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June 14, 1918
“FOOD! FOOD!! FOOD!!!”
This is the cry that comes from across the sea to America, the land of plenty. Poor bleeding Europe, suffering at the hands of the brutal and barbarous Hun, cries out in her anguish to well-fed America for whom she is sacrificing everything.
Can we let the appeal go unheeded?
No, a thousand times NO! We have sent thousands of young men to France to help fight for the cause of humanity, we have loaned billions of dollars to our Allies, but what a poor sacrifice is ours compared to theirs! [. . .]
What have YOU done to supply food for our soldiers “Over There?” Have YOU planted a war-garden this year? Americans are urged to plant gardens as never before and every advantage is offered them, the greatest of which is the “daylight-saving” plan which enables them to work one hour later in the garden every day.
No back-yard is too large or none too small but it could be used to raise food for the Allies. Perhaps you will not be able to raise much but every bit that you do raise will lessen the demand upon the market and thus huge quantities of food will be released for the use of our starving Allies.
And furthermore, taking care of a garden is one of the most healthful exercises known. The first backache, the first blisters, and those tired-out muscles will soon develop into a strong, sturdy body with hard muscles and (this to the girls) will bring a healthy, rosy color to your face.
Raising a garden will serve to enlighten some of your friends who think that potatoes grow on bushes or that cabbages grow on vines. [. . .] Above all, it will help to feed our gallant Allies, who have fought so bravely and have resisted the terrible onslaught of the Hun for the last four years. Our Soldiers will fight and WE shall raise gardens in order that “government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
The Girls’ Bit
The girls’ bit in this big war is not a matter to be overlooked. In fact, there are so many different phases of this subject that here we can take up only one part, the cheering of all those concerned in any way in this great struggle for democracy.
What would the home people do without the girls? In every way they are “brightening the corner where they are.” [. . .] Brothers, lovers, and sons have marched forth “to victory or death” with a vivid picture of their beloved waving them a loving yet courageous farewell.
Neither has this love and devotion failed them when they arrived in the trenches… Put yourself in their places. If you were standing ankle deep in the mud and wet of the trenches wouldn’t your courage and ambition be restored if you received a cheerful and loving letter from home telling of those unimportant family occurrences, for of which, nevertheless, you yearn? [. . .] Wouldn’t you be urged onward, when, looking at your knitted sweater, helmet, or socks, you know that into those stitches are woven the prayers and best wishes of all American women and girls? [. . .] When our boys come back weary yet victorious they will say, “If it hadn’t been for the support, loyalty, and never-failing love of the girls at home we never could have withstood the conflict and come through so victorious.”
Prof. Allen Speaks on “Birds”
[. . .] Professor Allen then went on to explain how pressing was the need of food at this critical period in our history. . . . As in the other branches of our war program, gardening is hindered by “Kaiser potato bugs, Hun grasshoppers, and German army-worms.”
To counteract this destruction, God Himself has enlisted on the side of the Allies in providing birds to destroy this evil. For this reason, if for no other, we should do all in or power to protect the birds and encourage their presence by providing food for them in the winter and shelters for them in the summer. [. . .]
Civil War Veterans Speak
Exercises in Honor of Memorial Day
[. . .] He then went on to tell of his experiences in the Civil War which began when he enlisted at the age of 16. He was in Grant’s WIlderness campaign and told many humorous as well as tragic incidents of that battle. Mr. LaBarre then spoke of the difference between the characters of the enemy in 1860 and now. The Southerners fought in open battle and as brave men should fight, while the Germans of today attack us while we sleep in the most treacherous and underhanded way possible. [. . .] Comrade Hunt then spoke and told of the fact that there were more than 89,000 boys under 16 years of age in the armies that took part in the Civil War and that there were actually twelve boys in his company under 10 years of age! This is the kind of patriotism that will bring the Kaiser to his knees and make him acknowledge that democracy shall rule the world. He showed some trophies of the Civil War, including a heavy musket and a wicked looking sword.
Deutscher Verein
The regular meeting of the Deutscher Verein [German Club] was held May 1 in room 233. The president has left school on Farm Credit. His resignation was refused, and a leave of absence granted him. . . . The Deutscher Verein is planning to give a very pleasing program in the Assembly Hall, 3rd period, May 15, the main features being the dances of the Allied nations, and harp solo, accompanied by the violin.
An advertisement in the June 1918 issue of The Tattler.
1920–30 IHS Basketball team. Image from the March 1930 issue.
