World War l News, the Newspapers and Algoma

Algoma Record Herald – a merger of two Algoma papers – was a new newspaper when it carried this article. The article pointed out that its edition would likely be late as employees refused to work. It was neither a work stoppage nor a strike. What came to be known as World War l was over.  It wasn’t only Algoma’s workforce that took time off: it happened around the country. It was newspapers that spread the news.

Known as the First World War, World War l, and the Great War, it began in Europe on July 28, 1914 and ended officially with the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. Political turmoil ravaging Europe for years came to a head on June 28, 1914, a month earlier, before the war’s outbreak, in Sarajevo when Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb Yugoslav nationalist, assissaniated heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

In the end, 16 million  military personal and civilians died. Additionally, the war hastened the spread of Spanish Influenza, leading to the deaths of up to 100 million people world-wide. It also led to genocide. Following the Armistice, the remaining unresolved conflicts escalated, giving rise to the likes of Adolf Hitler and plunging the world into what became World War ll, a mere 20 years later.

While the U.S. didn’t get into the European war until 1917, Algoma residents – and those across Kewaunee County, the state and the nation – understood their former countrymen. Millions of German immigrants made up the largest immigrant group to the U.S. and to Algoma. Germans began arriving in what was then Wolf River within a year of Kewaunee County’s origin in 1852.

In the early days, some of the community’s early Yankees derided the Germans (and others) as ignorant foreigners, often treating the immigrants in a detrimental manner. After 50 years, the prejudice was disappearing in Algoma. But then came the war. 

While many felt the U.S. would get involved in the European War, Woodrow Wilson won the 1916 election with the slogan, "He kept us out of war." But, U.S. neutrality didn't last and Wilson declared war in April 1917. Serving as president from 1913-1921, it was Wilson who led the country through the war.

Although the country was remaining neutral, Major Gen. Leonard Wood told Congress, in November 1916, that war was coming and that the U.S. was utterly unprepared. He said the coast was vulnerable and that a force of 150,000 trained men could inflict incalculable damage before a U.S. army could be assembled to meet it. Algoma folks anxiously watched the papers, wondering when “the other shoe would drop.”

In early January 1916 the Record told readership that the European conflict put the U.S. in a trying period. It was said, in 1914, the European war was going to be over by Christmas. Then it was said it was going to be a struggle to the death. Although the U.S. was neutral, it came face-to-face with issues arising from the war, shipping, German U-boats and more. During late January 1916, the paper noted the need for preparedness for war, with all its horrors and human loss. The article continued calling attention to individual preparedness for old age and future welfare. Thrift was important and would be developed through a national thrift day.

Local papers* were full of war news. Little by little, the papers carried more about what folks should know. Men enlisted and others were drafted. The papers provided men with military options, and helped them sort out those options.

Papers informed residents about the Kewaunee County Council of Defense and its designation of wheatless Tuesdays and meatless Wednesdays. Residents were required to sign pledges to save food. Folks at home were told how they needed to do their part to aid the boys abroad in the military. Herbert Hoover, head of the U.S. Food Administration, said it was only fitting that mothers of men who fight the nation’s battles needed to enlist in such an essential service as saving food. Hoover said mothers want their sons to return when victory is achieved, and the mothers hasten that work by what they can do.

Just before war was declared, Carlton resident Ida Peterson shared a letter she received from a cousin serving in the Canadian army in France. Though the letter was censored, the soldier spoke of the disagreeable conditions of the trenches during the winter weather. Had it not been censored, the letter would have no doubt told of far more and “disagreeable” would have been a far more graphic word.

It was the papers that announced that all men between the ages of 18 and 45 were required to register for the draft. In July it was written that those who enlisted then would have the advantage of two or three months of training over those who were drafted. There were quotas. The paper pointed out that those selected by draft would have physical examinations and, after that, could not voluntarily enlist in the branch of their choice. Selected men were carefully questioned about whether they already had a physical examination or were notified to appear elsewhere. Such enlistment of a man after he was drafted amounted to fraudulent enlistment and penalties were prescribed by law. Names of those exempted, due to physical condition or hardship, were listed in the paper just as those who were  inducted.

In the world of 2018, law says all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, residing in the United States, and 18-through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.

