davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

Ing all around 1t. These puffs appeared
each burst could be heard dull
"plop." The sergeant Of my platoon
informed us that II was a German air
plane and wondered how he could tell
from such distance because the plane
seemed like little black speck In the
sky. I expressed my doubt as to
whether II was English, French or Ger.
man. With look of contempt he fur
Their informed us that the allied anti
aircraft shells when exploding emitted
white smoke while the German shells
gave forth black smoke, and, as he ex-
pressed 1t, at must be an Allemand be-
cause our pom-poms are Smelling, and
| know our batteries are not off their
bally nappers and are certainly not
strafeing our own planes, and another
piece of advice-dont chuck your
weight about until you've been up the
line and learnt something"
I Immediately quit "chucking my
weight about" from that time on.
Just before reaching reserve billets
we were marching along, laughing, and
singing one of Tommy's trench ditties:
I want to 20 home, want to go home.
l don't want to go to the trenches no
more
Where sausagcs and whizz- bangs are ga
lore
Take me over the sea. Where the Allie
mand can't get at me.
Oh. my, I don't want to die,
want to go home"
when overhead came "SwiSh" through
the air, rapidly followed by three 9th
ers Then about two hundred yards to
our left in n large field. four columns
of black earth and smoke rose into the
air, and the ground trembled from the
report-the explosion Of four German
five-nine's, or "coalboxes." A sharp
whistle blast, Immediately followed by
two short ones, rang out from the head
of our column. This was to take up
''artillery formation" We divided into
small squads and went into the fields
on the right and left of the road, and
crouched on the ground. No other
shells followed this salvo. 1t was our
first baptism by shell fire. From the
waist up was all enthusiasm, but from
there down, everything was missing. ]
thought should die with fright.
After awhile, we reformed into col
umns Of fours, and proceeded on our
way.
About five that night, we reached the
ruined village of II, and l got my
first sight of the awful destruction
caused by German Kultur.
Marching down the main street we
came to the heart of the village, and
took up quarters in shcllproof cellars
(shellproof until hit by shelD. Shells
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
CHAPTER III.
1 Go to Church.

90 10 CnurcH,
Upon enlistment we had identity
disks issued to us. These were small
disks of red fiber worn around the neck
by means of string. Most of the Tom
niles also used little metal disk which
they wore around the left wrist by
means of a chain. They had previous
ly figured 1t out that If their heads
were blown off. the disk on the left
wrist would identify them. If they lost
their left arm the disk around the neck
would serve the purpose, but If their
head and left arm We're blown off. no
one would care who they were. so it
did not matter. On one side of the
disk was inscribed your rank, name,
number and battalion, while on the
other was stamped your religion.
c. of e, meaning Church of Eng
land; r. c., Roman Catholic; W.. Yves
leyan; p. Presbyterian; but If you
happened to be an atheist they left 1t
blank, and just handed you Il pick and
shovel. On my disk was stamped c. of
e. This is how got 1t: The licuten-
ant who enlisted me asked my religion.
l was not sure of the religion of the
British army. so l answered "Oh, any
old thing" and he promptly put down
G. of E.
Now, just imagine my hard luck. Out
of five religions was unlucky enough
to pick the only one where church
parade was compulsory!
The next morning was Sunday.
to my sister telling her Of my wonder
full exploits while under fire-all re-
cruits do this. The sergeant major put
his head In the door of the billet and
shouted: &c. of e. outside for church
parade"
kept on writing. Turning to me, In
n loud voice, he asked, "Empey, aren't
you c. of E.f"
/ answered, "Yep."
In an angry tone, he commanded.
Don't you yep me. Say, Yes, SER
geant MAJOR"
81 did so. Somewhat notified, he
ordered. "Outside for church parade"
/ looked up and answered, II am
not going to church this morning"
He said, "Oh yes, you are!"
answered, "Oh, no, I'm not But
l went
We lined up outside with rifles and
bayonets, 40 rounds of ammunition,
wearing our tin hats, and the march
to church began. After marching about
five kilos, we turned off the road into
an open field. At one end of this field
the chaplain was standing in n timber.
We formed n semiclrcle around him.
Overhead there WAS a black speck cir
cling round and round in the sky. This
was a German Fokker. The chaplain
had book in bis left hand--left eye
on the book-right eye on the airplane.
We Tommies were lucky, we had no
books, so had both eyes on the air
plane.
After church parade we were
marched back to our billets, and played
football all afternoon.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
ST. ALRANS

