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| Joseph Oscar Noah was my father's second cousin. His grandmother, Permelia Hairston Noah, was the sister of my great-grandfather, Phillip A. Hairston. In the May 29th issue below, he appears as J. O. Noah. Before World War I, Joe Noah worked as a schoolteacher in Baylor County. |
The extracted data in this post was taken from Baylor County Banner issues on a microfilm reel labeled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919 thru Dec 30, 1920."
Nearly two decades ago, I published this information on my web pages, which, while still online, can no longer be changed. To protect the content in case it disappears, I’m adding it to this blog.
Today, I corrected some errors and revisited several weekly issues to uncover more details. I typically share information on births, deaths, and marriages in Baylor County, along with insights into my father's Bryan/Hairston connections and other notable topics. In this post, I included transcribed articles about returning soldiers and the editor’s notes on new and renewing subscribers.
May 1, 1919
Will Shelly Dies
Last week, in making mention of the return of Mr. Tom Cox of Levelview, we had his initials L. E. when it should have been T. E.
Death of Judge J. T. McLamore (in Westview news section)
Mr. W. C. Campbell and Miss Connie (possibly Corine) Martin wed.
Mr. J. C. Arden dies (husband of Willie Clough) - this is a long and detailed obituary.
Soldier Letters
Chester Welch wrote his mother and family from Nenivied, Germany
Frank Ship wrote to the Banner editor from Nantes-Loire Inferieur, France
WITH THE SUBSCRIBERS
The editor often lists new and returning subscribers in a long column, sharing brief details about his communication with them. Subscribers named in this issue included:
- S. F. Talley
- Walter Jackson
- G. W. Lee
- G. A. Beerman of Emsworth, PA who has stock in the Van Ness oil well in Baylor County
- W. B. Holder of Wichita
- W. R. Chilton
- H. D. Hardy of View in Taylor County
- G. B. Morris subscribed for his brother, A. A. Morris of Bentonville, AR
- S. H. Russell
- Mrs. J. H. Minnick of Foard City subscribed for herself and also her father-in-law, J. W. Minniek of Stanley, NM
- V. J. Sykora
Millard Ray Latta participated in the BYFU program.
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The photo was labeled "Millard, Deray, Joe" and can also be seen in the post Friday's Photo: Taken on a Bridge Near Seymour, Texas.
Millard Ray Latta (left), found twice in these excerpts, was my father's first cousin on his father's Bryan side, while Joe Noah (left) was my father's second cousin on his mother's Hairston side. DeRay Bryan, my father's sister (in the middle) and a student at Seymour High School, was mentioned once in these excerpts. Joe and Millard Ray were teachers in Baylor County. This was probably the 1917-1918 school year, as Joe was found teaching in Erath County in the spring of 1917, and he entered the army in June 1918. |
WITH THE SOLDIERS
Dr. Hosey Returns
Dr. A. B. Hosey came in yesterday from France and is here for a few days in the home of his father-in-law, Mr. Chas. Randal. The Doctor has just returned to the United States with the Baylor Medical Unit, which has been doing hospital service with the A. E. F. Dr. Hosey was located at Allerey, about 40 miles from the Swiss border. He was in an American hospital and it was the largest military hospital in the world, having 22,000 beds. Uncle Sam was fixing up to take care of his lads who may have been injured in the war. Dr. Hosey was in the laboratory department, and had charge of the Dakin Solution, which was used so extensively as an antiseptic.
Dr. Hosey was ten months in France. He is mighty glad to see his wife again, to say nothing of the baby girl whom he had not seen before. He says that we can tell the folks he is a 100 percent Y. M. C. A. man. He says the charge that soldiers were made to pay extortionate prices are for the most part untrue. The canteens as a usual thing sold goods for less than they could be purchased for in the United States. And their entertainment was about all the entertainment the boys had.
The Salvation Army did good work, but there were only a very small number of these workers compared to what had to be done. The Knights of Columbus also performed a good service, which was extended alike to every man who wore the uniform of the U. S. soldier.
Those who have relatives and friends in the 36th Division are looking forward with eagerness to the early arrival home of the Division. It has been scheduled for departure from France, but it has not left yet. Mr. John R. Henson has received word from his son, John Henson Jr., that they have been ordered to get ready to ship out. John is with the 111th Engineers.
About Other Arrivals
The family of Mr. Porter Brown has been overjoyed at receiving a telegram from him saying that he was in New York. It does not take long to get home when they get that far, and we may reasonably expect to see Porter in the not far distant future.
Not much has previously been said concerning the life in France of a group of boys who were in the 111th Ammunition Train.
In this organization were Mr. Guy McFarlin, Mr. Carter Howard, Mr. Fred Walkup, Mr. Horace Gillespie, and Mr. Will Ayres. They came home not long ago and were glad enough to be on U. S. soil once more.
