davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Afghan Finds Resting Place

recently by Rev. George Merriam
from Lieut.. Coles V B. Seeley. who IS
n4tient at an American Red Cross
Hospital in France. Mr. Seeley ex-
presses his appreciation OF the af-
CHAN which was sent through the
Somerset County Chapter. American
Red Cross about a year ago The
afghan was made by members Of the
Bethany Guild.
American Red Cross Hospital
Via Manzonl, 10
Milano. July 26 1918
Bethany Church
Skowhegan. Me
Just a few words to let the kind
members of the congregation know
where one of its vari-colored com
forters found resting place. At
present it is covering Red Cross
Lieut.. Hemingway here who received
two hundred and twenty-seyen wounds
while succorng Italian wounded near
the Piaye river a month ago. He is
the first American To be wounded on
the Italian front. His wounds are
NOT of a very serious nature and in
three months he should be back at
the front helping in the world cause.
Another patient is recovering rap
idly from serious attack of appen
dicits and expects to return to the
front shortly
The hospital which was only recent
" opened contains fourteen single
rooms for patients fine corps of
efficient nurses and a true American
atmosphere 1t is like little bit of
fourteen long months
The Italians are very appreciatye of
the wonderful efforts which the Red
Cross is making here in Italy At the
front steaming coffee. cigarettes, cho-
colate and various comforts are car
ried up to the ever vigilant soldiers
in the front lines under cover of dark
ness 1t is a dangerous, but interest
ing work and is greatly appreciated
by all the soldiers.
The five ambulance sections com
prsing twenty cars and thirty five
men each have done wonderful work
during the last Austrian offensive; Of
ten running their cars up to the first
lines in broad daylight amid hail of
shells and machine gun bullets. Why
none of the men we're killed will
never be known.
There are also numerous rest
houses and relief stations for sol
diers and refugees all over Italy Can
teens and work houses for the poor
are also numerous.
The Italian morale is as high as the
Austrians is low and demonstrations
of their loyalty is visible everywhere.
! As far as can see the food situation
here is all right. In first class res
taurant good meal can be obtained
/ for from eight to ten lire (eighty cents
/ to a dollar) Substitutes are few be-
/ ing limited principally to wheat and
! sugar.
America is surely doing her part
here on the Western front and at
! home
Trust my writing is decipherable as
my hands and one eye were somewhat
scratched by playful Austrian she'll.
/ We remain thankfully,
Lieut. Coles V. b. Selley
Lieut.. r d. Tobias
Lieut. Ernest M. Hemingway
] p S | think Lieut.. Hemingway
would appreciate a few cheerful notes
They would help in passing the hours
of the next few months. Cores
/ pondence addressed as per letter head
i would reach any of us.
SEELEY
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Change In Home Service 0ftiee Hours

A slight change is announced in
the office hours of the home service
department of the Red Cross. In the
future. they will be from 9 to II a
m. and from TO p. m, except Sat
urdays, when they will be from to II
only The office rs located as former
ly, over the Skowhegan Savings Bank
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
The Kaiser Crow Mt LarOne

The mystery surrounding the tame
crow that has been making free with
all movable things in Larone has al
last been explained as the following
letter will show:
Oakland, Sept. 25.
Dear Sir
l saw in a recent issue OF my paper
an account of a tame crow in your
village, and thinking you were the
author thereof will send an expiana-
ton. | am thinking of starting a
second hand goods store and have
large flock of these crows out stealing
for me. II you will kindly explain
this matter to YOUR villagers you will
greatly oblige yours truly,
FLOYD STRICKLAND.
l. TFFpr =
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Anson Fair. Tomorrow and Saturday

The Cattle Show and Fair at Anson
has not been postponed 1t will be
held tomorrow and Saturday, October
4 and 5. Special Cars will run from
Skowhegan both days of the Fair
Round trip 70c including admission
to the grounds Extra car will leave
Skowhegan at 1890 both days
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
TEMPERANCE MEETING
IN SkOWHECAN
An Arkansas Congressman

OF the meetings being held through
oit the county in the interests of ma
tional prohibition, the two in Skow-
hegan are to be addressed by Hon.
Minor Wallace. These will both oc-
eur on Sunday, Oct 13. Mr. Wallace
will speak in the morning at To- As at
the First Baptist church. and in the
Methodist church in the evening at s
o'clock.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Card

