McFarland remembered on Veterans Day

This article highlights and honors one World War I veteran from Dalton, James A. “Jim” McFarland, in an effort to bring that epic period into focus and to heighten peoples’ awareness of an all-but-forgotten time in America’s history.

Eleven. Eleven. Eleven. These numbers have special meaning to many families in Dalton. We all know of the infamy of 9-11, but we must not forget the glory of Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. This is the date and hour that the Armistice ending World War I took effect. It had been signed at 5 a.m. that morning by acting German commander Paul Von Hindenburg and Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch for France at Compiegne, France.

Many Americans served their country in this war. Among them were 45 members of Dalton First United Methodist Church, including three who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Sunday morning, Nov. 7, just a few days prior to the 91st anniversary of the war’s end, a recently found Service Flag with 45 stars honoring church members serving in the war was presented to the congregation to be hung in a place of honor in the church. Those remembered included one woman, Ella Margaret Brown, who had served as a nurse overseas. Church members who had lost their lives during the war were Guy Felker, Hugh Gregory and Lewis Hoskins.

One of those honored with a star was James A. “Jim” McFarland, who was the father of Gertrude “Tut” McFarland and Stuart McFarland of Dalton. He had sailed for France in April 1918. The troops arrived first in England, went on to France in May and served for one month with the British before going on to the Toul sector preparatory to the American offensive. McFarland was wounded in the Argonne by machine gun fire one month to the day before the armistice and he spent six months in hospitals.

Lt. McFarland’s service record contains the following: “HQ. 82D DIV., American E.F., France, 13 January 1919

“1. The Commanding Maj. General Duncan announces to the Command the splendid conduct of the following officer ... in action against the enemy as described:

“1st Lt. James A. McFarland, 325th Infantry. During the severe fighting along the Sommerance-St. Juvin Road, in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, Lt. McFarland, then in command of the one pound gun platoon, was making a personal reconnaissance for a position for his guns, and before they arrived he volunteered to assist a machine gun platoon in getting into action. With great bravery and devotion to duty, when advancing with this machine gun platoon under heavy enemy machine gun fire, he was severely wounded.

“2. The Commanding General takes particular pride in announcing to the Command this fine example of courage and self-sacrifice. Such deeds are evidence of that spirit of heroism which is innate in the highest type of the American soldier who responds unfailingly to the call of duty, wherever and whenever it may come.”

A note to Mrs. Leathey McFarland from the chaplain of McFarland’s division reported that her son had been wounded, and “I trust that before this reaches you, you will have heard from him that he has recovered ... We all love him very tenderly and many a dreary hour has been made bright by his winsome cheer.

“As he passed through the first dressing station he sent me 1073.75 francs, with request that I send it to you. I am therefore sending you U.S. Postal Money Orders to the amount of $194.62.”

Jim’s mother had asked her son to bring home from Europe a piece of wood to be made into a gavel for use by the Dalton Lesche Club. Founded in 1890, Lesche is the oldest Women’s Literary Club in Georgia. In a letter to his mother, Jim wrote, “Haven’t found anything that would have enough ‘pedigree’ to be a Lesche gavel. Maybe will get something someday.”

Gertrude “Tut” McFarland, Jim McFarland’s daughter, recalls that throughout her years in elementary school there was a yearly remembrance of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. “Every Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., school activities would cease and there would be a moment of silence in honor of that event. Then a bugler would play ‘Taps.’ The Armistice had been signed at 5 a.m. in France which was 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in the United States.”

McFarland studied law at the University of Georgia, completing the three-year course in two years. He taught law in the Georgia School of Technology for a time and then began practicing his profession in the legal department of the Southern Railway. Active in the organization of Disabled American Veterans, McFarland was eventually elected its National Commander.

Jim’s experience in army hospitals had made him very conscious of the plight of the wounded veterans. While serving as National Commander of the DAV he visited hospitals and veterans’ groups, addressing audiences and meeting at the White House with President Coolidge. He was always seeking more benefits for those who had been wounded in the service of their country.

He served two terms as mayor of Dalton and then was elected judge of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit (Whitfield, Murray, Gordon and Bartow counties). He died suddenly of spinal meningitis on Nov. 24, 1936, before he could begin his service as judge.

Among the historical memorabilia kept by his daughter are stories from The San Francisco Chronicle, The Minneapolis Star, The Salt Lake Deseret, The Dalton News and The Chattanooga News, among many others. There are also notes from George V, king of England, “Lt. Col.” George C. Marshall Jr., James A. Farley and an invitation to a Garden Party at the White House given by President Coolidge.

One of McFarland’s proudest moments was when he had been put in command of the honor guard for Ambassador Page at the American Embassy in London as the troops were reviewed by King George just after their arrival in England. A note from King George on Windsor Castle stationary said “Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British Isles welcome you on your way to take your stand beside the Armies of many Nations now fighting in the Old World the great battle for human freedom. The Allies will gain new heart and spirit in your company. I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you and bid you God speed on your mission. George R.I., April 1918”

Those members of Dalton First Methodist Church who were honored with stars on the Service Flag that was rededicated on Sunday were Guy Albertson, Ed Anderson, Clayton Ault, Emmett Baker, Will Barkston, Willis Barrow, Sam Berry, Edgar Brown, Ella Margaret Brown, Locke Brown, Wood Carter, Robert Deakins, Fletcher Felker, Fort Felker, Guy Felker, Quillian Felker, Walter Foote, Phillip Frazier, Howard Gilbert, Sam Gilbert, Hugh Gregory, Chess Hopkins, Lewis Hopkins, Charles Kriescher, Starr Maddox, Judson Manley, Edwin McCamey, Ed McFarland, Jim McFarland, John Mitchell, Wright Mitchell, Milton Oxford, Vernon Robertson, Aborn Smith Jr., Zirkle Speck, Dr. John Steed, McAfee Trammell, Warren Vickery, Barrett White, Dewey Wright and Thomas Wyatt,

On this anniversary of the ending of World War I it is important to remember the sacrifice of all our service men and women who have served and are serving around the world on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009.

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Site Map

Contact Us