davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
BANK HAS LARGELY
INCREASED DEPOSITS
The Hamilton County State Shows a
Fine Improvement in Business
for Past Year.

There is nothing that Is more
certain barometer of the prosperity
and stability of community than its
bank deposits. When the people
have money the large majority put
it in bank for safe keeping and for
the interest it will draw. The banks
Of Hamilton county are fully up to
the standard of Iowa banks and that
means up to the standard of the
banks of any community in the Unit
ed States. The statement of the
Hamilton County State Bank in Sat-
urday's Freeman-Tribune, occu-
pying full page of the paper, shows
total deposits of $1.097,424. nearly
$4,000 more in deposits than has
ever been shown by any bank state
ment heretofore published in Ham,
ilton county. The officials of this
well-known financial institution are
to be congratulated upon this excep-
tionally fine showing.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
The Provost Marshal Issues an Order
to That Effect on Orders
of the President.

It has been widely published that
every person between the ages of 21
and 81 had to register, including
members of the national guard. The
act of congress providing for regis
tration has been construed to include
guardsmen, but the President has
ruled otherwise. Col. Hyatt of this
city is in receipt of the following
self-explanatory order from General
Logan at Des Moines:
The following telegram Just re-
ceived from the provost marshal gen.
eral, is published for the informa-
tion and guidance of all concerned.
Under the provisions Of this tele-
gram it is not required that men,
bers of the national guard who have
taken the federal oath register on
June 5, 1917.
washington, d. c.. May Is. 1917.
Governor of Iowa, Des Moines,
Iowa: @a
The President holds that selective
service act of May 18 and proclama-
tion and registration regulations of
same date do not require registra-
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
national CUARDSMEN DO
NOT Have TO REGISTER

tion of members of any duly organ
lied and recognized force. military
or naval, subject un6sr other laws
of United States to be called, ordered
or drafted into military or naval SER
vice of the United States; and in or
der that this construction may be
made plain he directs that sections
and 61 of registration regulation
Of May 18 be construed as il second
sentence in each section read as fol-
lows:
"The only exceptation are per-
sons in the military or naval service
of the United States, which includes
all officers and enlisted men of the
regular army, the regular army re-
serve, the officers reserve corps, the
enlisted reserve corps, the national
guard and national guard reserve
recognized by the militia bureau of
the war department, the navy, the
marine corps, the coast guards, and
the naval militia, naval reserve force,
marine corps reserve, and national
naval volunteers, recognized by the
navy department"
Proclamation of May IS will be
construed accordingly. Printed cop
les of foregoing will follow.
CROWDER,
Provost Marshal General.
BY the GOVERNOR
GUY e. LOGAN,
The Adjutant General.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
WEBSTER CITY, IOWA, TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1917.

terday morning.
The two young men were disquali-
fled as result Of the rigid physical
examination, Sergeant Gilmore hav-
ing some slight ailment of the heart
and Sergeant Streyer for broken
arch. Both have again assumed du-
ties in their respective companies,
which fact is welcomed by local off,
GERS, as strong capable non-commis-
stoned officers are necessary to the
proper morale of an efficient regi-
ment. So far as is known no other
Webster City men will be slated for
participation at Fort Smelling.
Henry r. Mahoney, also candi-
date from Company c for entrance
to the training camp, successfully
passed all examinations and is now
a member thereof. John w. Stacks,
sergeant of the local supply company
residing at Ida Grove, has not been
heard from and it is not known
whether he was accepted.
Recruiting officers report the ad
dition of two new recruits to the
ranks of Company Civilian Slack
er, residing in the vicinity of Fort
Dodge, and Eugene c. Smith of this
city. The company now has an en-
rollment of 1O6 men, "A short Of the
required strength.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
Committees Making Arrangements
for Big Doings on July
Fourth.

A preparedness meeting was held
by the committees on the Fourth of
July proceedings at the Hamilton
County State Bank on Thursday ev-
ening for the purpose of furthering
plans for the big celebration, and
practically the only thing now nee
sary to guarantee it to be the great
est celebration staged in these parts
for years, is that the sun shines on
that day and date.
The finance committee has not yet
made the complete rounds, but is
meeting with success, as nearly every
citizen is desirous of making it a
day long to be remembered and
pleasantly commented upon by visit
ors. 4
The grounds committee was unable
to be present at the meeting, but
word was received that the celebra-
tion would be held in the city double
parks, one of the most beautiful
spots in Iowa, and place that will
accommodate thousands of visitors.
The decorating committee an
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
HOME BURNS WHILE
FAMILY IS AWAY
House on J. \ Nelson Farm, North
east Of Duncombe, Goes
Up in Smoke.

