DeKalb Wagon Co. Goes to the Oats in 1918

From the August 22, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"As a diversion from the daily routine of factory work and also as a patriotic movement, 20 employees of the DeKalb Wagon company were sent to Cliff Hunt's farm last night after five o'clock and shocked oats until dark.

"Farm help this year is scarce, and farmers who have large fields of small grain have been compelled to send out S.O.S. calls  for men to get bundles shocked."

There was a major problem in agriculture as far as workers because of World War I.

Young Men Away in the Military.  --Cooter