WORLD WAR I NEWS ITEMS

by Ruth Barnebey

Entry T79 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Funeral Procession for one of "Our Boys" killed in WW I

Final Resting place - World War I

The following news items were taken in
part from the Hooker County Tribune dates
as they are mentioned:

"Extensive preparations for advertising
and distributing the bonds are nearing
completion. Secretary McAdoo will have his
hands full of railroad matters until February
1, after which date he will take charge of the
loan campaign, February 15, 1918."

February 22, 1918 - "John Morrison,
chairman of the Hooker County War Savings
Committee, left Tuesday evening for Grand
Island to be in attendance at the meeting of
County Chairmen throughout this district,
for a 3 day session. Plans for equalizing the
sale of War Savings Stamps in this county
have been pretty well worked out . . . State
Director Burgess will be in the meeting from
Omaha to urge Nebraskans to keep their war
finance record at the head of the list."

"It is estimated that 1,000 people gathered
in Mullen for General Pershing's Birthday, to
pay him the highest tribute of honor within
the gifts of the American people. While the
band played, 100 voices joined in singing
America, the American flag was hoisted to the
breeze in the public square, after which the
enthusiastic crowd gathered at a large tent to
listen to a patriotic, soul stirring address by
Ex-Governor Aldrich. The net proceeds to
the Red Cross from all sources, $418. This
puts the county chapter fund in very good
shape again." September 20, 1918. (General
Pershing, 1860-1948. When the U.S. entered
the World War, he was chosen to command
the A.E.F. He insisted upon integrity of the
American Army and as Commander-in-
Chief, planned the American operation at the
Marne in 1918, St. Mihiel and in the Meuse
at Argonne.)

"The picture show, Saturday, October 11,
1918 . . . was attended by one of the largest
crowds ever to enter within the opera house
door. The evening's receipts were $70.50.
After paying for the expense of the entertain-
ment, better than $50 was turned over to the
Red Cross. The band played a number of
selections on the street just before the show
started."

There was rationing in the first World War
also as the article, June 28, 1918 reported -
"Retailers cannot sell more than 2 pounds of
sugar per capita per month for domestic use
. . . not more than 25 pounds for canning to
any one family . . . Retailers should not be
permitted to have on hand in excess of their
2 weeks' requirements. Hotels and restau-
rants are not permitted to purchase more
than a 10 days' supply of sugar during the
present shortage."

In August of 1918 beef regulations for
hotels, restaurants and consumers were
lifted. Every citizen was urged as a patriotic
duty to save sugar, beef, and wheat, and use
fruits, vegetables and dairy products and
fish. Consumers were able to purchase rice at
12 cents a pound. Consumers that purchased
their sugar from mail order houses for
canning had to have their second and subse-
quent certificate O.K.'d by the county food
administrator.

An ad placed in the paper November 8,
1918 all in caps was as follows: "GO EASY
ON SUGAR INCREASE, IS WARNING OF
FOOD HEADS"