As World War I ranged overseas, the Eatonville residents, like people all over the country, were raising money to help support the effort.
Townspeople “contributed generously to the sales of Liberty Bonds and to the Red Cross drives.” In 1918 The Eatovnille Auxiliary of the Red Cross held an auction at the Redman Hall (where Jebinos currently sits). George Martin was the auctioniere, assisted by C. A. Nettleton, and they raised $250 ($4,000 in today’s dollar).
A more creative money raising function was a “wrestling match with local businessmen”. That event raised an addition $108.70 ($1,730.20 today).
It’s hard, but amusing, to image the businessmen wrestling for dollars today. (Info from History of Southeastern Pierce County.)
Photo courtesy of Debbie and Gary Saint.
Click on image to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 
4 responses to “Wresting for the war effort, 1918”
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[…] Here’s what he has to say, “I think the boy one the bike is myself, but not 100 percent sure. The other two were taken across the street in front of the old theater which was a church at the time. You can see the side of the old Redmen’s Hall.” […]
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[…] shot, taken of the Redmen Hall (or Redman Hall as it was also referred) in 1954, was at the end of its illustrious life. It had […]
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[…] names here. And several of these business were brand new — had just started up in 1912: • C. A. Nettleton, butcher (set up shop in 1912) • E. J. Reed, Tailor • Hotel Snow (built in 1912) • E. A. […]
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