davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31

saw more flying Saturday afternoon
than ever before and though. 1t is
now only s 80 the machines in me
air have been thick. Last night
they did night flying. a large mum.
the same time. Each machine car
ries three lights, one on each wing
tip and one at the rudder. One
cannot see the machine itself and it
looks spooky to see those lights
speeding across the sky. The big
search light would be thrown on
about 10 minutes at time, making
a very pretty sight. Ildon't blame
people for fearing air raids. They
roared over our tents long after
was asleep and | said ! only hoped
non of the pilots threw a monkey
wrench over the side. Our>first two
weeks here will be devoted to work
on the bombing. field, adjusting ma
chimes; loading bombs s.. and 5 a dda,a NJ
tigue work with chance to pick
up much useful knowledge. We
should be assigned to classes next
week. The captain told us we would
be granted our commissions lmmedl-
ately upon completion of our course
here, so that should be before New
Years if we have favorable wealth
er conditions. 1 don't expect to go
up for four or five weeks, but will
60 sooner if get the opportunity,
wish you might be here to ), see the
enormity of operations which is dit
ficult to describe At 1880 this
morning / am due to report for my
first field training. You see they are
starting us off at once. We live in
tents with wood floor and sides, i've
men to tent. They make very com
Portable and roomy quarters. We
can sit in our tent and see the m aiJo
screen. We sleep under mosquito
nets and are visited by very heavy
dew each night. We are midway
between Houston and Galveston,
near the railroad and interurban, al
SO have auto service to Houston at
SO cents each way. The camp is still
under quarantine. Let me hear
about you all. Your bomber,
~ Harry.
9th Cadet SQUADRON,
Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
From Willard Chastain.
France, Sept. %, 1918.

Home Folks ks Viii Viii let you know
am well and getting along alright
Have received several letters the
past week. always get about four
or five every week and sometimes
day that I knew before we came
here We have one boy in our or
ganization that lives about 10 miles
southeast Of where Perry liyesNnear
Ava, the county seat OF Douglass
county. We have been having nice
don't remember all the questions
/ think if you read the letter again
you will find he is in. the Trench
Mortar Battery. A battery in the
Artillery is the same as a company
in the Infantry. | haven't seen any
trench mortar's here. but l think
without wheels that is operated in
the third line trenches. Lam only
guessing about it as l haven't been
near the front, and don't know for
sure. And about the war. We get
the news from the papers the same
as you do Sometimes we can hear
the big guns, and occasionally see a
stay long on this side Of the lines;
/ suppose you have received some of
nv letters BY this time. i write
once every week, or at least | think
I do. The time passes so. fast 1t
seems like we haven't been here oy-
er two weeks but | guess it has been
three months: Write as often as
there is anything to write. | get all
the letters. Don't think have
missed any of them and don't worrv
about.me. don't know of anything
/ need. Don't know If will be at
home Christmas or not. l may VS.
it some OF my wife's relatives that
live in Paris II she ever sends their
address. Hope this will find every
body we'll. From.
Oo willard Chastain,
314th Mobile Vet. Sect,
American Exp. Forces,
p O. ISL.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
so will have to close for this time,
so good bye from your loving broth
er and son, Harry Finkbone.

Sept. 10, 1918.
i Dear Papa, Mamma and Sister:
Hello, how are all of you? am
fine and dandy. We took a small
hike this morning and drilled pretty
have drilled that ! was pretty, awk-
through physical drill. There is
lots Of wine here and the first day
we came here some of the boys got
stewed and one Of them got in the
guard house, then they guarded ev-
cry saloon and would not let any
one in. Well this is an awful queer
place. The people are a hundred
years behind the times, some OF
them work oxen and the rest work
their horses without any lines.
You would sure think it funny to
bicycles. They have no cars but
have all paved roads which would be
fine for cars. Everything is out of
date, the same way the. people are.
Don't even use washboard. They
have stones in the creek where they
wash. They hitch their horese up
single file, some times four and five
to two-wheel wagon and man
leading them with a strap. 1t must
rained every day since we have been
here and is raining now. We are
living in an old stone mill; it is
some better than the tents. Willie
Epperley is in the room next to me.
1t has been hard matter to get writ
ing paper and envelopes. OF course
when the Y. NJ. c. A. is completed
we can get it easy. We cannot get
any candy but we can get grapes
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
A Letter from Benson c. Keown.
Somewhere in France,

