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| Steele Street east from 4th; Fluck's is #3 and Boedecker Bros. is #10 |
Boedecker Bros. Rexall drug store, on the southeast corner of 4th and Stelle Streets, was advertising Christmas candies in fancy boxes and cigars to send to the "soldier boys." in addition to the Christmas cards at a penny to 10 cents each. "War Shall Pass, But the Spirit of Christmas Shall Abide," said the advertising. Folks were advised not to let their hearts dry up because of a world in woe. It said the spirit needed a special emphasis and to shop with experienced sales people while stocks were nearly complete. Fluck's drug store, kitty corner across Steele, advertised pocket sized Kodak cameras to make a soldier's life happy. A Kodak picture from home was another suggestion.
It was 1917. The U.S. had entered what became World War l, which hastened the flu pandemic. Immigrants from Germany were suspect. Families changed names from the original German to something that sounded more “American.” Kophmueller to Miller is only one example. Much as the war meant venturing into the unknown, Christmas was coming and Algoma was making preparations.
It was 1917. The U.S. had entered what became World War l, which hastened the flu pandemic. Immigrants from Germany were suspect. Families changed names from the original German to something that sounded more “American.” Kophmueller to Miller is only one example. Much as the war meant venturing into the unknown, Christmas was coming and Algoma was making preparations.
Electric lighting was catching on and most businesses were
lit. However, war time changed things. Sunday and Thursday nights meant
lighting had to be reduced, with only enough lighting for safety. House holders
were also asked to reduce their lighting on those nights, sometimes called
lightless nights. Much like parents admonishing kids to be on their best
behavior for Santa, the Record told readership that the United States Fuel
Administration would deal with violators.
The Red Cross wanted all members to place a lighted candle in
a window, shining through the white transparent Red Cross service flag placed there. Such a display was sending a Christmas message of strength to
the boys who were making the sacrifices.
In mid-December the paper announced Algoma’s first community
tree. Trumpets would herald the lighting of the tree, an event, beginning at 5
PM on Christmas Day. When the city chose December 25th, it was to
avoid other events with the hope that large number of city residents could
attend. Rev. H.W. Blackmann of the St. Agnes-By-the-Lake led the prayers and
Attorney Joshua Johns, later Congressman Johns, offered a short address. Songs
were both patriotic and Christmas carols.
Such was Christmas 1917.
John Wattawa was a diplomatic attaché at The Hague. Reared
in Kewaunee, Wattawa wrote from abroad to his mother in Madison, telling her
about espionage and the spies who were all over, even the porters and waiters
at the hotels. Wattawa knew he was being watched and said Germans were trying
to take Allies’ pictures. He said bread was scarce and most could not get it
without a bread card. He also said there were fewer air raids at The Hague than
there were in London.
Just before Christmas, Mrs.
F.W. Lidral and her daughter Mary journeyed to Waco, Texas where they visited Mrs.
Lidral’s sons, Mary’s brothers, Carl and Frank Lidral, who were stationed
there. Carl wrote to the Algoma Herald saying he was at Waco for 16 weeks of
training before he left for France to whip the Kaiser
forever. Then he said he thought Wisconsin’s windstorms were bad until he
got to Texas. A tent in the company across the street was split corner to
corner but, rather than leaving, the boys stayed in their cots until morning
because they were freezing in the 20 degree temperature. Carl said the cold and
wind pierced one easier in Texas than Wisconsin as the air was lighter. He reported
gaining at least 10# because the cooks were old hands at it, and while his
company was well treated, he had heard from other Algoma boys about their poor
treatment.
Quirren Groessl was another
who wrote from Waco. Quirren said he was gaining weight and was up to 178# so his
folks shouldn’t worry. He looked forward to getting to France and training
there. Then they’d be ready for the firing line. It wouldn’t be long before
Quirren’s life changed forever.
Herman Maedtke and Erwin Detjen
had four-day Christmas furloughs from Camp Custer, Michigan. Detjen worked
12-14 hours a day as company clerk. Both men spoke highly of the camp, and the
paper opined the boys acquired the carriage of soldiers. Henry DeVillers and
Fred Naze got Christmas furloughs and told folks camp life was pleasant, also
speaking highly of the W.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus. Fred DeVillers
told folks to donate tp the K. C.s as they built a large building at Camp
MacArthur at Waco to serve as a church, home and place of amusement. Fred was
delighted with the Victrola, electric piano, organ, pool table and billiard
table. There was a free library, free post office and free envelopes and paper.
Fred said there was more, but things were too numerous to mention.
Walter Marquardt was serving aboard
the USS North Dakota when he wrote to
the Record. Walter said there was
dancing on the ship nearly every evening, but even though the fairer sex wasn’t
on board, the sailors managed to enjoy the dances nonetheless. Walter said all
seemed happy. There were ship concerts morning, noon and night. He said the men
played bootball, baseball and all kinds of sports. Navy life was good.
A year later, at Christmas 1918, the paper let folks know
the Council of National Defense raised the ban on Christmas shopping. More
money was in circulation then and that pointed to more expensive gifts. It was
said the spirit of gift giving was profound and wide-spread. Not since the
birth of Christ did Christmas mean so much. “Peace on Earth” wasn’t just lip
service. It meant something in 1918. The war ended with the signing of the
Armistice on November 11, but boys were still dying.
