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PRIZE ESSAYS

WRITTEN BY

PUPILS OF MICHIGAN SCHOOLS

IN THE

WAR HISTORY CONTEST

FOR 1918-19

BULLETIN NO. 11

MICHIGAN HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Lansing, Michigan
1919

MICHIGAN HISTORICAL COMMISSION
A State Department of History and Archives
Organized May 28, 1913
MEMBERS
Hon. Albert E. Sleeper, Governor of Michigan
William L. J'enks, M. A., Port Huron, President
Rt. Rev. Mgr. F. A. O'Brien, LL.D., Kalamazoo, Tice President
Augustus C. Carton, East Tawas
William L. Clements, B. S., Bay City
Claude H. Van Tyne, Ph. D., Ann Arbor
Clarence M. Burton, M. A., Detroit
executive officers
George N. Fuller, Ph. D,, Secretary and Editor
Floyd B. Streeter, M. A., Archivist
Marie B. Ferrey, Curator
Percy H. Andrus, Chief Clerk

MICHIGAN PIONEER AND HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
Founded in 1874 ; successor * to the Historical Society of
Michigan founded in 1828 by Lewis Cass and others
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Augustus C. Carton, President
Gerrit Van Schelven, Holland, Vice President
William L. Jenks
Clarence M. Burton
Rt. Rev. Mgr. Frank A. O'Brien
William L. Clements
Clarence E. Bement, Lansing
Alvah L. Sawyer, Menominee
Cln ude S. Larzelere, M. A., Mt. Pleasant
Lew Allen Chase, M. A., Marquette ,
Charles A. Weissert, Hastings
Benjamin F. Davis, Lansing, Treasurer
George N. Puller, Secretary ex op,cio

PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
'T^HE prize essay contest for pupils in Michigan schools was
-*- arranged by the Daughters of the American Revolution
in Michigan and the Michigan State Federation of Women's
Clubs. The first contest was conducted in 1915-16 on the
subject, "The settlement and development of the city or town
in which the essay is written." In the following year the subject
was, "The first school and the children who attended it" in the
city Or village of the writer. In 1917-18 pupils wrote on "Our
soldiers, past and present." The prize essays have been pub
lished in Bulletins 8 and 9 of the State Historical Commission
and in the January, 1919, number of the Michigan History
Magazine. The four essays published in this Bulletin are the
prizes for 1918-19, on the subject, "What our school (or county)
has done to help win the war." The subject for 1919-20 is,
"The life and service of distinguished men and women of our
county," and the winning essays will be published in due course.
A few words in general may be said about the conditions and
administration of this contest. The Daughters of the American
Revolution have charge of it in towns where there are Chapters
of that organization, and the Women's Clubs in towns where
there are Clubs but no D. A. R. Chapters. The Superintendent
of Public Instruction has charge in towns where there are
neither Chapters nor Clubs.
Any pupil in High School, Parochial School, or Eighth
Grade, is eligible to compete.
Two State prizes are offered, a first and a second prize, to
each of two groups of writers. In 1915-16 first and second
prizes were awarded for the history of a town of over ten
thousand inhabitants, and similar prizes for the history of a
town of under that number. In 1916-17 these prizes were award
ed, in one group to all contestants under fifteen years of age,
and in another to all over fifteen. This practice is continued.
The winners of first prizes, given in the order of the contests,
have been : Mabel F. Potter, Manistee
Le Roy Johnson, Three Rivers
Cornelia Richardson, Bay City
Edward Brigham, Battle Creek
Earl Brown, Muskegon

4 PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
Winners of second prizes have been in the same order:
Harold M. Sherman, Traverse City,
Helen Colby, Cadillac
Marjorie Poundstone, Benton Harbor
Russell Holmes, Ludington
State prizes in 1918-19 have been awarded as follows:
Under 15 years of age, to
1. Alma Gilbert, Saginaw
2. John Russell, Manistee
Over 15 years of age, to
1. Donald Ross, Ypsilanti
2. Helen Post, Burnips
Local prizes are also offered, for which two suggestions are
made in the announcement :
A. A framed picture of General Pershing, as a first
prize, the picture to bear a plate on which is inscribed
the honor-pupil's name.
B. A framed picture of General Lafayette, as a second
prize, the picture to bear a plate on which is inscribed
the honor-pupil's name.
A local committee for judging the essays is composed of the
Superintendent of Schools, the Regent of the D. A. R. Chapter
and the President of the Women's Club. Where there is no
Chapter or Club in the town, the local committee consists of
three people chosen by the Superintendent of Schools.
When the Local Committee has elected the first and second
prize essays, it sends them to the chairman of the State com
mittee, composed of the Superintendent of Public Instruction,
the Secretary of the State Historical Commission (chairman),
the State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution,
and the President of the State Federation of Women's Clubs.
All essays are passed upon by each member of the Com-
mitte, and those essays which receive the highest number of
all votes are awarded the prizes. In case of a tie, all essays tied
upon are awarded the State prize, which consists pf publication
of the essays in bulletin form by the Michigan Historical
Commission. Hitherto the contest has closed on Washington's birthday
(Feb. 22), but it has been found of advantage in 1919-20 to
extend the time to April 30, The announcement is made by