The farm house on the j. N. Mel.
son farm, two miles northeast OF
Duncombe, occupied by AL Hoover
and family. was totally destroyed by
fire Friday afternoon while the
family and near neighbors were at
tending some special doings in the
town of Duncombe.
The house was a large one built
many years ago and was the farm
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Nelson. par
ents of Mrs. C. III. Swiney of this city,
who now reside in Duncombe. In
surance was carried, on both house
and furniture,t so the loss to owner
and tenant will not be a complete
one.
The Hoover family, who were away
from home, have no idea how the
blaze originated.
The blaze was Of such proportions
as to be easily seen from Duncombe
by residents there, and travellers by
motor and train arriving here from
the west during the afternoon report
seeing the flames from the Hawkeye
highway just this side Of Duncombe
and also from the car windows short
ly after the train pulled out of that
place.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
What THE LIBERTY
LOAN Will HELP Do
Following Is From Circular by Dis.
tribution Committee Of Dis.
trict humber Seven.

This liberty loan offers a rare
opportunity to purchase an invest.
ment without an equal"
"No form of security obtainable
today is as safe as a United States
bond"
"The loan affords an opportunity
for every citizen to participate and
express his unmitigated patriotism"
Enlist your dollars"
Germany is watching"
"If you can't offer yourself and
your sons, offer your dollars"
"Your countrymen are giving their
lives, you are only asked to lend
your money"
"The more you lend, the sooner the
war will end"
"To contribute now is to render q
double service to your country"
Realize your individual respon-
sibility."
"Your money cannot be neutral y
"Your country expects you to
make your money fight"
Every man. woman and child
who enjoys the blessings of this
commonwealth should seriously real
ize that he is unit Of the whole.
We are involved in a war which
threatens the very foundation of our
country. If we fail to do our share
and assist our allies, we may suffer
q defeat which will impose upon this
country such Conqueror's indem-
nifty as will virtually make us the
slaves of our enemy for generations.
1t is cheaper by far to win than to
be defeated. 1t is the duty of every
citizen to promptly contribute to
the fullest extent possible all funds
needed for the successful conduct of
this war;"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
myrtle GUSTUS0N
wins FIRST PLACE
Carries Off Honors in Boone Valley
Declamatory Contest at
Mason City.

Miss Myrtle Gustuson, who won
second place in the preliminaries
held here recently, emitting her to
represent the Webster City high
school at the Boone Valley meet, won
first honors in the declamatory con-
test held in Mason City Saturday.
Miss Myrtle read Naughty Zell" and
held the undivided attention Of ev-
cry member Of her audience during
the recital, succeeding in convincing
two of the three judges that she was
all but perfect. The third Judge
marked her just 1 per cent less than
the others. The selection given was
well suited to Myrtle's Evolutionary
ability and provoked no end of
mirth. She has worked consistently
and deserves the honor she has won.
To Miss Pearl Neel is due much of
the credit won by Miss Gustuson, for
Miss Neel, always with the interests
of the high school at heart, has spent
much time instructing this winner of
the gold medal.
Four high school boys-Manley
Sweazey, Leon DeFrance, Arthur
Williams and Hilmer Christopherson
entered in the Boone Valley ath-
letics. but rainy day played havoc
with the afternoons program and
the only event in which our boys
placed was the mile run, in which
Manley Sweazey captured third hon.
ors. The boys have had no training
whatever since Coach Sifert left, but
have continued practicing and surely
deserve credit for having entered
the meet.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
SHOULD BUY 100000
WORTH OF THE BONDS
That Is Hamilton County's Legiti-
mate Proportion of the $2,000,.
100000 Bond Issue.

The $2,O00,O0O,OOO bond issue
which the government is selling for
war purposes amounts to approxi-
mately $40 per head for each man,
woman and child in the United
States, and as Hamilton county has a
population of approximately 100000,
our proportion of this issue is $4O0.-
900. Hence the people of the coun-
ty, in order to do their full share in
buying bonds, should subscribe for
that amount. Any Of the banks of
the county will furnish blank appli-
cations and send them to the proper
authorities at Washington. What
ever is done must be done quickly, as
the bonds must all be subscribed for
by the 18th of June.
1t is patriotic duty to invest in
these bonds, provided one is able to
do SO, but of course there are thou
sands of patriotic people who can
not buy and who are not expected
to buy. But men who have the mon
ey have the chance of making safe
investment and at the same time
helping the government in finan-
cial way in the prosecution Of the
war,
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
FAIL TO PASS PHYS
|CAL EXAMINATION
Reginald E. Gilmore and John R.
Strever Return From Fort
Smelling.

