Iowa Old Press

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Wednesday, Dec 4, 1918

Mr and Mrs John D MARTIN enjoyed Thanksgiving with relatives at Ayrshire.

J.A. SUSS of Graettinger was looking after business interests in Emmetsburg
Tuesday.

Mr and Mrs Frank KOCH enjoyed Thanksgiving with the former's parents at
Whittemore.

Mrs. Anna NOLAN and Cornelia NOLAN of Ruthven were Emmetsburg visitors
Wednesday.

Mrs. E.B. SOPER, Jr., went to Estherville Tuesday to visit her daughter,
Mrs. D.R. ALEXANDER.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph FLEMING and family of Whittemore spent Wednesday with
Emmetsburg relatives.

Frank NOLAN, who came to Emmetsburg to attend the funeral of his mother,
returned to Chicago Monday.

Martin LAUGHLIN of Graettinger was in Emmetsburg Monday. He came to attend
the P.C. NOLAN funeral.

Miss Sarah CROWLEY is on the sick list this week. Miss Elizabeth STEIL is
taking her place in the East Side school room.

F.C. DAVIDSON, assistant attorney general, was home from Des Moines over
Sunday. He returned to his post of duty on Monday.

Father LYNCH was over from Ayrshire Tuesday. In the evening he and Father
McNERNEY went to Graettinger to visit Father Kelly.

Ray STEIL writes Emmetsburg relatives that a new son arrived at his home
about a week ago. Local friends extend congratulations.

Misses Florence WELLS and Mary BRERTON, who were home visiting relatives,
returned to Grinnell Monday to continue their studies at Iowa College.

Joseph MEHAN requests the Democrat to announce that he will have a sale
Monday, December 16. His bills will be ready for distribution next week.

Mr and Mrs Archie JOHNSON and Mrs. D.A. JOHNSON and son were passengers to
Gordon, Iowa, Friday. They will spend a short time with relatives at that
place.

Will MILLEA has been home from the Great Lakes for several days. He is still
on duty at that place. He looks as though the Chicago climate and victuals
agree with him.

Mrs. Frank GROUT and daughter and Mr and Mrs Ralph OOTHOUTH and children of
Winnebago, Minnesota were guests at the Nels SIMONSON home in this city over
Sunday.

Lieutenant and Mrs. Michael JOYNT were passengers to Marcus, Iowa, Monday.
>From there Dr. JOYNT will go to Fort CASWELL, South Carolina, where he will
report for duty.

Mr and Mrs M.L. BROWN had planned on leaving for California during November
but they finally decided that they would remain at home on account of the
influenza epidemic.

Fred PARKS arrived home from Camp Pike Monday morning. We understand that he
has been mustered out. Soldiers are required to wear their uniforms ten days
after they leave camp.

Mrs. J.J. HIGGINS of Great Oak township arrived home from Colfax the last of
the week. Her health has not been very good for some time. Her many friends
hope her visit to Colfax will benefit her.

Dr. and Mrs. J.C. MURPHY and family went to Waterloo Wednesday to visit
relatives. We understand that the Doctor is now ill with the "flu".  We hope
he will soon be able to return to his office again.

John WALDRON, son of Mr and Mrs Peter WALDRON, arrived home from Camp Pike
Monday evening, having received an honorable discharge. Mr. WALDRON was a
student at Dubuque college and from there enlisted for duty in the officers'
training school. He was sent to Camp Pike and was more than making good when
the armistice was signed. It is needless to say that his parents and friends
are glad to have him home again.

W.C. BAKER was looking after business interests at Spencer Tuesday.

M.C. GRIER was called to Algona Monday to officiate as court reporter.

Miss Nellie McNAMARA is visiting her sister, Mrs. Grant TURK, of Mason City.

Nels SIMONSON was looking after business interests at West Bend last Monday.

Mr and Mrs. L.W. BALGEMAN and children were West Bend visitors Thanksgiving.

Mrs. E.A. MORLING was called to Ruthven yesterday to see her brother who is
quite ill.

James CONWAY came from Graettinger Monday to attend the funeral of Mrs. P.C.
NOLAN.

Lieutenant W.E.G. SAUNDERS of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, spent Sunday with his
parents in this city.

Mrs. Ralph MOSES and little daughter and Miss Lillian ILLINGSWORTH were at
Spencer yesterday.

Mrs. W.F. KELLY of Whittemore was a Sunday visitor at the John HIGLEY home
in Emmetsburg.

Private Joseph BRADLEY, who was home visiting his parents, returned to Camp
Funston, Kansas Monday.

Mr and Mrs. J.J. MAHAN of Graettinger came to Emmetsburg Monday to attend
the funeral of Mrs. P.C. NOLAN.

Mrs. J.H. GODDEN was a passenger to Jefferson, Iowa, Tuesday. Her daughter,
Mrs. John PASSEL, lives at that place.

