davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15

L,
Letter From Francis McDermott.
Somewhere in France, June 80, 18.
Dear Mother:-
Just received 81 letters, also the
pictures you sent. I surely appre-
ciate them. M
cannot tell you very much Of
interest just now. This front has
been the most quiet Of. all SO far,
but from the looks Of things it may
see the next big offensive.
The French people think Of Presi-
dent Wilson, you say. as Of God,
and since the Americans have helped
- valiantly, they believe more in
] America every day. They know our
resources are unlimited, and since
our first victory, that our fighting
qualities arc aa good as any nation,
and it ,is> giving them confidence.
We never hear much Of the navy,
nsither do we hear Of American
transports being sunk, SO we know
Sc = the navy who has put the subs
On the blink. Airships have been
going over in squadrons every hour
~ the day 80 i suppose there ID
something in the air besides the
planes.
This is the first have written
you in four or five days, the reasoni
I have been sick and did not want
towsite you while IN that mood.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15
Earl.
7-28. 18.

Dear Brother and Sister,
: What is the matter that you don't
write?
! have not heard from anyone for
two weeks. I sure get lonesome
I don't hear from any Of you.
] am getting along fine. / weigh
155 in my shirt and shoes. Say Ross
1 am inclined to think am not as
small after all as most all call me
big boy" here when they don't know
my name, ha, ha!
They sure have been drilling us.
The sweat sure boils out Of us or
me especially. Say you would have
died the other day when we were
taking bayonet practice. The in
structor yelled, "ground arms" and
get three feet off the ground, and
we all layed down over our rifles
and commenced to jump up and down
when he. yelled you fools
climb . tree and you should have seen
vs. 60 mp the trees. There were three
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15

Dear Folks:--
Well, I have begun to think that
you have all forgotten me. l have
not heard from any of you since I
have been here. can't quite figure
out what is wrong as get mail from
other places. / can't believe that
you have not written.
Well I went to Scranton Saturday
and came back Sunday evening.
never did see such fine treatment as
the people of that town gave us. The
Y. M. C. A. was wide open and free
beds, baths and then you registered
and were assigned to a place for
Sunday dinner. My pal and got
in with newly married couple and
say some class, tell you. hardly
knew whether to eat some of the
things or not. Sure had fine home
and we eating and the woman rang
a little bell. / could hardly make
out what it meant but in comes a
maid and served some more eats, SO
I settled down and made out some
meal. Had steak three inches thick,
salads and chocolate ice cream that
was home made and the best I ever
ate.
Then we sat on the porch and
smoked fine cigars and cigarettes,
all kinds of candy and we just got
down to the station in time to catch
the train. We also went to the "Red
Cross" canteen and there they gave
us all the cake, fruit ice cream and
cigarettes that we wanted. The
girls were fine also. l and another
fellow took two sisters home and they
gave us all we could eat and to top
| it all off we are having a Scranton
day in the camp tomorrow. A tank
meet, ball game and these girls are
with III the grus. you can imagine.
I got special delivery today to meet
at the train and if luck is with me
and / am not on some detail am GO
ing TO have some fun. We had some
time at the "Y" last night. There
were about SO women frnm Scranton
and with cakes and lemonade and
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15
Francis.
Letters From H. Earl Smith.
Toaghanna, Pa. 7-18. is

