davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
Letter from sergt. Louis j. Shapiro OF
Hdqs. Troop, A. A. lst Army, A.
+. f., to his Father, l.. J. Shapiro of
Manchester Depot.
November 10, 1918.

NoFCillpIi ~ A|to'
Dear Dad
Received your letter and had the
usual pleasure Of reading it. Youll
have to excuse me now for the future
| if | don't write as often as use to, be-
cause the facilities are not as good for
writing as they were in our last camp.
III make every effort to write as often
as possible. You needn't worry about
me for the war is over and there isn't
much danger Of me getting into
trouble. ! am happy and am in the
best of health, so couldn't ask for any
thing better. am so delighted at our
triumph that ] don't care what kind OF
work | have to do now. Although |
am not in place where ! can cele-
brate by merry making, deep down in
my heart ] feel as enchanted as if ]
were participating in the greatest en-
ioyment, even though | am working
harder than ever.
received another letter from Harry
August. He mentioned the letter you
wrote him and seemed very well pleas
ed He also mentioned Hudson's
famous ice cream which we all desire
So much | haven't had an ice cream
or soda in the Ia months that ! have
been over here 1t wasn't my fault as
/ couldn't get any. | think ! will be
able to appreciate ice cream when
get back 1t is pretty good for the
sweet tooth after all.
| am delighted TO hear Of the chill
dren's good health and their good for
tune TO pull through that terrible epi-
demic. | have heard lot about 1t.
Many Of my dear friends have lost
parents or some relative through the
Spanish flu. | hope 1t never occurs
again. 1t sure is good Sadie did not
20 down with it, for when she docs get
sick she surely gets it bad. We all
can be thankful il wasn't any worse.
| saw the first Italian and Russian
prisoners cross our lines a couple OF
nights ago. II was wonderful, but
sad sight TO watch those veterans OF
over four years fighting and suffering
from the German brutality trod along
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
October 81, 1918
go and get supper.

! Have few spare minutes before
supper 50 will write a few lines.
have very good company and
very good camp. Hope we stay here
all winter as it is very comfortable.
Am so far behind the lines | can
hardly hear the gunfre. If ! was in
the States tonight should say it was
Halloween, but here il is the same
every day
The people in this town are very
good, but it is hard to get along as
they do not talk the same French in
any two towns.
Have. seen lot Of new ways to do
work. Have new way for your
mother to wash They take the
clothes to the brook and long board
and stick such as you use to stir
sugar with and wash them. Some
washing machine. Wish you could e
some OF the funny things they do.
They live in towns and go out 10 their
farms in the morning and come back
at night. They carry dry bread and
wine for their dinner. Some feed TO
work on | must say.
We have Y. NJ. &. A. near here SO
we can get some things we want but
not all. Seems hard 10 be where you
can not get things you did in the
States.
Shall have 20 close as this lis all the
time / have.
F'rom your friend,
GORDON.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
Letter From Roland II. Harrington of
5th Corps, Ord. Detachment, A. l..
r., to His Parents in Dorset, Vt.
October %, 1918.

Dear Folks
Received your letters of August q
and September and two of Septem-
ber 10 today and was certainly glad
to get them as you all know. Pops,
Mons and Aunt Mons letters were all
/ fine. Have not heard from 10 yet but
expect to get his letters soon. Don't
worry about sending me anything Pop
and as for money | couldn't spend it
here anyway. Sherman would add a
little to his definition of war if he
were here today. Have been right in
the game Pop, and won't have to take
any back talk from any of 'em when !
get back. We don't see a paper very
often here and you get more dope than
do; but | think Willie will come
across soon. Am feeling like two
ycar-old and think could pace dead
heat with "Old Nell" if she were alive.
Have seen lot of good horses go
under over here. The subscriptions
for the tournaments were fine and the
Red Cross deserves all they can get.
Must stop for the candle has gone out.
Will finish at first opportunity.
This is a nice sunny morning and as
have been relieved for few minutes
win write some more. They are put
ting the old shrapnel up at some hun
planes and when they drop believe me
it's a sight that makes you feel d---d
good. They are brave pups though;
and | can hand that to any brave man.
Yes, our Army is full Of pep and
CUTS and believe me, they will stay
till the last; although ! don't believe
there is a man who will not be glad
when the game is called of. Saw an
observation balloon brought down and
the pilot jump out with his parachute.
Am enclosing a Christmas package
coupon and you can keep it for a
souvenir or use it if you care to.
don't know Of anything | want, but
you probably would wonder why: #
did not send it. A few pictures Of
Dorset and you all would be fine. The
yictrola is still with US and is doing
is bit now. Just think Of Victrola
with good records way up here John
is now singing "The Sun
shine Of Your Smile" and he sure is
tearing it off in wicked shape. Trinity
Choir is now pulling one off.
Have a German rife, helmet and
pipe and hope I will be able TO bring
hem home. Had TO scrape the blood
,ut Of the pipe, but ! boiled il Up for
4 couple of hours and now its as
iweet as nut. We are pushing the
I'D stuff at Germany to beat HI and
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
being si2G

