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Conger Reynolds newspaper clippings, 1916-1919

1919-01-30 Dexter Sentinel Clipping: ""From The Boys; Letter From Conger Reynolds to His Parents, Mr. And Mrs. J.Q.A. Reynolds"" Page 1

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THE DEXTER SENTINEL ------------------------------------------- HOME SWEET HOME by Jack Wilson Donald: Daddy, here’s my report card from school, will you sign it George: Report card, eh? Well how are you gettin’ on? George: Donald Wickens you ought to be tanned for bringing home a card like that- three F’s on it- what did you do all month- just loaf? George: Say, if you don’t get busy an’ study you’re gonna FAIL- think of it, FAIL!! Do we want the neighbors saying that we got a dunce in the family- say- Woman: Oh George, here are your civil service papers back; you failed!! ------------------------------------------- FROM THE BOYS --- Letter From Conger Reynods to His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. A. Reynolds --- Coblenz, Germany, Dec. 13, 1918 My dear Father and Mother- By a good long letter I intend now to compensate for the wait I have given you. Let me see- the last was from Luxembourg, wasn’t it? Luxembourg seems now far away, in time because so much has happened since we left there, in distance because the miles that have passed under foot have been so full of interesting sights. To the last Lumembourg was the fascinating comic opera city that I described to you from my first impressions. Whether we would or not we were made by the populace to play the role of liberators and to receive a welcome that in cordiality and enthusiasm could hardly be surpassed. I doubt if a single American got out of the city without being entertained in a private home. Luxuries that had been foregone for four years because of their exhorbitant cost were lavished on the Americans. Tables groaned with food, the most precious thing in this part of the world. Orchestras dug up American popular tunes and worked them into programs of ------------------------------------------- Ideal Hog Waterers and Tank Heaters can be secured at B. Chambliss & Son’s Hardware Store. ------------------------------------------- their own beautiful melodies. American flags of strange design showing that they had been specially manufactured to overcome the want of regulation flags, floated in the streets in profusion. And wherever they went Americans heard in English, French, German, the repeated thanks of the Luxembourgois for their delivery from the hater Germans. My own stay ended most pleasantly with a dinner party in the home of one of the government officials. It was a dinner reminiscent of holiday dinner at home except for differences in the serving. Afterward we say long over coffee cups talking about Luxembourg and the war and America as if we had been friends for years. Before that these same people had entertained me in other ways, one of which was to conduct me all about the city showing me the many beautiful and historic spots it includes. The folks where I liver no less kindly. Do you think I could pay them for the delightful room I had had and all the attention that went with it? I certainly could not. I crossed into Germany by automobile the morning of the third. All the way to the border of Luxembourg we had passed through villages decking in flags where the children rushed to doors and gates to wave at us. Then came an abrupt change. We crossed a bridge at Wasserbilig and we were in another land. Little boys in brimless bouche caps stood at the roadside looking at us with curiosity, but without the smiles we had known father back. There were no “Heep heep hoorays”. Men and women kept their faces set straight ahead or looked with expressionless eyes. Soon we were in Treves, which the Germans call Trier. Our billeting officer had gone ahead and taken quarters for the correspondents and officers in the Reichshof hotel. There we found the manager and the service cool but courteous, and willing to do anything we asked of them. Our rooms were warm and comfortable- a veritable luxury after many billets we had known in the war zone. The German food which we tried until our kitchen arrived was not half bad though somewhat costly. I paid the equivalent of a dollar and a half for lunch on roast meat, potatoes, bread and coffee. The bread was terrible. After eating it, one can understand the wonder with which German prisoners used to regard our white bread the first time it was handed out to them. Trier showed little outward evidence of having suffered from the war. The shops were filled with merchandize of all kinds. The cafes were bright and cheerful. The city was over flowing with soldiers back from the war, many of them still in uniform. To see everywhere the soldiers whom we had known before only as the enemy to be fought or prisoners to guard was at first the oddest sort of experience. The soldiers went along about their business paying no attention to us, except occasionally to look at our clothes or to inspect an automobile or a truck. The automobile appeared to interest them most. An automobile as powerful as the American army car had got to be a rare thing in Germany- the rubber tires almost unheard of. The people generally were neutral in their attitude; neither friendly nor surly. For the most part they made no effort to talk to us but they were always polite in directing us about the city or in waiting on us in shops and stores. I have no doubt the tradespeople were willing enough to see us come. The American soldier spends much money where he goes. We had hardly got well settled in Trier when there came an authorization for our unit to proceed to Coblenz. The main body of troops was not to reach Coblenz until the 12th but onthe request of the city authorities the army commander had agreed to send a battalion ahead by rail to police the city in the interim between the departure of the German troops and arrival of the Americans. So last Sunday morning the correspondents piled into a car on the troop train. I was detailed to come with them while the rest of the officers brought the cars and equipment by road. The train left Trier at ten in the morning and jogged along the picturesque Moselle valley. I should like to have seen the way in summer. Even in December it was beautiful. On our life rose abruptly the vineyard-clad hills. On our right was the broad river, and beyond it was more hills, some almost mountains. Often there opened before us vistas up smaller confluent valleys with villages of tall, sharp peaked, white houses clustered in their hollows On the summit of rugged hills overlooking the river were often the ruins of castles, reminders of the age when robber barons waited for the freight of the river and guarded themselves against the attacks of their neighbors. And here, we were in a new kind of invasion. There was no ceremony about the entry of Coblenz. The troops train pulled into a freight depot and unloaded. Perhaps half a hundred person were outside the fence watching the doughboys pile off and march off to the barracks. Downtown it was different. The streets were crowded with folks out for their Sunday afternoon walk. The appearance of the American uniform on the street created something of a sensation. We quickly settled in the Hotel Reisen Furstenhof, which is on the bank of the Phine and just a block north of the pontoon bridge. Here the smaller boys and girls of the city flocked to look at us and our cars. I never saw so many children in one spot in my life. I can believe that Germany does need some outlet for her population. The youngers were pretty friendly and the older persons seemingly not unfriendly. We ate dinner in the hotel, with four boche officers at the next table. Again the food was abundant, and not so expensive as in Trier. To be continued next week. ------------------------------------------- PUBLIC SALE --- We will offer at Public Auction 1 block north and 3-4 miles West of the Dexter Hotel on Friday, Feb. 7, 1919 Commencing at 12 o’clock the following property. --- 314 Head Live Stock 314 --- 35 Head Mules and Horses Span of black mules, mare and horse coming 4 year old weight 2600 sound and a real pair. Span of brown mules, mare and horse coming 4 and 5 years old weight 2400, sound. Span of brown mules, mare and horse coming 3 weight 2400, a real pair, sound. Span of black horse mules coming 3 and 4, sound weight 2250. Span of black mare mules coming 3, sound. Span of black horse mules coming 3 years old, sound. Span of black mules, horse and mare, coming 3, sound. Span of brown mules, mare and horse, coming 3 and 4 sound. Span of brown mare mules coming 3 and 4 sound. Span of black mare mules coming 3, sound. Span of black horse mules coming 4 years old. Span of mules coming 5 and 6 years old. Span of bay mare mules coming 3; span of weanling mare mules. These mules have all been worked. One bay gelding coming 4 years old weight 1400, sound. One bay mare 8 years old with foal to Massure’s Jack. One pair of standard bred road horses coming 6 years old, one of these horses is a great saddler. One black gelding coming four, sound; one grey gelding coming 3; ` wealing sorrel male colt. --- 69 Head of Cattle 14 head of black heifers bred to Angus bull; 4 head of stock cows; 16 yearling steers; 13 head of cows to be fresh soon; 1 fresh cow; 20 head of calves. --- 200 head of Sheep 35 head of native ewes; 45 head of Western ewes to lamb in February; 25 head choice ewe lambs; 25 head late lambs; 1 buck. 68 head of ewes and ewe lambs --- Implements, Etc. 1 box wagon; 1 rack wagon; 1 iron wheel wagon; 1 buggy; Emerson gang plow; Sattley disc; 1 three section harrow; 1 Sattley corn planter nearly new; 120 rods of wire; 1 Deering corn binder; 1 Success manure spreader; 1 P. and O. two row plow; 1 Sattley surface cultivator; 2 Sattley riding cultivators; 1 feed grinder; De Laval cream separator; 1 corn sheller; 1 1-2 horse gas engine; 3 sets of work harness; 1 set of buggy harness; 1 set of single harness; 1 saddle; 10 doz. Rhode Island red hens; 2 doz. Plymouth Rock hens; 5 doz Buff Orpington hens and some Buff Orpington cockerels.; cook stove and some house hold goods and other articles too numerous to mention. --- Lunch to be served by the College Corner Red Cross Ladies, the proceeds of which go to the hospital at Fort Des Moines --- TERMS- Sums of $10.00 and under cash. On sums over $10.00 a credit of 10 months time will be given on approved notes bearing 8 per cent interest from date of sale. Discount of 1 percent for cash on sums over $10.00. All property must be settled for before being removed from the premises. --- O.S. NEAL & SONS DUFF & SPILLERS, Aucts. FLUFFY-RUFFLES CALFEE Clerk ------------------------------------------- LETTERS FROM TRUMAN H. PAYNE. Hevilliers, France, Dec. 13, 1918. Dear Father- A few lines in answer to your letter which I received today. Four of the boys and I are around a small table in our billet, busy with our pens. The old lady who owns the building is sure very good to us, in fact we are in her room now where its nice and warm. Yes, the whole company