Pelhamite Finds Important Local World War I National War Work Council Pledge Card Inside Walls of House

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"We've sent our soldiers to the war.  We can not
save them from the havoc of shot and shell and sabre,
but we can and WILL protect them in other ways;
and not alone PROTECT but COMFORT them,

and we deem it a real privilege so to do."

-- Nov. 12, 1917 Advertisement to Raise Money for the
Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council Through a Local
Pelham Campaign Committee for the Benefit

of Soldiers Sent to Fight in World War I. 

Introduction

Pelham mobilized during World War I -- and again during World War II -- to defend the home front and to support the many young men who fought the war in Europe.  Part of that mobilization was to provide monetary support to a national campaign to raise $35,000,000 for the Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council that funded efforts to provide comfort and support to American troops, Allied troops, and prisoners of war.  

Recently, Pelhamite Michele Egan of Young Avenue discovered an unused pledge card issued by the local Pelham Committee in late 1917 to raise money locally for the National War Work Council inside the walls of her home.  Ms. Egan has donated the pledge card to the Office of the Historian of the Town of Pelham.  Today's Historic Pelham article presents images of the front and back of the card and places its history in context of the trying times faced by Pelham, the United States, and the World in late 1917 as World War I raged.

The Pledge Card

Images of the front and back of the recently-discovered pledge card appear immediately below.  Each is followed by a transcription of its text to facilitate search.

Obverse of Blank 1917 Local Pledge Card for National Campaign to Raise
$35,000,000 for the Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council Via Pelham
Campaign Committee.  Source:  Gift to the Office of the Historian of the
Town of Pelham from Ms. Michele Egan.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.
Transcript of Text Immediately Below.

 "New York, _________________ 1917

For the purpose of providing 

A GREAT NATIONAL FUND OF $35,000,000

for the National War Work Council of the Young Men's Christian Association for war work among the enlisted men of the United States Army and Navy at home and abroad and also for a similar work in the Armies of our Allies and for the Prisoners of War, I agree to give ___________________ dollars ($_______)

Signed_____________________________

Address____________________________

Remit to Harry W. Rockwell, Secretary-Treasurer, 454 Siwanoy Place, Pelham Manor, N.Y.

(If partial payments are preferred, it is understood that 50% will be paid within thirty days of date of pledge, 25% on January 1, 1918 and 25% on April 1, 1918)"

Reverse of Blank 1917 Local Pledge Card for National Campaign to Raise $35,000,000

for the Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council Via Pelham Campaign Committee.

Source:  Gift to the Office of the Historian of the Town of Pelham from Ms. Michele

Egan.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.  Transcript of Text Immediately Below.

"Stone, Earl           Young Ave." [Handwritten].

100 Young Avenue, Village of Pelham, Where the Blank Pledge

Card Recently Was Discovered.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council and its Campaign in Late 1917

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917.  Within four days, international, national, state, and local representatives of Young Men's Christian Association organizations gathered in Garden City, Long Island, New York to mobilize a massive effort to support American soldiers, Allied soldiers, and prisoners of war.  The group formed the National War Work Council on April 28, 1917.  President Woodrow Wilson quickly gave official recognition to the Council in support of its work.

In the first six months, the Council raised and spent more than $5,000,000 in support of its war work.  It built some 400 structures at home and abroad.  It provided many tents in addition to such structures, many of which served as canteens near the front to help cold, wet, hungry, and tired young soldiers.  It also trained more than 2,000 "Secretaries" who served as on-site liaisons to help serve and meet the needs of soldiers and prisoners of war throughout the world.  Soon, however, it became clear that the massive war would require expanded massive efforts by the Council.  The Council decided to pursue a national campaign to raise $35,000,000 to fund its work from late November, 1917 to July 1, 1918. 

The national campaign involved assigning "quotas" of funds needed from individual communities.  Each such community, in turn, typically created a local campaign committee responsible for raising the community's quota of funds and remitting those funds to the national organization to fund its work.  Research has not yet revealed Pelham's "quota," but it likely was less than $15,000 since that was the quota assigned to the City of Mount Vernon at the time.

The Local Campaign and the Recently-Discovered Campaign Pledge Card

There exist virtually no copies of the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, for 1917 and 1918.  Thus, for the period of World War I we are left to piece together war-time events from a wide variety of other sources including newspapers published in surrounding communities.  Now our Town has a small piece of war-time history found by Ms. Michele Egan who donated it to the Town's collections.  It helps us piece together more about Pelham's mobilization in 1917 and 1918 to support the massive war-effort.

The unused pledge card appears to be one issued to Earl Stone (the name handwritten on the back of the card).  His name actually was Earle Stone (Earle with an "e" at the end.)  In 1915 Stone bought the property and then built on it the house that stands today at 100 Young Avenue.  As reported in one local newspaper:  "N. F. Vought will soon start the erection of a residence on Young avenue for Earl Stone, who recently purchased the property."  Source:  NORTH PELHAM -- In Realty Circles, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 30, 1915, p. 7, col. 3.  The home Earle Stone and his family lived in for many years, according to his obituary, was indeed 100 Young Avenue.

Born in 1886, Earle Stone began work as a young man with the American Smelting and Refining Company in New York City in about 1907.  He married Margaret Vought.  The couple had two sons:  Earle Stone, Jr. and Gordon Stone.  He rose to become an assistant to a Vice-President of the American Smelting and Refining Company before he retired from the company at the age of 55 in about 1941, likely due to health reasons.  Thereafter he suffered from a "long illness" from which he died on September 15, 1943.  A funeral service was held in his home at 100 Young Avenue on September 17, 1943.  

The front of the unused pledge card reveals a little about the local organization in Pelham that raised money during the campaign kickoff conducted November 11-19, 1917.  According to the pledge card, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee was Harry W. Rockwell of 454 Siwanoy Place in the Village of Pelham Manor.  

Harry W. Rockwell was appointed as Superintendent of Schools in Pelham effective September 1, 1917.  Before that he had served as Principal of White Plains High School and was among eighty candidates considered by the Pelham School Board when they filled the position.  Rockwell quickly became involved in local civic activities.  Indeed, in addition to serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the local campaign to raise Pelham's quota of funds for the Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council, within months he was elected Treasurer of Pelham's Church of the Redeemer.  He also was elected Secretary of the Men's Club of that Church.  

While Rockwell seemed, at first, to streak across Pelham like a bright meteor, he quickly flamed out and had little impact.  Indeed, he seemed to use his new position as a mere way station before he continued along a path to substantial career success in the field of education.  Admittedly, however, Rockwell played a significant role in continued efforts in the late teens to fund and construct the new Pelham Memorial High School, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1919.  That year, 1919, Rockwell was appointed a principal, again, to head the former State Normal School at Buffalo (later Grover Cleveland High School).  

Immediately after beginning his new position, Rockwell won State Board of Regents approval to set up a four-year course leading to a bachelor of science degree in home economics at the little institution.  The following year, 1920, the institution assumed control of the "Industrial Arts Departments" in Albany.  Rockwell achieved his doctorate and continued his curriculum development at the tiny institution.  In 1926, Dr. Rockwell's curriculum development "led to the granting of Bachelor of Science degrees in education and all study fields were established on a four-year basis."  

In 1927, the State of New York traded the State Normal School at Buffalo site for twenty acres that formed the "nucleus" of Buffalo State College which eventually became New York State University College of Education at Buffalo.  Dr. Rockwell was named college president.  He served with distinction in that role for many decades and is credited with a host of important educational innovations including many in the field of special education.

Dr. Rockwell died in early January, 1961.  At the time he was President Emeritus of New York State University College of Education at Buffalo.

As the recently-discovered unused pledge card indicates, the Pelham committee of the campaign to raise $35,000,000 for the Y.M.C.A.'s National War Work Council in late November, 1917 sought to raise its quota for the campaign by April 1, 1918.  Although it solicited immediate payment, the pledge card encouraged those who wished to pledge to make periodic payments to fulfill their pledges.  It stated:  "If partial payments are preferred, it is understood that 50% will be paid within thirty days of date of pledge, 25% on January 1, 1918 and 25% on April 1, 1918".

Sadly, no record yet has been found revealing the degree of success of Pelham's efforts to raise its quota for the campaign.

Conclusion


In late 1917, the nation -- and the little Town of Pelham -- were mobilized for the massive war effort necessitated by World War I.  The campaign turned out to be hugely successful.  Three months after the campaign was announced, it surpassed its $35,000,000 goal.  By July, 1918, the campaign raised $54,000,000 -- roughly $900 million in today's dollars.

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 World War I Poster Showing American Soldiers Outside a Y.M.C.A.

Canteen in Europe and Advertising a Campaign in 1917 to Raise

$35,000,000 to Fund the Work of the National War Work Council to

Assist Americans Fighting in the War.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

A Transcript of the Text Appears Immediately Below to Facilitate Search.

"'The LAST EVIDENCE that ANYBODY CARES'
Says a Soldier 'Over there' of the Y.M.C.A. Dugout

THE Y.M.C.A. IS OUR BOYS' 'BIG BROTHER' From Enlistment to Front-Line Trench

One of the Soldiers writes home:  'It rains a lot.  Say, the big Y.M.C.A. Hut is a Godsend!  You find it everywhere you go.'

Another Soldier writes of the Y.M.C.A.:  'Who pays?  I don't know.  But whoever they are, God bless them!  They are the fathers of thousands of boys.'

Another writes:  'Why, the first question a fellow asks when he goes into a town is, 'Where is the Y?'  They send us hot soup up the line.  I tell you it's good when you have been standing in one place for two hours, chilled to the bone.  Then you say, 'Thank God for the Y.M.C.A.!'

At least $35,000,000 needed to maintain this work to July 1, 1918.  Titanic Giving is Required. 

Our Boys Overseas Will Give Their Lives

What Will You Give to show them that Somebody Cares -- that You Care?

Hundreds of America's Best Religious Leaders -- many serving without pay are among the Y.M.C.A. War Work Securities.

1,800 are serving American Soldiers and Sailors in U.S.A.

300 are serving American Troops in France.

10 are serving American Troops in England.

10 are serving British and Canadian Troops Overseas.

65 are serving British Troops in India, Mesopotamia, Malta, Salonica and Palestine.

10 are serving British Troops in Egypt and East Africa.

35 are serving French Troops in France.

50 are serving Russian Troops in Russia.

3 are serving Italian Troops in Italy.

11 are serving Enemy Prisoners-of-War in France, Italy and Russia.

7 are serving in Switzerland.

Back Them Up With Your Money.

WRITE FOR FREE ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET GIVING FURTHER INFORMATION

National Campaign November 11-19

Send your Contribution to your Y.M.C.A. State Treasurer or to CLEVELAND H. DODGE, Treasurer
National War Work Council of the Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States
WILLIAM SLOANE, Chairman
JOHN E. HUTT, Gen'l Secretary
124 East 28th Street . . . . New York City"

Local Advertisement from Mount Vernon Newspaper Published

November 12, 1917 Asking for Donations to a Local Campaign

Committee for the National War Work Fund.  Source:  NATIONAL

CAMPAIGN FOR Y.M.C.A. WAR-WORK FUND IN FULL SWING

TODAY [Advertisement], Daily Argus, Nov. 12, 1917, p. 3, cols. 4-7.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.  Text Transcribed Immediately Below.

"NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR Y.M.C.A. WAR-WORK FUND IN FULL SWING TODAY

The Country is asked by the National War-Work Council of the Y.M.C.A. to contribute $35,000,000 for the promotion of the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of our brave boys on land and sea, in camp and at the front; also for work in Russia, France, Italy and in the prisoner-of-war camps.

-----
STIRRING WORDS FROM GENERAL LEONARD WOOD
'I have seen the Y.M.C.A. work all over the world and have found it to be excellent everywhere.

'Excellent as its work is and has been elsewhere, I believe that the work it is now doing in the great cantonments where our troops are being trained is perhaps the greatest and the best it has ever attempted.  One has to see it to appreciate it.  It is not enough to suppress commercialized vice and to close up undesirable places, but we must give the men places of the right type to go to, places where healthy amusements and decent surroundings, as well as reasonable recreation, can be secured.  There is where the Y.M.C.A. has secured, perhaps, its best results.  It has not only helped suppress vice and evil doing, but it has given the men attractive places of assembly and wholesome amusement.

'Abroad it is also doing splendid work behind the fighting lines of our Allies -- a work which means more than we can appreciate unless actually on the ground.

'Every dollar given to the Y.M.C.A. is money given in a good cause.  All who aid it are helpers in a splendid work.'
-----

The Y.M.C.A. not only solicits money but spends it in the best way.  From April 20, 1917 to October 20, 1917, it has paid out more than $5,000,000 in this war-work.

It has erected approximately 400 buildings at home and abroad; it has provided many association tents; it has organized, trained and placed in service more than 2,000 secretaries.  And it must now have $35,000,000 to carry out its world-plans up to July 1, 1918.

'T IS A REAL PRIVILEGE TO AID THIS GREAT PATRIOTIC EFFORT

We've sent our soldiers to the war.  We can not save them from the havoc of shot and shell and sabre, but we can and WILL protect them in other ways; and not alone PROTECT but COMFORT them, and we deem it a real privilege so to do.

We can help the Y.M.C.A. continue the great work which General Wood says has been so well begun.  Let us repeat his final words:

'Every dollar given to the Y.M.C.A. is given in a good cause.  All who aid it are helpers in a splendid work.'

The Committee feels confident that Mount Vernon will not fail to make good its quota of $15,000.  In fact, our city IS making good as will appear from subscriptions soon to be announced.

All citizens should be proud to place their names upon the list -- and PROMPTLY.

Send, or bring your contribution, large or small, to the 

Local Campaign Committee

W.P. UHLER
Executive Chariman

Y.M.C.A.

J. T. SEAVER
Secretary

Arcade Building
Mount Vernon, N.Y."

Source:  NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR Y.M.C.A. WAR-WORK FUND IN FULL SWING TODAY [Advertisement], Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 12, 1917, p. 3, cols. 4-7.

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"HAPPENINGS IN NORTH PELHAM
-----
NEW SUPERINTENDENT
-----
Words of Commendation for Harry W. Rockwell.
-----

The White Plains Argus says in relation to the appointment of Harry W. Rockwell, as superintendent of the Pelham schools which becomes effective on September 1 next:

'Principal Harry W. Rockwell, of the White Plains high school has resigned his position in this city to become superintendent of schools in Pelham.  The new position carries with it a much higher salary than Mr. Rockwell receives in this city.

There were eighty applicants for the position and finally the board of education sifted them down to three to be considered.  A committee came to this city last Friday and after making a few inquiries decided that the White Plains principal was the best fitted applicant and they tendered him a contract which he signed.  Mr. Rockwell will leave the city school system in June and will assume his new duties in September.

'Principal Rockwell has been principal of the high school here for the past five years.  He came here from Oneonta where he was supervisor of schools of that city, when Superintendent John W. Lumbard was advanced from principal of the high school to superintendent of schools.  

'Mr. Rockwell was graduated from Brown University in 1903 and until the war broke out he conducted touring parties through Europe each summer.  He was in Europe when the war started and had a hard time getting home.

'Since coming to this city Mr. Rockwell has done splendid work and the members of the board of education and others who come in contact with his work are sorry to see him leave the school system but they at the same time are glad to know that he is to benefit himself.

'Mr. Rockwell is also a fine educator and has met with success ever since he came to the local system.  He is very popular among the thousand pupils of the high school.

'The Pelham school system is composed of three buildings and about a thousand pupils.  It is a system that is growing rapidly and needs a man who was qualified in every way to care for this growth and in Mr. Rockwell, the Pelham board of education has a man who will measure up to the highest and one who the city hates to lose.

'The Pelham district takes in Pelham Heights and Pelham Manor and the district has an assessed valuation of $7,000,000.

'The board of education of this city has always loyally supported Principal Rockwell and his work in Pelham will always be watched by his many friends.

'No doubt plenty of applicants will now be received by the local board of education to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Rockwell.'"

Source:  HAPPENINGS IN NORTH PELHAM -- NEW SUPERINTENDENT -- Words of Commendation for Harry W. Rockwell, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 14, 1917, p. 9, col. 1.  

"Earle Stone

PELHAM -- Earle Stone, retired assistant to the vice-president of the American Smelting and Refining Company, 120 Broadway, New York City, died yesterday at his home, 100 Young Avenue, after a long illness.  He was fifty-seven years old.

Mr. Stone was associated with American Smelting and Refining for 34 years.  He retired two years ago.  

He is survived by his wife, the former Margaret Vought; two sons, Earl Stone, Jr., and Gordon Stone, and three sisters, Mrs. Julius Lochner, Mrs. Myrtlin Shoemaker and Miss Gertrude Stone.

Funeral services will be conducted at the residence tomorrow at 2:30 P.M."

Source:  City and Vicinity -- Obituary News -- Earle Stone, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 16, 1943, p. 2, col. 4.  

"Rites for Dr. Rockwell, Noted Educator, Are Set

Memorial services will be conducted for Dr. Harry W. Rockwell, 79, president-emeritus of the New York State University College of Education at Buffalo, at 3 Friday afternoon in Trinity Episcopal Church.

Dr. Rockwell, an internationally prominent educator and a pioneer in the development and improvement of teacher education, died yesterday after a long illness.  The burial will take place in his native Rockwell's Mills, Chenango County.

Dr. Rockwell guided the academic development of Buffalo State College from a modest but inspired beginning in 1919 at the old Buffalo State Normal School.

