​Harrison County community members took the duty of fundraising very seriously. Scroll down to learn more -Click on the images for an enlarged version 

Liberty Bonds

Liberty bonds or liberty loans were war bonds sold in the U.S. to support the allies in World War I. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States.
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There were four issues of Liberty Bonds:
  • Emergency Loan Act authorizes issue of $1.9 billion in bonds at 3.5 percent on April 24, 1917 
  • Second Liberty Loan offers $3.8 billion in bonds at 3 percent on Oct 1, 1917
  • Third Liberty Loan offers $4.1 billion in bonds at 4.15 percent on April 5, 1918 
  • ​Fourth Liberty Loan offers $6.9 billion in bonds at 4.25 percent on Sep 28, 1918
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Harrison County was in the top five West Virginia Counties in selling Liberty Bonds in each of the four different loan drives
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Amount of Liberty Bonds sold by Harrison County Banks
Clippings From Local Newspapers On Liberty Bonds
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Clarksburg Telegram October 20th, 1917
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Clarksburg Exponent August 2nd 1917
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Clarksburg Telegram October 18th, 1917
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Clarksburg Telegram October 18th, 1917
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History of Harrison County by Dorothy Davis

Many of these fundraising drives were headed by local women’s organizations. To learn more about women’s contributions to the home front click HERE.

War Savings Stamps 

War savings stamps were issued by the U.S. Treasury Department to help fund the war. This fundraiser differed from Liberty Bonds because stamps were purchased more often by citizens where the bonds where purchased by banks. 

Sales of War Savings Stamps -- Harrison Co.
Quota                   Sales                    Per Capital
$1,269,680           $1,355,240            $21.35

Sales of War Savings Stamps--Statewide
Quota                   Sales
$28,403,020        $27,391,180
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Courtesy of Library of Congress

Smileage Campaign

Smileage Book Campaign was a fundraising event that allowed the public to purchase coupon books that they would then send to soldiers at training camp. The soldiers would in turn be able to use the tickets to attend events. It was created by the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities to provide “morally uplifting” and “wholesome” entertainment, including plays and later motion pictures. 
Courtesy of the National Museum of the Us Air Force 

Local Fundraisers 

Not every fundraiser was on such a large scale. In September of 1917, four girls raised $8 to be donated to the Red Cross by performing a play on Pike Street. Other local organizations, such as the Boy Scouts also took up the cause of raising money. ​
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Clarksburg Exponent September 4th, 1917
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Clarksburg Exponent