Harry E. McKibben October 24, 1880 – June 22, 1972
Dear Mr. and
Mrs. Chas. Whitney:
Your letter
received describing your trip to Pine City; how I would like to have been
along. I am returning the picture of the fawn immediately, as it’s so easy to loose
things here unless you have them on your back. I have been traveling some since
I last saw you.
France is a
beautiful country and I’ve traveled almost the entire length of it. We reached
this place a couple of days ago. The climate is fine, almost the same latitude
as where I was in the states, but we don’t have the excessive heat that we had
there and the nights are nice and cool. The Gulf Stream may be all right but
I’m not struck on it for we nearly suffocated until we hit the cool part. I’m
still at the same work with the same train but now that we are settled I may be
given some other work as we are permanently located here for a time at least.
I took a couple
of my boys and went for a hike up into the mountains. The lower part of the
Alps come down here and we climbed to the top and look around. On the way up we
picked grapes, figs, apples and olives. This is a great grape country and the
only way they have of saving them is to make them into wine and the people here
drink very little of anything else. Some of our boys are trying to keep some of
it from spoiling but the effect is such that they “go easy” on it as yet. After
we first landed here we were given a week’s rest, we certainly needed it, then
we traveled the length of France, crossing the Pyraneese Mountains. It was a
pretty sight to look down from the heights and see the little plots all walled
in and hedged in like gardens at home. There is a large cathedral here located
on a high bluff over looking the sea. They say it is encircled with small ships
made by and presented by sailors on their trips here, which at the time was
used as a lighthouse.
I am not struck
on either the French or Italian people, as we have and equal amount here; so I
can safely say that when this affair is settled I’m going be to the States.
This has been a
great trip and a beautiful country and a sight to see the way the people live
here. Yet I see nothing that would ever induce me to live here. Every home has
its wine cellar and you can buy all kinds of wine from the light grape juice to
the strong whiskey. They say one is enough. I haven’t tasted it yet. The little
boys (while yet in dresses) are begging cigarettes from the boys.
Guess I’ll pass
up my deer hunt this fall, this is far more exciting. Have you done any duck
hunting this fall? Got a letter from father today and he didn’t mention
hunting.
Hope I get some
home papers soon. Tell everyone to write and give them my address and see that
the paper is sent to me.
Sincerely, Lieut.
Harry E. McKibben, Motor Supply Train 420, A.P.O. 752, American Ex. Forces
Mr. and Mrs. N.
J. Martin were on Tuesday greatly relieved of anxiety when they received a
letter from their son, Bert, who several weeks ago was reported as missing in
action, the letter stating that he was in a hospital, having been wounded in
the left leg. The letter follows:
Somewhere in
France, Oct. 21, 1918
Dear Mother,
I will drop you
a few lines and let you know that I am feeling pretty good. I hope you folks
are the same. I suppose you are rather busy now. The weather is fine here.
I am having a
good time. Am in the hospital as I got wounded in the left leg but it isn’t
bad.
Henry sent me
the picture of Stanley. He is some man now.
Will close for
this time as news is scarce here, but will do better next time.
From your
loving son, Bert M. Martin, Co. K. 131 U.S. Inf., France
P.S. Don’t
worry about me. I will be all right in a short while. Greet all the folks
around Franklin.
Henry
Bleick and Joseph Graml of Cairo Arrested on Bench Warrants
Flag Kissin Exercise Here — Both
Pay Fines and Subscribe for Liberty Bonds and to Red Cross
Henry Bleick
and Joseph Graml, Liberty Bond slackers of Fairfax, were arrested on a bench
warrant issued by Judy Daly last week and brought into court. Bleick had been
allotted $800 in bonds, and Graml $350. They refused to subscribe and were
advised by Chairman T. O’Connor of the Safety Commission to appear before him.
They failed to appear and on October 25th a summons was issued out of District
Court for their appearance on October 29th. They failed to obey the
summons and a bench warrant was issues and they were arrested for contempt of
court. Sheriff Sunde brought them here last Wednesday and as soon as the
sheriff reached town a crowd gathered and without much excitement, got the
prisoners away from the officers, making the slackers kneel and kiss the flag
and then march to the jail, each carrying high above his head the flag.
Next day the
two men were taken before Judge Daly at Renville where an adjustment of the
matter was made by Bleick subscribing for $1500 in bonds, donating $100 to the
Red Cross and a like amount to the War Work fund, and paying $109.54 cents in
fine and costs. Graml subscribed for $750 in bonds, paid $75 to the Red Cross,
and $50 to the War Work fund and paid a fine of $109.54.
Wilbert G. Lammers March 1, 1892 – February 8, 1948
Word From Wilbur Lammers Tells of Wound by Machine Gun Bullet
Chas. Lammers received a letter from his son, Wilbur (Wilbert), yesterday stating that he had been wounded. Wilbur does not go into details regarding his injury, any more than to say that he received a machine bullet in the soft part of his right foot, below the ankle. He hopes for and expects a speedy recovery and says that he will soon be able to get around again. The letter was written October 18 and as his previous letter was written October 12, in which no mention was made of an injury it is presumed that he was hurt some time between the 12th and 18th.
