davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
BUILDING A HOSPITAL

Lieut.. Charles Brown, Of Laddonia,
who is on overseas duty, writes the
following letter 20 his father:
FRANCE, Oct. a, 1918.
Dear Father;
| suppose that by the time this
reaches you, you will have heard
from me since l landed on this side of
the Atlantic, as l have written to
some of the folks at home about ten
times. l am still at Limoges (Ll-
! Mocz). My men have been building
a convalescent hospital at this place
| am not expecting to be here much
longer as the hospital is about fin
ished. | am likely to get a job hand
ling meat when l leave here, but o.
course, don't know. l have a compan!
Of butchers, but have been "woot
butchers" every day since landing a
this place. This is quite a large size,
city and there are a good many camp
of American soldiers around it.
have sent out working details to diff
| ferent organizations from my con
l pany. The officers for wnom the
worked say that l have the beS
! bunch of working and discipline
! men they ever saw together. l al
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
IN ACTION


Pred Hilbert. q Benton City, son
Of Mrs. Mary v. Hilbert, writes his
mother from France;
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE, Sep
tember n, 1918.
Mrs. Mary v. Hilbert,
Benton City. No.
Dear Mother;
Well. Mother. | guess the newsPa-
pers are full Of the big drive over
here. | went over the top once, and
got wounded, but not seriously, the
first day. I am in q hospital now.
guess / shall be back with my CON-
pany before so awfully long.
We had lots Of fun capturing tho
bocha Mother, l had lots OF narrow
calls going over, bat l didn't feel 8
bit scared. l felt as Il the Lord wer'
with me, and He sure was. | believe
He will take me through this wal
safely. Mother, / shall tell you al
about the war when | get home.
How is the crop looking back there
by now? l haven't gotten but on'
letter from you in two months.
guess there is some mail at the com
psny for me by now, but l don't know
when l shall get it. l am going t
write to my captain as soon as | &c
this letter written, and have him sent
my mail to me.
How is everybody around BentoI
City? Tell everybody to write me
letter.
Mother, l lost my little ditty bal
that the Red Cross gave me bac
there; but the Red Cross will give m
one here before I go back to the iron
again, l think.
Well, Mother, this leaves me abb
to get around and eat as much a
ever. Write every day you IAN.
send my love to you and sister.
| remain as ever
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
sERGr. CRAWFORD IN FRANCE

Mrs. Eta Crawford Belchcr, form
erly Of this city, nov Of Kansas City,
has received the following very in
teresting letter from her brother,
sergt Jay II. Crawford, now with the
Medical Corps, Field Hospital, Of the
American Expeditionary Forces in
France. The letter was forwarded TO
his mother, Mrs. Callio Crawford,
who is at present visiting in this city.
FRANCE, Sept. 2. 1918.
Dearest sister and all
Wrote mother just a short note yes
terday as ! was rather busy, but have
a little time to myself today, 50
shall write you a real letter. We have
moved from Northern France TO
Southern France. Had a dandy trip.
We had TO hike to the station about
six miles. Started about 9 p. m, took
our time in the moonlight and arrived
at --s shout miinight. The Y. NJ.
c. A. gave us hot tea cakes and Gig
arettes. We boarded the train about
4 a. m. and started for somewhere in
France. All were quite tired, so We
slept in our box ear until about 8
o'clock the next morning.
The scenery was grand and the peo-
, pie were more refined and a betef
class than those we had seer in the
northern part. About 3 p. m. Sunday
we passed through the outskirts of
Paris. Although we don't see very
much Of the city, what we did see
looked mighty good Reminded me Of
Chicago-boulevards and new build.
ings. L intend to really see Paris he.
fore | return.
We continued our journey and ar.
rived here about 6 a. nj. DetraineC
and marched about half a mile Il
camp, where we are now located. w
are in a valley with foot hills; the!
aren't quite large enough to be call
/ ed mountains,-all around US. Gu,
camp is on the bank of a small clea.
t stream which we take advantage o
| by taking a plunge daily. The waite
| is cold but all right after you &c
used to it.
l have seer some Of the doubl
decked passenger cars; you have see
them in the movies. Saw a larg
barge about a hundred feet long be
ing pulled up the river by a team @
. horses. Some speed they were max
i ing. Now and then you see a Nj
d Comrick wheat binder, but most
n the harvesting is done by the ole
fashioned cradle.
s.. One funny thing here is that mo!
of the people speak German bettt
than they do French. That is accoun
ed for by the fact that we are n
IS very far from the German border al
a large percentage of the people he.
10 are refugees,
ct The weather is getting cold and
hate to think what it will be by wi
Y ter; but there is a lot of consolait
in the thought that this will be the o
It ly winter that we shall have to spel
/. over here. That is the way it is b
ginning to look, and / believe that '
shall all be back in the good old Stat
ry by this time next fall.
l had a very nice dinner toda
roast lamb, gravy, baked potato
lettuce, bread, butter and coffee. n
so bad, is it?
It. Haven't had any mail from hol
lie lately. Have you all gone on a
ter-writing strike?
Lots Of love to all from
en- (SERGT.) JAY II. CRAWFORD
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
A SAFE TRIP OVER
Your son,
CHARLIE.

Irwin Franklin, overseas with U. s.
troops writes his mother, Mrs. H. L.
Franklin, as follows:
Sixth Day on Board Ship.
Ny dear Mother:
Am on my way "over," and in or
der to have this mailed just as soon
as landed must let It pass through
the censor on board ship. Otherwise
it may take longer on other side.
The trip has been very pleasant 80
far, and | think it will be all the way.
We are well protected in case of
emergency. / haven't been sea sick
and don't think l shall be, as I'm be-
coming accustomed to sea life very
well, | think, but wouldn't care to live
it continuously.
There are several ships in u con-
voy, and at certain times they make
very beautiful scenery. l haven't
seen any whales, sharks, or subma-
ines, and won't complain II ! don't
see the latter. One Of the s~trangest
| sights to me are flying fish. They
are about the size Of a Redbird but
don't fly very far at a time. 1t also
seems queer to see birds Of most all
sizes in mid-ocean. Would like for
! you to know the name of the ship and
all about it, but I'll have to wait until
I return and tell you about it.
One Of the boys with me is from
Salisbury, Mo. I found out accident
ally, and there may be others from
nearer Mexico; but while we know
each other, we seldom know names,
much less to know where from. There
are several St. Louis boys on board
too.
When you write to me, send Mr.
Pigg's address, as ! may catch W
with him.
The Y. NJ. C. A. people are righf
with us, trying to make things al
pleasant as possible. They sure arr
good to the soldiers. Every
thing is as pleasant al
could be expected. Will write yol
more when l land. Hope you and tn
rest are getting along fine. Give m,
regards to all.
Lovingly,
IRWIN FRANKLIN.
(3,268 1927 395th Casual Co, A. e.
!, P. S. The serial number, as allow
is necessary for a quick delivery, bu
! not absolutely essential. Without
mail may be delayed.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
GEoRGE cARTER FINps NJ VI


FRANCE, Sept p, 1918
Ny dear Mother and Dad
I have received several letters
from you. and. believe me, I was sure
glad 20 hear from home nee more.
Did you get my letter and card u
wrote you while crossing over?
Well. how are both Of you and all
my old friends7 I should love to see
old home again, and don't think Il
will be a great while before things
will change. l am sure many a mile
from good old u. A., but I'M all o.
K, feeling fine. I was out drilling
yesterday. and whom did I see but
George Bast? First time since we
left for camp.
Dad, you sure see some strange
sights here. / have seen in the last
few days boats going up and down a
canal, drawn by two, sometimes four,
burros. Not many here work horses,
mostly cattle. They eve work the
mileh cows. Their houses and barns
are built together. All they have to
do is to walk through the door into
the barn. You hardly even see a dou-
BILE team, and mostly use two-wheeled
carts. The people of France are
about one hundred years behind U.
S.
l don't know just how soon, but
don't think it will be long before !
shall be trying my luck at the hun.
|, Sept. %.
| This is sure a fine morning, but to
make it still nicer, we are to have a
payday t~oday-the first time since
in France. All the boys are happy
because we were all broke for a long
| time. We always welcome Sunday be.
cause we get to rest and have q
E chance to write. l know you think il
' a long time between letters. l shall
+. try to write more often from now on
r How is old Buck? l bet he wonders
r what is wrong, he is getting so mucl
+ rest.
We had some trip coming over
Most of the boys were seasick, but
made it fine except I got mighty tiret
e seeing nothing but water. Uncl
nj Sam furnishes us with tobacco, bu
we were all out for a few days and W
had to smoke our coffee.
f Don't try to send me anything vel
Our winter clothes have been issue
to US. l have three good heavy blan
# kets, overcoat, %raincoat, two pairs @
l. shoes a pairs of socks, two pairs o
gloves, a good sweater vest, and
81 pair of four-buckled overshoes.
sr This county has always been Gale
T. Sunny" France, but somebody ha
Of made a mistake, for it rains most eN
I'd cry day. The most plentiful thin
re here is wine. They drink wine il
stead Of water.
I How are the crops around home?
n sure hope our turns out good, {
On Dad worked hard enough. Guess /
n now there are not many boys runnir
nd around; and if this war lasts, the
,e- won't be so many slackers. Is Kt
We Hulen working many teams on Il
Jez road now?
Well, l don't know much to writ
v: but shall write again in a few day
es. With lots of love, Answer soon.
LOTT GEORGE
George Lemuel Carter, Co. c, 313
me Engineers, A. E. F., France, A.
Of. o. 1861
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
sERGT. MOORE AT LIE MANS

Sergt. R. J. Moore, son Of Mrs. X.
j.. Moore, of this city, writes from
France of his life overseas;
LEMANS, FRANCE, Sept. 30, 10.
Dear folks:-
We are having some real nice
weather, but of course you know in
France it rains a grea deal. | am
still assigned to the Officers Mess,
and of course do not know how long l
shall be here. 1t will be a real nice
place for the winter.
Our camp is about two and one-half
miles from lie Mans. lie Mans is a
place of about 100000. l am able to
go to mass about twice a month.
There are several Catholic churches
here. The Knights Of Columbus
started a club here for the "boys" the
other day. The building it is in is an
old relic. Napoleon has slept in the
building, also a cardinal had a room
in the building twenty years ago. The
room is still maintained just as he
left it. The Knights of Columbus
manager said the room sure was
swell. He said to equip a 70 today
like it would cost twenty thousand
dollars. He could have this room fol
the Americans to view, but wa afraid
some would carry off stuff for SOU
venirs. So he had them to lock it ant
keep the key.
l. have never seen any of my com
pany, but a few after we arrived
here. l suppose the most of them ar
at the front by now. Can you mag
inc me buying tomatoes and gree
vegetables on a French market? Yol
have to have a basket or your arm
; because the merchants W wral
: anything like that.
| | shall be a real Frenchman if
2 run this mess much longer. 1t is
real amusing. You will try to sa
|, something in French, and forge
yourself and start out with the Eng
fish.
The Americans are a real curiosit
h to the French people. l go to town ]
a motorcycle, and if the driver goe
a little fast the people sure turn the:
heads. They do everything on a sma
scale. All of their hauling is dor
e on two-wheeled carts, one horse
front of the other.
l saw a funeral Sunday when
was in town. About eight prizes
l. walked in front of the hearse Wi
N their cassocks on, and altar boy wi
I lighted candles, and the people wal
ID ed behind. There were at least tv
'e hundred in all. There are so maj
~ people here in black you could not Il
the mourners from the rest. Eve
N other one here is in mourning.
Well, this is about all Of interei
h so l shall close. Where are Tom a
nd Phonsy? am enjoying the We
best of health. | just weighed tod
ke and tipped the beam at 1913 pounds
some weight,
sc So goodbye, with love TO all. I
everybody | said "Hello," and will
to write all of them soon
(SERGT.) r. J. MOORE
ny 62nd Co., July Auto Draft, A. P.
1852, A. E. +.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31

