Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1918 — LETTERS FROM BUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM BUR SOLDIERS

Thomas Cox Write* Interestingly From Canada. (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Mr. F. E. Babcock, Editor Democrat, Rensselaer, Indiana, U. S. A. Dear Old Friend: — Just a few lines, as I promised, »o let you know that 1 am A-l, in good health and spirits, hoping that you and yours are the same. 1 must say that this is a splendid place where I am stationed (for the time being). I thought Rensselaer was about the nicest place I had seen since I left old England, but when 1 came here it reminded me of home more than anything else I have seen since I left the good Old Country. Well, friend, I must say I have been jiretty busy since I left Rensselaer. First I was sent to Toronto from Chicago on Monday evo. Got to Toronto Tuesday went before a lot of officers, got sent to Hamilton, arrived Tuesday eve, got settled, then to work drilling the next day, and keep on the job from 6 in the morning till 5 in the evening. Have had three inoculations, one vaccination, and got over them alright without stopping a day's drill. But I can tell you we were i»retty crowded here, nearly 1,500 to 1,800 men in a place where accomodation was meant for 300; still everything passes along smoothly, no sickness to speak of and everybody in good spirits and happy. The food is good for such times as these. Still there is a few who have got to grumble, which you will find in any camp or barracks where there are so many men. Of course, there are all kinds of them coming coming up right now, even to your royal highness,

the hobo or knight of the road. It would surprise you if you only saw what men are coming here. All ages and all sizes, some gray headed, some no -hair at all, and hardly any clothes to their backs. Still they are all making good men ior some line or anotnei. Some a-* thin and long, others are short and fat, like a hog’s, head, but they begin to lose a little of the bloating fat when they start the physical exercises, whipli is good for all of us, as it hardens us up before going over. _ ■ ; Well, Babcock, we sent a draft of men from here and a good sized bunch it was, 500 on Monday, and you should have seen the send-off. it nearly got the best of me, thinking of my own wife and family, arid now I an in the next bunch to go next Tuesday, May 15, 250 more to join those that left this week. We had our orders on Tuesday and could have got a few days’ leave, but what was the use? It would 'have cost me so much and the trip would not have been worth taking for one day at home, so I decided I would not come but save that much money to send my wife instead of giving it to the railway company. Well, Babcock I must say we had a good send-off when we left Chicago, and I was. picked to carry the good old Stirs and Stripes of America through the streets of the city to the station, escorted by bag pipes of the Highlanders, and I must say that the women of the British Empire war shop gave every man that left a bag containing all kinds of food to eat, tobacco, in fact, everything that was useful for a man going on a journey. I can assure you we all appreciated it very much. You may make use of this letter if you> wish by cutting out some of it. Give my kind regards to everybody through your paper And hope to meet some of them on the other-

side soon. My wife was telling me your wife was asking about tne ajid v.bere I was stationed, as she Is keeping a record of all men leaving the city, so I am given to understand, but I hope they will take care of my wife and children until I get my allowance of pay to them. Well, friend, I must not say any re ore now. Will write again later on when I have much better news to tell you, so will close with a good wish of good luck and success in your business, so au revoir, but not good-bye. I am. Yours Sincerely, No. 500355 Pvt. F. W. COX, C. E. F. ( James St. Barracks, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.