This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Wm. & Clyde GILMORE Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/177.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, September 6, 1917 Wm and Clyde GILMORE was called to Leavenworth, Kansas, this week owing to the serious illness of their father. Lloyd GILMORE, who is a member of the Dandy Sixth, accompanied them on the trip.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Dalton, Munger, Miller, Tighe, Pollard, Sattler Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/256 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, September 6, 1917 GAVE THE BOYS A FAREWELL DINNER [front page] A number of the citizens today gave a dinner to the departing boys who were called for the first of the draft, and who were Carl DALTON, Alex F. MUNGER, Oswold T. MILLER, Leo H. TIGHE, and Hall A. POLLARD, at the Hotel Riley, and at which there were in attendance a large number of the citizens of Plattsmouth. After the dinner, Mayor J.P. SATTLER, the chairman, in a few chosen remarks, thanked the boys for the sacrifice which they had made in going, and asked C.A. [article cut off].

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Spies Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/229.1 Message Board Post: Bert Spies' letter of November 15, 1918, was published in the Plattsmouth Journal on Monday, December 30, 1918. Sorry for any inconvenience - hazards of "cut and paste." :-))

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Lair Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.6.1 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 1, 1918 RETURNS TO CAMP TODAY [front page] >From Wednesday’s Daily. Giles LAIR, who has been visiting here for some time at the home of his parents, D.J. LAIR and wife, and other friends, departed this morning for his station at the naval training station at Boston. Giles is about ready to go aboard ship and his season of training is about complete, and he will soon be assigned to a ship for active sea duty. Giles will make good we are certain, and like his brother Ralph, who has been tried in the trenches of France, he will do valiant work for the country which is now fighting for the freedom of the world

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Murray Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.8 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 22, 1918 EARL L. MURRAY IS WOUNDED IN FRANCE CARD FROM HIM TO J.W. HALE TELLS OF BULLET HOLE THROUGH LEFT ARM. IS RECOVERING AT HOSPITAL. Writes Card On Day of Death of His Friend Private Eddie C. Ripple Jr. >From Tuesday’s Daily. A card was received this morning by J.W.HALE, from France telling of the wounding in the left arm of Earl L. MURRAY, WHICH OCCURRED BEFORE THE DEATH OF Edward C. RIPPLE, his chum, as the card was written from a hospital in which he was receiving treatment on the day of the death of Mr. Ripple. The card said that Earl was in the hospital, and it was written on his birthday, July 28th. The card did not say how serious the wound was other than that a hole was through his arm. While we have had notice of the death of Mr. Ripple some time since, the casualty lists, if they had the account of the wounding, were overlooked by his friends here. It is hoped that the wound is not serious and that Mr. Murray is getting along in good condition. It seems a co-incidence that they, two fast friends, should be injured so near the same time, the one to death while the other should write to America on the date of the other one’s death, not knowing anything about the nearest friend being killed. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, September 12, 1918 EARL MURRAY WRITES HOME FROM HOSPITAL WOUNDED ON SAME DAY AND IN SAME BATTLE IN WHICH ED RIPPLE WAS KILLED. The following is a letter which Warren TULENE has received from Earl L. MURRAY from the Base Hospital in France: Mesves Bulcy, France August 10, 1918 W.A. Tulene, Plattsmouth, Nebr. Dear Warren: I am getting along good now, we having been having a very interesting and hot time, since I last wrote you. We sure have been keeping the Boche on the run. We have been under lots of shell fire and gas attacks, but that does not stop the “Yanks,” there is no retreat in the American army. We have captured lots of prisoners and munitions, some of the prisoners are boys 14 years of age, and hungry and disheartened. We have them chained to posts, what do you think of that, they sure were ready to surrender, and looking for any opportunity. Well Warren, I went as far as I could. I was gassed and shot through my left elbow on my birthday July 28. I am getting along fine now. I have not seen Ed RIPPLE for some time. Write soon and often. PVT. EARL L. MURRAY

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hoffman Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.7 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, January 13, 1919 WILLIAM HOFFMAN IS BACK FROM FRANCE HERO OF MANY FIERCE BATTLES ARRIVES HOME LAST EVENING, DISCHARGED. WAS WOUNDED OCTOBER 23’D Machine Gun bullet Received In Battle Keeps Plattsmouth boy In the Hospital. >From Saturday’s Daily. Last evening William HOFFMAN, a member of the famous Rainbow Division and who went through all the war from the time that America entered until he was wounded, on October 23rd, in battle, and a sharer of the privations and dangers of that valiant fighting unit, arrived here from Camp Funston, where he was mustered out on last Wednesday. In the spring of 1917, he with seven others from this city enlisted at Glenwood, Iowa, and has fought through all the battles which they have been staged since. Of these eight young men from this city two were killed, Edward C. RIPPLE, and Hugh KEARNES, both killed in battle, three wounded, two gassed and only one at this time who has not been reported as wounded by gun shot, shrapnel or gassed. This is taking pretty severe toll. Mr. Hoffman who has a machine gun bullet thru his leg is now well, the wound having entirely healed. Mr. Hoffman after his wounding on the [illegible] October, was taken to the hospital and was not in the fighting after that, he arrived at Camp Merritt on December ninth, about four weeks after the signing of the armistice and remained there until about a week since when he was sent to Camp Funston for mustering out. Billy is feeling pretty fine to be back in old Plattsmouth again, and the war over. He like the young hero he is, went and gave what h! e had of service and devotion to country, and when he could no longer be of service, returned to his home again. He had to say he has not seen Ralph LAIR for some time as he was in the hospital on account of being gassed, for some time before he was wounded himself, but had returned to the front again, and has gone to Germany since the signing of the armistice. We are hoping it will not be long until the other boys of this division as well as all others will be at home again.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Lair Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.6 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, July 15, 1918 RALPH LAIR WRITES. >From Saturday’s Daily. Miss Leta LAIR who is working in the book shop of Earl STANFIELD, today received a letter from her brother, Ralph, in which he says that he had just received a picture which she [sent] some days since and which a comrade of his had walked seven miles to deliver to him, giving an example of the friendship which exists between the soldier boys.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Allen Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.5.1 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, November 4, 1918 CORPORAL WAYNE ALLEN IS NOW IN ENGLAND. >From Saturday’s Daily. Corporal Wayne Allen, who has been at Camp Cody and later at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and still later at Camp Dix, N.J., where for the past year he has been engaged most of the time teaching drilling instructions to troops, has arrived at England where he is with the other troops and is safer for the fray. He is also eager to get over [illegible] and meet with his brother Ralph Allen who has been there and is in the thickest of the fray for many months. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, December 16, 1918 MEMBER OF RAINBOW DIVISION WRITES TO HIS MOTHER MRS. M.B. ALLEN OF THIS CITY TELLING OF HIS EXPERIENCES. WAS IN SERVICE LONG TIME Saw Much actual Service in trenches, Over Top and In Hospital, Many Experiences >From Saturday’s Daily. Ralph ALLEN, who has been in the real war, with the experience which has made the Rainbow Division the most noted in all the armies of the world, has written to his mother regarding some of his experiences. He thinks he has had enough of the war for one young man, was at the time of writing in a sopital, for a minor wound, but had been wounded before but has said nothing regarding it. [see Ralph Allen, Rainbow Division] The following was sent by Corp. Wayne H. ALLEN from France, and it is in circulation in the camps all over France: National Guard Boys. Didn’t know much, but did know something, Learned while the others played; Didn’t delay for a commission, but went while others stayed. Took no degrees at Camp Cody, needed too soon for the game; Ready at hand to be asked for, orders read “Come” and they came. We never got bars on our shoulders, or three months to see if we could; Didn’t get classed with the regulars, or told we were equally good. Just enlisted and got busy on the training at Camp Cody, Awkward were we but intent [article darkens too much to read on]

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Allen Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.5 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, March 18, 1918 ANOTHER LETTER FROM FRANCE >From Thursday’s Daily. Somewhere in France. February 10, 1918 Dear Mamma and All, Today is Sunday and a long lonesome day, so will try and write some letters. I received your letter of December 31, some two weeks ago, and the one of Dec. 24, that you and Papa both wrote, yesterday, so you see how irregular our mail comes. I was sure glad to get them. We all like to get mail from home. If you could see us when the bugle blows mail call you would think so. You are always kicking about me not writing much and you never write more than three pages. I owe every one a letter now, so will try and answer them today. I got a letter from Thor. He was back in Chicago on a visit, got one from Omar and received the $5.00 for the camera. American money sure looks good and every one in the company had to have a look at it. French paper money looks like some of our soap wrappers. The French sure are fine people and will do anything they can for us. Any of them will do our washing for a couple of franks which amounts to 40 cents in our money. I am learning to talk a litt! le of their language, am visiting with them this morning and am writing on a real table by a fire place. Everything is old fashion over here and reminds me of stories I have read of olden times. The buildings are all made of stone and they say they are from eight to ten hundred years old. We have only been in this camp one week. We hiked from the other place to here in two days, it was about 35 miles. My feet stood the trip fine. The first camp were were in I was on military police duty for 18 days, was on at Christmas time. The cooks sure fixed us up a fine dinner. We had fig pie and turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and coffee. We all had a good time, but once in a while we would think about where we was last year and about the dinner that mother could make, was glad to hear that you and papa belonged to the Red Cross. Yes, I was remembered by them. I got a sweater, a pair of wool socks and a pair of gloves. Yesterday afternoon I took out $10,000.00 of war risk insurance. If ! I get totally disabled, I will draw $57.50 a month as long as I live and if I get picked off you will draw $57.50 a month for 20 years. It is a pretty good thing and after the war I can drop it or keep it up just as I please. I could have my policy kept at Washington D.C. or sent to you so I ordered it to be sent to you but it will be quite a while before you get it, maybe a month. The allotment I made to you was not made out right so it did not go, so I will make out another. An allotment is having so much of our pay sent home. I don’t need all of mine over here, so I will have some of it sent to you to take care of for me, so when I get back I will have enough to buy a new suit anyway. I got a letter from Wayne the other day. He seemed to be pretty well worked up, he said for me to hold out as long as I could and wait till company C got over here with their six-inch guns. He said that they would blow them all to ----. Well this is all the news I can think of for th! is time. I think I will quit writing letters and mail cards from now on and if you don’t hear from me as often as you think you ought, don’t worry and don’t think that I have forgotten you. With love from, RALPH ALLEN. O.K. F.D. Logan [censor] 1st Lieut. 168th Inf. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, June 17, 1918 LETTER FROM RALPH ALLEN IN FRANCE WRITES TO MOTHER HERE UNDER DATE OF MAY 23RD. – IN FRONT LINES. ALL PLATTSMOUTH BOYS WELL And Glad to Be Able to Do Their Bit Toward Licking Army of the Kaiser. >From Friday’s Daily. France, May 21, 1918 Dear Mother, Tuesday morning, will drop you a line. I got back from the front a few days ago, got a few good nights sleep, took a bath and am boiling up now to get rid of some coolies, have been up four times now and am feeling fine. We are not camped in a timber and its sure a beautiful place. You have to hand it to France for being a beautiful country. Its enough to make a fellow home sick for old Nebraska. Your last letter received while I was in the front line trench. The hash carriers brought it out to me one evening about 6 o’clock. It sure is great to get a letter from home at that time. That shows what Uncle Sammjy does for us over here. I got a letter from aunt Mittee but she never said much, only that they had moved to town and that Harry and Ern were away working on the railroad. I suppose you have heard about our service stripes. We get a service stripe for every six months service on foreigh soil and in the [illegible] half an inch wide and in a V shape, to be worn o! f the left arm at the cuff point down, and the wounded stripes are to be worn on the right. When they are a strait gold stripe, we will get our service stripe the last of this month. Some of the boys have them now, that beat us over. After dinner. Will finish this letter up and get it off. It has to be censored by one of our officers, but the ones you send are never censored. Well its about time you are receiving my allotment. It started the first of February. Will soon be four months. I also took out $10,000.00 insurance. The policy will be sent to you. Did you ever hear from Milo? I wonder if he has come over here yet. The last time I heard from Wayne he was expecting to come over soon. Well I will close for this time. If anyone wants to know how the other Plattsmouth boys are, tell them they are all well and feeling fine. Answer soon, as ever, RALPH H. ALLEN Here is a sample of some of my shooting, 15 shots at 50 yards with my Springield rifle. Do you think they would count? Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, July 25, 1918 WRITES INTERESTINGLY FROM FRANCE ONE OF THE FORMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLARS WRITES EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE. >From Monday’s Daily. We the reporter of this paper were in receipt of a letter yesterday, tho written over a month since from the battlefield in France, by one of our friends and former Sunday School scholars, depicting his experiences in the army, and giving his impressions of what is happening there: France, June 16th, 1918 Mrs. M.S. BRIGGS Plattsmouth, Nebr., Dear Friend: - Sunday morning. I am writing some this morning, and will drop you a few lines. There is not much to write about from here probably that will interest you. I am owing you a letter, and have many to write. The Plattsmouth boys who are here are all fine and feeling dandy. We can eat three times per day, with a hearty appetite, as we have much outdoor exercise, and this is a fine looking country, were it not so torn up with the war which devastates it, and can sleep at nights, when there is not too much noise, but the noise seems necessary and a protion of the struggle. We are just back from the front, a few days since, this making our fifth time to serve there, but with very small losses. We are now at a rest camp in a big timber, it is sure a very pretty place. Our greatest friends in the trences are the rats which grow to the size of an ordinary cat. If you are easy with them, they will come up and beg a portion of your stew. There are a few cotties, as well but a good dose of boiling water puts the “kibash’ to them (nuff said). Well about France, it is nothing like we expected, the buildings are of stone, and many of them hundreds and thousands years old, and they look it too. There is only one thing which France beats the united States and that is roads, they are all paved with crushed rock, over the whole country, and are kept in good repair, and make excellent roads over which to travel. In other ways the United States are ahead of this or any other countryin the world. The French sure are fine people, and will do anything for the American soldier. Well I will ring off now. Answer soon, and we would like a rool of Plattsmouth Journals once in a while if it is not asking too much. Thanks in advance, as ever, RALPH H. ALLEN, Co. I, 168th U.S. Inf. A.E.F. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, October 14, 1918 A LETTER FROM RALPH ALLEN. >From Saturday’s Daily. France, Sept. 1, 1918 Dear Mother and All: Sunday evening and will write a few lines. It sure has been a long time since I wrote, July 14, I believe, but we sure have been on the go since then. I suppose you have read the papers by now of how we have the dutch on the run. They are beginning to find out that France is no place for them, the last battle we were in, we left one of our Plattsmouth boys behind. The dutch sure pair for it, and we all know that he could not have fallen for a better cause when standing up for the rights of mankind. I suppose that Mr. and Mrs. RIPPLE have received notice of it by now, but if they have not, don’t say anything about it this afternoon. There was a Y.M.C.A. man and women gave us a little play and told us how things were coming in the states. It seemed pretty nice to see a real American woman and to hear her talk. I received a long letter from Omer the other day, said they were all getting along fine. Thor writes me a letter every week. I 3 or 4 at once. It will soon be t! ime for some more mail to come in and I’ll be looking for a letter from you. I suppose everybody are busy threshing around there by now. The French are all busy with their grain and they sure have some crop. It looks as good in places as I ever saw it in the states and that sure means a whole lot. In the last drive we made we took many a field of good grain. The dutch set fire to some of it, but most of them left in such a hurry that they forgot to take their guns along, and some of them came over with that (have mercy) stuff, but when they went through Belgium and part of France it was a very little mercy that they had. Well it is getting late, so I’ll ring off. If you don’t hear from me regular, you don’t need to be worried for if anything happens to me, even a wound, you will receive notice within 3 or 4 days. I received a letter from Wayne not long ago, but he never wrote much news. I believe that the 16th of this month is donald’s! birthday. Give him a [dark, looks like] beating for me and tell everyone Hello. Answer soon and often. With lots of love, RALPH B. ALLEN, Address Co. I, 168th Inf., A.E.F. Plattsmouth Journal, December 23, 1918 [ Ralph Allen’s letter appeared with Henry Lamphaer’s letter on this date] Ralph Allen Writes “Dad’s” Letter November 24th Dear Dad, Mother and All: Sunday evening, still at the hospital, but feel fine. Well they tell us not to write where we have been and the battles we were in, but I do not think the red Cross has paper enough for all that. The last front I was on was Verdun and the Argone [sic], and where some of the hardest fighting took place of any place in the war. Before the Armistice was signed we had them out in the open and running, and many down on their knees begging for mercy, others had thrown their guns and helmets away and were running like jack rabbits. The hardest battle we were in was at Chateau Thierry, you know all about that so I do not need tell you, only to recall what Sherman said, “War was Hell,” but let me tell you he did not know anything about war then, it has changed so. We had just taken a town on the Toul [sic] sector, about the size of Plattsmouth when the civilians came out of their cellars, and crawled out from under their house, the women coming and kissing our hands and crying for joy, while the old gray headed men would hobble around and hollow for Americans. If you did not watch them they would cut buttons off your clothes for souvenirs. The Red Cross has set today for “Dad’s Xmas Letters.” I am sending you a map of the Mihial drive, the dotted lines where we started, and the heavy link where we stopped, and I want to say, we did not stop because we could not go any farther, but because we had orders not to go farther then. I believe we could have taken them to Mets. the way we had them going. We were three days making the drive, we had told around we were going to make the drive on the 15th but pulled it off on the 18th, and this surprised the helmies. We hiked about 5 miles the night before in the rain, and went into the trenches at about midnight at Breassette [sic] ; we had some good artillery behind us, the 151 Minnesota light, the 150 Indiana heavy, some French Naval guns 16 and 18 inches, all of them opened up at one o’clock, and kept up the bombardment until five in the morning, when they lifted the barrage and “Over the Top” we went. The Germans had held the trenches since the beginning of the war, and that was to be an active ! front. There was a large hill two miles from the line of the German side. It was called Mt. Sank, the French tried to take the hill in 1915; they took the hill and held it twenty minutes and lost 35,000, and then fell back. That did not sound right to us, but the French told it themselves for an absolute fact. We and the 167 infantry, the Alabama boys took the hill and had the “Botche” going down the other side by ten o’clock. When we got over the hill we believed what the French had said, for we found piles of bones, French helmets and rifles scattered everywhere. Then, the evening of the 14th of September, we took the little town of Bine, advanced about a mile, then dug in for the night. This is where we stopped, and held the line. About 12 o’clock that night the cooks seat us up a feed, boiled beef, potatoes, and bread and coffee, and say, you ought to have seen us eat. We held that line for about seven or eight days and were relieved by the 83 brigade. Went back then, and got some new clothes, a bath and a pay day, and had a few days to ourselves and then went to the Verdun front,, where we stayed until the finish. Well I suppose you are tired of reading war news by now. I know I am tired of writing it and I will ring off. I wrote Wayne a lette! r today. I was talking to a fellow out of the 100th engineers that was down at Deming, N. Mex., he told me that 137th artillery had just come over, so I addressed it over here. If I knew just where they were I would try and get a pass and go see them. Well I will close now with the same address, wishing you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Your son, RALPH H. ALLEN Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, December 16, 1918 MEMBER OF RAINBOW DIVISION WRITES TO HIS MOTHER MRS. M.B. ALLEN OF THIS CITY TELLING OF HIS EXPERIENCES. WAS IN SERVICE LONG TIME Saw Much actual Service in trenches, Over Top and In Hospital, Many Experiences >From Saturday’s Daily. Ralph ALLEN, who has been in the real war, with the experience which has made the Rainbow Division the most noted in all the armies of the world, has written to his mother regarding some of his experiences. He thinks he has had enough of the war for one young man, was at the time of writing in a sopital, for a minor wound, but had been wounded before but has said nothing regarding it. Here is his interesting letter: With the A.E.F., Nov. 17, 1918 Dear Mother and All: This is Sunday morning and I will write you a few lines to let you know I am still alive and feeling pretty good; all but my teeth. I am at the hospital to have them treated. I had one filled last February and now have to have two more filled. They don’t hurt so much any more. The dentist is sure a fine fellow. He is Major, Doctor from Nebraska; and there is a regent doctor from Kansas and we three have some argument about which is the best state. But believe me any old state would sure look good to me just now. Secretary of War BAKER says, “The old men, the ones who have been here the longest and bron the brunt of the fighting should be the first ones to go home.” I hope he stays with that proposition. You know our division (the Rainbow Division) was the first one to hold an American sector. We won a good name for ourselves then, and have kept it ever since. We whipped the “Boche” and whipped him good, just before the signing of the armistice. We had them on their knees praying for mercy. It is hard to tell just when peace will be signed; I hope it won’t be long, for now the fighting is over, one can figure on getting home again. Some times it makes a fellow’s feet itch. The way things looked last Christmas, I thought we might be over here many more. But now we won’t have to spend but one more here, and that won’t be so bad. Where is Wayne now, the last I heard from him he was in Brooklyn. I do not know whether he is over here yet or not. I suppose he will rave if he don’t get to come. If he did come he did not get here in time to get into action. Well I will ring off now, and write again soon. The Red Cross has a big pull here at the hospital and they give us a picture show every night. They also sell tobacco, cigars and cigarettes. Well answer soon. RALPH H. ALLEN, Co. I, 168th U.S. Inf. Am. E.F., France.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Will Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.4 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 29, 1918 FROM THE ARMY AND THE NAVY TWO LETTERS FROM THE BOYS, ONE IN FRANCE, THE OTHER IN CHICAGO R WILLS WRITES FROM FRANCE George McDaniels Writes From the Great Lakes Training Station. >From Monday’s Daily. With the Colors in France July 14, 1918 Dear Mother: Well, we have landed at last, and have sure been on the go for the past month. We were assigned to a new regiment yesterday and all the fellows seem to be good ones. We are only ten miles from the front, and believe me, we can hear the big guns at night and see plenty of aeroplanes in the day. Everything is quiet all day long, a person would not think there was any war, until about dark, when everything starts at once. I am a drive at this time and have to care for my two horses, with which I help pull the guns when we move. Four of us sleep in a little shelter tent, and it is pretty cool for its rains nearly every day. We had to hike about fifteen miles the other night to get here, and carry a pack which weighed about seventy pounds, and believe me I was all in when we landed, and still I am pretty stiff. The boys seem to think over here that it won’t last very much longer, but we don’t know any more than you do about it. The Germans that are captured seem greatly pleased that they are prisoners, and do not require much watching, for I guess they get pretty good eats and place to sleep. Well this will be all for the present; hoping this finds you all feeling fine as I am, with love. ROBERT B. WILL, Battery A. 149 F.A., A.E.F., France Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, September 19, 1918 RIGHT FROM THE WESTERN FRONT [front page] ROBERT WILL WRITES TO HIS MOTHER REGARDING CONDITIONS IN WAR ZONE. August 6th, 1918. My Dearest Mother: I will write you a few lines this evening. I am feeling fine and near the battle front. We are giving the Germans about all they want. We sure have been doing some fighting here lately, have captured a lot of prisoners. I sure have been on the go since I landed and have seen a good deal of France. I am with one of the best companies over here. We get all we want to eat and plenty of sleep. I see many of the air battles on nice days, and believe me they are exciting to watch them, have seen many enemy places brought down. Many days it is so quiet you would not think there was a war, but along about dark, there is something doing. Once can hear the big shells go whizzing by. Well I suppose the U.S. papers are full of the battles, and no doubt you know more of the news than we do. I have not seen a paper that was printed since in June, as it takes a long time to get them. We passed through a number of villages on our way here, and we found them pretty well shot to pieces. In them we saw many German prisoners, they were either old men or mere boys, which they have not so may millions left. Just at this time, it is pretty rainy here and but for the paved roads it would be pretty difficult to get around, as it rains most everyday. You can see how nice it is to live in a little shelter tent, but most of us boys are good and healthy. I will send you some German souveniors [sic] as there are lots of them here, helmets and the like. They were either in too big a hurry to take them or had lost them. I could write you many things, but I will wait until I get back to the good old U.S.A. again and tell you. Hoping this finds you all feeling as fine as I am. With love, PVT. ROBERT B. WILL, Address B.F. 149 F.A. A.P.O. 715, A.E.F. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, October 24, 1918 ROBERT WILL WITH RAINBOW DIVISION [page six] WRITES HIS MOTHER, FROM HEART OF FRANCE, TELLING OF WAYS OF THE WAR IN HEART OF BIG BATTLE Tells of the Retreating Huns, And Of the Amount of Prisoners Taken. The following letter was received from Robert WILL by his mother, written from the battlefields of France, where he is with the Rainbow Division: France, Sept. 12th Mrs. A.S. WILL, Plattsmouth, Nebr., Dear Mother: Well I had better write you a few lines. I am feeling fine, and hope you are also. Say, see if you can get me some safety razor blades, and send me, I cannot get any here. Say but they have a fine country here and the roads, they really beat ours, but that is all they beat us in. Living high, I should say I was. I paid equal to a dollar for eggs the other day, but they tasted fine though. And candy and ice cream one cannot get at all. But I will make up for that when I get back to the States. September 15th I have carried the letter I wrote for two weeks, and did not get to mail it, nevertheless, I am thinking of dear old home and the dear folks, and the way things look here it will not be long before we can get home and shake hands with all the friends there, and tell of some exciting times, for we have had them. We will see more, though we have the Huns on the run, and sure they have good reasons for running. We caught a battery of horses and captured and killed a big cow, and had some fresh meat for dinner. It sure looked good just after the drive started to see the large bunches of prisoners coming back, and we will have more soon. We are having great weather here now, all of us are feeling just fine, also hoping this finds all in old Plattsmouth feeling fine, and tell the friends all hello for me, tell Father I will bring him back a three-inch German gun. Next day, Sept. 16th. Dearest Mother: I received the two long looked for letters written August 19th and was certainly glad to get them. I am in the same division of the RIPPLE boy, only he is in the infantry and I in the artillery. Ask Opal what division I am in as I cannot mention it in the letter. It is the best Division in France. We sure have got some record. It seems strange that we are near those whom we know and do not know it, but we generally fight during the night and sleep in the day. We are having great weather here, plenty of rain and everything looking fine. Sorry it is so dry and hot there, you might have some of our moisture and cool weather also. We sleep fine, but we have something else to think of but eating and sleeping. What we are after is freedom for all Nations, and we are darn soon going to have it. Now mother do not worry or send me anything to wear or eat. I have plenty to carry on my back now, the less the better. I do not see how I can write all the folks, so tell them what news I ! write. You want to look more closely at my address. You forgot to put on A.P.O. 715. Well hoping this finds you well, I am with love. Your boy, ROBERT B. WILL Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, December 19, 1918 A LETTER FROM ROBERT WILL. He Writes His Parents And Others Regarding the Closing of the War. >From Saturday’s Daily. Robert WILL who has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the late war has written from the battle front on the day that the fighting stopped. His letter dated on November 11th tells that the day the fighting had stopped, and the portion in which he was engaged, had been the most bitter in which he had been engaged. The company in which he was in had been almost entirely wiped out. He had come out of the dust, and smoke of the conflict without a wound. He sends greetings to his parents and friends, telling of his safety, and the loss of many who were with him but a short time before. Plattsmouth Journal, February 24, 1919 LETTER FROM ROBERT WILL IN GERMANY. TELLS OF BATTLES IN CHICH HE PARTICIPATED – GERMANS NOT STARVING WAS IN MUCH HARD FIGHTING Says Report Current They are Going to Get a Furlough – Wants to Go to Coblenz on Rhine. >From Thursday’s Daily. The following letter has been received from Robert WILL, who is now in Germany, and but a short distance from the Rhine river, where he is doing duty with the Army of Occupation, after a long siege of hard fighting with the A.E.F., in which he barely escaped injury several different times. It is Robert’s greatest desire to be privileged to visit the city of Coblenz, on the Rhine, and to get a good look at this great German stream before he returns to the states, but if they told him he might sail for home tomorrow, we bet dollars to doughnuts that he’d forget all about his ambition to take a sail on the Rhine. His letter, written to his mother, Mrs. A.S. WILL, of this city, follows: Ringer, Germany, Jan. 16. Dear Mother: Having a little time this morning. I am writing you a letter to tell you I am still feeling fine and hope this finds you likewise. We are staying five in a small room, but with plenty of heat and light. We certainly have had fine weather here since we landed. It has hardly been cold enough to freeze the ground. I hope it remains warm, for doing guard duty on a cold night is not just to the liking of most of the boys. The report is current here now that they are going to give us a furlough, and if so, I want to go to Coblenz, which is on the Rhine, and is about fifty kilos, or thirty miles to the east of us. I hope the leave of absence is allowed, for I would like to see the city and take a sail up the Rhine. Our largest town close here is Ahsweuler, and it is here we go when not on duty. By the looks of things, I think we will be home by 1920 if nothing else turns up. We had thought that we would be among the first to return, but those who fought so hard in the S.O.S. near Paris, and who are all run down, were decreed to be the ones needing the rest more than we, and so have been ordered back first. Say, by the way the papers talk, one would think the Germans are starving, but from what I have seen, they are not so bad off, although I will admit they have poor bread. Let them eat it a few years though, and maybe they won’t be so anxious for another war. They raise lots of wheat, potatoes and sugar beets and every barn is full of sows, while the yards are filled with chickens, so they cannot be so badly off as the pretend to be. Here is a brief account of where we have been from July 1st until the 11th of November, the day the armistice was signed: Landed July 1st at Liverpool, England, and from there went to South Hampton, leaving there July 4th on our trip across the English channel. We landed at LaHarve, France, where we remained but a few days, and then went by rail to the Champagne front, where I joined the 149th Field Artillery, 42nd Division, and was there in the critical fighting from July 14th to July 18th, and had the honor of being with the only American Division to fight in General Gomand’s army, where we so gloriously obeyed his orders, “We will stand or die,” and by our iron defense, rushed the German assault, making possible the offensive of July 18th to the west of Rheims. From Champagne we were called to take part in exploiting the success north of the Marne. Fresh from the battle front before Chalins, we were thrown against the picked troops of the Germans. For eight consecutive days we attacked skillfully prepared positions, capturing great stores of arms and ammunition. We forced the crossing of the [looks like] Oruoq, took hill 212 [or 213], Sergy, Mency, Femes and Segnes. We drove the enemy, including the Imperial Guard division, the depth of fifteen kilometers, and when our Infantry was relieved we were in full pursuit of the retreating Germans. So our Artillery continued to progress and support another American infantry division in the advance to the [blurry] V—le after being there for some time another unit came along to relieve us and we thought we were going to get a good long rest, but after being back at the little village of Hellicourt for ten days, we were called to help take part in the battle of St. Miehiel, where on September 12th, we helped to drive the Germans back toward Metz, taking many towns and villages. From there we went to the Argonne front, where on November 1st we started the last drive, following the retreating Germans to the gates of Sedan, where we were on November 11th when the armistice was signed. So we pulled back and got the rest of our companies and started on our journey to the Rhine, and I am now waiting at the little village of Ringer for the peace pact to be signed, after which we expect to get the orders, “Homeward March.” ROBERT B. WILL B.F. 149, F.A., A.P.O. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, January 13, 1919 LETTERS FROM BOYS ACROSS THE WATER THREE NATIVE SONS OF PLATTSMOUTH WHO HELPED TO WHIP THE HUNS HOPE TO RETURN HOME SOON Their Letters Tell of Some of the Late Battles Fought and of the Thrilling Experience Had The following letters have lately been received from their writers who are now in France, where they took part in the world war and contributed their bit to the defeat of the Hun hoardes bent upon overrunning the world, and tell of their various experiences during the last weeks of the fight, as well as express the hope that they may be permitted to return home soon: Nov. 29, 1918. Dear Mother: Well we are now settled down in a little village in Luxenburg, where we spent Thanksgiving day and ate Thanksgiving dinner. We were not lucky enough to get any turkey, so our battery went out and bought a nice pig and had it roasted and with what other things they bought, we had a fine meal. I don’t think we will stay here long, but will move on towards the Rhine. I certainly have seen some real battles during the four months I spent at the front. I was in the battle of Champigne [sic] July 14, the battle of the Marne July 18, the battle of St. Michel September 12th, and the battle of Verdun November 1st. So you see the rainbow division has been in some real battles. I see by the papers they are sending the boys home as rapidly as possible, but don’t know when this Division will get to go. Hope we are there to spend Christmas for that will be some Christmas to remember, indeed. Hoping this finds every one at home feeling fine, I am, with love, ROBERT B. WILL, B.F. 149, F.A. ** Robert Will returned to Plattsmouth on or around May 12, 1919.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kearnes Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.3 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, July 18, 1918 THE RAINBOW DIVISION >From Monday’s Daily. There are eight boys from this city in the Rainbow Division, and we have heard from the bunch often, and from most of the boys individually, but from Hugh KEARNES his folks have not heard directly since he has been gone. About three weeks since, his young lady friend at Glenwood, has a letter direct from Mr. Kearnes, and as the family had not heard Mrs. Kearnes departed this morning for that place to see what he could learn from her. Numerous letters from the other boys from here all say the whole bunch are all right and we suppose he is all right. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, November 18, 1918 HUGH KEARNES KILLED IN ACTION [FRONT PAGE] MESSAGE TELLING OF DEATH OF THIS FINE PLATTSMOUTH LAD RECEIVED THIS AFTERNOON Was a Member of Company I, of Glenwood, Iowa, and the Famous Rainbow Division >From Friday’s Daily. Michael KEARNES of this city received a message this afternoon telling of the loss of his son, Hugh KEARNES, who was killed in action on the western front in France on October 18th. Mr. Kearnes has three sons in the service and all are in France, they being Hugh, George and Albert. Mr. Kearnes had not heard from his son Hugh since away last spring, though he had written often, as reported by others in the company from Glenwood, Iowa, who had gone from here. Mr. Hugh Kearnes was in the battle in which Edward RIPPLE was killed. He with Mr. Ripple joined at Glenwood, Ia., and was a member of the famous “Rainbow Division,” which has seen so much severe fighting. While others have written and their letters received during the summer, no letter has come from any of the boys lately. There were eight boys from this city in the company which was formed at Glenwood, two who have been lost, and one has returned with his arm crippled, which is pretty heavy toll for the ! number which went in that particular portion of the army. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, December 12, 1918 IN HONOR OF THEIR MEMBERS [front page] THE YOUNG MEN’S BIBLE CLASS PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR SOLDIER DEAD YESTERDAY HUGH KEARNES, ROBT. JACKS Have Paid in Full their Devotion to Country, And Are Remembered By the Class. >From Monday’s Daily. Yesterday at the room of the Sunday School, at the Christian church, where the Young Men’s Bible Class meet, was a scene of solemnity when at the study hour, the class paid tribute to noble young men who have given their lives for the salvation of the world, and its liberties. These young men, both volunteer soldiers in the army for the emancipation of the world and the perpetuation of the liberty, of the people, both died with their faces to the foe, fighting for the people who stayed at home as well as for all the civilized world. The families of the two young men, Mr. Asbury JACKS and sons and daughters, and Mr. and Mrs. M. KEARNES and family were present. On the service flag, two gold starts were unveiled, signifying that they had paid in full their devotion to god and country. The services was in charge of the president of the class J.P. PERRY, while a number of musical selections were rendered. Rev. A.V. HUNTER made some very appropriated remarks, and all in all the services which did honor to the two young men as showing the way in which they were held in remembrance.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kearnes Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.2 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1918 WRITES HOME FROM “SUNNY” FRANCE. ALBERT KEARNES WRITES HIS MOTHER FROM FRANCE, TELLING OF ARMY LIFE WITH HIM Euville, France, Feb. 18. Dear Mother: I will write again. I am well and hope this finds you the same. We are having lots of rain here now. I got three letters from home since I have been over here. When was the last time you heard from Grandmother. When you write to her, tell them all hello for me. We had a big parade the other day and we were in the rain all day with our pack without taking them off. I suppose there are lots of snow over there now. Have Bud and Maud got their car yet? Tell father not to work too hard and that I hope I will be home soon. Have you heard from Uncle Floyd? Did Bud Kernes [sic] get over here, the last time I saw him was in Cody. I don’t know whether he got over or not. I got a letter from Martha the other day. They were all well. Tell the children all hello for me. Tell them all to write to me. Well, I guess I will close for this time, so good-bye. PVT. ALBERT CARNES [sic], Address Co. F, 139 Inf., Am. E.F.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Ripple Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255.1 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 8, 1918 RECEIVES LETTER FROM FRANCE EDDIE RIPPLE WRITES INTERSTINGLY TO HIS PARENTS FROM THE BATTLE FRONT. The following letter was received this morning from Eddie RIPPLE who is in France with the Rainbow division which has just now been having very severe fighting, but was written near six weeks ago: Somewhere in France, June 25th Dear Mother and Father: It has been quite a time since I wrote you, because I have not had a chance, as we were in the trenches, and one thing and another, so I could not write for a while. It has been most a month since I received any mail of any kind, but I guess I will get lots of mail of all kinds in a day or two, and then I will answer your letter right away. Well mother, I am feeling fine and Earl is also (Earl Murray). We had quite a time and lots of fun up in the trenches this time, dodging the big shells and the bullets. It is lots of fun to watch some of the boys duck from the shell and in another way it is not so funny either to think of the danger one is in, but a fellow can’t help but laugh some times. Well, we are having fine weather, but gets a little cold at night some times, but we can’t kick at that. I suppose Plattsmouth is building up lately. I guess the soldiers at the Rifle Range think it is fun what they are doing, but when they get into a real battle it won’t be so funny for them. Give my best regards to all and send me a paper once in a while. I will close and will write in a day or so. I am your loving son, Edward, lots of kisses and hugs. PVT. ED. RIPPLE, Co. I, 168 Inf., A.E.F. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 15, 1918 DIES WITH HIS FACE TO THE FOE. >From Monday’s Daily. Last Saturday a message came telling of the death of Edward C. RIPPLE jr., who was a member of the Rainbow Division, fighting in France, who was the son of Edward C. RIPPLE and wife of this city. The parents and his host of friends are pained to receive the news as he was a favorite and the one who organized the squad who went from this city, and joined the company at Glenwood, Iowa. The message was megern [sic]and said only “Regret to inform you that Private Edward C. Ripple jr., infantry is officially reported as killed in action July 28th,” and signed by the Adjutant General. A more extended account of the young man’s life and his army history will appear in this paper soon. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, August 19, 1918 AMONG THE LAST LETTERS WRITTEN W.B. RISHEL CLERK OF WOODMAN OF THE WORLD RECEIVED LETTER FROM EDDIE RIPPLE JR. But a few weeks before the death of Edward RIPPLE he had written to the clerk of the lodge to which he belongs, the Woodmen of the World: Somewhere in France, July 8th. Mr. Wm Rishel, Plattsmouth, Nebr. Dear Sovereign: I will write you a few lines while I can for we are pretty busy now days. I have a lot of friends to write to and it keeps me busy making the rounds, but I do the best I can. I sure miss the W.EO.W. dances since I left there. They do not have many dances here. All the boys from Plattsmouth are still in the ring yet. We are having fine weather now, but it is pretty hot. We have lots of excitement with the big shells. It is fun to watch some of the boys trying to dodge the shells, also myself, and sometimes bullets fly like rain drops, but if I see I can’t out run them, I dodge them. Ha! Ha! Well Mr. Rishel, I will close for this time. From Sovereign Ripple, PVT. ED. RIPPLE, Co. I, 168th Inf., A.E.F. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 22, 1918 WERE IN THE CITY ATTENDING MEETING. >From Monday’s Daily. There were in this city yesterday from Omaha, the following named persons, coming to attend the memorial exercises which were held at the Parmele theatre in honor of Edward C. RIPPLE, jr.: Mr. and Mrs. Louis GADWAY, who is an uncle and aunt; Mr. and Mrs. C.F. SANDS; Mr. ASHLEY AND Harley GADWAY, cousins of Mr. Ripple, all from Omaha. On account of the lack of space today, the eulogy of Edward C. Ripple jr. was necessarily crowded out but will appear later. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, January 2, 1919 NOTIFIED OF BURIAL PLACE OF HIS SON EDWARD C. RIPPLE, SR. RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF LOCATION OF SON’S GRAVE CHAPLAIN WRITES TO FATHER Saying Resting Place Being Carefully Cared For and Marked So Well Known. >From Tuesday’s Daily. This morning Edward C. RIPPLE sr., received a letter from Winford E. ROBB, who is chaplain of the company in which his son, Eddie C. RIPPLE jr., was a soldier, in which he tells of the car which has been taken to preserve the identity, of the exact spot, where his son was laid to rest. They also had received a letter from “Graves Registration service: of the American Expeditionary Force, in which is corroborated the information contained in the letter, and an assurance that after the close of the war the remains of the soldiers will be exhumed and returned to America, and to the friends and home from where they departed. The following was the letter received by Mr. Ripple: November 26th, 1918. Winford E. Robb, Chaplain 168th Inf. A.E.F. Mr. Edward C. Ripple sr., Plattsmouth, Nebr. My Dear Mr. Ripple: As chaplain of the 168th Infantry I am writing you with deepest sympathy concerning the death of your son. No doubt you have received “Government Notification” long before now. Your son, Edward C. Ripple Jr., serial No. 101854 Co I, 168th Inf., was instantly killed by enemy fire while advancing with his platoon on July 28th nand was buried by me near the place of his death, on the 30th, Grave No. 27A, map of Fereen-Tardenois about one and one-half kilometers south and one west of Sergy. The grave is well marked with a cross bearing name and organization. A complete record of location etc, is on file in the office of “Graves Registration Service, A.E.F.” It is generally understood that all American soldiers buried in France will be taken to U.S. at the close of the war. You are no doubt very proud of Edward and you have every reason to be. Although he made the supreme sacrifice he made it for the greatest cause and I shall receive his just reward by Him we all love and trust. Sincerely, W.E. ROBB, Chap. 168th Inf. ** If you are researching the Ripple family, please contact me for further information. I have additional articles. Becky

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Allen, Lair, (2) Kearnes, Ripple, Hoffman, Murray, Wilson Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, April 29, 1918 BOYS FROM HERE HAVE BEEN IN BATTLE OVER THERE LETTER FROM RALPH ALLEN WRITTEN APRIL 3 TELLS OF EXPERIENCES. Eight Plattsmouth Boys are Seeing Active Service in the World’s Greatest of Battles. >From Friday’s Daily. A letter received yesterday, written on April 3rd, from just behind the lines in France, tells of how the boys from here are faring. The letter was from Ralph Allen, and tells of their having been at the front and having served their stated time in the trenches, being at the time of writing in the resting camps behind the lines while others took their places in the trenches. At the time of writing but minor engagements had been had in this sector, but since then and within the past week it has been one of the places picked out by German generals to share the heavy brunt of the terrific onslaught of the German troops and without doubt the boys have had a real taste of what it all means here now. In the letter, Ralph states that the boys from here are all well and feeling fine. His own birthday occurred on March 22, and he said he would tell his mother when he returned how he spent the day. He also said he had received a present on that occasion but it was not like the cake which had been given him a year ago. It is a matter of great satisfaction to the many friends and relatives of the boys from here, to know that they were all feeling well and enjoying life in France at such a late date as April 3 and it is probable they all continued in that state as no word has been received to the contrary. They boys from here who are serving with Iowa companies at the front are Ralph ALLEN, Ralph LAIR, Hugh KEARNES, Albert KEARNES, Eddie RIPPLE, Wm. HOFFMAN, Earl MURRAY and Alfred WILSON. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, July 18, 1918 THE RAINBOW DIVISION. >From Monday’s Daily. There are eight boys from this city in the Rainbow Division, and we have heard from the bunch often, and from most of the boys individually, but from Hugh KEARNES his folks have not heard directly since he has been gone. About three weeks since, his young lady friend at Glenwood, had a letter direct from Mr. KEARNES, and as the family had not heard, Mrs. KEARNES departed this morning for that place to see what she could learn from her. Numerous letters from the other boys from here all say the whole bunch are all right and we suppose he is all right. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1919 PERSHING BIDS RAINBOW UNIT GODSPEED HOME PRESENTS DECORATIONS TO MANY MEMBERS OF THE 42D DIV. SOON TO SAIL FOR U.S. Coblenz, March 17. – General PERSHING said goodbye to the boys of the 42d division today. In a farewell address to the troops of the Rainbow unit, who are preparing to start for home the first week in April, the American commander-in-chief wished them all good luck in the peaceful occupations into which they will go on the other side of the Atlantic. The inspection and review of the division took place in a great field near Remagenon, on the west bank of the Rhine. From the heights across the river hundreds of German civilians assembled and watched the review through field glasses. General Pershing spoke from the rear end of a wagon, with the soldiers gathered about him. Before his address the commander-in-chief presented one congressional medal of honor, two distinguished service medals and 44 distinguished service crosses to officers and men of the division. Manning Decorated. The medal of honor was pinned by General Pershing on Corporal Sidney MANNING of the 107th infantry for leading his platoon during an attack on the Oureq after its commanders had fallen. Despite wounds he had suffered, Manning led the men forward and gained and held an important position in the face of terrific enemy fire. All but seven members of the platoon were killed or wounded. Manning himself was wounded nine times in this attack. When the United States entered the war, Manning was a farmer boy near Brewton, Ala. The distinguished service medals went to Brigadier General Douglas MAC ARTHUR and Colonel William HUGHES, jr. Sunday morning General Pershing inspected the troops of the third corps near Vallendar. After the review of the 42d division, General Pershing went by automobile to Cobleux, where he had dinner with Major general DICKMAN. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, March 24, 1919 WILL HAVE HISTORY OF RAINBOW DIVISION [front page] Will Hoffman, a Member, and Eddie Steinhauer, Compile History of the Glenwood Company >From Friday’s Daily. Will HOFFMAN, who some time ago returned from the western front in France, where, as a member of the Glenwood company of the Rainbow Division, he saw much fighting and was himself wounded in action, in conjunction with Eddie STEINHAUER, has compiled a history of the Rainbow division, and especially of the Glenwood company, which is now in the hands of the printer. Mr. Hoffman was discharged some time ago and returned to his home here. The Rainbow Division, with the exception of those who were wounded, is still on duty with the army of occupation, but is expected to sail for home early in April. Eddie Steinhauer departed this morning for Glenwood, where they are having their book published, to make some arrangements for cuts and pictures of the boys which will be contained within its pages. The project is one of merit and will afford an accurate history of the organization which will be kept for years by the members of the company and their friends.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hall, Burnett, Liston Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/254 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, September 2, 1918 MRS. GEORGE LISTON DIES. >From Friday’s Daily. Mrs. George LISTON, who formerly was Miss Leatha HALL, of Rock Bluffs and later was known as Leatha BURNETT, as she was a step daughter of Mr. Burnett, died a few days since at Council Bluffs of a gaseous cancer of the stomach, which caused intense suffering. Mrs. Liston leaves a husband and two children to survive her. She will be remembered by many friends of former years at and near Rock Bluffs.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Applegate, Cooney, Stone, Trumble, Glaze, Lutz, more Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/177.1.1 Message Board Post: The Plattsmouth Journal June 11, 1917 PLATTSMOUTH MAY HAVE COMPANY IN THE SIXTH NEBRASKA Under the plans for the formation of the Sixth Nebraska regiment of infantry for service in the war, the city of Plattsmouth has been designated as one of the towns that will probably be assigned a company for service in the regiment. It has been endeavored several times to secure a company in the fifth regiment, but this was unsuccessful, and now the opportunity is at hand to give this city a representation in the state quota to the federal army. Under the registration of Tuesday, Cass county produced 1,700 even in men of the military age and should be able to produce several companies if need be. Plattsmouth with a registration of 322 should be able to turn out a company of their own if need be and still allow plenty of men to cover the exemptions and disability losses that will follow the drafting. The war strength of the companies will be 150 men and from the 322 these should easily be selected for service. The state will under the conscription furnish several additiona! l regiments for service and by the companies being selected from the towns and counties will prove much more pleasant to the men, as it will keep them in touch with each other, even in sent on foreign service, and allow them to represent their community in a fitting manner. The plans for the new regiment are being formulated in the office of the adjutant general of the state and it is thought that by July 15 it will be possible to get the new organization under way to take the place of the Fourth and fifth when they are called out for active service. The Fourth regiment is already in the federal service and will probably be among the first to be sent abroad with the American expedition to France. June 11, 1917 AVOCA HAS A RECORD THAT IS HARD TO BEAT ON ENLISTMENT. >From Friday’s Daily. Avoca, one of the thriving little towns of Cass county, has a distinction that few other towns can boast of, and that is the fact that every unmarried male resident of the town of military age has enlisted in the naval or military service of the nation. Several of the patriotic young men were rejected on account of physical defects, but their spirit was shown in answering the call. All of the enlistments were made before June 5th, and were purely voluntary on the part of the young men. This is truly something that the Avoca people can well feel proud of and the splendid list of young men that will serve the nation is one that will be cherished in the history of Cass county. In honor of the men a reception was held in the town hall in Avoca this week, when a fitting farewell was given the young men who are soon to leave to take up their different duties under the folds of Old Glory. As a record-breaking demonstration of patriotism, Avoca and her brave sons have set a new mar! k and the families and friends of the soldiers and sailors can rest assured that they will sustain the reputation of the state and the nation, in their service for the United States. Thursday, June 28, 1917 SIXTEEN YOUNG MEN ENLIST FOR THE SIXTH NEBRASKA REGIMENT The recruiting for the Cass county company of the Sixth Nebraska is being responded to in very pleasing shape by the young men of this community and some sixteen from this city have signed up and the greater part have been examined and ready for the call to the colors. In the county the response is also being heard to the appeal of the governor and the state for the formation of the regiment. It will be given until Saturday for the organization of the company and then if by that time there is sufficient number of real red-blooded Americans in Cass county to form a company the fact will be known. The organization of companies for the Sixth have been completed in communities much smaller than Plattsmouth, and with very little trouble, as the youths and men have responded to their country’s call. The fact that the opportunity to go to the front together is afforded at this time, and should be taken advantage of by the men of military age and not lay back waiting for th! e draft to gather them in and scatter them in different organizations throughout the army. The home associations that a local company will give will be a comfort to those who are going forward to serve their country and the young man who does not take advantage of them should not complain when the draft has placed him in an organization of strangers. There are some that believe that the fact that others volunteering will save them from the draft and therefore hang back to place the burden of defending the country on the shoulders of someone else, but these will find out that they are badly fooled in this respect and will be compelled to toe the mark and do their share. There will be no place for the “let George do it” element, and should not be, as everyone should do their equal share. Thursday, July 19, 1917 FAREWELL TO THE BOYS OF THE “DANDY SIXTH” Large Crowd at Depot to Bid Boys God Speed This Morning, When 34 of Our Men Departed For Omaha. >From Wednesday’s Daily. The Cass county detachment of the Sixth Nebraska machine gun company departed this morning at 8:16 over the Burlington for Omaha, where the company is to be assembled and formally mustered into the service of the nation. The Cass county members were examined in this city yesterday by a board of officers of the regiment, and as a result, six of the members were disqualified from membership, owing to physical infirmities. The machine gun company of the Sixth will be assembled at the Auditorium in Omaha, and remain there until orders to move to Fort Crook or to the training camp at Deming, New Mexico, are received, which it is thought will be only a few weeks at the least. At Omaha, the members will be vaccinated and inoculated before starting south for training. Those comprising the Cass county detachment leaving for the metropolis were: Matt JIROUSEK, Daniel B. COONEY, Lieutenant F.H. STONE, James Robert APPLEGATE, George F. WOLFE, Harold W. HULFISH, Roy A. WADE, John GRUBER! , Simon GRUBER, jr., Warren TRUMBLE, Ernest L. TRUMBLE, Roy A. VICKERS, William H. SHELDON, T. Frank MEAD, A. Earl COOL, Floid L. COON, Edgar L. GLAZE, Otto E. LUTZ, Lloyd GILMORE, James Robert JONES, Carl A. WOHLFARTH, Emil FINDER, Arthur SAMPSON, Albert CARNES, Harry JOHNSON, Percy A. WORTHEN, Richard H. WELLS, Frank SMITH, Malcom BROWN, Paul C. SPREACHER, Robert B. WOLFE, Hiram A. SHELDON, Frank MILLER, William H. BRINKMAN. At the station, to give the boys from this city and Cass county a royal start in their departure for the war, and that encouragement which is their due, were gathered a large crowd of the patriotic citizens of Plattsmouth with the city band, which played a number of enlivening airs while Old Glory floated to the breeze, held by a number of the boys from the Fourth regiment from Omaha, who stood behind on a truck, and while in front were the boys who have enlisted in the Sixth. As they were arranged they made a very pretty scene, and Emil WEYRICH, climbing the semaphore, took pictures of the boys who are to defend our nation. Then, after climbing down, pictures of the crowd from other angels were taken. While all seemed to think that it was the only thing, and were enthusiastic in encouraging the boys in whose eyes were not dry, when they thought of the possibilities which might come to their loved ones.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Cemetery Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/AQB.2ACI/253 Message Board Post: I have information from Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Is located 3 miles north of Eagle on Havelock Ave and 210 Street. Will look up names. (Hope to have photos by fall in weather cooperates.)

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hesse Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/247.1 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, August 8, 1918 HE WAS GIVEN MILITARY HONORS AUGUST HESSE THE FIRST SOLDIER FROM PLATTSMOUTH TO LOSE HIS LIFE. Escort Remains to church. Then After Service They Give Honors at the Cemetery. >From Monday’s Daily. With the city sweltering under the fierce heat of the August sun, and augmented by a sharp hot wind from the southwest, the Home guards marched to the home of Mrs. Dora HESSE, mother of Private August HESSE, whose remains arrived here from Atlanta, Ga., where he died a week ago yesterday, escorting the remains to the St. Paul’s church, where the casket was born by six of his companions between a cordon of guards drawn up at attention. After the funeral, the Home Guards and friends with many others went to Oak Hill cemetery, where the order of burial with military honors was given. The Home Guards did particularly well in the exercises in the marching, and also in the delivering the honors at the grave. Under the direction of the ones who have charge in their drilling, they have become proficient, and are making a fine showing on all occasions where they are called upon. August Hesse was born February 1st, 1895, was over twenty-three years of age. At the time he enli! sted, he was not quite 23. Mr. Hesse and Edgar WALTERS enlisted at the same time going away together. Mr. Walters is now in England where he is working on flying machine houses. CARD OF THANKS. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to our neighbors and friends, the Eagles Lodge, Brass Foundry, and M.E. Smith’s employees for their beautiful floral offerings and especially do we wish to thank the Home guards for the honor showed our son and brother. MRS. DORA HESSE AND FAMILY.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Briggs, Osbun Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/252 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, July 15, 1918 VISITING WITH HER SON. >From Saturday’s Daily. Mrs. M.S. BRIGGS departed this morning for Lincoln, where she goes to visit for the day with her son, Leland B. BRIGGS, who is in the service, and in special training at the State Farm. At Lincoln, Mrs. Briggs will meet Mrs. Elisha G. Osbun, and daughter who will also visit with Leland and return with Mrs. Briggs to this place for a visit with her and mother, Mrs. Elvira OSBUN, who is spending the summer here with her daughter. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, August 26, 1918 ALL CASS COUNTY BOYS DOING WELL >From Friday’s Daily. A letter received by the writer from his son, Leland S. BRIGGS, who is an instructor in the branch of Auto Mechanics at the state farm, where the boys of the last quota from this county which was sent to Lincoln are. Leland in speaking about the boys all of whom he has met and are with him, in the training school, says, “In their examinations of the week, all are doing finely and come through the week with good records.”

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Briggs, Rainey, Marshall, Claus, Dwyer, Miller, More Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/251 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, August 26, 1918 LEFT FOR SAN FRANCISCO. >From Saturday’s Daily. This morning Burdette BRIGGS and Mearle RAINEY departed for Omaha, where they completed their enlistment in the navy and this evening they are departing for the west, where they enter the training school at the station at that place. They enlisted as apprentice seamen, and applied for radio, which will be given when opening occurs. Junior MARSHALL was to have gone but will depart next Tuesday, and Clyde CLAUS will go to Red Oak, Iowa, the last of next week and enlist there and be sworn in at Des Moines. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, December 5, 1918 THANKSGIVING DINNER IN THE NAVY The Way That Uncle Sam Feeds His Boys Is Surely Fine, the All Say. >From Thursday’s Daily. Chester B. BRIGGS, who is in the Naval Training Station at San Francisco, has sent the following menu of the Thanksgiving dinner, which was served to the boys at the U.S. Naval Training Station there. There are at the Naval Training Station at San Francisco, some nine young men from this city, they being: Mearl RAINEY, DeForest DWYER, Albert MILLER, Earnest BUTTERY, C.A. MARSHALL jr. (June), John MC CREARY, Will NEWMAN, Dean PATTON, and Chester B. BRIGGS. The menu herewith is what they fed on, they fed to their hearts content: DINNER Grape Fruit Potage a la Reine Radish Celery Sweet Pickles Sugar Cured Ham Waldorf Salad Roast Young Turkey Oyster Dressing Cranberry Sauce Giblet Gravey Baked Corn Mashed Potatoes Southern Sweets Hearts of Lettuce French Dressing Cream Cheese Toasted Crackers Ice Cream Wine Cake Cigars Coffee Plattsmouth Journal, December 16, 1918 WRITES PARENTS FROM WEST. Chester B. Briggs Writes His Folks, Regarding Doings At Naval Station. >From Friday’s Daily A few days since M.S. Briggs and wife received a very interesting letter from their son who is in the Signal School of Goat Island, in San Francisco Bay, where he is just completing his course in the signal school, in Wig Wag and Blinker Telegraph. He writes as follows: [from] U.S.N.T. Station S.S. San Francisco, Cal., Dec. 7th Dear Folks, I have not written for so long. I suppose it will be quite a shock to receive this letter. I am getting along all right. I am stationed at the signal tower and if my luck holds out I will probably be drafted to Norfolk, Hampton Roads, or Asiatic waters, in about three weeks. Mearle RAINEY will probably be up at the tower in a couple of weeks. He will be very likely discharged as he has not finished the high school. As things look now I will not get out, and moreover, I am not so awful anxious to do so. Any one who desires a furlough, can get it at Christmas time, providing they have enough money to pay their fare home and return to the station, which is one cent per mile and Pullman fare. It costs a little over fifty dollars. Some of the boys are thinking of coming home for Christmas. I do not know how many will come as yet. All the boys here getting along fine. The furlough begins on December 18th and continues ten days and has four days traveling time besides. It is assur! ed that a number of us will rate as first class seamen on the first of the month, nothing sure who all will get it, though. I was out at the Golden Gate Park last Sunday, and I will say that I never saw a nicer place. Everything was pretty, from the museums to the Japanese Gargons. I am out at the very top of Goat Island hill, now and on a clear day. I can see most of the bay, the Golden Gate, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkley, Alameda, and a half dozen smaller places spread around the bay. We have to keep watch, day and night, and report all ships coming into bay or leaving those anchoring, and weighin anchor, in fact we keep regular shop watch. I am writing this from the YMCA at “D” Camp. I go on watch at 8 bells and off at 12 bells, or from 8 o’clock until 12 o’clock, or in seagoing terms the First Watch. I get Liberty tomorrow, and my tent mate is going to take me out to see some of his friends and stay for dinner. Well, as I have to write some more letters I will close. Hope mother is better by this time. BURDETTE.