Franklinville in World War I, Part II, will continue next month, Jan 2021As part of the war effort, the Red Cross Chapter in Franklinville sent eleven boxes to Olean Headquarters containing hospital supplies, knitted articles and surgical dressings valued at $800. Comfort kits were given to town boys. Red Cross rooms were open several times a week, and those who could not attend regularly took yarn home and knitted sweaters, mufflers, helmets and socks. As of February 1918 a total of 6,100 were made valued at $1,000. A First Aid class was organized and a drive for new members resulted in 193 members and 51 renewals. Meetings were held at Morgan Hall.

In January 1918, J. H. Crain, a former editor of the CHRONICLE, went to France and sent back letters that were printed in the newspaper telling us work there. Reverend R. A. Biggerstaff of the U.P. Church accepted a six month assignment working with troops in temporary quarters. The citizens of the town adopted and organized the War Chest to help supply the funds for worthy organizations such as the Red Cross and Y.M.C.A. That month Washington issued orders compelling all factories east of the Mississippi River to close for 5 days, January 18th to 22nd and on Mondays and holidays after that for ten weeks to save fuel.

Many of the boys in the service wrote letters and each were printed in the paper. On June 5, 1918 Henry Howard died. He was one of our first boys to give his life in the War. A memorial was given in the Baptist Church here though he was buried in the American Cemetery in Lanmay, France. In July, the War Savings Stamp Drive was put into effect.

George Button was the second boy to die overseas, followed by Fred N. Stoffel. Vernal Farrington died at Great Lakes Training Center. The Honor Roll added the following names: Claude J. Domes, Roy O. Wilder, Edward Van Schaick, Gilbert Brown, William P. Gavin, Harry Alger, George Carson, Roy Pixley, Harmond Hall, Harry Pappas, Simon Walsh and Lieutenant Wallace Waring