davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
IN CAMP AND FIELD

were when the Germans started this
Spring.
want you to know that we were
bOmbed by Boche aviatOrs, who also
turned machine guns on the hospital.
You can tell our German neighbors so
they will know how dastardly the
German aviators are. We had our
hospital full of wounded and of course
IN tents, and the largest share of them
nrone. Toward the latter part OF the
-ftern0On a German plane went over
who evidently took pictures; imagine
how the Red Cross sign made of sod
an the white chalk and 40 feet long
looked, and yet they say they can't
see signs. That night was little
cloudy when the B0che came through
jhe barrage above US. We heard him
coming and | stepped out of the Office
tent to watch him. He was $50 feet
Eigh when he dropped the bomb. 1t
handed in an open field near the town.
Then he comes down to so feet, flies
over the Red Cross sign and is just
HDtUj over our CdIlp WhCh 0NAOO
tie next bomb. It missed the camp
end hit above the Office about so feet
nd threw art and gravel all over me.
Tt was all luck that no one was hurt.
Then the next night it was moon
Sight, and back he comes. He swings
around the camp and as he comes
near he opens up his machine gun on
The ward tents and as he gets over he
Turns his rear gun and fires again.
Bullets spattered all over between
fents but how lucky it was. Not a
soul was hurt. He didn't get much
fIrsher when the French dOwned him.
HOW we would like to get hold of
bim- We would have given it to him
. la Dixie. Yet you can imagine how
ii feels to see them shooting at help
less rnen. Why take them prisoners
1t all? And let me tell you, all the
rest of my life l will remember this!
And now | can imagine some OF
fhCse Germans around home still
holding out. How [ would like tC
dave all of them over here and put
them through the misery and torture
that some of our men have gone
through. You may read of hOspita
Bombing in the papers, but l have
teen it and know.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29

is cutie a representative OF the cities
and towns near the lines. They are
all in complete ruins. | sincerely nope
that the wind storms did no damage
to the growing crops. 1t reminds me
of acres and acres of high standing
grain here entirely cut off about eight
inches from the ground by machine
gun and rifle bullets. 1t is as neatly
done as if moved by machine.
On July 81 we were in foreign ser
vice six months and are now wearing
a gold service stripe shaped like the
letter v and worn on the left sleeve.
I sincerely hope that this war will be
over before we get the next service
stripe.
The weather is very mild here in
France. It never gets sultry or very
hot here, which always makes it feel
like spring time or early fall in Wis
consin and keeps one wondering when
we will get the real hot weather
This climate is great for grapes, which
is one of the principle crops here IN
France and to me it looks as though
we would have a good crop OF wine
and champagne.
Am able to understand considerable
French, but talking it appears to come
pretty slow.
1t is quite surprising to me to learn
the amount Of French soldiers that can
talk English, especially the officers
Some can talk quite fluently The
other day French major and l had
quite a visit. He had a. German rifle
cartridge and asked how it compared
with the American.
Well, dad, am still eating good
therefore feeling fine. Give my love
to mother, brother, and | send a hello
to all the boys at the canning factory
and please don't forget to send nae
more photos.
From your son,
CORPORAL RANDALL HERFORT.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29

fixed it up with some tent canvas.
The enlisted personnel were less
fortunate. They rode in cars which
had these words on the outside:
"Hommes, 40; Chaval, g." which
means" Men, As; horses, s." and
these cars are about one-third the
length of an American car. However,
we let them off and gave them exer-
else every day.
Yesterday Sunday I went into an
old church while they were having
the service. l guess it was Catholic
service, as most of the French people
are of that denomination. 1t is very
old, undoubtedly before America was
ever heard of. The congregation con-
sisted mostly of women and children.
If the American people only knew the
sacrifices these French people are
making, it would make them think
more about helping However, what
America is doing over here is surpris-
ing everybody, but | can't describe
it to you. | might say that some
German prisoners they had working
back here in a railroad yard, said that
the Americans were running these
trainloads of troops and materials
around in a circle just for their spe-
cial benefit. In other words, they
didn't believe what they saw. How
ever, I'll bet their worthy brethren
across the Rhine believe it after a
bit.
Negroes Having Huge Time
Maybe you think those Georgia mig
gers are having hard time Of it, but
they are having the time of their
lives. They don't understand this
French money. Yesterday | saw
some of them trading some which was
worth a franc for half franc, be-
cause the latter was larger, and had
a hole in it. At that, they get about
as much out of what the people are
saying as we do, although none OF
them can understand it.
l am sending you little souvenir
of France 1t doesn't amount to much,
but | hope to bring more with me
when l come. Believe me when I dc
come back, I'll sure know how to
appreciate my home and family. One
never knows how much he can appre
ciate these until he gets away IN
strange land. It's a wonderful expe
rience, and educational as we'll, but
Just as with any other trip-the
best part of it is the getting home
Don't worry if you don't hear from
me for a long time, for you know
they have quite a time getting mai
across.
Your affectionate son,
RUSSELL L. WILLIAMS.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
C-a1 Germans GrewsOme Sight

