1918 Extracts from Barry County, MO, Newspapers
An interlibrary loan of microfilm from the State Historical Society of MO was the source of the below given data.		 Extracts from Barry County, MO, Newspapers

Extracted by: Donna Cooper, Coordinator
Cassville Republican, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1918


Captain Gives An Account Of


Death Of Hal Irwin


In a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Irwin of near Cassville Captain Maxwell of the 360th Infantry tells of the death of their son, Hal Angus Irwin, who was killed in action in France, Sept. 12. The letter which pays a high tribute to Hal and shows that he had a bright future before him in the military service follows:

Headquarters Co. 360th Infantry

American E. F. 17 Nov 1918

My Dear Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Irwin:

I am in receipt of your letter October 21st regarding the death of your son, Sgt. Hal A. Irwin, and wish to apologize for not having written you sooner. The reason is that I have been almost constantly on the front since Sept. 12, and our records being in the rear, it was impossible for me to get your address.

Your son was killed by a German shell on the morning of Sept. 12, just outside of the dugout in which he had his observation post. He had left the safety of this dugout for the purpose of going to telephone to the Artillery Commander the location of some enemy batteries. He courageously left his shelter in the face of very heavy shell fire, because it was his duty to do so and he paid the Supreme Sacrifice.

He was truly one of Natures Noblemen, always something pleasant to say and a smile for all which entered him to the hearts of the officers and men in his company. He had been recommended by Lieut. Williams to attend the officers training camp, and would have been recommended the same at the first opportunity as his loyally and untiring efforts in the intelligence section had won him this privilege.

He died immediately, not suffering and was buried by men of his Company near where he fell, and a short service was held over his remains by a comrade, Pvt. Luther L. Stikeleather.

It may interest you to know that we had a service this morning in which our Regiment took part in Commemoration of our heroes, of which he was surely one.

I want you to know that the officers and men of this Company grieve and mourn with you in your great loss and if there is anything that I can do I will deem it a favor if you will advise.

Most sincerely,

J. W. Maxwell,

Capt. 360th Infantry

Commanding Hdq. Co.

Letter From France


F. C. Crawford, son of Rev. P. F. Crawford of Purdy writes homefolks the following letter from the front.

Somewhere In France

Nov. 14, 1918

Dear Father: I have read your letter and am always glad to get a letter from home. Hope we will soon be home as we have been in the front line for sometime. I did not like to tell you for I did not want you to worry about me. I got to be an expert in dodging Fritz shells. He sent over large ones, too, but not so large as Uncle Sam sent back.

By taking a map and locating Verdun, Amiens, and other towns in that part of France you will see where I have been along the west front. I certainly have seen some active service.

This is not such a bad country except the mud. Of course, I have gotten used to the "lice" in the trenches. They say a fellow can get used to anything and I suppose it is true.

We sure were a happy bunch when the Armistice was signed as that makes us think we will get back to the good old U. S. A. soon. I was at the front when the Armistice was signed. I do not know where they will send us now. I have done my little bit and it is now all over.

You can say you had one son who went through some awful hardships. I did not mind it much at the time. I am glad to get to come over. I cannot tell you everything now but will tell all when I get back home.

When we were up at the front when not on duty we would lie down and try to sleep any place we could get, but the most of the time we were on duty. Dodging shells and stringing barbed wire was some sport, believe me. I got into only one real mix-up. We were stringing wire and got over into Fritz's territory. They made it warm for us. They wounded our Lieutenant and two of our men and took them prisoners but we sure took them back again. We got two of Fritz's men.

I have not yet seen one of the home boys over here. I know some of them are over here but I have not yet met any of them.

Send me the CASSVILLE REPUBLICAN along. Especially sent the copy that gives the reports of the election.

We are in a good place now. We have a good old-fashioned fireplace like we had down on the farm.

I was in that famous drive of October 26. It was some drive, too. Will tell you all about it someday. I have sure been lucky as I have not received a scratch.

