', , -
')'V.
B
v
5 ?!
V. '
i
'! i.
i
.1 V
i :f
it'
t v
t - . 'v
' i'-
! .!
FRENCH BEAOD HUSTLER nESDElisONTILLE, If. C.
THURSDAY, NOT. 21, 1918.
r . I
. I
LIEUT. JNO. BELK WRITES
INTERESTING LETTER TO
REV AND MRS G. W. BELK.
France, Oct 16, '18.
Dearest Mother:
For two weeks I've really been in
too big a rush to write anybody, but
I have slipped in one or two letters
since I came here. I am quite satis
fied at my present location, even
tho' the line has pushed on until we
are actually out of range of Boche
artillery. However, we are not in
active. To my utter surprise and delight,
Capt Ladd and his battery rolled in
yesterday to be stationed on the
same line with my battery! We mess
together. It was so good to see Sgt.
Pender, Bill Ladson and all the old
Hendersonville bunch, and the two
batteries have had a regular reun
ion. Of course they have marvelous
tales to tell each other, as we served
in different sections during the big
push. Sgt. Pender has a German ma-!
chine gun and several thousand
rounds of ammunition that he gath
ered up. We are now using it against
its old masters. And my men have
souvenirs of all descriptions.
My battery withstood the fiercest
fire while Capt Ladd's was more in
the rush. Tomorrow I have a 200
mile trip to make on my cycle, and
I'll pass thru a famous little city,
occupied by Germans since 1914, un
til Pershing's men drove them out
recently. The Boche left it a hole
of filth and corruption.
The fighting in front of us , is
fierce and without cessation. The
ground here quivers night and day
and the roar is like thunder.
The peace proposal is a total fake.
It was a peace offensive, brought on
by a war defensive ! Our troops are
glorious, fearless, tireless, invincible.
We are filled with enthusiasm, both
by our successes and by the spirit o
the folks back home. And we are
carrying on ,on, on. We are rolling
in our mouths, like a sweet morsel,
the taste of victory. The star of,
to get on fine together.
i I heard today that Bill Oates was
a prisoner and not killed am so glad
Today I have had seven Boche pri
soners working for me, piling mater
ial. Young fellows, and bright.
Seem satisfied ,too! !
Haven't heard a word from George
except indirectly. My new lieu
tenant saw him ten days ago. He is
still near Paris, but has probably
started this way by now. I am cer
tainly, expecting him to turn up al
most any time now. He is to be 20
miles north of my position.
Don't suppose I'm getting all my
mail, , but am satisfied. Address my
letters plainly in full: "8th Anti
Aircraft Battery, A. P. O. No. 702,
American Ex. Forces. Have mis
laid my Christmas coupon. Will try
and find it shortly. Hope it reaches
you by November 20. Only 3-Ibs.
and from only one person. By all
means enclose 6 packages of Dur
ham Duplex blades. I have plenty
of razors but am running short on
blades. Maybe you better put 12
packages in my Xmas box. Don't
go to any trouble, however.
I am living in a little corrugated
iron hut. Have a baby stove that
heats and smokes up the room quick
ly. It's cold and rainy now. The
weather has been fierce for two
weeks. Am suffering at present with
a bad tonsil, and my men are having
another dose of Spanish "flu." We've
had the round cooties, fleas, itch,
etc., etc., all of which is taken as a
matter of course.
I got my men equipped with rub
ber boots last week, and they're
tickled to death. Also got them lea
ther coats. Our ration is splendid
We get frozen beef every other day,
potatoes, soup, beans, canned beef,
corned beef hash, jam and candles.
1 am living in splendid style. Get
2 liters of sweet milk every day and
eggs occasionaly for there are a num
ber of farmers still living nearby.
An old lady uses our waste from the
kitchen for her pigs. She asked me
for it first and I have kept my pro
mise to her, while old women for
poor little fellow has to use a crutch
because his left leg was blown off
above the knee by a German bomb.
He's a -bright, intelligent boy. But
I'm so thankful it isn't Sam or .Frank.
How these people can stay and stay
in shell torn towns or country, I
can't see. Amid bursting shells and
bombs, gas and all the horrors of
war, they cling, to home.
Once I was in a village which was
being swept by high explosives. Ev
erybody was in dugouts, except 'a
French Sergeant and me. I was look
ing for some of my men and we were
expecting to be blown to pieces any
moment. In front of a tiny hovel
was a little boy about four years old,
unconcerned, and apparently enjoy
ing it. Fifty yards from his door
was the most mangled and horrible
sight I ever witnessed. A screaming
woman rushed out and pulled him in
to the cellar. Later I found out that
he, as had dozens of other kids in the
village, had been born amid the roar
, of guns ; had lived his first four years
there, while the town was captured
and re-captured. He knew no other
condition. Shells and death were
commonplace and meant little in his
young life. The pitiful picture will
always remain fresh in my memory.
The thought of precious little Mar
garet flashed in my mind, as in com
parison. And I thanked God that her
little life had not been stunted and
blighted by proximity to such things,
and that she was safe in the land oi
sunshine and gladness and flowers
and birds.
I went 20 miles yesterday to the
Base Hospital to see two of my men
and I passed thru the garden spot
of France. I wish I could describe
the lovely hills and valleys, the cas
tles ,the chateaux, the quaint little
villages ,etc. Will have to do that
later.
