Draft Evaders AKA slackers
When the war broke out, the US was hoping that at least a million men would volunteer, but only 73,000 men signed up. The US Congress decided to pass the Selective Service Act of 1917, which gives the president more power to increase the military temporarily by drafting soldiers. The only people that were exempt from the draft were federal and state officials, judges, religious ministers, seminary students, and anyone who was found part of the religious sect or organization. Men with young children or agricultural land were often not drafted either. This law meant that most men between the ages of 18 and 45 could be drafted. Draft evaders were people who were drafted during WWI and did not fulfill their obligation. Draft evaders were dealt with according to the degree of their evasion. Some would be charged with a misdemeanor and were imprisoned for up to a year. Some, if caught, had to pay a minimum of one months pay but not more than one years pay. During WWI draft evaders were called “slackers”. According to an article in the Sidney Herald, the four draft evaders from Savage were: John Walter Almond, Captain Barker, Miguel Cardenaz, and Harry Dutton.
John Walter Almond was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. When he was around fifteen he left Rhode Island and settled on a homestead in the Savage area. He bought some land, and started his own little farm. He married Carrie Almond and together they had 8 kids. Carrie’s sister also lived in this area and was a victim of the flu epidemic in 1918. Carrie lived until the age of 56 when she passed away on Thanksgiving Day and John lived until the age of 80 when he passed on Feb 7. Their kids grew up and stayed close to home after they were married. In John’s obituary and biography, it gives no indication that he was drafted for the war, and no indication that he was a draft evader. It says that he was a fun loving father who had a fulfilled life with his family. Further research into the Selective Service Act of 1917, indicates that if you have children under 17, you would may not have to fight in the war effort. John’s draft also could have been forgiven because he was a farmer. We speculate that John Almond was forgiven for his draft evasion, once this information was presented.
John Walter Almond was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. When he was around fifteen he left Rhode Island and settled on a homestead in the Savage area. He bought some land, and started his own little farm. He married Carrie Almond and together they had 8 kids. Carrie’s sister also lived in this area and was a victim of the flu epidemic in 1918. Carrie lived until the age of 56 when she passed away on Thanksgiving Day and John lived until the age of 80 when he passed on Feb 7. Their kids grew up and stayed close to home after they were married. In John’s obituary and biography, it gives no indication that he was drafted for the war, and no indication that he was a draft evader. It says that he was a fun loving father who had a fulfilled life with his family. Further research into the Selective Service Act of 1917, indicates that if you have children under 17, you would may not have to fight in the war effort. John’s draft also could have been forgiven because he was a farmer. We speculate that John Almond was forgiven for his draft evasion, once this information was presented.
BY: KAYLA NELSON AND BREANNA ADOLPH