Sergt. Roy Creasey, son of Mason
Creasey, of this city, writes his faith
err from France:
Sept. IA, 1918,
Dear Dad:
Received your letter of August 9Th
and it found me in good shape and
still on the go. | had to go sixteen
kilometers to get it.
Ap at the front where we are do
ing things under the command Of
General Pershing himself. You are
likely reading of what we did a day Of
SO ago. Great stuff.
Have received a letter from Mitch
ell White. | received the newspaper.
o. K, but haven't heard from Russell
for two months. | have written yol
many letters and you surely have re
ceived them by this time.
Write to me often, as news is yer.
welcome. Regards to all inquirin.
friends and love to you.
(SERGT.) ROY CREASEY.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
IIIAL GUNS PROVE
MOST EFFECTIVE

Il uAsHINGTON, Oct. 26.-Details
,hs achievement of the Navy De-
.,trert in making available for use
|. ,bc western front the great
,,,l guns, which press dispatches
,rs reported to be hammering the
c,,man railway centers back of the
Oi.e.serre front, were made public
I'd night by Secretary Daniels.
The naval guns, which have been
operation since September 16,
DrrinalIy we're intended for new bat
M cruisers, but a change in the de-
ion Of the vessels left the guns un-
,yslable for that use. Rear Admiral
Earle, chief Of the Navy Bureau of
ordnance, commended that the
gups be sent to the western front,
8,pd he was directed to proceed with
me design and construction.
The guns are manned and operated
bv officers and men Of the United
states Navy, under the command of
Rear Admiral Plunkett, former direc-
tor Of the office of gunnery exercises
and engineering performance. The
first party of officers and men 10
handle the guns arrived in France
June O.; the first shipment Of mate
rial left this country June 20, and the
enhre organization was completed
and ready to move to the battle front
ID France late in August.
The organization 10 nan one CUR
requires an entire train, including
he gun car itself, ammunition cars, q
crane car and construction, sand, tim.
Der, kitchen, fuel, work shop, berthins
and staff radio cars. Many Of the
cars we're especially manufactures
BY the Standard Steel Car Company
\ and tho locomotives. s8-ton types
with four pairs of drivers, were bull
|by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
One car is a complete machine shop
equipped with forge, lathes, grinder
and drill presses. The gun car, a
we'll as the ammunition cars, ar
heavily armored, 1000 square feet o
plate being required.
The gun car is convertible into
form of pit foundation to permit fir
at high angles of elevation, and i
was said the entire process of placini
the gun in that position and restor
ing it to complete mobility require
only a few minutes. Under test, on it
steel car mounting, the gun ha
shown accuracy of fire at Ionge
ranges than ever before possible wit.
guns of such great caliber. Directio.
Of the fire upon any target is mad
possible simply by shifting the posi-
ton of the gun mount on the tracks.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
COUGHS and COLDS
QUICKLY RELIEVED
DR.. Kins'sN lew iscoveryused
since Grant was President
Get a bottle today

Il did Il for your grandma, for your
father. For fifty years this well-known
cough and cold remedy has kept an
ev~ergrowing armv Ct friends, young
and old.
For half a century druggists every
where have sold it. Put a bottle in
your medicine cabinet. You may need
Il in a hurry. Sold by druggists
everywhere.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
W. Y
JIMMY RODGERS IMPROVING

"Jimmy'' Rogers, of this city, who
was recently injured in France, is
improving. The following letter will
interest his friends:
Mr.. and Mrs. J. E. Rogers,
Mexico, No.
Dear Mother and Father:
Just a line to let you know that l
am getting along fine. | am getting
well fast. Am in a nice place and
want for nothing. Hope you are
well.
What camp is Perry in? You never
did send me his address. I should like
to hear from him.
We have most everything here in
the hospital-shows, church, and most
everything.
Goodbye, with love,
(PRvT) J. G. ROGERS.
Base Hospital No. 20, A. Z. f., via
New York,
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
CHARLES PlGG IN BAND.

Charles Pigg, the popular organi5t
at the 0rpheum Theatre, writes Mrs.
H. L. Franklin from France:
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE, Sept.
20, 1918.
Mrs. II. L. Franklin,
Mexico, Mo.
Dear Mrs. Franklin
Just a line to let you know that l
am doing nicely. Everything is all
right; you know it was so in the be-
ginning,
l suppose you have heard about the
big American drive that started on
September 18th, General Pershing's
birthday. 1t was a big one, SO be-
lieve me it was warm around here.
Our infantry had its part in it, and
some of the heaviest artillery was
around and near us, and I'll always
member when it burst out. None Of
the shells came near us. 1t all went
the other way. The Germans were or
the run, and will be on the run from
now on.
As | wrote you, | am in the banC
playing the clarinet. We are doinf
guard duty here, and | like it fine.
was on from II midnight to 4 a. m
night before last and / love to be OF
at those hours for as a rule all /
quiet and | find it easy to dwell II
the consciousness of Good. | sup
pose you can imagine what this ex
perience means to me in the advance
ment of Truth. There is so much t
do in that line, and l am always busy
l meet many Christian Science pee
pie, and ] have done work for quite
number.
So far VIC have never seer Paris Q
any very large places, but we ma.
later O. shall sure be glad to g
back to the good old U. s., that i
: when it pleases God, and in His ow
true and good time.
How is everybody? Give all m
friends my regards. have had Ur
letter from you forwarded from !
S. Glad to hear from you at ar
l time.
(MUSICIAN) CHAS. B. PIGG,
! 356th Inf. Band, A. +. +.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
Sheriff j. G. Ford reeeived a n

Sheriff J. G. Ford received a mes
sage Saturday morning, stating that
Reed Brothers big store in Wells
vile has been robbed Friday night
and it was thought the thieves had es'
capped in a motor a and might have
come toward this city. They took SIX
suit cases each containing severa.
suits of clothes, a number of silk
shirts and some silk goods.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
SENDS HOME POSTAL
CARDS FROM HUNS.

Lee Roe, son Of Mr.. and Mrs. ID. A.
Roe, Of this city, who is in France
with tie U. S. troops, sends his fash.
er several postal cards which he took
from a captured German prisoner.
The cards are translated following
his letter. Fred Boeger and F. A.
Sannebeck, Of this city, did the trans
latiOn for the Ledger, His letter fol-
lows:
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY
FORCES, Sept. %. 1918.
Dear Parents:
| shall try and drop you a few lines
to let you know that | am still
alive and in good health. | mean the
best Of health. Never felt better in
my life, nor had much less, but just
the same | still have some few francs
left.
| am going to try to send you a
German helmet soon, but don't know
when | shall get the chance. l don't
mean to say that haven't it, be-
cause | have, but it is like this:
have to wait and catch a chance to 60
to a postoffice, and / haven't any
idea when that will be; but here's
hoping soon. And here is another
thing | want you to bear in mind.
not to worry about me. If l get hurt
or killed, the Government will let you
know within 70 hours, so please dom
be worried about me when you can't
hear from me twice a week. l some
times go to the front, and whenevei
| do it is like this: army officer
aren't in any condition to take mai
and censor it up there. We don
stay long when we go, and l know
t that you can wait that long withou
hearing from me. | have waite
| twice as long, several times, an,
haven't heard from anyone. S
: rest easy and patiently and don
worry. l shall come out all right.
4 | received your card, which Mr..
Y Dahlem mailed for you, o. K,
Tell Lewis that l shall drop him
d few lines as soon as I get some mt,
r German souvenirs, and shall sen
S him one, and Father, I shall sen
you g watch chain which took frol
It a prisoner. l haven't any use for j
d and maybe you have, so here it come
Man, l have dressed more woun'
ed Germans than any man in Mexic
They sure like the Americans. The
g don't think that there are many of
n boys over here.
p | say | have almost forgotten
n tell you about the Ledger. Yes, l g
IN every one of them. They come fin
y wouldn't miss my Ledger for an
thing.
Is | think had better close, dol
ill you? So be sure and answer soor
q" Your loving son,
Til LEE ROE.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
ONLY ONE STACKER

Saturday afternoon an excited
group Of people watched Will Rose,
the slgn-man, as he finished decorat-
ing the Council of Defense's Big yell
low Stacker Board. The inscription
when finished read:
The Council of Defense has in
y~cStigatcd 63 cases during this Loan,
IN every case except one the person
appearing complied with the CouE-
els demands. This mans namc will
not be posted as he is more than 70
years old"
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
CARR Funeral SUNDAY

The body of DR.. l.. 7. Carr of Mar
tinsburg, who died Thursday morn
ing at the Mexico hospital, arrived
in Mexico from Martinsburg, where
it was taken Thursday afternoon, or
the noon train Sunday. The funeral
was direct from the station, witt
a service at the grave. Burial was
in Elmwood,
DR.. Carr was a member of the Ma
sonic Lodge and the Martinsburt
lodge will accompany the body here
The pastor of the Baptist Church a
Martinsburg, of which DR.. Carr wa
a member, will be in charge of tn
service.
49,, VyAn nANTTkTrC en- MDG
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31

.urE both the Republican cx.
'l,rls are fighting for a Repubii-
u.n.p and Senate TO handicap
..I.1t wilson, Il is claimed to be
l.., for Wilson to ask that he
House and Senate TO cooperate
L,,s him in these trying times. Vote
4, Tolk and Clark.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
Charles Allen LII.

J. c. Ringo, of this city, has re.
ceived word that Charles Allen, for
merly of this city, is seriously il
with Spanish influenza at New Or
leans. His wife, who was Miss Kati'
Ringo of this city, has been telc
graphed for. She resides in Kanso.
City.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
f ROE is WELL
Lee Roe, of this city, writing home
from France, says:

Lee Roe, of this city, writing home
from France, says:
FRANCE, Sept. -, 1918.
Dear parents:
Received your letters fine and dan
dy, and was glad to have them. I am
glad to know that you are all well. !
am we'll and in good health, and
haven't seen a sick day since | have
been in the army. Here's hoping that
| do not.
| am sending you some German
money; six pieces of paper and six Of
silver. You can give all Of my broth.
ers and A. j. "A piece. | shall sent
some pictures later.
How are my pups? Be sure and taxi
good care of them.
Well, as news is carce | shall clos
for this time. Hoping to hear iron
you soon, | remain, as ever,
LEE ROE.
Ambulance Co. 80, 9Th Sanitar.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31

Suit has been filed with the record
er to come up in the November term
Of the circuit court by Mary Saul
Vcstcr ct al partition.
T. 7. Chapel has also filed suit
against II, c. Dudgeon on note.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-31
PART TWO
Pages 5 to 8
.,ozr rHE MENACE.

'ss.firr Of the Spanish influ-
gansas City, the Star says;
rr,,t menace now, according
c. D. shelton, government
a charge, is presented by the
r,s saloons, which are adver-
aogininc and whisky" as an IN
- furn.