davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
RAILROAD BOYS HOME
FOR CHRISTMAS

Sixteen of the railroad boys
came home from Camp Dodge to
spend Christmas at homo. They
were given furloughs until We'd
nesday noon. but they We're made
to take an oath not to travel on
steam trains. This information
was sent home, so the Commercial
club took it up and five cars VOL
unteered their services and drove
to Boone Sunday night, returning
with the boys Monday. They spent
Monday evening and Tuesday
here, leaving at O'Clock last
evening for the return trip. The
trip was cold one coming out,
but returning the boys were bet
ter prepared for it. Roy Mason,
Harold Gulavin, Frank McGavren,
r.. d. McEvoy and Casey Jones
made the first trip and Archie
Bird, Pat Fitzsimmons and Ray
Fubbs drove the return trip. The
boys were surely appreciative of
the interest taken in them.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
SURPRISE p1IlfY.

Mr.. and Mrs. L. b. Stokes of
Modale were pleasantly surprised
night when about thirty
friends came in on them withswell
filled baskets and took possession
of the house, the occasion being
the 61st birthday of the former.
Oysters were served with the 9TH
or good things. A splendid time
was reported by those present.
-O-- t5
James Finley returned to his
home in Lincoln this morning aft
er brief visit With his brother.
II. l.. Finley, and family.
Tom krauskopf of Mitchell, S.
d.. spent Xmas here with his
mother. Mrs. VIM. Krauslopf, and
other relatives.
Mrs. John Connyers of little
Sioux has been the guest the past
few days of the Arthur Wyant
home.
Some idea of the vast amount
of Christmas presents sent to our
boys Somewhere i'm France can he
gained from the following: More
than million pounds OF Christ
mas cheer We're sent by parcel
post, consisting of 374,75l par
cells, which filled 3l.34l sacks.
and weighed l,lsl ,O55 pounds.
One vessel was filled by ~, 900
sacks. The remaining 1921
We're divided among four trans
ports and commercial boats and
reqlircd 24o TO $50 French pos
tai cars to hand il from the port
OF entry to the interior. Arrange
menls were completed and all
packages We're delivered to our
boys Christmas morning.
Harry Drain of Davenport is
home spending the holidays with
home folks and other friends.
Arthur Thurbcr left today for
Casper. whore he will assume his
new position as yardmaster.
Letters are being received from
the last of the Rainbow division
which sailed from this country in
November. The boys are now in
England and report having had
fine trip across. Five Missouri
Valley boys are in this contingent.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27

thought we were going crazy. On
our way back we caught three
possums. We brought them to
the camp, but turned them loose
next morning, as we didn't think
we could make pets of them and
the men didn't care to have them
for supper.
was on guard again last night
Had six men With me. We We're
guarding the postofficc. | had to
sleep under The postoifice on a
pile of straw. didn't have to
post the men after s O'Clock, so
got a good nights sleep. The
lprivates didn't fare so we'll. There
We're two men on post at time,
| two hours on and four Off for
twenty four hours. Will he in
charge OF quarters tomorrow. so
Ewont have To drill. l. would like
To go out, as they are going to
hold battalion parade. We have
rrgimental parade twice Il week
and battalion parade three times
a week. There are about 5000
negro soldiers here. III is sure
]comical to watch them. They do
guard duty with clubs around Tia
barracks only. The corporal put
lone ON post duty with a club.
About 1 O'Clock the officer came
along and asked him where his
post was. He said Boss. they
never give we no post. They just
give me this club
We We're put under quarantine
again today. We had case oi
spinal meningitis i'm our COM
pany .l'hc doctor is coming to
give Us an examination. as sew
cral Toys We're exposed. GOn t
think | will get il, as am germ
Iproot don't like being quaran-
Timed, as we cannot leave the bar
racks. and sticking around i'm the
building all the time gets tire
some.
We don't do much drilling
down here, mostly all guard duty.
would rather drill than post re-
lief all night. Well, ] must cut
the comedy until next time. Your
son, Corp. James r. Waggcner.
Co. c, 43rd Infantry.
Corporal Waggener is a son of
~. w. Waggener, who lives on
Route 5, Logan.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
LETTER e sow, PRIME eossARp

