Iowa
Old Press
Bedford Free Press
Bedford, Taylor co. Iowa
Wednesday, June 24, 1919
Emerson Trial Possibly Here
It is possible that the trial of Roy Emerson, charged
with the murder of his mother at Creston will be held in Bedford.
Two places have been named as probable places for the holding of
the trial, Ringgold and Taylor county. The liklihood of holding
it here is good owing to the closer proximity. The case will
probably come to a hearing this week at which time it has been
practically assured that the attorneys for the defense will ask
for a change of venue, owing to the publicity which has been
given to the case since the arrest of Emerson and which makes it
exceptionally hard to select a jury. Clarke county was named
first as the place if a change of venue was taken but inadequate
jail facilities keeps that county out of the running.
The body of Mrs. Kate Emerson was found on the bottom of an
elevator shaft in the Emerson-Coakley building on the afternoon
of May 6. The body was discovered by her son, Roy Emerson, an
undertaker. Certain circumstances unexplained led to the arrest
and placing in jail of the son. At the hearing of the evidence
before the coroner's jury, some damaging evidence was disclosed
and at the order of Judge Homer A. Fuller a special session of
the grand jury was held and after the evidence being heard,
indicted Emerson for murder of his mother. He was refused bail.
Since being placed in jail he has been nconcerned, calm and
collected and the approach of his trial seems in no way to effect
him. His attorneys are Judge W.E. Mitchell of Council Bluffs,
Hon. Thos. L. Maxwell, and Capt. Kenneth Davenport. County
Attorney E.L. Carroll wil be assisted by Attorney D.W. Higbee.
Kimpton-Ecklin Marriage
Miss Zorah Kimpton and Lloyd Ecklin were united in
marriage Sunday at 2 p.m. Rev. J.A. Currie of the Presbyterian
church officiating. Both of these young people are well known
here where they have resided for some time. The bride is a member
of this year's graduating class and a talented musician. The
groom is a popular mechanic at the Thompson garage. They have
secured rooms in the northeast part of the city and will soon be
at home to their friends who wish them long years of enjoyed
happiness.
Bedford Girl Marries
Miss Olive McNees was united in marriage to Harold W.
Mecklin at the Wooley Memorial parsonage of Chicago Saturday,
June 21, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Flark. The bride is
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McNees of Bedford and a
graduate of the Bedford High school. After graduation here she
attended the Valpariso University where she became acquainted
with her husband. The groom is from Fredericksburg, Ohio and is
connected with the Goodyear Rubber Company of Chicago. They will
make their home in Chicago.
Free Press Partner Home
A.W. Hamblin, on of the owners of the Bedford Free
Press, arrrived Tuesday morning after having received his
discharge from the navy. He received his discharge at the Great
Lakes June 13 and has been spending the past ten days visiting
with friends at Cedar Rapids.
Hamblin's career on this paper was rather short, seeing just a
few month's active work before being called into the navy. While
away the past two years he retained his interest in the paper and
anxiously awaited his return to his work. On arrival he jumped
into the collar at once and the plans formulated by the two
owners are now hoped to take shape and be put into action.
Returns Home With His Bride
After never yielding an inch to the Hun at Baccarat and
in the Champagne, where he was badly gassed, Rex M. Moody,
formerly of Company K, "threw up the sponge" and
competely capitulated to the charms of Mlle. Fannie Tisserand at
Chaumont. Mr. and Mrs. Moody arrived here last Thursday and are
making their home at present with the groom's parents, Mr. and
Mrs. J.E. Moody.
Moody was discharged March 18, 1919 to enter the Y.M.C.A. service
and was assigned to the Paris office, where he acted as an
interpreter. He was married to Mlle. Tisserand February 17th,
having become acquainted with her in the fall while he stayed at
the Tisserand home. Her father is a member of the Railroad
Corporations of France, and although she does not speak but a few
words of English, Rex does not mind as he speaks French fluently.
