davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15

clean. While we are on duty we are
furnished touring cars so you see
we are quite comfortable. ] intend
to go up to the trenches one of
these days just so l can say ] have
been in them as well as over them.
We are not far from the trenches
now. We are beyond Smelling dist
ance but close enough to hear that
continuous rumble which seems to
be little palmer this evening than
usual as the wind is from that di-
rection. One thing about aviation
we are not under that continuous
strain After the flight is over we
can go back and forget about it un-
til the next flight
"a - ~
A letter written July 4 by lie Roy
Carver to his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
j. M. Carver, says: This is a beauti-
full and quiet Sabbath morning, just
like many ] have seen in Kansas
Bells are ringing Just as they should
be. France is country Of churches
and every church has tall steeple.
The people must be very religious, ac-
cording to the churches.
July 4 was a holiday here. We
had a parade and review in the
morning and big track meet in the
afternoon The French all turned
out to watch the show A French
crowd is always a happy one. War
cannot quench the spirit of the
French. July a is Frances day SO
now ii is our turn 10 watch the fun
This week ! had quite an exper-
fence My turn came to work on a
gun crew and direct fire. About the
only thing can remember is a great
deal of noise. My ears buzzed for
hours although l kept my fingers in
my ears at every shot In the fire di-
rection one has to figure problems
in order to have a gun 5000 meters
from a target, strike that target
which is several meters wide. The
hardest part about the whole game
is to keep your head and not get
ratified as there are many American
and French officers about watching
every move. oh it's certainly a.
strenuous game, even more so than
football.
The rainy season has set in here
now and there has been a sprinkle
nearly every day until today By the
time you get this letter many of US
will be commissioned out Of this
French school. Where we will go
then / do not know but will let you
know as soon as / can
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15
BAN ON BEEF CONSUME
TON LIFTED BY ORDEE

The Federal Food Administration
for Kansas today directed county adj
ministrators to lift the ban on beef
consumption in eating houses and
homes. Householders who are limit
ing their beef consumption to one
and half pounds weekly are absolv-
ed from further voluntary limita-
tions, except they should continue to
save beef the same as they conserve
other meats. Eating houses may
serve beef at any meal.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15
SAYS THE MAN WOULDN'T q
SELL HIS FARM AFTER ALL

After they had secured buyers for
the farm of Andrew Heller and Mat
Mr.. Heller refused to sell his place
is the allegation made by M. L. Dun
nett and j. L. Woclverton, real es-
tate dealers, in suit filed in the
district court today. They say that
their commission would amount to
1881 and they are suing for this
amount. The place was placed in the
plaintiffs hands for sale is the state
ment made in the petition.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15
Band Get Hat Cords

The battalion band Of the state
guards received their hat cords last
evening. They are 4 light blue. prac-
tically the same color as the cord
Of the infantry. They are made OF
silk.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15

