to facilitate the rapid rallying
of troops when scattered on the road, in battle
or elsewhere. Soldiers in France became very
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
271
BROTHERS WHO SERVED IN THE WORLD'S GREATEST CONFLICT
Six boys went from the Corbeil family of Burlington. They are the three at the left and three at the rieht of the upper
portion of the picture. At left (I) Oliver S . (II) G. Arthur. (Ill) Eric T. ; at riffht (IV) George S . (V) Charles D. and
(VI) Elmer D. The top center consists of Norbert M.. Ralph J. and Raymond M. Zinnen. Below them are Harold.
Irving, Ben and Louis Shaw. The four larger pictures at bottom are (I) E. A., (II) Atwood. (Ill) Charles and (IV)
Fred Merrill. Howard O. Manchester is the small picture a! left and Russell H. Manchester the small picture at right.
272
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
proud of the emblems, as is natural when it is
recalled that most Yanks got the idea that their
particular division was doing most of the real
fighting and that if "the division on the left"
had only done its part the war would have
been finished in a week. In fact military units
were so large, that troops seldom knew or
cared what divisions were on the right or left,
or what corps or army they belonged to them-
selves. The division was the largest organi-
zation with which they had time to become
familiar.
The insignia were usually of brilliant colors
and easily distinguished. Most of them were
issued ready for sevHng on the uniforms, hav-
ing previously been mounted upon a patch of
O. D. cloth about three inches square. Official
authorization was never given for shoulder in-
signia in America, but some divisions designed
theirs before getting sailing orders.
Following are the records of the divisions.
Due allowance must be made for the fact
that, while units were organized of certain
troops in America, the personnel underwent
frequent changes due to casualties and trans-
fer's.
FIRST DIVISION.
Regular Army: Division Headquarters ar-
rived in France June 27, 1917. Activities:
Sommerville sector, ten kilometers southeast
of Nancy, October 21 to November 20, 1917;
Ansauville sector, January 15 to April 3, 1918;
Cantigny sector, April 25 to July 7 (battle of
Cantigny, May 28 to 30); Soissons operation,
Marne counter-offensive, July 18 to 24; Saz-
erais sector, August 7 to 24; St. Mihiel opera-
tion, September 12 and 13; Argonne-Meuse of-
fensive, October 1 to 12; operations against
Mouzon, November 5 and 6; operation south
and southwest of Sedan, November 7 and 8;
march on Coblenz bridgehead, November 17 to
December 15, 1918.
Prisoners captured: 165 officers, 6,304 men.
Total advance against resistance, 51 kilo-
meters.
Division Insignia: Crimson figure "1" on
khaki background. Chosen because the numer-
al "'1" represents the number of the division
and many of its subsidiary organizations.
Also, as proudly claimed, because it was the
"First Division in France;" first in sector; first
to fire a shot at the Germans; first to attack;
first to conduct a raid; first to be raided; first
to capture prisoners; first to inflict casualties;
first to suffer casualties; first to be cited singly
in General Orders.
SECOND DIVISION.
Regular Army: Divisional Headquarters es-
tablished in France October 26, 1917. Activi-
ties: Verdun and Toul-Troyon sectors, March
15 to May 14, 1918; sector northwest of Cha-
teau-Thierry (almost continuous heavy fight-
ing). May 31 to July 9; Soissons sector, Marne
counter-offensive, July 18 to 20; Marbache sec-
tor, August 9 to 24; St. Mihiel sector and op-
eration, September 9 to 16; Blanc Mont sector
and advance in Champagne, September 30 to
October 9; Argonne-Meuse offensive, October
30 to November 11, 1918.
Prisoners captured: 228 officers, 11,738 men.
Guns captured, 343 pieces of artillery, 1,350
machine guns. Total advance on front line,
60 kilometers.
Insignia: Indian head, with background,
star and shield, with colors varying accoi'ding
to unit. Creation of a truck driver who prac-
ticed on the side of his ti'uck with such suc-
cess that the design he had drawn evolved
into the insignia of the division.
The second division included two regiments
of marines.
THIRD DIVISION.
Regular Army: Division Headquarters ar-
rived in France April 4, 1918. Activities:
Chateau-Thierry sector, May 31 to July 30
(battle operations May 31 to June 4 and July
15 to 30); St. Mihiel sector (corps reserve),
September 10 to 14; Argonne-Meuse offensive,
September 30 to October 27; mai'ch on Rhine,
November 14.
Prisoners captured: 31 officers, 2,209 men.
Guns captured: 51 pieces of artillery, 1,501
machine guns. Total advance on front line:
41 kilometers.
Insignia: Three white stripes diagonally
superimposed upon a square field of royal
blue. The three stripes are symbolic of the
three major operations in which the division
participated — the Marne, St. Mihiel and the
Argonne-Meuse. The blue field is a symbol
for those who have died.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Regular Army: Division Headquai"ters ar-
rived in France, May 17, 1918. Activities:
Marne counter-offensive, July 18 to 21 (bri-
gaded with 6th French Army), vicinity of
Noroy and Hautevesnes; Vesle sector (almost
continuous heavy fighting), August 2 to 12;
St. Mihiel sector, near Watronville-Treseau-
vaux (in reserve), September 6 to 13; Ar-
gonne-Meuse offensive, September 25 to Oc-
tober 19.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
273
Top Row— A. S. Petersen, L. B. Niesen, L. Darnstaedt. H. F. Rapp, Oscar LeClair, John Hosp. E E Thery.
Second — Art Olson. H. J. Van Bree. Victor Buisse. E. Schumacher, Petro Pisa, Hans Heldine, Chas. Jandl.
Third — Frank Yilek. Paul A. Hanson. Howard L. Ward. Gust Kuhnwold, C. W. Lane. Elmer Sahs. Harry Potter.
Fourth — Natale Giardina. F. W. Easlon. Holt Byron, Harold Rapp, W. F. Ehrlich, D. Cilletti. A. H. Townsend.
Fifth — Herman Diem. Edw. F. Rapp. Stanley Rose. August Bicha, F. J. Meyer. Raymond C .Rasmussen. Einer Simonsen.
Bottom — T. F. Schlender. Laurence Jensen. Louis \V. Clark. R. H. Haasc. Arthur Bicha. Harry Connolly, Dominick Walls.
274
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Prisoners captured: 72 officers, 2,684 men.
Guns captured: 44 pieces of artillery, 31 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line, 24%
kilometers.
Insignia: Four green leaves of ivy superim-
posed upon a diamond of olive drab. The four
leaves represent the number of the division.
FIFTH DIVISION.
Regular Army: Arrived in France May 1,
1918. Activities: Anould sector, June 15 to
July 16; St. Di6 sector, July 16 to August 23;
St. Mihiel operation, September 11 to 17; Ar-
gonne-Meuse offensive, October 12 to 22; Ar-
gonne-Meuse offensive (second time in), Oc-
tober 27 to November 14.
Prisoners captured: 48 oflTicers, 2,357 men.
Guns captured: 98 pieces of artillery, 802 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line: 29
kilometers.
Insignia: Red diamond.
SIXTH DIVISION.
Regular Army: Arrived in France July 23,
1918. Activities: Gerardmer sector, Sept. 3
to Oct. 13; Argonne-Meuse offensive (First
Army Corps Reserve), Nov. 1.
Insignia: Six pointed star of red cloth,
with blue figure "6" superimposed.
SEVENTH DIVISION.
Regular Army: Arrived in France, August
11, 1918, Activities: Puvenelle sector, Lor-
raine, October 9 to 29; Puvenelle sector, ex-
tended, October 29 to November 11, 1918.
Prisoners captured: One officer, 68 men.
Guns eaptui'ed: 28 machine guns. Total ad-
vance on front line, % kilometer.
Insignia: Two triangles in black on red
base. Design supposed to have developed out
of the numeral seven, one numeral up and the
other down and reversed, making two tri-
angles.
EIGHTH DIVISION.
Regulars: Organized at Camp Fremont,
California, in December, 1917. When the arm-
istice was signed the ai'tillery, engineers, and
one regiment of infantry (the Eighth, later on
duty at Coblenz) had left for France. The
remainder of the division was at the port ready
to leave, but, as all troop movements were at
once suspended, the division complete never
reached France. Nevertheless, it lost 6 men
killed and 29 wounded. It received the name
of the Pathfinder Division, which is repi'esent-
ed in the insignia by the gold aiTow, pointed
upward.
TENTH DIVISION.
Regulars: Organized at Camp Funston in
August, 1918. It never reached France.
ELEVENTH DIVISION.
Regulars: Organized at Camp Meade,
Maryland, in August, 1918, and, like all divi-
sions numbered from 9 to 20, inclusive (several
of which chose no insignia), it never left the
United States. It became known as the Lafay-
ette Division, the profile of the Revolutionary
hero being represented in the insignia.
TWELFTH DIVISION.
Organized at Camp Devens in July, 1918,
and took the name of the Plymouth Division
because it was recruited mainly from the New
England States.
THIRTEENTH DIVISION.
Organized at Camp Lewis, Washington, in
September, 1918. The device includes the two
proverbial "bad luck" symbols, the figure 13
and a black cat, surrounded by the "good
luck" horseshoe, indicative of the doughboy's
confidence in his ability to overcome all hoo-
doos.
FOURTEENTH DIVISION.
Organized at Camp Custer, Mich., in July,
1918, and took the name of the Wolverine Di-
vision, those animals having been very com-
mon in Michigan in early days. The head of a
wolverine appears on the insignia.
EIGHTEENTH DIVISION.
Organized at Camp Travis, Texas, in August,
1918, and acquired the name of the Cactus Di-
vision, which appears on the insignia, together
with the Latin motto meaning: "Touch me
not."
TWENTY-SIXTH DIVISION.
National Guard of New England: Arrived
in France December 5, 1917. Activities: Chem-
in des Dames sector, February 6 to March
21, 1918; La Reine and Boucq sector, April 3
to June 28; Pas Fini sector (northwest of
Chateau-Thierry), July 10 to 25 (battle opera-
tions July 18 to 25); Rupt and Troyon sector,
September 8 to October 8 (St. Mihiel opera-
tion, September 12 to 14); Neptune sector
(north of Verdun), October 18 to November
14 (Argonne-Meuse offensive).
Prisoners captured: 61 officers, 3,087 men.
Guns captured: 16 pieces of artillery, 132 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line: 37
kilometers.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
275
RACINE WOMEN WHO SERVED WITH THE ARMIES OF UNCLE SAM
In the upper row are Emma Hanson, A. B. Schmidt and Mabel C. Wilton. In the center are Gertrude Davis Smith,
Miss Hanson and Florence Jelliffe. At the lower left hand are Clara WegRe and Elizabeth Cahoon ; in the center Marjorie
Morey and at the riffht are Josephine Johnson and Helen Siwyer.
276
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Insignia: Dark blue "YD" monogram super-
imposed on diamond of khaki cloth. The ini-
tials represent the nickname of the division
which, since its arrival overseas, had been
known as the "Yankee Division."
TWENTY-SEVENTH DIVISION.
National Guard of New York: Arrived in
France May 10, 1918. Activities: East Poper-
inghe line, Belgium (four battalions at a time),
July 9 to September .3; Dickebush sector, Bel-
gium, August 24 to September 3 (operation of
Vierstrast Ridge, August 31 to September 2);
Hindenburg line, France, September 24 to Oc-
tober 1 (operation at Canal tunnel, Bellicourt
and east, September 27 to 30); St. Souplet
sector, October 12 to 20 (Selle river, October
17); Jonc de Mer Bridge, October 18; St.
Maurice River, October 19 to 21.
Prisoners captured: 65 officers, 2,292 men.
Total advance on front line, 11 kilometers.
Insignia: Black circle with red border, with
monogram N.Y.D. superimposed — New York
Division — and seven red stars. The stars rep-
resent the constellation Orion and were chosen
in honor of Major General O'Ryan, who has
commanded the division during the last seven
years.
TWENTY-EIGHTH DIVISION.
National Guard of Pennsylvania: Arrived
in France May 18, 1918. Activities: Sector
southeast of Chateau-Thierry (corps reserve),
June 30 to July 31 (battle operations, July 15
to 18 and July 28 to 30); Vesle sector, August
7 to September 8 (almost continuous heavy
fighting) ; Argonne-Meuse offensive, September
26 to October 9; Thiaucourt sector, October 16
to November 11.
Prisoners captured: Ten officers, 911 men.
Guns captured: 16 pieces of artillery, 63 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line: Ten
kilometers.
Insignia: Keystone of red cloth.
TWENTY-NINTH DIVISION.
National Guai-d of Maryland, New Jersey,
Delaware, Virginia and District of Columbia:
Arrived in France June 27, 1918. Activities:
Center sector, Haute Alsace, July 25 to Sep-
tember 22; Grand Montagne sector, north of
Verdun, October 7 to 30.
Prisoners captured: 2,187 officers and men.
Guns captured: 21 pieces of artillery and 250
machine guns. Total advance on front line:
Seven kilometers.
Insignia: Blue and gray; design copied
from the Korean symbol of good luck. Colors
repi'esent union in arms of North and South.
THIRTIETH DIVISION.
National Guard of North and South Carolina
and Tennessee: Arrived in France May 24,
1918. Activities: Canal sector, south of
Ypres, (brigaded with British), July 16 to
August 17; Canal sector, south of Ypres (under
own command), August 17 to September 4;
Gouy-Nauroy sector, September 23 to October
2 (battle operations); Beaurevoir sector, Oc-
tober 3 to 12 (battle operations); Le Cateau
sector, October 16 to 20 (battle operations).
Prisoners captured: 98 officers, 3,750 men.
Guns captured: 81 pieces of artillery, 426 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line, 29%
kilometers.
Insignia: Monogram in blue, the letter "O"
surrounding the letter "H," with three "X's,"
(Roman numerals for 30) forming the cross
bar of the letter "H," all on a maroon back-
ground. The design is a tribute to Andrew
Jackson, "Old Hickory."
THIRTY-SECOND DIVISION.
National Guard of Michigan and Wisconsin:
.\rrived in France February 20, 1918. Activi-
ties: Alsace front, May 18 to July 21; Fismes
front, July 30 to August 7 (advance from the
Ourcq to the Vesle); Soissons front, August
28 to September 2 (battle of Juvigny); Ar-
gonne-Meuse offensive, September 30 to Oc-
tober 20 (operations against Kriemhilde Stel-
lung); front east of the Meuse, Dun-sur-
Meuse, November 8 to 11; Army of Occupa-
tion from November 17.
Prisoners captured: 40 officers, 2,113 men.
Guns captured: 21 pieces of artillery, 190
machine guns. Total advance on front line:
36 kilometers.
The artillery of this division was in action
81 days.
Insignia: Barred arrow of red, chosen be-
cause they "shot through every line the Boche
put before them."
THIRTY-FIRST DIVISION.
National Guard of Georgia, Alabama, and
Florida. Organized at Camp Wheeler, Georgia.
It went to France in October, 1918, and never
entered the line. The insignia stands for the
initials of the nickname, the Dixie Division,
and was used for marking the baggage as early
as November, 1917.
THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION.
National Guard of Illinois, West Virginia:
Arrived in France May 24, 1918. Activities:
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
277
Rephoto by John Hood
Top Row — Jules DeGraeve. John J. Kropp. Joseph Briet, Fred Seivall, Steven Filochowski, M. Andersen, Joe Kowalskv.
Second—A. E. Chamberlain. Emil O. Nelson, B. Olson, W. J. Schlictlng. Elmer Hanson, C. S. Sondergaard. Bert Jensen.
Third— Henry Larsen. Robt. L. Malone. E M. Jacquet. Roland V. Malone, Geo. Jerstad, Peter J. Hedera. Frank Zahorik.
Fourth — Louis A. Singer, R. J. Buckley, Art J. Christianson, O. Petersen, Ralph Mangold, F. Maciejewski, F. H. Layton.
Fifth — Martin Nelson, John J. Reed, W. L. Finlayson, Herbert C. Jensen, Clarence Dahlen, Maurice Jensen. Reinholt Ager.
Bottom — J. E. Draginis, Hiram G. Jones, Victor Rasmussen, Chas. Nestril, W. R. Krueger. A. P. Mochartis, E. W. Seller.
278
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Amiens sector (with Australians), July 21 to
August 18; Verdun sector, September 9 to Oc-
tober 17; St. Mihiel sector, November 7 to 11.
Prisoners captured: 65 officers, 3,922 men.
Guns captured: 93 pieces of artillery, 414 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line: 36
kilometers (made by units of one regiment or
less).
Insignia: Yellow cross on black circle, a
combination of the divisional colors, yellow
chosen because it was the only color paint
available in Texas when the division was as-
sembling its equipment. The cross, long used
to mark Government property, had a terrifying
effect on the Philippine natives.
THIRTY -FOURTH DIVISION.
National Guard of Iowa, Minnesota, Ne-
braska and North Dakota. Insignia: Black
oval encircling red bovine skull, a convention-
alization of the Mexican olla or water flask,
the whole design reminiscent of the Camp Cody
country in New Mexico where the division
trained.
THIRTY-FIFTH DIVISION.
National Guard of Missouri and Kansas: Ar-
rived in France May 11, 1918. Activities:
North sector of Wesserling sector, Vosges (one
brigade), July 1 to 27; North sector of Wesser-
ling sector, Vosges, with Garibaldi sub-sec-
tor (under division command) July 27 to
August 14; Gerardmer south sub-sector added,
August 14 to September 2; Argonne-Meuse of-
fensive (Grange-le-Comte sector), September
21 to October 1; Somme-Dieue sector, October
1.5 to November 7.
Prisoners captured: 13 officers, 768 men.
Guns captured: 24 pieces of artillery, 85 ma-
chine guns. Total advance on front line, 12 ¥2
kilometers.
Insignia: Santa Fe cross within two circles
of varying colors, the outer one divided into
four arcs. The design was chosen because the
old Santa Fe trail started westward from a
point near the Missouri-Kansas line.
THIRTY-SIXTH DIVISION.
National Guard of Texas and Oklahoma. Di-
visional headquarters arrived in France July
31, 1918. Activities: Blanc Mont sector,
north of Sonnne-Py, Oct. 6-28 (French Cham-
pagne offensive).
Prisoners captured: 18 officers, 531 en-
listed men. Guns captured: 9 pieces of artil-
lery, 294 machine guns. Total advance on
front line, 21 kilometers.
Insignia: Cobalt blue arrowhead with a
khaki "T" superimposed upon a khaki disc.
The arrowhead represents Oklahoma and the
"T" Texas.
THIRTY-SEVENTH DIVISION.
National Guard of Ohio. Divisional head-
quarters arrived in France June 23, 1918. Ac-
tivities: Baccarat sector, Aug. 4-Sept. 16;
Meuse-Argonne offensive, Sept. 25-Oct. 1;
Pannes (St. Mihiel sector), Oct. 7-16; Lys and
Eseaut rivers (Flanders), Oct. 31-Nov. 4; Bel-
gium, Syngem sector, Nov. 9-11.
Prisoners captured: 26 officers, 1,469 en-
listed men. Guns captured: 29 pieces of ar-
tillery, 263 machine guns. Total advance on
front line: 30 2/3 kilometers.
Insignia : Red circle with white border. De-
sign adapted from the State flag of Ohio. Di-
vision kno^\^^ as the "Buckeye Division."
THIRTY-EIGHTH DIVISION.
National Guard of Indiana and Kentucky:
Arrived in France Oct. 19, 1918; became a re-
placement division and members saw action as
replacements to other divisions.
Insignia: Shield, left half blue, right half
red; superimposed in center of shield is the
initial "C" with the letter "Y" interlaced with
lower half of the initial "C," both in white.
THIRTY-NINTH DIVISION.
The Thirty-ninth Division was organized
from the National Guard of Louisiana, Missis-
sippi and Arkansas, at Camp Beauregard,
Louisiana. It went to France in August, 1918,
as a depot division, from which replacements
were sent to the combat divisions at the front;
therefore it was never intended to be in the
line. The insignia shows the Greek letter
delta, because the personnel came from the vi-
cinity of the Mississippi delta, but it was never
approved by the A. E. F. It was stationed at
St. Florent and sent 10,156 replacements to
the front.
FORTIETH DIVISION.
National Guard of California, Nevada, Utah,
Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico: Arrived
in France Aug. 20, 1918; became a replace-
ment division and members saw action as re-
placements to other divisions.
Insignia : Blue patch of cloth with gold sun
superimposed in center, a representation of
the sun at midday in blue sky. The insignia
and name "Sunshine Division" were selected as
best exemplifying the climatic conditions of
the camp in which unit trained.
FORTY-FIRST DIVISION.
National Guard of Washington, Oregon,
Montana, Idaho and Wyoming: First Depot
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
279
Photos by Leonard
Top Row — Edward Elting, E. D. Cahoon, Chester Olson, E. A. Strom. Henry Hansen. J. P. Madsen, M. Pavlik.
Second — J. F. Leuker. C. O. Sidcsky, Harry Mainland. Frank Peterson, Emilius Olson, Allan Thompson, R. Kautz.
Third — Gus Chinanis. J. M. Compty. R. J. Bowers, Chester Neslon, Edw. Belanger, Rudolph Thompson, John Strugala.
Fourth — Chas. Nelson, Harry Draves, E. A. Daleski, Frank W. Walker, B. F. Brooder, Hugh Desens, C. B. Pctrulka.
Fifth — Wayne Addison, John Addison, Peter Sorenson, Wm. Pier, A. G. Wrixton, Oscar Bronson, A. A. Sauer.
Bottom — John Skaar, Allen Gere, James Greco, R. J. Johnson, T. C. Hemmingsen, Theo. Henningsen, Bernard Dexter.
280
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Division, arrived in France Jan. 1, 1918; be-
came a replacement division and members saw
action as replacements to other divisions.
Insignia: Setting sun in gold on red back-
ground over a wavy blue stripe representing
the waters of the Pacific, in the foreground.
Design originated by a Red Cross nurse at-
tached to Camp Hospital No. 26, at St. Aignan-
Noyers. Organization is known as Sunset Di-
vision.
FORTY-SECOND DIVISION.
National Guard of 26 States and District of
Columbia. Divisional headquarters arrived in
France Nov. 1, 1917. Activities: Dombasle-
Luneville-St. Clement-Baccarat sector, Feb. 21-
March 23, 1918 (under the French 8th Army
and 7th Army Corps); Baccarat sector, March
18-June 21; Souain and Esperance sector, July
5-17 (German offensive east of Reims, July 15-
16); Trugny and Beauvardes, July 25- Aug. 3
(front of 4th Army Corps on Ourcq); Ansau-
ville, Essey and Bois de Pannes (St. Mihiel
salient), Sept. 12-30; south of St. Georges-
Landres-et-St. Georges-Cote de Chatillon (Ar-
gonne-Meuse offensive), Oct. 13-31; Autruche,
Grandes Armoises and Maisoncello, south of
Sedan (Argonne-Meuse offensive), Nov. 5-10.
Prisoners captured: 14 officers, 1,303 en-
listed men. Guns captured: 25 pieces of artil-
lery, 495 machine guns. Total advance on
front line: 55 kilometers.
Insignia: Parti-colored quadrant, suggest-
ing the arc of a rainbow, after Rainbow Divi-
sion.
SEVENTY-SIXTH DIVISION.
The Seventy-sixth was composed of men
from the New England States and northern
New York State and was stationed at Camp
Devens, Massachusetts. The Seventy-sixth
Division and those following, to include the
Ninety-second, where knovm as National Army
divisions and it was organized from the first
draft in September, 1918. It went to France
in July, 1918, and was a depot division, sta-
tioned at St. Aniand-Montrond and sent 19,971
replacements to the front.
SEVENTY-SEVENTH DIVISION.
National Ai-my of New York City: Arrived
in France April 13, 1918. Activities: Bacca-
rat sector, June 20- Aug. 4; Fismes-Bazoches
sector, Vesle front, Aug. 12-Sept. Ifi; La Har-
azee-Feur de Paris-la Fille Morte line, Sept.
26-Oct. 16 (Argonne-Meuse offensive); Cham-
pigneulles line, Aire-Meuse, Oct. 31-Nov. 12
(Argonne-Meuse offensive).
Prisoners captured: 13 officers, 737 enlist-
ed men. Guns captured: 44 pieces of artil-
lery, 323 machine guns.
Insignia: Golden fac-simile of the Statue
of Liberty on blue background.
SEVENTY-EIGHTH DIVISION.
National Army of New Jersey, Delaware and
New York. Arrived in France June 8, 1918.
Activities: Limey sector, St. Mihiel front,
Sept. 16 to Oct. 4; Grand Pr6-St. Juvin sector,
Oct. 16 to Nov. 5 (Meuse-Argonne offensive).
Prisoners captured: Six officers, 392 men.
Guns captured: Four or more pieces of artil-
lery, 43 or more machine guns. Total advance
on front line, 21 kilometers.
Insignia: Crimson semi-cii'cle crossed by a
white streak of lightning which begins at up-
per right hand side of insignia and crosses to
the lower left hand corner. The colors, crimson
and white, are those of the division; the light-
ning is symbolic of "Lightning Division," the
name adopted by division before leaving the
States.
SEVENTY-NINTH DIVISION.
National Army of District of Columbia,
Maryland and Pennsylvania; Divisional head-
quarters arrived in Fi'ance July 15, 1918. Ac-
tivities: Sector 304, between Argonne and
Meuse, Sept. 16 to 30 (Meuse-Argonne offen-
sive, Sept. 26 to 30); Troyon sector, east of
Meuse, Oct. 8 to 25; Grand Montague sector,
heights east of Meuse river, Oct. 29 to Novem-
ber 11 (active operations in progress most of
time ) .
Prisoners captured: One officer, 391 enlist-
ed men. Guns captui'ed: 32 pieces of artil-
lery, 275 machine guns. Total advance on
front line, 19^2 kilometers.
Insignia: Lorraine Cross, adopted in the
15th century by the House of Aujou, following
the defeat of Charles the Bold, as a symbol of
triumph.
EIGHTIETH DIVISION.
National Army of Virginia, West Virginia
and Pennsylvania. Divisional headquartei's
arrived in France May 30, 1918. Activities:
Aveuly Woods, Arras (Artois front), July 23
to Aug. 18 (under British); St. Mihiel salient,
Sept. 12-15 (one regiment of Infantry and one
Machine Gun Battalion, reserve Second French
Colonial Corps), Bethincourt sector, Sept. 25-
29 (Argonne-Meuse offensive); Nantillois sec-
tor, Oct. 4-12 (Argonne-Meuse offensive); St.
Juvin, Nov. 1-6 (Argonne-Meuse offensive).
Prisoners captured: 103 officers, 1,710 en-
listed men. Guns captured: 88 pieces of ar-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
281
Rephoto by John Hood
Top Row— EdBar J. Johnson. Theo. Lau. Paul Kahlerl, Geo. L. Smerchek. Einer Nilson. Wm. A. Beller. H. H. Keeler.
Second— H. H. Newell. Walter E. Anderson. H. D. Lewis, M. E. Wagner. Emil Molholt. W. F. Bratz, Edmund Horner.
Third— T. H. Firks. Thos. Allen, L. P. Qualler. M. Gizirian. B. Teshta. Clarence B. Peterson. Walter Sieb.
Fourth — Harry Duda. F. P. Christien. Harvey Peterson. Tony Holy. E. H. Ross, Curtis Foreman. H. A. Wisnefsky.
Fifth— Theo. Frey. John G. Hansen. Harold C. Rasmussen. A. E. Stindle, R. S. Kasprovich. R. McCullough, G. W. Harms.
Bottom— J. A. Munro, J. A. Kortendick. Edwin J. Nelson, Chas. Wahler, A. E. Haglund, Arthur Hansen, R. A. Fuller.
282
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
tillery," 641 machine guns. Total advance on
front line: 37 kilometers.
Insignia: Shield of olive drab cloth, upon
which is superimpo.sed in center three blue
hills, i-epresenting the Blue Ridge mountains,
all outlined in white.
EIGHTY-FIRST DIVISION.
National Army of North Carolina, South
Carolina, Florida and Porto Rico. Arrived in
France Aug. 16, 1918. Activities: East of
St. Di6 and Raon I'Etape sector, Vosges, Sept.
18 to Oct. 19 (brigaded with 20th French Di-
vision) ; Sommedieue sector between Haudie-
men works and Benz6e-en-Woevre, Nov. 7-17.
Total advance on front line: 5^2 kilometers.
Insignia: Wild cat of varying color. Select-
ed in the belief that the division could "emulate
it in its fighting qualities."
EIGHTY-SECOND DIVISION.
National Army of Georgia, Alabama and
Tennessee. Divisional headquarters arrived in
France about May 17, 1918. Activities:
Lagny sector, June 25 to Aug. 10 (brigaded
\vith 1.54th French Division); Marbache sector,
Aug. 17 to Sept. 11; St. Mihiel operation, Sept.
12-15; Baulney and Charpentry, Fleville and
Chehery, Chehery and la Viei'gette sectors,
Sept. 30 to Oct. 31 (Argonne-Meuse offensive).
Prisoners captured: 18 officers, 827 enlist-
ed men. Guns captured: 11 pieces of artil-
lery, 311 machine guns. Total advance on
front line: 17 kilometers.
Insignia: '"A A" in gold braid upon cii'cle
of solid blue, the whole superimposed on square
background of red. The "AA" stands for "All-
American," the name chosen for the division,
with the further later significance "Ail-
Aboard."
EIGHTY-THIRD DIVISION.
The Eighty-third Division was formed of
men from Ohio and West Virginia and was
stationed at Camp Sherman, Ohio. It went
to France in June, 1918, and was a depot di-
vision at Le Mans, sending 193,221 replace-
ments to the front. One regiment, the Thirty-
third, served in Italy and was in the battle
of Vittorio-Veneto. The insignia consists of
the letters of Ohio in monogram.
EIGHTY-FOURTH DIVISION.
The Eighty-fourth Division was formed of
men from Indiana, Kentucky, and southern Ill-
inois, and was stationed at Camp Taylor, Ken-
tucky. It went to France in September, 1918,
but never got into the line.
EIGHTY-FIFTH DIVISION.
The Eighty-fifth Division was formed of men
from Michigan and Wisconsin and was sta-
tioned at Camp Custer, Michigan. It went to
France in August, 1918, was a depot division
stationed at Cosnes, and sent 3,948 replace-
ments to the front. It was known as the Cus-
ter Division, in honor of General Custer and
also the camp at which it was trained, the in-
signia consisting of the initials C. D. One of
the infantry regiments, the Three Hundred
and Thirty-ninth, served in noi'thern Russia.
EIGHTY-SIXTH DIVISION.
National Army from northern Illinois and
was stationed at Camp Grant, Illinois. It
went to France in September, 1918, never get-
ting into the line. It was known as the Black
Hawk Division, which is represented in the
insignia.
EIGHTY-SEVENTH DIVISION.
National Army of Louisiana, Arkansas, and
Mississippi, stationed at Camp Pike, Arkansas.
It went to France in September, 1918, and
never got into the line. The insignia appears
to have had no special significance. It was a
bro-wn acorn on a circular green background.
EIGHTY-EIGHTH DIVISION.
National Army troops from North Dakota,
Minnesota, Iowa, and Western Illinois, sta-
tioned at Camp Dodge Iowa. It went to France
in August, 1918, and served in Alsace from
October 7 to November 5; 28 days in a quiet
sector, none in active sectors. It captured
three prisoners and lost 29 killed and 89
wounded.
The insignia was evolved by two figures "8"
at right angles, the result being a four-leaf
clover, representing the four States from
which the personnel of the division came. It
is in blue for the infantry and machine gun
battalions, in red for the artillery, and in
black for the remainder of the division.
EIGHTY-NINTH DIVISION.
National Army troops from Kansas, Mis-
souri, and Colorado, stationed at Camp Fun-
ston, Kansas. It went to France in June,
1918, and went into the line in August, north-
west of Toul; it was at St. Mihiel, in the sec-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
283
Rephoto by John Hui
Top Row — Earl Zeesc. Floyd E. Hall. F. E. Magnan. Wm. Srhultz, F. A. Robers. John Arseneau. Anton Molholt.
Second — James Verbes, Arthur Losch, P. Wischnewsky, Mike Vineak. L. T. Auterman. Joseph Bartkos. Irving Anderson.
Third— Tobias C. Jensen, E. H. Baker, Everett Gifford, F. J. Schliesmann, P. P. Becker, Carl E. Andersen, C. W. Zobac.
Fourth— Herbert Joreenson, A. T. Nielsen, John O. Petersen, E. A. Butzine, B. W. Burroughs, Harry Dibble, C. H. Holm.
Fifth — Nels C. Hansen, P. E. Bergeron, Claude M. Smith, C. Falasrhi, Ashley M. Cape. L. E. Grossman, Grover Miller.
Bottom — Fred Hanson, W. A. Hanson. Chas. Stindle. Geo. S^dlon. C. D. Sawyer, Matthew Gitzen. John Lokarcyk.
284
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
tor Bois de Bouchot, and in the Meuse-Ai'-
gonne oflfensive. It was 55 days in quiet and
28 in active sectors and advanced 48 kilometers
against resistance, the second best record in
this I'espect of the National Army Divisions
and exceeded by only five of the A. E. F. di-
visions. It captured 5,061 prisoners, the third
best record in the A. E. F., being surpassed
only by the First and Second Divisions. It
lost 1,433 killed and 5,858 wounded.
It was known as the Middle West Division
and the insignia is the letter "W," which when
inverted becomes an "M." The central open
space is colored to show the organization as
follows: One Hundred Seventy-seventh In-
fantry Brigade, sky blue; One Hundred Seven-
ty-eighth Infantry Brigade, navy blue; One
Hundred Sixty-fourth Field Artillery Brigade,
scarlet; Engineers, scarlet, edged with white;
Three Hundred Forty-first Machine Gun Bat-
talion, half sky blue and half scarlet; Three
Hundred Forty-second Machine Gun Battalion,
half navy blue and half scai'let; Three Hun-
dred Forty-thii'd Machine Gun Battalion, half
orange and half scarlet; Signal Battalion, or-
ange; Supply Train, purple, edged with white;
Sanitary Ti'ain, white with red cross, and Di-
vision Headquarters, no color.
NINETIETH DIVISION.
National Army of Texas and Oklahoma. Di-
visional headquarters arrived in France June
23, 1918. Activities: Sazerais-Haye-Puve-
nelle sector, Aug. 24-Oct. 10; St. Mihiel opera-
tion, September 12-15; demonstration at be-
ginning of Argonne-Meuse off'ensive, Sept. 26;
Argonne Meuse offensive, Oct. 19-Nov. 11.
Prisoners captured: 32 officers, 1,844 en-
listed men. Guns captured: 42 pieces of ar-
tillery, 230 machine guns. Total advance on
front line: 28 V2 kilometers.
Insignia: Red monogram "TO," standing
for Texas-Oklahoma.
NINETY-FIRST DIVISION.
National Army of Alaska, Washington, Ore-
gon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyo-
ming and Utah. Divisional headquarters ar-
rived in France July 12, 1918. Activities: Ar-
gonne-Meuse sector near Vauquies, Sept. 20-
Oct 3 (Argonne-Meuse offensive, Sept. 26-Oct.
3); west of Escaut river, Belgium, Oct. 30-Nov.
4; east of Escaut river, Belgium, Nov. 10-11.
Prisoners captured: 12 officers, 2,400 enlist-
ed men. Guns captured: 33 pieces of artil-
lery, 471 machine guns. Total advance on
front line: 34 kilometers.
Insignia: Green fir tree. The 91st is known
as the "Wild West Division." Design emblem-
atic of the far West.
NINETY-SECOND DIVISION.
National Army. Division headquarters ar-
rived in France June 19, 1918. Activities: St.
Di6 sector, Vosges, Aug. 29-Sept. 20; Argonne-
Meuse offensive, Sept. 25-30 (reserve of First
Army Corps); Marbache sector, Oct. 9-Nov. 15.
Total advance on front line: 8 kilometers.
Insignia: American buffalo, colors varying,
selected "because traditional Indians called
negro soldiers 'buffaloes.' "
The first Army was organized for the St.
Mihiel offensive, under command of Gen. Per-
shing himself. It then consisted of the First,
Fourth, and Fifth Corps, with the Thirty-
third, Thirty-fifth, Eightieth, and Ninety-first
Divisions in reserve. The object was attained
without putting any of the reserve divisions in
the line.
Later the First Army was commanded by
Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, and at the com-
mencement of the Meuse-Argonne drive con-
sisted of the First, Third, and Fifth Corps,
with the First, Twenty-ninth, and Eighty-sec-
ond Divisions in reserve.
The insignia used by members of First Army
headquarters organizations was a large red
and white "A."
In the lower part of the insignia are de-
vices to represent different arms of the serv-
ice: a red and white patch for army artil-
lery; red castle for the army engineers; red,
white, and blue cocarde for the air service of
the army, etc.
In the reoi'ganization after the armistice the
First j\rmy consisted of the First, Fifth, and
Eighth Corps and immediately began prepara-
tions to leave France for the United States.
The Third Corps during the St. Mihiel of-
fensive was on the Meuse, making prepara-
tions for the forthcoming Meuse-Argonne
drive, which it opened v^dth the Thirty-third
being the exti'eme right of the movement along
the Meuse for the first few days.
In the reorganization after the armistice
the Third Corps consisted of the Second, Thirty-
second, and Forty-second Divisions and was
stationed in the occupied German territory.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
285
The air service was outside of any divisional
or corps organizations, although squadrons
were attached to such units.
On declaration of war the United States had
55 service airplanes, 51 of which were obsolete
and the other four obsolescent. The personnel
consisted of approximately 65 officers and 1.100
enlisted men.
At the time the armistice was signed the
United States had 3,538 airplanes in the A.
E. F. and 4,865 in the United States, a total
of 8,403. The total personnel consisted of ap-
proximately 200,000 officers and men.
The American army made approximately
over the enemy's line 12,830 pursuit flights,
6,672 observation flights and 1,174 bombing
flights, a total of 20,676. They flew for 35,747
hours over the enemy's line, covering approxi-
mately 3,574,700 miles.
■As They Were" Waco, 1917
CHAPTER XXVI
SOLDIER'S SONGS; DYING WORDS; GETTING WOUNDED
THROUGHOUT modern history, as writ-
en, we read fo men marching forward to
face peril and death, with the martial
strains of national anthems upon their lips.
It seems a characteristic of historians that they
find it necessary to put noble words in the
mouths of dying men, and to credit all men
in uniform with the desire and ability to sing-
such songs as "The Star Spangled Banner" or
"God Save the King" when they approach the
cannon's mouth.
Laying no claim to the title of historian, the
author of this modest work feels fj-ee to pen
a few words upon this subject which will, per-
haps, strike all former soldiers as having the
merit of truth even though it detracts from
the halo of romance which should shimmer
'round their heads. To sum up briefly, careful
inquiry among eye-witnesses of certain world-
famous events, personal observation of the
conduct of large numbers of men under stress
of excitement and peril, and attendance at the
demise of a number of warriors who might
well be expected to give utterance to classic
phrases when nearing the end, have all con-
vinced the writer that practically all of the
incidents of the sort mentioned are pure fiction.
Two of the most commonly accepted stories
relating to the use of proper musical accom-
paniments for persons about to pass on to a
brighter and better existence are those which
credit the band on the liner Titanic with
playing "Nearer, my God to Thee" for fifteen
or twenty minutes while the doomed vessel slid
beneath the waters carrying with it the band
and many hundred other persons; and allege
that the soldiers and sailors on the Transport
Tuscania in 1918 lined up at the rails and
sang three verses of "The Star Spangled Ban-
ner" while waiting for the German torpedo's
full effect to be felt. I have the word of two
survivors of the Titanic, which sunk on her
maiden trip in 1912, that the band did not play
"Nearer, my God to Thee" or anything else.
but spent all it's time packing up clothing and
valuables, preparatory to leaving as soon as
some passing vessel should appear. Unfor-
tunately, assistance came too late to rescue
most of them.
In the case of the Tuscania, I discussed this
matter with ten members of the Thii'ty-second
division who had remained aboard until among
the last, and was assured by all of them that
singing was about the last thing anybody
thought of, and nobody actually tried out their
voices in the night air off the Irish coast that
night. There were some rather harsh remarks
passed from the upper decks in regard to the
conduct of two army officers who left the
transport in lifeboats while members of their
commands still remained on the sinking ship,
but no one burst into song about that or any-
thing else. Furthermore, as Capt. Hale of
Kenosha said, it was doubtful if anyone aboard
knew three verses of "The Star Spangled Ban-
ner;" certainly no one has ever been discovered
in America who could progress that far with-
out looking at the words and music. Capt.
Hale was taken from the Tuscania by a de-
stroyer a few moments before the transport
sank and undoubtedly would have remembered
such an astonishing event, had a company of
casual troops started to sing the most diffi-
cult musical composition ever written for the
masses.
It is true that French soldiers occasionally
sang "Les Marseilles" while on the road, two
reasons being that most of them know the
words, and the music is good for marching.
On the other hand, I think that most A. E. F.
veterans will testify that for every time they
heard the poilus sing "Les Marseilles," they
heard them shouting the catchy strains of
"Madalon" fifty times or more. "Madalon" is
one of those ballads which are easy of rendi-
tion, tell a story which does not strain any-
one's intellectual powers, and above all pro-
vides a perfect cadence for marching feet. It
288
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
found its origin in a comic opera and the words
refer to the popularity of a barmaid who was
on good terms with everyone from the general
down to the M. P.'s.
Because this is a volume of facts, rather than
romantic history, an effort will be made to set
forth something in relation to the music of our
army in the late war.
For the first time in American history, the
recent conflict gave no piece of music to the
nation which possesses any merit beyond a
temporary popularity. Soldiers really longed
for some typical and expressive song such as
"Marching through Georgia," "Tenting To-
night" or "Old Black Joe," which echoed along
the roads and through the camps in Civil War
days, but they never found it. Early in the
struggle, the British troops seized on a music
hall ditty entitled, "Tipperary," and as it was
a good marching song its silly lines became
familiar to all English speaking troopers as
the war continued. The chorus ran:
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tipperary,
And the sweetest girl I know.
Good-bye, Piccadilly;
Farewell, Liecester Square!
It's a long, long way to Tipperary,
But my heai't's right there.
The popularity of this gem waned after two
or three years of use, but the bands used it
occasionally on parades even unto the finish.
At about the time America entered the con-
flict, Geoi-ge H. Cohan was staging a light
opera and, needing a cui'tain raiser, resorted
to an ancient method of getting one. He
united a few strains from bugle calls, with
some bars from "Johnny Get Your Gun," and
there soon issued from the mouths of chorus
girls the strident message of "Over There":
Over there, over there!
Send the word, send the word, over there,
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are
coming, —
Drums rum-tumming every^vhere!
So prepare, say a pi'ayer.
Send the word, send the word to bewai'e;
We'll be over, we're coming over.
And we won't come back till it's over over there.
This jingle caught the popular fancy. The
tune had a martial sound and at the same time
included a sort of "rag time" melody that kept
it from being too tear-inspiring. The soldiers
liked the name "Yank;" the sentiment ex-
pressed by the words was rather inspiring if
one took the trouble to locate it, and it also
hit the spot by conveying a threat to the
Kaiser in good-natured song. For most of the
year 1917, every military parade and review
was accomplished to the blaring notes of "Over
There," and every adventurous doughboy wav-
ing good-bye to the spires and towers of Man-
hattan roared out the sad news that "he
wouldn't be back till it's over over there."
The words "over there" were universally used
to describe the fields of endeavor of the newly
formed A. E. F., thi'oughout the American
participation in the war.
In the camps in America, college songs and
the old favorite plantation melodies main-
tained their popularity for evening songfests
in tents and barracks. As a part of the wel-
fare work in camps, compulsory "sings" were
held, and for the most part were greatly en-
joyed. Song-leaders were quite successful in
getting their youthful audiences to join in
choral singing of such masterpieces as:
K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore.
When the m-m-m-moon shines, over the cow
shed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.
and
Good morning, Mister Zip, Zip, Zip,
With your hair cut just as short as mine.
Good morning, Mister Zip, Zip, Zip,
You're certainly looking fine.
Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust.
If the Camels don't get you the Fatimas must.
Good morning. Mister Zip, Zip, Zip,
With your hair cut just as —
Your hair cut just as short as —
Your hair cut just as short as mine.
The song leaders did not forget to wind up
with the national airs, but it is with regret
that we are forced to report that "Mister Zip"
and "Katy" evoked much more enthusiasm, be-
cause the American young man is not given
to voicing his patriotism in harmonious tones,
even were he possessed of the vocal ability
necessary to hit the high notes of "The Star
Spangled Banner," or the peculiar sense of
humor required to find cause for fun in "Yan-
kee Doodle."
Two popular ballads of the day found some
response in the bosoms of the soldiers and
sailors even though their minor chords spoke
of sadness and gloom, and their words foretold
days and nights of homesickness. Both in
American cantonments and in billets in France,
American voices often could be heard crooning
these two songs:
THERE'S A LONG, LONG TRAIL
Nights are grow^ing very lonely,
Days are very long;
I'm growing weary only
List'ning for your song.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
289
Old remembrances are thronging
Thro' my memory.
'Til it seems the world is full of dreams,
Just to call you back to me.
Chorus:
There's a long, long trail awinding
Into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing
And a white moon beams:
There's a long, long night of waiting
Until my dreams all come true
'Til the day when I'll be going down
That long, long trail with you.
KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING
Keep the home fires burning.
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away,
They di-eam of home.
There's a silver lining,
Through the dark cloud shining
Turn the dark cloud inside out.
Till the boys come home.
On the other hand, many a marching regi-
ment swung along the roads in Vei'mont and
Oregon, in Virginia and Texas, to the time of
this disreputable refrain:
Drunk last night, drunk the night before,
Drunker tonight than I ever was before.
When I'm drunk, I am as happy as can be,
For I am a member of the Souse family.
Fortunately for the fate of the nation, the
words had no basis of fact, in view of the
strict regulations governing the sale of strong
and spiritous liquors in the vicinity of camps.
It is characteristic of all soldiers to kick,
and the follo%ving song gained some popularity
because its sentiments were endorsed by all
hands:
O, how I hate to get up in the morning;
O, how I'd like to remain in bed.
For the hardest blow of all
Is to hear the bugler call:
"You've got to get up! You've got to get up!
"You've got to get up in the morning!"
Some day I'm going to murder the bugler.
Some day they're going to find him dead!
Then I'll get the other pup —
The one that wakes the bugler up —
And spend the rest of my life in bed.
Song leaders tried to prevail upon their sub-
jects to adopt parodies upon old melodies,
whose new words contained sentiments of high
patriotism and noble ambitions, but as a gen-
eral thing- the boys prepared their own paro-
dies, and the words were not of the sort worth
handing down to posterity. In France, the
songs invariably expressed some opinion about
the hardships of army life, and continued the
good-natured "grousing" which enlivens all
armies. Men will dare to do the most astound-
ing acts of bravery, they will undergo all neces-
sary privations without contemporaneous pro-
test, and they would rather submit to the most
humiliating punishment than to be transferred
from scenes of danger and discomfort to an
easy berth, but they insist upon the privilege
of kicking about their fate whenever they find
time to sit do\vn with their feet before a fire
and a pipe in their mouth. Then, indeed, they
insist that they are cowards and babies; that
they would leave the d d army in the lurch
if they could only get away, and that they
would give every franc they had to buy a soft
job in the training camps back home. So the
doughboy, preparing to "go in" for a new of-
fensive, wails in mournful tones:
I want to go home,
I want to go home,
The bullets, they whistle,
The cannon they roar,
I don't want to go to the trenches no more.
Take me over the sea
Where the Huns can't get after me,
Oh my, I'm too young to die,
I want to go home.
And after the armistice was declared and he
saw boatload after boatload of non-combatants
going across the Atlantic while he rolled his
pup-tent for the march to the Rhine, he ad-
dressed the following sarcastic parody to his
girl in the States and, through her, to the
Commander-in-Chief and all others in author-
ity:
Darling, I am coming back — silver threads
among the black —
Now that peace in Europe nears I'll be home in
seven years.
I'll drop in on you some night, with my whisk-
ers long and white.
Home again with you once moi'e — say by nine-
teen twenty four.
Once I thought by now I'd be sailing back
across the sea.
Back to where you sit and pine — but I'm head-
ing for the Rhine.
You can hear the M. P.'s curse: "War is hell,
but Peace is worse."
When the next war comes — oh, well — I'll rush
in, I will like hell.
Almost evei-y division and branch of the
service had some rollicking song which was
especially popular in its own realms. For in-
stance, Wisconsin men were inclined to use
that excellent university football song, "On,
Wisconsin," both for a marching tune and for
band exercise. In this connection it is recalled
that when General Parker, first commander of
290
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
the Thirty-second division, heard the 121st
regiment band playing the selection, he took
it for granted that it was an original produc-
tion of the band leader, David Routt, and turn-
ing to his adjutant, said:
"Major, that is a fine sounding piece. Make
a note that it is my order that that be the of-
ficial divisional march, to be used at all re-
views and concerts as such. Have that band
leader name it 'Thirty-second Division March'
and file a copy with you."
Which would indicate that Gen. Parker was
not very familiar with well known musical se-
lections of the day. As the division was com-
posed of part Michigan and part Wisconsin
men, the order resulted in a protest from some
Michiganders, and the adjutant tactfully dis-
regarded his orders. Probably Gen. Parker
never knew the difference.
All artillery adopted the "Artillery Song"
wi'itten for a Michigan regiment some years
before. It was a catchy air, with appropriate
words, and many a night hike was enlivened
by the words, from thousands of throats, of the
familiar:
Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty
trail.
And the caissons go rolling along.
Then there were songs WTitten by local com-
posers which gained fame in certain sections.
Such a one was:
WHAT'S THE USE.
First we line up, company front.
From the tall boy to the i-unt,
Then we dress up with a grunt.
Eyes to Right.
The Corporals with their nods,
Try to straighten up their squads
But the Lieutenant says "ye Gods,
What a Sight!"
He gives a sharp command,
And we think we're marching grand.
Then he says "You'll all get canned,
Get some pep."
He orders "Left Oblique"
In a voice that is not weak.
"What's the matter, Private Peate ?
You're out of Step."
When he orders "Double Quick."
The fellows all look sick,
'Cause we know he's going to kick,
"That was Rotten."
We are almost moved to tears,
But we stand his jibes and jeers
When he savs — "Hey, are your ears
Filled up with cotton?"
Hold your heads up in the air,
Straighten up; or don't you care,
You'll have to "Over There."
Says the "Lieut."
"In France they're much more strict.
If you don't cai'e to get kicked.
Watch your step or you'll be picked
As a galloot."
As he shouts in accents stern
The Lieutenant seems to yearn,
For a company that could learn
Without abuse.
So we drill and drill and drill,
Do every movement on the bill,
But it seems we're rookies still,
So what's the use.
The "fighting units" in France had a ron-
delay which enlivened many a session in cafe
and wayside inn. It told ironically of the
various claims upon fame made by various
branches of the service, and amateur singers
had no difficulty in adding to the verses inter-
minably to attend to good-natured grudges
against individuals and regiments. The origi-
nal version started off thus:
HINKEY-DINKEY PARLEZ-VOUS.
The Cavalry say they won the war, parlez-vous.
The Cavalry said they did it all.
Shooting craps in an empty stall, Hinkey-
Dinkey parlez-vous.
The Tank Corps say they won the war, parlez-
vous.
The Tank Corps boys, they fought tres bon
Against M.P.'s ai'ound Dijon.
The Medics say they won the war, parlez-vous.
The Medics say they saved the line.
With C. C. pills and iodine.
The Signal Corps say they won the war, par-
lez-vous.
And all they did in the Signal Corps,
Was play blackjack on the office floor.
The Q. M. say they won the war, parlez-vous.
It was fini this and beaucoup that,
And a number ten for a number quatre.
The M. P.'s say they won the war, parlez-vous.
The M. P.'s say they won the war,
Standing guard at a caf6 door.
T'ne C. 0. says he won the war, parlez-vous.
The C. 0. wants the Croix de Guerre,
For sitting around in his Morris chair.
Hinkey-Dinkey, parlez-vous.
Still another parody which gained much
popularity was one giving voice to the disap-
pointment of those men who had enlisted to
slay Germans but had wound up in some
school, office or home camp for permanent
duty. There were as many different versions
of this "service flag" song as there were men
bewailing their fate, following transfers and
assignments to disagreeable duties. Here are
two typical examples of the varied sentiments
expressed to the music of "Mother, take Dovvti
your Service Flag:"
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
291
Photos by Billiner^-Leonaid Mdlnie
Top Row— John A. Dreson, H. M. Wallis Jr., F. W. Pei), C. I. Hansen, Victor Holm, Russell Thomas.
Second — Andrew Feddersen, Mark H. Martin, Jack R. Melvin, Harrison E. Fellows, John Cullen, Clarence Flanagan.
Third — Donald J. Morey, John D. Roberts, Julius FeiKes, Newell E. French, Dr. C. O. Schaefer. F. D. Gcbhardt.
Fourth — John C. Bayer. Dale McCutcheon, E. L. Mutchler. Thos. J. Berg, Jacob Adams, C. H. Landerslager.
Bottom — Albert Milner, Wilfred Haumerson, Nels Feddersen, Alfred Feddersen, E, F. Gotsche, Grover McNitt.
292
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
(Tours Version)
Mother, take down your service flag,
Your son's in the S. O. S.
He's S. O. L., but what the hell,
He never suffered less.
He may be thin, but that's from gin
Or else I miss my guess.
So mother, take down your service flag.
Your son's in the S. O. S.
(Air Service Version)
Mother, put out your golden star.
Your son's goin' up in a Sop;
The wings are weak, the ship's a freak.
She's got a rickety prop.
The motor's junk, the pilot's drunk.
He's sure to take a flop —
Oh, mother, put out your golden star
Your son's goin' up in a Sop.
Another song which helped to enliven a
march occasionally, was:
Uncle Sammy, he needs the infantry,
He needs the cavalry, he needs artillery.
Then, By , we'll all go to Germany!
Poor old Kaiser Bill!
Despite his habit of making light of serious
matters, the American soldier was not slow to
I'ecognize real beauty in the fields of music and
poetry. There was hardly a Yank in France
who did not have somewhere about his person
a copy of the beautiful poem, "In Flanders
Fields," written by Lieut.-Col. John D. McCrae
of Montreal shortly before his death near
Ypres :
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row.
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amidst the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from falling hands we throw
The torch. Be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
So, too, he appreciated the "Reply of Ameri-
ca," and in hundreds of straggling pup-tents
and dugouts, the words were read and recited,
and their sentiment endorsed with low-spoken
words of approval:
Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead.
The fight that ye so bravely led
We've taken up. And we will keep
True faith with you who lie asleep
With each a cross to mark his bed.
And poppies blowing overhead
Where once his own life blood ran red.
So let your rest be sweet and deep
In Flanders fields.
Fear not that ye have died for naught.
The torch ye threw to us we caught.
Ten million hands will hold it high
And Freedom's light shall never die.
We've learned the lesson that ye taught,
In Flanders fields.
When the first contingents of American
troops went to France they were informed
through the Parisian newspapers that General
Pershing upon his arrival overseas had been
escorted to the tomb of Marquis de LaFayette.
He had brought a wreath vnth him and (so the
story went) as he laid it at the foot of the
monument, he rendered a salute and declared,
impressively,
"LaFayette, we have come."
It later developed that Gen. Pershing said
nothing of the sort, but it is true that two
years later a homesick Yankee soldier, stand-
ing in the same place, recalled the alleged ut-
terance by drawing himself erect, saluting, and
muttei'ing:
"LaFayette, we are still over here, damn
the luck!"
Another profane but universally endorsed
bit of repartee along the same lines comes to
mind. During the war a part of our propa-
ganda had to do with the alleged debt we owed
to the French people for the part the old mon-
archy played in defeating the British in our
Revolutionary war. Whenever anyone ques-
tioned the merits of any new bit of charity
toward the French people, they were always
sternly reminded of this "debt." Of course no
mention was made of the difficulties throvvTi
in the way of the above-mentioned LaFayette
when he first proposed coming to America to
help the struggling republic in its fight for
freedom. The phrase was used so generally
that it got on the nerves of some of the boys
over in France, who after the war were finding
their relations viith the French somewhat
strained, for various reasons. One of them
who had been in France for two years, and
had suff"ered from cooties, wounds, shortage of
food, and similar discomforts, and then had
been left there after the armistice to help sell
the property of the army to the natives at
very low prices, reared up one day when his
request for a transfer to a homeward bound
unit was denied, and asked in loud tones:
"Say, what in hell else do we owe France,
anyway ? "
And the startled lieutenant who heard it
agreed fervently that the debt seemed to have
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
293
TYPE OF VEHICLE USED BY THE 127th AMBULANCE COMPANY IN FRANCE
The motor driven ambulances saved thousands of lives by getting men where they could have care within a short time
after they were injured. Maj. W. W. Johnston tells of the wonderful work of the Racine ofKanization at the battle
fronts when no other ambulance unit would take a chance in pushing up to the rapidly advancing front and hauling
the serious cases from agony and exposure to hospital care and attention.
been cleared, unless some new items had been
entered on the books recently.
In spite of their opinion, however, it was
many months after the close of the war when
the last of the numerous appeals for a few
millions of dollars for this or that French
fund was answered as a part payment on the
famous debt.
Investigation has shown that almost every
famous uttei-ance credited to American officers
in the recent war were figments of the imag-
ination, originating in the minds of corre-
spondents far from the scene. Nevertheless,
they probably will live in future histories.
Death-bed sentiments of soldiers were gen-
erally limited to requests for a drink of water,
or some other creature comfort. Men occa-
sionally murmured, in their delirium, the names
of relatives near and dear to them, or imagined
themselves in other and happier circumstances,
but physicians at two large field hospitals,
and at three base hospitals, were inclined to
disbelieve utterly the accepted stories of dying
men discussing affairs of state in oratorical
phrases, or giving expression to carefully
worded sentiments suitable for framing in pa-
triotic households. This does not mean that
American soldiers did not possess these senti-
ments, but merely that men dying from wounds
have other matters to occupy their attention
if their minds remain clear as the end ap-
proaches. Nature's sweet mantle of sleep gen-
erally brings peace and quiet to the dying for
many hours before death actually occurs, and
few dying men realize that they are doomed.
It may be of some comfoj't to those who lost
relatives in battle to know that deaths on the
battlefield or the receiving of wounds from bul-
lets and shells are not painful. The writer
has seen dozens of men wounded, and was se-
verely wounded himself, and in all instances
there was every evidence that the injury came
as a great surprise. Before the victim realized
what had happened the shock of the accident
had passed and there was very little pain felt
from that time until the hour, often days af-
terward, when the first dressings were changed
in a hospital far to the rear of the lines. In
cases of very serious wounds, this process
usually was carried out while the patient was
under an anaesthetic.
When a soldier is sti'uck by a missile, his
first involuntary movement is to throw his
arm up in front of his face as a protection.
Sometimes he is rendered unconscious befoi'e
the movement is completed and the inertia
294
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
of the swiftly moving limb carries it up above
the head. From this arises the commonly ac-
cepted view that men who are shot throw both
hands above their head, leap in the air and fall
backwards. The direction in which they fall
depends almost entirely upon the direction
from which the missile came, if it has much
striking' force. In cases where a bullet makes
a clean wound through the body without "mush-
rooming" or striking solid bone, the injured
person's knees usually weaken instantly and
the man crumples down as though he were
fainting — which, in fact, is usually the case. If
he is struck in one arm, the effect of the impact
may be such as to turn him pai't way around.
Whether the blow itself causes him to fall,
training and instinct cause a man to get down
on the ground for protection against other fly-
ing metal.
The most painful part of a new wound is on
the surface, where the sensitory nerves are
numerous and exposed. The cutting of even
the largest nerves occurs so suddenly that the
feeling is not unlike a sudden electric shock
which is all over before the victim realizes
what happened.
Almost every wounded man experiences a
feeling of profound helplessness after his
injury. His g'reat desire is to get out of the
vicinity of the accident, even though he knows
that it may be safer thereafter than some
other refuge. Dozens of wounded men have
declared that their most terrible moments
were the ones which passed between the in-
stant they were wounded and the time when
they reached a first aid station. Being disabled,
thoy could not avoid the feeling that they were
unable to protect themselves, although even a
well person can hardly ward off steel bullets
or iron shell fragments. The ride to the rear
is an occasion of much comfort to one unable
to move about by himself, and the sight of a
field hospital arouses feelings akin to those
inspired when the desert traveler sees a dis-
tant oasis.
The word of a regimental surgeon who dress-
es many hundreds of wounded doughboys is
accepted absolutely by the author, when he
declares :
"Of all the men who ever were carried into
the first aid station, I have yet to hear of one
who took advantage of the occasion to say, 'I
am sorry that I have but one life to give for
my country,' or anything like that. The ma-
jority of them said, 'I don't know just how it
happened,' or, 'If that Dutchman had waited
just a minute longer I sure would have got
him. Darn the luok. anyway.' "
12/TH Amb Cos Silver Bugle
CHAPTER XXVII
A RACINE MAN'S EXPERIENCES IN THE ARMY
NO two men viewed army life in exactly
the same way. No two saw previsely the
same things. The opinions, experiences
and deductions of any soldier may arouse vary-
ing emotions of agreement, anger, disapproval
or disbelief when related in the presence of
another. Nevertheless almost every man in
the service went through certain adventures
which were about the same as those experi-
enced by others. In publishing the following
story of one Racine man's life in service, the
author believes that every veteran will find
many things which will recall to mind amusing
and interesting incidents which may have been
forgotten, and that is the only purpose in pub-
lishing it. It would be manifestly impossible
to try to present in print all of the letters and
diaries which have been submitted for publi-
cation, and which would deserve space were
this volume larger than it is.
Some liberties have been taken with the
original document. At places, extracts from
other diax'ies have been Inserted. Purely per-
sonal matters have been omitted. By com-
bining several documents it has been possible
to give an idea of army life which no single
diary would be likely to show. The wi-iter of
the article which forms the basis for the chap-
ter is a Racine young man who went overseas
in September, saw action in the Argonne, and
was wounded. He offered his private diary
and a number of letters to the author of this
work with the proviso that his name be not
used.
With this explanation, the story is herewith
presented :
On the 27th of July, 1918, I reported to my
local board that I was disqualified for class
2 (essential industrial occupation) and would
thenceforth qualify in Class 1. I had been
employed at a factory in the city, but had
come to the conclusion that I might be doing-
more effective work if I got into the army.
There were quite a number of men who had
the same idea about the same time, inspired,
perhaps, by the big draft that left Racine on
the 26th. On that day 447 men marched to
the railway stations and amid one of the most
impi'essive demonstrations ever seen in Ra-
cine, entrained for their camps. By this time
the draft contingents were moving with con-
siderable ease; the confusion that marked the
first entrainments having disappeared and the
uncertainties among the selectives was more
or less dispelled. From the experiences of
those who went early the men learned what
they needed to carry for their personal com-
fort until they were uniformed and outfitted
at the camp to which they were sent.
The reply of the board was a notice to ap-
pear on Aug. 1 for physical examination and
I reported on that day at the rooms of Local
board No. 2, out in Washington avenue. Three
physicians gave me the double "once-over."
One was an eye specialist, one a general physi-
cal examiner and a third conferred. I was
pronounced fit and I was certified as qualified
to go into the draft. That part over with I
got ready to answer the call. It came on the
8th and we were ordered to appear at the board
rooms on the 9th, ready to move.
With a dozen others I reported about the
middle of. the morning and we were lined up,
tagged and instructed as to the trip and then
turned loose for the final good-byes. These
were said over again until evening, when we
went to the station, boarded a train bound for
Chicago and said farewell to old Racine — for
how long none of us knew. We rode to the
station in automobiles and joined the No. 1
contingent and all boarded the train.
When we arrived at Chicago we joined a
train load of draft men from all parts of the
northwest for the trip into St. Louis. Our
captain, selected from one of our number,
marshalled our pai'ty into the station at Chi-
cago and with a blanket meal-ticket enter-
tained the crowd, which had begun to get pret-
ty hungry.
296
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
The trainload of recruits seemed to enjoy
the party and there was all kinds of fun on
the way down, though we rode in day coaches
and were cramped for sleeping quarters; as
a matter of fact there was little sleeping. At
every stop along the i-oute there were crowds
at the stations and the boys sprang from the
cars to the platforms to sing a little — there
being several quartettes — or yell a little —
regular recruit's yelling having developed early
in the evening. This kept up until late into
the night, but finally the boys got tired enough
to curl up in the seats and get a little nap.
We had breakfast at St. Louis and some of us
— myself included — who had worked the board
for extra meal tickets, had a real feed in the
morning. From the St. Louis Union station
we were hauled out to Jefferson Barracks and
arrived there before noon.
When we left the train at Jefferson Bar-
racks most of the men were ready to turn
around and start home again. The heat was
insufferable. The water was dirty and warm
and not much of a treat for northerners just
from home comforts. The tents of the recruits
which were pouring in by the thousands
stretched as far as the eye could see and all
in all it was not a very tempting outlook.
As we left the train we were met by a squad
of "receiving men," who lined us up, niai'ched
us onto the reservation and alongside a big
building, where we were told off into squads
and turned over to sergeants who showed us
to our quarters, where we waited for our next
physical examination and equipment.
With fully a thousand other men I lined up
in my "birthday clothes" for what proved to
be a real physical examination. The men all
bathed and then got their positions for ap-
pearing before the long line of physicians who
were giving the men a most thorough examina-
tion at the rate of 1,000 a day. We were in
line at 9 o'clock and I waited in the same cos-
tume as mentioned until 5 o'clock that eve-
ning, when I was turned out as "fit," plus a
shot of typhoid vaccine.
As I walked out past the last surgeon I was
startled and half bowled over by a parcel
which struck me in the chest. I found that it
was a barrack bag. From that point I ac-
quired a new piece of wearing apparel at ev-
ery step until I had the whole outfit, and after
a day of nakedness was glad to climb into
whatever I had — and did. We were, by this
time, back to the room where we undressed
in the morning and we found our clothes, which
we put into the suit cases. Some of the boys
shipped them home by express and some sold
them to the old-clothes buyers who swarmed
around the room offering small sums for the
cast off garments.
The fitting of the uniforms was weii'd. There
was no time for tailored alterations, and a man
was lucky if he got the jacket and trousers
large enough for him.
One man who had received a pair of trous-
ers that came up under his shoulders and a
jacket that hit him about the knees, was amb-
ling aimlessly around looking himself over
when an officer passed. The rooky didn't see
him and the officer turned back and startled
the poor fellow into consciousness by shouting:
"Here! Why didn't you salute? Did you
see this uniform?"
The boy looked ivith a fishy eye at the offi-
cer and said:
"Sure I see it, but look at the one that they
shoved off on me."
When the day's examinations were over we
were taken to eat, and after a day's fast the
boys certainly did the meal justice.
From that point the men were taken to
their quarters and made themselves as much
at home as possible waiting for the notice that
they would be shipped out to some training
camp.
Within a week we were shipped to Camp
MacArthur, Texas, where the weather was a
few degrees hotter and the water a little less
appetizing, and we started in for what looked
like the training spell. At MacArthur we were
separated into detention companies and kept
in quarantine for two weeks. Our quai-ters
were tents -svith floors and open sides. The
weeds had shot up through the floors and
grown around the sides, completely shutting
them in. We lived there two weeks and then
started in our daily drills and the regular
course of training. The men were all very
anxious to get down town to Waco and when
the time for release came all had made plans
for the excursion. Hopes wei'e dashed, how-
ever, when the commanding officer on Saturday
night detailed all our squad on k.p. for the next
day and they were kept busy in camp.
I had the usual experiences of a recruit.
After being put into a provisional infantry
company, I spent every morning from 7:30 to
noon in learning the rudiments of drill and
discovering that it was not the easiest thing
in the world to get eight men to execute
"squads right" according to the manual.
Eventually we all got so we could do this, and
"face to the right in marching" without falling
over our owai feet or stepping on some one
else's.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
297
MANY RACINE FAMILIES HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS IN SERVICE
At the top, left, are Lt. and Mrs. Ed. Millstead ; at the right Lt. and Mrs. Arthur Naleid : at left of second row are Evald,
Charlotte and Kdmund Strand and at right Arthur Nels and Harry Peter Johnson and their sister. Lower, left, are
Oscar, Einer and Arnold Fischer and at right A. C. Mickelson, who served in the Home Guard, and his son Roland, who
was in the National Army.
298
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
There was nothing especially pleasant about
the training period, excepting its brevity.
Fortunately I did not have to spend months
at drill, as most men did. We worked hard
every minute, and for our pains we seldom
got any greater reward than silence on the
part of some officer who watched our efforts.
When we slipped on some command, then we
got a bawling out that in civil life would be
cause for homicide. One of the hardest things
to learn was to perform instinctively those acts
classified as "military courtesies," such as
standing at attention whenever an officer ap-
peared in the vicinity, saluting, and addressing
our commissioned superiors in the third per-
son. It does not come natural to an American
young man to reel off such a thing as, "Sir,
does the Captain wish to speak to Private
Jones?" when you want to ask him, "Say, did
you want me?" At first I felt ridiculous when
performing these rites, but in time I accepted
it like the others did. Many generations have
maintained that such things are necessary, and
this was no time or place to try to dispute
their wisdom. It helped a little to know that
the captain, in turn, had to do the same thing
when addressing the colonel, and also that
where I had to salute some "looey" whom I
disliked, he had to return the salutes of sev-
eral hundred men in the same length of time.
My squad consisted of eight men of five
nationalities. The corporal was a young lawyer
who tried hard for advancement. He studied
the regulations every evening and tried to get
us to keep our equipment clean and appear as
neat as possible at all times. We learned that
it was almost impossible to dodge drills. Go-
ing to sick call did no good, because we were
returned to the company unless we had a fever
of more than 100 degrees. Nothing else count-
ed. If w^e had ailments on the outside, we
were painted with iodine. If we complained
of internal troubles, we got "C.C." pills. Sick
call was not held during drill hours, so there
was nothing to gain by going to it without
fever. We had a dentist to care for our teeth,
but he either painted the gums with iodine or
pulled out the ailing tooth so most of us kept
away from him. I heard of one man who had
had six molars pulled out to evade the first
draft, and then had been rejected upon his first
examination for heart trouble without anyone
looking at his teeth at all! Most of the boys
seemed to be willing to serve, however, and the
complaints were mostly against little things
such as too much work, food they didn't like,
refusal of passes, etc.
At first I used to try to get on K. P. (kitchen
police) as often as possible to get an occa-
sional respite from drill. Then they ruled
that a K. P. should work before and after drill
in the kitchen and go to the field with the i-est.
Then it became a real nightmare and was used
for punishment. If there was no one to pun-
ish, all took their regular turns.
In the afternoons we learned the manual of
arms, and had bayonet practice vdth bundles
of cornstalks representing our German vic-
tims. After the second week we spent five af-
ternoons on the range firing, and learned how
to hit things 500 yards away with a high power
bullet.
Our cooks didn't know very much about fancy
cooking. Two of them had been merchandise
clerks in civil life and the third was a painter.
I remember the first two or three days I used
to pi'aise their stew, or "slum" as it was called.
It was a sort of mixture of meat and every-
thing else at hand and was quite nourishing
and toothsome. Pretty soon, however, I no-
ticed that we got it every day at least once,
and sometimes twice. After a while it got
pretty tiresome. Rations were issued to the
comjjany in bulk and prepared in the company
kitchen for about 250 men of each mess. The
raw material was first class and there was
plenty of it. When the cooks did not draw all
they were entitled to, a credit slip was given
and this was redeemed for cash at the end of
the month. T?ie proceeds went into the com-
pany mess fund.
The hardest job at camp for me was getting
up at daybreak when the buglers blew "re-
veille." The sounding of this rousing tune,
five minutes after "first call," was always fol-
lowed by a subdued murmur of curses upon the
bugler, and railing at the army in general,
as sleepy men fumbled in the semi-darkness
with shoes, shirts and laced leggings.
Our first pay day came after we had been
instructed to take out war risk insurance, make
an allotment and buy Liberty bonds. We all
lined up on the first of the month and signed
the payroll. It was quite astonishing to find
the large number of men who did not know how
to wi'ite or spell their names. Some of these
were given easier names by the ready-witted
and "hard-boiled" top-kicker, or first sergeant.
The "top" usually is the most hated man in
the outfit. He is the ranking non-com, and
administers the routine affairs of the company.
As one of them told me, he gives all the dis-
agreeable orders, while the captain steps down
to tell us any pleasant news he may have. A
week after signing the payroll, we lined up
again and got our money. I had $6 of my
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
299
300
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
month's pay coming. Many others were in the
same fix, and we strolled around jingling a
few coins and singing, "All we do is sign the
pay roll, and we never get a gosh darned
cent," to the tune of "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah."
During our stay at Camp MacArthur the
camp welfare people were lavish in their en-
tertainments, although the boys were pretty
well tired out at nights, after the vigorous
training to which so few were used. But when
word came that the various companies were
to move in a few days there was great joy,
and every unit that was notified held a "fare-
well banquet" in the company mess hall. There
were banquets being held every night that
week. The men generally wanted to get out
of the southern camps but by far the most
outstanding sentiment was the hope that they
would get stai-ted on the journey "over there."
The men lost a good deal of weight in that
two weeks. They would come in from the drill
fields wringing wet and all but exhausted.
The bath houses were jammed with burning
humanity. But along after midnight the chill
winds from the plains came up and the whole
outfit would nearly freeze, though it was still
in August. Each man had two single blankets
for cover.
