davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
PHONE CASE
is SETTLED
MT. PLEASANT's FAMOUS CON.
TRovERsY SETTLED ON
EVE OF TRIAL.

Mt. Pleasant, May DIR. LessDger
is going to have telephone in his
office.
On his part the doctor agrees to
abide by the rules of the company.
The case attracted more than state
wide attention due to allegations made
by the telephone girls of the Doctors
forceful language over the wire. The
telephone company cut the Doctors
phone service off and the doctor,
averring that his practice and returns
therefrom had been greatly damaged
because of the company's action,
brought suit.
The case has hung fire and has bean
carried over two terms Of court b..
cause of the absence of the company's
attorney. Then came the war be-
tween the Farmers Union and the tel
ephone company to add more interest
to the affair.
The case was to come up In the dis
trict court here and the doctor was
prepared to 80 to trial but, It was an
nounced, the telephone company had
proposed compromise.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
In Me1noriam
John z. Robinson.

John F. Robinson was born in Chilli
cothe, Ohio. January 10, 1858 where
he lived until 8 years old when he
moved with his parents to Galesburg,
Ill. There he spent four years OF his
boyhood days, coming to Ottumwa in
1880 where he grew to manhood and
was united In marriage to Effie Or
cult. To this union was born one son
still living, Roy L. of Dubuque. On
September IL, 1908. the wife and moth
er died and In 1913 Mr.. Robinson was
married to May Hurley Of Oskaloosa.
To this union was born four children,
OF whom three are living, John Frank
lin, Alfred, and Hazel, at the family
home In Davenport at which city he
died In st. Luke's hospital, April 20,
1918, after an illness Of many weeks at
the age Of so years, 3 months, and one
day. Besides his wife and immediate
family he is survived by three step
children, Elizabeth, Nellie and Fred
die at home and two grandchildren,
Ruth Frances, and Robert Lee OF Du-
huque. Also three brothers and two
sisters survive him, T. D., of Ottumwa,
VIM. a., of Davenport, A. F. of Butte,
Mont, Mrs. Mary Worthy OF Lockman.
and Mrs. Belle Dimmitt. Barley, Mont.
The funeral services were held at tho
home Of his brother, T. D. Robinson,
406 South Ransom street, Wednesday
afternoon. April "a at o'clock. The
service was conducted by Rev. John
HASTE OF Farson with the assistance
of Rev B. F. Patt Of the First Baptist
church. Interment took place in Of
tumwa cemetery.-Contribu
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
SOLVEHAUNTED
HOUSE MYSTERY
WHY GUARD LEFT STATE FARM
IN A HURRY, ONE NIGHT, Is
MADE CLEAR.

Fl. Madison, May 1.-The mystery
OF the haunted" Knapp house on the
state farm northwest OF this city, has
been revealed, the solution coming &C.
c1dentally when the new superintend'
ent, ]. 8. Taylor, started to make some
repairs in the cellar after moving on.
to the farm. It all turned out to be a
contrivance rugged up by an honor
prisoner two years ago, for the pur.
pose OF frightening the guard. In
whose charge the men were working
on the farm.
1t Is said that couple of years ago
guard took some men out to work
on the farm and then left hurredly
in the middle of the night, declaring
that the house was haunted. He said
he didn't think much about certain
strange noise at first and started to
investigate. He went over the house
thoroughly and returned to the chair
In front of the fire to dose awhile, all
the prisoners being safe in their beds
upstairs. AS he sat down the queer
hollow humping noise in the walls
started again and kept up intermit-
tently until itsgot ito much for him
and he returned withsthe charges as
fast as he could.
The other day the new superin-
tendent was repairing the cellar and
there he found big spring attached
to a board and the end of tho board
mutfled with sacks. Further investi-
CATION showed that holes had been
bored through the floors and string
had apparently led to the bedroom Of
the convicts employed there. Though
lying quietly in, bed, they had been
able to pull the string and make the
board spring up, striking the walls
with hollow effect decidedly eerie In
the night. The sound re-echoed
through the big building and this Is
undoubtedly what frightened tho
former guard, officials declare.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
LOYALTY

Over and above all the many qualifications the
ideal employe, I must unbestatingly place loyalty
Give of average intelligence who has character
ad loyalty and though he has nothing he be
moulded and made efficient part of organization
But though he other qualification and
IS doya he constant those
@ciated.
So high premium is placed upon Loyalty under the military
code that the soldier guilty of its violation is Immediately pun
ished by death.
While dsoyay in business may not be Immediately produc-
tive Of evil results is in where thousands
haps millions Of lives at stake it will the long
lutey wreck enterprise that harbors tolerates it,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
BIG JERSEY SALE At PALMYRA

