The attached
letter was received on Nov. 8th by Mr. Andrew Weber. Corporal Weber
had just recovered from an attack of Spanish influenza at Camp Funston, when he
notified his parents that he will soon be on his way across. On his way
Corporal R. J. Weber stopped at Elyria, Ohio, and was entertained by the
citizens of Elyria, as the letter of Mr. E. Jay Howentstine, Secy. Citizens
Committee for Entertainment of Soldiers will testify. You may rest assured that
a letter like Mr. Howenstine’s caused joy to parents of the boy. I take the
liberty of publishing the letter without waiting to receive permission of doing
so.
No double other
villages and cities perform the same “Deeds of Kindness,” but few of them have
the good fortune of having a secretary who knows the balue of recording these
acts and sending them out to the homes and sending them to the homes and
acquaintances and friends of the boys. The letter show again what we all know,
that the boys receive the best care whether they are in the camp, on the way,
or across the sea.
I can only add
that all secretaries could accomplish a great deal of good by following Mr. E.
J. Howenstine’s example of recording the outer world know it. It is an
inspiration to every loyal American citizen to help back up the boys by their
“Deed of Kindness” in supporting the government in every possible manner.
I wish to thank
Mr. E. Jay Howenstine and the good people of Elyria what they have done for my
boy and all the other soldier boys whom they entertained so loyally while they
entertained so loyally while they had them as their guests. Finally I wish to
say that I promised Mr. E. Jay Howenstine a copy of the Bird Island Union, in
which his letter will be published are worthy of point may be published in the
newspaper of Elyria, Ohio;
Mr. Andrew
Weber, Bird Island, Minn.
Dear Sir;
It is our
pleasure to inform you that your son Corporal R. J. Weber was our guest last
night for dinner and this morning for breakfast. He with his Company spent the
night in this building.
He had been on
the road since early morning, and while tired our after a hard day’s drive, was
the picture of health and in fine spirits.
The meals are
prepared and served by the women of Elyria and the program in its entirety is
supported by the citizens of Elyria and adjoining territory. This in a small measure
bespeaks the great love and esteem held by the Elyria people toward the men who
are protecting our freedom and liberty.
We sincerely
trust that it may be our pleasure to extend this little courtesy to your son
again in the near future and with our kindest regards, we beg to remain.
Very sincerely,
E. JAY HOWENSTINE, Secretary, CITIZENS COMMITTEE, For entertainment of Soldiers
Posted: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Olaf Ytterboe, Hector Mirror, 11-14-1918
Olaf Ytterboe was born in Palmyra, May 5, 1890. He was reared to manhood on his father’s farm and after completing the rural school took a course in Willmar Seminary. During the last few years, he spent part of the time in Montana, where he acquired a homestead. Last June he joined the army at the same time as his two brothers, Theodore and Antone. After a short training here, he went overseas and on October 8, came to his death on the field of Honor in France. Olaf was an honest industrious, Christian young man, highly respected by all who knew him.
The families of the deceased have the sympathy of the whole community.
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Posted: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Died at Training Camp, Renville Star Farmer, 11-14-1918
Odeon Swieven Passed Away October 25th in Georgia
It is said and being so sudden, is doubly distressing to the family and friends when a young life is snatched from us. Odeon Sweiven, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Sweiven of the township of Sacred Heart answered the call of his country for men and left with the contingent that went to Camp Forrest, Georgia on Oct 25th. He left in his usual health but had been there but a few days when he was taken ill with pneumonia and passed away Nov. 6, 1918 in the 29th year of his age. He was born on the home farm and was raised there. He has a brother Harry Swieven who is now at the front in France. The remains were returned home and the funeral was held Monday afternoon, Rev. Henry Nobbs officiating. The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved in this their great sorrow.
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Last Updated: February 18, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Act of Kindness, Bird Island Union, 11-14-1918
The attached letter was received on Nov. 8th by Mr. Andrew Weber. Corporal Weber had just recovered from an attack of Spanish influenza at Camp Funston, when he notified his parents that he will soon be on his way across. On his way Corporal R. J. Weber stopped at Elyria, Ohio, and was entertained by the citizens of Elyria, as the letter of Mr. E. Jay Howentstine, Secy. Citizens Committee for Entertainment of Soldiers will testify. You may rest assured that a letter like Mr. Howenstine’s caused joy to parents of the boy. I take the liberty of publishing the letter without waiting to receive permission of doing so.
