davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Letter Ffrom Bryan Butcher
Newport. R, /.
o, II. I,
0r a

June II, 1913.
Dear Mother and Sistres:
Have a little time so VIII try to
write you few lines. am we'll,
and happy as one can be who is
very homesick. / just got back
from seven O'Clock muster and so
have until $3.50 to myself, then I
must be in bed with lights out.
You see one can't go to bed when
they please when you are working
for Uncle Sam. When my letters
are short you can believe that
am very tired or have worked all
day. They talk about sailors idle
moments. | have failed to have
very many yet. We get up at 500
a. M, clean up the barracks and
|1ut bedding and clothes out in
the sun. You then go to muster,
which is at $3.50 a. m. Then you
go to the bath room and take a
shower bath; back to your tents;
then line up for Chow at 6:i5 a..
m. At 500 a. M, you stand atten-
ton and salute the while the flag
is being raised. Then go to the
field and drill until noon, then the
same after dinner. OF course, we
will have it hard for a while but
when one gets higher rating it is
better. We get good clothes, good
sleeping places and general treat
ment, so guess we can't kick on
that, do you? | am tired tonight,
and my feet are sore but | am 60
ing to take time and write both
Joe and you letter. You must be
sure and write her and if any one
can get away to visit her please do
so as | bet the poor kid is lone
some. hope you folks are all we'll
and happy and that you have most
of your work done. Please stay all
together at home as | would sure
hate 10 think about you all being
scattered around. We have big
Y. M. G. A. here and they are all
ways having something going on
to amuse the boys and treat us
very fine. Uncle Sam has a big
gym and has picture show there
every night also base ball games;
so you see when one gets trained
they have good times and can be
amused. l did my washing to-
night and you should have seen
some one work. Put your clothes
on a rock and scrub them with a
brush, got thine good and clean,
however. We have underwear in
spection every morning and also
other clothes and if you are not
right up to snuff you go to the
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Peculiar Experience
On Auto Trip
In Estes Park

a popular school teacher who recently
returned from Colorado, tells of her ex-
perience on l50 mile trip in an open auto
In Estes Park. Says she was wearing a
rather thin waist and did not think she
exposed part Of arms, neck and face, which
she had covered rather thickly with Vel
vetina vanishing cream and face powder
But on returning, found she was sunburned
almost to blister on shoulders, neck and
arms under her waist without even a trace
Of sunburn or tan on face, neck and arms
that were exposed. She says these two
articles are better protection than a veil
be sure to ask for the new Velvetinla book
complete guide for caring for your com.
plexion, given free when you buy Vel
yetina.-Adv.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
awkward squad and that means n

awkward squad and that means no
Chow that morning and extra
drilling, SO you can bet mine will
be clean. | told Joe TO send you
my address but in case you don't
get it will give it to you. 18th reg
lment, Sth Co. Landsman Electri-
clan, General u. S. N. Newport, r..
70, Naval Training Station. Well l
have written you quite a letter and
as | must write Joe will close for
this time. Ii anything happens to
me you can be sure think of you
at the last moment and love you
all as only a brother and DO. can
love mother, sistrs and brothers.
But we won't think about that as
the war will soon be over and will
come back to'you. Good night.
Love and kisses TO YOU all.
Your loving boy and brother,
VIM. Jennings Bryan Butvher
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11

lcluding Boston, Providence and
New York city, sections. The 9TH
er 500 come from all the rest
Every state is represented. 81
come from Iowa. have met
none from Harrison county but
have seen one from Onawa and
two from Odebolt.
have been here about three
months now, but time fairly flies
along. 1t hardly seems a month
Gawd, only knows how long be-
fore l get a furlough. A fellow
can get them on only three pre-
texts. 1st in case of death or
serious illness in the family. 2nd,
to work on a farm if his labor is
absolutely necessary. For this
he is given 80 day furlough.
3rd and last he might get 40 DAYS
leave and the necessary travelling
time to get married on. Now in
as much as l don't fall in any of
these classes hardly believe I'll
get out to Iowa for sometime.
AT least not until | graduate
from Harvard. Even if did get
a furlough, | would be out of luck
again for it is 1900 miles from
here to Omaha. And fare, even
at the sailors and soldiers special
rate it is something sc andelous Il!
am sorry now l am not still
in the service of the company.
In which case l might have rated
pass which would have helped
some, believe me.
believe l have told about en-
ough stuff for this time, but I
was very glad to receive your let
ter and the check and I'll be glad
TO get another one son.
guess labor is exceedingly
scarce now, and especially in the
central states, which lead the
voluntary enlistments, pro rata of
population. But keep the old
joint running, and if the gang all
get back with a pair of legs and
a couple of lunch books, I'll as.
sure you We'll do our best to hit
the ball. Doubtless we had a
great many faults, but the navy is
the primer school of experience.
| really believe l have learned
more here in three months, than
civil life would teach me in a
year. | have already held this job
three months and God only knows
how much longer, at least until
it's all over. Before my feet al
ways itched to move on. And l
had made a good start, on the
moving stuff. Here, however,
there is but one successful course,
that is to do as ones superior's
wish him to do. It will suffice
to say in practically all instances,
such is done, too.
Again thanking you for the
check and trusting to hear from
you again, am,
Yours sincerely,
William H. Johnson.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Letter From Dewey Wolfe.


