Military

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Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
22 Jun 1916
Page 1

Cavalry Boys Called Out

Troop C, Williamsburg, Now in Camp at Iowa City.

Public Expression of Sentiment Cheers the Boys on Their Way.

The Roster.
The following is the roster of the troop:
Lieut. H. A. Halverson
2nd Lieut. Roscoe Holden
Sergt. Russell Williams
Sergt. E. J. Schooley
Seargt. George Beaver
Corp. John McManama
Corp. Will Davis
Corp Milford Engelbert
Ernest Burns
B. Donohoe
Tom Roberts
David Roberts
Herman Greider, Jr.
James Miller
Mervin Manor
Roy Kuch
Glen Halverson
Frank McCallister
Delbert Akerman
Floyd Edwards
Fred Edwards
Forrest Edwards
Everett Mahoney
Lloyd Edwards
Clarence Hall
Marcus Faltinson
Grant Olson
David Williams
R. G. Kell
Robert Harris
Ralph Chase
John Hoyt

The order for the mobilization of the national guard caused a peculiar current of excitement in the Williamsburg mind; the home of Troop C, 1st Cavalry, is here and the members affected knew at once that it meant an instant report for camp and drill. The order came Tuesday morning to Lieut. Halverson; it was from Gen. Logan, at Des Moines, and the instructions were to report at Iowa City on Wednesday, June 21st. Then there were hurryings to and fro; telephone calls brought in the country members and quick turns were made for the procuring of horses for the men; boys working on the farms imitated Old Putnam by leaving their plows standing in the field; mothers and fathers wore a look of deepest concern, as they fully understood that in it all there was that uncertainty through which no one could read the future. Did the mobilization mean only a few weeks in camp, or would it mean, eventually, that the flower of Iowa's young manhood must face all the trials and privations incident to a soldier's life -- and that, too, in a foreign and alien land. But the parents were resigned, and not one of the boys betrayed a saffron streak. Ralph Chase was never a member of the troop, but when he felt the thrill of the situation, he hurriedly sought Lieut. Halverson and was immediately enrolled as a member.

Busy at Armory.
Down at the armory there was a busy bunch of boys; everything had to be packed up for the trip; lockers were stripped of their rifles; clothing and camp utensils were made into individual packs, while saddles, bridles, halters, etc., were placed for immediate access. The great floor of the armory was covered with the trappings of the military life. Saddles, swords, rifles, belts, canteens, rain coats, blankets, picket ropes, pack rolls, etc. Over these the boys were busy and by an early hour in the evening everything was ready for the start. The big furniture van of the Jones store was secured for the transportation of the camp equipment, and the boys were pleased when a night's rest presented itself.
All this preparation was entirely new for this generation; it was more than fifty years since young men left here for the front, and but very few of the people present on Tuesday ever witnessed a performance like this.

A Public Expression.
Shortly after the receipt of the order to move it was felt that something should be done that would make the boys feel that the public appreciated their readiness and self sacrificing spirit; word was hurriedly passed around for a mass meeting at the armory at 8:30 p.m. The boys were busy packing up when the first visitors came; at the appointed hour the hall contained several hundred people, a representative gathering of the town; Attorney Kirby called the assembly to order and in a few very appropriate words told the aim and intention of the meeting; everything was of the most informal type; no lengthy program or still more lengthy talks; but everyone present felt an earnestness and an eloquence that were born of loyalty to the government from whose chief executive came the call for mobilization.
Rev. N. A. Swickard was the first called upon for a short talk and his touching reference to other scenes of this nature, witnessed in another state, moistened many an eye; addressing himself directly to the "boys" he impressed them with the seriousness of the mission upon which they are setting out, and he expressed the hope that the honor of the flag and the honor of their country would never be sullied by a dishonorable action on their part. He spoke of the cost of sending them out, and of that greater cost to the hearts of the parents of those who are now going forth on a mission that calls for the highest form of courage.
Rev. T. E. Sherman responded to the call in a direct and appropriate little talk; he looked for the time when this country will exercise a control over Mexican affairs; he encouraged the members of the cavalry troop to bear in mind the fact that they were in the service of the nation that has done more for the uplift of society than any nation known in history. His remarks were well received.
Attorneys J. P. Gaffney and W. E. Wallace each contributed to the expression of the occasion and their remarks were both timely and eloquent. Mayor Jones responded in a few words that had the ring of a bugle in every sentence. On the part of Troop C, Lieuts. Halverson and Holden made short responses.
The Choral Union Glee Club, headed by Ellis Lloyd, came from their practice work and enlivened the gathering and the occasion by rendering three appropriate selections.
Following the musical number the members of the troop, together with their relatives were entertained at the Little Chicago; the spread was prepared along the lines of the Schoeder excellence and was enjoyed by all.
Wednesday morning the troop was ready for the move and before nine o'clock Lieut. Halverson formed his men in line and in four deep they rode once around the square and then headed for Iowa City. They made a fine appearance and across the lips of everyone stole a prayer that they might all return to Williamsburg. A great throng was out to see the boys off and a rousing cheer followed them down the trail.
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Edwards furnish three sons to the troop; Floyd and Fred are men grown but Forrest is yet well down in his teens and enlisted last year as a bugler.
Lieut Halverson, Lieut. Holden and Floyd Edwards are the only married men in the troop.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
29 Jun 1916
Page 1

Irwin Jones Omitted

In the list of members of Troop C, published last week, we omitted the name of Irwin Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Jones. Irwin was among the first members of the troop and was delighted at the prospect of serving his country in a capacity that calls for the highest form of courage. Walter Evans has since enlisted and is now a member of the troop and will share with the other boys from Williamsburg the fortunes and misfortunes of war, should war be resorted to.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
5 July 1917
Page 1

Recruits To Oxford.

Soldier Boys Leave for a Period of Intensive Training Before Entering the Camp at Des Moines.

All the boys who enlisted in Troop C during the past few months, or since the troop returned from the border, left Monday for Oxford where they will enter on a period of intensive training under Capt. Yenter, as a preparatory course before entering the camp at Des Moines about the 15th of July.
Lieut. Holden and Corporals Robert Harris, Lloyd Edwards and John McManama, accompanied the boys; Lieut. Holden returned Monday night but the corporals will remain wiht the boys. The training will be of the strenuous type, and it is felt that the recruits will go into camp at Des Moines on a fair level with the boys who were in the service last year.
The following is a list of the recruits:
Walter Glass, Elmer Edwards, W. G. Evans, Fred Schell, Jr., Clifton Butler, Fred Fisher, Arnold Akerman, all of Williamsburg.
Other recruits in the troop are: Charles Chapman, George Kolosick, Charles Kolosick, and Leo Florang, North English; Ralph Dwyer, Parnell; Joseph Schmidt and William Kephert, Conroy; John Van Sickle, Hawkeye.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
19 Jul 1917
Page 1

Williamsburg Troopers.

Boys Now at Oxford and Await the Orders to Move to the Southern Camp.

Three Were Rejected.

The Williamsburg members of Troop C went to Oxford Sunday and are now awaiting the order that will likely land them at Camp Cody, Deming, N. M. When this order will come is not yet known.
The boys were all home Sunday and bid goodbye to their folks, and went away with hearts as brave as they were hopeful, and it goes without saying that their names will be in many a prayer in Williamsburg until their safe return.
The following is a list of the boys from here:
Roscoe Holden
E. J. Schooley
Milford Engelbert
Erdice Burns
John McManama
Robert Harris
Lloyd Edwards
Irwin Jones
Fred Edwards
Herman Greider
James Miller
Everett Mahoney
Ralph Chase
Barney Donohoe
Grant Olson
Walter Glass
Charles Chapman
Elmer Edwards
John Van Sickle
Arnold Akerman
William Watkins
George Kalosick
Charles Kalosick
Ralph Dwyer
Leo Florang
Charles Sever
Roy Kuch.

Failed to Pass.
Three boys, William G. Evans, Clifton Butler and Fred Fischer, failed to pass the physical examination and returned to town Friday; the boys were deeply disappointed at this turn of affairs; they had their hearts set on the patriotic venture, and the refusal to accept them was felt as an actual grief. Mr. Evans was under weight, Mr. Butler had a defective vision, and Mr. Fischer was afflicted with some minor derangement that marked him as unfit. The boys were willing to go, and the public regards them in the same favorable light as it does the more fortunate fellows who were accepted.
May the best fortunes of war accompany Troop C, and all other military divisions that march beneath the flag.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
27 Sep 1917
Page 1

Off For Deming.