Local company officials, believing
in the old saw that "What is your
loss is our gain" are welcoming home
Sergeant Reginald E. Gilmore of c
Company and First Sergeant John r..
Strever of the Second Regimental
Supply company, who as commits
stoned officers of the two national
guard organizations located here,
were recommended by their company
officers and Colonel Hyatt for en-
trance to the officers training school
at Fort Smelling, Minn., they having
failed to gain admittance to the
camp and returned to this city yes
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29

from whence it drew it's life blood,
it has cast it's resources into the con-
flict and why? For revenge? No! For
indemnity and territorial expansion? ?
No! Because of jealous fear? A
thousand times no! Why, then? Be-
cause we have come to believe that
whatever may have been the imme-
diate cause of the breaking out of the
war it has come to be mighty strug-
gle for human rights. And with this
Rev. Herbst gave an extended &C
count of what the United States
could do to assist these devastated
countries, wondering whether or not
our great nation could measure up to
the requirements of it at this time.
bringing in many instances in Bible
times where the strength Of different
peoples was taxed to the utmost and
comparing the doings of our nation
and the present time with those an
cient days.
At the conclusion of Rev. Herbst's
fine address, the congregation sang
my Country 'Tis of Thee" and the
benediction was pronounced by Rev.
Stiyerson.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
Rev. Arthur Metcalf Delivers Sermon
at the Congregational Church
Sunday Evening.

The Congregational church was
packed to the extent that space for
q deep breath was at premium Sun
day night, in honor of the class of
1917. Webster City never neglects
an occasion of this kind, and Sunday
evenings overflow meeting attested
the good spirit of our citizens toward
the graduating class of our schools.
Rev. Harry F. Shook acted as mas
ter of ceremonies, and his remarks
were very fitting for the occasion.
Miss Muree johnson presided at
the organ, and quite surprised the au-
dience by her unusual development
in this technical work. The music
throughout the evening was excel
lent, both in quality and rendition,
and its beauty was much enhanced
by the harmonious organ playing.
No high school class in our history
has ever before had member who
thus assisted in the program. and all
are proud of this fact.
After the voluntary, trio COM
posed of the Misses Ruth Maxon,
Hester Huff and Fennette Fassett
sang Blumenschein' Lead Us, Heav-
emily Father"-a selection very ap-
prOpriate in it's sentiment, and eX-
quisitely rendered by those three
well-blended voices.
Rev. w. j. Todd pronounced an
invocation. full Of that genuine feel
ing and harmony that gave just the
right touch of reverence for the time
and the occasion.
Miss Marion Lee pleased the audi
ence by her solo, 20 Loving Father"
which she sang in sweet, clear tones,
putting the large audience into just
the right attitude for the sermon
which followed. Leon DeFrance
played fine violin obligato to this
solo.
The baccalaureate address by Rev.
Arthur Metcalf was splendid in ita
spontaneous expression of what this
event means to the class and to the
community. His text was chosen
from the fourth chapter of Esther
"Who knoweth whether thou art
come to the kingdom for such time
as this" In part, lie said: II think
this text applies directly to this
class. Multitudes start out in our
schools and for various reasons never
reach the high school. But you have
not only reached it. but have complet-
ed the course. Who knows but that
the world has selected you to stand
among the men and women of this
generation? You are in an age of
wonderful opportunity; there never
was time like now.
81 would rather be freshman in
the high school today than to have
been the greatest philosopher of
Greek or Roman times; or ranked
with the most eminent scholars of
400 years ago. This is the age that
represents the accumulation of
knowledge and you receive your edu-
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
fourth OF JULY Gel,
EBRAII0N IN CITY PARK

nounced that four large Welcome
arches would be erected at four of
the main entrances to the city, and
that the streets would be decorated
to the best of their ability.
A speaker of note will be secured
and big parade is being arranged
for.
An attempt was made to secure
the Industrial school band of Eldora
for that day, but previous arrange
ments of the band made, it impossi-
BILE for that organization to be pres
ent. However, the Webster City
band and the Second Iowa Regiment
al band will furnish the required
amount and grade of music to make
the "welkin ring" A large per cent
of the Second Iowa band is now in
this vicinity. and it is the desire. OF
the committee to remind the people
that these two bands are in no wise
connected with one another.
The entertainment committee has
not been able to report for the rea-
son that they nave not been allowed
their pro rata of the "filthy lucre,"
but it is safe guess that they will
be there with bells on when they re-
ceive their apportionment.
1t will probably be the only cele-
bration in this section of Iowa, and
the city will be prepared to enter
tain thousands Of visitors.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
Methodist Church Is Crowded-Rev
]. NJ. Herbst Delivers
the Address.

