One Hundred Years Ago

[Rix Gins]

World War II pilot Jimmy Marks (RAF officer) was born on March 19, 1918.

Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Marks_(RAF_officer)


James H. Marks, Royal Air Force officer who rose to be commanding officer of No. 35 Squadron and a founding member of the Pathfinder Force.
By Royal Air Force official photographer - https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/41935/Marks-James-Hardy.htm, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65211447

[albrecht]

World War II pilot Jimmy Marks (RAF officer) was born on March 19, 1918.

Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Marks_(RAF_officer)


James H. Marks, Royal Air Force officer who rose to be commanding officer of No. 35 Squadron and a founding member of the Pathfinder Force.
By Royal Air Force official photographer - https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/41935/Marks-James-Hardy.htm, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65211447

Died at only 24 (!) sadly but let his fellow airmen the ability to bail out.
And also shares the name of a famous Gypsy King who sued Spokane and got $1.43million from them for civil rights abuses.

[Rix Gins]

From the Imperial War Museum, March 20, 1918.

Nieuport aeroplanes at the American Aviation School at Issoudun, 20 March 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205312758 © IWM (Q 65564)

Concert party called "Turnip Tops" presenting the death-bed scene from "The Othello" at Montreuil, 20 March 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205244591 © IWM (Q 8777)

A German 17.5 cm Minenwerfer (trench mortar), captured by the Americans. Serches, 20 March 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205336548 © IWM (Q 93200)

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, March 20, 1918.




WRESTLING CONTEST AROUSES INTEREST

  Interest in the big wrestling contests which are being staged by the Business Men's Athletic Club at the Airdome Friday night is becoming intense and the advance sale of seats is assuming large proportions.

  Henry Berne, who meets Victor Ajax in the main event of the evening in a mixed Greco-Roman, Jujitsu contest, two best out of three falls to a finish for a large purse and side bet, has carefully prepared himself for this match, realizing that in Ajax he is meeting the undefeated middleweight champion Greco-Roman wrestler of the world and a man who was known in London, England, as the man of a thousand holds. Berne is known as one of the world's greatest strong men and traveled with the Barnum & Bailey circus for a number of years doing some of the most wonderful feats ever seen in the United States.

  In addition to the main contest Tony Barragage of this city will meet Charles Pine, the champion middleweight of Arizona in a great catch-as-catch-can match, best two out of three falls to a finish with no holds barred.

  The Tonopah Military Band will play a concert on the streets and at the Airdome during the show. The doors will open at 7 p. m. and the first contest starts at 8:30 sharp.

[WhiteCrow]

I await future news but I'm thinking this will end up not being a big deal. Soldiers probably just have a case of the 'cocktail flu' after a night out on leave, no big deal some rest and a few aspirin won't solve. 

Yep... Nothing to be overly concerned about. It's one of the inherent problems with a military draft.  Draftees on average can't hold their liquor as good as career military. Hence the uptick from suffers of "cocktail flu" after a night out on leave.

[WhiteCrow]

From the Library of Congress.  The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, March 20, 1918.




WRESTLING CONTEST AROUSES INTEREST

  Interest in the big wrestling contests which are being staged by the Business Men's Athletic Club at the Airdome Friday night is becoming intense and the advance sale of seats is assuming large proportions.

  Henry Berne, who meets Victor Ajax in the main event of the evening in a mixed Greco-Roman, Jujitsu contest, two best out of three falls to a finish for a large purse and side bet, has carefully prepared himself for this match, realizing that in Ajax he is meeting the undefeated middleweight champion Greco-Roman wrestler of the world and a man who was known in London, England, as the man of a thousand holds. Berne is known as one of the world's greatest strong men and traveled with the Barnum & Bailey circus for a number of years doing some of the most wonderful feats ever seen in the United States.

  In addition to the main contest Tony Barragage of this city will meet Charles Pine, the champion middleweight of Arizona in a great catch-as-catch-can match, best two out of three falls to a finish with no holds barred.

  The Tonopah Military Band will play a concert on the streets and at the Airdome during the show. The doors will open at 7 p. m. and the first contest starts at 8:30 sharp.

Outstanding writing from a 100 years ago! I want to go to the event. Get in, on some side bet action. eh?

[Rix Gins]

Outstanding writing from a 100 years ago! I want to go to the event. Get in, on some side bet action. eh?