~ ~1SA 1C1UhdI2S NMCWSU2AAC OASHs
Tho following is a letter from Ran
dali Herfort, who is in France and
driving motor truck near the battle
field The letter reads in part as fol-
lows:
On active service with the American
Expeditionary Force in France, July
26. 1918
My Dear Father:
just received letter No. Is with en-
closed photos Of different scenes of
wrecks caused by the cyclone you had
hast May. We are working day and
might. SO have to have shift of driv-
era. Otto Bates and l were on a de-
tail following up the big American
drive and for two days and nights we
saw nothing but dead soldiers and the
devastation Of war Father, it is unde
Scrjbable, and the ruin caused by the
big shells. Whole forests were moved
Down and towns leveled to the ground.
The fields were a mass of shell holes,
III fact it would be impossible to tell
what grew on them.
was on the big hill that the Ger
mans held four hours previous to our
arrival | found gun that was new,
Having never fired a shot on account
0f q shell jam. Dead German soldiers
were lying throughout these woods, it
was greWsOme sight.
You have always asked me, if pos
T
picked up a German steel helmet and
3. belt buckle with these words on it,
"C$0tt Mitt Uns," which means God
with Us. The latter was stolen from
Sn0 OF rather someone swiped it. The
next chance [ get will try and send
them home, to you, together with this
machine gun. The latter, however,
"Cpears to me to be too heavy to ship.
But, it would make quite an attraction
10 have on our line. | mean lawn. It's
hard not to use war terms.
Some time back we were up 10 the
lines and under shrapnel fire for four
hours. A piece Of sharpnel struck my
truck with bang, but did no damage.
This was in the night and no one dared
TO talk. We ran through two different
gases. chlorine and mustard, the latter
the most deadly of the German gases
end apparently no one was hurt. I
aTn learning a lot about the war, espe-
ctaIly this night I'll never forget.
By the way, father. have been receiv-
ing the Daily News quite regularly
which is very interesting to me and
any comrades, especially the bunch
from BarabOO. The news about the
war and particularly our sector is
especially interesting to US. of course
The papers don't give details but fol-
low pretty closely the work of the
boys
tn your last letter you asked how
far We were from Paris. Well, father,
st one time we were stationed - miles
(this was erased by the censor) from
there but have moved up pretty close
TO the lines and now again we are a
considerable distance from the lines;
the distance [ cannot give.
Well, Dad, l notice the picture of
the new warehouse makes it a mon
str0Us building and 1 hope that you
have it large enough to make it con-
Venient for the warehouse people. I
suppose you are canning peas full
blast but ere this reaches you, no
doubt. you will have finished. Hope
that you have had a large pack.
Am pleased to learn that the cyclone
you had last May did no damage to the
Canning company. This picture that
you sent to me of the ruins at Plain
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
William Holmes Again Wounded

Mrs. J. M. Holmes has received a
letter from her son, William Holmes,
stating that he had again been
wounded, this time in the thumb by
a machine gun bullet. He, is in a
hospital but expects to return to the
front soon. He stated that the wound
was pretty sore, but otherwise he
was feeling fine and liked it there.
The young man was severely wound
ed some time ago and but recently re-
turned to the front.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
CORPORAL RANDALL HERFORT
Promoted to Lieutenant