Wm. R. THOMPSON left for McLeod, Oklahoma, the first of the week. He will
spend the winter with friends in that locality.

John LYNCH and Gifford McNAMARA left Saturday morning for Sioux City after
spending Thanksgiving with relatives near this city.

Mrs. Axel MILLER left for Iowa City Tuesday to take treatment in a hospital.
She was accompanied by her son-in-law, Clifford MAYNE.

Miss Elizabeth LAWLESS returned to Cedar Rapids Monday. She is attending the
Cedar Rapids Business college. She was home for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving day Mr and Mrs A.W. GREEN of Spencer celebrated their golden
wedding. They have lived in Clay county for forty-eight years.

Mr and Mrs O'NEAL left for Chicago Monday evening. From there they will go
to Georgia. Mr O'NEAL recently completed a soil survey of Palo Alto county.

Mrs. P.V. MATTHIASON and two children were quite ill for a couple of weeks
but are better. Mrs. MATTHIASON's condition was for some time considered
serious.

Miss Wilma RICHARDSON of Cylinder, who was visiting her brother and sister
in this city, left for Ellsworth, Iowa, Tuesday, to spend some time with a
sister who resides at that place.

Ralph MOSES left for Des Moines Monday to begin a short course in manual
training and athletic coaching. He will take charge of these lines of
instruction in the Emmetsburg high school as soon as he returns.

Five hundred additional footballs were sent to the boys overseas for their
Thanksgiving fun by the K. of C. war activities committee. These were
distributed free, along with a big consignment of hard candy, cigars,
cigarettes, and baseball outfits.

The last of the week Mrs. Joseph MARTINI and Mrs. Charles WALDRON recieved
word that their brother, Leo CORLEY, who is in France, was well. He was
figuring, when he wrote, on taking a trip to see a couple of his Emmetsburg
friends who were in service in some neighboring locality.

The following named parties came to Emmetsburg last week to attend the
funeral of the late Michael JOYNT, which was held on Thursday: Dr. and Mrs.
M.J. JOYNT and Dr and Mrs. R.J. JOYNT of LeMars, Lieutenant and Mrs. M.F.
JOYNT of Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, Dr. and Mrs. A.J. JOYNT of Waterloo,
Dr. R.J. NESTOR of Waterloo, Mrs. Thomas MULRY of Chicago, Mrs. Thomas MUGAN
of Jefferson, Iowa, Mrs. John JOYNT and son, M.W. JOYNT of West Bend, Mrs.
T.J. KIRBY of Sioux City, Mrs. P.F. CONLON of Newcastle, Nebraska, Mr. and
Mrs. H.F. McLAUGHLIN and Mrs. C.O. RADECLIFFE of Marcus, Miss Agnes JOYNT of
Ames, Mrs. Anton SORTORI, Jr. of LeMars and Miss Elizabeth LAWLESS of Cedar
Rapids. Gertrude, wife of Dr. L.E. DAWSON, of Des Moines was unable to be
present on account of illness. She is the only member of Mr and Mrs JOYNT's
family who was absent.

Several members of Mr and Mrs Charles NOLAN's family have for several days
been ill with the influenza.

B.E. JACOBSEN of Cylinder was in Emmetsburg Saturday. He would like to
locate in this city. He is a carpenter.

Mrs. Addison WELLS and two children returned from Estherville Tuesday. They
were visiting Mrs. WELL's mother, Mrs. COLLIPRIEST.

William and John KNEER, who spent the summer at LuVerne, Kossuth county,
have gone to Germania to remain during the winter.

Mr and Mrs HALSTEAD and two children arrived home from Spirit Lake the first
of the week. They were visiting Mr and Mrs Nick LAUBENTHAL.

Father DOBBERSTEIN of West Bend was in town Thursday. He was on his way to
Graettinger where he delivered a patriotic address during the evening.

The K.C. initiation advertised to be held in Emmetsburg last Sunday was
indefinitely postponed on account of the spread of the influenza contagion.

Miss Pearl TAYLOR returned to Garner Tuesday to continue her work in the
school room at that place. She was home during the influenza epidemic.

Elmer WELLS arrived home from Camp Humphrey, Virginia, the first of the
week.. He is back again in his place of business and asks the public to call
on him.

Miss Lila McALLISTER returned from Spencer Tuesday. She teaches at that
place. The schools have been closed until after the holidays on account of
the influenza epidemic.

Mr and Mrs Guy Ko**tright of Ruthven were Thanksgiving guests of Mr and Mrs
W.A. THAYER of this city. Mr. THAYER is the buttermaker of the local
creamery.

John J BERGMAN of Bancroft, who was injured in battle in France during the
summer months, recently returned home. He was in a hospital in Minneapolis
for some time.

Chicken thieves have for some time been quite active in the vicinity of West
Bend. They should be hunted down and given their dues. Any fellow who will
steal a woman's chickens should be sent to the penitentiary.

