WWI - Excerpts from The Times Picayune – July 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 26, 27, 29, 31, 1917 -- Orleans Parish Submitted by: Rosemary Ermis Source: Times Picayune – July 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 26, 27, 29, 31, 1917 Date: November 2003 ************************************************* Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http:/www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 2, 1917 DIED KONZE--At Norfolk, Va., Wednesday, June 27, 1917, at 10:40 o'clock a.m., JOHN PETER KONZE, son of John J. Konze and the late Lena Claus, aged 17 years 11 months, a native of New Orleans. The relatives, friends and acquaintances of the family, also the officers and members of Ben Hur Grove, No. 33, U. A. O. D., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, which will take place Monday, July 2, 1917, at 4 o'clock p.m., from the residence of his uncle, A. Schloegel, No. 5106 Burgundy near Forstall street. Interment in St. Roch Cemetery. **************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 6, 1917 YOUNG ORLEANIAN, SERVING COUNTRY, DEAD BY DROWNING (photo) A telegram was received Thursday by Ernest V. Reiss announcing the drowning last Thursday of his son, Esmond E. Reiss, 17 years of age, from the United States battleship Pennsylvania. The telegram was sent by Commander Pickerell from Norfolk, Va., and no details of the young sailor's death were given. The message said the remains were being sent to New Orleans by express and would arrive Saturday morning. Young Reiss was a member of a prominent local family and when the country's relations became so critical that President Wilson severed diplomatic relations with Germany in February the boy enlisted at the local recruiting office. Lieutenant LaBounty, local recruiting officer, sent Reiss to the training station at Great Lakes, and after several weeks of training he was assigned to the battleship Pennsylvania. News of the death were a great shock to his family and friends. Funeral arrangements will be not completed until the remains reach the city. His mother, who was Miss Lavinia Harrison, died some time ago and in addition to his father he is survived by a brother, Guy Reiss; Mrs. James J. Reiss, grandmother; Edward J. Reiss, Dr. Paul Reiss and Dr. Oliver Reiss, uncles on his father's side. Relatives on his mother's side are: Mrs. B. Harrison, grandmother, Miss Ruth Harrison, Mrs. L. L. Rivet, Mrs. G. C. Delery, Lee Harrison, D. F. Harrison, B. H. Harrison and George Harrison, of Slidell, La. His brother, Guy, also is serving his country in the navy as censor of information on the battleship Arizona. Walter H. Harrison, a cousin, is at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. ****************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 8, 1917 FRIENDS JOIN NAVY(photo) Louis Weber, Jr., shown on the right, and Milton Van Marren, on the left, have joined the navy. The young men have been friends for the past fifteen years and enlisted at the same time. For ten years young Weber had been a carrier for The Times-Picayune. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Weber of 720 Aline street. For thirty-eight years the father has carried The Times-Picayune also. Young Weber has been ordered to San Francisco and Van Marren proceeded to Norfolk, Va. ******************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 9, 1917 REGISTERED MEN TOLD TO BE READY TO FACE BOARDS--Announcement of the Red Ink Cards Drawn to Be Posted and Published. Washington, July 8 -- Another step in building up the selective conscription army was taken today with the distribution of a circular by Provost Marshall General Crowder, notifying the registered men to hold themselves in readiness for appearance before the board which will conduct examinations and consider exemptions. ...it is revealed that registration cards in each county or city jurisdiction are to be numbered with red ink, and that "as soon as the drawing is complete announcement showing the order in which the red ink numbers are drawn will be published in the press and will be posted at the office of each local board." "Every board has numbered the cards in its jurisdiction with red ink in a series running from one to the number representing the total number of cards in its jurisdiction." continues the circular. SECOND OFFICERS' TRAINING CAMP BIDS FOR QUOTA OF MEN One more week remains in which to register for entrance to the second training camp for civilians who wish to become army officers. Applicants from 21 to 44 years are eligible, but the government especially desires the services of men of the older years so that the personnel of the camp will include men of mature judgment for the second batch of officers. The men at present at Camp Logan H. Roots probably will be qualified for commissions by the end of August and the second training camp will begin in September. The candidates have been informed that they will officer troops raised in the states from which they are registered so that the Louisiana officers at the camp have the opportunity of leading Louisiana men. This is in accordance with the government's policy for having the closest teamwork between the officers and men by selecting officers to command the men they understand best. BATTLESHIP CAPTAIN PRAISES YOUNG KONZE John Konze, 5106 Burgundy street, father of John Peter Konze, 18 years old, of New Orleans, who was killed in an accident aboard the battleship Rhode Island on June 28, has received a letter from Captain Latimar, commanding the battleship, telling how the young man lost his life while discharging his duties. Commander Latimar said he most deeply regretted the sad accident which results in the death of young Konze. According to the letter the young man was at drill