Soldiers Left Grinnell Tuesday Evening for the Southwest.

The several companies and troops of soldiers that were camping at Grinnell for the past two months, left on Tuesday evening for the big camp at Deming, N. M. Williamsburg's Troop C was in this contingent and several auto loads from here were up to see the boys depart. They left on one train of nineteen cars, and not since the days of the civil war did Grinnell experience a deeper thrill.
The boys went first to Des Moines, and from here the route was via Kansas City; the train is now coursing across the stretches of Kansas prairies and will reach Deming the last of the week.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
4 Oct 1917
Page 8

Machine Gun Battery.

Williamsburg Cavalry Boys Now in Machine Gun Service.

Williamsburg Troop C reached Deming this week and the new order wiped out their standing as a cavalry unit and the entire body was transferred to the machine gun corps. This means that the boys will be among the early ones to see service in France. Troop B of Riverside, was given a similar shift.
Troop A, the Marengo contingent, is now headquarters troop for the 34th division. Troop D, made up of the Grinnell boys, is now a part of the 109th ammunition train.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
18 Oct 1917
Page 1

Soldiers Buy Bonds.

$10,700.00 Liberty Bonds Purchased by Boys of old "Troop C."

A letter received yesterday from Lieut. Roscoe Holden, Camp Cody, Deming, N. M. contains the following news item:
"Our company, formerly Troop C, has purchased $10,700.00 worth of Liberty Bonds in this second issue, some of the enlisted men taking as high as $250 each, pledging $25.00 a month for ten months, and any number of the boys took $100 worth. I think you might call that patriotism, -- not only helping to fight the war, but willing to help finance it as well."
Good for the boys of old Troop C! This sounds like a real strain of Liberty singing through the heart; the patriotism that goes no farther than words is worth no more than sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, but the patriotism that walks up and puts its money into the war fund is the brand of patriotism that illumes the path of human liberty.
We hope that this action of the boys from Williamsburg will have an effect on those who are yet residents of this community.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
6 Dec 1917
Page 1

Has Seventeen Stars.

The Congregational Church of Williamsburg has a service flag, and the flag carries seventeen stars, one for each of the members of the congregation who are now in the service of their country.
The consecration service was held Sunday evening in the church as was conducted by the Rev. Robert Tipton; it was an impressive ceremony and there was a holy hush as each soldier's name was called and responded to by a girl relative coming forward and pinning the star to the flag. Special music for the occasion was furnished by Miss Irene Jones, and the talk by Rev. Mr. Tipton was characteristic of the man, sparkling throughout with the highest expressions of patriotism and sacrifice.
The honor roll of the Congregational church contains the names of five commissioned and two non-commissioned officers, together with ten privates, and is as follows:
1st Lieut. Roscoe Holden
1st Lieut. Roy Gittins
2d Lieut. J. M. Lloyd
2d Lieut. H. R. Williams
2d Lieut. Daniel Nicholas
Sear. Maj. Stanley Williams
Corp. Harry J. Nicholas
Griffith Roberts
Geo. Jones
Ralph Hakes
Owen Morris
John E. Davis
Ellsworth Jenkins
Leighton Thomas
Willie Davis
Albert Roberts
Hugh Ivor Jones.
The Congregational church has reason to feel proud of its honor roll.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
17 Jan 1918
Page 1

M. E. Service Flag.

Patriotic Service Largely Attended. The Roll of Honor.

The ceremony of consecrating the "service flag" in the M. E. church on Sunday evening was well attended, despite the coldness of the weather. The program as published last week was strictly adhered to, with the exception of one or two changes. The vocal selections were of a high order, and the short talks by Lewis Howes and John Nash, and the reading by Miss Alma Swigert were praised by all. The presentation of the flag by Rev. Mr. Lambert was an impassioned expression while the impromptu address by the Rev. Mr. Tipton was in keeping with that gentleman's well known ability and reputation.
As the name of each soldier boy was called, his mother, sister or other relative or friend pinned a star to the flag, and when the list was finished the flag carried seventeen stars, representing the following names:
Delbert Akerman
Russell Akerman
(?)rdice Burns
Fred Edwards
Elmer Edwards
Alonzo Foster
Walter Glass
Reuben Jones
Francis McCallister
Laurence Presley
Ralph Ogle
Vernon Oldaker
Elisha Schooley
Fred Scholl
William Holevas
Bruce Smith

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
25 Apr 1918
Page 1

Four More Stars On Flag.

