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Lauren McKinnon HIST 499 Research Paper December 5, 2017

The Patriotism of Hardin County, Tennessee

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The United States entered into the first World War on April 6, 1917, and the country found itself being asked to give in ways that it had not given since the Civil War. The citizens of many towns and cities in the United States were angry or confused as to the reasons why they should be dragged into a world war. A county located on the Tennessee River, bordering the

Alabama and Mississippi state lines, however, embraced the war campaign. Hardin County and its people quickly began preparing for, and participating in, the war effort. Many of the activities which occurred in Hardin County during the United States’ involvement in World War I were recorded in the local newspaper, the Courier. The Courier had been the main source of news for

Hardin County since 1884 and the various communities in Hardin County depended on it to inform them of both local and universal events. Between April 1917 and November 1918, the

Courier captured the patriotism of Hardin Countians in articles about the war efforts on the homefront (the Red Cross, War Savings Stamps, Liberty Loans and Bonds, and the YMCA), how the community responded (schools and churches), and reports from the soldiers during their time in the military.

In March of 1918, the book Over the Top began to be published in the Courier.1 It was written by Arthur Guy Empey who “convinced the British Army to let him enlist, shipped out for

France, saw… action in the trenches, and was badly wounded at the Somme” which led to his

“[eventual discharge] and [shipment] back home, where he got to work on a book about his experiences.”2 In preparation for it, short advertisements were placed in the local and personal section. Many of these segments contained statements such as “Tell your neighbor about it, so you can talk over the real incidents of the war together” and “You want to know what our boys

1 Courier, “Local and Personal,” February 22, 1918. 2 Richard Rubin, The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War (Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013), 30. McKinnon 3 will do in the trenches? Read the story by one that has been there and can tell it interestingly”3

To assist the readers, the Courier published a dictionary of terms on the front page of its paper so that they could understand the language used in Over the Top.4

As America entered the Great War, patriotic citizens sought a way to support their troops through established organizations such as the Red Cross. A Red Cross Society was founded in

Hardin County by Mrs. J. K. Barlow in June of 1917.5 One of the main functions of the Red

Cross was to raise money to send overseas and Hardin Countians readily began to raise money for support of their new Society. The community of Cross Roads hosted an event at their school and donated the money they raised.6 In September, a Red Cross Auxiliary was created with the purpose “to do their bit in taking care of and making efficient the boys in camp and on the battle front.”7 The Auxiliary immediately set to work and performed many tasks to help with the war effort by creating medical bandages and planning to create “hospital garments and [surgical] dressings [knitting] etc.”8 At a single meeting of the Auxiliary, “114 bandages were made and the red cross placed on 44 comfort bags.”9 Hardin County organized a Red Cross chapter in

February of 1918 and encouraged people to join the organization by saying that “next to the

United States army the greatest organization in the world today is the American Red Cross.”10

The chapter was led by E. W. Ross as chairman with Mrs. F. C. Williams, Mrs. D. J. Hughes, and Mrs. W. O. Mangum acting as vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer.11 At the beginning of

May, the Red Cross of Hardin County had created an “organization for the Red Cross Drive for

3 Courier, “Local and Personal,” February 22, 1918. 4 Courier, “Local and Personal,” March 1, 1918. 5 Courier, “Red Cross Organized,” June 15, 1917. 6 Courier, “Cross Roads,” August 10, 1917. 7 Courier, “Red Cross Auxilliary,” September 28, 1917. 8 Courier, “Red Cross Auxiliary,” October 5, 1917. 9 Courier, “Red Cross Auxiliary,” October 12, 1917. 10 Courier, “Red Cross Mass Meeting,” February 8, 1918. 11 Courier, “Red Cross Chapter,” February 15, 1918. McKinnon 4 donations to the National Red Cross for war work relief.”12 At the end of May, the Courier published a list of men and women who had contributed to the Red Cross Fund and congratulated Harris Leeth for giving $536.15.13 In that same edition of the paper, the Red Cross announced that “the amount received was about double that [which had been] asked for” and declared that “the county is now awake to its duty in the war.”14

