Cassville Republican, Thursday, Feb.  20, 1919

Letter From Horace Webb

Horace Webb, a former Barry County boy who was reared southwest of Cassville writes as follows in renewing his subscription to the REPUBLICAN.

Tipton, Okla.

Feb. 13, 1919

Mr. E. N. Meador,

Cassville, Mo.

Dear Sir: Please find enclosed money order for $1.50 for which renew my subscription tot he REPUBLICAN.

I enjoy hearing from my old home even though many of my acquaintances have moved from there.

The Barry county people, J. T. Webb, W. P. and Frank Stubblefield and families, who are here have been very fortunate, did not lose a soul from the flu or this awful war. One brother has been in France 12 months and another in the camps 7 months, neither received a wound.

We have had poor crops for 2 years but have an abundance of moisture now and prospects are good for a crop this time.

With best wishes for you and yours, I am

Respectfully,

Horace Webb

Dan Gemmecke Writes

Dan Gemmecke, youngest son of Mrs. and Mrs. G. H. Gemmecke of near Seligman, who is in the military service in France, writes the following letter to his former schoolmate, neighbor and friend, Miss Dema Tankersley of Seligman and through the kindness of Miss Tankersley of the REPUBLICAN has the letter for publication:

Leffole Le Grand,

Dec. 26, 1918

Friend Dema: Well, I have been somewhat slow about writing on the account of working such long hours and unable to get any place where there was writing material to be had.

I have been working through some very interesting country. I have been through the city of St. Mihiel and country north to Verdun.

The city of St. Mihiel is sure badly shot up and the country in general is badly damaged with trenches, dugouts and barb wire entanglements.

The city of Verdun has been shelled every since the starting of the war. There are quite a number of French forts on hills lying above Verdun where the hardest fought battles of the war raged and where the dead bodies were buried by shrapnel explosions, which have blown in every square inch of the earth into holes and heaps. In this section there are lots of shells and all sizes which have never exploded but are just as dangerous as they were never fired.

I had a nice little visit in Metz about a month ago. Made a trip up in that part of the country. Metz is the smelliest city that I have seen since in France.

Well, we are having lots of rain and the mud is sure deep. Has been raining every day in the month and snowing some along with it.

From all accounts in the papers the flu has done lots of damage in the states. There hasn't been very many lost over here with it but there has been quite a number of cases.

Well, we are still in France and are likely to be here for awhile yet. They are sending some home out of our company but I now that I won't be one.

I hope you had a Merry Xmas and I wish you a happy New Year. Will close with best wishes.

Dan Gemmecke,

Co. 69 Train Corps

Letter From John Babb

The following letter has lately been received by Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Babb from their son, John, who is now with the American army of occupation in Germany.

Somewhere in Germany,

Jan. 16, 1919

Dear Mother: Yours of Dec. 2 received and was awfully glad to hear from you and that you are all well.

You say you have not heard from me since September. I know that I wrote three or four letters in October alone.  At that time I was in Aix Les Bains and I know I wrote you letter while I was there. I was there for two months.

I don't know why it is you can hear from me. The letters we write have to go all over Germany and France and everybody from a Buck private to a general has to read them. So if you don't get any mail from me in two or three months think you receive them early because it is not my fault if you do not get them for I write them. So mother don't blame me for I am doing the best I can in the letter writing line and also don't worry about that Christmas box you sent. Of course I would like to get it but if I never do it makes no difference. We have supplies from the Y. M. C. A.

Those people who got their mail 12 and 16 may have been written two months and so those people were in all of those drives that you speak about likely never saw the real front but were in about the fourth line trenches somewhere in reserve. Do not believe everything you hear.

Here is a short verse you may like:

"Oh we whipped them at Chateau Thierry and we whipped them at Slossons too; In the old St. Mihiel drive we left no Bouche alive, we fought for the Red, White and Blue; At Champagne we brought home the bacon and at Argonne we got a slice too."

If anyone ever asks you which was the best of the divisions just refer them to No. 2, not the 89th, 33rd or 90th, not, but No. 2.

Do not worry about Bernard or I because we are still on legs.

