Kenneth Spencer Research Library

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

One hundred years ago this week – on October 1, 1918 – almost 2,500 young men were inducted into KU’s unit of the Student Army Training Corps (S.A.T.C.).

Members of KU’s S.A.T.C. in formation on campus, 1918.
Spooner Hall is in the background. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 29/0 1918 Prints: Military Service and ROTC (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

According to a “Descriptive Circular” from October 1918, the primary purpose of the S.A.T.C. was to

utilize the executive and teaching personnel and the physical equipment of the educational institutions to assist in the training of our new armies [fighting in World War I]. These facilities will be especially useful for the training of officer-candidates and technical experts of all kinds to meet the needs of the service. This training is being conducted in about 600 colleges, universities, professional, technical and trade schools of the country.

The October 1918 edition of KU’s Graduate Magazine provided these additional details.

A contract to maintain an S. A. T. C. of two thousand members consisting of men over eighteen, who have had a high school education, was made with the University of Kansas by the government. The members are to be given full army uniforms and equipment, are to be lodged and fed in barracks by the government, will have all their university or college tuition paid by the government and will receive thirty dollars a month. Later it was decided to take over the 450 men of the technical training detachment already on the campus, and to organize a naval training camp for two hundred students. Some eighteen hundred men have already registered in the S. A. T. C., so that present indications point to the residence of 2,500 men at the University (16).

At that time, the highest total enrollment on the Lawrence campus had been 2,711 students in Fall 1916.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

In this week’s incomplete letter, Milo writes about “thirteen days on active service on some Front.” He mentions going through the “experience of shell fire and gas,” describing it as “great” and possibly masking the true horror and terror of the situation.

Sept. 8th, 1918
On Active Service Somewhere in France.

Dear Father and Sisters:-

Same excuse as before for not writting. (Moving and taking in the sights.

Well, I [illegible] 13 days on active service on some Front. Was at O.M. and I tell you it sure is great to go thru that experience of shell fire and gas. We thought it great sport to shell “Old Jerry.” [Germans]

Since coming back from the Front I have seen all the Argonia Bunch whom were in the 130th. Rosco Wilson (1) I met in a little town back from the Front.

Also passed thru the town where Roy McClure (2) is in. He is back from the Front for Rest. It was the wee hours of the night when I came thru and failed to see him. Also got to see Foster Stuart (3) yesterday. All the boys are in good health, fat, and enjoying the sport.

While traveling around we have no O.M. So I have been a man of leisure since leaving the Front. And believe me, I am sure seeing France. Took in about 6 good towns yesterday. Plenty of beer to drink at every stop.

[pages 3 and 4 missing]

ending by Xmas. Heavy betting to that effect.

Tell L.T. Smith (4) I got his little message alright. Tell him he is loosing out on a liquid used to keep the Yanks’ slats from caving in, it is call beer, a big bottle for a Franc 17¢. Also good Champagne for 8 to 15 F.

As far as ever Wagoneering any, I never did nor expected to but it was thru a friend that I was promoted to that for the additional pay only. There are several crooks & turns in military business to learn. Am 1st Class Private now since the rank of Wagoneers has been discontinued. It pays $33. + 10% oversea increase. Also my $7.50 O.M. bonus.

The Colonel wanted me to take charge of the O.M. just before we left the Front. But I told the “Old Man” “No”. But would do the buying and still manage the dining room. I want to take it as easy as possible for I crave “bunk fatigue.”

Yesterday, Merle Phillippi (5), Jess Oyler (6), and I left camp for a little trip, (we had it). We had not gone far, until I heard a voice scream out “Oh Mike,” it was old Jess Skein (7). Well he joined us and we made several other

[rest of letter missing]

(1) According to his World War I draft registration card, Roscoe Wilson was born in Colorado on January 19, 1890. He was employed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, working as a clerk. During the war he served in Co. L, 139th Infantry Regiment.

(2) Milo mentioned Roy McClure in his letter of July 24, 1918. Biographical information about him can be found in that blog post.

(3) According to his World War I draft registration card, Foster Stewart (elsewhere spelled Stuart) was born in Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas, on December 27, 1888. When his father, John T. Stewart, died in 1905, the Wellington Daily News called him the “richest man in Kansas.” A strongly-worded condemnation in the newspaper in August 1917 argued that the Stewart family’s wealth and influence had protected Foster from punishment, despite running afoul of the law several times. During the war, Stewart served in Co. M, 139th Infantry.

(4) Lewis T. Smith was a postmaster in Argonia.

