davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
LETTER FROM GLENN BALL.

somewhere III france, Oct. IL.
Dear Sis:
just got your letter and was
glad to get it. 1t was dated Sept.
18th. haven't, had much time
TO write, and will write more lat
.rr. You sure are bird at writ
ing letters. IL just seems as
though | were talking to you, and
don't forget to write oftener. !
never got Aunt Bcrtha's letter
yet. ! wish she would send those
pictures of Ethel and Nick. Lyle
and had our pictures taken some
time ago, and they are to be fin
ishcd today, but can't get them
today. When | do get them, | am
not sure that can send them
home. | have decided to send you
some French rosary beads for a
souvenir from France / guess
That will suit you all right, won't
III,
Say, Sis, you should see this
s6-called Sunny France. 1t has
raIncd here SO long that thou
sands Of springs are shooting out
of The ground, and even though it
hasn't rained for three days, the
water is still running i'm torrents.
Some rain, Ell? This is a beauti-
lul country. but way behind the
times. You should see the trains.
They look like the pictures trains
of forty years ago that we saw in
our histories. You spoke about
me getting transferred, etc. Well,
had good job before l left Co.
i. | was I'M the majors squad,
but have a louch better job now,
and am a corporal. You know
how liked my captain in Co. l?
Well, he is The olle who helped me
along. He is loajor now, SO
guess wasn't bad judge OF
him, was |, when | told you he was
a fine man? | guess he liked me
pretty we'll, too. He gets my mail
| that comes to Co. | and takes il
10 the postoffice. Anyway that is
what the company clerk said
Yes, am glad that | didn't have
10 be drafted or forced to fight for
my country, when she needs me
as she does. think that job thai
you picked out for me is punk
am sorry, but then you see there
will be too many others, and that
isn't my style OF job, anyhow.
am going to be an electrician, and
do something that like to do
see? Well, wish could get all
of my mail that is sent to me. Dc
you get two or three from me ev-
cry week? write that many.
must quit now. With love,
| CORP. GLENN T.. BALL.
Signal Section. Headquarters
Co., 10th Infantry.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29

Oct. ~, 1917.
Dear Father, Mother and All:
have f0re often which of us
owe a letter. but wish to write
you often to. let you know that
am we'll and unhurt.
1t has been raining here for two
weeks almost steady and the
weather is very disagreeable.
think that by next summer
I'll be home telling you all about
my trip to- France. would real
ly like to know what is going on
in the States now. Are times
hard?
don't think that Harvey will
ever have to come over here, at
least, hope this war will be over
before then. l wish l could tell
you more, but can't on account of
the ceEsors. I'd like to have you
give this letter to all the rest or
tell them that | am o. X.
hope this finds you in the best
of health and getting along fine.
My love to all. Your son,
U. C.. FOX.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29

more apples. We used to get
pears, but they are finished. But
believe me, old U. S. A. has 'em all
skinned when it comes to fruit, or
anything else.
You ask me if we have plenty
of warm underclothing and outer
clothing. have, unless it gets
too cold. We have not been is
sued all our winter clothing, but
few extras would come in handy.
Frank Burke got two suits today
from home. Sure looked good to
me. We are, however, supplied
with three suits of heavy under
wear. Some nice warm gloves
would come in handy. We have
overcoats, one sweater, blouses
and shirts, but don't know wheth-
err we get more or not.
! Tell Ruth that l was thinking
much OF sending her n wrist
watch for Xmas, but owing to my
financial status, am unable to
come across.
! am now among those who
| bought Liberty bonds. Soldiers
are given the privilege of buying
them on the installment PLANS
per. This amount is paid for ten
months. AT the expiration of
said time, it is then delivered. l
am having mine sent to you for
keeping. AS my allotment will
now be S25 per, | will have $1i
remaining. From this, get
about 65 francs. Each month the
fellows in our company pay to
the mess fund, with which a few
extras are purchased.
am very sorry to hear that
Rev. Thomas and family have
gone from Mo. Valley, as they
We're such fine people. However,
wish him success in his future
home.
I'll bet that the kids sure did
look back i'm the choir again. |
Iwouldn't mind being there myself.
But am there quite often at that,
in my dreams.
] just happened to think. how
nice il will he when Old Glory
floats over Berlin, Ell?
OF late, we have not been put
through our regular grilling, as
we are now fully trained in every
detail and line of warfare, and |
lam pretty good shot, too.
Saw several planes today. Other
Iday saw German nearly
drought down. He fell or trm-
hled several hundred yards, but
rightcd himself again. Sure ex-
citing seeing the shells bursting
around them.
Will close for now, as have
some writing yet to do. With
love to all. Your loving son,
BRENNAN DOUGLASS.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29

