davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
LETTER FROM ARTHUR poTY
New Barracks,
Paris Island, July u.

New Barracks,
Paris Island, July Fl.
Dear Father and Mother:
Today is our working day. 80 |
ann going TO take the opportunity
and write "a nice long letter all
about things.
| have recovered from my i'll
ness and ann feeling fine. Sew
eral oil our company are ON the
sick list from over eating, over
heating and laziness.
Last Tuesday morning at II a.
m. we were given orders to- pre-
pare our belongings for a hike To
our present quarters at the new
barracks. Ne packed before dim
ner and al p. m. We're all i'm line.
\ blanket roll containing all
clothing. mattress covers, sheet,
pillow Slip and combs and brush
.cs. our pals held the toilet ar
ticlcS and everything else Our
rifles were carried ON our shout
ders. cantcens on our RIGHT hips
from our belts. To anyone who
has never walked five miles and
carried Il rifle and all the rest OF
that junk. ii would not seem much
OF walk.
We have had Two days of drill
50 far and are working today. !
ann glad because that gives me a
chance ia rest up.
We now have bayonet drill.
physical exercise. and manual of
arms. besides marching in flank.
squad and company formations,
and section drill or half a com
pany. A drill company consists
of GO men. Each section lives in
Il house, room for 33 and "A cor
poral. Our Officers consist of a
sergeant and two corporalS. This
is only drill company.
Yesterday was dress parade.
We We're reviewed hy the adiu-
tant, commanding Officer and
captain. FIRST. four standards,
blue and silver L. S. NJ G.. are set
mp in the center of each side of
the parade ground. Companies
are lined up ON three sides of the
field, forming a square with one
side left open. The band is
drawn up and the reviewing Off
GERS at the open side. The band
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

There was Canadian Scot in our
crowd who said that the only word
which described the situation was
"g-r-r-r-a-nd!'
There was a good deal of jealousy at
that time between the Canadians and
the Australians. Each had the same,
force in the field-four divisions. Ell
Their force was bigger than any other
army composed exclusively of volun-
teers ever before assembled While /
belong to the Canadian army and be-
lieve the Canadian overseas forces the
finest troops ever led to war, must
say that have never seen Il body of
men SO magnificent in average physique
as the Australians. And some OF them
We're even above the high average. The
man that punched me i'll the eye in an
"estamina" in Popcringhe made up en-
tirely in his own person for the alb
sence of Les Darcy from the Austria
lian ranks. | don't know just how the
fight started between the Australians
and us in Poperinglle. bat know that
1t took three regiments of imperial
troops to stop it. The most convincing
story heard of the origin of the bat
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
LETTER FROM DEWEY WOLFE

Somewhere in France.
Dear ChaS. and Lucy:
Well. how are you folks con-
ing? Hope YOU don't think
have crawlcd off and died or
something like that, but we have
Been so busy since hit :his out
fit | haven't had time to take a
good wash.
This sure is some country. All
you have to do is make signs Just
like you do to the Greeks down AL
the shops.
Say. ! bet Chas. M. is running
around in circles little bit,
isn't here9 How is G.. M. 5 baby
Bet She can holler some by this
time.
Say, boy. you should see the
engines they have over here. They
all remind me of No. in the
shops, for they are just about
that big, but some OF them have
big wheels about the SIZE of a
I'D, and the rest OF them about
the size of a ~ or an 'R, but
they sure can run, and The EoN
cars and passenger coaches are
about the size of an ore car.
This is Il very nice country and
the weather here is just about
like Colorado hot in The day
time and then gels cold al night
We have a pretty nice place
now for our headquarters. There
is a little stream running about
three blocks from our camp
where we swim. fish and also
wash our clothes, but that is Just
about one-third of it,
say, do you think yoa could
buy a few safety razor blades and
send them to me, as | don't think
they have them over here, and |
can't shave With a straight edge.
Well news is pretty scarce
around here, so will close for this
time, but will try and write few
lines more next time | write.
So long, with love to all
Dem E.N.
Address George ID. Wolfe, Go.
L., 10Th Infantry, American En-
Probationary Forces.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
5olLERMAkERs WANTED.

