davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
lover the Top
Bv An American Soldier
Who Went
ARTHUR GUY EmPEY
Machine Gunner Serving In France
Copyright, 1917, by Arthur Guy Hnpsy)
CHAPTER TX.
Suicide Annex.
Machine Gunner Serving IN Franc

SuICIOe t\HUSNs
was in my first dugout and looked
around curiously. Over the door of
same was a little sign reading "Sui-
eide Annex" One Of the boys told
me that this particular front trench
was called "Suicide Ditch" Later on
I learned that machine gunners and
bombers are known as the Suicide
Club"
That dugout was muddy. The men
slept in mud, washed In mud, ate mud,
and dreamed mud. I had never before
realized that so much discomfort and
misery could be contained in those
three little letters, M q d. The floor
of the dugout was an inch deep In
water. Outside 1t was raining cats and
dogs, and thin rivulets were trickling
down the steps. From the air shaft
Immediately above me came a drip,
drip, drip. Suicide Annex was hole
eight feet wide, ten feet long and six
feet high. 1t was about twenty feet
below the fire trench; at least there
were twenty steps leading down to it.
These steps were cut into the earth,
but at that time were muddy and slip.
perry. A man had to be very careful
or else he would "shoot the chutes."
The air was foul, and you could cut
the smoke from Tommy's Tags with a
knife. It was cold. The walls and
roof were supported with heavy square.
cut timbers, while the entrance was
strengthened with sandbags. Nails had
been driven into these timbers. On
each nail hung miscellaneous assort'
ment of equipment. The lighting ar.
engagements were superb-one candle
in reflector made from an ammuni'
ton tin. Ny teeth were chattering
from the cold, and the drip from the
airshaft did not help matters much.
While I was sitting bemoaning my
fate and wishing for the Preside al
home, the fellow next to me, who was
writing letter, looked up and limo
Gently asked, "Say, Yank, how do you
spell 'confagration'P"
I looked at him in contempt and an
swered that / did not know.
From the darkness in one of the cor
ners came a thin, piping voice singing
one of the popular trench ditties en-,
titled:
"Pack up your Troubles in your Old XII
Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile"
Every now and then the singer
would stop to cough, cough, cough, but
It was good illustration Of Tommy's
:heerfulness under such conditions.
A machine-gun officer entered the
dugout and gave me a hard look. !
sneaked past him, sliding and slipping,
and reached my section Of the 'front.'
line trench, where ! was greeted by
the sergeant, who asked me. where
In - ave you beenT'
I made no answer, but sat on the
muddy fire step, shivering with the
cold and with the rain beating In my
face. About half an hour later I
teamed up with another fellow and
went on guard with my head sticking
over the top. At ten o'clock / was
relieved and resumed my sitting posi-
tion on the fire step. The rain sud-
denly stopped and we all breathed .
sigh Of relief. We prayed for the morn.
Ing and the rum issue.
4 H . ri
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10

to" and tumble out Of the dugouts, man
the fire step until 1t gets light, or the
welcome order ''stand down" is given.
Sometimes before "stand down" is or
dered, the command "flve rounds rap
i'd" is passed along the trench. This
means that each man must rest his
rifle on the top and fire as rapidly as
possible five shots aimed toward the
German trenches, and then duck with
the emphasis on the "duck"). There is
a great rivalry between the opposing
forces to get their rapid fire all off
first, because the early bird, In this In
stance, catches the worm-sort of gets
the jump on the other fellow, catching
him unawares.
We had a sergeant In our battalion
named Warren. He was on duty with
his platoon in the fire trench one after
noon when orders came up from tho
rear that he had been granted seven
days leave for Blighty, and would be
relieved at five O'CLOCK to proceed to
England.
He was tickled to death at these
welcome tidings and RECALLED his more
or less envlous mates beside him on
the fire step with the good times in
store for him. He figured 1t out that
in two days time he would arrive at
Waterloo station. London, and then
seven days bliss!
At about five minutes to five he
started to fidget with his rifle, and
then suddenly springing up on the fire
step with a muttered, I'll send over
a couple Vt souvenirs to Fritz so that
he'll miss me when leave" he stuck
his rife OVER the top and fired two shots
when "crack" went bullet and he
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
COLESBURG,

Everything goes by the clock here
The sun isn't in it.
The rain which continued all day
Saturday interferred with the plans
for patriotic meeting Saturday even
/ ing. The band and speakers were I'M
able to come. The meeting will prob
| ably be held at a later date.
! Mrs. P. NJ. Phillips is at home from
a months stay at Fayette and Garner
Her daughter, Miss Mary, has recover
ed her health and is again in school at
Upper Iowa University.
Mrs. NJ. e. Dittmer was at Independ-
ence during the week.
Geo. F. Potts is on the gain and able
to sit up part Of he time.
T. A. Foote of Iowa City was here
from Thursday evening until Monday
He came by the Ford route.
James Prentice has added his name
to the long list of car owners. He pur-
chased an Oakland six recently at Du-
buque. 81
The James Bush family are now liv-
ing in the T. A. Foote house, having
moved the first of last week.
Mrs. e. L. Bolsinger of Manchester
was in town Friday Also Mrs. A. W.
Latta and Mrs. Frank Koelker of Tur-
key River.
Miss Helena Raffauf, R. N, of Dy-
\ ersviIle, was at the Hammond home a
part of last week.
Mrs, L. w. Maxwell is in poor health
at her home in Bellevue. Colesburg
friends learn with regret that an oper-
alton is necessary to restore her
health
R. A. Gull is hopping about on one
foot these days. One of his horses
kicked him recently. Nothing serious
but painful and mighty inconvenient.
| William Hammond departed this life
on Wednesday, April 3rd, in the 36th
year Of his age. He was born on a
farm in this vicinity August 18th, 1882
and there grew to manhood. His MARI
riage with Miss Edith Smith occurred
November 4th, 1903. He had never en-
joyed robust health but his final i'll
ness was brief, just one week. He is
survived by his wife and mother. His
father preceded him in death four
years ago, and an only brother
Charles, died twenty years ago. For
several years he had been cashier OF
1 the Farmers Savings bank here, and
proved himself good business man
4 He was patriotic to a marked degree
and worked hard for the furtherance
of the government plans which came
within his province. He was a mem
Der Of the advisory board and treasurer
of the local Red Cross chapter, also OF
the Odd Fellows, Masonic and Eastern
Star organizations His passing in the
midst of his usefulness is distinct
loss to the community and the sorrow
thus brought to the home is shared
in measure by his many friends
There was a large attendance at the
funeral services held from the M. E
church Friday afternoon. Revs. Phil
Ups and Riggs officiating. Chas. E
Scholz of Gutenberg conducted the
Masonic service at the cemetery. The
floral tributes were many and beauti
full prominent among them being 6
large floral pillow given by the bank
A number of relatives from Edgewood
Strawberry Point, Elkport and Cog.
gon were present.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
EARLYILLE.

The town people of Earlville tender
ed Carl F.. Laxson an informal recep-
ton at the opera house Friday evening
and the house was filled to its capacity.
Carl is one of Earlville's best young
men and held the position of cashier
in the Earlville State bank He was
received word to leave Monday for
Madison, Wisconsin, where he will
take special training in the electrical
engineering department for two
months and then expects to be sent to
France Carl was presented by the
Young Peoples society Of the Congre-
gational church with a handsomely
bound pocket Bible, by the townspeo-
pie with a sweater, by the Masonic
lodge with a signet ring suitably en-
graved, and by the girls basket ball
team of the High school with a foun-
tain pen. Several social functions
were given in Carl's honor during the
past week. Thus another star has
been added to the honor flag of the
Congregational church. He will leave
Monday in company with Trevor
Haight of Des Moines, who has been
the guest at the George Hunt home
for several days, for Madison, Wiscon-
son.
Mrs. w. S. Wragg and Mary will
90 to Dubuque this week for an ex-
tended visit with relatives and may
decide to locate in that city perma-
nently.
Mrs George Heyer, who sustained
a stroke Of paralysis some ten days
ago still remains seriously i'll.
"A number Of delegates from here
will represent the Congregational
church at the church association to
be held in Postville this week. The
Missionary society will be held at the
ssame time and place.
Mesdames w. ]. Millen, C. G.. Dake,
Wright and Mcintosh, Of the M. E..
church were at Epworth Wednesday
and Thursday in attendance at the
Missionary meeting OF north eastern
Iowa.
John Werkmeister and Albert Volt
spent Easter with relatives at Stock
ton, Illinois.
Lieutenant John R. Wood of Camp
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10

tumbled off the step, fell into the mud
at the bottom of the trench, and lay
still in huddled heap with bullet
hole in his forehead.
At about. the time he expected to ar.
rive at Waterloo station he was laid
to rest in little cemetery behind the
lines. He had gone to Blighty.
In the trenches one can never tell
1t Is not safe to plan very far ahead.
After "stand down" the men sit on
the fire step or repair to their respec-
tive dugouts and wait for the rum is
sue" to materialize. Immediately fol-
lowing the rum comes breakfast,
brought up from the rear. Sleeping ia
then in order unless some special work
turns up.
Around 1890 dinner shows up
When this is eaten the men try to
amuse themselves until "tea" appears
at about four o'clock, then "stand to-
and they carry on as before.
While in rest billets Tommy gets up
about six in the morning, washes up,
answers roll call, is inspected by his
platoon officer, and has breakfast. At
S:45 he parades (drills) with his COM
pany or goes on fatigue according to
the orders which have been read out
by the orderly sergeant the night pre-.
vious.
Between 1880 and noon he is dis
missed. has bis dinner and is ION h1G
own" for the remainder Of the day,
unless he has clicked for a digging q
working party, and so it goes on from
day to day, always looping the loop"
and looking forward to peace and
Blighty.
Sometimes, while engaged in q
"cootie" hunt, you think. Strange to
say, but it is a fact, while Tommy is
searching his shirt serious thoughts
come to him. Many time, when per-
forming this operation, I have tried
to figure out the outcome Of the war
and what will happen to me.
Ny thoughts generally ran in this
channel:
Will I emerge safely from the next
attack? If I do will I skin through the
following one, and so on? While your
mind is wandering into the future IT
is likely to be rudely brought to earth
by Tommy interrupting with, whats
good for rheumatism"
Then you have something else to
think of. VIII you come out Of this
war crippled and tied into knots with
rheumatism, caused by the wet and
mud of trenches and dugouts? You
give it up as a bad job and generally
sauntcI over to the nearest estamfnet
to drown your moody forebodings in q
glass Of sickenfng French beer or to
try your luck at the always present
game of "house" You can hear the
sing-song voice Of Tommy dronine
out the numbers as he extracts the
little squares of cardboard from The
BAG between his feet.
CTO BE CONTlNUED)
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10

Grant, was here on ten day fur.
Tough and moved his family to Della.
ware on account Of the scarcity OF
houses in town.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Drybread Of
Greeley, We're entertained Friday al
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. w. /. Mill
en-. Mr. and Mrs. Drybread have dis
posed of their property interests in
the county and will go to California
to make their home in the future.
Nelson Arnold. the only son of Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Arnold, is having 8
serious time with an abcess in his
neck, the result of catching cold with
the measles.
Mrs. Katie Harrie and daughter r.
ma, of Dumont, arrived Thursday for
a visit at the home of her mother,
Mrs. Blanche Williams.
Mrs. Minnie Laxson and daughter
Mrs. D. o. Harrington, were Dubuque
visitors Wednesday,
Mr. and Mrs. H. ]. Vanfleet went to
Rochester, Minnesota, Thursday to
consult specialists in regard to Mrs
Vanfleet's eyes.
Mf. anu MFS. 1leuu CdTLy were d.
DyersYille Thursday for visit with
Miss Marie Armstrong, who left next
day for New Jersey, previous to sail
ing to France as Red Cross nurse.
The regular business meeting and
social Of the Adult Bible class Of the
Congregational church will be held in
he assembly room Of the church on
Wednesday evening
The local Red Cross chapter has
made an unusually large amount OF
garments the past month. The knit
tiers are taking vacation on account
of The lack Of yarn, which the Red
Cross chapter has been unable to Sc
cure.
An unusually large number were
present Tuesday afternoon at the
regular monthly meeting Of the Mis-
sionary society of the Congregational
church. A delightful and instruc-
tive program was nicely rendered
The subject was South America al
Mission Field" The meeting wal
held at the home Of Mrs. Elizabeth
Cousins.
Miss Ella Burrell has resigned to
accept the position as teacher In the
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
mirrors IN f1ISrory.

During the middle ages, from the
twelfth to the end of the fifteenth
century, pocket mirrors or small hand
mirrors carried at the girdle were con-
sidered a necessary part Of lady's
toilet. The method Of backing glass
with metal for mirrors was well known
In the middle ages, though steel and
silver mirrors were almost exclusively
used. 1t was in Venice that the MAX
Ing of glass mirrors on a commercial
scale was first developed
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
Would Welcome Ace.

Gladys had red hair and the school
children liked TO tease her about 1t.
The teacher, finding her almost In
tears, tried to comfort her. But Gladys
pouted and said "I'll be glad when
| get to be an old lady" Her teacher,
puzzled, asked why she was in a hurry
to grow old. "Then my old red hair
will just have to turn gray" was the
startling answer.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
ne,u Lee for carhonie. Acid,

Carbonic acid gas is used in a ma
chine of European invention TO spray
mortar or plaster on Il wall and hasten
its setting.
Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-04-10
Optimistic Thought.

Whatever you dislike in another
take care to reform in yourself.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-03-12
Special Meeting.

Pursuant to due resolution Of the
Board CT Directors special meet
ing Of the stockholders of WILL
LIAMS, BELMONT & COMPANY,
INC, will be held at the principal
office of the company, No. l2S South
Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia,
on the 10th day of March, 1918, at
y o'clock noon of that day to consid-
cr a proposed amendment to Article
". of the Charter Of the corporation
20 provide for an increase in the cap
ital stock from $480,0G0. to S75O,COO.,
BY the authorization Of $1,000 adj
ditional shares of Common Stock at
$40 par value each ana to consider any
other business that may properly
come before said meeting.
JOSEPH H. SCHOENBERGER,
Secretary.
J. X. NJ. NORTON. Esq, Atty,
dated. New York City, Feb. 26. 1918.
50-15t.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-03-12
ANOTHER ALEXANDRIA
CASE

It Proves That There's Way Out
for Many Suffering Alexandria
Folks.
Just another report Of a case in
Alexandria. Another typical case.
Kidney ailments relieved in AleNan-
dria with Doan's Kidney Pills.
Mrs. L. C. Nails, $40 S. Patrick
ST., Alexandria, says: 81 could
hardly get about the house my back
felt so weak and sore. When / got
down it was almost impossible for
me to straightcn up. couldn't rest
after went to bed, my back ached
so badly and mornings could hardly
dress myself. felt weak and tired
and my kidneys acted irregularly. My
head ached, too. l got my first box
of Doan's Kidney Pills at G. W.
Summers Drug Store and they did
me so much good that l got another
box. After l had finished that my
back stopped aching and my kidneys
haven't caused me any trouble
since"
Price Coo, at all dealers. Don't
simply ask for a kidney remedy
get Doan's Kidney Pills-the same
that Mrs. Nails had. Foster-M ilburn
Co., Props, Buffalo, n. Y.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-03-12
Washington Southern Fry.
Schedule in effect Feb. II, 1918.

Schedule in effect Feb. II, 1918.
For Washington and points north
daily sos, 9:13, 9:2S, 1913, 1888
a. M, 1913, 1:1s, 3:1S, 9:13, 1888
p. m.
Week days only sos p. m. satur-
days only 4:45 p. m, and Sundays
only S:1S p. m.
For Fredericksburg, Richmond and
points south at 4:S7. 7:52 (local) and
9:47, a. m. 2:27, 2:47, SIT (locaD
6:l7. 2:27, SIT, GIT, p. m. daily.
Accommodation for Quantico at
11:O3 g. m. daily and 2.3s p. m. Sat
urdays. Night train leaves 11:48 p.
m. daily for Fredericksburg and IL
termediate stations.
NOTE-Times Of arrival and de-
parture and connections not guarsa'
tsc55.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-03-12
Spring
Millinery

Emphasizing that decided change
is the strongest point in Fashion 5
millinery decree.
Every new style idea is most CON-
prehensively interpreted here.
Prices, S. to SIS.
Second Floor-Lansburgh & Bro.
THIS SALE OF BOYS WASH
consists of brand-new garments
recently purchased by us at big cor
ccssions in price.
The sale prices, as you'll note,
are low even for normal times. Con-
slider them with present day high
cotton prices in mind.
Buy literally.
All new styles.
All new materials.
Sizes 2 1-2 to 10 years.
One lot S1.15.
One Lot S1.65.
Fifth Floor-Lansburgh & Bro.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-07-01
TALK OF THE TOWN