Love to all,

Pvt. F. C. Crawford,

108 Field Signal Battery, A. E. F.

From France


Chester McNabb of near Exeter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Corum McNabb, writes his sister as follows:

Oct. 25, 1918

Dear Sister:

Received your letter last night. Such as I like to get one telling what you are doing and what the people are doing.

Of course I know you would like for me to write a long letter and tell what I am doing and where I am, as you said other boys do. Probably they were in a different location than that of myself. In the last two months I have been over a large part of France and along quite a bit of the front. When a person is on the front he does not have time to write those long letters. You spoke of Walter Packwood writing home about him being in the drive in July. I was in a drive not long ago. One among the greatest battles ever fought, according to reports. Guess you saw in the paper about the 35th Division.

Glad to know the people around Exeter are so liberal to buy Liberty bonds, and to do their bit toward winning the war. When the American is on the front he hardly knows and never stops to find out what the people in the states are doing. Just Trust that they will do all they can and on he goes.

Tell Otis Packwood he is missing half of his life by missing the trip over here for we have lots of fun when we are not on the front and quite a lot while on the front trying to keep out of the way of those big shells.

Do not know that you can read this or not for we boys do not have writing desks and I have not learned to write on my knee very good yet. Hope you and the folks are well. This leaves me just the same old way well and enjoying life. Give my regards to the people of Exeter and the country around there.

I close with love,

Your brother,

Chester C. McNabb

Co. F. 100 Ammunition Tr. A. E. F. France

Herman Wasson Killed


Mrs. Anna Thomas, North County Road, Marshall Hill, received an official message from Washington D. C. telling her that her son, Herman Wasson was killed in action on November 1. Herman was one of the Barry County boys that left Monett early this fall. Monett Times

Mrs. B. W. Withers Dies


Mrs. Allie M. Withers, wife of B. Withers, died at her home south Monett, at 7:30 o'clock, Saturday evening, December 14 of pneumonia. A hard fight was made to save her life but to no avail.

Mrs. Withers was one of the Christian women of which the world has too few. Her influence was always for the best in right living and Christian work and she will be sadly missed in this community.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Cox and was born April 12, 1874 in White County, Georgia. She lived the most of her life at Monett. She leaves husband, one son, Don and a daughter, Dena, her parents and a number of brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were held at the home at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. C. M. Smith. Interment was made in Odd Fellows cemetery. Monett Times

Burned To Death


Mrs. Kate Barricks was burned to death in her home near Shell Knob on the night of December 9.

Mrs. Barricks was a very old woman. She had lived alone for many years. Old settlers in the eastern part of the county say that she has lived since the Civil War alone in the little house in which she was burned to death.

The house had a fire place. It is thought that Mrs. Barricks' clothes caught fire and that she burned to death near the fire place as bones were found near it. The little house and all of its contents were destroyed.

During her old age Mrs. Barracks had been cared for by the Hill family who had looked after her as if she were a member of the family. She is said to have been very queer and insisted upon being alone. [Two spellings Barricks - Barracks]

Three Die In One Family


J. J. Carney died at his home in Crane on Monday evening after a short illness, aged about 35 years. The sadness of his death is intensified from the fact that his wife and little child both died at the end of the previous week.

Mr. Carney was well know here and was a member of Aurora Commandery No. 54 and the Commandery will attend the funeral in a body, which will be held at Crane at 2 p.m., Wednesday. He was engaged in the auto business and was a cousin of the editor of the Crane Chronicle.

Mrs. Carney was a daughter of Mr. Raynold? an old resident of that ___ ___. Daily Light

Mrs. M. A. McClure Dead


A message came to Cassville and Mineral Spring Wednesday morning stating that Mrs. M. A. McClure had died at Eldorado, Kan., and that her body was being sent to Mineral Spring for burial Thursday, today.

Mrs. McClure called Mineral Spring her home, however she spent much of her time with her children. She lived in Cassville for awhile and is well know here. She was the mother of Prof. C. H. McClure of Warrensburg. When she left Cassville a few months ago to go to Eldorado she appeared to be enjoying good health and the news of her death comes as a shock to her numerous friends here and at Mineral Spring. A sketch of her life will appear in next week's REPUBLICAN.

