After three years of avoiding the inevitable, the United States officially declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Upon hearing the news, local young men flocked to join the armed services of the United States. As with the rest of the nation, the citizens of Pipestone County were caught up in a carnival like frenzy immediately following the declaration of war. American flags numbering in the thousands waved from nearly every business and residence of Pipestone County. A gigantic flag measuring 15 by 25 feet was flown over the intersection of Main and Hiawatha Streets, illuminated by a powerful light from the roof of the Moore building. Pipestone Mayor Nash organized a Great Patriotic Rally held on the courthouse lawn on April 9, 1917 which drew an estimated 700 to 800 people. All things German became connected with evil. During the war it seemed necessary to stir up anti-German sentiment to induce men to volunteer or to accept the draft, and encourage Americans to make sacrifices for the war effort. Across the state, Minnesotans burned German books, forced an end to German-language church services, and banned the playing of German music. German became a dirty word. Sauerkraut was renamed liberty cabbage, German measles became liberty measles, hamburgers liberty sandwiches, dachshunds were now liberty pups, and no one was allowed to study German in Minnesota Universities. Even Hollywood jumped on the anti-German propaganda wagon, producing movies like To Hell With the Kaiser, and Hearts of the World. Audiences packed Pipestones Gem Movie Theater to view these at .25 to .50 per ticket (plus war tax - of course) In the end, Pipestone County participated in the mainstream of the wars causes, reaped the rewards, as well as suffering in step with the rest of the country. Of the over 600 servicemen and women recorded as coming from PIpestone County, 31 died while in service of the United States - 21 as the result of disease (such as Influensa and pneumonia) 10 died in battle.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:35:00 +0000
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