Dear Sis Ruth:-
| received your letter as you
will no doubt see and being out
in the woods where stationary is
kind of scarce I'll just answer on
on the back of yours.
So Able has been sick has he?
Well you had better keep him I'M
der your left wing or he will be
needing nurse all the time and
Lord Boy know what laying
around half sick means.
The other day was pay day and
| ate so darn much candy it made
me sicker than an old horse, so
now | am off that stuff for life.
oh now, don't notice my spelling.
Well kid, your lii ole brother is
just dive neuf, if you know what
that means. ''U'' no my birth
day was May 2, and | was 19, Boy,
Howdy.
Some man, I sure celebrated
that day and all night. What do
you think l did? Well beings /
can't tell you over the phone, I'll
write it. Sh! | slept all day out
in the woods in my pup tent, ha,
ha! e-i--pup tent is our army
house for the field, you crawl
in feet first and come out head
first, two men sleep in it and all
your equipment, no the equipment
does not sleep, SO you see what
a big sleeping compartment we
have.
Boom! that crazy gun out there
knocked my candle off the stand
so don't get excited if l make q
slash or SO down this page every
now and then because it sure is
some fire works around these
diggings all the time. pass the
cigarettes will you bunkie
Thanks.) Ny bunkie said we
would have to smoke those butts
laying up there tomorrow if the
wagon don't come. Yep, there
are only about forty of them lay
ing up there.
Say, those French madam, what
you may call them are pretty
scarce in this blamed country, so
far l have been unable to scare
up any for anevening's promenade
but maybe I'll learn to speak
French pretty toutis souite and
then l can step out a little.
So you are a little short for q
chaffeur Ell? Well kid, II you
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Work or FIaht

The Work or Fight edict, re-
Gently put out by the War depart
ment, is being lined up in this
county in such a manner that i,
will work smoothly and with dis
patch. j. N. Fitzgibbon of this
city has been appointed county
supervisor of the work and has an
pointed corps of able assistants
to help him in the work. Mr.. Fitz-
gibbon has appointed man in
nearly every town in the county
who will see that the edict is car
ried out in their locality. The me1
who have beenappointed so far
are as follows:
Mo. Valley, Roy Mason
Logan, M. D. Myers
Woodbine, C. j. Tuttle
Dunlap, Geo. Taylor
Modale, John Young
Mondamin, S. A. Spooner
Little Sioux, Harry Hathaway
Magnolia, Chas. Putnam
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Letter From Wn. olinser
In Franco,
juno IS. 1918

June 10, 1913.
Dear r.. l.. and Ute:
Well, ! will write you line to-
let youknow | am fine and dandy.
No doubt, you are busy OH the
farm blowing corn and alfalfa
must be about. ready ia cut.
They raise alfalfa here and it
makes good crop. We are i'm a
good farming country now; they
raise everything you can think of
except corn. have moi sefn any
corn yet. And horses, they sure
~ have good ones. The country
here lies about like that around
Woodblnc, Iowa 1t is just rolling
and great roads. We are all en-
|Joylng ourselves and working real
hard too. We hike and drill every
day. We are in little village and
are living IN billets that have q
hundred holes in but | sleep good
and guess the rest of the Com
pany does. III sure gets cold at
night. ] have not been around any
TO speak of. Was in a little store
last night buying some stuff TO
eat. A little French girl in the
store could talk American pretty
good and il seemed good to hear
her. Eats are high; peaches soc.
per can and all canned stuff is
that way. Eggs are 75c per dozen .
butter 81 90 per III. But that don't
bother me, and bread you cannot
buy only once i'm a while. / have
not had any mail since we left
Camp Upton. Our company is 60
ing to get mail in the morning so
L hope to gel a feWw letters from
you and my folks. What is doing
around Cal. Junction? I'll bel YOU
are going TO the lake by now and
1T ought to be quite warm. I sure
would like to be there to eat some
OF that fried chicken you will have
but don't think will be there for
a few days. We are not very far
from the trenches. 1t sounds like
the time we were upon Letters
clough, lots of Boom, Boom. The
French soldiers when they hear a
German machine, say, "Bosche. .
Boom Boom 1t is sure true.
Well, l have told you all that |
know for this time. Give my best
regards to the rest of the family.
AS ever,
William r. Olinger.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Union Farmers Club.

