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Newspaper
Bloomfield Democrat
Location
Bloomfield, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Jul 24, 1917
Page
2
The Bloomfield Democrat a Greene county weekly founded 1861 lists publication days Friday and semi weekly Tuesday. Proprietor editor W L Slinkard. Subscriptions $1.50 yearly in advance $0.75 half year 5 cents per single copy. Advertising rates 5 cents per line. Mail matter at Bloomfield Indiana post office. Telephone number 80.
Bloomfield advertisers in the Democrat invite locals to visit their stores during examinations and bring friends. The wheat yield this year defied early failure forecasts, turning into a surprisingly good harvest after a wet spring.
The State Council of Defense urges county councils to form home guards to replace the state militia entering federal service on August 5. Huntington County has appropriated $1,000 for the effort and others have followed. funding is needed to drill arm and equip the guards, prompting a call for prompt response.
The article notes Greene county must furnish 296 in the current draft due to low State Guard membership and volunteer rates. It ranks behind ten other counties in contributing.
The piece highlights how fathers and mothers feel the draft's possibilities, noting love of country and flag alongside the pride of a son or daughter who will fight for the United States. It frames national service as an honorable burden and a test of family devotion.
The draft has begun and the community begins to feel the war's harsh effects. Citizens acknowledge war as hell and recognize the heavy burden yet to come, urging complete resignation to ease existing anxiety.
Indiana speech by James L. Keach before the State Council of Defense denounces price extortion and urges every citizen to do his part as young men go to the front. He warns that if profiteers and price-boosters prey on families, law will reach them in the war effort.
Indiana residents vent anger at profiteers as coal and food prices rise during the draft era. Governor Goodrich is urged to use legislative power to curb robbers and burglars while the county clerk handles crackling demand for draft information. The Democrat lists names and numbers for those potentially called, noting all county residents were drawn but not all will be required to serve.
State Examiner Gilbert H. Hendren leads eight field men into Pocahontas coal fields to study production costs. Findings will influence the government price paid for coal and shape the final coal pricing policy as President Wilson has directed that sales reflect government costs.
Charles A. Greathouse resigns as Indiana Democratic State Committee chair to join the Federal Board of Vocational Education. He cites plans for party strength, women voters, and Wilson’s policies while noting his lifelong commitment to education and his selection by President Wilson for the federal post.
Rosina Padgett filed a partition action in Stafford township against Bessie Tincher and others in the clerk’s office since Friday.
The excerpt lists numerous residents by last name and town across Greene County, Indiana, including Worthington Jasonville Linton Solsberry and other communities, followed by a local anecdote about a man seeking exemption from drawn numbers and references to Beech Creek Center and Taylor townships. The text also discusses Governor Goodrich pushing for an extraordinary session over coal and his trip to Washington to press Congress.
A report on the first army draft draws shows Beech Creek township likely to furnish more men relative to registrations. Notable early selections include Paul Davis of the officers’ reserve, and Russell Fuller, linotype operator for the Democrat, ranked 206th. The Greene county list includes many foreign-born draftees, with Anastasios Ernest Nicholaids of Linton noted for a long name. A humorous moment arose when Jim Stalecup recounted a Brazilian draft pick with a wooden leg.
Two licenses issued since Friday by County Clerk E Kirby Ashcraft. John Rhodes of Owen County and Mrs Addie Bridges of Salsberry, both twice married and widowed, obtain license. Arthur Coakley of Linton, a miner, and Matilda McCann of Linton, a waitress, also receive license.
Earl Williamson, a 1917 Purdue graduate and former Purdue basketball star, drowned Sunday afternoon in the Wabash River at Lafayette while swimming with Edward F. Johnson. Johnson, Williamson’s drowning companion and Bloomfield native, struggled as Williamson grabbed him. Johnson released, reached shallow water, and was saved by bystanders.
The sale license for Jonas Meredith of Linton faced continued hearing after a local court session. The case cites two convictions as removal grounds. a continuance pushed trial to August 7 with police witnesses present in Bloomfield, noting orderly conduct.
The article notes the disappearance of James Deckard after being charged with corn embezzlement as a tenant. He was later arrested by the Government in Wyoming for failure to register for the draft, with his wife Mrs Meurer informed by telegram seeking his correct age.
President Wilson has sent to the senate a lengthy renomination list for Indiana postmasters. The roster includes Oscar H. Cravens of Bloomington, John Davidson of Lyons, Daniel Gantz of Odon, David Corn of Petersburg, Lewis Walker of Logootee, and James P. Hawkins of Shoals.
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