Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1919 — LETTER FROM HAWLEY RAMEY [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM HAWLEY RAMEY

Private Hawley Ramey, who had ] not been heard from for sometime, land about whom there was extreme anxiety, writes the following letter to his sister, Mrs. F. A. Gruver, of this city; Mersch, Luxemburg, January 8, 1919. Dear Sister and Family:— As it has been some two months or more since I have heard from you, I thought I would drop you la few lines. Would have done it sooner but we have been very busy here lately. We have not hardly got straightened out yet from our three days’ hike, which we finished Monday evening. We traveled from Villefranche, France, (where we were located since the armistice) through the Cornier of Belgium and into Mlarsch, Luxemburg. It was quite a trip, about 85 kilometres or about 53 miles. We turned all our horses in arid they issued us mules. We boys had to walk and carry everything except our blankets, and believe me my legs are some sore but I guess it will all come out in the wash. This is about as pretty a country as I have seen since eomniig over here. The buildings are on the same plan as those of France, being miade of stone, but they are 'kept up much nicer, but, of course, this is or wasaneuthal country. The people here act arid look and dress like they were civilized any way. But, of course, France was hit pretty hard in the war. It dotes make a person feel better anyway to get out again where he can see something, hear something and know a little about what ’is going on. It has been five months since I have been in a town where there were stores, and a good share of the time we were where we could not get to a Y. M. C. A. hut. Now we are where there are stores and you can buy quite a few things, that is, if you have the money. For example, I saw some candy in one store and asked them the price of it. He had four different kinds, butter scotch bar four marks ($1), the-other three kind's were pieces about the size of peppermint drops and were 8, 9 and 10 pieces for a mark. Eggs are 12 marks (S 3 a dozen, butter 12 marks a pound, hog meat 11 % marks a pound. A pair of Shoes only cost 200 marks. How would you like to five in Luxemburg? Well, I guess I will have to ring off for this time. lam feeling fine and dandy and hope these few liiries find you all. likewise. Got a letter from Miss Malehow the day before we left Villefranche. Do not know how much longer we will be over here. Will dose with much love to you all. PVT. HAWLEY T. RAMEY, Battery D, 124 F. A., A. E. F.