On the last of August our company was sent
to Camp Merritt for embarking overseas as re-
placements. There was lots of bustling around
and getting equipment in order. All surplus
stuff was to be disposed of. Nothing but issue
equipment was to be taken.
We travelled east in day coaches, with a
field range set up in the baggage car to pre-
pare meals with, and a freight car behind to
carry baggage. The officers, ten of them, had
a car to themselves.
Two young officers on our train stopped to
talk a little too long with some of the fair
hostesses at a Red Cross depot lunch room
and missed the train. They were able to
charter a taxi cab and catch us at the next
station, but their commanding officer gave
them a dressing down and those little stop-
overs were made rather unpopular from that
time on.
Arriving at Camp Merritt late at night we
were ushered into barracks and the next day
we began to prepare for sailing. This was the
last time we were to have the privilege of
sleeping on cots or beds, excepting on ship-
board. Here we had our hair cut — all of it.
Each man turned in his old campaign hat —
the most practical style of hat on earth, by
the way — and received a dinky "overseas hat"
without a forepiece or brim, and apparently
designed to let all the sunshine possible in
one's eyes, and all the rain possible in one's
neck. We rolled our packs prior to entraining
for Hoboken early one morning and marched
to the depot at Cresskill before dawn. Each
man carried with him or wore on his person
the following:
1 O. D. woolen uniform.
1 pair tan shoes; 1 pair field shoes.
2 flannel shirts.
3 pair socks.
1 pair wrap leggings.
2 suits of underwear.
1 woolen overcoat.
1 rainproof slicker.
1 pair woolen gloves.
1 web belt for trousers.
1 ammunition belt.
1 first aid packet.
1 rifle.
100 rounds of ammunition.
2 woolen blankets.
1 plate, cover, knife, fork and spoon.
1 canteen, cloth cover and cup.
1 pack carrier with shoulder straps.
V2 shelter tent, pole and pins.
2 identification tags on tape.
2 towels.
6 handkerchiefs.
1 housewife kit.
1 shaving outfi.t.
1 cake of soap.
1 Emergency ration (can of salmon and 2
packages of hardtack).
Certain of the non-commissioned officers
were also furnished with a wrist watch, com-
pass and field glasses. Most of us carried a
couple of candles, some \vriting paper and pen-
cils, a watch and matches. In addition to this
equipment, officers were allowed one small
trunk and a bedding roll which will hold nearly
as much as a trunk. They were ordered to
carry at least two uniforms, several styles of
footwear including rubber boots, a lot of books
and official documents, a trench coat with inner
lining, map case and drawing instruments, and
numerous other things. Everyone of us smug-
gled aboard as much tobacco, candy and cigar-
ettes as we could and armed ourselves with
patent pipe lighters of various kinds.
Our equipment was now very much as it re-
mained during the war. In France we re-
ceived gas masks and steel helmets but I can
think of no other changes in our apparel. The
officers overseas wore Sam Brov^Tie leather
belts which were adopted universally by the
Allied armies, but these were discarded at
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
301
302
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
the front, where officers of our army dressed
just like enlisted men excepting for then-
shoulder pins.
When we reached Hoboken and marched to
the pier where the transport was waiting, we
were each of us given a postal card to address
to our home folks. On the back it said, "I
have arrived safely overseas." This was
signed and we were told it would be mailed
when the cables announced our arrival in
France. We were also given instruction re-
garding the censorship. We were told that
from now on all letters would be read by an
officer before being mailed and we must say
nothing about dates, places, names of ships,
or anything else that might be interesting to
the folks at home. I have saved one of the
censorship regulations handed us at the dock.
It reads as follows:
"CENSORSHIP: — REMEMBER that the
enemy and his agents ai'e always on the alert
to gather information.
"Details which are apparently unimportant
may be combined with other details gathered
by the enemy and become information of great
importance to him. Do not forget that news
travels so quickly under modern conditions
that the bits of information you ^vl■ite home
may be in the hands of the enemy a short time
afterward.
"WHEN YOU WRITE A LETTER OR POST
CARD: — DON'T mention towns and localities
in connection with any military organization.
"DON'T put too much faith in the discre-
tion of the people you -^vi-ite to. They may be
very patriotic, yet quite unable to recognize
an enemy agent or what information may be
of value to the enemy.
"DON'T mention the movements of troops,
their condition, the effects of hostile fire upon
them, nor their losses.
"DON'T mail your letter in a French post-
office. It is forbidden in areas served by
American military postal service.
"DON'T allow your friends at home to pub-
lish your letters in the newspapers.
"ABOVE ALL DON'T attempt to formulate
or use any system of code, cipher, shorthand,
or any other means of concealing the true
meaning of your letters. It is the surest road
to a court martial and severe punishment.
"REMEMBER that wTiting or receiving of
letters in war time is a privilege, not a right.
In many wars of the past soldiers were not
allowed to viTite letters at all.
"YOU MAY WRITE:— 1— Letters or post
cards to friends or relatives in the United
States or in France, free of charge.
"2 — To friends or relatives in allied or
neuti-al countries, by paying the same postage
you would from the United States.
"YOU MAY SEND, to the United States
only, picture post cards, except those showing
localities or places; personal photographs; or
small articles, such as gloves, laces or hand-
kerchiefs, etc., as gifts. A PERSONAL photo-
graph means one in which a person alone ap-
pears, without any suggestion of background
that might indicate where it was taken.
"You may send parcels not exceeding seven
pounds in weight by parcel post to the United
States, by prepaying postage.
"YOU MAY NOT WRITE:— To ANYONE
in the countries with which we are at war,
except: American or allied prisoners of war,
in which case letters must be sent to the Base
Censor, unsealed. You may not write, not talk
to, nor hold any communication whatever with
enemy prisoners of war.
"THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS TO
MAIL LETTERS:— 1— Hand them unsealed to
your company officer. Remember that he reads
many letters in his capacity of company censor
and your letter is to him an entirely imperson-
al communication, of which he does not re-
member the details or the writer once it has
been read.
"2 — Place your letters unsealed in a 'blue
envelope,' seal the envelope, and mail it to the
Base Censor, A. E. F., Paris. Each blue enve-
lope may contain several letters, providing all
are wTitten by the same man and that each is
enclosed within its properly addressed enve-
lope, and that the certificate on the 'blue enve-
lope' is signed by the WTiter. It is forbidden
to use 'Blue Envelopes' except for strictly fam-
ily matters.
"If you know who is going to censor your
letters, save his time and help your company
mail service by putting his rank at the bottom
of the letter and in the lower left-hand corner
of the envelope, ready for his signature.
"As soon as he has read the letter, the officer
will SIGN his name above his rank, and as soon
as it has been stamped with the censor stamp
the censor will post your letter. Nothing else
should appear on the envelope.
"DON'T TALIC TOO MUCH:
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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304
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
"OiRcers, enlisted men, and militarized civil-
ians with the American Expeditionary Forces
in France are forbidden to discuss or mention
in public places, or to impart to anyone except
in the official discharge of their duties, any-
thing of military nature or anything whatever
concerning information directly or indirectly
obtained through their connection with the A.
E. F.
"Never forget that we are at war and that
the enemy is always listening. Always look
with suspicion on strangers, and never tell
anything of a confidential nature to a woman,
as women are the most successful of enemy
spies. Be suspicious of anyone who asks ques-
tions of a military nature, or who appears
unduly interested in military information, even
though he may be or may appear an American
officer. Don't offer unsolicited information.
You have no right to tell ANYONE where
any unit is, or what military information has
come into your possession, unless it is your
official duty to do so. Any stranger, man,
woman, or child, even a man in an American
or an allied uniform, may be a spy. Do not
tell him anything you would not be willing for
the enemy to hear. For similar reasons, never
enter into correspondence with strangers. It
is one of the many schemes used by enemy
agents to gather information. On the street
or in public places remember that 'the walls
have ears.'
"Do not express your opinion on military
matters nor on the general situation. Be loyal
to your Government and your superiors. Trust
them to conduct the war while you attend to
your ovra particular part in it.
"Avoid in any way giving the impression of
pessimism either in your conversation or your
attitude. In all ways be confident in the suc-
cess of our armies and of our cause.
"All members of the American Expeditionary
Forces are forbidden to take photographs, un-
less photography is a part of their official
duties.
"DON'T CARRY WITH YOU:— Maps, docu-
ments or private papers of a military nature
nor a diary or notebook containing military
hints of value to the enemy, except when it is
your official duty to do so. These will be of
danger to your comrades in case you are cap-
tured; enemy pickpockets may get them even
if you are not captured.
"On the other hand, if any enemy property
comes into your possession, under any circum-
stance whatever, turn it over at once to your
company commander, who will deliver it to an
Intelligence officer. If the trophy is not of
value to the Intelligence Section, it will be re-
turned to you. Such trophies may be of vast
importance to the General StaflF.
"IF YOU ARE CAPTURED:— Don't remem-
ber any more than you can help. Try particu-
larly to forget organizations and the places in
which they are stationed. Every bit of mili-
tary information you give to your captors is a
danger to you and to the comrades that have
been left behind to fight your battles.
"By command of General Pershing:
"Robert C. Davis,
"Adjutant General."
After receiving a lunch from the Red Cross
workers at the wharf, we were lined up in ac-
cordance with a muster roll previously pre-
pared and marched up an inclined gang-plank
into the ship. Each man was handed a ticket
containing the number of his bei'th, the letter
of his section and the designation "foi-ward,"
"aft" or "amidships," and as he proceeded he
showed this to successive sailor guides who
steered him to his bunk. We had no state-
rooms. The entire lower part of the vessel
had been cleared of everything but waterproof
bulkheads, and in the open space on each deck
had been placed bunks of gas pipe and canvas,
four deep. The lowest one was three inches
from the deck, the upper one a foot from the
ceiling. Between these tiers of bunks there
was passageway eighteen inches wide. The
holds were dark and smelled overpoweringly of
disinfectants. There was little ventilation.
When the transport pulled out, we were kept
between decks for an hour and then allowed
above in time to catch a glimpse of New York
harbor. From that time on we generally were
allowed on deck for three or four hours a day.
There was not room for all of us at once,
there.
We were all scared of submarines. There
seemed little chance of anyone getting out
alive if we should be hit, despite the boat
drills. These drills merely showed us that
there were not enough boats or rafts to care
for a quarter of us in time of danger, and also
served the purpose of teaching us how to get
out of the sections below decks. I asked our
captain what we were to do if torpedoed, as
no boats were assigned to us. He said we were
to jump overboard and try to find something to
support us in the water.
There was little excitement on the voyage.
One of the ships of the convoy became separ-
ated one evening, but turned up the next noon.
She appeared to have lost a portion of her
stern, and it was talked about that she had
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
305
306
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
been rammed during the night and that many
men had been killed. But of course these stor-
ies could not be verified, though they served
to keep the boys busy talking.
The naval gunners also took a half a dozen
shots at a school of porpoises which were
hurdling alongside the ship. The schools were
considered as excellent telltale marks for sub-
marine commanders and it was a general ijrae-
tice for the transport gunners to fire a few
shots and get them to sheer off from the ship's
course.
About a day and a half out of Brest a con-
voy of half a dozen destroyers hove in sight
and from then until we went into harbor the
swift little craft circled and twisted in our
course and cut didoes to the port and star-
boai'd, nosing out traces of submarines. But
they encountered none.
We came to anchor late Friday afternoon.
As th>i shore line, which is rocky and rugged,
came into view the shipload gave vent to con-
tinuous cheering. There were very few who
didn't feel that land was a welcome place, after
the uncertainties of the U-boat menace, and a
large proportion had other reasons for wishing
to get their two feet under them on solid earth.
The men were taken off in lighters and
marched out to the Napoleon (Pontanezon)
barracks. Our outfit marched right past the
barracks and into the little hedged-in fields
where we laid out our camp, pitched our pup-
tents and turned in to get some rest. It
rained terrifically that night, but it didn't in-
terfere with the sleep of the newly landed re-
cruits.
The next day, being Sunday, we looked for
a nice day of rest. At about 7 o'clock a num-
ber of us were lined up and told off for de-
tail. We were marched out into the country
for a few miles. Before starting we were given
shovels and picks and they helped to make the
traveling more exciting.
After a long hike we brought up at a ceme-
tery and our officer showed us a piece of
ground and told us to dig. We dug all day.
It was fearfully hot and few were used to
using this sort of implement. By evening we
had excavated sufficiently to provide graves
for about forty soldiers who had died the day
before at the base hospital.
As they brought the bodies out on trucks
we helped unload them and acted as pallbear-
ers, carrying the rough coffins to the holes we
had dug, and then we turned to and filled in the
graves. We started back to camp, a pretty
tii'ed lot, about 7:30 o'clock.
Our first day in France was hardly a cheer-
ful beginning.
On the other hand we could not help but
be impressed by the presence of a large num-
ber of French women and girls who had come
out to the cemetery with their arms filled with
flowers. They rounded up the graves, set the
markers and sti'ewed their flowers over the
mounds, so that when we were leaving, the
portion of the rapidly growing cemetery we
had helped to make, had every appearance of
being the subject of loving care from those
left behind.
When we got into camp we learned that we
were to move at 1 o'clock that night. We hung
around waiting, after we had pulled up our
tents and got our equipment together, and
finally were marched to a train of small box-
cars — the first of that sort to travel we had
encoimtered. We got aboard and waited till
6 o'clock in the morning when the train pulled
out and we started away on our trip to the
front. There were 36 of us in each car and we
barely had room to lie down.
After a day and a half of travel we brought
up at LeMans, a classification camp where we
were examined again and given new equipment
calculated for the field. From there we were
sent to the infantry training area we were to
occupy and were issued whatever we appeared
to be short at the time.
For ten days we were at Eccomoy engaged in
target practice and were told that within a
few weeks we would be up at the front.
Few of the boys believed what they were
told and thought it was a dodge on the part
of the officers to get the men more interested
in their training. This was our first experi-
ence with billets. We were distributed around
town in the barns of the residents and had
fairly comfortable quarters. Some men rented
rooms the officers had overlooked.
It was here that we received our gas masks
and went through a gas chamber and had gas
drill and worked a little more on rifle prac-
tice.
On Sunday morning it was announced that
all who wanted to go to church would be ex-
cused from drills. The religious fervor that
developed was universal. Men who didn't know
what church looked like nor how it was spelled
became suddenly anxious to attend one. It
was the first day of rest since arriving at Jef-
ferson Barracks seven weeks befoi'e. The lit-
tle village was dark at night, all lights being
under the ban in this area, to keep from at-
tracting German aerial observers.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
307
Photos Loaned by H. J. Sanders
INCIDENTS IN THE ADVENTURES OF BATTERY C MEN HERE AND IN FRANCE
The top panel shows what camp life was like at Douglas. The view was photographed after a rain and first discomforts
of soldiering were entering the warriors' lives. In the center are a lot of Racine boys who have just dropped off a French
troop train for coffee. At the bottom is pictured the interior of a Red Cross hut where "chow" could be acquired by the
perpetually hungry doughboy.
308
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
On the tenth day of training we were
marched to another train of box ears and after
a three-day ride landed in a casual camp at
Nivieville. This was rather close to the front
and we heard for the first time the roar of
the heavy guns at the front and at night the
flashes from the artillery could be seen. We
were there two nights, sleeping one night in
a field and the other in town. The camp was
the depot for replacement troops for the divi-
sion, and we were all checked over and assigned
for replacement service in various units to be
called. The airmen were above us and no
lights were allowed at night, as a protective
measure.
Here we saw the first men we had seen from
the front. They came marching back, dog-
tired, covered with mud and dirt, but happy and
many carried souvenirs of various kinds. They
told stories of the hell going on out toward
the German lines, and we got a pretty good
idea of what we were in for when they got
ready to send us forward.
At every stopping place in France back of
the zone of the advance, we saw lots of German
prisoners working on the roads or in railroad
yards. They seemed to be fairly contented and
certainly got good treatment. Whenever we
had a chance we talked v^rith them and most of
the boys slipped the "P. G." in green-grey
some cigarettes when they found an oppor-
tunity.
Long after the war when these prisoners
were returned home, I understand that they
were agreeably surprised by receiving pay
from the Americans equal to that given a
Yankee soldier. They had more money in their
pockets than they ever saw before and many
an M. P. guarding them cursed against the
"non-fraternizing" rule which prevented them
from getting up a little crap game and reliev-
ing Heinie of his surplus cash.
Where we now were we saw many types of
soldiers — ^French, African, Hindu and others.
Some wore quaint and gaudy costumes. Lots
of Chinese coolies were working under direc-
tion of British or French officers.
As our troop's forward movements grew
more frequent, the expressions became more
vivid on the part of the men.
"This is a hell of a place," a disgusted
doughboy would shout the minute he landed at
a new camp or center.
"I hope we get out of here," his buddie would
reply sourly.
As the replacement men advanced they
found each stopping place a little worse than
the last, but they felt that they would be sat-
isfied if they could hurry and move on to the
next. From barracks and tents in America to
rooms in homes in France the quai-ters were
changed into cowstables, barns and outhouses
and then to out of doors entirely.
The rains were almost continuous and the
men who neared the front left all hopes of
baths behind.
The unpopular little cootie put in his ap-
pearance at about that time and added a little
more to the growing burden of troubles for
the doughboys.
In our little shack a lieutenant entered. He
was WTiggling and shaking himself and finally
began looking up one of his sleeves. I asked
him to show me wh.at cooties were like.
"How long have you been here?" he demand-
ed.
"Two or three days," I replied.
"Haw-haw," he roared. "You'll see all you
want of them before you've been here another
three."
I did.
The great American game among the sol-
diers was craps. It was a natural result of
conditions prevalent in the army. No allow-
ance was made for transporting any games.
In spite of numerous attempts to provide en-
tertainment for the A. E. F., it is a fact that
very few troops ever saw an entertainment
before the armistice while in France. Cards
were fairly easy to carry in a pack, but after
a few nights spent in the open and in the rain,
anything that water could destroy was de-
stroyed. A pack of cai-ds had a short life
when spent in a pack. On the other hand dice
were not harmed by water. They could be
carried easily in any pocket and the game of
craps needed nothing more than the two
"bones" and willing hands to roll them. If a
blanket was handy to serve as a table, so much
the better, but it was not essential.
Whenever men on the march or in billets had
a few moments to spare from duty, the onlook-
er might have heard at any hour of day or
night, the mystical commands, "Come seven,"
"Fighter from Decatur," "There's my little
Joe," "Oh, you Big Dick," and pleading voices
appealing to "My Lady Luck" and "My natural
point" and "Phoebe."
Considering that the great majority of men
were drawing but $15 or $20 in actual cash
per month in France, the size of some of the
craps games was astounding. In many com-
panies one or two men would possess the whole
sum of the payi'oll within a day or two after
pay day — for it must be understood that craps
is not a game that is played for the fun of it,
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
309
Photos by John Hood
GOING AND COMING. THE RACINE UNITS WERE LIONIZED
When the boys left in 1917 they were escorted to their trains by seething crowds which jammed streets, viaducts and every
place of vantage to spectators. The upper picture shows a departure. In the center an idea of the welcome is pictured.
The returning unit was squeezed into the middle of the street and the crowds swarmed into the ranks. As can be seen
in the picture the men shouted responses to grii-_''tinKs from the crowds that marched with them through town. At the
bottom is shown the head of the parade of the 121st Field Artillery on May 20, 1918. The crowds kept to the curb until
the band passed by.
310
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
like croquet or jack-straws. Usually a game
would start off by the participants "shooting
a quarter" or a franc, but by the time the
money began to get a little concentrated it
was not uncommon to hear the possessor of the
dice offering to "shoot the 500 francs or any
part of it," while willing hands sent showers
of bills onto the blanket to match the wagers.
One lad in my squad cleaned up $500 in an
hour, starting out with $1.50. On the trans-
ports crossing the Atlantic, where several
thousand men were packed in the holds with
nothing to occupy their time, many enthusi-
asts collected hundreds of dollars. As no
one had much to start with, none of the losers
were out more than $15 or $20 in most cases.
The general attitude of soldiers toward money
was that it was made to be spent. If they
wanted something which could not be purchased
with the amount in their pockets, the only
way to get more was to gamble. If there was
nothing they desired to purchase, they might
as well gamble as do anything else. One of
the reasons for the popularity of gambling was
the fact that in France, at least, there was lit-
tle at the stores to tempt anyone to make a
purchase. Food was the main desire of most
A. E. F. members, but it was only upon occa-
sions that they could buy eggs, fruit and other
delicacies which they craved.
Whenever a marching column of troops
passed a town, they cleaned out the stock of
edibles in the little stores in short order. Men
would rush in the store, slam a five franc note
on the counter and ask for whatever looked
edible on the shelves. Sometimes this would
be a can of preserves of some sort. At other
times, the chagrined customer would find, upon
opening a can, that he had obtained paint or
shoe polish or washing powder. These errors
were less frequent after the doughboys got so
they could read French more efficiently.
The company to which I was assigned was
resting, early in October in a patch of woods
not far from Montfaucon, in the Meuse-Ar-
gonne sector and I was sent foi-ward vnth
twenty other men to join them there. We
moved up in trucks as far as Esnes and then
were marched ten miles over a muddy, crowd-
ed road which had been built through a shell
torn section which had been No-Man's land for
three years. The barbed wire entanglements
were still in place excepting for gaps opened
by the infantry in their advance and by high
explosive shells. The shell holes, varying in
size from one which would barely hold a bushel
basket, to one which could conceal an auto
truck, were half filled with water. The road
we were on was the only one in sight, but there
must have been others as this was used for
north bound traffic only. Artillery, ammuni-
tion trucks, supply wagons and tanks were
passing slowly along it, concealed from enemy
observation by the mist and rain. Usually
movements were made at night. Aeroplanes
were passing overhead, but at such a height
as to be barely visible. We infantrymen had
no rights on the road and had to turn out on
the ditch whenever a vehicle needed room.
A mile north of Montfaucon we passed long,
six inch guns which were firing at long inter-
vals. At a distance of two hundred yards, the
blast of the discharge seemed likely to break
our eardrums. All the men we saw were
muddy and plainly unfamiliar with a bath tub,
but I noticed that most of them were shaved.
I reported to the first sergeant of my new
outfit at supper time and sat down in the mud
to a meal of corned beef, water-soaked bread
and luke-warm coffee. There was plenty of
those dainties, but not much else. The men had
pitched their pup-tents in the underbrush with
no attempt at regularity, the main thing be-
ing to get under cover of some bi'anches which
would serve as camouflage. Inside the tents
most everyone dug a trench about eighteen
inches deep and six feet long in which to sleep,
as the sides of this gave protection against
possible shell fire or splinters from aerial
bombs. That night I was under fire for the
first time, as six large shells hit near the edge
of our woods. My first idea was to run some-
where, but as everyone else seemed to remain
where they were I decided I was as safe there
as anywhere. Some of the weary men did not
even wake up. No one was injured by these
explosions, but one shell blew a baggage wagon
all to pieces. I could hear the shell coming
for a second or two before it struck; it made
a sort of whistling noise, not very shrill, how-
ever.
Later I learned that each sort of shell has a
different sound, and this sound varies accord-
ing to the point from which it is heard. For
instance, as a shell approaches, it makes one
kind of noise and when it passes over the
tune changes immediately for its departure
from the vicinity. Shrapnel bursting in air
gives off a dull, vibrating "boom." Shells
bursting on impact make an ear-splitting
"whang" or "wow," according to size, but if
the explosion takes place after the shell en-
tered the ground a few inches the main crash
of the explosion is preceded by a sort of
"g-r-r," as if the sound were struggling
through the ground for an instant before it
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
311
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN ON THE SHIP RETURNING— WERE THEY GLAD? OBSERVE
There were scores of Racine men among the returning soldiers who arrived in America in May, 1919. The boys were
eager to get home and took the discomforts of travel good naturedly: there was plenty to eat and the "makings" of some
wonderful "crap games" on the transport.
312
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
burst forth. Shells from our owti guns, pass-
ing overhead, seem to make a sort of sighing
noise, like wind in a pine woods. Rifle bullets
hiss or buzz almost like some sort of insect
when they pass close by. One kind of shell,
the Austrian .88, explodes before you can hear
it coming, because its rate of speed is more
rapid than that of sound. These are called
"whizz-bangs," the name being an imitation
of the noise they make if they go over you
and explode to the real'.
We stayed in this reserve position one more
day. I was pretty scared most of the time,
but the veteran soldiers didn't seem to mind
the danger. They said they were "fed up"
on war, however; many had been under fire
almost continuously for months. They couldn't
see why the new divisions shouldn't be brought
up to relieve the old outfits, while they went
back into billets somewhere to get a bath and
taste a little "vin rouge" and an omelet. Most
all of them had cooties, and many were af-
flicted \\'ith dysentery as well as a form of
itch. All were confident of their ability to
lick the Germans at any time or place. The
army had shown the Allies something about
methods of warfare, and by keeping on the
ofi'ensive all the time had gradually reduced
the opposing German divisions to mere skele-
tons of their former selves.