AVek5 4 d., l-1O, lCs
Dear Folks and Ale
Well now I can tell you that I am
here. I knew when / wrote last that
! was going to move, but you don't
know what the army is. You can't
tell anything you know and it is the
best for everybody, too.
! can say that the trip from Gettys,
burg was sure fine, we came through
in trucks. There was whole bat
TALON, about 500 men and all the
equipment, SO you can imagine the
sight it was. There were about 40
trucks each carrying from 20 to 80
men and each ones equipment, in
eiudjng packs. barrack bags and cots
and some were loaded with nothing
but equipment. Sure was some sight.
Came through some Of the prettiest
country that l ever saw and some Of
the grandest towns and buildings
that we're some sight, and factories
galore Came though Reading, AL
lenstown, and many other towns,
somewhat smaller. The east
right on the Pennsylvania line be-
tween New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
From there we went into the Blue
Ridge mountains and they were some
sights to see sure. I wish you could
zee or go through them. It is called
the "Deleware Water Cap" 1t is
where the Delaware river goes
through the mountains and some of
the hotels and restaurants that are
there in the mountains are sight
and they sure did treat us swell, too,
wherever we stopped at most of
them they would throw out cigarettes
and candy by the box and in several
places the butchers would throw
'bolasno by the ring and the bakers
would throw US loaves Of bread.
These places are where all the rich
.psopls come for their outings and
\ lhlalievs me there is not many you see
hpt Whist show the right spirit too.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15

table as a souvenir. The chips cost
us each 81. After dinner we took
u car and went to the Italian bor-
der and stepped over into Itlay. I
sent you card from there with an
Italian stamp on it. John and / had
our pictures taken in Itlay, and am
sending you one.
We returned to Nice that evening
about 6 p. m. and went to show,
yes, picture show. 1t showed New
York and American troops marching
|up Fifth avenue. You can imagine
the cheering that took place. We
were quite sporty and in a very
CONSPICUOUS place in the show and the
attention we attracted was above the
average. Every one near us wanted
to talk to US but it was all Greek
% us. John and were the only
American soldiers in the show. We
also saw Keystone comedy. It
sure. looked good.
Took His Razor and Went.
I had q fine time and enjoyed
every moment. / sure thought of
you the Fourth Of July, the day we
parted in Chicago. AS long as we
are with the French we will be given
: furlough every four months, the
same as the French soldiers. I thot
when / left here would not have
. very good time as / had fever,
and was some sick bird, but had
just as soon be sick in Nice as here,
70 I took my razor and started. ]
did not feel good for couple Of days
but after getting some real food, a
change of climate and good bed,
I feel fine and had good time. We
left Nice on time but all the trains
were late. We had to wait in Lyons
about eight hours for train. Lyons
10 next in size to Paris. They built
. new bridge there and named il
Wilson. The first to go over it will
be American soldiers. They cross il
today, July IA, known as Independ-
ence day in France. / had 23 let
tsrs waiting for me SO must close
and answer some of them. Lots Of
love to all. Your son,
Francis.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15

There was one thing that was touch
ing to see and that was to see a
woman come out IN the yard and
wave a service flag and most every
time you could zee tears rolling down
her cheeks and I tell you there were
lots of service flags. One woman
had flag with three stars in it and
many Of them had two. I wish that
l was home tonight to tell you some
Of the things that / saw that would
be hard to write about
| Well now as to why we are here
/ don't know positively but guess it
is rifle range. I don't know how
long we will be here but / hope not
long as I am getting. more anxious
to go all thestime. We are right on
the top Of the mountains here. The
town is nothing but we are real
close to New York, only two hours
ride and then Scranton, Pa, is only
rs miles from here. This camp has
been vacant for about year and we
have got some work to do We have
been building walks and cutting
weeds. The rocks are fierce. I had
my belly full Of blue berries and wild
red raspberries. They are ,sAick here
and believe me they are good. See
all kinds of fruit growing wild here.
We have fine water here, the river
and creeks are clear as can be.
You can know that am getting
tough as we sleep on the ground in
our dog tents on the road. Got up at
4:30 a. M, had breakfast and on
the road at $3.50, so you know we
stepped some.
You should see those trucks on a
big hill. There would be as high as
or 6 together and then you would
see the smoke fly. These trucks have
ungodly bumpers and bumper blocks
on them.
The roads are fine here most of
the time, but some awful grades in
the mountains, well just to tell you
the truth it was some trip.
am feeling fine and every hope
that I keep it up as / want to 20
through now that have gone this
far.
I'm pretty low in finances as I've
bought several things such as a pair
of shoes for dress and q pair Of leg.
gins and then I've been a little toe
free hearted, but have learned bet
ter now. Ia 4tfi
Howsare you all anyhow. never
hear from you much. Mamma, you
and dad have never written once and
sure get, lonesome. when l do moi
hear from you so write.
i WellI guess this will hold you 9
while but I wish l could tell you more
to write 2 or 8 more short letters and
turn in.
Suppose you are all done harves.
ting. Another thing we saw lots Of
grain being cut with cradles and put
in barns and they were some barns
too.
am tired so will close and hope
to hear from you all soon. am going
I Love to all.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15