The Union Farmers Club was
entertained at its June meeting at
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Doty
in Willow Park The day was ex-
cecdingly warm, one of the warm
est days of the season, SO far.
The club was called to order
by President Mr.. Deur with music
by Mrs. Day. Selections were
taken up and Mrs E. G. Jones
read an article entitled, Because
Amos Remembered"
While this was being discussed
the hostess announced dinner and
the usual two hours was spent
in feasting and visiting.
The afternoon session was
called to order with music by Mrs,
Coulthard.
| Minutes of the previous meet
ing were read and approved.
At roR call all of the active
members were present but the fol-
lowing honorary members were
absent: Mr.. and Mrs. Edgecomb,
Mrs. Meyers and Mr.. and Mrs.
w. M. Jones.
We had a pleasant afternoon as
we had several splendid musicians
as guests which favored us with
several very choice selections that
were enjoyed by all.
The afternoon program was as
follows:
Duet by Mrs. Day and daughter
Majorie.
Song, Mrs. Jackson.
Song, Dorothy Doty.
Reading, Miss Nadia Smith.
Music by Oscar, Earl and Miss
Ethel Doty.
Recitation, Hazel Jones.
Song, Helen Brown.
The questions were taken uI
and disposed of as follows:
MOI. We recommend a Law
requiring the approaches of all
bridges to be graded level from
SO to 400 feet back and Their
sloped to the general level of the
general level of the road with q
grade not to exceed four per cent
No. 2. We don't believe il
would pay the average farmer te
buy tractor if he had plenty Of
horses.
No 3. Potato blight is caused
by fungus spores attaching them
selves to the vine and sappine
its vitality. There are only two
) methods Of prevention and era.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Logan Pioneer Buried

Logan, Iowa, July 9.--Funeral
services Of Mrs. Mercy Potter, age
81, was held at Bethel, this after
noon at O'Clock with burial in
Bethel cemetery. Mrs. Potter died
Sunday evening at the home of
her daughter in Council Bluffs,
and the body was brought to Lo-
gan. A daughter and son survive.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Letter from Richard Riley
(Better known as Boomer)
Camp Macarthur, Tex,
JULY 5. 1913

July S, 1913
Dear Mother:
just few lines to let you know
am having hot time in Texas,
ISunburned inside and out. The in
side is caused from watching are
oplanes manuvering overhead
with my mouth open. Texas has
some foundation, only six inches
| of solid rock. Don't know where
all the heat comes from, but
think am near some hot place.
Honest if l owned Hades and
traded it for Texas. would think
| was cheated. Does not get hot
here only 100 to ITO degrees in
the shade but l am in the shade
very little so why should | care.
have no use for overcoats or
mittens but l understand we can
get them in few days. just a
few more feathers formy Helen
Gould (cot.)
Very pleasant with nothing to
do. Get up at 500 a. m. Stand re-
treat; mess at $3.50 then three
miles to target range with com
bat pack and rifle, back at ~ n.
Mess again, lecture and drill un-
til 5 p. M, then hike with full
pack weight 60 lbs. Feels like some
some one is pushing you down
hill and holding you back when
you are hiking. We use several
things. Say l am some swell look
ing pig in a gas mask. May send
you picture some day. We use
gas liquid fire, hand grenades,
bombs and trench morton's and
automatic rifles, not forgetting
our faithful bayonet.
The hens never set in Texas, they
put the eggs out in the sun and
cover them up to hatch out. If they
didn't cover them up they would
roast and who wants roasted
egg? l have not much to do to-
night, only wash my clothes, car
fridge belt, combat, pack trousers,
andunderclothes; also shoes to
shine and take a bath and clean a
dirty rifle. | have about 2 hours
between 3 a. m. and S a. m. L
haven't anything to do only to
sleep but / am keeping it quiet,
because if any officer found it
out he would find something for
me to do then.
Can't fool the Irish.
By the way we have horned
toad's and cactus here in plenty.
Cotton is coming fine. When /
came down here l saw acre after
acre of beans until native told me
1t was cotton.
Have about run out of news SO
sit in the shade all you can as il
is scarce here. So Good Bye,
Mother. Loving son,
Dick,
(alias) Boomer in Texas
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Lawn Party

