USA > Pennsylvania > York County > York > York County and the World War: Being a war history of York and York County > Part 20
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Once again I was placed on a stretcher and in an ambulance and then began the wild ride midst bursting shells over shell-hole roads to a French hospital base, located in a city of about 75,000, twenty kilometers in the rear. For excitement I don't think that Sheridan's ride up the Shenandoah or Paul Revere's famous ride had anything on it. not saying anything about a trip to Baltimore on the Maryland and Pennsylvania. However, I was too sick to enjoy it. Arrived O.K. at the French hospital, but I thought it was finish for Ross. The next few days were extremely hazardous ones for me. On several occasions I had visions of going West, but fortunately I received excellent treatment from the French doctors and in a few days began to show signs of improvement. I might say that the Boche followed me here for I was only here about a week when one night motors were heard buzzing in the heavens, which gradually became louder. Anti-aircraft guns opened fire on them. We then knew that they were Hun planes bombing the city.
They flew directly over the hospital, but fortunately did not drop any bombs on us. It was rather thrilling and exciting, nevertheless. Of course. I did not see them as I was confined to bed. Several of the patients who were able to be up and around told me that they were flying low and could easily
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see them with the naked eye in the dark. I remained in this hospital about four weeks and then was taken still further back, about fifty miles, to a large American base. I am now able to be out of bed and tottering about a bit. Remained here just twenty days when the C. O. wished a sick leave of thirty days on me, and sent me down here along the Mediterranean to convalesce.
Of course, I did not object very strenuously, for it has been a real treat to me. In a previous letter to you I told you about stopping over in Paris enroute here, and visiting the American military cemetery at Suresnes, on the slope of Mont Valerien, where our dear brother Chester is sleeping be- neath the sod. I also told you of the beautiful flowers growing on his grave; of the beautiful green grass growing thereon, and in general how well-kept the cemetery was. I inquired from some of the boys as to who was so kind and thoughtful in planting the beautiful flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, but no one seemed to know. A few days ago while reading the New York Herald, Paris edition, the puzzle was solved. It gave a beautiful description of how the good French mothers of Suresnes go daily to the cemetery and care for the graves of those who have died that France and civilization might live. It impressed me so much that I immediately wrote to Mme. Quention, who instigated the plan of taking care of the graves of the boys who sacrificed their lives on the field of honor, thanking her and the good mothers of Suresnes for their kindness and generosity. I also enclosed a check for her to purchase a floral design to place on brother's grave, a token of remembrance and devotion to our dear departed brother from his sisters and brothers. I also requested her to take several views of his grave, and will send them home when I receive them.
Yesterday Lieutenant Demsey, who is here on sick leave, and I visited the Iles De Lerius, lying in the bay opposite Cannes, two small islands. On the Island of Ste. Marguerite is a gloomy old prison in which was incarcerated from 1687 to 1689 the mysterious "Man of the Iron Mask," whom I have often read about in books. It is now used as a prison camp for Boche prisoners of war. We made the trip in a small sailboat, and to tell the truth I was not at all displeased when I landed safely on terra firma, for the sea was extremely rough, in fact the riding of the waves preyed more on my digestive organs than the trip across the Atlantic in the early part of June. However, it was a splendid trip and would not have missed it for anything. My convalescent leave has about come to an end; the day of de- parture is not far off. I am sorry in a sense to go, for I realize the sadness and heartaches which will welcome me at the end of my journey. My regiment has been in the thick of the recent big drive, and I know that many of my friends that bade me good-bye and good luck will not be present to greet me. Many have fallen on the field of honor since I left my organization, and are now sleeping beneath the sacred soil of France with a little cross at their head, signifying that they died for world democracy.
Oh, yes, it will be a sad day when I return to my regiment and glance over the roll. However, such are the fortunes of war. No doubt that ere you receive this I will again be with the boys on our way to Berlin. Hoping this will find you all well and happy, I remain lovingly, your brother,
ROSCOE.
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$250 NEWARK SHOE. $2F
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THESE ARE SOME OF THE 6000 YORK COUNTY SOLDIERS AS THEY LEFT HOME
"GOBDOM"
W HEN a "Rookie" first reaches a training camp, He's scared half to death, feels like a tramp. An orderly leads him to the "sick-bay," Where he is examined without delay.
