Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-11
History of Towns
in the War Zone

Vailly-A small town in northern
France, nine miles east of scissors
and IL miles west of south of Laon,
on the Aisne river, near its junction
monument of the town is beautiful
church about 500 years old, still in an
excellent state of preservation. There
is also an ancient hospital in Vailly.
The population is slightly in excess OF
1.5O0. The making of hosiery and lace
is the principal occupation OF the peo-
pie.
Lihons- En-Santerre-A small town
in northern France. IL miles west OF
southwest OF Peronne and two miles
west of northwest of Chaulnes, with
population of approximately 1000.
The ruins of an important monastery
of the middle ages are located there,
while a church, still used by the in.
habitants, dates from the 18th cen
tury Hosiery is the chief article of
manufacture.
Marchais-A town of northern
France, known principally because OF
its magnificent castle, built in 1910 and
now the property Of the Prince OF
Monaco. The castle was the favorite
place of residence of Francis l. The
chapel contains a huge stained glass
window depicting the annunciation,
and in one of the other rooms of the
castle are three costly tapestries OF
the 10th century which represents the
three ages of life The town is
about six miles east of Laon and has
a population of about 600.
Sissonne-A town of about 1000 in
habitants, in northern France, on the
Souche. a small affluent of the Serre,
IL miles east of Laon and % miles
north of Reims. The place was prac-
tically destroyed by fire in 1929. Wool
spinning is the chief occupation of the
inhabitants.
Borkum Island-A German posses
sion in the North sea, with an area OF
about IL square miles, just off the
Dollart, into which the river Ems
empties. The island is one of the
East Frissian group and lies IS miles
northwest of Emden, Germany, and IL
miles directly north of the Dutch
coast. channel, crossed by dyke.
divides the land, which is extremely
low through the center, into two parts
Until improvements had been made
in recent years, this central lowland
was completely submerged at every
high tide. The town of Borkum is in
the western section of the island, near
a much frequented bathing resort Its !
is close to 5000. The is |
landers gain their livelihood chiefly |
through fishing and the raising of live |
stock.
Grammont-An industrial town of |
East Flanders, Belgium, on the slope !
Of a hill, 81 miles south of southeast !
Of Client. The Bender river divides
il into Upper and Lower Grammont. |
The town was founded and originally |
fortified in LOGS. Noted for its black
lace, Gramont also has manufactures
Of linen, carpets. paper, cloth, embroid-
cry, yarn and matches. 1t is the home
Of about 1000 people.
Messines-A small town of West !
Flanders, Belgium, 10 miles south of
Ypres near the French frontier. Its
some 1000 inhabitants are engaged in
ace-making and weaving. A school
for the education of the children of
Belgian soldiers is established there,
The foundation of which was part of a
Abbey of the 18th century.
The town was devastated by the Nor
mans, and has been captured and
burned many times.
Passchendaele-A small Belgian
-own, II miles northeast of Ypres and
eight miles southwest of Roulers, en- a
height near the source of the Mandel-
oeke, an affluent of the Lys. Lace.
and oil are manufactured The
own has population of about 1000.
vastapol-Practically destroyed
n 1855 during the Crimean war, this
Russian possession on the southwest
lrm of the Crimea is one of the most
modern cities bordering on the Black
sea today. 1t is situated, ampitheatre
ike, on a chalky cliff, which rises
rom a height of 80 feet near the
water to about 1870 feet above the sea
n its upper part. The town today
las broad streets and modern build
ngs, while quays and tramways, flank
ID by huge granaries, line its bay. 1t
las important manufactures and
plants. The siege of the
own is one of most memorable in
history. 1t was invested by the
french, English. Sardinians and Turks
n October 1854, but held out until
september s. 1855. It's cemetery con-
aims the bones of about $4,000 vic
inns of that war. The population
oday is about $4,000.
Wladyslawow-This Russian town
( about 5000 inhabitants lies across
he Prussian border. As miles north
T Euwalki and 43 miles north of east
t Insterburg. The Szeszuppe river,
'hich for some distance, forms the
oundary line between Russia and
.ast Prussia. separates it from the
russian town of Schirwindt. Several
reweries are operated, and an extern
i've commerce in fine cloth and hides a
carried on. In the environs, near .