Sept. 25, 1918.
again. 1t has been quite awhile
since l wrote to you but you must
excuse me because we haven't much
time to write and we haven't n al always avs
per. We have been moving. so much
lately that we can't write very
often. France, in general, seems to
be very rocky. The buildings are
all built of stone. Lumber is awful
scarce here. l haven't seen build
ing yet that was made, OF lumber:
It rains nearly every day h he 4 !
would be knee deep. | always heard
this country spoken Of as Sunny
France, but l have failed to see
the sun shine very often. The peo-
pie, here don't live on their farms
like they do at home. They live in
villages and farm the country. sur
rounding the village. The house nus e
family lives in one end and the
horses and cows in the other end.
Horses seems to be very scarce here.
The farming is done with oxen. 1t
is a very common sight to see Wom-
en- or girls driving oxen to and from
the fields. The people wear wooden
shoes o Thsy w Say se eost ss ks pa ahe
". WCui So.,S %@o. q 80 :.
am sleeping in the driveway OF a
barn now. | did sleep in stall be-
fore we came to this place. While
travelling in the U. S. We had Pull
man sleepers to ride in, when we
reached England we rode in 3rd
class coaches, but when we ride in
France we travel in stock cars, box
and flat cars, quite drop isn't it?
The scenery in France is very pretty.
l saw some very pretty sights in the
mountains while riding on flat
car. The Shipping section is located
by their selves in small village
now. My address is the same 1t al
ways was. l don't know whether it
will change or not You spoke Of
getting new hat. Well, get your
self wash basin, put it on yoNr
head upside down and place "a
couple of bricks on to add weight
and you will have hat similar to
mine and it would not be very ex-
pensive either. | would sure like
to help eat the tomatoes you spoke
of having canned. Letters from the
states are not censored so you don't
need to send any kisses to the CEN
sor. Don't fail to write as often as
YOU can because letters from home
are just about the same as meeting
an old friend. Give all, my regards
and best wishes. With love and
kisses, Ben c.. Keown.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
From Harry Raymond.

Ellington Field, Olcott, Texas. =
Dear Folks: Upon my return 10
Dallas found the whole place quar-
antined and feared they might not
let me out again. But Friday morn
inx was placed on the list OF 80 20
come down here and was put ~ y,
charge of the detail. We were az
Klad to leave Camp Dick and leIt
Dallas at $3.50 that night. We reacn-
q camp here about 1900 SATURDAY
4. m, drew our supplies and were
- once assigned to quarters. we
are . long ways from the gate, bu.
TiHhf across the street from one OF
the Y. M. C. AS and near one OF
the Post Exchanges and restaurants.
We have our separate mess hall LOT
Ills squadron and no one has to do
"a p. Instead each man pays y3.Oo
- month and we have Cnlnese
Vniters and kitchen help Inlngs
,are we'll cooked, clean and We get
VSenfv to eat. Instead OF pelog
Isrched to and from mess as lorm-
@N we 70 in as we please, preak-
~ Gas to 1880, dinner ll:4v g
100. supper 500 to 1900; This ~ Z
nnite large camp ana fIy1nx nSAS
rifh rovs and rows Of tents -.
iSaaHa1.und DOZENS Of 1ig aa1ystES +
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
From Harry Finkbone.

Dear Sister, Papa and Mamma:
Hello, how are you? am fine but
kind cool am now writing with
my oyercoat on. 1t is so damp here.
OF course it rains about every day.
Well this is Sunday morning. l
just got through reading some let
tiers i got from Laura Dingman and
are a bunch of French boys with a
jay bird band just outside making
a lot of noise. A boy named New
ton, from Mt. Ayr, who used to live
over on Elk, sleeps with me. We
are sleeping in the hay NOW OF an
old stone barn. Well recelved
that letter last evening that had u
it for it is the first letter have re-
ceived since ! have been across. but
the cards L have no use for them
because everything has to be in an
envelope and we don't need any
stamps, Uncle Sam pays the bill. !
wrote YOU a letter the other day
lost it and did not get to send It..
l expect you wonder why me being
in the guard, ha, ha. There is lots
Of fruit here, such as apples, .plums
and grapes. Corporal Devorak said.
tell you hello, that he would write
when he gets time but we don't have
est oxen the other day l ever saw.
He would look like an elephant by
the side of the cattle back there.
Saw, It was a good thing you got to
sell my car, because expect they
would have taxed you or me pretty
high even II It was not used. Well
tell me how the crops are. ex-
pect It will be corn husking time ~
the time / get the answer from this
letter. Say, Lena, please write 70
Edith Eide, 423 Euclide Ave-. Dee;
MONIES, and send her one of nv
pictures and Also my address. Ioll
her said to write anyway becA1ee
she has 4 lettef on the. Hood. Ven.
/ cant think e any noFs = wfaee
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
8 = 3 : = \ X y = :
Sol DIfR BOY LETTERS
From G. Ora Fetty.
i X X X K < < < 4

Dear Friend: AS it has been some
time since | have written to you l
decided to scribble you a few lines.
i believe the last letter wrote was
at Charleston, S. c., when l was in
the "Rookie" detention camp. !
spent nearly six months at Charles
ton camp, being In quarantine SIX
was never lucky enough to get on
"a draft for the aviation training
camp. Finally my day arrived in the
last part of August. / was sent. to
Pensacola, Florida, for my training
as quartermasIer in the aVlatlon.
spent six weeks in training there,
then it was decided, to move the the
Roads. The training this far has
heen fine First two weeks in math-
ematics and mechanical drawing ~
hours per day and we have to devote
III our time of the. IL hours. Then
the next two weeks is d e,' II TO
suggests just what this course de-
mands, and my next two weeks vas
in fabric work and wire. work the
last two weeks is devoted to assemb-
ling and disassembling planes. Then
the several with highest grades
er training. We are greatly delay
ed by moving until l don't-know ex-
actly when my class will complete
this course as we are now standing
Nv for equipment to be arranged.
Pensacola has one of the largest
flying bases in the world and It sure
is pretty sight to see the me, ar ns I dif
were be. . four and ave thous-
and of aviation fellows, a number
Of whom are seamen. The aviation
branch is indeed very expensive
branch to Uncle Sam as ever pro,
hours of actual service and cost on n!
an average of $3.50 apiece and it is
q minor cost OF a plane so you can
Judge what it costs to keep one
blame going not considering several
thousand. The work of the quarter
master is to be able to repair any
part of the plane except the motor,
spection, etc Some quartermasters
have some work in the flying and II
they can meet up with the require
ments he can be trained for pliot:
His work is the most responsible OF
machine can land safely but if any
part of control wires or other fly-
ing devices of plane go wrong 1t IS
liable to cause pilots and other pas
sengers life besides the loss OF the
machine. This places us not very
large flying base in comparison 70
Pensacola but has swell quarter
masters school. j have no idea
where l will go after. finishing the
course but / hope for foreign service
as / have been very much dlsap-
pointed by not getting my training
SO / could be in foreign service now,
but / have just been out OF luck.
The south is very pretty now, cover
ed with it's cotton fields. we were
three nights and two days coming
from Pensacola up here. Bv being
a special train for the students and
officers we never travelled on
schedule. No one complains about
not being we'll fed in this camp as
the living conditions here are hard
to heat. Yours respectfully. =
G.. o. Fetty,
Unit s. Co. 1907, Aviation Reg't.,
u. S. Naval Operating Base,
Hampton Roads, Va.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
From Perry johnson.

Dear Sister and All: Will drop
you few lines. Well, am getting
along fine. l was operated upon the
18th of September. will be up in
few days. I haven't got any mail
since the 18th of July. suppose
you and Evelyn are having a good
time. How are all the folks, / hope
all we'll? How are Audrey and
Ruth? Well this is all-sI can think
of. Will close hoping to hear from
you soon, from,
Perry L. Johnson,
20 U. S. Base Hospital, in care
one Northeastern Hospital, London,
England.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
From, Roy Chastain.

Somewhere in France, Sept. ~,
1918.
three letters today, they we're mail
ed Aug. IA, and two Aug. IT,.
have written two or three letters
since l have been in France. Will
write two or three times week
from now on. Tell Belle Will
write to her and the rest OF the
folks when I have time. saw bert
McKern IN ENGLAND while we were
there. l have not seen him since
VIC came here. i do not think you
had better send the watch. l will
have nv picture taken IL can. We
- airpianeS most every day.
There Is not much to write about.
70 eoUntfy n ! little rough where
~ - r E1sn66ne3 since We have
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31

Somewhere in France, Sept.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31

9th Cadet SQUADRON,
Ellington Field, Houston, Texas
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31
From Bob Scott.
Sunday. Sept. 18th.

Dear Brother: Received your let
ter the other day, also got one from
home. don't write very much on
ly home and / try and write every
week to mother. It has been rain
ing here about every day and night
for week and is MILDLY most Of the
time but is nice today. / just got
back from the river. / was down
taking a swim and washing some
clothes. We took a part in the big
show and all come out all right.
Friday, the ] 9Th, was lucky for us
but l think it was hell for a few
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31

'as4sl1s -ss>'sre| .ssRF@- ~ ,S,
been over. | would like to be PACK
there while Vera is there. ! think
we will get paid in two or. three
days. 1t will be the first since we
left Camp Dodge. Send Wizards
address and the Adair boys and any
one else that l know and might run
on to them over here. | will close
for this time. Tell everybody hello.
From, William r. Chastain,
CO. B, 352 Inf, N. A,
American Exp. Forces, via. N. y,
A p O. 1886
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31

once in awhile. Well l haven't re-
ceived a letter for SO long that 1
would not know how to act. Well it
is getting late and / will have to
close for this time. AS ever your
loving son and brother,
Pvt. Harry H. Finkbone,
Co. F, 351st Inf,
American Exp. Forces,
A. P. O. 795.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-10-31

days and nights but we have to go
through it to get Jerry and take it
from me- we are going to do it too.
Write whenever you can and will
try and do the same,
Corp. R. F. Scott,
3O7 Trench Mortar Battery,
American Exp. Forces, A. p. O. 742.g
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-05-31
"You Show the Hand Of the NovIce!s

You snow tnc 1dno OF inc NOVICE.
| the matter pretty thoroughly. AS yod
know, have had this on my mind fof
some time. 1t is necessary to arrange
things before I-go."
The king, of course, was neitheA
asking nor expecting sympathy FROM
her, but mentally, and somewhat CRIME
ly, he compared her unmOved face with
that of his old friend and chancellor,
only a few nights before.
"It is a regrettable fact" he went
on, "that must leave, as shall, sad
ly troubled country. But for that"
he paused. But for that, he meant,
he would gladly go. He needed restt
His spirit, still so alive, chafed daily
more and more against It's worn body.
He believed In another life, did the old
king. He wanted the hearty handclasp
of his boy again. Even the wife who
had married him against her will had
grown close to him In later years. Ha
needed her too. A little rest, thens
and after that a new life, with tho@
who had gone ahead.
"A sadly troubled country" he re-
peated.
"All countries are troubled. We are
no worse than others"
perhaps not. But things ars
changing. The old order is changing.
The spirit of unrest shall not live
to see 1t. You may, Annunciata. But
the day is coming when all thrones
will totter. Like this one.'
Now at last be had pierced her
armor. Like this onew
"That is what I said. Rouse your
self. Annunciata. Leave that little
boudoir of yours, with its accursed
clocks and it's heat and Its fub-dub-
berry, and see what is about you! Dis
content! Revolution We are hardly
safe from day to day. Do you think
that what happened nine years ago
was a flash that died as 1t came? Nom
sense. Read this !"
He held out the paper and she put
on her pince-nez and read Its headings.
a trihe disdainfully. But the next mo-
ment she rose, and stood In front OF
him, almost as pale as he was. You
allow this sort of thing to be pub
lishedp
mo. But it is published"
"And they dare to say things like
this? Why, tit is"
Exactly. 1t Is, undoubtedly" He
was very calm. 81 would not have
troubled you with 1t. But the Sit
uation is bad. We are rather help
less"
"Not--the army, too?"
what can we tell? These things
spread like fires. Nothing may hap
pen for years. On the other hand, to-
morrow
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-05-31
CHAPTER VII.
Milky Does a Reckless Thing.

Milky Does Reckless Thing.
Milky Larisch had been having an
exciting time.
First of all, he exchanged garments
with the chauffeur, and cursed his own
long legs. which proved difficult to
cover adequately. But the chauffeur's
long fur ulster helped considerably.
The exchange was rather a ticklish
matter, and would have been more so
had he not found a revolver In the
fur coat pocket.
BEHOLD, then, Milky Of the brave
neart standing over his PROSTATE pris-
oner. and rolling him. mummy fashion,
IN his own tunic and rug from the
machine.
at is cold. my friend" he said
hriet1v. "but ! am kindly soul, and
If Won have told me the truth, you VIII
not have so much as shuttle to re-
mind you of this tomorrow.
81 have told the truth"
"As n soldier, of course" Milky
went on. 81 think you have made a
mistake. You should have chosen the
cracinice. But as private gentle
man. | thank you."
Having examined the knots In the
rome. which were very well done, IN
deed. and having gagged the chauffeur
securely, Milky prepared to GO IN a3
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-05-31

