Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 300, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1918 — DR. JOHNSON WRITES FRIENDS [ARTICLE]

DR. JOHNSON WRITES FRIENDS

. . Chateauroux, France, - December 2, 1918. Dear Lou and Rose:— Your letter just got here. Was mighty glad for it and the snap as well. Well, I presume you are all over the influenza scare. It must have been a lot worse in the States. Our outfit had h few cases but none serious. I heard the American soldiers vhad- it tough on the boats coming over, .but being with the British I didn’t see much of it. Was with them unti Ithe armistice was signed, and then transferred to the U. S. army. I had a good time with them, rather warm occasionally, but plenty of excitement. Was in England several times for short stays. Just ’happened to be there when _L. H. Hamilton cabled about Fred, or I shouldn’t have seen him at all. He got away very lucky. I suppose Blanche was sorry not to get over. Thought I saw her once, but was fooled. Understand Dr. Gwin came over recently. He should have come in when the water was fine. I would hate to stay over here now that things are quiet. There ifli’t a bit of fun to be had.- Restrictions of all sorts and every Frenchman trying to get all your francs. I think I will -be on my way home by January or February at the latest. Am awfully anxious to get back to work. I presume many others are in the same boat. , I have never seeh any of the Indiana crowd that I knew. One patient in my ward a couple of weeks ago came up and asked if I didn’t live in Rensselaer, but I didn’t know him. He had bee na hand on the Thompson farm in 1914. His name was Keefe (Frank) —had been hit in the head with a piece of shrapnel, but was about O. K_. again. Have wantfed to run into some of the crowd; and may get a chance yet but it is doubtful. Miss Brunt, Carrie’s nurse, is stationed about 100 miles from here. These hospitals are scattered all over the country. The fellows -who are going on into Germany seem to be having'an easy time. I read their reports every night. Don’t suppose I will be here long enough to get a reply, but will let you know when I get back to a real country. t Sincerely, €. E. JOHNSON. Base Hospital No. 9, A. E. F., A. P. O. 738.