After the "exam" at the receiving ship. He gets a bag-o-clothing regardless of fit. "What size shoes?" "Oh about seven." The store-keeper throws him a pair marked eleven.
The outfit's complete, in white he's dressed,
And marched to the harracks with the rest. There he's enrolled and assigned to a billet. Given a hammock and told how to fill it.
Then comes the matter of lashing up things, No Irish penants showing. their ends of strings. To stencil all clothes is an endless job.
But there's more dirty work in becoming a gob.
Twenty-one days in detention he must stay, And in spite of hard work, gets no pay, For three long weeks. sunshine or rain, He never even hears or sees a "Jane".
Oh yes! And then there's the terrible situation. He wonders if he'll faint at that first inoculation. He musters up courage and says: "I will not," But a "Gob" hollers: "Wait till you git your second shot."
He lives through the first and hears an awful yarn. A five-foot fall from a hammock. Oh that arm! He goes for his second. but not very bold. And sure enough it knocks him out cold.
After he recovers. as they sometimes do, There's still the third shot coming. Whew! But the last one, very strange to say. In spite of all kidding didn't even make him sway.
All thru the day t'was drill! drill! drill! At night stick to the hammock or spill! spill! spill! He dreams of storms and terrible ship-wrecks, But wakes up to find he's just hit the deck.
Then there's bag inspection and all that to know, Everything must be as white as snow. Clean ditty boxes. scrubbed down decks. The sea bags and hammocks musn't show a speck.
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He must wash every night. watch the clothes line sway, For the "Rookie" must wear clean whites every day. If ever his clothes from the clothes line fell, The "Skipper" at mast, would give him hell.
Then he studies wig-wag, blinkers and semaphore, Navigation, seamanship and a whole lot more.
He thinks while drilling he will soon be a "Gob."
When out of step he gets, and into the awkward squad.
In his hammoek at night, in spite of the pain, He lays awake thinking of his little "Jane."
At "Taps" he starts "eussin" the Hun heavily. Till he hears: "Hit the deek sailor." At "Reveille."
At last the twenty-one days are past,
And the dream of liberty comes near at last,
He breaks out shining in his liberty blues, But "Alas"! the week end guard they must choose.
Then eurse the bad luck, he's put on guard,
When the rest shove off', he can't leave the yard.
He growls: "I'm out of luck!" He walks his post
Through the night up and down the deserted coast.
Then the "Rookie" begins to plan what he will do,
When's he's one of the liberty party in blue.
Right then and there and all thru the night, He repeats, "War is hell," Sherman was right.
There's all kinds of fighters in the U. S. N. "Rookies, Gobs, Sailors (Yoeman) and other men. But to the "Rookie" the worst of the whole crew, at that Are the "Jimmey-legs" with their, "Where do you think yer at?"
But after all is said and done, He did his bit, to beat the hun, Fighting on land and sea was his job. And there'd have been no War without the "Gob".
CLIFFORD J. HALL.
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SATIRE ON THE KAISER
HIS SATANIC MAJESTY ABDICATED IN FAVOR OF KAISER WILHELM OF GERMANY THE ATROCIOUS BUTCHER
AND SURRENDERS THE KEYS AND ALL SULPHUROUS FIRES WITHI WHICH THE INFERNAL REGIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO CONTAIN
W HEN Louis Syberkrop, of Creston, Iowa, wrote the satire on Kaiser Wilhelm, which follows, he little thought it would attract the attention which it has. Requests for copies have come to him from Theodore Roosevelt. Secretary of the Navy Daniels, Secretary to the President Tumulty, and other notables. The article is in the form of a letter from his Satanic majesty to his human prototype. It says:
"To Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, King of Prussia, Emperor of all Germany and Envoy Extraordinary of Almighty God.
"My Dear Wilhelm: I can call you by that familiar name, for I have always been very close to you-much closer than you could ever know.
"From the time that you were yet an undeveloped being in your mother's womb have I shaped your destiny for my purpose.
