davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19
South Bend Soldier Describes His Experiences With the
Yanks Cleaning the Hun Out of the Argonne ForeS

both Of US. We were blinded for
moment and then naturally made
a dive for the dugout. Later We
found that the shell that came near
getting US hit about Is feet from
where we We're standing and caved
part Of the dugout in.
L have a lot Of little trench in
stances TO tell you about when 1 get
back. But after 80 days Of this we
were relieved by the French. real
French.
If you care to locate the trenches
we occupied on a map, the closest
information / can give you is that
they were on the VOsges mountains.
Our base Of supplies was GerarGiner.
about / g miles as a bird flies, and the
German base was Strassburg in Al
SAGE. about the same distance from
the trenches, and think we were
about the same distance from the
Swiss border.
Move Out Without Mishap.
I Will always remember our NOV
ing out Of the trenches. Right un-
der the enemy's nose and without
mishap. Our rest area was in the
vicinity Of Gerardiner, and our two
weeks consisted Of drilling all day
with full pack. At the end OF two
weeks we were rushed 10 the Ar
gonne front where things were being
made very hot for the Hun by the
Yanks We came by rail 20 within
IS miles OF the villages OF Argonne.
which was the American base OF
supplies. The station where we got
off the train was called St Mana
hold From here our hiking be-
gun and for 10 days we were con-
stantly on the go, trying 20 catch
the Hun, who was on the run.
Through the Argonne forests and
over about 50 miles OF road that
was in miserable condition from rain
and usage. and made worse BY the
Germans, who occasionally stopped
long enough 70 mine the roads in
long years ago. That he had been
sent 10 Germany 10 work and for
the last two or three months had
been labOring in the vicinity Of
American aviators were constantly
bombing German troops around
Metz. 1 asked him about conditions
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19

Now / want to give you a descrip-
ton of my doings since 1 left the
States. To describe little details and
tell YOU about everything that I
went through would fiji a book, and
l will leave that for the time when
my feet will again be under the
family table. I have reasons 10 be-
lieve il is in the near future.
1 left the good old L. 5. on the
Desna Belfast. an English boat,
carrying about 1000 boys, and about
5000 tons of fresh meat. There
were about four or five ships in this
convoy and were met outside the
harbor by sub chasers and aero
planes and escorted along the coast
for about 60 miles. our preliminary
destination was Halifax. Canada, we
reached that harbOr in a few days.
If you remember that city was shat
tered by an explosion, 1 think it was
in February. and some explosion il
was as we could see as we steamed
up the river. In back OF the city
there is a bay that is natural hid
ing place for vessels. In that bay
we met some more boats loaded.
We stayed in this bay "a hours dur
ing which time more ships arrived,
and the morning Of July 18th. 81
vessels loaded with $4,000 Yanks
steamed forth guarded by sub
chasers. and sub chasers they were.
Encounter Submarine.
our destination was Winchester,
England. When about two-thirds
way across the Atlantic a subma-
rine was sighted in the far distance.
There was one converted battle
cruiser in our convoy and the old
girl cut loose with a broadside, two
Of the other boats also fired. The
boys crowded around the railing on
the side the sub was sighted from.
climbed upon the mast as far as l
could get If there was TO be a
night I could not afford 10 miss IT,.
All the shots fired were depth bombs
and from my position I could see
spOuts OF water about loo feet or
more high as each shot struck the
water. seemingly in the close vicin-
ity Of the speck on the horizon. Aft
er about Is shots the speck disap-
peared forever. about 20 more shots
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19

ne had to contend with, and 70 use
his brogue he said this; no good
no good. too much work. no eat.
American fly machine he XIII too
many people" My version OF the
latter expression was that ne had
been working on roads around Metz.
Metz and many a prisoner had been
killed by mistake being forced -
work close up 10 the front line
Some OF the Russians had been
prisoners for three years or more,
and had learned 10 speak a little
German. from these ] gained a lot
OF information. They gave me sam
pies Of the bread they were forced
10 eat. and told me that the Ger
mans were eating the same. IT was
a kind of pumpanickle baked with
out yeast and weighed about an
ounce 10 the square inch.
We were relieved on the 18th u
this month by the 18th division.
and our orders were 20 get back ID
our original training vicinity. about
10 miles 10 go and Is days 20 make
Il in We are now on our sixth day
Bar le Due For a division that has
made a record for hiking. 10 miles
in IS days is pie.
TO the Men Who Tell.
don't want 10 forget 70 pay trf-
butte 20 our boys that fell in battle.
on one particular battlefield just d.
few years old. I passed the fresh
graves OF our own boys. strewn an
around was their rifles with hayonets
fixed. this proved the fact that they
had gone over the top and died IA
action. They had come 5000 miles
from home 20 die Under old Glory.
They had made the supreme sac-i-
nce and died 20 make the world fres
for democracy
There is not a village in France
even the very smallest but what has
a church that would do justice 10
any good size city in the T. S. They
all seem ancient The architecture
OF each being originally surrounded
by a little graveyard Through an
the villages that / passed near the
front there was not one bur what was
CONTINUED on PAGE sEVEN-aJ
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19

$500 of these were buried in one
line Of trenches about a mile or two
in back of the trenches we took
over. This information received
from a French officer that spoke
English we'll. We relieved the Hin
do Chinese at night and a dark
night it was. In the morning we
found that we were situated on the
slope OF mountain, the Hun on an
other slope opposite US. No-Man's
land being a valley in between, the
distance between US being about 500
yards
We were led TO believe that the
Chinks had a peaceful vacation in
these trenches. But not so with the
Yanks. We started right into make
things warm for Fritz and although
our division held down about Is
miles of trenches. We had the Ger
mans believing that about FIVE or six
divisions were opposing them. We
had them worried all the time and
their behavior proved the fact that
they were living in constant fear of
attack.
In Trenches 33 Days.
was in these trenches for SO
days straight. II would take too
much space in this letter TO describe
all the happenings in these 33 days.
You have been in a Chinese laundry
and you know the smell that greets
one upon entrance. Well. this is the
stencil we had 10 contend with for
about week in the dugouts after
the Cinnamon left Rats. there were
plenty, and the size Of a cat, and
the nerve they had was something
awful. They had probably been
trained by the Chinese. anyway, they
would do squads right and squads
left, and sometimes stop even long
enough TO do parade rest right on
US. Many a poor fellow had a bad
scare when they decided 10 hold a
convention out in the open. and
when said convention would break
up in a riot the noise made sounded
Just like Germans in the wires and
many soldier on guard would call
halt and sometimes shoot in that
direction when there would be no
answer and the noise continue.
In my particular dugout there was
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19

A vivid story Of his experiences in
he battle of the Argonne, the last
and perhaps the greatest of the bat
ties in which the United States
troops took part is contained in a
letter written by Pvt. Mandel Altfelt
10 MS parents in this city.
Pvt. Altfelt. who is we'll known in
South Bend, is a member Of co. A,
18th machine gun battalion Of the
sixth division His letter describes
his experiences in detail. from the
trip overseas. an encounter with a
German submarine, his Trst exper-
lences in the trenches to the battle
OF the Argonne, where the Americans
Wrcs.ed strongly fortified positions
from the Germans and advanced
steadily over the most difficult ter
rain. The task OF cleaning out the
Argonne forest was one OF the most
diffcuIt of the war and the Ameri-
cans had just accomplished it with
Yankee thOroughness when the Ger
man high command yelled KAN
Grad" TO Marshal Foch.
Pvt. Altfelt's letter follows:
Not far from Nerdun.
Nov. "A. 1915
Dear Father and Mother.
Now that the censorship is of I
do not know how 90 start this letter.
FIRST. viii tell YOU about what 7
know interests you most, and that is
that am enjoying the very best OF
health. Although I have been
through everything that is war. I
came through without "a scratch and
although ] have suffered from eN-
,,osure. fatigue. etc. not only has
my health not been impaired. but
feel that ann even a better man
than 1 was before And one thing i'm
particular that 1 am proud 20 say my
spirits were not only not broken. but
they never failed me. ] could al-
vnvs see "a silver lining through the
dark cloud shining
You recolIect the day I left home
I told YOU how the war would end
and about how soon IL would end. !
never gave myself credit for being a
prophet. but I think that my pre-
oictions were as close as anyone had
ever dared TO anticipate.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19

CONTINUED on PAGE SEvEN-A
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19

Editorial Comment, School PagS
wouan's Section and Other Fea-
lures OF General Interest
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

There is no better way to start the
New Year off than by going to the
Majestic and having good
Al the laugh, for the bill there is
majestic one of the best of the sea-
son. Comedy reigns su-
preme and there isn't a dull moment
during the entire performances The
corner store is hilarious comedy
offering, presented by seven clever en-
tertainers, and is n scream from start
TO finish. Mary Haynes, pretty and
talented, has a repertoire of splendid
comedy songs, all exclusive, which she
puts over to big applause. George
Hall is Il well-known comedian. and
has lot of funny stories. good com
edy and patriotic recitation which
is decided hit. The Dancing Cronins
oifer variety of pleasing dances.
while Whites Animal Circus furnishes
fine entertainment for young and old
alike.
The second episode of what promises
to be thr Hing serial-"The Lure of
the Circus" will be shown to-mor-
row, Friday and Saturday afternoon.
The vaudeville show will include such
attractions as Emma Francis and
Company in Oriental Dances; Claude
and Marion Cleveland. the Harrisburg
faVorites, in comedy, songs and nom
sense; Townsend Wilbur and Com
pany, presenting a comedy skit en-
titled, The Smart Aleck;" Helen Har-
rington, singing coincidence and the
cycling Brunettes, in bicycle offer
ing. ..
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF BRIDGE OFFICE OF BOARD
or COMMISSIONERS or PUBLIC
G Il Q U N DS AN d BUILDINGS
STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
HARRISBURG. PA.
Sealed proposals will be received
by the Superintendent of Public
Grounds and Buildings at his office in
the Capitol Building. Harrisburg. Pa.
until two (2) o'clock T.. M. January
l4th, 1919. for furnishing all labor
and materials for the construction
of a two-span reinforced concrete
arch bridge over Penns Creek, at
Monroe Mills. Snyder County. Penn
sylvania, as indicated fully in the
plans and specifications prepared by
G. A. Fink, of Harrisburg, Pennsyl-
vania, Consulting Engineer for the
Board of Commissioners of Public
Grounds and Buildings of the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania.
Plans, specifications and bidding
blanks will be furnished prospective
bidders by applying to the Supe rim
htendent of Public Grounds and Build
ings. Capitol Building. Harrisbu urg.
Pennsylvania.
Proposals must be marked PRO
P1SAI. FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
PkNNS CREEK BRIDGE" on outside
GEORGE A. SHRElNER,
superintendent.
L. W. MITCHELL
Secretary.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF BRIDGE OFFICE OF BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS OF PUBIC
GRO U NDS AN ID BUILDINGS,
HARRISBURG. PA.
Sealed proposals will be received
by the Superintendent of Public
Grounds and Buildings at his office in
the Capitol Building. Harrisburg, Pa,
until two CD o'clock p. M, January
l4th. 1919. for furnishing all labor
and materials for the erection vf new
piers and repairs to damaged piers OF
bridge over the North Branch. of the
Susquehanna River. at Laceyvilie,
Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. as
Indicated fully in the plans and specl-
fications prepared by William b. Pax
son, of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania
Consulting Engineer for the Board Of
Commissioners OF Public Grounds and
Buildings of the Commonwealth Of
Pennsylvania
Plans specifications and bidding
blanks will be furnished prospective
bidders by applying To the SuperIn-
tendent of Public Grounds and
Buldinga. Capitol Building, Harris
burg, pennsylvania.
Proposals must oe marked PRO
POSAL FOR ERECTION OF PIERS
OF LACEYVlLLE BRIDGE" on out
side cover.
GEORGE A. SHREINER,
superintendent
l. w. MITCHELL.
Secretary.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01
At the
Regent

Theda Bara. as a siren. who is re-
generated through love for young
divinity student, is the star
At the at the Victoria Theater to-
Victoria day and tomorrow in
When a Woman Sins"
Theda Bara superproduction.
In this production, Miss Bara gives
a performance of telling power and
poignant appeal The picture relates
an absorbing story of a young nurse,
who. unjustly accused. becomes a no.
torious woman of many loves. But
through all her devious career she
continues to love Michael, the young
cleric, even though he rebuffs her
again and again At last despairing
of ever winning his respect. she is
about to commit suicide at a sensa-
tional dinner party, when he sends
her his forgiveness in a bunch of
lilies.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

produces a picturesque estate in
FLORIDA, close by an aviation field. A
grand tete is rendered the newly ar
rived instructors, Tom Lawson and
Teddy Carter. former members of the
winter Garden company, who, having
graduated in aviation, are assigned
to this station. The night is a gala
one and many novelties are introduce
ed by the assembled ex-Winter Gard
eners. The final act. in two scenes,
offers the eliminating surprises of
the play. The opening scene, a battle
held somewhere in France, ~ wildly
portrays those regions of devastation
and then dissolves into it's very anti
thesis. the Goddess of Liberty in our
own United States These transitions
are intensely heightened by the big
ensemble action in living "Old Glory
formation, the while, singing the pa
trlotic composition of the score Lib
erty Forever" An exceptionally clever
cast has been engaged and is ably
supported by a bewitching beauty
chorus of thirty-odd "soldierettes."
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