This bunch sailed for France on Aug. 1. They were located for a while at Brest, and worked in a territory extending some 100 miles east of this place. They hauled ammunition out in trucks to the boys on our rifle range and never did get into battle. After the armistice was signed there was no ammunition to carry, so they hauled anything that had to be hauled. They started home March 1, landing the 18th at Newport News. From there they went to Camp Bowie and on home.
The boys have lots to tell of their army life, and it will be an experience they will look back to with pleasure and pride. Mr. Howard was of the opinion that the fun did not pay for the trouble, but the trouble will soon be forgotten. The boys express admiration for the French people, and say they were well treated, but declare that country hundreds of years behind the times. People are crowded, the houses are old, and no such thing is known as the progress which is characteristic of the American people.
Mr. Andy Bowie is busy at the Seymour Mercantile Co., putting up binders. Andy did not get to see service on foreign shores, but is shedding no tears over what he missed. He was in the 131st Artillery at Camp McArthur. He was getting ready with the rest of them to take his turn at the Huns, if the war had lasted long enough. But it did last long sufficiently.
Mr. J. W. Sanderson, referred to in a former issue, is with the 143rd Infantry of the 36th Division.
May 15, 1919
Mr. A. J. Blanks sells his dray business to Mr. Press Henderson. Mr. Blanks has been a long time in the dray business. His health had gotten so that the work was too much for him.
Obituary for William T. Shelly
Mr. and Mrs. George L. Musiek are the proud parents of an eight-pound baby boy.
Nannie Harvey and Edmond Durham were married and will make their home at the McLain Hotel where they are employed.
WITH THE SOLDIERS.
Dr. A. B. Hosey left this week for Dallas, the wife and baby remaining here until his plans are more definite. We would be glad to have the Doctor and his family with us as permanent residents.
Some how in the rush the Banner has failed to make mention of the arrival home of Mr. Lloyd B. Henson. He was with the Marine corps at Quantra. This was the same kind of boys who started all that business at Chateau-Thierry. Lloyd would not have been averse to seeing a little of what took place across the waters, but he is glad enough to be back home. Before the war the Marine Corps numbered 17,000. This number was to have been increased to 75,000, if the ending of the war had not made such forces as this more than adequate. The marines go across with every vessel carrying troops. They guard harbors, take care of Uncle Sam’s interest in South America and in other turbulent regions, and are generally useful.
Another American soldier who has recently arrived from overseas is Mr. Edwin Fojtik of Cache Creek. The Banner has not had the chance to interview him yet. Mr. Fojtik had not been married long when he left for the training camp. Naturally his wife was not overjoyed at losing him so soon, and we venture without knowing for certain that she was some glad to see him come marching home.
Mr. Carter Howard of Wichita Falls was here this week. Mr. Howard makes friends wherever he goes, but here he numbers them by the population of the place.
Mr. W. S. Unsell writes from Klondike that his brother, Mr. Floyd Unsell, who formerly lived here, has landed in this country and they are looking forward with great eagerness to his arrival at home. He was on the fighting front for 22 days, but was lucky and came out without a scratch.
Mr. T. A. Sanderson left Saturday for Camp Bowie to see his son in the hospital there. He is naturally not doing the best in the world.
May 22, 1919
Some airplanes went over on Tuesday and another one yesterday. They did not stop or give any account of themselves. Perhaps after awhile airplanes will be so common that no mention will be necessary about them. Infact, even now some of the oil men at Kanger have purchased planes to be used in going to and from Fort Worth.
Tom Richardson dies (Bomarton)
WITH THE SUBSCRIBERS
The editor often lists new and returning subscribers in a long column, sharing brief details about his communication with them. Subscribers named in this issue included:
- Turner Forrest of Boise City, OK
- Jake L. Hall of Route 3 and his cousin, Miss Ellen Tinsley of Fort Worth
- M. H. Barwise of the Wichita Valley
- C. T. Morris
- E.P. Croft subscribed for friend, C. S. Wood of Fort Worth
- Mrs. J. A. Baccus to her son Sam Shultz Baccus in Wichita
- S. H. Dornan
- Anton Rainosek of La Grange
- Mr. G. Gatzkie requested an address change from Hoisington, KS, to Carr Crossing, CO.
- W. R. Hart
- J. W. Beavers
- Mrs. Julius Levy of Brady who was Mrs. Butcher when she lived in Baylor County
- L. B. Jeter
- J. A. Dunlap
- S. L. Shipman
- S. T. Brown
- A. C. McLarty changed his address from Lexington, OK to Iowa Park, TX.
- Samuel W. Noble of Fannettsburg, PA who owns property in Baylor County
- A. C. Mendenhall
- Ladonia Bowman, daughter of Mr. W. M. Bowman
- W. W. Barbee had the paper sent to Mr. R. C. Prim of Sweetwater
- John Hawkins
- S. A. Larue
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| This postcard, along with the photos above, was preserved by Joe Noah and is now in the possession of his granddaughter. While I didn’t take notes when scanning it, I can assume it depicts WWI soldiers either traveling to Europe or returning home to the United States. |
May 29, 1919
B.Y.P.U. Program for June 1st
DeRay Bryan’s part in the service was the illustration and the presentation of “The Method of Boaz, the Helpful Helper.”