I'm betting 100 smackers on Ajax.  Berne might be the strongest man around these here parts but that doesn't mean that he's a good wrestler.  Also, that thin, high desert air.  Ajax is used to it but I'm not too sure that Henry is acclimated enough to take the match.  I want to see the event too...but wait.  Perhaps we were there, 100 years ago.

https://youtu.be/l7ER08F9rGo

[WhiteCrow]

I'm betting 100 smackers on Ajax.  Berne might be the strongest man around these here parts but that doesn't mean that he's a good wrestler.  Also, that thin, high desert air.  Ajax is used to it but I'm not too sure that Henry is acclimated enough to take the match.  I want to see the event too...but wait.  Perhaps we were there, 100 years ago.

https://youtu.be/l7ER08F9rGo

You're on Bud for 100 bucks. I'll take my man Berne to whip Ajax.  Jujitsu pffft... Berne's substance over Ajax's style for the win

[Rix Gins]

From the Imperial War Museum, March 21, 1918.

Airco DH 4 flying over a heavily-shelled area south of the River Scarpe near Biache-Saint-Vaast (upper right), east of Arras.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205088091 © IWM (HU 91047)

Bombardier Thomas Hearn 34737. Unit: "C" Battery, 177th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Death: 21 March 1918, killed in action, Somme, Western Front. Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.  CWGC family information: son of John William and Lizzie Jane Hearn, of 43, Dieppe St., West Kensington, London.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205301005 © IWM (HU 123145)

Gunner Robert Martin Wheeler 141795. Unit: D Battery, 79th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Death: 21 March 1918 Killed in Action at Hermies Western Front.  Son of Robert John and Eliza Wheeler, of 2, Lynton High Park, Ryde, Isle of Wight. CWGC has age at death given as 23.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205390628 © IWM (HU 127339)

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, March 21, 1918.


CLAIM JUMPERS BUSY AT GOLD MOUNTAIN

  A coterie of Goldfielders, not by any means representative of the law abiding and fair-minded people of that camp, are again making themselves obnoxious at Gold Mountain by kicking over monuments and relocating claims. Jumping them from people who located in all sincerity before the boom and did their work as the law requires. Several years ago a similar crowd from Goldfield, learning that two Tonopah men had found colors in the gravel there and had been given surface rights by the lode claim owners, came over and plastered placer locations over everything from Hades to Jerusalem.

  It is suggested that Gold Mountain be started as Tonopah was, on a law-abiding, unwritten law as well as written law basis, and the canteen and canyon for those who do not conform.


NOW PLAYING AT THE BUTLER THEATRE:


This is a poster for the American western film The Sunset Trail (1917).
By Paramount Pictures - The poster art can or could be obtained from Paramount Pictures., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47104228

Information on The Sunset Trail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sunset_Trail

Like many American films of the time, The Sunset Trail was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors ordered cut one intertitle, "I must see you alone," and all love scenes between the married woman and man except for the last one.

[Rix Gins]

Here is a pic of Grandad taken sometime back in 1918.  He served on board the ship USS Lancaster and I think he was a ship's baker.  Look at those muscular hands, I wonder if he got them from pounding bread dough?  He was champion wrestler on the ship.  (We kids used to play with the gold trophy that was in the grandparent's house.)



The Lancaster was instrumental in getting U.S. troops home from France after WWI ended.
http://shipscribe.com/usnaux/ww1/ships/id2953.htm

Grandad was born on July 28, 1894 and died at the age of 66 on March 21, 1960.

[Rix Gins]

From the Imperial War Museum, March 22, 1918.

Bombardier George William Hayward 36006. Unit: "C" Battery, 130th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Death: 22 March 1918, killed in action, Western Front.  CWGC family information: son of George William and Etty Hayward, of 56, Alfred Rd., Harrow Rd., Paddington, London.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205300960 © IWM (HU 123103)

Lt Salter was educated at Bancroft's School, Woodford and Camden School of Art. He was appointed cartographer to the British Rainfall Organization in 1908. From 1908 - 1916, Lt Salter plotted and drew hundreds of rainfall maps, most of which appeared in publications such as 'British Rainfall' and 'Symons's Meteorological Magazine. When Dr. H R Mill regrouped the rainfall stations of the British Isles into river-divisions in 1910, Lt Salter was responsible for revising the relevant maps. He also worked towards the eventual publication of a Rainfall Atlas and was elected Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society in March 1915. Lt Salter joined the Royal Engineers in 1916 and was posted to the Western Front where he was wounded and invalided home the same year. He received his commission to the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1917. Lt Salter was killed in action, aged 28, on 22 March 1918. He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023860 © IWM (HU 93509)
 

[Rix Gins]

'Pastorale' written by Tauno Pylkkänen.  Tauno was born 100 years ago today. 

https://youtu.be/S3lHL_H8mYE

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress. The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, March 23, 1918.


