Farmers Weekly Review

By Sandy Vasko

By July 1917, Will County faced the reality of war time. Folks prepared as best they could. One of the things they could not be prepared for was death. Even before the shooting started, there was the dreaded enemy of disease.

We read on July 13, 1917 in the Wilmington Advocate: “Word was received here last Sunday of the death of Dakota Gadberry, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Gadberry of this city. The young man was a member of the U. S. Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes training camp near Chicago. Three weeks ago, he was taken ill with measles which later developed into pneumonia causing his death.”

In the same issue we read of the effects of the newly created draft: “Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Hennebry of Wesley Monday of this week took John Tusek, a draft slacker, from Joliet to Chicago, where he was given a hearing before Commissioner Mason. Tusek claims San Antonio, Tex., as his home and was arrested after making boasts that he had evaded registering.”

And on July 27 in the Wilmington paper: “Ben Craterfield was arrested here this (Friday) afternoon by City Marshal Harden as a slacker. He was placed in the local jail to await the arrival of a deputy U.S. Marshal who will take him to Chicago where he will have a hearing before Commissioner Mann.”

It appears the rural parts of the County was no place for draft slackers to hide.

September 1917 saw the largest patriotic event held in Will County since the Civil War. We read in the Joliet Signal: “Soldiers’ Farewell celebration in Joliet Sunday, Sep. 2 – In a giant parade and a program to be held in Joliet, Sunday September 2, Will County will say farewell to the 705 men selected for service in the national army and also honor more than 500 volunteers who have answered the nation’s call since the declaration of war, five months ago.

“The Soldiers’ Welfare Association of Will County, organized two weeks ago to promote the celebration and to undertake the problem of aiding the county’s soldiers as the war progresses, selected Sunday as the appropriate day, for several reasons The solemn dignity of a community’s farewell to the men who will represent it in the nation’s defense, the opportunity for religious services in accord with the spirit of the celebration and the fact county-wide attendance is made possible without unmercenary cessation of the wheels of industry, pointed to the selection of the day.

“While the spirit of the demonstration is to be solemn, some of the attitude of the happy go lucky Canadian ‘Tommy’ is to be imparted by a repetition of his marching song, ‘Smile, smile, smile’ as the key note of the celebration. The song is being played and sung throughout the county in an effort to introduce it thoroughly before the date of the farewell.

“More than 10,000 persons are to march in the parade early in the afternoon. Every organization of the county, township supervisors and merchants are working with Sheriff Scholl to make it the largest patriotic demonstration ever staged in the county.

“The line of march will form in Chicago street north of Cass street, at 1:30 o’clock in the afternoon and proceed to the Richards field, where the program is to be held. In a conspicuous place will march the 705 chosen men, headed by Will County boys who have received commissions on completion of a training course at Fort Sheridan. As many of the volunteers as can return are also to be in the line of march.

“Speakers of national prominence will address the soldiers to be in the program at the field. Congressman Copley and Governor Lowden have been invited to come to Joliet for the occasion. Other speakers will address the foreign-born Americans in the selected group, in their native tongue.

“Informal invitations printed on duplicate post cards have been sent to the selected men, requesting the attached card be returned with name spelled correctly, the correct address and order of call. The correct information is sought in order to have every detail perfect in the formal invitations which are to follow later.

“The second invitation is to be a highly decorated souvenir and testimonial of the community’s gratefulness. It will be produced on near parchment paper, the American flag in colors and gold, embossed in the upper corner above the inscription and name of the recipient. The committee intends it shall be framed and hung in the home.”

“Special arrangements will be made by traction companies (interurban railroad) to bring thousands from every portion of the county into Joliet Every person in the county is invited and urged to attend.”

The parade went off without a hitch.

On September 11, we read in the Chicago Herald: “Ten Mexicans from Joliet, who have been held in the county jail for failing to register June 5, were released yesterday and told they could return to their homes without being further troubled by the government, but none had the carfare for the return trip. Deputy Marshal Thomas Hennebry purchased a dinner for the crowd and they announced they would try walking.

September 21, the Wilmington Advocate revealed just how serious draft evasion was: “Haden Webb, formerly of this city, where he was employed by Albert Allott as a farm hand up to a couple of months ago, is wanted as a ‘deserter’ or draft dodger. Webb, shortly after taking the physical examination and passing as sound departed for Virginia. The authorities are unable to trace him.

“Failing to respond to the call in time of war is equal to desertion and may be punished by death.”

Patriotic parades have to include a float or two. Check out the number of stars on that flag.