Bellefonte, Pa., January 17, 1919. To Correspondents.—No communications published unless accompanied by the real name of the writer. Pr. GRAY MEEK, Editor Terms of Subscription.—Until further notice this paper will be furnished to sub- seribers at the following rates: Paid strictly in advance - - $150 Paid before expiration of year - 1.75 Paid after expiration of year - 2.00 ONE MAN'S WAR EXPERIENCE. Jacob C. Hess Writes Very Interest- ingly of What He Saw and Encountered. During the school ; year of 1916—'17 Jacob C. Hess, of Lancaster, was teacher of modern languages at the Bellefonte Academy. He returned to that institution in September, 1917, but was called for service by the Lan- caster examining board and sent to Camp Meade for training. He was as- signed to the headquarters company of the 158th infantry, 79th division, and the “Watchman” is privileged this week to publish the following let- ter from him to Dr. A. M. Schmidt: France, Dec. 14, 1918. For months I have been thinking of writing you a letter, but then, while there was much to write about, one dared say so little. Now, that the censorship regulations have been re- vised, perhaps I can write something which may have the semblance of a letter. "Twas on the eve of July 9th that I bade adieu to the Statue of Liberty and started across on the America, one of Germany’s largest liners, (the day before I saw the Vaterland speed away with about 15,000 men aboard). There were five transports in our con- voy, including the America, the Agamennon, LaFrance (a French ves- sel), and a few others, escorted by a number of submarine destroyers. The transports carried eight to ten thous- and men. The moment I stepped aboard I had a pretty vivid picture of what the future would be like. After having been assigned to a bunk to which there were two other claimants I decided it was no place for a human being so went up on deck where I spent the entire voyage, day and night. We were put on by bulk, not by number. Our meals were splendid. Naturally, there were some hardships endured, but we all managed to get along somehow. After a few days out at sea we sailed alone several days then were met by a number of de- stroyers which acted as our escort. All went as well as could be expected with the exception that one night our transport ran into a freighter, strik- ing it amidships and cutting it square- ly in two parts. It sank in seven or eight minutes and out of the crew of forty people we were able to save only | eleven. For a half hour or more it seemed as if our ship would suffer the same fate as the freighter, but al- though it had a leak as the result of the collision, it didn’t sink, but several months later it went down at its pier in Hoboken, probably the ultimate re- sult of that collision. Well, as the boys can testify, it was a terrible night. However, we sped on, and after sailing the briny deep for nine | days and having made a detour from | the direct route of about 1200 miles, | we finally reached France. We land- | ed at Brest, a seaport along the north- western coast of France. Disembark- ing we were obliged to climb a hill and then, after a two hours’ hike, pitched our tents in open fields in the rain and mud. It rained when we landed and except for a few days it has been raining ever since. We remained at Brest three or four days then entrained, or rather climb- ed into what seemed like two-by-four boxes set on wheels and labelled “8 hommes, 40 chevauxs.” Under what category we were at that time I don’t know, but when the boxes were pack- ed we finally started on our trip through France on the petite express. At the rate of speed we traveled it seemed as though the French didn’t care whether we ever reached the front. It was a three day’s trip and on our way we passed through Tours and later stopped for a night at Di- jon, after which we went into billets in small towns about two hour’s ride from the latter place. The division covered a large area, but division headquarters were at Prothoy, and the 158th brigade at Vaux sous Au- bigny, where we stayed about five weeks, the boys undergoing intensive training. Then orders came to move, So one evening (all movement of troops was done at night during the war) we en- trained, this time for one night only, and detrained the next morning at Revigny during the pouring rain. We then marched about fourteen kilome- tres, but fortunately for me, I rode horseback part of the way. Again we went into billets where we remained about a week, our headquarters being near Haironville, when we again moved—by trucks this time—up to the front. Division headquarters were es- tablished in Jouy and brigade head- quarters, to which I was attached, in Dombasle, while some of the units took over some of the trenches which they held a few weeks while prepara- tions for a tremendous drive were in progress. During that time I spent a few days at an aviation camp in Pretz en Ar- gonne studying liaison of panels and fireworks with the aeroplane. It was very