In view of the increased pro
duction of ships in this country
1t has not been possible to supply
sufficient shipfitters to meet the
needs of the government service.
THE WORK OF SHIpBIIII.D-
ING is BEING DELAYED FOR
LACK OF THESE MEN. There is
at this time very pressing need
for $50 men capable of doing
shipfitter's work. AS there is not
a sufficient supply of shipfiiters
1t is necessary to use men i'm an
allied trade, that of boilermaking.
who have had the character of
experience that should make them
adaptable for this work.
On filing satisfactory applca-
tons with the commission. boil
ermakers who have good knowl-
edge of laying out work and have
had experience as a layer-out and
who can work from drawings will
be employed as first-class ship
filter and will be given every OPP
portunity to demonstrate their
adaptability for shipfitter's work.
Their employment at the maxi
mum rate will be with the UNI
derstanding that if after a fair
trial they are unable to do the
work of first-cIass shpfiter,
they will be rerated to a lower
rate OF pay in accordance with
their shown ability, and that they
will again be advanced to a first
class rating when they become
capable of doing the work.
A first-class shipfitter should
be able to read and work from
line drawing which may or may
not be detailed. (The drawings
or blueprints used in shipfittng
work are much smaller scale than
is usual in bridge work, car work.
boiler work, or plate metal work.
He should be able to lay out
plates and shape separately from
moulds OF templates. II is cs-
sential that he know the neces
sary rivet spacing for ordinary
strength, water-tight, or oil
tight work.
A first-class' shipfitter should
have knowledge of the several
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
a LETTER FROM FRANCIS Nc
DERWOTT.

Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean.
Dear Mother:
We landed in New York at 9 Il.
IN. Monday and went access In"
Hudson river i'll ferry boat.
landed at dock on the other side.
where we found AN English ship
waiting for us. We loaded ana.
started out to said at . oclocn
You see how much sleep "" lad,
but we had good slcepcrs and
rested fairly we'll after we eot Ell
board. Some OF the boys didn't
sleep much last night They We're
all looking for submarines from
the time we left the docE at New
York. III didn't bother me.
went to sleep at 9 and didn't hear
a thing until this incoming. |
took look out over the big pond
and saw for the first time whale
but since then have seen lots of
them, also lots of sharks. We
have had a very calm sea so far.
hut it is very foggy and getting
somewhat rougher. ! haven't been
sick minute. We are not in the
war zone yet, but will be by the
time we get to Halifax. They say
we stop there in the morning.
There is where mail this letter
if can. The boys have seen
about 1000 subs to hear them
talk about it. Every stick is one,
We have practiced getting into
our life belts and boats. We have
crew of those bloody blooming
Englishmen. They are sure a
joke One of the fellows was
down in the kitchen helping wash
dishes. and it was sure hoi down
there. He began to cuss and said.
Sir, it is bloody bloomin' hot
down here. You know how they
talk. The guys started to laugh at
him. We have several English
ladies on board. | was talking to
one this morning. She sure is
interesting. played checkers
with an Englishman | would not
be good American unless | beat
him, so l did. There are four
watchmen all the time. asked
little Englishman if there We're
many pretty girls if England. He
Said better looking than yours.
England sure must have some
beautiful girls. what? Col RooSr-
velt's son is sailing on the same
ship with us.
The English tell us we will
laugh at their railroads, because
they are so much different than
ours. Oh, | have lots OF news to.
tell you, but want this to gel to
you, so will close for now. Don't
Worry, mother. They all call me
a fish and it's only three miles
deep here, so don't WORRY I'll be
back. Your loving SON. With heaps
OF kisses, FRANCIS.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

Ross Dunlap of Plankington,
S. d., nephew of David l.. Mil
Ter, is visiting at the Prcsbytcr-
ian mansc. He has passed the
examination for the sclectlve
draft and is on his way to Man
chester, Ia, his home, for a
couple of days before going to
Camp Dodge, Des Moines. His
brother enlisted in the aviation
corps last May.
Grant Burgoyne is here for a
few days shaking hands with old
friends.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
LETTER FROM BRENNAN
DOUGLAS