being alzo3.
This situation means that Vermont
crs, whether or not they have pledget
TO buy the stamps, must make des
pcrate effort between now and the 3lsi
day Of December. The matter Of
State pride, let alone the considcra.
tion Of patriotism, demands that We
Vermonters strain our resources TO the
utmost in order 10 reach the top
Shall Vermont maintain her proud po.
sition in all war endeavors. or shall we
confess failure in this single cam
paign in which We are not asked 10
give anything but rather TO invest our
money at handsome rate Of interest
and with the United States Govern
ment back Of the investment.
II is true that actual warfare has
ceased and there would seem TO be
reason for a let-down in our assist
ance TO the government; but, as a
matter Of fact, the government is de-
pending upon the estimated income
from these War Stamps. II isn't time
stop buying W. S. S. till the clock
strikes midnight on the night OF De-
cember 3ist. Therefore, go TO the
post Office, the banks or to the other
recognized agencies and purchase
every stamp you are able to buy.
Mobilize your patriotism for this last
drive of the year. Let's
be up with the other live states of the
Union.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
(heep Your Pledge,
ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT
FOR W. s. S. PURCHASE

Vernon, is Still Far From the Quota
Which the Government Expected OF
the State. Actual Money Invested
up 10 December Z was si,50l ,6ll.96.
Up TO December 7th Vermont had
purchased four and one-half millions
to be exact, s4,5oi ,6li96--of U. S.
War Savings Stamps, with Caledonia
County leading in the per capita sales
Of sl4.5S, and Rutland County ahead
in the aggregate purchase Of s6S4,-
S25.3l. Vermont is still long way
from the quota sc, by the govern
ment, the per capita for the State
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
II AM THE RED CROSS"
Written for The American Red Cross
Bulletin QLondon) by Capt. James
A. Mills. A. r. e.. Frame

A. Mills, A. X. C., France.
am the Red Cross, was born o.
the hearts of men, am sustained b,
forty million souls. My mission is Of
mercy, kindness and charity. Ny
bounds are the limits Of the earth.
am my brothers keeper. / know
neither color, race nor religion Ny
creed is the creed of service Ny
voice is the voice Of the American
people. My goal is the goal of high
er humanity. My precept is the pre-
cept OF God, Ny reward is the graft
tude of the widow and orphan, of the
strong and the sick, of the unhappy
and the bereaved. | go forth into the
darkness of the night, into the uncer-
tainties of the day. penetrate the
field of battle, | defy the peril of shell
and bullet. Tighten the horrors of
the combat. | encourage and inspire
the soldier. ] give him a thousand
comforts minister to those he has
left at home | claim the wounded
from the battlefield. | bind their
wounds and ease their sufferings. /
mark the graves of the dead. / 90
into hospital and home and hovel. |
scorn contagion. | am the guardian of
infant life, the apostle of health and
cleanliness, the conservor of old age.
| visit the sick. bury the dead. |
help the halt. | cheer the sorrowful.
| lead the blind into paths of light. Il
teach the crippled new ways of life
| eradicate epidemics. | am the foe
of plaques and pestilences. | mitigate
the horrors of floods and fires and
wrecks. | am the arch-enemy of ca
lamities. | triumph over poverty,
want and woe / house the homeless.
| feed the hungry clothe the naked. .
protect the widow and orphan. | am
the friend and helper Of all nations.
My hand and heart encompass the
globe. My lcgionares | send to the
Ittermost parts of the earth--across
-he threatened ocean, through war
swept territories, over infested lands,
am the sentinel Of the human race.
Ny sympathy and succor are bound
ess. My purse is great enough for
Nj. 4 dozen nations return me hom-
lge, dozen potentates pay me trib-
lte. The people of the earth offer me
heir prayers. My emblem is the
9ross-symbol Of supreme charity and
# the Saviour Of Men. Before me,
he enemy stays his hand and bows in
.eycrence to my mercy. Behind me
march ten million soldiers, with hearts
or any fate. challenge and triumph {
yer death My strength and strug
lies are for the living, my prayers and
for the dead,
am the saviour Of life, the assuag- (
r of death. am my brothers keep
r. am the Red Crossl
-(keep Your Pledge )
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19

