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