interesting and the experience quite valuable. Finally the time for the drive arrived. Our division was on what is known as the Argonne sec- is located Montfaucon, from Which VAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANAAAAANAAAANNANAAAS IANNIS Mrs. James Kane Hears from Both : place the Crown Prince and the Kai- ser used to watch the progress of for- mer battles, and which was a strong- hold of the Crown Prince in his offen- sive against Verdun. The Germans claimed it could not be taken but the drive began early one morning. I'll never forget it. The roar of cannon from every nook and corner. I can’t tell you all about the battle, but our: division was in it steady for five days, during which time they took Mont- faucon, Malincourt, Nantillois and sev- | eral other towns. A few times I got mixed up in the front lines, getting into a few barrages and ducking shells all the time. On the eve of the fifth day we were relieved by the third division which | had fought at Chateau Thierry. We: moved back to where we were before | the drive started and collected our | possessions, as we didn’t carry very. much during the drive except arms! and ammunition and a few rations. | We were supposed to get rations from ! the rear, but they never arrived. At once we started on a march which | lasted almost three days then went ' into billets for two weeks. Our head- quarters were at Rupt. Later we pro- ceeded to the St. Mihiel front where | our boys held the lines a few weeks ; doing patrol duty and getting a num- | ber of prisoners. It must have seem- ! ed like heaven for the prisoners as | they would bring them from the lines - in a Cadillac car. Then, according to general head- | quarters, it was again our move, this | time to the well known Verdun front. I, myself, didn’t see much of the fight- ing there. For some time I had been working in the brigade message cen- tre. When we came to this front our headquarters were echeloned and I was kept with the rear echelon, tak- mg care of the rear message centre, which was located in the citadel of Verdun. This was a fort entirely un- der ground, the walls being ten to fif- teen feet in thickness, while inside it was divided into spacious rooms and corridors. While at Verdun I visited the College Marguerite Cathedral, which was partly destroyed by shot and shell. It still contains many beautiful pieces of sculpture work and paintings. About two days before the end of hostilities I went up front. The boys up there had a pretty stiff proposition on hand, as the Boche had every mil- itary advantage. Our soldiers had to contend with gas shells and high ex- plosive shells which fell by the thous- and, but they drove the Boche back in the face of his malicious machine guns, which bristled on every hill- side. They surely led Heinie a merry chase, and up to the very end, but at a great cost. Just before the ceasing of hostilities I happened to see a bat- tery of the artillery at work. The boys took delight in seeing how many shots they could get in. Promptly at eleven o'clock they floated Old Glory and gave a rousing cheer, and every- thing has been very quiet since. then. ' Our division is at about the same place it was when hostilities ceased. Our headquarters are near Reville and Danvillers, about twenty-five miles northeast of Verdun. We now belong to the ninth corps of the sec- ond army, which is an army of occu- pation in reserve to those which have gone forward. There is a report that we shall move to Luxemburg some- time soon, but whether we get to the I i tor and included the high hill on which Rhine or not has not yet been an- nounced. If we go there it is likely we will be over here for an indefinite time. Everybody is anxious to return to the States, being tired of living in the mud. They would all like to again live like human beings should live. I have read some of the clippings from American newspapers and they are very humorous to one who has been through it all and knows things as they really have been and are. One could write volumes about it, and while details are the most interesting we, unfortunately, cannot write them. With best wishes to all my friends in Centre county, I remain, JACOB C. HESS. Pennsvalley Soldier in Big Argonne Drive Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Musser, of Aaronsburg, have received several let- ters recently from their son, James Musser, of the famous Seventy-ninth division, in which he says: “I am in the base hospital, having come here November 11th. I was not wounded but am undergoing treat- ment for the flu. I could not talk at all for a few days but am now almost well. “I presume you are all glad the war is over, as you will feel more sure of the boys coming home. “On September 26th I made my first trip over the top into No Man’s Land with the 79th division. We started at 6:10 in the morning. Everything went fine until we had gone about seven and a half miles. Then we stopped in a trench which was from four to eight feet deep. An enemy