Hens for peace

Brookville Democrat, April 4, 1918

Hens Work For Red Cross

Everybody in town or county who owns hens is earnestly requested to devote one day's egg production to the Red Cross. Bring the eggs to the Stenger Building on Main Street on Saturday, April 6. The room will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and some of the Tri Kappa girls will be there to receive the eggs.

If individual or community finds it more convenient to sell the eggs at home and bring the money, that will be quite as acceptable. Let's see who has the most patriotic hens.

April 11, 1918

Patriotic Hens Bring Good Sum To Red Cross

Red Cross Egg Day was a decided success. Two hundred and fifty dozen eggs were brought in and those were sold for $75. Cash donations amounting to $69.39 were received making the day's total proceeds $144.39. Ninety-seven persons contributed eggs and 57 gave cash. We would like to publish the names of all donors, but that would take up too much space. The largest contribution of eggs from one person was 11 1/2 dozen from Mrs. F. R. Petty. 

The executive committee extends the thanks of the Red Cross to all who answered the call for eggs and also to Misses Armstrong, Bossert, Frye and Popper who were on duty at the room to receive the eggs.

NOTES: Rationing of agricultural products was a national phenomenon during wartime and individual contributions during World War I were decidedly amazing.

Most likely the money raised for this project had little impact on the wartime operation, but the symbolism was enormous.