WW1
INDEX PAGE
HOME PAGE
879 MEN REGISTER IN FLAT RIVER.
COUNTY REGISTRATION TOTALS 3260
Eight hundred and seventy-nine men registered for military duty in the three precincts in Flat River Tuesday. This was more than twice the number registered in any other town in St. Francois county. The registrars were given very little trouble in Flat River, and this is reported to be generally true throughout the county. The registration was also remarkable for the few who insisted on claiming exemption from military duty. Five hundred and seventy-seven registered in No. 1 Flat River precinct. Of this number 166 were aliens. The foreigners, with but few exceptions, seemed to thoroughly understand what was required of them. They were all registered without the aid of an interpreter. C. E. Marshall, who is an adept in pigeon English, was quite a help to the other three registrars, who did most of the work.
The registration throughout the county totaled 3,260. The registration by precincts follows. In all towns having more than one precinct just the total for the entire town is given:
Flat River........................879 Bonne Terre.......................418 Elvins............................309 Farmington........................305 Desloge...........................293 Leadwood..........................264 Esther............................149 Doe Run............................82 Libertyville.......................56 Bismarck..........................100 Knob Lick..........................49 Mitchell...........................48 Cherryville........................42 French Village.....................27 Chadbourne.........................28 Davis Crossing.....................20 Clearview..........................10 Blackwell..........................20 Rockwood...........................16 Hazel Run..........................24 Iron Mountain......................10 Cedar Falls........................20 Delassus...........................23 Frankclay..........................51
Those who did not register Tuesday will not be subject to imprisonment as it has been generally understood. They will have an opportunity to register with the county board any day until further notice. The war department has put no limitation as yet on the period in which registration shall be open for the classes between 21 and 30 years, inclusive. This information was withheld at the direction of government officials, who hoped to obtain a full registration on the first day of the period by this means.
The registration has entailed a vast amount of work on the county board, which includes the county clerk, sheriff and Dr. T. L. Haney. They are required to make duplicate copies of all the registration cards. A volunteer force of assistants is at present at work in the county clerk's office completing this work. It is likely that the war department will instruct the county boards to make the selection when the draft is called for. This will be done by means of the jury wheel. After this is done opportunity for appeal will be given to those who claim exemption and who may be called.
Two men at Flat River precinct No. 1 claimed exemption on account of religious belief. They were members of the sect known as the Assemblies of God.