WWI - Excerpts from The Times Picayune - June 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 28, 1917 -- Orleans Parish Submitted by: Rosemary Ermis Source: Times Picayune - June 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 28, 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 June 7, 1917 NAVAL CADETS IN LINE FOR PHYSICAL TEST The first of the boys who will form Division A of the naval cadet corps of the Gulf Coast Naval Training Association have been told to present themselves for physical examination at the faculty room of the Tulane university Medical College, Canal and Villere streets, Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Following examination and administering the oath of allegiance, the boys will report for preliminary instructions at headquarters of the training association at 618 Common street, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Thirty additional youths on the waiting list were informed Wednesday to report at headquarters Thursday, accompanied by parents, for preliminary conference, after which they will be sent to the examining physicians. The entire Division A is exprected to be in uniform by the end of next week. The boys to appear Thursday are: Lee Dakin, 927 North Broad; William Comstock, 5307 Annunciation; Carroll Daley, 5353 Bolivar; Walter Joseph Jordan, 5963 Tchoupitoulas; Edward Keefe, 1819 Jackson; Bernard Menge, 3425 St. Charles; Daniel Levy, Jr., 3317 Canal; Fred McNamara, 2340 General Taylor; Albert Marks, 2514 Constance; Edwin Norris, 2304 Marengo; James Moffett, 1025 Eliza street, Algiers; Bryan Petitfils, 1315 Touro; Edward Moore, 6121 Delord; Arthur Nicholas Zimmer, 2405 Chippewa; Joseph Wootton, 827 Eighth street; John White, 1727 Louisiana avenue; Joseph Viguerie, 813 Jackson; John Smith, 2118 Freret street; Paul Joachim Ridlinger, 8617 Apple street; True Redd, 3316 Prytania street; Bernard Rice, 2727 Melpomene street; James Russo, 1020 Josephine street; Trenton Rieth, 8533 Zimpel; John H. Janssen, 40 Neron Place; Lewis Israel, 1931 Louisiana avenue; Octave Hertz, 127 North Carrollton; Eugene T. Higbee, 7513 Maple; Abner Gessner, 5104 Royal; Leo Ferillau, 1727 Bayou Road; Arthur Funck, 2020 Onzaga; Noly Fontana, 614 Josephine; Joseph Duke, 1435 Annunciation; John Dillenkoffer, 454 Adair. ******************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 9, 1917 OFFICIAL REPORT GIVES 34,107 MEN AS OF ARMY AGE After days and nights of labor the complete compilation of the registration of New Orleans was made Friday. It shows a registration of 22,165 whites, 10,280 negroes and 1662 aliens, making a grand total of 34,107 between the ages of 21 and 31 years of age for selective conscription into the United States army. Almost 40 percent of the whites claimed no exemption, while of the negroes about 51 per cent claimed no exemption. The registration shows 140 alien enemies, 140 subjects of the German empire in New Orleans. ******************************************************************* Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 10, 1917 154,505 ENROLLED UNDER DRAFT LAW; 61,182 AVAILABLE -- Registration in Louisiana Reaches High Figure. One Parish Missing. White registrants available for service 32,644. Negro registrants available for service 28,538. A report also came in from the state penitentiary. Exclusive of the 806 penitentiary registrations, all of whom claimed exemptions. GEN. PERSHING PUTS FOUR ORLEANIANS ON STAFF FOR WAR -- Captain James Lawton Collins to be His Personal Aide at Battle Front [photo] The published list of the staff that has accompanied Major General Pershing to Europe, or that will join him there and go with him to the battle line in France, shows four New Orleans men are on that staff. Major Hugh A. Bayne, Captain James Lawton Collins, U.S.A., Captain Gabe Fillcul and Captain C. D. Liebman. Captain Collins is his personal aide. Captain Collins passed through here on his way to Washington to join his chief, but, naturally, did not tell of his destination. He stopped to visit his mother and sisters, widely known in Newcomb and other educational circles, who live at 837 Broadway. Mrs. J. B. Collins is the patriotic mother of soldiers, another son having recently passed through West Point. One of Captain Collins' uncles is Mayor Behrman, and another is Peter S. Lawton, part of whose name he bears. The captain is 32 years old, and was born in Algiers. He was graduated from West Point and saw active service almost immediately, going to the Philippines and receiving his "baptism of fire" at the battle of Bacok. His coolness and dash at once attracted the attention of General Pershing, under whose eye he served, and the commander made him an aide on his staff. ********************************************************************* Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 11, 1917 PERCY L. JACOBS SENT ABROAD--Young Orleanian in Pick of Marines Ordered to France [photo] Major Backstrom, head of the Southern Division of the Marine Corps, 617 Common street, received information Sunday that Percy L. Jacobs, of this city, who has enlisted, will be among the first to go to France. Jacobs is with the Eighth company in the Fifth regiment. The men to go will be the pick of the corps. Major Backstrom said a few days after war was declared Jacobs, who is 24, without any solicitation from friends or knowledge of his sister or brothers, walked into the Common street recruiting office, and said he wanted to serve his country where he was most