Obituary for Tom Richardson
HOME FROM FRANCE
The Banner would have to be a big paper if we told all the soldier's news this week. In fact, so much might be said that we are puzzled whether to undertake to tell anything at all or to devote the entire issue to what the boys have to say.
During the past week the following Baylor county boys have arrived home from across the pond: Clarence Copeland, Porter Brown, Arthur Crownover, Jack Henderson, Hugh Shipley, Hershell High, and J.O. Noah. The latter has been at his home in Erath County for some two weeks, but is on a visit here to the family of Mr. R. E. Bryan. He was in the radio service, which had to do with the operation of wireless telegraphy. He had finished his training and was ready to go to the front lines when the armistice was signed.
Mr. Noah's work was in the interception of messages which the Germans were sending. They were sent in cipher, but some of them could be worked out. Mr. Noah says we can put him down as for the Y.M.C.A. He said the organization undertook more than it could handle, especially the canteen service, but that on the whole, it did a fine work. Mr. Noah was all through France, at the last being on the Toul Sector and had a good opportunity of seeing the country.
Mr. Porter Brown arrived Monday. He had been overseas for a year and a half and is sure glad to get back home. When he came in he was met by about 40 relatives and a lot of friends and he never will get through what he will have to tell about his trip.
Porter was with the aviation department and was not attached to any certain divisions. He started as a mechanic, but ended up in charge of a plane and if the armistice had not come on Nov 11 he would have been doing hair-raising air stunts. As it was, he was in the photograph service a good while, and perhaps that was about as dangerous as fighting. These plans carry no guns, and Porter has had the experience of being chased in and being shot at all the while.
Mr. Brown says the devastation on some of those battlefields is almost beyond comprehension. In fact, he considers it doubtful if some of that farm land will ever again be suitable for agriculture. Every particle of it has been disfigured by shell holes.
Mr. Jack Henderson was in the 42nd Division, infantry depart. He had been in training since he arrived in France and had just been designated for the front when the game was called. Too many Americans, on top of what the Boche already had to contend with. The Rainbow Division on account of being one of the best trained in the American army, was chosen as a part of the army of occupation and Mr. Henderson spent four months on the Rhine, which he says is a pretty country.
Mr. Hugh Shipley was assigned to the 77th Division which was composed largely of New York men. This division started in at Chatcan-Thierry and ended up at St. Piermont. Mr. Shipley too was just ready to go into the fighting but has no regrets about missing it. He and Mr. Henderson heard the big guns barking and saw plenty of dead Dutchmen.
Mr. Shipley says the sun shone about 15 days out of the six months he was in France. At one time his division was quartered in 136 different villages, so it was not easy to keep up with everybody in the division.
Mr. Hershel High came in Sunday from Germany, where he had been with the army of occupation. Before that he was a machine gunner in the Argonne and can tell some rare experiences about the taking of this apparently impregnable position. He was not wounded but two pieces of shell passed through his pack which was quite close enough. Thinking the place could not be taken, the Germans had fixed up their quarters in good shape. Their dugouts were lined with concrete and the clearing of them made an interesting piece of work for the doughboys. Mr. High has a silver wrist watch which he took from a German officer.
Mr. High describes vividly the march to the Rhine. The boys had to carry their packs, and it was 300 miles.
Other men who have returned during the past week are Messrs. Clarence Copeland and Arthur Crownover. The Banner has not had an opportunity to interview them but will have something further to report about them.
Mr. Ward Beck is in Texas but is visiting relatives at Terrell before coming home.
Diana
© 2025
"Local Board Inducts Men for Voluntary Service' Two more are wanted," The Dublin Progress and Telephone (Dublin, Texas), 21 June 1918, Vol. 31, No. 9, Ed. 1; database and images, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth559811/m1/1/zoom/? : accessed 27 Jan 2020).
"Millard, DeRay, and Joe," photograph, about 1918; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of Carla Noah Stutsman, TX, 2014.
Shady Grove School News, The Dublin Progress and Telephone (Dublin, Texas), 18 May 1917, Vol. 30, No. 4, Ed. 1; database and images, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth559258/m1/5/? : accessed 27 Jan 2020).
The Baylor County Banner issues from 1919, microfilm images, The Baylor County Banner (Seymour, Texas), 1916. Microfilm titled "Baylor County Banner Jan 2, 1919, thru Dec 30, 1920," accessed from the privately held collection of D.B. Quinn.
WWI Postcards, postcards, about 1919; scanned images, from the privately held photo collection of Carla Noah Stutsman, TX, 2014.
