Sgt. Reichle Shares Adventures on Western Front, Jan. 31, 1919

From The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Jan. 31, 1919

Three Elizabeth City Boys Who Hit the Huns

Sergt. Reichle Gives This Newspaper an Account of His Adventures on Western Front

Sergt. Frank J. Reichle, one of the first Elizabeth City boys drafted in the great world war, writes to this newspaper from somewhere in France under date of December 31, 1918. His letter, just received this week, follows:

Saunders, Editor Independent:

Am just writing you a few lines to let you hear just what has happened to three of the first men who left Elizabeth City on September 5^th, 1917, for Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C., namely Corp. Scott B. Parker, Lloyd I. Barry, and myself.

We were together at Camp Jackson for several months training, from there being transferred to Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga., where we prepared for overseas service. We left Camp Hancock around the second week of July and reached Camp Mills, New York, where we were equipped for foreign service finally sailing from New York Harbor on the 31^st of July.

The first day on board ship the writer was put in charge as captain of the gun crew of a six-inch gun and altho we tried our hardest we were unfortunate in not sighting one of the Hun’s subs.

We arrived in Liverpool Harbor on Sunday, August 12^th and traveled by train to Winchester where we stayed at one of the famous English rest camps. The following Friday found us on our way to Southampton for our trip across the English Channel to France, which proved uneventful as the Hun subs which we had heard so much about again failed us. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the Elizabeth City boys on our final lap to France, namely Private Jim Bagley, of the 316^th Artillery, and it certainly was a big surprise to me as I was not aware that he was in the service, let alone in my division.

We landed in France on Saturday morning and was introduced to the famous side door Pullman that have over here which bears the inscription “Eight Horses or 40 Men.” After travelling about 36 hours we arrived at our training area where we put on the finishing touches to our training for our “Crack at the Hun.”

Our first look at Mr. German was up on the Alsace front where we put in 21 days finding out for ourselves just what trench warfare is. Our worst trouble on this front was getting used to the mud and we were glad when word was received to move out. The Hun didn’t give us very much trouble and altho we didn’t do very much fighting it prepared us for what was to come.

After being back of the lines for a few weeks which time we devoted to intensive training we moved up on November 1^st and took over a sector of the Meuse front between Verdun and Metz. On Saturday morning, November 9^th, at 6 a.m. our division with help from four or more American divisions went over the top and gave Fritzie all we had. The writer was platoon sergeant of the first platoon and had corp. Scott B. Parker in charge of Machine Gun Squad No. 2.

Trying to push the Germans back on this front proved a hard task as he was fighting with his back to the wall and putting up a game fight. He was using heavy artillery and machine guns in great numbers and using them with telling effect. There is nothing that will test a man’s nerve more than to be out in an open field and have machine gun bullets whistling all around him besides having high explosives, shrapnel and mustard gas shells bursting so near that it at times threw dirt up in our face. Our grit and gameness proved too much for the Hun and he started to retire slowly on the whole front.

On Sunday evening being pretty well exhausted our company came out of action for a few hours and retired to the rear where we received our coffee and beans from Cook Barry. Nobody was ever more welcomed than Barry that night. He braved the dangers of the trenches in bringing up our food and the boys certainly appreciated it. While eating supper we were advised that our Captain as well as our Signal Corporal had been killed and it cast a gloom over the whole company which was not dispelled for quite a few days as they both were dearly beloved by the men and their loss was a serious blow.

Monday morning at 4 a.m. found us again on the move towards the front to take up new positions in the line which at this time was further advanced than when we left off. We immediately went into action again and started hammering away at the German lines and was up to our neck in it when word was received that we were to stop firing at 11 o’clock as at that time the Armistice was to become effective. We were pretty well exhausted when the fighting came to an end and that night altho we fell asleep in dugouts or any place we could find, we were sleeping with thoughts that was joyful in the knowledge that we had done all that was expected of us and the job was finally through.

We are now located in a little village called Etrochy and are waiting for orders telling us we are homeward bound to our loved ones in Elizabeth City. We do not know just when that happy day is to be but whenever it does come it, will be greeted with open arms by the boys of Elizabeth City as well as the rest of Co. B.

I note the pictures of the two Hooper boys which appeared in the Independent of November 22^nd and take exception to your remark in so far as they were fortunate in not having to come overseas. I sure think that they were very unfortunate in being cheated out of their crack at the Hun.

Sincerely,

Sgt. Frank J. Reichle

Co. B. 316^th M.G.Bn.

U.S.A., P.O. No. 791

American Ex. Forces, France

Dan Tompkins Writes of W.E. Dillard's Death in France, Jan. 31, 1919

From the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 31, 1919

William Elsie Dillard

“To those who may not take

The great ship, homeward bound—

To those in Honor’s wake

Who hold the silent mound—

Who, by the cross-marked sward,

Stained hills and valleys red—

Who stay to keep eternal guard—

Gentlemen—Our Dead!”

William Elsie Dillard, the first of our company of volunteers from Sylva to make the journey to the Further Home, has followed an innumerable host of civilization’s fairest and best, a sacrifice upon the blood stained altar of Liberty and Righteousness, and today is holding a silent, cross marked mound, where he will keep eternal guard on the hill top at old Boulgne, where the waters of the western ocean, rushing in from the coast of America, so far away, beat a never-ending taps along the sands of France.

Soon after his country entered the world war to save the Christian civilizations of our fathers, in July 1917, Elsie Dillard volunteered his services to his country, enlisting in the Radio Company that was raised at Sylva. He was soon promoted to the grade of sergeant, but a few months later, being a student of medicine, at his own request, was transferred to the Medical Detachment of the 105^th Field Signal Battalion in which organization he came to France.

He served with the Battalion during the summer campaign in Flanders, around Ypres and Voormezeele, and was a prime favorite with all the men of the Battalion, keeping the attachment of his old friends and winning new ones with his ever-present and always pleasant smile, his unfailing good humor and his ready wit.

When Capt. John E. Ray, his commanding officer, was transferred to the Medical Detachment of the 119^th Infantry, Elsie, who loved and admired his captain, as did every member of the entire command, begged to go with him and, his request being granted, followed that gallant and courteous gentleman to his new command. While with the 119^th Infantry, Elsie was a most excellent soldier, being at the front for many days during the hardest fighting of the war, when the 30^th Division broke through the Hindenburg Line at Bellicourt, and drove the enemy many miles beyond that, the most strongly fortified position on the western front. He was in the fighting from the 8^th to the 18^th of October, when the Division was driving the Germans from Montbehain to beyond Mazingheim, a distance of more than 13 miles, and during which time the towns of Brancourt, Premont, Busingy, Vaus-Audingy, Escufort, St. Benin, St. Souplet, Ribeauville, and Masinghiem, as well as many villages and farms, together with 2,000 prisoners and great stores, were taken.

The last time the writer saw him, at the ruined town of Jauncourt, in the latter days of October, he was recounting some of his many experiences.

At the time the Division retired from the lines the last time, he was stricken with that dreaded disease which has taken so many of our friends back in America—influenza—and succumbed to its effects before the final chapter of the war, of which he had seen so much, was written.

Captain Ray received mortal wounds at Bellicourt and again Elsie has been transferred to follow the noble, gentle spirit of his commander. His sacrifice has not been in vain. He will long be remembered by his comrades who revere his memory and mourn their loss. Pax verbiscum.

