DIY History | Transcribe | World War I Diaries and Letters | Conger Reynolds newspaper clippings, 1916-1919 | 1919-02-06 Dexter Sentinal Clipping: ""From The Boys; Letter From Conger Reynolds to His Parents, Mr. And Mrs. J.Q.A. Reynolds"" Page 1

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Conger Reynolds newspaper clippings, 1916-1919

1919-02-06 Dexter Sentinal Clipping: ""From The Boys; Letter From Conger Reynolds to His Parents, Mr. And Mrs. J.Q.A. Reynolds"" Page 1

THE DEXTER SENTINEL Thursday, February 6, 1919

Not Too Early 

It is not a bit too early to consider that new Spring and Summer Suit, in fact we are ordering new suits most every day and at this time we have a most complete line of samples to select from.
Everybody is going to "dress up" and we have a suit which we are sure will please you in all respects
Select your pattern today - get the clothes question satisfactorily solved. We will deliver the finished garments whenever you say the word. 

Whos your Tailor?

M.E. Williams 
FOR GOOD CLOTHES
DEXTER IOWA

FROM THE BOYS

"MIGHT" IN ONE "FREEDOM" IN THE OTHER 
Letter From Conger Reynods to His Parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Q.A. Reynolds

Continued From Last Week 
In the days since I have rambled about Coblenz and driven a good deal in the surrounding country. Coblenz is a good-looking, clean, prosperous city. I have seen few streets more splendid than the Kaiser Friedrich Strasse. And the gardens along the Rhine are charming. At the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine is a "kolossal" statue to Wilheim dem Grossen. It is a huge mass of brass and stone intended solely to express the idea of might. The inscription on the great pedestal is "Nimmer wird das Reich zerstoret wenn ihr einig sied und treu" That was the idea upon which Imperial Germany was based; never would it be destroyed if the subject people would always be faithful to their rulers. The day I saw the monument I found in the gravel before it, printed in large letters evidently by some soldier who has preceeded me, the words "U.S.A The Land of the Free" Could anything express better the underlying principles than those two inscriptions - might in one, freedom in the other?
The people here say frankly that they are glad the Americans are here instead of the French or the Belgians. They don't seem to realize that their expression of fear of the French and Belgians is an admission that they deserve harsh treatment for what they did in Northern France and Belgian. I understand that the Belgian troops farther north have played a neat trick by simply adopting as their rules for the civil population the rules that the Germans applied in Belgium, with a difference, however , that they are not enforcing them half so harshly as the Germans did. Here the American army is very lenient. It is interfering with nothing. Business and pleasure goes on as if we were not here. The troops live in garrisons, the officers in hotels. Everything is paid for at regular rates. I suppose the storekeepers have not had in years so thriving a business as they had when the troops came in yesterday. 
Whether our policy will pay I don't know. The Germans are trying to win our friendship for peace conference. Some of them go so far as to suggest that we ought not to expect Germany to pay since she has become democratic. The old game still goes on. I had been here just a day when a German lieutenant came to our office and proposed an exchange of news "so that Germany might understand our democratic ideas and we understand Germany" Propaganda. There has been no revolution here. The city is ruled in the old way by the same officials. One of them in an interview he gave to Burr Price of the Herald said that Germany had been wrong only in being unsuccessful. If she had succeeded everything would have been right. 
But despite the good behavior of the people here I think neither the army nor the people back home will forget what the imperial Germany was. These Germans who are so eager to have us forget that there has been a war do not realize that we have seen Soissons and Rheims and Verdun and St Mihiel and the numerous wrecks of villages in France. In Verdun I lived deep underground because there was not left in the city above a house withe roof and walls to keep out the cold and rain. I think about that in this comfortable, prosperous city on the Rhine where everything is whole and unmarred. 
This morning I awoke to the sound of bugles and the measured marching of men on the cobblestones beneath my window. Looking out to the east I saw the pontoon bridge freighted with a close column of infantry. The crossing of the Rhine had begun. All morning the men and guns came swinging down to the river front and flowed across. There was not the least confusion. There was almost no waiting for the right of way. In their steel helmets, carrying their heavy packs, the infantry men marched as if on parade. A band at the head of one column marched across playing "The Stars and Strikes Forever. It was a good wholesome sight for the German inhabitants. They were seeing a little of the sort of thing we heard about when the German army marched into Belgium looking so fit and efficient - only the appearance of this army was an explanation. The Germans remarked concerning the youth of the Americans. They do look young, but not so young as they did in the training camps in America. They show in their bearing, in their step, in the look in their eyes the strength they have acquired in training and proved in battle. This afternoon they are occupying the fort that frowns on the hilltop across the river. By tomorrow night they will be firmly established in the thirty-kilometer bridgehead over there to guarantee that any more fighting that might possibly be will be done where Germany will know what is going on. That will be sufficient guarantee that there will be no more fighting - for the present chaos will come a German people that will never again want war. I should feel more certain of that if I could see more evidence of penitence here for the wrongs Germany did. 
There is no indication yet of how long we shall be here. Some of the correspondents have quit already. I hope that all of them will want to go elsewhere soon, and thereby make our unit unneeded. For I. like every American, want above all things else now that the main job is finished to set my feet on the free soil of America and to see home again. 
Devotedly, 
Conger

