Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 178, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1918 — CARROLL LEATHERMAN GETS FIRST MAIL [ARTICLE]

CARROLL LEATHERMAN GETS FIRST MAIL

Nates, France, July 7, 1918. Dear Folks: I received I guess, about the first etter you wrote after I sailed, yesterday. It was written just after you received the card that I had landed safely. But that was the only one I got this week from you. I hope I will get some more of my back mail soon: I also got another written April 27. I was on the water at that time. —I also got a letter from the War Mothers of Jasper county, that was written after I was in France sometime. Maybe my mail will get started to coming soon. I sure hope so. This Is Sunday afternoon and I do not have to work. It is a fihe day and we have had fine weather for some time lately. It is pretty hot, too. I will have to tell you a little about ■the Fourth. It did not pass in silence in France. First of all it was a holiday for all, the French also. At 9:30 (there was a parade and review of the American and French troops stationed in and around Nates, iand a concert by an engineer band*. This was all for the forenoon. In the afteraoen thero were all kinds ■of field a»d track meets, a baseball game, herse racing by the U. S. cavalry. Then last of all was the raising of the stars and stripes alongside of the French flag. At this time the American and French troops were lined in formation. First the stars and stripes were raised as the band played “The Star Spangled Banner.” Then the French flag was raised and the band played “Marseilles.” That was the programme. The French people sure made a good day of it. There was such a crowd that it was most impossible to get anywhere so that you could see anything. In the evening three of us that were together went out to the base hospital and got supper. In the evening we walked around until we got ■tired and then went home. We could not go to a show, because we were tall financially embarrassed. 1 have received only $7.50 pay since January. Therefore, of course, I have not spent much, but that does mot bother me. There is not anything I could spend a lot of money for if I had it. Have not received the paper. I wish it would hurry up for there would be a lot of things in it that would be of interest to me even if it is old. Your son and nephew. CARL.