Stores and customers made sacrifices during the war,
prompting The Herald to say the
country’s citizens learned thrift. While saying that, the Herald also felt that the country’s citizens would soon be back to
waste, as usual. Folks were reminded to help the less fortunate. They were
reminded to put a Belgian guest at their table by eating a little less and
saving what would be wasted. While the shopping ban was lifted, prices of food
remained high.
Countries of Europe following World War 1
At Christmas of 1918, The
Record reminded readers that the world looked toward the United States for
leadership and peace had duties and responsibilities. Cities were leveled, fields
were non-productive shell craters, and Europeans were starving. Readers were
further reminded it was their duty to relieve such misery as the world has
never known. Commodities had to be guarded from fire. Folks were told losing
food through a careless fire was a crime against humanity. Distribution of
foodstuffs would be easier than during the war, but the demand for food and
materials would be far greater. Some countries were more easily reached when
the fighting was over.
Algoma, as the rest of the country, had other things to
worry about. William Walter was robbed by a crook who carried off all the ham
and shoulder pieces that he could carry. Walter said if the burglar came around
again, he’d get a more appropriate reception. But the robbery was overshadowed
by those such as Earl Plettner who was training at Great Lakes Naval Training
Station and Joseph Guillette who was severely wounded in France the day the
Armistice was signed. Mrs. John Nellis’ Christmas message was that her husband
was wounded on October 1. By Christmas, he was seriously ill with
influenza-pneumonia in an Alabama training camp. Since there was no news on
Jack for months, anxiety was palpable. Finally, inquiries were made in
Washington. Although Mrs. Nellis didn’t learn much, she did know Jack was
alive. Vernon Qualman’s family and friends received a Christmas gift in Vern
himself when he was discharged from Camp Grant.
Across the county, families remained on edge. Rosiere’s
Henry Wautlet went into the military about the time of the Armistice. When Alex Monfils returned to Alabama after
Christmas, Henry’s father Alphonse left with him. Alphonse planned to visit
Henry who was in the camp hospital. Frank Drossart and George Villers were two
Casco soldier boys with Christmas leaves from training camp. Frank returned to
Camp Grant, but George was lucky enough to be discharged. Frank Dulek’s family
was glad to see him when left Great Lakes Training Station to visit them in
Casco.
Arden Fensel wrote his dad from France two weeks after the
Armistice. He described the flour, potatoes, onions sauerkraut, pickles and
more left behind in a German freight yard. The Germans even left coal, canned
meat and candles. Reporting the huge welcome the Americans received while going
through Luxembourg and northern France, he said he was glad he remembered a
little German. M.J. Cayemburg wrote his dad that “it” was all over and all the
men think about is going home. When he wrote to his mother and sister, he said
he was fine – even though he had been wounded and could barely walk. He had
other injuries from taking a bullet in the cheek. It knocked out a tooth and
injured his tongue. Eating was a problem. Private Cayemburg said he was doing a
lot of reading. Emil Hoffman described Verdun and all the German bodies, saying
to walk the lines and see conditions were things that would open “your eyes.”
Hoffman told about the last day on the front when a bunch of Germans asked for
something to eat, telling the men about their hardships. Years later Quirren
Groessl would tell of lying in a French hospital and sharing a cigarette with a
German in the next bed. It was a German bayonet that wounded Groessl. Hoffman
and Groessl fought the war and began the healing.
Michael Younk got to New York the day before Christmas. He
would be home in two or three weeks. Mike said he was shot five times, but a
“hard-boiled” fellow like him could take it. In mid-December the Perrys learned their son Ralph was severely wounded on the day of the Armistice. Ralph died. Two weeks after the Armistice,
Frank Shillin and his division were following the “Huns” back to the Rhine. He
said they were going through little Luxembourg but soon would be on “real Dutch
soil.” Frank knew his letter would arrive just before Christmas, and he’d be
following it. Frank said because the war was over, he could finally tell his
family that he’d been serving on the front north of Verdun.
Folks felt the paper was right when it said Christmas 1918
would be the most important since the birth of Christ. Some were over-joyed at
Christmas but many faced the knowledge that their father, husband or son was
never to return. The U.S. had mobilized over 4,700,000 men. Over
116,000 were killed in action, with more than 200,000 wounded, for a total
of 320,518 casualties. Influenza still reared its ugly head and men had yet to
come home. Privations were rampant across the world, which looked to the U.S.
for leadership. But, there was Peace on Earth. It was a peace that did not
last. The prosperity following the war didn’t last either.
Note: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, Wisconsin
has a side altar that is Green Bay’s
only World War l memorial. Built with donations nearly a century ago, the
idea came from the Cathedral’s pastor not long after the Armistice was signed
and reflects the 129 men from the parish who served. More about the altar can
be found simply by Googling or going to the following website:
Sources: Algoma Herald, Algoma Record, Algoma Record Herald; Gold Star Mothers by Harry Heidmann & Lester Heidmann; the 1916 postmarked postcard is from the blogger's collection.
