Clay County, like every other Nebraska County played its proportionate part in making the wonderful record for responses that glorified Nebraska during the terrible days of 1917 and 1918. It is rather more difficult than with most counties to formulate a connected record or narrative of the work "Back Here" at home, during those days. The five important towns of Clay County each rather maintained independent agencies for war work in about every line. No singly compiled list of those who went into service has been found, so it has been necessary to resort to detached incident as recorded, and many men who served from Clay County will therefore be missed in this record.

Fairfield's record has already been incorporated in the story of that town, with its list of almost sixty men in service.

Recourse has been had to the columns of the press for compiling the daily and weekly record of war work, which will be of inestimable value in the future, and more freely to the columns and pen of the Clay County Sun than any other paper.

A most notable thing in Clay County has been the erection in at least three Clay County towns of "boards," very handsomely and artistically erected and decorated, commemorating the roster of those from the respective communities who served in the war. An illustration of the Harvard Board will describe this idea better than words can do.

The registrars who served on the June 5, 1917, registration were:

School Creek Township:
William Roberta
William Weston

Eldorado Township:
George England
Arthur Belding

Harvard Township:
Harry Thomas
Lyman Aker

Lynn Township:
J. E. Ray
E. J. Dickson

Sutton Township:
H. C. Palmer
Frank Lang

Sheridan Township:
Willis Hall
Will McLaughlin

Lone Tree Township:
J. H. Eller
O. McKelvie

Springranch Township:
A. A. Canfield
John Myler

Fairfield City:
E. H. Burnham
F. Anawalt

Edgar City:
William Breckenridge
Doctor Woods

Harvard City:
William Ayton
L. A. Higgins

Leicester Township:
A. H. Rich
William Samuelson

Inland Township:
John J. Donahue
S. W. Stephenson
Lewis Township:
Frank Larkin
John A. Falk

Sutton City:
Art Burlingame
A. H. Lewis

Marshall Township:
F. T. Swanson
Phil Schwab

Glenvil Township:
Martin A. Jennings
Walter A. Leuers

Fairfield Township:
C. L. Lewis
John Palmer

Edgar Township:
H. A. Caldwell
E. S. Bottom

Logan Township:
Rev. C. H. Humphrey
Nels Edberg

The permanent officers of Clay County's Council of Defense were:

President,H. H. Johnson

Vicepresident, Judge A. C. Epperson

Secretary, Mr. 0. McKelvieand

Treasurer, Mr. John Peshek.

QUIET REGISTRATION

Fear-mad folks who had been predicting for weeks that this country would be the scene of riots on Registration day could soon set their worry machine to work on some other absurdity. In this county there was near a riot�to see who could get to the registration booths first. Boys came proudly from the registrars wearing the little tricolor that indicated they had signified their willingness to serve their country, and aside from some slight hesitation on some of the questions, caused by a desire to answer them just as the government directed, the registration movedrapidly and by 6 o'clock was nearly completed.

The following listshows how many registered in the different registration precincts in this county and at a later date we will publish the list of names in full:

Logan, 66

Inland, 67

Spring Ranch, 48

Sheridan, 53

Edgar (1st), 75

Edgar (2d), 30

SchoolCreek; 58

Harvard (1st), 52

Harvard (2d), 61

Eldorado, 59

Leicester, 56

Fairfield (2d), 57

Fairfield (1st), 58

Lewis, 60

Sutton (1st), 92

Sutton (2d), 54; Marshall, 35

Lynn, 58

Glenvil,83

Total, 1,127.

FINE RED CROSS CAMPAIGN With the ringing of the church bells and the sounding of all the factory whistles in town, a company of young women in regulation Red Cross soliciting uniforms started last Tuesday morning, June 5th, at 10 o'clock, to canvass this town for contributions to the Red Cross work. The work here was under the supervision of the local Red Cross auxiliary and it is to the eternal credit of the town that at the end of the canvass there was turned into the fund $218 contributions. The young ladies who made the canvass are as follows:

Olive Hanson

LitaCrawford

Mabel Fairley

Grace Hanson

Florence Eller

Edith McDonnald

Anna Fry

Mildred Epperson

Florence Schwab

Ruth Siefken

RubyRichert

Bertha Burlingame

When one considers this handsome bunch of solicitors he ceases to wonder at their success, but will never cease marveling over the stupidity of a bunch of young men in this city who had not wit enough to be seized with some kind of illness, while this bevy of girls were in uniform committing them to service as nurses.

HOME PATRIOTS DOING BIT

One of the most enthusiastic and successful of the Red Cross meetings that have been held in the county since Red Cross activities began was the meeting at Spring Ranch Saturday night, June 30th.

In preparation for the meeting, the ladies of the community decorated the hall in an attractive manner with flags and a large Red Cross banner.

Mr. D. C. Hinds, Sr., presided over the meetings. C. L. Stewart told in an interesting address the history of the Red Cross and what it has done and is planning to do. The ladies' quartet, consisting of Mrs. C. L. Stewart, the Misses Bertha Jessup, Bertha Burlingame and Kathryn Epperson, sang several selections, which were well received. Miss Mabel Kirk explained the plan of organization of the Red Cross, the classes of membership and the various lines of work. Practically every one present expressed their desire to become members and a branch was organized with F. Valentine, chairman; Guy Orendorff, vice chairman; Mrs. E. E. Fritch, secretary, and Mrs. Kemp, treasurer.

Hon. Charles H. Epperson, of Fairfield, spoke briefly for the county and when we tell you that we have never heard him to better advantage you will know that his talk, though brief, was full of stirring, loyal sentiment. The main address of the day was assigned to Rev. A. A. Randall of Hebron, and he measured up to the occasion full and satisfactorily. Mr. Randall is no stranger in this city, but on no former visit has he attained to anything approaching the eloquence that was his on this day and, in truth, never before had he such incentive. There before him were a host of young men just going forth on an enterprise from which some might never return. A bunch of brave lads going out to give battle that an ideal might be perpetuated. The association was inspiring and Mr. Randall used it to the fullest. This address was followed by a short talk from Father Dunphy and this master of delightful English lived up to his reputation as being one of- our most forceful and eloquent speakers.

THE MILITARY DRILL

Following the program of music and oratory Company G of Hastings, under Captain Hanlon, occupied the center of the race course in a military drill that brought forth round after round of applause. The boys, one hundred and fifty strong, made a handsome sight in their new outfits and their manly conduct both on and off the field won for them a mighty warm spot in the heart of every one of the four thousand people who witnessed their evolutions.

SUPPER IS SERVED

At the close of the drill the company was marched from the field to the "mess hall" and again told to "line up" and "fill up." The command was obeyed with alacrity and the generous people of the community will be pleased to know that, even after the vigorous assault of some six hundred hungry boys and men, there remained enough food to have fed a good many more.

FOUR MINUTER'S AT WORK

The first quota of Epperson's "four minute men" were on the job in October, as follows:

At the Methodist Church Reverend West made a rousing plea for everyone to do their bit either in money, arras or work.

At the Congregational Church Representative Swan son exceeded the time limit a trifle but made an effective plea for the going deep into the purse of every loyal citizen who for any reason was deprived of the privilege of aiding in the time of our country's peril in any other manner, and at the Christian Church Mr. Epperson dropped a few bombs that should stir lethargic blood into patriotic activity. If you are patriotic, Buy a Bond; If you have the money. Buy a Bond, and if you haven't the money, borrow it and Buy a Bond.

RED CROSS REORGANIZED

The meeting of the Clay County Chapter of the Red Cross on Monday evening, October 22d, held in the City Council room, was called on advice of the National society in its endeavor to get all organizations reorganized in October so that the terms of office of all chapter officers shall commence in that month. This meeting was unusual in that an equal number of men and women were present, the ladies busily engaged with their knitting while they entered heartily into the business of the evening.