GOOD MATCH SEEN AT THE A1RD0ME

  Henry Berne defeated Victor Ajax in the Greco-Roman Jujitsu wrestling match at the Airdome last night by taking two falls out of three in a very short period. Berne won the first fall by a back-strangle hold in 74 minutes, Ajax threw his opponent by the same hold in 5 minutes and Berne took the third fall in 45 second by an arm lock.

  The preliminary was won by Tony Barragage against Charles Pine of Goldfield who has issued a challenge for a return match, $100 side bet, no holds barred. A large crowd witnessed the contests.  (Good call, White Crow!)


GETS GOOD NEWS ABOUT HUSBAND

  Mrs. Travis Lynch, the wife of Travis Lynch, who was injured by a fall from scaffolding at the Extension mill several months ago, received word today from Dr. Watkins at San Francisco to the effect that Mr. Lynch is progressing nicely. He is at the Hanemann hospital in San Francisco and Dr. Watkins stated in his letter that after a brace had been made for Mr. Lynch he would be able to walk when he left the hospital.

[Rix Gins]

Stanley Armour Dunham was born on March 23, 1918.  He was Barack Obama's maternal grandfather.

Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Armour_Dunham

He and his wife Madelyn Payne Dunham raised Obama from the age of 10 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Stanley Dunham’s distant cousins include six U.S. presidents: James Madison, Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. Through a common ancestor, Mareen Duvall, a wealthy Huguenot merchant who emigrated to Maryland in the 1650s, Dunham is related to former Vice-President Dick Cheney (an eighth cousin once removed).

[Rix Gins]

Correction regarding the above mentioned wrestling match.  The first fall occurred at 7 and a half minutes, not 74 minutes.

[albrecht]

Stanley Armour Dunham was born on March 23, 1918.  He was Barack Obama's maternal grandfather.

Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Armour_Dunham

Birth Certificate or it didn't happen. 

[Rix Gins]

Birth Certificate or it didn't happen. 

Ha.  We should get Emil Merman to build a special 'Birth Certificate' watch.  One that will tell the truth.

[Rix Gins]

From the Imperial War Museum, March 24, 1918.

Burning stores and hutments at Omiecourt, 24th March 1918. Notice the bustle of departure in the background and in the foreground. Royal Field Artillery gun teams going forward to pull out their guns.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246456 © IWM (Q 10798)

Actions of the Somme Crossings. Gordon Highlanders in support lying in the open lining a bank, Nesle, 24th March 1918 (Stragglers on 20th Division Front).

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246448 © IWM (Q 10787)

Actions of the Somme Crossings. Gordon Highlanders in support watching the fighting. They are halted in the open lining a low ridge, Nesle, 24th March 1918 (Stragglers on 20th Division Front). One soldier is watching from a tree.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205087480 © IWM (Q 10785)

Actions of the Somme Crossings. Walking wounded coming back. Soldiers wheeling back a stretcher case on a child's perambulator, Nesle, 24th March 1918 (20th Division Front).

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246454 © IWM (Q 10794)

Wounded British soldiers stretch their legs beside their train, which has stopped just outside Amiens, 24th March 1918. A large group of men have remained on the train and stand on the footplate or lean from the windows in the sunshine.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196066 © IWM (Q 10795)

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The Evening Star, March 24, 1918.

[Rix Gins]

Anton Gruber

Corporal with the 5th Batterie Bavarian Foot Artillery Battalion.

Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the Bavarian Service Cross with Swords.

Killed at Champagne, France on March 21, 1918.

Buried in Monthois Cemetery in France.  Block 5, grave number 540.

He was 37 years old.

[Rix Gins]

https://youtu.be/HH0m527jkE4

[ShayP]

The Pittsburgh Agreement ~ Czechoslovakian Declaration of Independence

http://www.brooklineconnection.com/history/Facts/PghAgreement.html

The Pittsburgh Agreement was a document agreed upon on May 31, 1918 by the American representatives of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Czech Silesia declaring the intent to create an independent European state to be known as Czechoslovakia. The agreement was reached during a convention of delegates in the Moose Hall in downtown Pittsburgh and is considered similar in nature to the United States Declaration of Independence.

[ShayP]

Future Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel becomes a Pirate in 1918.

He had spent the previous five full seasons with the Brooklyn Robins, a notorious annual holdout and colorful character but a solid centerfielder.  Finally exhausted by the annual contract hassles and in need of an arm, Brooklyn owner Charlie Ebbets traded Casey Stengel and George Cutshaw to Pittsburgh for Burleigh Grimes and two others before the start of the 1918 season.  Of course, he’d become far more famous much later in life, managing in New York.

Stengel would play on parts of two seasons with the Pirates but left a lasting impression on fans two months before this photo was taken.  His poor play one May afternoon led to Stengel hearing a chorus of boos and catcalls.  He saw a teammate holding a sparrow in the bullpen, asked for it and tucked it gently into his cap.  When he came to bat a few moments later, the boos rained down again.  Stengel doffed his cap, the bird flew out and the taunts turned to cheers.  It’s said even the umpire laughed.

Pirates owner Barney Dreyfus wasn’t enamored with Stengel, who had also held out before the 1918 season despite poor numbers, and traded him to Philadelphia later that summer.

[albrecht]

From the Library of Congress.  The Evening Star, March 24, 1918.

Permission to repost in the HOA and neighborhood newsletter?

[albrecht]

The Pittsburgh Agreement ~ Czechoslovakian Declaration of Independence

http://www.brooklineconnection.com/history/Facts/PghAgreement.html

The Pittsburgh Agreement was a document agreed upon on May 31, 1918 by the American representatives of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, and Czech Silesia declaring the intent to create an independent European state to be known as Czechoslovakia. The agreement was reached during a convention of delegates in the Moose Hall in downtown Pittsburgh and is considered similar in nature to the United States Declaration of Independence.

THAT is really frigging cool and I never have had heard of that. Amazing. I was driving back from Houston today and was listening the Rural Radio XM because they have a "polka hour" (you can also get on local FM stations in the community there, esp Fayette County, but signals can be weak but on certain highways you can catch it in the area) and stopped off for gas and to eat some local Czech/Bohemian delicacies, which also have taken on a local flavor (like adding jalapenos to sausage.) I wasn't aware of this document. Interesting. There is still lots of those folks around here though, like much, dying a bit culture but still in some cases going strong. Still some SPJST dancehalls and lots of commerce for the convenience stores/bakeries producing awesome stuff. Also if driving up North on IH-35 for a game the "Czech Stop" is must.

[Rix Gins]

Permission to repost in the HOA and neighborhood newsletter?

By all means, mr. a.  Anything here is yours to do with as you like. 

[Rix Gins]

From the Imperial War Museum, March 25, 1918.

First Battle of Bapaume (Operation Michael). A 60 pounder Mark II battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery in action in the open near La Boisselle, 25 March 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205216155 © IWM (Q 8618)

First Battle of Bapaume (Operation Michael). A 60 pounder Mark II battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery in action in the open near La Boisselle, 25 March 1918. Note a line of soldiers resting in the foreground.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205244459 © IWM (Q 8616)

Actions of the Somme Crossings. British Troops of the 20th Division advancing to counter attack, near Nesle, 25th March 1918. French troops of the 22nd Division are in foreground. Note the cover thrown up with their entrenching tools.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246466 © IWM (Q 10808)

British wounded passing through the French and British outpost line, Roye, 25th March 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246480 © IWM (Q 10824)

First Battle of Bapaume. Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8s lined up by a roadside, near Albert, 25 March 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205091893 © IWM (Q 11987)


From the Australian War Memorial's collection, March 25, 1918.

An accident on Savy Aerodrome during the German offensive in 1918.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30115723@N02/3288866270  Rights Info: No known copyright restrictions.

[Rix Gins]

From the Library of Congress.  The New York Tribune, March 25, 1918.

[Rix Gins]

Johann Babtist Baur

Member of the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment.

Holder of the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

Killed during an assault on March 25, 1918.

He was 21 years and two months old.