Letter received by Mrs. S. E. Lyddon from her brother Geo. Conway, in France. 
Langress France
Dec. 25th , 1918
Dear Sister and Brother: Just received your letter dated Dec. 1. Was sure glad to get in and on Christmas day besides. We were treated fine over here to-day. The Red Cross and Y.M.C.A gave  us the following articles: two pair of socks, six packages of cigarettes, one lb of nuts and candy, one large handkerchief, matches, cigars and tobacco. We also had a fine dinner. It consisted of roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, apple pie with cream cake, coffee, bread and a half pound bar of Lowneys sweet chocolate. I ate so much dinner that I hardly think I will need and supper. They didn't forget the soldiers over here. 
We are only a mile from Langres so a number of us went up town last night. The Y.M.C.A served hot cocoa and doughnuts for the soldiers and everyone had all they wanted. You know how fond I am of doughnuts so I won't need to tell you how many I ate. 
This has been a holiday for us. We were given the privilege to do what ever we wanted to. 
We received orders to go to Germany and then got orders to stay here. I hope we will get to go as I have planned a good deal on it. 
They took some men from our company and sent them to different places. They expect to assemble them all here and send us home to-gether. Some of the boys from here have been in Germany. They are the truck drivers and were sent upon a convoy. They say that the German people treat the soldiers fine. I have been transferred to Company A and am working in the repair shops at Motor Park No. 1 This camp is a motor center and a stopping place for convoys. There are lots of trucks and cars to keep in repair. We have nice warm barracks and plenty of clothes. There has been considerable rain but no snow yet. When it rains here it comes down slow - no dashing as it often does at home. Nothing dashes only the American soldiers. I understand they are sending the boys home as fast as they can. I suppose the boys back in the states are glad to be turned loose and having quite a time. When the boys from over here get back then we will have a time. Yes I have met several Iowa boys. Some from near home but was not acquainted with them. All Iowa boys are pals when they meet. Received a letter from Walter Junkin and one from Dan Shay of Wiota I don't think there is much "Flu" over here. Well Leota I must close for this time. Tell the home folks hello for me and that I will be home some day. It may be in a short time and it may be several months. As ever your brother. 
Pvt. Geo W. Conway
M.T.C. Co. A Unit 310
Via New York Amer E.
Via New York, Amer E. F. 
France

MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION
Special Election
Dexter, Iowa
Public Notice is Hereby Given that at a special election of the Town of Dexter, Iowa to be held on the 11 day of March 1919 at the Town Hall in Dexter, Iowa from eight o'clock A.M. until seven o'clock P.M. there will be submitted to the voters of said Town to be by them voted upon the proposition of constructing a municipal water works system and the proposition of issuing bonds of said Town in sum not top exceed $30,000.00 to procure the funds to pay the cost thereof. 
At said election the ballots to be used for the aforesaid propositions will be in substantialy the following form:
(Notice to voters: For an affirmative vote on the following question make a cross (X) mark in the square after the word "Yes" For a negative vote make a similar mark in the square following the word "No")
Shall the Town of Dexter, Iowa, construct a municipal water works system? Yes, No
For the issuance of bonds in sum not to exceed $30,000.00 for water works purposes
Against the issuance of bonds in sum not to exceed $30,000.00 for water works purposes. 
Those in favor of issuing bonds for water works purposes will make a cross (X) mark in the square following the words "For the issuance of bonds" etc. 
Those not in favor of issuing bonds for water works purposes will make a cross (X) mark in the square following the words "Against the issuance of bonds" etc. 
At which election all of the legal voters of said Town are hereby notified to appear at said time and place. 
This notice is given by order of the council of said Town pursuant to Sections 720 et seq. of the Supplement to the Code of Iowa as amended, and pursuant to 1306-b et seq. of the Supplement to the Code of Iowa `1907 and to a sufficient petition with the requisite signatures in accordance therewith. 
Dated at Dexter, Iowa this 3rd day of February 1919
F.H. Fitting, Mayor
Attest H.H. Hough, clerk. 

YOU CAN BE FREE
from the irksome task of keeping a record of your expenses by opening a check account with us. 
If your income or business is small there is an added reason for doing this. 
Do your banking with us and let us be your book keeper. 
STATE BANK OF DEXTER 
DEXTER, IOWA
INTEREST PAID ON SAVING DEPOSITS 

Special Prices on Glasses
The people of Dexter and vicinity have given me an extra good optical business for several years; I appreciated your business and now that I have moved to Stuart I am going to save you money if you will continue to let me do your optical work, and in order to get you to look me up I am going to make the following. 

Special Prices For February Only

Regular $12.00 glasses, $9,75
Regular $10.00 glasses, $7.75
Regular $8.00 glasses $6.00
Regular $6.00 glasses $4.50
Regular $5.00 glasses $4.00
Regular $ 3.00 glasses $2.00

I FIT GENUINE GROUND LENSES ONLY AND EVERY PAIR MUST BE CORRECT. I WANT YOUR OPTICAL BUSINESS SO I AM OFFERING YOU 

Correctly Fitted Glasses At Remarkably Low Prices 

FRED H. NOLTE
REGISTERED OPTOMETIST
AT CLARKS JEWELRY STORE OFFICE HOURS 1 TO 5 P.M.
STUART, IOWA

Saving...

