Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-07


fort.
CORP. SKINNER HOME
FOR THIRTY DAYS
Continued From Page ~
( was long session of sitting up at the
parental Skinner home where the past
several months absence and the life
in France were discussed. In the ef-
fects seen about the room were much
of the uniform, which by the way is
tquite expensive and varied, and In
cluded the soup pan" or metal hat
that, weighs two pounds and is used to
defect bullets and shrapnel. "They
don't always do it, that is II the bull
let or shrapnel get square hit. but II
they strike glancing, they are de-
Elected" said the young soldier.
s HAS GAS BAG WITH HIM.
The gas bag was there, too and a
hideous ort~of continuance it>is, but
yet life saver and has made its place
ifelt in the army in the present war.
There was the emergency mask as
well, This Is small and used when the
I0kUl8I 6d6 ymoch AoPPOAo w oOs -
spuncture. It is truly wonderful how
adept the soldiers become in adjusting
these life saving devices upon, their
heads. Seconds count when the gas
shells start toward the front line
trenches and there is no time to be
lost.
AMERICANS THE BEST SHOTS
sYou can feel proud of our fellows
ever there, they learn quickly and
have sssimilated the French methods
in rapid time, in fact they can out
shoot tho French now in the latter's
own gums. The Minnesota artillerymen
are the best shots on the front and they
arc all greanr men. too, but American
boys know how to shoot. ~
d Il 1--WE are asked many questions and
some ;of nature that you. would
think the questioner would know
better than to ask. We dare not talk
OF the number OF men In France,
their location or how far the front line
trenches are from the enemy lines.
There il q. reason for all this and we
do not discuss it. One common ques-
ton asked is, when will the wa end?
We have but one reply, that is when
Pershinx has established headquarters
In Berlin.
BAKER TALKS TO PRlvATEs
secretary Baker found out many
things when he was over there. He
used, method Of learning that
brought results. True, some OF the Of
sflcers were fooled. They expected him
and fixed up their quarters, even
painted and papered them, but while
they were preparing for the grand re-
eeption, the secretary of war was out
mixing with buck privates and non
commissioned officers getting facts
from those who knew, not that he
ignored the officers, but went further
4 his inquiry than was expected. He
saw the officers also and made an I'M
pression on the men in the ranks.
RATS ARE. ANNOYING.
- 1--WE have some companions in the
trenches that are not likeable and we
IN not congenial with them. They
IRE rats. Real rats that are as Dig as
eats and dogs. We cover up our faces
and ears when asleep in the trenches
tor fear the rats will nip our ears, TOT
they have no consideration for sleep,
lns soldiers and the war has made
them brave. There is lot OF water
IN tho trenches at times and the fol
lows who have no rubber boots are in
poor luck. One lot Of our fellows had
nnly shoes and after having worn
mem steadily for ten or twelve days,
apon removing them took part OF skin
from their feet.
BOYS NEVER COMPLAIN.
.sDon't get the idea that the Ameri-
an lads are downhearted. They are
) ~ You never hear murmur Of
complaint. Az an illustration, one day
sur boys were on the march for
nixhteena hours without bite to eat,
hut not 1 cheep was heard from any
me-.
Corporal Skinner received thirty
! Law furlough and to use his own
i words he is his own boss for that
eriod and is going to get some rest
i nd visit with the home folks. He re-
orts back ito Chicago June for re-
karn to duty abroad. Thursday even
lng he leaves for Des Moines at the re-
uuest OF Governor Harding to assist in
Z celebration there Friday.
With him on the furlough are
Sergeant O. N. Hawkins of Red Oak
and Private A. A. Montgomery of
Stuart. They will be given a recep-
tion ct the capitol Friday. He says
all Of G company boys were feeling
fine and in good spirits when he left.
No GIRLS LIKE THE HOME KIND.
Referring to France as compared to
America, he sees no comparison and
Of the American girl he has the fol-
lowing to say: "They talk about the
beautiful French damsels, but believe
me, any Of our boys would give a
months pay even to look at one Of our
own girls, much less to talk to them,
for the incest French girls do not COM
pare with ours"
Corporal Skinner will speak tonight