Little more than a week following the Declaration, Sturgeon Bay parties appealed to the men of Ahnapee for assistance in recruiting enough men to form a company of the National Guard. The first to sign the applications were Jerry Jerabek, Auggie Wasserbach, Gilbert Mounty, Frank Prokash, Carl Koutnik, George Fellows, Ernst Haucke, Leo Kohlbeck, Frank Lidral, Jr. and Fred Peronto.

The men met nightly at the city hall where W.E. Perry taught military tactics. Applications came in. It was expected the men would join the Sturgeon Bay company and Perry applied for a commission when the new company was formed. He was expected to receive it because of his several years in military schools.

It was the Navy that wanted men who did things well. Men with trades were in demand as they were “the first line of defense” in carrying the “Sammies” to France and beating the Kaiser’s submarines. Amateur wireless operators, machinists, cooks and bakers were wanted. Men with such experience were offered “splendid” enlistment conditions and were told they could go right to work with an introductory training. According to the advertising, the Navy paid the highest military wages, as much as 100 a month for an apprentice seaman. Uncle Sam paid board and lodging while giving an enlistee $50 worth of free clothing, thus the pay of one in the Navy is almost all clear profit.

Experienced marine engine machinists are eligible to enlist as 1^st Class, earning $66.50 a month with all living expenses and clothing free. Those of 2^nd Class proving their ability at sea were promoted. Master machinists were paid $83 a month if they had charge of the engine room.

When the Navy was calling for 20,000 apprentice seamen, Wisconsin’s quota was 800 men. Those enlisting in the Navy were paid $32.50 during their training period, and those who qualified and promoted to seamen 2^nd Class got $35.90. Those who were promoted to 1^st Class got $38.40. An added inducement was traveling and seeing the world.

Ernest Ponath was one who did that. A month following the declaration of war, Ernest left his job at the depot to become the first city man to join the Navy. Making news at the same time was Col. George Wing who passed the examination for a commissioned officer’s position at the Fort Sheridan training camp.

There was a place for high school graduates with a fair knowledge of electricity. They had the chance to attend the special Naval Radio School at Harvard. The men would make their meals in Harvard’s Memorial Hall and use the gymnasium as a dormitory. The four-month course covered military drills and technical and other subjects.

The Navy offered another opportunity for men who wanted to become cooks. By enlisting in the commissary staff of the Navy, men could learn the trade at some of New York’s biggest hotels and cafes. Although the Navy didn’t point it out, such training gave men prestigious employment contacts following the war.

Men who enlisted as cooks got $32.50 per month in addition to all expenses during training. Cooks who qualified for higher ratings received a corresponding higher pay. First class cooks got $60, 2^nd $52, 3^rd $41 and 4^th Class, $35. Cabin cooks got $55 while cabin stewards made $61. Higher ratings were open to the inexperienced who “make good,” as merit was always recognized. Touted as a means of learning a trade at government expense, it was a way to help oneself and the nation. All one had to do was see a postmaster, recruiting officer or write to the Milwaukee recruiting station.

Newspapers were the source of information for most. However, they also caused confusion. After men had been told they would need to enlist to serve in the branch of choice, they were told that after they were drafted and examined by a local board, they were free to enlist in the marines. That lasted until the Provost Marshall General telegraphed to say a drafted man could only serve in the marines with the written consent of the local board. The Provost asked newspapers to call attention and give the matter publicity because, in actuality, nothing changed. After being drafted by a local board, no registrant was eligible for voluntary enlistment in any branch of government service. Adding to the confusion was that the erroneous information came from the Marine Corps recruiting service itself! Movies spread the news in a more interesting way.

During the fall, in 1918, the War Department announced guidelines for mailing Christmas packages to Europe. The mailing would be extended to November 30 because several divisions of the Army in active combat areas were unable to distribute and dispatch the parcel labels until the last week of October.

The papers continued in the same vein. One hundred years later, younger generations would wonder how the world went on in a day that depended on mail, newspapers and word of mouth. And, as the children’s party game Pass It On, there was much erroneous information. In 2018, social media, text messaging and, to a lesser extent, email serve to provide information that also provides inaccuracies.

As Algoma's men enlisted or were drafted, The Herald and The Record became even more important. Telephones were making inroads, but it was print that made the difference.

*The Record and The Herald merged to become the Record Herald in 1918. The paper was owned by the Heidmann family until Harold Heidmann sold to Frank Wood in the 1980s.

Source: Algoma Record Herald. Article and ad from Algoma Record Herald. World War l poster taken by the blogger at a Missouri war museum.