Lieutenant Edward r. Blackwell,
son of Mr.. and Mrs Edward Blake
well, is at home from Camp Taylor,
KY, on a furlough. For some time
the officer was at Camp Grant, and
later took the training at Camp
Taylor. He will be at home about a
week.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
Relatives Here

Private Elmer Thomas of Rhine
lander, who was reported severely
wounded in France is a nephew Of
Henry White of the city
Editors Note: The News is very
glad to give special mention to those
boys in the army who have relatives
here. In case you notice the name
of a relative in the casualty list kind
ly send the information to this Of
flee.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
Long Time Between Letters

Mr.. and Mrs. Clark Weidman, who
reside on the Baraboo-Kilbourn road
report they have not heard from their
son since May 10. The son, Arthur
Weidman, is a member of supply
company, 9Th Reg, U. S. Marines,
Am. Elk. Force, France.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
Strange Things in France

Mr.. and Mrs S. Thomas Williams
have received a letter from their son,
Lieutenant Russell Williams, as fol-
lows:
Am. E. F., July 20, 1918.
Dear Folks:
Am going to write you q letter on
the typewriter, so I can send carbon
copies, and save time, and that seems
to be a scarce thing since we came
here.
During the past week | have trav-
eled across France, and have seen
some beautiful scenery-old chateaus
which date back for centu1ie Last
evening | noticed an old tombstone
with the date 1775 on it. All the
people are very pleasant to us, but
don't seem to understand our new
ideas.
Black Man Frightened Women
Today we sent one of the black
men to the public scrubbing place,
and he frightened nearly all the wom-
en- away. They never see ack men
and are not used to seeing men work.
| went down ard told them that he
was our servant. and we wanted him
to wash for us. | was very Humorous,
as you can easily imagine
| ann living in a house with a
quaint old French family, and it is
H.
nous affairs. Have to climb way
up on them when we go to bed. They
make them up so we have several
featherbeds over us, and great thick
mattresses under US.
We have a great time making the
people understand what we want, and
they seem to think we are very funny,
They all seem to think | am so young
to be an officer. We certainly are for
tunate to have a major who speaks
very fluent French.
Milk Is Fresh
You should see the way they de-
liver milk over here. The herder
drives his flock of goats right up the
sidewalk, and plays tune or a small
horn which the people recognize.
When they come out to buy he catches
goat and milks it right there.
have drunk this milk and eaten
cheese made from it, and find them
very good. 1t is richer than cows
milk
Of course I can't tell you about the
military surroundings, but can say
that I've heard the big guns booming
and seen lots of them. Have talked
with soldiers of many nations, and
seen thousands of Boche prisoners.
That last drive was dandy, and l
guess the Germans are beginning to
realize what they are up against. |
certainly hope so.
1t is very cool here, and they have
lots Of rain. The roads, however, are
of stone, so we get around IN good
shape on our motors. Am fixed all
right for clothes at present, but think
I'll requisition you for that long
sleeyed sweater and any other wool
garments L ind L need. My sheep
skin is very comfortable, as I've al
ready found.
Plenty of Fresh Air
You should see these funny French
train. The officers had a first-class
car, which was divided into three
compartments, each part supposed to
hold eight men. We slept three to
compartment There is a door on
each side of each compartment, and
once when we got off to talk to some
French people we forgot to shut the
door. A train whizzed by, and when
we got back we found that we were
to have plenty of fresh air for the
remainder of the journey, for our door
had been completely ripped off. We
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
Member of Reedsburg Company

John Mcnamara of Westford re-
ceived message stating that his
son John, who is in the service in
France, was seriously wounded. The
report got out that he had died but 1t
was learned that the report was false.
John Jr.. was a member of the Reeds
burg Co. A.-Cazenovia Reporter.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
E. w. Kamensky Across

Mrs. Rinard Kowalke, North Free
dom. has received word that her
brother. Edward w. Kamensky has
arrived safely overseas.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
r. A. McGilyra in France

A card received by Mr.. and Mrs.
George B. McGilvra states that their
son, Lieutenant Ralph A. McGilvra,
had arrived safely overseas.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
AS ever,

as | have gotten pretty tanned from
working in the sun.
AS ever,
YOUR JACKIE.
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
From Vaughn
July 2, 1918.