The undersigned wish to publicly
express thanks and appreciation to
Congregational Church. Mr. Walton's
class. Mr. S. W Gould, Employees OF
Hotel Oxford and to all who so kindly
sent flowers and sympathy in our be-
reayement.
Mr.. and Mrs Frank c. Morrfl
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Located In Merrill Building

Or. C. E Richardson has leased of
fees in the Merrill Building on Water
street, over Jones. Restaurant, 5w40
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03

had formed during his college days J
and her mother, both of New York
Interment was in the Southsidt
cemetery.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03

Mrs Nora Spaulding, who has been
passing the summer at the McNeelie
home on Leavitt street. left here last
Tuesday to return TO the Pacific coast
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Bingham Races Postponed

Owing TO the prevalence of infiu-
enza. the Bingham races announced
last week have been indefinitely post
p0ned
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
HARRY A. ROUNDS

OldIT Z
The words just preceding the sig
nature on the following telegram TO
Secretary Of the Treasury. William G
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Somerset County Chapter
American Red Cross wishes to ac-
knowledge the receipt of patchwork
quilt recently donated by Mrs. Clara
Brown. Mrs. Brown also, some time
since. presented to the Chapter very
beautiful silk quilt for which, OF
course, they were duly appreciative.
The Chapter also wishes to express
its appreciation for the donation OF
S110.S1 which was collected at the
Flag Raising under the auspices of
Father J. l.. A. Remand.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03
Red Cross Notes

Somerset County Chapter Ameri-
can Red Cross is in receipt of rush
order for convalescent gowns. The
materials are ordered and are expect
ed daily We urge the ladies OF
Skowhegan to rally to this work We
are also in receipt of rush order in
surgical dressings, three thousand
congresses and five thousand sponges
to be finished before October IA. This
work goes on at the Library parlors
as usual, and every lady is urged to
do her nart
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-10-03

Moxie Gore is an unorganized town
ship
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LETTER FROM DICK RYAN.

1T. Worden, Wash, Dec. 25.
Dear Mother:
We arrived last night and were
sure surprised to see the fine
place they had fixed for US. A
row of what we would call hotels.
like the Paxton hotel in Omaha.
They have steam heat and cleo
trio lights.
Each one has their duties. Roy
Thomas and | had to carry out
ashes this morning. Hugh Bond
has made the beds. | was going
TO take a bath this morning, but
| thought would write home
first. But listen. you folks don't
want to- get spoileds and expect
too much mail, because may
get tired writing every day.
The trip out here was all right.
but if l had it to do over again, |
would take faster train. We
got here at 8:15 last night. That
means 1915 back there. They
say 1T never gets below zero, so
I've a reason to feel sorry for you
poor folks back i'm Iowa who can't
be soldiers.
Did Tom get his QUESTIONABLE
yet? They left part of our train
load at Fort Flagner, and took
part to Fort Casey,
Well, mother, haven't much
news, so I'll ring off. Tell all the
folks hello, for me. Your son,
DICK.
My address is Richard j.. Ryan,
sth Co., TT. Worden, Wash, G. A.
c., Puget Sound.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
SUNDAY. Dec. 16..

- ''ttii1ttN. W.
Dear Parents:
am writing this i'm terrible
hurry on account of the mail hav-
ing TO be censored before the boat
goes out.
| have your dandy picture of
home, and believe me, / am aw-
fully glad to get it. | may wear
it out, but believe me I will look
at ii pretty often.
am sending you a picture of
me that had made for Christmas.
1t rs pretty poor, but that is their
idea of a photo down here. | am
not growing a mustache or beard
although it seems that way now.
got your papers o. X, so will
be pretty we'll supplied with read
ing material now.
We arc getting ready TO fire The
range for record now. have
been shooting pretty we'll so far,
but do not know whether | can
keep it up or not.
am in excellent health and
hope you arc the same when you
get this. ] know this isn't much
of letter. but am I'M pretty much
OF a hurry.
II may send the other pictures
by this mail if can gel them in
time. If not, will send them lat
err. Your Nmas box will be mighty
welcome and can make good
use of ii. Some of the fellows are
getting their presents now, but |
will wait for mine with ALL pa
thence.
Will close now and send you all
my love and best wishes for a
happy Xmas and New Year. Your
son. ARTHUR j. DOTY.
p. S. Please send stamp book
next time. They are hard to get
here.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10