In addition to donating money, on some occasions, citizens would donate items to the

Red Cross to be sold for contributions to the effort. Al Barnhill, who may have possibly been a farmer, donated “a pig which was sold at auction” for twelve dollars.15 Another example was when fifteen dollars was raised from a bouquet given by Eunice McDougal.16 By October 1918, the organization was lacking money and Lizzie Garner donated a handmade quilt which was sold and used to “[pay] all debts and left a small fund in the treasury.”17 Each of the three individuals’ gifts served a role in enabling the chapter to continue its patriotic duty. By June, the Red Cross

Fund published another list containing names of donors and said that almost four thousand citizens gave their money toward the cause.18

Awareness of the Red Cross and its causes were often promoted through members of the

Red Cross arranging for speakers to appear at rallies or special events to encourage giving to the cause. One such event occurred at the courthouse in September of 1918 with the American Red

Cross’s General Field Secretary speaking on the Red Cross’s behalf.19 When Herbert Hoover called for aid to Belgium, Hardin County was tasked with collecting 557 pounds of clothing.20

12 Courier, “Red Cross Organization,” May 10, 1918. 13 Courier, “Red Cross Fund,” May 31, 1918. 14 Courier, “Red Cross,” May 31, 1918. 15 Courier, “Red Cross Pig,” February 8, 1918. 16 Courier, “Local and Personal,” June 7, 1918. 17 Courier, “Red Cross Column,” October 11, 1918. 18 Courier, “Red Cross Fund,” June 7, 1918. 19 Courier, “Great Red Cross Meeting,” September 6, 1918. 20 Courier, “Red Cross Column: Campaign for Clothing for Relief in Belgium,” September 20, 1918. McKinnon 5

Later, it was reported that Hardin Countians rallied together and sent 1,238 clothing items to

Belgium, which weighed 755 pounds.21 The Red Cross Column in the newspaper kept the county up-to-date with the requests from the government with instructions of where to send the supplies.

One such article ends with saying “the people should awaken to realization that all of these things are necessary or the Government would not demand them” and implored that “while their boys are fighting in France they should fight at home.”22 As the war ended, the members of the

Red Cross posted in the Courier the wish “to obtain the name of each and every soldier who has gone from Hardin County to camp, or war and died or been killed.”23 By April of 1919, names had been gathered and “[had] been printed” with the goal to have them “framed and hung in the

Courthouse” along with “service flags… made for both the white and colored people.”24 The statement regarding the names and flags ended with the encouraging words that the “soldiers of today have fought for the same principle that our Revolutionary heroes made into a living thing–

The principle of Freedom–and they will be the heroes of the future as they are of the present.”25

Another patriotic effort that emerged during World War I was the selling of War Savings

Stamps which were “sold over the counter in post offices and banks, [and] table to table in restaurants and cafés.”26 Hardin County participated in the selling of stamps for the war effort and citizens often published articles in the Courier encouraging other citizens to buy the stamps.

One advertisement placed in the Courier educated readers that “one War-Savings Stamp [would] buy one hundred [cartridges] or a [cartridge] belt or a scabbard for a bayonet” and “four [would]

21 Courier, “Red Cross Column,” November 8, 1918. 22 Courier, “Red Cross Column,” October 4, 1918. 23 Courier, “Red Cross Notice,” November 22, 1918. 24 Courier, “Hardin County Service Flags,” April 4, 1919. 25 Ibid. 26 Meirion Harries and Susie Harries, The Last Days of Innocence: America at War, 1917-1918, 1st ed. (New York: Random House, 1997), 177. McKinnon 6 buy a rifle.”27 One Saturday in March of 1918 was declared War Savings Day which included

“big parades, rallying, [a] patriotic program, and stamp buying.”28 The parade was made larger through a request printed in the Courier saying, “Everyone in the county having an auto is asked to come and join in the parade. If you have no auto, join in the foot parade arranged for editors, teachers, school boys and school girls.”29 In the Local and Personal section of the newspaper, people were reminded that “many Hardin [County] boys [were] now in France and dozens of others [were] on the way. They [needed] the best and [could] have it only by means of the best backing at home.”30