(5) Milo mentioned Merle Phillippi in his letter of August 11, 1918. Biographical information about him can be found in that blog post.

(6) According to his World War I draft registration card and other sources, Jesse Ralph Oyler was born in Gentryville, Gentry County, Missouri, on January 23, 1894. Previously a student at the Wichita Business College, Oyler was working as an auditor in Wichita in 1917. During the war he served in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery with Milo.

(7) According to his World War I draft registration card, Jesse Barlow Skean was born in Prairie City, Illinois, on January 19, 1887. Other sources indicate that Jesse spent his childhood in Illinois before his family relocated to Wichita around 1910. By 1917, he was farming in Argonia. During the war, Jesse and his brother Byron served in Co. C, 110th Field Signal Battalion. Their brother Russell served in Russia.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant

By the time the United States joined World War I in 1917, many were thinking ahead to the possibility of food shortages. In order to avoid mandating food rationing, the United States created a massive patriotic advertisement campaign urging individuals to substitute wheat, sugar, meat, and dairy so that these items could be sent to the troops on the front lines. Catchy headlines like “Save the Wheat, and Help the Fleet” were employed to persuade Americans to win the war by conserving much-needed food resources. It was considered to be part of your patriotic duty.

Thus, Americans buckled down and rationed food. Some of the more common substitutions included corn, rye, oats, and barley in lieu of wheat. For protein, they ate chicken, eggs, cottage cheese, fish, nuts, peas, and beans instead of bacon, beef, mutton, and pork. Table sugar, fats, and eggs were also restricted.

But, what did these modified dishes taste like? What were people on the home-front eating during a time of war?

To find out, Spencer Research Library staff organized a potluck to try some innovative recipes from World War I. Using the Kansas City Food Conservation Cookbook (RH C1550), published in 1918 with recipes pertaining to suggested food conservation and substitutions, we chose dishes to prepare for a party commemorating the centennial anniversary of World War I.

Above: Lynn (left) and Fisher (right) found a great resource for recipes
used on the home front during World War I. If you’re interested in exploring this book,
create an account or log into Aeon and request the item RH C1550.
The reference staff will retrieve it when you arrive at the reference room.)

What did we bring to the potluck?

We each picked recipes that: 1) we thought we could cook/bake, 2) the ingredients were readily available, and 3) we thought we would enjoy eating. On August 10, 2018, we gathered together in the Spencer Research Library breakroom to unveil our dishes.

From bottom left corner in the image above, clockwise: Bran cookies by Stacey Wiens, Reference Specialist; fresh garden salsa salad by Meredith Huff, Operations Manager; carrot salad by Lynn Ward, Processing Archivist; aat crackers and goat cheese by Karen Cook, Special Collections Librarian; Spanish rice by Becky Schulte, University Archivist; cheese and rice croquettes by Letha Johnson, Assistant Archivist; popcorn balls by Elspeth Healey, Special Collections Librarian; oatmeal muffins by Marcella Huggard, Manuscripts Processing Coordinator; lentil casserole and cold turkey salad by Lynn Ward, Processing Archivist; lemonade by Fisher Adwell, Library Assistant.

Meredith Huff made good use of fresh vegetables from her garden in a
delicious salsa that complemented several of the dishes.

Stacey Wiens had a warning sign with her bran cookies that read “not very sweet.”

Marcella Huggard added raisins to her muffins to make them just a little bit sweeter.
The recipe only calls for two tablespoons of sugar.

Letha Johnson, left, discloses an unexpected ingredient in her
rice and cheese croquettes: peanut butter. Who could have guessed peanut butter
and cheese would be a winning combination?

Elspeth Healey’s popcorn balls were a sticky success.

 Becky Schulte’s Spanish rice was filling, tasty, and nutritious.
She used half of the beef that the recipe called for, all in the spirit of rationing.

Karen Cook’s oat crackers paired nicely with goat cheese.
Her recipe was similar to the one in the book.

Lynn Ward made turkey salad, carrot salad, and lentil casserole out of a
book she had at home (Official Recipe Book… 1918).

How did it go?

The recipes all turned out with a high degree of success. Of course, we were particular about which recipes to try. Everyone strayed away from some of the more adventurous dishes, including ones that called for fresh pigeon or canned whale. Nor did anyone bring “chicken pudding,” a recipe that calls for putting the inferior parts of a bird through a meat chopper, adding an egg or gravy to bind it together, packing it into a greased pudding bowl, and then steaming it for one and a half hours.

