The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-09
HERE'S ELMER,
ALL READY TO
GREET LEGION
Miniature Soldier, Originated
by City Woman, to
Make Debut.

Two German grandfathers failed
10 keep Miss Grace Hawk from Civ
ing service to the American Red
Cross during the World War. Now,
is years later, her duties as secre-
tary to Frederick NJ. Ayres. IN one
Of indianapolis largest stores, does
not hinder her from giving service
10 the veterans OF that war.
Recently she originated Elmer
Doughboy. a ridiculous miniature
soldier Of krah-colored wire and
wOooen BEARS. TO serve two purposes.
The Elmer doll will furnish
amusement 10 the hundreds OF dele
gates TO the American Legion con-
ventiOn, which Will meet in Indi-
annapolis Aug. "a TO p. For years
LegiOnnaires have greeted each
other with the shouted query
Where's Elmer?' and Elmer
DoUghbOy is the answer.
His sale Will furnish funds to aid
the Hoosier Unit OF the Woman's
Overseas Service League, Of which
Miss Hawk is service chairman, in
carrying on work among the yeter-
ans.
U. S. Refuses Services
When the United States entered
the World War, Miss Hawk was as
sistant circulation manager Of The
Indiana Daily Times, predecessor to
The indianapolis Times.
Like many working girls Of that
period. she longed to enter war
service, and applied at the American
Red Cross. Because she had two
German-born grandfathers tboth of
whom had come to the United
States when they were young boys
her services were refused.
Undaunted, she applied to Mr..
AyreS for a position as secretary
when he was appointed director OF
the department OF supplies, national
headquarters. American Ped Cross.
She served with him "A months in
Washington. and later went to
Paris with him when he was direc
tor Of sales and liquidation for
seven months. In 1919 she came to
indianapolis as his secretary at l..
S. AyTes & Co.
She Used Wrong Word
There were many interesting eX-
periences in that work in Paris, "
Miss Hawk says. with reminiscent
smile. Some were amusing, too. l
remember one day was left in the
Office alone. after we had advertised
a sale of various supplies.
"A F'renchman came in and began
to speak to me in a gust of vOluble
French. I finally understood what
he wanted: he was puzzled about
noodles we had advertised for sale.
What are noodles? he asked.
and with the aid of my French
English dictionary, 1 attempted TO
explain.
FINALLY. 7 found the word. He
looked more astonished than ever,
as I insisted that we wanted to sell
a quantity OF 'niguad' which we had
on hand. When our French in
terpreter came in. she Strengthened
both of us out. The word which
had found for him. and which I
thought meant noodles, meant 'ad-
dlepate
His First Appearance.
Remembering service which she
gave in the Waller Reed Hospital
in Washington, where she helped
cheer soldiers who had had arms
and legs ampatated. probably gave
Miss Hawk the inspiration for FL
mer." She remembered that those
soldiers sometimes were amused by
ridiculous little games and toys. So
Elmer was born.
The origin Of the phrase. where's
Elmer?" is disputed. The most gen.
orally accepted explanation is that
of Paul Fechtman. former Rainbow
artilleryman, who says that Elmer
was born in Battery A. 150th Field
Artillery, where every new recruit
was dubbed Elmer"
The little wood and wire doll has
been copyrighted by the HoOSier
unit, and will be sent to many
Legion conventions in 1886. He will
make his first appearance in In
dianapOllS this month.