davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dermott news., 1918-01-10

Mrs L. (. NSlrry of Malvern. who is in Atkadelphia visiting her daugh- ter Mrs, L. r.. Tennyson, and her son. r. Murry. celebrated her S5th birth day, which was also New Years Day. knitting socks for the Red Cross.
 The Lesser Goldman Cotton Com pany of Pine Bluff paid the Southern Grocery Company Sl99,06954 for l., 800 bales of long staple cotton. This is one of the largest transactions in cotton there this season.
 A R. Wise. who took leases total ing 5000 acres near flippin for the purpose of boring for gas, oil and min erals. say that he will likely start ac- tive operations directly after the first of the year
 The army bank of Camp Pike has opened The stockholders include nearly all Of the local banks. The bank has capital stock of $25. .00o and J. T. Hammond Jr. is cashier.
 The abstract of the tax books of Pulaski county for the year were an uounced by County Clerk Quinn of Little Rock. The total taxes to be collected amounts to Sl.695, ,J30,15.
 After mug1ling the house dog. thieves broke in the garage of the Rev John F.. Cruseon, rector of St Johns Episcopal church at Fort smith and stole his automobile,
 More than 900 bales of cotton have been ginned and marketed at Flippin this winter Al least 200 more bales will be brought in. The sales of cot ton seed amount to over S25,000
 The Red Cross membership cam paign in Arkansas City resulted in a total of 34l members. A Junior Red Cross has been organized with some 50 members.
 Wolves are said to be plentiful in the vicinity of Bedding. Franklin county. thIs year
 
 V. E. Buron, an expert accountant. has recently audited the books of Lit tie River county. It shows the county to have assets in public improvements amounting to sl29,06447. and that the assets are sS5.29675 in excess of the
Connecticut western news., 1918-10-17

barley coffee in the morning; cabbage soup, so called. at nooD: a tenth of a loaf of bread at 3 D. m. That was our menu day in and day out, the kaiser's birthday, LincoIn's, May day, or amy other time.
 This cabbage soup was & great idea. We called it shadow soup, because the boys claimed they made it by hanging a cabbage over a barrel of water and letting the shadow fall on the water We pretended, too, that if you found any cabbage in it, you could take your dish back for a second helping. But I never saw anybody get more than one dishful. All 1t was, was just spoiled water.
 We tried to go to sleep thHt night, but there were so many sentries around us-smd those of us who were not sick were wounded-that [ do not
Connecticut western news., 1918-10-17


 Then he called for all the neutraEs, and the Danes, Swedes, Norwegians. Brazilians and Spaniards stepped out. Bur when I did, he said, "Nos not Americans. Americans are not neu- traA America supplies our enemies with food and ammunition" He raised his fist, and thought he was going to hit me, but instead he gave me a shove that caused me to fall and get little cut on the head. Then the sentrfes pushed me over with the British and the French
 After that they took the Norwegf ans,, Swedes and Danes, to separate barracks, and gave them clothes and beds and the same rations as the Ger man soldiers. When I saw this I made q kick and said I was a neutral, too, and ought to get the same treat ment as the Scandinavians- They took me to- the officers again, kicked me about and swore at me, and the only answer got was that America would suffer for all she had done for the al- lies. Then was sent hack to the bar racks again.
 The next day at about one o'clock they took us from the barracks and drilled us through the swamps. The men began to fall one by one, some crying or swearing, but most of them going along without & word. Those who went down were smashed in the head with rife butts or belts.
 Finally we arrived at little rail- road station, and had to stand in the snow for over an hour while the en- zine ran up and down the tracks hook ing on cars. When we finally got In the cars we were frozen stiff. could hardly walk, and some of the boys simply could not move without intense pain.
 They loaded twelve men into each compartment, and detailed a guard of six men to each car. The windows in the cars were all smashed. and every thing about the cars was dirty.
 Finally the train stopped at a town named Alt-Damm, and there was a mob of women and children around, as usual, ready for us with bricks and spit. They stoned us through the car windows. and laughed and jeered at us, but by this time we were so used to 1t that we did not mind much. Only, every now and then some fellow would get all he could stand, and either talk back or make a pass at somebody. Then he would get his either a bayonet through the arm or leg, or a crash on the head with a gun | butt.
 After an eighteen hour ride, with out food or drink, we arrived at Neu- strelitz. It was raining as we pulled in. AS we went up the grade to the town we could see lights about a mile away, and we figured that that was the camp. The rain stopped and we I remained in the cars foy some ttn,e,
Connecticut western news., 1918-10-17

them asked me questions about all kinds of things, but never once men, toned my running out Of the bar rackE- Then they gave the sentries some commands, and four 0f the sen- tries took me out and over to the barbe6 wire fence. There they tied me, face to the fence, arms over my head, and hands and feet lashed to the wire,, and with rope around my waist, too I thought, then, that my bunch had come true, and that l would be erucified, like Murray and Brown.
 They posted a sentry there Tn addi- tion to the regular guards, and every time he walked past me he would kick me CT spit on me, or do both.
 One time he kicked me so hard that prong of the barbedl wire gashed me over the left eye-the' only one I can, see with-and when. the blood ran, into my eye it blinded me-. I thought both eyes were gone then, and I hoped they would shoot me-. It seemed to me that had got my share
  eye, and if 1t was gone, wanted to go too.
 could not put up my hand to feel where the prong had jabbed me, and 1t kept on bleeding and smarting. l had on practically no clothing, you re- member. The wounds in my thigh had opened, and it was bitter cold and in1x f,n self how gny and carefree I was.
 When I had been there for an hour and a haB they united me from the wire, and, keeled over on my back. They kicked me until I had to stand up, but | fell down again, and all the kicking in Germany could not have brought me to my feet. I was just all in. So they blew their whistles and the sentries In the barracks awakened two of the boys, who came and carried me In.
 All tAe time the sentries were yell ing, "GOtt strafe England! !" and "schwsinhund !' untiE you would have thought they were in a battle. What their idea was I do not know.
 The boys had a little water in a can, and one of them tore off part of the sleeve of his undershirt. So they washed the gash and .bandaged it. Believe me, was glad when I could see again. I was so tired and worn out that I went to sleep at once, and did not wake up until they were giv- ing us our barley coffee next morn l ing.
Connecticut western news., 1918-10-17

think man of us really slept. After a while I asked a sentry if I could go outside for minute, but for some req son he would not let me. I had diff ferent ideas about it, so I stood around near the door, and when he turned his back out went and around the corner of the barracks.
 But one of the sentries there saw me and blew his whistle, and guard of eight came up from somewhere and grabbed me. 1 tried to explain, but it was no use, because every time said a word it meant another swat over the ear, so finally gave 1t up.
 Then they drilled me across, the road to the officers quarters. There were three officers there, and each Of
Connecticut western news., 1918-10-17

Then, after while. we knew our new guards were coming; long before we could see them, we could hear the man cannot do anything shipshape und neatly, but always has to have a lot of noise, and running around, and general confusion. Four-footed swine are more orderly in their habits than the Huns. -s- if .r..t ... When they came up, we were roust- i ed from the cars and drilled up the road to the camp. When we got near the German barracks we were halted and counted again, and made to stand there for at least an hour after they had finished counting us, shivering like leaves. At last they placed us in barracks, and those who could went to sleep.
 There were about forty barracks in the Lfmey group at Neustrelitz and two large Zeppelin sheds The bar racks were just about like those at Swinemunde-at least, they were no 1 better. Along the sides of the rooms were long shelves or. benches, and every three feet were boards set in ! grooves. The shelves were what we ! had to sleep on, and the boards in the grooves divided them up so that only a certain number of men could use each bench.
 The following morning we nearly dropped dead when the Huns pulled In a large wagon full of clothing. We thought we never would have any thing to wear but our underclothes. They issued to each man a pair of trousers, thin model, a thin coat about like the seersucker coats some people wear in the summer, an over coat about as warm as if it had been made of cigarette papers, n skull cap and a pair of shoes, which were a days labor to carry around Not one of us received socks, shirts or under wear.
 The toe was cut from the right shoe of the pair received, and as my wounds were in the right thigh and my leg had stiffened up considerably and got very sore, got pretty anx- l ious, because there was nothing but slush underfoot, and I was afraid might lose my leg. So I thought that if went to the commander and made kick might get good shoe. hesi- tated about 1t at first, but finally made up my mind and went to see him.
 told him that 1t was slushy outside, and that the water ran through the 1 hole in my shoe and made 1t bad for my whole leg, which was wounded He examined the shoe. and looked at the open toe for some time, and I thought he was going to put up an argument, but would give in finally.
 Then he asked me what wanted. I thought that was plain enough to see. but I said just as easily as I could that wanted a shoe without hole in the toe.- .-. ...-... 's'.."'
Connecticut western news., 1918-10-17
CHAPTER XIX.
German Prison Camps.

