Wartime 1898 & 1918
submitted by Sheila Barr Helser

April 24, 1898
"The county convention of the Peoples Party was in session in Franklin today. The circulation of The News is on the jump these wartimes.  Almost 2000 copies were printed and disposed of yesterday. The roll of company F which is ready to answer the Governor's mobilization call, shows nine officers and 100 privates ready to go. Frank Barr, Captain; Chris Johnson, First Lieutenant; B.S. Shafer, Second Lieutenant are the commissioned officers of the company.

News Herald, June 12, 1918
Six young men from Franklin have volunteered their services and will leave Saturday to prepare themselves for the army.  The boys have been assigned to different schools where they will fit themselves in special work.  They are: Charles E. Marsh, Lee Black, Weldon Barr, Ira Thomas, Arthur Farren, and Orla M. Crawford."

I have a WWI page devoted to my father, Weldon Barr, at http://www.sheilascorner.com/waropening.shtml.

St. John's Episcopal Church Fire, 1900
 submitted by Sheila Barr Helser + February 25, 1900, Franklin
"St. John's Episcopal Church and new parish house were completely destroyed by fire, started from a lighted candle which a repairman had left behind the organ when he went to dinner.  Strenuous efforts of the firemen to save the parish house after it was realized that the church was doomed, were virtually unavailing. The congregation will meet in the court house tomorrow. Among the articles of more than ordinary value lost in the fire were the brass pulpit, the gift of Miss Dimmrock, of New York; the brass eagle lectern, a memorial to Rev. Harry L. Yewens; chancel railing of brass and black walnut, the gift of Col. S. C. Lewis and Samuel Plumer."

I found this in my grandmother Margaret TOY BARR ESPEY's saved articles.

Soldier, Charles F. BLAKSLEE
submitted by Vicki Blakslee

Franklin News Herald, [date unknown]
Under "News of Our Soldier Boys"
"Charles F. Blakslee, of Los Angeles, Cal., formerly of Franklin, has returned to America from France and is now at a mustering out camp.  He will probably lose no time in leaving for home as soon as discharged, in order to see a four-months-old son born while he was in France."

The baby mentioned is my father.  The above clipping was pasted in my father's baby book and no date or page is available.

... End of Newspaper Items
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