eating and sleeping and drilling. ]
suppose harvest will be over ny the
time this letter reaches you. The
crops are fine here We are prepar-
ing for the big battle.
~ ~ ~
Lieut.. Adm webb, who has been
in England doing special work In
hospital, IL now on his way TO
France. In England he saw cases OF
self inflicted wounds where the sol
der was war weary and did not care
to 90 back to the front Conditions
are not that way among the fighters,
however as all of them are ready
to 90 over the tor.
- - -
A letter received by Mr. and Mrs.
Geo. Gibson from their son, Earl,
written July G.-As / will not work
Tor quite few deys now bat Will
work for few nights, ] think Will.
find more time to write. ! go to work
at 8 p m. and work until a. m. so
you sc il makes a pretty long night.
We have more work than we can do
although ] like the postoffice work
aell and feel have been very tortuu-
ate to receive such a gooc job ]
am real well and getting fleshy. ]
weigh 155 at present
hope you receive the Stars and
Stripes. as ] sent in your subscrip-
tion three or four months ago. Il
just received some letters from
home. Those home messages are our
only plasure and encouragement, so
write often. We got a half day of
on the 4th OF July, but 1t was not
much OF a day, seemed more like
Sunday with no place to GO ] went
with one French family out where
the American soldiers were trying to
have a ball game and we had the
pleasure OF watching some airplanes
do some wonderful stunts. They are
as common as birds and can fly
about as good They would dive
down close to the ball players and
make the people dodge. They start
falling from a high position in the
air and catch themselves just when
one thought they were going to hit
the ground. .
Last Sunday evening my friend
De Dumer and / took supper with
our French friends, we enjoyed it
very much as it was such change
TO us We had fine supper and al
so enjoyed the strangness of their
ways Of eating We ate out in their
garden, a very pretty spot. The
French people sure believe in flow
3rs and ] feel ] have learned much
rom them in raising fruit as well
as flowers. In the evening they went
With us to visit our camp and they
seemed to enjoy learning the ways
If their American friends. We can
ak and visit with them in their
language very we'll am sending
you some post card pictures of Tour,
he village ! am in one of the most
beautiful places in France.
% - ~
Somewhere in France, June 81
am well and am mighty glad to
30 so for so many things have hap
lened lately. have had some mighty
lose shaves and l am still among
hose who have not been wounded.
We are having nice weather now
md the nights are even better.
think we will be relieved by
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15
WHAT is HAPPENING IN
CAMP AND FIELD.

Jesse N. Fngle, a former Abilene
resident, is now in training at New
York, preparing for overseas Y. M.
c. A. work. Following is the first
letter published in Abilene telling
OF the Y. M. c. A training IT was
written by Mr. Engle to G. G. Wy
andt.
Silver Bay on Lake George, y. =.
Aug. 5.-It may be a month OF more
before leave New York and so far
everything is going well The over
seas war work men, 81 OF us were
brought to silver Bay to finish or
training. will have to train more IN
III we are "cleared" at New York
That means until passports arrive
and arrangements for sailing are
made. Fifty more war work men
have come here from New York and
besides these, there are several other
kind OF religious and conference
people here so there certainly is
some bunch
The days routine is breakfast,
6.55; chapel with lecture 1925; then
another lecture with an hour and
half of athletics; French at l15;
athletics till 4:30; swimming until
$3.50; mass singing and lecture aft
er supper; in rooms at 0 and asleep
at II o'clock.
! could now take a company OF
men out and drill ] led squad for
the first time today could now
teach 100 different games TO SOL
diers. I've had three cracks on my
nose, one on my mouth, ana at one
time ] nearly had a broken thumb
In three weeks rye not missed roll
call. II we cant stand the knocks
here, no use trying 10 60 TO France.
Silver Bay is beautiful place al
thirty mile boat ride from Lake
George The low mountains are pref
ty. There are 80 landing places and
resorts on the lake. ! would like TO
see more Kansans here as the main
representations are from New York
and the south. They intend to send
1900 Y. NJ. c. A. workers overseas
every month now end ! would like
to see Kansas do its share.
- - -
DR.. Earl p. Briney and DR.. Rus
sell B. Briney left today for Fort
Oglethorpe, Ga, to join the veteri-
nary reserve corps of the army.
which is made up of the graduation
class of 1918 OF the veterinary col
lege OF Kansas City. Mo, when after
three months training they will be
given commissions
r. - ~
George Schad, an Abilene boy is
now in the aviation service and is at
Souther Field, Americas, Ga, Il.
Bruce Brunson is also there.
- r. R
Milton Strunk of Co. p, 139th In
fantry, writes to his aunt, Mrs. G.
Baumgarth, from Somewhere in
France was long time coming
over here but ! am well and so are
all the boys. We are having fine
weather and everything is fine About
the only thing we are doing now is
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15
ID Ea "a


Lieut.. Hugh Garvie writes from
Somewhere in France under date o.
July II, to his parents, Mr.. and Mrs
James Garvie.-I took a little walk
this afternoon to an aerodrome 6
few miles from here and met some
English flyers that are in the bomb.
ing squadrons We had pleasant
time, especially listening TO theii
tales of different experiences.
] have been assigned to "a new
squadron. / arrived here yesterday
and am in the pursuit or "Chass'
squadron. / am to be in the same
squadron with Capt. Bridgeman
and Lieut. Putnam, the famous
American ace who brought down
five German machines in one day.
He has ten machines to his credit.
Things have been a little exciting
here lately, due to bombing raids
but we have been fortunate so far
as we have always been passed up
by the Huns On good nights here
one might think they were holding
a July celebration the way every
thing is bright and the way the
search lights play about. The Amer
leans who have received their ma
chimes, come back and tell of the
fight with the Huns, I expect to be
given my machine before long.
The anti-aircraft guns are not
very dangerous as they shoot at the
machines that are high in the air
and the machines going SO fast and
in zig-zag fashion the guns can not
do much. was just talking to a
French anti-aircraft gunner and he
said he had brought down only three
German machines in four years. This
is about one hit in two thousand
shots.
If one hears a pop and then sees.
cloud of smoke, he knows the Hun
flyers are getting close. The men
always refer to the puffs of smoke as
daisies blooming around. I was told
that within eight seconds after al
machine is sighted, all the neces-
sary calculations can be made and
he gun be ready to fire.
We are at present living In French
quarters. Each Of us have a little
room and an orderly to keep it |
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15

4
working so hard lately as | have
been sketching and that is easier
than welding a pick. Our home at
present is In dugouts and believe
me they are appreciated when the
shrapnel begins cutting thru the
trees.-Jay Rees. civil engineer with
the American forces.
- - -
Clyde Kaufman, second lieuten-
ant. writes from Somewhere in
France under the date of July 20,
to his brother saying that he was
then on his way TO Paris. From
! there he will 90 to his place OF APP
pointment. Lieut. Kaufman was In
the trenches with Co. H for while.
- - -
Dan Nugent, an Abilene man and
founder OF the Abilene Kleanall, is
now is France. In a letter to Sexton
Brothers he says that he has been
in two big battles and escaped both
without a wound. He is top sergeant
in his company.
- - -
Verne Carney and Claude Probas-
co returned from Detroit, Mich. They
intended to enter government SER
vice there but found that it will
be better to remain in Abilene and
wait for a call for special men. Both
are fitted for mechanical positions.
- "a ~
Herington Times: Hoyt Baird who
is in France with the headquart-
ers company of the 35th division
writes to his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
e. p. Baird and to G. w. Bennett
that in little village where he is
now located he recently met a wo-
man who said she lived at Enter
prise, this county, from 1908 to
1914 and that she was a niece of
Mr.. Hoffman of Enterprise. She talk
ed good English and greatly enjoyed
with the boys. On receipt
of Hoyt's letter, Mr.. Baird called
up Enterprise and learned that the
lady was residing on the Swiss
border which shows where company
/ is located.
~ "a p
Mrs. D. C. Ballore returned home
today from Des Moines, Iowa, after
spending a week with her husband,
who has been at Camp Dodge. He
has been transferred into the Signal
Corps and left with the 8Sth division
for New York.
p - -
Ray Porter, in letters to his par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Al Porter, tells of
the work the boys are doing in
France. He sent several landscape
views and souvenirs. He is enthusi-
astic over the work being cone by
the Red Cross and says the Y, M. G.
A. and Salvation Army are also
great helpers His last letter dated
July II and it arrived last evening
which was quick time for letters
from the front. AT the time the boys
were well and in good spirits. He
ont cd hn had
crossed England and France and
lately had been across another line
and says Germany is not so bad
what / have seen of it," He expects
to send a box of souvenirs to the
home folks in the near future.
"a "a "a
Lieut. Hugh Garvie writes from
CoDoWhara m Eroupn rndar date Of !
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15

Milton Strunk of Co. D, 139th In
fantry, writes to his aunt, Mrs. G.
Baumgarth, from Somewhere in
France. ! was a long time coming
over here but am well and so are
all the boys. We are having fine
weather and everything is fine. About
the only thing we are doing now is
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-08-15