Mrs Annie l.. Vining left Monday
for Boston. where she will make an
extended visit with her sister Mrs.
Belle Griffin and other relatives
Mr.. and Mrs. c. c. Hanson who are
taking a trip thru Florida and other
southern st"tes, rerort ve-y enjoy
able time while in Washington d. G.,
last week
Best of Moving Pictures at TIE
Onera House. Hartland. every We'd
nesday and saturday, at 7 45 Prices
10 and Is cents.
Mrs Reheccq Martin and Mrs. H. F.
Reed went to Boston last week for a
visit Of a few weo15s with relatives
Mrs. Sturgeon of Portland who has
been a guest Mt the home OF Mr.. and
Mrs. F. y Vining, returned TO her
home Monday.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

over my face. / Immediately smoth
cred myself In my overcOat, but could
not sleep for the rest Of that night,
Next evening, we took over our SEE.
tor of the line. In single file we Wend
ed our way through a zigZag com
munIcation trench, six inches deep
with mud. This trench vas called
whisky street On our way up 70
the front line an occasional flare Of
bursting shrapncl would light up the
sky aud We could hear the fragments
slapplng the ground above us on our
right and left. Then a Fritz would
traverse back and forth with his type
writer or machine gun. The bullets
made sharp cracking noise overhead.
The boy in front Of me named Prem
tice crumpled up without word. A
piece of shell had gone through his
shrapnel-proof helmet. felt sick and
weak.
In about thirty minutes we reached
the front line. 1t was dark as pitch.
Every now and then German star
shell would pierce the blackness out
In front with It's silvery light. / was
trembling all over, and felt very lonely
and afraid All orders were given In
whispers. The company we relieved
filed past us and disappeared into the
blackness of the communication trench
leading to the rear. AS they passed us,
they whispered, "The best o. luck
mates"
I sat on the fire step of the trench
with the rest of the men. In each
traverse two Of the older men had been
put on guard with their heads sticking
over the top, and with their eyes try
Ing to pierce the blackness in mo
Mans Land" In this trench there
were only two dugouts, and these We're
used by Lewis and Vickers machine
gunners, so 1t was the fire step for
ours. Pretty soon 1t started to rain.
We put on our "macks," but they were
not much protection. The rain trickled
before we were wet and cold. How
passed that night l will never know,
but without any unusual occurrence,
dawn arrived.
The word "stand down" was passed
along the line, and the sentries got
down off the fire step. Pretty soon the
rum issue came along, and II was a
Godsend. 1t warmed our chilled bodies
and put new life into us. Then from
the communication trenches came
dixies or iron pots. filled with steam
Ing tea, which had two wooden stakes
through their handles, and were car
rled by two men. / filled my canteen
and drank the hot tea without taking
1t from my lips. 1t was not long be-
fore l was asleep in the mud on the
fire step.
My ambition had been attained! l
was in a front-line trench on the west
ern front and OH how l wished were
back in Jersey City.
ITO be Continued
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
CHAPTER ".
Onto the Trench"

Unto the Trench"
The next morning the draft was in
spected by our general, and we we're
assigned to different companies. The
boys In the brigade had nicknamed
this general Old Pepper, and he GER
tainly earned the sobriquet. I was as
signed to b company with another
American named Stewart.
For the next ten days we crested"
repairing roads for the FrcnChics drill
ing, and digging bombing trenches.
One morning we were informed that
we were going up the line, and our
march began.
1t took us three days to reach re-
serve billets-each days march bring
ing the sound of the guns nearer and
nearer. At night, way off in the dis
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
ITEMS OF INTEREST
MERCER
From Our Correspondents

Mr. Lloyd, who has been visiting at
the home of his daughter Mrs Robert
Stockford for some months, has gone
to Augusta. for few days stay and
will go from there to Caribou this
week.
Thomas Burden is boarding at
Frank Darlings.
Andrew Mckinney has been visit
ing his sister Mrs. Charles Moore for
the past week.
Eli Wells is again suffering from a
bronchial trouble
Mrs. George Chandler visited at the
home of her parents part Of last week.
MERCER TOWN MEETING
Moderator, c. r. Varney; town
clerk, A b. Dunton; selectmen, ] +
Smith, w. &. Wade, e. c. Chamber
lain; treasurer, A. B. Dunton; the
selectmen, assessors and overseers OF
the poor Money raised: Schools,
$1,000, poor, $3.50; town charges.
500; text books, $50; schoolhouses,
$75; summer roads, $1,000; winter
roads, $500; State repair roads $500;
new State road. $780, Lizzie Russell,
$45; students out of town $175; re-
pairs, 800; for superintendent of
schools, 500.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
This Paper For Sale on All News
Stands


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nam. Sampson & Ayore, J. T. Thibo-
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ridgewock; f. A. Gilman, Madison;
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man & Son, Scion; E. H. Caswell, Bling
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A. b. Works, Mercer; S. G. Tink-
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Hinckley; G. Fred Burrill, East
Madison; Miss Lena f. Witham.
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Hartland; H. H. Nutter, Pitts6eld;
Guy E. Downs, Harmony; r. E. Martin,
st. Adams; F. H. Neal, Fairfield F. r.
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Jackman; Ruth Mitchell, New Port
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We also have on file at this office
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We are anxious to establish agen-
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Anyone SO situated that they might
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week should write us about the mat
ter
DENT-REPORTER CO.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
SOUTHWEST CANAAN

Mrs. Mile Foster went to Water
vile Wednesday for stay OF several
days with friends.
Mr.. and Mrs Charlie Ames
OF Pittsfeld. visited Mrs. Ames moth
er, Mrs. Azuba Burrill, at Ancil Good
ridges, Sunday and Monday.
Mildred Decker OF Clinton passed
the day Saturday with Phyllis Jew
EFT
Mrs. Violet Foster has been quite III
the past week.
Misses Vernon and Edna Davis Wis
tied friends in Skowhegan recently
Mrs. Daniel Getchell and daughter
Leone. of Waterville, are visiting Mr.
and Mrs Fred Getchell
Vernon Davis went to Pttsfeld
Monday, TO pass a few days with Mrs
S. NJ. Raymond.
Thomas Rand was caller in town
Sunday.
James Mason of Clinton was re
cent guest at Willie Rolls.
Edna Davis was a week end guest
of Mrs. Fife Pease.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

lance we could see their flashes. which
lighted up the sky with a red glare.
Against the horizon we could see
numerous observation balloons or "sau
sages" us they are called.
On the afternoon OF the third days
march I witnessed my first alrplane
being shelled. A thrill ran through me
and gazed In awe. The airplane was
making wide circles In the air, while
little puffs of white smoke were burst
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

were constantly whistling over the vii
lage and bursting In our rear, search
ing for our artillery.
These cellars were cold, damp and
smelly. and overrun with large rats
big black fellows. Most of the Tom
mics slept with their overcoats over
their fnces. ! did not. In the middle
of the night / woke up In terror. The
cold. clammy feet Of rat had passed
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
NOORF'S NULS-CANAAN

George Lambert visited recently
with relatives and friends in Shaw
NUT Fairfield and Waterville.
Mrs. Daniel Getchell and daughter
Leone of Waterville were visitors Sat-
urday and Sunday at Fred Getchell's
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
Stands Specially in tic ReHefof Dis estias Trout

Mr. and Mrs. George Williams am
children spent Wednesday Of Ia +
week with relatives in Fairfield
Mrs. Azuba Burrll spent Monday
With her sister, Mrs. Cordelia Reed
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

Are you reading our serial story.
"Over the Top? We can send you
back numbers, at the regular price, II
you have missed them.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
NOTICE

