Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 180, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1918 — "Jonsey” Warner Writes Home Folks From France. [ARTICLE]

"Jonsey” Warner Writes Home Folks From France.

Mrs. J. P. Warner of Remwelaer received a letter a few days ago from her son, D. J. Warner, w*ho w<i a member of old Company M that left Rensselaer laet August and was sent to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. “Joneey’’ is one of the boys who was recently sent overseas: Somewthere in France, July 10, 1918. Dear Mother, George, Bill, Gum and Everybody:— It has been over a month since 1 wrote you and several weeks since our arrival in France (or on this side). I am all right up to date, but was awful sick on the boat. This IS a beautiful country and a fine climate, but I can’t tell you the name of the place even if 1 knew it. Of course I know the name, but what If it? I have to say everything I can think of before I say anything in French, and then generally end up with a gentle ,dainn. I don’t know what I will do or where I will go yet. I have put in for military police but haven’t been placed yet. The boy® are going to the front .every hour from this camp, but I don’t know how far it is from this camp and if I did I don’t suppose I would be allowed to tell. I’ll not do it anyway. We are fed well here but we had some (censored) we got here. We rode at least, miles in box cars, - pen in each car, and the cars are not as large as ours by at least a third. Ha, ha. Since It is over I have to laugh, but it was no laughing matter at the time I tell you. But we had lots of fun anyway. We were days making the trip. I dropped my fountain pen just now and broke it all to , hence the pencil. Maybe you think it is easy to write when you can’t say the very things you want to and What would be so interesting to yon over there. I don’t understand the lingo they got here and you would be tickled to death to hear the boys try to buy things. Some try to get by with it, others get out of patience and quit. Myself? Well I try to tell them what I want; if I can’t 1 take what they think I want and then pay them by laying the money down and letting them take what they think it is worth. Good way all right, for them, but I don’t think I have been cheated any. Darn the luck, I don’t know what to say to you, but if I ever come home you will say I am the biggest liar that ever walked. We sure have traveled some this trip, and I suppose I have traveled 20,000 miles in the last two years while In the army. Listen, folks, we can’t say everything we want to in military zones, so if my letters are not interesting don’t blame me, and just consider that I am saying and writing what I do to let you know that I am all right and well and doing it to keep you from worrying. I will try and write you every week from now on, but if you don’t hear from me that often don’t get excited for there are apt to be times when I can’t write any time I want to. I have talked to lots of the men. who are back from the front for a rest. It must be exciting, and if I don’t get the police job I’ll try to go up with the next hunch. Well, I’ll not write any more this time, but tell Mrs. Powers that I’ll write her some time, and if she wants to read this tell her it means her the same as the rest of you. Well, Ma, try and keep well. and don’t worry any. I will close with best wishes for all. I aim as ever. Your only son and brother, PVT. D. J. WARNER, 3rd Bat. F. A. R. R., A. P. O. 722, American E. F. P. S.—Keep thie address as I may forget to put it in next time.