George Schad, an Abilene boy is
now in the aviation service and is at
Souther Field Americas, Ga, Il.
Bruce Brunson is also there.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
ILLUMINATION IN
PLANT BEST EVER

The Root & VanDervoort plants
are among the most brilliantly il
Illuminated in the United States. Not
only are the buildings brilliantly
lighted, but the grounds are every
where bright with electric lights.
In the r. & V. buildings mean
descent lamps are employed.
In the new ordnance shop it was
possible to provide for the i1lumi-
nation system more thoroughly
when the building wds erected
This building is lighted by 423 mer-
curry lamps. and they give the shop
an even illumination. which some
declare to be more satisfa Glory than
daylight. though the distribution of
natural light in the shop is practi-
ly perfect. So complete is the il
Elimination that it has never been
necessary, except for tes5 purposes.
to turn on all of the AZ lamps at
one time
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
BOYS ADDED TO
OVERSEAS LIST

Oscar G.. Engelhardt, son Of Mrs.
Augusta EngeIhardt, 1903 Twenty
fifth street, Moline, has arrived in
France. This message was receiv-
ed by his parents recently. He is
serving in the machine gun com
pany.
John Raider is overseas, accord
ing to word which reached his par
ents. He is the son OF MI and Mrs.
Ernest Hawkes. of Hampton He
was formerly employed at the Deere
Harvester works of East Moline.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. NJ, Peterson, Thir-
ty-fourth street and Sixth avenue,
Moline, are in receipt OF a message
stating that their son Lester, has
arrived overseas. He was previous
~ employed as a truck driver and
mechanic for the Moline Consumer
company.
Carl F. Nelson is another No
liner added to the list Of those
overseas. Word reached his par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. James Nelson,
1919 Fourteenth avenue. Moline, re
Gently. He has been in the service
since April 8.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
r. & V. ESTABLISH
NEW MAIL SYSTEM

Because of the great increase in
the volume of work in the R. & V.
plant. and numerous changes in
personnel due to operation of the
draft. revision Of the mailing sys-
TEN of the Office has become neces-
sary. The old plan of distribution
vas found inadequate and ineff-
cient, and, after much thought, / B.
BabOCk, worked out a new system.
Under the new plan the mail is
classified in three divisions
First class mail matter.
Departmental mail.
Inter-department mail.
First class mail will be delivered
Immediately upon arrival from the
postoffice Carrying. sorting and
distributing of departmental mail
at the main Office has been elimi-
mated. and hereafter is to be han
died within the department
For handling of inter-department
mail a new girl has been put on
duty in the main Office Her work
is to sort the mail so that an hour
ly schedule can be maintained be-
tween all Departments and the
main office
Though it is still in process Of
organization and establishment
the new plan is proving an improve
ment over the old system. and will
undoubtedly eliminate much delay
and greatly facilitate distribution.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
THREE MONTHS
SCHOOL TRYOUT
Evening Glasses Ia Open Middle OF
October for an Experiment
Lasting Several weeks.

Evening sc1OOl in Moline will be
three months experiment AM II
successful and tie attendance war
rants It's Maintenance, the school
will be continued Arrangements
for the opening, which vii! be about
the middle of October, were left to
l.. A. Mah0ncy, per[ntendent Of
the Moline schools, at meet ng Of
the board last evening Heretofore
war conditions have been resDOn-
sible for the small number who ar
tended the school. ard if conditions
are the same this wir'er, it is doubt
full whether it would be profitable
to continue the work
Public schools are to close on
Thursday, Oct. 10, in order chat
teachers may attend the Illinois
Valley division of the State Teach
ers' association meeting to be held
at Kewanee. J. w. Caste. princi-
pal of the East Moline township
high school, will deliver two talks
before sectional meetings at the
convention. Special trains for local
teachers who wish TO attend the
conference VIII leave on the Rock
Island road.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
BEATS WORKER WHO
WILL BUY NO BOND