In speaking of the Y.M.C.A., Moody said "Although my service
with the "Y"has been short, I ant to say a word about
their service in France. At Chaumont where I was stationed for a
while, and in the hospital for a long time, I had a good chance
to observe and participate in the benefits of the organization
[illegible] thing that a doughboy needed in the way of luxuries,
entertainment and recreation was provided by the ladies and men
of the Red Triangle. Amusements, movies, sports and interesting
talks were always given free of charge. A big canteen was run for
the benefit of the boys who couldn't purchase necessities like
tobacco and candy elsewhere. It was great".
Moody praised the officers of Company K, saying they were men of
finest type, efficient, impartial and regular "He Men".
Mrs. Moody is well pleased with the United States and its people
and is making a host of friends in Bedford. She had a brother who
was an aviator in the French service. He had four planes to his
credit and in is fifth battle was brought down. He sustained a
broken leg and was immediately discharged.
Notice
All persons having ice cream packers belonging to Walter
Evans, please return or notify at once. No matter how long you
have had them. Our capacity is limited as to the number of
packers we have the fourth.
Card of Thanks
Wish to express our utmost appreciation to the many
friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during our recent
bereavement.
Joseph Henry Wilson
Melvin Wesley Wilson
Grace Mable Whitecotton
Maude Louise Pace
Iowa City Graduates
Four Bedford young folks received their diplomas this
year at the graduating exercises held at the state university at
Iowa City held Tuesday, June 17th. Misses Agnes Dawson and Ruth
Jones received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Blanche Crumm, the
degree of Bachelor of Science, and Carl Nevius the degree of
Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Personals
- Oscar Anderson went to Perry, Ia., Thursday on
business.
- Miss Cecil Nickol went to Clearfield Thursday to attend the
wedding of her friend, Miss Marie Sage.
- Mrs. J.C. Knoles who had been visiting her daughter, Mrs.
Ernest Blake, returned to her home in Hopkins Thursday.
- Charles Weiser, son of Victor Weiser, went to Hopkins Thursday
to visit his grand-mother, Mrs. Jake Herbert.
- Mrs. J.H. Blakesley and daughter, Mrs. Clark Blakesley of
Creston attended the funeral of Mrs. Will Townsend, which was
held in Bedford Wednesday.
- Mrs. Charles Bailey, who had been visiting relatives here,
returned Wednesday to her home in Topeka, Kansas.
- Mrs. L.E. Safley who has been in the hospital in St. Joseph,
returned home Thursday.
- Miss Alice Conner went to Clearfield Thursday to visit her
sister Cara and her aunt, Mrs. Sadie Ecklin.
- Mrs. Della Morris and daughter went to New Market Thursday to
visit John Cade.
- Miss Myrtie Churchill left Thursday for Illinois for a visit
with relatives in Galesburg and Rock Island.
- Miss Catherine Chamberlain left Tuesday for Quincy, Ill., where
she will attend a commercial college.
- Mrs. A.L. Jeffers went to Hopkins Monday to visit her son, E.C.
Jeffers.
- Mrs. Edith Calhoun went to Maryville Monday to visit her
sister, Mrs. L.S Hamilton.
- J.E. Cole of Conway was a Bedford business visitor Monday.
- M.L. Burt of Creston was a Bedford visitor Monday.
- Mrs. James McNaughton and children who had been visiting her
father E.J. Ward, returned Monday to their home at Des Moines.
Her sisters, Misses Mary and Teresa ard, returned with them for a
visit.
- Mr. and Mrs. L.P. Goodwin and daughter, Isabelle, went to
Indianola Monday to attend the commencement exercises at Simpson
college.
- Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wilson and child arrived Sunday evening from
Houston, Texas to attend the funeral of the forer's mother, Mrs.
Mary Wilson, held Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Wilson is proprieter of
a large auto repair business at Houston.
- Mrs. Emma Cobb and grand-daughter Miss Ruth Hoppel were Bedford
shoppers Friday.
- Harry Kennedy went to St. Joseph Friday to visit relatives and
friends.
- Mrs. Abb Taylor who had been visiting at the Will Canon home,
returned Friday to her home in St. Joseph.
- Miss Lulu Street who is attending school in Creston, came home
Friday for a visit.
- Mrs. A. Williamson came Friday from Creston to visit her
mother, Mrs. Susan Roe.
