davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
DIES MONIES BRANCH CLOSES Sue
CESSTUL YEAR.

The Des Moines Branch of the Ma
tional Association for the Advancement
of Colored people, under the leadership
Of Ebert X. Hall, has closed the most
successful year in it's history. Approx
mately $50 members were enrolled dur
ing the year, including the Governor of
the State and every member of the Ex-
ecutive Council of Iowa and 10 state Of
ficials; three Associate Justices of the
Iowa Supreme Court, Judges of the Dis
trict Court, Mayor of Des Moines and
City Councilmen, captains, lieutenants
and enlisted men of the army, clergy
men,, lawyers, doctors, educators, ed
itors, q world famous athlete, and lead
ing business men and women of both the
Negro and Caucasian races. Seven big
public meetings were held during 1918,
each one attended by an audience that
taxed the capacity of the auditorium
where it was held.
At the recent annual business meet
ing of the Des Moines Branch the fol-
lowing officers were elected for the en-
suing year:
President, Ebert r. Hall, reelected.
Vice President, DR.. w. II. Lowry, re-
elected.
Secretary, Mrs. George c. Young.
Asst. Sec, Leslie w. Greene.
Treasurer, Rev. H. A. Perry, re-
elected
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
FORT DODGE NEWS.
last Week,

There was quite a surprise on Mr.
James F. Guy. Sunday afternoon while
he was at church about 20 friends came
and brought a Christmas tree with all
the presents on it, it being Mr.. Guy e
45th birthday. He received many use
full present, as silk socks, linen hand
kerchiefs, beautiful ties, box Of cigars
and many other things. After song and
prayer by Rev. Biggs, Mrs. ID. Mae
Brooks served the guests with fried
chicken and ice cream. The guests all
departed in time for church services
wishing Mr.. Guy many more birthdays.
The Christmas tree was branch
wrapped with all colors of tissue paper
and candles. The arrangements were
carried out by Mrs. D. Brooks, Mrs 3.
S. Lewis and Miss Elnora johnson. Mr..
and Mrs. Guy wish to thank their many
friends.
Mrs. Guy says her birthday is in Jan
uary, 1919.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

somewhere between here and France,
ana when they shall have returned to
america, when this war is over, and
peace, lasting peace, declared, and the
Aseessitous censorship has been lifted so
. we may mention the names of army
UNITS Is cities and towns, the colorod his
.ofian who records the history It the
.olored soldier in this war will need no
ma glnative powers to til Of the serv-
-, the daring deeds of A'or, and the
4 asomparable fighting colo-ed men did
i ~ er there in France. Verdun, TO
~ M 4. Land. Belleau Woods, Chateau
az merry, Scissors, the vesle, Argonne,
49, ct al, are vast urns which
wan the story. Of how America g
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
NEGRO BOND SUBSCRIBERS.

William Chambliss, the colored farm
er of Macon county, Ala, who bought
100000 worth of the third Liberty Loan
bonds, is outdistanced by David Haynes,
Of Vivian, Caddo Parish, La, who
bought 100000 worth Of the Fourth is
sue, and pledged in addition whatever
sum might be needed to put the town
cover the top.' So much for patriot
ism plus farm with oil on it.
But an old colored woman near Bir-
mingham, possessed only Of patriotism
plus wash tub, did her bit as finely
when she took $50 bond and paid for
it with her weekly wash money.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

Executiye Board members: Hon. Har-
vey Ingham, Atty. S. Joe Brown, Or. -
4. jefferson, one year term; Rufus King,
Mrs. J. II. McClain and Mrs. Ebert II.
Hall, two year term; and Rev. Geo. w
Robinson, Mrs. S. l.. Brit and Mrs. >
Bates, three year term.
Committee assignments: Membership
Rufus King, Chmn.; Finance, the Presl
dent, the Treasurer and Irving Wilson
Meetings, DR.. j. A. Jefferson, Chmn.;
Press, Hon. Harvey 1ngham, Chmn.;
Legal Redress, Atty. S. Joe Brown
Chmn.; Grievance, the Vice President
Educational, Rev. Geo. w. Robinson
Chmn.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
Hdq. Co. 370th Inf,
Stokes Mortar Pl.,
Somewhere in France,
Nov. 9. 1918.
uary, 1919,

Mrs. 8. Joe Brown,
Des Moines, Iowa.
Dear Friend: + didn't have the
heart to write to you on the same big
and ugly paper that 1 used for Mr..
Brown, so I am sending this petite and
dainty sheet, which is more suited to
the one addressed. #.=
I want to use this opportunity to
thank you for the interest you have
taken in the Negro soldier. You will
never be able to know just how much
good you have done, because you are not
a soldier, and really do not have the
point of view. But just let me say that
the soldiers will never cease to think
and talk about you and the corps OF
workers who tried to hard to take the
place of mothers at the camps.
As soldier, / salute you!
Your S. s. Pupil,
Rufus.
ut. Rufus b. .Jackson.)
Co. b, S12tT Pioneer Inf, a. p. u,
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

In conjunction with the Hostess House
at Camp Dodge Il group OF ladies from
the city have been selected to work III
co-operation with Miss Robinson and her
staff in any way possible. Those ladies
are Mrs. w. L. Lowry, Miss U.Guy, Mrs.
s. Joe Brown, Mrs. C. B. Lewis, Mrs. l..
w. Tucker and Mrs. Emerald Mash.
/ Thus you get small idea Of how our
BOYS are being taken care of while in
camp. Aside from these organizations,
individual clubs who work as whole
under the State Federation Of Colored
Women s Clubs, who have entertained
and carried cheer to the sick boys at
Fort Des Moines.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
Camp Merritt, N. J.,
Nov. 10, 1913.

My Dear Mother, :"5
Mrs. Mamie Hunter,
952 l4th Street Place,
Mama: Captain Sloan tells me that
our transportation is all made out and
that we will most likely leave here to-
night, so I might be writing my last let
ter for some time. However, mama,4dO
not worry about me, for; T am crazy to
get the trip. '.... =.
Mama, I have made good, I am now
first sergeant. I superseded one of the.
best men that is in our regiment, who
was sent from the Twenty-fourth regi-
ment. BY this, mama, you can imagine
how hard and anxious I have been SOL
diering. Am very much pleased with
everything, mean to say that the fact
that am the captains choice and have
the respect of the men. Mama, this
means great deal in the army, moro
than you can imagine. Mother, I do
trust that you have received your al
lowance and the letters that / have
written to you.
Mother, I am closing with lots of
love to one and all. AS David said,
Though I travel the valley Of the shad-
ow Of death I fear no evil for thy rod
and thy staff will comfort me. Mama,
am quite confident that will come out
all right, so, mama, do not worry about
me. Do not think that I do not appre-
ciate the fact that mother and all love
me and are naturally much concerned
about ny welfare.
However, | am trust in the Lord If
it is His will that must go now let His
will be done.
Give my love again to all. a
Your dearest boy,
First Sergt. Lewis n. Hunter,
y. s. A.. Camp Merritt, Nj,
812th Pioneer Inf, "A. Eff
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
Stokes Mortar Platoon,
Hdq. Co. 370th Infantry,
Somewhere in France,

Mr. S. Joe Brown.
Dear Sir: I received your short but
welcome letter this afternoon, and al
though it was very rainy outside the
letters and papers brought lot of sun,
shine into our midst. had just ~
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

Red Cross, which is composed Of many
of our prominent ladies of the city, was
organized by Mrs. 8. Joe Brown, who is
president of the club and an earnest
worker for the cause. . There are about
l25 members and meet at the Union Con-
gregational Church parlors and have
done and are doing great work making
articles for our boys. They have done
their work so perfectly according to
war rules that many Of their articles
when turned over to the Red Cross
headquarters have been sent out to diff
ferent white organizations as samples to
work by and of their efficient work.
Another Red Cross Auxiliary on the
east side is known as the Booker r.
Washington Auxiliary and is doing good
work under the leadership of Mrs. J. P.
Hamilton.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20
Organized Activities.