SSIHldH TTISOH SdHlpSs
 A few days after I had been lashed to the barbed wire fence some of the German officers came to the barracks, and one of them who spoke very good English said: "All of the neutrals who were on rnarmed ships step out" OnlY a few stannad ans-
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
WINNESHIEK'S SHARE $1,000.
Y. w G. A. Fund to be Raised Here
Feb. 3 to 10.

A great effort is being made by
the Young Womens Christian Asso-
c.ation to raise $4,000, 900 war bud
get. A great part of this is to be us
ed in Europe Tor our American Red
Cross nurses.
Already there are 10000 of our
American girls at the front giving
all their strength and skill for our
wounded boys. For three weeks at a
time these nurses work under the
most narrowing conditions. 1t is most
necessary that some place be provid-
ed for these nurses where they can
find rest and comfort for a brief
period of time when they return to
the rear. 1t is part of the plan of the
Y. w. c. A. to build and equip So
cial centers for our American nurses
in service in Europe.
WinIeshiek county has been ask
ed to do it's share which is $500. A
drive will be made to raise this fund
Feb. to 10 inclusive. Do your bit
for the girl behind the boy behind
the gum
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
BACK FROM THE TRENCHES.
Prominent Speakers From Washing
ton Will Speak in DecOrah at
Grand Feb. IL.

Mrs. Julia Mayer, of Burlington.
is il the city today, sent here by the
food administration at Washington,
and she appeared before a gathering
of our people at the City Hallsthis
morning, the heads of the defense
council, food administering men,
bers, Red Gross officers, civic and cur
rent Events, Monday Clubs, Christian
Temperance, newspaper representa-
tives, etc., and laid plans for a big
meeting to be held in Decorah at the
Grand opera house on Lincoln's
birthday, Feb. II. The meeting VIII
be held in the evening. The speakers
coming here enjoy a national reputa-
tion and it is hoped that the capacity
of the opera house will be taxed. The
subject will be Back From the
Trenches" No admission will be
charged ald it is up to every patri-
totic citizen of the county who can
possibly do so to attend.
Mrs. Mayer is very pleasing talk
err. She is imbued with the right kind
of patriotism and is doing everything
il her power to help Uncle Sam win
this war. She has son in the service
who is now in France.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
ANOTHER SOLDIER DEAD.
Sigurd TOlstad, Son of Ole TOlstad of
DecOrah, Passed Away at Fort
Bliss, Texas.

We are called upon again this
week to record the death of another
one of Win1eshieK county's soldier
boys, Sigurd Tolstad, of Decorah, who
passed away Monday morning at Fort
Bliss, Texas. Death was due to
pneumonia. He was a member of
Troop ID, u. S. Cavalary, and enlist
ed early last spring. His father receiv-
ed word last week that he was in a
dangerous condition and departed for
Fort Bliss Saturday morning, but
failed to reach there before Sigurd
died. The remains will be brought to
Decorah this week and are expected
Thursday or Friday. The sympathy of
many friends is extended to the be-
reaved ones in their loss. We. are
without particulars for complete
obituary this week, which will be CIV
en- in our aeXt issue.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
Death Mrs. Geo. Nj. Smell.

