Daily Tribune, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 September 1918 — Page 16

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ir VROM WILLIAM J. MACIC in Franc*. Mrs, Max B«rnheimer: lear All—At last I hnve been to the front. One day, tlitj latter part of June, a request came for the services of a war risk officer to disentangle certain matters with on® of the orK&nizations at the front, and I was sent. It is too bad that I could not send you a snapshot of me as I got on the train, for you certainly would have laughed. I looked like a caricature. One bag Slung over my ripht shoulder and another over my right Bhoulder and another over the left, a fras mask dangling from my neck, and my helmet bumping around on one of the bags— but, both hands free (except for a raincoat in one and a railroad ticket in the other). Can you imasrtne crossing the busy thoroughfares of Paris in that outfit? And to "top" It all, one of these shadrless overseas caps. Before anyone Is .allowed to go to the front, he is required to learn the use of the gas mask. It was mighty interesting to go through the drill, racing against time to get the mask on in the few seconds allowed. When finally we decided we had enough of this instruction, we put the ga* maskn on and were taken Into the gaa chamber the idea being apparently that If we came out all right, the gas 'nask was fit for use and did not leak. Yes, we came out alive though we did stay In there about five minutes, and woe betide the man who

did not get sentence finished before he was o*t of breath. Of course, the gas I in the. chamber was diluted so much W to be actually harmless, in fact, just before leaving the gas chamber, we *fri directed to remove our gasmasks and walk out without them, s as to be able to know how it felt and recognfze that particular gas in case we

Should encounter it. So you Can see that it was not dangerous. On the way to the front I had to pass through Paris, where I experienced a *cry Interesting air raid. It is curioUB tlow the French people take these air rnids now, quite as a matter of course. Their attitude is a real sidelight on ~.the French character and reaction to the whole war. They get out. of bed and grumble. After watching In the street for a while, I followed others

Into a nearby aliri. (An abri is a place where one is supposed to be safe from

any bombs the boche aviators may drop on the city). I knew It was an »v abri only because it was marked and I /,.* do not now know where it was. A few v^?.' minutes after the people were seated .i* on such boxes as happened to be at hand, they started complaining about the price of butter and telling each i.-' other what they were going to do next vf*?-' week, or next month, or where they sxpeeted to spend the summer, or indulged in the petty gossip of the day.

By and by they all grumbled again and went upstairs- and that was the tjf''* «nd of it. They seem to feel the same about the air raids as we do when the lot water won't run. ii I do not know how much I am allowed to tell you about the things at the front. I was not allowed to go where I could see the enemy, or should

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I say, where the enemy could see me. I did get far enough forwaard, however, to sleep in a dugout and to see some- '&»: thing of the spirit of the ofHcers and men and the way things are being vM bandied. 1 have been tempted several times, right here, to mention little details that would interest you. but each ,v£- time I have decided that I had better

not. The Germans shelled one place 4 near where 1 was, but no shells camt dangerously near to us, and fortunately "A"„ the firing stopped Jusn after I left the U last place to go to the station. I say, a,' fortunately, because we passed a numfcer of now shell holes on the road, ana when I stopped at one of thepi to pick ®P some pieces of shell, I found that ^41* they hadn't had time to cool off.

As you may guess, things nave been

Mr moving very rapidly. I had hardly re•J'W, turned from the front, when I had to A gro to general headquarters. At one of the stations on the way a lieutenant came up to me and said, *You are a

Harvard man, aren't you?" It turned out that either he or his wife is istantly related to us. He Is working tip a geneologv, something like your family tree, dear Jul, and told me that our great grandfathers somewhere along the line were cousins. I thought of vou, dear Tantz, when he mentioned Jlark, Startler & Co. of Cincinnati. It s odd, isn't it, to have a perfect stranger come up to you in Franco and tell you he knows more about your family than you do?

