Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-11-27
OAK0TAN IN THE WAR.
IN LETTER TO MOODY COUNTY
FRIENDS DESCRIBES FIERCE
FIGHT ALONG AlSNE.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
From the Capital City, the Various
State Institutions and from
Many Different Parts Of
the Sunshine State.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Egan.-Two former residents of the
Black Hills are serving in the Aus
trian army, as recently reported in
these dispatches, but SO far as known
the only former resident Of South Da-
kota who is fighting with the allies
in the European war is Alphonso
Bourne, who for some time was a res
ident of Moody county, and who was
popular among residents of Egan and
other places in the county. Mr.. and
Mrs. T. J. Rolf, we'll known residents
Of Egan, who b~efriended the young
man while he was a resident Of South
Dakota, have just received a letter
from him which gives details Of the
thrilling experiences through which
he has passed since returning to Eu-
rope and enlisting as a gunner in the
English army. He was wounded dur
ing one Of the battles and the letter
is written from the hospital in which
he now is receiving treatment. He
landed in Belgium with the First army
corps Of the British expeditionary
force and almost Immediately had his
baptism of fire. He was in the battle
of Mons. His letter continues:
I'VE entrained to Narnus, coming in
to action with u guns on the 7th Of
August, fighting all day; we had to
retire during the night onto Mons,
whore we had another terrible battle
on the 9Th and 9th days Of August,
again retiring at night, where we
again fought all day On the 10th, los
ing many men; again ~retreating at
night to LeCoteau; in action again all
day and ~retreating Of nights and fight
ing all day. Twenty miles north of Par
is we made a great stand for three
days, when we had lost over half Of
our men. We got reinforced then with
plenty more fresh troops and then we
began to advance again (instead of re-
treating) our first battle being at Lig-
ney and next day at LeVerberie. We
again advanced to Campaign, where
we had two more hard days of very
heavy firing and then on to the River
Marine, where it took us six days terri
BILE fighting with heavy loss of life
to get to the other side of the river.
1--WE advanced on to scissors to find
that grand old city in flames and
ruins; also many other towns and vii
lagos the same. When at last we
reached the River Raine, where we
loon effected a crossing; but oh, dear,
what a price! After getting to the
other side the shells and firing was
awful-from the 9th of September
right up to the 16th-seven days terri
BILE fighting, which I can only describe
as being a hell upon earth. Our bat
terry was properly wiped out and ami
hilated on the 18th. I was shot through
both thighs, but thank God, I am still
alive and not only alive but am very
lucky to have both my legs left as
we'll, as o bet 1 was very grateful
when I found myself here in a clean,
comfortable bed four days after.
Rather a strange coincident,
thought, to find myself with Uncle
Sans folks again here in the Ameri,
can hospital in Paris. I am very
grateful to them, as they have been
very kind and are doing a grand work
here for our wounded. I am pleased
to say I am getting along splendidly
myself and can get about now with
crutches-not bad in only three weeks.
DR.. Bromer of Pittsburgh says I have
a constitution like a horse, as 1 was
badly hit with shrapnel shell bursting,
getting my full share in both legs. I
am very lucky I did not lose my legs.
7 q m, vnnrfinO vnFu Snnvn IN he. ahifknI
to a convalescent camp to get my
strength back again, and as soon as !
am well enough 7 will rejoin a bat
terry at the firing line again. Am sorry
to see our troops r still occupying
the same positions as they were when
l left them three weeks ago, and they
must have had a very hard job to do
that, as the Germans are much strong
err in numbers than us.
81 had three days hard fighting in
all before I fell, so 1 think I bear a
charmed life. I do not think I was
meant to be shot, as I was the last one
left standing and alive on the 18th
before I was hit. It's very heart
breaking to see all your comrades ly-
ing dead and wounded all around, and
it drives you mao to see the poor WON
IN and children lying in the towns.
We shall all be glad to see the end of
this terrible war"
Bourne's number in the hospital is
30,907 and he signs the letter, 30,9o7,
Gunner A. Bourne"
Mitchell.-South Dakota dairymen
buttermakers will gather in Mitchell
on December 2 and 8 for their annual
convention, according to arrange
ments made here by e. P. Ryger of
Bookings, secretary Of the organiza-
ton. In conjunction with the meet
ing OF the dairymen, the South Dako-
ia Holstein-Friesian association, COM
prising the breeders Of these two va
rieties Of dairy cattle, will hold their
annual meeting on the following day,
December 4. P. r. Crothers of
Badger, secretary, arranged for the
days program while In Mitchell.
Lead.-Unmourned, Melvin Evans.
formerly of Eureka, Kan, who COM
mitted suicide lea here, and who
was wanted in Eureka on q criminal