Federal Writers' Project – Life Histories/2021/Summer/105/Section 10/Don Washburn

= Don Washburn =

Overview
Don Washburn was an ex-soldier who served in World War I. He served in a medical unit during the Spanish Influenza. After he was honorably discharged, he opened a tire-repair shop in his hometown. Washburn was interviewed on February 16, 1939

by Douglas Carter.

Early Life and Education
Don Washburn was born on June 29, 1893. He was the oldest of four children and was of Scottish and English descent. His ancestors emigrated to the United States in the early 18th century. Washburn grew up on a small farm and went to country school.

After leaving school, Washburn went to Colorado “to seek his fortune.” He had relatives there. Washburn jumped from job to job, trying mining, ranching, and clerking. In the Federal Writing Interview, he said:"“ ‘For 10 years, from 1912 to 1921, I was in a different state on New Year’s Day, except 1919, when I was in France.’ ”"Washburn was about to become a miner when he was drafted.

Military Service
Washburn entered the Army on July 5, 1918 as a private. He was first sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and was placed in a medical unit. He was then transferred to the hospital at Camp McClellan, Anniston, Alambama. He spent about three months at Camp McClellan, helping with Spanish Flu patients. In the Federal Writing Interview, he talks about his time at Camp McClellan: "“ ‘It was called a 1,200-bed hospital, but during the flu epidemic we had more than 4,000 patients, on an average .’ ”" His unit was then sent to Camp Mills, Long Island, New York where they waited for sailing orders.

On November 10, 1918, they were ordered to Hoboken, New Jersey and were immediately sent to the Adriatic, on the way to France. Washburn’s unit, Evacuation Hospital Company No. 32. went to a hospital called Base Hospital No. 13., which was about 200 miles away from Le Havre, France. They relieved an outfit that was going home. They spend about six months working there.

Washburn was honorably discharged at Camp Lee, Virginia on July 26, 1919.

Tire Shop and Later Life
After his military discharge, Washburn went back home and worked at a tannery for a while. That winter, he went to Akron, Ohio to work at a rubber plant. This is where he learned about the tire business. In the Federal Writing Interview he said:"“ ‘I learned the tire business from one end to the other, and saved all the money I could. I always went to the night clases at the plant, where they taught different things about tires and rubber.’ “"Washburn went into business with a man named Myers. In 1921, they opened a tire-repair shop on Stroup Street, in Washburn’s hometown. After about a year, Washburn’s father bought out Myers' share in the business and Washburn became the sole owner.

Washburn married in 1923. He has three children, one girl and two boys. At the time of this Federal Writing Project interview, Washburn had run his tire-repair shop for nearly 17 years. His death date is unknown.

Spanish Influenza and Military
The Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919 came at the end of World War I. It was so deadly that it killed more American soldiers than combat did. The influenza virus was allowed to mutate into a virulent strain that spread quickly within the trenches. When soldiers got sick, they were replaced by healthy soldiers. This allowed the virus to adapt and reproduce without dying off. The constant movement of troops and the close quarters of the barracks allowed the virus to spread quickly through the military camps. The Spanish Influenza was a worldwide Pandemic that affected the entire world.

Evacuation Hospitals
Evacuation hospitals operated under the jurisdiction of the army surgeon. These hospitals along with mobile hospitals and mobile surgical units, were able to provide rapid care for critically injured soldiers. Evacuation hospitals were mostly for the critically injured patients that couldn’t be moved, but in times of low patient numbers, they also cared for less seriously injured patients.

Ideal sites for Evacuation hospital were close to the warfront, but just far enough away from enemy aerial attack. They must have a railway nearby, in order for hospital trains to move in and out. Other important factors include accessibility to fuel and water and suitable buildings to house patients. During the Spanish Flu Pandemic, these hospitals cared for numerous soldiers with the influenza. The ability to quickly treat critically injured patients and then transfer them away from the warfront were a vital ability.

The Great Debate
After the United States involvement with World War I, many Americans were hesitant to join another world war. There were two general political views. Isolationists were Americans who believed that WWII was a fight between other countries and that America should not get involved. With the opposing view, interventionists believed that European power kept Nazi Germany in check and without it, “the United States could become isolated in a world where the seas and a significant amount of territory and resources were controlled by a single powerful dictator .” These polarizing views created a division between Americans.

As an effort for the United States to remain neutral, Congress passed Neutrality Acts. They banned Americans from trading with warring nations and loaning money. Isolationists believed that the power of the Neutrality Acts along with the power of the U.S military and the separation of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans would protect us. Isolationists believed that if they stayed neutral, they could wait the war out. Interventionists believed that if the Neutrality Acts were relaxed and they were able to send supplies to Great Britain, then the United States wouldn’t have to send troops overseas[5]. Interventionalist still wanted to avoid a major war with Nazi Germany, but believed that in order to do so, they couldn’t sit on their hands and do nothing.