In addition to buying War Savings Stamps, the residents of Hardin County could also support their men and country by purchasing Liberty Loans and Bonds. Motivation to buy

Liberty Bonds could be found in the Local and Personal section. Many comments fell along the lines of “Buy-Buy Liberty Bonds [or Bye-Bye] Liberty.”31 When the Fourth Liberty Loan was organized, Hardin County was expected to raise $113,000.32 The population did not shy away from this task. The Courier proudly wrote: “Of course the people of Hardin County are going to buy that amount, and the only question is how much more and how quickly are we going to do it?”33 The patriotic and inspiring article ended by saying, “we are not going to stop at the fixed objective of $113,000 any more than our boys stop when they reach the first German trench or

German machine gun nest.”34

27 Courier, “What The War-Savings Stamps Will Buy For Our Soldiers,” March 8, 1918. 28 Courier, “War Savings Day,” March 22, 1918. 29 Ibid. 30 Courier, “Local and Personal,” June 21, 1918. 31 Courier, “Local and Personal,” May 3, 1918. 32 Courier, “Our Liberty Loan Quota,” October 4, 1918. 33 Ibid. 34 Ibid. McKinnon 7

Along with their other patriotic duties with the Red Cross, War Savings Stamps, and

Liberty Bonds, Hardin Countians participated in the Y. M. C. A. The Courier published an article saying that “the Y. M. C. A. [was] a big factor in the comfort of [their] soldiers. It [was] worthy enough to receive all the help any and all of [the county could] give.”35 W. O. Mangum, who had “[taken] over [the] operation of the [Courier] in 1908,” was greatly involved with the association.36 W. O. Mangum already had leadership experience due to serving as a Hardin

County Superintendent two times from 1905 until 1907 and from 1909 until 1911.37 He volunteered to be the county chairman and “Hardin [County was] asked to contribute a thousand

[dollars] to the war fund” which would help “the Y. M. C. A. [furnish] a comfortable home for the boys in camp or on the firing line.”38 W. O. Mangum was eventually called to serve in the Y.

M. C. A. in Jacksonville, Florida.39 Once he was stationed, Mangum began writing home, like the other young men who were serving in the military. His letters were often featured on the front page of the Courier alongside other letters written by other soldiers who were serving. He explained the work he was doing and how the Y. M. C. A. helped the soldiers who were stationed there. His first few letters also contained observations about the flora and fauna in

Florida such as alligators, moss, and frogs.40 When his fellow Hardin County boys passed through, W. O. Mangum wrote to the Courier and told of their health and status so that the boys’ families would know they were safe.41 J. D. Kincannon also worked for the Y. M. C. A. but,

35 Courier, “Local and Personal,” November 16, 1917. 36 Hardin County Historical Society (Tenn.), ed., Hardin County, Tennessee: A Pictorial History (Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing, 1994), 24. 37 Hardin County Historical Society (Tenn.), ed., Hardin County, Tennessee Pictorial History: Volume 1, Vol. 1 (Collierville, TN: Instant Publishers, 2010), 195. 38 Courier, “Y. M. C. A.,” November 16, 1917. 39 Courier, “Local and Personal,” July 26, 1918. 40 W. O. Mangum, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, September 13, 1918. 41 W. O. Mangum, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, November 15, 1918. McKinnon 8 unlike Mangum, was sent overseas for his service.42 Kincannon’s duties were performed “in the accounting and activities departments from August 1918 to April 1919 in the [Argonne] and later in Germany.”43 He returned to the United States in May of 1919.44

