Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1918-01-25

of the mountains to fear from any
one, certainly nothing to fear from
the Law.
A few of the most daring young
men announced their intention of en-
listing ut once, but this met with
very little encouragement.
Then went forth the decree from
the U. S. Government that all men
between 81 and 81 years of age must
register. The, question of the war
now became personal one. scarce
ly home but had some one who
would have to register. Some as
serted that they would never regis
ter, that they preferred death at
home, but be it said to the honor Of
Buchanan, not one failed TO regis
ter that were inside the age require
ments.
The calls began to come for exam
nation. Each one waited with bat
cd breath as the mail was handed
out, thinking possibly his call would
be in this time. Anxiously the moth
ers questioned, "Did it Gomez"
We looked at our sons now as we
never rad before. We had previously
admired their size, strength and MAJ.
hood, as only mothers can-now it
was different. We remembered that
lungs, throat, the heart, or the
eyes had always been weak and we
felt that our boys would not be
physically fit.
On examination day mothers, ia
Tiers, wives and children crowded
Grundy, the county seat, to prove to
the exemption board that their boy,
husband and father must be exempt
ed. There would have been many
amusing incidents had they not been
overshedowed by tragedy.
All could not be exempted--our
quota of 81 men were furnished the
first draft. Many enlisted and the
situation changed. People who had
scarcely known each other before
now met on one common ground oil
fellowship-their boys-were they
not in the same company?
A new day had dawned for Buch-
anan. People began to subscribe for
newspapers and read them.
The letters began to come from
the boys in the camps and what let
ters! Full of cheer and a willingness
to fight to the last trench to conquer
the enemy of civilization.
Through the tears you could begin
to see the smile of pride and triumph
on the faces of the parents, as they
began to exhibit the kodak pictures
blessings on the man who invented
photography of their boys and tell
what they had written. "Isn't he
pretty?" Don't he look fine and
splendid in his uniform ?" "Why, he
is u corporal" ale says they treat
him good down there, and he is sat-
isfied; that makes me happier" "He
was always good boy and | know
he will be SO in the army"
These rem;.rks tame now from
some of us W. so shci' time ago
were rebcllious at the :houglit of our
boys going to camp.
We had submitted t. the inevita-
BILE and the latent patriotism is full
y awake, and the homcfclks are
cheering the boys in the GIMP.
But what of the Christmas of
1917?
In the cycle of time one year is
but thought, but what changes can
come i'll that period of time?
Buchanan has awakened from the
lethargy to an active interest in ev-
crything; even to the countries be-
You'd the seas.
This Christmas we can say that as
Il county we have done all and more
than has been asked of US.
We have given our sons. We we're
asked by the Y. NJ. C A. for $1,000
and at one meeting in Grundy $500
was given to this work.
We have Red Cross organization
which now has more than $50 men,
bers and growing rapidly.
Each school in the county has beer
asked to organize Junior Red
Cross League.
B. M. S. has furnished about %
boys to the army and navy. Eacl.
one is making good.
In Grundy there is only one I'M
married man and he enlisted some
time ago and is awaiting his call.
On the night of December 25th,
one of our B. NJ. S. boys, with his
section, left for France When this
is printed, he will, God willing, have
reached the other side.
There are not hung so many holly
and mistlctoe wreaths this Christmas
as last There are more empty
chairs and aching, anxious hearts
than Buchanan ever had before, bu,