The young people Of the Bap-
list church enjoyed lawn party
last evening at the home of DR.
and Mrs. j.. e. Lusk, on Ninth st
Out door games were INDUCED in
and a glorious good time was re-
ported. AT the close of the evcnine
splendid refreshments were ser
we'd.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11
Drs. Tamislea ana 1am,s:ss
Fhyslolans and Surgeons.

Drs. Gamble and Gamble.
osteopaths Sixth s..
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-11

would grow or sprout like your
kid brother, maybe you could
make it in a few years, too.
Well my candle refuses to stay
put so will close for this time.
Love to all, from your
Yankee, Dewey Doodle.
Denver labor bulletin., 1918-12-14
PORTO RICO ASKS AID.

American Federation of Labor head
quarters has received the following ca
Bile from Secretary Alfonso of the Free
Federation of Workingmen of Porto
Rico:
"Citizens in mass meeting held in
San Juan request President Gompers
to see President Wilson and ask him
IN name of human rights to send to
Porto Rico section of the public
health service, bearing medicines and
elements to shake off influenza cpl
demic prevailing here and which
threatens to shorten our total popu-
lation and that Congress, citizens and
labor organizations lend aid to suf-
ferers of earthquake
Denver labor bulletin., 1918-12-14
NO INDIVIDUAL
AUTOCRACY RULE
PRESIDENT GOMPERS SAYS
LABOR MUST BE FREE.
Working Men Will Not Tolerate
Again the Shackles Forced Upon
Them by Pre-war Con-
ditiOns.

Speaking at a labor victory jubilee
meeting in New York, held for the
purpose of celebrating labor's share in
winning the war, President Gompers
declared that the workers will resist
any attempt of industrial barons to
ride on horseback over the masses of
the people.
The meeting was held under the aus
pices of the American Alliance for La
Dor and Democracy.
at might as well be understood that
in fighting political autocracy we do
not want and won't consent to have
an industrial autocracy take it's
place." said President Gompers.
81 know of no more dangerous ut
terance made during this entire war,
dangerous to the very safety and peace
and progress of our people and of our
republic, than was uttered by Mr.. Barr
about two weeks ago. 1t was said
of the French Bourbons that they
never forget anything, and that they
never learned anything. And it is
true of this type of men in America.
lndustrially they want to live in the
year of 1918-1919, but mentally they
are living in the sixteenth century.
"The time has gone by when the
working people of American can again
be put IN the shackles. We have now
upon the statute books the principle
in law and in fact that the labor of a
human being is not a commodity or
article of commerce, and that, as well
as being laborers or workers, we are
human, with the same rights of SOW
ereignty before the law as well as to
lead our everyday lives. A principle
of this character is now too sacred to
be bartered away to the reactionaries
who may desire to stem the tide of
democracy the world over.
eve have secured the freedom of
the seamen, the right of the seamen
are in safe harbor. Oppressed labor
where the flag of the United States
flies is abolished, and we are not GO
ing to permit any coterie of men to
barte raway the freedom we have
gained after so many years"
Denver labor bulletin., 1918-12-14
SOL SONTHEIMER
LEAVES DENVER.