PUIZE ESSAY CONTEST 5
the State Committee as soon thereafter as possible, and the
essays are published in due course.
It is required that the essay be written by each pupil
without help from any person in its composition. No essay
should be over two thousand words in length.
The essays are judged according to the following standard's:
A. Original work done by the writer. This includes
the use of original sources, such as interviews with
participants in the events described, consultation of
original documents, and contemporary letters and news
papers. B. Accuracy in the use of dates and citation of
authorities. The authority for a specially important
statement of historic fact is required to be given in a foot
note. C. Method of treatment. Pupils are advised to
write simple, idiomatic English, and not to attempt fine
writing; to avoid the use of slang, provincialisms or
unnecessary technical phrases; and not to use foreign
terms when there are English equivalents. On the other
hand, picturesque phrases, good anecdotes, novel ways
of looking at things, words in use during the time of the
events described but now obsolete, when taken from
original sources, add vivacity and flavor to the essay
and should be used.
Teachers are requested to make the writing of the essay a
part of the course in English as well as in History, and to lend
their active interest in promoting the contest.

OUR SCHOOL'S WAR ACTIVITIES

BY ALMA Gilbert
SAGINATP

As I was passing along the street one day, I overheard the
conversation between two girls who were telling each other
what their school had done to help win the War for Democracy.
I just wondered if their schools had done much more to help
than our small school of two hundred had done. In the first
place, I will begin with Christmas of last year and outline the
things in their order.
Christmas of 1917 was a beautiful white Christmas and just
the kind of weather to fill us with energy to send our school over
the top in selling Red Cross Christmas seals. Did we go over
the top? We certainly did! Our school led the others in this
drive. A good many of the seals were sold in the homes of the
pupils and the rest in the homes of friends and neighbors.
In February, the Junior Red Cross was organized with a
chairman and a secretary in each room, including the first
grade. A contest to see which room would be first in 100%
membership followed and the result was a 100% school. Some
of the children did not have a quarter to pay for it just then, so
they earned it in various ways, some by shoveling sidewalks,
and others by helping their mothers and running errands. In
this way our school was soon 100%.
Many things were attempted in different rooms and many
things were accomplished. I believe the first to be mentioned is
the work done for the Red Cross. Nearly every week, from a
short time after the organization of the Junior Red Cross to
the beginning of this school term, we received a regular quota
from the Red Cross. Each night a group of boys and girls
stayed after school to work. Most of the girls wore aprons and
Red Cross caps to make themselves seem more like real Red
Cross workers. Every week we had tape to cut in ten inch
strips, then these were placed in piles of sixes and put in small
envelopes. Usually there were from five hundred to one thou
sand of these envelopes to fill. We also had buttons to coun+

PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST 7
out and put sometimes seven, and, sometimes eight, buttons
in an envelope. This work saved the ladies hours of their
valuable time. When a suit of pajamas was sent out of the
workrooms to be made, an envelope of buttons and one of
tape were placed in each parcel; so it was very important that
the right number was put into each envelope. Other articles
which we did not make every week were comfort bags, button
bags, and shot bags. These things were completed almost as
soon as they were received and then returned to Red Cross
headquarters, because the children were anxious to make a
good record,
Different things were made in the separate rooms, some of
them very important to help the poor little children of Belgium
and our wounded soldier boys. A couple of the rooms collected
woolen blocks from the tailors, sewed them together, padded,
lined, and tied them, making quilts for the Belgian babies.
The lining was bought by money earned by the different classes
(how it was earned, I will tell later). Oh! such a time as we
did have tying some of these off. The padding in the center
got all humpy and we didn't notice it until they were all tied, so
of course they had to be taken out and tied again. We ran out
of yarn to tie them with and had to search around to find some
of that; we hated to buy any unless it was absolutely necessary.
^e also knitted some blocks and made knitted quilts. Some
of them were very pretty. Joke books were made for the
wounded heroes and housewives for the boys over there. The
housewives were entirely furnished, needles, buttons, pins and
all, by the school. The seventh and eighth grades made some
where from thirty-five to forty baby outfits. The boys all
this time were not idle for many of them had taken one or two
of these articles home, working hard to learn the art of machine
stitching and hand sewing in order to do their bit and make
some of these things themselves. Ah! yes, there were many
mistakes and accidents in getting these boys started; but one
of them was so energetic and enthusiastic that he thought he
would try his mother's sewing machine. . He did it when she
was away, and fussed and fussed with it until finally his mother
appeared in a dowm town store looking for a new sewing mach
ine. There was also much knitting done by both the girls and
boys.

S PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
I suppose you are all wondering how we earned the money
to buy materials used in the things before mentioned. We
started out by collecting and selling old magazines and papers,
and tinfoil. Quite a bit of money was earned in this way
because we collected all the old papers and magazines of our
neighbors, automobile stores and all places where there would
be any possibility of their having any. Next, one of the girls
and one of the mothers made cookies to be sold at recess for
three cents apiece or two for a nickel. They also popped corn
and made sandwiches, advising the children ahead of time to
be sure and bring their money if they wanted something to eat
at recess. The pupils in one of the rooms who had books that
they were not too choice of, brought them to school to be lent
to anyone who wanted to read them, for one cent. The first
and second grade gave a little play charging one cent admittance.
The different grades went one at a time to see the play, every
pupil in the grade going. The play was very cute, and they
earned about six dollars. Many times money was needed in a
day or two for some special purpose, so the sandwiches or pop
corn was sold and often times the money needed was earned
at one recess. One recess, five dollars was earned by one room.
Just at this time the second Red Cross drive was launched,
wherein the people pledged so much to be paid in six payments.
The seventh and eighth grades pledged twenty dollars to be
paid in one payment. The money was not all earned, when it
was pledged, so the next few days we made an extra effort and
had our pledge ready in about three days.
The children also sacrificed some of their pleasures to try
and help. In one room they pledged themselves not to eat ,
candy or ice cream or go to a show on Wednesday. If they
broke this pledge, a fine had to be given. Not many pledges
were broken and therefore not much fine was received. Some
of the children also pledged themselves not to buy any gum
while the war lasted, but to save their money for more necessary
purposes. The boys of the seventh and eighth grades had been
saving money for quite a while to buy base ball suits. When
they saw so much money was needed they arose to the occasion
and turned the money over to the Red Cross. Oh! yes it was
rather hard, but they saw that our Government needed the
money more then they needed base ^^H suits. Even ,the little

PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST 9
first graders did their share in this. They "licked" their plates
clean for Mr. Hoover, and took some of their playtime to help
their mothers and run errands.
Toward the end of the school term was the great Junior Red
Cross parade, on Flag Day. Our school took part in this
together with all the other schools in the county. We wore
patriotic caps, on which we had worked for days and all our
Red Cross work was on display. The marchers were placed
according to their rank in the Thrift Army, with the Majors
and Captains in the lead, and the privates in rows. Each girl
carried a blanket or, something that had been made. All
through the line were posters telling what we had done. Some
of the girls were carrying dolls dressed in the Belgian outfits.
At the rear of our line was a large baby carriage with a doll in
it, dressed in an outfit and with an eighth grade girl wheeling
it. After marching through the main streets, we all met in the
amphitheater at Hoyt Park and gathered around a pyramid of
flags to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" This was one of the
most wonderful spectacles ever witnessed in Saginaw.
All this time we were selling thrift stamps but not doing as
well with them as with some other things. Our school was
smaller than the majority of schools, but all in the school had
bought at least one thrift stamp, and a good many of course
had bought more.
During the spring and summer we had gardens at the homes
and a school garden. In the school garden they were raising
beans and succeeded very well. At the County Fair our school
had the largest display of baskets of all others and won many
prizes. School has been closed for so long this term that not much
work has been done, but we did our siiare in the victory boys
and victory girls drive. Each child pledged something to be
earned by himself. Although we have only one hundred pupils
this year we pledged over one hundred dollars.
These things which I have mentioned are part of the
activities of our school. I wonder if you will not agree with
me, that our school did as much, if not more, than the majority
of schools in the city or, may I say, in the State? If not, we did
all in our power, which shows that our hearts are in the right
place.