i'ahri, Sasl., Dec. 10, 1917.
r.. c. Lahman. Mo. Valley, la.
Friend Rush: Herewith money
order for which continue my
subscription to the Times.
We are greatly Interested in
the news you publish. particularly
letters from Mo. Valley boys at
the front, but the thought occurs
to me that soon many letters
from parents to these boys will
remain unanswered.
Here in Canada the papers an
nounce in big red letters any lit
tie advance on western front, and
people are educated to the belief
that it is all over but The shout
ing, while the exact reverse is
true In plain English, thus far
we have been Licked and it is UNI
patriotic to look at it i'm any other
way. People here and i'm the
states should feel and know that
supreme sacrifices are necessary,
and then some, before this war is
ended. To-day. ii looks black as
night to me.
Francis Mcl)ermott hit the nail
square on the head when. he
wrote they arc fighting in
France to keep the kaiser out of
Washington. Ii victorious, while
perhaps not ia person, his in
fluence through subordinates
would be there To dictate your
policies and COLLECT lNDEMN-
l1N. Taxes to meet these in
demnly demands would be so
heavy your property wouldn't be
worth fifty cents on The dollar.
One only has to look at cities in
Belgium TO get an inkling as to
what they would do in this direc-
ton. The q. S. is the only nation
al war now that is able to pay in
dcmnity.
Paul is still in Canadian Gen
eral hospital at Orpington, Kent,
England, not as patient, how
ever, but as one of the staff of
that institution. This position
was given him, think, in rccog-
milton for taking off his stripes
in England and going to France
as a private when his battalion
was broken up. This was volun-
tary upon his part, as he could
have remained in England as
battalion quartermaster sergeant
had he so desired.
You will have to go some down
there to beat us. Our Victory
Loan was over subscribed more
than Threshold. Very truly,
P. Fl. GOSSARD.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
LETTER From CAMP PIKE.

amp PIKE" Little Rock, Ark.
Dec. | /, 1917.
i'car Folks:
was glad To hear that YOU
we're all Well when YOU wrote. I
am feeling fine. I couldn't feel
iletfer. don't like this climate
ll"re hui J guess a good soldier
can soldier anywhere and like it,
here are 200 two STORY
buildings in our environment. be
SIDES The smaller buildings. Camp
PIX" Is situated i'm a heavy tim
Ger They cut down enough trees
90 make room for ihc buildings.
II VIII be beautiful place in the
summer when everything is green.
only don't expect to be here to
ENJOY it. as we expect to leave for
France in a short time.
We still have our original
company: The same number of
lien We had al Salt Lake CITY.
II will take 1877 men to fill our
company UP 10 war strength, and
don know where we will GET
them. as HE drafted mon cannot
come IN With the regulars. That
IS alter they are called. but they
can enlist in the regular army up
until The 18th of December. and
they Will have to serve only until
the war is over. We have li3 in
our company and | haven't seen
one who is dissatisfied or home
sick.
They certainly are a Jolly
bunch of men, always laughing
and kidding one another.
We have plenty of amusement
here. We have basket ball. foot
ball. volley ball, base ball and
boxing There are several Y. NJ.
c. A. buildings where we can al
tend the movies every night. They
also have writing and reading
rooms. They have a stock com
pany that puts on shows every
night for the men.
We haven't any cold weather
yet. don't think it gets very
cold here.
went ou' . a country dance
the other n,-lt where they had
all those old fashioned dances.
They sure looked funny after see
ing the dances in the cities. If
we had ever thought of pulling
off any of those dances in Los
Angeles, people would have
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
Well. as / said before we lrmadei

Well. as | said before, we all made
"a run for the dugouts, and L
thought was going pretty fast,
but one of the fellows who weighs
about 230 or 240 pounds went by
me so fast thought | was going
the other way Although it
wasn't a iauehing matter, just
couldn't help laughing just the
same. for never saw fat man
run so fast i'll all my life.
Well, they arc about due again,
as they haven been around for
some time on account OF it being
so dark. but the moon will soon
be out again and that is when they
Hike to play. Ihc l5ochcs Chat is
| the French name for Germanl are
| just like y stubborn bunch of
kids. III They cant have their own
|way they Won play, but they are
| not having their own way any
Iinore. so think this old war will
lnot last much longer. 1t it lasts
llill spring il will surprise me.
hey are advancing in Italy all
60, go -, a '.' 80. W. ~, ~
!. IN, -, a,,.|. ,,s..is 80 ~ Nv
,,aaaa 90 - x,a.I'''. -. - 49, ~.
4 ,,5,' ,,'na - -;
a,a,,, a,,a 49, 49,. .';,,a 80 =. :,
,a 49, " ~ = ~ ~
~, - ,.,,,,., ~ a.. "a. -
~ ,..,, 49,, - 80
~, ,,sa ,-a,,a,.,
,.',,f,, -, -, ~ -
| ..,ata ~. s.aa,. H.,
NO. ~ ,na,,, -, ~
f;~ sa,saM,,H,fe ,ss,,,,.'a,, -, -. !,
j., ,..1.,i,i rna 49,, ,,.,., 's'n
g. 81 So ~ ssqh .n,1 49, ~ :, :,
AM, ~ ya,.n,,,,an - - IN, ~ ha
No., 49, ,,,sa,,1. ~ 49, -. ~
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
CHRISTMAS DINNER.