Gray - Bush


Herman Gray and Miss Mary Bush were married Monday evening at 8 o'clock, December 16, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Bush, at 404 Bond street in that city, Rev. J. F. King reading the ceremony that made the happy couple man and wife. The guests were immediate relatives and close friends of the families.

The bride was born and reared in Cassville where she has a host of friends who will join the REPUBLICAN in extending best wishes for a long, happy and useful life.

The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Gray. He has a position with the Frisco at the fright depot in Monett and has the reputation of being an excellent young man.

Licenses To Wed


Rolla Hefley, 18, Cassville & Mary Sills, 19, Seligman

Harmon Gray, 18, Monett & Mary Ella Bush, 17, Monett

W. E. Harrington, Clustse, Okla. & Laura Skelton, 35, Seligman

L. W. Biggs, Exeter & Alice Ledever, 17, Exeter
Cassville Republican, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1918


Personal And Local


Lee Smith writes his parents under date of November 15 that he was leaving an eastern port for another trip across the Atlantic.

Pleasant Carlin of near Monett and P. B. O'Dwyer of near Purdy were among those who transacted business at the county seat Tuesday.

Soldier boys are returning every day. The training camps in this country are mustering out the boys at the rate of 15,000 per day. Thousands are arriving from across seas each week. A number of Barry County boys have come home during the past few days.

Mrs. Leroy Jeffries went to Monett for a visit and took sick there but has recovered and will spend the week in Monett.

George Vermillion died Saturday afternoon, December 14, at his home in Monett of influenza followed by pneumonia. He leaves wife and one child. George was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Burl Vermillion.

Otto Thomas, Wayne O'Banion, Dewey Roberts and Leo Hutchens have returned from the Washington University mechanical training school, from which they would have entered the military service.

Mrs. James Waddell writes from Canada to her sister, Mrs. Clay Stubblefield south of Cassville of the death of her little son, Charles, who died about one week ago. Charles was a bright little fellow for whom all was done that loving parents could do to restore him to health. Mr. and Mrs. Waddell went to Canada early last summer where Mr. Waddell is teaching school. Influenza was the case of Charles' death.

H. L. Keith east of this city has lately received letters from all three of his sons, Lloyd, Harvey and Horace, who are in France. They report that they are all right. Lloyd wrote that he hoped to be home soon. He was wounded but recovered and writes that he is getting along fine which is good news to this family and many friends her at home.

George E. Joslin received in the mail Tuesday a helmet from his son, Vern, who is in France. The postmark upon the stamps gave the date of mailing as November 19, however the family has received no news from Vern for sometime, the first letter received was dated Oct. 31. The helmet is one used by a German and was sent as a war relic.

Kate Barrick was burned to death in her home on December 9. She lived alone and had for many years. She was very old. Justice of the Peace G. W. Wills summoned a jury and an investigation was made. The jury decided that Mrs. Barricks must have gotten up on the night of the 9th either to build up the fire or to smoke when the fire started which burned her house and herself. Her bones found near the fire place indicated that her clothing caught fire and that she burned to death before the house caught. Mrs. Barrick was a very queer woman. Mr. Hill and son had looked after he during her old age. [Two spellings - Barrick and Barricks]

Mrs. Marion Hessee northeast of Cassville is reported to be very low of tuberculosis.

Loren Hodge, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Hodge, returned last week from a military mechanical training school in the south.

Mr. and Mrs. George Wilder of Pierce City visited their son, Cleo Wilder, at Exeter the latter part of last week.

Mrs. Susie Speer of aurora visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Neeley, last week.

Raleigh Baker who came home last week from the Ft. McArthur training camp, left Monday for Tulsa, Okla.

J. H. Aldridge of Mano was in Cassville Saturday after a casket for the burial of Mrs. Otis Stever of near Mano who died Friday evening. Mrs. Stever was a daughter of Head Holman and as sister of Judge E. B. Holman.