airplane spotted the trench and signalled the German artillery. They fired four three inch shells which landed from twelve to fourteen feet behind me. We all kept still and the shells soon ceased coming. “I do not know whether I will be sent back to Company H, or not, when I leave the hospital, or whether I will be sent home. When I do go home I hope it will be on the Levia- than, the same ship I came over on. We made the trip at that time in six and a half days.” A letter received by a friend from private Musser said that he had been in Turkey and Greece, so that he is evidently getting around some in the European countries. ——Subseribe for the “Watchman.” or St. Louis, there were a huge auction room, where the lives of men and of little children were on sale. ) Suppose that every day the auctioneer’s red lag hung ot as a sign that on that day so many men were to be allowed to die; so many women; and so many little ones. Allowed to die, just for the lack of a few dollars. want of the little sum that would ransom them. Suppose that were the case, I say to myself; could I possibly stay away? Is there any argument I could give to myself that would keep me from going there day after day, and buying with all my power ? Buying men and women and children, at that auctioneer’s block, with the dollars that would mean life to them? It’s not a very pretty picture; yet compared to the pictures that I have seen from stricken Armenia and Syria, and all the empires of the Near East, it is almost beautiful. For men and women and children are dying over there—dying for the lack of sums that seem pitifully, miserably small. I am not rich, ard I have all the little wonies that are common to us middle class folks. Worries about next year’s income tax; and about the future of business, and where my income will go to if such things take place. But I have a worse worry than that. The worry for what my conscience will say to me, if in this hour of the world’s tribulation I do not do my share. The worry lest in my ears for the rest of my lifc there should be the ery of a man, or a woman, or a little child whose life I might have saved. For they are crying over there today, stretching out their weak, tired arms. And it’s a marvellous thought to me, that modest as my income is, it’s big enough to let me save the life of one of them—big enough to give me a man, or a woman, or a child who will never cease to be thankful that I did my part. They are waiting for our answer over there: yours and mine: A poor stricken man broken by the war; and a woman, weak from her struggle and terror; and a baby who can live and grow up into useful manhood or womanhood, if only you say the word. Will you contribute something, either individually or through your church or your club to this merciful cause for which the cam- paign is now on. Just for the In Some Town Over There is a Baby Who Can Live if You Say the Word. I sometimes picture it to myself this way. Suppose that somewhere in Bellefonte, New York, or in Chicago, IB Rrra ramsnromrroroos A Faithful Tribute to Heroism of The regiment was cited for orders. Sergt. Arthur W. Undercoffer. . The battalion, always heavily engag- | , ed, did great work. Company L the! of | same. Many made the supreme sac- | rifice, many badly wounded. Their memories will not be forgotten. I shall never, could never, forget your husband. If I hear anything of | your hushand’s work after I left, or | Mrs. Arthur W. Undercoffer, Christianna, Lancaster county, is in receipt of a letter from Capt. Charles E. Loam, of the 316th infantry, tell- ing what he knew of her husband, who was reported killed in action on October 2nd, and paying a faithful where he went, I shall leave you! tribute to him as a soldier. The let- | know. I believe he reached a hos- ter was forwarded to the young sol- | pital after being wounded. Accept dier’s father, Joseph W. Undercoffer, | my sincerest sympathy on your loss. and the “Watchman” herewith pub- ! ! What is left of the company joins me | lishes the same as it shows in a real- | | whole-heartedly. CHARLES E. L a a ey AIR Be a een News Notes of Men in the U. S. Service. On September 11th the War De-: partment announced as among the Iist of those killed in action the name of | Gregorio Fozio, of Philipsburg. On| Sunday however, the announcement was made that instead of having been | killed in action he had been a prison- | er in Germany and ‘having been dis- | East of the Meuse, Nov. 30. On September 26th this division at | tacked, as part of the general against the famous Hindenburg Our going on that day and the To was easy. Our casualties in all amounted to fifteen men in the com- pany, slightly wounded. Montfau- con, of which you may have read, fell into our hands, the Hindenburg line was smashed but the fight stiffened. On the morning of the 28th our company (Company L), occupied the post of honor—the assault line. The attack was hard. Within a few yards of me always was your husband, my first sergeant. Wherever I