Mr.. and Mrs -Gs T.-Hopkins in
Nited in. .seNeraLADi their friends.
to help them pass Xmas day and
incidentally take dinner with
them. After some time spent in
Visiting and rfmarking of the
lovely day for the time of year,
the hostess invited them into the
dining room and. all were seated
at one long table. The dining
room was decorated in the Xmas
colors, and The table was beauii-
full. A Xmas tree formed the CEN
terpiecc, With its lovely dccora-
;ions. The ladies found their
|places with pretty bells al each
plate, the gentlemen with Nmas
lcards. Lovely red nut cups were
al each plate and formed beauti-
full glow with the green shadow
OF the tree.
| In the afternoon several OF the
"BultinskNs,'. called to wish the
Hopkins merry Nmas, thinking
lll might he possible their invita-
items to dinner had been over
looked. Tho hostess assured
Them they We're very welcome and
would receive just as much as
those that came i'm the early hour.
III was a happy gathering and a
day that will long be remembered
The following guests were
present: Mr.. and Mrs. 4. Edge
comb, Mr.. and Mrs. ". II. Bail,
Mr. and Mrs. Litter. MIR. and
/ Mrs. Il. E'oss, Mrs. Heller of i1o-
gan. Mr.. Ed Madsen of Payette,
ida. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
VIviEisi'sER-,pliiRIaY,.

On christmas day ct the coun-
try home of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel
Dray was the scene of /. very
pretty home wedding, when their
DAUGHTER, Leta May, was united
in marriage to John A. Weber.
son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Matthew
Wcbhcr. just as the clock was
striking the hour of IL, the sweet
strains OF Iohengrin's Wedding
March We're played by Miss Beu-
lah Middleton. while the bride and
groom took their places under a
large white wedding bell, where
The limos of the impressive ring
ceremony were read by the Rev.
Dayid l.. Miller. The bride wore
a beautiful gown OF Tan Georgclte
crepe. heavily embroidered in gold
over pink silk and trimmed i'm
brown velvet, With shoes to
match, and carried a large bou-
Guet of brides roses.
I. ifhe ceremony was Witnessed
by the relatives of the contract
ing parties, after which a sump-
tuous wedding feast was served.
The bride and groom were tho
recipicnts of many useful and
lovely wedding gifts.
-,Fhe happy young couple will
take an extended honeymoon trip
in Texas, after which they will be
at home on farm near Missouri
Valley.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
MRS. G.. N. FRAZIER,
MISS ORA FRAZIER.
II. N. FRAZIER,
j. l. FRAZIER,
MRS. w. II. STEWART
MRS. o. ID. COLE.

William and Lavina Burchs of
Battle Greek, Neb., were the over
might guests Sunday night of
their aunt, Mrs. w. A. Jenkins.
They were on their way to spend
christmas with their sister, Mrs.
Willis Hatcher of Thurman. la.
Clarence Myrland of ut. Oma-
ha spent the day yesterday here
at the M. Dessert home on North
Third street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Amor Middleton
and children, who have been the
guests the past few days of the
John Owens home, have returned
to their home in Chicago.
Mr.. and Mrs. f. G.. Lighted of
Gothenburg, Neb., are here for a
several days visit with the lat
lter's parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Ed
Gill.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. A. Jenkins
gave Christmas dinner for their
children, all being present. They
drove to the fSpafard studio and
had a picture taken of the family.
The Sunday school program
that was rendered Monday eve
ming at the Presbyterian church
was first class, to say the least.
1t was one of those entertainments
that is interesting from start to
finish because of the variety in
selections. The house was filled
land all enjoyed The evening. Much
credit is due those who had
charge of the exercises:
In the role of Santa, Donald
Everett presented his baby broth
er, Guy, Jr., with a Victrola. Ev-
cry member of the family enjoyed
the perfect reservation of voice
and instrument by this wonderful
machine.
Dow Reel of Gross, Neb., and
Mr.. and Mrs. Ardallas Jones
spent Wednesday at the w. A.
Jenkins home.
MIR. and Mrs. John Athey en-
tertained relatives at Christmas
dinner in honor of Mr.. and Mrs.
James Mattox of Bristow, Neb.
Miss Nellie Daugherty spent
Xmas day with the Hoover family
in Sioux City. = .,s
Mr.. and Mrs. o. A. Sorensen
spent Xmas with relatives and
friends in Boone and Mongonia.
G. B. Hapker wass a business
passenger this morning to the
Bluffs. sR
E Chas. Hitler has resigned his
position s4Efireman on the road
and will 60 on. a. farm in South
Dakota. {
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
TAX EXPERT TO BE
IN HARRISON COUNTY