INC as Corporal. | now have the
warrant, chcvrons and all the
necessary appendages for a cor
poral. | am beginning to really
enjoy the service. We have an
excellent cook, and | can under
stand that saying that mans
heart is most easily reached
through his stomach. 4
/ We had a splendid Thanksgiv-
ing dinncr-turkey, cream pie,
limeade. olives. baked yam, and
butter. How | would have liked
to have been at home, then gone
to football game after dinner.
Tell father to keep in practice
on the violin, cause we are go
ing to have a jubilee when | come
home. am sending some more
pictures for my collection, and
you can see how the prisoners
dress and their. general complex
ion. finished with them Fri
day and when the truck took them
and the guards away they all
called ..Adios, Cor-p o-ral! listed
muy bueno!" Goodbye, Cor
poral! You very goodD So you
see didn't kill them all, but got
quite bit of work done. Well
mother dear, am we'll and strong.
Will write soon. Your son,
(CORpORAL) ARTHUR.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LETTER FROM WIN. souLpEN

france, Nov. 25, 1917.
Dear Mother and All:
Well, l will write you again
this evening to let you know how
l am. I am feeling o. X. and am
still trying to eat Uncle Sam out
OF house and home. Sometimes
| feel sorry for the poor old fell
low when | see all the, hungry
meat hounds'' making a rush for
his hash joint
We had a little snow here last
might, and it was quite cold today,
but had plenty of clothes, SO /
did not mind it atsall.
Yesterday number of the bows
were decorated for bravery, but I
don't know any of them.
Now mother, just because YOU
have bad dream, do not think
! am in danger. because. am not,
and Fritzie will never get me in
this war unless he is pretty wise.
| am not going to let him get a
chance If I can help it. Don't
worry about ME having a nervous
breakdown like some Of those fell
lows did you wrote about, because
! guess ! can hold my own. and
with me what takes the most
nerve is to get out Of bed in the
morning.
fou say you would like to know
how the company is made IN.
Wen, our company is a little diff
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LETTER FROM
FRANCIS MoDERMoTT

Somewhere in France. Dec. $
Dear Mother:
This is one of my Thanksgiving
days. ! received nine letters, ano
TALL contained good news. | am
thankful that you all are we'll
and that my home town heads the
list for war work i'm Harrison
county. The more that is done
at home, the sooner we will re-
turn. and the fewer lives will be
sacrificed to do away with Prus-
sianism. Not alone for the boys
in the army do l hope you keep
Missouri Valley at the top, but for
the ones left to bear the burden,
and for country and humanity.
am sure if each will do his part,
we will bring the victory with the
spring.
There is not a boy Somewhere
in France" hut what would rather
he Anywhere in America. 1t does
seem hard for a man to give his
hard-earned money for The fault
OF one man. But it is to the point
where each must give hand or
take arms. An army without
means is like locomotive with
out fuel. 1t is impossible for il
TO move without help.
You and Dad give all it is pos
sible for you to give. Every bit
helps.
see by the papers the war is
sinking into hearts of the Amer
lean people deeper every day, and
one thing that is helping to do
that is the German spy system
But they will never have the feel
ing the people in this part OF
France have. They were driven
from their homes, and when re-
turning, after days of cold and
hunger, found their homes in
ruins, and in many eases, mem
bers of the family dead among the
ruins, and others taken back to
Germany with the retreating
. ! =
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LETTERS FROM EARL MASON.

