In January, Herbert Hoover urged the American people to lead a simple life, with basic food, clothing and pleasures, and work hard, play hard, and pray hard to achieve victory. On January 11, Gonzales experienced snow with a low temperature of 12 degrees. Meanwhile, around 10,000 US soldiers were being sent to France each day. In April, the US Senate declared war with Germany, and also implemented the daylight savings program by setting all clocks one hour ahead. Early spring saw a wave of influenza virus hit the country, causing half of all US soldier deaths, amounting to approximately 43,000 casualties.
On June 28, six carloads of walnut logs were shipped to Kansas City to make gun stocks and airplane propellers. To conserve food for the war effort, people were encouraged to participate in “Meat-less, wheat-less” days. The county received “war seed” from the U.S. government to plant “war gardens”, while the New Texas National Guard was raised. The fire station on Confederate Square (Block 24) was also remodeled to house three motor-driven vehicles. Piggly-Wiggly, a popular supermarket chain, opened its doors in town.
On June 26, Mrs. Q.M. Sharp became the first woman in Gonzales County to register to vote. Ladies groups also came together to knit and crochet items to send to local men who were stationed at Camp Bowie (Fort Worth) before being shipped to Europe. Finally, on November 11, the cease-fire was declared at 11 a.m., ending the war.