Carrie, little four year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson of this city, died Friday morning of pneumonia, following influenza. A number of the family have been sick and Steve and Henry very bad of pneumonia.

Mrs. Wm. Journey of Tar River, Okla., visited last week with her father, Wm. Varner, and other relatives on Washburn Prairie.

Otto Newman writes his parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Newman of this city, that he fired his last shot in the world war at 10:58 o'clock (Paris time) on the morning of November 11. Otto is in the heavy artillery, in the 89th division. As the 89th is one of the divisions not yet designated to return, he will likely not be home until next summer at the earliest. The letter reached Cassville Saturday night. On account of not having received a letter from him sooner his parents were becoming very uneasy as they knew that he had been at the front for sometime.

Ed Smith of Pasley locality who had two ribs broken and was otherwise injured when thrown by a horse at Exeter about ten days ago, is reported getting along very well.

Uncle James Pennel is right poorly.

Wm. Clark went to Monett Sunday to attend a sick daughter and family.

Shell Knob


The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Cary Hill has been very sick but is reported some better.

Munsey


Munsey school closed last week. Mrs. Donaldson was teacher.

Chas. Hall and wife spent Saturday night and Sunday with J. T. Prier and wife.

Everyone was surprised to hear of the marriage of William Reed and Miss Great Lasley. We wish them a long and happy life.

Cedar Mound


Our school has closed on account of the "flu". Our teacher, Miss Alma Lathim is also sick.

Will Burch is not so well at this writing. His brother, Frank, is with him now waiting on him.

Victory


Mr. and Mrs. Will Pryor are the proud parents of a plow boy.

Miss Rachel Riddle has resigned her school and went to housekeeping up near Purdy.

New Salem


Mrs. Henry Skelton and children are recovering from a long siege of the flu.

Washburn


Roy Meyers returned to Camp Funston last week after a five day furlough with home folks.

The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Williams is reported sick.

Claud Poe met with a very painful accident last week while driving cattle through the brush he struck a stick in one of his eyes. He went to Springfield for treatment.

New Site


We are sorry to chronicle the death of Mrs. B. W. Withers who succumbed to flu pneumonia Sunday morning about 8:30. She will be greatly missed as she was a faithful worker in church and Sunday school. She lived her religion at home as the character of her son and daughter show. Her friends were numbered by her acquaintances and all who knew her admired her beautiful Christian life. We extend the sympathy of the neighborhood to the bereaved.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller are the proud parents of a daughter, born the eleventh.

Roy Brendinger came home last week discharged from the army.

Washburn Prairie


Claud Stubblefield and family are moving to their farm near Mano this week.

Seligman R. F. D. 3


We hear considerable talk about the hanging that took place near Eagle Rock last week.

Ot Tucker has returned home after a short visit with his brother, Charles near Gravette, Ark.

Oak Ridge 2


Mrs. Pringer of Chadwick who had been visiting her son, J. A. Harris, returned home Monday.

Our school closed last Wednesday for the present on account of the influenza. We hope that it will soon re-open as Miss May Coones is teaching a good school. We shall be glad to see the churches and Sunday schools open again.

Oak Ridge


Dave Mills has heard from both of his boys since peace was made. So has Mrs. Brooks heard from Oscar.

Mrs. A. R. Bush of Hungry Hollow is reported quite sick with flu.

Our merchant, I. E. Mitts, at Oak Ridge who has been quite sick with the flu is better.

Gunter


Mrs. Jewell Richardson of Joplin is at the home of her parents, C. A. Payne and wife, sick of influenza.

Butterfield


Albert Hadley of Purdy was visiting his sister, Mrs. Ora Burks, Sunday.

Star City


Neil Swaffer and wife and little daughter, Thelma, visited Charlie Kendall and wife Sunday evening.

Mineral Spring


Elmer Erwin is very poorly, he has a very bad ankle and foot.

M. Loftin has quit his school again on account of the "flu".

Some of Jim Henbest's have the "flu". Also Bob Brandon has it.

Lone Elm


The school has been stopped for awhile at the Elm on account of the "flu".
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