Somewhere in France, Dec. 8.
Dear Uncle and Aunt.
Have few minutes left, so will
try and write a few lines. Have
just finished letter to the bows.
Hope everybody is we'll and happy
at home. Am we'll. and still eat
three meals day myself.
Received the sweater and sox
and think them fine Thanks a
thousand times. They have come
in real handy of late. Has been
real cold for a few days, but has
turned warmer and started to rain
a little tonight. Expect you are
having cold weather over there
now.
Also received the cake and
cookies Eva sent and we had some
feed. Thought | was back home
for a while.
Today was inspection day, SO
you see we had to be all polished
up and look our best. The troop
looks real nice at a time like that.
Am Sending you a picture for
Christmas. Not mucn of a gift.
after what you sent me, but it is
about the best | can do this year.
Don't know as you could tell who
ut was i'll didn't tell you, but it is
me all right. n
Met a young fellow the other
day who lives up at Sioux CITY.
and who knows lots of people up
around Modale and that country,
so we had quite visit.
Seems strange to be away from
all the rest of the boys. Hear from
Frank Burke quite often though,
so. ! know how they are.
Well, it is almost time for the
lights Ito go out, and they never
wait for you, SO guess / had better
close.
Give my regards Ia. all and lots
of love TO all of you. Write when
you can. AS ever.
EARL MASON.
Army Hdqrs. Troops, A. E. r.
P. o. No. 100.
Dec. 40, 1917.
Dear Friend Moreland:s
Received the package of Bull
Durham today and will write a
few lines Of thanks to you. Good
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LETTER FROM cHAs. FlckEL

Camp Cody, n. NJ, Dec. &c.
Mr.. NJ Fanger.
Dear Sir: am going to try
and tell you how thankful | am TO
you for sending me the Xmas
package containing so many use
full presents. II arrived on sun
day evening in fine condition. |
went on guard at 4 O'Clock, so was
not there when il came, hut found
it that night on my bunk, whore
my corporal had left ii. when |
came IN for supper about 10
o'clock. 10 say [ was pleased is
putting it mild.
had to stop and examine ev-
eryllins right there and came
very near being late for my next
guard, as went on again at II
O'Clock.
IL is remembranccs like those
that give the boys new courage
and makes them feel that the peo-
pie at home are backing them TO
The end, whether they are i'm the
trenches or in training.
III proves That your heart is i'm
the right place and your spirit OF
giving is one that will long be re-
membered. like the army life
better every day, as it is all SO
new and different from the life on
the farm. We are getting some
very stiff training now in all the
different branches of infantry
warfare, and it is all very inter-
estine. Just wait till we get over
there and if that old Kaiser Bill
don't. have a nightmare i'm the
daytime, I'll miss my guess. ia
Just like TO get close enough to
him to trim his mustache.
Well, j must close, as I am
pretty tired, and was inoculated
and yaccinatea, one in each arm,
this afternoon, SO my arms are
pretty sore, and they almost re-
fuse to write. Thanking you
again for your kindness and gen
crosby, and wishing you the best
of success in all your business
enterprises, ! am, respectfully
yours, CHAS. N. FICKEL..
Go. E, 134th Y. s. Infantry.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LErrER FROM DEWEY WOLFE

kE"86 = NOM DEWEY WOLFE,
Somewhere in France, Nov. %.
Dear Mother:
| received two of your letters
today, one Of them dated Oct. 20,
and the other one Oct. 10, so will
try and answer them this after
noon, as we have from 2::30 until
A:3O to do as we like.
| was very glad TO hear that
Ruth is better and getting along
all right now, and hope Artie will
soon get over his spell of rheu-
matism before long.
Yes. am feeling fit as fiddle
now and hope to be so for some
time. as don't want to get sick
during the winter months.
received your box with the
sweater and sox. and Mother. |
ain very thankful TO get such nice
things so far away from home,
and they both fit me just like a
glove. | also received the smok-
ing Charlie sent me and it came
just about when l thought l would
sure have to go without smoking
until pay day came, but l am US
ing less tobacco every day and
soon hope to quit, although it will
be tough job, don't you think?
Yes, you bet, enjoy reading
those cartoons you send and also
the Top Notch. Anything that
has American reading in it I
would enjoy. and guess most of
the boys would too.
1t hasn't been SO very cold here
yet, but expect to wake up some
morning and find about three feet
of snow all over the ground. and
cold as the very Gid dickens.
Mildred Dingmas. the girl I
used to go up to Vail to see, sent
me the dandiest little kit the 9th
er day. II was little hit like the
one you sent, but on smaller
scale, but can use both of them
right handy, because | know if
one hasn't what want in it, the
other has. for there is about ev-
erything in them a soldi. aid
ever need.
| forgot there ever was such
a thing as Halloween until YOU
spoke of it in your letter, hut
never mind; think will live to
see few more. Anyway. let 5
hope so. guess by the looks of
things now we are i'm our winter
quarters. for we are building
walks and fixing up our billets so
they won't be cold. The carpen-
ter put pair of stairs in our bill
let this afternoon, and as soon as
the lumber comes in we are go
in to do some real fussy repair
work around here.
can't tell you as yet whether
you are right about us being on
any special party. but don't think
you will have any reason to get
real scared, for we are in our
winter quarters to stay for some
time to come.
Well, must close and get ready
for retreat, as That will be our
last call before supper, so hope
this finds you all in good health
and will write again soon. Tell
Ruth that your "sojer boy will
write her tonight after supper.
With lots Of love, DEWEY.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10

