davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
THE BEGINNING.

Again America has recorded an over
subscription This time more than
100000, 900 has been given outright to
the Red Cross as fund for prosecut-
ing its wonderfully efficient work Of re-
lief in the trenches and throughout the
great war zone in Europe
More than $4,000, 100000 was poured
into the national treasury only few
days ago, but this money will be re-
turned, with interest, to the investors.
The Red Cross fund is gift from
Americans whose sympathies are
touched by the plight of war ravaged
communities and of the khaki-clad
legions to whom the Red Cross must
minister.
And this is the beginning There
must be other Liberty Loans and other
Red Cross campaigns. Indeed, prepar-
ations are going on in many sections
of the country to meet these future
calls for money.
America may we'll take pride in the
response to the first demands. They
afforded the initial test of the nations
loyalty. and as the war proceeds the
subsequent tests will be met with cor
responding earnestness.
FOf the country is coming 10 prop
er realization of the meaning of the
war. True, there are some. who are not
touched as yet; probably some of them
will maintain their apathetic attitude
until the crisis ends. But their neigh
bors who must divide the burden of
the apathetic ones among them. have
taken up the cross nncomplainingly.
In which category are you? Are you
seeking a means of expressing your
patriotism? Are you doing your bit or
are you standing at the curb, watching
the flag go by and satisfying your idea
of loyalty by dofing your hat?
Did you buy a. Liberty Bond? Did
you add your mite to the Red Cross
fund? Have you visited the local Red
Cross headquarters to learn whether
you can help in the big work the OF
tumwa chapter has undertaken? Have
you done as much as your neighbor, or
are you content to let him do his share
and yours?
These are the questions that will be
recurring constantly as the war goes
on. And they will become daily more
insistent
Now is the time for each individual
to shape his personal affairs so the
next call for purchase Of Liberty
Bonds the next call for Red Gross
mercy dollars. the next call for pa
! triotic sacrifice and devotion. will find
/ him ready
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
In Memoriam
George w. Diekins.

George w. Dickins was born in wy
andot county. Ohio, September 49,
1S43. and departed this life June o.
1917 at the Ottumwa hospital at the
age of 70 years, 9 months and days.
He came to this state with his par
ents in 1916 at the age Of 3 years and
remained with his parents until 1862,
when he enlisted in the union army at
Davenport as member Of Co. Of the
first regiment Of Iowa cavalry, OF
which he afterwards became quarter.
master, rendering this service for
three years and eight months and was
mustered out Of service at Austin,
Tex, on February IA, 1866.
On June 2, 1864, he was Joined with
Miss Elizabeth Hawthorne in the holy
bond of matrtmony. This union was
blessed with four children. William T.,
Anthony. Mrs. o. E. Dickey of Martins
burg and Hessel of Oskaloosa. Will
liam T. died June Is. 1871, and An
thony died in infancy. Mrs. Dichns
passed away on June %. 1874.
Mr.. Dickins was married March 30,
1875, to Martha c. Eller and to this
union three children were born, Scott
NJ, who preceded his father in death,
Mrs. C. A. Dickey Of Hedrick and Mrs.
C. B. Baldwin of Farson. These, with
one sister, Mrs. A. B. Phelps Of Far
son. several grandchildren and the be-
reaved wife. survive.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Dickins hold
membership In the Methodist Episco.
pal church. He also belonged to the
Grand Army post and was twice elect
ed to the general assembly of Iowa.
also being president Of the Farson Saw
ings bank.
A devoted husband. a loving father
cherished friend and neighbor has
gone but his words still live. his inflll.
ence will long be felt, his memory will
ever be blessed. Through all his ex-
perience he never lost faith in his fell
low men nor.fds belief in the ultimate
triumph Of good.
The family circle is broken. the va.
cant chair is evident and a void this
world cannot flll, but there is an added
treasure in heaven. a new link with
eternity. reckoning had for those
near and dear May we all so live that
we shall be welcomed to the heavenly
home to form the ranks of the re-
Observation-Disclosures.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
IS THIS BOOSTING?

