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Archiver > MOHOWARD > 2001-05 > 0988933173


From: "Mike & Kathy Bowlin" <>
Subject: [MOHOWARD-L] Higbee News, Friday, 1 Nov 1918 (part 2)
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001 18:39:33 -0500


Friday, 1 Nov., 1918, Vol 32, No 29--Mr. and Mrs. Luke Sharp received a
package this
week from their son, David, who is with the 89th Division in France, which
contained a
handsome serving spoon and fork taken from a house from which the Huns had
been
driven. Whether the articles, which were enclosed in a specially made satin
lined case,
were originally owned by French or Germans Mr. Sharp has no means of
knowing. The
bowl of the spoon and the tines of the fork are made from shell or horn, are
highly
polished and are almost transparent, and are connected to the handles of the
same
material with sterling silver, the latter being something the shape of the
crown and highly
ornamented. Mr. Sharp informed his parents that he had refused several
flattering offers
from his officers for the souvenir, but was determined to see that they got
to Higbee if he
had to carry them through the entire war and bring them home himself.

Friday, 1 Nov., 1918, Vol 32, No 29--JODIE DOUGLAS WRITES FROM FRANCE--Mr.
and Mrs. Jas. Douglas of near Rucker received two letters last week from
their son,
Jodie, quite well known here, under dates of Sept 6 and 15th, and which we
are permitted
to print. They follow:
"I received your letter a few days ago. I think the mail reaches us
quicker now
than it did at first. I am back in France again now and a long ways from
where I wrote
the last letter. I have been doing a lot of traveling and have had the most
wonderful
experience of my life. But every thing has come out OK and I am now located
in a quiet
town back of the lines where there isn't much signs of warfare except air
battles. Don't
expect to have quiet surroundings very long, for I move too often. I came
here yesterday.
I marched nearly 24 hours and carried a load that weighed nearly a hundred
pounds and
never ate a single bite during the trip. In fact it was 31 hours between
meals instead of
24. I did eat a few plums that I snatched on the way. I took rations with
me but gave
them away. I started on the long hike at night. Just after midnight it
began raining and
for four or five hours the rain, thunder, lightning and bursting shells put
the finishing
touch to the trip in fine shape. But I stepped right through it all just as
though I liked it.
A great many of the others gave out and fell on the roadside and had to be
hauled in
ambulances. I don't know how many miles I walked but it was equal to a trip
across
Missouri.
When I got here I had something to eat and laid down a half hour, then got
up and
took a walk to see the town. I was tired and hungry of course and my
clothes were
soaking wet, but it never hurt me the least bit, not even any signs of a bad
cold from
getting wet. I supposed I would be a little sore and stiff today but after
having a good
night's sleep I felt as fine as I ever did.
I think I could put a hundred pounds on my back and walk farther than any
mule
you ever saw. Before I had army training I couldn't have made a good start
on a trip like
this one. What would have killed me then would not hurt me now. This trip
was one
time when it came in mighty handy to be physically fit. I rode in a truck
and then rode a
flat car of a long freight train for eight hours. That was a fine trip and
lots of sights to
see. That flat car seemed more comfortable to me than any feather bed I
ever saw, for I
had walked six miles that morning and carried the heaviest load that I ever
carried in the
army.
I am resting up today. I haven't anything at all to do. They supposed I
wouldn't
be able to do much after the several day's traveling but I think I could
repeat it if it was
necessary. Anyway, I feel just as good as I did before I started on my
wonderful trip. I
can't tell you about all of it now but there is no danger of me forgetting
it soon.
I lost nearly all my belongings during the trip but they were all delivered
to me
this morning. I was mighty glad to get them, and rather surprised, too. It
is dark where I
am writing and you may not be able to read all of it. I think I will go eat
again, for I have
a real appetite.
I have been writing you a letter about once a week but there may be times
when I
can't mail them that often. For awhile I could only mail one letter a week,
and it might
be that way again or more, although at the present time I can mail as many
as I want to.
Sept 6--I am sitting on the ground in the woods with my gas mask for a
table to
write on. This is Sunday and I have nothing to do. This morning at ten the
bugle
sounded assembly, so we got together under the trees and listened to
Chaplain Small
preach a sermon.
I am camped in the woods for a few days. Somewhat cut off from
civilization,
but am eating three times a day and haven't a thing to do. Yesterday I was
taking a bath
(in a tin cup) and the alarm for air raids sounded, so I ran out without any
clothes on, but
didn't go far. Stopped under the trees and watched the planes go over my
head, but with
no bad effects from it. Since I told you a few days ago of my long trips, I
have had
several more just like them--at least three all-night marches. And it
poured down rain
nearly every minute. I arrived here a few days ago shortly after sunrise.
I'd walked all
night in the rain. About midnight I got lost, but soon got on the right
track again. It was
as dark as a dungeon. When I got here I spread my blankets under a tree and
slept five
hours and got up and was as hungry as a dog. And as soon as I filled my
stomach I was
feeling as fine as ever again. It has quit raining now and the weather is
fine but very
cool. I wish I could tell you of the wonderful things that are happening
just now, but you
will have to make out with what the papers tell you for the present.
John Martin is still with me, but we are separated sometimes for two or
three
weeks at a time. I expect to move from here any time, as the lines advance.
And I can't
hardly wait till time to start again. I just happened to have a little
writing paper with me
that I carried in emergency, otherwise I would have to wait until I got to a
town.