THE DEXTER SENTINEL Thursday, February 6, 1919 Not Too Early It is not a bit too early to consider that new Spring and Summer Suit, in fact we are ordering new suits most every day and at this time we have a most complete line of samples to select from. Everybody is going to "dress up" and we have a suit which we are sure will please you in all respects Select your pattern today - get the clothes question satisfactorily solved. We will deliver the finished garments whenever you say the word. Whos your Tailor? M.E. Williams FOR GOOD CLOTHES DEXTER IOWA FROM THE BOYS "MIGHT" IN ONE "FREEDOM" IN THE OTHER Letter From Conger Reynods to His Parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Q.A. Reynolds Continued From Last Week In the days since I have rambled about Coblenz and driven a good deal in the surrounding country. Coblenz is a good-looking, clean, prosperous city. I have seen few streets more splendid than the Kaiser Friedrich Strasse. And the gardens along the Rhine are charming. At the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine is a "kolossal" statue to Wilheim dem Grossen. It is a huge mass of brass and stone intended solely to express the idea of might. The inscription on the great pedestal is "Nimmer wird das Reich zerstoret wenn ihr einig sied und treu" That was the idea upon which Imperial Germany was based; never would it be destroyed if the subject people would always be faithful to their rulers. The day I saw the monument I found in the gravel before it, printed in large letters evidently by some soldier who has preceeded me, the words "U.S.A The Land of the Free" Could anything express better the underlying principles than those two inscriptions - might in one, freedom in the other? The people here say frankly that they are glad the Americans are here instead of the French or the Belgians. They don't seem to realize that their expression of fear of the French and Belgians is an admission that they deserve harsh treatment for what they did in Northern France and Belgian. I understand that the Belgian troops farther north have played a neat trick by simply adopting as their rules for the civil population the rules that the Germans applied in Belgium, with a difference, however , that they are not enforcing them half so harshly as the Germans did. Here the American army is very lenient. It is interfering with nothing. Business and pleasure goes on as if we were not here. The troops live in garrisons, the officers in hotels. Everything is paid for at regular rates. I suppose the storekeepers have not had in years so thriving a business as they had when the troops came in yesterday. Whether our policy will pay I don't know. The Germans are trying to win our friendship for peace conference. Some of them go so far as to suggest that we ought not to expect Germany to pay since she has become democratic. The old game still goes on. I had been here just a day when a German lieutenant came to our office and proposed an exchange of news "so that Germany might understand our democratic ideas and we understand Germany" Propaganda. There has been no revolution here. The city is ruled in the old way by the same officials. One of them in an interview he gave to Burr Price of the Herald said that Germany had been wrong only in being unsuccessful. If she had succeeded everything would have been right. But despite the good behavior of the people here I think neither the army nor the people back home will forget what the imperial Germany was. These Germans who are so eager to have us forget that there has been a war do not realize that we have seen Soissons and Rheims and Verdun and St Mihiel and the numerous wrecks of villages in France. In Verdun I lived deep underground because there was not left in the city above a house withe roof and walls to keep out the cold and rain. I think about that in this comfortable, prosperous city on the Rhine where everything is whole and unmarred. This morning I awoke to the sound of bugles and the measured marching of men on the cobblestones beneath my window. Looking out to the east I saw the pontoon bridge freighted with a close column of infantry. The crossing of the Rhine had begun. All morning the men and guns came swinging down to the river front and flowed across. There was not the least confusion. There was almost no waiting for the right of way. In their steel helmets, carrying their heavy packs, the infantry men marched as if on parade. A band at the head of one column marched across playing "The Stars and Strikes Forever. It was a good wholesome sight for the German inhabitants. They were seeing a little of the sort of thing we heard about when the German army marched into Belgium looking so fit and efficient - only the appearance of this army was an explanation. The Germans remarked concerning the youth of the Americans. They do look young, but not so young as they did in the training camps in America. They show in their bearing, in their step, in the look in their eyes the strength they have acquired in training and proved in battle. This afternoon they are occupying the fort that frowns on the hilltop across the river. By tomorrow night they will be firmly established in the thirty-kilometer bridgehead over there to guarantee that any more fighting that might possibly be will be done where Germany will know what is going on. That will be sufficient guarantee that there will be no more fighting - for the present chaos will come a German people that will never again want war. I should feel more certain of that if I could see more evidence of penitence here for the wrongs Germany did. There is no indication yet of how long we shall be here. Some of the correspondents have quit already. I hope that all of them will want to go elsewhere soon, and thereby make our unit unneeded. For I. like every American, want above all