John Ortiz, 1922 Sixth avenue,
Moline, is the only employee in the
foundry of the Williams, White &
Co. Moline, who did not buy a
bond. He is facing Magistrate
Gustafson this afternoon with Harry
Henninger of Rock Island, also an
emplOye of the same foundry, who
is charged with assault and bat
terry, preferred by Ortiz.
Ortiz claims he is financially I'M
able to buy bonds and Is alleged to
have made slurring remarks about
the United States. The case will
come up this afternoon.
Ortiz is the father Of Leo Ortiz,
who was a victim of an automobile
accident recently and the expense
incurred at the hospital is one of
OrtiZ's reasons for not purchasing
bond.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
WOMEN ARE CRANE
OPERATORS AT r. & V

/ Every day sees women meeting
a new factory emergency, filling in
place for which man can not be
secured, or for which a can can
not be spared from more highly
technical work
I In one department after another
it has been necessary to turn to
women workers to meet the short
age due to war conditions. Al
ways the women have responded.
and always they have. as a class,
proved capable and efficient They
are not crOwding men out of their
places in industry; they are simp-
ly stepping in where no man is
available, or they are releasing
from routine work men capable of
performing tasks requiring higher
technical training and skill.
Recently girls appeared in the
tool cribs Of the r. & V. plants as
checkers Even more recently the
women have been assigned to me-
chanical work in the tool room.
where heretofore only mechanics
of the highest order have been en-
ployed.
There was considerable surprise
A'1NAitlN III Tic ~ ~ - Vi dAitAIANC
plant when women entered the
electric crane cages to learn to
become crane operators. There
were several failures before wom-
en- capable of performing this work
were found. but the same expert
ence would have attended an effort
TO break in inexperienced men.
The experiment succeeded, how
ever. and women are operating the
cranes They have been found to
have all of the qualities essential
to this work A cool head a clear
eye, steady nerves and good judg-
ment are. required of crane oper-
atOrs The women fill the order. |
and with but little more training
than men require, they are salts |
factoryily handling the job.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
STACKER FOUND
SENT TO CAMP
John Anderson Indicted Into Ser
vice, Having Failed to Regis
ter on June ), 1917.

John Anderson, aged 27 years, of
Moline. was arrested at local fac
tory yesterday afternoon as a
Stacker, having failed to register
for military service June ), 1917.
When arrested Anderson did not
have a registration card and ad-
mitted to officials that he had not
enrolled for duty. At the police
station today Anderson said that he
did not think the government
would be so very particular even
if he didn't register. Then he said
he intended to register on Sept. u,
but somehow or other he didn't. He
has been a resident of this country
for II years.
He was turned over to the Mo-
line exemption board and was i'm
mediately examined and found
physically fit for service. He was
indicted into the army and sent TO
Camp Dodge early this afternoon.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-02
DONE WITH LAW
WORK; ARMY rs
FINE SAYS BELL

"I'Il never go back to the law
business. if | can avoid it. This
army life gives a man a good phys
ical training and sufficient outdoor
exercise. l am going to buy a hut
away out in the mountains and
compel myself to work or perish,
when the war is over" says Cap
tain Benjamin Bell, former judge
OF the Rock Island county probate
court, in a letter to Robert w.
Rank of Moline. Captain Bell has
been stationed at Camp Macarthur,
Waco, Tex, for the last three
months and transfer to some 9th
er camp would be greatly appreci-
ated by him, just for a change.
Captain Bell is still in the law
business, that is part of the time,
He is a member of the general
court at the camp, which is similar
to the circuit court and is also a
member of a special court, which
corresponds to the county court.
AT court, We try criminal cases
only. Once in a while we have to
defend a soldier" says the judge
Captain Bell has been in the ser
vice since December, 1917. He re-
ceived his commission as first lieu
tenant at Camp Custer. On Sept.
II, he was commissioned a captain.
The letter concludes. Wish l
had you down here with me. l
would soon make an officer of you.
We need lots OF big. strong, husky
bayonet fighters and if you answer
these descriptions. wire your an
Swer."