This last trip to general n«adquarters Was luck, even if I didn't have much Sleep, for I passed through the place 'where Millard is, and was able to spend

July 4th with him. We had a fine tune together, 1 woke him up early because mv train got in very early. We went together to the exercises in the morning and In the afternoon to the field meet, provided by the Y. M. C. A. Just "think! This was the first fete" day tvhich France has celebrated since the var began. Kven Bastile day, July 14th, as not been observed joyously. My liti left at R:20. and I was supposed

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to reach here by 11:30 the same night Millard will be surprised when he findtout that owing to delays I did not get In until after 6 o'clock the following morning'. Of course then there was no use going to bed for I had to be in the office at 8:80.

I am sorry that I cannot tell you all about those things that are ihost Intimately connected with my work or with the program of the war, but you realize that those things which occupy my real though^ and interest and time, are the very things that, if known by the enemy, might pos.sibly be of value to him, and that any statement of conditions or even of our Impression? gathered from military sources cannot well be communicated to you, and when I write about these lighter things that I am doing, don't misunderstand and think that Jhey are my chief Interest. They are simply breaks in the routine of military matters.

Thanks to all of you for your letters, they make ma look forward eagerly to mail day. It comes about once a month. Much love. W1JUUAJ4..

rROM CLARENCE JAMES. In franc#. Mrs. Ovid Uselman:

My I'ear Sister— Well, st», here once again hale and hearty now. How are you making It thesfe fine days? We are having some tine weather over here now. How are Ove and the children? Tell them all hello for me. I would like to see all of you. It seems like 10 years since I have, and it's only been a year and a half. Tell Ove I weigh, (ah—h! family secret) 187 pounds how's that? I've never starved over here In France yet, eh, sis? Flow is mother? 1 wrote to her day before yesterday. I received her and Cute's picture. They looked fine. I haven't a picture of you or Ove and the children, either. So, dear, I want one of you right away. I would send you one of me, but I can't get one taken. Over here it takes "two franc and deesson" (3 franc and 10 rents) and when I'm where I I can get one taken, I have no money, and when 1 have money, I'm where I can have none taken. So if your younger brother ever makes the said Combination, sis, I'll send a photo. The following is a conversation between a colored gentleman of France (Algerian) and one from United States, when they met: "Hey, you all got a match?" u. S. colored gent inquires. "Muh no compree," French colored gent replys. "Whut's a mattah, nigger, you all done bin ovah heah so long you all forgot how to talk United States?"

Well, sis, I am with a company guarding German prisoners. A very dangerous job! Supposing they should happen to get hold of a tooth pick while I was near them, and all I have to defend myself with is a rifle bayonet and six or eight hundred rounds of ammunition. Think of the danger! This is a kind of a convalescent job, until I get all together to get back to my oid outfit, which will probably be before long. I have been in a convalescent camp and hospitals. The doctors had such a time holding the men in check. They would insist on going hack to the trenches. They would say they were all right and beg for a chance to get another crack at the square heads." Some of them ha^ been wounded and hurt in different ways and tried to talk the doctors out of keeping them when they could hardly walk. That's the spirit over here. The French soldiers smile and say: "Americans good, good comrades: Knglish good, all allies good right away we will lick the bouche," and we will. Well I must close, so hurry up that answer, sis. With love to you all.

Your brother,

CORP. CLAfrlCNOE JAMES, P. W. E. Co. 9, A. E. F., A. P. O. 701, France.

FROM S. M. FIXKELSTEIS. J. August 1, 1918. A. P. O. US. Cars Depot Engineers.

In France.

Pear Mrs. Wolff:—1 trust you will pardon me for not writing sooner, as news is very scarce and business is booming. 1 saw Mr. Wolff's picture In the Tribune (Chamber of Commerce picnic). I recognized him bv the luxurious growth of hair on his head.

We have been rather sad for the last few days, as many of the boys are being transferred to other places. I suppose that I may be the next on the list, and truly hope so, because they were the life of the place.

You no doubt have read of our success on the front, and there must be "beaucoup" rejoicing throughout the country. I hope the people will not take t.he attitude that this war is a cinch for us. There are still a great many things to be done before final victory, and we hope that the initial success will serve to spur the people on to greater efforts. As General Pershing said: "Heaven, hell or homo by Christinas."