Best wishes and heart full of love
for all my dear family. I send you
each a kiss and you and Margaret
two. Your devoted son,
JOHN B. BELK.
The action is regarded significant
here as indicating the gcverniucifs. in-
tn utiifv all the railroad Imisj-
ness in such manner as 10 maKc us
unscrambling later maavisauie. n al
so forecasts higher wages and m 2f eas
ed express rates.
McAdoo recently recommcu.n;u
it. ;tor...toto pnmmerce committee
me i" . T . ,
that express rates be raised. Jo fraia
it would be nee- '-i-y to raiso-kd. ad
ditional $24,000,0Cv) in revenue, .'his,
McAdoo explained, .wouia ue a.w.'iw
in increased coz cZ operation ond in-
creased wages, wnicn tne emijjojeca
cf the merged companies wore seek
ing., ,
The interstate commerce commis
sion has been investigating McAcloo's
recommendation, but a decision ap
pears not due for several weeks.
Meanwhile, reports to the railroad ad
ministration show, the express em
ployees were growing dissatisfied .with
their pay.
The express company's revenues
have hardly met expenses in the last
two months, the earnings' statements
reveal.
15,000 AUSTRIAN S CAPTURED
Italian Headquarters on the Piave
Monday, Oct. 2 .Fifteen thousand
prisoners had been taken by the Brit
ish, "Italians and French up to late to
day in the advance across the Piave
whch for the third time in one year
is the scene' of a desperate battle
This time, however, the tables are
turned against the Austrians who are
t steadily being pressed back from the
eastern bank of the river.
Germany is waning. And for the 4 miles have begged for it.
first time since we entered the war,
I am ready to say, "Victory is ours."
I always knew we would make the
war turn in our favor, but never be
fore have I foreseen the real victory,
the triumph.' The end is not yet, but
the result is clear.
LieHit. Tower '-has been transferred
and I have 2nd Lieut: Voos, from
Connecticut, a graduate of Yale,
rather clever chap, fresh from train
ing camp ,and believe me I'm giving
"him his third degree! We are going
Out of
gratitude she brings me carrots,
grapes and small quantities of oth
er vegetables. I told my cooks to
be extra kind to her. She is alone
and very old, so they give her bread
every day and always save her soup
bones, etc.. Our battery has a splen
did reputation among the French in
habitants. Out of our abundance
we always have plenty for the hun
gry. There is a boy, just about Sam's
size, who comes to us often. The
EXPRESS CONTROL CHANGES
Washington, Nov. 16. President
Wilson today extended -the tentacles
of government control by taking over
the nation's express companies.
In a proclamation, effective at noon
Monday, the president declared that
"in order to administer to the bsst ad
vantage the transportation rjusiness
and operation of the American Rail
way Express system, which the presi
dent merged, it is desirable to make it
specifically clear that the president
has the possession, use, control nnd
operation of the entire transportation
system" of the company. Administra
tion of the companies is placed in the
hands of Director General Mc.V.loo.
I-
t - .
ti
ftali!-!
PORTABLE HEAT
Downstairs, upstairs wherever, whenever needed the
Perfection Heater gives generous glowing warmth makes
bedroom, bathroom, living room or den warm and cozy in
a few minutes. Inexpensive to buy and use easy to clean
and fill smokeless, odorless used in 3,000,000 homes.
Aladdin Security Oil gives best results.
' A cl- tn t--r f l-io Por -fV-irr of vnnr olr'c .HEr
STANDARD OIL COMPANY
SECURITYOIL
DAKD
man) i
ew Jersey)
Washington, D,
; Norfolk. Va.
i Richmond, V.
Baltimore, Md.
Charlotte. N. C
Charleston. W. Va.
WaKSfiEiS t Charleston, S. C. j
RFE
Look for the
"Triangle Trade Mark
K fv 1
1 -1
iMi jew if urn
IE""" "9
PTTIW HI 1 I. I
ill I I nil t lull
CP5
M
2
5
THEY MUST
BE
SENT TO SOLDIERS OVERSE.
AS
1
D
ic P
The rules for sending Christmas packages to soldiers overseas has been changed so as to permit the sending of gifts
from anyone without, the coupon previously required.
The Time Limit for Sending Gifts has been Extended to December 1st
The War Industries Board advises early Christmas buying for even civilians in order to. avoid overwork due
It ,
shortage of help, prevention of fuel consumption for light and heat.
to
APPROPRIATE GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS
Come in at once and select from the list of suitable articles listed below those which you desire to present to your soldier friends
who will more than ever appreciate your loving remembrance
WATERMAN'S IDEAL FOUNTAIN
FENS.
SHAVING SETS.
SAFETY RAZORS.
BILL FOLDS.
BILL FOLDS WITH MIRROR AJfD
COMB.
WRIST WATCHES
BELTS WITH SILVER BUCKLES.
CIGAR CASES.
CIGARETTE CASES.
ARMY ASD-KAVt RINGS.
ARMY. AND NAVY IDENTIFICA
TION TAGS.
KEGFLAR SIGNET KINGS.
- SILVER PICTURE LOCKETS
Mi-
7 TT
lis alio
HAWKINS
Jewelers and Optometrists
V
Hendersbnyille.vN. C.