Every community's Commercial body
is proud to be called boosting organi-
zation. and most OF them justify their
claim to tho title.
Possibly it is because the exceptions
are so few that they attract so much
notice. Certainly it is to be hoped
they truly are few.
Des Moines has been forced to de.
fend herself against attacks from a
few other Iowa cities since the war de-
partment announced the selection OF
Camp Dodge for one of the great army
environments. Commercial bodies in g
few cities have taken the lead in wag.
ing campaign at Washington to OBJ
tain a reversal Of the order. and Des
Moines business men have been com
PEELED to work harder to retain the
camp than they worked to win the as
signment in the first place.
Meanwhile, cities outside of Iowa
have been working for a reversal OF
the order favoring Des Moines. and
naturally they have welcomed the
assistance from the Iowa cities. whose
opposition to Des Moines has threaten
ed to lose the cantonment not only fol
that city but for the state as Well
Ottumwa made an EFFORT to obtair
the camp. and the committee from the
Ottumwa Commercial club used ever,
honorable means to win in fair con
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29

Germans or any other hostile power.
Certainly it was apparent in Wash
ington within few months after the
war In Europe began that eventually
America must become a belligerent.
The facts were not made public until
this year; some of them have not been
told yet. Proper courage in 1914
might have kept America out of the
war. Certainly it would have enabled
us to go into it promptly and with
abundant confidence in our ability to
win.
Now we are dependent entirely on
the, ability of our allies to hold out
against the Prussian forces on land
and sea until we can rally our forces
economic as well as military-to take
up our portion of the burden.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
THE HUN AT WAR.

In roundabout ways, unimpeachable
stories are reaching American ears OF
outrages Of which Prussian soldiers,
officers and civil officials have been
guilty in the occupied portions of Bel
GUM and France.
Unspeakable and unprintable these
crimes are, and because for long time
the accounts could reach Americans
only by indirect means, there has been
a proper disposition to disbelieve them
because they lacked positive proof.
But now, since the Germans have
been forced to give up several towns
in northern France since the allied
drive began at Easter time, Ameri-
cans who were caught there when the
Prussian army surged through Bel
GUM on its way to Paris have found
their way back to their homes.
The stories which they tell more
than confirm the earlier reports. The
condition of the refugees leaves no
question as to the truth of tales of
bestial brutality which otherwise
would be unbelievable.
There can no longer be good reason
for concealment of these facts by the
officials at Washington. A mistaken
lued VI TIE lOydity vi IeEllidu DOiA
American citizens has dictated the
course thus far, coupled with the spirit
which moved President Wilson to say
in his message to congress, at the
opening of the war, that America is
not making war on the German people.
This is true in the large sense, and
certainly it is true of the women and
children of Germany. But America is
making war on the Prussian soldiers
whose crazed brains permitted them
to throw aside decency and disregard
the fundamental laws of humanity and
Christianity.
That they have been urged and guild
ed by an insane ruler is not enough ex-
cuse for their acts. if even few Of
the hundreds of stories Of brutality
are true.
War is terrible enough, but war, in
modern times, had it's limitations and
it's regard for human decency until
the Hun overstepped them. He has
set himself beyond the reach of for
giveness and exculpation.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
WOMAN AND The WAR.

