Tuesday’s Draft Examinations in Nemaha County: The Search for Able-Bodied Soldiers
As World War I raged on, the process of drafting soldiers became a reality for communities across the United States, including Nemaha County, Kansas. On Tuesday, August 7, 1917, the latest round of physical examinations took place, determining which men were fit for military service and which would be disqualified due to medical conditions. The August 9, 1917, issue of the Courier Democrat provided a detailed account of the examinations, the number of exemptions claimed, and the challenges of filling the county’s quota of 113 men.
With seventy men examined that day, the results mirrored those of the previous day—many sought exemptions for various reasons, while others were disqualified due to physical disabilities. A handful of men, however, declared their willingness to serve without hesitation, demonstrating their commitment to the war effort. The newspaper also reflected on the emotional toll of the draft, noting that while the soldiers left to fight, the families they left behind bore their own burden of grief and uncertainty.
As the draft board continued its work, questions remained about whether enough men would meet the requirements or if further calls for enlistment would be necessary. These reports offer a fascinating glimpse into the selection process for military service, highlighting the patriotism, concerns, and realities of wartime recruitment in small-town America.
Tuesday night: Seventy men were examined today. Just about the same as yesterday. The showing on the claims for exemption was a little better today, ten men signifying their willingness to serve their country without reserve. These ten were: Lewis Monroe, Sabetha; Andrew Strahm, Bern; James Robertson, Baileyville; Wm. C. Conley, Seneca; Leo Stallbaumer, Kelly; Charles Dort, Pawnee; Edwin McDaniel, Corning; M. E. Crosswhite, Centralia; Joe Leuthold, Oneida; Aaron Levy, Seneca.
These four were discharged for physical disability: Ray Walters, Baileyville; George Fritsch, Sabetha; Timothy Heiman, Jr., Seneca; Jos. W. Pfrang, Wetmore.
Eliminating the four discharged, we have a little over 15 percent who have no claim for exemption. Of the 140 men examined Monday and Tuesday, sixteen were discharged. Seventeen filed no claim. This is a little over 13 percent making no claim in the two days.
Now take the first call—226 men and examine it closely. First, we eliminate those who have already enlisted and who do not count on Nemaha County’s quota of 113 men. There are 14 of these. We have left 212 men. Now drop the men who will…
be discharged, sixteen for Monday and Tuesday—probably 24 men, physically unfit. You have left from your original call 188 men. Now take the 188 and deduct fifty percent for married men and single men who have ground for exemption. You have left 94 men. Now deduct at least another ten percent for those who will fail to pass the next army examination. You have left 84 men out of the necessary 113. If it takes 226 names on the registration list to furnish 84 men it will take 303 names to furnish 113 men. Now we don’t claim the above figures to be accurate. We were just figuring it out for the fun of it. Your guess is as good as ours. It may be that the exemptions will run higher than fifty percent out of the 85 percent that will be claimed. It may be that the army physicians will reject more than ten percent. If the local board wants to play safe, however, it will issue a call for at least one hundred more men.
This matter of claiming an exemption and getting away with it will not be a soft snap. The two district boards met in the Governor’s office Monday and formed the rules to govern in the cases taken to that board. For instance, this board has the say-so on all claims filed by farmers for agricultural exemptions. The farmer must be able to show by affidavits and otherwise that he is absolutely indispensable to that farm, and that his leaving would cause substantial loss. It is thought that at least 25 percent of the claims filed at Seneca Monday and Tuesday were for industrial exemption.
County Attorney H. M. Baldwin was present Tuesday at the examinations. Mr. Baldwin represents the government as a special investigator. He told a reporter Tuesday that he would personally examine all claims for exemption.