Palmyra, Mo-, May 1.-THE largest
Jersey sale ever held In Marion county
was the Jersey calf club sale held
here. IT is ranged among big Jersey
sales of the state and there were many
out-of-town buyers, the animal bring
ing the highest price selling for $500.
The sale totaled 310,7S0 and the Of
ficials Of the banking institutions who
are well pleased with the outcome. The
First National bank paid all of the ex-
penses and the sole aim OF the Calf
club is to promote the dairy interests
to high standard in Marion county
and the only way to make this possible
is 20 secure the best registered stuff
to be had, and the best breed of cattle
was chosen-the Jersey.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03

Mrs. Alfred Poulter passed away at
her homo west Of town Thursday. She
Is survived by her husband and two
daughters, Florence and Versa Poul.
ter: also two brothers and two sisters.
William and Ed, Misses Mary and Bell
Marsden, Ill OF Salem. Funeral serv-
ices were conducted at the home by
Rev. T. r. Gray Of the Congregational
church 1t 2 o'clock Saturday after.
noon. Interment was made in Salem
cemetery.
Mrs. Charles Sheckler is home from
. visit with her daughter, Mrs. Arthur
Murray. and family. at New Sharon.
Mrs. Jerome Campbell spent from
Wednesday until Saturday with her
sister, Mrs. Frank Mcmillan and fam
ly ct Mt. Pleasant
]. H Collatt has purchased the Azur
Barton harness stock. The business
viii be continued at the old stand.
Following an extended visit with her
5 son., Dr.. w. A. .Dilts, and wife. at In.
dalnola, Mrs. Martha Dilts returned
homo.
! Mr.. and Mrs. J. T. Ingrim went to
!, Danyllle Wednesday to spend two
weeks with their daughter, Mrs. T. b.
Z Safer and family.
Nrs. J. w. Foss is visiting her son,
CHM and her nephew, Max Weeks. at
Clamp at Jacksonville. Fla. i.t 81
| Mss Elsie Weegs arrived from Keo-
kuk oad spent last week with relatives
4 here.
Nh. T.R. Gray departed last Thurs
day to take treatment at the Mayo
hospital. ct Rochester, Mimi.
M. and Mrs. H. G. Stevens recently
entertained Mr.. and Mrs. Charles An
derson of New London.
Miss Mathews of Mt. Pleasant was
Sunday guest at the ]. 7. Powell
homo.
Mas Matte Binford enjoyed visit
with her friend, Mrs. Orpha Harvey OF
Lowell.
j. r. Wilmeth has been serving as
Juror IN the federal court held at Dav.
export.
George White, soldier boy, is visit.
ing his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. T. T..
WHITE !.
invitations are issued for the annual
party given on May 1, by the Women's
club.
Tuesday evening, May Z, at the
Methodist Episcopal church. COM
mencement exercises Of Salem High
school will be held. Members Of the
graduating class are: William Sim
hin. Bayan Friend. Dewey Hodson,
Ralph White, Howard Burkey, Leslie
johnson, Viola Harshbarger, Lelal
VISITS, Elsie Thompson, Norine Hog.
NIT. Mildred Hourihan. Ruth SheAedy.
Ruth Collatt, Ruth Foss.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
CLERGYMAN TALKS
SELF INTO TROUBLE

Oos M0ines, May 2.-Rev. X. A. ROD
inson. pastor Of the Church Of the
Brethren here, was out on $1,000 bond
today following his arraignment be-
fore the United States commissioner
an Z charge Of violating the espionage
ct. He was arrested yestd rday at
Camp Dodge by federal agents who
"a he had gone about different bar
0ncks preaching the evils Of combat
ant fightine' and urging the soldiers
% raise conscientious objections to
6Ghting.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03

The sergeant had squad of re-.
cruits on the rife range. He tried
them on the 5o0-yard range, but none
OF them could hit the target.
Then he tried them on the 3O0-yard
the 200-yard and the 100-yard ranges
in turn, but with no better success.
When they had all missed on the
shortest range he looked around in
despair.
Then he Strengthened up. Squad
attention." he commanded Fix bay.
onets! ,Charge!'
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
ALBA TEACHER WILL
GO TO WASHINGTON

Abba, May mary Kissick, teach
er in the Abba schools, received an
appointment today as clerk In the
war risk insurance department in
Washington, D. G. She will report
May % having been granted time to
finish her school duties before leaving
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
THIEVES MUST BE
GOING PICNICKING