Dan Tompkins

St. Mars sous Ballon (Sarthe), France

January 10, 1919

Z.V. Watson's Memoriam to Frank Bumgarner, Jan. 31, 1919

From the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 31, 1919

In Memoriam

This community was made sad on Jan. 14^th at the alarming news of the death of Frank Bumgarner. He died from meningitis following influenza. Frank was 25 years old and had been one of the best boys I ever knew. He was truthful and honest, of kind disposition, and was greatly liked by all who knew him. His character was of the highest standard, and never had at any time been soiled. He was a consistent and devoted member of the Speedwell Baptist church, always ready and willing to do his part, and while on his death bed, subscribed $5 to the Million Dollar Fund for the religious schools of the state, which amount has been paid.

He was an untiring worker in all war activities, always standing squarely behind the soldier boys. He had taught in the public schools, where the students always admired and loved him.

Frank Bumgarner was a leader in his community for good; a leader in Sunday School and church work; was a light set upon a hill. Frank will be missed in many ways. He leaves a wife and a host of relatives and friends to mourn their loss.

“God moves in mysterious ways,

   His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps on the sea,

   And rides upon the storm.”

--Z.V. Watson

-=-

From the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 31, 1919

Frank Bumgarner

Frank Ray Bumgarner, son of John and Amanda Bumgarner, was born May 7, 1893, and departed this life January 14, 1919, leaving behind to mourn his absence with aching hearts, his parents, one brother and his devoted wife. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord!”

Frank was one of the leading and most faithful members of Speedwell Baptist Church. Loyal, always, to his Savior, and to his country as well; he took the lead in the Sunday school and church work, and also in the war campaigns of the Government, even in his last illness contributing to causes which were presented to him. When any neighbor was in trouble, Frank was always present, anxious and glad to help. The whole community was saddened by his untimely death, and the thought that seemed to be uppermost in the minds of all was “we have suffered a great loss.” It is not so hard to preach a funeral where there is such unanimous and outspoken tribute from all. In fact, his funeral sermon had already been preached by his own life.

May our blessed Lord comfort and guide the bereaved ones through the hours of sorrow and some day bring them all safe Home together.

--John Cline

Sylva Newspaper Gets Note From A Soldier Boy in France, Jan. 31, 1919

From the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 31, 1919

From A Soldier Boy in France

December 31^st, 1918

Dear Editor:

Will you spare a corner of your paper for a few lines from a Jackson county boy?

I have just received the Journal and of course was glad to see the home news. Have been over here almost six months and have been enjoying life most of the time. It has been much better since the war has closed. This is a nice country, but I will take the old U.S.A. for mine. It is hard to understand the language over here, but we get by, just the same.

Guess nearly everybody has heard of the Wildcat Division. I am glad to say I am one of those cats.

We are located in a small village near the front. The house in which we are now staying is made of rock. It sure is a treat to us, as I haven’t seen the sun but about one time in six weeks. We have one small room and have seven in the family so you can see we have plenty of company. All we think of is jokes on some of the boys.

Dillard Coward said the army was all right but guard duty wasn’t any fun when it is raining.

Hope we can soon be back home with you all.

With best wishes to all, from

A Soldier Boy

Alex Willson's Letter Home Published Jan. 30, 1919

From the French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C., Jan. 30, 1919

Interesting Soldier Letter

The following letter from France, written by Alex Willson to an uncle in Pittsburg, will be of interest to many people in Henderson County, not only from a personal standpoint but from the fact that the letter is in itself a vivid description of some of the things the boys have faced in driving the Hun before them. Young Willson, who is a son of J.R. Willson of Hendersonville, volunteered early in the game, enlisting at Pittsburg in May 1917 and being assigned to the 15^th Engineers, 28 Division. He sailed from New York for Liverpool in July of the same year, thus being one of the first 30,000 that were the advance guard of the big army that Uncle Sam finally put into France and Belgium (and Germany). The letter follows:

December 8^th, 1918

Dear Uncle Frank:

I returned last night from a two weeks furlough and found your letter written from Cumberland. Your letter was rather late in reaching the company owing to the fact that you omitted the “company B” part of the address and as much of the regiment has been scattered all over France it went to Regimental Headquarters first.

I spent eight days at Aix-les-Bains in Savo among the French Alps, one of the most famous resorts in the world, I believe. It was rather quiet at this season but the scenery of course was even more beautiful owing to the fact that the mountains were snowcapped which certainly gave a colorful effect in the sun-light. I spent seven days traveling during which time I visited Lyons, Barleduc, Verdun and Paris. Paris was in gala dress on account of the King and Queen of Belgium being there at the time. They are planning to give President Wilson a celebration, the likes of which the world has never seen. Verdun was quite a contrast from Paris. I gave been in Verdun before but I never had much time to go over the city. Everything in the city, of course, is wrecked. The cathedral is not damaged as bad as it might be—in fact I think most of the sculpture is saved. The citadel is the most wonderful thing I have seen. It is said that at one time in and around Verdun there were 500,000 men underground.

I won’t attempt to go into details of all my wanderings since leaving the State as that would make a regular book. I have it all written down however and if you should ever care to read it, I will be glad to show it to you.

Briefly:--We left New York on board the R.N.S. Baltic on the 9^th day of July, 1917. Eleven days later after an uneventful voyage we landed in Liverpool, England, and entrained for Borden near Aldershot in the Salisbury Plains and spent several days in that country. England was beautiful at that time of year. Her famous rose gardens were in bloom.

We sailed from Southhampton to LeHavre and from there to Vierzon (ches) where we stayed a month. At Vierzon the regiment was split up and my company was sent up into the Meuse near Bar-le-duc a short distance behind the French lines where we built barracks for the men who were to come after us. From there we come back after short stops in several other places around Neuf chateau to Jonchey near Chaumont. Haut Marne where we started a large railroad yards and Ordnance station. We stayed in that mud hole 10 months and it was anything but pleasant. The work was hard and the winter cold. While there I was sent to the hospital with pneumonia and while there contracted an abscess in the ear that looked for a while like as mastoid. All together I stayed in the hospital three months. On August 6^th, we left for the front where we have been ever since. After we reached the front we lived just like “doughboys”—all we had with us was what we could carry on our backs every where we went we hiked—on few occasions we road in trucks. We put in the tracks for the big railroad guns at Ansanville where the barrage was fired from on the start of the drive on Mount Sec. It rained all the time we were there which was unpleasant to work in but very lucky for our skins—because the last afternoon we were there the sun came out for an hour or so and as we were working in full view of Fritz’s observers it wasn’t long before he was dumping some nine inch H.E. shells on the job. There was a high wind tho and his aim was bad because he didn’t harm a man. We hiked out of town that night at midnight with the American barrage banging away right over our heads. We arrived in Commercy the next day, and the next morning started repairing the railroad into St. Mihiel. The Germans were still holding the hills outside of the city and one day we worked on the track where we could see the mounted guard when he came round the hill. I guess they were too busy figuring how to get away to bother us. From St. Mihiel we hiked to Clermont where we laid in the Argonne woods waiting for the battle to open. The barrage that opened that “drive up” the valley of the Aire was the greatest in the history of the war. As soon as the Germans commenced their famous retreat, why we started our railroad behind the infantry. Our surveying detail was working in advance of us and I think they spent as much time in dugouts as any place else as Fritz made it pretty warm for them. We didn’t have any trouble until we got to Varennes. At Variennes we were climbing the road around the hill when one of Fritz balloons evidently saw us. I never had as much pig iron flying over my head before. We went around behind the hill and dug places in it for our pup tents. Fritz shelled the road just beyond the foot of the hill for two or three days and there were eight American 155s (6 inch) firing right over our kitchen so taking it altogether had a rather noisy time for a while. After the guns moved up why it was fairly quiet until the moon reached its full phase and then “Jerry” as the German bombers are called started paying us nocturnal visits and of all uncomfortable feeling—why the worst I think is to be in a peep tent in the dark waiting for a dozen or so Boche planes to drop their end gates and unload a few tons of bombs.