at his regular station in the after turret and performing the same duties that he had had since he was assigned to the ship in April, namely, loading the powder charge of the twelve-inch gun in the ammunition car. In some way, which the officers of the vessel have not been able to determine, his arm was caught in the car and he was crushed so badly that, in spite of the almost instantaneous attention of the two surgeons aboard the war vessel, he died within an hour. "Your son had shown great promise, and the officer in charge of his division speaks most highly of him," stated Captain Latimar in his letter. ". . . I do assure you of my heartfelt sympathy.Your son has died doing his duty in the service of his country. None of us can ask for a more glorious death." The body reached the city from Norfolk Navy Yard last Sunday evening, and the funeral was held at the house of his uncle, A. Schloegel, 5116 Burgundy. DIED REISS--Drowned at Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, July 1, 1917, ESMOND G. REISS, aged 17 years and 11 months, son of Ernest V. Reiss and the late Lavenia Harrison. Interment took place on Sunday, July 8, in Metairie Cemetery. **************************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 10, 1917 ALL STATE TROOPS DRAFTED INTO ARMY UNDER DATE AUG. 5 Washington, July 9.--The last step necessary to make the entire National Guard available for duty in France was taken today by President Wilson with the issue of a proclamation drafting the state troops into the army of the United States on August 5. To make certain that the purpose of the National Defense Act is carried out, the proclamation also specifically declares the men drafted to be discharged from the old militia status on that date. In that way the constitutional restraint upon use of the militia outside the country is avoided and the way paved for sending the regiments to the European front. The operative date of the draft was delayed until August 5 so that all regiments can be taken into the army simultaneously to avoid inequalities in the relative rank of officers. Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 12, 1917 DRAFT POSTPONED TO COMPLETE LISTS FOR WHOLE COUNTRY--New Orleans' Quota will be about 2424 Washington, July 11.--Postponement until next week of the drawing of numbers of men who will be called for examination for the national army seemed probable today when it became evident that states are not completing organization of their district exemption boards as rapidly as War Department officials had hoped. A so-called revised census estimate for the entire country, compiled on the basis of draft registration, will be used for determining apportionments. East city, country or state must furnish two-thirds of one per cent of its paper population, according to new estimates which were made for the purpose of equalizing the draft rather than to represent accurate population totals. ********************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 14, 1917 PRESIDENT DRAFTS 687,000 MEN INTO MILITARY SERVICE--Louisiana's Quota of New National Army is Fixed at 13,582 Men. Washington, July 13.--A formal order by President Wilson drafting 687,000 men into the military service under the selective draft conscription law was promulgated today by the War Department, together with an official allotment showing what part of the total must be furnished by each state and territory. In computing the number of men to be required from the various states, the government put to the credit of each state every man it now has in the National Guard and every man it has contributed since April 1 as a war volunteer to the regular army. ******************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 15, 1917 THREE BROTHERS UNDER ARMS IN SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY (photo) Three brothers--the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ratelle, of 8313 Panola street--have demonstrated that patriotism means something more to them than delivering the cheers at the crucial point of the flag-raising. Claude, Eugene and A. W. Ratelle joined the colors at the first call. A. W. Ratelle, though but 34 years old, is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having served as master-at-arms on the Old Paisie. He joined the Washington Artillery as mechanic on April 2. Eugene Ratelle, 22 years old, a member of the Louisiana Naval Reserve, responded to the call on March 29, and is now with the gun crew of the U.S.S. Worden, torpedo-boat destroyer. Claude Ratelle, 20 years old, joined Battery F of the Washington Artillery on April 10. The Ratelle brothers are grandsons of the late Colonel A. W. Hyatt, who served during the Civil war, and great-grandsons of Colonel James Harrison Dakin, who served during the Mexican war of 1847. There is one other brother, Ed Ratelle, of Baton Rouge. LOCAL BOY IN NAVY There has been no lack of recruits in Uncle Sam's navy who were delightfully surprised by the treatment they received and the experience they underwent in training. One of these if Alcee Marquett, of New Orleans, now a petty officer among the jackies who are training for service at the Great Lakes naval station in Illinois, who writes of some of the benefits he has received since joining the colors. "To prove how much I am being benefited," his letter reads in part, "when I joined the navy I weighed 122 pounds stripped. Today, after two months and two weeks, I weigh 136 pounds. "From my observation I believe the navy offers the best chance for a young man to advance himself. You can judge for yourself when I tell you I am already a petty officer; in fact, I was promoted a few days after I joined. It takes honesty, obedience, and sobriety to make good, and it becomes an easy thing for a young man to acquire