go to the company and then be
sent back. May get it soon and
may not get it for some time. but
then it is always news and we are
glad to get it.
Like it fine here in my new To-
cation. No cars yet, but then we
are just living. in hopes. Keep
something for us to do most of
the time, however, making it bet
ter when you commence to get ac-
quainted. Have not heard from
any of the boys since | left the
company. Would love to know
how they are.
How are the children? Mould
love to see all of you. Suppose
Frances is going to school. What
does Wayne do without her? Sup
pose he will tease the baby now.
Have been putting our stoves
in and fixing up today. You know
am a good hand at that. | all
ways keep III GOOD temper when
l do that kind of work.
Am bunking with a fellow out
of the 10th Infantry and Co. G.
Came here the same time | did.
Pretty nice fellow, too. He used
to drive taxi in Chicago. His
name is Hopkins. We have be-
come quite chummy; tell each
other our little troubles, and such
things as chums do-well, YOU
know.
Has anyone heard from Sid
since he left? Can't see why
haven't heard. Have had no word
from him for about six months.
The boys are all fighting over
/ two or three magazines that came
, in. ] got one and have it hid
while | am writing this letter.
AS for news and something to
write, | am in hard fix, so am
going to close.
Am feeling fine and hope all OF
you are the same. Tell EVERYONE
hello for me. Write when you car
and tell me all the news. Lots oil
love to ALL EARL MASON.
Army Headquarters Troops, a.
r. +. p. O. 100.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
LETTER FROM JESS TAYLOR.

OCAlii6. NEW MtAlCO.
Dear Mother:
thought | would drop you a
few lines before go on guard. |
am on stable guard tonight.
have to watch the horses and see
that they don't get loose. We
have 104 horses in our battery.
I was awfully glad to hear that
you are getting better and l hope
that you may continue to do so.
There is nothing as great as good
health. I know, because am in
perfect health myself.
Mother, l feel proud to fight for
my country and for the just cause
that it is fighting for. l know
that God will reward the United
States, because they are in the
right.
We are sure having fine wealth
er here. 1t is cold in the morn
ing, but it is sure nice during the
day.
l am much better soldier than
when you saw me last. teach
semaphore and wig wag signaling
to drafted men every morning. I
have charge of a squad, but have
not been made corporal yet. lex
pect to be corporal soon.
| wish you we're here SO that
you could see our camp. 1t is
just like big city. There are
10000 men here. Every man in
camp was in big parade last
week. IL took five hours for them
to go by.
Well mother, l must close, for
it is time TO go on guard. Answer
with big long letter. l would
rather get letter from you than
anyone else in the world. re-
main, your loving son, JESS.
j. R. Taylor, 127th Field Artil-
lery, Battery B, Camp Cody, Dem
ing, N. NJ.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
letter FROM
BRENNAN DOUGLASS
SOmtWhefc, NOV. I, 1y17.
Mr.. Fred Evans,