Kate Gartner was born April 20,
1869, at Preston, Mimi, and passed
away at her home il Burr Oak on
Jan. 20, 1918, at the age of 48 years,
s months and 21 days. On November
Is, 1891, she was united in marriage
to Geo. M. Smell, of Burr Oak. To
this union nine children were born,
Annie, Frank, Jane, Mable, Paul,
Laura, Roy, Ray and Claude, all of
whom survive. Three sisters also re-
main to mourn her departure, also
the beloved husband and father upon
whom the burden rests of rearing the
family Mrs. Smell was a loving
mother and lady much loved in this
community in which she lived. Her
health began to fail some seven years
ago, but she bore it with great pa
tielce until her death; Sunday
morning at 6:15 o'clock. She was full
ly prepared to go to her eternal home
To her children she repeatedly said
Il do not know why l must always be
afflicted, but sometime I'll under
stand" Mrs. Smell will be one of
those who will be missed in the COM
munity. The services were conducted
from the late home, thence taken to
the M. E. church at Burr Oak. Her
body was laid in the beautiful ceme-
terry there. Services were in charge of
ed by Rev. Gordon Reed, evangelist,
and Rev. Ulrich, of the Reformed
church.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
FINE REPORT OF
RED CROSS CHAPTER
Officers of Winneshiek County Chap.
ter Make Detailey' Reports of
Work Dom Past Six
Months.
REPORT SHOWS
RECEIPTS OF $21,99l.4S
Report is One to be Proud of by
Every Patriotic Citizen of This
County. The People Have
Done Fine,

A comprehensive and de&ailed re-
port OF the officers of the Winnie
shlek County Chapter of tEe Ameri-
can Red Cross by the chairman, Rev.
Paul Koren, appears in this issue OF
Public Opinion. The reports takes up
more than page of the paper and
gives detailed account OF the noble
work done by the officers and the good
people of this county during the past
few months. The work started in
June, and the big sum of $21,991.4S
has been received by Treasurer Bear
from all sources, and he has made an
ltemized statement of the moneys re-
ceived on account of donations. con-
trlbutions, memberships, etc. The re-
port is one that everybody here can
we'll feel proud of.
The chapter has nearly 10000
members, which includes 1000 Jun
Tor members, which is truly a won
derful record, and all the work has
been done in practically five months.
The reports of j. A. Nelson, secre-
tary, Mrs. E. j. Curtin, vice chair
man OF the chapter, Mrs. Norman
Willett, buyer, and Miss Gladys
Jewell of the surgical dressing clas-
ses are most interesting. A ton of yarn
was used, whicn is some item and ILL
ustrates whara tremendous lot of
work was done il this line alone. Mo-
neys paid out for workshop yarns,
muslin, gauZe, ETC., was $11,S07.O2.
The report is a credit, not only to
the officers but to the good people of
the county.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
$SS.11 Raised at Kendallville.

THE school entertainment given by
the schools of Fremont township held
at Ke1dallville Friday night netted
$SS.11. The total now for the Junior
fund is $1077.S2.
At meeting Saturday the teachers
of the county decided to support or
phan children, thirty of them. half in
France and half in Belgium, boys and
girls. The cost for each ones support
for year will be $3.50.
Teachers who were here from Ce-
dar Falls last week told Supt. Miller
that no county in the state, to their
knowledge had done as much along
this line as Winneshiek.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
DecOrah Won Debate.

The Misses Helen and Lucille Bur
tbs and Lucille BrickIer representing
the Decorah high school in debate
at the high school assembly room
Friday evening won over their op-
ponents, team from the New Hamp-
ton high school. The subject was Re
solved, that the Federal Government
Should Own and Operate the Rail-
roads," The judges we're unanimous
in their opinion for the Decorah
team who won clean cut victory ov-
er their opponents. 1t was one OF the
best debates, and on an important
subject ever held lhere, and the
audience was delighted with it.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
Sheep Sale Big Success.

