- Fall River, Kansas 1918 - (Part 4 of 4) -
“The farming in most districts is very crude and old fashioned. Quite a few oxen are used, although the French horse is as a rule a fine animal, but are scarce on the farm as they are extensively employed in war work. The farming implements are not so far behind ours, in fact quite a number of American implements are used. I saw a McCormack binder the other day. Only the wealthier farmers can afford them. The grain is generally cut by hand and sometimes threshed by hand. Every farmer has milk cows and a few goats. In most districts the farmers live in the villages and tend small farms. None of the farms are very large. Most of the farm wagons have only two wheels and generally only one horse attached.
Fall River Celebrates: The thrilling news that the peace armistice was signed by Germany reached Fall River about 5:00 A.M., Monday morning. In a short time, the town began to wake up- here and there a gun was fired and a faroff yell could be heard. The church bells were rung and the guns became a perfect roar of noise as the people all became aware of the great news. When daylight came, a peace parade was planned by some of those who had had their hearts in war work. Everyone worked like Trojans and in a few hours several floats were prepared-First in line came the Goddess of Liberty, driven by Bailey Yoakum in his soldier’s uniform, Mrs. O.A. Ater was the Goddess of Liberty, and many comments were made as to the handsome Goddess she was. Next was the Red Cross car, belonging to N.F. Purkapile, and decorated with the Red Cross emblem and bearing the large flag belonging to the chapter. Mrs. Ater, the Official Chairman, and some of her loyal helpers were in this car. The Y.M.C.A. car was next, and this car was handsomely decorated with the national colors and triangles, which everyone recognizes as standing for morale and good cheer in the Army-The soldiers are united in saying “ Do all you can for the Y.M.C.A.” The Knights of Columbus was taken by the Pritchard car and was decorated with the emblems of that great order. Lines have been broken down and a great change has come about, for when a Chaplain, Priest or Rabia goes among our boys “Over There” they do not stop to ask them their creed before ministering to them and a drink of cold water, or a word of comfort, is as gratefully received from one as from the other. The Jewish Welfare Board was represented by the Butler car with the emblems on the sides and front, and the flags of all nations flying from the radiator cap. The Library Association Work was shown by the Wickersham car, with the open book at the front and covered with bunting and flags. War Community Service was perhaps as attractive as any in line, being taken by the Fitzmorris Olds, this car showed painstaking work, and good taste. The Kinyon car was the Salvation Army work and the girls looked like honest to goodness lassies, and even took up a collection to make it more realistic. This car was all in white and well done. The Gunzburg car was decorated with flags and bore the Service Flag of our community. This car was filled with Mothers, and was so loaded with joy that it ran without gasoline. The Victor Auxiliary had a hay rack full of their workers dressed in uniform and made a big addition to the parade. After the floats had traveled the principal streets, they lined up and every one joined in a dead march after the kaiser, who was held aloft by two American soldiers, and finally thrown into the flames, amid the howls and jeers of the crowd, who seemed to enjoy this feature of the evening more than anything else.
A letter in November of 1918 relative to paying teachers for time lost while schools were closed by health authorities (due to the influenza illness) has been received by all city and county superintendents of the state. Just how and when lost time is to be made up will be left to the local boards and teachers. In some districts there will be school every Saturday from now on, thus all time may be made up on Saturday. In some districts there will be school every other Saturday, and thru Christmas week, thereby making up all but a week or so of the lost time.
The letter of State Superintendent Ross to county superintendents is as follows: In view of the many inquiries and conflicting ideas on the subject let me call your attention that according to the ruling of the Attorney General that teachers are entitled to their pay for the time schools have been closed by the health authorities, and cannot be required to make up the time without additional pay.
But that the law requiring at least seven months’ school in rural districts may be complied with and that the accredited standing of high schools may be maintained, lost time should be made up and full seven- and nine-months’ schools respectively held, teachers being paid for the extra time.
In some cases, as the present, some compromise is often made, as to the time schools are dismissed, whereby teachers are paid their expenses for the time lost and their full salaries in addition for teaching full time, and this would seem to be a reasonable and justifiable adjustment of the matter. W.D. Ross, State Superintendent.
In December of 1918 Od Wilson, who is drilling for oil near Fall River City, says he never saw prairie chickens as thick as they are this year in Greenwood County. He says he counted a hundred in one bunch. Od also boards with some ripe old settlers of that vicinity. He says they have lived there for three hundred years. This article appeared in the Altoona Tribune on November 28th, so take it for what it is worth!”