I'm communication received
by this paper, Collector of Inter-
nal Revenue Louis Murphy an
nounces that a federal income tax
officer will be sent into this
county on January 2, and will be
here until January 3Oth. He will
be at the court house i'm Logan,
Iowa. from January 3 to January
30. both dates inclusive. He will
be on the job every day ready and
willing to help persons subject to
the income tax make out their re-
turns without any cost to them
for his services.
How many income tax payers
will there be in Harrison county?
III you can guess how many mar
ried persons living with wife or
husband will have a net income of
$4,000 or over and how many un-
married persons will have net in
comes of $1,000 or over this year,
then you know. The Collector of
Internal Revenue estimates that
there viii be 1877 taxpayers in this
county.
Returns of incomes for the
year 1917 must be made on forms
provided for the purpose before
March 1, 1918. Because a good
many people don't understand
the law and won't know how to
make out their returns, the gov
eminent is sending i'm this expert
to do it for them. But the duty is
on the taxpayer to make himself
known to the government. If he
doesn't make return as required
before March 1sl he may have to
pay a penalty ranging from 500
to 81 900. pay a fine or go to Jail. /
SO if you don't want to take
chances on going to Jail, you bet
ter call on the income tax man.
If you are not sure about being
subject to the tax, better ask him
and make sure Wether you see
the income tax man or not, you
must make return if subject to
tax.
Ol course, persons resident in
.other counties may, if they want
to, come and see the income tax
man who will be al Logan.
The collector suggests that ev-
crybody start figuring up now his
income and expenses so as to be
ready with the figures when the
expert arrives. Expenses, how
ever, don't mean family ex-:
penses, money used to pay off the
principal of a debt, new machin-
cry, buildings, or anything like
that. They mean what you spend
in making your money-interest,
taxes paid, hired help, amount
paid for goods sold, seed, stock
bought for feeding, rent Except
for your dwelling), etc. Income
includes about every dollar you
get.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
GERMAN WAR PRACTICES.

Starting next week the Times
will publish series. of articles
on German War Practices, TAX
en- from the book of that name,
issued by the U. S. government.
This is not a story, but the I'M
vanished truth, proof of which
the government has on file in
Washington. Many of the Incl
dents have been published as
newspaper reports and were not
credited, but they are now pub
lished by the government and
their truth is vouched for. Read
these articles, then, ask. yourself,
why are we at war with Ger-
many?"
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27