went he followed, although it was not neces- sary for him to do so. It was neces- sary for me to go from front line to front line and side to side. He was present and it seemed as if he bore a charmed life. I talked with him as we walked and ran about, and he was a reat help. I was wounded early that : a ins Bt it was so slight Ye to | ward, going back to the Pittsburgh give me no trouble and I could keep hospital for further treatment. up. Among the Bellefonte boys dis- My men were falling fast, my sup-| charged from service and who have ports failed, and still we were mak- | .atumed home are Lieuts. Hugh ing good progress. Lieut. Wunder- ; lich had been killed, Lieut. Renshawe Quigley ad Parle Weaver. wounded, Lieut. Hoffman wounded, Sergt. McKown and Corp. Foltz kill- ed and others wounded. We were in a fair way to make our objective. I then remember of regaining con- sciousness on the field. This time I had been hit with a piece of shell on the head. Your husband was waiting beside me. I was taken back and he went on. I later heard from men in the hos- pital near me that your husband had been wounded. Three days ago offi- cial news reached me that he had died. Where, I wish I knew, but you will hear some time in the near future from the central records office. Your husband was a splendid type of a real, genuine man—a true Amer- ican. What needs be said of him? You know what confidence was placed in him by his commanders. Honest! beyond all question. Just! the men all respected him for it. Kind! the men worshipped him for it. Brave in battle, calm under heavy conditions. Twice I offered him the chance to go to the officers’ training school—for he could lead men—but he preferred not. Would that I could have him back again, for we need men like him. My old company is but a skeleton of what it was. None of its officers left. Sergt. Hershey the only ser- geant left, all others killed or wound- ed, and few of the old men left. The battalion is the same way. I am the only old captain left and I rejoined the regiment before the fighting stop- ped. Four captains killed and all oth- ers wounded; two majors killed and one wounded and a prisoner. Not an old lieutenant on duty with the bat- talion and few left in the regiment. You can understand my feelings as I write you. My company was as dear to me as anything I have known. The regiment fought from September 26th until the armistice on November 11th. lines. Robert Barner, of | of Woodward, spent | Sunday with friends in Bellefonte, be- | burgh where he is a casual patient. According to the young man’s story he was in the thick of the fight as a machine gunner in the Argonne sec- tor and carries wounds on both arms to prove his assertion. He returned to this country with a casualty com- pany about New Years and spent a brief furlough at his home at Wood- Harry Fisher, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Fisher, returned home on a fur- lough the latter part of last week wearing the croix de guerre and a gold star, the first Bellefonte boy to return from France with these visi- ble decorations as citations for brave- ry. He also has two service stripes on his left arm, denoting a year’s serv- ice in a foreign land and two wound chevrons on his wright arm. Harry first tried for the aviation service and while training in Kansas met with an accident and was discharged from that branch. He then joined the engineers and went across. During his service in France he was wounded twice, one wound in his right knee giving him the most trouble. He was also gassed in action. He arrived in this country with a casualty company shortly be- fore Christmas, landing at Hampton Roads, He was in the hospital there until furloughed home. He has been granted an extension of his furlough and when that expires will report at a hospital in Washington for further treatment of his knee. Two More of Our Men Accounted For. Some time ago we announced that John Handza, of Clarence, and Arth- ur L. Loesch, of State College, were both represented missing in action. On Wednesday the government’s casualty list reported that both men hope been located and are back on uty. —Though the e work of the local exemption hoard has been practically cleaned up, the honors are just begin- ning to arrive, as last Friday Sheriff Yarnell received his commission as a captain and County Commissioner Grove and Dr. Kidder each commis- sions as lieutenants, so that they will | have these titles, at least, to hand | down to their posterity. : can-like. charged was back in the America, | ing on his way to a hospital in Pitts- | Her Boys. St. Maixent, Erance, Dec. 5. Just a few words to let you know that I am still among the living, and ‘never felt better in my life. There is something about army life that agrees with me. We are located in a beauti- ‘ful camp here, which is real Ameri- We have substantial brick barracks to live in, and all the com- | forts that anyone could desire, in . times like these. i About ten of us fellows went to ‘town last evening and had a seven course dinner, everything from soup ' to nuts, and it cost us only four francs and fifty centimes, or about eighty . cents in our money. We were on our , way to the front when the armistice ‘ was signed, so we were side-tracked here and I don’t know where we will go from here. ’ : JAMES KANE, 364 Aero Squadron. Champigny tes Langree, Dec. 9. I am still over here wading through ‘the mud and waiting for the time to , come when I can start home. The weather has been very disagreeable ' here lately, not very much like the ! weather we have at home. I think by ‘ the time you get this we will be on our way home and gee! won’t I be ‘glad to get back again to old Belle- . fonte. I have not been getting home { mail very regularly, but enough to know that you are all right. I left New York on July 10th and | landed iw France on the 21st. We left ' for the front on July 30th, and were ‘ along different parts of it until No- | . vember 7th when we were sent back | here to rest up. While here the arm- . istice was signed. I have a little dog | that was with me all through my ' service at the front, and I am going | to bring him home with me if I am allowed to do so. i BERNARD KANE, ! co F, 56th Engineers. State College Man Named Secretary of Agriculture. Governor-elect William C. Sproul i has selected Prof. Frederick Rasmus- | sen, of State College, as his Secretary | of Agriculture as successor to Charles | E. Patton, of Clearfield county. The | appointment is not only a compliment ‘to Centre county but reflects credit J: upon Mr. Sproul’s judgment in select- ing able men for his cabinet. Prof. | Rasmussen is an expert agricultural- ist, not only from a scientific but a | practical standpoint. He has declined | several important positions tendered him by the United States government !as well as the position of Secretary tof Agriculture for New Hampshire. | While he has never had time to play politics he is well known as a speak- jer and writer on agricultural topics {and has an established reputation among the farmers of the United | States. He is not only a pleasant and | congenial gentleman, and easy of ap- | proach, but will take to the agricul- ! tural department a wealth of exper- ience that will for once make it a | credit to the great State of Pennsyl- vast i State College to Admit Many High School Boys. | To accommodate High school and ! college boys now receiving their dis- | charges from the army and navy, The Pennsylvania State College has an- nounced that a limited number of well-prepared Freshmen will be ad- mitted at the opening of the second semester, January 27. All those ap- plicants will be eligible who have done virtually all the work necessary for graduation from High schools, even though they would not receive the High school diploma until next June. According to A. H. Espenshade, the college registrar, the State College is doing its utmost to accommodate all former students who are willing and able to return to their college work. He said the college was inoted to show the same consideration to High school graduates who may be dis- charged from military service in time to start their Freshman work this month. oo Firemen’s Relief Association. The annual meeting of the Fire- men’s Relief association was held in the hall of the Undine fire company building on Tuesday evening, with the usual good attendance. The offi- cers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: President—Benton D Tate. Vice President—D. Paul Fortney. Secretary—Harry J. Jackson. Treasurer—Joseph Beezer. Board of Control—John J. Bower and P. H. Gherrity. Following the business meeting the customary banquet was served to the firemen and their invited friends. At the conclusion of the banquet speeches were made by burgess W. Harrison Walker, Edmund Blanchard and John J. Bower Esqgs., and M. R. Johnson. Walker—Harshberger. — Alfred H. Walker, of Lemont, and Miss Maude E. Harshbarger, of Linden Hall, were united in marriage on Monday of this week, at the Reformed parsonage in Boalsburg, by the pastor, Rev. S. C. Stover. ——Manager Garman has booked “Charley’s Aunt” for appearance at the opera house on Friday evening, January 81st. This old and favorite ly new and revised role and theatre | goers are asked to keep the date in | mind. ——The big DeHaviland airplane which was wrecked at Whitehaven , several weeks ago arrived in Belle- | fonte in a freight car on Monday and | on Tuesday was unloaded and hauled out to the aviation field for repairs. ——————————— —— —— EE Y——————— —Frank J. Lingle died | very unexpectedly last Saturday even- ing at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Mur- ray, in’ Patton, of acute dilitation of the heart. He had not been feeling well for ten days before his death but was able to be up and around. Even as late as Saturday morning he walk- ed to his favorite barber shop to be shaved. Saturday afternoon he was taken violently sick and passed away at five o’clock in the evening. Deceased