LONGWOOD
DURING WORLD WAR I
When America
entered the war in 1917, little did the residents of the
Longwood community realize the changes it would bring to
their sleepy hamlets. Below are items taken from the Patchogue
Advance chronicling our community's involvement in
the war.
On May 18, 1917, Mrs. Daniel
R, Davis invited the ladies of the Coram and Middle
Island communities to her home where they would bring
second hand clothing, old linen and muslin to be used for
bandages. All of this material was to be turned over to
the Red Cross. The Coram branch of the Red Cross was
organized formally on May 28th, 1917 and installed Mrs.
D.B. Still as chairman, Miss Eunice Still as secretary
and Mrs. D.N. Still as treasurer.
On June 11, local women volunteered to take the New York
Military Census for this area. All men between the ages
of 16 and 50 were to be registered. Upon enrolling each
man was given a certificate. Each man between 18 and 45
was given notice that he was liable to serve in the
militia of the state.
In June 1917, the government announced the final
selection of a training site between Yaphank where 30,000
men of the National Army would be trained.
On June 22, 1917, the ladies of Coram held an all day
sewing of supplies for the Red Cross. They also began to
canvass house to house looking for support of the Red
Cross fund.
By June the 29th the government announced its plan to
build a training camp at Yaphank. People wanting to open
theaters, refreshment stands, etc., besieged the
residents of Yaphank. It was becoming clear that there
were many that were willing to profit from the soldiers
who would be coming shortly.
July 6, 1917 - A contractor from the US campsite was here
looking for carpenters, masons and other workmen to work
on the new camp located near Yaphank.
In July a small detachment of regulars arrived at Camp
Long Island, bringing 30 big automobile trucks. They came
from fort Sam Houston near the Mexican border. These men
were part of the supply train in Pershing's Mexican
expedition. A Company of engineers and a company of
Maryland militia were at the camp along with several
hundred workmen.
People from the camp made stops at the local communities
seeking men who were willing to help construct the camp.
By July 20th Camp Long Island received its official name,
Camp Upton. The camp was named after Civil War General
Emory Upton.
The activity at the Yaphank Railroad station increased
dramatically, and residents began to hear the constant
arrivals of freight trains heading for the camp.
August 17, A caravan of work teams from the city passed
through here last Friday on their way to the camp. On the
Robert Randall Road to Longwood one of their powerful
gray horses dropped dead.
The electric lighting of the streets at Camp Upton under
government direction is equal to any city.
In view of the fact of the two splendid lakes at Yaphank
and the fine ridge of hills north of it, overlooking Camp
Upton, with a view of the ocean on the south and sound on
the north, many are looking to build a good home here.
August 24, 1917-The
ladies of Coram began to make mosquito masks for the
soldiers. The soldiers found the mosquito problem to be
severe. Those who saw the early stages of the camp
described it as a western mining town.
The Grange Hall in Yaphank had its opening dance. It was
well attended by soldiers who helped to make it a
success. The Yaphank ladies auxiliary used the hall in
the daytime for its meetings.
August 31, 1917
Two United States Marshals have been assigned to the camp
to have charge of a number of special policemen and they
will be assisted by soldier details in police work. a
court will be established under a United States
commissioner to try minor cases and others will be sent
to Brooklyn.
Several hundred officers of the Officer's Reserve corps
who have been assigned to commands in the new army
arrived at Camp Upton Wednesday by special train. Most of
them are graduates of the Plattsburg camp.
Sunday afternoon the Patchoguers won a stiff diamond
contest from the Fifteenth infantry team made up of
colored soldiers from Camp Upton, turning a score of 6-5
in the ninth inning.
September 7, 1917
Postmaster Cadet Hand has donated ten pounds of worsted
and the use of a knitting machine to knit socks to the
Yaphank Red Cross auxiliary which meets every Wednesday
afternoon at Yaphank Hall. Other days the machine will be
placed in the house of Mrs. de La Marca, and women
wishing to knit socks for the soldiers are welcome to do
so.
