Local veterans served nation in World War I

Submitted by Warren Coppedge

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, 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.

 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: “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.”

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 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. 

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”        

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 today, Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009.