Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 199, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1918 — LLOYD PARKS WRITES HOME FROM OVERSEAS [ARTICLE]

LLOYD PARKS WRITES HOME FROM OVERSEAS

Lloyd Parks, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. 8. Parks x of Rensselaer, who was sent to Ft. Hamilton, Brooklyn, N. Y., with Mike Wagner, Her; bert Hammond, William Duvall and Lewis Putts several months ago, who with all 'but young Hammond were recently sent overseas, writes an interesting letter home: • August 2, 1918. Dear Mother and All:—Just had supper and took a walk out from our camp about half a mile and saw three holes in the ground caused 'by one of the "German airmen trying to “get” this camp, .'he holes were about twelve feet in diameter and three or four feet deep. There was a telephone pole just a little ways from the last hole and some oi the pieces of the bomb hit it. One piece went entirely through. From the reports we get here we won’t have to walk any to see these very uncommon sights, as we may get to the firont any time. Now, understand, that is just a camp rumor and that one can’t rely very much upon such rumors. We are east of Paris and a little south, and about thirty miles from the front. Of course last Monday night this camp was not that”" far, but that was just before we arrived. . * . This country is certainly beautiful and far from what I expected to see. Going from where we landed to this place gives a fellow a fine chance to see the country. We traveled two nights and two days on the train and I was on the job taking in the scenery. From our starting place nearly all the farms were very small and you never saw a field that was over eight or ten acres. The fences were ridges of dirt about six or eight feet at the base and probably four or five feet high, with small trees and bushes on top. They were all different sizes and angled so you wondered how they could find the field they wanted to get into. As you get farther into the country the farms begin to get larger and before we got here no fences were seen and it looked a great deal like the land around home. Almost every foot of ground is farmed, and we saw lots and lots of women doing the work. The houses are all cement and rather high. I know you wouldn’t like to live in one of them, mother, as there are very few windows and shutters on them. I haven’t been in any town and don’t know how the business part looks, but hope i will be able to see Paris before I get home. The day before I left our landing place I asked a Y. M. (L A. man how I could locate Rev. Winn, and I told him he was a minister in owr town at one time and had left a Chicago church to become a chaplain. We talked a little while and I told him where I lived, and knew Ray and “Jen” (Wright) and the other two fellows that worked for “Jen.’’ He had been a furniture, salesman and had given up his position to take up the Y. M. C. A. work. His name is J. M. Lagraves. His home is in Huntington, West Virginia, and he represented the Furniture Company. He said he didn’t know whether they would remember him or not, but he had sold “Jen” a pretty good bill last year or the year before. He Is a fine looking fellow and I wished that I had become acquainted witfli him before, as I didn’t get the chance to see him again. He had charge of a canteen, and, while he liked the work fine,' he said they had him nearly worked to death. A canteen is a mighty busy place when the soldiers have money, and he told me the Monday before he had taken in over $5,000, and that means some work. I run across a fellow by the name of Marlin in this place the other day. I didn’t know him but he sure knew me. He told me that Paul Donnelly was here also and it wasn’t long until I saw him. Was mighty glad to see him, but he left here yesterday and I only got to see him a few minutes. He is one of Alf’s boys and I don’t know whether you< knew him or not, but uad surely does. Tell Alf he is looking fine and has a chat of tan that no onion field could put on. Homer Stewart and I are the only two fellows in this place from home, and we don’t have the least idea where the other fellows are. We are both fine and getting something good to eat three times a day.

Don’t send ime anything unless I send for it, as it isn’t allowed and they furnish us with everything we need. The only thing, I ever want for is candy, and when we get paid I am going to lay in a supply. The carton of cigarettes Dnd sent me was stolen out of my barrack bag,, but we get tobacco. It’s about time to go to bed so must close. Lots of love to ail and the best of health. Don’t worry one bit about me as I am fine. Tell the kiddies I think of them lots and send them oodles of kisses. Wish you a fine time at Fountain Park. As ever, SHBRM. This is Saturday evening and is one beautiful night. Just started over to mail this letter and thought I would drop another line.

Everything has been quiet around here since we came and naturally we don’t realize we are so close to the war. Occasionally we are able to hear the big gum, but they are quite a long ways Sway. We had some biscuits and syrup for supper this evening and they were mighty fine. I thought of Dad sitting down to a whole bunch, but it didn’t make me homesick. I suppose the censor is getting mighty tired of Chis, so will say good-bye for this time. I still have one of Dad’s checks and intend to carry it with me for sometime, as they will not cash per-, eonal checks. I might add that 11 haven’t had a cent since I left the U, S. A., but I get along a* well

as the other fellows. Lots of love to all and take good care of the kiddles. Lots of extra to thiem. — SHERM.