Mr.. Fred Evans,
Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Dear Friend Fred: received
your most welcome letter of Oct.
9th a couple of days ago, and was
glad TO hear from YOU am get
ting along O. X. and hope you
are the same. Owing to censor
ship, having to write this over,
as | said something that |
shouldn't have. AS a result, | am
writing over nine letters. How
ever l am feeling o. X, as l re-
ceived only thirty-three letters on
the 3Oth and 3tst.
J Perhaps you know by this time
that American troops are on the
Firing line. To this | am unable
TO say further, as it was on that
account that this is rewritten.
With the exception of Glenn Ball,
|all of the Mo. Valley are o. X. He
is now in the hospital here, suf-
fering with rheumatic, caused by
standing in HOO and mud.
AS we have been having a very
moist climate here for nearly a
month, about everything is as
muddy as can be. 1t has been
very cold at times of late, as it
has showed twice, only slightly,
however, and on three occasions
lit froze quite hard. 1t sure
makes a fellow like his bunk
when it is so cold, and especially
about 5:45 a. M, when we have TO
get up.
Yes, Fred, we see MANY strange
things in the line of labor and
customs, but some things, such
AS aeroplane battles, are yet
more interesting. Only little
over week ago l saw German
plane fired upon by antf-aircraft
guns. One shot caused him to
fall several hundred yards, but
he regained control and escaped,
only to be shot down about five
miles distant.
You can tell your brother that
if he wants to get a German, he
had better come pretty soon, as
I'm not going to leave him very
many.
Will close now, wishing you the
best of luck, and kindest regards
TO your mother. ! am as ever
your old friend,
BRENNAN.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29

to see If you would get it.
That sure is hard luck about
poor old j. N. T. looked for him
to go last summer when he was
sick.
Well, Jim, write often. Don't
wait till you get an answer. Tell
all the boys Bon Jour" for me.
and give them my best regards.
Yours sincerely, FRANCIS.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
LETTER FROM GEO. swAncER

Chattanooga. Tenn, Oct. 10.
Dear Father, Mother and ALL
received your most welcome
letter and was glad to hear that
you are all we'll am O. X and
having a good time. We did not
drii this afternoon, for we eN-
pcctcd 10 draw clothes and our
packs. but we didn't GET around
TO il. SO will gel them tomorrow.
for We go to the range Sunday. so
they will come i'm handy. The
boys who have been there say il
is sure cold without overcoats,
, and don't doubt their word
| about il. for il is very cold here
at night. We have our stoves up
now and they sure do feel fine. II
keeps the boys busy chopping
wood, for we have eleven stoves
burning now. | suppose it is get
Ting colder back there, isn't it?
wish | were back there to husk
corn for just one day, just to see
If the old job is the same. There
are very few acres OF corn here.
All we can see is cotton and tim
her. There are plenty of chest
nuts, walnuts, English walnuts
and persimmOns. | will try and
send you a few of them as soon as
I can get time. We are sure go
ing TO have some time Thanks
Igiving. We will have almost cv-
eryihing-turkey. cigarettes and
cigars are going to take thc lead.
The feast will cost good sum
for the day, and there will he all
kinds of entertainments all day,
and al night there will be the big
gest doings ever held i'm Chalta-
nDoga Park
4 Don't know how long we will he
here; may leave any time. ! wish
. we were to start for France To-
morrow. We are all anxious to
get the kaiser. That is, that $ the
lway we feel about it here, but if
we were to see him we probably
would faint guess not. | hope
we get right at him. II sure
would be goodnight, Kaiser Bill
fO4. we are all getting TO be pretty
good shots.
There are fifty of us going to
the range. II is only eighteen
, miles, and we have TO hike all the
way with a full pack, but we are
used to it, so little eighteen
mile hike seems no longer than &
mile used to be for me. III will
take us all day to get there. anC
get things ready for the next day
slThen we will be on the range -four
| days all told. There will be twt
sergeants, eight corporals. Tho
; rest privateS. The rest OF tho
:. company will come later.
II | suppose we will go in thu
rIfrenchcs before long, for il il
e mearly time for us again.
Now, l am going 10 fry an,
!. come home Christmas if can
a,Only six of us can get pass al {
I lime. SO we are going to draw Il
| see which can go. | don't fee
1 lucky, so expect l will miss. Blu
nevertheless. | am going to tax,
! my chances, win or ,osc. an
, still one of Uncle Sans boys
" ready for anything that comes.
l will close, wishing you happ.
time Thanksgiving. Don't worry
I will be home some day. From
5 your son, GEO. SWANGER.
Co. F, SD Infantry.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
Somewhere. Nov. 1

