The Follansbee Post Office reported that a number of foreign money orders issued in the city went down with the Lusitania. The Lusitania was sunk by a German U boat off the coast of Ireland. The Mill Towns Review reported that the money orders would be reissued.  A common practice among immigrant families living in town was to send money back home.

On May 7, 1915 a German U Boat sank the Lusitania in 20 minutes killing 1,959 passengers including 128 Americans.  Public opinion in the US began to turn against Germany gradually resulting in the US declaring war against Germany on April 6, 1917.  See events regarding Follansbee boys going to war during 1917-1918 including letters they mailed home on this timeline.

• Mill Towns Review, “Review of the Week,” May 21, 1915, p. 5.