Began Teaching in 1903

He graduated from Colgate Academy and Brown University with Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1903.  In the same year, Dr. Rockwell began teaching at Peddie Institute, Highstown, N.J.  He later held principalships in Oneonta, Gilbertsville, and White Plains, N.Y.

In 1917 he received the degree of master of arts from Columbia University.  At the time he was supervising principal of the public schools at North Pelham, Pelham, and Pelham Manor, Westchester County.

He was appointed principal of the former State Normal School at Buffalo in 1919.  The school, now Grover Cleveland High School, had an enrollment of 275 and offered a two-year course leading to a teaching certificate.  

Before the year was out, Dr. Rockwell had won State Board of Regents approval to set up a four-year course leading to a bachelor of science degree in home economics.

In 1920 the institution assumed direction of the Industrial Arts Departments in Albany.  And in 1926, Dr. Rockwell's curriculum development led to the granting of Bachelor of Science degrees in education and all study fields were established on a four-year basis.

The state traded the Normal School site for a 20-acre tract which was to form the nucleus of the present Buffalo State College in 1927.  Dr. Rockwell was named college president.

Under his guidance, the school's enrollment grew to more than 2,000 and the faculty increased from 42 to more than 160.  Upon his retirement on July 31, 1951, Dr. Rockwell had awarded more than 10,000 diplomas and 5,000 degrees.

Buffalo State was accorded an 'A' rating from the American Assn. of Teachers Colleges in 1928.  Dr. Rockwell later served as president of the group.  

During the next two decades, Dr. Rockwell fashioned one of the finest teachers' colleges in the nation.  He visited similar schools in more than a score of states as a representative of the AATC or the Commonwealth Fund of New York City.

Many Innovations

He established an Alumni & Placement office, instituted a 'selective admissions' system which singled out only high school graduates of outstanding scholarship achievement for admission, and set higher educational standards for faculty members.

The student body and faculty had moved into their new buildings by 1931.  These included the Vocational Bldg., the Campus School and Gymnasium, and the President's Resdience.  Since that time a new library, new dormitories and a College Union have been added.

In 1945 the Board of Regents sanctioned Buffalo State's request to grant a master of education degree.  During this period, Dr. Rockwell formed a Department of Special Education to train teachers for instruction of handicapped children.  And, at this time an additional 35 acres were added to the campus complex.

Dr. Rockwell was a member of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Museum of Science and the Buffalo Historical Society; former chairman of the Classification Committee of the AATC; and a member of the National Education Assn., the New York State Teachers Assn., and had been President of the New York State Academic Principals.

He was a past president of the Rotary Club and a vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church.  Dr. Rockwell was the author of a text, 'Workbook in New York State Geography,' and also wrote many articles for professional journals.

Dr. Rockwell, who lived at 75 Hitler Ave., Kenmore, is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Clifford G. Vogelsang of Buffalo, and Mrs. Helen R. Davis of Madrid, Spain; a sister, Mrs. Ernest W. Dalton of Orlando, Fla. and three grandchildren.  His wife, the former Marjorie DeLano, died in 1959. . . ."

Source:  Rites for Dr. Rockwell, Noted Educator, Are Set, Buffalo Courier-Express, Jan. 11, 1961, p. 12, cols. 1-2.  

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I have written on a number of occasions regarding Pelham during World War I.  See, e.g.:

Fri., Apr. 27, 2018:  Who Was Sidney Phillips and Why Did He Receive a Medal in Pelham Bay Park on August 1, 1918?

Wed., Mar. 21, 2018:  Big Parade in Pelham to Honor Those Who Registered for World War I Draft.

Mon., Jul. 03, 2017:  The Beginnings of the Pelham Home Defense League of North Pelham During World War I.  

Fri., Feb. 03, 2017:  Barbara Allen Vagliano of Pelham Manor, Among the First American Women Recipients of the French Croix de Guerre During World War I.

Wed., Jan. 25, 2017:  Sixteen-Year-Old Pelhamite Nicknamed "The Kid" Received the French Croix de Guerre for Bravery Twice.

Mon., Jan. 02, 2017:  Pelham Marches Into World War I in 1917.

Mon., May 30, 2016:  The Cannon That Roared: Pelham Sacrifices a Memorial for the Nation’s Sake.

Fri., Oct. 02, 2015:  "The Pelhams Were All One Blazing Block Party" -- Pelham Dedicates Its New High School to Heroes and Lays the Cornerstone in 1919.

Wed., Sep. 16, 2015:  Early History of The Pelham Comfort Society. 

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "The Haunted History of Pelham, New York"
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."