Of us in the top of little sapling
that would hardly look as though it
would hold a cat. Believe me that
bayonet drill is some work too.
like to drill though and am getting
on pretty we'll with it. A sergeant
came to me the other day and said
he heard the officers talking and
said for me to read up and get next
to the commands that I had a good
chance to be made corporal, it does
not amount to much but it helps
some:
I guess / and my pal are going to
Scranton this morning as we are off
from Saturday until Monday MORN
ing.
Say / wish you could be here next
Wednesday evening as we are gong
to pull off a company show and if
we make good are going to give it
in towns around here and get up a
company fund to have when we get
across the pond.
We had a Captain to commit sui
eide here yesterday. I guess it was
on account of his health.
He was the Quartermaster corps
captain and they say he was fine
man. They had the funeral today.
That is, they took him to the station
and it was sure was an impressive
sight to see the military acts. They
pull off some class to it.
Suppose you are busy threshing
and / hope the crop is good.
Well now l guess have about run
out of anything of interest so will
ring off. Now I hope you will write
and often too.
You never say a word about Bob.
/ think Of him often, tell you.
Now all Of you write.
/ wrote you about my trip. I sup
pose you got it as l wrote to Florence
at the same time and I heard from
her day before yesterday.
+ Now write. Love to all.
Earl.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15
FiIlpinos Play Flute with Nose.

THiPinoS RAY Flute With Nose.
II Is not ansuncommon spectacle to
see negro play harmonica with his
nostr1is. Among the Filipinos a flute
Is never played in any other way and
IL would create much surprise in that
country to see man play flute with
the mouth. These nose-futists can
play the ordinary music with ease. but
fast ragtime is too much for them.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15
A Pathetic Incident.

DIR. CKonigmacher. who is station
ed nthe base hospital at Ft. Ogle-
thorpe, Ga. has sent the following
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15
letter From b. ]. Cox. 5


N
Sls -. T-ss
4 4 -ssssz . - s. = SoA.
omswherc in France, July 8, 1918
pe6r Mother and All
Well here am at last over here.
M ore had some fine trip.
Well you had ought to see Francs,
believe me it is sure q sight. I viii
nv and tell YOU some Of the things
have already seen but haven't got
started vet. Well the first thing
Ssaw was one Of their passsnge1
stsains and engines. I can't hardly
eell you how funny they look to me
nd i guess it did to the restsof the
hoys. The coaches you enter from
tlae sides and very few Windows to
q - seen and the engines are built
I on the same principles as the 9oat
down at the shops, dad knows what
a looks like and the buildings are
IN built of stone and next to q bank.
Sure are funny and you never see 1
4 team hitched together. There is al
ways one horse ahead Of the other
and two wheeled cart. The children
most Of them wear wooden shoes. I
don't see how some Of them wear
them as they are almost as large
as the transport we came over ON,
4 ha, ha!
Well hope run across some Of
the Missouri Valley boys over here.
hat would be fine, wouldn't it /? Say
you have probably heard that French
girls are good looking. Well will
tall you what I have seen about
them believe they would stop q
freight train. Now / don't want to
Judge them all the same because
there may; be some good looking ones
too, I'm just telling you what have
seen.
Our paper over her is a little bit
scarce 40 don't be mad il write
shock letters because you know what
the trouble is.
Vell I am feeling fine and hope
You are all feeling the same. 3
Well as it is almost dinner time
will finish this after eating.
ss Well here | am back again with
nothing to do but write. Il is pretty
warm today but I guess we won't
get over heated at least never have
since enlisted but came very near
it several times down in Texas.
Freds brother must be over here
by this time as ! guess he was on
I hts way before ! left the states. It
( sure is funny to hear the French
people tall, trying to make US un-
deratand. At least it is hard for
4 me.
Is they have got to talk English II
they want me to understand them, ha,
hal
ss Oh, I guess that / will learn
Z French while am lying around do
Ing nothing. You see several ne
groes' here. Suppose they are all
over though as they always are.
8s You can tell Grandfather said
hello, and tell him to write.
Say do you know whether Johnnie
Norton is over here or is he still in
California. When you find out let
me know will you, as want to
s know It beat him over here.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15