We had a night engine crew working at Varennes one night and they didn’t notice the anti-craft search lights until the planes were right over them popping away with their machine guns. The crew dived under the coal car—but left a lantern hanging on one of the cars. One of the planes dropped a bomb which struck the coal car on the curved part of the water tank in such a manner as to bend the firing pin and instead of exploding and making a hole in the ground big enough to swim in it passed right thru the bottom of the car and into the ground about 6 feet from where our men were lying.

After Fritz started his wild scramble to get back to his dear old “Faterland” we moved to the railroad connecting ‘Verdun and Metz, on the day the armistice was signed. We camped for a while just between the famous forts of Verdun near what is called “dead man’s valley.” That section is a perfect picture of utter destruction. Not a tree or wall is standing. The ground is strewn with miles and miles of barbed wire and in lots of places with piles of bones of the unburied dead. It is said the Kron Prince lost 600,000 men in the one drive there and the goodness knows how many Frenchmen died there. We worked up to Etain, living in German dugouts. At Etain I went on my leave, I had intended to come back through Metz when I returned but at Bar-leDuc I learned that the company had moved so I came by trucks to Verdun and from there to Stenay where I’m writing from. The regiment is mobilized here and we are moving probably tomorrow up nearer to Luxemburg. They have sent back for our luggage that we left behind when we came to the front. Whether that means we are getting ready to come home or to go on into Germany with the Army of Occupation is the burning question of the hour.

This is quite a book I have written but in your last letter you asked me to tell you about my work which I was not at liberty to tell you at that time.

I will write you again later on a different subject on which I want your advice. I am feeling well.

This kind of life naturally makes a man tough. I have on occasions laid my blankets down in the mud and rain and slept as soundly as I ever did in 1901 Shady Avenue. Hope you are all well and your new business prosperous. Marie sent me a picture of the reunion.

I have two letters from her which I answered.

Affectionately yours,

Alex

Co. B. 15^th U.S. Eng., American E.F.

Lanning, Morris, Gibbs, Garren, Anders, Rau, Wilkins, Blackwell Deaths in French Broad Hustler, Jan. 30, 1919

From the French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C., Jan. 30, 1919

Deaths

Death of Roy Lanning

Roy Lanning, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dock Lanning, died of double pneumonia last Thursday, Jan. 24. The interment was at the Lanning graveyard near Fruitland on Friday.

Death of Frank Morris

Shortly before going to press word was received here of the death of Frank Morris, who had been ill for a long period, death occurring yesterday morning at Fairview Cottage, Asheville. The deceased was 30 years of age and leave surviving him his mother and brothers and sisters who are widely known in the town and county.

The funeral services will be held at 3:30 this afternoon at the home of his mother on Fifth Avenue, and interment will be in Oakdale Cemetery.

Mr. Morris had been an invalid for a long time; ill health forcing him to give up work in Cincinnati to come further South, and finally making it necessary for him to cease work entirely and enter a sanatorium in the hope of being benefited. He was formerly clerk at the New Charleston Hotel, Charleston, going from there to Mobile, thence to Cincinnati, and from there to Asheville, where he was employed at the Swannanoa-Berkley until he was forced to cease work. Shortness of time prohibits in this issue fitting sketch of Mr. Morris’ life, which will appear in next week’s paper.

Walter Gibbs

Walter Gibbs, about 20 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Gibbs, died from catching hold of a life wire last Thursday, Jan. 24. About a year ago, lightning struck the post on which this electric wire was fastened and the wire was left suspended several feet above the ground. Mr. Gibbs and a friend were out on the hills near L.E. Rackley’s on the Willow road and for some unknown reason he jumped up and caught this wire which held him there until the companion could go to a neighbor’s for assistance.

Funeral of J.R. Garren

The funeral of the late John R. Garren, who died at the Merriwether hospital Wednesday night of influenza, was held at Liberty church Sunday morning.

The deceased is survived by his wife, his mother, a brother and a sister. He was 32 years of age and had been working for the firm of J.R. Rich and Company of Asheville for many years, being one of their most trusted employees.

Melvin Anders

Melvin Anders, son of Tom Anders on Shaw’s Creek road, died of influenza Thursday, Jan. 24. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Morris and the body was laid to rest at Shaw’s Creek Church on Friday. He is survived by his father, three sisters and three brothers.

Death of Samuel Rau

Samuel Rau, aged about 75, was found dead in bed at his home out on the “Ridge” early Monday morning. The deceased, who was a former resident of Hendersonville, had been twice married, several children of the first marriage surviving, but none of them living in this county.

Death of Mrs. John T. Wilkins

A long period of illness and suffering closed Tuesday morning when death came to Mrs. John T. Wilkins at a local sanitarium. The deceased, who was 24 years of age, was married four years ago, and prior to marriage was Miss Olive French Eury, and was a trained nurse being a graduate of the Mission Hospital, Asheville. Funeral services were conducted by Dr. E.E. Bomar yesterday at the grave in Oakdale Cemetery, all of the pallbearers being Masons, but no Masonic ceremonial being used. The sympathy of the community will go out in full measure to the bereaved husband and to the little girl baby left motherless, and to the little stepchildren for whom she had so well taken the place of mother.

Galileo Blackwell

Galileo Blackwell died of pneumonia Friday, Jan. 24. He was buried at Dana on Sunday. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. A.W. Farnum. Mr. Blackwell is survived by his wife, one child, and his mother.

Long List of Sick in This Week's People and Events List, Jan. 30, 1919

From the French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C., Jan. 30, 1919

People and Events

On the Sick List

Mrs. Sarah Egerton has been quite sick with a deep cold for some time.

Miss Eleanor Plank has been quite sick with influenza but is improving.

M.T. Pace is very ill with influenza at his home near Kanuga Lake.

R.T. Long is kept in his room with an attack of influenza this week.

R.M. Oates is suffering from an attack of asthma this week.

F.E. Curtis, who has been on the sick list, is able to sit up and feels much better.

R.P. Craig, who has a position at Hunter’s Pharmacy, is very sick with influenza.

Dr. J.L. Egerton is miserably sick with influenza at Merriwether Hospital in Asheville.

Mrs. G.L. Anders and son, Joe, who have been victims of influenza are reported as getting along nicely.

Mrs. P.M. McCulloh’s son, R.M. McCulloh who lives in Columbia, S.C., is very sick with influenza.

John Burchmyer has been kept away from his store for several days with an attack of influenza.

J. Flem Brooks came home last week on account of all the family being sick with influenza.

Mrs. J.D. Pullin has been very ill with influenza but is reported as being some better.

John T. Wilkins is out again after being kept at home with an attack of influenza.

Mrs. L.E. Rickley has been called to Columbia, S.C., on account of her daughter’s illness.

Miss Lucy Bomar has recovered from influenza and will soon resume her work at Fassifern school.

W.F. Penny, who is a traveling salesman, came home last week suffering from high blood pressure.

Dr. W. Reddin Kirk, who has not been very well recently, is feeling slightly better.

Mrs. F.S. Wetmur has returned from Dunbar, S.C., and repots her daughter and family as being better.

Clyde Forest, little son of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Forest, is ill with bronchial pneumonia at Mrs. E.L. Osteen’s on King street.

Miss Katie Price has resumed her work in the graded school. Miss Price was detained at home on account of sickness.

Mrs. Alph Glazener left this week for Columbia, S.C., to spend a while. Her father is sick in one of the hospitals there.

Mrs. James H. Patterson has been confined to her bed for several weeks from the after effects of influenza and rheumatism.

Stephen Mitchell of New Castle, Pa., is a guest at the Waverly. Mr. Mitchell came here to recuperate from a recent illness.

J.K. Goodfeller, from Montreal, Canada, is at Hazelhurst. Mr. Goodfeller came to this climate to regain his health.

Clyde Goodman from Flat Rock underwent a successful operation for appendicitis last Saturday at Patton Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. F.G. Stillwell is a patient at Patton Memorial Hospital. She is reported as getting along nicely.

Misses Lucile Morris and Mary Duff are at home on account of the Balfour school closing until the epidemic of influenza is over.

Leon Trice, who has been in the hospital at Great Lakes with influenza, came home Monday on a furlough of 12 days to recuperate.

Miss Lily Graham Allen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Allen, who has been teaching in South Carolina, has come home on account of influenza.

Mrs. C.L. McGivern and daughter Margaret Earl, guests at Marlboro Villa, are among the influenza patients at Patton Memorial Hospital who are convalescing.

Mrs. S.V. Pickens writes friends from Apopka, Fla., that Col. Pickens does not sit up at all except propped up in a chair for a little while. A trained nurse takes care of him.

Mrs. F.G. Burroughs, mother of Mrs. J.L. Egerton, F.G. Burroughs, a brother, and Edwin Sherwood, a brother-in-law, are all very sick with influenza at Conway, S.C.

Claude Stepp, son of Rev. James Stepp who has been seriously ill with pneumonia at the home of his father-in-law, H.D. Hyder, is reported as being some better.

Miss Bertha Ledbetter is kept at home this week with an attack of influenza. Miss Gussie Dotson has charge of her work in the graded school.

George Bryan, from the Blue Ridge School for Boys, who is a patient at Patton Memorial Hospital with an infected finger, is getting along all right and will return to his work within a few days.

Dr. J.L. Egerton, who has been at the Meriwether Hospital in Asheville for a week suffering from influenza, is doing nicely. He will not be able to resume his practice for some time, however.

Mrs. J.L. Egerton, who was called to Conway, S.C., on account of her mother’s illness, received messages from Asheville about Dr. Egerton’s illness and went to be with him. She came home this week as he is getting along nicely.

Among the sick with influenza who are convalescing are G.W. Brooks and family; Mrs. J.A. Fletcher, 

Miss Vada Orr, Mrs. E. Hart, Max Pullin, Maurice Orr, Marlon Justus, Billy Wilkins, the Misses Sample, Mrs. J. Flen(?) Brooks, Miss Gennie Simpson, Mrs. Dora Sossamon and daughter Elizabeth.

Births

Born to Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Rusher at Flat Rock on Jan. 27, a son.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Baldwin on Jan. 28^th a baby girl, Mary Elizabeth.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Kinton on Jan. 24, a son. (Mr. Kinton is in France.)

Born Jan. 26 to Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Broughton of Columbia, S.C., a son.

Born Jan. 24^th to Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Peters, a son. Mrs. Peters was Miss Mary Belk, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Geo. W. Belk. Mr. and Mrs. Peters are now making their home at Ebenezer, Tenn.

Other Travels

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Patterson have returned from New York city.

Mrs. A.J. Burke of Amherst is visiting her sister, Mrs. M.R. Allen.

Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Freeze have returned from New York City.

Miss Annie Fred has gone to Camden, S.C., for a two weeks visit.

M.M. Castillo of Asheville is visiting Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Long.

Miss Ella Phillips has been spending some time with Miss Florence Jordan at Laurel Park.

Mrs. J.F. Abercrombie from Greenville, S.C., is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Davis.

Miss Sue Cannon from Horse Shoe is visiting relatives in Spartanburg, S.C.

Mrs. Henry Pence of Toledo, Ohio, arrived last week for a visit to her aunt, Mrs. L.M. Colt.

Mrs. Hattie Scott and Miss Minnie Varner have returned from a visit to Columbia, S.C.

Mrs. A.B. Drafts and daughter, Helen, have returned from Washington, D.C.

Mrs. S.H. Hilliard, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. C. Few, has returned to Asheville.

Erle Hallman has returned to Charlotte after a short visit to his mother. Erle is one of Hendersonville’s boys who is making a fine record.

Mrs. J.P. Patton’s niece, Frances Patton from Sumpter, S.C., arrived last week for a visit to her and other relatives.

Mrs. Russ, three children and her sister from New York have taken the cottage of Mr. Freeman in Lenox Park.

Miss Lena Latham has accepted a position in the exemption office which was filled by Mrs. C. Few Jr., who has gone to Florida.

Mrs. F.V. Hunter and little daughter, Elizabeth, arrived today from a visit to relatives at LaFayette, Ala.

Mrs. H.T. McFall, who spent several days with her daughter, Mrs. Alph Glazener, has returned to Anderson, S.C.

Mrs. E.M. Patterson is spending some time with her son, James H. Patterson and family, who live near town.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Latham were called to Plymouth, N.C., last week on account of the death of Mr. Latham’s uncle.

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Loftis have moved to Balfour. Mr. Loftis had a position with the Southern Express Company.

Mrs. J.M. Stewart and baby who have been with Mrs. Stewart’s parents at Flat Rock for a month, came to their home at Hyman Heights last Friday.

Miss Mamie Hutchinson died at Fruitland Sunday evening, Jan. 26, after an illness of one year. She was a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W.G. Hutchinson.

Mrs. W.L. Wade, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. A.E. Morris and her brothers Zollie and Frank in Asheville, returned to her home at Dunn this week.

Mrs. M.A. Brown, who accompanied her mother to Daytona, Fla., went to New York City to visit her brother, Furman Gaines.

A.G. Randolph and family are expecting to go to Black Mountain to live and will probably leave on Sunday. Mr. Randolph was part owner of the Blue Ridge School for Boys.

Military Notes

James Duff has been transferred from Great Lakes, Ill., to Hampton Roads, Va., and will go to sea from there.

Sergeant Overton Erwin of Brevard, who has recently returned from overseas, spent the week-end with the family of W.C. Jordan at Flat Rock

Dr. B.F. Cliff, who has been in service for 18 months, has been honorably discharged. Dr. Cliff will be associated with Dr. W.R. Kirk. He practiced in East Flat Rock before going into service.

Sergeant Allen Rhodes, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Rhodes on the Horse Shoe road, writes from St. Lazaire, France, that he is at the port of embarkation awaiting orders to sail for the states.

Business Travels

Abe Kantrowitz left this week for Chicago, Ill., to buy goods for E. Lewis and Co.

J.T. Beason left Tuesday for Asheville, Waynesville, etc., on a business trip.

Flu Under Control at Fruitland Institute, Jan. 30, 1919

From the French Broad Hustler, Jan. 30, 1919

Influenza Under Good Control at Fruitland

An outbreak of influenza at Fruitland Institute about the 15^th of the month seemed to hold alarming possibilities but fortunately died out almost entirely. Thirty-eight pupils were attack by this disease, which however proved in every case to be of a very mild type and no complications. School work was suspended four days last week, but the sufferers have now recovered and the regular routine has been resumed.

The Shakespearean play “Twelfth Night” given at the Institute last week was creditable in every respect and was greatly enjoyed by the students and faculty, although owing to the condition of semi-quarantine then existing it was impossible to extend invitations to outside folks has had been planned.

Military News From Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 29, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 29, 1919

Edwin Springs Safe

Mrs. John L. Springs received a letter from her son, Edwin, yesterday, written from Coblenz, Germany, dated December 21. He is with the Third army, Co. C, First division, ammunition train. They came all the way through in horse trains down the Mozelle river, a lovely valley, with high mountains on each side, passed through the beautiful city of Luxemburg. He says all along the way the German people were lovely to them, and he was entertained by some who had lost one or two sons in the war but that made no difference in their kind treatment. He says the Germans have very little to eat, mostly potatoes and cabbage, very little bread and no meat. A most wonderful trip he is having.

Benjamine Berry Well and Content

Miss Minnie Berry is in receipt of a number of cards from her brother, Benjamine B. Berry of Co. B, 306 engineers. Mr. Berry was well and contented.

Another Soldier Back Wounded in France

Mr. Lee Rogers, a member of the 119^th infantry, 30^th division, arrived home Sunday from Camp Greene, Charlotte, where he was discharged following his return a few weeks ago from France. The young man was wounded twice in the back by shrapnel on October 17 and lost a finger on the left hand by the same shell. He fought in the battle for the Hindenburg line and saw some of the hardest fighting of whole war before he was put out of action by wounded.

Wounded Soldier Left Train at Salisbury

When a car of soldiers passed through Spencer and Salisbury today en route to the hospital at Azalea, one of the men, believed to have been unbalanced mentally, left the train, and the incident was reported to Chief Lentz on the arrival of the train here. The Hickory officer telephoned the Salisbury chief and requested him to look for the soldier and to advise the army authorities.

30^th Division to Land at Charleston, S.C.

Washington, Jan. 29—The 30^th Division (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee national guard), which is now under orders to prepare for embarkation to return home, will be landed at Charleston, S.C., if the war department can prepare facilities there to handle so large a body of men. The division will be sent to Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C., for demobilization.

While no definite plans for parading this unit have been fixed, officials thought it probable either the entire division or some large portions of it would be paraded at Charleston and Columbia.

Second Flu Outbreak at Guilford College Has Ended, Jan. 29, 1919

From The Guilfordian, newspaper of Guilford College, Jan. 29, 1919

Second Flu Outbreak Now Over

The second flu outbreak at Guilford is now apparently over as no new cases have developed for over a week and a half. All the cases were fortunately light and no serious complications have occurred. Since January 10^th when the vanguard arrived at the infirmary 50 patients have been successfully cared for. At the present writing only a bare half dozen are under the immediate care of the nurse. The success in handling the epidemic has been due to the untiring efforts of Miss Laura Worth, Dr. Williams and Miss Benbow, ably assisted by Leslie Barrett, Grady McBane and Joe Taylor. Assistant nurses have been employed both at the Cox Hall infirmary and New Garden. Dr. Williams in the midst of his labors was conquered by the disease he had so often conquered, but present reports are that he is getting along well. His Guilford patients sent him 2 ½ dozen carnations in appreciation for his services. As the former outbreak was confined entirely to the men this one was almost altogether a feminist movement, Hugh Moore, David White and Herman Raiford being the only masculine representatives.

N.D. Representatives Suggests Teaching Illiterate Soldiers to Read and Write Now That Fighting's Over, Jan. 29, 1919

From the University of North Carolina News Letter, Jan. 29, 1919

Reconstruction Measure

During the first week in November Representative Young of North Dakota introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives a concurrent resolution providing that illiterate American soldiers should be demobilized last. He called it the first reconstruction measure. The purpose back of it is to give such soldiers an elementary education before they are returned to private life.

To what extent is the penurious public pocket responsible for the fact that there are 750,000 illiterate soldiers in our army?

Will State Fund Six-Months of Public Education Voters Want? Jan. 29, 1919

From the University of North Carolina News Letter, Jan. 29, 1919. the question had been put to the public and the majority (of white men, basically the only ones allowed to vote in North Carolina in 1919), agreed that the school year should be six months long.

A Look Ahead

North Carolina has just voted a six-months public school term. It means $10 million instead of $7 million a year for public school support.

There is no longer any doubt about our ability to spend $10 million a year on popular education. The people that surrenders $251 million in 18 months for war support—that’s the amazing total war figure for North Carolina—can easily spend $10 million a year for common-school education, if only the problems of peace are as large in our minds as the purposes of war.

We are able; the question is are we willing? We are, if we are worthy of our Scotch ancestry.

And furthermore a million dollar endowment fund for Wake Forest, more money by many thousands for our state institutions of benevolence, technical training, and liberal arts ought all to be within the range of possibility in North Carolina in this first year of the new peace era.

The days of pint-cup thinking about the big-scale concerns of the commonwealth is at an end.

What the American Farmer Believes In, Jan. 29, 1919

From the University of North Carolina News Letter, Jan. 29, 1919

A Farmer’s Creed

I believe in red clover, in white clover, in sweet clover, in cowpeas, in soybeans, and above all, I believe in alfalfa, the queen of forage plants.

I believe in a permanent agriculture, in a soil that grows richer rather than poorer from year to year.

I believe in 60 bushel corn and 40 bushel wheat and shall not be satisfied with less.

I believe that the only good weed is a dead weed, and that a clean farm is as important as a clean conscience.

I believe in the farm boy and the farm girl, the farmer’s best crop and the future’s best hope.

I believe in the farm woman and will do all in my power to make her life easier and happier.

I believe in the country school that prepares for country life, and in the country church that teaches its people to love deeply and live honorably.

I believe in community spirit, a pride in the home and neighbors, and I will do my part to make my own community the best in the state to live in.

I believe in better roads, and I will use the road drag whenever the roads are ready for it.

I believe in happiness. I believe in the power of a smile, and will use mine on every possible occasion.

I believe in the farmer. I believe in farm life. I believe in the inspiration of the open country.

I am proud to be a farmer, I am proud to be a member of a farm bureau, and I will try earnestly to uphold the worthy name.

--E.J.K. in the Kansas Industrialist

Lts. Veach and Freeman, and Joe Murphy Write Home, Jan. 28, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1919

Thirtieth Faced 20 Hun Divisions

First Lieutenant M.W. Veach in a letter dated December 11 to Mr. George Bailey gives the names and dates of the battles fought by the 30^th division, the towns the division took and the number of German divisions which were fought from August 21 to October 19. Lieutenant Veach is in the 120^th Infantry and he says he is glad the affair is over.

The following places were taken by the division on the dates indicated:

Lankhof Farm (Ypres), September 1 to 2

Belicourt and Nouroy (Hindenburg line) September 29 to 30

Premont and Brancourt, October 8

Busigny, October 9

Becquiny, Bohain, Vaux, Abdigny and L. Hale Mencrsse, October 10 to 11

St.Martin Rievre, Mazinier and Heights of Catilion, October 17 to 19.

Exactly 20 divisions faced the Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina troops from August 1 to October 19. Lieutenant Veach gives the numbers of the divisions and their quality. Of the number of enemy divisions 14 are rated as “average” and six as “very good.” This was a rather tough proposition for one division to be handled, but Generals Pershing and Haig have vouched for the way the young men treated their opponents.

Card from Joe Murphy

Under date of December 16, Joe L. Murphy of the Rainbow Division informs a member of the Record staff in an appreciated card that he was 15 miles from the Rhine as part of the army of occupation. “The conditions are pretty good,” Mr. Murphy writes. “The people have enough to eat. Have hiked 300 miles since signing of armistice.”

Two Hickory Men in Famous Division

A letter to the Record form First Lieut. C.C. Freeman gives details of the work done by the 5^th Division in the last few weeks of the war. Mr. Ralph Shed of Hickory is a member of this division, being connected with the 25^th field hospital, and Lieutenant Freeman says “I feel sure his people and friends will be glad to know that he was with his organization and did faithful work during this drive.”

The 5^th Division forced the famous crossing of the Meuse river below Sedan and for its valor has been cited by Maj. General E.E. Ely for bravery. These men built bridges and swam the river in the face of heavy machine gun fire and performed a feat that was cabled to all the papers. The exploit, which was carried by the Record at the time, was one of wonderful ingenuity and courage, and no reading was more gripping than this.

“For two days and nights,” the citation reads, “the fifth division held a front of 20 kilometers against the enemy on its front and both flanks. Not content with this, it went out of its own sector on the north and took the time of Meusay and turned it over to the 90^th division. On the south it went out of its sector and took Voiosges, enabling the French division on its right to cross the river.

“In the 30 days preceding the armistice, this fifth division was seriously engaged under shell and machine gun fire for 37 days. In the past two weeks no day has passed that some town, wood, or hill has not been wrested from the enemy. Bois des Rappe, Ainereville, Bois de Babiemont, Cleary-leGrand-Clery, Brieulles, Dun-Sur-Meuse,” and many other points named. The penetration of 20 kilometers into the enemy’s line was made, and when the armistice was signed it was 5 kilometers, or over two miles, beyond the troops on its right.

Thirty-seven cannon, 461 machine guns, over 900 were captured by the division. The commander, however, congratulates the division most on its untiring, uncomplaining tenacity of purpose “in its constant driving of the enemy in spite of fatigue and shortage of rations. Being wet from the swimming of the river and canal or wading the swamp of the Forest de Woevre, this is a brilliant example of what an American soldier can do in an emergency when he must go on to the utmost of his power. The division commander is proud of the division. No division could have accomplished more and every member of the command should be proud of the division which has so brilliantly ended its record in the greatest war the world has ever known.”

Corp. Sam Lee Writes of His Christmas and Drive Through Germany, Jan. 28, 1919

From The Monroe Journal, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1919

Corp. Sam Lee Tells of His Trip Into Germany

The Scenery Through the Mountains of Germany Unusually Beautiful, But No Easy Job to Drive 5 ½ Ton Trucks Through Them

“Imagine us moving 200 loaded 5 ½ ton trucks over the mountains known as ‘German Switzerland’” says Corporal Sam Lee in a letter to his mother, Mrs. T.C. Lee. His letter is interesting as he tells something of his Christmas Day spent in Germany.

Motor Supply Train No. 413, A.P.O. 755

Mayen, Germany

Christmas Day

My Dear Mother:

I suppose you’ve decided long before now that the Germans had my number after all, but this is not the case and I am as well and as happy as can be. The only trouble is that it has been impossible for me to write before now. We have been on the move continually and such a move I’ve never seen. Imagine us moving 200 loaded 5 ½ ton trucks over the mountains known as German Switzerland. This is just what we were up against and you can not imagine the work it took over those roads. The whole of the German Army had just moved over the roads, followed closely by our doughboys and artillery. Now if the mountains of Switzerland have anything on the ones we crossed, I for one, do not care to see them. Then, too, when it was raining and sleeting every day, you can possibly imagine what we were up against with those loaded trucks when a skid may mean a drop of a mere thousand feet.

The scenery was beautiful but owing to the weather conditions and the work we had to do, I could naturally not enjoy it so much as if I’d been free. I had one little advantage over most of the fellows of being able to ride in a closed car with the officers. We had “beaucoup Francs” for the payroll and since I had it in our small field desk and had to keep a rather close eye upon it I put the desk in the car and had a good trip.

I’d like to write you a book and tell you all about where I’ve been in France and Germany, but it would take a book, so I’m going to wait until I come home to tell you all about it. Just this, I’ve been over the whole of the front from Luneville, which you will find just to the East of Nancy, to Verdun. I had my first excitement at Luneville, staying there for three days, and from there to a military camp just North of Toul. From there we went to Flirey. This is where we were on the 11^th. On our way up we went by way of Verdun, Aumetz (Lorraine) Bettemburg, Luxembourg and from there over on the Moselle to Trier, Berncastle, over to the Rhine through Castellaun, Boppard, Corbelentz and are now in Mayen.

This is a nice little city of 2,500, and the people treat us all as kings. They can’t ever do enough for us. I have a room with gas light, stove and a large feather bed. Think I deserve it though, after all we’ve had to go through with for the last month and a half.

I have been able to get two or three letters and a paper or so and was sure glad to get them. You ask if I know anything about what our organization expects to do. Well, of course no one knows anything definite but we all know this much. We are attached to the Fourth Army Corps, which is composed of the First, Third, Fourth, 42^nd (Rainbow) division. Now these are the oldest and best known divisions over here and if things go as they should they should be among the early arrivals. But anyway, when you see of those divisions coming home I’ll be with them and I don’t care much how soon it happens. We have been with these divisions ever since we came to the front and you know from their “rep” that we’ve seen the fun.

I want to stay until the thing is fixed for one and for all, but when that is done they can’t take me home too quick. I feel that I’ve done my best and have tried not to complain but I thank God on this Xmas day that from the looks of things now we will never have to do many things that we have willingly done. I feel that I’ve profited by my experiences in many ways but I’ve been through, seen and heard many things I hope I’ll never have to again.

