Published by The Evansville Courier

The sub-headline, in bold type, asked, "Are You Willing to Shoulder a Rifle as Well as Carry a Flag? Your Country Calls You."

As the news of war began to settle, scores of local men enlisted in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The first 20 recruits became Company G in the Indiana National Guard. The group was known as the "Courier" company because of the newspaper's aggressive call for enlistments and because the recruiting station was located next door to The Courier.

When the first draft numbers were drawn in July, a huge crowd gathered in the street to see those numbers flash across The Courier's electric bulletin board at 125 Main St.

Elsewhere, columns of men ran pre-induction drills in city streets and open spaces - some led by Courier co-editor Percy Carroll, a member of the draft board.

The paper played many roles as the war raged in Europe, but its first obligation was to report the turn of events overseas and at home. Courier reporter Ewing Bedelle Lewis had become the newspaper's first "war correspondent" in 1916. It was then that Lewis covered Tri-State men serving with Gen. John Pershing, who was pursuing Francisco "Pancho" Villa along the Mexican border.

When World War I got under way, Lewis held down the night telegraph desk, pulling fresh dispatches off the teletype machine and piecing together events for the morning's news. He is remembered as a creative and versatile writer and is thought to be the first Courier reporter to use a byline.

The Courier used its influence during wartime to boost support of the Red Cross, promote the sale of Liberty bonds, and inform readers on conservation requirements that were a part of the war effort at home.

Food, clothing and coal shortages caused particular concern as the winter of 1917 set in. For 10 Mondays, all industry was shut down (except food manufacturers) and all theaters and amusements were ordered closed. The Courier reported in January 1918 that the workless days saved enough coal to send thousands of troops across the Atlantic.

While citizens observed meatless days, wheatless days, sweetless days and "cold Monday," some food suppliers were charged with hoarding or destroying food to force higher prices. Restaurants were caught serving meat on days designated otherwise and the state fixed prices on bread and coal.

In the meantime, families and households pitched in to make ends meet. Victory gardens accompanied the slogan, "Food Will Win the War." There were all-out drives to collect scrap metal, paper and animal fat. A sentimental cartoon by Karl Kae Knecht encouraged donation of books for American soldiers.

Knecht also campaigned for the collection of canes for soldiers in the West Baden Army Hospital and in Evansville's Marine Hospital and Boehne Hospital.

While involved with various war endeavors, the artist often performed his famous "chalk talks" for military hospitals and camps. His unique blend of drawings, lecture and humor established Knecht as a popular entertainer. Through the years he made many appearances at grade schools, churches - even vaudeville.