At six o'clock (or eighteen o'clock, as it was
termed officially) one evening we packed up
our duds and prepared to move foi'ward. We
marched for eight hours and the memory of
the hike is a sort of a nightmai'e to me. Our
owTi artillery was active and as we passed
along the muddy trail through the fields near
Romagne the blasts from the 155 and 75 mm.
pieces kept me in a state of extreme nervous-
ness. I thought they were shells exploding,
and soon some enemy shells did land near us.
One man was hit by a fragment, which I had
heard whizzing through the air toward our
group. Two soldiers bound up his wound,
which was in the leg, and he was ordei'ed to
turn back to a dressing station. He did so,
with a brief "So long, fellows," to the men he
had served ^v^th for months and was now to
leave, perhaps permanently.
In this front zone no lights were allowed —
not even a match could be struck or a cigarette
lighted. Up ahead we saw some beautiful
fireworks. I learned that these were flares
sent up between the opposing lines to disclose
prowling parties on raids or patrol. The light
from them was very bright and as the balls of
fire were attached to tiny parachutes, they
floated about in the air for half a minute. On
a company front, one of these flares would be
sent up at irregular intervals five or six times
an hour.
Along the road I saw the dead bodies of ten
Germans, and one American, the latter on a
stretcher.
When we reached the front lines, I found
that there was no trench system established,
although our platoon was to be located in what
had been an old German battery position, and
there was some protection in front of us. Most
of the men on this line had dug deep "fox
holes" for protection, and the idea was to con-
nect these up into a continuous trench four
or more feet deep. However, as we always ex-
pected to advance every day or two, these
trenches were seldom completed by Americans.
I had already seen the elaborate, deep German
and French trenches south of Montfaucon and
was somewhat surprised to learn that we didn't
have at least that much shelter.
The company we relieved disappeared in the
dark after we had exchanged a few whispers,
and the lieutenant in charge of us had ob-
tained what information he could about the
conditions out in front and the whereabouts
of outfits on either flank of us. I laid down in
a fox hole and went to sleep at about 3 a. m.,
but at 5 I was awakened by a terrific cannon-
ading from our own artillery. There was a
continuous roar of firing, and up ahead we
could hear the shells exploding and occasionally
see clouds of dirt arise. It was still quite dark
however. A corporal came along and said we
were going to go over the top at 6:30 o'clock
and to eat some of the corned beef sandwiches
we had brought at once. I did so, although
I was feeling somewhat nervous and my mouth
was as dry as sandpaper. I won't say just
how scared I was, but I imagine I felt about
the same as a prisoner walking out to be
hung. Machine guns were opening up, straight
ahead of my shelter, and I could hear the bul-
lets passing near in bursts occasionally. Evi-
dently the Germans were nervous, too.
As the time approached to go over, the lieu-
tenant and our sergeant began comparing
watches very frequently and talking in low
tones. I took a drink from my canteen every
minute or two and wished I could get a broken
leg before time to start. However, everyone
else seemed cool enough so I decided to go
through with it no matter what happened. It
was just as safe to go ahead as any other
way, I figured, and I surely couldn't stay still
when my outfit advanced.
Suddenly the sergeant said quietly, "Fix
bayonets and get all set." W^e did so and a
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
313
THE YANKS OWNED THE TRANSPORTS ON THE JOURNEY HOME
When troops went eastward they were kept under a very strict discipline, but when it came to returning they were given
wide range and plenty of leeway. This picture shows th:m all over the ship — even on the skipper's sacred bridge.
314
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
minute later he whispered, "Come on," and we
stepped up from our ditch and went forward in
bunches of six or eight, each squad in single
file. I don't know what it looked like at first
as I kept my head down so my helmet would
catch any stray bullets. I was fourth in the
squad column.
Suddenly our artillery stopped firing and the
silence was oppressive for half a minute. We
went forward at a trot looking for Germans.
We probably were 150 yards ahead of the
jumping off place when our artillery opened
up again, the shells being visible as they ex-
ploded quite a ways ahead of us. The barage
was creeping forward to protect us. I re-
member hearing a "wh-z-z" and the sergeant
yelled, "Dowm!" and we all dove just as a shell
exploded twenty yards away. Another fol-
lowed nearby, and another. I saw the man
ahead of me start to arise and then fall again
limply. He muttered something. I saw his
face was all bloody, and as he lay on his side
his left hand was badly mangled. Even as I
watched him, he turned on his face and after
a convulsive movement became still. I knew
that he was dead. Somehow, the shock to me
was not as great as 1 had anticipated. I had
prepared myself to expect to see death, and as
long as I was still alive I did not get much
excited. Another shell hit forty yards to our
left. There was a sharp, buzzing sound, and
my head jerked back. There was a noise as
though a hammer had struck an iron pipe. I
gasped in fear, and then realized that a shell
fragment had hit my helmet without injuring
me.
"Helmet, you're my friend," I said aloud.
"All right," yelled the sergeant just then,
"Let's go."
We all got up and ran foi'ward. I saw a
German a few rods ahead of me, getting up.
He started to run. Four of us fired at him and
he dropped. "I got him," I remarked, and then
I became aware that the man next behind me
was saying the same thing. We reloaded as
we kept on.
I saw other Yanks at a distance on either
side. Suddenly one of the groups to my right
just melted away and at the same time I heard
a loud rattling noise at our right front. It
was a German machine gun. Our sergeant
dashed for it, all of our squad following. We
reached it before it could be turned on us, but
a Gei'man fired his pistol at the sergeant and
killed him when we were within six feet of
the hedge behind which the enemy were. Four
of us leaped the hedge. There were three
Germans. One fell to the ground when big
Pete leaped upon him and struck him a terrific
blow with the butt of his rifle. I saw one
struggling to get his pistol working and I shot
from the hip with my rifle. Luckily the bullet
struck him between the eyes and he rolled
over. The third one gave a yell and threw
up his hands, but if he wanted to surrender he
got no chance for an American bayonet went
into his abdomen. He gave a sickening moan,
half sigh and half cough, and keeled over.
The man who stuck him called to me "Keep
coming, buddy," and I ran foi-ward in his foot-
steps. I knew that we were supposed to get to
an old road up ahead and assemble there at
7:10 to reform our line. I was feeling better.
I saw that one could be in battle without get-
ting killed and I was gaining confidence as I
went along, seeking shelter behind stumps and
clumps of grass as I advanced. The firing from
the concealed German lines was continuous
and shells were dropping on both sides of us,
and in front and rear. The Germans had no
ti-enches along here, only strong points for in-
fantry and lots of machine gun nests.
As I was looking for a place to halt a mo-
ment to regain my breath, I heard a few bul-
lllllllllllllll
The roster of Co. I, 7th Regt. Wisconsin State Guard,
shown on the opposite page, follows ;
Capt. Paul M. Matson, 1st. Lt. W. F. MacGregor. 2nd
Lt. R. P. Peterson, Q. M. Sgts. J. F. Sugden, and C. B.
Washburn.
1st Sgt. J. E. Wilson and Sgts. P. F. Peterson. T. .7.
Pryce, A. W. Johnson. W. J. Kennedy, J. E. Craig. Ed.
Rasmussen, T. L. Hei-manson and A. W. Clutter.
Corporals L. J. Breylinger, Evan Catterall, S. E. Craig,
L. A. Filiatreau, Wm. Meyers. Nels Nielsen, D. C. Wash-
burn, and A. E. Wilkins.
Musicians R. E. Schaefer. I. J. Fuller, A. J. Pluhar, John
Walther and Geo. P. Lee.
Cooks Jos. Pluhar, C. P. Zierten and W. K. Bass.
Articifers N. R. Krause. J. W. Zellen and J. H. Birkett.
Privates Jess Acklam, Chas. O. Beach, Stephen Benisb.
L. J. Blessinger, David Bolton. Walter P. Borman, C. J.
Brady, Russell Bronson, Geo. F. Butler, B. W. Chadwick.
F. J. Charles. H. P. Christensen, Edwin R. Dermody.
Wm. J. Easson, C. S. Edwards, Ezra L. Evans, John R.
Evans, Otto Falkenberg, Peter Fenger. L. M. Fowler.
John M. Frey, Ronald Gales, Rudolph Greer, M. J. Grif-
fith, A. C. Hanson, Fredrick Hauberg. Wm. H. Hetzel,
P. C. Holm, John Host. A\. Hutchinson, F. E. Jacobsen,
E. F. Johnson. J. R. Jones. Jl-., O. E. Kammien. M. P.
Koke, Wm. H. Lang. C. E. Lange, Clyde H. Layton.
Howard L. Layton. Orrin P. Layton. Oscar Layton, G. H.
Leahv, H. J. Leonard, John Lincoln, H. Longstaff. N. F.
Longstaff. W. P. Lonim. E. MacKendrick. S. J. Manner-
ing. J. H. Martin. H. W. Matterer, R. H. McCaughey,
D. C. Metcalf. F. H. Miller, Peter Miluszusky, Donald J.
Morey. A. C. Munck. P. J. Myers. G. E. H. Nelson. P. N.
Nelson, A. Nickelsen. T. F. Nielsen, John B. Nobert. Ole
Olson. M. A. Overson. L. A. Pease, W. H. Peters. Holger
Petersen. Leiand B. Pfost, A. J. Pinard, Matthew Poul-
son, A. E. Price, R. W. Rasmussen, J. E. Rocque. Carl
Ruger. J. H. Rulle, L. A. Scheuss, Peter Scholzen. Silas
Schwartz. J. E. Simpson. Edw. W. Tigges, I. O. Verket.
H. C. Voss. J. A. Wellensgard. T. H. Welshman. A. Wil-
son. E. A. Wurz.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
315
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lets pass near me. I clucked my head and
started to dive for a shell hole. As I did so I
felt a blow on my right hip and fell to the
ground. At the same time there was a crash
as though I had been hit on the head with a
club. I sank quietly into sleep.
When I opened my eyes I realized that I
had been wounded and in despei-ate haste I
squirmed around to see what had happened
to me. I could not move my right leg, but it
was not shot off. It was bleeding a little about
eight inches below my waist. My cheek was
bloody but evidently the bullet had passed
through my helmet and only torn the flesh
along my jaw.
I got out my first aid packet and bandaged
the hole in my hip as best I could and let the
other wound alone. I crept painfully a few
feet and found a shell hole in which I could
curl up. Soon a shell exploded near me which
smelled strange and I realized instantly that
it was mustard gas. I put on my gas mask
and for an hour wore it, much to my discom-
fort. At about noon it started to rain, and
feeling safe from observation I crawled back
to our old front line. The trip took me nearly
an hour. There I was found by two stretcher
bearers, who carried me down the road a bit
to an old dugout, where there was a surgeon
and a squad of medical corps men. The doctor
gave me a shot of anti-tetanus serum and re-
dressed my wounds. Four men then carried
me to a little village a mile distant where they
placed me in an ambulance with three other
litter cases. We were given a wild and rough
ride for six mile.s, and at last reached the field
hospital where I was placed on an operating
table and had the bullet extracted from my leg.
When I woke up I was in a cot and an orderly
was bringing me some soup. It tasted pretty
good, and when a Y. M. C. A. man came along
with some cigarettes I was feeling better than
I had for a week.
It was two days later when I was carried
back to Souilly and put on a crowded hospital
train for shipment to the Bordeaux hospital
section. There, in a nice bed in a base hos-
pital, I remained for two months while the
war ended and the army was starting to move
again — one part toward home and the other
to Germany.
As my wounds did not have any permanent
bad results, I feel that I had a very interesting
and, on the whole, enjoyable experience in the
army. I missed the long period of training,
and the long dreary siege of trench and field
warfare that so many of our men underwent,
and at the same time I saw a little of every-
thing. I think that, on the whole, the army
was well handled and cared for. I know the
food was ample, even though the menu did
not have much variety. In the field, the sol-
diers usually were given fresh meat three or
four times a week, and they had canned corn
or tomatoes or beans once a day in addition
to plenty — oh, a great plenty — of corned beef,
corned beef hash and canned salmon. Bread
was supplied whenever the wagons could make
daily trips from the railhead to the field kitch-
ens, and otherwise there was hard tack which
was not so terribly hard. When the infantry
was in the front lines, hot food was brought
up once each night in containers which retained
the heat. The kitchens and baggage were al-
ways left at the rear. Danger was always
present, but after a few days at the front,
everyone gets used to this and doesn't worry
over the possibility of getting hit. The longer
one remains unscathed, the more confident he
becomes of his immunity.
What impressed me as much as anything at
The roster of Co. K (see opposite page) contained the
following : Many of the boys who were in K's ranks
were later in the service of the U. S. army or navy.
Capt. Richard Drake. Capt. John T. Olson (promoted
from 1st Lt. on July 5. 19171 ; 1st Lt. John H. Owens,
2d Lt. Fred C. Haumerson.
1st Set. John E. Konnak, Q. M. Sgt. Fred M. Brooker,
Sgts. Carl Hanson. Wm. Rodgrers, R. P. Hammond. Thos.
Kearney, Jr.. Lee Archer. Elmer Durgin.
Corp. B. M. Kerr, V. H. Whaley. Elmer Durgin, Arthur
Ehrlich, Kai H. Studt, W. F. Hogan. A. C. Hermes. C. C.
Nelson, R. B. Gister, Louis M. Hass. Musicians Wm.
Peterson, Claude Merrill, Nels Nelson. Articifier Geo. J.
Henningfield.
Privates : Albert E. Anderson, Harold Avard, Frank L.
Bahr, Johnson E. Baldwin, Thorwald M. Beck, Edwin C.
Billings, John Beyer, Harold H. Bradley, Harry L. Cal-
hoon, Frank Cooper, Hugh M. Costello, Robert Davis.
Arthur Dixon, Roljert Eagen, John H. Foxwell, Roman B.
Gister, Arthur R. Glassow, Wm. L. Hager, Reuben H.
Haase, Windlin M. Hasse, Albert C. Hermes, William F.
Hogan, Richard Hughes, Fred C. Jacobson, Anid Jen-
sen, Jens Jensen, Fred C. Klingmeyer, Milton J. Knob-
lock, Henry A. Mayer. Albert C. Mickelson, Emil M.
Miller, Charles A. Mosher Charles C. Nelson, Nelson B.
Nelson, Ole P. Nielson, Louis Norup, Jas. T. Orr. Jno. H.
Paap, Walter C. Peterson, John R. Powers, Leo. J. Red-
mond. Charles Reynolds, Will H. Shafer. Chas. D. Saw-
yer, C. A. Schumacker. Art. W. Simonson, Martin Singer,
Harry C. Steinbuck, Leonard H. Tietz, Sofus TroUe, Xouis
TroIIe, Claude Terrill. ClitTord Terrill, Leopold Von Schil-
ling, Peter J. Verheyn, Geo. H. Ward. Clar, P. Wiede-
bach, Webster A. Anderson, Dwight Bartlett, M. Hamp-
ton Bartlett, Alonzo D. Carpenter, Harry Chamberlin,
Phillip T. Clancy, H. A. Fairbanks, F. E. Findley, J. J.
Foley, Leo J. Funk, David Hanson, Louis M. Hass, Thos.
Helium, Roy F. Horn. Orvin Huppert, Arthur Janes, Burt
Johnson, Ed. Kammenberg. Raymond E. Kaye. Matt E.
Keefe, Dominie Lesento. Carl A. Mall, Martin Matson.
Theo. Matson. Rowland H. Mears, Richard Mertins, Thos.
Morgenson. Martin Nelson. Svend Nelson, Tolmar Nel-
son. Victor C. Nelson, H. A. Olsen, John W. Owen, C. E.
Peterson, George Peterson, Nels C. Peterson, Wm. Peter-
son, Wm. L. Peterson. John Plemmons, Mikel P. Pors-
gaard, Anthony Reis, Robert Reno, Robert Rickett, Robt.
Rodgers, Thomas Rothwell, ."Arthur J. Schroeder, Elmer
Blatter, K. H. Studt, Harold Swenson, Geo. Wernicke,
Frank J. Yetmar.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
the front was the ahiiost universal bravery of
members of the human race. Knowing that
they were in constant danger of their lives,
the American soldier almost without exception
showed no sign of fear in battle, and I am told
that the same is true of other nations. Men
who, at home, would be afraid to climb a lad-
der for fear of falling, perform the most as-
tounding feats of bravery and think nothing
of it.
There is not a man who served in France
from Racine who, were he to do the same acts
here that he did at the front, time and time
again, would not be hailed as a hero worthy
of public acclaim. In war, however, individual
acts of heroism ai'e lost sight of in the mass of
them. In the brief time that I was in the Ar-
gonne sector I saw engineers calmly building
roads while enemy shells were bursting all
around them. I saw artillerymen driving their
teams foi-ward over shell torn roads and across
open fields while German aeroplanes raked
their column with machine gun fire and hurled
grenades upon them from the air, and the can-
noneers of other batteries were serving their
guns with missiles exploding in their vicinity
constantly. Infantrymen wooed death in every
form for days at a time and advanced to the
mouths of machine guns and rifles, or charged
against deadly bayonets, as though they wei'e
advancing in a game of football. Aviators
flew across the lines to gather information
knowing that they Would be subjected to shell
fire as well as to attack from enemy avions,
and that a comparatively minor injury to pilot
or plane at thousands of feet above the ground
would mean cei-tain death. Ambulance drivers
and crews of ammunition trucks faced death
almost every hour while carrying on in their
prosaic occupations. Yet not one man in a
thousand ever seemed to hesitate in the least
over the performance of all of his duty, or
even more, on account of any personal danger.
The discomforts of war were more detested
than its perils. Sleeping and marching in mud
and rain, eating like animals, existing in holes
by day and venturing forth at night on their
missions of death; unwashed, unclean, lousy
and often sick, the American soldier preferred
the dangers of an attack to the miserable mo-
notony of trench life and its comparative safe-
ty. Artillerymen might go for weeks without
washing their faces, but they kept their guns
clean as a banquet table. Infantrymen might
go wdthout socks, but they always tried to
have plenty of cartridges on hand. Canteens
might get empty, but horses were watered if
there was water to be had. "Let's win this
damned war quick," was the motto, and as
long as this objective seemed possible of at-
tainment the American soldier was willing to
undergo almost anything. They knew they
were in France until it was over, and they
asked nothing more than they be allowed to
finish it. They had the chance, thanks to Per-
shing's confidence in them, and did the job.
' /,'
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE END OF THE WAR
THE signing of the armistice and the ces-
sation of hostilities at 11 o'clock in the
morning of Nov. 11, 1918, found the
American troops active on all fronts and in
several places preparing to attack the enemy
line at 12 o'clock noon. The muddy, weary
doughboys out in front; the sweating, swearing
artillerymen at their backs, and the tireless
engineers and ambulance drivers and teamsters
along the roads had no heart to cheer the
news when yelling couriers and low-flying
aeroplanes finally brought the story of the end
of the world's greatest war. Although the
word was expected, it was doubted at first. '
Rifles and cannons were kept hot from firing
right up to 10:59 o'clock in expectation that
this report would prove a hoax as one had on
Nov. 7. Many a daring member of a patrol,
feeling of the enemy lines, lost his life in
the last half hour of the conflict.
At 11 o'clock the artillery was suddenly si-
lenced, and the rattle of rifle and machine gun
fire ceased permanently. There was a brief
moment of joyful shouting and repartee, and
then the vast majority of that great army
which had accomplished the impossible laid
down in the mud of France and had a real
nice sleep. For many, it was the first undis-
turbed rest in weeks.
Strict orders were issued against holding
any communication -wath the enemy, and grin-
ning Germans who walked toward their late
foes with miniature flags of truce in their
hands, were turned back by stern-faced sen-
tries who showed an utter lack of cordiality.
On Nov. 12, the Commander-in-Chief, Gen-
eral Per.shing, issued the following proclama-
tion to his troops:
"The enemy has capitulated. It is fitting
that I address myself in thanks directly to the
officers and soldiers of the American Expe-
ditionary Forces who by their heroic efforts
have made possible this glorious result.
"Our armies, hurriedly raised and hastily
trained, met a veteran enemy and by courage,
discipline and skill always defeated him.
Without complaint you have endured inces-
sant toil, privation and danger. You have seen
many of your comrades make the supreme
sacrifice that freedom may live.
"I thank you for the patience and courage
with which you have endured. I congratulate
you upon the splendid fruits of victory which
your heroism and the blood of our gallant dead
are now presenting to our nation. Your deeds
will live forever on the most glorious pages
of America's history.
"JOHN J. PERSHING."
For two or three days there was almost
complete idleness along what had been the
front. The troops, as soon as they were con-
vinced that the war was really over, enjoyed
complete relaxation for the first time since
they donned a uniform. They played cards,
"shot craps" and visited neighboring commands
without fear of inteiTuption. Then discipline
began to tighten up again, and aside from
their daily tasks the sole question of interest
was, "When do we start for home ? "
Sad to say, it was to be many a long week
and month before most of them were able to
wave their hands to the Statue of Liberty.
For two weeks the army in France presented
the odd appearance of a huge combat organi-
zation all fixed for battle but with nobody to
fight.
All along the old battle line from Sedan
down along the Meuse toward Verdun there
glowed at night the embers of thousands of
Yankee campfires. Cigarettes gleamed and
voices were raised in songs and laughter where
for four years it would have been folly to
strike a match and treason to build a fire.
Reveille and retreat sounded across what had
been No Man's land, and although the front
was now termed a "rest area," fighting was
replaced by such a continual round of drill,
drill and more drill that the weary doughboy
320
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
wondered if the old armistice was really all
that it was cracked up to be. With all the
horrors of war, there never was a soldier who
would trade his place in the muddiest dugout
in a shell swept sector for a camp where he
would have to resume "squad east and west"
for its "disciplinary value," as G. H. Q. loved
to describe that jolly exercise, always pre-
scribed for inmates of rest areas. Soldiers
took comfort in the front and in battles be-
cause while there they could dispense with the
close order drill and strict observance of mili-
tary courtesies which always reminded them
that they were merely a cog in a great ma-
chine.
One blessing of this post-armistice fortnight
was the presence of the field kitchens in the
midst of their units. Instead of sending cans
full of food five miles to the hungry doughboys
up ahead, the cooks brought their chariots
right up to the advance positions on Nov. 12,
and thereafter kept a never-ending stream of
well earned flapjacks, hot slum and salmon pat-
ties flowing to the proper destinations.
Nine divisions strong — the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
4th, 5th, 32nd, 42nd, 89th and 90th— the Third
American Army began on the morning of
Sunday, November 17, its march to the Rhine.
It was at 5:30 that the order "Foi-ward,
march" sounded along the American line from
Mouzon to Thiaucourt — Mouzon on the Meuse
just below Sedan and Thiaucourt down in the
heart of what was once the St. Mihiel salient.
An hour or so earlier, the unfriendly notes of
reveille had disturbed the chill November air
and tumbled out of a myriad dugouts and pup
tents a stamping, gi'owling, cursing crew who
damned the Kaiser and swore at Germany, but
not one of whom could have been hired for
love or money to go off on leave this day of
days.
Indeed, for several days before the march be-
gan, officers and men who had started forth
so gaily on their long postponed leaves kept
hurrying back of their own accord at the first
inkling that their outfit had been among those
nominated to keep a watch on the Rhine. Even
men who, on the strength of the armistice, had
decided to go AWOL for a day or so, would
glean the good news at half-way towns like
Bar-le-Duc or Chalons and come sneaking back
as fast as their legs or hospitable trucks would
carrj' them. Every one wanted to be among
those present at what came in no time to be
known as "The Party."
So, when the sun came up on the morning
of the 17th it found them all marching in
columns of squads along the highways that
lead to the frontier — plodding along and sing-
ing as they went. And the song that they
sang to Germany was a new version of an
old favorite which broke ever and again into
the familiar refrain, "The Yanks are coming,
the Yanks are coming."
Ahead of them, as they ambled foi-ward,
stretched a country-side strewn with the
things the Germans had been too hurried or
too indifferent to carry along. In nearly every
village, the streets were fairly littered with
German guns, German helmets, German cart-
ridge belts as though, when the armistice news
came, they had been dropped then and there,
never to be picked up again by German hands.
Whole platoons of American Infantry could
be seen parading toward the frontier, each
head adorned with a spiked German helmet.
The souvenir market was glutted before sun-
down of the first day, and lugers, which, a
fortnight before, would have sold for any-
where from 100 to 300 francs, could be had
in exchange for one package of cigarettes.