"In the days of Rome I created a roughneck known in history as Nero. He was a vulgar character and suited my purpose at that particular time. In these modern days a classic demon and efficient super-criminal was needed, and as I had known the Hohenzollern blood I picked you as my special instrument to place on earth an annex to hell. I gave you abnormal ambition, likewise an oversupply of egotism that you might not discover your own failings; I twisted your mind to that of a madman with certain normal tendencies to carry you by, a most dangerous character placed in power; I gave you the power of a hypnotist and a certain magnetic force that you might sway your people. I am responsible for the deformed arm that hangs helpless on your left, for your crippled condition embitters your life and destroys all noble impulses that might otherwise cause me anxiety, but your strong sword arm is driven by your ambition that squelches all sentiment and pity: I placed in your soul a deep hatred for all things English, for of all nations on earth I hate England most; wherever England plants her flag she brings order out of chaos and the hated cross follows the Union Jack; under her rule wild tribes become tillers of the soil and in due time practical citizens; she is the great civilizer of the globe and I HATE HER. I planted in your soul a cruel hatred for your mother because SHE was English, and left my good friend Bismarck to fan the flame I had kindled. Recent history proves how well our work was done. It broke your royal mother's heart, but I gained my purpose.
"The inherited disease of the Hohenzollerns killed your father, just as it will kill you, and you be- came the ruler of Germany and a tool of mine sooner than I expected.
"To assist you and further hasten my work, I sent you three evil spirits- Nietzsche. Trischke and later Bernhardi-whose teachings inflamed the youths of Germany. who in good time would be willing and loyal subjects and eager to spill their blood and pull your chestnuts, yours, and mine; the spell has been perfect-you cast your ambitious cyes toward the Mediterranean, Egypt, India and the Dar- danelles and you began your great railway to Bagdad, but the ambitious archduke and his more am- bitious wife stood in your way. It was then that I sowed the seed in your heart that blossomed into the assassination of the duke and his wife, and all hell smiled when it saw how cleverly you saddled the crime on Serbia. I saw you set sails for the fiords of Norway and I knew you would prove an alibi. How cleverly done, so much like your noble grandfather who also secured an assassin to remove old King Fredrick of Denmark. and later robbed that country of two provinces that gave Germany an opportunity to become a naval power. Murder is dirty work, but it takes a Hohenzollern to make away and get by.
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"Your opportunity was at hand; you set the world on fire and bells of hell were ringing; your rape on Belgium caused much joy. It was the beginning, the foundation of a perfect hell on earth; the de- struction of noble cathedrals and other infinite works of art was hailed with joy in the infernal regions.
"You made war on friends and foe alike and the murder of civilians showed my teachings had borne fruit. Your treachery toward neutral nations hastened a universal upheaval, the thing I most desired. Your undersea warfare is a master stroke, from the smallest mackerel pot to the great Lusitania you show no favorites; as a war lord you stand supreme, for you have no mercy; you have no consideration for the baby elinging to its mother's breasts as they both go down into the deep together, only to be torn apart and leisurely devoured by sharks down among the corals.
"I have strolled over the battlefields of Belgium and France. I have seen your hand of destruction everywhere; its all your work super-fiend that I made you. I have seen the fields of Poland; now a wilderness fit for prowling beasts only; no merry children in Poland now: they all succumbed to frost and starvation-I driften down into Galicia where formerly Jews and Gentiles lived happily together; I found but ruins and ashes; I felt a curious pride in my pupil, for it was all above my expectation. I was in Belgium when you drove the peaceful population before you like cattle into slavery; you sep- arated man and wife and forced them to hard labor in trenches. I have seen the most fiendish rape committed on young women and those who were forced into maternity were cursing the father of their offspring and I began to doubt if my own inferno was really up to date.
"You have taken millions of dollars from innocent victims and called it indemnity; you have lived fat on the land you usurped and sent the real owners away to starvation. You have strayed away from all legalized war methods and introduced a code of your own. You have killed and robbed the people of friendly nations and destroyed their property. You are a liar, a hypocrite and a bluffer of the highest magnitude. You are a part of mine and yet you pose as a personal friend of God. Ah, Wilhelm, you are a wonder. You wantonly destroy all things in your path and leave nothing for coming generations.
"I was amazed when I saw you form a partnership with the impossible Turk, the chronie killer of Christians, and you a devout worshipper in the Lutheran church. I confess, Wilhelm, you are a puzzle at all times. A Mohammedan army, commanded by German officers, assisting one another in mas- sacring Christians is a new line of warfare. When a Prussian officer can witness a nude woman being disemboweled by a swarthy Turk, committing a double murder with one eut of his saber, and calmly stand by and see a house full of innocent Armenians locked up, the house saturated with oil and fired, then my teachings did not stop with you, but have been extended to the whole German nation. I confess my Satanic soul grew siek and there and then I knew my pupil had become the master. 1 am a baek number, and, my dear Wilhelm, I abdicate in your favor. The great key of hell will be turned over to you. The gavel that has struck the doom of damned souls since time began is yours. 1 am satisfied with what I have done; that my abdication in your favor is for the very best interests of hell- in the future I am at your majesty's service.
