January 1, 1994

Local Folks Celebrated World War End With Dynamite

Of the 100 or so local soldiers who fought in the First World War, only two died as a result of enemy action -- though a third man who never saw Florida is named also on a memorial plaque in front of the Charlotte County Auditorium.

The first native son to be killed was Augustine Willis of Charlotte Harbor Town, as reported by the Punta Gorda Herald in October 1918.

"Mr. and Mrs. Garrison L. Willis received Monday the heart-breaking news that their son, Augustine, had been killed in one of the fearful battles being fought in France.

"He was one of the noblest young men of DeSoto County (Charlotte was not split from DeSoto until 1921) and was warmly esteemed by all who knew him.

"His parents and other kindred have the heartfelt sympathy of this entire community as well as that of their many friends north of the bay.

"They have received a very tender, sympathetic letter from their son's comrade, Harry L. Loar, who was with Augustine when he fell.

"The letter which was dated September 8, 1918, gives no particulars, but abounds in fervent expressions of sympathy for the bereaved parents and of praise for the dead youth. The following are extracts from it:

"'I am writing you for the remembrance of your son, Augustine, who was at my side when he met his death. His manly form is always before me as I sit and ponder through the long evenings.

"'He was, and is yet in a way, my dearest friend and chum. He at all times commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact.

"'He met his death a few minutes after we had promised each other that should one of us be killed, the other would write to the bereaved parents and relate to them the sad news. It is in fulfillment of this promise that I am writing to you.

"'I can almost see him as I write, and it fills me with grief to think of the death of so brave and noble a comrade.

"'Of course you will mourn for him, but you must be brave and be comforted by the fact that he met his death with head up and fighting while encouraging his weaker comrades.

"'His name will always be spoken with reverence by those who knew him, and it will go down as that of one whose military and personal record was without a stain.

"'His last words to me were -- 'Write mother and father if I get killed.'"

Augustine and his father, Garrison, were gill-net fishermen at Charlotte Harbor Town. There were three Willis families there -- Garrison, Mott and Emmett.

Augustine was buried in the American Cemetery at Flanders, France.

* * *

The second military death here was that of Raleigh Whidden of Punta Gorda who was severely wounded a month after Augustine Willis -- as related in the December 18 installment of this series.

Notice of his death appeared in the January 15, 1920, edition of the Herald. The paper noted that 18-year-old Whidden died at Carlstrom Air Field, Arcadia, where he was taken for treatment after his Army discharge.

His obituary pointed out that Raleigh was a charter member of Punta Gorda post of the American Legion. His death was the first of the organization. Braxton Blount, representing the post, drove in his car to Gardner, Fla., to assist in burial arrangements. Raleigh was buried in the family plot there between his mother and father.

The American Legion Post was formed in the early Fall of 1919. After Whidden's death, the post was renamed for Willis and Whidden. Unfortunately there were not enough veterans to sustain membership, and the post's charter lapsed. Then a Veterans of Foreign War post was established and named after Willis and Whidden. It, too, faded and was succeeded later by a new VFW post.

A new American Legion Post 103 was chartered January 8, 1926, and named for Dr. David Norman McQueen who had served with the 2nd Infantry Medical Detachment and recently died.

* * *

The home folks also knew death resulting from the worldwide epidemic of "Spanish Influenza" propagated by soldiers traveling back and forth. The disease killed more people, and faster, than any epidemic in history. Because the war commanded everyone's attention, the 1918 flu epidemic was little noted. Yet, it claimed more American lives than the combined battle deaths of World War I, WW II, Korea, and Vietnam.

At its height in October, Gen. John Pershing, commander of the American Expedition Force, refused to accept that month's draft of 142,000 recruits. More than 21 million deaths were known to have occurred, but thousands more were never reported.

The Herald published front-page warnings of the flu symptoms and distributed 200 copies of the U.S. Surgeon General's instructions for quarantine. Big cities and military camps were hardest hit. The Charlotte Harbor area suffered many cases of illness but few deaths because of the scattered population.

* * *

When the World War ended on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of 1918, the Herald proclaimed the victory in the largest type it had.

This followed with a sub-head summarizing the ensuing, spontaneous celebration:

PEOPLE SHOUT AND FIRE GUNS AND DYNAMITE, WHISTLES BLOW, BELLS RING, SINGING CHILDREN PARADE THE STREETS, MEN MAKE SPEECHES AND EVERYBODY REJOICES!

"The news came first by way of Fort Myers whence the conductor of the north-bound train and his passengers brought it here.

"At the same time, it was confirmed by a special dispatch to the Herald from Jacksonville. As soon as people realized the truth of the glorious news, bedlam broke loose, and there was an uproar of rejoicing.

"The engine of the out-going passenger train whistled with all its might. The ice factory joined in with its tremendous voice, and then the church bells sent forth a joyous chorus.