Friday, 1 Nov., 1918, Vol 32, No 29--THE FLAG AT HALF MAST
TOMORROW--Higbee's big flag will fly at half mast tomorrow as a tribute of
respect to
the memory of the late Thos. A. Warford, who died at sea on Sept 22 while
enroute to
France.
Mr. Warford as truly gave his life for his country as if he had fallen amid
the
crash and roar of shot and shell, and it is only just that this tribute be
paid his memory.
Pay your personal tribute by raising your hat as you pass.

Friday, 1 Nov., 1918, Vol 32, No 29--WM. T. BLANSETT DEAD--Mrs. Jacob
Shaffer
hands us the following clipping from the Montrose, Colo., News relative to
the death of
her brother, Wm. Blansett, which occurred on October 12th.
Wm. T. Blanett, a new resident of Montrose, having come here six weeks ago
from Bentonville, Arkansas, died at the home of his brother-in-law, W. O.
McCoy,
Saturday morning, Oct 12, about seven o'clock, death resulting from quick
consumption,
against which the sufferer had battled for several months bravely, and with
true Christian
fortitude.
He came for his health but the change was made too late, and though he had
been
given the best of skilled attention, nothing on earth could avail the relief
hoped for by
himself, family and friends. Though he knew his condition weeks before the
end, his
happy nature kept him cheerful and he was always ready with smile or a joke,
for all
friends who visited him, and he died with the full heart assurance of peace
with God.
He was a progressive farmer, and a fine character and nature, which won and
held
many friends even in the short time he has made his stay here, and friends
join in deep
sympathy to his wife and little daughter, his aged mother and sisters and
brothers.
Mr. Blansett was born in Ark. in 1872. His parents came to Missouri same
year
where he spent most of his life. He was married 16 years ago, Nov 25, to
Miss Bertha
McCoy of Schuyler county, Missouri. His health failing a number of years
ago he spent
much time in travel. Mr. Blansett was the son of Mrs. M. A. Jones of
Higbee and a
brother of Mrs. Jacob Shaffer, Bert Blansett and Belle Magruder, and nephew
of Mose
and George Blansett, Mrs. Dave Robb and Mrs. Emma Cook; uncle of Roy and
Willie
Reed and Mrs. E. H. Jackson all of Higbee.
Funeral was held at the McCoy home Sunday afternoon Oct 13 interment made
in
Grand View cemetery, Rev. g. E. Martin conducting the services.

Friday, 8 Nov., 1918, Vol 32, No 30--Mrs. John Goin was called to Slater
Wednesday by
the illness of her daughter, Mrs. Sophia Fife. (Note: this should be Piper
not Fife).

Friday, 8 Nov., 1918, Vol 32, No 30--8 Nov 1918--Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Roberts
received
a letter from their son, Bernice, this week informing them that he was in a
hospital in
France suffering from a broken leg, received in a 25-foot fall on board his
ship four
weeks ago. He said he was receiving every possible attention and spoke in
glowing terms
of the Red Cross Nurses.

Additions, corrections, comments welcome.
Kathy Bowlin

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