needed. He was born in this city and educated in the Third district. His father, P. L. Jacobs, served as lieutenant in the Confederate navy. ******************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 12, 1917 THIRTY BOYS CALLED FOR NAVAL TRAINING The third installment of thirty naval cadet applicants to join the Gulf Coast Naval Training Association was summoned Monday to appear at the headquarters, 618 Common street, on Wednesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The boys will be sent to the examining surgeons on Friday and should they meet the physical tests will begin instruction preparatory to being placed on board the training boats. Drills are held at 9:30 o'clock every day at headquarters. The first ship's division drill will be held Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock under the eye of navy officers. The corps is open to boys from 14 to 17 years. Cadet applicants summoned to appear at headquarters are: Wednesday--Walter Bentz, 1902 Octavia St.; Warren Albert Duncan, 925 Washington Ave.; Jerome Louis Kelly, 2021 Prytania; Michael Patrick Kennedy, 727 St. Andrew; Ferdinand William Knecht, 2837 Livaudais; Louis Arny, care of Sherwood Drug Store; Louis Lucia, 1104 Sixth; Miles Leche, 1240 Josephine; Earl M. Holderith, 2115 Josephine; George Edward Hartman, 2909 St. Thomas; Eldridge Hart, 2821 Annunciation; Emile Edward Gourgues, 2118 Bourbon; Alvin Gilthorpe, 2530 Magazine; Gilbert T. Gray, 1710 Louisiana Ave.; Owen John Fraisse, 1012 Second. Thursday--Edward Keefe, 1819 Jackson Ave.; George Garner Morris, 2225 Milan; John Poche, 2620 Peniston; J. Walker Ross, 2?18 Coliseum; Edwin Thomas Schulin, 2831 Livaudais; Henry Rolland Schmidt, 1612 Laharpe; Henry Soniat, 819 N. Derbigny; Walter Stack, 1330 Elysian Fields; Warren Smith, 117 N. Robertson; Claude H. Solauas, Jr., 1030 Soniat; Silberto L. Solana, 1030 Soniat; Thomas Albert Tabary, 2105 Columbus; Robert S. Belten, 1704 Barrone; Henry Waggaman, 7712 Plum; Otho H. Williams, 2919 Prytania; Jack Lansing Beven, 2719 Milan; Durel Black, 1329 Octavia. **************************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 13, 1917 ORLEANIAN ABOARD-- W. J. Hantel Sailed on the Petrolite from Philadelphia. William John Hantel, 25, the eldest son of Charles Hantel, proprietor of the old famous bath house in Conti street, and former clerk of the State Court of Appeal, is the "U. Hantel" reported among the Americans on board the submarined oil tanker Petrolite. The family live at 327 Pelican avenue, Algiers. "That's Willie," said Mr. Hantel, when informed of the sinking of the Petrolite. "He wrote to me that he was going on that ship, but I got his postal card too late to warn him not to go, although I had previously advised him to stay on the Proteus, as I believed that there was a good opportunity for advancement in view of the demand for vessels by the government." Young Hantel wrote on a postal to his father on March 14, telling him of the intended sailing of the Petrolite for the war zone. The next day he sent a letter from Philadelphia, where the Petrolite prepared for the voyage by mounting guns and taking on gunners. He expressed pleasure at the prospect of the voyage, which, he said, he might never again have a chance to take, thought he spoke of probably encounters with submarines or mines. MRS. DENNY'S SONS UNDER TWO FLAGS; ONE WINS HONORS--Younger Brother Writes of Severe Routine at Fort Logan H. Roots [photo] Mrs. W. F. Denny, 5929 Perrier street, has the rare distinction among New Orleans mothers of having sons under two flags. Walter E. Denny, just 25, has been with an English machine gun company almost since the beginning of the European war. He virtually ran away from home, going as a muleteer on board one of the ships that left this port, and enlisted at the end of his voyage. He was assigned to a machine gun company and has been fighting ever since. He won prompt recognition for his daring, having been twice promoted, now being a sergeant. By a coincidence his last known exploit was on September 14, the day uppermost in New Orleans' memory of sacrifices for democracy. It was at the famous battle of the Somme. His section was holding a chalk quarry to the left of Delville wood, five miles south of the little village of Fleurs, with the river several miles to the rear. The Germans held Fleurs, and those high in authority decided that the British must take it. Early in the morning Denny received orders to prepare his guns for action, and guns and ammunition were thoroughly overhauled. At 7 o'clock the company started for the trenches, two officers, two sergeants, two corporals, a lance corporal, and twenty-nine men. It was 10:30 at night when they reached the advance post assigned, placed a few sentries and turned in for a few hours' sleep. At 5 o'clock the next morning they were up and had tea. At 6:30 they were out of the trench and over the top into "No Man's Land." The field was hard to cross for two reasons. It was strewn with bodies, which blocked the way, besides creating a stench that was awful. Then there was hardly a square of ground that had not been plowed up by shell fire. The German machine guns were busy, and the artillery was busier. But the company got across. By noon Fleurs was in the hands of the English. But the fight was not over. At 3 o'clock the company was in a shallow trench with the advance part, covering the trench diggers. Half an hour later the Germans counter-attacked, and the infantry was forced back to the main