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
Letter from Albert Martinson, Renville County Journal, 11-15-1918
A Sailor’s Letter: Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 3, 1918
Dear Friend Emil:
Well how are you stacking up these cold days? How is the old party making it? Say in case it’s not too late send me a little dope on the candidates, etc. I wish I could cast a ballot myself this fall, but a few thousand miles make it quite hard.
Am sending you a little cartoon of myself in the form of a snap shot. Might find a place for it either in the attic, cellar or clothes closet. Kind of looking forward to a little furlough Christmas so in case I do, I sure want to get back to Minnesota and civilization again for a few days.
This sure is some course I am taking. Pretty darn stiff. Am now taking the dope from the High Seas and “over there” but of course our information to others is pretty limited. Have also taken several cruises in a sub and also a sub chaser. Quite a novel. Was up to Maine and down the Gulf. Was out about 300 miles in mid-ocean.
Well Emil greet what few friends I have there and slip me a line once in a while.
Your friend, Albert Martinson, Box 884, Co. 7., U. S. Naval Radio School. Cambridge, Mass.
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Last Updated: February 19, 2019 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Julius H. Jenson, Hector Mirror, 11-14-1918
Julius H. Jenson was born Jan. 9, 1892, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Jenson. He was a graduate of the Franklin High School in 1910 and taught school a few years, one term being in Eddsville. He then assumed management of his father’s farm in the southwestern part of the town, where he resided until joining the army. He had the respect and friendship of all his neighbors and acquaintances, and took a very prominent part in all community affairs. He was a well-read man and of a very pleasant and congenial disposition. Being in sole charge of a farm Mr. Jensen was originally put in Class 3 but he felt that his country demanded more from him. Instead of trying to enlist in some safe and soft branch of the Service, he simply asked to be put in Class 1, A. He left Olivia with the July contingent, and after a short stay at Camp Wadsworth, was sent overseas. He became a victim of influenza, and death summoned him October 4th. Memorial services were held last Sunday in the Concordia Lutheran Church at Franklin.
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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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