Judge Logan made a four-minute talk on Liberty Bonds. The chairman of the supplies committee, Mrs. J. H. Nieman, made her report. She says that yarn has been given out for twenty complete outfits, consisting of sweaters, mufflers, socks, and wrist-lets, and the ladies' of town and country are rushing the work to have them ready to ship the first of November. The membership committee chairman, Eva Ferree, reported two hundred sixty-five members at this date, and plans for mem-bership campaign will be announced later. Probably the most important work of the evening was the election of officers, as follows:

County chairman, H. C. Palmer

Vice chairman. Rev. Victor West

Secretary, Mabel E. Kirk

Treasurer, Thos. A. Siefken

Members of the executive committee. Rev.H. E. Tweedy and C. L. Rippeteau.

The chairman of the supplies and membership committees were reappointed for the coming year. The executive committee appointed Reverend Tweedy and C. L. Rippeteau as delegates to the state convention to be held in Omaha next week.

HOME GUARD ORGANIZED

The meeting for the organization of The Home Guards was held as advertised in the opera house last Wednesday night. There was a good representation of Edgar citizens out and would have been more but for a little misunderstanding. Captain West, pastor of the Methodist Church at Clay Center and Captain of the Clay County Home Guards. The constitution asherewith printed was adopted. The officers elected were:

Captain, C. P.Avery

First lieutenant, J. C. Walley

Second lieutenant, Clair Voorhees.

About forty signed the membership roll. Meetings for drillwill be held on Tuesday nights of each week.

Those who have the Muster Roll by January 19, 1918:

C. P. Avery
C. H. Hayes
W. J. Breckenridge
J. W. Richison
Earl Rickel
Fred Proudy
F. M. Thompson
L. M. Cassell
H. L. Young
Frank Lake
Raymond Allee
Lee Hayes
Cecil Graul
C. R. Pearson
Lee Hill
Dr. F. M. Trobaugh
Fred King
Herman H. Ruhge
Warren E. Robinson
A. 0. Mead
George Clack
V. C. Wright
I. P. Sconce
C. E. Vanstrom
J. C. Christie
N. E. Jacobs
G. H. Portwood
Harland Portwood
W. J. Boomer
Roy Shipley
W. L. Hochritner
C. A. Storrs
Ed Click
C. C. Stout
C. A. Voorhees
W. M. Thomas
A. L. Johnston
Howard Cottle
Cecil Jackson
Roland Prickett
Will Brookley
Earl Hart
Paul Mitchel
F. 0. Specht
A. L. Snyder
C. C. Cartney
A. D. Scott
Clair Voorhees
Fred Voorhees
J. G. Walley

EDGAR

The Edgar papers in January, 1918, published the following names as Edgar's roll of honor up to that time:

Wade Babers
Harry Stayner
Byron Vaughan
Percy C. Armstrong
John Anderson
James Nesbiit
Lieut. R. T. Jones
Phillip Stoldorf
James C. Frantz
Bruce W. Merrill
Adolph Recht
Ernest C. Erickson
Ralph J. White
Leonard Hughes
James Cassell
Capt. J. A. Jim
R. II. McKee
William Perkins
Jess E. Humphrey
Earl V. Bray
Roy Divan
Henry Smith
R. A. VanBuren
William Ellis
Elmer Ahlstrom
Clarence Cooper
Charles H. Merrill
Merrit Schlatzer
Roy R. Gilpin
William G. Taylor
W. H. Brookley
Harry Anderton
Lieut L. E. Cottle
Elmer Jayne
Percy Gunn
Paul Hatlin
Keith Graul
Lieut. Joseph L. McMinimey
Mellville G. Sien
Ivan Paddock
Orval Paddock
H. B. Moheng
Paul R. Moheng
Floyd V. Fletcher
Leonard Johnson
F. 0. Byor
Lloyd Leo Goden
Elmer Perkins
Sgt W. C. Humphrey
L. W. Graham
W. M. Kenley
A. B. DeVore
Charles Hart
Guy Mapes
Harry Wager
Harry Slatt
W. 0. Turner
G rover Carson
Roy G. Sconce
Wright W. Sconce
Harry Wheelan
Frank Specht
Billie Trobaugh
Herman Lehms
George Caldwell
Bert Lyons
Blaine Victor
Frank Gutzmer
Howard Boden
Clay Mitchell
Waiter Hull

CLAY COUNTY'S FIRST WAR LOSS

Mr. Clarence Cooper, aged about twenty-eight, son of Mr. Oscar Cooper and wife, old-time citizens of this county, living just east of Edgar, is the first Clay County boy to give up his life in the service of his country in its present troubles.

Clarence was born and raised in this county and at the time of his death was with our troops at Camp Cody. He was taken with pneumonia some days ago and his condition became so serious that last Thursday his father started for the camp to visit him. Before reaching Kansas City he received word that the lad had answered the last call and that the remains would be shipped home. The grief-stricken father accompanied the body home from Kansas City, arriving in Edgar Wednesday morning of this week. We go to press too early to be able to give the funeral arrangements. This death marks our county's first sacrifice of life to the war god and the sympathy of hundreds of homes that may be bowed under the same weight of grief at any time, will go out to our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper.

HARVARD HOME GUARD ORGANIZED

In February, 1918, the organization of the Harvard Home Guards was perfected.

Nels Tortenson was elected captain, Parker Aker, first lieutenant, and J. A. Dixon, second lieutenant. Charles Wing was elected president of the business organization and Albert Person secretary.

Following is a list of members who had then joined:

A. W. Person
Julius E. Person
Robert Ayton
H. B. Golding
Nels A. Tortensen
Carrol V. Tucker
Ira E. Carney
W. L. Gaddis
C. J. Eller
D. W. Stone
A. J. Jenison
E. T. Jeffries
C. W. Wycoff
Paul Alberding
B. F. Eller
A. E. Barthelman
Ralph A. Gray
J. E. Ingram
0. 0. Buck
C. H. Worley
Charles S. Fisher
Edw. J. Weimer
J. A. Dixon
A. W. Kunselman
Fred E. Turner
R. S. Rosenbaum
J. H. Webster
L. A. Robertson
George W. Miller
G. C. Schwenk
W. G. Schwenk
L. A. Higgins
Edward Fagler
Curtis Pierce
T. E. Turner
George E. Marsh.
E. M. Harrison, Jr.
C. R. Traut
Mark Hartley
D. V. Curry
L. S. Yost
S. S. Harrington
Hervey McCoy
C. H. Wing
D. R. Salisbury
Leroy Carriker
George Schaff
J. F. Carper
J. H. Galloway
Ernest Allbee
R. DeGroff
Raus M. Hanson
John Gerlach
H. R. Tillotson
L. F. Hunt
A. Z. Megrue
F. M. Armstrong
W. E. Stiles
G. A. Megrue
Ed. Hamburger
Bert Gregg
H. G. Thomas
Bert Hosier
H. V. Brenneman
H. A. Erickson
Archie Wing
E. A. Rosenbaum
E. M. Erickson
A. B. Patterson
E. R. Scott
Everett R. Johnson
S. K. Stinger
George E. Hutlon
C. D. Yost
J. H. Allbee
H. L. Keasling
F. C. Hoffman
W. H. Bates
S. R. Sherwin
L. L. Stone
C. Sjostedt
B. L. Kaufman
F. P. Franke
F. G. Erickson
W. J. Turner
W. N. Nelson
C. A. McPeak
A. P. Erickson
H. L. Higgins
A. W. Jacobs
H. G. Wellensiek
H. H. Seely
L. S. Averill
T. G. Farrow
H. A. Mickel
Herman Krug
C. L. Hohnstein
Peter Yost
Harold Hartley
J. E. Sherer
Hugh Turner
Hoy Hiatt
Levi R. Yost
C. J. Hohnstein
Jerome Canfield
George Lorgren
C. F. Hardy
J. K. Dunleavy
M. E. Turner
A. C. Hoffman
P. G. Held
George Hohnstein
E. W. Carriker
Charles Campbell
Fred Tickler
Daniel Shafer
P. H. Hein
John Glantz
H. A. Siekman
P. J. Hennessev
William Jaeger
Albert Hiatt
H. F. Skinner
F. A. Wendt
W. H. Farrar
Tom Dieringer
H. Wendt
J. A. Stett
P. D. Yost
Mose Hartley
Julius Rothert
Charlie Turner
D. H. Schultz
Fred G. Yost
George Koehler
F. G. Keasling
R. J. Kreutz
D. A. Hiatt
W. E. Canfield
J. A. E. Stedt
C. Golding
F. L. Bradner
0. F. Farrow
A. P. Ruebsamen
K. H. Pontious
Ralph Evans
S. R. Hunt
Reuben Lovgren
Mike Glantz
Fay Farrar
C. E. Iliff
William Sinner
R. Hamburger
Herman Yost
Bert Mihm
Mose Farmer
William Wendt
John Hamburger
George Hamburger
A. F. Carriker
E. W. Benson
J. 0. Carper
C. H. Yost
R. E. Davison
W. J. Yost
E. C. Rynerson
R. A. Mizner
P. W. Aker
J. E. Kunselman
C. J. Helzer
Frank Sutton
Leo C. Frank
H. S. Kunselman
H. H. Yost
Sam Deines
H. A. Tickler
V. J. Dieringer
Otto Hoffman
R. E. Brown
William Rurup
Henry Siekman
H. L. Hohnbaum
Raymond Pauley
H. Hohnstein
Howard Smith
P. Rosenbaum
F. F. Farmer
G. E. Stone
Matt Lecleiter
A. W. Kreutz
V. E. Davis
L. A. Megrue
W. W. Means
George Brown
R. W. Bayles
Alfred Nowka
W. T. Ayton
Stephen Waters
Willie Yost
O. G. Fuller
R. G. Gregg
L. A. Potts
K. H. Hamburger
Aug. Schultz
R. P. Yost
Wendell Johnson
George Fisher
Peter Green
John H. Pauley
T. B. Turner
H. Kitzinger
C. A. Hamburger
J. P. McKenzie
C. H. Golding
Conrad Kregger
H. L. Hite
R. A. Silvester
George B. Krug
F. W. Schuppan, Jr.
R. J. Wilson
E. F. Adkina
Frank Jacobs
John Schmer
R. G. Phillips
Charles L. Hess
H. W. Kellogg
C. E. Smith
John A. Ling
W. W. Brarley
S. H. Richardson
E. A. Grisinger
Merle Fisher
A. W. Hill
Orrin Hosier
Rich Volkman
J. A. Hamburger
J. J. Thomas
I. D. Howard
H. W. Hands
L. H. Kaufman
W. P. Lurk
W. C. Miller
L. J. Hohnstein
E. H. Koehler
William Koenig, Jr.
T. L. Wilson
Lawrence Kempster
E. A. Keller
C. A. Pembrook
Lyman Aker
Jesse Yost
L. T. Laudenschlager
C. J. Warner
C. S. Davis
L. G. Kempster
J. S. Whisenand
Andrew L. Jensen
George A. Koenig
H. R. North
William Spencer
A. D. Briggs
G. A. Herzog
J. H. Schmer
E. Golding
Rhiney Engelhardt

COUNTY Y. M. C. A. ORGANIZED

The Y. M. C. A. meetings held throughout the county in March, 1918, were very successful. Services were held on Sunday in practically every community in the county, with a number of prominent speakers participating.

The organizing supper at Clay Center on Monday evening, March 4th was attended by 125 men from five towns. On account of the roads not all the towns were represented. The meeting was an enthusiastic one and it was voted unanimously that Clay County proceed with the organization of the County Y. M. C. A., and a county committee was elected to have the work in charge. The financial canvass is being made this week to raise a two-year budget with which to carry on the work.

The following men were elected on the county committee:

N. G. Bender, Sutton
A. L. Johnson, Edgar
M. Figi, Sutton
H. C. Portwood, Edgar
R. A. Bauder, Eldorado
E. H. Lewis, Fairfield
A. L. Lamp, Inland
T. P. Shiveley, Fairfield
J. J. Kohler, Deweese
Ira Fishback, Harvard
J. S. Logan, Clay Center
Carl H. Worley, Harvard
Loy J. Gilkeson, Clay Center
Dr. R. D. Martin, Glenvil
O. McKelvie, Clay Center
Representatives from other towns will be added later to the committee.

FIFTEEN MORE YOUNG MEN ANSWER CALL TO THE GLORY BANNER

It may have been because of the going of two of Clay Center's most popular young men, Messrs. Stanley Fryar and Will Jones, or it might have been because of our people finding out daily that the war is our war, whatever the reason, it existed, for last Tuesday morning, April 29, more people gathered to bid our boys who are going out to fight for right and decency a fond farewell than have assembled on any of the numerous like occasions before. The District court room was well filled when Judge A. C. Epperson, representing the community, rose to say the words of parting to the boys and by the time Rev. J. R. Rippeteau had finished his appeal to the Almighty for guidance and protection there was an overflow that extended down the stairs and into the lower hall of the county building. The occasion was an inspirational one and both Judge Epperson and Mr. Rippeteau rose splendidly to it. The talk of the Judge was declared by many to be the best thing heard in this city in the speech-making line since the beginning of the war and through the prayers of Reverend Rippeteau there coursed such a vein of profound earnestness that one seemed almost to sense the nearness of the Great Protector. At the conclusion of the services, boutonnieres were pinned on the boy's lapels and with L. F. Fryar carrying the colors, and his son, who was one of the lads in the call, marching at their head, the embryo soldiers started for the depot followed by a great concourse of citizens and the entire school population of the town. While waiting for the train a chorus of high schools gave several selections, the school yells were rehearsed and the boys took from the old town a sense of their worth that should remain a dear heritage to them for the balance of their lives. This shipment of men goes to Camp Funston, and in it were:

Stanley Fryar, Clay Center
Henry C. Trobough, Fairfield
Ray W. Killion, Ong
Thomas C. Hinricks, Inland
George W. Gowen, Montana
William B. Jones, Clay Center
Bert L. Widell, Sutton
George J. Rogge, Trumbull
Raymond Salmen, Sutton
Lynn P. Collins, Beattie, Kansas
Peter Miller, Harvard
Nick M. Griener, Panama, Iowa
Arthur D. Petrie, Fairfield
August Nelson, Sutton
Carl Pierson, Benson

May 3d ten more of our lads left for the training camp at Fort Logan, Colorado, to get in shape to take their places on the firing lines when called upon to do so and it is understood that another call is imminent. The boys called for Friday,

Albert Brunning, Harvard
James C. Brooks, Glenvil
Roy J. Landon, Hastings
George Rieth, Edgar
Henry J. Goldenstein, Glenvil
01 ins Anthes, Lincoln
Lewis N. Davidson, Chicago
Henry Deines, Harvard
Ernest A. Anderson, Saronville
Edward E. Brooking, Glenvil

THE HARVARD QUILT

One of the truly remarkable pieces of war work, not only of Clay County but of the State of Nebraska, was the quilt made at Harvard. A committee, composed of Josie C. Bennett, Anna M. Ling and Mollie Johnson, planned the idea and solicited funds. Forty blocks were assigned and $1,155 was realized from sale of space on the quilt and the quilt itself was never disposed of, being in 1921 in the possession of the Harvard Red Cross authorities. Drafting the quilt plans was in charge of Bird C. Howard.   The material was donated by Red Cross members. May 3d, are as follows:

Nora Hjelm was chairman of the April 12, 1918, meeting at which the project was planned. Gertrude E. Tickler was chairman of the November 19, 1919, meeting when the report was made. Two hundred and seventy spaces were finally planned on each side, twenty-five blocks were taken up by the big cross. The gross receipts were $1,655.75 from the venture. Verna C. Herzog did the coloring of the large planning quilt. Each worker kept a record and positions on border blocks were assigned according to number of blocks each disposed of. Those were secured in the following order: Josie C. Bennett; Ona Perry, Francis Warner, Laverna Perry, Emma Herzog, Mollie Johnson, Loretta Jeffery, Grace Hennessey-, Kate Hunter, Ella Higgins, Perlie Turner, Carrie Turner, Eva Turner, Ethel Wing, Mayme Ayton, Laura Pembrook, Jennie Stiles, Luna Hunter, Mary A. Kilgore, Helma Benson and Nellie Plant. The soliciting committee were Maude Tillotson, Nettie Smith, Gertie Tickler, Florence Nisely, Maude Schwenk, Louise Rosenbaum, Lillie M. Beach, Blanche Bardley, Ruth Aken, Nora Hjelm, and Lorreta Jcffery. Those who participated and won place on quilting done were Grace Nisely, Orall Bates, Lydia Jeffries, Mary Elving, Eva M. Turner, Sophronia Colvar, Flora Nifeely, Carrie A. Turner, Alta Nisely, Maynie R. Ayton, Lena Smith, Luverna Perry, Stella A. Hart, Bertha Wetherald, Barbara Tliff, Jane Hunter, Luna Hunter, Emma Herzog, Josie C. Bennett. Louise Rosenbaum, Anna M. Ling, Hilda Eller, and America E. Fisher.

RED CROSS SALE AT TRUMBULL

In spite of the bad weather the Red Cross auction sale at Trumbull in May was well attended and the affair was very successful. People were most generous in their donations and articles of all kinds, useful and ornamental, besides much live stock, found its way to the ale. Being a patriotic affair, the sale opened with the singing of "America," and a stirring speech by auctioneer, S. Munn. Bidding was lively, prices were good and much enthusiasm prevailed. At intervals the Trumbull band under the leadership of Bert Talbert gave selections. The boy scouts in their military uniforms made themselves very useful. The Red Cross ladies served lunch from noon until 5 o'clock, and the Junior Red Cross sold tags. As a result of all these efforts nearly $1,100 was realized. Trumbull has a right to be proud of this achievement.

INLAND QUILT BRINGS $365

The largest, most patriotic and most enthusiastic crowd that ever gathered in the little village of Inland met there last Wednesday afternoon, May 8, when a Red Cross auction was held in the vacant implement shop of John J. Donahue. All morning farmers and merchants kept .coming with three hundred pound hogs, pigs, calves, sheep, chickens, eggs, butter, harness, merchandise of all kinds, family dogs, sacks of wheat, oats, barley, corn, potatoes and seed corn; the ladies bringing all kinds of fancy work, fancy quilts, pies, cakes, canned fruit, goslings, little chickens, and even canary birds. The merchants of Inland besides making their donations, furnished the pop, buns, meat, etc., which was served by the members of the Girls Club of Inland.

The sale began at 2 o'clock, Colonel Doty of Hastings and Colonel Munn of Trumbull taking turns in crying it. The bidding was lively and spirited; many items of ten, fifteen and even twenty dollars being promptly donated back by the buyer to be sold again for the benefit of the Red Cross. Donations of personal checks were put up and sold, checks of two dollars bringing three or four dollars when auctioned off. One man, who that afternoon received a check for five dollars which had been due him, made a gift of it to the Red Cross. This was promptly sold for seven dollars and a half. Five and ten dollar bills were put up and brought from two to three dollars more than face value. A ten dollar gold piece was sold for twenty-one dollars.

The sale was interspersed by stirring patriotic speeches by both auctioneers, who not only gave their services for the day, but also contributed freely.

Among the items sold were a pair of week old goslings which brought $6.50; a hen and ten chicks brought $25; a can of fruit, $10; two pounds of butter, $11; and a Red Cross quilt, donated by St. Cecelia's Sewing Circle, brought $86. The sale was topped by the remarkable price of $365 for a quilt donated by Mrs. G. W. Abbott.

The sale was not completed by 6 o'clock so a recess was taken, the people hurrying home to milk, feed chickens, etc., and then rushed back in greater numbers to again vie pleasantly in outbidding each other.

One of the laughter arousing events of the evening was the sale of an egg for a dollar, after which the auctioneer offered $2 to the Red Cross fund, for any one who would suck the egg. The offer was immediately taken by Mr. Gallaher, one of the bearded patriarchs of the township, who sweeping his long mustache out of the way, easily slipped the egg out of sight.

The results of the sale were $3,404 while the Girls Club made $172 on the refreshments, making a total of $2,576. In totaling up individual accounts, it was found that several had spent close to $150 each on the sale.

This total, which breaks the record in this community for Red Cross sales, is a strong evidence of the fervent generosity of the Inland people. It shows that these good people are in heart, mind and purse, back of the brave boys who have gone to do their fighting for them.

OFF FOR TRAINING CAMP

The largest crowd that has been in this town for some time came in on the occasion of the en-training of a bunch of lads for the training camp last Tuesday morning, May 28, and sent the boys away with cheers and good wishes. This is the first lot to go to Camp Dodge from this county and the boys will soon begin to write back their impressions of the Iowa cantonment. Among the lads who went is one who will have two brothers fighting on the other side from him, but he knows that they are forced to, and he goes gladly to help strike from them the yoke of autocracy. The following boys made up the party:

Adelbert I. Davison, Harvard
Claude D. Spaulding, Trumbull
Ralph Corey, Sutton
Martin Dedrickson, Saronville
Peter 0. Taylor, Clay Center
Linn Potts, Harvard
J. Arthur Boberg, Lincoln
James A. Chance, Edgar
Charles Hamoresky, Brule
Edwin T. Hoffman, Inland
Eddie Herzog, Trumbull
Rex Shubert, Fairfield
Charles Herrick, Trumbull
Arthur C. Carey, Sutton
William 6. Schmer, Harvard
Henry C. Hinricks, Inland
John L. Galloway, Omaha
Ealph J. Anderton, Fairfield
Olen B. Whitlock, Ong
Sidney L. Anthes Clay Center
Ralph L. Collins, Minden.
Earl L. Hanson, Trumbull
Curtis Pierce, Harvard
Henry C. Ronnefeldt, Hastings
Leslie A. Jones, Clay Center
Clyde B. Wilson, Fairfield
Alfred C. Schwarz, Sutton
Peter Christensen, Edgar
Clyde Casterline, Lincoln
John H. Cobal, Spring Ranch
William G. Schmer, Harvard

HARVEST HANDS AVAILABLE .

The Sun remarked on June 80, 1918:

We have been made the subject of considerable good-natured joshing by a number of our farmer friends for the past three weeks because of our activity in promoting the movement of town help for harvest needs. In view of this we take a good deal of pleasure in being able this' week to put the proposition up to our farmers in a manner that must prove to them conclusively that they are going to be able to take care of their 1918 harvest and that the reason they are going to be able to take care of it easily and well is because their brethren of the town jumped into the breech and saved the day.

We do not take the credit for having accomplished this result nor do we wish it, for we are well pleased that the thing has been accomplished; however, it is meet that proper credit should be .given, and so we say to you that the parties who have completed the details of this matter are the Clay County Council of Defense, assisted by County Agent Claybaugh. Chairman H. H. Johnson suggests that the clubs that are being organized in every town in the county be called "The Business Men's Harvest Help Clubs." Chairman Johnson has the matter sized up in this way: "Very few of our business men could stand a day in the field, but there are none of them but what could and would be glad to put in three or four hours in the late afternoon and evening.

