Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1918 — “LEFTY” STILL PLAYING BALL [ARTICLE]

“LEFTY” STILL PLAYING BALL

HOWARD CLARK AND HAROLD FIDLER ALL THAT IS LEFT OF - ORIGINAL BUNCH. Camp Taylor, Ky., June 14, 1918. Dear Folks: Received' your letters the other day and was surprised to learn that you had given up coming this way. Seven weeks tomorrow since I left Rensselaer —seven weeks full of interest and many changes. Next Monday I will be the only Rensselear boy left in this company, Dean and McGlinn going to other parts of the camp and Hill, Bunning and M)cGinnis moving to “somewhere.” Strange how our tittle group has been broken up—twenty-four men originally and npt one of them to be here but me. ’ No, I forgot, there is one, Harold Fidler. He and I are members of the cadary and will remain here for—oh, I know not how long, one does not know anything here.

Commencing tomorrow a 1,500 troop movement is to be started, so I suppose our barracks will soon be almost empty. The movement is to continue throughout the coming week and there is a possibility that even the cadary will move. Whether I move I know not, for I am first, string pitcher on the battalion base-' ball team and am required to report each afternoon for practice under orders from the major. The club is composed of only the fastest players from the entire battalion, so you see I had to show some “stuff” to land the job. Seems rather strange to have to play ball whether you want to or not-—(but orders are orders and one does not ask “why” such and such things are done. My maiden debut on the mound was a clean-cut victory over the Ninth Company. The first time I pitched the battalion team to a victory, defeating a Southern league hurler. Hooked up with him again Wednesday after our pitcher had been driven from the box, with our team trailing Bto 2. The final score was 9 to 7, so I believe I would have won had I started. Played practice game yesterday and today and won them both, rapping out a homer besides today. The 10th company is going to try and borrow me July 4th to go with them to Paris, 111., and I sincerely hope they, are successful in getting me away. Suppose you are wondering if I am still working as hard as I did. No, I am not, I’m a corporal and am telling the rest what to do and get out of all the dirty work, so I am feeling more at home than I did formerly. Believe me, they bring the new men through the recruit period in. a hurry—and then out they go for some place. Strange, fascinating game, this, in some respects and dull and devoid of interest in others. No one really enjoys it, but one has to make up his mind, too, anyway. The way those Germans are getting whipped these days makes it appear that the conflict will be over before many more months pass. They apparently are making every possible effort to force a decision before America is fully prepared, but they might as well toss up the sponge now if the work of the American forces is to be taken as any criterian.

u Have had an easy time this week—no work yesterday because the new bunch got another “shot.” Today, Flag Day, is a holiday and we never work on Saturdays and Sundays. They tell me Rensselaer is a prethy dull old place, but believe me she will liven up when this war is over and all of the fellows get back. See Fred Hamilton is still up and after them—they’ll never get that boy. , Returned from drill the other day and found Jack Montgomery sitting

lon the steps waiting for me. I sure J was glad to see liim. In the even- . ing Dean and I went to town with , him and sure fed up at his expense. You might ask him how he likes our * stride. We had him grunting and panting for breath, but the old vet I never once gave up and did his best ,to keep up with us. Have got to hand it to him, for he sure took punishment and we couldn’t make him say he was tired. Get some mail from some at home occasionally, but it seems some of them there either have the brain fag or paralysis of the arm, so I will forgive them—maybe they donot like to write better than I do. Well, will slip a “thirty” on this for tonight, with promise to let you know soon of any further developments. Love to all, HOWARD.