Dear Mother and All:
Received your letter of the oath
of May IA couple of days ago, aft
en- III had been on the road for
over seven weeks. Sure glad to
get it, although had heard most
of the news i'm later letters. To-
day is sure some fine day and
about the same as Iowa often has.
| also received a letter from Miss
Flickingcr, my German teacher,
from Council Bluffs, and one
from Miss Sprague in Michigan.
You spoke about garden. Well
that is about all we see around
here, as the French must have
grub. Yesterday we had our
first garden stuff-green beans
the first for a coon's age.
We are packing up today to
leave soon. just got through
with my washing, so as to have
a few clean ones. 1 washed one
full suit of underwear, leggins
and one wooden shirt. We had a
half hour to do it in, so it kept
me busy to get through, as l used
cold water and no scrub board.
You ask what we do. Well,
Viii tell you as much as | can.
we get up at $40 and then stand
reNellle. This means they take a
check TO see if all are present,
After this we wash and then line
up for chow at 6. After chow OF
bacon and potatoes we straighten
up our hunks or cots. At 1880
we line up for drill, which is
either hikes, calisthenics or
marching. AT 1880 we have re-
call from drill and chow, or din
ner, al ~. They feed us good
land often have dumplings.
guess we will have some today
At 1::3O or sooner we again have
drill until l:3O. At $3.50 we have
retreat, when colors is blown,
and all stand and salute towards
flag. Immediately after is sup
per and after this anything can
be indulsed in.
All the boys are doing fine in
the work and are glad of having
enlisted. At present there are
eight OF us together yet. Frank
Burke sleeps next to me in the
same barracks. Glen Ball and
Raymond Moss and in | company
and Earl Mason, Dewey Wolfe,
John Darlington and Charles
Mckecver are in our company but
an adjoining barracks. This is
my first Try at writing on this
kind OF letter form. Lyle Ball,
William Boulder and Julius Null
Ter We're transferred to differ
emf location than ours.
Yesterday was payday, but was
also glad to gel The $500. Next
month am going to deposit some
money with the paymaster.
There was big Zeppelin flew
over us today. Ii seems to be al
most a daily occurrence now.
Will close now and will certainly
Try To tell you more next time.
Say, by iove, got me a wrist
watch yesterday. Can see 'em in
the dark. Well. will close now.
please write often.
BRENNAN
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

pets or dugouts. The communicated
trenches were all blown In. and everl
thing had to como to us overland. vii
the result that we never were quill
sure when we would get ammunftini
ratiOns or relief forces. The most an
full thing was that the soil all about
was filed with freshly buried men
we undertook to cut trench or ell
large. funk hole our spades struc|
into human flesh and the explosion I,
big shell along our line sent deron
posed and dismembereu aud sickeniiA
mementos Of an earlier fight shovel
ing among u.s. We lived in the mucl3
and stencil of glorious" war, those d
us who lived. ~
The German Dugout-and VIVA
They Found.
Here and there along this line wei
the abandoned dugouts of the Cd
mans, and we made what use of thd
we could, but that was little. | hS
orders one day to locate dugout I'd
prepare it for use as battalion he'd
quarters. When l led squad In
clean it up the odor was so oyerpowS
ing that we had to put OH our
masks. On entering we first saw IL
dead nurses with our CHASTITY f1aA
lights. one standing with her al
around post. just as she had sta
when gas or conclusion killed hI
Seated at table in the middle Of q
place was the body of an old gene
of the German medical corps. his he
fallen between his hands. The I'd
of cleaning up was too dreadful
u.s. We just tossed in four or &
fumite bombs and beat it out of the
A few hours later we went into l.
scared and empty cavern. made
roof safe with new tilnbers aud ne
fled battalion headquarters that
place could be occupied
During this time witnessed scd
which. with some others. | shall lie
forget An old chaplain OF the Cal
dian forces came to our trench sects
seeking the grave of his son. whs
had been marked for him on rug
map by an officer who had seen Il
young mans burial We managed 4
find the spot. and ut the old chaplain
request we e&llumed the body Sod
of us suggested TO him that he give
the identification MARKS and retire ol
Of range of the shells which we;
bursting all around us. We argud
that it was unwise for him to renal
in Danger. but what we really intendS
was that lie should lie saved the horri
OF seeing the pitiful thing which oil
spades were about to uncover.
Il shall remain" was all he say
lie WAS my boy
Ii proved that we had found q
right body. One of our men tried
clear the features with his handk 4
chief, but ended by spreading II
handkerchief over the face. The d
chaplain stood beside tile body a.
removed his trench helmet. barring IL
gray head to drizzlc of rain that vi
falling. Then while we stood by !
leltly his voice rose amid the noise (
bursting shells, repeating the bur-
service of the Church of England.
have never been so impressed bySant
thing in my life az by that scene.
The dead man was young capital
He had lecn married to u lady of Ba
timore just before the outbreak of I'll
war.
The philosophy of the British Ton
mics and the Canadians aud the Au
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

