Vlaskamp Boys Among First to Answer Call of Country of Their Adoption.
Two in Reconstruction Work and Two in Navy
Holland,
Africa, Muncie, Indiana, and France all combine in a unique way to make one
of the most unusual and interesting war stories ever unfolded in this city.
About twenty-five years ago a Hollander and his wife left their native land
and went to British South Africa. Engaged in the railroad business, and skilled
in his line of work, this man of Holland made countless friends among the Boers
and learned to have a deep regard for them. When the Boers declared war against
the English in 1899, because of their exclusion from political priviledges and
the oppressive action of the British government in regard to mining regulations
and unfair taxation, it was the natural thing for the man who had found a home
and friends among the Boers to befriend them. He was interviewed by a committee
of Englishmen and given the choice to fight with England against the Boers or
return to his native land, Holland. Decides to Come to America During the years
he resided in Africa he had become the father of three sons. So, with the family,
he returned to Holland. It did not take him long after returning to the land
of his birth to decide to come to American, the land of freedom. This man came
to America and to Muncie. He was A.M. Vlaskamp; and before long another son
was born. From infancy these four sons had been taught that it was their duty
to avenge the wrongs inflicted by the British on their father. The sons-Arend,
Stephen, Anthony, and Fred-grew up in Muncie, attended the Muncie schools and
were faithful members of the Friends Memorial Church since their earliest recollections.
The father was killed in an accident several years ago, and the mother died
shortly after. An aunt-a sister of the mother-who had come with them from Holland,
remained to keep house for the four boys who were nearing manhood. She was Miss
Marie Ferreira, and the home was at 1513 West Seventh Street. Three years ago
Miss Ferreira died after devoting her entire life in America to the care of
her nephews. Goes to Rebuild France At the outbreak of the war and following
the devastation of Belgium, when the friends reconstruction unit, under the
direction of the Red Cross, began work in the devastated districts, a call came
for volunteers. To volunteer in this branch would mean hard work and no pay.
The first to volunteer from Muncie was the eldest of the Vlaskamp boys, Arend,
who at that time was a student at Earlham College. On July 5, 1917, Arend left
for New York from whence he sailed for France, and since that time has been
engaged in many kinds of work. Lately he has worked in a portable house factory
at Ornanaes, France. Forgotten are all his teachings and his father's wrongs-he
is heart, and life, if necessary, all for the allied cause, of which England
is an important factor. In February, 1918, the second son, Stephen, who had
been employed by A.J. Goddard Company, enlisted in the same work as his brother.
He was sent to France, but was detained in Paris for several weeks doing work
for the Red Cross. Since then he has worked with his brother at Ornanes. Two
at Great Lakes Station Fred, the youngest, next heeded the call and enlisted
in the United States Navy and was sent to the Great Lakes naval training station
a few months ago. About a month ago the last of the brothers, Anthony, heeded
the call of country and enlisted in the navy, and is stationed near his brother
at Great Lakes. These four young men, who are not Americans, have proved to
be good, red American blood, and have laid aside all grievances and all thoughts
of self in their ambition to help protect the country which has been their home.
As subjects of a neutral country, they could have remained at home, but these
young men today stand as unusual and fine examples of the kind of manhood that
will win the war."
Muncie, Indiana Newspaper, August, 1918
The photo published with the article: