World War I Program
Monday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Library Station in the Frisco Room. Commemorating the 95th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, Local History associate Michael Price will discuss life in Springfield during the Great War (1917-1918). Learn how Springfield residents supported the war effort while Greene County men went to France and fought in the trenches.
School Closing Hastened By War
Springfield (Mo.) Leader, April 15, 1917, 8.
"In the present emergency the government needs every young American, whether it be for the production of foodstuffs or for service in the army and navy and with this idea in view County School Superintendent C.W. McCroskey has advised all rural school teachers to allow all boys to take final examinations at once, and dismiss them.
"'The boys are needed to assist in crop-making,' declared Mr. McCroskey. 'Also, they're needed by the government hundreds of boys and men. All must help, whether it is at crop-making or in the army.' Already 41 of the rural and consolidated schools have closed the term. Others will close this week and the week following. The order to allow boys to take final examination, affects all schools in Greene County, outside of Springfield.
"'Wars are won or lost by the amount of the food supply!' This is the declaration in a communication received by Superintendent McCroskey from State School Superintendent Uel W. Lamkin. The state superintendent asks Mr. McCroskey to urge all pupils in Greene County schools to make use of every plot of ground about the farm, not in use, for truck gardens. It is especially urged that products which can be 
canned be raised. Cooperation from the state school of agriculture is promised."
The photographs are from Honor Roll of Greene County Missouri, a tribute to soldiers who served in WWI that were from Greene County. The group of soldiers is labled 'Old Company K, National Guard...taken September 15, 1917, at Camp Clark, Nevada, Missouri.' The nurses and hospital photogragh is labeled 'Red Cross Canteen Hospital. First Red Cross Canteen Hospital in U. S. A. Established June 1, 1918, by Miss Sarah Hubble. Equipped by donations of citizens of Springfield, Missouri. Established primarily for soldiers with contagious diseases.' This book also has photographs of individual soldiers with their birthdate, their parents names and their hometowns, the date they entered service and where they served.
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=1778&lid=62