World War I left impact years after conclusion

"SENATE DECLARES FOR WAR" read the banner headline in the April 5, 1917, Deseret News.

News of "The Great War," which had been raging across Europe for nearly three years, dominated the next day's front page, but the final step in the war declaration was buried inside: "The resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the United States and Germany, already passed by the senate, passed the house shortly after 3 o'clock this morning by a vote of 373 to 50."

The U.S. entered what would eventually become known as World War I 93 years ago this week, but it would be a year before the first Utahn died in battle when 21-year-old Raymond F. Crow was killed near Verdun, France, by shrapnel from a German shell on April 26, 1918. Seven months later, the war was over and 664 more Utah soldiers were dead.

Some 21,000 Utahns served during the war, and Fort Douglas played a critical role in the conflict, both as a training facility and military prison, bringing the war home to Utah.

During those years, Deseret News photographers took many pictures to tell the story of the foreign war's impact on home soil, both during the conflict and for years after. Photo researcher Ron Fox has collected many of those photos, which can be seen at deseretnews.com.

During the war, the day-to-day activities at Fort Douglas became fodder for the local newspaper.

The May 30, 1917, Deseret News reported: "The quartermaster at Fort Douglas has been notified by wire of an increase of pay for enlisted men, a local bulletin relative to the same being posted there. All men receiving below $21 per month, will receive an increase of $15, making $36 per month …

"The usual routine of army life has been re-established at the post, and the contractor is rushing things with all speed on new barracks construction."

On Aug. 30, 1917, the newspaper reported these preparations: "The Forty-second infantry is making seven miles of trenches on the reservation, duplicates of those on the western war front. When these are completed the soldiers will begin bomb and grenade throwing, sapping and mining, bayonet charges, machine gun firing, countercharges and periscope work."

From 1917 to 1920, Fort Douglas also served as a prison barracks for German prisoners of war, civilian internees and conscientious objectors. It was one of three such camps in the United States.

Raymond Crow was declared "Utah's first hero," in a full-page ad seeking donations for the Red Cross in May 20, 1918. A story in the April 26, 1938, Deseret News recalled his death: