davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-10-17
CHAPTER VII.

Stopping the Huns at Dlxmuds.
I was standing In a communication
trench that connected one Of our front
line trenches with a crater caused by
the explosion Of mine. All around
me men Of the third line were coming
up, climbing around, digging, hammer
ing, shifting planks, moving sandbags
up and down, bringing up new timbers,
reels Of barbed wire. ladders, cases Of
ammunition. machine guns, trench
mortars-al the things that make an
army look like general store on legs.
The noise Of the guns was just deaf
ening. Our own shells passed not far
above our heads, 80 close were the
enemy trenches. and the explosions
were 30 near and 80 violent that when
you rested your rife butt on something
solid, like q rock, you could feel 1t
shake and hum every time q shell
landed.
Our first line was Just. on the out
skirts OF the town, in trenches that
had been won and lost by both sides
many times. Our second line was in
the streets and the third line was
almost at the south enc Of the town.
The Huns were hard at it, Smelling
the battered remains Of Dixmude, and
to the right stretcher bearers were
working in lines so close that they
looked like two parades passing each
other. But the bearers from the COM
pany near me had not returned from
the emergency dressing station and
the wounded were piling up, waiting
for them.
A company Of the 2me Legion Etran-
gere had just come up to take their
stations in the cratsF, under the para
pet Of sandbags. A shell landed among
them just before they entered the era
ter and sent almost q whole squad
west besides wounding several others.
Almost before they occupied the
crater the wires were laid and reached
back to us, and the order came for us
to remain where we were until further
orders.
Then we got the complete orders.
We were to make no noise but were all
to be ready In ten minutes. We put
on goggles and respirators. In ten
minutes the bombers were to leave the
trenches. Three mines were to ex-
plode and then we were to take and
hold a certain portion Of the enemy
trenches not far OF. We were all
ready to start up the ladders when
they moved Nig'S section over to ours
and he sneaked up to me and whis-
pered behind his hand, s.Be a sport,
Doc; make It Mighty and gimme a
chance"
I did not have any idea what he
meant and he had to get back to his
squad. Then the bombers came up to
the ladders. masked ana with loaded
sacks on their left arms. zone MIN
ute now" said the officers. getting an
their own ladders and drawing thals
rsvolvees-thouxh most - the onsuD
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-10-17
The Rombers Were Fishing In Their
Bag and Throwing.

for all they were worth. One of them
had his mask and face blown of; yet
he was trying TO talk, with the tears
rolling down over the raw flesh. He
died five minutes later.
One night. while was lying back in
the trench trying not to think Of any
thing and go to sleep the bombs began
to get pretty thick around there. and
when ! could not stand 1t any longer
I rushed out into the bay Of the fire
trench and right up against the para
pet, where 1t was safer.
Hundreds Of star shells were being
sent up by both sides and the field
and the trenches were as bright az
day. All up and down the trenches
our men were lodging about, keeping
out Of the way Of the bombs that
were being thrown in our faces. It
did not seem as If there was any place
where It was possible to get cover.
Most Of the time was picking dirt out
Of my eyes that explosions had driven
into them.
II you went into q dugout the men
already in there would shout, "Don't
stick in a bunch-spread outl' While
you were In a dugout you kept expect
ing to be buried alive and when you
went outside you thought the Boches
were aiming at you drect-xnd there
was no place at all where you felt
safe.
But the fire bay looked better than
the other places to me. I had not been
there more than a few minutes when
a big one dropped in and that bay was
just one mess Out Of the "a men in
the bay only eight escaped.
When the stretcher bearers got there
they did not have much to do In the
way Of .rescue-it was more pallbear-
er's work.
A stretcher bearer was picking up
one Of the boys, when a grenade land
ed alongside of him and you could not
find fragment Of either Of them.
That made two that landed within
twelve feet Of me; yet was not even
scratched.
When I got so that could move I
went over to where the captain was
standing, looking through a periscope
over the parapet. I was very nervous
and excited and was afraid to speak
to him, but somehow I thought I
ought to ask for orders. But I
could not say a word. Finally q
shell whizzed over our heads-1ust
missed us, It seemed like, and I broke
out: "What did you sect What's all
Of the newsT" and 80 on. guess I
chartered. like monkey.
Then he yelled: you're the gunner
officer. You're just in time-Tvs 10.
Gated their mortar batteries"
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-10-17

uSeO 10 Cnlnk all the Germans were
big and fat and strong, and, Of course,
some Of the grenadier regiments ere.
but lots Of the Boches saw were
little and weak like this fellow I '.got''
in my first charge.
It was good piece Of work to take
the prisoners and a novelty for me to
look them in the face-the fellows
had been fighting. Because, when you
look Hun in the face. you can see
the yellow streak. Even IL you ere
their prisoner you can tell that the
Huns are yellow.
Maybe you have heard pigs being
butchered. It sounded like that when
we got to them. When they attacked
US they yelled to beat the band. I
guess they thought they could scare
us. But you cannot scare machine
guns nor the foreign legion either. So
when they could not scare Us they
were up against It and had to fight.
I will admit though, that the first
time Fritz came over and began yell
ing I thought the whole German army
was after me. at that, and Kaiser Bill
playing the drum. And how they hate
a bayonet! They would much rather
sit In ditch and pot you.
I admit am not crazy about bayo-
net fighting myself, as a general prop,
osition, but I will say that there have
been times when ! was serving gun
behind the front lines when wished
for q rifle and a bayonet in my hands
and Q chance at Fritz man to man.
It was In this charge that our chap
lain was put out Of commission. Ar
we were lined up, waiting to climb on
to the ire step and then over the par
apet, this chaplain came down the
line speaking to each man as he went.
He would not say much, but Just a
few words, and then make the sign Of
the cross. He was In q black cassock.
He was Just one man from me as
we got the word and stood up on the
fire step. He was not armed with as
much as q pin. but he Jumped up on
the step and stuck his head over the
parapet and got It square, landing
right beside me. I thought he was
killed. but when we got back we found
he was only wounded. The men who
saw It were over the parapet before
the order was given and then the
whole bunch after them, because they,
too, thought he was killed and figured
he never would know how they came
out about their vows. All the men in
the company were glad when they
found he was only wounded.
While half Of us were on the fring
step throughout the day or night the
other half would be in the dugouts OF
sitting around In the bottom Of the
trench. playing little games, or mend
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-10-17
Stuck tils Head Over the Parapst and
Got lt Square.

Stuck Ills Head Over the Parapet and
Got L Square.
ing clothes or sleeping or cooking OF
doing thousand and one things. The
men were always in good humor at
such times and It seemed to me even
more so when the enemy fire was
heavy.
Il a man was slightly wounded down
would come the rifles to order arms,
and some poilu was sure to shout,
fright this way. One franc" Il was
standing joke and they always did It.
The poilu who did It most was q Swiss
and he was always playing Joke on
somebody or Initiating some one Of
Us or making faces.
We were al sorry when this Swiss
swsat vest" a. Tie LmsZs ~, cd
Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1918-10-17
DEEPEN GOES COVER THE ToP' AND GETS his FIRsr
GERMAN IN BAYoNET FIGHT.

synops-Abert N Depew author story sere
IN nted states during which Of
petty "e ntsta The world
nus honorable discharge from the
Eance Wtn determination to enlist
assigned to the dreadnaught Cassar Workmanship
MN ngn honors Later he
me FLANDERS front He his
1mude Leeonares
gan women and children
The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29
Canteen Workers in France.

Women canteen workers in the
Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion huts in France will have for
new Easter clothes this year
what has been declared the Of
ficial uniform for them. Work
in the canteens over there is
much to hard to permit of frills
and founces, or even the ordi-
nary garb of civilian life. The
new uniform for women canteen
workers consists of the follow
ing: one gray whipcord coat and
skirt, one hat in blue or gray
cloth, two shirt waists blue or
white flannel, one blue necktie,
one blue woolen muff1er, one
brassard. four canteen overall
aprons and two caps. The total
cost of the outfit at present fig
ures is about $50.
By Gen. Pershing's order the
entire canteen work for the army
in France has been taken over by
the 7. M. G. A. This will mean
that hundreds of new canteens
will be opened there before fall.
Scores of American women will
be at work in them, paying their
own expenses, working without
pay, and dispensing with many
of the simplest comforts of life
in order to be of aid to the men
of the army.
The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29
Notice For Posting and Publ.
cation.
Serial No. 034431.