Denver, Dec. 10, 1918.
Ralph G. Moser, Editor The Denver
Labor Bulletin:
AS a result of my three weeks stay
here in Denver, / am anxious to show
my appreciation to all members of or
ganiZed labor who have in every way
done everything to render me assist
ance during my stay here.
Fortyfive labor organizations have
been visited, where union labor and
union labels have been the subjects
of discussion Nearly all of these
meetings were fairly well attended, all
present showing a deep interest in
everything that was said.
OF course, the blue label of the Gig
armakers at these meetings was the
paramount question, receiving the
greatest attention.
However, at all of these meetings
the labels of all other unions were not
overlooked, but were touched upon
also. AT some of these meetings, for
instance, the Street Railway Mems
Association and the Gas Stokers these
organizations adopting resolutions
pledging their respective members to
smoke only cigars bearing the Cigar
makers blue label
To all of these meetings j. w. San
ford, secretary of Local Union No. 129,
and George Chapeloni, vice-president
of the Cigarmakers Union, accompan-
led me.
The Label League is doing splendid
work, and should receive the encour-
agement of all unions and all good
union men. / take this opportunity to
congratulate the union men of Den
yer in having such a splendid organi-
zation. 1t is one of the very best in
the country
] cannot pass the opportunity with
out mentioning the names of some of
those who have rendered me every
possible assistance in my work.
Edward Anderson, secretary of the
Colorado State Federation of Labor;
Edward NJ Nesbit, secretary of the
Amalgamated Street Railway Mems
Association; Earl X. Hoage, S. p OPP
linger, r. +. Croskey and many others.
In closing / wish to say a few words
concerning The Denver Labor Bulle-
tin, which j consider one. of the best,
lliveliest, newsiest and interesting labor
papers in this country.
i extend to the new editor my sin
cere appreciation in allowing me to
use the columns of The Bulletin in so
generous a manner during my stay
here.
Fraternally,
SOL SONTHEIMER,
General Organizer Cigarmakers In
ternational Union of America.
Denver labor bulletin., 1918-12-14
JAMES c. BULGER
SHIPS DONKEY EAST

Fred Deigan of 81 East One Hun
dred and Twenty-fifth street, New
York City, has written to James G..
Bulger, the local plumbing inspector,
to send him burro, or donkey, as
they call him in New York. Mr..
Deigan is the plumbers business
representative from New York, and
he had seen one of these Rocky. Noun
tain Canaries in his travels and he
thought he would like to have one of
them for his boys for Christmas. He
therefore inquired of Friend Jim Bull
ger if such an animal could be pro-
cured here. Friend Jim Immediately
got busy and notified Friend Deigan
that the donkey was coming by ex-
press. By return mail Jim received
letter from Deigan: Say, Jim,
write me quick and tell me what to
feed him." was the all-absorbing
question. The following is an extract
of Bulger's answer to Deigan:
"My dear Fred: The jack is on the
road and here are the instructions as
to what to feed him. He will eat any
thing; is particularly fond of children.
Aside from that he will eat corn, oats,
chaff, rye (unfermented), hay, upland
or swamp grass and straw. If you
are unable to procure this he will eat
old clothes and shoes. 1t will make
no difference to him whether old Or
new
"a few of the don'ts:
Don't let him run loose while
friend wife has the wash on the line.
Don't let any loose rope laying
around, as he might strangle himself
trying to eat it.
Don't tickle him from the rear.
Keep in front of the critter. Safety
first.
'He will love you and the children
if you follow instructions.
'The maximum speed of this ami
NAL is four miles per day, but he
never belonged to union and there
fore that does not mean for eight
hours. He will ride or drive at this
speed He, however, has two minor
faults. First, he is little hard to
catch when loose, and second, when
you do catch him he is not worth a
damn. Outside of that he is all right.
Hope you will enjoy him. / re-
main,
Respectfully,
JAMES C. BULGER."
Denver labor bulletin., 1918-12-14
4 CRISIS

The tremendous increase awarded to Tram
way employees by the United States Government
thru its National War Labor Board is too great
to be paid on &c fare.
1t is sheer mpossblity to reduce ex-
penses enough to cover even the back pay alone
that has been awarded the employees by the War
Labor Board
Operating expenses have already been cut
to the bone.
Every conceivable saving of any magnitude
that could be taken advantage of has already
been adopted.
All returns to the stockholders were cut off
nearly four years ago and not one penny has
been paid to them since
There is absolutely no way in which this
huge wage increase made by the War Labor
Board-$5O6,O0O per annum, plus S135OOO back
pay-can be paid in the coming year except by
Denver labor bulletin., 1918-12-14
RED CROSS SEALS.

Red Cross seals are not to be sold
this year, as there are so many money
appeals for direct war purposes. But
for the sake of the coming years,
when they will be used again to sup
port all the tuberculosis. societies of
the country, we earnestly desire to
keep them before the public this year.