The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-09-19
BACK FROM WAR FRONT
Lieut.. Geo. Brown Caster First De-
Catur County Soldier to Return
from War front in France.

soldier, Lieutenant Geo. Brown Cas-
ter, has returned, arriving in Leon
Monday noon for two days visit
with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. }. A;
Caster When war was declared
law student at Columbia Univers-
ity, New York City. He at once
volunteered, and went to the first
officers training camp at Platts-
burg. N. ", where he was commits
stoned a lieutenant, and being right
up at the head of the list in his ex-
aminations he was one Of the new
attend the advanced, trainine scnool
over there. He sailed from Hobo
ken, n. Y, on Sept. Sth,, and, after
finishing the course at the French
training school. was assigned to
headquarters company OF what is
known as the Yankee Division,
panies from the New England states,
and he has had wide and varied
experience on all three fronts in
France, being with the first Ameri-
can division which took charge OF
the Toul sector, the. first force OF
American troops which were given
the fronts by themselves. and they
for over six months without being
sent back for rest. Finally they
we're sent to rest camp near Paris
in August, and within a day or two
Lieut.. Caster was notified that ne
had been selected to return to to
officers for few months; his par
ents had no inkllng of his coming
until they received telegram last
Thursday, announcing he had land
ed at Newport News, Virginia. At
ter reporting he was granted sew
en- day leave of absence and reached
Leon MONDAY noon the ne High c{ihs@s Sfh9o
going to the depot to welcome him
home. Lieut. Caster is in excellent
health, hard as a rock, and has had
a world of experience, but is very
modest about his experiences. He
of course was mighty glad to, get to
come home for a short visit, but is
anxious to get back over there and
get after the Huns again.
Lieut.. Caster is a close. observer
and he has been kept mighty busy
since he arrived in Leon. Tuesday
morning he went to Van Vert to at
tend the Liberty Loan meeting at
which the Naval Band appeare' and
he had to make a talk there. Tues
he hes visited stsaiul the High M School and I've
a fine address on the war to the
students, and Tuesday evening an
reception was held at
the Civic League club rooms. and
for nearly three hours he told OF
hts experiences and the conditions
in France, including his trip across
the ocean. during which he uld not
even see a submarine, and says he
has no fear of them getting mary OF
our ships. tie said the Salvation
Army workers over in the front
trenches were the real help. to the
soldier boy and while little was
known of their work over here, they
we're entitled to great credit. He
also spoke in praise of the Red
Cross work, and back of the lines the
Y. NJ. G. A. huts were a, source OF
great comfort to the soldier boys.
Lieut.. Caster was probably the first
Decatur county soldier to go over
seas. He departed last night to re-
port for duty at Camp Meade, Mary
land. where he will be. assigned, as
an instructor to some field artillery
camp in this country for the next
few months. The only regret is
that his visit here was so short for
our citizens could have enjoyed hav-
ing him here for several weeks.