trades in connection with his
work, such as riveter, clipper
and calller, 1rillcr, flange turner,
puncher and shcarer, and acety-
lcne operator.
n shipfilIer should know where
scarfing of plates is necessary,
where liners should be fitted, and
the general terms and trade
names OF the different appi-
anceS and apparatus used.
Proper applications may be OBJ
tanned at the local post office.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

Miss HERNIA Bond returned
home Saturday night from a
months visit at st. Joseph and
Albany, Mo-, also several other
places in the south.
Mrs. B. F. Reilley was pas
senger to David City, Neb., where
she will be the guest of friends
for few days.
Mrs. Jack Graham returned
from Sioux City today where she
has been the guest of the Lon
Hennessey home for couple of
days.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
OVER THERE
The Thrill and the He'll of
: the Trenches, Described
by an American Boy.

Sergeant Alexander McClintock of Lex
ington, KY, and the Canadian Army Has
Gripping Tale That Every American Will
Read, For He Tells the Facts-Unadorn-
ed. Wounded, Distinguished Conduct
Medal Man, He Was Invalided Home,
but Is Going "0ut There" Again to Fight
For Uncle Sam and His Allies. An In
spring, Interesting, Personal Narrative,
Full Of the Spirit and Atmosphere of the
Trenches in France.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
REGULAR ARMY EMLlSTS
17o,350 SINCE APRIL 4

Washington, Aug. 6.-Less
than 5000 men are needed to
complete the quota of all the
states for The regular army. Re-
cruits accepted Saturday and
sunday numbered 400. The to-
tai since April is l79,35O, leav-
ing l,5lS to be enlisted.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

n FEW days after the bombing
~ raid, which ended so disastrous
ly for us, our battalion was re-
l1eved from duty on the front line, and
the tip we got was that we were to go
down to the big show then taking
place ON the Somme Our relief was
division of Australians You see,
the sector which we had held in Bel
GUM was sort of preparatory school
for the regular lighting over in France.
1t wasn't long before we got into
what you might call the big league
contest, but in the meanwhile we had
little rest from battling Fritz and
the opportunity to observe some things
which seem to me to be worth telling
about. Those Of you who are eNclu-
sively fond of the stirring detail of
war, such as shooting and being shot
at and bombing and bayoneting, need
only skip little of this. We had an
entirely satisfactory amount of smoke
and excitement later.
AS soon as our relief battalion had
got in we moved back to Poperinght.
for couple of days rest. We were
pretty contented and jovial lot. our
platoon especially. We were all glad to
get away from the strain of holding
front trench, and there were other adj
vantages. For instance, the altera-
tons of our muster due to casualties
had not come through battalion head
quarters, and therefore we had in our
platoon sixty-three rum rations night
and morning and only sixteen men,
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