november o, 1915.
Dear Mother
Just line to let you know am
we'll and ! hope you are all the same
! haven't written you for long time
for ! haven't had much time.
am now in dugout and il is no,
bad at all. have been in hospital
for week or so back but now | am
back with my Battery as good as ever.
] haven't seen paper for long time
80 don't know what the war news is,
but | know that the Germans are get
ting more than they want and they
don't come back at US much.
! don't sound any calls on the bugle
up here and am used as a runner. 1t
sure is great life over here; every
night big shells whistle over our heads
through the air, but we are down in
our dugouts or perhaps sending some
over ourselves. We don't mind it a
bit and l don't think there is bit Of
danger. What | mean, ! think we
stand a good chance of not getting
hurt. II We get gass shell all We
have to do is put our masks on, keep
right on working or sleeping, which
ever we are doing. got twelve let
ters from you the other day, and !
hope will get as many more soon.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
DO YOU wonder that we want to

DO you wonder that we want q
kill the kaieer?
We've our legions over there to wip,
him off the earth;
He's been q curse 10 mankind sine,
the moment Of his birth.
When we know thft he's dead one
there1l be universal mirth,--
Do you wonder that we want "a
kill the Kaiser
Now Christmas time is coming; were
a little shy or deer
Do you wonder that we wan, to
kill the Kaiser
But he might not do for cooking, he's
too full Of German beer
Do you wonder that We wan, TO
Kill the Kaiser?
With his six big sons and others he
has sneaked across the sea,
But the curse Of Cain will follow him
wherever he may be.
II you've read his list Of crimes, then
I'm sure you'll say with me:
That the time has come at last to
kill the Kaiser!
HIRAM A. EATON.
Manchester Depot, VT, 1918.
-(keep Your Pledge)--
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19

4 they dons get Off the stage Will
they can walk We are going to carr,
them OF in wooden pajamas. We ar
/, generally on the job from "a TO 81
hours and then rest up for a day o.
two.
Al Jelson is singing And Every
thing" Tell Billy she ought to get i
for her machine OF course you prob
ably haven't caught up TO us yet or
the popular songs of the day. Guess
! told you that saw five Hun planes
brought down within twenty minutes
One struck within stones throw OF
me. 1t took one beautiful dive and
they sopped It up with a sponge.
We have two kinds Of water here:
cold and running. Now you couldn't
beat that much. It's getting too cold
now for ice cream, so we told George
not to make any more. We have to
put up now with plum pudding, tur-
key with trimmings, and all that stuff.
'Aint that tough! Write whenever
you can, for belive me, mail runs pref
ty close to grub out here. Have again
changed my address. Expect that my
mail will take long time to catch
up with me for it will probably have
to follow me all along the front, The
Germans are going fast and things
look good. There are eleven OF us
here with detachment Of Infantry
and Motor Transport men. We have
fixed up little shack in the woods
which does very nicely. There is only
one house around here, so you see it
isn't much of a town. Passed lot Of
German prisoners the other night: the
dirty pups. Guess they know they are
up against the real old stuff. Am
writing on a note book on my knee
and my writing will probably be worse
than ever, and the candle is about
burned out Don't bother about hav-
ing electric lights put in for me when
get back, for can get along very
nicely with a hunk of wax with a
string in it.
Must hang up my little tin derby
and get out my overseas hat, for the
derby gets rather heavy. Don't sup
pose you are wearing tin hats over
there yet. They would be good for
some of those old time throwing
parties at the Hall, 10. Wouldn't a
biscuit smash up in good shape on
one of them?
Don't worry about me, for I'm go
ng to pull through all right, but if
shouldn't, it's the best way for a
nan to go and remember did my bit.
You might send me an extra envelope
n your letter for they are hard to get.
Put ina stick of gum also. Must stop
low and although it is only 8;45, we ,
ave to sleep when we get chance. ,
Remember me to everyone, love to
il the rest of the family. !
Your loving son,
nuOk kEp
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
(keep Your Pledge
MANCHESTER OVER
THE TOP AGAIN
Red Cross Linen Shower Above
Quota