at right poise by a balance of
power the United States would take
no interest, because she would Join
no com bination of power which is
not combination of all of u.s."
Press Thrust at Premier
The French papers have refrain
ed from discussing the difference of
tne viewpoints, resulting from M.
Clemenceau's speech, except the So
clallst organ Humanite, which saws:
AS 10 Clemenceau-he repudia-
tes with tranquility the. Wilsonian n
conceptions. Tomorrow it will be
necessary to arm again, to con-
struct fortresses and cannon and
forge alliances against third powers.
To the Society of Nations there is not
even discreet bow
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

PROPOSALS. FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF DWELLING HOUSE
OFFICE or BOARD OF COMMIS-
SlONERS or PUBLIC GnUUNDS
AND BUILDINGS. STATE CAPITOL
BUILDING. HARRISBURG, PA.
SEALED PROPOSALS will be re-
ceived by the Superintendent of Pub
Tic Grounds and Buildings at his Of
hce in the Capitol Building, Harris
burg. Pa, until two (2) O'Clock p. M,
January IA, 1913, for furnishing ali
labor and materials for the recon-
struction of a dwelling house for the
Department OF Fisheries at Union
City, Erie County, Pennsylvania as
Indicated fully in the plans and speci-
iications prepared by Office of super
intendent of Public Grounds and
Buildings. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania.
for the Board of Commissioners OF
Public Grounds and Buildings OF the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Plans, specifications and bidding
blanks will be furnished prospective
bidders by applying to the Superin-
tendent ofePublic Grounds and Build
ings, Capitol Building. Harrisburg
Pennsylvania.
Proposals must be marked PRO
POSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
DWELLING HOUSE. UNION CITY,
PENNSYLVANIA, on outside cover.
GEORGE A. SHREINER
Superintendent.
L. w. MITCHELL.
Secretary.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01
Estate of Sarah A. Fiese. deceased

Estate of Sarah A. Fiese, deceased.
ADMINISTRATORS NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that Letters
of Administration have been issued bv
the Register of Wills of Daunbin
County in the above named Estate TO
the undersigned. All persons indebted
to said Estate will make payment
at once, and persons having claims
against said Estate will present them
promptly to
STEELTON TRUST COMPANY.
". Steelton, Pa,
Or to Administrators.
WICKERSHAM & METZGET,
Attorneys,
Fourth Floor Bergner Building,
Harrisburg, Pa.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

Dauphin County. = s.:
In the Court of Common Pleas of
Dauphin County. Pa. No. 500, June
Term. 1918. Libel in divorce - a
vinculo matrimonii Josephine Cuck-
ovic VS.. George Cuckovic. The snh-
poena and alias subpoena in the
above-stated case have been returned
mon est inventus." You. George
Cuckovic. are therefore directed fo
appear in the court at HARRISBURG
Pa. on the second Monday of Jann. e.
airy, A. D.. 1919, to answer the com
plant therein filed.
w. w. CALDWELL,
,,. Sheriff.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

IContinucd from First Pagc.1
saying: "This system appears to be
condemned by some very high au-
thorities. Nevertheless, | will re-
mark that if such a balance had
preceded the war-that If America,
England, France and Italy had got
together in declaring that whoever
attacked one of them must expect
to see the three others take up the
common defense -"
CIcmcnccau interrupted
The premier was interrupted here
by applause and disorder in the
chamber. but later resumed:
There is in this system of alli-
ances which | do not renounce, l say
it most distinctly, my guiding
thought at the conference, If your
body permits me to go there. and
l believe that nothing should sepa-
rate after the war the four great
powers that the war has united. To
this entete / will make all sacrifi-
ces.r'
The statement of the French pre-
mier is looked upon as foreign to
the statement made few hours
later at Manchester by President
Wilson, when the President said
l"If the future had nothing for us
but q new attempt to keep the world
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01
= Proclamation in Divorce

Dauphin County, SIS:
In the Court of Common Pleas of
irop pranphin County. Pa. No. 1874, March
culo ,matrimonii Clara NJ. Market vs.
Charles f. Markell. The subpoena
and alias subpoena in the aboyerstat-
ed case have been returned mon est
lnventus. You. Charles l.. Markell.
are therefore directed to appaar T.,
the court at Harrisburg, Pa. on the
second Monday of January. A. d
i9l9, to answer the complaint there
w. w. CALDWELL,
I1,ta, Sheriff.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01
Proclamation in Divorce

Dauphin County. ss:
In the Court of Common Pleas of
Dauphin County, Pa. No. 42. March
Term, 1918. Libel in divorce-a vim
James A. Knepp The subpoena anJ
alias subpoena in the above-stated
case have been returned mon EST in
ventus." You, James A. Knepp. are
therefore directed to appear in the
ond Monday of January, A. ID. 1919 to
answer the complaint therein filed
w. w. CALDWELL
,,-..,- Sheriff.
Harrisburg, Pa. December II. 1918
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01
LEGAL NOTICES
PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION
Oh BRIDGE

PROPOSALS FOR CONSTRUCTION
OF BRIDGE
OFFICE OF DOAnu OF COMNIN
SlONERS Or PUBLIC GhOuND,
AND BUILDINGS, STATE CAPIJoi
BUILDING, HARRISBURG, pa -
SEALED PROPOSALS will be re-
ceived by the superintendent OF Pun
lie Grounus and buildings at his uf-
tice. in the Capitol BuIIuIng, HarrIs-
burg, Pa. until Two (2) O'Clock p Al
January IA, 1919, for furnishing a.
labor and materials for the cunsI rt..
ton OF three span reinforced CON
crete arch bridge over the rlunesIa
Creek, on the euge of Tionesta Hor-
ouSh, Ilonesta Township, Forest
County, pennsylvania. as Indicated
fully in the plans and specificatIon.
prepared by John Farris, of Pitts.
burgh. Pennsylvania, Consulting Eo-
gineer for the Board of Commissioners
of Public Grounds and Buildings of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Plans, specifications and bidding
blanks will be furnished prospective
bidders by applying to the Superin-
tendent OF Public Grounds and BuId-
ings, Capitol Building, Harrisburg
Pennsylvania.
Proposals must be marked PRO
POSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
TIONESTA CREEK BRIDGE" on OUT
side cover.
GEORGE A. SIREINER,
superintendent.
L. w. MITCHELL,
Secretary
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

Douglas Fairbanks holds his title as
king of laughmakers in the delicious
comedy unfolded at the Re-
At the gent day. tomorrow and
Regent Friday. Blues, gloom and
the sadness of life melt in
the sun of his good-humored acting.
Imagine Douglas Fairbanks taking
the role of valet to a pet canary bird.
Imagine him pursuing the bird, when
the latter has escaped from captivity.
And then it is he harkens to the call
of the open road. Eager to catch the
canary, he becomes a hobo, living
among these ragamuffin tribes. By u
rare streak of fortune he is given
the clothes and money of a stock
broker. is mistaken for one of those
fortunate individuals and finally
through his fidelity to the chase after
the canary. becomes heir to a huge
fortune. Such is the story of HE
Comes Up Smiling" 1t is a delight
full comedy. one of those that make
YOU forget the dour days and remem-
Der the sunshine alone.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

Proclamation in Divorce

Dauphin County, SIS:
In the Court of Common Pleas of
Dauphin County. Pa. No. 33l. June
Term, 1918. Libel in divorce-a vim
culo matrimonii Anna l.. Taylor vs..
alias subpoena in the abovo-stated
case have been returned, mon est in
Ventus. You. George V. TAYLOR. are
therefore directed to appear in the
Court at Harrisbur" Pa. on the sec
cnd Monday of January, A. d. 1919. to
answer the complaint therein filed.
w. w. CALDWEL
Sheriff.
Harrisburg. Pa. December17, 1918.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-01

Dauphin County. IS:
In the Court of Common Pleas of
Dauphin County. Pa. No. 1875. Janu-
.ary term 1918 Libel in divorce
vinculo Matrimonii, Anna NJ Gilbert
vs.. Leroy Gilbert. The subpoena and
alias subpoena in the above-stateJ
case have been returned mon est in
ventus." You, Leroy Gilbert. are
therefore directed to appear In the
end Monday of January. A. D.. 1914
to answer the complaint therein filed
w. w. CALDWELL,
Harrisburg, Pa. Dec. II, 1918.