The Times-Democrat (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 20, 1919 Page: 3 of 12
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Letters From Our "Yanks"
"OVER THERE"
AND
"OVER HERE."
THINKS "GOBBLER'S NEST" IS
MUCH NEEDED ON THE RHINE
HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMV,
Coblenz,' Germany.
January 3, 1919.
T°,, Hjs -Majesty, Honorable Willianil
i*ord, Royal Bronze of Ancient and
Accepted Order Gobblers.
Greetings
Comes now a brother m foreign coun-
try and upon enemy aoilto renew his
allegiance to and acknowledge the vir-
tues of the ofder. v
Many times, Dear Brother, since al-
igning myself with your good organi-
.',avc ,lad occasion t0 say
AMEN ! to the splendid deeds done
and charitable work accomplished, but
at no place and upon no time have I
found so good cause for utcring its
praise as I do for the strength and
comfort which it gives me now. The
impressive lessor.* taught and the high
morals prescribed in .the Gobbler ritual
afford food for thought and study to
the Soldier who is stationed upon the
banks of the Rhine in what used to be
the '"Vaterland." The truths found in
the Gobbler degree (second section) are
synonymous with goodfellowship and
like the latter coine in handy to the
onely wanderer. In recent weeks, fol-
lowing the dull days after signing of
armistice, I have reflected ut length
upon the teachings and working of the
lodge over which you have the exalted
honor to preside and I have been su.s
tamed and comforted by the console
ment found in such reflection. These
and I feel that I have been repaid sev-
eral times over the cost. The sweet
lessons of truth taught; the working
sign and grip; the motto and command-
ments prescribing a member's conduct,
are each alike a solace and stimulant
t°. the person away from home and I
wish to assure you and the boys here
and now. that while the lodge itself
may exist in Oklahoma and Texas only,
Its great help and benevolence is limit-
ed only by the area in which its mem-
bers travel. *
I openly confess my gratitude to the
°!
1
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The Citizens State Bank
Extends a cordial invitation io both old and pros-
pective customers to make Our Bank Your Bank
reel at Liberty at all times to call upon us and we
assure you that we wiU give you every consideration
in keeping with progressive banking principals.
The Citizens State Bank
A Strong, Reliable Institution
F. B. Jones, Pres. L. L. Smith, Cashier
Southeast Corner of Square
Altus, : Oklahoma
A Testimonial to Spencerian Shorthand
-^anesville, Wis.,
Nov• 23, 1918
Aaker's Business College,
Grand Forks, N., D.
Gentlemen;
»e are pleased to reply to your letter or Nov. 21, regard-
ing Spencerian shorthand. We have been using this system for
the past nine years, having previously used the Gregg ror six
years. During part of the time we had part Gregg and past
Spencerian. We have put the Spencerian to every test possible
and have never yet found it wanting.
The system is much more easily learned, has greater read-
ing power, and we are thus able to turn out better stenog-
raphers in less time. On account or the brevity of the theory
the student has more time for the subjects of typewriting and
English, the necessary foundations for a stenographic educa-
tlon.
In comparison with Gregg shorthand we find that the aver-
age three months- student in Spencerian is generally able to
taKe the same.dictation as the average six months- student in
regg. After using the two systems side by side we were at
last compelled by our students to give up teaching the Gregg
system. 66
When we rirst introduced Spencerian shorthand we had a
Gregg enthusiast handling our shorthand department and he him-
self was one of the first converts to the system.
I nave not the slightest doubt but that if you could se-
cure a competent teacher of the system you would be more than
Pleased with the splendid results you would secure. Even yet
we frequently have Gregg students from other schools come in
to ta.ee some review work with us, but they never have been
able to 'lake a very good showing along with the Spencerian
students. Tne accuracy with which our students read their
notes is one of the strong points of the system.
He shall be glai to answer anv further* ,*»-♦ ■
aii* iuriner questions you
wish to aek regarilng the system.
hoys who accepted my petition for
membership for it has been a wonder-
ful aid to me. Now that I have given
expression to my opinion of the lodge
and of my connection therewith, I
feel it a duty which cannot be dodged
and a favor I owe to the membership
at large, to direct the Royal Bronze's
attention to the great need for a Gob-
bler's Nest on the Rhine. These boys
over here need the help. Many of them
are gobblers at heart" and need hut
the formal introduction to become full-
fledged goodfellows. and if it meets
with the wish of His Highness and the
wish of the Brothers, couldn't you ap-
point a deputy for the Rhineland. giv-
ing him full power and authority to1
organize. Would suggest, however,
that all subsidiary NTests be kept un-
der the jurisdiction of the Home Nest,
Altus No. 1246. If tnis suggestion
meets with approval, let the "Secretary
so record" and it shall be so done "
With kindest personal regards to
yourself and the boys, I am.