Scores of Ottumwa women have de-
cfded to give up their vacations TINS
summer so they may work for the
Red Cross. Between 200 and 300 wom-
en- OF the community attended meet
ing Saturday at which they were told
that the single hospital unit which Is
TO carry the Red Cross to France for
southeastern Iowa will need an i'm.
mense store of bandages. drugs ana
other paraphernalia.
The list which The Courier pub
lished yesterday details the supply
with which the unit must enter on It's
duties. AS the work at the front pro.
ceeds new supplies must be forwarded
as rapidly as the first lot is used. In
other words, constant stream OF nos
initial supplies must be on It's way from
Ottumwa to the fighting zone. starting
at once and continuing until the war
| ends.
Women of America are learning. Just
as women of Europe have learned.
that the Red Cross work is no fad ana
that II cannot be prosecuted merely IN
idle moments and interrupted Tor
bridge parties. matinees and teas. IL
is as important as the fighting at the
front: its spirit is the spirit OF mercy
its demands are positive and constant.
but it's reward is the consciousness OF
patriotic service and the knowledge
| that each days work means lessenng
the suffering of some brave man who.
having challenged the enemy In the
fullness of strength, is brought into
field hospital, broken and bleeding.
! These men are fighting for their
homes and their women They are
fighting to avenge the victims of the
atrocities which the Germans have
practiced in Belgium and the occupied
portions of France. They are fighting
Ito crush the kaiser and turn back his
hordes of Huns. SO they may not lay
waste America and murder American
non-combatants as they have done
wherever they have won a foothold
since the war began.
Hundreds of women are needed for
the Red Cross work In Ottumwa. 1t
is woman's opportunity to prove her
loyalty in her proper sphere of useful.
ness.
There cannot be too many workers.
There must be enough. The Red Cross
headquarters will be opened tomorrow
and II Ottumwa's women are to dc
their BIT the room must be crowded
a with earnest women for many months
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
DID NOT REGISTER;
TAKES HIS LIFE

Cassville. Mo-, June 26.-While his
wife was cooking dinner in a adjoining
room. William Mikeman, 81 years old.
eneded his life at his home on White
river. 90 miles east of here, by shoot
ing himself in the right side with a
rife. He died instantly. He is survived
by window and five children.
Registration cards in the office OF
the county clerk here show he did not
register under the draft law, and it
is said this is the principal reason he
committed suicide.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
oTTUMWA sEMI-WEEKLY COURIER, FRIDAY JUNE 49, 1917

to come. If one room proves too
small, others will be opened. Homes
may be turned into Red Cross sta
tions in Ottumwa, as they have been
in other cities.
The women who attended Saturdays
meeting have enlisted for the work
with proper appreciation Of its i'm.
portance and the necessity for faithful
service. They must not be permitted
to carry all the burden, and they will
not be.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
net strength of 100000 men requir-
ed for the defense of the 100 mile front
In France and Belgium.

a net strength OF 100000 men reQulf'
ed for the defense of the 100 mile front
In France and Belgium.
That is what this war means to
America And instead Of fighting Eng
lands battle, Americans find England
fighting theirs. Withdraw the French
and British troops tomorrow, or even
after Pershing's army reaches the
front, and the Is, 900 American defend
ers Of the long battle line would be
wiped out as quickly and as completely
as was Clusters command in its mem
orable stand against the hostile red
skin horde.
America has done nothing in the
field to win the war as yet. Almost
three months ago she became party
to it, and the intervening time has been
spent In preparations for fighting. But
the actual participation in the war at
the point where the need for fighting
is greatest and most vital cannot be
started for months.
The general public can only wait,
and pray that the troops of England
and France may hold out until America
gets into the fight with achievements.
1t is useless now to bemoan the lack OF
that foresight and that effective official
action which would have made possible
the defeat of Prussianism before now.
We cannot turn time back, but we
can unite now. to repair the damage
which Americas delay in entering the
war has inflicted, by making its prose
cution from now on effective and in
tensive.
There Is an avenue for the expires.
sion of every Americans loyalty.
Those who do not enter the army or
some OF its allied arms Of service owe
announcement and patriotic support
to those who do.
Money-billions of dollars-must be
supplied to the government and the
Red Cross before the war ends. We
must finance the fighting for year or
a few years II we are to escape flnanc'
ing Prussia worldwide Prussia-for
years and generations In the future.
We must make our dollars fight for
us. and we must exercise sensible econ
omy If the dollars are to be available.
Extravagances are not mere exhibit
tons of unwisdom now; they are proof
of disloyalty. They must cease in
America, so the money they
waste may be used to pay the way OF
Americas fighters.
Business can continue at its normal
level if personal economy is exercised,
for economy does not mean parsimony.
Saving Of food is not stinginess. and II
Americans will cease food waste and
production waste they will save suffi-
Gent money to keep business at its
normal stage despite the necessity for
contributions to the huge and neces-
sary fund which will be the price OF
the nations salvation and the perpe-
tuity Of democracy.
Saving will be the natural result OF
national awakening to the fact that
this is Americas war-not England's,
nor that Of any other nation. America
today must fight for her freedom, and
yours. Just as truly and just as des-
perately as the infant America fought
for that freedom long ago.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
HOW WAR FEELS.

