In 1917, there were still North Dakota veterans who remembered serving in the Civil War. Their sons had stepped up in 1898 when the 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry set off to serve in the Philippines during the Spanish American War. Now, with America’s entrance into World War I, it was again time for North Dakotans to serve their country. A number of them had seen service in the Philippines and volunteered again.
In July 1917, four thousand National Guardsmen were called to federal duty. Another twenty thousand men volunteered. Eleven thousand more were drafted. North Dakotans prepared to say good-bye to these fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers.
On this date that year, it was announced that enough men had been recruited to fill Company B of Fargo. Concern was growing as the time neared for the boys to leave. The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican expressed concern that Company B would quietly slip out of town on their way to Fort Lincoln without a proper sendoff. The newspaper noted that the boys would be sent to France, and not all of them would come home. The paper urged Fargo citizens to show their support for the company with a parade through the business district on their way to the railroad station. The frontpage editorial noted that “other cities are doing this for their soldiers…It’s not a gift. It’s a chance for us to pay one little fraction of the debt we owe the boys.”
Fargo residents did indeed step up. They raised money for the Company B Fund that would provide support for the soldiers. They sponsored dances and dinners. Fargo theaters gave free tickets to Company B members. The Fargo Home Guard organized a parade up Broadway to the Masonic Temple where the soldiers were honored.
When Company B left Fargo, fears of a quiet departure proved to be unfounded and the newspaper predicted that “this afternoon’s farewell will be the greatest of its kind Fargo has ever witnessed.” The city was packed with visitors to bid the boys farewell. Stores were closed on the day of departure. The street was lined with cheering spectators as the company marched to the train station.
Of the soldiers who left North Dakota to serve their country, more than thirteen hundred would not return.
Dakota Datebook by Dr. Carole Butcher
Sources:
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “9 Fargo Young Men Ordered to Report at Once.” Fargo ND. 8/6/1917. Page 2.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Will Company B Leave Unnoticed?” Fargo ND. 8/3/1917. Page 1.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Company B Auxiliary Nets $300 From Fair Project, for Soldiers.” Fargo ND. 8/7/1917. Page 6.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Society Notes.” Fargo ND. 8/7/1917. Page 6.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Company B Members are Guests at Fargo Theaters.” Fargo ND. 8/11/1917. Page 10.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Company B Auxiliary Farewell Dancing Party Very Popular Event.” Fargo ND. 8/10/1917. Page 6.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Masonic Bodies Treat Soldiers.” Fargo ND. 8/28/1917. Page 2.
- Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Fargo Crowded with Visitors as Time for Troops’ Farewell Nears.” Fargo ND. 9/29/1917. Page 1.
- National Archives Foundation. “Declaration of War: US Enters World War I.” https://www.archivesfoundation.org/documents/declaration-war-u-s-enters-world-war/ Accessed 6/19/2024.