Somewhere, Nov. A. 1917.
Dear Mother and All:
received your most welcome
letter couple of days ago and
was sure glad to hear from you.
II was just two weeks since last
heard from YOU. ! am getting
along nicely and wish you the
same. received the box of
cookies. They were somewhat
crumbled, but very good. Also
the socks. They sure are dan
dies, and am safe in saying that |
appreciate them as much as any
thing you could have sent me.
Mail seemed to come in one big
pile this month, as | received
only thirty-three letters nnd four
packages. received a sweater
from Mrs. Hall, and it sure is
fine.
| received letters from Ruth.
Edith, Rachael. Will, Hazel and
Mrs. F.. S. Hall, besides some
more. Tell will that TN try TO
answer his little letters by tomor-
row at least. | sure need a
'stenographer to take care of my
mail this week.
hear that Mac McDermott is
writing some very interesting let
ters of late, and Til say that he
Ism l getting 10 see any more than
our bunch. The only difference
is that our letters are very strict
ly censored. and wouldn't pass
some OF the things they do for
him.
suppose you know that the
American troops are now on the
line. Now, mother, there isn't
one bit Of use in your worrying
about me, as can take care oil
myself 0. Il. | might get bumped
Off, but what's the diff
Believe me, | sure can imagine
how nice Che stuff will be- that you
have been canning, but guess
can eat my Stun (stdw). ant
beans, if you promise not to worr.
about me.
Say, you sure can do some fint
knitting. | could hardly believe
that you made them. kinda hat
a bunch that you were doing
something like that, but didn'
know. Come again, as thl'y are
'doodlers."
Yes. we are able to get some
fine fruits, such as apples= -ant
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
LETTER FROM EARL MASON.

Somewhere in France, Oct. 20.
Dear Bro. and Sis:
Well, the sun is shining once
more; sure looks good, too, for it
has not been shining much lately.
Have received no mail for some
time, but expect some, as lot OF
mail came in, but it will have to
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
LETTERS FROM U. G. FOX.

somewhere in France, Sept. 20.
Dear Mother and All:
received yours of August 9Th
yesterday. Glad to know that
you were all we'll. l am fine and
enjoying myself. What is Har-
vey's address? When I get it
will write to him. l suppose if
this war lasts very long he'll be
over here too.
II seems that the Germans are
weakening from their offer to re-
store Belgium and if that is 80,
will probably be home next sum-
mer.
I've never been sick OF hurt and
don't think I will. You have
practically nothing to worry
about.
This was once a. grand country
but there are marks of the war
everyplace. The French are a
fine people-the best ever saw.
We like them much better than
the English.
Give everybody my regards and
tell them that l cannot write TO
all of them, but would be glad to
hear from them, and I'll try TO
answer. those who write.
Your. loving boy,
IvnV
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
Somewhere in France, Oct. 80.
Jim Dimmick, :,
Missouri Valley, la.

Somewhere in France, Oct. 80.
Jim Dimmick,
# Missouri Valley, la.
!. Old Pal jim: received the
carton Of cigarettes, also tho let
ter. Was sure glad to hear from
you, and the cigarettes are worth
more than just thanks, bat that is
the best can do until l get a
chance to help you some time.
Do you remember the little old
schoolhouse, and the Ford when
we got in front Of the house. ran
out of gas? You say you would
like to see some of the French
dolls over here. There aren't very
many where we are now, but
where we landed-there sure were
some. There wasn't anything
they wouldn't do, either. Part OF
my company had to stay and I'M
load the boat. happened to be
in the part that stayed. We fin
ishedl unloading about noon, and
then sneaked away and went up
town.; We met some sailors and
they took us to a place called
Rudey Gabey. l was broke, didn't
have a dime; but sure had some
time. One Of the guys in the
bunch had lots Of lack" and
gave US 800 apiece. We were
supposed to leave there at $50.
Weg0t back just in time to meet
them coming. The fellows
brought our stuff for US, but l
haven't got all of mine yet.
T. I'd like to SEQ some of the
"sissy-boys'' over here in the
army for about six months. TN
bet they would get so tough they
would carry matches.
You ask me to send you q SOU
yenir. I would. but you would
never receive it, 90 ~ save It and
bring it back with me. III get
Some little thing and send It iubt
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
|coRPoRAL cRosvENoR
SENDS BUDGET OF NEWS
FROM FRENCH FRONT
October 25. 1917

Dear Folks:
Wrote to you not long ago, but
when We read of the Antilles be-
ing sunk thought it best to write
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29
Corporal H. P. Grosvenor, H. O
18Th Engineers Ry.