IF New York were Paris we would
know how war feels" says Marian
Bonsall Davis in an eloquent appeal
for the Red Cross.
II New York were within days
ride of the war front toward which
thousands of American boys will be
travelling soon, New York would 1snow
the horrors of the war into which
those boys are marching.
But Ottumwa still would not know,
and Denver would not know, and San
Francisco. And there would be men
then, beyond doubt, who would strike
the superior pose and say: "They can
not reach u.s."
America is wide and the war at
present is far away. But the very
feeling of security against attack
which these facts bring is the most
dangerous factor in America today. II
is a menace to every American home
and every American family. 1t threat
ems the nation and it's government, its
institutions, it's wealth and prosperity,
its very life and the lives OF its
people.
Before America can hope to win the
war. Americans down to the last man
and woman must realize the gravity
of the crisis the whole country is rae
ing. They must know that the COM
Portable argument Of the man who IN
sists no invading force could land IN
America is not based on fact. They
must admit the patent fact that at this
time when the whole world Is en-
Quilted in a veritable cataclysm of con.
flict 1t is the unexpected and the sup
posedly impossible which has become
the commonplace.
Consider the possibilities OF a
triumph for the submarine and de-
feat by Germany of the allied armies
in France, and such defeat is well
within the range Of possibilities With
the waters freed of all but Americas
puny navy, Germany would possess
not only her own great ships and the
freedom Of the seas. but the war fleets
and the merchant fleets and trans
ports of England and France.
With such an equipment and lacking
the necessity for keeping great arm.
ed land force In Europe, she could
first overwhelm Americas navy by
sheer force of numbers, regardless OF
the bravery Of Americas fighters.
Then what could prevent invasion
Of America and the landing OF a vast
Hun army on our shores?
Mined harbors? Coast artillery? A
hie army Of defense recruited on the
spur of the moment in nation where
fighting Is almost a lost art?
With Americas vast shore line.
proper defense is practically impos-
sible against a modern feet. The
mining Of harbors has been part of a
score Of wars, but 1t has not put a
stop to invasions. Neither has coast
artillery, and neither has an army
drawn up behind that artillery. Meth
er have combinations of all these
three means Of defense.
To make Americas coast lmpreg-
nable would require, more ships and
mines and guns and fighting men than
America could muster In the brief
time before Germany's invaders may
come.
Every American hopes they will not
come, but 1t is only those who have
not sensed the magnitude and gravity
OF the crisis who believe 1t is impos-
sible. Their failure to grasp the truth
only makes It the more true and more
menacing.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
LANES LANGUAGE.