Bernard and I have both been lucky, neither of us have had the flu although there has been much sickness over here.

Hoping this will find you in the best of health, I will close,

Yours son,

John Babb,

49 Co., U. S. M. C., A. E. F. Germany via N. Y.

Cassville Republican, Thursday, Feb.  20, 1919

 Personal And Local

Mrs. Mattie Beasley is visiting with her brother, John Stafford, and family at Springdale, Ark.

W. W. Witt who was confined to his home for a week as a result of a fall from the Smith dray wagon, is able to be up town again.

The triples born last week to Mr. and Mrs. John Ryan of near Mineral Springs are reported to be doing fine.

Dave Talbert is taking a few days rest from the mail service and Walter Vanzandt is substituting in his place.

Mrs. Ross Stucky of Monett has been attending her mother, Mrs. J. A. Livingston, who is recovering from the effects of a fall.

Rev. J. T. Brattin was at Wheaton Sunday, filling his regular appointment at the Baptist church. He reports that Mrs. Will Davidson who has been quite ill is improving.

Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Salyer will move from the Mitchell addition to the Fred Black property which is being vacated this week by Mr. Black.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Black and family are moving this week to Aurora. That will be their home until next fall when they will go to Washington.

Bernice and Maloy McQueen gave a part to their young friends Tuesday evening for Marian and Monroe Black who leave this week for Aurora.

Willie Bryant who is at Jefferson Barracks for his discharge after returning from France, has the mumps and will have to remain in the hospital there until he recovers. He was expected home the first of the week had he not become sick.

Tom Galyen and son, Oliver, of Ash township attended to business in Cassville Friday. Oliver had returned two days before from France where he was in the coast artillery service and said he was in many close places that many of his comrades were killed.

Word received Wednesday from Mrs. F. W. Bennington who is at Springfield, was that she is not doing so well. Mr. Bennington went back to Springfield Wednesday night.

Mr. and Mrs. S. S. A. Buzzetti have received from their son, F. Silvio Buzzetti, an announcement of his marriage on February 5 to Miss Esther Spielman of Forma, Iowa, where Silvio has been located. They will make their home at Forma. Silvio has been away for the past three years or more.

John Thompson closed a successful term of school in the Gunter district Friday. John is one of the county's most successful teachers.

Lee Smith arrived home Friday morning on a furlough for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Smith. Lee is in the navy and has been with an oil transport and has made a number of trips across the Atlantic to England, France and Italy.

Claud Kisler who returned Wednesday from France says that he saw nearly all of France, mush of England and parts of Ireland and that those countries are far behind this country, some parts of France he said were two hundred years behind this county.

Russ Neill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ad Neill southwest of Cassville, is located at Drumright, Okla. Ross has ordered the REPUBLICAN to be sent to his address that he may have the news from his old home county.

Mrs. J. N. Skelton of Eagle Rock has been dangerously ill for the past ten days.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Ryan of near Mineral Springs, February 12, triples, two daughters and a son.

Mrs. Frank Holt died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Stansberry, three miles southeast of Cassville, Thursday night, February 13, following a long illness. A little child born Wednesday did that day and was buried Thursday. The funeral of Mrs. Holt was held Friday afternoon and interment made in the Corinth cemetery.

Lafe Woodruff, administrator of the estate of the late Pad Roller, made settlement in the Probate court here Friday.

Shady Grove

S. T. Hankins came down from Hoberg last week and got storm bound and had to stay till Saturday.

New Salem

Mrs. M. L. Payne of Monark Springs spent last week with her daughter, Mrs. Maye Brixey, and family. She was accompanied by Mrs. Walter Payne.

Washburn Prairie

Miss Edith Herren of Tecumseh, Okla., is visiting relatives here.

Miss Pauline Varner returned home Sunday after spending a few weeks with her sister, Mrs. C. B. Stubblefield, at Mano.

Pleasant Ridge

The Lone Hill School was out Friday.

Mrs. Henry Carlson is not getting along as well as her many friends would like to see her. She has stomach trouble.

Claud Davis died Saturday evening of pneumonia. About two months ago his brother, Fred Davis died at Aurora. Fred was assistant cashier of one of the banks at Aurora.