William Bruggeman July 21, 1889 – September 16, 1918
Schrapnel Wound Takes Young Man – William Bruggeman Gives His Life in Devoted Service to Country
After weeks of suspense and anxiety following the report of injury to her son, William, on the battlefield in France, Mrs. Bruggeman received the sad news last Saturday that the injury had proven fatal.
The word came
in a telegram from the War Department in Washington, stating that the death
occurred September 16. According to this information William died from his
wound the day after it was inflicted.
Mrs. Bruggeman
and family have received no detailed information of the injury more than that
contained in a letter written by John Merkel, who was in the same company with
William, to his brother, G. F. Merkel. This message stated that William had
been hit in the right breast by a schrapnel bullet.
Deceased was
one of the most promising and most respected young men of Fairfax. He grew up
from early childhood in this immediate community, and throughout his life had
been of such an honest, straight forward, and pleasing disposition that every
acquaintance became his staunch friend. He was one of the prominent members of
the local Knight of Columbus.
Deceased was
born in Mankato July 21, 1889. When three years of age his parents removed to
this locality, locating on a farm a few miles from Fairfax.
About five
years ago the Dickmeyer Implement Company needed a trustworthy young man, and
William was persuaded to leave the farm and take the position offered by that
Company. He remained in this position until he left as a defender of his
company September 19, 1917. We Went to France finally; arriving there May 25,
last.
He wrote home
frequently; his letters were always cheerful, he seeming to have no fear for
his own safety. In his last letter to his brother, Lawrence, he cautioned him
to take good care of their mother, and that he could do the fighting for both of
them.
A funeral
service was held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Monday morning. Rev. Fr.
Goergen conducted the service and paid high tribute to the noble young man, and
spoke words of comfort to the mourning family.
Besides the
sorrowing mother, there are four brothers and five sisters who deeply mourn the
loss of one dearly loved. The sisters are Mamie, Mathilda and Edith, of
Fairfax, Mrs. M. Roeser, of Cologne, Minn., and Mrs. M. J. Carney, Bird Island.
The brothers are Joseph, Lawrence, Bennie and Oscar, all of Fairfax
Last Updated: February 21, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter From Harry E McKibben, Hector Mirror, 11-28-1918
October 24, 1880 – June 22, 1972
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Whitney:
Your letter received describing your trip to Pine City; how I would like to have been along. I am returning the picture of the fawn immediately, as it’s so easy to loose things here unless you have them on your back. I have been traveling some since I last saw you.
France is a beautiful country and I’ve traveled almost the entire length of it. We reached this place a couple of days ago. The climate is fine, almost the same latitude as where I was in the states, but we don’t have the excessive heat that we had there and the nights are nice and cool. The Gulf Stream may be all right but I’m not struck on it for we nearly suffocated until we hit the cool part. I’m still at the same work with the same train but now that we are settled I may be given some other work as we are permanently located here for a time at least.
I took a couple of my boys and went for a hike up into the mountains. The lower part of the Alps come down here and we climbed to the top and look around. On the way up we picked grapes, figs, apples and olives. This is a great grape country and the only way they have of saving them is to make them into wine and the people here drink very little of anything else. Some of our boys are trying to keep some of it from spoiling but the effect is such that they “go easy” on it as yet. After we first landed here we were given a week’s rest, we certainly needed it, then we traveled the length of France, crossing the Pyraneese Mountains. It was a pretty sight to look down from the heights and see the little plots all walled in and hedged in like gardens at home. There is a large cathedral here located on a high bluff over looking the sea. They say it is encircled with small ships made by and presented by sailors on their trips here, which at the time was used as a lighthouse.
I am not struck on either the French or Italian people, as we have and equal amount here; so I can safely say that when this affair is settled I’m going be to the States.
This has been a great trip and a beautiful country and a sight to see the way the people live here. Yet I see nothing that would ever induce me to live here. Every home has its wine cellar and you can buy all kinds of wine from the light grape juice to the strong whiskey. They say one is enough. I haven’t tasted it yet. The little boys (while yet in dresses) are begging cigarettes from the boys.
Guess I’ll pass up my deer hunt this fall, this is far more exciting. Have you done any duck hunting this fall? Got a letter from father today and he didn’t mention hunting.
Hope I get some home papers soon. Tell everyone to write and give them my address and see that the paper is sent to me.