Fl. Madison, May 2.-WOrklng syE-
tematically inside the lighted store Of
George johnson, cigar maker, thieves
took all the money they could ind,
as many cigars as they wanted. =
carton of chewing gum, some boxes of
candy and a whole crate Of soda
water, The cash they secured was
less than ten dollars. jDcluding dol.
lars worth of pennies. They gained
entrance by forcing the back door.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
FLAG
PROVED HIM DRUNK

Sioux City, May $50 unusual is It
in Sioux City for people to salute a
flag when they pass it, that Judge L.
B. Forsling considered 1t conclusive
proof that James Clarey, arrested for
intoxlcation, must have been drunk.
Clarey with anotheI man had been
creating disturbance IN a restaurant.
AS he left the place Clarey saluted
flag which was hanging in the door
way. Clarey was fined SIS.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
GIRL RECRUITING
AGENT IN HANNIBAL.

Hannibal, May THE naval re-
cruiting station opened by Miss Aileen
Davidson, appointed special recruiting
agent In Hannibal will continue open
for some time.
The drive FOR $4,000 men for the
navy will continue through May. Dur
ing that time men subject to draft
may enlist in the navy by securing
permission from their local boards.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
DIES AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS,

Eddyville, May 2.-The people OF
this community were greatly shocked
to learn Of the death Of Mrs. Flora
Wells. wife of Charles Wells, which
occurred very suddenly Wednesday
afternoon at 1880.
Mrs. Wells had been i'll for short
time ubt her conditions was not con.
sidered serious. She is survived by
her husband.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
W. II. M. S. MEET
AT KEOSAUQUA
WoMEN's ORGANIZATION OF M. e,
CHURCH TO CONVENE TO.
DAY AND FRIDAY.

The twentieth annual meeting Of
the Woman's Home Missionary go
ciety of the NJ. q. church will be held
IN Keosauqua tonight and Friday al
which a number of Ottumwans will!
be present representing local churches
The program begins this evening con.
tinuing over Friday and includes two
addresses by Miss Olive Dunlap OF
Jacksonville, ILL.,, field secretary. Mrs
+. q. Day is president and Mrs. Fred
Dimmitt, corresponding secretary, and
with Mrs. F. T. Lynch, Mrs. w. H.
Perdew and Miss Birdie Holloway ex.
pect to attend.
The program for the two days fol.
lows:
THURsDAY,sMAY 2, 1880 p. M.
Devotional service-Mrs. G. H. Boos,
Presidents, Greetings-Mrs. F. E.
Day. Ottumwa.
Address Council for National De.
fense." Mrs. Naomi Day. Bloomfield.
Address-Miss Olive Dunlap Jack
sonville, Ill.
Offering.
Benediction.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, $50 A. NJ.
Prayer and praise service-Mrs. c.
H. Boos.
Organization of convention-Mrs. E.
L. rStickney.
Appointment Of committees.
Annual reports:
Corresponding secretary, Mrs. Fred
Dimmitt; treasurer, Mrs. Ella Ham
NETT.
Departmental Secretaries y. Young
People, MRS. Allie Hancock; Ghildren's
Work. Miss Stella Main; Mite Boxes,
Mrs. w. T. Van Dorm; Literature,
Mrs. Mayme Kinion; Christian Stew
ardship. Mrs. Louie Gilbert; Evangel-
ism, Mrs. Frank Canfeld.
Reports Of Auxiliaries, Circles and
Bands.
"Our Religious Obligation to Re-
port" Miss Dunlap.
Hymn.
Election of officers.
Noon tide prayer, Mrs. w. H. Per
dew.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 1880
Devotions-Mrs. c. H. Boos.
Definite Plans for Advancing Our
Work
(a) Intensive Conference Work
Mrs. l.. G. Murphy.
% Membership Campaign. Mrs.
Ruby Wood.
(c) Lenten Offering, Mrs. E. E.
Walker.
(d) Pledges: What Our Confer
ence Should Do"-Mrs. Naomi Day.
Address-Miss Dunlap.
Unfinished and miscellaneous bust
ness.
/ Minutes.
Conservation service and installation
of officers.
Adjournment @ $780,
Young peoples conference. 4:3o.
FRIDAY EVENING, 1880.
Praise service Mrs. C. H. Boos.
patriotism Among Our Young Peo-
ple"-Mrs. Allie Hancock.
Address EVERY Woman's Duty to
Her Country" Mrs. F. e, Day.
Offering.
Benediction.
SUNDAY MORNING, MAY S, II
Opening service-Rev. J. A. Monk
man.
Music.
Address-Miss Olivia Dunlap.
Offering.
Renedic4ion.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
Miss Olivia Dunlap.
700 CHILDREN IN GARDEN CLUBS