Well, Mother, this is Christmas Day and naturally my thoughts lead me to my home. I wonder what all of you are doing today. It is very beautiful here today for the first time in a month I suppose. It snowed until about 5 o’clock this morning and about 7 the sun came out and it makes a beautiful sight. The snow is about a foot deep and the kids are all having the time of their lives. In a way I feel sorry for them. The lady I am staying with has three children, about 14, 11 and 9 years of age. Their father was killed or wounded and thrown into the field before his wounds healed causing his death. The mother is compelled to work to support them and it is pitiful. About all they live on is real dark bread and hardly enough at that. They have a good comfortable home and that is about all they do have. I did not have any money for Xmas but I borrowed a little from the Lieutenant and bought them some small toys. I took the car and went out for a small Christmas tree and fixed it up for them. I think they were just about the happiest kids in the world this morning. They nearly ran me crazy. Their mother was allowed a little extra bread and a little meat for Xmas and when dinner time came they came after me and would make me share their Xmas dinner. They had two or three English walnuts and a cookie or two on my plate, just as on their.

Oh, yes! I forgot to tell you that my box came yesterday and I thank you a thousand times for the good cake. It came through in fine shape and is just about the best I ever ate. I gave the kids and the mother a small piece and they nearly went crazy. At our kitchen we had apple dumplings, cake and cookies, mashed potatoes and roast beef for dinner, so you see I have had a happy Christmas. Hope all of you have had as happy.

This is certainly a beautiful country and especially the Rhine valley. Coblentz is a large city and has many interesting buildings and things of note.

With lots of love and good wishes to all, I am

Your son,

Sam

Local News Items from Monroe, N.C., Jan. 28, 1919

From The Monroe Journal, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1919

Local and Personal

Mr. L.L. Fincher reports that the last cold spell almost ruined the oat crop in his community.

A Farmer’s Union meeting at Mt. Prospect will be held Thursday, January 30^th.

On Friday a bill providing for the protection of opossums in Union county was introduced in the House by M.B.B. Griffin.

Mr. A.L. Parker showed The Journal man some fine specimens of tobacco that he grew on his farm last year. Some of the leaves were over two feet long. Mr. Parker says that the weed can be grown successfully in this county.

Messrs. Sam Montgomery and Dock Yow engaged in a cutting scrape at Icemorelee Saturday night. It is said that Mr. Yow suffered severe cuts about the head and that Mr. Montgomery suffered several minor cuts.

On Sunday a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Short of Weddington was carried to a Charlotte hospital to undergo treatment for appendicitis. Yesterday a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.Y. Godfrey of the same village was carried to Charlotte for treatment of the same trouble.

Automobiles driven by Messrs. Victor Hamilton and Lewis Carpenter collided on the Wadesboro road just beyond the residence of Mr. M.K. Lee Saturday night. No one was hurt but the cars were damaged considerably, it being estimated that the damage to both cars was around $200. Several young ladies were in the car driven by Mr. Carpenter.

Last Sunday Mr. Fred West was called to Atlanta on account of the death of his nephew, Roy West. Arriving there he found his daughter very ill with bronchial pneumonia and that same day received a message that his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert Latta had been killed on the streets of Camden by a negro. Mr. Latta had been on the police force for a number of years. Mr. West’s daughter is at St. Joseph’s Infirmary in Atlanta and is somewhat better today.

Mr. N.K. Futreele, an account of whose illness appeared in last issue of The Journal, died Sunday at his home in Odum, Ga. Death resulted from complications following influenza. For some time Mr. Futrelle was manager of the Monroe Chero-Cola company was well liked by the people of Monroe. About a year ago he moved to Georgia where he engaged in the hardware business. He was married to Miss Sarah Smith, a sister of Dr. G.M. Smith, in March of last year. He was 43 years old and was a companionable man of excellent character. During his stay in Monroe he made many friends who are saddened at his untimely death. Funeral services and interment were held yesterday at Jessup, Ga.

There will be a public meeting of the business men of Monroe tonight in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 o’clock to consider the business situation and particularly the federal tax question. It is hoped that every business house in Monroe will be represented.

Engineer Bert Griffin was slightly injured early Saturday morning when the tender of his engine and 19 coal cars plunged into a creek a few miles this side of Mooresville when the trestle gave way. The wrecking crew was called out from here to clear the wreck and repair the trestle. It was stated that traffic would be interrupted for several days. Until the damage is repaired the daily train to Rutherfordton will use the Southern road to reach its destination, taking this route at Shelby.

Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Phifer and daughter, Mrs. T.T. Capehart, left Sunday morning for Little Rock, Ark., to be with Mr. Braxton Phifer who is desperately ill with pneumonia following influenza. A message received at 6 o’clock yesterday evening from Mr. Phifer stated that he had arrived in Little Rock and found his son slightly better.

The peace and quiet of Sunday was disturbed for Charley Toney, a little negro about 12 years old, by another negro, Charlie McKenzie of about the same age, plunking him in the head with a deadly weapon, to wit, a pair of wire clippers weighing about two pounds. The Toney negro appeared in Recorder’s court yesterday with the blackness of his wool set off by the bandages over the wound. Recorder Lemmond found the McKenzie negro guilty and sentenced him to pay the cost in the case and to pay the doctor’s bill.

The Journal is reliably informed that the express companies are now handling more whiskey than in many months. This is probably explained by the fact that the nation becomes bone dry on July 1, and the lovers of the ardent are thing to get a little to say good-bye to.

Fire last night about 11 o’clock damaged the Union Drug co.’s stock to the extent of between $1,500 and $2,000. It is understood that the loss is covered by insurance. When discovered the fire had made considerable headway in the rear of the store, and the firemen had to flood the building with water to subdue it. The origin of the fire is not known.

Military News

Mr. J.D. Futch, one of the few citizens of Monroe who can boast of four sons in Uncle Sam’s service, received letters today from Lt. Leslie and Private John Futch. Both these young men are with the Army of Occupation, Lt. Futch being located in Mayer and Private Futch in Adenau, Germany. Lt. Futch is aid to a general of the Third Division and says he has had a fine opportunity to see almost everything there is to be seen as he rode usually with the general in a Cadillac car. Private John Futch has seen hard service and a great variety of it. This regiment was in the great drive the first of November where they worked between the infantry and light artillery and where, as Private Futch says, “The shells were whistling like a swarm of bees and shrapnel fell thick and fast.”

To be blown 10 feet into the air by an exploding shell, suffering a wound from which it seemed that he must bleed to death, and then to make his way to the first aid station two miles back, and live to tell the tale, was the experience of Mr. Ed Helms, son of Mr. Joe Helms of North Monroe. Mr. Helms arrived home Sunday from an army hospital in Petersburg, Va., to spend a short furlough with his parents. He is yet carrying his arm, the flesh of which was torn away to the bone for several inches, in a sling. He was a member of the 119^th Infantry of the famous 30^th (Old Hickory) division. On Sept. 29 Mr. Helms with the rest of his company had broken through the famous Hindenburg line, he states, and they were engaging the Germans in hand to hand conflict when he was wounded. He says there were a number of other Union county boys in his company and that about 17 or 20 of the men in the entire company came through the battles without wounds. All of the officers were killed. Speaking of the Germans captured, he declared that most of them were either old men or kids. On one occasion, he saw a number of German prisoners being marched in by the British and not one of the captured bunch wore shoes. Mr. Helms was in France for seven months. He was entrained for Camp Jackson by the local board of exemptions on October 3, 1917. Later he was transferred to Camp Sevier. He landed in France the latter part of May.

Private Carl McManus is reported as severely wounded in the casualty list issued this morning.