~ 1ssHdua1It church VA flilsd
to oyerfioying sunday morning at
the union Memorial service. The
Methodist chorus choir opened the
service with beautiful anthem.
Rev. C. v. Pence read the scripture
lesson and Rev. ]. w. Stiverson made
the opening prayer. Following song
by the congregation, Rev. Stiverson
introduced Rev. J. M. Herbst, pastor
of the English Lutheran church, who
has resided here but short time
comparatively, and who delivered the
sermon on this occasion.
Rev. Herbst said he felt highly
honored to be given the opportunity
of addressing the members of the G..
A. r. and w. A. c., who were there
in body, together with the large
audience on such an occasion as Me-
mortal day. He took for his text the
words in Mathew 20-.S-"Even as
the Son Of Man came OF to be min
istered unto but to minister, and to
give His life ransom for many
saying this golden sentiment. pre-
cious beyond all computation. fell
from the lips of the worlds Redeem
er, and has since been the deep-lying
motive of every struggle OF human
ity.
In announcing his subject. "Amer-
ica's War Motive" Rev. Herbst stat
ed that we of this American nation
are now engaged in the greatest Of
all struggles, having entered into the
most terrible war that has ever yet
purged 2 nation or nations from any
great evil. That it is the most ter
rible in scope, most trying in expert
ences, and every true lover of his fell
lowmen is asking, what will be the
end? In the mighty struggles of the
past, when the selfish and cruel am
bitions of rulers have soaked earth s
fairest fields with the life blood of
men, apparent issues, purposes and
aims have been swept away and
there stood revealed the glorious
truth of what the poet declares to
be the ultimate fact:
Careless seems the great Avenger;
History's pages but record
One death-grapple in the darkness
'twixt
Old systems and the Word;
Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
Behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own"
Rev. Herbst declared the final re-
suit had been some measure of per-
manent good to humanity, but be-
cause of the devilishly cruel and sell
fish ambition, the good attained had
ever been limited and it's permanency
forever threatened. And so, he said,
it will be in this awful war unless
the dominating influence in the
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-29
MEMORIAL SUNDAY IS VERY
APPROPRIATELY OBSERVED

achievement OF peace is permeated
by the motive of Him who gave His
life on Calvary.
We cannot tell what is before
us and we cannot know whether we
are just face to face with world
encircling peace or will soon
De compelled to face a greater period
sof sacrifices and suffering than any
OF our forefathers underwent on the
bleak shores of New England, in the
mountain valleys Of Pennsylvania,
under the bright sun of the south
lands, on the frontiers of civilization
pushing westward to the Golden
Gate, in the Indian wars when the
tomahawk and scalping knife red
dened the floor of the settlers cabin
with the owners blood, during the
war of the Revolution or during that
war when the men to whom Rev.
Herbst was speaking-the men of
the Grand Army of the Republic. the
vanishing remnant of that mighty
host which went forth and estab-
lished for all times for this continent
that "a nation conceived, in liberty
and dedicated to the proposition that
all men are created equal, should not
perish from the EARTH"
When this war ends, the speaker
said, and permanent peace is
established, it cannot be successfully
executed unless by a motive comment
surate in honor, dignity and power
with the greatness and glory Of the
task and nowhere in the world can
a motive be found deep enough to
sound the depth of human need.
broad enough to enfold all the varied
and ofttimes conflicting interests of
humanity, or high enough to overtop
the noblest, holiest aspirations OF
mankind, and enduring enough to
last until the end Of time, except in
the teachings of Jesus Christ. Some
will think it impossible to extract a
war motive out of the teachings of
Him who is declared to be the Prince
of Peace but, He gays, Think not
that l come to send peace to the
earth; l came not to send peace but
a sword" Our Lord recognizes the
never ending struggle between good
and evil and says. Every plant that
my Father hath not planted shall be
rooted up" and we know this cannot
be accomplished without disturbance.
To the Grand Old Veterans seated
in the front part of the audience
Rev. Herbst said, in part: "You,
men of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, carried through war to a
glorious end, that established for this
nation the fact that government of
the people. by the people and for the
people should not perish, and that
this should be true for all peoples
has been the ardent hope Of men in
every nation for centuries. When
this nation was having it's birth in
liberty, La Fayette from France, Bar
on De Kalb, Baron Studen, Kosciusco,
Pulaski, from Central Europe, dis
pairing of their own lands, came to
help win this infant republic the
right to live and now that it has be-
come a mighty nation and terrible
war is devastating those countries