"Everybody that could shout, did so. Even ye scribe, who for 40 years had not been able to yell, made such a desperate effort to do so that he ruined his voice for singing.

"Men and boys fired guns and pistols. Fire crackers, which no one thought could be found in town, mysteriously and suddenly came forth and were exploded by hilarious boys.

"Dynamite, in lieu of cannon, was set off along the waterfront, sending out a sound of thunder for miles around.

"The dozens of automobiles running about the streets kept their horns sounding at full blast.

"Everybody tried to make all the noise, the loudest noise possible. Tin horns, cornets and other implements of noise added to the din.

"Old Glory suddenly made its appearance all about town, particularly along Marion Avenue, and its graceful folds floated proudly to the breezes.

"Two big flags swung over the center of Marion Avenue in front of Goldstein's furniture store. Another was suspended between the Seminole Hotel and the Cooper hardware store. Two, with the royal ensign of Great Britain between them, swayed to the breezes between the Plaza Theatre and Ed Wostitzky's store.

"Everybody who could get one either wore or carried a small flag, and the automobiles were decorated with them.

"About 10:30 a.m. the high school was dismissed. Teachers and pupils, carrying small flags and singing patriotic songs, marched down Taylor Street to the Seminole Hotel corner. There they halted under the leadership of Miss Gladys Martin, and continued singing. A great enthusiastic crowd gathered around the children and cheered them lustily.

"Meanwhile, all along the main street and the bay front, dynamite continued to roar, and pistols and guns kept up a constant fusillade.

"After singing on the corner, the children -- followed by the crowd -- marched to the railway depot and greeted with songs the passengers on the train arriving at ll o'clock.

"At 3 p.m., all the business houses closed and the people assembled in the Methodist church to participate in a splendid patriotic service conducted by the evangelist, Rev. F.P. McCall. This service, which was very impressive and inspiring, closed at 4 p.m.

"At 7 p.m., a rather elaborate celebration was held in front of the Plaza Theatre, where the crowd filled the street. The lobby of the theatre was converted into a stage and was gaily decorated with the national colors illumined by big electric lights.

"The orchestra of the theatre furnished inspiring music. Mrs. J.B. Washington played the piano while that brilliant artist, Harry Goldstein, with his violin, and Mrs. Goldstein with her cello, executed music that thrilled the crowd.

"The Home Guards in force, in full uniform with gleaming rifles, stood at attention back of the crowd.

"Prof. Donahue presided over the meeting and called out the numbers on the program. These included stirring addresses by Mayor S.F.J. Trabue, Col. Waltmire, Col Hancock, Prof. Bell and Evangelist McCall, inspiring songs by Miss Gladys Martin and Prof. M.L. Lifsey, fighting front dialect recitations by Miss Norma Pepper, and choruses by the audience.

"The exercises, which lasted for two hours, were highly impressive. On their conclusion, the crown entered the theatre and enjoyed a first-class picture show.

"Thus ended Punta Gorda's great fete day -- the greatest in the town's history."

* * *

John Davis, a resident of Gardine, Montana, is memorialized at Punta Gorda for his World War service because of the persistence of his loving wife -- the former Pearl Johnson, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. William H. Johnson.

Johnson came to Punta Gorda in 1900 and dabbled in real estate. Pearl was born shortly thereafter. Later, Johnson became a pilot at Boca Grande.

According to the Herald of September 1919, Mrs. Davis and her baby boy arrived at Punta Gorda from Ashville, N.C., where she spent the summer.

Said the report:

"In the Fall of 1917 she was married to John F. Davis of Montana. The couple lived there until her husband enlisted in the Army and was sent to France. He served in the Quartermaster Corps until his death February 2 this year.

"Meantime Mrs. Davis returned to her parents' home at South Boca Grande where on February 22, 1919, her son was born.

She was graduated by Charlotte High School and finished a course at Columbia College in Lake City, Fl. After a short time she will return to her parent's home."

Oldtimers say Pearl fell madly in love with John Davis, a cowboy, while on a visit out west. He died of "black fever" (typhoid, a serious affliction common to soldiers in the field.)

Having died in a French military hospital, with his body intact, after the war was over, John's body was shipped back to his home for burial. It is believed his grave is in the Custer Military Cemetery near Hardin, Montana.

In respect for his wife, Pearl, and for his father-in- law, Capt. Johnson, John Davis was listed on the first American Legion Punta Gorda Post honor roll of soldiers who died overseas in the War to Save Democracy.

And there his name was when a subsequent generation three wars later transferred the honor roll to a bronze plaque where it remains today.

cutline l -- soldiers standing

U.S. Army Photos

An American soldier, left, is overcome by mustard gas as his comrades advance.

cutline 2 -- cannon

American 14-inch cannon pounds German rail center 20 miles away.

cutline 3 -- machine gun

U.S. "doughboys" man a machine gun during the decisive Meuse-Argonne offensive.

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers