davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09

the same girl who used TO love to
get into your cookie jar with
frankie and Earl, my some Of
those cookies would taste good
now. My, those were good old Kid
do days, of course these days ore.
just as good and happy in their.
way, but not as free from CARE,
and responsibility.
John leased garage here last
August and has nice little busi.;
ness which we hope will grow bet .
ter. His mother lives with us, so
we have quite a family. But we
hope to stay here and prosper but
in these uncertain times one cam.
not tell how soon they may hate
to run from Jap, or Hun, or Mexi-
can. With much love to.your dcar
self in memory of the past and,
hoping we may at least once more
meet again. As ever,
Sincerely and with kind regards.
to Emma and Mr.. Lisle, I remain,
Beryl James Warren
1880 Junipero Street. J.
Fern Roberts Dickey Jesme lives
only a few blocks from me. Anna
Jesme also lives here, she is the.
counterpart of Mrs. Anna Shultz
Pierce and to hear her talk one
would think it was Mrs. Shultz
Pierce.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Barahama. d. R.

DOL oAdAla. ~. W.
Dear Father and Mother:
Well the mail came again today
and l received two nice letters
from you, one from Ethel and one
from Chris. am awfully glad to
hear you are ALI so we'll and happy
at home. If you folks just do not
have to suffer won't worry about
anything at home or up here or
across the water either. Well, |
can truthfully say that we are a
we'll cared for bunch. The health
record of the corps is something
wonderful. l have begun to believe
we could live any place. Every
time l hear of some of the faults
some fellows find l am glad that l
am in a, service that is SO efficient
and we'll able to care for its men
as we are: The hardest thing that
l will have to fight is fever. How
ever I think with my constitution
/ shall come out with the blue
ribbon. Chris said his mother
spoke of Uncle Ellis asking if we
or rather you and she weren't
sorry we were crazy enough to
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
"Oveh Here
April 9, 1913
Dear Friends and Brothers:

Dear Friends and Brothers.:
have been thinking that I
would write to you but we have
hcen moving around quite a bit
lately so we have had very little
time to write but they say better
late than never so will try and
write this afternoon. | suppose
you have heard that we we're in
the trenches while back, but all
the boys from the Valley in this
regiment got through without a
scratch. | have been working with
the Intelligence platoon. Our, du-
ties are to observe and patrol. [
was a scout at first but was put
in an observation post later on. I
went on several patrols across
no mans land and was shot at a
few times but none of the bullets
had my name and address on
hem. You can't imagine the feel
ing a fellow has when he is out in
no mans land and machine gun
opens up on him believe me you
certainly look for hole in tho
ground but there is plenty of
them for no mans land has some
pretty deep shell holes.
We have been having pretty
good weather lately a little rainy,
but not bad. When we first came
here il was awful cold and wet,
and we did not have much chance
10 get warm. We have had plenty
of hardships, but we have smiled
through them all.
We, the i68th., made record
breaking hike a while back. We
carried full packs and all of our
equipment 18 miles in 6 hours ac-
tual hiking with 1 i-2 hours rest,
stayed all night and hiked nearly
all the next day hut I have forgot-
ten how far we went that day.
stuck it out, but was ready 10 stop
when we got to our destination.
heard that 13 of the boys in X. p.
lodge were in the service and
think that is pretty good for a
lodge of its size. have found on
ly one fellow in our company who
is X. P. and he is a member of
the lodge at Hastings, la. Well, it
is nearly supper time and l have
told you about all | can so | will
close wishing all Of you good luck
and hoping to see you some time
in he near future.
Yours truly,
Floyd w. Hardy.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09

volunteer. If he ever asks again,
tell him that the knowledge that
we are doing our bit more than re-
pays us for the hardships of be-
ing away from home and not hav-
ing all the conveniences and priv
ileges Of q civilian at home. When
we say and can know we are a
free country l am ready and will
ing to come back and try to do
my part whatever it is in civil
life.
The other night I played with
two natives here. One with flute
and the other with guitar. /
want to say that we made same
music. They knew a lot of selec-
tions from different operas, some
old popular airs and have learn
ed several Spanish airs so we
made a big hit. have an oppor-
tunity to play for a troupe of
players coming here soon. am
glad that you and father have a
neighbor like Mr.. Devinney. want
you to thank him for the way he
helps father and the many servi-
ces that can't be bought.
am doing nicely since the fe-
yer and hope to continue the good
work. l have a violin to play now,
one of the men had his sent from
home so play some every day.
We will have violin, flute, and
piano. will bet Oscar would like
to hear the bunch. This man is a
born musician and can play the
flute so easily and we'll that he
makes you homesick. Say if you
could hear them play the guitar,
you would realize how beautiful
Spanish music really is.
expect Morris is pretty proud
of the new roadster and probably
is an expert chauffer by this
time. Ethel certainly is more
faithful than my girls or rather
friends. l would sure like TO be
home for her graduation. If
can may send a panama hat
home. l think l can get one rea-
sonable. Well love and health to
all. Your son,
Arthur.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
April IA, 1918


Dear Mother:
Well, the paper does NOT look
so good this morning, the English
lost three miles of ground, but
you can bet il. cost the Huns To
take it. All the ground they have
taken was taken away from them
last fall. 1t sure is not worth very
much. Did you get the letter,
asked you to send me cook book.
and another can of Royal p. P.
We can get baking powder now,
but it is no good. You would sure
laugh to sec me mix the dough. |
made a pie for Axel and it ticker
ed him, but | noticed he got away
with it. showed the old women
up town how to make biscuit and
they weighed a ton. She thought
they were fine. They were beside
the stuff they call bread. There is
one thing about the biscuit, they
are clean. You can take the bread,
and cut a piece Off from loaf,
and there are always two or more
of those million leagued things,
run out. must close and wash
dishes. Am feeling fine. Lots of
love to all. Your son, Francis.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09

ed them down like weeds. 1t is es-
timatcd that 100000 Huns have
been killed since the 21st, that is
! in six days. You asked me if need
any clothes. bet you have been
reading the papers about the SOL
dicrs not having any clothes, or
guns. We are very comfortable.
and have plenty. Our barracks
were moi very warm, but spring
has come and if they keep pound
ing he Huns at the rate they have
in the past week we will be occu-
pNing our old beds somewhere in
the U. S. before another winter.
March 90. Well, Mother, dear,
John and | thought it best not to
take any chances on my birthday
cake. you see the rats are more
than plentiful, and the German
Army is not far from here. They
might run us out any old time, and
we might not get time to stop for
the cake and again they might hit
, The place with a bomb, and still
there is Il chance of some one
stealing it and again the place
might take fire. Safety First.
We ate the cake and my birthday
eight days off. Ii is raining and it
may help the British. When the
Huns started the big show the
Kaiser was near the front shak-
ing hands with the poor nuts,
that went over the top to death.
The battle at Nerdun was not in.
it with this one. A little red paper
balloon came over our barracks.
and lit in field near by. One of
the fellows got ii hut there was
not anything in it. More than like
~ there was a message of some
kind when it, started.
Well, mother dear. | must now
close. Lots of love to all.
Your son, Francis
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
April 8, 1913.
Dear Father and Mother:


AS this is my birthday, l will
call this my birthday letter and
make it partnership. | received a
letter from you today also from
Mayme. You mailed it The 23rd of
February and received Il on my
23rd birthday. This is the first
birthday have spent away from
home, but do not regret it at all,
after considering for what cause
am away. am glad am at the
| ripe old age of %, and physically
! fit TO do whatever am asked, the
best | know how, and to protect
| you and help our country. And if
never spend another birthday
with you, let your tears all be
smiles, and say he's one of the
militant.
told you when we first came
here, | would be home today and |
| still believe we would have been.
lif every thing had of gone as
smooth as it was then, but the
Russians quit, and the Italians
sold out, so that may prolong the
war for another year. The paper
said Germany wanted to know
what the Allies peace terms are
now. A German prisoner was as
ked if the Germans Thought they
gained enough ground to pay the
sacrifice they gave. He said the
ground we have captured would
| not be large enough for a grave
yard to put all of our dead. That
may give you some idea of what
this war is costing them.
We heard here today that The
English captured sixty thousand
Huns. | can't say whether it is
true or not, but hope so. The
Huns all had new uniforms TO pa
rade in Paris. That turned out to
be their death ground. Did YOU
hear about them Smelling the
church in Paris on Good Friday.
IL is still raining and no chance
for the sun to shine. 1T has heen
this way for the last week. Axel
has a birthday the 18TH. He also
received big fruit cake but they
are both all gone now. No
chance saving anything like that.
1T is getting late so must close,
and go to work. Lots of love to all.
Your son, Francis.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
The Soldier Boys Death

1t was Monday evening about.
the hour of six O'Clock when the
flag was placed at half mast on
the city hall. The peculiar mean
ing attached is too we'll known to.
need repetition here but soldier
lad had fallen in a far away land.
1t was one of ''our boys, one
among the first to go to the front
in defense of his country and the
first to fall before the murderous
bullets of that intended to destroy
human homes, the inalienable
right to live, to liberty and happi-
ness defined as autocracy. Let
us repair to the home where "a
mothers heart is bleeding, a fa-.
theirs head bowed in grief and the
four weeping sisters and one
brother, the home of William
Muller that Julius c., left d
year ago almost to day. A stud.
ious young man of promise will
never return. Missouri Valley
mOurns as never before because
this occasion is the first to befalE.
that noble company of more than
a hundred and fifty of her select
physically and otherwise splendid
young men. But let us dry our
tears. Our cause is just one. Our
sons will fall but right must pre-
vail over might and the willing.
ness of.our boys to be of service ).
will mitigate our sorrow. May we !.
ever hope for the best and learn.
to believe: There is no death, the.
stars go down to rise upon some
fairer shore. AMI bright in heavens
jeweled crown they shine forever
more. !,
Written by T. J. Hildebrand. :: !.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Letter From Lloyd Bond
Somewhere on the Sea.
April 8, 1918.

Dear Folks:
Well folks, how is everything
out on the farm sure would love
to be there or know. am feeling
fine, have not been bit sea sick,
and don't think | will.
II seems kind of useless to
write this as we have not landed
yet,b | wanted a letter ready as
soon as we do. I know you are all
worried about me but am alright,
suppose the men are all ready
to plant corn by now aren't you?
Well, folks, we sure had some
nice trip SO far. | will sure have
lots and lots to tell you when I
get back home. have seen lot
Of things | never expected to sec
in my life. How are all your colds +?
The last letter had, you, papa,
and HERNIA, were all on the sick
list. How is Hugh? l wrote to him
while>in Camp Merritt, N. j., be-
fore I sailed, but of course, have
not received an answer. And he
|Rlready owed me four letters.
met Carl Puffer and Bruce
Profit the other day. Was sure
surprised to see them. They both
are in the Medical Corps.
Is grandma out home now?
suppose she is though by this
time. Tell everybody that l want
everybody to write. will send you
my new address and write just as
soon as you get this. Well it has
been five weeks ago last Sunday,
since saw any of you and it sure
seems like six months. Well, as
there is not anything to say will
quit for now and will write just
as soon as land. Good bye and
good luck to all. Your loving son
and brother,
Pri. John L. Bond
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Letter From Raymond Cox
Funston, MAY S, 191s

Funston, May 5, 1913
Dear Mother and Dad:
Today is Sunday and my writ
ing day. will tell you of the past
two days, Friday and Saturday.
We went on a big maneuver on
Friday We had a little problem.
Done some shooting and hiked all
over the reservation. We had din
ner cooked out on the field. We
walked and pulled our machine
guns on their carts a little over
is miles, so you see this life isn't
all pleasure. Saturday we went
out again. We were inspected by
General Wood. Had another prob
lem too. But we got in by 4 80 p.
m. ! went riding again this a. m.
] went out to see the new fellows
that came down. They are out at
the detention camp. saw one fell
low who used TO work in the bank
with me. He sure didn't think very
much of the army. He said he had
to change clothes too often. Just
about the time he got all setting
pretty some poor fish comes
around and blows whistle and
yells outside. 1t sure is good to
talk 10 some of them. I told him
he would get used to it. He told
me he supposed he would. He said
at that it was better here than at
home. No one but old folks left
he said. 1t rained this afternoon a
little while. Well, mother, l guess
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Letter from Frances Mcpermott
Somewhere IN France
Mich. u. 1918.

Mich 27, 1918.
Dear Mother: | was surprised,
yesterday when our mail came,
and five boxes for me You
mailed them March 9th, and |
received them March goth. We
never received mail that soon be
fore. Each box was in frs! class
condition. The birthday cake was
not even scratched or broken. and
as my birthday is several days off,
l will have to hide ii on myself,
until then. | will decorate il all
nn fine and have a party. John
Nelson was down last night and
we had some of the pancakes. ha-
con and coffee and a little Of cv-
erything we received. John aIso
received a box. AXel is working at
nights so did not gel in on The
feed. Axcl received birthday
cake few days ago The cooKies
Mrs. Burke sent went to he vac
ant spot she spoke of. Mother,
dear, you know how | appreciate
everything, and how | thank you
one and all. We sure get great
enjoyment from what we get from
the home folks. If the British can
hold their line l don't think !hat
we will re here many more wears.
No doubt, you will hear more
about the drive than we will, be-
cause when anything important
comes up our newspapers do not
show up. The little we do hear
that is taking place sounds good.
The way the Huns come over the
top in mass formation, shoulder
to shoulder and the British now
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Letter from ssryl Jamss-vuarren
Long Beach Calf,

April fifth, 1919
Dear Mrs. eLahman:
This will perhaps come as a
surprise to you for it has been
some time since I have written To
you, has it not? But as this was
my birthday month, thought
would celebrate by writing a few
letters to few friends of the old
days, and it won't be necessary 10
tell you how many years young
am; for you are one that can tell
by looking backward, for I expect
you knew me when l was only a
few weeks old.
If we don't write often we think
of you very, very often and Tho
Times, is a welcome visitor.
have moved some distance from
Father now but was over to see
them today. don't think father
has felt as we'll the past few
months, but he has a nice garden
and is very proud of it. Mother is
in her usual health. They enjoyed
an afternoons visit with Mrs. AL
NOR Stern and Mrs. Avery, last
week.
Aunt Carrie is in the hospital in
Los Angeles recovering from an
operation. Aunt Theresa is her
same old self although she does
not look SO we'll the past few
months. Father met some man,
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
! Red cros, Quota

Iowa's quota in the second Red. Y
Cross war fund campaign has.
been placed at $i,5O0,OOO. The s.
drive to raise this sum will be- !
made during the week of. May 20, a.
to ~. Every dollar is to go to war;.
work. May i8, Red Cross pa ].
rade will be held at each Of the. Y
1853 chapters in the state and Sum
day, May 10, has been designatedx
d.. ~ 80 ~ n q
% A'ou -
80 - - 49, .;ss:ss
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Letter From Earl Mason
March -. 1918

Dear Brother and family.
just received your letter OF
Jan. 81, Roy and have some more
l.ere that have not answered 50
will try and get 10 worl' on them.
You know they always spoke OF
France as. Sunny France, hui
thought all last winter that we
had struck a real dark corner, but
the last few days sure brings it
out of you. You know how you feel
when you get the spring fever.
Eth! that's me. Roy YOU wanted me
to tell you all could so will try
and make it as plain as possible,
without getting called. In the first
place, this is The strictest place in
France about letters and every
thing else, for this is General
headquarters. You said the Amer
lean people never We're saving.
guess you are right. The French
and British say we are nevtr sat
iSfied. (And we never will be until
we get to Berlin Yes, think the
Colonel and will drive up the
main streets of that city some day
You asked me if had to go to
the trenches. no Roy. they don't
dig them wide enough for me TO
get this limosene out of sight
But | can't always keep it far
enough away at that. Talk about
shooting. | tell you our artillery
boys sure can shoot some. have
watched them several times, and
it gets pretty exciting sometimes.
No, | don't have to go i'm the tren-
ches, but | have been to the places
you said Burke and McKeever said
they We're on duty. Great sport
sometimes sec by the papers
where they have a new flag in the
postOfficc. You spoke about Bow
en-, Fluke and Mcdonald. | sure
wish they were over here. Yes,
have plenty for myself. draw more
now | did at first, have since
the i,.h of last month. ~ Col
Onel drive for had me up for a
sergeant but the order came out
to make no moro sergeant driv-
arS, but they class some of us as
Wagners. Ii you know what that
is, and draw corp. pay. A sergeant
chauffer gets SOL 20 so YOU see
that would be pretty good. III may
come later but | would rather hold
this job with the Colonel and be
nothing but common old private
for | sure get to see my share.
The stripes don worry me. am
satisfied. Will get my service
flag soon think. Tell Pete Bird
sail to come ON if he thinks that
he can stand it. Say Eva, you tell
Wayne | will never make a Ger
man out of him hut send him over
and bet can make one of those
things the Germans hate to see.
and that is one of Uncle sam S
soldiers Yes, old Santa was real
good to me this year considering
that | am so many miles away
from him. You asked me if
wanted my letters published. Well
that is up TO you. but they always
sound so crazy to me when | get
through with Them that I can i'm
agine how they listen to The pub
lie. In letter | received few
days ago you said they We're wish
ing me "A Merry Christina" and
a Happy New Year, here at the
first of March. Something must
be wrong for people to tell me
that at this time of the year.
really must close or get called
for writing so much. Love To all
the kiddies and both of you.
Write often. Earl Mason.
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09

who was mail clerk between Mo.
Valley and Lincoln, when he was
down to the pier last week, but he
could not remember his name,
how@er he said, ''he was living
here and his son was in one Of the
banks" | cannot imagine who it
is.
Father and. / attended the Iowa
picnic and he sdrelv does enjoy
meeting Old friends. think it is
the most pleasant day nf the year
for him although the trip tires
him. It was a beautiful day this
year and the park was filled With
people. 1t seemed strange to think
they were all from good old Iowa.
You know l am something like the
man to whom they showed all the
wonderful things which California
could boast of but after each WON
derful scene, he said: Better than
that in Iowa. For still in my
minds eye l can see the old clay
hills, the dear familiar streets,
and upon those same streets a
few of the old familiar faces, but
on whole suppose it has chang
ed, strangers are in many of the
old homes knew and loved so
we'll and many sleep in beautiful
Rose Hill, but such is life, weiall
have to take the changes as they
come and murn4ur not. Perhaps,
you wonder whom we saw at the
Iowa picnic. First to greet us were
Mrs. Ingersoll Hays and her son,
Fred. She is just the same sweet
woman she always was. Then
there were the "Noyes family and
Mrs. George Kellogg, Mr.. and Mrs
Galley, Mr.. and Mrs. Cole, their
daughter Della Cole Scofield. Mr..
and Mrs. Larry O'shea, Mr.. and
Mrs. Walt Smith and daughter,
Mrs. Coulthard and, husband, Mrs.
Orr, Will and Josephine, Mrs. Lee
Lindsey, Mr.. Allis, Mr.. Tom
Denicc who lived there years ago.
Mrs. Arthur was there few min
utes only. Mr.. and Mrs. DORIS
daughter Rebbecca, forgot her
name now that she is married Mrs
.Tormey----and husband. think
the name was Clark yet may be
mistaken, Mrs. Ahnor. Stern and
one of the Milliman girls of Log
an. Prof. Dakan a former County
Supt., aSpooner girl and husband
from Mondamin a sister of Prof.
Rogers, who was in the Valley, a
number of years ago and there
were other names registered
which were familiar but not the
faces. Hope you can be there next
year. We missed Mr.. and Mrs.
Malsi as we had hoped to see,
them out here this winter. Hope
they will be next. That is the only
opportunity l shall have to see my
old friends as l doubt if | shall
ever visit Iowa again, unless it be
i'm years to come when l am old,
and grey, (as if wasn't now.)
There have | not done we'll, 8
pages, you will say hope that she
does not write again very soon.
P. S. James is quite boy and
a real live one at that, now eight
years old it hardly seems possible,
Virginia is three and a half and
just as lively as her brother and a
much more robust looking youn-
gster. She said this morning, .'if
my Papa has got to go to war,
would cry my eyes out" Her dad
dy is very precious to her also is
her Grandpa and her brother,
Jamie. She seems partial to othe
opposite sex, (strange, isn't it?)
Now Auntie Lahman write us
q good long letter for am just
Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09

I'll ring off for this time. I am
getting some pictures finished.
and will senAssome home If they
are good. GoQd bye for this time.
Lots of love.
Your 6ving son,
Raymond
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1918-08-16

FOR SALE: Nine-room dwelling,
about l IL acre, one block from /. G.
Depot at Grenada at a bargain. Will
take small farm as part payment. p.
o. Box 6O4, Moorhead, Miss. 1928