davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
Dec. 4, 1918
Dear Mama,
Your loving son,
WILLIE BENSON.

tSGi MdIlSl,
This gloomy afternoon, l
y, iry and pen you few lines in
-...-t % your letter which came to
= yesterday and you can imagine
...s:: / was to hear from you as
Lad not heard from you for most
l,Ge&s. look every day when the
Il cones to get letter from dear
Id mother, but of course don't al
rays get one. But am living IN
opes CT being home with you in the
ear future when I can talk and
.ont need to write. Mama, l am
citing terribly homesick. I didnot
Ind staying over here when the
liz on, but since it is oy-
/ an simply crazy to get home.
lie day est foot on old Va. soil a.
u re the hapiest boy living.
-: ;I.,rk this unit will be
,Ile by Spring sometime. I wish
Lid leave here this evening, I
Hing to work day and
,-ched the U. S. A.
we dent have many patients in
lis hospital now. They evacuate
me most every day. think they
:. rid Of three hundred yesterday.
jcu know they will soon clean it
It at that rate. I am feeling fine
.-,.on better than I did some
. ":h gaining in weight
c:y dag, today 1 weighed 176 lbs.
ycu c;sn iInaigne l am feeling
1t good.
lave any of you people had the
liza yet? sure hope you all will
scape. I am worried all the time
',0ut you, am afraid you will get it.
I was up to Chateau Thierry on the
1st Of August and looked over some
: tie battle grounds, certainly is a
3rlibIe sight to look at land see
'.at our American boys had to go
through with, I brought back Ger
aan Bible, and a helmet, and am 60
ne to try and bring them home.
want to take another trip UP to the
ront next week, if the weatehr is
uitable. Well, I guess you will get
ired trying to read this so I will
lose by wishing you and all a merry
mas and a happy new year.
[ am as ever, your
Your loving son,
VIM. A. Folks.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
LETTERS FROM OVER THERE

Langres, France, Dec. 5, 1918
Dear Mother-I will write you few
lines to let you know | am we'll ana
getting along fine. | have heard
nothing from home for some time,
and may not get any mail for
while now, as / have been transfer
red to another tank battalion with
the American forces, and although !
hated to leave the old outfit, / am
slad~to get back with the American
.orces again. And for a wonder,
Stuart Dickson and / were transfer
ed together again, and are in the
ane company. Stuart has been SICK
or a few days but is getting better
low. He will write in a few days.
| am working in the kitchen TO-DAY,
md am making up for lost time eat
.ng. too. We have fine mess here,
and plenty to eat. For dinner to-
law, we had stewed chicken, mashed
| potatoes, canned corn, canned april
| OTIS, biscuits. jam and coffee, so you
an imagine l am not hungry here'
| yhich is far more than l. could say
yhile I was with the British forces.
I passed through Paris few days
ago and had two hours to pass away
| here, but all I could do was to look
t. the city, for in order to see much
pleasure in Paris one must nave
7ienty Of francs, and have not been
laid off four months now, so l an
ut of luck for everything. wont
ct paid now before January, as
.;ss2d signing the payroll by being
transferred. I suppose there was
reat rejoicing in America when the
.-!nistice was signed. [ was at LIE
.:usn3y, near the Belgian border
ism hostilities ceased. have nj
:a@ when I will be home, but if an
u h3.4o within six weeks, l vii
III te there for six months. Hop
az to hear from you soon.
Your loving son,
WILLIE BENSON.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
ADMINISTRATORS SALE

AS administrators of John D.Sim-
mons, decd'd l will on
Tuesday, the 18th day Of Feb, 1919,
at his late residence in Crabbottom
sell at public auction the following
property towit: 2 fine milk cows,
4 two year old cattle, yearling cat
tie, l fine yearling hereford bull, p
fine ewes, l buck, l fat hog, hay
stacks, three shares of stock in the
Crabbottom Valley Bank, about 80
bushels of wheat, about 40 blu. rye,
IS bus. corn, lot Of lumber, 5 bee
soaps, 80 chichs, J interest in cider
mill, binder, mowing-machine, grad
er road wagon, harness, cultivator,
drill, saddle bags, l big plow, l dou-
BILE shovel pillow, lot of barrels and
tubs, 80 gallons linseeG oil, 2 cans
white lead(200 lbs.), riding saddle
l bride, buggy and harness, $50 SUI
gar buckets, lot of sugar spouts, lot
of can fruit, lot Of apples, maple SUI
gar and molasses, apple butter, lard
crooks, jars, iron kettle, tallow, lot
of meat, lot Of bed clothes, 1 buggy
robe, lot of carpet, harness leather,
baskets, l clock l gold watch, cam
ed fruit and many other things too
tedious to mention.
Terms-Sale of five dollars and
over mos. will be given, negotiable
note with two approved endorsers,
interest from date, under FIVE dollars
cash.
E. D. Swecker, Admir-.
of John Simmons, decd.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

Postmaster General Burleson had
better let the telephones, telegraphs
and cables alone and devote his
attention to the carrying of the
mails. If there ever has been as
miserable management Of any bust
ness in the world as the handling
of the mail to and from our boys
in France, we have failed to take
note of it, and it is as bad in peace
time as it was in war time. We all
put up with it with as much pa
thence as we could command while
our armies were graphing with
the enemy, but that is now all owe +,
and something more than eXplana-
lions are due TO the American peo-
pie and to cur brave men in France.
-Staunton Leader.
Perhaps no branch of the govern
ment has received or deserved more
adverse criticism than that of the
postal service. The Leader points
out but one serious grievance. There
are others. It is now understood
that repeated efforts have been made
to remedy the situation on High
lands one important star route
men high Up in point of influence
trying in vain to get relief for us
but we we're left to take our medi-
cine.
Mr.. Burleson seems to. have great
ideas Of expansion but small as
to efficiency. There are public
men who claim great credit for ignor
ing criticism.
An Oklahoma paper losses the fol-
lowing bouquet at the Postmaster
General:
Our ide a of man lodging brick
bats with thranscendant skill CEN
tiers upon the personality of Postmas
ter General Burleson."
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

A portion of a letter from Robert
S. Hansel, 4th Army Corps, Hdq.,
France, written to his wife, Nov 23d.
wish that I could tell you in this
letter all that I have seen during
the past four days--also that you
could see me as I am tonight as l
write. I am more than so miles
north of where 1 was when I last
wrote you, UP nearly in Germany
proper. And what a wonderful
trip! The day was grand last Wednes
day, Nov. Goth, when we left Toul at
500 o'clock and reached here at 5
P. M. The scenes of war-torn
France which we saw were beyond
all description. We passed thru a
sector where some Of the hardest
fighting was done month or SO
back known as the st. Michel
Drive. We first saw our own rear
line trenches, then our front line
trenches. And of course a proper
amount of line entanglements. And
as we passed on we saw town after
town. some partially, others wholly
demolished. Really, words cannot
picture the scenes of devastation and
ruin which meets ones eyes thru
this territory. And shell-halves,
you should see them. Of all sizes
from as large as a house down.
Here we passed a town once flourish
ing, happy, and contented, now in
utter ruin and devastation, unoccup-
led by single civilian. The walls
of it's very buildings a heap of stones
and ruins. Another town goes by
as we roll on. 1t has escaped total
destruction, but bears the battle
scars in lesser form. A shell has
struck the massive stone cathedral,
built perhaps a thousand years ago,
and rich in the sentiment Of it's his
toric career. 1t no longer stands as
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
MONTEREY, Va. January "a, 1919

Because our good-roads' delega-
ton to Richmond did not return pre-
pared to deliver the goods was no
fault of theirs, nor must we conclude
for that reason. that the trip was IN
vain. They found plenty of enthusl-
assn but no money provided to back
it up, and, because of our leglsla-
lures short-sightness, no extensive
scheme CT building can be IN
agurs.ted this year. Should the
next General Assembly decide 10
nrovide funds by taxation, work can
begin in two years; if by a pono
issue more time will be required
something like four years. A great
many things of lesser importance
have been looked after assiG':"rsly ~
our body of lawmakers, anc that us
present situation was not toreseeh
and provided for is lamentahle' u
to say the least. Many OF U.s. IL
and out Of the Legislature, are toe
slo w for the age, an age when peo-
ple are doing things worth while ant
doing them now.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
Wilson's Visit ID London

AS seen by Highland boy--Robt
Matheny, in the Consulate Service
in London, writes his home folks,
and the part of his letter referring
to President Wilson'S visit to London
we here give, feeling that it will be
of general interest, viz: =
;, "Well Boxing Day was a great day
in London-one of the biggest since
l have been here and I have been
fortunate to have seen some that
were some days. Believe me it did
me good to see my President get
such royal welcome. / went to
Hyde Park corner expecting to see
Victory Arch Cor the Wellington
Arch) but the only thing / could see
the procession as it went under the
Victory Arch Cor the Wellington
Arch) but the only thing | could see
there was the aeroplanes overhead.
These were well worth seeing be-
cause they did all the stunts imagi
nable. The start of the procession
from Charring Cross was announc-
cd by the booming of the big guns
and the Presidents progress along
the way was marked by the cheers
Of thousands and thousands of peo-
pie. When his carriage passed where
I was standing all could see was the
hat of the coachman. l learned lat
Ell, however that he occupied the
coach with the king while Mrs. Will
son was in the second carriage with
the queen. There were several 9TH
er carriages which contained our new
Ambassador, Mr.. Davis, and Lloyd
George, the Premier, anr several
other notable people. A guard of
English soldiers lined the whole line
Of march on both sides of the streets
and as the procession passed under
the Arch a band struck up America.
# the English people had any hard
feelings towards Mr.. Wilson on ac-
count of his attitude on the question
of the freedom of the seas it certain
ly was forgotten on this day, and
every one in the land, fro mthe low
est cockney to the Royal Family
Joined in giving welcome to the
greatest man in present day history.
But the crowd I saw here, or the
cheers l heard, could not compare
with what I saw in that great open
space before Buckingham palace,
where it seemed that all London had
gathered. I got there just as the
empty carriages were leaving and
such carriages and such beautiful
horses I have never seen before.
| 1 managed to secure position
that commanded a view of the bal
cony just as the President appeared
on the balcony with Mrs. Wilson and
the King and Queen. He stood
there and addressed few words to
the crowd while Mrs. Wilson waived
British flag. I could not hear
what he said and I suppose very few
people did, but know he said some
thing worth while and something
very appropriate. 1t was the first
time in history that president has
lever been entertained at Bucking-
ham Palace, as a matter of fact it is
the first time that President has
ever been in Europe. But there are
many other things that go to make
this day unique. I certainly was glad
that I was an American and that it
was my President who was receiving
such an ovation"
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
~ -
NOTICE

I will offer for sale privately my
land lying two miles north of Monte
rey, containing four and nine-tenths
acres of land, with good frame dwell
ling house and necessary outbuild-
ings and orchard.
For further particulars address
EMORY J. REXRODE
Monterey, Va.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
Early Trench Journals.

There is a very long list Of these
early trench journals, the majority of
which have been collected by Mr..
Charles de La Ronciere, who has de-
posted them at the Bibliotheque Ma
tionale In Paris for the benefit Of the
future historians Of the war. They in
clude lie Petit Echo du 1Se Regiment
d'infanterie territoriale, which was
very artistically edited by Corporal
Huhuet and autographed In many col
ors; L'Echo des Tranchies, the editor
of which was the famous short story
writer Paul Reboux, and which con-
tanned articles and poems by such
writer's as Poincare and Rostand,
Theodore Botrel and Henri de Reg
nier; and the Echo du Rayin, the or
gan of the Forty-frst chasseurs, which
boosted of a private wire connecting
the office with abroad-the barbed
wire reaching right up to the trenches
Of the Boches.-Wide World Maya
zine.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
Valuable Books Found,

In moving Thiel college library at
Greenville, Pa, to another building
many rare and almost priceless books
of Latin and Greek text were found.
One book was printed by Zell at Co.
logne in 1473, a Virgil's Aeneid was
printed in 1901 and one in 1903. A
history of Rome, printed by Andrew
Welcher in 1856 at Frankfort and
German religious work, printed in.
1884, are in good state of preserva-
ton. Among the other volumes Is an
iron-bound Bible, |
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
Which ShoWsI

Two handsomely dressed ladies'
were seated side by side in an out
going street car few afternoons ago.
A man in front Of them opened
Nashville Banner, which had great
headline, Germany Sends Emissaries
to Foch." One lady asked the other:
"What does that mean?" The other
replied: 81 haven't the slightest idea"
Which shows that both were qualified
military experts.-Nashville Banner.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

VIII the soldier boys be allowed
to keep their uniform? So mGch
contradictory stuff has been given
out that no enc can determine but
the latest Is bill passed by the Sen
ate permitting them to keep the
suit. The house is yet to act on 1t.
within the past month we have
heard the matter settled about this
way: Three Camp Lee boys were IN
structed to return the uniforms IN
months, zone from Camp Mead was
told to keep it; Gen. March SAID
they had to be returned; six news
paper correspondents said not; one
paper Indignantly said that the boys
oily kept the skin on their BOD
ics--what was left; another asserted
that the uniforms were to be return
ed. but the boys would be given one
suit OF 'ct'ter clothing, consisting
of hat, hat-band, jacket, trousers, leg
gins. shoes and an oyercoat, when
the climate demanded it. Perfectly
clear, isn't it?
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
COMMISSIONERS NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND 9TH
ERS CONCERNED:

Having for settlement the &C
counts of Chas. X. Colaw and B. S.
ColaW, Administrators, and Willis
Gibson, Receiver, of the estate Of Al
len Colaw, deceased, at the request
OF said representatives, I have ap-
pointed Thursday the 30th day Of
January, 1919, as the time, and my
Office, in the town of Monterey, as
the place, for receiving proof Of
debts or demands against the said
decedent or his estate.
2ts JOHN M. Colaw,
Comr Of Accounts
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
Reindeer Record.

The reindeer has been known to
pull 200 pounds at a ten-mile pace for
IL hours. Santa Claus must be the
one who established that record.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
STATEMENT OF THE FINANCIAL
CONDITION OF

The Citizens Bank of Highland, In
corporated located at Monterey in the
county of Highland State of Virginia,
at the close of business Dec 81, 1918.
made to the State Corporation Com
mission.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
STATEMENT OF THE FINANCIAL
CONDITION OF

The Crab.o tom Valley Bank, In
corporated located at Crabbottom in
the county of Highlan State of Vir-
ginia, at the close of business Dec 3lst
1918, made to the State Corporation
Commission.
RESOURCES
Loans and discounts S136, 1880
OverdraftS &c.,: unsecured
Sl,l17.36 1,117.36
Bonds, securities, etc. owned
including premium on same
Banking house and lot 10000
Furniture and fixtures 10000
Exchanges and checks for
next days clearings 25,51o.oo
Other cash items
Due from National Banks TO, 1923. 76.
Due from State Banks,
Private Bankers, and
Trust Companies l59. So
Paper Currency $4,000
fractional paper currency,
nickles and cents 31.33
Gold coin 1,O17.5O
Silver coin 1885
Revenue Stamps
Z S Bonds 3 4 Liberty
Loans Fully paid 16,65O.oo
Total s267, 4o4.5e
LIABILITIES
Capital stock paidin s25,000.0O .
Surplus fund 600 90
Undivided profits, less
amount paid for interest
expenses and taxes
Individual deposits, in
Guiding savings deposits 1929 40
st.
Cashiers checks outstanding BOIL 60
Notes and bills re-disc't
Reserved for accrued interest
on certificates of deposit 317 IS
Reserved for accrued taxes SO AZ
Total $780,, 404.56
l, I. W. Mich olas, Cashier, do SOL
emily swear that the above is true
statement of the financial condition of
The Crabbottom Valley Bank, incor-
porated, located at Crabbottom, in the
County of Highland State of Virginia,
at the close of business on the 31St day
of Dec. 1918, to the best of my know
ledge and belief.
Correct-Attest: l. w. Nicholas,
cashier
O..P. Chew
Geo. L. Swecker Directors
j. Walter Newman
State of Virginia
County of Highland
Sworn to and subscribed before me
by |. W. Nicholas, Cashier this 9th
day of Jan, 1919.
E. d. Swecker, N. p.
My commission expires Oct. 20, 1919
'Sick headache is caused by disordered
stomach. Take Chamberlain q Tablet.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24
RESOURCES

ll1lo01o1'
RESOURCES
Loans and discounts 1925. ILLS
OverdraftS, secured, S........:
unsecured, $l,00T II LOOT Il
including premium on same 8,842. 90
Furniture and fixtures l,ll3.l IA
Exchanges and checks for
next day'sclearings 5000
Due from National Banks 1851. 46
Paper currency 6,o9l. UO
Fractional paper currency,
nickles and cents 297.5O
Gold coin 10000
Silver coin 347.S5
Total 1922, 220. IS
LIABILITIES
Capital stock paid in S20,0O0.00
Surplus fund 100000
Undivided profits, less
amount paid for interest
expenses and taxes 32l.50
Dividends unpaid 100000
Individual deposits, in
Guiding savings deposits ll3, 3I. SO
Time certificates of deposit 62,5S7.53
Certified checks 1l.49
Cashiers checks outstanding 800
Due to National Banks 1924. 81
Reserved for accrued interest
on certificates of deposit 622.96
Reserved for accrued taxes
Total S222 20. So
I, C. G.. Hansel Cashier do solemnly
swear that the above is true state
ment of the financial condition OF The
Citizens Bank of Highland, Incorpor-
ated located at Monterey in the County
of Highland State of Virginia, at the
close of business on the 3lst day of
Dec, 1918, to the best of my Know
ledge and belief
Correct-Attest: C. G. Hansel,
cashier.
E E R53 & 3 R; sS$:; Director.
State of Virginia,S
County of Highland,
Sworn to and subscribed before me
by c. Hansel cashier this 10th day
Jan, 1919.
w. H Matheny N. P
My commission expires May 2, 1920
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

A want ad will help you to dispose
of something you can't find use for.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

Sick headache is caused by disordered
stomach. Take Chamberlain Tablet
and correct that and the headaches win
disappear. For sale by all dealers.
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

AS administrators of John D.Sim-
mons, decd'd l will on
Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-01-24

E. D. Swecker, Admir-
of John Simmons, decd.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-21
LABOR DELEGATES LEAVE

Montgomery, May Special )-The Montgomery labor delegation, 25 strong left here at noon Monday for Mobile, at which point they will attend the conven- ton of the state federation of labor which convenes in the Gulf City that day. The Montgomery delegates will ask that the 1920 convention be held here, but it is stated that Florence is making a strong bid for it.
 The following delegates will represent tue various locals here:
 Central Labor Union-George w. Smith ,E. r. McDade, John Hopkins, T. F. My rick, Thomas Pulliam.
 Painters-B. T. Tucker.
 Plumbers-J. B. Mcdonald.
 Carpenters-P. B. Ayant and H. F. Willis.
 Electricians-J C. Kendriek.
 Western Railway of Alabama Carmen l. H. Cox and w. J. Johnson.
 Atlantic Coast Line Carmen-V. o Meredith.
 Pressmen--Jack Harris.
 Typographical Union-W. D. Flemming
 Stage Employes-J. H. Thompson.
 Street Car Employes-J. c. Cox. Barbers-J. H. Widen Firemen-Joe Blocker. Railway Clerks-G. S. Walker. Machinists-Matt F. Barganier and J V. Hunter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-21
OPELIKA

Opelika, May Specal.)-Relatives in this city of c. w. Blanton of LaFay- cite received news this morning of MT Rlantons sudden death in an automobile accident which occurred Saturday night at Il o'clock on the Burton road be- tween LaFayette and Cusseta, when the car occupied by Elanton, Walter Ratch- fcrd and George Hollingsworth ran into washout in the road and turned over Rlanton's neck was broken and death was instantaneous. Hollingsworth suffered a few contusions, but Ratchford escaped unhurt.
 pr. c. Ross Baker. pastor or Wood : lawn Baptist church, preached at the First Baptist church here Sunday morn inc and evening" pr. Baker was former ns stor of the First Baptist and large con r,epations were out to hear him at potn services There is rumor to the enee1 that an effort is being made to induce him to accept another call to thls cnurch' If is understood that he has the matter urder consideration.
 Lieut.. Col Dallas B. Smith arrived III the city last night, coming direct rom Camp Shelby. where his command Was mustered out Of service- Colonel smith plans for the future have not 1uiiy ae. yeloped vet, but it is very probable that he will resign his commission in the army and return to civil life.