Oerlal mo. U0440l.
UNITED STATES LAND OF
flee, Phoenix, Arizona, January
20, 1918.
In compliance with G. L. O.
letter ''K' Asst of January II,
1916, notice is hereby given that
the Santa Fe Pacific Railroad
Company, by Howell Jones, its
Land Commissioner, Topeka,
Kansas, has filed in this office it's
application, Serial No. 034431, to
enter under the provisions of the
Act of Congress approved April
21, 1904 (33 Stat, 211) the fol
lowing described lands, viz:
NE quarter Section 8, Town
ship 19-N., Range 16-E.
Any and all persons claiming
adversely the land described, or
desiring to object because of the
mineral character of the land. or
for any other reason, to the dis
posal to applicant, should file
their affidavits of protest in this
office on or before the 4th day of
April, 1918.
J. L. IRWIN, Register.
The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29
Call for Bids on Earth Approach
at Winslow-Little Colorado
Bridge.

Sealed bids will be received by
the Board of Supervisors until
two o'clock, Monday, May 9th,
for building earth approach at
west end of Winslow-Little Colo
rado River Bridge. Approach to
be 200 feet in length, running
from nothing at west end to s
feet in height at bridge, 16 feet
in width on top, with one and
one-half to one slope. Good,
clean gravel, six inches in depth
to be placed on roadway. Work
consists of about 800 cubic yards
of earth and about so cubic yards
of gravel. Bids should be SUBJ
mitted per cubic yard and for
more or less than quantities spe-
CITED.
The Board reserves the right
to reject any or all bids.
R. S. TEEPLE, Clerk,
Board of Supervisors.
First pub. March 20. last pub. May 8.
The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29

The Winslow Mail will pay real
money for several pounds of
clean cotton rags, and the first
lad that takes the contract gets
the business.
The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29

The Winslow Market is the
place to buy your green fruit and
vegetables.
Wanted, to purchase a second
hand automobile. Must be in
good condition. Give us your
lowest price, and make of car.
Address the WinsloW Mail.
The Winslow mail., 1918-03-29
Reconstructing Schools.

Inc Smlth-HugheS act, passed
by Congress and carrying an ap-
preparation to aid the states IN
establishing vocational training
in the public schools, if intelli-
gently applied, will work a re-
generation of the public school
into a channel of usefulness and
efficiency that will repay in the
development of the intellect of
the child along practical lines for
the vast sums now expended in
every community for education
that in all too many instances is
only the thinest veneer. The
actual benefits under the present
system are not in harmony with
the enormous cost.
Under the directing influences
of the national and state educa-
tional association the original
purpose of the public schools to
teach the rudiments of educa-
ton to all children, has gradual
ly been worked over until now
high school is a second-rate
college where pupils are given a
smattering of everything that is
of practically no use to ninety
per cent of them when they grad
uate. The fundamental trouble
lies with the state universities.
They have established certain
requirements for admission; one
or two credits in civics, chemis-
try, physics, foreign or dead Ian
guages, ancient and mediaevel
history, and other studies of that
nature. To gain the honor of
being an accredited high school
small communities have been
taxed to the limit of a burden to
raise the funds to pay salaries
for specially trained teachers in
these various branches. And to
what purpose? Less that ten
per cent of the scholars who en-
ter the high school complete the
course to graduation, and of
those who graduate not to ex-
ceed ten per cent ever continue
their studies in a university.
Maintaining credited high
school costs to much for the act
ual benefits gained by the stu
dents. A friend of the editor,
who was consided one of the best
educators in Nebraska, and at
the time was a superintendent of
schools, made proposition to a
country school board to pay half
the teachers salary if he could
select the teacher and have his
two children enrolled, because
he considered their chances were
better to acquire a substantial
education under a competent in
structor than was possible in the
accredited school with it's ism.
We are not opposed to higher
education, and we would be only
too glad if it was possible for
every boy and girl to acquire a
college education, but it seems a
foolish expenditure of money for
every town in the state to main
tain a high school and a corps of
teachers of university isms, when
so few students avail themselves
to continue their studies. 1t
would be better if all public
schools stopped at the ninth
grade, and then have the state
maintain normal schools suffi-
cient to educate all pupils who
want to continue in their studies.
This would relieve struggling
communities of the burden of a
high school, and put it on the
state at large, and the teaching
staff could be of the highest rank
money could buy.
By being relieved of the high
school burden local school boards
could devote this money to prac-
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
NOTICE.!