Col Goodno's big sale of sheep
held at the fair grounds last Satur-
day was great success. lis head
were sold, all breeding ewes. They
sold on an average of Sl6.S1 head,
and were purchased by nine different
farmers. Sheep are awfully hard to
get now, and Mr.. Goodno would like
to get hold of another lot. if he only
knew where he could secure them.
They are mighty profitable animals
for a farmer to have right now, as
wool is averaging $1.00 the pound.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
POULTRY SHOW OPEN.
About $50 Fine Birds Are Oh Exhibi-
ton at Haugen's Garage.

The Wianeshiek poultry show open
ed Yesterday at Haugen's garage on
East Water street, and about 25O
fine birds are on exhibition. The ad-
mission is free and everybody is cor
daily invited TO attend. The following
have exhibits in place now:
- S. L. Whalen, New Hampton, Barr
ed Reds.
A. II. Honeymann, New Hampton,
White Wyandottes.
Mrs. Peter Johnson, Decorah,
White Rocks.
e. w. Cutting, Decorah, Barred
Rocks.
II. Il. Miller, Decorah, White wy
andottes.
Herb Gold, Decorah, Campi1as.
Hugh Sherry, DecOrah, Buff Or
pingtons.
G.. N. Kjome, Decorah, Silver Lac
ed Wyandottes.
Sam Stoskopf, Decorah, Partridge
Wyandottes.
A. G.. Christian, Decorah, Buff Or
pingtons.
Sever Alstad, Decorah, White Leg
horns and Buckeyes.
JdiHeS Mi0hCi, DONoiNh' 80
horns.
II. f. Schwarz, Decorah, White
Rocks.
VIM. Aders, Decorah, White Rocks.
G.. w. Higgins, Decorah, Barred
Rocks.
NJ. Christopher. Decorah, II. /.
Reds.
Rev. John Bury, Decorah, Part
ridge, Wyandottes.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-01-23
Received His Cristmas Packages From
Home { q &C. "A, and Felt They
Arr Just at Right
A'me.
ENJOYED FRUL IKE
THAT - ."HER MADE
Was Showing i'm Franc> ueHeWas
Writing the Letter, a u Of
Three or IOur In
Which Was Most They
Had.
Somewhere in France,
Dec. 26. 1917.

Dec. 20, l9li.
NV Dear Father aid Mother:
| received those five packages
about three O'Clock Dec. "a. They
came just at the right time didn't
they? l am still having feast on the
things l received. Those cookies
grandmother sent me certainly are
great and your fruit cake was still
better. / gave some of my friends
some of the cake and things aId they
all say it is very good. | also received
some cigars and cigarettes from I'm
Gle Lou. / should have written you
yesterday, but there was so much 60
ing on at the Salvation Army l didn't
get q chance to write. All the soldiers
here put in one or two francs and
the Salvation Army had a Christmas
tree for the children here under IL
years of age. They bought them can
dy, nuts and some little toys. Believe
me those children certainly were glad
to get those things. l guess they do
not have that very often. The French
people had their Christmas nearly
two weeks ago, at least they were get
ting nuts and candy. We had a very
good dinner yesterday. We had tur-
key and all the fixings, two pieces OF
pie, sweet potatoes, candy aid nuts.
/ suppose all the folks were over
there Christmas eve and you had a
real supper, eh? / suppose Agnes was
home for her vacation. 1t showed
nearly all day yesterday and is still
showing. There rs about three or four
inches OF snow on the ground, which
is the most we have had so far. The
only thing that marred our Christ
mas was that we didn't get our pay. l
was hoping l could get all of you a
little souvenir there by Christmas,
but / didn't. l will get them as soon
as we get paid. do not know how
to play that mouth organ Karl sent
me, but some of the boys can and we
set around our little stove and listen
to lots of music. How is father get
ting along? l suppose he is always
working in the mill. suppose Karl
goes to all the dances and parties
around there now, doesn't he? Have
YOU still got Jim there. I'll bet he can
do all kinds of tricks now, can't he?
Well must close now, as / cannot
think of anything more that would be
of interest.
From your loving son,
Prt. ANTON BERNATZ,
Sd Machine Gun Bat. IS Inf.
Am. Ex. Forces, France.