"Affectionately and sincerely.
"LUCIFER H. SATAN."
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OVERHEARD ON A TRAIN SPEEDING FROM BERLIN TO HOLLAND.
P APA, are we winning or losing the war?"
"Shutup, and stop calling me papa. I am siek at the stomach that I should have such an ass for a son. Of course we are winning, this is only a strategic retirement."
"I know papa, but if we should retire much farther we will need an unter see boot."
"Shut up."
"Papa, are you sure that Holland is neutral?"
"Certainly Holland is neutral. Did I not issue a Royal Decree to that effect?"
"But, papa, the idiotic Yankees were neutral and now look at them."
"Shut up."
"Papa, why don't you have the train go to Paris?"
"That is a matter of State which at this time it would be injudicious to discuss."
"Papa, who started this war?"
"England, of course."
"Who finished it, papa!"
"Shut up."
"Papa, when will you command the loyal Germans in America to take Washington?"
"That is a matter for further thought. I am in receipt of important dispatches from General Sauer von Kraut which state that he and his staff have temporarily retired to Altanta, Georgia, to seriously consider if the time is ripe for a general uprising. He only awaits my decision in the matter."
"Papa, what is an armistice?"
"My son, an armistice is a German diplomatic move by which cumbersome and useless material is thrust upon the enemy and which gives the noble German soldiers a furlough to visit their homes for Christmas. An armistice is sometimes necessary to strenghten the morale of the Army."
"Why did you abdieate, papa?"
"I temporarily abdicated out of the generosity of my heart so as not to embarrass the German people with the presence of Royalty during their celebration of the colossal German victory in forcing the enemy to bow to our demand for an armistice."
"But papa, the Grand Fleet has revolted."
"My son will you never learn? The revolting of the Grand Fleet is simply a naval way of showing the patriotism of the German sailors. They take this method to express to the world their respect and admiration for their Kaiser. You certainly must, in the near furture, resume your lessons of naval customs under Admiral von Tirpitz."
"Papa, where is the peace conference to be held, in Berlin, Paris or Versailles?"
"I have not as yet decided. But should the date fall on Christmas, I believe that Paris will be my choice."
"Will you he present, papa?"
"I think not, as I have matters of the greatest importance, which no doubt will detain me in Holland and-anyway, I cannot be troubled with details. I have commanded von Hindenburg to see that the German people attend to this matter."
"Why isn't von Hindenburg with us, papa?"
"Because he was not invited. You know we left Potsdam suddenly in the night and I had no time to bother with him. Also it is of the utmost importance that he attend to certain details of the armistice which I imposed upon the enemy."
"Papa, what do you intend doing with Alsace-Lorraine!"
"That is the matter which I have ceased to trouble about, but I may impose upon them the penalty of being governed by France as a punishment for their attitude in the carly days of the war."
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"What Generals do you intend to honor after you have dictated the peace terms to the enemy?"
"Such a fool question for a Prince of the Royal Blood to ask. The entire credit belongs to me." "But papa, how about Gott?"
"I must admit that in a hurry of this diplomatic journey to Holland I had entirely forgotten Gott. Of course, he assisted me in a small way. The matter of his reward I will consider at a later date."
"Papa, why did Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria quit?"
"Because I decided at a conference of the War council that they were of no further use to me and I did not wish them to participate in the spoils of this glorious day of victory."
"So, papa, this is 'der tag?"
"Yes, my son, this is 'der tag' and my only regret is that that old fool Bismarck is not alive to witness my hour of supreme triumph."
"But, papa, cannot you detail Gott to acquaint him with the facts?"
"A brilliant idea; I will do so immediately. If you had only used your brain at Verdun in a like manner. my victory would have been much greater, but as it is I confer the Iron Cross of the First Order upon you for your suggestion about Gott !? "
"Papa, why have you decided to give billions of marks to the enemy?"