Dear Mother:
We received your most welcome
letter of May 20 today and was some
glad to hear from you. l have just
returned from a movie show, the first
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29

Mrs. w Il. BOrT, (OU newell oL1 6oC'
Kenosha, Wis, formerly Baraboo, has
recently received letters from her
three sons, Veo A, Corporal Vaughn
R., and Philip, all doing their noble
duty in France. Extracts from the let
ters follow:
First Letter From Veo
Dear Mother:
was released from the hospital to-
day and start for a replacement camp
tonight.
| have hopes of getting back with
the old company but may be disap-
pointed.
You can we'll imagine that | am
mighty glad that | am free man
again, for it has been almost three
months that I have been under
quarantine which is very little short
of a prisoners life l am real anxious
to see Vaughn and Phil, and | know
they will have lots to tell me- We
are having the best of weather and
every one seems to be enjoying him
self | have been up looking the city
over most all afternoon and managed
to visit many places Of interest of
which | shall tell you when [ get back.
| haven't heard from anyone now for
almost three weeks. No wonder |
am anxious to get back to the COM
pany, is it? I imagine Harry and
Dean are enjoying their summer va
cation now. Give my best to dad and
tell all to write, for mail is the main
factor over here Take care of your
self and don't worry over us for we
are all fine.
Your loving son,
Second Letter from Veo
France,
July 10, 1918.
Dear Mother:
| have now been out of the hospital
almost two weeks and have been trav-
cling over France ever since l left 1T.
| tried hard to get back to the old
company but failed, so am now with,
the 3rd Army Headquarters Troop do
ing sign work. / like it very well and
know that l shall get along alright.
haven't heard from Vaughn nor Phil
since June but suppose they have been
quiet busy, so | will have to pardon
them this time. l haven't received a
letter of any kind for nearly two
months so you can we'll imagine that
| am quiet eager for news. | expect
to be paid soon and it will seem
mighty fine to have money. l think l
have told you before that l haven't
been paid since December and now
have seven months coming.
Just as soon as l get settled l shall
write you a long letter but until then
7 must close. Give my best to all and
write. Tell Dean to write for l have
MT heard from her for a long time.
NV new address is
3rd Army Corps.
A. P. o. 754.
From Vaughn
July 2, 1918.
Dear Mother:
We received your most welcome
letter of May 20 today and was some
glad to hear from you. l have just
returned from a movie show, the first
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29
Mother Hears From Three Sons
Your affecti0naFe son,
RUSSELL L. WILLIAMS.

Mrs. w. L. Horn, 700 Newell street,
Kenosha, Wis, formerly Baraboo, has
recently received letters from her
three sons, Veo A, Corporal Vaughn
R., and Philip, all doing their noble
duty in France. Extracts from the let
Ell
Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-08-29

II Machine Gun Bn., Co. G.
Am. e. F., via N. Y.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-04-25
THE SEED CORN SITUATION

Some men in the county have
come up to this time without testing
or intending to test their seed corn
With corn planting time less than 80
days away it isn't too late to make
the individual ear test.
The United States Department of
Agriculture have gone into the seed
situation very carefully and are max
ing such recommendations to the
farmers as knowledge of the seed
shortage really warrants. They have
made many tests with the various
methods and have found the Rag
Doll Tester simple, cheap and salts
factory. This method is explained in
Farmers Bulletin No. 94S, which
will be sent free to any one applying
for it. The County Agent has bull
letins on the Rag Doll tester, also.
G. p. Hartley, who is in charge of
corn investigation. says
''By the use of this tester during
the next two or three weeks even an
eight year old child can find out
which ears can be depended upon to
grow. The situation is unusual and
calls for unusual precautions. Unless
this individual ear testing is prompt
ly attended to thousands of farms
will have poor stands, wasted labor,
idle land or soft corn this year. To
replant, or to plant seed of southern
varieties is likely to cause a recur-
renee of the soft corn situation next
fall. Testing out from locally grown
supplies the ears that terminate is
the best means of obtaining seed that
will produce good stand and a
we'll matured crop.
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-04-25
FARMERS ARE WITHDRAWING
FROM NON-PARTISAN LEAGUE

