Algoma: A World War l Christmas

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.

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 25^th, 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:

https://www.thecompassnews.org/.../cathedral-contributes-marble-tablet-museums-wor...

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.