- R.E. Bradley returned home Tuesday evening from Doland, S.D.,
where he sold his 160 acre farm near Doland. This cleans up all
of his Dakota land.
- John Haddock who had been attending the funeral of his father,
G.B. Haddock, left Friday for his hom at Portland, Oregon.
- Mrs. Y.B. Featherby who had been visiting at the home of her
cousin, Mrs. G.C. Corson, returned Monday to her home at
Hutchison, Kansas. [transcription note: may be Mrs. C.C. Corson]
- E.B. Chaneyand son Milan of Atchison, Kansas, who have been
visiting at the A.F. Luther home, went to Hopkins Thursday to
visit the former's mother, Mrs. D.L. Chaney.
- Dr. L.T. Reed of Gravity went to St. Joseph Thursday on
business.
- Mrs. A.M. Hawkee, who had been visiting at the home of her
sister, mrs. Richard Campbell, left Thursday for her home in
Comanche, Okla.
- Mrs. Myrtle Stephens, Mrs. Cal Bradley and Miss Jennie Turner
went to Creston Friday to attend the opera,
"Robinhood".
- Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Churchill who had been visiting their
daughter, Mrs. Noah Barks, returned Friday to their home in
Sheridan.
- Mrs. Irwin Eighmy and baby went to Red Oak Friday, where they
will make their future home. Mr. Eighmy went some time ago.
- Lester Nye returned Friday to his home in Parnell after a visit
with his grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Nye.
Sharpsburg
- Misses Garland and Marjorie Smith of Bedford have been
spending the week visiting their grandmother, Mrs. R.P. Smith.
- Mrs. Geo. Foster, who has been visiting relatives at Ladoga
returned home Tuesday evening.
- Mrs. Ethel Eggers has been quite sick for the past week but is
improving under the care of Dr. Reed.
- E.O. Vincent sold the drug store last week to Mr. Wolf of
Northern Iowa. Possession was given at once and Mr. Wolf expects
to move his family here soon.
- Miss Addie J. Pratt and Mr. K. Utter of Clearfield were quietly
married at the brides home Sunday evening, June 8th, only a few
intimate friends were present to witness the ceremony. They left
at once for their new home in Clearfield. The Best wishes of
their many friends go with them.
- Mrs. Joseph Marshall who has been visiting her children, Eva
and Roy, at Des Moines, returned home the first of the week. Roy
has resigned his position there and joined the Navy.
- Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Pinney left in their car the first of last
week for Excelsior Springs where they expect to take treatment
for a while.
- Mr. W.T. Beckett who has been visiting relatives in Indiana
returned home the last of the week.
- Pearlie Richey went to Diagonal to attend Byron Jessups funeral
last Saturday.
- Mrs. J.E. Rutledge went to Garden City, Kansas, Monday, to
visit her sister, Mrs. Dr. Grey, who is quite sick.
Heroism of the 168th
by Winfred E. Robb, chaplain of the 168th Infantry
In the latter days of September the Forty-second division was
relieved from the St. Mihiel front and after two days rest our
regiment proceeded westward to the locality of Verdun. We marched
to the vicinity of Apremont where, on October 1, we loaded into
camions and moved to the towns near Souilly, about ten miles
below Verdun. Here we were placed as reserves of the First
American Army.
We remained there but a short time. On October 4, we started
north, winding our way over those white roads, thru badly ruined
towns, until we came to the vicinity of Montfaucon. Here we moved
into the woods of Montfaucon and stayed for five days. We lay
there in shell holes, the men sleeping in dugouts or under their
pup tents in muddy, shell-shattered woods. Here in this desolate
battle ground the first news came to us of the talk of the
armistice, and each day we were filled with the hope that it
might be possible that the battle would come to an end, the
victory be won without it being necessary to send any more of our
Iowa boys into battle.
Here we entered into our Gethsemane and I, for one, prayed as He
prayed, that it might not be necessary for the Iowa boys to go
into battle again. They had fought so heroically and done their
duty so well that we hoped that it might not be necessary for any
more to go to their death so far from home. Nevertheless, I feel
that every man in his heart was willing and glad to go it the
victory could not be won in any other way.
Letters from Home.
You people of Iowa will never know how hard it was for the
officers at an hour like this, when victory seemed so short a
distance away, to send men forward into a desperate fight. What
made it the harder for us was that we received a lot of mail
while here, and these letters from those we loved in the
homeland, breathing for us hope and love and pride, filled our
minds with longing for home and for loved ones waiting there.
We had been away from home a year and a month now and it had
seemed like many years. We knew the end was not far off and every
fellow felt that if he was lucky the next two weeks he would be
spared to return to his home. But for many it was not to be.
Ordered to Front.
On October 11, we received hurried orders to proceed to Exermont
and relieve the First division. We put our letters in our
pockets, turned our backs on dreams of home, shouldered our packs
and started into another great battle. That night as we marched
thru the overcrowded shell-torn roads, two big shells from the
great gun of the boche lit in the columns as we were passing a
crossroad, killing four and wounding thirty-six of Company B.
There is nothing more terrible. I think, than to be standing in
line and to hear a sudden roar and see ahead of you in the glare
of an exploding shell, men go down in the dust as tho mowed by a
scythe, to hear in the darkness of the night, the cry of the
wounded and the moans of the dying.
Reformed, and Forward.
We quickly reformed our column, however and started on leaving
only a small squad to bury the dead by the side of the road.
Before morning we camped in a large draw back of the First
division, and the next day we relieved them. We were now under
the command of General Summerali of the Fifth American army
corps.
We were placed on the extreme left of this front. We found
ourselves in a hilly rough, wooded country. It had been raining
for many days and it was almost impossible to walk over the
thrills and next to impossible to drive a team with a wagon, so
much of the food and most of our supplies had to be carried on
the backs of our tired men for a distance of several kilometers.
Our men had summer underwear on, no overcoats and only one
blanket, and in the cold of that damp fall weather, they suffered
almost as much from the rain and mud and cold, as they did from
the shells.
No Ambulance Service.
The condition of the roads made it all but impossible for any
kind of an ambulance to be brought forward and so the wounded had
to be carried for many miles, which added to our losses. We found
the hills, slopes and woods covered with dead of the enemy. Lying
among them were many Americans of the First division, testifying
to the bitterness of the struggle there.
The First division chaplains moved away and left their dead lying
unburied upon the battlefield, and those that they did bury were
very poorly buried, and it fell to the lot of Chaplain Hatch,
Chaplain Strickand and I to bury nearly a hundred of their men.
The Battle Order.
We moved up behind Hills 263 and 288, found the best shelter
possible, dug our little fox holes and waited for the orders to
go forward. We had not long to wait. Gen. Douglas MacArthur,
commander of the Eighty-fourth brigade called our two colonels
together (Alabama and Iowa regiments) and gave them the orders
that had been given him. The orders were to go forward on the
morning of October 14 and to take Hills 288 and 242, the La
Tuilerie farm and Cote de Chatillon, or furnish him a list of
6,000 casualties in our brigade -- in other words, meant that we
were to take this position at all costs, even if it cost every
man we had in the brigade.
It fell to the lot of the First battalion, under Maj. Lloyd D.
Ross, to lead in this battle supported by the Second battalion
with the Third battalion in reserve. I don't believe any officer
of the regiment ever had a harder task than did Major Ross in
this drive.
A Difficult Terrain.
We had a most difficult country to fight in, with three giant
hills, thickly wooded and steeply sloped, to capture. The boche
had every advantage in this fight and took it. His machine guns
were hidden everywhere and poured forth a steady, deadly fire
against our advancing troops, but, nevertheless, our men were
equal to the task. Wiggling their way on their stomachs
oftentimes, or crawling forward thru the brush, they made slow
but steady progress up the steep sides of Hill 288, and soon had
taken it, and with the advantage of this hill they made short
work of the smaller one, Hill 242.
Two companies of the Second battalion were sent forward to aid in
the attack here. So skillfully were these six companies
commanded, and so cleverly did they fight, that they surrounded a
large number of boche, captured 250 of them -- 116 in a single
dugout.
Two Days of Work.
At the close of the second day of fighting all of Hills 288 and
242 were in our hands, and while many American boys lay silent
and still on the wooded slopes of these hills, testifying to the
bitterness of the struggle, their comrades went on with the grim
work.
