In January, Sanitary Bottling Works opened its doors under the ownership of M.H. Forgotston. By February 8, it was reported that tuberculosis caused 11% of all deaths in Texas, while pneumonia caused 8%. In March 5, a fatal stabbing occurred in Gonzales between Dr. J.A. Maness and T.F. Goodson, resulting in Goodson’s death. Dr. Maness was arrested and placed under a $5000 bond, but the outcome of the case was not reported. However, in September of the same year, Dr. Maness enlisted in the army. On March 20, Mrs. F.O. Smith donated 200 palm trees that were planted along East Avenue and other sites in Gonzales. A cement sidewalk was laid on March 22, in front of the Fitzgerald residence, to create a steady line of sidewalk between the SAP depot and inner city. On April 6, the United States declared war on Germany. On April 12, the City Council rescinded the hog ordinance and allowed three hogs per residence.
The cotton mill was reported to reopen on May 17, and instructions were given on May 31 for men between the ages of 21 and 31 to register by June 6. Gonzales was divided into 35 precincts for the registration. By June 7, 2702 men in the county had registered, while the nationwide registration was over 10,500,000. On the same day, the cotton mill opened. On June 14, a family and their friend were treated for rabies at the Pasteur Institute in Austin due to a dog bite. On July 19, final details of the draft were completed in Washington, D.C. On August 2, over 1000 men from Gonzales County were drafted for WWI. A list of the county men whose numbers were drawn was published in the newspaper, and they were instructed to report on August 6, 7, and 8. The first group of Gonzales County men boarded a train on September 6 to report for active duty in the U.S. Army amid a large crowd at the station. Miss Willie Carleton was announced to teach at the Mexican School on September 21. On October 31, ten saloons were forced to close their doors as Gonzales was declared a “dry” county in the election held in September. On November 22, Gonzales secured the Houston-San Antonio Highway, known as Highway number 3. The New Playhouse Theater was renamed the Crystal Theatre on December 3. In addition, a sewer system and dam across Guadalupe River were constructed, and the Josephine Peck Building was built on 348 St. George Street (Block 19).