WHAT MANISTEE COUNTY HAS DONE TO WIN THE
WAR

BY JOHN RUSSELL
MANISTEE

"Win the War" has been the watchword of America during
the past two years. Each State and county has answered the
call of the Nation, and has rendered active service in its accom
plishment. In the State of Michigan, no people have been
more energetic in patriotic duty than the people of Manistee
County. Manistee County was fortunate in having two large organi
zations to direct her war work, viz: — The Manistee County
Farm Bureau and the Board of Commerce. The former
instructed the farmers in their work, suggesting the best crops
to raise, and aiding the conservation of food. The latter directed
the Liberty Loan drives, appointed committees to work on the
War Savings Stamp Campaign, the War Chest drive, and the
Y. M. C. A. It also took part in many other activities connected
with war work.
Unquestionably Manistee County's greatest contribution to
the winning of the war was her soldier boys. About one thou
sand men went from Manistee County to fight for Democracy.
Thirty-one of these will never return. They gave their lives
for the cause. Besides the one thousand blue and gold stars on
our Service Flag we have one red star. It represents our
"Fighting Parson," Lieutenant Donald M. Brodie, formerly
pastor of the Congregational Church of Manistee City.
In June, 1917, the American Red Cross issued its initial
appeal for funds. A total of $10,831.17 was promptly raised
here. In December, 1917, a Red Cross membership campaign
was conducted, and in February, 1918, occurred the "second
drive for funds to support the Red Cross. The latter campaign
was for the benefit of the county chapter.
The Manistee County Chapter of the American Red Cross
was organized in June, 1917. $10,000 were raised to get it

PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST 11
started. Since then it has grown immensely. Two very large
workrooms, donated by the Olympian Club, have been full of
willing workers every day. One gentleman who entered one of
the workrooms the other day, said he thought there was more
talking than work being done. Nevertheless if he could see
their list of accomplishments he would change his mind.
34,828 surgical dressings have been made; 39 large boxes of old
clothing have been sent to the Belgian Refugees; 1,194 new
garments were also ma'de; 1,807 hospital garments were made,
including bed shirts, bath robes, bed jackets, pajamas, and
convalescent robes. Yarn, with which to make knitted goods,
was distributed from the Red Cross headquarters and 1,740
sweaters, mufflers, helmets, etc. were returned; 1,532 pairs of
socks were also made.
The Junior Red Cross, composed of the school children of
the county, did a great deal to help the Red Cross. Knitted
blankets were made by the smaller children, knit with knitting
needles made by the boys of the Manual Training department
of the public schools of Manistee City. These same boys made
most of the large wooden boxes in which all of the knitted
garments. Refugee clothing, and hospital garments made by
the Red Cross, were sent to the National Red Cross head
quarters. The older girls made shot bags, property bags, and
other useful articles.
In addition to this, a Comfort Kit committee furnished to
each soldier that went from Manistee County a very complete
comfort kit. These kits were considered by all the soldiers the
best of any sent out by Red Cross Chapters. Many soldiers
from other counties wrote back to their parents, asking them
to procure one for them if possible, as they were the best they
had seen anywhere. In all, the Manistee County Chapter of
the American Red Cross has been one of the greatest factors
in helping our country to help win the war.
Manistee County over-subscribed her quota in all of the
four Liberty Loan drives. We over-subscribed the first by $350,
the second by $75,700, the third by $99,796, and the fourth
by $37,850.
When the call came for funds for the Y. M. C. A., Manistee
County contributed $3,418.07. A great deal of this was raised
by the school children.

12 PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
In addition to these drives for money, there was the War
Chest drive; |>55,700.00 were raised, to be used for any demands
that were made on the people for war charities.
Although Manistee County gave a great many of its young
men and a great deal of its money, it did not stop there, thinking
its war work had been completed. The loyal housewives
patiently worked at the conservation problems. When the
Board of Commerce saw that the Government was going to
regulate the supply of food, it recommended Mr. George 0.
Nye for County Food Administrator, and the appointment
was promptly confirmed by Mr. Geo. A. Prescott, Federal Food
Administrator for Michigan. Under his direction over 7,000
Household Sugar Cards were distributed. 8,600 Canning Sugar
Certificates were also issued.
One feature of Manistee County's Food Conservation pro
gram was the Food Exposition. It was held in the Larsen
Building for three days. It proved of great benefit to many of
the people of Manistee County. There were booths showing the
best ways by which to conserve wheat, sugar and fats. Demon
strations were given in a kitchen constructed for that purpose.
In the evenings conservation meetings were held. Men from
out of the county came to tell us how to conserve food. Alto
gether the Food Exposition taught us a great deal, and was
largely attended during the three days. It was the first Food
Exposition of its kind to be held in the United States, because
the ladies of the county demonstrated their own recipes, giving
samples of what they had made. The plan was such an excel
lent one, that the Government used it as a model for other
exhibitions of like nature that were held. The main features
were then largely copied, and received a great deal of notice in
newspapers throughout the United States.
The Boy Scouts of Manistee County have done their part
in helping to win the war. They have sold Liberty Bonds and
War Savings Stamps, and many have received medals for selling
a great number of them. In the summer of 1917 a large farm
was planted to beans by the Boy Scouts, to help the Govern
ment raise more food. It was the largest Boy Scout war farm
in the United States. The Boy Scouts have also helped in the
distribution of war literature, marched in parades, and taken
part n other activities.