Things are moving in great shape here, and in a short while everything will be moving like a well-oiled machine. When one stops to consider

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the amount o£ work that has been accomplished in such short time, it all appears as a huge dream.

I just heard about Max Ades, and mv heart certainly goes out to his parents and family. Although It is sad, I suppose it was for the best, after all.

I received a letter from my former boss, in St. Louis, and it was full1 of praise about a letter that 1 had written to him. In fact, they thought so well of it that it was given a prominent piace in the employes' journal. Some time afro I noticed in the papers where some of the employes had gone out on strike. It made me so angry to think that anyone would quibble over a few cents thereby hold up material for the boys over here, that I just couldn't resist the temptation t® teil them a few thinsa.

The boys over here have no eighthour day, walking delegates, etc. also the trenches are not the finest summer resorts in the world. We. are all backing the fight without the thought of personal gain, and strikes won't help to put the "kibosh" on the kaiser.

The weather has been fearfully hot lately, and 1 am almost dark brown. In order to cool off we have been driving through the country in the evening, and" I have seen about everything! within 50 miles of here.

There goes recall, so must close with love to all. Sincerely, SAM.

FHOM FRED C. MIM-ER. Camp Mills, L. I. Dear Mother:—This is Sunday, and I am writing you to let you know my time in Camp Mills Is very short. We leave hero some time Monday. I guess it is a sure go this time, as the officers are all packing up and we have food only for breakfast. I was over helping to take Borne officer's baggage out, and it was tagged for a transport soon to wail.

So, mother, I don't suppos-e I will get to write any more before we sail. Now, don't worry, even if you don't hear from me for a month or so, for 1 won't have the time to write like I did in the United States. But I will try and write at least once a week. The last mail is going out in a few minutes, and this will be my last until I get over there. They are playing with them over there, and there is no doubt in my mind but that it will soon end and 1 will get to return all O. K.

This is a jolly bunch I am with, and all sef-m glad to get a chance to cross. I know one fellow who Is, so if I don't worry about going why should you folks? I feel as if I could whip the kaiser myself if I had a chance. Will have to close now. With love to all, your son, FRED C.

rROM THOMAS KIRKWOOD. Camp Taylor, Ky. Mrs. Marfraret Gallagher:

Dear Mamma:—I am feeling Just •Ine. I weigh 138 pounds now. I weighed only 118 the day I left Terre Haute. Jack isn't far from whre I am stationed. He is fine and dandy. Have you heard from Mart? Don't worry about him, for if he doesn't come back he will have done his duty to his country. I am looking to go across myself before long, and if I do I will surely do my duty. A fellow has only one time to die, and I am no better than any other mother's boy. So 1 am ready to go any time.

I will be home next iponth if I can get a pass. I will close, hoping this will find you all well. As ever.

THOMAS KIKi^WOOD.

FROM JOHN H. MODESTTT. Crossing tlie Atlantic. Mrs. Albert Modesitt:

Dear Mother:—Gee, it is only seven weeks since I left home, and I am on the high seas. It is calm this morning. The sun hasn't cotne up as yet. but It will. You ought to be on our ship when it gets rough. We go up like a skyrocket and down like a„ton of brick. Sometimes we go up so fast that we catch ourselves doing it.

Don't worry about me, for I am O. K. I have quit worrying about anything. It doesn't pay. The heat in the fire rooms is about the same as the rolling mill, and 1 guess it won't kill me. Haven't seen dry land this week, and this is Saturday. Don't know where we are, as we have been steaming all week. Haven't been sea-sick, although some of the boys are rather wobbly. I'm knocking on wood, though. Well, my time is getting short, so I'll close. Tour sailor son. JOHN.

FROM HKRM15 PORTER. In France. Dearest Folks:—I suppose you are having the same difficulty others tell me they are having trying to keep up what seems to be a one-sided correspondence. I suppose you don't get all my letters, and it's Ynore than likely I don't get yours. Here's hoping that some of them get through both ways. I did have a great long letter from you the other day, also one from Leonard and Alfred and, believe me, it was good to get them. I hope you are not worrying, because you needn't. When it comes to looking after one's self, I've realty got 'em. and when the American: army hits New York again I'm going to be right there with them.

I'm very much pleased with ltfe over here and don't feel as one man, who said if he ever hits New York again the Statue of Liberty would have to do an about face to ever see him a^ain.

I'm coming back to France after the war. I'm speaking, writing and reading French now just like a Frenchman. Better learn French or I won't be able to talk to you when I come back. Am forgetting English fast.

The French people are very hospitable and are very partial towards Americans, and these men of ours have made a hit wherever they go. Some regiment, believe me. You'll hear about them after the war, and that's not going to be long, either.

I'm pretty much used to being away from home now after five years. Boston, New York, Africa, Europe, etc.. are the same, but Terre Haute (home) and you never have seemed so desirable as now—never.

I saw one of the Shears boys— FYank—the other day. Met him by chance on the road. Didn't know his r.ame. but knew his voice and face. Asked him his name and home and lound out who he was. Hp's an enlisted man. His wife, I believe, livc.in Terre Haute. You can tell her iI

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you know her that he is well and looking good. 1 understand there are more Terre Haute boys here, but 1 haven't seen them.

I'm not with a company any more, but with the battalion staff. No promotion yet, though the work is very interesting.

Some how or other I can't appreciate the value of French money. It seems to me like cigarette coupons and I am never so completely satisfied here as when I'm breaking a ten france (about J2.00) note. I'm sending you one for a souvenir.

Lots and lots of love to all the family. Everybody write, and let nobody worry. HERMAN.

FROM JAMES F. CONOVER. Gievres, Loire-et-Cher, France. Ralph H. White.

Hello, Ralnh! Arrived here a few days ago after a two days' ride on the celebrated French side-door Pullmans, which are an exact duplicate of a baby carriage. I don't expect to remain here very long as our company will take charge of a new depot. I am in the subsistance branch, and it is much better than K. P. duty. Anyway, we don't have kitchen police over here. Anyone who disobeys goes on the hay pile and, you may believe me, I do«'t care to get acquainted with it.

We get Quite a bit of amusement from the negroes over here. Some of the French people term them American Indians. "1 wonder how they get that way—you tell 'em 'cause I stutter." Their unconscious humor is immense. Rut the negroes are droll when compared with the Chinese Coolies, owned by the French government, and loaned to Uncle Sam. About 7:20 every morning the gang comes marching along the road, all gorgeously arrayed in striking colors. The most popular shade is Alice blue In trousers, and hat is topped off by a white kimona. Most of them carry umbrellas, in all shapes, shades and sizes, and it surely looks funny to see them hopping along, their skinny legs wobbling hither and thither, and their knees entertaining each other. One of them carries a canary in a cage to work with him every morning, and another has a dead rat which, tn his estimation, bears a charm. The dormant expression on their maps convinces one that they'll never he normal. Their methods of laboring are the striking features on their' bill, as they are very strong for their weight and size. I witnessed a bird of a scene the other day. One "Chink" was shoveling some earth into a hole and another was holding an umbrella over him in order to keep Old Sol from disturbing his brain power. The little that they have must be precious, when they take such precautions.

A "Ylddlsher" *eceived a letter from his father the other day. It said. "Sammy, Abie and Sarah are feeding good and everything is O. K., only we had two fires in the store last week." The son replied, "Glad to hear Sammy, Abie and Sarah are feeling good, and 'keep the home fires burning.'" Oh! It's a tough old world.

The bugler is exercising his lungs again and 1 can hear a faint echo of the mess call from yonder pines. You know me when it comes to eating. I'm not sure whether we're going to have chicken ala fricasse or croquettes, but I do know we'll have beana Well. Ralph, remember me to the boys and let me know what position the ATHLETE is going to play on the Garfield football team this fall.

Yours,

PRIVATE J. F. CONOVER.

Supply Co. 318, American Expeditionary Forces, via New York.

FROM E. A. M'COY. Saumur, France.

Dear Dad:—Have been going to write you out at the shops' for a long time, but never got down to it. but have a little time to spare so will do it now.

How Is everything? Good, I hope. You fellows ought to get over here and in some of the shops for the U. S A. They are using American locomotives along nearly all the lines to bring up troops and supply trains, and the people over here don't know what to think of a real engine.

The French engine is just about as big as the "Dinkey" over there, *nd

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looks like an overgrown tea kettle, for it is copper-sheeted all over the boiler, and they spend more time shining it than they do on repair.

They use a whistle that sounds like a threshing machine, and no bell at all, for most of the gas alarms in the villages are bells, and every time a train went through ringing a bell the people would hit for the cellar, with a gas mask on, so they had to cut them out altogether. 'They don't know what a real train is. either, and haven't any idea ab-sut train fares. They have first, second and third class trains, and for the first class it's only about 25c for 50 miles. The first class coaches are all sjUit up with compartments, which look like a string of stage coaches, and each seats a&out six or eight people, but they are fairly comfortable, but not

like the U. S. Pullman by any means. The U. S. A. Red Cross trains sure have some coaches, though, and nearly took the "Frogs" off their feet. They are about as long as the Pullman coach, all steel, and have two tiers of benches on each side for the wounded. They carry an operating room in each train, a kitchen and an office, and are fixed up great. They have a big U. S. and Red Cross in every car. and make some sight when they- hook a doubleheader on about 20 cars and start through the country, and they make everything sidetrack, too. I have seen six or seven trains going from the front to some hospital in the rear, and the fellows say they ride as easy as an American sleeper.

We were down to Angers Sunday and through the hospital again, and those fellows say it can't last much longer.

I heard from Karl Standau some time ago, and he was still in Philadelphia and sure doing his part, financially and otherwise.

Well, I must set back to the »rind again. Give all the fellows my best and tell them to write when they can. tr»r mnxt Yours, ELTON.

FROM LEONARD XEISWIXGER, In France. Mrs. James Coonejr:

Dear Sister—We are having nice weather here it isn't too hot. There Is a fire In the nearby timber and I may be called out to fight it. I was out all last night fighting fire. Everything la so dry it goea aflying. 1 am in good health and would like It fine if I could speak French. But I would rather be home than any place else. We are living In prpp tents and sleeping on the ground. It isn't a very soft bed, but I don't think it will last long. There are hundreds of German prisoners passing every day and lots of them are working on the railroads. Some of them seem to be boys about 16 years of age. They look like they were nearly starved.

I don't think it will last long and I hope to eat my Christmas dinner at home. This is a beautiful country, but they Say It gets awfully cold here in the winter. Now don't worry about me for I am all O. K. Answer Boon.

Your loving brother, *.kONABD.

FROM GOBEL HUSTOff. In France. Dear Mother:—Well, after a lot of moving and traveling we landed safely in France. We had a fine trip across. The weather was good and we had a gobd time. We are drilling hard now and we are all anxious to get to the front. So we don't mind the work. I am feeling fine, and like it over here.

The French people treat us fine. Some of them can understand a little English and we can make ourselves understood fairly well. I haven't heard from any one since I left the States. Give all the folks my best and have them write. Will write .again soon. Lots of love. GOBEL,

FROM MARK SWAFFAKD. In France. Mr. and Mrs. M. N. SwafTard.

Dear Grandparents:—I am fine and dandy. I landed overseas all O. K. and am having a good time. Hope all are well. Don't worry about me for I will make it all right. I hope to get back home some day after it is ail over. With love. MARK.

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If you have not bought bondj of the Fourth Liberty Loan—do it—and do it now. Let's send word to the boys over there that this Fourth Loan went over with, no effort with no persuasion.

It takes courage ta walk up to a German trsnch behind a curtain of lead, but th^re are hundreds of thousands of Americans doing it. Our job—walking up to a bond booth and lending our money does not take bravery, but what you do helps make heroes over there.

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