There had been a war in Europe for several years, but in early 1917, people for Yazoo County were not terribly interested in it.
That would soon change.
The United States had an official policy of non-involvement in foreign affairs called the Monroe Doctrine. Yazoo County was involved with Europe in that cotton grown here was shipped across the Atlantic, which was being patrolled by German submarines. Anything that interfered with selling cotton was a matter of concern here, but, otherwise, things at home continued pretty much the same as always.
In early 1917, President Woodrow Wilson requested Congress to declare war on Germany. At that time, people in Yazoo were looking forward to the one-night-only performance at the corner of Main and Broadway of the World Famous Old Kentucky Minstrels. There would be seats for 2,000 people under the big tent at prices of 25 cents and 35 cents.
Affairs in town for the most part continued uninterrupted by war. The night of April 11, the Junior Circle of King's Daughters gave a musical at the Elks Home
Various organizations and citizens soon began realizing the importance of doing something about defending the country, however.
The Young Men's Business Club decided that Yazoo City had better start making preparations for war. Club President Major Brister announced a movement whereby all men who "wished to learn military tactics, but do not wish to enlist, so that our home people will be prepared for duty as home guards" would begin regular military drills. Capt. George Quekemeyer, a Yazoo graduate of the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point, was invited to come address the next meeting of the club.
Soon, a temporary chapter of the Red Cross was organized here to give classes in first aide to the injured. Frank Whitman and Rev. M.C. Vick organized high school boys into a group and started training them each afternoon.
"This is just the beginning of the universal training that is being advocated throughout the United States," Whitman said.
The Home Guard was organized and a mass meeting held. Members pledge to meet at least three times a week to drill. Yazoo City was going to be ready in case Germany decided to invade.
Men were lining up to volunteer for military duty. Some of the early ones were D. Owen, manager of the Cumberland Telephone Co. of Yazoo City, who was commissioned captain in the Signal Corps; G.R. Thomas, engineer for the Yazoo County highways, who enlisted in the Engineer Corps and was attempting to raise a complete company of men for the army; and N.A. Mott Jr. of The Herald.
To show the support of the people of Yazoo City for the war effort, a patriotic parade and flag raising was held in May. Flags were raised at St. Clara's Academy and at the Court House as the parade passed.
A drive was made for people to buy Liberty Bonds to help pay for material and equipment for American military men.
Congress passed a law saying all men between the ages of 21 and 30 must register for President Wilson's selective draft plan. By June 8, 1917, 2,956 men had registered in Yazoo County.
Others had already reported for military duty. Among them were Henry Quekemeyer, Henry S. Warmack of Lamkin, William J. Wise, J.A. Miller of Silver City, Cecil Hove, W.M. Moore, W.G. Burkhead of Bentonia, Billy McGraw, Robert Stigler, John W. Brister and Charles M. Havercamp. Houseton Holston, son of Mrs. Mary A. Gardener of Benton, had already been in the army for eight years having served in Hawaii with the 25th Infantry and with Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing while chasing the bandit Poncho Villa into Mexico. Capt. George Quekemeyer was also with Pershing.
In July 1917, about 20 Yazoo Countians from age 16 to 30 left from Greenwood to be mobilized into the Greenwood Light Artillery.
In late September the second group of draftees, numbering 31, left for camp Pike near Little Rock.
As the war continued in both Europe and Africa, many more citizens of Yazoo County participated. On Nov. 11, 1918, war ended with the signing of armistice. For the next 20 or more years, all school children in Yazoo observed a moment in silence at 11 a.m. each Nov. 11 in observation of the war that was “to end all wars.”