is as it always was and I don’t think that it will be broken up. I hope not. We’re planning on spending Xmas here, providing nothing occurs contrary to our present plans. By the way did you receive my Xmas package coupon which I sent. I have often wondered if you had. I’m lucky haven’t had a bad cold until last night. I was out walking and was caught in the rain, but I feel alright now. This is a rather small village, about 200 population, mostly farmers. A big pump in the center of the village, a church, about four one room stores, which sell, candles, post cards, nuts and numerous other small articles, two wine shops, a blacksmith shop, that composes most all of the village. They have a “city crier” a man that takes a drum and goes to all the main street corners and tells all the latest news. Some newspaper. All the houses on one side of the street are built together, both houses and barns. This wil give you an idea of how most of the small French villages are like. Haven’t had much winter weather yet, ------------------------------------------- 64 Acre Farm Will Be Sold at PUBLIC SALE --- I will sell at my farm 3 miles west and 1-2 mile north of Redfield, 1-2 mile north of the old stage station on the River to River Road on Thurs. Feb. 6 Sale to commence at 1 o’clock sharp, the following property: 93 HEAD OF STOCK 93 Span of good work mules. 1 two year old colt. 26 Head Of Cattle 26 7 two-year-old heifers; 16 head of last spring calves; 3 small calves. 29 Head of Hogs 29 2 old sows; 17 feeding shoats will weight from 120 to 150 pounds; 10 small shoats. 35 Head of Sheep 35 45 ewes and one buck. 250 bushels Corn. Some Bailed Stray. Shock Fodder. FARM MACHINERY 1 John Deere Manure spreader. 1 Independent Corn binder only used two years; 1 John Deere Corn Planter with 80 rods of wire; 3 section harrow; McCormick mower; 16-16 Osbern Disc; riding cultivator; walking cultivator; 48 rods of 26 in hog wire; some barbed wire; 50 posts; a pile of stove wood, and many other articles too numerous to mention. FARM AT AUCTION I will sell my 65 acre farm at public auction consisting of 40 acres of farm land, 25 acres of good pasture, with a good 8 room house, good summer house 12x18, hen house 10-24 almost new, barn 24x30 with hay mow, track, rope and fork, good grainery 8x12, corn crib, hog house and cattle shed. Has good arched cave, good cistern, 2 wells, good orchard and some small fruit. About 215 rods of woven wire now on the farm. Terms day of sale. --- King & Son, Auctioneers. Wade Spurgin, Clerk Elmer Howell Lunch wagon on Ground. ------------------------------------------- just drizzling rain rost of the time, don’t get very muddy tho, I prefer now to mud. The roads are made of stone, so rain don’t last very long. I hear that some of my letters have found their way into the paper, but of course I don’t object for I had never tho’t of that. We’re not doing very much now, haven’t decided yet, whether I’ll stay a little while longer or not(?) As its about bedtime(6 o’clock) and I must rise early(6:30I’ll close. Hope all are well as I am. Love to all, Pvt. Truman H. Payne, 349 Field Hosp. Co., 313 San. ------------------------------------------- The Universal COMMODITY All commercial transactions resolve themselves sooner or later into terms of DOLLARS and CENTS. This institution deals in MONEY, the UNIVERSAL COMMODITY. Place your funds in this bank for checking purposes and come to us for counsel regarding the investment of the sum which accumulates above your checking requirements. STATE BANK OF DEXTER DEXTER, IOWA INTEREST PAID ON SAVINGS DEPOSITS ------------------------------------------- Train, A. P. O. 795, France Hevilliers, France, Dec. 15, ‘18 Dear Folks:- A few lines to tell you that my Xmas box arrived yesterday, all O. K. It was among the first ones to reach the company, in fact I wasn’t expecting it so soon. You can just bet that it was a very pleasant surprise though. All of the articles were just what I needed too. I’m using the pen at this moment. Who says I haven’t the best father and mother in the world? I noticed that there was a “Don’t open until Xmas” stick on the package, but Xmas was here right away when it came. I took another long walk today, visited several nearby villages. The Marne River is about either kilometers from here but most of the river flows in a canal that is built near it. The canal boats are about 40 or 50 feet in length and about 10 feet in width. Most of these are drawn by a team of horses or by a small stream tug, rather slow traveling. Our Major was out hunting today and bagged one of these “wild hogs,” so we may have fresh pork for Xmas if it will keep until that time. The sun actually shone for about five hours today, it certainly looked fine for it hasn’t shone very much for some time. Saw several aeroplanes fly about today, we seen them nearly every day when the weather is favorable. As I wrote you Friday there isn’t much to tell so this will be all for this time. Love to all, Pvt. Truman H. Payne. ------------------------------------------- FRED H. NOLTE OPTOMETRIST Fitting glasses a specialty aand every pair is guaranteed At Dr. Irvin’s Office Earlham, Iowa, Every Tuesday, Hours 1 to 5 P. M. At My Office, Stuart, Iowa, Every Thursday, Hours 1 to 5. At Dexter every day except Tuesday and Thursday Optical parlor in rear or Jewelry Store. ------------------------------------------- W. O. Armfield Phone No. 74 Dray and Transfer Line. First Class Outfit for Delivering, or making transfers to any part of town. WE DELIVER THE GOODS
 
World War I Diaries and Letters