Congregational Church Now Honors Twenty One Men in the Service.

There was another Flag Service at the Congregational Church Sunday evening when the names of
Everett Jones
Arthur Jones
Roland Davis, and
Fay Fuller
were represented on the Service Flag by the adding thereto of four new stars.
Stanford Holden, son of Lieut. Roscoe Holden, placed the stars as the names were called, and the entire service appealed to the patriotism of the large congregation present.
This addition to the service flag of the Congregational church brings the honor roll up to 21, the largest in town.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
9 May 1918
Page 4

New Service Flag.

Williamsburg High School Honors Its Graduates Who Are Serving With The Colors.

Forty graduates of the Williamsburg high school were accorded fitting honors Monday afternoon when the service flag was dedicated with becoming form and ceremony. The thought of such action was first suggested by Miss Etta Long, the domestic science; the suggestion met with hearty endorsement, and from this time on the junior and senior classes were busy with deft fingers making the handsome flag; Miss Long superintended the work, and it is safe to say that a finer flag does not grace a high school room in Iowa.
The dedication of the flag was held in the auditorium of the high school Monday afternoon. All the grades were present, as were also the ministers of all the denominations in town. Mr. Frazier, Supt. of the schools, presided at the services, and complimented the school on the evidence it furnished as to its loyalty to the boys from former classes who are now offering their lives as a sacrifice in the cause of human freedom.
The speaking was confined to the ministers, and Father Glenn was the first to respond with an earnest and eloquent talk on the meaning of the occasion, what the flag stands for, and the sacrifices that are being made in its cause. Rev. Mr. Greif, of St. Paul's Lutheran church, Rev. L. W. Morris, of the Welsh Calvinistic, and Rev. J. W. Lambert, of the M. E. church followed in the order named, and each contributed a line of thought that nicely fitted the occasion.
The dedicatory address proper was delivered by Rev. Robert Tipton, of the Congregational Church, and was the incarnation of earnest zeal and patriotism. Rev. Mr. Tipton has delivered many patriotic addresses in Iowa, and it goes without saying that his words have a ring to them that is only matched or equaled by the ease and eloquence with which they are delivered.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Glen J. Schillerstrom, of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Frazier read the names of the honored graduates and a blue star on the flag holds its appointed place for the following names:

Roll of Honor.

Dr. Arthur Boland
Dr. Roy Gittins
Carlyle McLeod
Earnest Evans
Lyle Evans
Russel Williams
Stanley Williams
Roscoe Holden
Robert Pugh
Everett Davis
Roland Davis
Barney Donohoe
Irvin Jones
Dr. Daniel Nicholas
Harry Nicholas
Dr. Irvin Sinn
Lloyd Edwards
Robert Harris
Thomas Wallace
Harold Evans
George Jones
Milford Engelbert
John McManama
Ellsworth Jenkins
Ralph Hakes
Dr. Meredith Lloyd
Delbert Ackerman
Russel Akerman
William Harris
Vernon Oldaker
Alonzo Foster
R. J. Hughes
Russel Evans
Ralph Chase
Claud Faas
Lewis Howes
Merrit Fossler
Charles McDonald
Paul Dichinson
Lawrence Preseley.

Of the above list the following are now in France: Lieut. Ernest Evans, Robt. Pugh, Roland Davis, Irvin Jones, George Jones, Lieut. J. M. Lloyd, Delbert Akerman, Charles McDonald, Paul Dickinson, and Larence Presley.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
11 Jul 1918
Page 1

Boys In Camp.

