Many stories came from events such as wars, and World War I certainly had its share of interesting stories. Most of the stories involve the soldiers and their special circumstances.
One particular story involved a local businessman named Efird Hine. Efird Hine was the subject of an earlier post on this website, on the occasion of his birthday. See the post at http://winstonsalemtimetraveler.com/2014/04/08/april-8-happy-birthday/
Efird owned a shoe store that carried his name. But as a young, single man of 27 years old, he was eligible for the draft. On June 5th, 1917, Efird signed his draft card. He declared that he was 27 years old, lived at 109 Cherry Street, and described himself as short, with a medium build, blue eyes, and light hair.
He was placed in the limited service class because his right arm had been broken during his younger years and was not properly reset. He was released by the Winston-Salem city board to enter the Philadelphia Detachment, Gas Defense Division of the Chemical Warfare Service. He arrived in Philadelphia on Monday, November 11th, 1918. But because of the signing of the armistice, he was not received until Tuesday.
During the day his papers were completed, he was given the first of the series of three inoculations against typhoid, and fitted out in a uniform.
The next morning he reported at 7 o’clock to answer roll call at the plant where the gas masks are made. He was assigned to work in the Record Department, where he was engaged until a short time after noon. Meanwhile, his papers had been forwarded to Washington and during the morning a message was received from the Provost Marshal General to release him immediately as no other inductions would be made into the service.
So, in the afternoon of the second day, Mr. Hine again donned his civilian suit he had put off the night before. For his service, he received the $2.00 allowed Uncle Sam’s privates for the parts of the two days he served, as well as an allowance for rations, room rent, heat and light, in addition to his round trip transportation between Winston-Salem and Philadelphia.
Mr. Hine left Philadelphia on Thursday, November 14th, 1918. He decided to make a trip to Boston to purchase shoes before returning to his home and business.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Efird Hine is a veteran. He enlisted on November 12, 1918 and was released on November 13, 1918. He was issued an honorable discharge.
Efird returned to Winston-Salem where he continued to grow his shoe business.
Photograph courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
