Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1919 — LIEUT. WM. J. NOWELS IS IN HUN LAND [ARTICLE]

LIEUT. WM. J. NOWELS IS IN HUN LAND

The following interesting letter from Lieut. Nowels is published by the courtesy of his wife: Esch, Luxemburg, Dec. 20, 1918. It seems we are settled down for a while at last. We pushed away toward the Rhine, then came back here to Esch for the winter. I think there was some change in the plans and they didn’t put as many divisions along the Rhine as they intended, so we are to be in reserve this winter. The men are quartered in a fine high school building with steam heat and electric lights; quite a change from the shell shattered towns of France. The officers are quartered in private homes. I am staying with a fine old German family, who do just anything for me. They had two sons in the German army, one is here now, a fine fellow, speaks English well. Most of the people here speak English a little as they all take it in school, and they have wonderful schools. It is the nearest civilization I’ve seen since landing in Europe, but one hates it all anyway for the one desire of everyone is “home.” A palace wouldn’t satisfy the poorest soldier here, but any old ■hut in America would sure bring joy to us all. I do-wish I could hear from home. A little mail comes in but never any for me. I wonder and wonder how you are, and the folks, but never get an answer to my wonderings. I know you write and I suppose I will get them some day. It makes one rather anxious though, with the flu taking so many over there. We have an inspection this afternoon, so everyone is cleaning up this morning. I think the next time I visit Europe I will join a party like President Wilson’s; this seeing the country on foot, while giving you a thorough knowledge has certain drawbacks which I don’t care much about. I think if there is any more intensive traveling to be done in our family we will send the family cat. I think it would appreciate the way the French jive better than any of us; having the stables next door to the dining room, etc. They say the financial status of the people is judged by the cleanings from the stable, piled in the front of their door. If that is so, everyone must be a millionaire, however that be, I can’t tell, but it does solve the problem why so many people use so much garlic. I can’t imagine a greater punishment than having to live in Europe. They sure had all ought to go to heaven after beign put here for life. Just ate dinner. The company officers eat at a private home—just acros sthe street from where I stay. It is rather homely for me. . We do eat fine too, but I sure would like to trade it for some good old home cooking again. I see by the papers that they are mustering the soldiers out pretty fast over there. I wish our time would hurry up and come, but we are doomed for several months yet I guess. We are going to have roast pig and goose for Xmas. Wonder what you will have. Well, must close and go to inspection, so good-bye. Yours ever, JAY. Dt. William J. Nowels, Co. I, 60th Inf., A. P. O. 745„ A. E. F.