Private Stephen Marches returned
last night TO Camp Devens, Aver, Mass
Mr.. and Mrs. John j, Flynn Of Bur
lington were visitors in Barre yesterday.
Frank A. Phillips and G. A. Cross of
Mortified were business visitors in the
city Saturday
Leon Y. Nixon, a sailor in the u. s.
navy, returned to Boston last night aft
er passing several weeks at his home on
Bolster avenue, while here on sick leave.
Mrs. May Suitor and daughter, Miss
Gladys Suitor, Of Somerville, Mass, who
have been spending a few days in Ran
dolph, were in Barre yesterday for a
brief visit with friends.
Mr.. and Mrs, A. n Petrie and daugh-
ter, Edith, Of Ware, Mass, and Mr.. and
Mrs. James W. Hersey of Boston are
making visit of a few days with rela-
tives on Summer street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred +. Milne and little
daughter of the Miles building left the
city to-day for Hartford, Conn, where
they expect to reside.
Private Eston Spaulding returned to-
day to Camp Devens, Mass, after pass
ing the week end with his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. M. l. SpauldiDg OF Branch
street.
Mr.. and Mrs H. $. Parks and Mr.. and
Mrs. Raymond Martin Of King street
left the city last evening for Boston,
where they viii attend the annual con
vention of New England osteopathio
physicians.
w. j. Masters of Swanton arrived in
the city to-day for a stay of several
days. The International Explosive Co. in
that village is in need of men. and Mr..
Masters has been given rowing com
mission to the end that the demand may
be met.
Adolfo Comolli of Comolli street re.
turned to the city last evening from an
automobile trip to Highgate and Phil.
lipsburg, P. O. Fishing grounds in AXE
Champlain occupied much of his asten.
tion, and during his sojourn up north he
was rewarded with several fine catches.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-07-01
M. BIANcHPS FUNERAL
Was Held Saturday Afternoon, with In
terment in Catholic Cemetery.

Funeral services for Marcelle Bianchi,
whose death occurred at his home on
North Main street Thursday morning,
were held in st. Monica's church Satur-
day afternoon at o'clock, the pastor,
Rev p. M. Mckenna, officiating. The
bearers were: A. Ronca, F. Peduzzi A.
Peduzzi, B. Peduzzi, f. Peduzzi and A.
Perolini. There were number of fine
floral tributes. Interment was made in
the Catholic cemetery ON Beckley street.
The flowers contributed were as fol-
lows: Pillow, Husband" from wife /;
cross, Brother" d. Bianchi; carnations,
Mr. and Mrs. f. E. Langley, Mr. and
Mrs. A. Ronca, Mr.. and Mrs William
Turner Mr. and Mrs. B. Lucchina, Mr..
and Mrs. William Jeffery and Viola, Mrs.
i p Casselina and family, Mr.. and Mrs.
Waldron Shield, Elvira Giudici, Josephine
Rizzi, Nellie Scampini, Maria Watt, Dora
Clark, Mr. and Mrs. n A. Macdonald I;
mixed bouquet, Mr.. and Mrs Thomas
Jeffery; carnations and heliotrope, Mr..
and Mrs. j. Daw and Gilbert, Mr.. and
Mrs. Allan Daw, Mr.. and Mrs. Gus An
derson; roses, Frances NJ. Robbins, Hol-
yoke, Mass, Margaret Walker, Jessie
Mclean, Gwendolyn Pitkin, Effie Melon
ald l. o. O. L., M. u,
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-07-01
GREAT BRITAIN
MUST GIVE UP
HER WARSHIPS
And With France and the United States
Pay Germany an Indemnity of s4s,-
ooo, ooo,ooo,ooo-Germany's Alleged
Peace Terms Given Out
Peace Terms Given Out.

Paris, July I.--Great Britain must
turn over its war fleet to Germany, and
restore Egypt and the Suez canal to
Turkey. Great Britain, France and the
United States must pay Germany an in
demnity Of at least $4,000, 900 900. Bel
GUM must be surrendered. These are
among the conditions included in the
German peace program published in the
Nachrichten Of Goerlitz, Prussia, by
Room, member of the Prussian House
OF Lords, according to Havas dispatch
from Basle, Switzerland.
Count Room says Germany is entitled
to the foregoing terms for its strength
and unity, and no cessation of submarine
warfare; annexation Of Belgium with
administrative autonomy in the interior
independence of Flanders; annexation OF
the entire Flanders coast, including Cal
ais; annexation of the Briey and Longwy
basins and the Toul, Belfort and Yer
dun regions eastward; restitution to
Germany of all her colonies, including
Kaio Chau, Great Britain to cede to Ger.
many such naval and coaling stations az
Germany designstes.
Great Britain must return Gibraltar
to Spain, cede its war feet to Germany
restore Egypt to Turkey and the Sue2
canal to Turkey. Greece must be re,
established under former King Constan,
tine with frontiers ais before the war
Austria and Bulgaria will divide Serbia
and Montenegro. Great Britain, France
and the United States must pay all o.
Germany's war costs, the indemnity be
ing minimum of $45,000,0 900. They
also must agree to deliver raw materials
Immediately. France and Belgium are
to remain occupied at their expense un-
til the conditions are carried out.