was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Harvey Lingle and was born in Bellefonte about sixty-six years ago, in the old jail, while his father was sheriff. As a young man he learned. the trade of a jeweler and later learned the printer’s trade but about the year 1889 he went to Phil- ipsburg and accepted the position of weighmaster at one of the coal mines in that locality. He was there a num- ber of years then went to Patton and accepted a similar position at one of the mines at that place, making his home with Dr. and Mrs. Murray. He was a member of the Episcopal church and a man who had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He nev- er married and his only survivors are one brother and a sister, Hon. W. C. Lingle, of Philipsburg, and Mrs. Ed- win F. Garman, of Bellefonte. In his boyhood days Frank was a great favorite in Bellefonte. He was a splendid ball player and no local team ever thought of victory unless he was on first base. He was genial and had a fine sense of humor that always made him an attractive per- sonage among us. The remains were brought to Belle- fonte on Monday afternoon and taken to the Edwin F. Garman home on east High street where the funeral serv- ices were held at two o’clock on Tues- day afternoon by Rev. McClintick, of the Disciple church, of Philipsburg, burial being made in the Union ceme- tery. Those from out of town who attend- ed the funeral were L. W. Runk, Dr. Bigelow, William Bigelow, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Todd and Hon. W. C. Lingle, of Philipsburg; Dr. Murray, of Patton; Irvin Harvey, son and daughter and Mrs. Harvey Lingle, of State College; Robert F. Garman, Mr. and Mrs. Al. S. Garman and Miss Em- ma Montgomery, of Tyrone; Mrs. J. Howard Lingle and Miss Marion Lingle, of DuBois, and Harvey Lingle, of Pittsburgh. li J DELIGE.—Christina Delige, for a number of years past a resident of Bellefonte, died at her home on jail hill on Saturday of last week of can- cer of the stomach, with which she had suffered for many weeks. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Delige and was born on March 9th, 1850, making her age 68 years, 10 months and 2 days. Prior to com- ing to Bellefonte she made her home at Scotia and was widely known throughout that community. She was a painstaking and industrious woman and for many years a butchering in that vicinity would not be complete unless Christina was there to help with it. Funeral services were held on Wednesday by Rev. Jones, of the i A. M. E. church, after which the re- mains were taken to Scotia for bur- ial. 3 sadn —Michael Segner, a well known resident of Harris township, died at his home in Boalsburg on Wednesday morning of general infir- mities, aged almost seventy-four years. During his life he followed farming and for a number of years also operated a threshing machine. He was a life-long member of the Lutheran church and a man who had the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. Ten years ago, or after the death of his wife, he retired from the farm and moved to a com- fortable home in Boalsburg where he has since lived. He is survived by quite a family of children, and as two or more of them live in the west ar- rangements for the funeral have not yet been completed. li Il SHELTON.—Mrs. Emma J. Shel- ton, wife of William S. Shelton, pro- prietor of the Millheim knitting mills, died very suddenly last Saturday morning after a brief illness with in- fluenza. She was born at Pittston and was aged 50 years, 6 months and 8 days. In addition to her husband she is survived by two children, Maurice and Bessie, both at home. She also leaves two sisters. The Skel- tons have been residents of Millheim the past fifteen years and in that time Mrs. Shelton had endeared herself to | a wide circle of friends who deeply ! deplore her death. Rev. M. DeP. May- nard officiated at the funeral which was held on Tuesday morning, burial being made in the Fairview cemetery, Millheim. il ll BOGGS.—Miss Rebecca Boggs, of Milesburg, passed away in the Belle- fonte hospital on Sunday, following an illness of several months with tu- berculosis. Early last October she had an attack of influenza and though she apparently recovered from that dreaded ailment tuberculosis develop- ed which finally caused her death. She was a daughter of Andrew T. and Mary Lingle Boggs and was born | at Milesburg on January 20th, 1896, hence was almost twenty-three years old. In addition to her parents sheis survived by several brothers and sis- ters. The funeral was held on Wed- comedy will be presented in an entire- nesday, burial being made in the Treziyulny cemetery. ll ! WILSON. —Mrs. Mary A. Wilson | died at her home in Walker township on Wednesday of last week after a ‘long illness. She was a daughter of John S. and Rebecca Yearick Hoy and was born on April 8th, 1860, hence was 58 years, 9 months and 5 days ' old. Burial was made at Hublersburg on Saturday.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers