Iowa
Old Press
Postville Herald
Postville, Allamakee co. Iowa
December 6, 1918
Farmers of Post township who had pledged to give a pig to the Red
Cross with but few exceptions brought the hogs to market Monday
and the local Chapter will realize between $2,500 and $3,000 from
the sale of the porkers. Henry Wilke brought the heaviest pig, it
weighing 370 pounds.
Miss Edna Hein, daughter of Mrs. Carl Hein of this city, and
Bernard J. Waters, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Waters of Grand
Meadow township, were married last Wednesday at the Catholic
church in Clermont. the are on a honeymoon trip to southern Iowa
and upon their return will go to housekeeping on the newly built
up farm, the former Abernethy place.
Private Elmer E. McMartin who is with the 47th Company of the
20th Engineers in France writes that he is getting the Herald
and notes that we have a scarcity of food back home. He gives the
following as the menu at his October 28th dinner: "Roast
goose, dressing, potatoes with gravy, bread, butter, jam, celery,
pickles, pumpkin pie and coffee. How does that sound for a
feed?"
Lieutenant John S. Shepherd, who was born in Postville, the son
of Attorney and Mrs. James I. Shepherd, was killed in action in
France on October 1. He was a member of the now famous Lost
Battalion which is destined to become as historically renowned as
the Light Brigade. The action in which he lost his life was at
the Argonne Forest and his commanding officer was Lieut. Col.
"Go-To-Hell" Whittlesey, who received his nickname when
he told the Germans to go to hell upon being asked to surrender.
Former Postville Boy Killed in France
The following from a Los Angeles paper refers to a young man who
was born in Postville, a son of former Mayor and Mrs. James I.
Shepherd of this city, whose many friends here will sympathize
with them in their affliction:
A hero of the "Lost Battalion," destined to become as
historically famous as the "Light Brigade," First
Lieutenant John S. Shepherd, Company I, 362 Infantry, 91st
division, was today reported by the war department as having been
killed in action October 1. Lieut. Shepherd presumably met death
in the terrific fighting in the forest of Argonne when Lieut. Col
Whittlesey's battalion became separated from the other units and
for days was lost in the forest, and subjected to heavy fire from
the Huns.
Lieut. shepherd was a University of California boy and a graduate
of the college of law, University of California. He held the
degrees of LL.B. and LL.M. He engaged in the practice of law with
his father. He was a member of Sigma Iota Chi, Legal Scholarship
fraternity, Skull and Scales, Lexocal and the Law lyceum. His
father, Attorney James I. Shepherd, and mother reside in the
Walker apartments, 408 North Hill street. He has a sister, Mrs.
Helen Shepherd Chapman, at 3160 San Marino street, and a brother,
Virgil I. Shepherd, at Portland, Oregon. This tribute to the
young here was paid today on receipt of news of his death:
"He was a young man of strong character, absolutely
fearless, devoted to principle and a believer in justice.
Loyality and fidelity were his chief virtues. That the principles
he loved might not perish from the earth he, with others brave
and true, gave the supreme sacrifice. He had that character that
makes a man." He was a blessing and a comfort to his family,
the father said today. In his last letter to his parents he said:
"Remember, whether you hear from me or not, I am all right,
and am always all right."
Neighborhood News.
-John White of near Waukon last week sold five carloads of pigs
for which he received a scrap of paper worth $15,457.
-At Dorchester, this county, Tom and Levi Sires treed a wildcat
but failed to get it. The dogs lost the trail and the animal got
away.
-Word received in Clermont last week confirmed the death of Fred
Steffen, killed in action, also that Henry Larson was missing in
action.
-Ossian's first boy lost in the world war is Sergt. Theo. J.
Brockman, who died of wounds received from the accidental
explosion of a hand grenade.
-L.R. VanTassel of Chickasaw Co., whose life sentence for wife
murder was commuted by Gov. W.L. Harding, to 55 years, may soon
be free. With the usual credit for good behavior his sentence
will already stand as having served 46 years.
[transcribed by S.F., March & May 2010]