One of the large military ball
looms from TT. Omaha landed
near here after dark last night.
The boys had been above the
clouds where the sun was shining
brightly.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-29


we are there<is not much pleasure,
but the seaport towns are much
better, Every place we have been
on This side is all war. haven't
seen half dozen men but what
were wearing a .uaiform.
Well, mother, l hope you are as
we'll as I am. If everyone was as
good as ] am, they could make
soldiers out of all the doctors and
am sure the devil would go
bankrupt in q short time.
Well, dad, ! said i would tell
you about the railroad, so will do
the best ]. can. First, couplers-
two chains, one on each side, like
our safety chains in center of
car. In: place Of draw bar, a rig
ging with threads on like one of
the bottom PODS of a passenger
coach. In each corner Of the car
is placed a projecting rod like a
piston. in. an. air brake, cylinder,
/ with a plate on the end about 40
inches ia diameter, which come
together when the cars are coup
led up, II you have too much
slack al. you have to do is screw
up the hickey in the center OF the
car.
Second. Wheels like a wagon.
Third. Way. HarsI haven't
seen any,. They have q little
house built about every sixth OF
! seventh car. for the brakemen.
The conductors ride next car to
the engine.
Fourth. :. kes-Brakes, are
found in the little house where
the hrAksmm lidG No air brakes
enly ~ 1ddS trains as the Red
EGEpsG
1tlthi 4nsiaesr couldn't step
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-16
HOUSES FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

' One of the big problems of modern high cost of living is the providing of comfortable homes for working people. Many of the big industries have had to take this up. They find that if mechanics can't find comforta- ble homes they won't live and work in a place.
 The Youngstown, Ohio, Sheet and Tube Company is the latest to try this out, announcing a plan for building million dollars worth of small homes for operatives. :: In many places the impossfbility of finding small and comfortable homes for rent prevents communities from growing. Yet at present prices of building materials and labor, the capitalist says there is no money in erecting houses.
 No doubt farmers would find it easier to get help if they would ,pro- vide little homes to rent to theif la borers. Many farmers who have made money on the present scale of prices would do better to invest their money in this way near home, than to buy securities of property located know nothing.
 1IOOdUly tAC VI jIlOuSCS like many other things will have to be done on a bigger scale. Where a builder undertakes one house at a time, the cost mounts up. If he can put up a group at a time, the pro- portianate cost of each must be de- creased. Orders for big lot of ma terials somewhat uniform in charac- ter should secure lower prices. There should be a reduction in the relative costs of supervision
 1 The worst of building lot of houses at time is that they give a neighbrohood an air of deadly uni formity. Builders will find that their houses will rent better and sell bet ter, if given some individuality and artistic character. A little more money paid to an architect to make houses look like comfortable and pretty homes, means an easier sale.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-16
Nationalists' Stand
 Is Worrying England

London, March 16-In discussing the Irish situation in the House of Common today Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the exchequer, declared the attitude of the Nationalists might compel an appeal to the country on the ground that the Nationalists were unwilling to permit the government to get on with the war.
 Replying in the House of Com mons today to a question by John Dillon as to whether orders had been given to the people of Dublin to re- main indoors on St. Patrick's Day, Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the exchequer, said that Henry E. Duke, chief secretary for Ireland, had gone to that country. MT Bonar Law said he personally knew nothing about the matter, but would make inquiry.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-16
President Wilson will use either the

President Wilson will use either the influence of his office or his persua,- slve power and, through an appeal, bring both sides together. It may come through the power of the courts, but I believe a way will be found.''
 While no embargo on freight has been issued by the railroads, general order has been sent to agents of all lines west of line from Chicago to New Orleans, instrlIcting them to re- ceive shipments only subject to delay. An ample supply of most lines of sta pie foodIsutffis is hand in this city, according to statements by several large dealers.
 Steps were taken today by the city health authorities and milk dealers to guard the milk supply, though rail- road officials expressed the belief that milk trains would be run with very little delay.