War News Highlights from the 26 July 1917 Courier Democrat
The 26 July 1917 issue of the Courier Democrat provides a vivid glimpse into the war news shaping life on the home front during World War I. From enlistment quotas to the first letters from soldiers overseas, the newspaper captures the impact of the conflict on communities like Nemaha County. This edition sheds light on local contributions to the war effort, updates from the fighting front, and the challenges of meeting military demands, offering a compelling snapshot of life during wartime.
SENECA BOYS RECOMMENDED FOR NON COMS.
Captain Weltmer of Company F. National Guards at Hiawatha has recommended Erle W. Taylor of Seneca as one of the men eligible to the non-commissioned office of sergeant and Lon W. Britt of Atchison has been recommended for the grade of corporal. The recommendations were made to Colonel Wilder S. Metcalf.
THE FIRST LETTER
FROM FIGHTING FRONT
W. M. Cornell has received the first letter to a Seneca parent from France. His son Lee is with Pershing’s troops. The envelope is marked “Soldiers’ Mail” and the letter is marked O. K. by the company censor. Lee wrote his return card in the corner of the envelope but the censor rubbed it out or else compelled Lee to do so. The soldier boys have the privilege of sending their mail postage collect at the home end. The date line of course reads, “Somewhere in France.” One can see by reading the letter that the boys are not allowed to tell anything beyond the most trivial things and his letter is altogether confined to little things of interest only to the family. He says that he is feeling fine. He says that he is still with the pal with whom he crossed. He warns his people that all their mail will be censored and asks the folks to tell everybody “hello.” His address is Lee V. Cornell, Headquarters Company 16th Inf. With U. S. Troops in France.
MUST FURNISH 113
The Topeka Capital came out Friday with a tabulated list of Kansas counties giving the quotas and credits for enlistments. The figures showed that Jackson county with a quota of 154 and Brown county with a quota of 206 would only be required to furnish one man each for selective draft but Nemaha county with a quota of 192 would be required to furnish 113 for the draft. Seneca people began to wonder if this county was getting the credit it deserved. County Attorney H. M. Baldwin made the trip to Topeka Saturday and was given every assistance in checking up the list. After he came home he and County Clerk W. L. Kauffman went to Sabetha to check up the list and found the figures to be correct. Nemaha county can only claim credit for 79 enlistments. Of this number, thirty are in the Hiawatha National Guard, nine at Horton, seven at Lawrence, one at Holton and two elsewhere making a total of forty-nine in the National Guard. Twenty-one are in the regular army and the county is given credit for nine more from counties who overran their quotas. Nemaha has 20 navy enlistments.
A county does not receive credit for National Guardsmen outside of the state. (It is known that Nemaha county is furnishing six for Missouri and three for Nebraska.) Neither does the county receive credit for navy enlistments, for any enlistments prior to April 1917 or following June 30, 1917.
Twice the required number to fill the first quota will be asked to report first for physical examinations. This will include the men drawn up to and including 226.