"Once again you have lapsed into stupidity, therefore I withdraw the Iron Cross of the First Order. This was my greatest financial achievement; it was a matter which only a master mind like mine could have conceived. In addition to being a just punishment to the enemy, it materially benefits the German Empire, in that the German mark will have a worldwide circulation.
"Papa, when we are dead and gone and the history of this war written how will you rank with Na- poleon?"
"My son, Napoleon's deeds will be forgotten when the coming generations read of Wilhelm, the Just. You do not think for one moment that I have left this important matter to a lot of ignorant historians. The history of this war has already been written according to my dictation and is in Potsdam. Your reference to my being dead and gone is very ill-timed. How many times have I told you that Wil- helm will never die. Do you forget that Wilhelm and Gott are immortal?"
"But, papa, how about your sons, aren't you going to provide for them? You know I also want to be immortal. Just make me immortal, perhaps it will not matter so much about the rest."
"My son, I am Wilhelm, the Just. I will not make you immortal without doing the same for the rest of my sons. In my judgment, and I ain always right, I am the only one entitled to the honor, it is my just due, therefore not being able in fairness to confer the honor upon all, I have decided to retain it for myself alone."
"Father, you are indeed Wilhelm, the Just."
"Thank you, my son. I have tried to live up to the title."
"Papa, the train has arrived at the station; we are at the border of Holland. Why do the Dutch people thumb their noses at the Imperial train?"
"It is a special salute of respect to me which I commanded the people of Holland to observe upon my arrival."
"Do we get out here, papa?"
"Yes, I have decided to continue my journey by automobile."
"Papa, you have dropped your box of dope pills."
"Thank you, my son, you shall have the Iron Cross; you are very observing and have rendered me a great service."
TREAT EM ROUGH
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KAISER'S PRAYER The Latest Ultimatum
Gott, Gott, dear Gott, attention blease, Your bardner Vilhelm's here Und has a vord or two to say Indo your brivate ear; so durn away all udders now Und listen vell to me; For vat I say concerns so much, Meinself and Shermany.
You know, dear Gott, I var your friendt, Und from mein hour of birth I quietly let you rule de Helfen Vile I ruled o'er de earth. Und ven I teldt mein soilders Of by gone battle days. I gladly split de glory Und gave you half de praise.
In every way I tried to prove Mein heart to you was true, Und only claimed my hones shore In great deeds vat we do. You could not have a better friendt In Sky or Land or Sea, Dan Kaiser Vilhelm number two, De Lord of Shermany.
So vat I say dear Gott, is dis Dat we should still be friendts, Und you should help to send my foes To meet deir bitter ends, If you, dear Gott, vill dis me help I'll nothing ask again Und you und I vill bardners be For evermore-Amen
But listen, Gott, it must be quick,
Your help to me you send, Or else I have to stop attack Und only blay defend. So four and twenty hours I gif, To make de Allies run
Und put me safe indo my blace, De middle of de Sun.
If you do dis, I'll do my bart,
I'll tell de vorls de fact, But if you don't, den I must tink It iss an Hostile act. Den var at once I vill declare
Und in mein anger rise, Und send mein Zepp'lin ships to wage A fight up in de skies.
Dis ultimatum, now, dear Gott. Iss von of many more. Mein mind is settled up to clean De whole world off de floor. Because you vass mein hardner, An extra chance is given; So help at vonce, or else I'll be De Emporer of Heffen.
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YORK COUNTY AND THE EARLY WARS OF OUR HISTORY
PART I. FRENCH AND INDIAN WARS
A N account of the part taken by the city and county of York in the World War is a subject of great interest at the present time. The purport of this introduetory story is to give in graphic detail a few of the facts relating to the part taken by our ancestors of York County in the previous wars of our history.
The facts prove that York County had its birth during a World War which then involved nearly the whole of Europe, the center of civilization at that time. This chapter starts with the early settle- ment of the colonies, including Pennsylvania, and the contention about the claims to territory in western Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley. This contention brought about the French and Indian War, the first confliet of arms in which the soldiers of York County took part. In that war nearly 1,000 sturdy settlers of our own county, at that time including the area of Adams County, participated.
The eastern and middle parts of Pennsylvania were settled during a time of troublesome wars on the continent of Europe. The English had formed colonies along the Atlantic coast from Massachu- setts to Georgia early in our colonial history. The French first settled Canada, and it was Champlain, a French explorer, who named that country New France.
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