7VU VtIIOH6N TT
Hannibal Mo. May More than TOO
boys and girls in the schools OF the
city are enrolled in the war garden
clubs which have been organized IN
Hannibal this spring. These clubs
which have been organized through
the efforts of the war gardens COM
mittee of which D. e. Griswold Is
chairman, assisted by F. L. Wright, Of
the college Of agriculture extension
bureau.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-03
NORTH ENGLISH

Col. A. G.. Satire Of Stanhope came In
Friday night to cry = sale for G. c.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
ROCKY FOB FORD

The candidacy Of Henry Ford for the Senate viii
not De without its difficulties. To begin with. there is
the slight obstacle of the law which forbids a Senator
to have any business transactions with the governments:
and 1t is well known that MI. Ford has millions of dol
lars worth of government contracts. Then there is the
feeling among robust Republicans in Michigan thar it
may be as well to select a Senatorial candidate by the
forms sanctioned by law and usage, rather than bv aar
from the White House. Added to these is the direct
charge that Mr. Ford may have trouble in submitting
10 the acid test of which the president himself tried
to make use in Wisconsin. So that this particular Ford
may find the road a rocky one.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
So5RiETY NJ FUEL.

An angle OF the liquor problem that is sometimes
ignored in prohibition discussions is brought into promi
Sence by the action Of the Pittsburg Vein Operatorsl
Association OF Ohio. This big group of coal producers
has petitioned the president to abolish the sale of all
intoxicants for the period of the war. not as a political
or moral measure, but for efficiency"
The operators say there is an immense loss in fuel
production resulting from the failure of employees to
work on days preceding and following holidays and i'm.
mediatey after semimonthly pay days. The loss in tho
Pittsburgh Vein district alone on July ), due 10 the
alcoholic aftermath of the Fourth. was estimated al
10000 tons. Such losses are especially deprecated in
view of the threatened coal famine.
The operators do not cOnhne their interest to their
own industry. 1t is our unanimous opinion" they say,
in their letter to the president, that the only way TO
correct the evil is to correct the cause; that patriotic
appeals on one side cannot cope with liquor on the other;
that the elimination of drinking places. at least for the
period of the war. will add 10 per cent or more to the
production Of the things necessary for the carrying on
of the war
Here is a direct challenge to the opinion expressed
by certain representatives OF the shipbuilding industry
1t is not pleasant to believe that American workmen
of any class are so incapacitated by the use of drink
that they cannot do their best for themselves and their
country in this grave emergency. But facts are facts
If the operators are right, there can be no question as
to the proper policy to pursue.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
THE LIST.

The sympathy of the American people goes out with
heartfelt sympathy TO that great American fighter
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. on the death Of his son
Quentin in battle. To the mother will go out a wave Of
compassion for her brave words, L am glad to give ns
boy to his country"
What a difference TO some mothers in this region.
What an example to them, When these casualty lists
come in, they will silence forever those who have given
grudgingly or only because they have had to give.
1t will take these names of these boys of ours to
silence all the ideas of partial peace, of war ISLANDERS.
OF Red Cross lies Of gossip and halfhearted effort.
The country this generation particularly is to ges
its first real taste Of war. The few days that are upon
US will bring the people OF this great nation to 4 better
realization of what war is, OF what tie countries OF
Europe have suffered.
|ay the Almighty give the fathers and the mothers
~-''rase 10 bear their burden.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
KuLTuR.

A scandalous condition of things has been disclosed
IN the civic administration Of Dessau, leading TO the
dismissal from office of nearly the whole Of the city
authorities.
A few weeks ago a box containing 81. 200 in cash
and notes was stolen from the food department at the
town hall. The municipal secretary was arrested on
suspicion. and it was then elected that he had embezzled
another sum of $4,000 of the public funds. The assist
ant secretary. whose arrest followed. had, It appears
misappropriated another $4,000.
Subsequently a tumultuous meeting Of the town
authorities was held under the presidency of a repre-
sentative of the state. On that occasion il was ascer
tanned that Or. Eveilng, who for more than 20 years
had occupied the office OF chief burgomaster, had stolen
another $4,000 from the municipal safe, and further
that he had expended the sum Of $4,000. which was the
first amount found TO be missing, in making present
TO various farmers to induce them to supply his house
hold with food products at cost ~price.-Munich Post.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
CAN'T kgEP HEB DOWN.