Ordinarily a farmer with one seven or eight foot binder will cut from twelve to fifteen acres of grain per day. One man should be able to shock an acre an hour, so that one crew of five men should be able to go into a field at 6 o'clock and have the day's cutting shocked by 9 o'clock.

Taking these figures as a base, the gentlemen in charge of this branch of our war work have organized here in Clay Center fourteen Harvest Help Clubs, each consisting of four men and a captain. These clubs are available for work at any time and to get one or more of them it is only necessary for you to telephone the manager of the Clay Center Labor Bureau Co., Agent Claybaugh. In other parts of the county the same kind of clubs are being organized and you will be asked to confer with the clubs in your territory when seeking harvest help. These clubs are already organized at Ong, Fairfield, Edgar, and Clay Center as this is written (Wednesday) and today Mr. Claybaugh is in the north portion of the county completing the work. Here are the local clubs:

Squad No. 1�L. A. Brown, captain; F. A. Taylor, R. B. Tompkins, George Brewer, E. J. Dickson.
Squad No. 2.�N. W. Buchtel, captain; L. J. Gilkeson, Frank Hager, W. Rippeteau, George F. Meyer.
Squad No. 3�0. M. Campbell, captain; Charles Whitlam, John Rutledge, Cal. Rollins, Earl Fryar.
Squad No. 4-H. B. Campbell, captain; R. A. Byrkit, W. A. Burt, William Kath, Ami Foster.
Squad No. 5�Irwin Crawford, captain; W. L. Boldensten, Reverend Bowers, N. 0. Deines, J. E. Ray.
Squad No. 6�H. H. Harvey, captain; A. S. Kyne, James L. Campbell, Ernest King, Clem Ellis.
Squad No. 7�William Hansen, captain ; Bert Searles, Reverend Tweedy; G. L. Boonstraw, A. W. Johnson.
Squad No. 8�F. M. Larkin, captain; Frank Miller, K. D. Wary, C. L. Rippeteau, Fred Turner.
Squad No. 9�0. McKelvie, captain; P. Adams, E. Kirkhaffer, W. C. Jessup, Charles Hazelton.
Squad No. 10�J. L. Moomaw, captain; J. H. Nieman, James Harvison, Dan Deines, J. L. Hurt.
Squad No. 11�Charles Nagel, captain; George R. Riley; R. Mooloneaux, Ray Fairley, Ernest Frisch.
Squad No. 12�H. C. Palmer, captain; C. L. Stewart, C. W. Lewien, Vernon Larkin, C. J. Swanson.
Squad No. 13�J. H. Perrigrine, captain; John Balusek, John Schmitz, John Neuman, Frank Snoddy:
Squad No. 14�Earl Randall, captain; Reverend West, Vern Chandler, C. E. Voris, John Stiles.

Unassioned Reserve Subject to Call�

Milo Crawford, Henry Fuhrken, H. Falkenburg, R. H. Moore, V. F. Chipman, Fred Howard, John Nagel, D. H. Han-son, R. E. Ferris, Doctor Gartell, J. H. Eller, J. L. Perry, L. B. Sluyter, A. M. Williams, William R. Fry, G. M. Bavinger, P. E. Felton, J. L. Wilson, Joseph Rice, S. V. Searles, Doctor Archard, Reverend Becker. .

This work will be paid for at the going harvest rates. A fair adjustment will be reached between the farmers and the business men.

Friday, June 28th, is a date that will long be remembered in this county for at that time fifty-seven of our young men will go out to fight for the preservation of the rights of all men. Twenty-eight of these boys will go to Camp Funston for their initial training in the science of war and the balance will go to Fort Riley. Plans are now on foot to distinguish this event by having in this city on the morn-ing of the 28th a patriotic concert by an all-county band, some good speaking and some other patriotic stunts to impress upon the boys that they take with them into their adventure the love and respect of all Clay County. Make your plans to be here on this occasion and come early enough to be a part of the entire program. You note that we say "be a part," and that is what is desired of you. These are our boys and this is our war and everyone present at this leavetaking will be a part of the spirit of the program just as truly as though they made a hip, hip, hurrah speech, a fervent prayer or tooted a horn. Come and help send these boys away with a smile. The ones to go will be selected from this list:

Name , Address
Arthur Hornbacher, Sutton
Rudolph Gemmar, Ong
Albert Streever, Edgar
Leslie Northrop, Fulton
Carl S. Dedrickson, SaronTille
Charles E. Spencer, Harvard
Andrew Axel Benson, Saronville
Henry Pope, Sutton
Perry Walter Sage, Harvard
Herman Krug, Harvard
Henry A. Schemer, Eldorado .
Lloyd Maxwell Cassell, Edgar
Lee J. Behrends, Trumbull
Harold A. Stickell, Ong
Herman A. Radtke, Deweese
Leonard W. Mock, Fairfield
Albert N. Skinner, Aberdeen, S. D.
George Roes, Harvard
Albert J. Dejung, Glenville
George Walthers, Glenville
Jesse A. Peck, Edgar
Bernard 0. Valentine, Rupert, Idaho
Mervin Barackmann, Valentine
John B. Peterson, Sutton
Joseph Bayer, Spring Ranch
Rewe Porter Mundorff, Clay Center
Ernest Salmen, Sutton
Leo Patrick Hughes, Sutton
Herbert A. Fitzke, Fairfield
Clarence Dahlgren, Sutton
Eddie Alberts, Glenville
Charles E. Read, Inland
Fred Charles Frank, Clay Center
Wesley 0. Sandbcrg, Ong
Jake Kissler, Sutton
Fred Engle, Intend
Floys S. Bnchtel, Clay Center
George Stengel, Sutton
Percy V. Gay, Fairfield
Rent C. Hinrichs, Glenville
Orson G. Fuller, Harvard
Clarence L. Kearney, Glenville
Arthur G. Gunther, La Salle, Ill.
Emmett Leroy Bush, Bentley, Iowa
Frank Ryan, Sutton
Clayton Henningcr, Glenville
Walter E. Nelson, Sutton
Edmund F. Ochsner, Sutton
Tom William Dieringer, Harvard
Joseph F. Cory, Rock Springs, Iowa
Ernest M. Erickson, Harvard
Jacob Roemich, Sutton
Walter 0. Theesen, Glenville
Tyndall F. Story, Edgar
Robert Robinson, Ong
Thornton Thornburg, Edgar
Paul Taylor, Edgar
Fred Heinz, Sutton
Rudolph H. Eigneberg, Glenville
Fred H. Oker, Glenville
William H. Byrkit, Fairfield
Phillip F. Urbauer, Clay Center
George E. Ioby, Sutton
William Fleming, Sutton
Carl A. Walton, Edgar

LEARNING ARTS OF WAR

The following young men of this county went to Lincoln last Saturday morning, June 24th, to enter the United States training camp that has been established in that city to prepare mechanics for different branches of the service:

Harry Urbach, Harvard.
James A. Chance, Edgar.
Henry Charles Oleson, Saronville.
Arthur R. Resales. Sutton.
John F. Nicely, Edgar.
Henry H. White, Fairfield.
Benjamin H. Hein, Deweese.
Ruby Groves, Clay Center.

These young men will be given technical training in various kinds of mechanical lines and after a three months' period of schooling will be inducted into the actual military service wherever needed.

REGISTER FOR NURSES

In response to the recent appeal made by the government, young ladies registered in August, 1918, as being ready to enter upon the course of preliminary training:

Francis Eller, Florence Schwab, Florence Secord, lima Brewer and Netta Lyons. If that bunch of girls get into the hospitals at the front Uncle Sam will have to make more liberal draft rules for we will need lots and lots of men to take the places of the boys who will force themselves into the hospital when they learn who's there.

JOIN THE COLORS

The following men entrained for Fort Omaha, Nebraska, Monday, September 9, 1918:

Hugo Ochsner, Sutton.
Ralph B. Hoevet, Fairfield.