The citizens of Hardin County also took up their patriotic duty as they raised money for the war effort and proudly supported their boys “over there.” The Savannah Institute was one of the first institutions to join the community’s patriotic efforts. Founded circa 1902, took it upon itself to continue educating the young people of Hardin County while also doing its patriotic duty.45 The Savannah Institute had its own column in the Courier, often featured on the front page, where they told about their students’ achievements and activities. The war affected the school because “the call [went out] to every college and university for their graduates to be made the leaders of every activity… in [the] World War… [making] it almost impossible to find a young college man to take a place in a school as a teacher.”46 Among mentioning current students and events, the column also spoke of alumni who were participating in the war.47 In

October of 1917, an article told of former students writing to the school “asking [for their] advice as to whether to volunteer in the army or wait for the draft.”48 The Savannah Institute bragged that “all the [commissioned] officers in the U. S. Army from Hardin County [were] alumni of the

S. I.”49 On March 1, 1918, they announced that “four of [the senior] class [had] already answered the call to the colors, and others [were] likely to be called before graduation.”50 Around the one

42 Courier, “Local and Personal,” June 14, 1918. 43 Courier, “Local and Personal,” May 9, 1919. 44 Ibid. 45 Tony Hays, On the Banks of the River: A History of Hardin County, Tennessee (Savannah, TN: Tennessee River Museum, 1996), 175. 46 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” July 6, 1917. 47 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” January 25, 1918. 48 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” July 13, 1917. 49 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” February 8, 1918. 50 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” March 1, 1918. McKinnon 9 year anniversary of the United States entry into the war, the school announced that it “[would] aid in the campaign for the sale of Liberty Bonds or in any other way to serve the government” and was having “patriotic addresses…made two to three times a week.”51 Even as the school year drew to a close, the Savannah Institute encouraged “[their] boys and girls to do something during… the vacation to aid the government in its great crisis” with some students “[signing] cards [pledging] their services.”52 The school showed much concern for its boys and alumni fighting “over there” and attempted to keep track of them. In their weekly column, they wrote that “[they were] sorry to give up [their] boys but [they were] glad to know [it was for] a good cause. [Their] country [needed] them and there [was] no greater honor than to fight for one’s country.”53

The churches in Hardin County were quick to join the war efforts as well, as they prepared special sermons and raised money for different causes that aided the war effort. All denominations played a role in leading their congregations through the tough war period. The

Cumberland Church encouraged their congregation to “be patriotic. Be an American. Buy a

Liberty Bond. Shall Hardin [County] be the tag-end county of the state in buying bonds?”54 The young members of the congregation listened to the request of their church and “[held] a box supper on the church lawn” and used the “proceeds… to finish paying for [a] Liberty Bond.”55

Women began a fundraiser to enable the C. P. Church to attain a Liberty Bond.56 The Methodist

Church also joined in on the patriotic efforts by conducting a patriotic sermon.57 In November,

51 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” April 5, 1918. 52 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” April 26, 1918. 53 Courier, “The Savannah Institute,” May 3, 1918. 54 Courier, “Cumberland Church,” April 19, 1918. 55 Courier, “Local and Personal,” May 10, 1918. 56 Courier, “For Liberty Bond,” April 19, 1918. 57 Courier, “Methodist Church,” May 17, 1918. McKinnon 10 all churches were “expected to preach a United War Work sermon… [on November] 10th.”58 The

Methodist Church was quick to respond and published an announcement in the same edition informing the county that their preacher would be “giving some of his experiences in France,

[exhibiting] a few war souvenirs and [showing] the necessity of going ‘over the top’ in the War

Work drive.”59 The same preacher shared a similar message later that same afternoon at the

African-American Methodist Church.60 The church continued this theme in late November by preaching a sermon titled “Jesus and War” and “The First Pitched Battle.”61

The African-American communities and neighborhoods in Hardin County also helped with the war effort by uniting together as their sons and husbands were sent off to camp and then to the war. On April 17, 1918, the C. M. E. Church was used as the meeting place of African-

