Departure, First Group, For Camp Grant Recalled
County's First 12 World War Soldiers Left 10 Years Ago
All Sent Overseas, Return Safely, All Alive Today
Experiences of Some of Them in Training Camp Quite Amusing

Harry A. Story, Freeport
Julius J. Guhl, Freeport
Elmer A. McCool, Freeport
Newell Crockett, Freeport
Ralph Fisher, Freeport
William Osborne, Freeport
Herbert L. Mellick, Freeport
Lyell Garbrick, Dakota
Heite Ackerman, German Valley
Roy C. Meinert, Rock City
Charles J. Snyder, Lena
George Howard, Lena

Ten years ago yesterday the twelve Stephenson county men whose names appear above, answered their country's call to arms, and at 9:55 o'clock on that morning, Sept. 5, 1917, these men, comprising the first contingent and representing five per cent of this country's quota which was to form a part of a great army of American soldiers that later joined the Allied forces in their conflict with the central powers of Europe, entrained for Camp Grant. The departure of the men was marked with solemnity, but they left knowing full well that the best wishes of everyone in the community went with them. The ovation which they received at the depot as they were awaiting the departure of the train was one which is still a pleasant recollection to them, it was not an event of gaiety, but instead a solemn and serious affair. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and sweethearts assembled on the depot platform, and with tears bade their loved ones what they feared might be a last farewell, for they knew not then that all twelve would return again to their homes, victorious in the great fight which was before them. Before leaving Freeport each man was presented with a small silk flag, gifts of Mrs. Emilyn Allington, who was known as "Mother of Company D." of Spanish American War fame. These appropriate little remembrances were cherished by the boys, most of whom still have them in their possession today. Arriving at Camp Grant the men were assigned to different companies, six of them to Co. K. _42nd Infantry.

Some very amusing incidents occurred when they arrived at camp. As they were being questioned as to what branch of the service they believed they were qualified to enter. Julius Guhl, at present senior alderman from the first ward, and Lyell Garbrick, now operating a farm near Dakota applied thinking it would be a "soft" job, for an assignment to the artillery division where they could take care of horses and perform other duties of a supposedly minor nature. After a few weeks' service in this department they returned to their original assignment, where hard work was not so plentiful. Elmer McCool, now connected with the sales department of the W. T. Rawleigh company,and WIlliam J. Osborne, president of the Osborne Oil company, were especially desirous of "getting in on the ground floor." They did. When men were wanted to do service in the officers' quarters, McCool and Osbourne quickly volunteered. They were assigned to washing windows. Six men of the first contingent from Stephenson county remained together during their services in the war, while others were sent across with the 33rd Division. Story, McCool, Guhl, Snyder, Ackerman and Mellick remained at Camp Grant for nearly a year, during part of which time they were engaged in training of recruits. In September of the following year they sailed for France and were at different times stationed at Bordeaux and other places in southern France. On November 9, two days before the Armistice was signed, they entrained for the front. They journeyed as far as LeManz, France, and while they were at that place the war was terminated. They remained overseas however, until the following April when they returned to the states .This first contingent of men from Stephenson county, is "present and accounted for." Harry Story is connected with the Stephens Service company of this city. Prior to the war he was with the Stephens Motor Car company. Julius Guhl is connected with the Guhl Bakery of Freeport and is the senior alderman from the first ward. Elmer McCool, also connected with the Stephens Motor Car company prior to the war, is now with the sales department of the W. T. Rawleigh company of Freeport. Newell Crockett is manager of a fence factory in Fort Madison, Ia., owned by a Chicago mail order house. Ralph Fisher, brother of Lawrence Fisher, who entered the Italian army before the United States entered the war and was the first Freeporter to be injured in the war, is operating a farm near Freeport. William J. Osborne is president of the Osborne Oil company. Prior to the war he was connected with the Stephens Motor Car company. Herbert Mellick is located at San Francisco, Calif. Lylle Garbrick is operating a farm on the outskirts of Dakota. Hite Ackerman is also engaged in farming and is located near German Valley. Roy Meinert is at Rock City and Charles Snyder is located at Lena, while George Howard is in California.

Contributed by Karen Fyock -- dated September 6, 1927