things else now that the main job is finished to set my feet on the free soil of America and to see home again. Devotedly, Conger Letter received by Mrs. S. E. Lyddon from her brother Geo. Conway, in France. Langress France Dec. 25th , 1918 Dear Sister and Brother: Just received your letter dated Dec. 1. Was sure glad to get in and on Christmas day besides. We were treated fine over here to-day. The Red Cross and Y.M.C.A gave us the following articles: two pair of socks, six packages of cigarettes, one lb of nuts and candy, one large handkerchief, matches, cigars and tobacco. We also had a fine dinner. It consisted of roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, apple pie with cream cake, coffee, bread and a half pound bar of Lowneys sweet chocolate. I ate so much dinner that I hardly think I will need and supper. They didn't forget the soldiers over here. We are only a mile from Langres so a number of us went up town last night. The Y.M.C.A served hot cocoa and doughnuts for the soldiers and everyone had all they wanted. You know how fond I am of doughnuts so I won't need to tell you how many I ate. This has been a holiday for us. We were given the privilege to do what ever we wanted to. We received orders to go to Germany and then got orders to stay here. I hope we will get to go as I have planned a good deal on it. They took some men from our company and sent them to different places. They expect to assemble them all here and send us home to-gether. Some of the boys from here have been in Germany. They are the truck drivers and were sent upon a convoy. They say that the German people treat the soldiers fine. I have been transferred to Company A and am working in the repair shops at Motor Park No. 1 This camp is a motor center and a stopping place for convoys. There are lots of trucks and cars to keep in repair. We have nice warm barracks and plenty of clothes. There has been considerable rain but no snow yet. When it rains here it comes down slow - no dashing as it often does at home. Nothing dashes only the American soldiers. I understand they are sending the boys home as fast as they can. I suppose the boys back in the states are glad to be turned loose and having quite a time. When the boys from over here get back then we will have a time. Yes I have met several Iowa boys. Some from near home but was not acquainted with them. All Iowa boys are pals when they meet. Received a letter from Walter Junkin and one from Dan Shay of Wiota I don't think there is much "Flu" over here. Well Leota I must close for this time. Tell the home folks hello for me and that I will be home some day. It may be in a short time and it may be several months. As ever your brother. Pvt. Geo W. Conway M.T.C. Co. A Unit 310 Via New York Amer E. Via New York, Amer E. F. France MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION Special Election Dexter, Iowa Public Notice is Hereby Given that at a special election of the Town of Dexter, Iowa to be held on the 11 day of March 1919 at the Town Hall in Dexter, Iowa from eight o'clock A.M. until seven o'clock P.M. there will be submitted to the voters of said Town to be by them voted upon the proposition of constructing a municipal water works system and the proposition of issuing bonds of said Town in sum not top exceed $30,000.00 to procure the funds to pay the cost thereof. At said election the ballots to be used for the aforesaid propositions will be in substantialy the following form: (Notice to voters: For an affirmative vote on the following question make a cross (X) mark in the square after the word "Yes" For a negative vote make a similar mark in the square following the word "No") Shall the Town of Dexter, Iowa, construct a municipal water works system? Yes, No For the issuance of bonds in sum not to exceed $30,000.00 for water works purposes Against the issuance of bonds in sum not to exceed $30,000.00 for water works purposes. Those in favor of issuing bonds for water works purposes will make a cross (X) mark in the square following the words "For the issuance of bonds" etc. Those not in favor of issuing bonds for water works purposes will make a cross (X) mark in the square following the words "Against the issuance of bonds" etc. At which election all of the legal voters of said Town are hereby notified to appear at said time and place. This notice is given by order of the council of said Town pursuant to Sections 720 et seq. of the Supplement to the Code of Iowa as amended, and pursuant to 1306-b et seq. of the Supplement to the Code of Iowa `1907 and to a sufficient petition with the requisite signatures in accordance therewith. Dated at Dexter, Iowa this 3rd day of February 1919 F.H. Fitting, Mayor Attest H.H. Hough, clerk. YOU CAN BE FREE from the irksome task of keeping a record of your expenses by opening a check account with us. If your income or business is small there is an added reason for doing this. Do your banking with us and let us be your book keeper. STATE BANK OF DEXTER DEXTER, IOWA INTEREST PAID ON SAVING DEPOSITS Special Prices on Glasses The people of Dexter and vicinity have given me an extra good optical business for several years; I appreciated your business and now that I have moved to Stuart I am going to save you money if you will continue to let me do your optical work, and in order to get you to look me up I am going to make the following. Special Prices For February Only Regular $12.00 glasses, $9,75 Regular $10.00 glasses, $7.75 Regular $8.00 glasses $6.00 Regular $6.00 glasses $4.50 Regular $5.00 glasses $4.00 Regular $ 3.00 glasses $2.00 I FIT GENUINE GROUND LENSES ONLY AND EVERY PAIR MUST BE CORRECT. I WANT YOUR OPTICAL BUSINESS SO I AM OFFERING YOU Correctly Fitted Glasses At Remarkably Low Prices FRED H. NOLTE REGISTERED OPTOMETIST AT CLARKS JEWELRY STORE OFFICE HOURS 1 TO 5 P.M. STUART, IOWA