tobacco is hard to get over here
and the boys are always glad
when they can get some. l gave
some Of the boys who were out a
sack apiece.
Tell all the bunch hello and
save me seat in the Majestic.
Thanking you again and wish
ing you a Merry Xmas and very
Happy New Year, I am as ever,
your friend, EARL MASON.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10

ferent than the rest. An ordinary
company has four platoons, with
about forty men in each, and
these are made up of groups Of
eight men, called squads. In our
company there are different sec
tons, as signal section, pioneer-
ing, etc, and these are divided in
four parts, ist, I'd, Sd and regi-
mental battalions. / am in the
regimental signal section, as you
already know.
We do not go TO the front line
trenches as the rest of the COM
|panies do, but each take our
places as indicated. do not
know whether the censor will pass
this or not, hut L have tried to
let you know how the companies
are made UP, and still not give
|any military information.
I could go more in detail, but
you see we are not allowed to
write everything we wish to.
We never get warm bread, but
we get warm biscuits every once
in awhile and they are pretty
nice. OF course they are not near
'ly as nice as mother makes, but
they are good; anyway.
Well. mother, | can't think OF
anything more 10 write so I will
close for now. Hoping this finds
you allso. T., am, your son and
brother, "BILl.''
Signal section, Hdqrs. Co., 10th
Infantry, A. =. F.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LETTER FROM FRED OSBORNE
Dear Mother, Brother and u
Sisters:

Received your letter today.
will take great pleasure in an
swerir1g at. wish to express my
appreciation for the box contain
ing those fine eatables for me on
Thanks giving. You do not know
how much + enjoyed them. OF
course | was very free in dividing
my things with my friends. The
cigars was very careful to see
that they were passed when a very
few were around, as | thought
they suited me too we'll.
May, your cake was just fine
and reached me in very suitable
condition. 1t sure hit the right
spot also. It's only fault was it
did not last long enough.
1 had been sick in quarters for
some time, but was able to be
around when your box came.
Jesse HumphreySof Kansas re-
ceiyed two boxes the other day
and the other hoys are receiving
some also. Some of them came
from Georgia, PENNSYLVANIA, Ida
no and Virginia. | will send yon
our menu we had for Thanks
giving:
Roast Turkey, Cranberry Sauce
Scalloped Oyster Dressing
Cold Sliced Ham
Picked OK Tongue
Dreamed Mashed Potatoes
Dreamed Corn Buttered Potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Head Lettuce Heart of Celery
Sweet Pickles Stuffed Olives
Chow Chow Pickles
Fruit Cake
Cocoanut Layer Cake
Banana Layer Cake
Chocolate Layer Cake
Pumpkin Pie Apple Pie
Mine Pie Apple Pie
Oranges Apples Bananas
Grapes
Mixed Nuts
Bread Butter
Cocoa Coffee
Cigars
AS this must suffice for this
time, wish TO thank my friends
who aided in preparing my box,
also yourselves. l remain, your
loving BROTHER FRED.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-01-10
LErTERs FRom U. .. Fox.
France, Nov. IS. 1917.
Dear Mother and Father:

Dear Mother and Father:
Received nice letter from you
a few days ago and delayed an
swering it until my visit to Paris,
from which just returned yes
terday. Paris is certainly fine
city, the most beautiful and in
teresting ever saw in my life.
saw many of her noted and his
torical places, and mailed you a
book and some postals of many
things | saw there. l wanted to
send you good present from
there but as my expenses were SO
high l could not spare the money.
| will perhaps visit there again
in the near future and will send
you something nice. haven't re
ceived my Rqckage from you yet,
hut don't want you to spend any
money on me, as I'm faring quite
we'll. Il have no idea when this
war will be over, but maybe the
Germans will starve or freeze out
this winter. Goodbye, mother
and father, and my love to you all.
Your son, U. C. FOX.