Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 309, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1918 — How to Make Torches for Boys in Trenches [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

How to Make Torches for Boys in Trenches

Many women and schoolchildren are busy making trench torches for the American soldiers at the front, following the example of thousands of women in European countries- These torches are very easily made. Here are the directions given for their manufacture at home:

Spread out eight sheets of old newspaper and begin rolling at the long end. Roll as tightly as possible until the papers are half rolled. Then fold back the first three sheets toward the rolled phrt and continue to wrap around the roll almost to the first fold. Then fold back another three sheets and continue to wrap around the roll to the last, margin of the paper. On

this margin,. consisting of two sheets, spread a little glue or paste and continue the rolling so as to make a compact roll of paper almost like a torch. Cut this into short lengths with a sharp knife. The pieces must then be boiled- in enough paraffin to cover them for. four minutes and then when they are taken out and allowed to cool they are ready to be put In boxes and sent to the front. Candle ends may be used for the paraffin’ if any are available, or block paraffin may be purchased. Not only do these torches help to dispel the darkness of the trenches, but three of them, used together; provide sufficient heat to cook the solflier’s rations and give some Warmth to the trench.

Completed Trench Torch.