Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 213, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1918 — LETTER FROM SAILOR BOY. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM SAILOR BOY.

Harvey Phillips writes to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Phillips, of McCoysburg. Harvey is located at a U. S. Naval Air station: L’aber Wrath, Aug; 27, 1918. Dear Mother and All: — Received your letter last evening but we had an opening night at the “Y” so all work was over earfy. I said an opening night, but it was not, as we have 'had several shows. The old “Y” was just a tent and with winter coming on it would be a very poor place in which to write a letter. But, say, we sure have a dandy now. It will seat 2,000 men. So our little gang does not near fill it, but what we lack in size we make up in spirits and noise. Last night we had the Manromaniac with Douglas Fairbanks, also our band played all the time, and the gang sang 'between reels, some time, believe me. We are getting a foot-ball, also a basket-bail team. lam going to try for 'both. Will be good experience even if I fail to make either team. Had a letter from Pearl Johnson yesterday. He likes it fine, as everyone does, once they get into it *1 suppose he rather hated to leave just in harvest, but the crops will be taken care of as easy as before. The people o:' Jasper county are sure doing what is right, by helping harvest the grain. With that kind of backing the kaiser is doomed.

We had a good church service Sunday. A Doctor from Kansas City talked Friday night and we had a band concert Saturday, preaching Sunday and movies last night Tonight we have a show given by the Heron Sisters. In fact, we have something doing every night Believe me, we are pretty proud of our lace and especially of our Y. M. C. A. secretary. He is a Mr. Davies, of South Bend, Ind. In private life he is proprietor of the Davies’ laundry. I suppose they did manage to thresh without me, but I fail to see how it could be done. I aim sure even if they did not miss me I missed the big dinners. But naturally they were not so large this year as common. I* have all I want to eat here, in fact, too much. Yesterday I was on shore after provisions and could not get back until after 2:00 p. m. The cook had not forgotten me, so i fared good enough. Had a tenderoin steak smothered in onions, French fried potatoes, tinned pineapples bread, butter and coffee. I eooket it myself, so I know how good it was. Went to shore again after dinner and missed my supper, but I did not care as I was not hungry. I think I will get my furlough after pay day. About ten of us are all going at the same time. So we are going to enjoy ourselves and expect we will come back home (campj broke. Then I think I will put in-for a transfer for sea duty again. Give my regards to everyone. Yes, I have received all the papers am Posts you have sent. With love to all, your son,

HARVEY.