American citizens who came together to discuss their work in the war effort.62 During the assembly, Jas. W. Smith declared, “With only fifty years of free manhood during which time we have been making our first contributions to American citizenship… The call to arms comes! And mothers and fathers gladly give up the future of the race to the Country which gave them birth and freedom, that Prussianism may perish and that democracy may cover the world as the waters cover the deep.”63 The congregated people also decided “to impel [their] people who [were] in financial condition to buy Liberty Loan Bonds” as an action to ensure “the world [would] be a safe place for all nations and races of the human family to live, work and enjoy the pursuits of peace and happiness.”64 One African-American neighborhood called Stringtown raised twelve dollars within the first week of a Red Cross drive and the Courier reported that the community

58 Courier, “Local and Personal: To Preachers,” November 8, 1918. 59 Courier, “Local and Personal: Methodist Church,” November 8, 1918. 60 Ibid. 61 Courier, “Methodist Church,” November 22, 1918. 62 Courier, “Colored Mass Meeting,” April 26, 1918. 63 Ibid. 64 Ibid. McKinnon 11 should “be congratulated on the spirited manifested in the Red Cross subscriptions.”65 When it came time for the first of the African-American soldiers to leave for training camp, citizens gathered at the Hardin County courthouse where “patriotic addresses… were well received by the crowd in attendance” with “special songs and readings for the occasion” and the soldiers

“were supplied with kits and were given a rousing send-off.”66

Not all patriotism in Hardin County was about raising money for the Red Cross or buying

Liberty Bonds. There was a dark side of the patriotism as well. A community in Hardin County named Berlin occasionally had a column featured in the Courier where news and activities occurring in the community were published. In July of 1918, an article was published in the

Local and Personal section reporting that “no more communications from Berlin will be printed till the name is changed.”67 Another community, Nixon, wrote in their own column in August,

“Goodbye [Berlin], change your name and come on with your items.”68 The following week the community of Robertson’s Chapel wrote, “Nixon, be patient we are not asleep.”69 No further records have been found concerning the community of Berlin or what happened to it. Research revealed that there was once a Berlin School near the Robertson’s Chapel Methodist Church, so it is possible that Berlin either changed its name or joined the Robertson’s Chapel community.70

Another occurrence of dark patriotism was rooted in the wish to help the Hardin County boys “over there.” This wish led some citizens to extreme actions when others did not show as much enthusiasm for the cause. While raising money for a Liberty Loan, a “barber shop of Lee

65 Courier, “Red Cross at Stringtown,” May 17, 1918. 66 Courier, “Colored Men Leave,” May 3, 1918. 67 Courier, “Local and Personal,” July 26, 1918. 68 Courier, “Nixon,” August 16, 1918. 69 Courier, “Robertson Chapel,” August 23, 1918. 70 David B Cagle, A History of Hardin County, Tennessee and Other Tall Tales (Collierville, TN: Instant Publishers, 2012), 108-10. McKinnon 12

Smith was painted yellow” with “some damage… done to the shop.”71 The author of the article, who is not named, attributed the action to “the spirit of the people in [an] hour of distress” and claimed that “the people upon whom this incident fell had been solicited and importuned by many to subscribe” but had “declined without reason or excuse” despite being “fully able.”72 The discussion on the matter ended with the statement that “it [was] not surprising that such an incident would be visited upon them” and “[the author of the article hoped] the necessity for such

[would] never again exist in this county.”73 In other words, as long as the citizen preformed the duty expected of him, he had nothing to fear.

Among keeping the public informed of battles being fought, places to send donations, and “normal” news that was occurring in the world, the Courier kept a steady record of the

Hardin County soldiers. The registration in the June of 1917 produced 1,372 registrants which was “several hundred more than many had estimated it would, but was only five more than the government estimate.”74 To help with the registration process, “several of the men and boys, women and girls did a patriotic deed by copying registration cards at the courthouse.”75

Registration lists were regularly published and informed the men when they would be sent to camp.76 The Courier also posted notes in its Local and Personal section reminding readers to check the registration list.77 In August of 1918, a notice appeared in the Courier telling “all parties becoming 21 years old from June 5, 1918 to August 24, 1918 [were] required to register under the Selective Service Regulations.”78 In September of 1918 it was reported that “1805 men