the necessary qualities. "It will make a man of you. When I think of the months I have wasted 'bumming' around at nights with nothing in view, it makes me wish I had joined the navy a long, long time ago, and if you can soon get around to it, try to come up and join us." NEW ORLEANS BOY IN BRITISH ARMY Letter received Saturday by Mrs. W. F. Denny of Perrier street from her son Walter, a sergeant in the British army. The letters reads as follows: "June 10, 1917. "I am writing a short letter to tell you that I am now quite well and getting along all right. I lost a few of my men and my officer a few days ago. But Fritz pays toll for it all. I am writing this in a hurry as I have about eight more letters to write to the men's fathers and mothers telling about their sons. Send me my papers to prove my American citizenship. Love. "Your affectionate son, WALTER. No postage stamps appeared on the letter when it was received, other than "due" stamps affixed to the missive at the New Orleans postoffice. This is a precaution taken in all classes of letters sent from the front, in order that nothing may be written on the mucilage side of the stamp, to be read when the stamp has been soaked off. Walter Denny left New Orleans nearly three years ago for England on a mule ship. He enlisted at once in the English army, and has since risen to the highest rank attainable in that army. He has been injured once in action, sustaining a shoulder wound from a shrapnel fragment, but is now fully recovered and back in the trenches. Mr. and Mrs. Denny have another son, F. Ottway Denny, now in training at Fort Logan H. Roots. Ottway Denny gave up a lucrative law practice to serve his country. **************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune Monday, July 16, 1917 FROM PRESS ROOM TO BATTLESHIP (photo) From pressman's helper on The Times-Picayune to ordinary seaman on the U.S.S. Rhode Island within three months' time is the record of Edward Hughes, a New Orleans lad, who is somewhere on the Atlantic with the American battleship fleet. Young Hughes sent a brief note to his mother, Mrs. E. Rappold, of 2033 St. Roch avenue saying he was well and thoroughly in love with navy. He also enclosed a photograph of himself in the uniform of an American man-o'warsman. Evidently the photograph was O. K., for the official "Passed by Censor" was on the wrapper. Young Hughes left here three months ago, having been recruited for the navy by Lieutenant La Bounty. He went to the Great Lakes Training Station and then was transferred to the battleship Rhode Island. DEATH OF GUNNER SHOCKS FRIENDS HERE The many friends of Victor Archie Jacob, a native of this city, who met his death Friday night when he lost his balance and fell twelve stories from the Sterry building, Brooklyn, where he was on naval duty, were shocked Saturday morning when they read the report of the accident. Jacob was a gunner on the battleship Texas and had been on top of the Sterry building watching an exhibition of the Sterry gyroscope when he fell from the building. He died instantly. Mr. Jacob was born in New Orleans January 2, 1882, and was the son of Mary Magdelena Leitheiser and the late John Jacob. He entered the navy in February of 1900 as an electrician, rising to the rank of chief electrician within four years. In August, 1913, he was made warrant electrical gunner and sent to Norfolk, Va., to stall electrical works in the dreadnought Texas. He remained in that position until three weeks ago when he was assigned to the Sterry place at the Brooklyn end of the Manhattan bridge. Mr. Jacob married Miss Fanny Marie Doyle of Brooklyn; he leaves two daughters. His mother, five sisters and one brother live in this city. ************************************************************************* Excerpts from The Times Picayune JULY 21, 1917 SELECTIVE DRAFT FIXES ORDER TO JOIN COLORS OF 10,000,000 YOUNG MEN--Lottery With 10,500 Numbers Begins in Washington Before 10 O'Clock and Continues 15 Hours. Washington, July 21.--Selective conscription goes into effect today, as a result of the national lottery to fix the order of military liability for the 10,000,000 young Americans registered for service. To accomplish the result, 10,500 numbers had to be drawn one at a time. The 10,500 numbers, each enclosed in a black capsule, were placed in a large glass bowl for drawing. As part of the precaution against fraud it was ordered that an official stationed by the bowl to stir the capsules during the drawing, as well as the man selected for the actual drawing itself, should be blindfolded. When the capsule 10,004 was drawn, it was found to be a blank; which means that one serial number among the 10,500 assigned was not drawn... when a rechecking reveals the missing serial number it will receive that place. YOUR SERIAL APPEARS ON THE LIST SHOWN FOR YOUR DISTRICT The red ink number opposite your name is your serial number in Friday's draft. The number on your registration card means nothing. In each exemption district the names registered, with their red ink numbers, are displayed. To find where you stand in the draft first ascertain your red ink serial number, and then consult the figures drawn Friday and published in The Times-Picayune today. THESE ARE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE ORDER THEY WERE DRAWN 258 2522 458 4532 3403 1436 2624 2762 854 etc. FUTURE SOLDIERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR SELECTION--Claims for Exemption Must be Made Within 7 Days After Notification. Until the local exemption boards have received by mail the official result of the drawing in Washington there is nothing to be done by those who are registered. In the meanwhile, each local board will begin the task of calling for examination, in the order drawn, by notification through the mails to