WAR NEWS
Main street streams with the National Colors. Every place of business is showing the Stars and Stripes. Many are decorating their cars with flags. It cannot be said that people here are at a high pitch of war spirit, yet on every hand there is a disposition to see the thing through and a calm disposition to stand by the government in its hour of peril. Many a mother and father are considering and debating the sending of the boys to enlist and there are few instances where parental objections will keep the young men at home. Sentiment is sharply divided on the question of fitting out an expeditionary force. If the war continues indefinitely that will be a likely result. Some seem to think that the government has entered into a quasi-belligerency—a sort of receptive warfare. It is to be hoped that Providence may spare us sending the boys to the trenches. In the meantime it will be well for us to prepare our minds for just such a contingency.
Ed. Wellborn the west barber shop and Luzerne Harvey of Carey’s restaurant are members of the National Guard and probably before this is in print will receive their call to the colors. Mr. Wellborn is a newly married man and may be entitled to privileges, though that is hardly likely.
Mrs. Amos Smith left Saturday morning for Abilene to visit with her brother, Ames before he enlists. Ames has been studying banking in New York City with a view to fitting himself for banking work in South America. He writes that all of his associates are enlisting and that he cannot think of being a slacker.
With the prospects of war many thrifty Seneca people have laid in a big supply of flour. One Third Ward housewife has ten or twelve sacks stored away. Levick’s Grocery sold out early Friday and other stores were compelled to turn down orders. Flour is selling at $3.00 per sack when this is written. Many look for wheat to go up to $3.00 a bushel before the new crop comes in. Every person with whom we have talked in Seneca is in favor of government control of food prices if the upward trend continues. That is likely to be the logical result. Farmers here are feeling good over the prospects for wheat this week. Wheat here has been in bad shape for want of rain. Many fields are spotted with the prospect of half a crop or less. Not many of these fields will be plowed up if there is any prospect of getting anything like a crop.
Daniel B. Honeyman, son of Mrs. Mary Honeyman of Seneca, who has been working as a lineman for several weeks past, enlisted in St. Joseph the other day. Out of the seven boys who went down from Hiawatha three were accepted, including Dan.
Loren Simon, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Simon of Seneca will probably enlist. Loren said Sunday while here on a visit to his folks that he had about determined to enlist. He said that he had been trying to induce some of his friends to go with him and that Herbert Jordan might go with him. Loren went down to Topeka Monday to look it over, as he put it.
Forman DeForrest came up from Kansas City last Saturday noon and visited his parents until Monday morning. Forman expects to be called back to his regiment any day, and came home while he had the chance. —Wetmore Spectator.
Captain Louis Miller of Sabetha who was with the Company K, 22nd Kansas in the Spanish-American war has offered his services in case they are needed.
Clarence Durst, son of the editor of the Sabetha Star has joined the Navy.
Harry Myers who is a member of the battery of the Third Regiment was home from Kansas City a few days. He joined January 28th and expects to see service on the border, the Philippines or Panama. The destination of the National Guard now leaving Kansas City is not published.
Robert Iles went to Hiawatha Monday afternoon to take an examination for admission to the National Guard.
Ed. Ochse and Carl Iles went to Lawrence Tuesday morning to join the National Guard. Carl is a senior in the high school and will receive his high school credits and diploma.
Old Glory now waves over the Seneca Brick and Tile Yard. All the boys that work out there went in together and bought a big 8×10 flag and will put it up Tuesday the 6th on a 20-foot pole. All the boys seem proud to have Old Glory waving over their heads while they work.
Our wars have always resulted in heavy bond issues. The President was right in his desire to raise as much of the huge sums as possible by taxation. And that society down at Topeka the other day, that favored taxing to the full, exempt incomes over $5,000 was right too. The average family will furnish the blood and brawn. Let the moneyed family furnish the capital. In other words, let capital “bleed” too.
Loren Simon went down to Topeka Monday morning to enlist in a hospital corps under a doctor who served in the Spanish-American war. Loren was disappointed for the Doctor had more recruits than he could use when Loren arrived. He will wait and may enlist in some other department. Roger Murphy has two boys in this corps.
Clayton Simon of Goff has written in for authority to recruit a Nemaha county company. It would be fine if the boys from Nemaha county who are thinking of enlisting could go as a unit.
Uncle Dick McCliman received a batch of dodgers Monday which he tacked up over town. They call for 800 men from Kansas and Missouri for the navy. A streamer in the post office lobby calls for naval gunners “to shoot U-boats on sight.” Despite the fact that the Navy offers opportunities for greater variety of experiences and adventures the recruits from this section for the greater part are joining the army.
Dr. Carter may seek enlistment in the medical staff. The Doctor placed his services at the disposal of the Government nearly two years ago. He will take the matter up with the medical staff again.
Joe Boeckman, who has been working for F. J. Holthaus, made application to Postmaster McCliman for enlistment in the navy. Jake Krotinger will very likely offer his services to the government in the line of his trade as a baker. The army and navy have great need of skilled craftsmen.
Austria has broken off diplomatic relations with America. Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to follow suit.
The Wetmore band under the leadership of R. C. Landers of this city gave an hour’s concert at their home town Loyalty day. The band of twenty pieces played “The Star Spangled Banner” as the flag was raised.
Courier Democrat (Seneca, KS) 12 April 1917