The following entrained for Manhattan, Kansas, September 19�1918:

Arthur F. Denney, Fairfield.
Arthur L. Teter, Clay Center.
Albert L. Hoydar, Fairfield.
John Donnelly, Clay Center.
John Vincent Croker, Clay Center.
Francis Hattan, Edgar.
Henry Otto Gemar, Sutton.
Montie Shields, Sedan.
Carl E. Nicolai, Sutton.
Ralph Campbell, Clay Center.

HOME BOYS NOW FIGHTING

France, August 10, 1918

Mr. F. B. Howard

Dear Sir:

All the boys are 0. K. They are out now in the lines somewhere getting Dutch. I see them occasionally when I take the feed out to them. Have some great times getting there. Shells hitting all around and over but a fellow can dodge them.

August 6th is the day you can mark as the one we moved in for our share of revenge. It is great to be in it this far. The nights are wild but experience is a good teacher and a fellow soon gets used to it.

I get the mail here for the boys and take it out and bring others back. You'll hear from us in your papers soon. I wish I could tell you more, but thought a line would help. The boys are busy and no mail has gone out for a week and probably will be another week. There will be spells when the boys can write but some times long between.

You can place this so the parents will know that the boys are 0. K. and no news is good news. Earl Buchtel, Wm. Borland, Giz Fryar and all the boys from our corner of the state are there. This includes Jones also, who was with Fryar. The States are sure doing wonderful here. It is all United States here and everywhere. Hello to all. From the Boys.

Yours respectfully,

Sergt. J. C. Brehm.

Co. G, Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry in Active Service.

HONORS FOR SOLDIER LADDIES�5,000 CLAY COUNTY FOLKS GATHER TO BID THE BOYS ADIEU

Tuesday, September 4, 1917, Patriotic Day in Clay County, the day set aside by the entire county to pay honor to our boys who have been summoned to the colors, was recognized by even old Dame Nature herself as being a day worthy of mark and she did her bit by ushering in the morning's first light with a thunderous salute from the heavy batteries of heaven. Peal after peal shook the vault above us for half an hour and then, to show her greatest favor, we were accorded a gentle shower to lay the dust and the sun burst forth on as perfect a day as could have been desired for the occasion.

COMPANY G ARRIVES

The boys of Company G in camp in Hastings arrived in forty-two autos sent from this city for them at about 10 o'clock and immediately made themselves welcome by their actions and appearance. In this company Clay Center has a number of men and Clay County a large representation and it was a pleasure to note that, individually and collectively, they were just the kind of a company that any county might be proud to send as their representatives into any land on the face of the earth. They were gentlemen first and soldiers all of the time. With America's fate in the hands of such as these, there can be but one result, for against such, autocratic wrongs cannot prevail.

THE PROGRAM

Dinner finally out of the way the crowd found its way to the most advantageous positions and listened to a splendid program of music and patriotic talks. The chorus of thirty voices that represented Sutton on the program acquitted themselves with much credit and the singing of America by a thousand, aye probably three thousand voices was one of the most impressive features of the day. Chairman Logan kept everyone on the program working and there were no drags to tire the audience.

The following,boys who are the first summoned for actual, military duty from the county's draft, were introduced to the audience and occupied 'honor places on the platform during the program.

FIRST FIVE PER CENT ORDERED TO ENTRAIN FOR FORT RILEY, SEPTEMBER 6TH

James Coxbill, Deweese.
B. J. Townsend, Clay Center.
Byron B. Vaughan, Edgar.
Carl H. Nolde, Sutton.
Ivan V. Bentz, Fairfield.
John S. Deering, Sutton.

SUBSTITUTE

Ralph McCune, Glenville.

MONDAY A BIG DAY

When the official report did come early Monday morning that hostilities were to cease, the biggest celebration Sutton has ever known began. All the bells and whistles in town were kept going at their fullest capacity, and bonfires and marchers and singers and joyriders were disporting themselves in an abandonment never equalled in staid old Sutton. By 9 o'clock a large crowd was in town and it was decided to have a real parade. And it was the real thing. The band made up for the occasion led. The school children, home guards, boy scouts, city officials, and most everybody who could walk or ride followed. And it was the gayest and noisest parade you ever saw.

After this numerous burnt offerings to warm the patriotic ardor of some of the more doubting Thomases were given, with and without the consent of the owners.

But they, no doubt, were good for the spirit. The business houses were closed all day, and everyone who could navigate was out to enjoy the fun-But the evening performance beat them all. By 7 o'clock Saunders Avenue was packed as far as you could see. How many thousands were here we do not . know, but it was one of the monster crowds of Sutton's history. The effigy of the kaiser was hanged on a tower about thirty feet high and amid intense enthusiasm the match was applied and soon it was a blazing torch. The band played a number of selections and a large chorus sang patriotic selections. This was followed by addresses by our pastors, L. A. Dunphy, D. 0. Schurr, and C. E. Korlin, and a prayer of thanksgiving by Rev. Birk. These addresses reflected the sentiments of the multitude and were received with loud applause. All the speakers put in a good word for the United War Service drive on this week, as a means of showing our appreciation for the wonderful work of the boys in khaki. It will be a long time before they can all come home, and they deserve the best that we can offer.

The big fire that had been provided by the committee, apparently did not meet with the approval of Andrew Peter, as he furnished a real spectacle when the old beer vault which he had purchased, began to flame in good style. This was the climax of the big day's celebration, and Mr. Peter can feel proud of having furnished the biggest spectacle in honor of our boys in far-away France.

The day was an ideal one�warm, bright and sunshiny, and without wind. Just the kind of a day one would wish for the happiest day we have all known for many years. The big crowd was well behaved, in spite of the carnival spirit that pervaded ail. This celebration will never be forgotten by all who participated, and was expressive of the great joy of our people at the victory of allied arms and especially of the wonderful record made by the Yanks, who have won the admiration of the whole world.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

An interesting sidelight on the momentous times is the discovery that the great German "Gott" of battle, regarding whose activities in behalf of the kaiser and his cohorts we have heard so much, turns out to be merely a case of mistaken identity. The German nation 16 now about to find the true God, in humility, reparation to those they wronged as far as it is possible and in rebuilding what they have destroyed. When all nations have learned this lesson, there will be peace without ending.

PRAISES OLD FIFTH REGIMENT

Colonel Paul proud of His Nebraska Boys and the Record of State Troops

Hamilton County furnished a very large number of the men who served under Colonel Paul in the old Fifth Nebraska Regiment, which later became the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment of the Sand-storm Division. All will be interested in the following statement made by Colonel Paul upon his return from France:

"The Flu cheated us of a crack at the Hun, but the Nebraska boys were ready for them, despite our hard luck,'* declared Col. H. J. Paul, of the old Fifth Nebraska, late of the Three Hundred and Sixth Infantry in France.

Colonel Paul arrived in Omaha Saturday from Camp Dix, where he was mustered out a few days following his return to this country. After a brief rest here he will go to Lincoln to assume his duties as adjutant general of the state, which appointment he received at the hands of Governor McKelvie while still in France.

Colonel Paul was commander of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Infantry at Camp Cody and sailed with this branch of the thirty-fourth division for France on October 17, 1918.

"We trained at Camp Cody just one year, and when we were ordered to Dix in August we were sure that we were en route direct for the front," related the colonel. "The boys were overjoyed when we heard later that we would leave Dix and be sent immediately to the firing line. On the eve of our departure, September 10th, influenza struck the camp and we were quarantined for a month. When we finally did sail, orders had been so changed that our chances of getting in the big fight were done."

The organization landed at Liverpool on October 23d, went direct to Camp Codford near Southhampton and three days later crossed the channel. "We were sent to a camp twelve miles from Bordeaux, arriving there October 30th, and November 10th were ordered to Le Mons. While en route to Le Mons the old Nebraska outfit was stunned by news of the armistice. A madder bunch you never saw, and I most certainly joined the boys in their grief.

"At Le Mons the organization was scattered to the four winds as replacement troops. And here I might add that I consider this bit of treatment to have been decidedly rough on an outfit that had been so long intact.

"I was assigned as commander of the Three Hundred- and Sixth Infantry of the seventy-seventh division of New York national army men, and as I assumed command I received word of my appointment by Governor McKelvie as adjutant general of the state. I sailed for home from Brest January 31st and landed at New York, February 12th.

"I have seen England and France and while the trip was interesting I am more than ever convinced that the United States is the only country in the world to live in.

"At Brest it rains 350 days out of the 365, and I cannot for the life of me see how it can be utilized for an embarkation camp. France in this vicinity is a sea of mud and accommodations for the troops there will be all but impossible.

"While at Brest, Chaplain Goodsell of Chadron, Nebraska, who is in charge of the German prison camp there, took me on a tour of the camp. The Germans were in fine spirits and seemed delighted at being out of the fight. The general tidiness of their surroundings seemed to be a source of pride to them. Their barracks, bakery and mess halls were models of German military efficiency. Captain Goodsell had charge of 2,300 German captives.

"I was never near the firing line, but my stay in France was long enough for me to learn that the national guard bad made a marvelous record. There is not a single instance where the national guard as an organization did not more than fulfill the highest expectations, I maintain that the Rainbow division as an organization, unmolested by transfers, made the best showing of any division in France.

"The national guard will be the future military power of the United States, or it will be nothing," concluded Colonel Paul.

"I am confident that it will be the former, for records will prove that the guardsmen have passed the test and have come through the fire as fine as steel, as war's baptism can make of a soldier body."

Colonel Paul is staying at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ray Williams, 4908 Webster Street

HISTORY OF CO. G, 355TH INFANTRY, $9TK DIVISION IN THE 7TH ARMY CORPS AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION

Sergt Joe Brehm

Just as the day was breaking on June 29, 1918, Co. G. Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry arrived at Brechaville, France, its training area. Two days before, in leaving La Havre, our French disembarkation point, the men had been introduced to the European military system of transportation when they climbed into their railway carriages, the kind marked "Eight Cheveaux, forty Hommes." After one long night, a day, and half another night the train stopped at Laeffel de Grande and the company moved out for Brechaville in true infantry style on foot

A start on the wrong road, a long uphill grind with full packs at night a question as to the town to be occupied by the second battalion with the consequent delay, and a guard order waiting for Company G upon its arrival, made the first impression unpleasant. Before many days, however, the company buckled down in earnest to its business of making soldiers. This was the first opportunity for real work. At Camp Funston, Company G, Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry had been organized September 5, 1917, under command of Capt. Neville C. Fisher, but the enlisted strength, except non-commissioned officers later had been sent to other divisions as replacements. Less than a week before the company started to the point of embarkation it was filled with privates who had clothing and equipment hung on them like wraps on a hat rack in those last mad days in Kansas. The stay near New York was too short for drill. The trip across the Atlantic was notable only for the rumors of submarines off the Atlantic coast just before starting, and the training received during the stay in England was hardly worthy the name.

So in July, 1918, Co. G as a company learned practically all that it ever did about fighting Germans before it went to the trenches. And after our division once took the lines it never got out

The training methods of Lieut Hack V. Traynor, were slightly different from those of other company commanders. The result was noted by division inspector Lieut-Col. (now Brigadier General) McCovy when he gave the company the best rating of any company in the battalion after a detailed inspection the latter part of the month. A series of interplatoon competitions was the incentive that often kept men and officers working long after drill hours.

From Brechaville the company traveled in trucks to Trondes on August 5th and on a narrow gauge railroad the following night to a reserve position in the Rehanne woods on the Toul sector. Moving to Ansauville, in support, the night of August 7th, the company expected a rest, preparatory to its turn in the front line when the second battalion relieved the first, but events caused a change in the schedule. The Bosche put over a heavy gas attack that night and Company G- was detailed to reinforce the front line. The order came just before noon August 8th, and required a daylight relief, something never before attempted in that sector according to officers of the eighty-second division, which had preceded the eighty-ninth on the line.

During the first part of the march to the front parallel dozens of ambulances, filled with wounded going to the rear passed the company�hardly a heartening sight on the first trip up to no-man's land. - The last few hundred yards was made with gas masks on. Owing, perhaps, to the fortunate coincident that for some reason no Boche balloons were up that afternoon, the relief was made without loss. The third platoon, with details from the other three, were attached to A Company while -Lieutenant Traynor and the remainder of the company went to D.

The company's first casualties resulted from mustard gas yet lurking in Jury Woods and low ground further south. The tour of duty was largely uneventful, however.

When the second battalion took its turn in the line the company was given a sector south' of Seicheprey and east of the approach trench into the town. On August 15th Capt. Neville C. Fisher, returning to duty from a tactical school, resumed command of the company.

Reconnaissance patrols from the different platoons penetrated the enemy lines on several occasions during the tour, gaining valuable information for the intelligence section. The sector was improved, trenches deepened, obstructions re-enforced and observation posts constructed.

At dawn, August 19th, less than an hour after one of our patrols had returned, the Boche artillery laid down one of the worst bombardments which the company suffered during the war. The range was perfect on the front line and for sixty minutes the barrage seemed like a huge cloudless thunderstorm with lightning striking less than a rod away at every breath.- A direct hit that morning killed Henry Osness, the first man in our company killed in action. No raid or infantry advance followed the hostile artillery preparation but had the Bosche come over he would have found our men at their posts ready for action.

The double "hitch" in the front line parallel ended August 22d when the battalion was relieved and marched back to Rehanne woods for a rest. On the following night trucks were provided and the remainder of the time spent in reserve was taken up by drill and maneuvers at Boug, France.

While at Ansauville in support from August 2d to August 7th, the company furnished a patrol for the brigade commander to reconnoiter the enemy trenches in front of a part of the Three Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infantry sector. The German lines were penetrated successfully but while the patrol was returning to the friendly trenches it was caught under heavy artillery fire and Sergt. Carl Holz was killed; three men were wounded. The information desired�useful in planning the Saint Mihiel offensive�was obtained.

The second and last turn G Company took in the trenches started September 6th and ended the night of the Saint Mihiel drive, September 11-12th. From the time the fighting on the sectors occupied by the Eighty-ninth Division was in the open. During the final tour of trench duty part of the company drove off the first Boche patrol which attacked an outfit in the Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry. Two platoons had been in an outpost position at Seicheprey and just before daylight on the morning of September 9th, a small raiding party closed in on the town from the northwest. The patrol was completely routed with but two of our men slightly wounded. The skirmish was with hand grenades and rifles and the Germans retreated so fast that they left enough souvenirs to start a small museum.

The night of September ll-12th is one of the high lights in the pictures which portray the history of Company G, Captain Fisher and a reconnaissance detail had gone on ahead to Bennecourt and Flirey to get the advance information on the company's part in the Saint Mihiel drive. Infantry from the Forty-second and First Divisions was scheduled to relieve the detachment at Seicheprey and allow.it to march to Flirey where it was to form part of a reserve battalion when the Americans went over at 5 a. m. Part of the relief arrived early in the evening, but the platoon which took over the Seicheprey outpost was delayed by the mud and storm. Fully half the company was marching east oh the Flirey road, there-fore, when at 5 a. m. the artillery barrage began, which seemed like the very world opening up. Man competed with nature that night�cannon flash against the oceans of water which fell from the skies, the roar of" artillery against the rumble of thunder�and for a few hours man held his own reasonably well. That half of the men were not lost on the march is a wonder. Tanks, trucks, supply trains, a general's car here and there, and detachments from every branch of service were competing for the road space that night, but before zero hour the company was in place ready to push off.

If the world opened at 1 a. m. the universe yawned at five. The artillery bombardment was intensified, the airplanes went up, flares and fireworks lighted up the heavens, the smoke screen was laid down, the machine guns began a barrage of their own�and the doughboys started north. After moving less than six hundred yards Company G had captured a machine gun which had been overlooked by the leading waves, and had taken its first prisoners. The company captured approximately one hundred the first day. Then, with Fritzie on the run, the pursuit by day and digging of "foxholes" at night began. Euvasin, Boulionville were passed and the company halted north of Beney. Here for a few days we were attached to the third battalion. Straffing by artillery was an hourly occurrence and one German gun reached the company kitchen, wounding one of the cook's helpers and spoiling a perfectly good dinner.

No man in Company G will forget a battalion patrol in which the company participated, sent out to occupy Dempvitoux or to destroy enemy machine gun positions, if opposition were encountered. The latter mission was fulfilled. Neither will any man in the second or third platoons, picked by the major for patrol work under his personal command the" following night, forget his experiences on that occasion. A small patrol was met and routed and several machine guns located. On October 1st relief arrived at Beney and the company occupied reserve sectors around Boulionville until October 7th, hiking to Eehanne woods that day, and on to Beaumont October 8th. From there trucks carried the company to Argonne sector, Recicourt being the destination. Captain Fisher was transferred to D Company, giving Lieutenant Traynor command of our company while near Boulionville.

General Order No. 108, Headquarters Eighty-ninth Division, dated 18th of December, 1918, in which the division commander reviews the work of his organization overseas, has a peculiar interest for Company G men, because the only minor operation considered important enough to mention, relates so closely to this organization. This order contains the following statement: "After the Division Relieved the Thirty-second American Division near Romange it cleaned up the Bois de Banthville and won commendation of the Corps and Army." This task was accomplished by the second battalion of the Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry and the first battalion of the Three Hundred and Fifty-sixth, our troops encountering the heavier fighting. Since the battalion commander later stated in the presence of his officers and non-commissioned officers that Company G is more entitled to credit for the success of the movement than any other company in the battalion, reference to the commendation by higher commanders is unnecessary to complete our history.

The second battalion relieved a support battalion of the Thirty-second Division near Epionville, October 13th, but six days later it moved to the Bantheville woods to prepare for the required advance. When the waves started forward the night of October 20-21st, G Company was in support and suffered heavily in casualties from German whizbangs and light-artillery which opened when the American activity commenced. The troops halted for the night on the reserve slope of a hill not further than three hundred yards from the hostile guns. G Company was brought up close behind E and F companies at daylight and all dug in. Sneezing gas caused no little inconvenience while making the move.

Late in the morning the company was ordered to make the assault and closed in on the nest, "the other three companies supporting. No sooner had. the line started forward than the sharp deadly burst of fire from the hostile, - "Maxims" began. No artillery support was available and it soon became plain that the only way to take the guns was to take them. The men were equal to the emergency and the afternoon had not progressed far before welcome cries of "Kamerad" indicated the success of the undertaking was assured. The machine guns were sent back, with seven prisoners. The other Boche were killed or chased out of the woods. One officer and thirty-nine men of our company were casualties at Bantheville. These few facts tell as much as a volume.

Early in the morning of October 22d the battalion was relieved by companies from the Three Hundred and Fifty-third Infantry and G Company went to support positions near Epionville to stay until the night of October 21st.

The above, which lasted until the armistice stopped hostilities on that fateful eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month started Halloween night. We were near Gesenes when we started across the Meuse River from Inor, November 11th. For six days we went too fast for the kitchen to keep up and lived largely on reserve rations and cabbage and turnips out of German gardens. Unlike the situation during the Saint Mihiel offensive, feed was not available.

The battalion was supporting the first at Beauclair where G Company passed through a nasty barrage. That night a patrol, half of E Company and half of G Company, was detailed to occupy and hold Luzy. The task was so accomplished without finding Heine, though one of the fifty liberated civilians said that the last Boche detachment retreated only fifteen minutes before the Americans arrived. At Luzy G Company men for the first time saw unrestrained joy of the French town people, released from four years of slavery. The soldiers had no sooner been recognized as friends until the streets was filled with hysterical women, wondering children who had never before seen such strange uniforms, and feeble old men silently weeping or murmuring prayers of thanksgiving. Their meager stock of food was cooked up and forced on the hungry soldiers, whose meals had been few for many days and who were glad to borrow hot coffee and French bread until the army supplies caught up.

November 7th, the morning the company started on its last hive before hostilities ceased, Lieut. Mack V. Traynor was wounded and evacuated, leaving the senior Lieutenant (Madden) in command.

Two nights before November 11th, one officer and four men volunteered and were taken on a particularly dangerous battalion patrol across the Meuse River. One man was missing in action that night.

When the armistice took effect Company G was on the first line sector just across the Meuse from Fritz, who was within sniping distance of the edge of the woods occupied by the battalion. The word reached our part of the line about thirty minutes after the time set for the ending of hostilities and it was received with surprisingly little demonstration. While Heine was dancing and drinking around huge bon-fires to tunes furnished by an improvised band, our men were quietly drying their clothes, wanning their hands at fires, which had been tabooed for so long, or perhaps writing letters to the home which now seemed nearer. A simple religious service of thanks was conducted by the chaplain helped impress the importance of the morning's events upon our minds. Seldom was America sung with such feeling as it was that morning, with only the dripping water of the trees as an accompaniment.

After a few days of inactivity and one day's work on a salvage detail the battalion marched back to Barricourt, arriving November 14th. There available equipment was issued preparatory to the long march into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation.

The start was made November 24th with Steney as the first stop. We marched through strips of France and Belgium, across Luxemburg and into Germany. The detailed itinerary follows:

Steney, France, November 24th to 25th.
Sapogne, France, November 25th to 30th.
Dampicourt, Belgium, December 1st to 2d.
Bartringen, Luxemburg, December 2d to 3d.
Gonderingen, Luxemburg, December 3d to 4th.
Scheidgen, Luxemburg, December 4th to 6th.
Welschbiling, Germany, December 6th to 7th.
Spang, Germany, December 7th to 9th.
Auw, Germany, December 9th to 19th (Joe's Birthday).
At Auw, Eyll, Daufenbach and Cordel (one platoon in each town), the company did a ten days' tour of railroad guard duty. There too, the present company commander, Capt. Ira J. Barbour, joined us on December 11, 1919.

On December 19th we marched to Schweich and the following day came in trucks to our following station, Beurig. Here drill schedules, hikes, athletic events, target practice, games, etc., have kept our time well occupied.

Perhaps the event which Company G will remember longest in relation to Beurig is our Christmas dinner. Table service, a relief from the noon line, in itself a big treat, but when combined with the menu for that day, the result is almost past belief for the A. E. F. Roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, butter, jam, home baked cookies, tarts, rice pudding, huge portions of peach pie, coffee, cigars, cigarettes and wine�that is, cider�such a dinner wouldn't be sneeze at, even in the States, especially when we had music with every course and Major Campbell, Captain Fisher and Lieutenant Millikemp (two of the original Company G- officers) and Chaplain Chiarre as guests of honor, each one was called on for a few remarks.

The personnel of the company is representative of the best manhood of Nebraska and other states of the Middle West. Only four court martial cases in a year and five months is a record worthy of any organization and shows that problems of discipline have never been a source of trouble. The company's accomplishments speak for themselves and every member may be proud of the fact that it played a vital, first hand part in subduing an army which threatened the peace and liberty of the world from August, 1914, to November 11, 1919.

Source: History of Hamilton and Clay Counties Nebraska Volume 1 Complied by Dale P. Stough 1921 Pages 827-850

Contributed to Genealogy Trails by Friends For Free Genealogy

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