Then there were big guns and an occasional
truck abandoned in the haste of the great de-
parture. One of these trucks was as empty as
a ruined to■v^^l, but on its tailboard the depart-
ing enemy had hung this affable sign: "Help
yourselfs."
Then, treasure trove of treasure troves, the
advancing Americans found in the German
hospitals some Yankee wounded. In the big
hospital at Virton, for instance, the Germans
had been obliged to leave behind some 400 men
too seriously wounded to be moved — left them
there with a full staff of surgeons and nurses
to care for them — and among these were nine
Americans. They had lain there, lonesome and
helpless, for many weary days and nights.
They woke on the morning of the 20th to find
friendly Americans swarming around their
beds, showering them with cigarettes and
magazines.
And all along the way the men of the Third
Army, moving foi-ward unmolested as though
on some easy practice march, were greeted
and passed by an unending stream of refugees,
thousands upon thousands of scantily clad,
hungry, tired, happy refugees, prisoners of
war, civilian prisoners, fugitive townsfolk,
men, women and children, of all ages and all
nationalities, thousands upon thousands of
them pouring through the towns and villages
already gay with French and Amei-ican flags.
By Monday night the troops, having ad-
vanced some 40 kilometers and reached the
Luxembourg frontier, settled down for breath.
On Thursday morning the march was re-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
321
322
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
sumed through Luxembourg, from the general
line Etalle, Saint-Leger, Longwy, Audun-le-
Romain, Briey.
When the Rhine was finally reached, and
the Army of Occupation settled down for its
long spell in Germany, all the attraction soon
fled, for once again the old round of strict
discipline, interminable drills and reviews, and
orders forbidding fraternization with the
enemy and almost any other form of amuse-
ment were put into effect. While these vet-
erans were keeping the watch on the Rhine,
divisions which had come to France long after
they had, were on their way home. Only the
occasional furloughs to visit designated leave
areas served to relieve the monotony. It was
well along in the spring when the homesick
lads of the "Ameroc" began to be relieved by
newly recruited Regular army regiments, and
turn their faces once more toward St. Nazaire,
Brest, Bordeaux and home. It was the middle
of the summer before the bulk of them had
reached their native land.
Aside from the Army of Occupation, the
divisions were moving out of France for
America with considerable I'apidity after Dec.
1. But there were many complications con-
nected with the dissolution of the A. E. F.
Vast quantities of stores were in France and
these must be disposed of. As the Service of
Supply had been built up from the Atlantic
to the battle line, now it must be maintained
clear to the Rhine and eventually abandoned
from that end back to the sea. This meant
picking up railroads and other government
property, or arranging for their sale. Also,
there were not many more ships available for
the return trip than for the journey to France.
The Navy could furnish some warships for the
purpose, but the British government wanted
its own transports to carry home its men from
Australia, Canada and other colonies.
There were two very distinct periods of the
A. E. F.'s homecoming. Until June, 1919 it
came home as fast as boats could be gotten to-
gether to carry it. From that time on it came
home as fast as its work was done.
There was December after the armistice,
month of rumor and indecision everywhere,
with only a few thousand Yanks getting away.
January saw budding hopes in every heart and
nearly 200,000 men off' for the homeland.
February held January's pace. March began
the upward sweep with 214,348 light packs
and light hearts mounting the gang plank.
April sent 289,112. May's 331,336 included the
biggest home-coming week of all, the 14th to
the 21st, when 126,392 put to sea. June, month
of brides and roses, capped the climax and won
the record for troop movement, either to or
from Fi'ance, with total sailings of 358,315.
Right here it was that our ships proved to
have worked themselves out or almost out of a
job. In July the A. E. F., reduced to 350,000
I'eally began to break up housekeeping. It
was much easier to get ships than it was to
pry men loose from the S. O. S. and the Rhine
to fill them, and sailings slumped to 254,532.
The last day of the month, however, saw the
A. E. F. well down toward its last hundred
thousand and the end of the long journey home
in view.
The closing-out period of the A. E. F. really
dates from the signing of the Peace Treaty by
the Germans. Until that day and that hour,
the A. E. F. as a fighting foi-ce, though gi'eat-
ly reduced in numbers, had been painstakingly
conserved in all its ability to contribute to the
Allied art of persuasion had the Germans de-
clined to sign. There were, to be exact, 190,-
473 Yanks that day on the Rhine ready to
plunge foi-ward at a minute's notice, and be-
hind them from Coblenz to the sea were lines
of communication and a service of supply prac-
tically intact. Gie\Tes could have filled any
requisition in three hours. There was on hand
about a hundi'ed days' supply of everything
that would have been sustaining for our invad-
ing forces and conducive to a German change
of mind, including American ammunition just
beginning to arrive in quantity.
But the Germans signed, and the A. E. F.
close-out began. It took time to wind up the
affairs of a partnership like the A. E. F. The
Yanks who straggled home in July and August
and who did it will say so.
By July 1 even the high spots on the old A.
E. F. map were getting to be little dots.
Chaumont was reduced to a little guard de-
tachment of 200 and was prepared — and
anxious — to move on Paris any day. St. Aig-
nan — name that once spelled holy terror to
thousands — had become an innocent and harm-
less village of 75 officers and 775 enlisted men.
Le Mans that had known its thousands and
tens of thousands, killed cooties ten thousand
times as many, sorted out boat loads — of sol-
diers, not cooties — and sent them on their way
exulting, had been pared down to 7,000 on
June 25, and vnthin the next 20 days dwindled
away to nothing. Is-sur-Tille, not long since
the busy foi-warding station of everything from
tanks to beans, was little more than a pile of
boxes and crates with a little care-taker de-
tachment perched around it — except for its
vast German prison camp, and even there the
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
323
folk of one nation were looking west, of the
other as hopefully east. Gievres, the greatest
military supply depot in the world, had re-
duced its force from 22,000 to 5,000 and was
beginning to dispose of the 900,000 tons of
food and clothing and equipment to France
and the newly liberated countries of Europe.
Romorantin, Orly and Issoudun, where the A.
E. F. sprouted its wings, had been turned over
to the French. Tours, the once proud capital
of the S. O. S., had reduced its personnel from
14,000 to 8,000 and was preparing to vamoose
to Paris (which it never did) sometime during
the month. Bourges was to be among the last
to cut its personnel, for it was still busy sort-
ing cards. The battle of Paris itself about
won, the evacuation of its 21,348 troops began
on July 5, immediately after the great cele-
bration of the Fourth.
During July both Bordeaux and St. Nazaire
ceased to operate as American ports. Marseille
and Le Havre had both been crossed off the A.
E. F. map in June, so that Brest alone — Brest
of a million going and coming — was left dur-
ing the closing out period as the American
port of embarkation. St. Nazaire sent out her
last transport July 22. It was the Kroonland,
carrying 4,000 troops and General S. D. Rock-
enback, commanding officer of the port, and
his staff. It was at St. Nazaire that, more than
two years before, the first of America's troops
to reach France, units of the First Division,
had landed.
Communication by American telegraph and
telephone between Paris and Coblenz was im-
possible for the first time since the period of
occupation on July 23, and at about the same
time the vast network of telegraph, telephone
and radio lines which the American Signal
Corps had built up in France was turned over
to the French.
By September, 1918, practically all Ameri-
can troops had left France excepting a hand-
ful attached to headquarters of the quarter-
master department. At last the war was really
over for the American army.
CHAPTER XXIX
HOW WOUNDED MEN ARE CARED FOR IN WAR
Bv DR. CARL O. SCHAEFER
HAVING been asked to explain the work-
ings of the American army medical
service and hospitals in war time, I find
it necessary to state at the beginning that con-
siderable variation existed in methods of
evacuating battle victims. The methods de-
pended upon the type of injury, the circum-
stances under which it occurred, available
transportation, the number of casualties to be
dealt with and the important question of
whether the combat organizations were at that
time engaged in offensive or defensive opera-
tions.
Obviously, an army in retreat cannot give
the same sort of attention to wounded men that
can be offered while an army is advancing and
leaving its casualties behind it in a zone of
comparative safety. American wounded men
received better care, on the average, than the
wounded of other armies because for the
greater part of the time our units were ad-
vancing when they were fighting at all. This
fact also prevented many of our wounded men
from being captured, and also enabled the
Graves Registration service to identify and
bury decently our own dead.
Perhaps the easiest way to explain the work-
ing of the hospital system is to begin with a
descripition of the organization itself, and then
describe the "ideal" way of handling wounded;
that is to say, the way they were handled when
circumstances permitted.
As a part of the regular equipment of each
soldier, there is a first aid pocket which con-
tains a sterile dressing and bandage besides
the small vial of tincture of iodine which each
soldier is instructed to use, either on himself
or a comrade. In a great majority of cases
the actual care of the injury takes place very
shortly after the same has been inflicted.
Attached to each battalion or company of
combat troops, (infantry, artillery, etc.,) is a
unit of medical aids, under the direction of a
medical officer, and this unit follows right with
the troops as they advance taking care of those
who fall on the field of battle. This medical
detachment is the first organized group to care
for the wounded and each of these men carry
a fuller equipment of bandages, a supply of
tetanus antitoxin (to prevent lock-jaw), and a
limited set of surgical instruments which are
to be used to check extensive bleeding, if pos-
sible. In addition, each man is equipped with
a tourniquet which is to be used when the
bleeding is severe, the tourniquet being tigh-
tened around a limb to check the flow of blood.
The use of tetanus antitoxin became a most
important factor and was resorted to very
early in the war by both the Allies and the
Germans. Where fields are so abundantly
fertilized as in France, the danger from lock-
jaw is very great, and the use of the anti-toxin
caused an almost unbelievable drop in the num-
ber of cases. Various figures show a decrease
from 25% to less than 1/10 of l^'r, and in my
own experience, of several thousand cases, I
saw only two cases of tetanus.
Another important duty of the medical de-
tachment men was to properly attach a diagno-
sis tag on every case that came to their at-
tention. On this tag was noted the type of in-
jury, time of injury, whether or not antitoxin
had been given, whether or not the injured had
had a dose of morphine, and if so at what time
given, and lastly whether or not the case need-
ed a litter. The latter was shown by a blue
margin on the tag, and could be determined at
a glance by the litter bearers.
For the purpose of clearness, I will attempt
to trace through a litter case, for example a
man shot through the thigh with a resulting
fracture of the thigh bone. This man having
received the attention alluded to above, was
next taken in hand by litter bearers, also a
part of the medical detachment, who trans-
ported the man to the nearest dressing station,
called the battalion aid station, which was lo-
cated in some reasonably secure place, prefer-
ably a shell-proof dug-out. Here a medical
officer again was in charge of the work, and
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
325
here the injuries again received such care as
was necessary and possible. More time could
be spent in checking hemorrhage, applying a
splint or giving the patient morphine if needed.
The man now being made reasonably com-
fortable, he is carried by litter further to the
rear. Often it is possible to provide immedi-
ate transportation by ambulance to the casu-
alty clearing station, or evacuation hospital or
more frequently to a field hospital, which is
the nearest hospital to the front lines.
At the field hospital the man has his emer-
gency operation, adjustment of splints, stimu-
lation (such as coflfee), additional blankets, etc.,
as the case may require. The more severe
cases are held until the dangers of shock are
less, the less severe being immediately pre-
pared for evacuation further to the rear.
From the field hospital the injured man is
transported to the evacuation hospital by am-
bulance where similar attention is provided
and where a great number of the injured re-
ceive their first operative experience. As in
the field hospital, the patient is again held until
evacuation can be effected with a minimum of
danger to the man. The evacuation hospital
ordinarily was located out of danger at the rail
head, from which point the hospital trains mov-
ed, and once aboard such a train, the care of
the injured was splendid. These trains were
equipped to the last detail, having even an
operating room which compared favorably with
one in a civil hospital at home. On the train
every possible care was extended the injured.
Base hospitals were located all through
Prance and for the purpose of illustration, I
will confine my story to the American Red
Cross Military Hospital No. 1 located at Paris,
and at which hospital I had the pleasure of do-
ing my work.
Arriving at Paris, the hospital train was met
by a convoy of ambulances. Classification as
to type of injury was done by a medical officer
at the station, surgical cases going to a speci-
fied hospital, gas cases to another, mental cases
to still another, etc.
Word came in advance of the arrival of a
train and all was in readiness when the boys
reached the hospital. Every-one was busy; for
at a hospital the size of A. R. C. M. H. No. 1,
where we had 2200 beds, our allotment varied
from 100 to 500 at a time, and needless to say,
it kept all of us moving to care for this size of
convoy.
Immediately on arrival, the boys were car-
ried into the receiving ward, where details of
their cases were noted, a bed assigned, and
the operating room through which the indivi-
dual was to pass designated. One and some-
times two medical officers were assigned to
make a preliminary examination of all the
wounded to determine the more serious cases
so that they might receive the first attention.
In the receiving ward, each was given all the
hot coffee and sandwiches he wished, he was
provided with a Red Cross bag into which he
could place his personal property and which
he found at his bed when returning from the
operating room.
The delay prior to operation varied v^rith the
number of wounded received and the serious-
ness of the injury, though ordinarily much ex-
pedience was evident. At A. R. C. M. H. No.
1 there were 16 operating tables and in a rush,
these were in use continuously night and day.
In the operating room, every precaution pos-
sible was taken to give the injured man the
best possible attention, every wound was
X-rayed, and the location of the missile indi-
cated by a pencil mark on the skin, to simplify
its I'emoval.
In the wards, the attention given the men
was splendid. To be sure, during a rush, there
was much need for additional doctors and
nurses and nurses' aids; frequently after serv-
ing eight or ten hours continuously at the
operating table, the surgeon would go to his
wards to dress the wounded or attend to other
details as they might arise. The rush over,
and the patients on the road to recovery, much
was done for the pleasure and entertainment of
the wounded, thanks to the efficient work of
the nurses and nurses' aid. Many of the lat-
ter were from the best homes of the country
and often not accustomed to work. Here they
served the men in their charge, almost as a
mother herself would have done.
The wounds being sufficiently advanced to
make moving of the patient safe, the next pro-
cedure was to evacuate the man to some hospi-
tal further away from the scene of action, and
often this was direct to some base port, where
after a brief stay, the soldier would find him-
self aboard a transport, or hospital ship and
on his way to the U. S. A. The real thrill of
"We're going home," cannot be described in
words and only by the experience can it be
appreciated.
On board the hospital ship, the wounded were
in care of the navy surgeons who served splen-
didly and are deserving of much credit.
Arriving in this country, assignment was be-
gun on ship board. The boys were sent to
various hospitals at the ports, later to be again
326
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
put aboard hospital trains, to be sent to the
base or general hospital nearest his home.
The work in the general hospital on this side
was comprehensive and in the hands of skilled
men. Here the work was that of reconstruc-
tion and re-education, and then a final classifi-
cation and determination of percentage of dis-
ability.
Just prior to discharge, the boys passed
through a discharge ward where special effort
was taken to have each case justly passed on
and to see that the condition of each warranted
his return to home.
I wish to apologize to any who might feel
that this is not entirely the way he was taken
care of, bearing in mind, that but a few passed
through the hospitals of Paris. They without
question were equipped second to none over-
seas. In all the base hospitals in France, how-
ever, every effort was made to give wounded
men the very best care possible and I think
most of those who were patients appreciate
this fact. There was never any serious short-
age of drugs or equipment, and it was only
immediately after severe battles that the base
hospitals were crowded.
* * *
Every war has had its epidemic of cholera,
or typhoid, or yellow fever, or any of a half
dozen other plagues that flourish best where
men are crowded together under more or less
unsanitary conditions. Against such scourges
as these modern armies had pretty well im-
muned and fortified themselves, the .4merican
Army particularly; until influenza made its de-
structive onslaught.
Unlike former epidemics, it was least fatal
to men in the field, most damaging to those in
barracks and camp. And when the great tide
of American O. D. was at the flood in the fall
of 1918, the flu broke out with peculiar virul-
ence on the packed transports which were
bound for France.
Probably other ships could furnish as dra-
matic a story as that which follows. But the
very hugeness of the ship and the immensity
of the numbers carried aboard her make the
picture more striking.
That the Leviathan in ten trips during the
war bore 96,804 troops to France, that the
total death list for nine of these trips was but
eight, while on the one trip when the flu raged
the disease claimed 96 fatalities, are facts that
reveal its swiftness and malignity.
OflTicial reports are ordinarily the dryest and
dullest reading, but Dr. H. A. May's report of
that voyage in September, 1918, is so tense and
interesting that it is worth quoting almost ver-
batim:
'•U. S. S. Leviathan, 11th Oct., 1918.
From: Medical Officer.
To: Commanding Officer. •
Subject: Epidemic of influenza.
"I submit for your information the following
report of an epidemic of influenza, with pneu-
monia as a complication, which occurred among
the troops of the U. S. Army embarked on this
vessel for the last eastbound voyage.
"There were 260 officers and 8,873 enlisted
men of all grades reported as present when the
ship left the dock in Hoboken.
"During the hours of embarkation, Army
medical officers removed from the ship ap-
proximately 100 men and 4 nurses as being in-
fected with influenza.
"I have been told by an Army officer (Capt.
Cheney), attached to the headquarters staff on
board, that the 302nd Water Tank Train left
178 men behind at camp because of influenza.
In this connection, the following copy of a tele-
gram sent from Headquarters, Port of Em-
barkation, Hoboken, N. J., to the Commanding
Officer, Camp Holabird, Md., September 23,
1918, is submitted:
" 'T 765. Send Water Tank Train 302 to
Camp Union as scheduled, regardless preva-
lence influenza. Please acknowledge receipt.
Signed, Judson. 11.59a.'
"By the same officer I was told that a large
number of the 57th Pioneer Infantry were left
behind at camp because of illness with influ-
enza. This statement was confirmed by the
Chief Army Surgeon on board.
"Within a few hours after leaving the piers
at Hoboken, about fifty cases of influenza had
been admitted to the sick bay.
"There were but 14 Army Medical Officers
and 48 Army Hospital Corpsmen available for
duty. Under normal conditions this personnel
would not have been sufficient. In the face of
such an epidemic as this the combined Navy
and Army medical force has not been enough
to properly care for the stricken."
Dr. May relates how the rapid spread of the
epidemic made necessary the vacation of com-
partment after compartment to provide space
for the sick, which necessarily led to over-
crowding in other sections of the ship.
He tells how a great part of E deck became
a hospital ward, and of the difficulties experi-
enced because the top bunk in the standees
could not be reached by nurses.
Doctors and nurses were stricken by the di-
sease and thus became not only unable to aid
but also an added burden to the overworked
medical personnel. Every available medical
officer, nurse and hospital orderly was utilized
"to the limit of endurance."
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
327
The report continues:
"There are no means of knowing the actual
number of sick at any one time, but it is esti-
mated that fully 700 cases had developed by
night of September 30. They were brought to
the sick bay from all parts of the ship, in a
continuous stream, only to be turned away be-
cause all beds were occupied. Most of them
lay down on the decks, inside and out, and made
no effort to reach the compartment where they
belonged. In fact, practically no one had the
slightest idea where he did belong, and he left
his blankets, clothing, kit, and all his posses-
sions to be salvaged at the end of the voyage.
"Late in the evening of this day the E deck
ward was opened on the starboard side, and
was filled before morning.
"The conditions during this night cannot be
visualized by anyone who has not actually seen
them. Pools of blood, from the severe nasal
hemorrhages of many patients, were scattered
throughout the compartment, and the attend-
ants were powerless to escape tracking through
this mess because of the narrow passages be-
tween bunks. Everyone called for water and
lemons or oranges. A plentiful supply enabled
their desire to be gratified. But within a few
minutes of the first distribution of fruit, the
skins and pulp were added to the blood and
vomitus upon the decks. The decks became
wet and slippery; the filth clung to the cloth-
ing of the attendants; groans and cries of the
terrified sick added to the confusion of the ap-
plicants clamoring for treatment, and alto-
gether a true inferno reigned supreme.
"In the E deck ward, every possible appli-
ance for the care of the sick was furnished to
the Army surgeons on duty. The Commissary
Off'icer placed at our disposal stewards, cooks
and mess men, and furnished just the kind of
food required, in the best possible fashion.
The Medical Department of the ship owes a
great debt of gratitude to the Commissary De-
partment, and to Paymaster Farwell and Chief
Commissary Steward Flowers especially, for
the success with which they gave comfort and
aid to the sick, and removed from our shoulders
the always worrisome burden of feeding men
unable to eat regular diet.
"Hospital Corps. — I cannot speak in terms
of suff'icient commendation of the work of the
hospital corps of this ship. Every man is call-
ed upon to exert himself to the limit of endur-
ance during the entire round trip. No man
complains, every man is on the job. During
this last voyage many of them worked twenty-
four hours at a stretch amid conditions that
can never be understood by one ashore or on a
man-of-war. Some of the embalmers worked
at their gruesome task forty-eight hours at a
stretch without complaint.
"Cause of the Epidemic. This was influenc-
ed materially by these main factors:
"First, the widespread infection of
several organizations before they em-
barked, and their assignment to many
different parts of the ship.
"Second, the type of men comprising
the most heavily infected group. Large
numbers of them were unable to read or
write and some did not know their right
hand from their left. Many of them had
been in the service not more than three
or four weeks and knew nothing of dis-
cipline; and the meaning of personal
cleanliness and the methods of self pro-
tection from disease was as a closed
book to them.
"Third, the absolute lassitude of those
becoming ill caused them to lie in their
bunks without complaint until their in-
fection had become profound and pneu-
monia had begun. The severe epistaxis
(nose bleed) which ushered in the dis-
ease in a very large proportion of the
cases caused a lowering of resisting
powers which was added to by fright, by
the confined space, and the motion of
the ship.
"Where pneumonia set in, not one man
was in condition to make a fight for life.
"As noted above, the sick bay was filled a
few hours after leaving Hoboken. Until the
fifth day of the voyage few patients could be
sent to duty because of great weakness follow-
ing the drop in temperature as they grew bet-
ter. The E deck ward was more than full all
the time, and there were many ill men in vari-
ous spaces in other parts of the ship.
"Morning of the 2nd October, brought no re-
lief. Things seemed to grow worse instead of
better. Cleaning details were demanded of the
Army, but few men responded. Those who
came would stay awhile and wander away,
never to be seen again. No N. C. O.'s were
sent with them, and there was no organization
for control. Then nurses made a valiant effort
to clean up and the Navy hospital corpsmen did
marvels of work, but always against tremend-
ous odds. Only by constant parolling between
the bunks could any impression be made upon
the litter, and finally our own sailors were put
on the job. They took hold like veterans and
the place was kept respectably clean thereaf-
ter.
"The first death from pneumonia occurred on
this day, and the body was promptly embalmed
and encased in a Navy standard casket.
"October 3, 3 deaths; 900 cases.
"October 4, 7 deaths. The sea was rough
and the ship rolled heavily. Hundreds were
328
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
miserable from seasickness and others from
terror of the strange surroundings and the rav-
ages of the epidemic.
"Each succeeding day of the voyage was
like those preceding, a nightmare of weariness
and anxiety on the part of nurses, doctors and
hospital corpsmen. No one thought of bed for
himself, and all hands worked day and night.
On the 5th there were ten deaths, on the 6th
there were 24, and on the 7th, the day of ar-
rival at our destination (Brest), the toll was
31. The Army ambulance boat was promptly
alongside, and debarkation of the sick began
about noon. The sick bay was cleared first,
and we at once thereafter began to clean up in
preparation for the wounded to be carried
westbound. E deck was then evacuated, but
all the sick could not be handled before night,
about 300 remaining on board.
"On the 8th these were taken off by the
Army, but not before 14 more deaths had oc-
curred. The nurses remained until the last
sick man was taken off.
"It is my opinion that there were fully 2,000
influenza cases on board during the voyage.
Pneumonia cases must have numbered at least
100, but in the unavoidable confusion due to
the rapid spread of the influenza it is impossi-
ble to be exact.
"Cases of pneumonia were found dying in
various parts of the ship, and many died in
the E deck ward a few minutes after admis-
sion. Owing to the public character of that
ward, men passing would see a vacant bunk
and lie down in it without applying for a medi-
cal off^icer at all. Records were impossible, and
even identification of patients was extremely
difl'icult because hundreds of men had blank
tags tied about their necks, many were either
delirious or too ill to know their own names;
966 patients were removed by the Army hospi-
tal authorities in France.
"Deaths. — Ninety-one deaths occurred
among the Army personnel, of whom one was
an officer, as follows:
deaths
October 2nd
2
3rd
3
4th
7
5th
10
Gth
24
7th
31
8th
14
10th
1
Crew of Leviathan
5
"I have learned that the following named
men of the Commissary department voluntarily
remained on duty with the sick on E deck dur-
ing the entire voyage: George Willis, H. L.