the drafted man to report to the board for examination. Each person as notified will be required to present himself to the board of his district within ten days from the date the notice is mailed. It makes no difference whether a person registered is absolutely sure that he is entitled to exemption, he must report to the board when notified. AS TO EXEMPTIONS -- Persons subject to exemption, either because of physical disability or included in the President's proclamation of those who are automatically to be released from the draft, must themselves establish their claims. In all cases where the examining physician holds the registrant physically deficient, the board has the authority to order a re-examination by another physician, and if he agrees with the former examination the board may, in its discretion, discharge the person. In case of sickness within the district the patient must so notify the board within ten days. The board then may send a physician to the sick man to look him over or it may, upon his recovery, order him to headquarters for the examination. In all cases where no reply is received from persons notified within the ten days the board is compelled to list the person as physically fit and subject to the draft. EXEMPTIONS --In all such cases, however, it is incumbent on the person so subject to exemption to make the claim himself. All claims for exemption must be made on or before the seventh day after the person has received his notice to appear before the board for the physical examination. One very important point to remember is that the claims of exemption set forth on the registration cards of June 5 have no standing before the local board. All claimants for exemption must fill out the new forms that will be supplied them on appearing before the board. AUTOMATIC EXEMPTION --In the list of officers of the United States and the states and territories the law defines "officer" as any person holding a "legislative, judicial, or executive office created by the Constitution or laws of the United States or any of the several states or territories." All such person, too, must file with the local boards within ten days after claiming the exemption as an affidavit. Other classes subject to automatic exemption are thus defined: "Regular or duly ordained ministers of religion." Each such person must file his claim within ten days giving the name of church, religious organization by which ordained, the time and place of ordination, and must still be in the business regularly as a "vocation." Students of divinity--They must file an affidavit from the president dean or head of the theological or divinity school setting forth that on May 18, 1917, they were regular students in such school. Persons in the military or naval service of the United States--They must file an affidavit setting forth in what branch of the service they are engaged, the date of enlistment or commission, that they were so engaged at the time of receiving the notice to appear before the board. Subjects of Germany residing in the United States--All such must present an affidavit setting forth the date and place of birth, date of immigration into the United States, whether he has taken out his first papers, and his present address. No subject of Germany residing in the United States will be accepted for service. The boards also are authorized to issue certificates of exemption to all county and municipal authorities other than appointive officers, who must present an affidavit showing the date of election by popular vote. Also persons employed in the United States mail service, upon presentation of a statement from their foremen or higher officers that their services are required in the proper handling of the mails. Also artificers and workmen employed in the armories, arsenals, and navy yards of the United States, upon presentation of affidavits signed by the commandant or officer in charge of the plant that the services of such are required. Also all employees of the United States government, in every department of the service, upon the presentation of affidavits from the heads of bureaus or departments that such men are needed in the service. The miscellaneous class subject to exemption includes, furthermore, pilots and mariners actually employed in the service of any citizen or merchant within the United States. In all such cases proper affidavits must be presented from the head of the firm or corporation. It is then within the discretion of the boards to determine whether such persons actually is required for such service. THOSE WITH DEPENDENTS --Those with a wife, child or children dependent upon them for support must file three affidavits with the exemption board. Their own affidavit, to be filed within ten days, must give name, age and place of residence of self wife and children, must state that he is the husband and father, and that they are dependent upon his labor for support. There must be an affidavit from his wife, giving the above facts and stating the amount of her own income and that of the children, exclusive of any sums received from him, and that her husband's income from which she receives her support is mainly the fruit of his mental or physical labors. The third affidavit must come from a head of a family living in the district. ***************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 22, 1917 TO GO TO FRANCE AT EARLY DATE (photo) Anthony Heim, of 8315 Jeannette street, now in the marine corps at Port Royal, a member of the 24th regiment, U.S.M.C., expects sailing orders soon. He is in the same company with Al Wambagans, well known local boxer. HE IS A CHIP FROM OLD BLOCK Paul Vitier, Jr., "somewhere in the navy," was one of the first volunteers of the war. He enlisted from the Beauregard play grounds, April 11, 1917, when not