PRIZE ES SAY CONTEST l:^
To stop the German propaganda, and to encourage the sale
of Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps, Manistee County
organized her Four Minute Speakers. These men and women
went through out the county, speaking at all the public meetings.
They encouraged the people to conserve in all ways, and to
subscribe to the different war charities. They also contradicted
the many rumors that were circulated by propagandists.
The Manistee News-Advocate, the daily paper of Manistee
City, that is very widely read throughout the whole county,
also helped to stop the spread of German Propaganda and to
advertise the war charities. It furnished space free for the
Red Cross News, and in many ways it helped Manistee County
to help win the war.
There were two industries that helped Manistee County
to he p win the war. These were the Manistee Iron Works and
the Goshen Shirt Factory. The former made parts of engines
for ocean steamers, theieby helping Uncle Sam to get his
soldiers and supplies to France.
For four or five months, the Goshen Shirt Factory has been
making khaki shirts for the Government. Their output has
been very great. indeed, for the size of the factory. They also
cut cloth free of charge for the County Chapter of the Red
Cross. In conclusion, it is only fair to mention what the war has
done for Manistee County. It has given us a better community
spirit, making everybody work together for a common cause.
It showed us where many of our organizations were weak, and
bow to remedy the weakness. In all, the war gave back in a
very small measure part of what it took from us.
Now that the war has been won, will Manistee County
discontinue her work? No! the future discloses to us more
work to be done. She must continue with loyal devotion in her
endeavors. There are still Belgian Refugees that need clothing.
Russia and other countries of Europe are in sad need of food.
The government requires more money to pay its debts. War
Savings Stamps are still being sold, and another Liberty Loan
drive is coming. Surely Manistee County has a great deal of
work ahead of her. "Carry On, Manistee County, Carry On:''

WHAT OUR TOWN HAS DONE TO HELP WIN THE WAR

DONALD ROSS
YPSILANTI

It is now nearly two years since the America nation entered
into the war across the sea. When our declaration of war came,
nations had been using men as targets for three years. Ger
many had been stopped, but still she was pressing hard on the
human border of France. Things looked dubiou for the
A lies. Everyone was well acquainted with the way of the
Hun, his way of crucifying innocent non-combatants. It was
then that the United States came to life and went over the top
to save the day.
It was two months and twenty days after the American
nation took action upon the insults issued by the Teutonic
powers, that the first contingent of soldiers from the United
States arrived in France to fight on the side of England, France,
Belgium and Italy. As those troops landed a joyous cry arose
all over the world, for all knew that if the war was to be won
for the rightful cause and for God it was America that had to
do it. And, true to their beliefs and expectations, it was
America that turned the flanks of the German hordes. Like
a tidal wave our boys descended on the Hun at Chateau-Thierry,
and from then on victory's light shone brighter each day. It
was our boys — America's boys — who won the war.
However, the boys in khaki were not the only stars that
played in the hero parts in the largest and grimmest tragedy
of all history — a tragedy that caused many to weep, not because
of the pathetic deeds of some actors on the front of the stage,
but because of grief for the unfortunate ones in France and
Belgium and the loss of dear ones. And there were heroines
and heroes back here at home. Their position was just as
responsible as that of the men in the front-line trenches. Most
of us know what has been done by our boys over-seas, but to
some it is vague what has taken place back behind the men
behind the guns. The purpose of this writing is to show just
what has taken place here, especially in Ypsilanti.

PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST 15
In 1824 when Greece was striving to maintain her inde
pendence against the invasion of the Turks, a Turkish leader,
having led his army of eight thousand men unimpaired across
the Morea, was drawing near the plains of Argos, expecting to
devastate the district and add. one more city, Napoli, to the
list of his booty. A Grecian, Demetrius Ypsilanti, rallied about
two hundred and twenty men around him, men like ,himself
ready to die if need be for their country. Every man of that
noble band seemed to bear each one hundred lives, and against
such odds as thirty-seven to one the brave Greeks triumphed.
The shout "Ypsilanti" went up from Greece in a glorious cry.
It crossed the ocean to the shores of the United States. From
the seaboard inland rolled that triumphant name. The people
of this wilderness heard it and wished to maintain its signifi
cance and spirit by naming this city after that wonderful leader.
Well has the spirit of our namesake been preserved, even
until this present war, when it breathed out on every side.
The soul of Ypsilanti, looking down on our city, can say,
"Well done, Ypsilanti, well done. I salute you."
Ypsilanti, — "first in war and first in peace." Perfectly does
that phrase fit our glorious city, a city which has been
first in war, in the war for democracy. She has been among the
pioneers in all patriotic enterprises, over-subscribing every
quota at the earliest possible hour. First in peace. No city
welcomed peace with a more open heart than did Ypsilanti.
No town can boast of out-doing it in peace celebrations.
Many a weary and toilsome hour has been spent in our Red
Cross rooms. The brave women have been unceasingly over
their work to get Ypsilanti's full quota in clothing and supplies
out on time. Many times after regular hours and late into the
night, have they worked with no complaint and more than
willing to do their bit for the great cause.
The Second Red Cross quota of $5,430 was raised in less
than one day, and in a week it was nearly doubled. A wonder
ful thing in itself that this sum, which took many towns of our
size the full length of the drive to raise, should be over-sub
scribed in one day, a fact which is due to the hearty cooperation
of citizens and committees.
Some patriotic and ingenious women made useful paper
sacks to which they gave the name "Carry-all bags." By

10 PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
selling these a sum of $200 was realized and turned over to the
Red Cross. This is only another example of Ypsilanti's spirit.
The local Red Cross Chapter sent five hundred Christmas
cards to our boys in camps and over-seas. Imagine yourself
in the place of a boy "over there who has tramped all day
with a heavy pack on his back, a steel hat on his head, extra
heavy shoes on his feet, up to his ankles in mud and drenched
by the ever falling rain. Think what a cheering it would be to
him when he reached camp at night to receive a letter from
home. Or put yourself in the place of a "Sammie" over here.
He goes out and drills all day long and comes back at night
"all in" after a thirty mile hike Then, down-hearted, he goes
to the camp service hut, as he has done night after. night, and
sits by the cosy fire-place, staring at the fire, resting his head
in his hands, dreaming of home, which seems to have forgotten
him. Wouldn't it be a wonderful thing then to receive a greeting
from home? Ypsilanti realized that the morale of the army
must be maintained and she did all within her power to main
tain it among our boys.
Not only in the Red Cross has our city done such wonderful
work, but also in all other patriotic branches. The Liberty
Loan campaigns have all been easily over-subscribed. The
War Saving Stamp drive resulted in Ypsilanti's being the first
town in the country to get its maximum quota. Over two
hundred individuals voluntarily subscribed. Ypsilanti can
thank one organization for the success that has come to her in
all patriotic undertakings. This club, the Patriotic Service
League, is composed of the hustling citizens of our city. Com
mittees were appointed from this honorable body to further
each drive. The society itself financed all the local publicity
in the request to get each woman to register.
Ypsilanti believes in doing whatever she undertakes to the
finish, and in the best and right way. Thus it was with all
requests made of us. Our streets were bare of autos for many
Sundays; the Ypsilanti motorists were heeding the call of their
country. They were more than willing to give up what gasoline
they would use in their Sunday pleasure riding if it could be of
any value in the winning of the war. It was a glorious thought
that filled the minds of many sitting at home, thinking that the
gasoline which they had saved that day was speeding a tank

PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST 17
over "No Man's Land" dealing its missiles of death to the Hun
and bringing disorder and retreat to his lines.
The ragmen were for once cheated out of their supplies by
the city's patriotism. We had read in our papers of the way
in which the Hun was ravaging northern France and Belgium
and how he was driving the poor inhabitants out, homeless,
penniless. We were told many woeful tales of critical conditions
of plundered, starving France. Such stories were sufficient to
touch the hardest heart. As the call for clothes for the needy
"over there" came, the townspeople rushed to the appointed
place with their last year's garments. All told, nearly five
thousand pounds of clothes was the glorious result.
So much for the adults. They have not been the only main
stay behind the men. The boys and girls have played an equally
large part. In the Civil War it is said that our High School,
under the direction of the Principal, organized a full company
of soldiers who entered the war and fought bravely and effec
tively against the South. The High School, during the present
war, cannot say that it has done this, but it has done other
things equally as great. We have been preparing, for the
future; two companies of cadets daily train in military man
euvers. We entered school in the fall of 1917 with a resolution to
give our greatest aid to our Government in the war and in
doing so to maintain as high an intellectual standard as possible.
We have carried out our resolution to the fullest extent of its
meaning. Nearly $1,200 have been given to the Y. M. C. A.
and the War Working Organizations. Twenty-one Smileage
Books were bought and were given to some of the homesick
and down-hearted boys at camps. Five hundred and twenty-
five books have been given to the American Library Associa
tion for use among the boys. One thousand and ninety dollars'
worth of Thrift Stamps are held by students in our school.
Each scholar possesses stamps to the value of three dollars and
ninety-two cents, and everyone is proud to boast that we are
one hundred per cent perfect in that line. Ten thousand three
hundred dollars' worth of Liberty Bonds were purchased by the
students. All of the one hundred and twenty-six girls of the
school who were over sixteen years of age registered on woman's
registration day.

18 PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
Several acres of land were rented by the School Board and
platted up into smaller sections. These were given out to those
children who wished them, and much food was raised upon these
fields. According to the terms of the Smith-Hughes Law,
credit was given to five boys who fulfilled the demand made on
them by the English, Mathematical, and Agricultural depart
ments of the school.
One other company of boys was organized in the Spring of
1918. So high was the enthusiasm that one girl managed to
slip into its ranks. This company, when first started, contained
sixty privates and was formed for the purpose of fighting the
Hun, indirectly. The work of these young people was hard
manual work through the hot days of the summer. They dug
trenches, not as a protection from the enemy's steel missiles
but from the enemy's more stinging weapon, hunger. These
trenches were for the purpose of planting food. Fifty members
stayed with the project and received the coveted badge of the
Boys' Working Reserve, an emblem of true bravery to be
honored as much as a cross for distinguished service at the
front. Thus have we seen that Ypsilanti, although a small place
compared with the great, expanse of the world, has done its
best bit to establish the dominion of Democracy on the earth,
and has maintained the high standard set up by Demetrius
Ypsilanti a hundred years ago; and thus has she set up a stan
dard that will long be remembered and one that will be an
ideal for coming generations.

HOW OUR COUNTY HELPED TO ' WIN THE WAR
HELEN POST
BURNIPS
After the United States entered the war, the people in our
county as well as in others were eager to help defend the cause
of democracy. The boys immediately answered Uncle Sam's
call to service. To back up our boys, we conserved food, and
used substitutes so that we could send our Allies and armies as
much as we could of concentrated nutriment, which in the
shortage of shipping takes the least vessel room.
We ate less beef, mutton and pork and ate more fresh and
dried vegetables and preserved fruit. The Allies needed the
meat, and we had meatless days, in which we could save meat
and send it across; the allied countries had killed off many
cattle, having no fodder to feed them, and their hogs were
rapidly decreasing. We also used instead of meat, cottage
cheese, milk, eggs and chicken, and soup made out of all left
over meat.
Our Allies needed wheat, for it is the best food to fight on
and easiest to ship. We helped by saving just a quarter of the
amount of wheat we ate last year. We supported them without
stinting ourselves, by substituting other foods. We did not
allow a crust or crumb of white bread to be wasted and reduced
the amount of wheat we consumed by eating other foods, as
corn, rye, barley, oats, peas and beans. Corn was used in
many different ways, as a cereal, vegetable, bread and dessert.
Barley was used in making barley cakes. Rye and oats were
used in making rye bread and oatmeal bread. When buying
white flour, we took the same amount of substitutes. In this
way half of our supply of wheat was conserved.
The girls who were used to making candies and cakes were
required to stop, for sugar could not be obtained. We used
molasses, syrup and honey as substitutes in cakes which we
seldom made, to conserve wheat. The boys and Allies needed
the sugar. Finally we were requested to take out sugar cards

20 PRIZE ESSAY-CONTEST
which allowed a certain amount of sugar to each person each
month. In this way we conserved sugar and sent it across.
The boys needed lard. We were careful how we used it, so
that it could be conserved. The boys needed it to grease their
bodies before entering the trenches, for if they came in contact
with water, the lard would prevent them from getting cold.
When we bought meat we saved the trimmings, which we fried
out into drippings. We saved butter by using the small amounts
left on the plate, and used it for special cooking. We saved
milk. When the cream was taken we let the milk sour, out of
which we made cottage cheese, which served as a substitute for
meat. In order to have all these foods sent to the armies and Allies,
we had to have money to back them up. The first thing we
did was to organize a Red Cross society in which all the people,
young and old, were willing to donate money for that great
cause. Besides this we had Liberty Loan drives in which we
accumulated thousands of dollars. The people responded
gladly to these calls, even though some of them could only take
out a fifty dollar bond, they felt as though they were no slackers.
We also had a second and third Liberty Loan, in which the
people again responded wilHngly, for they now realized more
than ever before that it was their patriotic duty. Even the
children were willing to give their pennies, for they had heard
how those poor Belgian babies had no homes and no warm
clothing. For this reason we had a Thrift Stamp drive in
which the children were to invest their money for Uncle Sam.
They would eagerly try to earn twenty-five cents and invest it
in a thrift stamp. Finally they would get a thrift card full of
stamps and exchange it for a War Savings stamp. Then they
would look forward to the time when they could exchange their
War Savings stamps for a Liberty Bond. The fourth Liberty
Loan accumulated more money than all the other loans. All
the people willingly volunteered during the three days we had
set apart especially for that purpose. By the end of the three
days our county had pledged more than their quota. In all our
Liberty Loan campaigns we went over the top.
The women of our county showed their patriotism by
making bed shirts, bandages, pajamas and various surgical
suppHes for the boys while in the hospitals. Many of the old

