President Taft and the War Effort in Muskogee

That's former President William Howard Taft on the right in the photograph. He spoke in front of the War Stamp Savings Bank in downtown Muskogee. The bank appears in the background.

Muskogee residents built the Victory War Stamp Savings Bank in 1918 to promote the Third Liberty Loan Drive. It was constructed at Second and Broadway streets to facilitate the sale of war bonds. Normally, the Post Office only sold the bonds.

Charles Dawson designed the bank. Two local unions constructed it as a gift. The Carpenters Union No. 1072 erected the framing for the eight-sided structure. Members of the Plasterers Union No. 223 finished the outside. The long list of suppliers showed that almost every lumber company and hardware store in town contributed material. The building top was a parapet that showed eight cannons made out of tin protruding in all directions.

The bank inaugural was on April 3rd following a huge parade that included many groups. W. D. Egolf served as the Grand Marshal. E. L. Head and R. B. Butts were the marshal's aides.

Members of the Lions, the Masons, the Elks, Woodmen of the World and the Odd Fellows, to name just a few groups, represented the fraternal organizations. Patriot groups included veterans of earlier wars, current soldiers who were home on leave and members of the Women's Council of Defense. Store groups, factory workers and labor unions represented local businesses. Civic groups included the Red Cross, YMCA and the Boy Scouts.

Students from all public schools marched near the end of the parade. The high school students led this section. Students from the business college, School for the Blind, St. Joseph's College and Nazareth Institute also marched in this section.

About 20,000 citizens from Muskogee and area towns watched the parade. As was the custom of the day, almost every person wore a hat.

The speaker for the day was former US President William Howard Taft. He arrived from Tulsa on the 10:55 Midland Valley train. He spoke about mid-day in front of the bank to a crowd while standing in an open motorcar. Area residents crowded the intersection. President Taft spoke encouraging the purchase of bonds to show support for American boys then fighting in France.

President Taft said "If the young men of our nation are willing to give their lives, surely you ought to be willing to save and lend your savings to your government. Buy a stamp every day. Make it a habit."

Afterwards, the bank was opened for its first customers. Mrs. Flora Ryan bought a thousand dollars worth. Robert Asquith was the first man to make a purchase.

Pres. Taft later spoke at the elegant Hinton Theatre that night. He presented his famous speech "The Menace of a Premature Peace" to an overflowing crowd. Afterwards, the former president boarded a midnight train for St. Louis.

I would like to thank Karen Wagner for suggesting this topic.