Mrs. BICKFORD's Brother Seriously Injured
The first of the week Mrs. S.D. BICKFORD of this city received word that her
brother, Ernest RICHARDS, had been severely wounded in France on November 5.
He enlisted at Herman, Minnesota on August 9. From there he went to Missouri
where he remained for a short time. Later he was at Camp McArthur, Texas.
After training in camp at that place he went to New Jersey. He was in a
railroad wreck in Missouri but was not injured. He sailed for France on
September 25. He was evidently hurried to the front. The many local friends
of Mrs. BICKFORD sincerely hope that she may soon learn encouraging news
about the condition of her brother.

Complimented on His Voice
John HAND and his son, Edmund left yesterday by auto for Rewey, Wisconsin.
They will spend a month with Mr and Mrs Frank HAND, who live at that place.
Frank is a telegraph operator. From Rewey Edmund will go to Chicago to take
lessons in vocal music. He will also attend a business college while in that
city. Chicago parties, who are considered competent judges, assure him that
he has a voice that will make him famous if he continues to receive the
proper kind of training.

Sleighing in Easter Iowa
Miss Marie HIGGINS arrived home from Cresco, Iowa, Monday evening. She was
visiting Dr. and Mrs. O'BRIEN for a couple of months. Her health has not
been very good but she is gradually gaining in strength. She reports that
there is a great deal more snow in eastern Iowa than in this section.
Sleighs have been used. Edward O'BRIEN was home for Thanksgiving but left
the following day for Bay Harbor, Maine, where he is in military training.
He is a marine.

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Wednesday, 24 Dec 1918

CAPTAIN JOE HESSION
Sends a Dad's Day Letter to His Father, Dr. Hession of Graettinger

T.J. Hession, son of Dr. and Mrs. P.J. Hession of this place, has been
promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. He received the honor October 23. He
is, we believe, the first captain for Palo Alto county, outside of the
medical corps. Joe attended the Officers' Training School at Fort Snelling a
year ago last summer and was made lieutenant. He was subsequently assigned
to duty at Camp Dodge. When the 88th went across he went over with them. The
Times congratulates him on the honor accorded him. Graettinger boys are
upholding the honor of the "old town" in the great world struggle. Below we
publish an interesting letter from Captain Hession to his parents.


France, Nov. 19, 1918
Dear Father and Mother:
Well, now that the war is practically over, I hope I will have more time to
write than I did before. Peace doesn't make much difference to us as far as
our work is concerned, only that our troops don't shift positions so often
and it is easier to keep them supplied. We have moved nearly one hundred
miles since I last wrote you. In coming where we are now we passed along the
place where Lufberry was killed. In coming here we passed through some
pretty country and saw a few fair sized towns. One or two of them were of
about 60 or 70 thousand population. I visited two of them since arriving
here.

Several days ago, in fact two days after the Germans quit, I went over into
their lines. There wasn't much left only a lot of hand grenades and a lot of
dirty clothing. The place I was was in was shot up by our divisions the week
before and sure was a sorry sight. Practically every house was destroyed and
the household goods of the civilians was entirely destroyed. I was unable to
get you any souvenirs as our soldiers beat us there, so of course there was
nothing left that was worth sending back. I am going to send you a German
helmet as soon as I can get one.

A German plane dropped a balloon with some newspapers tied on it a few weeks
before the war ended. It fell about one hundred feet from Frazer and when we
first saw it we wre afraid it contained gas so I ordered all the men to have
their masks ready. I also ordered them to let it alone but when it lit
soldiers came out from every place and beat me to it by at least fifty feet.
Frazer said the American soldiers are the most curious of all of them. They
will grab anything they can place their hands on. The papers were printed in
French and contained a lot of propaganda telling the French they were
foolish to keep fighting the German people who were good and honest. They
might as well save their paper as it does them no good, especially when it
is picked up by Americans. There has also been a lot of them dropped that
were printed in English. If I can get hold of one I will send it to you.

The Germans have opened up their prisons and the prisoners are coming across
in droves. They are mostly English but a few have been Americans. The men
that were walking seem to be in pretty good condition but they all say that
there are plenty left that are unable to get back. The English are fairly
well dressed as their Red Cross sent them uniforms. They are made the same
as the others only they are dyed black.

I don't know when we are going back, but from all the rumors there are
around here it looks as though we are billed for a stay over here. I don't
think we will start back for at least six months, though.

I was promoted to the rank of captain October 23. It came as a surprise to
me as up till about that time promotions were pretty scarce around here. I
now have charge of the distribution of all supplies to the division with
exception of clothing.

I must close now and go to bed. I am quartered in an old priest's home. I
have a nice room with a large fire place an am as comfortable as one can be
outside of Paris.

The people of this town must be very rich as the streets are full of manure.
They say here a man with lots of manure is rich. Some of these villages are
sure a fright, there is so much dirt in them.

Must close now, so good-night. I am as ever.

Your son,
Capt. T.J. Hession
Q.M.C.A.P.O. 795
.





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