October 4, 1918
Training for Farmerettes (Ladies who replaced soldiers
doing farm work) To establish 200 camps to house 10,000
women farm hands next year
In October 1917 the ladies of Coram packed a barrel with
clothing and sent it to refugees in France.
Farmerette working on the Coram farm of Lester Davis.
Photo from the collection of Davis Erhardt.
October 19,
1917-The operations at Camp Upton were extended to and
beyond the Country Road east of the Ridge. Work is
progressing on the rifle range, which extends north of
the road. The Hay Road (now called the William Floyd
Parkway) has been widened and improved up to the Country
Road, so that it is now a very convenient and popular
entrance to the camp.
The traffic in the area increased dramatically. On any
given Saturday it was not unusual to see several car
accidents in the area.
Another dance was held at the Grange Hall, with music
provided by the soldier's orchestra from the camp. The
dance was well attended by soldiers.
October 26, 1917-The Country Road in the vicinity of the
camp presents a lively scene. Thousands of soldiers are
seen daily, marching it to some of the neighboring farms
where they spend several hours drilling on clear fields
which are given for that use. About a mile east of the
entrance to the camp improvements are being made and
buildings erected on the north side of the Country Road
for the rifle range and machine gun (long-range)
practice. They are putting up buildings on the Ehler's
farm.
The Country Road is impossible to travel because of all
the traffic. Residents from the city coming to visit the
camp have found it to be the quickest route to the camp.
Many of the local citizens are renting out their homes to
the families of soldiers stationed at the camp.
November 2, 1917
The sanitation of Camp Upton and the spending of 250,000
to eliminate mosquitoes in Suffolk were discussed. Major
Schoenleber said the fly was the worst enemy of camp
sanitation.
Feb. 8 1918-The Grange Hall has been leased out as a
soldiers recreation clubhouse. Military dances are a
prominent feature. A billiard room and a bowling alley
will be added.
Feb. 8, 1918-The ladies auxiliary of Yaphank sent two
barrels of serviceable clothing through the American
Relief Committee to Belgium.
Local woodcutters are busy cutting and providing wood to
the camp.
Coram ladies are making comfort bags for soldiers leaving
the camp and heading overseas.
James Ashton, who is in charge of roads is harrowing and
honing Longwood Road into a real road.
May 31, 1918- Yaphank raises 213.65 for the Red Cross
June 7, 1918, Soldiers from the camp have discovered that
lakes of Yaphank. They can be seen fishing daily.
August 16, 1918-Many of the locals are providing
transportation for soldiers with passes seeking to go to
the city. Charles Miller of Middle Island needed the
Military Police to take the overload of soldiers seeking
to leave off of his truck. Miller finally left with 31
soldiers, heading for Jamaica.
Much of the local farm products were sold to the camp.
Charles Miller sold 8000 ears of corn to the camp.
August 30, 1918
Since 10,000 or more colored soldiers from south were
brought into camp the guards are alert to prevent any
booze being brought into the limits. The other day an
undertaker was rounded up as he entered the camp and the
guard insisted on examining his embalming kit to make
sure that it was not filled with booze.
September 6,
1918-Charlie Hagen showing his support to save gasoline
is riding about in his farm wagon, with a canvass
covering labeled "saving gasoline."
September 27, 1918-Unusual activity of Military police
from the camp apparent about here. Their purpose is to
prevent soldiers who do not have passes from leaving
camp. A roadblock is set out in front of Pfeiffer's
store. Here 40 soldiers with no passes are escorted back
to camp.
October 4, 1918-Harold Davis of Coram is put in charge of
the Liberty Bond sale. Coram will eventually raise
$4,300.
Feb. 8, 1918-The ladies auxiliary of Yaphank sent two
barrels of serviceable clothing through the American
Relief Committee to Belgium.
Local woodcutters are busy cutting and providing wood to
the camp.
Coram ladies are making comfort bags for soldiers leaving
the camp and heading overseas.
James Ashton, who is in charge of roads is harrowing and
honing Longwood Road into a real road.
May 31, 1918- Yaphank raises 213.65 for the Red Cross
June 7, 1918, Soldiers from the camp have discovered that
lakes of Yaphank. They can be seen fishing daily.