Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1918 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

Joe Meehan Writes The Democrat ..From Belgium. The Democrat is in receipt of another letter from Joe Meehan, formerly of Remington and a brother of Mrs. Mat Worden of Rensselaer, who has been playing with a Canadian band in tho war zone for the. past couple of years. Joe traveled for several years as a trap-drummer with various circuses and show troupes and, it will be noticed, uses ttye vernacular of the “profesh” in his letters: La Bouvrie, Belgium, November 20, 1918. Dear Friends.—Just a line to tell you I aim still with it and once again in Belgium, but under different conditions from my other visit this time last year. Well, the old argument has stopped and we can hardly realize it as yet. One still thinks about their lights at night and all the little necessary things to insure safety. This town is a big mining district and they went crazy over us. On Sunday we had Thanksgiving services in the Catholic Cathedral and our band and the civic band attended during ' the ceremonies. Their band was immense. They hadn’t played for four years, but they appeared Sunday morning all dolled up, with their silk tiles on, and instruments which had been stored away since the beginning of the war. But they were real musicians. c On Monday night a large concert

was followed by a dance. The mayor of the town made a speech and our colonel responded through our ihterperter, and to complete the ceremony, as is their custom, the mayor kissed our colonel on both cheeks. Boy! it made you think some. These people don’t cry quits. Tjiey are all ready to start in as soon as conditions are in shape. This morning they presented our colonel with a bouquet—some bouquet, too —had to detail two men

to carry it. When we left, playing the ‘‘Marseillaise,’* the population was all lined up—some singing, shouting, dancing, laughing or crying—it was one wonderful sight and it made you feel queer. The way we are “billed,’* as I understand It at present, is that we are going to Kropenz, Germany, for a short army occupation, then we come back and start the work of demobilization. I expect—and I’m saying it in all sincerity—to be back in April, and if I can get permission will certainly pay Jasper county a visit. I expect to go on leave about the time you receive this missive and, rules and regulations providing, I’m going to Paris to play a return date, as there are some people there who did not get *to see me when I was there last January Well, I’m feeling pretty fit, as I have been sleeping between sheets in a" real bed for ten straight nights, but tonight I am booked for a tile floor in the kitchen. But we will be in out of the cold anyhow, and the lady of the house is making one grand lot of soup for us. So I will close, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Always the same. JOE, 760759 Bandsman, 54 th Batt., France. p. s.—l am enclosing some real clippings and photos.