Columbia City Boys Enlisted in Battery (1917)

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, June 30, 1917

Lieut. Luther H. Mertz, of Battery D, First Indiana Field Artillery of Ft. Wayne, was in this city Wednesday night seeking recruits for the battery and met with success. Lieut. Mertz and Hayes Linvill, former resident of this city, and now a member of the bather, arrived here early in the evening in company with two auto loads of friends and members of Battery D. The early part of the evening was spent in motoring about town announcing the meeting on the court house lawn. After a crowd of several hundred had gathered Hayes Linvill, the well known socialist orator and former Columbia City lawyer, was introduced. He made a stirring appeal to the young men. He presented the war matter in various patriotic lights and had the large crowd on the verge of tears several times. Intense interest was manifested during the address and when he had completed several young men went forward and enlisted. Lieut. Mertz also made a few remarks.

• Robert Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Baker, of North Oak street, was one of the number who took the oath. He is a young man of splendid character and will make a dutiful soldier.
• Harlow Erne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Erne, of Collinwood avenue, was also one to enlist. He has been employed on the Pennsylvania section for several years and is a muscular and well built young man who will not be affected by the hot sun.
• John Cramer, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cramer, of North Elm street, enlisted. He was employed with his father at the Peabody saw mill for some time and is an industrious young man.
• Hayes Smith was the fourth and last man to enlist Wednesday night. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clel Smith, of North Line street.
• George Hawn who, with Robert Baker, has been employed in Logansport, will enlist Thursday night. The two young men returned to this city a few days ago. They were formerly employed on the new city hall.
• Henry Ditton, who was a former member of Battery D and was ordered home from the Mexican border two months before the battery returned, has been ordered into the service and went to Indianapolis Thursday, to make preparations for the arrival of Battery D which will leave soon for that point.
• Homer C. Hatfield, south of this city, also enlisted as a member of Battery D. Mr. Hatfield has been employed on a farm.

During the forenoon of Thursday, Hayes Linvill, who remained in this city, secured the application of Russell Huff, son of Mrs. Fremont White, who has been working in Racine, Wis., as a machinist. The boy is the son of Ora Huff, of Freeport, Ill.