At dark that night, they dashed across the open space between the
Bois de Romagne and the Bois de Cote de Chatillon. They seized La
Tuilerie farm, and from the advantage of this position before
daylight the next morning, without stopping for rest, they swept
forward and thru the woods of Cote de Chatillon, threw back a
counter attack, killing and capturing most of them. At 2 o'clock
p.m. on the 15th day of October, attained our objective.
At sundown that night the tired and war-weary First battalion was
relieved by the Third battalion, stayed in line for three or four
days consolidating the new positions and getting ready to
continue the attack in case we were ordered forward.
The Hardest Fighting.
The desperate fighting in which we had engaged here was perhaps
the worst of the entire war and too much praise cannot be given
to Maj. Lloyd D. Ross of Red Oak for the clever manner in which
he commanded his battalion in taking these difficult positions
with so small a loss of life. Capt. Glenn C. Haynes, who was then
in command of the second battalion, deserves no less praise for
his courageous and skilful work in this attack. Many a boy had
the privilege of returning home again at the close of the war
because of the skillful and courageous work of these two
officers.
The Eighty-fourth infantry brigade received perhaps the highest
praise from its commander that we received during the war, for
our work at this time. But it had cost us heavily.
The One-hundred-sixty-eighth infantry alone lost many officers
and about one hundred soldiers killed, seriously wounded or
seriously sick through exposure and cold, with loss of sleep,
entailed by this drive. We gathered together our dead from the
hillsides and buried them in two graves. Of their heroic deaths I
will now attempt to tell.
Capt. Oscar B. Nelson.
We lost one captain, Capt. Oscar B. Nelson, Company H. He had
been promoted from first lieutenant Company G, to captain and
placed in command of Company H. He had been wounded during the
Chateau Thierry operation, but he refused to be taken to the
hospital and had remained in command of his company (Company G)
until the close of that battle. He was recommended for the
distinguished service cross for this act of courage.
During the Argonne engagement, Captain Nelson was ordered to the
hospital on account of severe illness, but he refused to leave
his company.
As he was advancing he was hit by two or three maching gun
bullets, one going thru his stomach and breaking his back. As he
lay on the field under heavy fire, his men came to carry him
back. He tried to make them leave him there saying: "Don't
expose yourselves boys, I am going to die and can die as well
here as anywhere." He begged them to leave him, but in spite
of his plea they started back with him. He died before he reached
the aid station, but his men weary and tired as they were,
carried him nearly three kilometers back to our rear grave yard,
that his body might be buried where it would not be disturbed by
shells.
1st Lieutenant Harold R. Pouch.
Company B lost First Lieut. Harold R. Pouch. Lieutenant Pouch,
after leading his platoon over the most difficult ground and thru
desperate fighting, had aided in the capture of Hill 288. He was
advancing to attack Cote de Chatillon when he was mortally
wounded in the side by a machine gun bullet. He suffered great
pain and when he arrived at the aid station he still held his
pistol tightly gripped in his hand. He was quickly taken to the
hospital, but died the following day.
George Vaughan.
Company E had George Wheaton Carr Vaughan seriously wounded in
this battle and according to a letter from Lieutenant Reed, he
died while in the hospital.
2nd Lieutenant Henry Gillespie.
Company H had one second lieutenant killed, Henry T. Gillespie.
In the attack on Hill 288 at the beginning of the Argonne battle,
Lieutenant Gillespie was leading his platoon against this hill
when hit and killed.
Seven Sergeants Lost.
We lost seven sergeants in this engagement. The sanitary
detachment lost John Burke of Des Moines. Sergeant Burke had done
most efficient and heroic work during the entire summer. He had
aided by his skillful work many of our wounded men to positions
of safety. While in an advanced aid station he was wounded on
October 16. He was severely wounded by high explosive, but was
getting along splendidly in the hospital when pneumonia set in
with pleurisy and he died on November 9.
