In 1918, chiefly through the efforts of Mr. A. M. Bowen,
funds were raised for the purpose of erecting a permanent roll
of honor on the public square. This honor board occupied
a prominent position in the square for two years, being then
removed to the City Park.
Boy Scouts (p. 78)
One of the first organizations to promptly offer its full
strength for war service was The National Boy Scouts of America.
The motto of the Boy Scouts is Be Prepared. The local troop,
lead by Scout Master Frederick Ek, was ready. Throughout the
war they served their country in the finest possible spirit.
Early in the war Mr. Ek enlisted for overseas service with the
Y.M.C.A. His place as Scout Master was taken by Rev. E. W. Hale.
The Scouts carried on war gardens, sold Liberty Bonds, collected
books and paper, located and reported black walnut, and in many
other ways proved themselves loyal and patriotic citizens.
Phonograph Records (p. 78)
About twenty-five records were collected by Mrs. A. R. Baxter,
and sent to Field Artillery Battery F, Camp Grant.
These records were left at Camp Grant when Battery F was
ordered away, and were worn out in the service.
Mrs. George Marshall made a gift of a number of choice records,
to a detachment of engineers who had published a
request for some. Mrs. Marshall received the following letter,
from them, signed by every man:
"We, the undersigned, members of Headquarters Detachment,
310th Engineers, wish to express our warm appreciation
of your gift, received to-day. We assure you that the records
will afford us a great deal of pleasure in our leisure hours.
This response to our letter is another striking example of the
greatest single force in this nation, American Motherhood!"
War Orphans
During the fall of 1918, a plan was evolved by war workers
whereby individuals or groups of people could adopt and
provide for the maintenance of fatherless children of France
and Belgium, orphaned by the war. Nine children, five girls and
four boys, were cared for in this way by the following Brodhead
people: the Knights of Pythias, the Presbyterian Guild, the M.
E. Ladies' Aid, the Congregational Ladies Aid, the Ladies' Bridge
Club, the High School students, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Roderick,
Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Roderick, and Mrs. J. L. Fleek. Most interesting
and courteous letters were received from these pathetic children,
and a friendly correspondence was kept up with them.