Starting July 9. 1918, a traffic census
will be taken on the Cresco-Riceville
Road relative to the Federal Aid
Improvement for 1919. The traffic will
be classified as follows Town to Town.
County to County, State to State, and
Farm to Town. In order to determine
these classes, it will be necessary to
slow down all traffic and enquire Of the
driver where he is from and where
going. So, when the men stop you,
kindly give them the information
desired and do not think it is personal
or that they are looking for booze. By
courteous cooperation in this matter
the travelling publie-interested and
uninterested-will give US the neces-
sary data and take the first stem
toward the first improvement of the
size and kind in this section of Iowa,
T. R. PERRY, County Engineer.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
x. SO
The County Conventions.

Both the Democratic and Republican
county conventions held last Saturday
were tame affairs, !ut few attending
and but very little interest shown. .
Both conventions lacked sufficient
delegates to transact business at the
regular opening time Of II a. III: and
adjournments were taken to 2 .. m.
VIXEN delegates to the state conven-
tions we1e chosen, and the Democrats
filled one vacancy by nominating Ira
G. Edmister for treasurer. The re.
publicsns had but one vacancy, that
for the Office of sheriff, and in accord
ance with previous understandings,
that Office was left vacant, the demo.
Gratis offering no opposition to Auditor
Hoopman.
The democrats chose the following
delegates to their state convention to
be held at DesMoines, Ju'y 18th:
Joseph Griffin, Cresco.
F. E. Howard, Elma.
Fred Lowry. Cresco.
+. u. Mead, Cresco.
c. T. McWilliams, Chester.
Ben Headington, Cresco.
H. J. Novak, Cresco.
J. D. Bouska, Protivin.
The republicans selected the follow
ing delegates to their state convention:
L. P. Bsrth, Cresco. N>
D. H. Thomas, Lime Springs.
H. H. Sanborn, Lime Springs.
Thomas Kakac, Saratoga.
A. D. Perry, Cresco.
NJ. c. Thuerk, Cresco.
E. P. Farnsworth, Cresco.
James N. Smith, Howard Center.
J. D. Jones, Saratoga.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
Well Known Attorney Take. Bride,

Well Known Attorney Takes Bride.
Last Wednesday evening Judge c.
N. Houck was called upon to perform
bis first marriage ceremony since he
was elevated to the district judgeship,
and the request was made from one of
our well known lawyers, Attorney
Frank Ssyre, who was united in mar
riage to Miss Clara A. Bloomquist Of
Cresco. The ceremony was performed
at six O'Clock Wednesday evening ct
the home Of the groom in this city,
The groom needs very little introduc.
tion to our people, as Frank il 90 we'll
andsfavorabiy known by oil. He il one
of our leading attorneys and gentle.
man of the the highest integrity and
worth, q gentleman who has won
friendships on every hand because Of
his genial and whole.souled hospitality
and an acquaintanceship with him
means friendship always. His bride
was one of Cresco's esteemed resi-.
dents and for ten years past conducted
. photograph gallery in that city. She
is an excellent woman and bears the
respect and esteem of all who know
her.-Public Opinion.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
Severe Hail Storm.