". =. District Court,
Maine District
Portland, February s, 1918.
Pursuant to the rules of the District
Court of the United States for the Dis
trict of Maine. notice Ia hereby given.
that William III. Halves of Skowheg1n
in said District, has applied for ad-
mission az an attorney and counsellor
of said District Court.
3ws FRANK FELLOWS, Clerk.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
DoDLIv DIST NoRRTDGEwOCK

Miss Florence Tobey was the week
end guest of Mrs. Nellie Taylor last
week.
Mrs Carrie Tohey and Miss Flor
ence Tobey and Mrs. Alta Thompson
were business callers in Skowhegan
Monday of this week.
Master REGINALD Rovnton visited
his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Newell
Boynton at East Pond. Smithfeld, Fri
dav and Saturday of last week.
Mrs. Oliver Stevens and Mrs. c. +
Boynton visited Mrs Sarah Frederic
Saturday of last week.
Harry Kil9ore is packing y. \
Bovntons apples
Mrs. Marion Sawyer visited her
aunt Mrs Dell Stevens. Friday.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07
WELLINGTON

Mrs Julia Gowen is VISITING her
sister Mrs. James Corson in Athens
for a few davs.
Lyle Hutchins has been at howe
from Deadwater for a few days with
a bad cold
Woodie Small went to Dover Tues
day to take the physical examination
Harvey Kinney has returned home
from Mayfield where he has been
hauling pulp
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

Are you reading our serial story,
over the Top? We can send you
back numbers, at the regular price, If
you have missed them.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-03-07

Sell your house with an ad In
Cverybody's Column.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
TO COORDINATE EXPRESSAGE
Merger of Transportation Companies Planned by Railroad Administration and Express Representatives.

Washington. April 2.-Merging of the express com panies under a new corporation, to operate them as a unit and work out basis for distribution of profits, is under consideration be- tween the railroad administration and representa- tives of the companies. An announcement Is expected within a week.
 Conclusion of an agreement has been held up, it was learned today by difficulties in developing a plan for apportioning the stock of new com- panies which would have virtually a monopoly of express business in the country. The railroad administration would make a contract with the single companies for hauling express mat ters, paying half the expense.
 The capitalization of the new com panies also is the subject of difference of opinion. The four leading com panies--Adanns, American, Wells Far go and Southern-claina a physical valuation of transportation property of approximately s30,00G000.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
GEN. BELL NOT GOING WEST
War Department Rcyokcs Order Sending Him to San Francisco Will Go to Camp Upton.
Order

Washington, April 2.-The war de- partment order assigning Major Gen. Bell to command the western depart ment has been revoked.
 Gen. Bell will be assigned tempor- arily to command his old division, the 77th, at Camp Upton, leaving Gen. Murray at San Francisco.
 The order was rescinded because of the desire of the war department to have in command of the 77th an off, ccr acquainted with the unit Gen. Bells assignment to Camp Upton is only temporary and does not indicate that he will lead the division when it goes overseas. The army medical board, which recently examined him, conditioned it's favorable report upon
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
HOLD SOCIALIST AS SPY
Federal Authorities Take Charge of Jean Jacques CaroneI, Arrested By Hartford Police.

Hartford April 2.--Jean Jacques Caronel, a socialist speaker held by the police Saturday night, was arrested by the federal authorities today on q warrant charging violation of the espionage act, and it is alleged that he in his address at Trum bull and Asylum streets Saturday night made utterances calculated to cause dis loyalty and insuhordinatior in the armed forces of the United States. The penalty may be 20 years in prison or a fine of S10,000 or both.
 He was taken from the police sta ton by Deputy United States Marshal Kelleher, after a charge of breach of the peace against Caronel had been nolled in police court in order that he might be turned over to the federal authorities.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
ROYAL FLYING CORPS GOING
British Flyers Training at Fort Worth Texas Will Move to Toronto--MOre Than 10 Accidents.

Fort Worth, Texas, April 2.-The British Royal Flying corps, Brigader General Hoar of Indian jungle com paign fame as commander which has been training here since October, soon will be starting back to Toranto, Can ada. The training will be resumed in Canada.
 Whether the British will return to Fort Worth next fall depends on whether they receive an Invitation from the war department, it is said.
 That the training has been intense is evidenced by the number of acci- dents here, most of the casualties being among cadets, although two captains succumbed. More than 40 fatal accidents have occurred here since last fall.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
RESIST TURK EXCURSION
Aimenians and Georgians Army to Fight Off Invading Moslcms in Caucasus Districts.

Petrograd, April ? (By The Asso- ciated Press) .-Fierce fighting has broken out in the districts of Ba- toum, Kars and Ardaham, ill the Caucasus. The Arm enians and Geor- gians have formed a large army for the defense of the territory against the Turks, who have begun military occupation of the three districts by vitrue of the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty.
 The Georgians have seized most of the Russian warships in the harbor of Batoum and have taken them into the Black Sea. The population of Georgia has been mobilized to op- pose the invaders.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
CITY ITEMS

Y bte for Quigley at the Republi-
 Primaries on Tuesday means
 @Tovernment.-adVt. Ef c. E. Mitchell of Russell kS will entertain the Loving 3e Bible class of the First Con- &ional church, Thursday after
 1t 3:30.
 sizes woll flags. Eddy Awning
 orating Co.-Advt.
 srintendent of Schools Stanley Hines left this morning for
 ngton to attend an American
 congress as the representative
 State Council of Defense. Estable Fred Wrinkle sold the Il of groceries of George Rosen- &o B. Kramer today. Eli be over-confident that Quig- Nil win, he needs your vote in Republican Primaries on Tues kpril 2nd.-advt. Ere will be a meeting of the Sl board on Friday at which ksome action will be taken on the lon of the Prevocational Gram &Bchol teachers who are seeking Rcrease in this years salary. Kti Puzzi is having plans drawn |Ee new houses to be erected in Main street, west of the rail- b5riGe->>
 E following realty transfers have recorded: Bodwcll Land com- to M. W. Halloran, property on lord road; F. J. Forster to Sadie knna Dobowy and Myer zinman, krty on Winthrop street; Paul 1yak to Frank Kulas, property figh street.
 Is. Ann Hancock of East Main k is visiting in Holyoke, Mass. auto truck belonging to the New |n Dairy Ice Cream company was E damaged by turning over at the kr of Lincoln and West Main Es this afternoon. A young man g with the chauffeur, had his g hurt slightly.
 .e Baraca-Liberty club of the h Congregational church will hold meeting at 7:42 ok tomorrow evening at 27 West street. At this time the or zation will be perfected and plans 3 for an outing.
 special meeting of Washington D, P. O. s. of A. will be held ,ht at o'clock to take action or Heath of George Smith. le Woman's Home and Foreign ionary society of the English eran church will meet tomorrow noon at 2:30 o'clock at the horst rs. Arthur Anderson, 99 Winthrop it.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
DEATHS AND FUNERALS
George Smith.

George Smith, aged 49 years, died last night at St. Francis hospital, Hartford, after an illness of rheuma- tisn and heart troubles. MT. Smith lived in New Britain for several years. He was a member Of Court Charter Oak, Foresters of America. He leaves his wife and two daughters, Misses Mary V. and Florence; his mother, Mrs. Robert Smith; two hrothers William and Robert, and a sister, Mrs. Thomas Horrigan. The funeral will be held Thursday after noon at 2 o'clock Rev. Samuel Sut- cliff, rector of St. Marks Episcopal church officiating Burial will be in FairView com metery.
New Britain herald., 1918-04-02
VEHEMENT MAKES APPEAL
1benters anI Iaborers Are Wanted
 for Construction Work.

Frank s. Caldwell of the local civil twice board of the postal depart mt has received word from Wash fton, D. C., to make an appeal at 3ce for carpenters and laborers for Gployment in Washington on the
 Ivy government buildings.
 [Tho carpenters arc paid $6 a day
 V the laborers S4.60. The age of ! carpenters ranges from 20 to 55 Yrs and that of the laborers from to 50. This will afford many men It affected by the draft an oppor- flity of entering the combatant Twice. Ten men arc to be selected Aonce and held in reserve.