The Manchester Red Cross wa!
asked to contribute ll5 bath towels
$50 hand towels, 100 handkerchiefs
and 25 napkins for use in French hos
pitals On Thursday, December 18th
this Branch made its 9th shipment
which included the following:
A complete layette made and con
tributed by Mrs. J. B. Wilbur.
lis bath towels, 1913 hand towels
l47 handkerchiefs, 50 napkins, 10 suits
pajamas, baby bonnet, 30 French
foot slippers, 40 sweaters, 103 prop
erty bags. hot water bottle covers,
knitted wash cloth, 5 scarfs, Sc pairs
socks. 8 pairs wristlets, 10 helmets,
Total, s24.
FRANCES WYMAN,
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19

! the road. tired and hungry, hu, happy
A lot Of them could speak English and
a good many came from the States. |
talked with some of them and heard
many different stories ms to their
treatment Some were treated fairly
well while others were treated brutal
ly. The ones that seem to suffer most
were the Italians When the Italians
left Germany, the Germans shook
hands with them and said; "Bon Ital-
ian." meaning good Italian. One
claimed the town he was prisoner in
hoisted the Allies flags when they
learned Of the armistice I passed
out my cigarettes among them as they
passed about conversing with differ
ent groups as they gathered around TO
show their gladncss OF their freedom.
II was worth all the cigarettes l could
give just to have the pleasure OF
watching them enjoy real American
smoke. God only help those poor
devils. met only few Of our own
prisoners who were captured in the
last drive They claimed they were
pretty well treated. The last Of the
Bavarians Of the world have been fin
ally conquered We only hope now
that there will be democracy, for I
truly believe it will be for the people
will demand il. Let us hope there
will never again be such thing in
this world as rule by force Of domin-
ion OF people
This is about all the news for the
time being. Hoping that everything
goes well and that this finds you not
only in god health but also in the best
of spirits. Give my love to all.
From your loving son,
SERG. LOUIS J. SHAPIRO.
Letter From Private Gordon Bentley
With the A. 4. +. in France 10
Correspondent in Town.
Somewhere in France, Oct. 80, 1918.
Dear Friend:---
Just few lines to let you know
have received your letter of September
30th. Was glad to know you were
well. Also was glad to get the letter
from your mother, but think she made
a mistake and sent me one intended
for Hervie as she wrote me news !
knew nothing about Have made me n
writing desk so can have a place to
write
You spoke Of Hervie being over but
You did not tell me his address, 80 it
S like looking for needle in hay
stack. We might be within a mile Of
zach other or in the same town and
rot know it. / am known to more
han half the company as chief, so you
zee it would be some job to find me
nut all the cook shacks know me as
hat is where stay most Of the time.
You said in your letter you did not
ear from me very often but | have
,ritten nearly every week. Hear
rom you very regularly. We think Of
he folks at home, even if We do not
ear from them. There is hardly a
light goes by but what we talk Of
ONE and what we will do when we
ct there.
Will tell you how some of US boys
1ent Halloween Went to real
merican dance and Of course you
now how | enjoyed that. The girls
ere Red Cross nurses. Seemed good
talk to some one who could talk
nglish. Had a very good time.
Think this is all as | shall have +.
, and get supper.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
November IL, 1918.
Dear Mother

Dear Mother
Well the war is all over, / think, and
We are so happy we don't know just
what to do. | am glad | have been
through it and come out as good as
ever. All we want now is to get back
to our homes in the States.
We have had a good many hard
times and some good ones. 1t was all
for the best and we will soon be back
to our homes and friends, thank God
Our letters are still censored so !
can't write some of the things would
like to but the one big thing is the
end of the war and the next is to be
able to go back home sound. There
are a good many that won't but | am
one of the lucky ones. | don't know
just what we are to do now, but we
won't be over here long anyway.
| will write later
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
-(keep Your Pledge)--
DO YOU WONDER.

| iHc "ofiu 10 All lurileu upside uoWn--
of that there's little doubt
Do you wonder that we want Il
kill the Kaiser
Our daily life is stood on end anc
business inside out
Do you wonder that we want t
kill the Kaiser?
Society is all upset and trade has gone
to smash
Since William put all Europe in =
universal crash,
The armies of the world are of each
other making hash.
Do you wonder that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
The butcher, baker, grocer, ask big
prices for our eats"
Do you wonder that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
The tailor and the shoemaker demand
our gross receipts
Do you wonder that we want 70
kill the Kaiser?
For square meal in restaurant
they want a house and lot,
A mouthful costs a dollar and what
ever else you've got;
1t doesn't pay to be hungry, so be
thankful if you're not
Do you wonder that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
They serve us beer in spoonfuls and
they ask dime a throw
Do you wonder that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
How different from the schooners that
the people used to know
Do you wonder that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
A highball costs quarter and no mat
ter which you choose,
The bar will be a winner and the buy
or sure to lose.
It's monumental shame the way they
tax us for our booze
Do you wonder that We want to
kill the Kaiser?
And Wilson now has signed q bill to
make US all 80 dry
Do you wonder that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
In the future il will do no good to
wink the other eye
DO you wonder that We want to
kill the Kaiser?
But then the man who drew the bill
will some day have to die,
And when Saint Peter secs him, he
won't have him there on high;
No matter how he likes 1.-THE may
sing Or laugh or cry,
They will send him down to Hades
with the. .kaiser.
Vow they say IN Satan's kingdom
there's some awful wicked ones
Do you wonGer that we want to
kill the Kaiser?
But they will all be taking lessons
from the Kaiser when he comes 4,
Do you wonder that We want to
kill the Kaiser?
And If Satan should be here on earth
and roaming all around, =,
When he heard Of his arrival he would
quickly hasten down
Ind with humble salutations he would ,
tender him his crown,
DO you wonder that VIC want 10 !
kill the Kaiser?
Vow there's not a mothers son Of US
but knows just who's TO blame
Do you wonder that we want TO :
kill the Kaiser? II
here's only one responsible, who set
be world afiame,-
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-12-19
SOLDIERS LETTERS

Letter from Bugler Clarence Black.
mer of Bat, c, 302d r. A., A. +. r.,
TO His Mother, Mrs. Lizzie B. Tiff,
OF Dorset.
Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-09-14
Conversion OF Liberty Bonds.

The privilege of conversion which
arose in consequence of the issue of 4
per cent bonds of the Third Liberty
Loan will expire on November 9 next
and under existing law can not pc eX-
tended or renewed. Delay in eXercis-
ing the privilege will result in over
burdening the banking institutions OF
the country and the Treasury Depart
ment by making it necessary to handle
all conversions at the last moment
and may result in many cases in the
loss of The privilege of conversion
altogether.
Holders of coupon bonds are strong
ly advised to exchange them for re-
gistered bonds in order to protect
themselves against the risk of loss.
theft, and destruction of their bonds
The banks throughout the country,
as a matter of patriotic service, will
doubtless all assist bondhoIders in
converting and registering their
bonds.
Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-09-14
Iron Belt Young Man Wounded.

John NJ. Leyra, of Iron Relt, was
wounded in action in France on July
10th. John left with the contingent of
Iron county registrants who were sent
to Camp Grant October A. He has
been in France for several months
and is member of Co. c, 127th In
fantry. Last Sunday his parents re-
ceiyed letter from him giving part
iculars of the successful way il which
the Yanks repulsed German attack
during which Levra was wounded
Following is the letter:
was in the front line trenches and
on the 10 of July, the Boches made a
raid on the strong point that we were
holding, and in the course of the bat
tie was wounded by a shell, so now
| am resting in French hospital witt
my arm in sling and slight bullet
wound on the neck.
There were $50 of the Boches attack
ed us and we have to our credit g
dead and one prisoner. Pretty gOoC
for 80 men to do, and they jumping
on us all Vi Il bAuucl W Htu We NtItn
expecting them. There were Onl!
eight of us wounded and two dead II
our bunch. And say don't think tina
| am Dragging much, but all thu
wounded men in our bunch are to re
ceiye La Croix De Guerre. Tina
! is medal of honor, because of GU
bravery. And one Ole Slingly receive
one with palm leaves OH it because h.
stuck to his post. And another lac
took a message through shell fire, 70
help and ammunition, and he receive
one also.
In the ward that am in, we nave
German officer that isn't expected t.
live. He sure is an awful sight, AM
all the fellows hate him and we ha
quite a job keeping the Algiers Neg
roes from killing him.