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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 223/340

A History of Columbia Comity, Florida
Nineteen-eighteen, the year of Aunt Aggie’s death, was also
the year that brought an end to World War I, called the “Great
War” by the people of that generation. The war was of somewhat
short duration for Americans: from April of 1917 until November
of 1918. There was not the same degree of homefront preparations
in Florida communities which would be seen during World War II.
Still, Columbia Countians served in community defense projects,
purchased Liberty Bonds, and many served in the armed services.
G. 0. Palmer was the chairman of the Columbia County
Council of Defense. F. P. Cone was War Savings Stamp director
while J. R. Perry headed the Libery Loan Committee. H. C. Birley
was in charge of the county Red Cross, while Dr. W. M. Ives
chaired the Sanitary and Medical Committee. The First Florida
Infantry Regiment was organized on August 5, 1917, under
Colonel S. C. Harrison, Jr. Company C was recruited in Lake City
and initially quartered in the men’s dormitory of Columbia Col­
lege. On September 14, 1917, the companies of the regiment were
assembled at the Union Depot in Jacksonville and embarked for
the training facilities at Camp Wheeler near Macon, Georgia. At
Wheeler, Company C was made a part of the 31st (Dixie) Division,
composed of southern regiments. Other companies of the First
Florida and the Second Florida were combined to form the 124th
Infantry Regiment. The 31st Division sailed for France as a part of
the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. “Black
Jack” Pershing. It was used to replenish the losses of units depleted
by casualties, and many of the men of Columbia saw action with a
variety of units.37
The end of the war witnessed the establishment of the Vet­
erans Administration Hospital in Lake City. The hospital was
located on the site of the old Florida Agricultural College (Uni­
versity of Florida). The buildings saw use as Columbia College

37 Davis, History of Jacksonville, pp. 255-256; Century in the Sun, p. 42; Lake
City Reporter, June 1, 1917.
176

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