the Hun. / had to laugh when I|
figured out how much that confi-
dence was costing him, It takes SIS
Of his check every month.
Well mother dear, don't worry
about your Petit SON. He has quit
drinking we'll water.
Am still ~ happy % the day that
I enlisted.
Lots Of love to III.
Your con,
Francis.
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Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-08-15


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Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12

"Nov. 4th.-.-.WishI could be at home
but we have not yet quite finished our job
But we have been getting our part of the
Huns. His famous line (Hindenburgl
did not hold when we went against it.
We went through it like rabbit going
through field. had some pretty close
calls; got holes shot through my coat by
machine gun bullets, but that didn't stop
me. But one of his gas did, though for
only short time. Had to stay in hos
pital for week from gas, but when we
60 in line again somebody will have to
pay! We are out for a rest and today
and tomorrow are Field Days with us; we
will have all kinds of sports, horse racing,
wrestling, boxing jumping etc. Does feel
good to get behing the lines ont of reach
Jerry's guns; he sure does send over big
ones. Tell the boys at home they ought
to come over: the water is fine. Guess
you folks will soon be thinking of Christ
mas Have Jerry helmet for you. Won
der if M. L. Tucker is in the service yet!
Haven't received any answers to my let
tiers to him. Well, it is chow time, SO
will close. Hollie Mcdonald"
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12

Hatcher Thomas, colored
Wolf Pit, aged two years, died
Tuesday of pneumoria-infiue
Number 81.
B. c. Phillips, an electrician
and employee of the Sou. Bell,
died Tuesday night ofpneumonia,
following influenza. He had been
sick barely a week. He is SUI
vived by a wife and three chile.
rem. The remains were carried
to Greenville, S. c., this Thurs
day. a. m. His death makes the
68 from flu and its companion
pneumonia. so far in Richmond
county.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12
Man Severity Cut.

w. B. Nelson was severely cut
in four places Tuesday night
about seven o'clock by Will
Woodland, in the card-room Of
Hannah Pickett mill. The injur.
ed man was carried to the James
hospital for treatment. He is
getting on nicely and should
leave there within ten days. A
warrant was sworn out for Wood
ard, but he is not to be found.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12
Limit on Sugar Removed.

The General Food Administra-
ton last week removed the re-
stiction on the use of sugar, so
that now merchants may sell to
individual consumers their rea-
sonable requirements of sugar.
Merchants are no longer required
to keep records of their sales of
sugar.
Also, the $3.50 per bale fixed
for ginning cotton shall now be
regarded as the maximum price
but may no longer be regarded
as the minimum price.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12
john 7. Patrick Dead.

John Tarrant Patrick died at
Southern Pines Saturday night.
The interment was held at Wades-
boro, at which town he was born
in 1852. Mr.. Patrick was widely
known as a promoter, he having
been the Industrial agent for the
Seaboard for many years. He
was the founder and promoter of
Southern Pines. Mr.. Patrick
was we'll known in Richmond
county. he having stuck type
at Rockingham during some part
Of tie. 'Seyentie
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12
Casually List Continued
From Page 9,

[Died Of Disease, continued
Simpson Bishop. Horseshoe
PARROT Daniel. Elm City
James Williams, Raeford
Preston Lccklear, Red Springs
John Evans Milton
1t. frederick Malloy, Asheville
Cook Nathan Byrd, Fayetteville
Paul Henderson, Odessa
Willie Thornton, Stokedale
John florence, Mooresville
Pressie Vaughan, Murfressboro
Thomas Handy, Wilkesboro
]. H. Mcdaniel, Winston
Ernest Dickson, Rocky Mount
Eli Norton, Laurinburg
Frank Martin, Faison
Cpl. John Griffith, Winston
Benz. Dali, Snow Hill
John Grant, Brickton
Thomas Nance, Townsville
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12
Diseases in November.