Ringrose, A. Barbel, R. Steinman.
"H. A. May."
There the record closes, a chronicle of horror
and heroism.
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
329
Photo Loaned by Lt. Carl O. Schaefer
"BLESSES" (WOUNDED) WAITING FOR OPERATIO VS IN CORRIDOR OF PARIS RED CROSS HOSPITAL
The men shown were brought from Chateau-Thierry July 20 after the counter attack, the turning point of the war.
American Red Cross Military Hospital No. 1 received 3,000 such cases in that week. Dr. Carl O. Schaefer of Racine was
on the operating staff at that institution. The illustration is a remarkable piece of photogrraphy. The faces of the men
indicate somewhat their condition. The sufferers lie on the litters upon which they were brought in ambulances, taken to
elevators and brought to the upper floor corridors by bearers.
CHAPTER XXX
SOME LETTERS FROM MEN IN SERVICE.
IT never is diftieult to recount the outstand-
ing incidents and events of a great war,
but it is a harder matter for any author
to convey to his readers the exact effect sucli
a conflict has upon the lives and views of the
individuals involved. The nearest approach to
such an accomplishment is, perhaps, the repro-
duction of actual letters and diaries written at
the time and on the spot by men who suddenly
found themselves involved in the maelstrom of
war. While it would be possible to publish
hundreds of these in full, it has been thought
advisable for various reasons to select a few
written at various places and at various times
by men in different branches of the sei-vice,
covering experiences fi-om enlistment until the
end of the wai'. Almost without exception
these letters were written with no thought of
their ultimate publication, and are the more
valuable for that reason. In taking the liberty
of including them in this work, the publishers
can excuse themselves only upon two grounds
— first, their real historical value as showing
the way in which military and naval service
appeared to those who were in it; second, only
such letters were used as had appeared in
print elsewhere, or else pennission to use
them had been obtained from the recipients.
It was deemed advisable to use extracts
only, instead of the complete documents be-
cause in most instances they contained refer-
ences to purely personal and private matters.
Those paragraphs were selected which seemed
to show some phase of life in the sen-ice, re-
gardless of the continuity of the train of
thought. The letters follow:
Sgt. Mathew W. Milkie, 31st Inf., Vladivos
tok, Siberia, August 18, 1918 — You probably
would like to know how I happened to enlist.
I was walking the streets of El Paso, Tex.,
Jan. 10, 1915, looking for work. I met two
men that I thought were soldiers, although I
was not familiar with army uniforms. I asked
them if they thought I was old enough to en-
list. They smiled at one another and then
looked at me again and I got scared and
started to leave. They called me back and
said I looked old enough. I was eighteen, but
was supposed to be twenty-one to enlist. They
pointed south and told me to go to the Sixth
infantry camp, which was in that direction.
After going through streets, alleys and over
bridges I found myself in Mexico. I met a
man and asked him where I was and he told
me. When I asked for the Sixth infantry
camp he told me to keep quiet as I might get
shot. I finally got back to El Paso and found
the camp where I met a man with three stripes
and a diamond on his arm. I told him I
wanted to join the army and he said "All
right" and put me at work in the kitchen
cleaning dishes and kettles. After supper
the man with the three stripes came for me.
I was scared he was going to refuse my en-
listment, but he took me to another man with
three stripes on his sleeve and this party threw
something at me that put me dowm for the
count. Later I found it was a Helen Gould
cot and three blankets. That quartermaster
sergeant sure was snappy. Then he told me
to find a tent with some room in it and I did
so, and turned in to rest. Those old soldiers
in there certainly had some fun with me. I
didn't know what half of their slang words
meant and they talked half the night, mostly
about John W. Recruit, which I guess meant
me. The bunk was hard, and I had an awful
time getting asleep even after those soldiers
quit talking, because they snored so loud it
sounded as if they were mai'king time. In
the morning a bugle blew but I didn't pay any
attention until the other men threw a lot of
shoes and things at my head. Then I got out
of bed in a hurry and was told that the music
was "first call." I got breakfast and then was
put at work in the kitchen again with two
others called K. P. (kitchen police). Then
somebody told me to go and see the doctor
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
331
Photos Loaned by Lt. C. O. Schaelt r
AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL OPERATING ROOM AND A WARD FULLY EQUIPPED. PARIS
Lt. (Dr.) Carl O. Schaefer is shown (third from left) in the operating room. The tables shown are two of twenty em-
ployed during the rush of July 20, 1918, when Americans came in by the thousands from the counter attack at Chateau-
Thierry. The interior of the ward gives an idea of the care given convalescent "blesses" after surgical attention in the
Paris Red Cross hospitals.
332
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
about my medical examination after dinner.
1 did. He knew what I wanted, but he asked
me and when I told him I wanted to enlist he
said, "Get the hell out of here; Sunday is no
day to enlist." Out I went and felt foolish.
I walked to another camp, that of the 16th
infantry. I saw the boys drilling and it
looked grand and I sure wanted to join that
army. I asked a sentry where to join the
army and he directed me to the colonel. I
got another warm reception. He said I just
came there to eat and to get out. Then I felt
awfully anxious to get in, and wandered to a
company street and asked the first sergeant
if I couldn't enlist. He said the aiiny was
full. Then as I was going away he called me
back and gave me a slip of paper, telling me
to see the captain because somebody might
have resigned from the army Saturday night
and left a vacancy. I went to the captain, ex-
pecting some more trouble, but he was a nice
man. He asked me a few questions and told
me the sunny and shady sides of army life.
The shady side was the worst. He sent me to
a doctor. After being examined, I raised my
right hand while somebody said something and
then I was in the army. I had the articles of
war read to me, and then I knew I couldn't
get out. The next thing was clothes and when
I got them it looked as if I was thrown into
them. The blouse and breeches would have
fit Fatty Arbuckle and the shoes were two
sizes too large. That didn't bother me, be-
cause I was very proud of that unifonn; be-
lieve me, I was a button buster. I was drilled
for three weeks. The sergeant detailed to
drill me was a bear and he had another re-
cniit along with me. When he told us to go
by the right flank, one would go one way, the
other another. I can still see that sergeant
rave, telling us we were not out on the fami
plowing corn or walking with our girls. We
were in the army, on the inside looking out.
No doubt we were. After being made fit to
drill with the company I was detailed for
guard and thought it was something grand.
I worked two days cleaning my equipment. At
the guard mount, the adjutant came along and
took my rifle as if I had stolen it from him,
and gave it back the same way. After in-
specting all of us he came back and asked me
my name and told me to report to the com-
manding oflicer for orderly. ■ I did, and found
it was the colonel, the last man I wanted to
see. I was shivering all over. It was worth
it, though, because I didn't have to walk post
and all I had to do was take orders from him
and watch his tent. My experiences as a
reci-uit were quite interesting. I would be glad
to go through them all again to get out of the
anny. Since then I have had many interesting
experiences in Hawaii, Philippines, Japan and
Russia, where I am stationed now. I will never
regret the time I have spent in the army, but
when I set my feet on American soil I sure
will keep them there.
Sgt. M. 0. Lawson, Hqts. No. 2, Gen'l Train-
ing Dpt., Hancock— When I read of what
Racine is doing for the Jackies, it makes me
feel proud to know that the city which I can
claim as my home is doing so much active
work pertaining to the war. I haven't seen
the final report of Liberty bond sales at the
Case Company, but I understand the Company
is going to make another splendid record.
There's very little of the unusual going on at
Hancock. We're still in quarantine with the
flu pietty well checked. The climate at present
is quite agreeable, which has prevented a
spread of the disease to a great extent. As you
know this is an exclusive Machine Gun School,
the only one in the U. S. Almost every state
is represented in the personnel. A good many
Hancock boys are in France with their machine
guns, holding back, or I should say driving
back the Huns. If the war doesn't end too
soon, will get one little fling at the game.
We're all ready.
Harry J. Norgaard, Co. 713, Unit T., Hamp-
ton Roads — We have it nice out here in old
Virginia. Was quite hot down here last week,
but it has cooled off some here of late. They
allow us shore leave every Saturday and Sun-
day from 1 P. M. to 1 o'clock midnight, and
also one night a week from 6:1.5 P. M. to
1 o'clock midnight. We spend our shore leave
at Norfolk or Ocean View. Ocean View is a
bathing beach here. Great life bathing down
there in the deep blue sea, but the only trou-
ble is the salt water. If you want some real
salt water, just open your mouth and swallow
some of it. There are many things of inter-
est here, such as battleships "sub" chasers, tor-
pedo boat destroyers, observation balloons and
aeroplanes. We also have moving pictures
here in the auditorium every Monday and
Thursday, and every other Friday we have
boxing bouts. Understand the Batteiy Boys
are on the front now. There is a good bunch
of boys there and they certainly will do their
share for our Land of Freedom. If the Amer-
ican and French keep at it the way they are
going now. Kaiser Bill won't last much longer.
L. T. Baltzer, Camp Perry, U. S. N. Y.,
Puget Sound, Wash., Sept. 24, 1918—1 am in
the aerial mechanics school now. There are
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
333
about six hydroplanes here, and we all get a
chance to show what we can do. Big camou-
flage boats come in here every week and take
about 150 to 200 sailors out. At present we
are quarantined on account of the flu, but we
hope to regain our liberty before long. We
have quite a camp here now; it is comprised
of tents. There are a few sleeping buildings
made of wood. There are about 8,000 men
here. Six months ago there were about 2,000
men here, so you can readily see the growth
of this camp. Well, I must close, or you will
think I am taking up too much of your valu-
able time.
John B. Etteldorf, Great Lakes, 111., Oct. 23,
1918 — I don't suppose you know who is put-
ting Chicago on the map in this Liberty Loan
Campaign. It is the sailors of Gi'eat Lakes.
We had a big subscription at the station, and
they have called upon us to do the same in
Chicago. I spent Monday and Tuesday in sell-
ing bonds in Chicago. Our regiment made the
biggest selling showing of the bunch, and our
company had the record of selling the most
bonds of our regiment. We sold $17,000 worth
of bonds yesterday. We had 18 hours' liberty
yesterday, so I feel rather tired today.
Charles Lampe, 58th Balloon Co., Aviation
Branch, Morrison, Va. — I have been trans-
ferred to the 58th Balloon Co., and sure was
glad to get out of Texas. We are five miles
from Newport News and believe me, this is
some camp now. We have received our new
overseas clothing and side arms, also helmets
and they sure are heavy. Wish you could see
the trains on the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R.
loaded with troops that passed here yesterday.
Counted 22 cars all going across. Was to
Newport News last night and saw the trans-
ports. Train loads of auto trucks, mules, coal
and ail-planes all go across from here. There
are camps all along here, but this one is sure
a large one.
Fred A. Sewall, Prd. Detach No. 139, Sept.
9, 1918 — There is a rumor here that we are to
leave here very soon. Nobody can tell me
exactly when, but they all say very soon.
Part of the division has already moved. We
are confined to the regiment and have no
chance to do much visiting, but as I have been
able to travel on the trucks to and from the
warehouse, I see something and hear more.
The general idea is that we are to go to a
port of embarkment and then, of course,
across. Evei-ybody is glad to get away from
this place, as the majority of them have been
here nearly a year. I know that I will, with
only three weeks to give my opinion. This
may not be the worst camp in the U. S., but
they will have to go some to beat it, accord-
ing to my belief.
Pvt. Wm. A. Alcom, ord Co., U. S. A. Tr.
Dtch, Kansas City, Mo. — We fellows here are
asked by the Missouri people to be sure to get
"The Kaiser's Goat." We 2,000 Wisconsin boys
in the Q. M. C. won't be content with the goat,
what we are after is "Old Bill" himself and
WE ARE GOING TO GET HIM.
Harry E. Cooper, 3d Pro. Rcrt. Rgt., Camp
Kelly Field No. 1, Line L, Dec. 19, 1917—1 am
here in the land of lizards, cactus, scrub oak
and snakes. We eat them all. Can you
imagine me eating chuck out of an army mess
kit? Well, I do both and am getting to be an
expert. In this man's aiTny they show you
what's who. This is a great relief from Jef-
ferson Barracks, Mo. No snow or cold, just
sand and sun. Aeroplanes flitting above over-
head like birds. There are about 500 here now.
I just heard first call for mess. Excuse me.
(Twenty minutes later) : Some feed. Hot
dogs and kraut, and real honest to goodness
butter, stewed peaches and tea; second help-
ing for me. Most of the fellows are on fatigue
duty today, digging trenches for a water line.
Who, me? I'm on K. P. (kitchen police) peel-
ing spuds and onions. They bring tears to
your eyes. We are to have liver and onions
for supper.
Edward H. Johnson, Battery E. 36th H. F. A.,
Camp McClellan — Most of the boys in our
battery are from all over Wisconsin, and a
few from New York state. They sure are one
fine bunch of fellows. One of our old shop
mates, Tony Moudry, is in our battery. We
have been here since the 16th of August, and
yesterday, the 27th, was the first day we
have had of drilling. All of our officers are
new graduates, and the non-commissioned of-
ficers are just attending school, so we have
had no one to di'ill us. I myself have not done
any drilling. I have been working in the
supply tent, but expect I will have to drill
after we get things straightened out. This
is a very dreary and lonesome camp, here
amongst the mountains. We have mountains
on all sides of us, and there is no town around
here except a little town called Anniston. It
is a fair-sized town with a population of about
18,000 people, seven miles from camp, so not
very easy to get to. There are automobile
busses running between town and camp, but
you can't rely upon them for sei"vice. Well, I
think I will have to close as it is almost time
for taps, so will have to loU in.
334
KACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Sgt. Geo. Hanson, Co. 5, 2 Bn., 160 D. B.,
Camp Custer, October 9, 1918 — I have been in
the sei"vice eleven months?, but have, so far,
done nothing toward knocking h out of
the Hun, except to help in the drilling of new-
recruits. Think 1 will be going over with the
next division as I have been transferred to
the Chemical Warfare Sei-\'ice. The boys tell
me I am where I belong because I sure have
the gas.
Walter T. Larsen, 8th Div., 1st Sec, Co. 10,
2nd M. M. Regt., S. C. — You were saying that
you would like a vacation. Well, you can
swap places with me for a week or two, and
I guess we will both be getting a vacation.
Some fellows think that when they get in
the navy all they do is eat and sleep, and I
was no exception, but I have found out dif-
ferent. There is more work on one of those
ships than I imagined. If you're not scrubbing
deck or polishing bright work, you are wash-
ing clothes, dril'ing, etc., and I sometimes
wonder how I find time to sleep. I am getting
pretty well hardened up, though. I could
string out a rope and put a blanket over me
and go to sleep now. I am not the least bit
particular about my sleeping accommodations,
as long as I get the time to sleep. My pal,
the fellow who joined with me, is still with me,
and we manage to keep together, so between
reading each other's letters and papers we are
kept well posted on Racine affairs. You should
see us now. Before we left we were pale look-
ing pieces of humanity, but now we look
tanned fi-om head to foot, which shines like
a nigger's heel. We have also learned to move
faster. I had thought I was a spsedy fellow
at home, but now find that I am too slow foi'
the gold braids here, at least it looks that way
when one gets to bawling you out, and believe
me, you move quick then. It seems to fill you
with life, if you weren't you sure would be
out of luck.
Edward Daleski, B. H. No. 133, Camp Sheri-
dan — That Spanish "flu" is sure fierce down
here. I have been doing K. P. for two weeks
now because they are short of help. I start
at 6 A. M. and work rmti' I get thioi, some-
times 8 P. M., sometimes later, then hide
somewhere or they put me on guard for the
evening, 2 hours on and 4 off'. They are short
of men here as most of our company is sick.
They don't care how hard you work in the day-
time, but call you out at night for special
hurry-up jobs such as putting up tents, help-
ing feed the sick and lots more too numerous
to name. It's work that has to be done and
done in a hurry for our own good. There are
five fellows in a tent; four of my tent mates
were taken sick, one died Friday and was
sent home today, the other three are still in
the hospital. I think I am well off and glad
that I am able to do the work rather than
be sick.
Pvt. George H. James, Hq. Co., 341st Inf.,
Camp Grant — I had the pleasure to listen to
Secretary of War Baker, on the Fourth of
July. He addressed his remarks to the boys
of the S6th Division, of which we are a part.
We are expecting to go overseas in the near
future. I am in what is called the Pioneer
Platoon. We ai-e chiefly engaged in building
dugouts and wire entanglements. Of course,
we are expecting to get a few of the Huns as
we'l. On Saturday the 13th we passed in re-
view before the Governor of Illinois, after-
ward we had the pleasure of hearing a pa-
triotic address by one of the French captains,
and also by Governor Lowden. The food we
are getting here is Al, thanks to the people
at home who have, and are still conserving
for our benefit. We are getting intensive train-
ing, but we don't mind that if we can only get
a crack at the Kaiser.
Pvt. Paul Rossman, Army Attach. Barracks,
Charleston, Sept. 25, 1918 — I received your
kind package and thank you for it. I am in
the city now as military police. I was to leave
here a few weeks ago and was taken off the
list just because I was born in Germany, and
I have my papers 14 years. They have many
slackers here, most all colored. Lots of them
failed to register last week, so they are busy
rounding them up.
Hari-y Miller, 142 Aero Sq., A. E. F., Eng-
land, March 23, 1918 — We had a vei-y good
tiip coming over, but was sick all the way.
Oh, what a feeling. I never thought the At-
lantic was as big as it is. I met Skinny
Meyers before going over. We were on the
same boat. I am working on aeroplane motors
over here, boy, and believe me it is something
very interesting. This sure is some queer
country. You have to drive on the left side
of the road, it seems funny. And the money
over here is the funniest thing you ever saw
in your life. We have more darned fun. This
is a very pretty country; evei-j-thing is nice
and green. There is only one thing I don't
like about it and this is it gets so foggy at
night, and it's that just about until noon.
And it's so damp during the night. We are
stationed in a very good place. We go to
work in trucks. It's about nine miles from
camp to where we work. We are allowed to
go to town every other night and all day
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
335
ta^TJ;-! C'^^^'^ -^^^^-^^.r. .:>T^ • '
-^-iXr -"T.-, ^ ..'./.-' TT*! '_r- ..? ' T
■- ^
U. S. U:i.Ciai i:'uolo.>
A "BUSTED" GERMAN TANK AND CAPTORS; 57th F. A. BRIG. HEADQUARTERS
The wrecked German fighting machine was knocked jralley-w -st by a well placed shell, probably from some of the 57th
Brigade artillery. At the left is a figure illustrating what ♦'>'' ni^tv Yanks looked like when up front. Below is Maj.
James W. Gilson and a bashful hero, in front of the "preten ious" field headquarters building.
336
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
Wedneiiday. We work Sundays over here and
have Wednesday oiT. Today is the first real
day we have had since we landed. The sun
was shining when we got out this A. M, It's
just like a day in June.
Sept. 12, 1918 — We have changed station.
We are now located a million miles from no-
where. And it sure is some place, I don't
think. It rains nearly all the time, and talk
about wind; why, say, the wind is blowing
here to beat the band, day and night. Before
we moved to this place I had some ride, be-
lieve me. We were up for about 2 hours and
what that fellow didn't do wasn't worth do-
ing. If you want something that makes your
hair stand up you want to get up about ten
thousand feet and come straight down for
about 2 or .3 thousand. You think you are
done for. The funniest feeling I had was
when we went into a loop and came out of it
O. K., then did the wing over wing. Another
one is side slipping. You go along for awhile,
then stall ycur motor and float sideways, that
sure is sport. I only wish that I was a pilot.
We are getting very good food and plenty of
it, so we haven't any kick coming.
Pvt. Harold Helding, Co. C, 27 Engrs., A.
E. F., Oct. 10. 1918 — I have been very slow in
answering you, but I have been at the front
in the big drive and didn't have anything to
write, as the boys say it don't pay to stop
the war to write letters. I was detached to
the French army, and we were sleeping in our
little dog tents up in a big hill in a woods, and
we didn't get a chance to change our clothes
for seven weeks. When we got back to our
company they gave us a week to clean up
and boil our old clothes, and we were issued
all new clothing, as we were full of lice and
all such tame bugs. We sure had some excit-
ing times as the shells were whistling over our
heads most all the time, and every night the
planes would come over and drop bombs dovm
to us and, of course, the first few nights we
didn't do much sleeping. But that is all in
the game, and we wouldn't have missed those
seven weeks at the front, and I didn't like
to leave it as there is plenty of excitement
all the time.
Pvt. Bernhart P. Larson, Bat. A, 332 F. A.,
A. P. O. 778, A. E. F., Oct. 23. 1918— We
landed in Eng'and and stayed a few days. We
rode across England one day on the train and
marched one day. That was the toughest day
I ever put in. We crossed the English Channel
at night. Then we were on the train for two
days and nights and finally landed up here. We
are in a camp somewhere near Boi'deaux. I
have met but one fellow- that I knew on the
entire trip and that was Tommy Berg. I met
him on board ship and over in a camp in Eng-
land. It is warm here yet, but it rains nearly
every day. We get plenty of Bull Durham and
some brands of American cigarettes. The
French tobacco and pills are rotten, and I
would rather swear off smoking than use them,
and we don't get as much candy as we did in
the states. It is almost a luxury here.
Pvt. J. R. Frank, 29th Co., C. E. F., A. E. F.,
France — Well, Jack, the Gentians certainly
made an awful mess of this district. Every
building is leveled to the ground, I'oads are
blown up, every tree cut down and entire
country dug up with trenches and dugouts.
Of course, we helped to tear things to pieces
with shells and mines in driving them out. I
transferred to a Foi-estry Corps and we are
now gathering the fallen timbers and sawing
them into lumber suitable for roads, dugouts,
bridges, etc. The limbs and small stuff we
make into cordwood for camps and stakes for
wire entanglements. Being very close to the
lines it can be taken in at night with motor
trucks and mule teams. A couple of shells
dropped near us last night. Have had lots of
shells sent over and a few air raids at night,
but the mill has not been hit and we have not
lost any time through it. We lose a great deal
of time changing saws, as the trees are full
of shrapnel, very hard on saws.
Chaplain F. S. Penfold, 121.st F. A., Alsace,
July 1, 1918 — As usual the regiment is scat-
tered all around, each battery in a different
village and the firing sections up in front.
I go round from place to place, like any
other itinerant person and, of course, when
anything serious is started, it is my duty to
try to get to that place. I am the only abso-
lutely free parson at the front. The Chaplain
can't be sent into the front line, but neither
can he be forbidden to go there. So if I am
not present when the excitement is on, it will
be an accident.
You know that we are in billets here and
some of the arrangements would be comical
if they were not something else. Most of the
men have nice clean hay lofts to sleep in and
are fairly comfortable. But the French are
very casual and promiscuous in their barnyard
arrangements. The stable is usually a con-
tinuation of the house. So that under one roof
are pigs and chickens and cows and horses and
human beings. I mention the humans last be-
cause their convenience is the last consulted.
Part of the front garden of every French
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
337
farmer is a large pestilent manure heap highly
prized by the owner. Of course, it means re-
newed fertility for hardworked soil, but it
never occurs to them that it might be kept in
some less prominent situation. One wonders
why the Lord gave noses to the French.
I am billeted in a town of some size —
about 400 I should say. I have a large room
which is very clean and decent and comfort-
able. There is a good big bed with a straw
mattress as hard as Pharaoh's heart, and upon
it is an enormous feather bed about two feet
thick with which I am supposed to cover my-
self. It is evident my landlady's most pre-
cious possession, being covered with a slip of
marvellous ornamentations. So, I haven't the
heart to ask her to give it to the flourishing-
family of rabbits which occupies the apart-
ment beneath my own. Instead I carefully
I'eplace the thing on the bed in the morning,
nampling it judiciously to simulate usage and
the kind soul thinks I smother under it nightly.
It is rather slim pickings hei-e in the matter
of food and not at all like Brittany, where
the food was plenty. My landlady is allowed
one pound of sugar per month and if I do not
provide her with that and cofi"ee I should
have to look elsewhere for breakfast. Officers'
messes are very expensive. I am eating where
I happen to be with the men, because I am
rarely at my billet for more than breakfast.
The country about here is the most beauti-
ful I have ever seen. Every wind is laden
with the sweet odor of hay and of rose and
carnations — the latter are smaller than ours
and less violent in color, but very fragrant.
But, in the midst of all this beauty is the grim
evidence of the deadly struggle that is going
on. We have to carry our gas masks with us
all the time and those for the horses strapped
across their poor fly bitten noses. Really, in
the midst of life, we are in death. I think
everyone is actually more serious here. I have
observed that the closer we have drawn to
actual conflict, the more thoughtful the men
have become. But there is a strange elation
that goes with it which is in everyone's ex-
perience. By means of it, men can be serious,
yet blithe — collected, yet gay. It is that, I
suppose, which makes good soldiers that they
are. Men have pledged their all to the thing
and so have discounted in advance whatever
is terrifying. And that makes them care free.