But still, we all enjoyed sampling the dishes. Chris Bañuelos, Audiovisual Preservation Specialist and pictured above, came to the potluck to try out the food. He remarked, “I was happily surprised at how tasty the dishes actually were. Even the bland ones helped me understand how folks did the best they could during war time.” All of our student workers were invited, and they gravitated toward the popcorn balls – which were a huge hit.

If you’re interested in doing a potluck of your own, here’s some recommendations to follow.

1. Try finding a cookbook from 1918. Many cookbooks during this time were published to encourage individuals to conserve and substitute food for the war effort.
2. Look for recipes published in newspapers from 1918. Newspapers were an important resource and recipes would often be cut out and pasted in scrapbooks or on cards for later use.
3. Utilize some of your favorite modern recipes but modify them based on outlined food restrictions. For instance, cook with flours other than wheat, restrict meats like beef or pork, replace eggs with faux substitutes, and stick to alternative fats. The recipes may not have been used during the time period, but you’ll get an idea of how foods tasted during World War I.
4. If you don’t feel like cooking or baking, you can always bring local fruits or vegetables from your own garden or purchased at the farmer’s market.

At the end of the day, experimenting with what people ate during World War I provided us with a greater understanding of the gastronomical difficulties of the time. Eating these restrictive foods and sharing stories also gave us a greater appreciation for the diversity of food available today. Although these may not be recipes we throw into our regular culinary rotation, it’s always fun to experiment and take risks in the kitchen.

Lynn Ward
Processing Archivist

and

Fisher Adwell
Library Assistant

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

In this week’s letter, Milo describes reaching the Alps. “Wish you could see how we are located in these foot hills of the silver shinning Alp Mountains,” he wrote. “I can sit on my bed, not bunk, and look out a glass front down the mountain slope just as many millionaire tourists from America did up until 1914.”

Aug. 24th, 1918.
“With the Amex Forces Somewhere in Europe”

Dear Father and Sisters:- Have at last reached the place where I started for over eleven months ago. My ideas of a “Battle Front” were entirely out of comparison with this place. To me, it is more like a summer resort of Colo. than any thing else. Wish you could see how we are located in these foot hills of the silver shinning Alp Mountains. Our accommodations here are much better for my line of work, (which is the same as before) than we ever had in the U.S.A. I can sit on my bed, not bunk, and look out a glass front down the mountain slope just as many millionaire tourists from America did up until 1914. My duties are cut down at least 75% now and the amount of “bunk fatigue” I do is shameful.

I have not seen any of the Argonia gang for a week but, all were in good health and enjoying the novelty of this game when I saw them last.

I answered J.W.’s (1) letter last evening after a long period of silence. (There seems to be some thing in this mountain air that makes me want to sleep instead of writting.)

In 30 days, think I can take a seven-day leave. There are two French homes I can visit or one in Germany.

I have been in [Struth or Kruth] (2), Oderon and Bossat (3), Germany, but, not Berlin yet.

Don’t worry about my safety, for I am just as safe as though I were in the U.S.A. In fact, I crave excitement now as never before.

May write to Uncle Will’s (4) soon, they are possibly back from their vacation but, Uncle has not got anything on me at that for I beleive this is the greater of the two.

This leaves me in the best of health and trusting all are the same at home, hoping to hear from often as usal, I remain

Your son and brother,

Prvt. Milo H. Main.
Bat. F. 130 F.A.
American Ex. Forces.

(1) Possibly J. W. Achelpohl, a storeowner in Argonia mentioned in Milo’s letter of August 19th. According to Milo’s World War I draft registration card, Achelpohl was his employer when he worked as a clerk.

(2) Milo may be referring to Kreuth in southern Germany.

(3) It’s not clear what places Milo is referencing here.

(4) Probably William M. Henry, a brother of Milo’s mother mentioned in his letter of August 19th. Born in Illinois in 1861, William relocated to Sumner County, Kansas, with his wife and children around 1900.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant

In honor of the centennial of World War I, this is the second series in which we follow the experiences of one American soldier: twenty-five year old Milo H. Main, whose letters are held in Spencer’s Kansas Collection. On Mondays we’ll post a new entry featuring selected letters from Milo to his family from that following week, one hundred years after he wrote them.

Milo Hugh Main was born in or near Pittsfield, Illinois, on November 21, 1892 to William and Rose Ella Henry Main. The family moved to Argonia, Sumner County, Kansas, in 1901. After his mother died in 1906, Milo remained in Argonia with his father and his two sisters Gladys (b. 1890) and June (b. 1899). His youngest sister Fern (b. 1905) was sent to live with relatives in Illinois.

As Milo reported to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1919, after graduating from high school he worked as a store clerk. He resigned in July 1917 and took a position at Standard Oil Company, possibly co-managing a gas station in Argonia.

Milo entered into military service on September 21, 1917. He served as a wagoner – a person who drives a wagon or transports goods by wagon – in Battery F, 130th Field Artillery. He was stationed at Camp Funston (September-October 1917) and Camp Doniphan (October 1917-May 1918). On May 19, 1918, he boarded the ship Ceramic in New York City and departed for Europe.

In this week’s letter, Milo apologizes to his family for not writing sooner, explaining that he has “been traveling and in camp only a few days at a time.” Moreover, he has “seen some very beautiful mountain scenery here in the foot hills of the Alps…Very hard for me to be seated long enough to write when there is so much to see.”

Aug. 19th, 1918.
Somewhere in Europe with “Amex Forces”

Dear Father and Sisters:- Please pardon me again for not writting. But have been traveling and in camp only a few days at a time.

Received my last mail from the States about ten days ago. Received four letters from you dated; June 21st, July 15th, July 16th, and July 18th. Also one from J.W.A. (1) postmarked July 22nd and mail from your county seat, too.

Very proud to know you had father and mother’s picture enlarged and so life like. Had often thought of doing it.

Please speak a kind work to P.T. Raine (2) for me, very sorry to learn of his poor health.

Many thanks for the Argosy [Argonia newspaper] clipping of the boys whom were called.

Yes, we get all the dope [inside information] from the “Front” by wireless and can buy Europian editions of the leading U.S. daily newspapers with all the war news as well as the happenings in the U.S.A.

Thanks [sister] June, for caring for my ins. policies.

Well, I am still detached for O.M. duty, but, since we started on move have been acting in some capacity as Uncle Will (3) and I did in Colo. last season. And have seen some very beautiful mountain scenery here in the foot hills of the Alps, but, Colo. is the most scenic to date for me. Very hard for me to be seated long enough to write when there is so much to see. You spoke of the new system on sugar. I have never been affected by it over here yet. Carried a big can of it on this trip. Leave it to “Old Mike” and it is not such a hard war as you may think. There has not been a minute since we left Camp in the States that I have not enjoyed this wonderful experience.

In my travels from southern to northern and western France, I found it a more progressive country the farther north I traveled and in central part there were some land and fields much like those of Sumner Co. And wheat was a big crop but oats only fair. Threshing machines I haven’t seen a one, but saw many small farmers using the frail. Saw my first tractors and binders as we passed thru the above mentioned district.

The French railroad systems are a joke to the “Yanks.” In first place they are many years behind on modern railways, excepting Paris and near the Front where they are using U.S. locomitives and cars. They still use the hook and link coupler with out air expect on their most modern system and many narrow gauge roads are in use yet. They blow a whistle (the trainmen) instead of signaling by hands, the blast or call reminds one of a hunter’s duck caller back in the States. Saw German prisoners doing switchmen’s work in railroad yards. Beleive me, it sure looks good to see U.S.R.R. [U.S. railroad] equipment over here.

Am now in a place where the Wacker language is of great benefit to me. Talk about your wooden shoe–, well I know all about ‘em know. What I have seen to date will be enough to interest my grandchildren for years to come.

It has often been stated that a sailor has a sweetheart in every port. I know that these “Yanks” have at least one at every camp or stop if not more. I got a lock of one’s hair yesterday and was after her two front teeth but some Sam’ had beat me to them. A “Yank” here is at home where ever he stops. No longer than this morning I sat in a French home drinking French Coffée (menier) (4) with a fair brunette accross the table from me. “Well, this is the life.”

(1) Possibly J. W. Achelpohl, a storeowner in Argonia. According to Milo’s World War I draft registration card, Achelpohl was his employer when he worked as a clerk.

(2) Phillip Thomas Raine was born in Missouri or Kentucky in 1852. Census information suggests that the Raine family moved from Missouri to Kansas sometime between 1878 and 1885. In May 1918, the Argonia Argosy reported that Tom Raine was stricken with paralysis while working on his farm.

(3) Probably William M. Henry, a brother of Milo’s mother. Born in Illinois in 1861, William relocated to Sumner County, Kansas, with his wife and children around 1900.

(4) Possibly a reference to Menier French chocolate.

Meredith Huff
Public Services

Emma Piazza
Public Services Student Assistant