The following are the names
of parties having diseases, as re.
ported to County Quarantine
Officer ]. M. Maness during No
vember:
MEASLES.
Don Sweat, Rockingham Rt l; G. E.
Hinson's child, Rockingham.
TYPHOID FEVER.
T. E. Ormsby's child, Rockingham.
SEPTIC SORE THROAT.
Mrs. c. M. Mckenzie, Hamlet
DIPHTHERIA.
Homer Wilkinson and'S. C. Willikson,
Hamlet; Reed Privett, Ellerbe.
SMALL POX.
Stansill Covington's boy Rockingham.
J. M. MANESS, M. D.
County Quarantine Officer.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12
Officers Active.

Revenue and county officers
the past week have been espec-
tally active, and there are now
several less blockade stills in op-
Grafton.
On last Saturday deputy COLI
lectors Shores and Morrison, and
deputy sheriff Reynolds broke up
e60-gallon still on the H. J. Rog-
ers sand-hill farm in Wolf Pit.
On Monday Glen Rainwaters was
arrested charged with being its |
operator. He was held in Jail
Monday night but released Tues
day on 5000 bond for appearance
here tomorrw friday for pre-
liminary hearing before a magis-
trate.
On Monday afternoon Sheriff
Mcdonald, deputy collector Shor-
es and deputy Reynolds bagged
two stills on the Hicks farm in
Rockingham township, within "a
mile of each other. One was rs
and the other 60-gallons capacity.
Meal and malt was at one ready
| for firing up the next day.
Deputy collectors Shores and
Brown, and deputy sheriff Rey-
nolds Wednesday morning made
a raid in Wolf Pit. A worm and
still was found in a swamp 200
yards from a house occupied by
Colon Chavis. The cap was not
found. Search was made of
Chavis' premises, and a gallon of
whiskey was found in his house
land a gallon and a half buried
under his smokehouse. He was
arrested but released under a
$500 cash bond for his appearance
for trial here Friday at II.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12

Miss Mary Entwistle entertained the
Salem girls of Rockingham, at FIVE
course dinner, in compliment to the de-
lightful house.guest Of Miss Sara Lily
Dockery, Miss Emile Dickey, of Georgia,
on Saturday evening. Salem colors, vel
low and white, were in evidence through.
out the evening, from the grape fruit
cocktail to the ice cream, the latter being
served on lucious yellow peach. Miss
Entwistle's guests were Miss Emile
Dickey, Sara Lily Dockery, Helen Long,
Octavia Scales, Berta West, Wilma Stan.
sill, and Miss Williams. After dinner
Just happen So of course, calling were
Messrs. John Cole, Tip Steele, William
Leak, June Diggs and Bob Steele.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12

Mr.. Claude Gore spent the weekend
in Wilmington with his parents,returning
to Rockingham Monday night.
The many friends in Rockingham are
glad to welcome Lieut.. Jesse McCullen,
who is in the city to visit his sister, Mrs,
John Covington.>
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12

Up to Wednesday As cases of
flu were reported as being in
Wadesboro. Many cases have
re-appeared throughout Arson
county, and the Board of Health
last week ordered all schools and
churches closed.
Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1918-12-12

Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Stuart entertain
ed most enthusiastic weekend house
party up at Blewett's Falls, in honor of
Mrs. Stuart's nephew, Master Arthur
Glenn Corpening. Their guests were
Johnsie McAuley, Beulah Bolton, Walter
Jones and Arthur Corpening. The young
sters report "sure good time" and were
loath to depart for home when Monday
came.