No double other villages and cities perform the same “Deeds of Kindness,” but few of them have the good fortune of having a secretary who knows the balue of recording these acts and sending them out to the homes and sending them to the homes and acquaintances and friends of the boys. The letter show again what we all know, that the boys receive the best care whether they are in the camp, on the way, or across the sea.
I can only add that all secretaries could accomplish a great deal of good by following Mr. E. J. Howenstine’s example of recording the outer world know it. It is an inspiration to every loyal American citizen to help back up the boys by their “Deed of Kindness” in supporting the government in every possible manner.
I wish to thank Mr. E. Jay Howenstine and the good people of Elyria what they have done for my boy and all the other soldier boys whom they entertained so loyally while they entertained so loyally while they had them as their guests. Finally I wish to say that I promised Mr. E. Jay Howenstine a copy of the Bird Island Union, in which his letter will be published are worthy of point may be published in the newspaper of Elyria, Ohio;
Mr. Andrew Weber, Bird Island, Minn.
Dear Sir;
It is our pleasure to inform you that your son Corporal R. J. Weber was our guest last night for dinner and this morning for breakfast. He with his Company spent the night in this building.
He had been on the road since early morning, and while tired our after a hard day’s drive, was the picture of health and in fine spirits.
The meals are prepared and served by the women of Elyria and the program in its entirety is supported by the citizens of Elyria and adjoining territory. This in a small measure bespeaks the great love and esteem held by the Elyria people toward the men who are protecting our freedom and liberty.
We sincerely trust that it may be our pleasure to extend this little courtesy to your son again in the near future and with our kindest regards, we beg to remain.
Very sincerely, E. JAY HOWENSTINE, Secretary, CITIZENS COMMITTEE, For entertainment of Soldiers
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Last Updated: February 18, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Letter from Claire Brooks, Renville Star Farmer, 11-14-1918
June 21, 1896 – January 1966
Served World War I May 1917 – October 1919
Served World War II January 1941 – October 1944
Somewhere in France, Sept. 25th, 1918
Dear Friends:
Well just having received a batch of mail it makes me feel so darned glad that I am over here that I would not trade my place for anything. And let me tell you that you people over there don’t know what real patriotism, real love of country is. You can’t realize what the good old U.S. stands for and means to the human race until you get a good perspective.
When I think of New York, Chicago, the Twin Cities and Renville and all the wonderful cities, and then the wonderful cause that the American millions are fighting for, giving their lives for. Why the United States flag, the star spangled banner means more to one of the United States boys than anything in this world. I believe I would rather be hanged for murder than be back in the United States in a slacker’s boots, as I consider it an honor to be allowed to be over here fighting or working for my country, and I think that both the people in Europe and the United States have woke up and really understand what the word “United States of America” really means. Having seen some of the Americans fighting and seen some hiking, I know what war is. I picked up a couple of poems and they sure are true as anything could be, as they give all the real meaning of war.
Now people you don’t know what hell is on earth. You have never gone there, and I am sure if you had, and they came out with Liberty Bonds, War Saving Stamps, Red Cross, Y.M.C.A. or any of the many other organizations came out and ask a few million dollars, everyone of you would be fighting to get close enough so you could buy them, and I am sure they would be nobody back there if he could or would go over and into hell once, for you would come out of hell with a smile but you would not hesitate about money in helping our noble boys.
Your friend, Claire E. Brooks, 17 F.A.
Editor’s Note: The flag on Mr. Brooks’ casket in January 1966 was one which had been on his father’s casket. His father, Nels Brooks, was a veteran of the Civil War.
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Last Updated: February 27, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Corporal Maurice Jones Dies at Camp Cody, N. Mex., Morton Enterprise 11-1-1918
Corporal Maurice Jones, a former member of Co. L. of Redwood Falls, died Thursday morning, October 24, at Camp Cody, New Mexico.to Camp Cody with Company L but was unable to go with them overseas on account of ill health.
Corporal Jones was born Mar. 8, 1892, and at the time of his death was 26 years old. Most of his life was spent on the reservation and he was well liked by all who knew him. He served two years on the Texas border during the Mexican trouble and was then advanced to the rank of corporal. He went
He is survived by a mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. James Jones, and three brothers, Joshua, Howard and Elroy, all of this place.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in St. Cornelia’s Church.
Editor’s Note: RCHS does not have Maurice Jones’ photograph. Maurice went off with the May 25, 1918 quota.
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