Yours in the cause.
, JESSE (;. READ.
1'ield Remount Squadron 305, A P O
No. 927, A. E. F.
ENJOYS DINING AT HOMES OF
THE PRETTY FRENCH GIRLS
LEG TORN OFF BUT COUNTS
HIMSELF LUCKY AT THAT
Savenay. France. Ian. 25, 1919
; Herbert Williams,
| Altus, Oklahoma.
Dear Herb: Was certainly s'urpris-
; ed and pleased to get your letter which
i I received yesterday. Was just think-
j ing of the states and dear old Altus
j and wondering when I woul get a let-
j tcr when the mail orderly handed me
j seven letters, the second batch I had
received since I went up to the front.
1 went "over the top" and
killed my two Germans, and more, too.
31 for that matter, and I want to kill
one more, the one that pulled the lan-
yard on the gun that made a cripple
out of me for life; but Herb I feel
awful lucky. Was blown up about ten
feet into the air and came down with
just a leg torn off. That's luck to be
proud of. We have cases, or a case
rather, of a lad who has both arms,
both legs and both eyes gone. He's
the one who has the hard luck, and
ther# are numerous other cases just as
bad or worse. Men shot up so bad
that they will never walk again, and
the gas that eats the lung tissues and I
the eyes, and the paralyzed ones iroin j
brain wounds.
I've felt lucky from the start. Have j
been blown out of shell holes and cov-
ered with dirt, and have had my "bud-
dies" and friends "knocked off" within
reaching distance of me. and all that
time I had a "hunch" I was coming
back to tell the tale. Have had good
days and bad days, but Jionestly. Herb.
1 wotildn t trade niv wound for another
leg and not have taken part in this
t rap for humanity, which I could not
conscientiously stay out of.
So that'- the only consolation I have,
also the Government offers a chance
to yet a vocational education, which I
shall most surely take advantage of.
\\ rite me a long letter some time tell-
ing me all the news. Give mv love to
your father and mother and kindest I
regards to your wife.
"With best wishes.
CORP. CLAY M SHAW
Base Hospital No. 8. A. P. O. 701.
Hard t "-o. France.
Paris, France, Dei;. 29, 1918
Dear Father. Mother, Sisters and Broth-
er:
I will rry an answer your letters that
I received today. One was dated 10-25.
tile other 11-17. This leaves nie well
and enjoying life fine
If I had gotten your letter before I
did I would have signed up with the
Red Cross to stay here for six months.
I hey wanted tne to go to the Balkan
states to do' relief work. If I get an-
other chance I will go There are sev-
eral of the boys in the outfit that have
gone. I would have gone but 1 thought
that I was needed more at home than J
I was in that country. I heard that
they are wanting men to go to South
America but I don't know how soon.
They are going to ask anyone to sign
up. The salary is eighty dollars up to
one hundred and twenty-five a month.
A person don't have to pay for anything.
It is almost the same as being in the
army. Discipline isn't as strict. You
could be safe in saying a person is a
civilian. If anyone sings up they will
get a discharge from the army. Yes.
I wish that I could he at one more
table with a white table cloth over it.
I mean at home. 1 have been to several
French homes to dine with the girls and
their parents. I wish you could have
seen me the first decent meal that I
ate at the French dwelling. Jt was all
that I could do to make myself behave.
I told the people that I had been in
the army so long that I had almost for-
gotten all of the manners that 1 had.
It was but a few days after I began
dining with the French people that
1 could behave myself. I go to a ban-
quet twice a week. Talk about good
times, if anyone has a good time I cer-
tainly do. Christmas we had a good
dinner, the best I ever ate while in the
army. The menu was turkey and dress
ing, mashed potatoes, cream gravy,
orange cake, ice cream and cocoa. In
the afternoon there was an entertain-
ment ar the Y. M. C. A. hut. Christmas
night they gave each one in camp a
package. The next night after Christ-
inas we were allowed to have a dance
in our mess hall. The building is sixty
feet wide and onehundred and fifty feet
long. Everyone had a good time. Af-
ter the dancing was stopped we were
served with hot cocoa.
As news is scarce I will close for
this time, hoping to hear from you soon.
\\ ith the best of love and wishes to
vou. I will close.
PVT. EARNEST V. WHITE.
105th Aero Squadron. A. E. F.. via New
York.
clear up some trouble. (Jur hattali^
is about twenty miles back of us, so
you sec 1 have it easy. 1 was separat-
ed from Pat after we got over here.
He went to the 77th division and I to
the 32nd. but I am with a boy that
worked in the same gang with ine for
the telephone company. Well, Sis, L
guess I had better close for tonight as
I want to hunt some souvenirs tomor-
row. Kiss mother and the kids for me
and write often. Hoping to see you be-
fore the rojes bloom again, I am;
Your loving brother,
PVT. REDUS C. BARTON.
B^Co. 107th F. S. Bn„ A. P. O., 734,
MANGUM FLIER HONORED BY
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Notice to Farmers
Many of you have applied to us in the
past few months for a membership in
our service. We tak0 this manner in
informing you that we are now open
for a limited number of new members
beginning March 1st. Call at once and
give us your name as these vacancies
will not last long.
FARMERS SUPPLY SERVICE,
111 S. Main St.. Altus, Okla.
nay
/ery
(signed)
W. w.
truly yours,
le, President
■ANESVILLE BL,":
ALLEGE.
.1
HIGHEST MARKET PRICE
PAID FOR ALL ISSUES OF
LIBERTY BONDS. WILL Mc-
DANIEL. 7tf.
WANTED—80 ACRES GOOD
MIXED LAND AT ONCE.
WILL McDANIEL. 7tf
HOPES TO GET HOME BEFORE
THE ROSES BLOOM AGAIN
j Dierdorf. Germany. Jan. 2. 1919.
I Mrs. A. C. Killman.
Altus, Oklahoma.
[ Dear Sister: Will write a few lines
j tonight as I received six letters from
you today. They were written in Oc-
tober. all but one. and it was written
Nov. 18. My mail still goes to the
109th F. S. Bn.. but as soon as you be-
giu to send them to my address I will
begin to get them regularly. I got an-
other Xinas box yesterday. h was
from the New York American Red
Cross. The box contained a safety
raz«>r. tooth brush, shaving stick, soap,
candy, a deck of cards, a pipe, some
chewing gum and a trench mirror. Gee.
T was glad to get it.
I was sorry to hear about Everett
Parrish being captured, but I guess he
has been turned loose now, as I have
met some fellows as I came into Ger-
many that had been released. You will
see by the envelope that I am in the
anny of occupation, meaning the armies
that are occupying German soil. Be-
lieve me, it is some honor to be the first
bunch on (lerman soil. I hope we will
be home before long.
We had some pictures made the
other day while the trees and ground
were covered with snow A German
nhotograoher is go ine to finish them
for us. I will send them ome. Speak-
ing of mv work now, I have nothing
much to do. Not even "squads right."
I am on a detail with about twelve
men. We are takiner care of a switch-
board that we installed in a large Ger-
man hotel, and I have nothing to do
but go out about once a week and
Clothes Oft Proclaim
The Man
iou can always tell by the fit and the cut of his clothes ii he cares for
his personal appearance.
Men who wear OUR clothes have SATISFACTION, because we make
the satisfactory kind.
Let n< Clean and Press Your Old Suit
CIILWELL, The Tailor
ALTUS, OKLAHOMAPHONE 5o2
Let Your Check
Book Be Your
Bookkeeper
A checking account i» an aid to any nun wIk. want* i.> keep a personal
account and know exactly where hi< money goes.
It shows cash on hand, a record of all cash paid out and to whom. It
fives tke bp Mr r a complete set of hook* to check up kt. ,• | rxae
and is economical.
rith
City National Bank
ALTUS, OKLAHOMA
France. January 10th. 1919/
Pear Mother:
Well this is the 10th day of » New-
> ear and tlys is my first "letter If I
continue at that rate I certainly wont
write many letters this year.
. I am not doing a thing now but kill—
mg time, i 4,
Five days ago I went to Paris to get
an airplane to fly out here. Well. I
waited in Paris two rainy days waiting
for a good dry day to fly back. Well
the third day was a good one. so I
went to the aviation field to get a
machine; when I got to the field I was.
informed that an order had come
through not to send out any more air-
planes now. Well. I took a train and
came out of Paris about 25 miles an#
stopped off and saw some good French
friends of mine. I spent a day and
two nights with them and took another
tram to come back here. I had to pass
through Chateau-Thierry where the
Americans fought their first battle. so»
J decided to stop off a few hours anc^
sec the place. I had seen it many times
from the air hut never looked at the-
things of interest since the Germans
left the city. I spent four and a half
hours looking around and then caught
another train and arrived here at nine
tonight. So that is kindly the way 1
am passing the time now—just seeing;
as many things of interest as possible-
and enjoying myself.
I don't know when I will be sent
home. All the aviation in my squad-
ron have been sent back to the east-
district to await sailing orders exce»t
three of us. The three of us held bade
are flight commanders. They wsCl
probably hold us and send us home •
with the squadron. It may be several!
months before I get home. Men are
being held at the ports of embarkation
or near the ports for weeks. Getting
home is a slow proposition.
I would like to go to Germany for <«.
little while with the army of occupa-
tion and then get home as quick as 1
could, but those things are not for me
to say. 1 can only await patiently ancL
try to enjoy myself and take things,
as they come. To worry about getting,
hoipe soon would do no good.
Did 1 tell you that I had receivedL
the American Distinguished Service-'
C ross. The citation said for "extraor-
dinary heroism." I am sending the
citation. Of course I was happy to get
t. .It is not easy to get and of course
hose of us that get it are extremely
proud of it. The men that get it are
looked upon by the other men in the-
army with respect, because every one-
knows that something more than just
ordinary Work has to be done to get.
it. I know you will b> happv that I
got it.
Well, Mama. I must close. I hope to
be home before very long.
Lovingly your son.
WILL.
Win. Ponder, 1st A. S. U. S. A.
A PATRIOTIC DUTY.
It is up to us all to help the return -
ing soldier in the way of employments
Not only in the ditch digging line or
something of that sort, but to some pay-
able. permanent jobs that give evidence-
of the appreciation we have for his ownv
job that has been so goodlv finish—
ed.
In every small community or large
town the energy should be the same to-
ward the finding of positions for these-
returned army and navy men. Some of
them have families to support, some*
parents and some have themselves to»
look after which, by the wav, is enough
in these hard times.
Look around in your own section of
country and see if you can't suggest a
■soldier or sailor every time an employ**-
m your neighborhood needs help.
N ou will not only be doing a duty for
yourself and the employer, but you will
be ^doing a duty for your country as
Incidentally, this office has been cry-
ing tor printers, and but few returned
soldiers seem to be of that class, from
the trouble we have had in locating the
needed employees.
OKLAHOMA'S GOOD RECORD
I he collections for the United War
U ork I ampaign have now reached an<t
are exceeding a million and a half dol-
lars for the state. A number of coun-
ties have already finished collecting
their subscriptions which in most cases
exceeded quite substantially the assign-
ed quotas. I„ a letter addressed to the
Mate Headquarters from the National
Department of Finance, the following
complimentary expression was given
Wu certainly are to be congratulat-
ed. We know of but one or two cases,
m the whole United States where the
collections have been as good as Ok
lahoma. \ our record is wonderful.""
Ot course, this is in keeping with di*
spirit and practice of our citizenship,
and clearly demonstrates that Okla-
homa patriotically and sacrificial!? i«
on the map.
From reports already at hand", twetw
five counties of the state have pai«»
their assigned quotas in the campaign,
which was conducted November ll-lfr
here are a tfreat many other conn tie*
that are lacking only a small amount
their collections to put them like-
wise over the top Suhicrifcrr* to
this worthy welfare fund are meeting-
tneir obligations quite promptly arvf
where there floe* veem to he a'little
' it is not for want of interest.
m i* called the»,-t., , Irheral re-
I Mr.
m*UiuL oi Man
« Alt»- Vr
rded I W Pa-
the W illtMmon-
The • Paftt r<on«
ne to Oklahoma
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Shepard, Sue W. The Times-Democrat (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 20, 1919, newspaper, February 20, 1919; Altus, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc287510/m1/3/: accessed April 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.