As the men say when everything is comfortable
and meals come regularly, "It's a fine war."
So it is. The best ever. And a marvellous
thing for developing character in the younger
generation of America.
Corp. William Kuehneman^ Battery F. 121st
F. A., France, Oct. 1, 1918— July 21 we en-
trained at Belfort and we knew we were go-
ing to a place where the real war was, but
no one knew just where we were bound for.
At last we were at Chateau-Thierry where the
big- drive was on. Here we hiked four days
and nights to catch up with the infantry, as
they were advancing so fast. Some days we'd
only get two or three hours' sleep and that
would be on the ground some place along the
road. Well, we finally did catch up to them
and pulled into our first position at night.
When we woke up in the moining the captain
said, "Get ready to move." The doughboys
had taken the place which we had intended to
shoot up. That afternoon we started and
while on the road four German airplanes came
directly over us and only about 50 yards above
us and opened up with their machine guns.
But the fellows fired right back at them with
rifles and pistols and anything they had. They
finally flew away and nobody was hurt. After
moving up from one position to the other for
three or four days, the drive came to a halt —
that is, we had reached our objective. Here
we stayed for 21 days and everything went
well for the first week. On a nice, bright Sun-
day morning we got a good touch of war.
The Gei-mans located us and they sure did
send them over to us for about an hour. Then
everything was quiet until the afternoon and
the same thing came again. We were located
in a ruined village packed with horses and
men. When everything was over, there wei-e
about 100 horses dead and 100 wounded and
a few men killed and wounded. Then about
every other day we got the same thing for
the length of our stay there. We sure were
a happy bunch when we were relieved from
this front. Our division at this front chased
the Germans 18 kilometers. The fields were
covered with dead, but mostly Germans. From
here we marched to Soissons and this was
a tougher front than Chateau-Thierry. When
we pulled into one position we were only a
few hundred yards behind the infantry. Here
we got both a shower of machine gun bullets
and high explosives. Some of the horses were
killed by direct hits and nothing was left of
them at all. I sure had some thrilling ex-
periences here, only they are too numerous to
mention. But I'll tell you about them some
day. At Alsace I was a messenger and since
we left there I've been a telephone operator
and lineman. Of course, that's nothing in the
line of pushing a bayonet thi'ough a man or
shooting him, but if it wasn't for communica-
338
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
tion the war wouldn't be won yet, so I guess
I've done my part.
Adjt. Violet Williams, Salvation Army
Worker, France — They used to take us up at
night near the front, and drop us down any-
where. There were four girls in our unit in
the Toul sector, one of them being a Racine
girl, too, Gertrude Symmonds. We'd put up
our tent, or seize whatever kind of shelter
was most available and get in a little sleep
so we could start working early the ne.xt
morning. Of course, our greatest difficulty
was in getting supplies up, so often we had
to make out as best we could. Sometimes we'd
have no grease for frying, so we'd have to
turn to and make cookies, pies, biscuits, or
pancakes, using whatever material we had
at hand, and serve coffee or chocolate. We
of course were never in the front line trench-
es, for no woman is ever allowed there, but
at one time we were under shell fire for a
week, and finally were obliged to retreat, and
had to wear gas masks at a four-hour stretch.
At Ansauville we had a rude hut with no floor
and the roof had been shot away. Overhead
we stretched canvas, and when it rained hard
the dirt floor became a sea of mudholes, and
we had to bring in more dirt from outside to
fill them up. Once in the Tou! sector we were
asked to bake a batch of doughnuts for a
battalion of the Third Division, who were go-
ing into the lines. Two girls baked 3,5C0
doughnuts that day, our record turn-out, and
we fed those boys doughnuts as they filed out
on their way to the lines.
Corp. Arthur Dick, 6th Co., 3rd M. M. S.
C, France, Aug. 26, 1918— We are located in
one of the most beautiful parts of France,
which is going to be one of the largest avia-
tion fields over here. When our company land-
ed at this place, it was nothing but mud and
wheat, and with real American spirit we rap-
idly converted it into an up-to-date flying
field. After work comes play, and we have
all the sports you can have. We have had
three field meets and our company won two
beautiful banners in two of the meets. They
have one of the largest Y, M, C. A.'s at this
field, which can compete with any in Franco,
and there is not a dull moment at any time.
I am manager of the Post Baseball Team
which has won the championship of Section B.
Was walking dovni the boulevard some time
ago and was surprised to meet First Lieuten-
ant James Costello and Tom Flanagan. Tom
was employed by the Case people. He spent
the evening with me.
Sgt. Russell Fisher, Battery C, 121st F. A.,
Sept. 5, 1918 — We get plenty of eats and have
a good place to sleep, so what more can we
expect. We are billeted in a small French
town and believe me, the people sure do treat
us right. Driver "Jenny" Jones will be able
to straddle any Case tractor in tnae wild west
style when he gets home. He is now practic-
ing on an old mare whom we have named
Grandma. However, Grandma has not the
usual loving disposition that grandmothers
usually have. No man wished that the outfit
would be equipped with tractors more than
Red Jersted, since the order went into effect
that there was to be no talking while groom-
ing. John Jorgcnsen is now making rapid
advances in his studies, he is now ninth assist-
ant stable sergeant. He spends most of his
time counting out oats in the feed bags for
the horses. Bramow is getting fatter every
day, he is driver of the ration cart. Most of
his trips start and end in the kitchen. Geo.
Bames is getting more cussing now than he
ever did, especially about .5:45 in the morn-
ing when he blows first call. Jack Hubert
expects to go on his furlough in the near
future. We e.xpect that the society columns
of the popular resort where our boys are sent,
will experience growth upon the arrival of
this promising young man. Coi-p. Art Hader
has adopted several more French infants.
His family now numbers about eight, ages
ranging from eight to twenty-eight.
Peter Lahr, Battery C, 121st F. A., A. E.
F. — I will tell you about our train ride to
our present camp. Our coaches were of the
de luxe type of side door Pullmans with all
the modern conveniences including plenty of
nice cold air which blew in on me through all
the cracks and crevices as I lay asleep at night
on my downy couch of hardwood floor, causing
mc to dream of being stranded on an iceberg
without clothes or any protection from the
elements. During the day we tried to remedy
the situation by bringing in an amiful of
sacks when the train stopped and building a
fire, but between the smoke and the cold, I
think I prefer the latter, which at least does
not cause a man temporary blindness. How-
ever, though the smoke did get into our eyes,
there is nothing like having a variety, even
in discomforts. At that we have had lots of
fun out of the ride, and in the aiTny one sees
humor in most anything, besides one might
also feel honored, these days of high living,
to be able to ride in the same cars used for
the transportation of such va'uable things as
cattle. We were a dirty and worn-out bunch
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
339
when we reached camp, and I for one was
willing to quit being a tourist for awhile, and
take a rest. Rather coincidental is the fact
that this camp was once used as headquarters
for Napoleon, and even many of the barracks
built for his troops are still being used to
house our soldiers. The site is a highly ele-
vated one, commanding a view for miles in all
directions. It is impossible for me to give
you an adequate description of the simple
grandeur of the suri'ounding landscape which
is very i-ugged and covered with patchwork
of tiny farms, each one sepai'ated by a hedge
of trees or other growth. Easter being the
season for a universal change in styles
throughout the world, we were likewise on
that day issued each a new steel bonnet, but
not for the purpose of going to church to ex-
hibit to the many other exhibitors who go
there on that day solely for the purpose of
parading down the aisle in their new array of
the season's latest creations.
The fellows immediately proceeded to test
the durability and shock resisting qualities of
their new headgear by swatting each other
with clubs and other implements. The helmet
proved durable enough, but I prefer, after
this, to conduct such experiments with the tin
hat on some other place than on my head.
Two gas masks have been added to our equip-
ment, and I now seem to have enough para-
phernalia to start a young army. Discipline
is getting more rigid daily, and now one is
liable to courtmartial and fine if found out of
barracks without a blouse or other part of his
uniform on. Call to quarters is sounded at
8:.30 P. M. and taps at 9:30, so everyone is at
least assured of plenty of sleep which I think
is about one of the most pleasant pastimes in
. the army.
Sgt. W. H. Lyman, 147th F. A., France, Oct.
21, 12 18 — There is no use trying to describe
war on paper. When things happen they
come so fast words can't do justice. To-day,
for instance, right by us, two aeroplanes we)-e
dropped, one by our own machine gun-fire in
the batteries, two Boche balloons were set
afire, four aerial battles took place over us,
fifty shells landed near us, a six-horse team
ran away, a powder dump blew up, and the
cook spilled the tomato soup, all within five
minutes, and in plain sight. My neck nas like
a corkscrew trj-ing to watch it all.
The other day I stood on a hill and watched
four miles of our infantry advance. I could
see the whole panorama, American and Ger-
man artillery, machine guns, tanks, large and
small, our engineers building roads which six
hours before our artillery had blown up be-
hind the German lines, truck-trains coming
up, aeroplanes fighting, balloons watching, the
Germans burning dumps as they saw they had
to retreat further, phone men manning lines
across the shellholes which were still smoking,
prisoners marching back, signal flags waving
and heliographs flashing, shells bursting, all at
one and the same time.
But it can't be reproduced. And it is sel-
dom a height can be found in all France from
which it can all be observed even if it happens
in daylight, which is seldom the case.
I don't think that many soldiers are fatal-
ists as is so frequently said. But we do get
to feeling safe on the same principle that a
man running a "the-cane-you-ring-is-the-cane-
you-get" game at a county fair, expects to
win. There are so few shells hitting in such
large space that the chances of hitting any
one particu'ar object are small. And that
object is ME in each individual case. We have
the added advantage, in the artillery, that
the Boche is not even aiming at any one of
us personally. In other words, so sum up —
1. We are licking him.
2. We will finish it shortly.
3. He can't hurt me.
Therefore I will close, leaving you in a very
cheerful frame of mind.
Lieut. Frank H. Fancher, 121st F. A.,
France, Aug. 6, 1918 — The hike was made
through a recently evacuated no-man's land
and of course it is indescribable. Wrecked
villages, roads full of shell holes, ammunition
and equipment of all nations literally strew-
ing the ground; graves, and unburied bodies
everj-where. It will take months before the
bodies are all located and buried. Of course
the stench was and is fierce everywhere.
One night we had to travel on a road for
miles that was as heavy with traffic as Michi-
gan Avenue in Chicago. Of course everything
was as black as night and the machines going
by us at a 60 mile an hour clip. Luckily they
were traveling only one way, probably making
a loop in their course not to be passing one
another.
The airplanes harass us all the time, con-
stantly overhead. Yesterday morning one fol-
lowed us for hours and we were shelled for a
while, but am afraid the Boche isn't much of
an artilleryman. The ambulances passed us
thick and fast loaded \vith Yanks all bandaged
up, most of them singing and smoking. They
were evident'y doughboys for they cheered to
beat the band when they saw their artilleiy
coming up the road. The darned kids travel
340
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
faster than we can keep up with them. Just
heard last night they advanced 16 kilometers
and had to fall back 5 so the artillery wouldn't
shell them.
The Yankee looks at it as a game or sport
of some kind, and loves to match his wits
against the Hun. Its too bad the Hun can
only fight us in large bodies for I know some
of those kids would love to take on 3 or 4
alone.
German helmets, guns, ammunition and
bayonets are no longer picked up for souve-
nirs, as they are literally covering everything.
Don't know what to believe about the clothes
proposition, though, one hears back in the
States about the Boche not having clothes.
Those strewn about here are of the most
beautiful broadcloth I have ever seen.
Last night about 9 Boche sailed around
overhead about 200 feet in the air. The
horses gave us away I guess, snorting and
whinnying. Anyway Lieut. Mueller woke me
up hollering "gas." It didn't take us long to
get that mask on. Couple of Boche planes had
flown over and dropped a few gas bombs in
our woods. Nothing very serious. We move
again today though.
The Racine Ambulance Company is evident-
ly hard at it. Recognized two machine driv-
ers as they whizzed by on the road. Have
seen nothing of Ed. as yet. Don't know
where he is. Of course when we move we
never know where we are bound for. Our
guns are booming away about a block away
from us and right behind us are two batteries
of 75s. They kept a barrage going all night
long and they sure have some bark. The
Americans fire them so rapidly the story here
is one of the Boche Colonels that was captured
this last week requested to see the American
3 inch machine gun.
I may be a non-combatant, but last night
I fired 3 shells just to balance up for some of
the hospitals and ambulances Mr. Hun has
fired on.
Sgt. William H. Ha>Tnan, Battery F., 121st
F. A., France, Sept. 3, 1918— Have received
our gold rei-\'ice chevron today, which, of
course, is given us for six months' service in
France. We are glad to place these chevrons
on our left sleeve, but hope that by the end
of the next six months we will not be given
a gold chevron, but will be on our way back
to the good old U. S. A. Of course, we are
over here in this beautiful country sei-ving
I'ncle Sam, and mean to stick until it is all
over, but let it be hoped that it is soon all
over.
This makes the third sector that Battery
F has been in. The Alsace-Lorraine front,
being a nice one and a little exciting, the
next one, the Chateau-Thierry, made the first
one look like a novice. It would take too
much time to tell you of the different things,
the condition of the country and of the things
that we experienced on that front. It is very
likely that you read of it in the newspapers
at home, and from what we grabbed off the
newspapers that we have seen there was no
exaggeration at all. On the 24th of this month,
at midnight, with all our material hooked up,
we started for another sector, not knowing
when we started where we were going or
when we would reach it. We hiked four days
through the most dilapidated sections one
would ever wish to experience, and finally
landed in one of the most active sectors of the
war. The work we did on the Chateau-Thier-
ry front, which at times was something fierce,
we will never forget, and right now Battery
F is going through the same thing over again.
You can rest assured, all of you back in Ra-
cine, that any time Battery F is sent any
place in this country as soldiers for the U. S.,
we are there light to the minute. Our divi-
sion, the 32nd, has certainly torn the boche
lines in shreds, as was pi-oven by what we did
on the Mame, and undoubtedly right now you
are reading all about what this division is do-
ing today. Our guns went into position im-
mediately upon arrival here and are hammering
away all the time. Of course, conditions have
been such that at times it was pretty tough
to go ahead, but we stuck to it and are still
pushing foi-ward. The doughboys ahead of us
surely appreciate our artillery, which was
shown in the sector that we just left. Any
time anyone tells you they can't understand
what the war is about, send them over for a
visit in the fighting lines and let them take
a peek at some of the dirty stunts that the
Hun is pulling off.
We are the only American troops on this
sector, and surely Gen. Foch is not taking any
chances on who he places in one of the most
active fronts in France. The lines on this
front have not moved for two years or more.
The attempts before have been unsuccessful
and the 32nd was sent in as a chance, and we
are surely doing it, as we have certainly got
them on the lom. The parade of prisoners
going by every day would make any ordinary
man think that it was a Labor day parade in
Milwaukee.
You have heard of different ones' experien-
ces coming over here, but when the boche
starts handing them back to us, the experi-
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
341
Photo Loaned hy Cnl. Win. M. T-ewis
SCENES THAT WERE FAMILIAR AT THE FRONT DURING 1918
In the upper panel are real trenches — occupied by French tronps and made as comfortable as possible, the shelter at the
left being covered with sandbags and could afford a little safety to men seeking sleep. In the lower panel is a 155 mm.
howitzer in action. The artillerymen are wearing their gas masks as they work.
342
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
ence we have had has taught us that there
isn't one of us, no matter where we are, that
can't make a dive for a dugout or shell hole
that would put Annette Kellei-man to shame.
You can talk about me being an old boy, but
I can stick with any of them. It certainly
would look good for a little fellow like you and
Tommy to be seen making a dive for one of
these shell holes, and after everything was
over come sneaking out all full of mud, with
your gas mask and helmet on.
Our old pal. Doc Smith, comes around once
in a while, and we are always glad to see him.
He has developed into one of the most wonder-
ful crap shooters in the division. If he want-
ed to lose it would be impossible. I know.
Sgt. Victor Falck, 127 Amb. Co., A. E. F.,
Dec. 23, 1918 — You all know how the Gennans
were pushed across the Vesle, and how Fismes
was taken. From there we went to Soissons,
where we fought with the French Tenth Anny.
Right here I wish to state that we had a real
war. Battei-y F will verify this statement. It
was here I met Andy EUefson, shortly after
he had been wounded and he told me that
Chateau-Thierry was child's play compared to
Soissons. He also said they were firing their
guns with practically no elevation, so you see
we had them at close range. We landed in the
Argonne on a Monday, and then took our trick
in the lines. We were in the lines for 21 days
and nights before we were returned, and were
pushing the Huns back every day. When we
came out we rested for about two weeks in
a woods, about fifteen kilos back of the lines.
We were bombed almost every night, and any-
one who has been bombed knows it is no joke.
All you hear is the whir of the machine, and
then you hear an awful bang, and about that
time you wish you could crawl in a snake
hole, and pull the hole in after you.
Nick Garski, Battery F, 121st F. A., France,
Sept. 14, 1918 (Garski was later killed in ac-
tion) — Having a lot of time now I must drop
you a few lines letting you know I'm in the
best of health.
We are now located in a good-sized French
village back from the front for a rest, and
we sure enjoy being back here.
We were billeted in French bams with
plenty of hay to sleep on, but another fellow
and I happened to be in luck and rented a bed
the landlady happened to have. She also keeps
a dozen eggs for us out of her daily gather-
ings, which she fixes for us for our supper, and
they sure are good after not having any for
half a year.
How long we are to stay here I don't know.
I expect long enough to get a good rest.
I sure had a big supper tonight. Went dovm
town and bought some steak, a fresh loaf of
French dark bread, some jam and grapes.
With that we had that dozen eggs, and maybe
you think that didn't give us a filling, and oh,
how that woman can cook! It's just like
mother used to make.
Just happened to think that I have a birth-
day in four days. Will have a chance to cele-
brate at this place.
The Grand Rapids boys are stationed at this
place; have seen some of them.
Just to let you know how expensive things
are here, I went down town this moniing to
buy a suit of undei-wear. After I picked out
a suit that satisfied me I asked for the price.
He said 2.5 francs; that amounts to almost $5
in our money. I couldn't see the joke to pay
that price, so I walked out, leaving the clerk
standing there with his costly treasures in
front of him.
There's a young girl in this family nearing
the age of ten. She saw me writing tliis let-
ter home, so she asked me if I wouldn't send
the enclosed little note to the family from
her.
Arthur Spreeburg, 77th F. A., Coblenz, Dec.
27, 1918 — It is a long time between letters but
there are a lot of reasons. I was at the front
for three months, and that's plenty for anyone.
The first front was Chateau-Thierry. There
was some hard fighting. We were there for
two weeks, then we hiked to St. Mihiel. The
Germans were sure sui-prised when they heard
our guns bark at 1 A. M. From there we went
to Argonne Woods. This was one of the
worst places I've seen. I saw a lot of boys
get it, and it was an awful sight. I also saw
the Dead Man's Hill at Verdun, where so many
French were killed. Our captain and three
boys were killed during our time at the front.
I was over the top three times, and never re-
ceived a scratch. Some luck. I don't know
when we will be back in the U. S. We are
now at Coblenz. We hiked 185 miles in 15
days.
Pvt. Rudolph Amund.^on, Const. Co. No. 1,
U. S. Air Sei-vice, England — We sailed on one
of the biggest transports used for that pur-
pose, and had a grand trip across. Nice weath-
er every day we were on the water, especially
after having been out five or six days. I
also spent one of the most sane fourths I had
ever spent in my life. Not a thing did I do
but stand at the rail and watch for subs, but
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
343
Photos Loaned by Col. Witi, L.
HOW THE MEN OF THE 107th FIELD SIGNAL BATTALION LIVED IN THE FIELD
Graves of former soldiers marked every location for camp in the active areas. Above, the kitchen outfit is getting its
equipment ready for operation. A mound marks a grave in the immediate foreground. Col. Lewis' headquarters were
located just back of the two denuded trees at the extreme left. In the lower picture the cross marking a grave is seen at the
left of the supply wagon. The men, however, are more interested in their "chow." The pictures were taken at Montfaucon.
344
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
there wasn't a thing doing in that line. I was
g'ad wo did not see any, as that water sure
looked cold and deep. The people here seem
to think the Yanks are just the thing. There
are quite a few nice towns around here, where
we can go to whenever we have the money or
time to spend. I cannot tell you the nature
of our work, but I am in a Construction Com-
pany which is the first job I could not quit
whenever I wanted. But there are about two
million more just like me, so I have no license
to kick. I am in with a very good bunch of
boys, and have had a gooti deal cf fun.
William Dupuis, Co. L, 1st Army Hq., A. E.
F. — I had enlisted with Battery C, and was
with the same until last January. From there
I was transferred to the First New Hampshire
Infantry, (now the First Army Headquarters
Regiment). This regiment is composed of men
who speak the French language, and owing to
my being able to speak the language, hence
the transfer. French certainly is a good thing
to know in this country, and I might say that
I am using my "Parlez-vous" to a great ad-
vantage. We have been having rain and chilly
weather for the last three or four days, but
before that it certainly was warm. Sunny
France certainly is a good name for this
country.
Sgt. C. G. Peterson, 47 Aero Sq., A. E. F.,
Nov. 24, 1918 — I am now at Colombay, La
Belle, a small town not far from Metz. One
of the largest air force camps in France is
stationed here and we expect when we have
it cleared of planes we will be shipped home.
I surely have been chased around this part of
Europe and am willing to call it quits now
that the war is ovei', and get back to the States
again. I crossed the channel three times; was
shipped to La Havre in July and then back to
England again. This last time we landed at
Cherbourg and then on to the air force front.
We were real close to the big show when it
ended, as close as the squadrons get and that
was close enough. Of course the doughboys
got into the real fight more than we did.
When we landed in La Havre in July we were
bound for Italy but for some reason were
sent back and a few of us were sent to New
Castle-on-Tyne.
Sgt. John Michel, 127 Amb., A. P. O. 734.
Mar. 6, 1919 — It is a surprise to the Dutch
to see the wonderful body of men Uncle Sam
has in his army of occupation, that now watch
on the picturesque River Rhine. I should
know for I have sailed down the beautiful
river while on a three dav leave to Neuveid.
The castles of old upon the hill tops are most
picturesque sights. Some are diminished
through past wars of many years ago, others
that are not luined are occupied by soldiers.
Vineyards are seen in abundance.
Geo. Lester Hughes, F. A. Training Camp —
As to myself, I'm O. K. and working harder
than the devil. Even at that I feel better
than I ever have felt and furtheiTnore have
put on 13 pounds (mostly in front). I am in
the Field Ai'tillery "non-com" school and start
work every day at 6:30 A. M. and continue
until 7 o'clock. When not drilling, I'm kept
busy washing clothes, so you can readily see
my time is practically all taken up. By the
time they get through with this bird, he will
sure be able to hold his own with the Hun.
Even though I am working hard, I'm not kick-
ing, and it makes me laugh when I recall some
of the boys back home grumbling when asked
to tu)'n their savings into Liberty Bonds.
J. L. Ahart, Div. I, A. P. O. 718 Saumur,
A. E. F. — France is a beautiful countiy. It
is one beautiful spot after another. It's hell
to have war in a country like this, but one has
only to imagine what a people must be like
who would ravish a country like this, to see
reasons enough. The French people treat us
like the princes who lived in these old castles
must have been treated along about 1000 years
ago. A beautiful young French lady makes
mv bed, sweeps the floor, and puts fresh flow-
eis on my shelf, and when I hand her an empty
dish to send out for seconds, she thanks me
for it. Could you beat that for courtesy? I
am still a Candidate Officer, with the rest of
the 3rd Camp men and am studying heavy
motorized artillery at this place. This is a
wonderful school. It is the greatest Cavalry
school in the world and has given instruction
to such immortals as Napoleon. Now it is
better known as a school of field artillery,
and that is why I am here. The equipment
lacks nothing, but it's no summer resort. This
is Sunday, but until I began this letter I've
been wrestling with and was obliged to conquer
some real mathematical problems. You can't
be an artillery officer and have any loose ends
to your mathematics. We are well fed and
Uncle Sam and the large newspapers at home
take care of our tobacco wants in a very
liberal way. The people vdll do anything for
us. The "Y" is unique here. It was fonnerly
the home of some wealthy Frenchman. He
turned it over for our use, furniture, hang-
ings, paintings, traditions, and all. I am
writing this letter on a wonderfully cai^ved
wood table in the library. I can look through
a large French window out over a fine little
RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
345
Photos Loaned by 
Open Library