Japan. denied the privilege of using her troops in
Siberia. where she would like to employ them. and not
invited to use them elsewhere. is free to develop her
industrial resources to the utmost-and Is oo;ng so.
Our own trade reports show to what extent Japan. aided
by our low tariff duties. is establishing herself in the
American market; and now come reports from Toxic
OF plans to set up branch Japanese banks in the Argep.
tine and to establish Japanese lines OF steamships no
Buenos, Ayres- II would seem to be the part Of economic
as we'll as of military wisdom to give japanese man.
power something 10 do in the field of battle.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
A NEW ANTHEM.

A New York %highbrow. inspired by contemplation o,
the symbols u. S. A." has proposed that our troops
be called "Usonians" instead Of Americans or Yankees
Thereupon a New Jersey man. in a letter TO a
metropolitan paper. carries the idea to its logical cong
clusion by asking everybody to rise while the band
plays "Usonia," the new national anthem. and sing these
inspiring words:
Hail Usonia. happy land.
l love thy scenery so grand:
Thy rocks all covered up with ads
OF liver pills and liver pads"
There may be more to It. but that suffices. That
will be about all for Usonia.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18

Lieut.. william PIyter, che aviator
who has been reported as a captive
in a German prison. Is believed here 10
be William p. Plyter. prominent as a
Valparaiso clubman and a membe Of
the Masonic ORDER. He was graduated
in law from Valparaiso university. lie
was transferred 10 the royal flying
corps of Canada. thence to Fl. Worth
Texas. From there he went II New
York. London. Paris and finally 70 the
battle front. Miss Dixie Dawson. OF
his city. a friend OF the lieutenant.
received a letter from him two weeks
ago. Valparaiso Masons win endeavor
10 communicate with Plyter through
the Red Cross. The young man came
to Valparaiso from Herskaw. s. C.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
SOME wRlrg 1aela waoNes IN mARsLg.

The fund for a monument to the 18th President Of
the United States has been formally accepted by the
United States Senate. and visitors to the national capital
may expect in the near future to see the benign features
of James Buchanan. chiseled from memory. Il has been
suggested that the pedestal bear the words, To a Dis
tnguished Failure" and that Senator Lodges words be
graved in epitaph, He Made the Great Refusal
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
A committee of EIks sent t

4 COInnlIIIee OF FIhS sent 10 IHH1D
sherman ar Chilhcothe. by the grand
lodge to confer with General Hale and
camp officials with reference 70 putting
up a building at Chillicothe VIII. it is
said. recommend the erection Of a
building to cost approximately $4,000
Field men and clerks viii be sent to
Chillicothe to keep in close touch with
the members and Elks who are in the
service there and to take care OF fam
lies of Elks who go there TO visit.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
~ - -
MAYOR. SOLDIER, PATRIOT.

Now that he is gone, now that he is dead and buried.
II might be in order for the people of New York to reflect
on what sort OF a days work they did in repudiating and
casting aside Mayor Mitchell
Too good an American for the people Of New York
but not TOO good a man to die for his country-such was
John Purroy Mitchell. mayor. soldier. patriot.
Long will his name outlive the socialists, anarchists
traitors and spies who conspired in his defeat.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
The big transfer OF new Indiana and

Ohio drafted men from the 15Sth depot
brigade at Camp sherman. ChilIicothe.
to units Of the S4th division started
YESTERDAY. when 1900 Of the latest ar
rivals at Camp sherman were trans
ferred to the 333d infantry regiment. It
is likely that the S34th infantry and
S35th infantry regiments. along with
other units which are not UP to the
andar number Of men. will receive
some Of the transferred men his week.
That men or the July and August drafts
viii the Lincoln division
overseas when this division starts out
on the big adventure in the near future
is the word given by one in a position
70 know.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-07-18
rhe regnlar rusnor Of troop mov

The regular rumor OF troop move
ments involving the 3Sth division at
Hattiesburg. Miss. which alone pro-
vides cheer for bored soldiers. has as
sumed a more han usually original and
colorful note It has been deduced that
the middle western warriors are to be
sent 70 Russia. Basis for this deduc-
tion IS gathered from dispatches in the
daily papers and the source of the ru-
NOR IS said 10 be in the 113th field
signal battalion General Judson. COM
handing the division, IS versed in Rus
STA politics. having been a member OF
the Root mission. as well as an OBJ
server with the Russian army In the
Russo-Japanese war. He is now absent
from camp on official business.