This section was visited early We'd
nesday morning by q hail and heavy
rain storm which extended over quite q
territory. although the main damage
extended seven or eight miles north,
east and south of Cresco. The real
damage to crops is rather prob.emanti-
cal, and will take time to determine.
Fortunately most of the farmers are
protected by hail insurance, and so far
over one hundred notifications of loss
have been sent to the hail insurance
companies.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
Birthday Pasty.

On Sunday. June 18th. a very pleas
ant day was spent at the home of Mr..
and Mrs. James Lewis in Cresco. The
occasion being the birthday of Mrs. II.
Meyers. who had been spending few
days here. A large number of rela-
tives and friends gathered to make the
day = pleasant one. A picnic dinner
was served to all, and all wish to enjoy
many more shch birthday parties.
Mrs. Meyers was presented with q few
useful gifts.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
Loyalty Meeting at .Lourdes.

Districts Nos. 8, 6 and 8, Paris twp.
will kold a Loyalty meeting in the
Lourdes hall, Monday evening, July 8.
beginning at $3.50. A short musical
program. will be given. Mr.. Frank
Howard of Elma will give the address.
Every one come out and try to boost
your district. -
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

Fred Roth recently received letter
dated June 1lth from his son Ernest,
who was one of the first from this vi
entity 10 reach France. Part Of the
letter was cut out by the censor, but
some of that remaining is quite inter-
esting. In part he says: 1--WE are
again in the front line trenches for the
fourth time. have been laying in the
shade all forenoon trying to sleep but
the artillery 10 banging away off and
on, 80 sleeping does not 60 very well
unless we crawl into our dugout, but
the weather is too nice for that. Of
course We have to keep . constant look
out for the enemy and so long as they
behave themselves we have nothing to
do but sleep, eat and keep our guns
and equipment in good condition.
Every man on our post gets about three
hours guard duty out Of "a. Our sleep
comes in the form of short cat maps
about the time . fellow stretches out
and falls asleep the alarm goes and we
Jump for our guns. Sometimes it
keeps US pretty busy running round the
corners to dodge the shrapnel and sew
eral other kinds of bird seed the Ger
mans are fond of throwing over on us.
(Here is . half page cut BY the
censor) They feed US pretty
good. In fact, it is wonder they can
feed US as well as they do under the
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
Fer Sale.

Two and a half acres within the city
limits on the New Oregon road with
good Groom house and other improve
ments. Low price for quick sale.
Easy terms. Call and investigate If
interested. 46-tf
- -.-- Harry Pollitt.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
A Prisoner IN Germany.

1t is quite definitely settled that
Lieutenant Edward Isaacs is pris.
oner at Karlsruhe, Germany, and in
good health, a csblegram to that effect
having been received by his wife at
Portsmouth. Virginia, through Red
Cross and Swiss agencies. His parents
have received no further information
but are confidept that the foregoing
information is correct.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05
Fer Sale.

Poland China SOW with litter of two
weeks old. Well bred stock.
46-tf Harry Pollitt,
s.-- New Oregon road.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

For first-ciAss dental work., call on
DR.. ]. J. Clemmer over PA. Glenn
mer's Drug Store 34tf
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

&c. Malek writes Cresco friends
that he is now at Camp Macarthur,
Texas. While at Camp Travis, he got
the mumps and while in the hospital
the division he was in left for Long
Island, but he believes that his Divis-
ion will soon be- sent east in prepara-
ton for an over seas trip.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

Bert Graham, who has been with the
Marines on board the Pennsylvania,
arrived in Cresco this morning.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

Richard Geraty and wife and G. E.
Allen and wife made an auto trip, with
John Walton as driver, to DesMoines
for an over Sunday visit with their son
and brother. Paul Geraty, who is very
busy helping train new men in prep.
sration, it is thought, for trip over.
seas.
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

Cresco relatives have received wore
that Lenis Glass has been transferred
from Camp Pike, Ark. to Camp Dix
N. j..
Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-07-05

Robert Graham is safely overseas,
bis mother, Mrs. A. G. Genshow, re-
ceiving . card to that effect the first OF
the week.