71 Courier, “Hardin County Liberty Loan Over the Top,” October 25, 1918. 72 Ibid. 73 Ibid. 74 Courier, “Heavy Registration,” June 8, 1917. 75 Courier, “Local and Personal,” June 15, 1917. 76 Courier, “List of Registrants,” April 19, 1918. 77 Courier, “Local and Personal,” May 31, 1918. 78 Courier, “Registration,” August 23, 1918. McKinnon 13 registered in [Hardin County] for military duty.”79 A week later, “1809 men registered… on

Sept. 12th.”80 Despite this, when all was said and done, “only about 150 boys from Hardin

County made it to the front.”81

Letters filled with stories of adventures, daily military routines, and patriotic spirit were often received by families of those serving. Some of the precious letters from loved ones were submitted to the Courier to be printed and shared with other Hardin Countians. Some men even wrote directly to the Courier with requests to publish their letters. All of the letters published were optimistic in tone with very little complaining. One of the first letters to be published was sent from Faith A. White, who would go on to have many letters featured in the paper, informing the recipient that he had settled in at Camp Jackson in South Carolina safely.82 He later wrote to his mother about his training with gas masks and explained to her in detail how they worked.83

James R. Willoughby submitted a letter telling his fellow registrants from Hardin County what to expect in their daily routine once they arrived at camp.84 Alex Haley, a private in the army, wrote that he wished that “[his] future plans may yet have a chance to be developed and proven worth while to [his] people and all concerned.”85 He also expressed his “will and determination to stand unto the last if need be and live true to [his] trust and bring honors and laurels to you when it is said well done” and implored the readers to “do [their] part at home and [don’t] forget to pray.”86A short letter sent by Fred Rickmon, who was training at Camp Merritt in New Jersey, reflected the anticipation felt by many young men as they prepared to leave their homeland and

79 Courier, “Local and Personal,” September 20, 1918. 80 Courier, “Local and Personal,” September 27, 1918. 81 Tony Hays, Moving Forward: Hardin County History from 1870 to 1930 (Chattanooga, TN: Kitchen Table Press, 1987), 77. 82 Faith A. White, “With The Colors,” Courier, November 2, 1917. 83 Faith, “With The Colors,” Courier, April 5, 1918. 84 James R. Willoughby, “With The Colors,” Courier, February 15, 1918. 85 Simon A. Haley, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, August 23, 1918. 86 Ibid. McKinnon 14 travel to “somewhere in France.”87 He wrote, “I know that many of us will be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice, but none can make a sacrifice too great for the cause for which we are fighting.”88

Once their training was complete, the men found themselves “over there.” The letters continued to arrive and be published on the front page of the newspaper. Mc Abrams wrote home to his mother telling her that “[he thought he] had rather be at the front, though [he might] change [his] mind when [he got] there.”89 A letter from Corporal Alexander Gary was featured in the Courier at his request so “that his friends in Hardin [County] may have some idea of what he

[was] doing ‘over there’ [in France].”90 He optimistically wrote about being “moved from the front” and mentioned that “[the new] trenches [were] much better than the others were.”91 Faith

White arrived in France and wrote to his mother “[not to] worry about [him] for if [she did not] hear from [him, she would] know [he was] alright, and if [he] should get killed or seriously wounded the Government would send [her] a telegram at once and [she would] know it within a few hours of the time it occurred.”92 Although it was an attempt to ensure his mother of his safety and a possible try at humor, White’s letter revealed how the subject of death most likely resided at the back of everyone’s mind both on the home front and on the battlefields. J. N.