Secretary Lane is the one represen
tative of the administration wht
handles war subjects in unglovee
fashion and perhaps this fact has
done much to gain for him the distinc
ton which many accord him as the
strongest man in the small oficta
circle that includes the president ant
his cabinet.
Well turned phrases are pleasing tc
the ear, of course, when proper time
and place are chosen for their delivery
But in a period of stress and crisis
there is a definite American ring Of
sincerity peculiar to straightforward
shoulder talk such as Mr. Lane indulg
ed In yesterday when he addressed
several hundred coal operators II
Washington.
These are some Of his sentences:
The success of the country in
this great war, rests on you and
you are responsible just the same
as the soldiers in the trenches,
Pershing in France or the presi.
dent in the white house.
How much vision have you?
Are you small or big; are you
petty politicians or statesmen?
The country win not stand any
thing but large policy from large
men.
There must be some new adjust
ment Of the coal industry.
When your boy and mine are
going to the front Is no time for
you to reap an advantage. even
when il comes under normal de-
mands OF trade.
The life of the nation is at
stake and there are greater things
than making money.
Is there a man who will say to
me: "You can send your boy to
France while stay here and coin
his blood into dollars?"
To be an American citizen is not
merely to make million dollars,
but it is to uphold the arm Of the
man who IS making the fight for
his country.
There is much to command sucl
direct language just now. Indication
are piling up to show that many bi,
coal mine owners have permitted them
selves to charge for their produc
every cent lue lIdiuC Wouiu ucai' du'
have mistaken for thrift a reprehens
ible desire to fatten their purses at tn
expense OF their fellow countrymer
Mr.. Lane said yesterday exactly wha
many a plain citizen has longed to say
and he said it in much the sam
| fashion.
| Such language as he used woul
have made an impression had it bee
employed by the president In 1914
when he learned the facts about Gel
many's war aims and her designs o
America and when he had the oppol
tunity to utter warning to the couI
try which would have startled con
| placent millions into timely realizs
ton Of the perils which are so appa
ent now. Had the Lane style of e,
preston been substituted for the we
phrased. more dignified hints at tn
/ real facts, 1t would not be SO difficul
now to awaken the nation to realiz.
ton of the seriousness Of the crisi
| which confronts It.
This Is not cited merely with d,
sire to criticise, but as a suggestio
| that Mr.. Lane be made the admins
tration's spokesman to seek out tn
whole fraternity of profiteers an
shock them into recognition of the
patriotic duty. If he cannot cover tn
entire field, his vigorous style Of q
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
dress should be studied and adopted by

dress should be studied and adopted by
his fellow officials.
This is time of war, when crisp
commands are in order. The student
officers are being taught to yell, For,
ward" and March and Column
right" in tones Of command that brook
no equivocation. Their instructors
are not asking them to memorize such
polite formula as, IF you are agree
able, gentlemen, let us proceed, in an
orderly manner and in proper step,
and if you please we will wheel to the
right when we arrive at the corner
just ahead
Let us have some more of the Lane
brand of language. 1t rings true.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29
DINNER STORIES

The restriction of motor vehicles in
London has brought, out some of the
old cabbies. and they show that they
they have not forgotten their former
sarcasm. An instance of this hap
pened recently when two Of them met.
The first had just finished a long, care
fully thought out Grafton. in which
certain surprising particulars anent
the second, his looks and his family
had been announced, and as he paused
for breath the other took the oppor-
tunity Of changing the subject
, "Wot's that see atween your
shafts. Bill?" he queried. blandly.
That's my 'oss Of course!" the
first speaker was surprised into ad-
hitting.
Why. SO it is" cried the other in
establishment. But. pom my soul, at
first sight l thought It was one O.
them X-ray photographs"
/ The visitor from Manhattan had
been talking of the size of some of
the millionaires' palaces on Long
Island. but when in the course of his
tour he was brought to a certain castle
in Warwickshire he admitted that, it
was "a fair size"
"A fair size?" echoed his guide. who
Twas telling a little tired of the
| Yankees depreciation of everything
that was not American. "A fair size!
| should say it was, Why, you can't
tell how big it is from the outside.
Wait till you get inside. There are sc
many rooms and cellars and corridors
Tin that house. sir. that the visitors gel
lost in it when they go for the first
time. and the duke keeps a pack Of
trained bloodhounds to track 'em dowr
land chase 'em back to the dining room
in time for dinner,'
A customer had overhauled large
number of clocks of all shapes. size!
land descriptions. but nothing SCENE,
! exactly to suit his tastes. At length
fhe iewpler in desnair fetched Out ;
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29

A customer had overhauled large
number of clocks Of all shapes, size!
and descriptions. but nothing seemet
exactly to suit his tastes. AT length
the jeweler, in despair. fetched out ;
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-29

General Pershing's expedition Of %
900 men can be only temporary stop
gap. AS fighting unit. this force can
be only negligible. On bastle line
more than 100 miles long this army,
which seems big to Americans, will &C.
count for mere five miles of front
As the fight is being waged in Europe
today. each mile OF front must be de-
Tended by 5000 men,
A man to every foot OF trench line