North Purdy

Mrs. Fletcher Wormington is reported ill.

E. G. Henson's brother of Kings Prairie came Thursday to help care for his nephew, Aaron Henson, who is yet quite ill of pneumonia.

A large crowd attended the party at the home of E. G. Henson's Monday night in honor of his son, Aaron, who has returned from France.

John Eden and daughters, Marie and Zenvar, were in Monett Monday.

James Hufmaster has returned home from Camp Funston. He has been discharged.

Rocky Comfort

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Long of R. 1, visited the latter parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. Z. Utter, here Sunday.

Miss Effie Lauderdale, teacher of the Spring Hill school, spent Saturday and Sunday with homefolks.

Claud McDonald who has been in the Navy arrived in Rocky Comfort Saturday night. He has received his discharged.

Attorney J. O. Biggs of Monett visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Biggs, here Sunday.

Mineral Spring

Floyd Timmons is at home on a visit.

George Hurt returned home last week from overseas.

Line

Mrs. Jake Miller is ill at this writing.

Claud Davis and family are all sick with the flu.

Willow Branch

From Last Week

Miss Susie Collins returned home from a week's visit with relatives at Billings, Friday.

Charley Flaherty died at his home in Webb City of influenza. He formerly lived near here. He was a son-in-law of John D. Long.

Lone Elm

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Stockton were called to Joplin on account of the illness and death of their daughter, Mrs. James Bruce. The family was all down sick. Mrs. Bruce died Feb. 2 and her husband died Feb. 4. The children are getting better. Mr. and Mrs. Stockton are still waiting on them.

Rev. D. H. Truhitte of Rogers, Ark., preached at the Elm Thursday night of last week.

Roaring Spring

Henry Vanderpool is able to be about some, recovering from a broken limb.

Pleasant Valley

Mr. and Mrs. Will Johnson are the proud parents of a baby girl.

Carmon McKee has returned home from France. He has been in the service of Uncle Sam since last May.

Herschel Hankins and Cecil Cagle started back to school at Kansas City Monday night. We wish the boys success.

Arch Thomas is very low with the flu.

Munsey

Mrs. J. N. Skelton of Eagle Rock is quite sick.

Elbert Ball is on the sick list.

Grandpa and Grandma Reed of Seligman have been visiting relatives in our neighborhood. They returned home Sunday.

Star City

Maynard Williams from over seas returned home last week and also Harry Thomas, both from France.

Butterfield

Lawrence Nichols of Flat Creek has purchased the grist mill of J. M. Gurley and Sam Riddle and will buy some property and move to our burg. We think that a good miller will do well.

J. P. Wilson received a letter Saturday from his brother, Private Everett Wilson, who is in Co. I. 354 Inf., 89th division. He states he is well. He did not know when his division would return to the U.S.A. He was wounded on Nov. 2nd by a machine bullet in his left arm and went to the hospital for six weeks then went back to this company where they were in Germany.

Mrs. W. H. Arnold returned home Sunday from a stay with her daughter, Mrs. A. A. Graves. They have a bouncing big boy.

J. H. Henley and wife of Monett were visiting his father who is very sick at this writing.

Oak Ridge

Frank Hall's baby which has been very sick for several days past is getting better.

To Mr. and Mrs. Walter Nickle we offer our hearty congratulations and wish them well. May their sailing on the sea of life be smooth.

Mrs. H. S. Ferrell of Hungry Hollow is visiting her parents in Kansas and Mr. Farrell is trying the art of batching and doing his own cooking.

Robert Black of Monett writes his mother, Mrs. W. S. Hankins, that his babe was sick with flu.

Sunnyside

Elmer Talbert got an honorable discharge and came home from Camp Funston.

John Reid's two sons received their honorable discharge and came home last week. Jesse was at Fort Bliss, Texas. Austin was at Funston and in the hospital at Fort Riley for four months.

Velma Reid received a letter from her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Mills who went to Leadore, Idaho, sometime ago, stating that they would soon leave for Los Angeles, California.

The music party which was given at John Lenox's Sunday evening was well attended.