tralians on the Somme was q remark
able reflection of their fine couragS
through all that hell. They went about
their work paying no attention to tNss
flying death about them. I'll
IF Fritz has shell With your natnlj
and number ON it" said British TunG.
my to me one day. you're going to geg'
it. whether you're iii the front line on
seven miles back; If he hasn't. you're
all right"
Fine fighters ALL And the Scotch
kilties. lovingly called by the Germans
the women from he'll" have the re-,
spect of all armies. We saw little-otl
the poilus, except few on leave. All
the men are self sacrificing to one an-ly
other in that big melting pot FRONT
which so few ever emerge whole The}
only things ii is legitimate to steal I'M
the code Of the trenches are rum and
flags" (cigarettes). Every other posi-
session is as safe as if it wore patent
lock-
The fifth article of this remarkable
personal narrative will appear soon.
1t is entitled:
No. 5-Wounded In Action.
This article describes the terrible fight
the dead and dying. the loss of a pal and
the final falling of McClintock in No
Mans Land. Simply told. il is one of the 4
most remarkable descriptions of bat,ls
by participant ever put together
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09
No. 4. Shifted to
the Sonlrne
By Sergeant Alexander MccIintock,
D. e. NJ, S7th Overseas Batt..
Canadian Gren. Guards.
Copyright, 1917, by the Bell Syn
Copyright. 1911. by the Bell Syn
dictate, Inc.

Sergeant McChntock is an American
boz of Lexington, Ky.. arho has seen
se,pice IN France, was decorated for
brapcyy, acoundcd, iuudlidcd home and
no'o Is returning to accept commits
sion. This is the fourth article in the
series. In the first article he told of
his training up to the point ,rhere ne
reached the front line trenches HI, the
second he outlined the elaborate prcpa-
rdtions for bomb raid, and IN tic
third the disastrous raid qcds described.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

Mrs. Ed Casey was Council
Bluffs visitor this afternoon.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-08-09

The fifth article of this remarkable
personal narrative will appear soon.
1t is entitled:
Ripley County democrat., 1917-04-27
The County court held 4 called ses

The County court held a !. called ses-
sion last Tuesday for the purpose Of
holding an insanity inquest on the per-
son Of Nancy J. Dudley. She was found
OF unsound mind and In a serious condi-
tion and sent to the hospital at Farm
ington In charge Of her husband, A. w,
Dudley. She was In precarious con-
dition, having broken down under strain
Of worry, and collapsed the evening fol.
lowing their arrival at Crossyille, III
to which place they had moved shortly
after disposing Of their hotel Interest
here. She was brought back here tht
Sunday following and taken to the hom'
Of neighbors south Of town bat not i'm
proving. and growing worse It wal
thought best to take her to Pennington
Her condition was serious when theylef
here and telegram from there toda!
announced her death. The body will b
drought here for burial.
Ripley County democrat., 1917-04-27
The Cape Girardeau Meet
ing.

Post Master Murray and Judge Lang
ford, VINO attended the State Roads
meeting ut jackson and Cape Girardeau
Monday, returned Tuesday afternoon
and report hsving had fine meeting.
Judge Langford, discussing the pur-'
poses and accomplishments Of the
meeting with representative Of the
DEMocRAT, says that the meeting cer-
tsiply brought out enthusiasm on road
improvement. All the counties Of the
district were represented by from one
10 fourteen representatives, made up OF
highway engineers and few judges
| Of county courts. But on account Of
the meeting being held on the same day
as the County Boards Of Appeals only
q few county judges attended. How
ever, every county was represented.
The speakers at the meeting were Hon.
Harry B. Hawes, State Highway En-
gineer Grahsm, and Highway Commia-
sioners McAninch and McKibben. Mr.
| Hawes discussed the revised road Law
its application and enforcement. Com
missioner McAnInch outlined the dutie.
Of county courts In applying the laws
locally so as to obtain state aid In road
building. Mr.. Graham discussed the
matter Of plans and estimates in theil
relation to application for aid from th'
( / state, while Commissioner McKibben
who Is also secretary OF the State High
| way Commission, spoke upon the man-
ner OF raising money with which te
build and improve the public highways
"All these addresses, !" said tho Judge
"wers entertaining and Instructive AM
brought out evidence Of great enthu
siasm in the matter OF highway i'm
I. provement."
: The Judge suggested that neetini
be held at the court house. or with tn
: Commercial Club, about the evening Q
!, May 7th, at which he and Mr.. Murra
could give the points picked up at IN
: meeting, and at which ways and mean
may be initiated looking TO the secur
Q ing to Ripley county good slice Of th
: money arising from tse Federal an
State aid funds AT this meeting,
!. held, will be explained the differenc
y between State roads, as mentioned
y the new law, and Inter- County See
Q highways. Also, just what roads wi
be aided by the State and how this al
can be occurred.