Prize Essay CONTEST 21
ladies knitted sweaters, socks, helmets, wristlets and especially
socks for the boys; for they realized that the boys had to stand
in icy mud and water a great deal of the time, and made these
socks to keep them warm. Many garments were made for the
homeless children of Belgium. Not to be wasteful, the ladies
made the refugee garments out of pieces of cloth and patched
' together to make pinafores and petticoats.
Out of all the small pieces which were left over, after the
Red Cross garments were made, these small bits were sewed
together to form carpet-rags, which were sold and the money
put in the Red Cross fund. Besides all this work, peach pits
and prune pits were sent to the Red Cross department, to be
used in the making of gas masks. Old papers, worn-out kid
gloves and old rubbers were also sent to the Red Cross to be
sold, and the money was contributed to the Red Cross fund.
Another way of raising money : we had box socials in the small
communities where the boxes were sold for from seventy-five
cents to six dollars and some times more. In this way a large
amount of money was raised for the Red Cross. We had many
Red Cross campaigns in which money was willingly given by the
patriotic people of the county.
All this money, and the other money which was contributed
to the Red Cross fund, was used for the sending of trained
nurses and doctors to help the wounded in the hospitals and on
the battle fields. It also helped to build canteens or rest stations
where the boys could go while waiting many hours for a train
going to or from the trenches. This money was also used for
the building of homes to care for the women and children who
fled when their homes were destroyed by the Germans. It was
used to help rebuild ruined towns and to give out food, clothing
and coal to the needy. The yarn which was used for making
socks, sweaters, wristlets and helmets and the cloth used for
the making of bed shirts, pajamas and surgical supplies were
paid for out of the Red Cross fund.
Our Junior Red Cross has done a great deal in our county.
The girls have made garments for the refugee children. The
simplest knitting problems were the bootees and knitted squares
for the baby's afghan and wash cloths which were made by the
little children. Belgium caps, wristlets, mufflers and bottle
covers were knitted by the other children. The young girls

22 PRIZE ESSAY CONTEST
knitted socks, helmets and sweaters. The boys as well as the
g r s knitted the different garments. The children were very
interested in this work for they knew they were helping to win
the war. They also made scrap books, containing jokes and
short stories for the soldiers in the Hospitals, and books with
pictures for the refugee children Besides knitting and sewing,
the children gave twenty-five cents to join the Junion Red Cross;
they did not ask their parents for it, but went about eagerly to
earn the money themselves. Surgical dressings, comfort kits
and hospital garments were made by the girls. Besides these,
stocking caps and infants' layettes were made The needs of
this work naturally gave an abundance of activities to the girls.
The Woman's Council of National Defense in our county
cooperated with the other war agencies in which they had
charge of the registration of women. The patriotic women
of our county registered for certain kinds of work which they
could do in case they were needed. Many of these women who
registered were trained nurses and willing to go across and help
in the Red Cross hospitals. Besides this many young women
who were not nursss volunteered to take the trained nurses'
places over here. Others registered as farm hands to raise food
for the Government. Others were willing to care for wounded
soldiers who were out of the hospitals and had no home to go to.
The high school boys were very patriotic. They went out
on the farms to raise food for Uncle Sam, taking the place of
the young men who had left the farms to fight for Uncle Sam.
The younger boys and girls showed their patriotism by raising
war gardens in the back yard or on unoccupied land. By doing
this they helped the railroads, which were greatly overcrowded
carrying war supplies. This food which was raised could be
brought from the garden to kitchen while otherwise the rail
roads would have had to ship it to the people to keep them in
, supply, hindering the shipment of war supplies which were so
necessary at the front.
Take all in all, our county did its patriotic duty in helping
to win the war.

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