his car down the road again, and all
the devils of the night might follow.
He feared nothing.
But here again Milky planned too
fast. The servant who came out to
open the doors Of the motor had
brought a message. "His majesty de-
sires that the messenger come in,'
was the bomb-shell which exploded In
Nikkys ears.
Milky hesitated. And then some imp
of recklessnSss in him prompted him
not to run away, but to see the thing
through. 1t was, after all, chance
either way. These men beside the car
were doubtless armed-one at least,
nearest him, was certainly one of
Karl's own secret agents. And, as
Milky paused, he was not certain, but
it seemed to him that the man took
step toward him.
Every WE'LL" said Milky, grumbling.
But have had long ride, and cold
one. | need Sleep"
Even then he had faint hope that
the others would precede him, and
that 1t would be possible to leap back
to the car. and escape. But, whether
by accident or design. the group closed
about him. Flight was out of the ques-
ton.
A little high was Nikky's head as
he went in. He had done stupid
thing now, and he knew it. He should
have taken his letter and gone back
with it. But, fool or not, he was
soldier. Danger made him calm.
The lodge was noisy. Loud talking,
the coming and going of servants with
trays, the crackle of wood fires in
which whole logs were burning. and,
as Milky and his escort entered. the
roaring chorus of hunting song filed
the ears.
Two of the men flung off their heavy
coats, and proceeded without ceremony
into the room whence the sounds Is
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-05-31

In the morning you are to carry dis
patches TO the city"
Poor Milky! With his car facing
toward the lodge. and under necessity.
in order to escape. to back it out into
the highway He thought quickly.
There was no chance of overpowering
his man quickly and silently. And the
house was not empty. From beyond
the door came the sounds of mems
voices. and the thud of drinking mugs
on a bare table.
"You will take me up to the house,
and then put the car away until morn
ing"
Milky breathed again. 1t was go
Ing to be easy, after all. If only the
road went straight to the shooting box
itself, the rest was simple. But he
prayed that he make no false turning,
to betray his ignorance. 50
"Very WE'LL" he said.
His companion opened the door be-
hind him. Ready, now," he called.
1.-THE car is here"
W. LuCA AOSC LlOAh u tdULC "ASA y
they had been sitting, and put on great
coats of fur. The lamp light within
quivered in the wind from the open
door. Milky was quite calm now.
His heart beat it's regular seventy-two,
and he even reflected, with sort of
grim humor that the chancellor would
find the recital of this eScapade
much to his taste. In a modest way
Milky felt that he was making history.
The man who had received the let
ter got into the machine beside him.
The other two climbed into the ton
neau. And, as If to make the denoue-
ment doubly ridiculous, the road led
straight. Milky, growing extremely
cheerful behind his goggles, wondered
how much petrol remained in the car.
The men behind talked in low tones.
"They are late tonight" grumbled
one of them, as the house appeared
full lighted. "a tardy start tomorrow
again!"
"The king must have his Sleep"
commented the other, rather mock
fngly.
With mastery sweep, Milky drew
up his machine before the entrance,
Let them once alight. let him but start
Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1918-05-31

country and the smaller cities Ness
comparatively Qufet, so far as demon
STATIONS against the government were
concerned. But unquestionably they
plotted. AS for the capital, 1t was q
seething riot of sedition. from the re-
ports. A copy Of newspaper. secret
ly printed and more secretly circu-
lated, had brought fire to the kings
eyes. 1t lay on his knees as his
daughter entered.
swell, father" she said. looking
down at him, "how do you feel?'
"Sit down." he said. The question
as to his health was too perfunctory
to require reply.
Annunciata sat. with a jingling OK
chains. She chose straight chair.
and faced him. very erect.
"How old is Hedwig" demanded the
king,
Nineteen"
"Hedwig is old enough to marry.
Her grandmother was not nineteen
when | married her."
1T would be BETTER" said An
nunciata, Ito marry her while she is
young, before she knows any better"
ANY better than what?" inquired
the king testify.
ANY better than to marry at ALL"
The king eyed her. She was not.
then, even attempting to hide her
claws. But he was an old Bird and
not to be caught in an argumentativs
cage.
"There are several possibilities for
HedWig" he said 81 have gone int