Many loyal farmers of Iowa join
ed the National Non-Partisan League
some time ago, believing that organ
ization to be really farmers league
intended to do real service to the
farming industry Many of these
men have Investigated the matter
and the character of the movement
and Withdrawals are being sent in
rapidly.
A typical case is the following
letter sent last week by nine promi-
nent and progressive farmers of Han
cock county.
The National Nonpartisan League
Headquarters.
st Paul, MINI.
Attention A. c. Townley, Pres.
I'VE hereby return certificates OF
membership in the National Nonpar-
tisan League and demand full and
complete release from membership
in the organization.
"A study of the principles of this
organization reveals the fact to us
that we believe it is not to the best
interests of the community from a
standpoint of loyalty, unity and CO.
operation and it appears to be dis
loyal to the best interests of the
United States under the present ex-
listing conditions.
"(Signed)
Henry G. Beier
J. H. Terhuffen
Louis II. Griffin
j. l.. Adele
Herman Cast
Erick Josten
w. III. Lemke
j. ]. Stille
Fl. ID. Runge"
Jackson County Ua.) Sentinel
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-04-25
DOC SETTLEMIRE NOW IN
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
TT. Mckinley, Philippine Islands

TT. Mckinley, Philippine Islands.
Mr.. Hoogenakker:
I will write you few lines to let
you know I am alive yet and about
my trip. 1t has been rather a long
listed.
left Fort Logan in January and
it took four days to get to Angel
Island, Calf. where We stayed a
couple of weeks and then left San
Francisco on February 5th. Got to
Honolulu February 18th where we
remained few days. The next stop
was Guam where we stayed a couple
Of days also when we sailed for Ma
nilla where we arrived on the morn
ing of March Sth.
l am mighty glad to be on land
once more. From Frisco to Manila
is right at 1000 miles. The two
days / was in Honolulu / got to see
most of the city and found it a very
pretty place, and some beautiful
trees. had trip to the top of the
mountains, a distance Of, fifteen
miles and about 1900 feet above the
sea level. I could look over a cliff,
don't know how far. to the bot
tom where I could see pineapple
plantations owned by the Libby Can
ming Co.
The water got rough a few days
and at times it blew up on the deck.
did not see much of Manila as
they brought us out in trucks. They
are keeping us. in barracks by our
selves to see IL we come down with
any sickness. There are 81 of us
in the company but have not been
given my assignment. Until get
out Of here send my paper to 31st
U. S. Inf, Philippine Islands.
Yours as ever,
ID. A. Settlemire
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-04-25
NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL

District court in and for Audubon
county.
State OF Iowa. Audubon county, IS.
To all whom it may concern:
Whereas, on the 18th day OF APP
ril, A. ID. 1918 paper purportlng
to be the last Will and Testament
of Ferdinand Weiderstein, late Of
said county, deceased. was filed in
my office and was by me opened and
read. and the 3rd day of May. 1918,
appointed and fixed by special order
of court, as the time when the same
will come before the court at the
April term thereof then to be held.
for final proof and probate. as the
duly executed last Will and Tesla
ment of the said Ferdinand Wieder-
stein. deceased, at which time all
persons interested may appear and
show cause why the same should not
be admitted to probate.
Dated this 18th day of April,
1918.
(SEAL) JOHN HORNING
Clerk
Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-04-25
NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL

District Court, in and for Audu-
bon County.
State of Iowa, Audubon County SIS.
To all whom it may concern:
Whereas, on the 18th day of APP
ril, A. d. 1918. paper purporting
to be the last Will and Testament of
A. f. Altman. late of said county,
deceased, was filed in my office and
was by me opened and read, and the
Bird day of May. 1918 appointed and
fixed by special order of Court as
the time when the same will come
before the court at the April term
thereof then to be held. for final
proof and probate, as the duly ex.
ecuted last Will and Testament OF
the said A. F. Altman, deceased, al
which time all persons interested
may appear and show cause why the
same should not be admitted to pro-
bate.
Dated this 10Th day of April, 1918
(SEAL) JOHN HORNING
Clerk