Company A lost Sergt. George W. Wilkinson of Winterset. He had
been seriously wounded at the Oureq river July 28, but six weeks
later tho his wound still bothered him, he rejoined his company
and took an active part in the St. Mihiel drive. During the
operations on Octoer 14, he led his platoon with great dash and
spirit up the steep fortified slope of Hill 288. Unfalteringly he
charged with his platoon and captured three machine gun nests
which had reduced his platoon by half its number. Twice he
reassembled and organized his command under terrific fire. Then
seizing the advantage he had gained, he charged with a number of
his men and captured a fourth machine gun nest. He captured this
position and saved his company great loss, but lost his own life
by his courageous act. He was recommended for the medal of honor
by his commanding officer, Captain Wood, for this heroic conduct.
Company B lost one sergeant, Donald J. Marsh of Carlisle. He was
a member of the Second platoon and was in the raid of March 5.
His platoon was cited in orders by the French
One-hundred-twenty-eight division for the bravery displayed in
the raid of March 5. He was leading his platoon in a daring dash
across the open ground in front of the Hill Cote de Chatillon
when he was struck by a machine gun bullet and killed.
Company D lost Sergt. Glenn H. Gray of Amana, Ia. While leading
his platoon in this advance in the Argonne, he was hit by many
machine gun bullets and killed. Corporal Dais, thinking him still
alive, went out and tried to drag him out of the range of fire,
but was wounded and failed in the attempt.
Company E lost Sergt. Albert T. Walton in this battle.
"Swede" Walton, as he was known, was one of our best
soldiers.
Company K lost Claude Swisher of Washington, Ia., who died in the
hospital at this time. He had been wounded in the attack at St.
Mihiel.
Company L lost Thomas E. Langan. Langan was chief of the scouts
of the Third battalion and performed his tasks in such a
remarkable manner and with such heroism that he was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross. He was to have been commissioned an
officer, but died a few days before he was to take the oath of
office.
Theodore H. Loetz was another sergeant from this (Co. L) company
who died on October 9 of pneumonia.
Ten Corporals Lost.
We lost ten corporals during the Argonne battle. Headquarters
company lost Earl T. Connelly of Tabor, Ia. He was a member of
the Stokes mortar platoon and on the 14th of October was back of
the front lines waiting for orders to move forward. He was
talking with a group of men when a shell burst nearby, killing
him.
The machine gun company lost two corporals, Corp. Leland P. Scott
of Morning Sun was killed in the attempt to set up a machine gun
in a clearing of the little hedge between Boiss de Romagne and
Cote de Chatillon. He was at work with his squad when he was hit
by many machine gun bullets and almost cut in two. He died almost
instantly.
Corp. Francis H. Webster of Central City was one of the most
popular and efficient corporals in the regiment. Corporal Webster
was in action with his squad and was advancing on Hill 288 when
he was hit in the chest by a piece of high explosive shell which
went entirely thru his body. His comrades rushed to his aid and
got him on a stretcher to carry him back to the aid post. He was
suffering great pain but regained consciousness as they were
carrying him back. The boys told him that they were taking him
back and he would be sent home and they asked him if that was all
right. He tried to smile at this and nodded his head. He sank
into unconsciousness again and they had gone but a little way
down the path when he died. They laid him beside the road and
went back for other wounded, and that is where I found him.
Corporal Webster had drawn many cartoons of instances in trench
warfare and a number of them were printed in The Capital. He was
buried very near the spot where he fell.
Company A lost two corporals, Corp Lin Crawford of Chapin had
been wounded in the Champagne battle. He died in the hospital.
Corporal Tosom of Winterset had been in every engagement and
battle. In taking Hill 288 he, with his men had captured several
machine guns and a number of prisoners, and after the batle was
over he was helping with the salvage detail when he was instantly
killed by a piece of flying shrapnel.
Company B lost three corporals. Corp. William May of Indianola
was killed on October 16 while advancing with his squad at Cote
de Chatillon. Corporal May had served as a sniper and as an
observer in the intelligence department.
Corp. Charles Polton of Company B was one of the men that was
killed on the march the night of October 11 as we were going into
this action.
Corp. Lawrence J. Sattler of Aridote, Iowa, was advancing the
wire in the attach on the Cote de Chatillon and was killed by
machine gun bullets.
[transcribed by S.F., July 2015]