davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06
THELANDARMY
OF AMERICA
(Women as Farm Hands,
\,
By JESSE LYNCH WILLIAMS
OF The VieHanfes

81 had to hire them for my farm be-
cause l couldn't got men. Neigh
boring farmers who borrowed some of
them later hated to admit that they
were more efficient than man workers,
but had to-!
The farmer who wrote those words
employed 20 girls last summer to get
in his crops, some of them girls from
the seasonal trades" out of q job,
others students or college graduates
out for vacation, but few, if any, Of
them experienced farm hands. He
made two important discoveries. First,
that they were good workers. Second,
that this kind of work was good for
women, and as this farmer is none
other than Doctor Sargent, the direc-
tor of physical training, he ought to
know.
He adds that he did not have a
chance to try them at blowing or heavy
work, though they can do that too, but
at other kinds of farm work he found
them in all ways the equal and in some
ways the superior of men. They do
not average as strong as men, though
In proportion to their weight they are,
but they made up in care and thorough
ness what they lacked in theft" and
they did not loaf on the job when the
boss was not looking. Women are
nearly always more conscientious than
the superior SEX"
Has Come to Stay.
The WOman's Land Army of Amer
lea is still new thing in most parts
of the country, but it has come to stay
and the sooner the farmers of America
get that idea through their heads and
live down their old-fashioned preju-
dice against this 'new-fangled notion"
the better for them and for the coun-
try. Every man released from the farm
means one more man for the army
or for other war work not done by
women.
A year ago almost every farmer in
the country shared this impractical
and unpatriotic prejudice. Such preju-
ulCcS ulc All OuI DItJuulCtS
about women die hard. l will give an
amusing illustration. Last summer a
number Of units" were employed in
various parts of Westchester county,
New York. A unit" means a squad of
woman workers Ca gang" we might
call it, if they were men) who live and
work together under the charge of
competent older woman experienced in
agriculture, a sort of forewoman who
manages the whole outfit, which in
cludes their own cook and food and
bedding. The farmer does not supply
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06
MEETING THE
EMERGENCY
By VIVIAN M. MOSES
OF The Vi9ii0nfeJ

When H. G. Wells called the present
war the war of machines he had in
mind the vast quantities of engines of
war used at the frOnt-the ordnance,
both large and small, the bomb NOR
tars and mine-thrOwers, as-prOjectors,
airplanes and tanks employed in the
actual fighting. But there is another
sense in which this is the war of ma
chimes even more truly than that In
which the great British novelist used
the term; for on the machines in the
shops and factories Of the allied ma
tons depends an allied victory-On
the machines and the men who drive
them.
AS has been the case with each of
her allies, the United States since 1t
stupendously the output of its machine
shops. This result is being accom-
plished by the erection of new plants,
by the enlargement and increase in IA
cilities of the shops already engaged
in the production of war products, and
by the conversion to this purpose of
plants previously engaged in other
work. The problem Of multiplying the
shops to work in is a comparatively
simple one more difficult is the prob
lem of supplying the skilled workmen
to fill these shops.
Obviously we cannot quadruple our
skilled workmen by the old methods Of
apprenticeship and training fast
enough to meet the nations needs.
The old method has been found want
ing. 1t consisted in taking the raw,
unskilled laborer into the shop, start
ing him at the simplest work that
could be found, and letting him fight
his way slowly and painfully to the
status of trained mechanic. 1t was
a method which wasted the three pre-
cious elements, time, material and
man-power.
New Way Was Found.
The training accomplished by pri-
vate and public vocational and tech
nical schools brings far better results,
DuI pTOuuCt9 wv chiuii quantity VI
skilled mechanics to meet the emer
gency.
France found a new way. Great
Britain has adopted it. And now
America must get in line-is already
getting in line, in fact, with gratifying
results. For the new method is swift,
is sure, is comparatively cheap. 1t
turns the grocer boy or the school
teacher into skilled mechanic with
equal facility. 1t is the method of
the shop training school.
Shop training schools are now main
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06
755e
CAPTURE
gAo
BY ANNA E. SHERRY

Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
81 hate school eaching-and-and
farmers
Such was the verdict pronounced by
blue-eyed, dainty little Jessie Thorne
from pile of half-corrected papers
one dreary autumn day. There was no
answer to the outburst, the forlorn
schoolroom but re-echoing the words.
"Yes, l just hate it, hate 1t, hate it,
and l wish l were home" The last
word ended in dismal wall.
Home! How far away it seemed to
girl but recently removed from its
magic circle! 1t seemed two years in
stead of two weeks since she had
smiled a brave farewell to the group
Of home faces gathered at the busy
station to see her off. Bravely she had
blinked away a peculiar mistiness, and
turned an eXpectant face southwark
to the little hill town of GraydOn,
where she was to teach school.
What a glamour had always hung
around the profession How eagerly
she had drunk in the words of her in
structors, each striving to fill his pu-
pills with his own earnest purpose! Sc
cretly she had devoured every romance
of the pretty schoolteacher meeting her
fate in some fOrlOrn nook or Granny
of the countryside, capturing the heart
and hand of the catch of the county.
In dreary contrast to such visions
she looked at the dingy little country
schoolroom with its rows of ancient,
battlescarred desks, carved by many
Il restless youngster She saw the ugly
stove set in the middle of the room,
giving the lie to the old adage that
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06

cade the door and leave him to ransack
the house to his hearts content. But
again came Mrs. Smiths words: "City
girls amt afraid of anything" With a
mighty effort she resolved to prove it.
But how? OF course he was q burglar
and who ever heard of a burglar I'M
armed? She searched her brain wildly
for an idea. What could she do against
such desperate marauder? Turning
in despair her hand brushed something
cold and metallic on the dresser. Her
curling tongs! The very thing! Many
time had she bemoaned the fate that
had failed to give her curling locks, but
now she uttered a prayer of gratitude
for the omission.
Noiselessly she crept out the door,
down the creaking stairs that must be-
tray ever step, through the silent liv-
ing room, to the door of the dining
room, where, in the dim rays of flash
light a broad pair of shoulders bent
over the array Of silver on the buffet.
Her worst fears were realized. On the
hOch pNciuC llllll d Jag. III NlllIH
ready were Mrs. Smiths best spoons.
From the pocket of his coat prOtruded
bulky object. Was it gun" She
made one determined step forward,
determined hand pressed q cold instru-
ment directly behind his ear, and an
even more determined voice command
ed: Hold up your hands"
With muff1ed ejaculation, decided
ly masculine, the figure turned, and
she had just time to see a pair of sur
prisingly frank eyes before the flash
light fell and the room was in dark
ness.
"Sit down, right where you arew
was the next command
But" a rather pleasant voice at
tempted, "it's "a"
Another word and I'll shoot" was
the rude interruption from the mistress
of the situation.
The tense silence was Immediately
broken by hurried footsteps outside, a
familiar stamp on the porch and a
friendly hand turning the knob. With
an admonitiOn to the burglar to move
at his peril, Jessie ran to open the
door, and with a frightened sob drag
ged Mr.. Smith into the room.
whats the trouble? Why don't you
have light?" demanded the practical
Mr.. Smith.
Holding up the lantern he beheld a
manly form confnI lo
Jim, is this where you are, and they're
waiting for them spoons for the last
half hour. They sent me back to look
for you. Mother said you'd never be
able to get into the house, so Just
Why, what's the matter, anyhow" as
he caught peculiar expression on the
face of the young man, who had risen,
and was looking at most embar-
raised young lady, who seemed unde-
cided whether to flee or laugh.
Good Mr.. Smiths voice relieved the
strain. "Why, you people have never
been introduced, have you? Miss
Thorne, this is Mr.. Spence. He's one
of our real farmers, and you'll like him
first rate. BY the way, why don't you
come down to the party, Miss Thorne.
Jimll see that you get down all right.
l got to look up them spoons.
A year later new face appeared at
the teachers desk in the little district
school, and Jim Spence often says to
his wife, Jessie, isn't it pity that
the new teacher has curly hair? What
would she do if somebody tried to steal
the spoons?"
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06
Why He Trembled.

1t was behind the scenes Of q barn.
storming theatrical company.
Macbeth Partlow is timorous about
appearing tonight" said one of the
troupe.
"How foolish" replied another. "He
shouldn't have stage fright. Why, he's
been on the boards for years"
"True,' replied the first speaker
"but this Is the first time he was ever
billed for two nights in one town.
Kansas City Journal.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06

anything except the wages and pos
sibly place TO put up a few tentS-
The farmers wife has no bother or
extra work in the matter at all. Well,
every one of these units in Westches-
ter county made good, and there were
exactly as many surprised farmers in
Westchester county as there were
units. AT the end of the season each
employer was asked, "Will you ems
ploy woman farm hands again next
year," Each farmer made exactly the
same reply, Eyes, If l can get the same
women"
Each thought that he had happened
to have the luck to get the only good
bunch of girls! Sly, shrewd fellows,
those farmers For it seemed to them
quite obvious that women as class
could not be good farm labOrers. A
perfectly natural. prejudice. Men as q
class have always had the same GER
tainty that women could never be good
at anything Outside of the home" IN
til they went out and made good at
everything from voting and doctOring
to driving ambulances, and even at
fighting in the trenches when the ne
cessity arose over in poor betrayed
Russia.
Kept Island From Starving.
American farmers, however, are the
most enlightened in the world. Per
haps it will not take them so long to
get the idea into their heads as it re-
quired to beat it into the British brain.
In England, even after the scarcity of
farm labor had become more acute
than it is here now, the ''woman's land
army" movement was almost blighted
by masculine prejudice until the gov
eminent became alarmed and turned
clever trick. Prizes were offered at the
county fairs for public competitions
for woman workers in various depart
mentS of farm work. This aroused
considerable curiosity and created a
great deal of discussion. The question,
however, was not whether girls could
do farm work, but which girl could do
it best! Big crowds gathered. Bets
were made. Rivalry ran high. And
when it was demonstrated before the
astonshed eyes of the British farmers
that these farm lassies," aS they now
affectionately term their "farmere:tss"
over there, not only knew their job
but were experts at it, the prejudice
broke down and the country was saved.
The wOman's land army of England.
now 700 strong, has kept the island
from starving. This patriotic fact has
been publicly acknowledged in parlia-
ment.
There are already II states Of the
Union organized under the WOman's
Land Army of America, and in New
York alone 5000 farmerettes are regis
tered for this season. 1t is a fine pa
triotic service, a good thing for the
farmer who can thus get good sober,
industrious labOrers at a cheap rate,
a good thing for the girls, who can
thus get a wholesome outing as we'll
as fair wages, and the best thing of all
for the nation, which needs food and
needs men, and needs them at once.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-09-06

tanned by most Of the larger metal
working plants engaged in manufac-
ture of war products. They are spaces
set aside for this purpose alone, and
equipped with machines of every
type used in the shops proper. An ex-
pert mechanic especially selected for
his aptitude for this work is in charge
in each Of these shops, and under him
other skilled mechanics act as teach
erS. Here are received the raw or I'M
dertrained applicants for work. They
are assigned to the types of work to
which they best seem fitted, and quick
ly and practically instructed in this
work at the very machines which they
will have to operate in the main shops.
They work with the materials and OBJ
the actual orders upon which the shop
is engaged and the product of their
laborS becomes q part of the output of
the shop. They are paid fair hour
ly wage as learners, and this wage in
creases as the skill of the learner en-
ables him to increase his output.
The results obtained In these shop
training schools are almost beyond be-
lief. The ideal conditions under which
a raw man is taught to handle his ma
chine enable him to become a skilled
mechanic in a small fraction of the
time formerly consumed in the old
method under which he picked UP
knowledge bit by bit in the shop from
such other workmen as had time to
help him.
Mechanics Are Needed.
For example, here, in a New Eng
land shop, is a grocer's man, after a
weeks training, operating his milling
machine effectively and reading the
blueprint related to his work. Here.
in an Ohio shop, are three girls for
merly employed in a department store;
they are now operating heavy hand
turret lathes on work requiring great
precision; and the length Of theie
training required variously from
three TO ten days.
Here is a particularly capable wom-
an, says an expert from one OF the
greatest American war factories visit
ing another shop (speaking of one
who was probably teacher). "How
long have you been here?" he asks this
product of the shop training school. Il
came yesterday" replies the woman.
who Is working great turret-lathe.
America needs skilled mechanics,
and needs them greatly. The shop
training schools will supply this need.
quickly and efficiently. To the en-
ployer they offer the surest method Of
supplying the trained operators with
out which his machines cannot turn
TO the individual seeking employment
or willing to take place in the swell
ing ranks Of those providing the
sinews Of war for the American gov
eminent, the shop training schools
provide the opportunity for becoming
without undergoing a long period 1T
training or probation, skilled mechap
les, worthy of and receiving the won
drously high rates of payment which
trained labor Is commanding.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-09-13
ELVINS

DR.. and Mrs. G. w. Tidwell visited
relatives in Pennington Sunday.
E. j. Francis and family spent Sun
day as the guest of Jas. Francis and
family in Bonnie Terre.
Mrs. Fannie Tolcman of Pennington
came Tuesday to spend the winter
with relatives here.
Lige London, who has been working
in Morehouse, Mo-, for some time
came home Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. D. Silsby and Mrs
Ida Silsby of Springfield, Mo-, are here
on account of the serious condition Of
F. X. Silsby.
Michael Ferris, who spent the last
week here visiting, returned Sunday to
his home in st. Louis.
Misses Mary Keith, Isabel Hess
Lauraine Carr and Lucille Vance and
Messrs. Earl Scott and Ralph Haney
motored to Bonnie Terre Tuesday eve
ming
Hugh Vale is reported to be quite
i'll.
Miss Maude Luster of Mitchell Wis
tied homefolks here Sunday.
Carl Lupkey and Lawrence Maurer
went hunting Tuesday.
Miss Balva Watts was the guest of
Miss Annabelle Vale Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Lindeman and
little daughter, Marie, returned from
st. Louis Sunday.
Miss Rena Suttono Mitchell spent
Monday evening with home folks.
Mrs. VIM. Miller of Chicago came
Tuesday for visit with relatives
here.
Little Miss Wilma Delcour is on the
sick list this week.
Mrs. Thos. Gibson went to st. Louis
Monday for visit with friends.
All of the new stars were added to
the town service flag, making total
of %.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-09-13

Rev. w. E. Ledbetter preached at
the IL o'clock services at the Baptist
church Sunday.
J. A. Kite of Pennington has been
elected Sunday school superintendent
for the Baptist Sunday school at this
place. Mr.. Kite was formerly super
intendent here, having helped organize
the Sunday school something over
three years ago, but recently moved
to Pennington and on account of the
inconvenience he resigned. But the
church insists he return to his old
post of duty, which he has agreed to
do.
Mrs. Thos. Davis of Pennington
was the guest of Mrs. Jim Parks Sat-
urday.
Rev. Wilson, pastor of the M. E.
church here, is just closing his fifth
year as pastor. He doesn't know if
he will remain longer or not but the
church has prospered under his leader
ship both in membership and finan-
cially, and are planning a very busy
year.
VIM. Greer has bought the Walter
Boyer place this week and expects to
move into their new home the coming
week.
John Jose, who is employed by the
Government in Jacksonville, Tenn,
returned there Tuesday, after visit
ing his wife for several days here.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-09-13
ESTHER

Miss Ruby Terrell went to Bonnie
Terre Monday to spend few days
visiting relatives.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. I. Beatty and little
daughter, Glenna Maxene, Of Bonnie
Terre visited DR.. and Mrs. T. L.
Hodges the past week, going to Farm
ington the latter part visiting the pa
rents of Mr.. Beatty, Mr.. and Mrs,
Geo. Beatty.
Volley Wilson, who went to Denver,
Colo, few months ago for his health,
returned Sunday. He expects to spend
the winter here and return to the
West in the spring.
Miss Ollie White has recently ac-
copied the position as station agent at
the |. S. Depot, which was vacated by
Miss Blanch Tyler.
A farewell party-was given by the
friends of Miss Ethel burlington Sat-
urday evening, who will leave in the
near future for st. Louis to enter the
Centenery Hospital to take the nurses
training. Miss burlington has host
of friends in Esther who will be sorry
for her to leave. A large number of
guests were present and q good time
enjoyed by all.
Miss Estelle Bows of St. Louis was
guest of her cousin, Miss M. L. Ball,
Saturday and Sunday. 4
Rev. Hewey and wife are the proud
parents Of little daughter. born
Sept 9Th.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-09-13
CHESTNUT RIDGE

Bert Boards sale on last Tuesday
was well attended and everything sold
readily. Mr., Beard and family moved
TO Pennington and will live with his
mother for the present. Frank Rob-
inson and family moved onto the farm
he purchased from Mr.. Beard.
Geo. Burgess is making some ex-
cellent molasses.
Sowing wheat, grass and rye is the
order of the day in this neighborhood.
Jake Grader and family went to
Doe Run last Sunday.
Mrs. Steve Knapp of st. Louis Wis
tied her sister, Mrs. John G. Marks,
last week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Raymond Marks and
little son, Elmo, visited the formers
father, Ben Marks, the first of the
week.
Harry Horn and sister, Ava, and
Beulah Counts Of Pennington visited
Mr. and Mrs. Eliza Burgess recently.
The ice cream festival at Chestnut
Ridge was success in spite of the
cool weather.
Mr.. and Mrs. B. Cleveland and lit
tic son of st. Louis visited their aunt,
Mrs. Eliza Burgess, last week. They
left Sunday by way of Ste. Genevieve
to visit another aunt, Mrs. Joe Worst.
Mrs. Eliza Burgess accompanied them
as far as Hurryville and later visited
her cousin, Mrs. Bert Bowling. ..
Mr.. and Mrs. Ellis Rodgers and
daughter, Ethel, were shopping in
Pennington last Monday and Mrs.
Rodgers went to Flat River for short
stay.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bell Cleveland and
baby, Allen, Mr.. and Mrs. Eliza Bur-
CESS went to Pennington last Thurs
day to meet Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Counts
and Mrs. Sarah Gordon of Riverside,
Calf.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-09-13
SUGAR GROVE

Miss Anna Niedert, who has EN-
ployment in st. Louis, is spending hel
vacation here with her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Niedert.
Mr.. and Mrs. E H. Perkins of Rout,
5 visited Mr.. and Mrs. Howard Haynes
Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. R. C. Martin and Mrs. Thos
Horton spent Tuesday of last weel
with Mrs. j. w. Pinkston.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edgar Morton, wht
have been visiting Mrs. Morton''
mother, Mrs. Emma Hunt, returned
last Saturday to their home in Union
Nebraska.
Born, to Mr.. and Mrs. ]. D. Rion
on Sept. 8, girl.
Eugene Williams, who is working
for the Pennington Nero. Co., is tax.
ing his annual vacation this week ano
with his wife spent few days with
his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. E. G. Viii.
liams.
Howard Haynes received a picture
from his son, Stanley, who is ir
France, which is good proof that the
country is agreeing with him, anc
Joseph Schilling received a letter from
Jesse Haynes, also in France, and he
too, is enjoying good health.
Quite a number from this neighbor.
hood registered on the 18th.
[, Howard Haynes will soon begin
making sorghum.
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-09-13
COLEMAN

Flowing for wheat is the order of
the day.
Mrs. Richard Adams and little chill
dren and Miss Julia Bauer were the
guests of Mrs. C. L. Bauer Tuesday
afternoon.
Miss Edith Gordon of Ironton arriv-
ed here Friday to open her term of
school in this village. We wish her
success.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thee. Basler of River
Aux V; scs was the guest of Mrs. Bas-
ler's sister, Mrs. George Fannestock,
Saturday afternoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Gegg spent Sun
day afternoon with Mr.. and Mrs. c. L..
Bauer.
Guy Haney of near Avon spent Sun
day with his friend, Willie Patterson.
John Harter of Farmingtcn spent
several days with his son, Andrew
Harter and family.
Edwin Adams of Irondale was the
guse of his uncle, Richard Adams, the
the first of this week.
Richard Adams and nephew motorcd
to Pennington Sunday and were ac-
companied home by Mr.. Adams sis
ter, Mr.. and Mrs. George Williams,
and family.
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Wade were
the guests of Mrs. Wade's parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Boyd, of Route
Three, Sunday.
Tucker Boyd and family and Mrs.
Ben Graham and children were the
guests of Mr.. Boyd's parents, Mr.. and
Henry Boyd of Route Three, Sunday
afternoon.
Miss Elsie Govcreau has employ
ment at tie home of Elijah Sebastian,
of Route Three.
Miss Julia Bauer and little Nov
era Adams were the guests of Henry
Boyd Sunday.
A birthday dinner was given Ms.
Nellie Brown at the home of Henry
Boyd Sunday. We wish. for her
many happy returns Of the day.
Clarence Boyd and family were the
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Noah Mertel
Sunday.
Mr.. I'D Mrs Charley Danieley and
little daughter, Alice, of New Church,
were the guests of Mrs. Joe Boyd Sun
day.
Mrs. Martha Gagg spent Su day
with Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Richey and
family CT New Church.
Miss Sallie Miller and little sister
Mamie spent from Friday until Mon
day will. their aunt, Mrs. Anderson, of
New Church.
Noah Beard of Minnith spent from
Friday until Sunday with his friend,
Herchel Heberlie.
Dewey Staten and family were for
ced to go to Ste. Genevieve Sunday on
account Of the serious illness Of the
baby.