Notes Picked Up Through the Week Concerning the Shifts and Moves of the Soldiers from Williamsburg

(We will publish a weekly list of the moves of the soldiers from Iowa County, and we request that all information of this nature be mailed to us each week; in this manner the report may be made complete. -- Eds. J. T.)
Charles Collins, of Williamsburg No. 2, who was in the auto repair department in Kansas City, was transferred last week to the mechanical department at Fort Sam Houston, Tex.
Arthur Jones, brother of Fred, Aubrey and W. H., is now a member of a machine gun battery and is in France.
The last lot of registrants inducted into the army from Iowa County was sent to Camp Dodge.
Lewis Howes, the Williamsburg banker, is now serving with an engineer corps in France. Lewis entered Camp Dodge with the May consignment, and his record in reaching France is among the shortest in the length of time.
Lyle Evans, son of D. M. Evans is now a sergeant at Camp Dodge.
Tim Griffin, another York boy, is at Camp McArthur, Texas, and his latest address is "Co. B 34th, 7th Div. Recruit camp."
Martin Heitshusen, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Heitshusen, Williamsburg, enlisted two weeks ago and has been detailed to special war service at Washington.
John Carville, former cashier of the Parnell bank, is now in France, his folks having received word to this effect last Friday.
Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Driscoll, or York, received a car last week from their son Francis, bearing the information that he had safely arrived in France.
Albert Wetjen, of York, and Lest McGuire, of Holbrook, came down from Camp Dodge Saturday and visited till Sunday evening at their respective homes.
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wardenburg, of York township, left Tuesday night for Trenton, New Jersey, where they will visit with their son Otto H., who is a soldier at Camp Dix. The boy is expected to soon leave for service over-seas and the visit of the parents will be a welcome treat for Otto. Mr. and Mrs. Wardenburg will visit several of the important places in the east before returning, and the trip will occupy two weeks.
Vernon Oldaker arrived Monday night from Camp Cody, New Mexico, for a week's visit with his mother and sisters. Vernon is with the Iowa troops at Camp Cody and brings good reports from all the Williamsburg boys from the privates to Lieut. Holden. He named the entire list, not forgetting "Lish" Schooley and Jim Miller, and says that the boys are fairly itching to be transferred to the battle front in France where they will have a chance to do some real fighting. Vernon is looking real well and likes the life afforded by the war.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
25 Jul 1918
Page 1

Home War News.

J. J. Jones, of No. 2, received last week a fine photograph of his son, George, who is now a railway engineer in France, with a run into Verdun. George has met with many of the famous military men on the western front, and highly prizes a pipe presented to him by Gen. Petain.
Gerald Hendryx arrived Monday for a visit with his father and sisters. Gerald is one of the crew on the great fighting ship, Pennsylvania, the heaviest vessel in the navy; its largest guns are of 14 inches and its crew complement numbers 1500 men.
Merritt Fossier arrived Saturday from the Great Lakes Naval Station and is making a short visit with his parents and brother before leaving for Harvard University, where he will take a course in wireless telegraphy. Merritt is a bright young man and is right at the front in all his studies.
Many of the grade students of about a dozen years ago might remember Joseph Black, the Montana boy who went to school here one term while visiting with his relatives in the Gallagher home. Joe enlisted in the navy more than a year ago and is now on the battleship North Carolina; he has made several trips across the ocean and is well pleased with his work.
Ed Murphy of Parnell was in town Friday visiting his sister, Mrs. D. C. Toomey. Ed is in the aviation service at Ebert's Field, Ark., and is in love with the work; he has made many flights, and came back to the earth right side up, and on top of the machine. He returned to his assignment this week.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
1 Aug 1918
Page 1

Left For Camp Lytle.

Three Williamsburg boys left Monday night for Camp Lytle, Ga. They were Carl Kuch, Henry Imhoff, Jr., and Elias Jones. They were joined at Marengo by 20 others from the various townships and were royally entertained by the Marengo people until the departure of the train, which left at two o'clock Tuesday morning.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune
Williamsburg, Iowa
15 Aug 1918
Page 1

Back From The Camps.

Several From Iowa County Rejected On Account of Physical Disability.

Several of the Iowa County boys who went to Camp Pike with the big contingent were rejected on account of physical disability and they returned last week. A few who went later to Camp Oglethorpe also were rejected.
Those from this vicinity were John Iberg, Elias Jones and Otto Hudepohl. Iberg and Hudepohl were from Camp Pike, while Jones was returned from Camp Oglethorpe. Three or four of the boys from the Amana Society were also returned.