One of the first organizations for the
benefit of our boys was the Y. NJ. G. A.
at Fort Des Moines, under the charge Of
company comprised wholly of colored
NO., in big tent. Mr.. De Frantz was
assisted by Physical Director Beckett
and big souled, big hearted DR.. Geo. G.
Cabaniss of Washington, D. G.
During the officers training school an
attempt was made to organize the candi-
dates wives into a club for their social
benefit at the Historical building under
the auspices of Mrs.. S. Joe Brown,
whose husband then was candidate.
The young ladies Of the, Mary Church
Terrell Club, a prominent young ladies
club of the city, was very active in MAX
ing it pleasant during the summer for
the students at the Officers Training
School.
AS soon as the regular drafted boys
began coming, in by the thousands at
Camp Dodge, then the great need of aid
and help for these boys was looked for
by the citizens of Des Moines and one
Of the first clubs organized was the
"Company Mothers,' which was organ
lied by Mrs. S. Joe Brown in conjunc-
ton with the white Company Mothers
Club. In this way every company of
boys at the camp had during the winter
of 1918 lady who acted as mother
to them, and each mother has an as
sistant to 60 with her and spread cheer
among the boys, give advice and help in
ny way she could, even to mend clothes,
sew on buttons and darn socks. This
was one of the most worthy of organiza-
tons, which spread cheer among our
boys in camp.
The Army Club No. 2 was organized
under the supervision of the government
so that when the boys were allowed to
come to town, instead of hanging around
on the streets, they could 60 to some
clean place and enjoy themselves. TO
this end the old Lincoln school house at
9th and Mulberry SITS. was turned into
club room for the boys, and as such 1t
is complete in every way. There are
billiard rooms, reading and music rooms,
reception rooms, cafeteria, soft drink
parlors and a large hall for dancing ana
other entertainments, etc.
Mrs. w. H. Lowry is the Head Host
ess at this club and has charge OF all
the young ladies who attend the enter.
tainments for the boys. She is assisted
by the company mothers from time to
time, also regularly by Mrs. Emerald
Mash, Miss Adah Hyde and Mrs. V. l..
Jones, in looking after the young ladies'.
See their cuts elsewhere on this page.
The government, under the War Ac-
tivities, has recently sent Miss Ursula
Guv to this community to organize ana
direct tne activities of the young
women and girls in the proper channel
so they may give the best of their ser
vices in this connection, and she mas
been very, very successful with her
work. Under her direction a lovely Dig
home-like club room for girls has been
opened at the Army Club, where the dlt-
ferent patriotic League Clubs meet ana
do things for the boys. See her write
mp elsewhere.
Another active club is known as as. the
Chas. Young Auxiliary OF the A An
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

They have recently opened up the
Colored Hostess House at Camp Dodge,
which is certainly beautiful, honey
place, where the boys can come and
visit with their relatives, friends and
sweethearts and where they are always
sure to find good cheer. This house,
whose cut you will see elsewhere, is pre-
sided over by Miss Virginia Robinson,
assisted by Mrs. Dixon, Miss Brooks and
Mrs. frankie Lizemby.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

The various church organizations spe-
cial clubs to direct the spiritual life of
these young men. In fact the already
organized clubs have changed their work
to this particular kind of work and
might say that all church clubs are ex-
erting their religious influence upon the
lives Of the boys in this cantonment.
The Park Street Branch Of the Army
Y. M. G. A. is under the supervision of
Mr.. Edward Ross, veteran Y. M. G. A.
worker who came to us from Kansas
City, Mo-, in the large basement of the
Union Congregational Church, corner
10th and Park SITS. This Branch has
been a wonderful help to the soldiers
when in town. The rooms are as com
Portable and honey as, possible with
cots to accommodate the boys over
night. They hold very interesting meet
ings every Sunday afternoon at 4
o CLOCK and once a month they hold very
interesting public meetings.
There are two Y M. G. AS for our
boys at Camp Dodge, one under the di-
rection Of Secretary w. l.. Lucker, who
was formerly secretary at the Y. M. c.
A. at Buxton, Iowa, and the other under
the direction of Mr.. Stewart. A recent
addition was the knights of Columbus
Hall, which was thrown open to our
boys last fall. This building is under
the direction of DR.. Arthur, a very
broad minded and intelligent man, who
has the deepest sympathy of the boys at
heart and who has done much to make
his building an attraction to the boys.
He is assisted in the work by his son,
who is an accomplished violinist of note.
The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

Another active club is known as the
Chas. Young Auxiliary Of the American
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
MYRIAD OF MARES AND OLGAS
YEARN TO BE COMPHER'S BRIDE

More Celestes, Maries, Olgas and
score Of others Of Washington Baltimore
and Philadelphia's fairest and most
winsome daughters-not to mention a
stray baroness and an oriental miss
with long black pigtail-are yearning
to become the bride of Private William
J. Compiler, machine gunner and former
Washington cop" who inherited $780,
600 from rich uncle in California and
Immediately advertised for helpmate
to share his sudden riches.
The flood Of letters and photographs
Of bewilderingly beautiful girls has be-
has called on a number of his COM
rades In Company O of the District
battalion to assist him In reading the
letters, cataloguing the charms of the
applicants and deciding which Is the
most beautiful.
Compiler has named Corp. Prentiss
as his private secretary. Corp. Bailey
and Private Allen also are on Com
piers secretarial staff as readers.
When the time comes to notify the
lucky applicant Compiler will attend to
this matter personally, but in the
typewriters are busy writing letters
asking for fuller data where such de-
tails as age, complexion and disposition
have been omitted.
Here are four Of the letters received
by Compiler:
Just Few of EN-.
MY Dear Sir: Seeing in the paper
your yearning for a wife and that you
are lonesome. I am a girl Of eighteen
years, chestnut hair and blue eyes, fair
complexion, and white, even teeth, and l
am also looking for a friend AL
though the money doesn't worry me, 1
would like very much the company Of
fellow of your description.
Now, wouldn't you like a wife who
mostly. anything, and who is also just
reach her eighteenth birthday? 1 feel
SO sorry every time I see a soldier that
l cry to think that by and by they will
be sent over there, away from friends
and parents that are so dear to them"
My two brothers have gone, and it
nearly worries me sick. Please send
me your picture, SO that 1 can look at it
often, for really admired the one that
l saw in the paper, and 1t would not
take me long to admire you. For 1 be-
lieve you are a darling boy, and let's
hope you will answer my letter, for I
have took so very much patience to
write you. This little letter will have
to close with the greatest love and a
bunch OF kisses to you, and here's to
our acquaintance.
Yours. sincerely, remain,
CELESTE - -
"P. S.-Send me your photo and please
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
EASTER WEEK SERVICES.

In connection with the jOin-the-
church movement services will be held
i'm all the Y. M. @. A. bungalows.
Easter special services will be CON-
Quoted I'm the "Y" buildings by the
Army chapIains. Soldiers who wish to
join the church of their choice VIII be
received into membership at that time.
Their names will be sent for record
to the church they designate.
r building will hold special services
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
evenings.
&C building will hold special serv-
ices Thursday, Friday and Saturday
evenings.
8, o and v buildings will hold short
special services with their regular pro-
grams Thursday, Friday ami Saturday
evenings.
and ID buildings will hold special
services Thursday and Friday even
ings and a brief service in connection
with the regular program Saturday
night.
building will hold a special service
Friday evening and will also have a
brief service, with regular program.
Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
SECRETARY SHOCKLEY
GIVES SEND-OFF PARTY
Utilities Local Talent in Program
of Delightful Vaudeville
Saturday Night.

AS many of the men of the 154th
Depot Brigade expect to move in the
near future, Social Secretary Shockley
held send-off party Saturday night.
BY using local talent program was
given worthy of Keith's. DR.. E. A. Nc.
Alpin started the ball rolling by very
snappy and interesting current events
talk, which lasted about fifteen
minutes.
The charm of Hawaiian music and
the dash of Italian is intermingled in
the melody of the 9Th Battalion Jazz
Band. An old Scotchman was heard to
remark that that bunch could ring
music from piece of cheese" Sergt.
Rauchut makes4ong rolls on the drum,
while Burger fingers the banjo. With
Tailor at the piano, Eller and Wey
make the guitar and mandolin add to
the general uproar in an enthusiastic
fashion.
Leo Underhofier made decided hit
with the singing of some old ballads,
while Emil Orenbach rendered two in
teresting character songs. Both these
boys are from the 31st Company. Nell
son Inglow, from the 18th Company,
also gave some character songs. One
of the hits of the evening was the
banjo solo of C. j. Burger, while A. N.
Tailor finished the musical end of the
program with catchy song.
An interesting moving picture play
was then shown, entitled, THE Anna
zons." and the missing feminine ele-
ment OF the audience was partially
made up by the popular star of the
picture, Marguerite Clark, who made the
boys go home happy after seeing her
marry the man of her adventures
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
Regimental Championship Games

The S16th Infantry played the first
games for the regimental champion.
ship Saturday. Headquarters Company
won over Company E. 9 to 4; Company
c won over Company H. 10 to 2; Com.
pany F won over Company D. to Il
Company L won over Company 1, s to
2. Sunday the following games were
played: Company K defeated the Ma
chine Gun Company, to o; Company
defeated Company G. IL to 2; Conn
pany A forfeited game to Company NJ;
to s. The winning team Of the 315tIi
Infantry-League will play the winners
in the 316th Infantry for 15Sth Brigade
championship.
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
Mai. Henry Presented With Flag.

Maj. T. Charlton Henry of the Sd
Training Battalion. 154th Depot Bril-
gade, was presented with an American
flag by the officers Of his battalion last
Tuesday morning. The first that the
major knew of any such occasion was
when buglers and the Depot Brigade
Band aroused MIN at in the morning.
This was the signal for the gathering
of the officers, after which Capt C. A.
McClintock of the 9th Company pre-
scented the flag, which was soon flung
'The Star Spangled Banner" Lieut. E.
p Vaughn was instrumental in carry
ing out the event. Later a special
breakfast was served in the officers
quarters
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27

and fight and live and think only
victory.
To speed war is to hasten vic
tory. A dollar Is divided into
eight parts, each known as a bit.
A quarter is two bits" Are we
going to be content with do
ing "our bit"-being one-eighth
American-or are we going to put
in the whole dollar and do "our
all" for America and victory?
After all it is up to us.
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
French Glasses in Early Morn.

The new French classes Which Prof.
Comba, head of the French depart
ment of instruction Of the Y. M. c. A..
has just organized at the Ordnance
Supply School, meet at o'clock in
the morning. This will be rather early
when the clock-or is 1t the sun-will
be pushed forward one hour: But the
to lose no more time, early or late,Oin
acquiring a speaking knowledge of a
language they are hoping to be obliged
to use very soon-to some extent, at
least.
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
Capt. Dickson to Wed April 8.

The wedding of Capt. Dan T. r. Dick
son Of the 9Th Training Battalion, 154th
Depot Brigade. and Miss Margaret Lit
tleton Lake OF Washington will take
place in the Capital city on April 3.
Capt. Dickson is a graduate of the Uni
versity of Pittsburgh, class of 1917, his
home being in Pittsburgh. Miss Lake
is the daughter of Mrs. J. Littleton
Lake of Stoneleigh Court, Washington.
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
THURSDAY, MARCH %, 1918.
DOING IT FOR VICTORY.

America Is dL wall
That is fact that we all know,
manv of us realize, but few OF us
appreciate. :.
We have read of what war is
in Europe. Some of us have
studied the causes, but none OF
us who have not actually seenthe
situation over there can appre-
ciate the size of this war or the
results of it.
The causes of the war are more
or less known, though they are
more or less complicated. Each
country at war with Germany and
her allies went to war more or
less for a different cause. The
causes of the war are not to be
lost sight of, though at the pres
ent time the chief concern OF the
powers at war with the Huns IS
not the causes, but the results OF
the conflict.
While each country at war with
Germany is fighting for a differ
ent result, because of a different
cause, the general result beng
striven for is the same-victory.
The time for argument about
the causes of>the war is over. We
are now up to the neck in it, and
the tide is running high. The
question to, be decided, and the
one that should be foremost in the
heart and mind of every citizen of
the allied countries, is the result
and how quickly it can be reached.
There is no question but that
victory is to be the result, but the
time necessary to reach that end
is unknown. Every man, woman
and child in France today knows
that victory will in the end rest
with their country and her allies,
but they are not trusting to that
knowledge to win the war. They
are fighting, fighting, fighting, and
atop of that they are smiling
Their sacrifice has been supreme,
yet they smile in anticipation OF
victory. Their courage is strong
through their knowledge of the
coming victory. Their grief is
lessened through their belief in
the future and the JOY of victory
then.
Have they any time set, for vic
tory? No. Yet they know it is
coming. Every man, woman and
child of France knows it -is coin
ing i they are fighting for France
and victory. -:
America is fighting Germany
with France. We are fighting for
victory, too. Those of you who
are in the Army. are doing your
all for victory Those of you who
are home feel that we are doing
"a great deal in doing - our bit
for victory. America is:doing .'he1
f, bitss! while France is doing F'hes
air. We must do as. France is
doing. Victory will come in the
end, but the quicker we do away
with the 'bit" idea the qu :el
will we gain victory.
We must in America awake tc
the realization of the fact, the ap-
probation of the necessity, cast
away the idea of doing our bit
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
On Lookout for Easter Finery

The soldiers are looking forward to
real treat next Sunday in the shape OF
many colored hats and other bright
hued Easter apparel on the part of the
feminine visitors who are expected to
invade the camp. A forewarning of
what is to come appeared last visitors
day.
Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-27
Best Eats for Co. I, s1sth Rect

company ], S1Sth Regiment, has the
eats" Of all the companies in camp. The
food Is well prepared, plentiful and
substantial, and the cooks see to it
that the menu is varied frequently, in
Guiding pie, cake or ice cream as des-
Sert.