Sincerely, Lieut. Harry E. McKibben, Motor Supply Train 420, A.P.O. 752, American Ex. Forces
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Posted: February 21, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Bert Martin Writes, Franklin Tribune, 11-28-1918
March 5, 1896 – November 21, 1976
Mr. and Mrs. N. J. Martin were on Tuesday greatly relieved of anxiety when they received a letter from their son, Bert, who several weeks ago was reported as missing in action, the letter stating that he was in a hospital, having been wounded in the left leg. The letter follows:
Somewhere in France, Oct. 21, 1918
Dear Mother,
I will drop you a few lines and let you know that I am feeling pretty good. I hope you folks are the same. I suppose you are rather busy now. The weather is fine here.
I am having a good time. Am in the hospital as I got wounded in the left leg but it isn’t bad.
Henry sent me the picture of Stanley. He is some man now.
Will close for this time as news is scarce here, but will do better next time.
From your loving son, Bert M. Martin, Co. K. 131 U.S. Inf., France
P.S. Don’t worry about me. I will be all right in a short while. Greet all the folks around Franklin.
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Posted: February 21, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Bond Slackers Are Penalized, Olivia Times, 11-18-1918
Henry Bleick and Joseph Graml of Cairo Arrested on Bench Warrants
Flag Kissin Exercise Here — Both Pay Fines and Subscribe for Liberty Bonds and to Red Cross
Henry Bleick and Joseph Graml, Liberty Bond slackers of Fairfax, were arrested on a bench warrant issued by Judy Daly last week and brought into court. Bleick had been allotted $800 in bonds, and Graml $350. They refused to subscribe and were advised by Chairman T. O’Connor of the Safety Commission to appear before him. They failed to appear and on October 25th a summons was issued out of District Court for their appearance on October 29th. They failed to obey the summons and a bench warrant was issues and they were arrested for contempt of court. Sheriff Sunde brought them here last Wednesday and as soon as the sheriff reached town a crowd gathered and without much excitement, got the prisoners away from the officers, making the slackers kneel and kiss the flag and then march to the jail, each carrying high above his head the flag.
Next day the two men were taken before Judge Daly at Renville where an adjustment of the matter was made by Bleick subscribing for $1500 in bonds, donating $100 to the Red Cross and a like amount to the War Work fund, and paying $109.54 cents in fine and costs. Graml subscribed for $750 in bonds, paid $75 to the Red Cross, and $50 to the War Work fund and paid a fine of $109.54.
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Posted: February 21, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Fairfax Boy Gets Bullet in Foot, Fairfax Standard 11-14-1918
March 1, 1892 – February 8, 1948
Word From Wilbur Lammers Tells of Wound by Machine Gun Bullet
Chas. Lammers received a letter from his son, Wilbur (Wilbert), yesterday stating that he had been wounded. Wilbur does not go into details regarding his injury, any more than to say that he received a machine bullet in the soft part of his right foot, below the ankle. He hopes for and expects a speedy recovery and says that he will soon be able to get around again. The letter was written October 18 and as his previous letter was written October 12, in which no mention was made of an injury it is presumed that he was hurt some time between the 12th and 18th.
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Posted: February 21, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
William Bruggeman, Fairfax Standard, 11-14-1918
July 21, 1889 – September 16, 1918
Schrapnel Wound Takes Young Man – William Bruggeman Gives His Life in Devoted Service to Country
After weeks of suspense and anxiety following the report of injury to her son, William, on the battlefield in France, Mrs. Bruggeman received the sad news last Saturday that the injury had proven fatal.
The word came in a telegram from the War Department in Washington, stating that the death occurred September 16. According to this information William died from his wound the day after it was inflicted.
Mrs. Bruggeman and family have received no detailed information of the injury more than that contained in a letter written by John Merkel, who was in the same company with William, to his brother, G. F. Merkel. This message stated that William had been hit in the right breast by a schrapnel bullet.
Deceased was one of the most promising and most respected young men of Fairfax. He grew up from early childhood in this immediate community, and throughout his life had been of such an honest, straight forward, and pleasing disposition that every acquaintance became his staunch friend. He was one of the prominent members of the local Knight of Columbus.
Deceased was born in Mankato July 21, 1889. When three years of age his parents removed to this locality, locating on a farm a few miles from Fairfax.
About five years ago the Dickmeyer Implement Company needed a trustworthy young man, and William was persuaded to leave the farm and take the position offered by that Company. He remained in this position until he left as a defender of his company September 19, 1917. We Went to France finally; arriving there May 25, last.
He wrote home frequently; his letters were always cheerful, he seeming to have no fear for his own safety. In his last letter to his brother, Lawrence, he cautioned him to take good care of their mother, and that he could do the fighting for both of them.
A funeral service was held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church Monday morning. Rev. Fr. Goergen conducted the service and paid high tribute to the noble young man, and spoke words of comfort to the mourning family.
Besides the sorrowing mother, there are four brothers and five sisters who deeply mourn the loss of one dearly loved. The sisters are Mamie, Mathilda and Edith, of Fairfax, Mrs. M. Roeser, of Cologne, Minn., and Mrs. M. J. Carney, Bird Island. The brothers are Joseph, Lawrence, Bennie and Oscar, all of Fairfax
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