quite 17 years of age. His father, who is an old employee of the local postoffice, and an ex-man-o'-warsman, served seven years in the navy under Admiral Dewey, when the latter was commander of the U.S.S. Juanita. NEW ORLEANS DOCTOR IS WOUNDED IN FRANCE Dr. Louis J. Genella, 922 Carrollton avenue, did not stop his work of first aid relief several days ago when he was wounded in an engagement on the French front. His wife said Saturday night that she knew nothing more than this his wounds were not thought to be serious. She cabled Friday for information supplementary to the brief cable received from her husband. Dr. Genella was the first American to go into the trenches on the Franco-Belgian battle line under the direction of Washington. He has been in France since about two weeks after war was declared, and under fire frequently. His address is Postoffice No. 18, British Army in France and Belgium. DRAFT LIST MEN MAY ENLIST BEFORE CALLED BY BOARD Orders received at the army recruiting office, Saturday morning, allow the enlisting of men who are subject to draft until such time as they are summoned for physical examination by the draft surgeons. Following the announcement, there was a steady stream of applicants for enlistment in the navy and marine corps Saturday afternoon. Twenty-five men, who were accepted during the last week, were sent to Jackson Barracks Friday afternoon. Included in the group were Robert Brauner and C. W. Walker, New Orleans. *************************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 26, 1917 HENRY C. TOOLEY GOES TO FRANCE WITH ARMY The race between the Tooleys as to who will first reach France is on. Up to a few days ago it looked like a walk-over for Corporal Roy P. Tooley, of the United States Marine. It appears now as if he will be beaten by his civilian brother, Henry C. Tooley, who has been on the way for several days. Two nephews are in training at the naval station, but they are not ready to start. The race is being watched by the parents of the brothers, for they are of Confederate fighting stock and intensely patriotic. The elder Tooley will c elebrate his seventy-eighth birthday Sunday, and for the first time his boys will be unable even to wire congratulations. He was one of the heroes of Shiloh, fought all through the Civil war and was desperately wounded at the siege of Mobile. He did not recover until after peace came, and he began his new career by marrying the girl he left behind him in New Orleans. She is still hale, and will be seventy-four on the first of September. Henry was the purchasing clerk of the United States engineers' levee office, of which Colonel George McC. Derby is in command. The army asked for trained men already in the government service, and Tooley promptly volunteered. He will be attached to the force under Colonel Harry C. Taylor, chief engineer officer on the staff of General Pershing, so he will be as close to the front as any of the American contingent for some time to come. He is a product of the local public schools, and was in the employ of Woodward & Wight and the First State Bank at Bogalusa before he entered the engineers' office seven years ago, and has made a fine record. He married Miss Franklin T. Berry, of this city. *************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 27, 1917 ARMY DRAFT LISTS ARE RECEIVED HERE BY LOCAL BOARDS A copy of the official master list of the order in which conscription serial numbers were drawn was received Thursday by The Times-Picayune, from the provost marshal general's office in Washington. Specific instruction to the various exemption boards, under the heading "Important Notice for Local Boards," read as follows: "Draw a light pencil line through every number which does not at the present time appear on any registration card in the possession of your local board. Each person shall be called in the order in which the 'serial number' on his registration card appears on this list. If additional registration cards are received, or registration cards which have been wrongly serially numbered, and are assigned 'serial numbers' by the adjutant general of the state, territory, or district, your list will be changed so as to include in their exact order such additional 'serial numbers' as fixed in this schedule. ************************************************************************ Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 29, 1917 NEW ORLEANS BOY ANSWERS THE CALL (photo) E. Jules Le Corgne, Jr., who has just concluded a fifteen-day furlough, which he passed visiting his parents here, comes of a line of fighting ancestors. Consequently, although both his parents objected to his enlistment because of his youth--he is 19 years old--when the country's call for volunteers was heard, he answered. So he enlisted with the naval militia, and since that time has been in training at the Charleston Navy Yard. One of Le Corgne's great grandfathers served as an officer under Napoleon, and one of his grandfathers fought in the war of the Confederacy. ******************************************************************* Excerpts from The Times Picayune July 31, 1917 SEVERAL BOARDS COMPLETE LISTS FOR ARMY DRAFT The thirteen exemption boards in the city received the official draft lists Monday morning, and at once entered upon the work of making out the lists of men of the first call, and in sending out notices to those drafted to report for examination. Clergymen and students of divinity will be the only persons permitted to claim exemption before being examined physically, this for the purpose of permitting them to escape the embarrassment of being examined in the "altogether" by the surgeon who is to pass upon their physical fitness for the service. *******************************************************************