davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18

in rest blllets, digging roads drilling,
and other fatigues, and then back into
the front-line trench.
Nothing happened that night but the
next afternoon | found out that a
bomber is general utility man in a sec
ton.
About five O'Clock in the afternoon
our lieutenant came down the trench
and stopping in front Of bunch of us
on the fire. step, with broad grin on
his face, asked:
"Who is going to volunteer for listen
ing post tonight? l need two men,"
II is needless to say no one volun-
teered, because 1t Is anything but a
cushy job. / began to feel uncOmfort-
able as l knew 1t was getting around
for my turn. Sure enough, with another
grin, he said:
"Empey, you and Wheeler are due,
so come down into my dugout for in
structlons at six o'clock"
Just as he left and was going around
a traverse, Fritz turned loose with a
sandbags right over his head. 1t gave
me great pleasure to see him duck
against the parapet. He was getting Il
taste of what we would get later out
In front.
Then, of course, 1t began to rain.
knew 1t was the forerunner of a mis-
cradle night for us. Every time I had
to go out in front, it just naturally
rained. Old Jupiter Pluvius must have
had it in for me.
At six we reported for Instructions
They were simple and easy. All we
had to do was to crawl out into No
Mans Land, lie on our bellies with our
ears to the ground and listen for the
tap, tap of the German engineers or
sappers who might be tunneling under
No Mans Land to establish mine
head beneath our trench.
OF course, in our orders we were told
not to be captured by German patrols
or reconnoitering parties. Lots Of
breath is wasted on the western front
giving silly cautions.
AS soon as 1t was dark, Wheeler and
crawled to our post which was about
halfway between the lines. 1t was
raining bucketfuls, the ground was a
sea of sticky mud and chung to us like
glue.
We took turns in listening with our
ears to the ground l would listen FOR
twenty minutes while Wheeler would
be on the qui vive for German patrols.
We each wore wristwatch, and be-
lieYe me, peither one Of us did over
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
"Over the Top
By An American Soldier
Who Went
ARTHUR GUY EMPEY
Msehins Ganas, SsTOins IN Frsses
1oopJrishs, 1911. 81 Arthur Car HmpssI
SYNOPSIS.
Mrehine Cann., Ssr0ins b Frssee

CHAPTER I-Fired by the news OF ths
MfnkinR OF the Lusitania by German
Submarine. Arthur Guy Empey, an Amer,
can. leaves his office IN Jersey Guy hnu
Koes 10 England where he enlists In inc
"GHsAPTER Ii-After a period OF train
ing, Empey volunteers for immediate serV-
Ice and soon finds himself In rest blliets
Hpomewhere in France" where ne nrst
makes the acquaintance OF the ever-pres-
ant "eootiea" -, ..,ouds Me Arst
church services at the front while GER
man Fokker circles over the congregation
CHAPTER IV-Empey's command goes
Into the front-llne trenches ana II uhuei
Ore for the first time.
CHAPTER V-Empey learns 70 adopt
me motto of the British Tommy, ~ you
arc going to get It, you'll get H. so never
WCSnaAPTER vI-Back in rest bilieta En-
pey gets his first experience as mess
orderly.
CHAPTER VII-Empey learns now the
British soldiers are fed; 49,. 49,, ,,ro
JnAfS1Eft VIn-Back In the front-nhe
trench, Empey sees his first friend OF the
trenches go West"
CHAPTER Ix-Empey makes his nrst
visit TO a dugout in Suicide DITCH.
CHAPTER x-Empey learns what con-
stitutes a days work" In the front-hhe
NsSaas.arrnH xI-Empey goes ''over the
top" for the first time In charge on the
German trenches and is wounded ny
@avnnAt thrust - ...,,
ado club'' as the bombing squad Is called.
OrfH f.rfsh AIrI-Eacn Iommy gers an
GnR- / rrt SaIv-Empey neps dig' an
,advanced trench ,'.nder Hcrm>n nre'
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18

10 get the backache from bending
down. II wasn't exactly safe TO stand
upright, either, because as soon as
! your napper showed over the top a
bullet would bounce of II, or else come
so close II would make your hair stand.
1--WE used TO I'LL Standings and stick
them on top Of the parapet to make IL
higher, but no use; they would be
there about an hour and then Fritz
would turn loose and blow them to
bits. MY neck used TO be sore from
ducking shells and bullets.
"Where my battery was stationed a
hasty trench had been dug, which
the boys nlcknamed Suicide ditch,
and. believe me, Yank. this was the
original Suicide ditch All the others
are limitations.
"When fellow went into that
trench II was an even gamble that he
would come out on a stretcher. AT one
time Scotch battalion held 1t, and
money that they'd come out on
stretchers, they grabbed all the bets
In sight. Like a lot of baliy idiots, sew
eral OF the battery men fell for their
game. and put up real money The
Jocks suffered lot Of casualties. and
the prospects looked bright for the
battery men to collect some easy
money. SO when the battalion was re-
lieved the gamblers lined up. Several
Jocks got their money for emerging
safely. but the ones who clicked II
weren't there to pay. The artillery
men had never thought 1t ont that
way. Those Scottles were bound to
be sure winners, no matter how the
wind blew SO take a tip from me,
never bet with a Scottie, cause you'll
lose money.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18

rwpnry minutes. The rain soaked US
! 10 the skin and our ears were full OF
mud
Every few minutes a bullet would
crack overhead or a machine gun would
traverse back and forth.
Then all firing suddenly ceased.
whispered to Wheeler, keep your eye
skinned, mate; most likely Fritz has
patrol out-that's why the boches
have stopped firing"
We were each armed with rifle and
bayonet and three Mills bombs to be
used for defense only.
had my ear 70 the ground. All OF
sudden | heard faint, dun thuds-
In a low but excited voice ] whispered
10 wheeler, 81 thInk they are mining
listen"
He put his ear TO the ground and
in an unsteady voice spoke into my
ear:
"Yank, that's a patrol and It's head
ing our way. For Gods sake keep
still"
was as stlll as mouse and was
scared stlff
Hardly breathing and with eyes try
ing to pierce the inky blackness, we
waited. / would have given thou
sand pounds TO have been safely In
my dugout.
Then we plainly heard footsteps and
our hearts stood still.
A dark form suddenly doomed up In
front of me: II looked as big as the
Wooworth building. could hear
the blood rushing through my veins
and 1t sounded as loud as Niagara
falls.
Forms seemed to emerge from the
darkness. There were seven Of them
in all. | tried 10 wish them away.
never wished harder in my life. They
muttered a few words in German and
melted into the blackness. didn't
stop wishing either.
All Of sudden we heard stumble
n muddy splash, and n muttered Don
ner und Bitten" One of the BOches
had tumbled into shell hole. Neither
of us laughed. At that time-lt didn't
strike us as funny.
About twenty minutes after the Ger
mans had disappeared something from
the rear grabbed me by the foot. |
nearly tainted with fright. Then a
welcome whisper in cockney accent.
81 s'y, myte, we've come to relieve
you"
Wheeler and crawled back to our
trench; we looked like wet hens and
felt worse. After a swig of rum we
were soon fast asleep on the fire step
in our wet clothes.
The next morning ! was as stiff as
poker and every joint ached like a
bad tooth, but was still alive, so 1t
did not matter.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
MANY MEN PASS THE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

The physicians examined one group
of men that surpasses any bunch
tested before. Every man passed a
fine examination and those who were
classified as physically fit are: Ed
ward L. Muck, Frank Kraybill, Err
nest McDonough, Lester Engle, Fred
Rasher, Jess Caulk, Ernest Osburn,
Anthony Baier, Albert Whittier, Geo.
Piper, Hiram Allen, John Fields,
Timothy Riordan, Joseph Sommer,
Theodore Wendt, John Swader, Rich
ard Ruiz, Geo. Jameson, Herman
Walker, Clifford Johnson, John Wal
lace, Emery Bear, Earl Gfeller, Mar
tin Kandt, Jay Finn.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
GOLDEN BELT PLEDGES
SUPPORT TO THE WAR.
Annual Meeting Elects Officers and
Boosts the Road.

The annual meeting of the Colder
Belt Road Association was held a.
Junction City yesterday. About AZ
towns were represented by delegates
and reports show work for making Il
a hard surfaced road from Kansas
City to Hays well under way. Off
GERS elected for the coming year
were: C. NJ. Harger, Abilene, presi-
dent; John Mcmahon. Ellis, first
vice president; f. ]. Fischer, Wa
mego, second vice president: II. w
Jacobs, Junction City, treasurer; II
NJ. Cowan. Abilene, secretary. F. e
Geoffroy who attended as a delegate
from Abilene was elected vice presi-
dent for this city.
/ Changes we're made in Ellis county
to avoid railroad crossings. in Colby
to suit the towns traffic and in ELS
worth to run through Kanopolis The
following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, that the Golden Belt
Road Association pledges its hearty
efforts and cooperation to the gov
eminent in every work connected
with the successful prosecution of
the war, and that believing that one
of the greatest needs of our agri-
cultural and industrial communities
today is a system of hard surfaced
roads we ask the cooperation of the
government in making the Golden
Belt road a highway suitable for
military and industrial transporta-
ton.
Resolved, that we urge on every
community the importance of exert
ing every possible effort to secure
such result at the earliest possible
date. The needs of our agricultural
population of industrial service and
necessity demand roads good
365 days in the year and we pledge
our members support to every eff
fort in that direction.
The association endorsed the fort
to fort road, st. Louis to Cheyenne,
over the Golden Belt route
Kansas. Next falls meeting
will be at Hays; next springs meet
ing at Manhattan.
Abilene has 38 members paid and
who have not yet paid their dues
for the year. The road will issue adj
vertising matter for distribution in
the east for tourist who are daily
writing for information about the
road. Every live citizen ought to
be a booster for the Golden Belt if we
want travel to come this way. Other |
'ival roads are doing vastly more adj
because their people con-
tribute generously and are working
'or the travel.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
So MILLION RUSSIANS
PART OF HUN BOOTY.

Petrograd, April 12.-Under the
terms of the peace treaty the COM
missioner of commerce announces,
that Russia has lost 100000 square
kilometers of territory with 56,000,-
600 inhabitants or thirty-two per
cent of the entire population of the
country.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
CHAPTER XVI.
Battery o 23e.

The day after this | received the
glad tidings that l would occupy the
machine gunners' dugout right near
the advanced artillery observation
post This dugout was a roomy affair,
dry as finder, and real cots In 1t.
These cots had been made by the
X. Els who had previously occupied
the dugout. | was the first to enter
and promptly made a slgnboard with
my name and number on 1t and sus-
pended II from the foot of the most
comfortable cot therein.
In the trenches it is always first
come first served" and this is lived
up to by all.
Two r. +. A. men (Royal Field ar
tillery) from the nearby observation
post We're allowed the privilege Of
stopping In this dugout when off duty
One of these men, BOmbardier Will
son by name, who belonged to Bat
terry d 23S, seemed to take a liking
to me, and | returned this feeling.
In two days time we were pretty
Nhuiiiigf hC lOlu lilc huN Ills Ddl-
terry in the early days of the war had
put over stunt on Old Pepper, and
had gotten away with 1t.
will endeaver to give the story as
far as memory will permit In his own
words:
II came out with the first expedi-
tionary force, and, like all the rest,
thought we would have the enemy
licked in Jig time, and be able TO eat
Christmas dinner at home. Well, so
far, ! have eaten two Christmas din
ners in the trenches and am liable to
eat two more. the way things are
pointing. That is, If Fritz don't drop
a withholding on me, and send me to
Bllghty. Sometimes l wish / would
get hit, because It's no great picnic
out here, and twenty-five months of 1t
makes you fed up.
TITS fairly cushy now compared to
what 1t used to be- although / admit
this trench Is trlfle rough Now
we send over five shells to their one
We are getting our own back, but in
the early days II was different. Then
you had to take everything without
reply. In fact we would get twenty
shells in return for every one we sent
over. Fritz seemed to enjoy it, but
we British didn't; we were the suf-
ferers. Just one casualty after an
other. Sometimes whole platoons
would disappear, especially when a
Jack Johnson plunked into their
middle. 1t got so bad that fellow,
when writing home, wouldn't ask for
any cigarettes to be sent out, because
he was afraid he wouldn't be there to
receive them.
After the drive to Paris was turned
back, trench warfare started Our
general grabbed a map, drew a pencil
across 1t, and said, Dig here Then
ne went back to his tea. and Tommy
armed himself with a pick and shovel
ana started digging. He's been die.
ging ever since.
OF course we dug those trenches NJ
nlght' but it was hot work. what with I
the rifle and machine-gun fire. The
stretcher bearers worked harder than
the diggers. '''''"
Ihose trenches, bloomin' bitches 7
eau them, were Nightmares. They were
only about five feet deep, and Won used /
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
Wanted, German Photographs

The government wants photo
graphs, drawings and descriptions of
bridges, buildings, towns and locali-
ties now occupied by the German
forces in France. Belgium and Lux
embourg and likewise in that portion
Of Germany lying west of line run
ming north and south through Ham
burg. If you have any send them to
c. A. Case, chairman council of de-
tense.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
RED CROSS CAMPAIGN
COMMITTEE is NAMED.

The Abilene Chapter Red Cross to-
day announced it's organization for
the second Red Cross war fund cam
paign to open May 20. 1t is:
Campaign manager, E. H. Forney.
Executive committee, c. C. Wy
and, hartman, E. l.. Garnett, r. M.
White, G. C. Sterl, NJ. H. Malott.
War fund committee, Dickinson
County War Fund Association.
Publicity committee, Bruce G.
Hurd, manager.
Speakers Campaign Manager,
Charles NJ. Harger
War Fund Cashier, NJ H. Malott.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
Step Lively! Corns
Quit with "Gets.It"
The Great Corn Loosener of the
Age. Never Fails. Painless.

Watch my step? What's the usei
| go along right side up without
care" even with corns, because / use
"Gets-It", the painless, off-like- a-ba-
nana-peel corn remover. | tried
other ways galore, until / was blue
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
MRS, f. NJ. GILLETTE DIED
AT PROVIDENCE, r. l.

Mrs. Mcdaniel received a telegram
this morning conveying the news of
the death of her sister, Mrs. F. M.
Gillette, who died in hospital at
Providence, r. /. Mrs. Gillette Wis
tied here last spring and formerly
lived in Abilene. Her many friends
will be saddened by the news of her
death.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
A Bilious Attack.

When you have a bilious attack
your liver fails to perform its func-
lions. You become constipated. The
food you eat ferments in your
stomach instead or digesting. This
infames the stomach and causes
nausea, vomiting and terrible
headache. Take Chamberlain 9
Tablets. They will tone up your
liver, clean out your stomach and
Won will soon be as well Es ever.
They only cost q quarter.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
Pure Bred License No. $40
The Young Percheron Stallion
BRINGHAM 10000

BRINGHAM 12OO04
BRINGHAM was foaled in 1914,
is black with star, and was sired by
General 27077, dam Olivet 57818.
He is a very promising individual of
good bone and action.
Both Of the above stations will
make the season of 1918 at the home
barn, miles east of Manchester, at
the Tom Bower farm.
TERMS: $12 to insure a colt to
stand and suck for Leber, and $40
for Bringham. Mare sold OF not re-
turned regularly will be held for the
insurance. Care will be taken to pre-
vent accidents but will not be re-
sponsible should any occur.
A fine jack will also make the
stand at the same place. $40 for
MS services 4w8t
J. W: DOVER. Mgr.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18


in the face and red in the toes. No
more for me. Use "Gets-It." It
never fails. Touch any corn or cal
lus with two drops of "Gets-It,"
and "Gets-It" does the rest It's
relief to be able to stop cutting
corns. making them bleed, wrapping
them up like packages and using
sticky tape and salves. 1t removes
any corn clear and clean. leaving
the toe as smooth as your palm. You
can wear those lew shoes without
pain. dance and be frisky on your
feet It's great to use "Gets-It"
"Gets-It." the guaranteed, money
back corn-remover, the only sure way.
costs but a trifle at any drug store.
MID by z. Lawrence & Co, Chicago, Ill
selA IN Ahilsae and recomneaa-
1 e. xhs worlds best corr remedy
, Froup q Leonard Drag CO. and
n kortAerAft Z o.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
CHAPTER XIV.
LISTENING Post.

1t was six In the morning when we
arrived at our rest billets, and we were
allowed to sleep until noon; that is,
If we wanted TO go without our break
fast. For sixteen days we remained
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1918-04-18
Pure Bred License No. 1O43
The Fine Clydesdale Stallion
LEBER 1888

LEBER was foaled in 1906 and
was sired by Master Fearless 9484,
dam Golddust 1858. He is a fine
individual.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-15
2 Killed, II Hur t
In Rear End Crash
N ear L ouis Vile

LOUISVILLE, Ky, Jan. 1.-Two
persons were killed and 16 others
injured. L 3 of them seriously. Mon
day night, when a Louisville and
Southern Indiana traction car from
Indianapolis to Louisville crashed
into the rear Of a Jacksonville, Ind.
and Louisville interurban car on the
south approach of the Big Four
car, loaded with Louisville residents
railway bridge here.
The JeffersOnVille and Louisville
employed at the United States army
Quartermaster's depot at Jefferson
Vile. was badly smashed
Allen Alvey of Louisville, and one
unidentified man were killed The
injured were taken TO the Louisville
city hospital, where it was said sew
eral of them were i'm a serious con
ditiOn.
Pending an investigation officials
of the traction companies were un-
able to assign any cause for the ac-
cident. but were inclined TO blame it
upon weather conditions.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-15
PLANS WAR STAMP SALE
ON "CASH ON DELIVERY

WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-Sale of
war stamps through a system #
cash or delivery" at the home of
the purchaser is the latest plan of
war financing announced by Sec'y
McAdoo and il is said 10 be the first
undertaking of any nation 10 deliv-
er and collect for its securities in
the homes of people.
The plan, as outlined Monday
night 10y Mr. McAdoo. is 10 send
some 25.0Q0.000 postcards into as
many homes appealing for subscrip-
tions 10 the savings stamps To
each card will be attached a re-
turn card ON which the recipient
may write the amount of stamps
ne wishes 10 purchase and which
may be mailed without cost TO the
nearest postmaster. A postman will
deliver and collect for the stamps
If only one stamp is bought ia
each home reached by the message
the campaign viii net more than
Sr0O-00O-0ee.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-15
RESERVE OF 100000
SHIP YARD MEN PLANNED

WASHINGTON. Jan 15.-Plans
for recruiting a volunteer reserve of
go. 900 shipyard workers were an
nounced Monday night by Chairman
Hurley of the shipping board.
The men will be enlisted with the
aid of state council Of defense, and
the labor departments employment
agencies They will be fed into the
Yards as fast as their services can
be utilized 1t is estimated that
fully 100, 600 will be placed within
the next five months.
Approval Monday by the senate
commerce committee of a bill ap-
propriatins $SO.00O.OOO for provid-
ing house accommodation for ship
yard workers led shipping board Of
hcials 10 believe that the entire re-
serve may be put TO work before the
end of the year The committee
also has approved bills to authorize
the board to commander trolley
lines if necessary to provide trans
portation for workmen and TO create
military zones around shipyards.
Congress- was asked by the ship
ping board today for an appropria-
ton Of S731,O0O,OOO already au-
thorized and in anticipation of
which contracts already have been
let
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-15
BERLIN DENIES U-BOAT
SUNK HOSPITAL SHIF

LONDON. Jan. 15.-An official
Berlin statement denies that the
British hospital ship ReWa was tor
pedOed by "A German submarine and
says it is more likely that the ship
ran on mine barrier which the
Germans recently laid in the Bris-
tol channel
An official British statement re-
peats and emphasizes that the Rewa
was torpedoed and not mined.
The hospital ship Rewa was tor
pedoed and sunk i'm the Bristol
channel on Jan. (. according TO a
British official announcement Jan.
$. The semi-official German news
agency the Wolf bureau. Jan. u.
reported that the German author
tiles could net give a final state
ment as the submarine which might
have been concerned was still at
sea. Ii was added that the only
possibility. according to competent
circles was that the Rewa had been
sunk by a mine.
This was followed by state
ment from the British admiralty
that there was no mines i'm the wa
ters where the vessel was sunk.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-15
SHIP COAL AND
FOODS FIRST IS
NJ AD0O' s ORDER
Tie-up by Blizzard of Trans.
pOrtation Leads Rail
Director to Establish
Priority.

WASHINGTON. JAN 15.-Inter-
ference with railroad transporta ton
10y the blizzard led Director Gen.
McAd0o Monday night TO establish
limited priority orders on coal and
food for New York and vicinity,
giving the first instructions Of the
Kind since he recently cancelled all
formal priority For the middle
west where most freight and pas
seuger traffic was still held Up today
Hy frieid weather and deep snow
air. McAdoo issued no priority or
Jer- but railroad Arrangements re-
ceiEcd Instructions 10 move coal
and food ahead Of all other ship
ments and % do their utmost TO
clear the snow from main travel
routes.
Action on the New York situa-
ton was taken on advice of A. IT,.
smith assistant director in charge
OF eastern lines who reported that
IT'S ships were held in New York
haraor awaiting bunker coal. and
that transatlantic freight move
ments were suffering to that extent.
Accordingly, Mr. McAdoo ordered
preference of movements. as follows.
Priority Shipments
First. coal for domestic use and
vital public utilities.
second. food.
Third coal for bun&ering the
ships IN New York harbor which are
loaded for American armies abroad
and for the allies.
stored. the priority order will be
withdrawn Although Mr. Smith
recommended the preference for
domestic coal. even at the risk Of
shutting down industries for a few