Tarbet wrote home about his part in the battle at St. Mihiel conveying his “wish [that he] could tell [them] what sector [he was] now on but… [could not] as it [was] forbidden by censorship rulings.”93 Charlie M. White wrote to his father that “[he] helped to break one of the strongest

87 Fred Rickmon, “With The Colors,” Courier, June 21, 1918. 88 Ibid. 89 Mc Abrams, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, August 16, 1918. 90 Alexander Gary, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, August 30, 1918. 91 Ibid. 92 Faith White, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, September 27, 1918. 93 J. N. Tarbet, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, November 8, 1918. McKinnon 15 points on the Hindenburg line” and also supplied information on the status of Hardin County boys he was stationed with.94

One of the sadder responsibilities that fell upon the Courier was to publish obituaries and death notices for the soldiers. Most men died from illnesses like pneumonia and influenza. John

B. Ward died at Camp Jackson and was remembered as a “brave hero [who] paid his country’s call.”95 The death of Byron Harrison was “regretted [as] he was not spared to actively participate in the battles of his country, but he died in her service and the honor is just as great as if he had been at the front on the fighting line.”96 Unlike most of his fellow soldiers from Hardin County,

W. C. Kemp “was fatally wounded in action against the Germans” and was remembered as

“[Hardin County’s] first blood in the war for freedom.”97 Two heartbreaking letters were published side-by-side on November 22, 1918, concerning the Ingle brothers.98 One letter was written by Will Ingle on October 20th to his father telling of how he had been “wounded [on]

October 10 in the left ankle” but was recovering.99 At the end of his short letter, Will wrote,

“Have you heard from Jim lately? I am anxious to know if he is in France.”100 The second letter was written on October 21st and began with “Dear Sir: As his Company Commander it becomes my sad duty to apprise you of the passing of your son James W. Ingle.”101 Jim had made it to

England before he died “from broncho pneumonia, acute following influenza.”102

The experiences that Hardin County faced through the spring of 1917 and beyond can be summed up in a quote by Tony Hayes who wrote, “For the first time since the Civil War, the

94 Charlie M. White, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, November 22, 1918. 95 Courier, “Wards,” January 11, 1918. 96 Courier, “Byron Harrison,” October 4, 1918. 97 Courier, “Hardin Countian Killed,” June 21, 1918. 98 Courier, “From Our Soldiers,” November 22, 1918. 99 Will Ingle, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, November 22, 1918. 100 Ibid. 101 G. Heinman, “From Our Soldiers,” Courier, November 22, 1918. 102 Ibid. McKinnon 16 people were asked to make sacrifices. Some sacrificed food, others their time and energy, but in the final analysis, there [was] nothing to those who gave their sons and husbands in that first great war to end all wars.”103 When the call to war came, Hardin County responded with action.

The men selflessly traveled to camps and then France to fight a war that most people did not wish to be a part of. The amount of effort put into supporting the fundraisers for the war was always first on the minds of the people and those who were not as supportive or as quick to help saw an ugly side of patriotism. The Courier reported on all of this and more. It did not shy away from publishing stories of war or patriotic acts. The letters and updates soldiers sent in were almost always placed on the first page so that their hometown could keep up with their boys.

Hardin County lived up to the patriotic expectations that were placed on them beginning on April

6, 1917. Those who remained on the homefront organized and worked hard to support war efforts while those overseas served their countries faithfully.

103 Hays, Moving Forward, 77. McKinnon 17

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Courier (Savannah, TN), January 1, 1917 - July 31, 1919.

Secondary Sources

Cagle, David B. A History of Hardin County, Tennessee and Other Tall Tales. Collierville, TN: Instant Publishers, 2012.

Hardin County Historical Society (Tenn.), ed. Hardin County, Tennessee: A Pictorial History. Limited ed. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing, 1994.

Hardin County Historical Society (Tenn.), ed. Hardin County, Tennessee Pictorial History: Volume 1. Vol. 1. Collierville, TN: Instant Publishers, 2010.

Harries, Meirion, and Susie Harries. The Last Days of Innocence: America at War, 1917-1918. 1st ed. New York: Random House, 1997.

Hays, Tony. Moving Forward: Hardin County History from 1870 to 1930. Chattanooga, TN: Kitchen Table Press, 1987.

Hays, Tony. On the Banks of the River: A History of Hardin County, Tennessee. Savannah, TN: Tennessee River Museum, 1996.

Rubin, Richard. The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.