Liam Guthrie, Regional History Librarian
On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress voted to overwhelmingly to enter into The Great War in Europe following an impassioned plea by President Woodrow Wilson. As reported on April 4th in the local Wood River Times, Wilson stated, “…the United States must enter the war to make the world safe for democracy, as only one of the champions of the rights of mankind, and will be satisfied when those rights are as secure as the faith and freedom of nations could make them.”
Many in the Wood River Valley were inspired to volunteer for service, but none more so than the residents of Ketchum. From its population of just over three hundred, twenty-six of Ketchum’s young men enlisted. Included in this group were many names from notable pioneer families in Ketchum’s history, including, but not limited to, Russell and Clarence Bonning, Frank Venable, Bill and Pete Lombardina, Ed, Elfred and Artie Obenchain, Eugene Flowers, and Oscar and Bert Griffith. These men would serve both in and out of the trenches as soldiers, cooks, medics, engineers, artilleryman, and one, Howard McPheters, in the Navy.
Following the Armistice, the town of Ketchum was recognized by United States government for having sent the most men per capita of any town in the country. Remarkably, amongst this group of twenty-six, only one lost his life. This was Private James Hyde, who passed away from pneumonia on the USS New Jersey returning home from Europe. For his sacrifice, the people of Ketchum themselves awarded him a medal on a rainbow ribbon, engraved on the front with “For World War Service” and the Idaho Coat of Arms, and on the back with “James Hyde. Presented by the People of Ketchum.”
For the other twenty-five men who returned home a grand celebration was held. First was a program in Ketchum’s Odd Fellow’s Hall, featuring speeches and patriotic songs. This was followed by a parade in which the World War I veterans were joined by local veterans of the Civil War and Mexican American War. They were followed through the streets by the other citizens of Ketchum, where the above photo was taken and a copy of it given to each soldier and their mothers.
Following the parade, a large banquet was held in Mrs. Reid’s Café, which included, according to the Wood River Times, “Whole roast lamb, fresh pork ham, 36 chickens, dressing, chicken gravy with giblets, mashed potatoes, hot rolls, salads of every kind, bread of every kind, pies and cakes by the dozens, ice cream, olives, pickles, coffee, cream, butter, jellies, etc.” Over seven hundred plates were served at the banquet, which was followed by live music and dancing until three in the morning. One Ketchum pioneer, Mrs. Broadhead remarked, “This is the proudest and happiest day of my life.”
Note this story was originally published in October of 2025 in the Idaho Mountain Express.