The train from Atlanta last night carried a car of shell shocked soldiers en route from Ft. McPherson to Washington where they will receive special treatment. Co. A with Mrs. W.C. Crowell was in charge, served these 23 men and their six attendants sandwiches, fruit, chocolate bars, cigarettes, hot chocolate and coffee.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, the Bickett Battery, Battery D, 113 F.A., may be on its way home soon. “contrary to earlier impressions, it now appears that the Field Artillery will accompany the 30^th Division home from France. This was borne out yesterday by a cablegram received by Mrs. L.P. McLendon from Captain McLendon, commanding the Durham battery of the 113^th. Capt. McLendon stated simply that he had been ordered home with the 30^th Division. It is presumed, although he did not say so, that the entire regiment is included in the order. The 113^th Field Artillery, commanded by Col. Albert L. Cox of Raleigh, has not been engaged in the fighting with the 30^th Division. It has been assigned to another division and, it was understood, had become a part of the army of occupation.” This would seem to corroborate the rumor that the Battery would leave for an embarkation port on January 25, as reported in a letter from Mr. Charles Hart to his father, Mr. S.B. Hart, and told in a recent issue of The Journal.

Letters from Our Soldiers, McComb, Bumgarner and Hawn, Received Jan. 27, 1919

From The Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 27, 1919

William McComb in Coblenz Hospital

Mr. Ellis H. McComb today received a letter from his son, Private William W. McComb, 17^th field artillery, second division, announcing that he was in a hospital in Coblenz, Germany, recovering from injuries sustained in September when a big shell exploded. Private McComb will continue in the game and it was not until the American army reached Coblenz that he consulted a surgeon and was sent to a hospital. He said it would be about six months until he would be a civilian again. The letter today was the first his father had heard from him since October 31, and he was greatly relieved. The young man’s many friends will be interested in the news from him.

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Pvt. E.L. Bumgarner Relates His Experiences

Mr. R.M. Blumgarner has received a letter from his son, Private Elvin L. Bumgarner, Co. A, 323 Infantry, 81^st Division, under date of Dec. 28. Mrs. R.M. Bumgarner received one under date of December 29. The following is Mr. Bumgarner’s letter.

Grancey, France

Dec. 28, 1918

Dear Father:

Will now write you a few lines. I am now in the central part of France. Grancey S. Source is the name of the village. It is about 12 miles from Chation and about 30 kils from Chaumont. WLe hiked from Verdun here, about 275 kilos.

I left New York on the steam ship Empress of Asia, on the 31^st day of July. We arrived at Liverpool, England, on August 11, at 2 o’clock p.m. From there we went by rail to Camp Doodley near South Hampton, where we took the steamship “Yale” and crossed the English channel, arriving at Havre, France, and were in an air rade the first night. We stayed there a few days and then went to southern France to a village named Comissery near Tonnerre. We stayed there four weeks taking hard training and from there we went to the trenches in Alsace-Lorraine section. We were in the St. Die sector in the Vosges mountains. This was a very quiet section. We were shelled lots and raided by air planes. Also we had to go on lots of patrols at night. We stayed there for about 29 days. We did not have much to eat and our work was hard as we were on guard three hours and off three. We didn’t get much sleep at that place.

I saw several German towns and helped capture about 250 German prisoners. From my post I could often hear the Germans talking. It was impossible to make an advance. This is the section where the French lost 100,000 men in the first part of the war and it was said that the streams ran with blood. From this section we hiked back to a rest camp near Rambervillers. We stayed there for two weeks taking hard training. This was the first town that I had been to in France. It was about the size of Salisbury. From there we went to the Verdun front. For 72 hours we had no sleep and were under heavy fire. We were on the section when the war ended. 

I have been well and God has blessed me with good health. Have had to take hikes lots. Will tell you about France when I come home. I expect to be home in February. Hope you are all well.

With love and best wishes, your son,

Elvin

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Hickory Man Saw Last Day’s Fight in France

The following letter received by Mrs. C.R. Hawn of Drexel from her husband, Private Charles Robert Hawn, who is a member of Company C, 306^th engineers, 81^st Division, will be read with interest.

Nod, France

December 15, 1918

My dear wife:

Today is a rest day for us so I will endeavor to write you a letter. Today is Sunday. We don’t do anything on Sunday. The war is over. I guess you are glad to know the fighting has stopped, but not any gladder than I am.

We were on the front when the fighting stopped. We were on the front near two weeks. We made our first trip out on the battle field the morning of the 11^th and the firing stopped at 11 o’clock that day.

Believe me, it was a warm time out there, while it lasted. Will tell you about it when I get back home.

We came from the front to this place called Nod. We were on the road 15 days. I made it fine, only my feet got rather sore. We have been here for two weeks, drilling back to squads right and left again. We only drill five hours a day. Saturday afternoon and Sunday off.

I don’t know how long we will have to stay over here yet. I am hoping it will not be long, as I am anxious to get back home now. I think I will be home by February. It seems like it has been several years since I saw you. Guess how much I weigh? I weighed this morning—152 pounds, and I haven’t been sick a day since I came over.

We are billeted in a French village. The people are very nice to us. I have never learned their language, though I get my sweet milk every day. You know I am so found of that. Getting along fine here. But I am anxious to get back to the good old U.S.A.

I received my Christmas package several days ago; it was real nice and in good condition. The chocolate was fine; that was the first real American chocolate I have eaten since I came over. We can get it at the Y.M.C.A., but not that kind. I also received the package of razor blades yesterday.

I have not seen Marshall or Ben for several weeks. They are in a different village.

The Germans failed to get me. I guess they had a grand celebration the 11^th over there? I would like to have been in the midst.

I was very sorry to hear of Mrs. P.A. Miller’s death. That was too sad. I thought so much of her. She was loved by everybody who knew her. I see there have been quite a number of deaths over there. Be good and take good care of yourself until I get back. Trusting this finds you in the very best of health and enjoying life. Give the Hickory people my best regards. I must close now as it is time for supper.

With love,

-=-

Other News of Our Soldiers

Lieut. Ralph H. Ballew, after spending several days with his parents, left today for Charleston to rejoin his ship.

Mr. Vance E. Yount, a member of the 30^th division, has arrived home. He telephoned his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Yount, the good news on Friday. The young man was in the big fighting in France and later was invalided home on account of illness.

The home guard will meet again tomorrow night after a recess due to the flu of several months. Captain Abernethy says it will be advisable for the men to be prepared to clean up the rifles again. The hour of meeting is 8 o’clock.

If Your Dog Is Running Loose in Hickory, It Will Be Shot and Killed, Jan. 27, 1919

From The Hickory Daily Record, Jan. 27, 1919. Before dogs were vaccinated to protect against rabies.

Will Kill Dogs Running at Large

The Record was requested to serve notice on dog owners today that beginning tomorrow at 9 a.m. every dog found running at large within the corporate limits of Hickory will be shot dead.

This action was decided upon because of the unusually large number of mad dogs that have appeared in the city and community within the past several weeks. More than six animals, most of them mad, have been killed, one Saturday night and another yesterday afternoon.

Owners of dogs of course are aware that if their animals bite and injure a child or adult, damage may be collected. Even those dogs on which taxes are paid will not exempt their owners from damaged—assuming that the dogs are not killed when they appear on the streets.

Every dog should be kept at home until the danger from rabies is over.