body. Denny's company was still in the trench, and it was time to act quickly. He turned for orders from his officers, but neither could direct. One had just been killed, and the other desperately wounded. So the responsibility was on him. He ordered the guns to the rear to save them from the enemy, and when they were on the way he followed. As soon as he emerged from the trench he was met by a shower of bullets, and returned to cover in a hurry. He tried three times with the same result. Then he grew desperate and decided to go back to his company no matter what happened. He had about 600 yards to traverse. He weathered all but the last hundred years, when a bullet felled him. He managed to crawl into a sunken road where he was no longer a target, and succeeded in crawling back to the line. Once there he made his way to the field nursing station and had his wound dressed. He did not write the story home until he had recovered and was once more in action. A younger brother, F. Otway Denny, was graduated in law and had begun practice, as a member of the firm of Miller & Denny, when the United States entered the war. He promptly applied and was accepted for the citizens' training camp at Fort Logan H. Roots. He writes there is a great deal of mental work, with plenty of physical exercise. He is taking kindly to the schedule, but it requires all the time available from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The half-holiday on Saturday, and the full Sunday respite give an opportunity to catch, so many of them go out into the woods with their books and plug away. The first regular month is about up, and there will be a number sent home, for it will be a survival of the fittest. He has been changed from the cavalry to the infantry, which he likes better, and he hopes to be among those who pull through. Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 24, 1917 GUN CAPTAIN CALLED EARLY (photo) Arthur Tardy was one of the first boys in New Orleans to answer his country's call. He has been a member of the Louisiana Naval Reserves for four years, and has a high record. He won the gold medal in a competitive drill in the manual of arms. He also made high scores in target practice on the cruise of 1915, and was captain of the champion 8-inch gun crew for the cruise of 1916. When the state called the reserves on March 28 Tardy was one of the first to respond, and when they were mustered in the federal service ten days later he was also one of the first to take the oath. He is now in training "somewhere in America," getting into shape for duty aboard a warship. Mr. Tardy has been employed by the American Paint Works for eight years. The firm is paying the difference in his income while he is away and his place will be open on his return. TWO IN SERVICE, THIRD TO GO(photo) At the first call to arms Malcolm R. Jung, 20 years old, and his brother, Daniel, Jr., 22 years old, both carriers for The Times-Picayune, living with their father, Daniel Jung, also a carrier for The Times-Picayune, responded. Three months ago Malcolm worked for the B. F. Avery Plow Company after delivering the morning paper. His employers told him his job would be held open for him, and forthwith he proceeded to the navy recruiting office. He now is on board the U. S. S. Rhode Island, and is working hard for promotion. Desiring to be among the first in the fight, Daniel Jung joined the Marine Corps. He recently wrote his father that he wishes Malcolm well, but believes he will beat him to promotion. Malcolm, in a letter to his father, said that Daniel, no doubt, would be advanced, but so would he, if hard work counts. Mr. Jung's youngest son, Ralph, 18 years old, now is working as hard as his older brother, but in a different way. Ralph is trying to gain weight. When he applied at the navy recruiting office he was not accepted, as he was several pounds underweight. ************************************************************** Excerpts from The Times Picayune June 28, 1917 NAVY ACCIDENT KILLS NEW ORLEANS YOUTH The death of John Peter Konze, one of the first of New Orleans youth to enlist in the navy after war was declared, was told of in a dispatch to his father from his commanding officer Wednesday night. Young Konze, who would have been 18 years old July 2, enlisted April 9, and was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Training School. After five days there he was sent to the battleship Rhode Island. A letter from him was received by his father, John K. Konze, of 1057 Constance street, Tuesday enclosing a picture. After the death of his mother 12 years ago the boy went to live with his uncle, A. Schloegel, 5106 Burgundy street. He gave up his work in the bottling department of the Louisiana Brewery to enlist. Prior to that time he was employed in the laboratory of the American Sugar Refinery and I. L. Lyons and Company. The telegram gave no details of the accident. It was from Norfolk, Va., and reads: "John K. Konze. 5106 Burgundy street, New Orleans, La.: Regret to inform you your son, John Peter Konze, died this morning at 10:40 o'clock as a result of an accident. Body sent to Naval Hospital Norfolk. Telegraph surgeon general, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. in regard to disposition of the body. "COMMANDING OFFICER." Mr. Konze and Mr. Schloegel telegraphed instructions to Washington Wednesday night for the body to be sent to the latter's address, 5106 Burgundy street. **********************************************************************