doing soon, I hope. Oh. yes. did
| tell you about getting 10 sleep
on a real honest to goodness bed
las! night. and ii was the first
time ii had been slept upon. too.
n nice mattress, Sprlngey springs
and real soft blankets and big
comforter. II was great. and talk
about sleep hush. found out
today to our dismay that the bed
wasn't put there for us. hui for
The two night fUremen who work
there, but we should worry for we
can tell EN- all that we slept on Il
real bed and il Non be bad If we
can do hat We'll every three
months. | am writing this letter
IN our mess hall and one OF the
boys is playing some pieces on
the Nictrola To write our letters
Il4N. NH send YOU il clipping out
I@f the Dcming paper about the
reNiew a few days ago, but our
Two companies did not take part,
Tor we were on patrol duty and
then some OF ,he companies were
iii quarantine TOO.
Nroln a letter TO Mrs. W. s.
Neelng toiay and thanked them
fur h3 box they semi me.
The feeling IN our company is
that We hope to be patrolling Bcr-
lin three months from now. |
cannot come home Nmas until we
tlnd out where we Will be at that
time II We happen To be al New
ark, y. j., or some other place.
some of lis may set short fur
lousha home or he home folks
.can come and see rs, but we will
~ llaNe to wall and sec how
things go FIRST
L Noa make !; sweater for me
CA can l.lalse il any color that
y0V want Ia, and gloves the same.
! bought 4 pair of leather ones
just 10 knock around in Oh. yes.
the trunk would be fine. but find
out wilal Nou viii have to pay for
it. and if its too much. | will buy
one here at Demine Those little
Tags you sent me are real nifty
and they make a letter look big
ger. Tell Oliver that am very
much pleased to know he is get
ting along so We'll in school and
for him ia keep il up. Ask him
hoW IN he world they ever made
- playing football The scores
must have been all touchdowns.
weren't they? They play football
all of the time down here and
baseball quite a bit too. | told you
was gong to write to the girl at
kenmare ar did. Only fourteen
pages was All, and ii WAS he long
est letter | believe | ever did
Write. Tell Margaret that we arc
'ii wv l'''oi " III IUEOuSII IIllS
week and then week after next we
will patrol The city of Deming. II IS
mostly all streets that are pa
'rol'ed. Some of the streets are
named Gold. Silver, Iron. Tin.
Zinc. Copper. etc. Some names.
iarcn't they?
hope that YOU will quit feel
me so lonesome for me. for
there's no use to worry and fret.
for it ought to be over with soon
II Russia and Japan still stay the
way they are.
ON. yes, my knowing the Morse
telegraph code will come i'm handy
for we use it, and also the wireless
too. Ibis is all for tonight. Will
write some more tomorrow. From
Your son.
HARVEY NJ. WOLCoTT
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
XMAS SERVICES At CHURCHES.

Xmas Eve was observed at the
churches in this city by
a splendid program with the usual
Xmas tree festivities. At the
Christian church only the little
folks were given presents. The
older ones made their gifts to the
poor of the city.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
LETTER FROM
FRANCIS NcpERMCTr

Somewhere in Franco, Nov %
Dear Sister Grace:
received two letters from YOU
yesterday. 50 Mill answer one OF
them tonight
The old war is commencing TO
look better. | suppose you saw
i'm The paper where the English
captured 5000 and four miles
deep. They received word over
he wire this evening that thc@
had captured $4,000 today and
seven miles deep. - .ou sec hey
are doing some business. Say,
dearie, you ask me If there is any
thing want. If get the sweater
Aunt Nell sent will have every
thing | need. We have good
heavy underwear, socks. coats,
trousers and five blankets. so we
keep good and warm. In fact. we
do not need the sweaters at the
present time, because it isn't cold
1T rams quite often, but we have
the barracks patched, so il does
not leak, and am inside every
day. | am still cooking for the
Officers. Oh, III be bargain for
some poor unfortunate woman,
There is one thing we all ought
TO be thankful for this year. and
that is that the kaiser wasn't
twins.
Send some pictures. are
love to get some pictures u. iae
home folks received The box OF
tobacco ant me and il was
fine. IL was just as YOU had put
1t III. The contents were not
scattered. Some OF tho fellows
get boxes all broken and half of
the stuff lost.
Well Grace, while sitting here
half asleep,
Almost in trance.
~ write you a few little verses
About Somewhere in France.
we never see a picture show.
Nor do we get to dance.
Over here i'm a lonesome snot
Somewhere in France.
The rats they snaw our blankets
ANA our cots are full of ants.
over here in lonesome spot.
somewhere i'm France.
we have no pillows nor mat
tresses,
bul lor pillows w" use our pants.
over here IN a lonesome spot.
Somewhere in France.
But ere all Americans and Won
see by a glance,
mat we are willing TO serve n,lr
country
over here i'm a lonesome spot.
Somewhere in France.
We're not afraid Of lie kaiser.
we re here to t,.lSc Il chance.
over here i'm n lonesome SpnI
Somewhere in France.
Before Uncle sem go,s tnYoueh
with him.
we re that We'll advance.
we IL be running trains INTO Ber-
lin.
From This lonesome spot some
where in France
Well Grace, if You don't hear
from me again before Christmas,
l wish YOU all a Merry Christmas
ana a Happy New Year. With
lols OF love, Your brother.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-12-27
. THE GoMTi.RcIAt eLs3I
Erred IT'S MEEaEsEHS:

We, the parents and friends of
The soldier boys at Camp Dodge,
Des Moincs, take this method of
rendering our thanks for the in
lcrest you took i'm making it pos
sible for our sons TO visit us and
spend their Christmas with us.
We also wish to thank the driv-
ers of the automobiles and own
ers of the cars for their service
and hardship in making the drive,
and also to thank the drivers for
their efforts in getting the boys
back TO Boone Christmas night.
PARENTS AND FRIENDS.