"To the Front"

In March 1916 the Gazette proudly reported that George Severance, Jr., had volunteered to be sent "to the front." How I wish they'd mentioned which front.


From the Hobart Gazette of March 24, 1916.

I haven't been able to find any source indicating that the U.S. sent troops to the European front before its official declaration of war in 1917. This article may have been referring to the "front" on the Mexican border, where the U.S. army was now responding to several earlier incidents involving the Villistas. That may be why George was heading "west" from Chicago. Or maybe he was just going to a training camp in the west.

Oh, well, maybe I'll find out more as I keep reading.

George Jr. was, of course, the eldest son of George and Agnes Severance of Ross Township, whose daughter Pearl had recently married George Yager.