In 1863, on March 3rd, the Enrollment Act was passed, requiring all eligible men to sign up for the military. Fifty-six years later in 1917, it was well known by all. An eligible man was between 21 and 31 years of age, strong, and able-bodied. Montana sent the greatest number of these eligible men, and Phillips County sent the most soldiers with a whopping 27% of their population.
Though 4.7 million men served our country well, some found a way to avoid the draft. Though it was cowardly, many men found that an easy way to avoid the war was to marry. In many places, a church could hold several marriages a day. As the American people objected to this, they started to ridicule slackers everywhere. In a church in Lovejoy in northern Phillips County, a poem called “THE SLACKER” was read aloud. “He takes a wife unto himself and/ laudly claims exemption.” Back then, being called a slacker was a huge offense, almost as much as being German. And as a result of this, many men were sent to jail on this accusation.
One could also avoid the draft by registering as a farmer/rancher. This was a valued importance because the fighting soldiers overseas needed good food. Many Montanans registered as farmers and ranchers to supply the Allied powers with food and supplies. Silently, they were praised as much as the soldiers overseas. In a way, the draft law paved the way for the pronounced heroes we remember today.