Biography
Frank Leonard Brines was born on May 22, 1897 in Morrill County, Nebraska. He was one of eight children of John Garret Brines and Julia Ann (Dunbar) Brines. He resided in Bridgeport, Nebraska and worked as a driver on a dray line. The letters below were written to Ella Tucker of Readington, Nebraska born July 31, 1900.
Frank would sail for France aboard the Teucer on September 25, 1918 as a member of Co E, 605th Engineers Brines would return to the U.S. aboard the USS Heeron in January 1919. He would return to working as a truck driver on a dray line. Frank and Ella were married on June 18, 1919 at the Tucker family home in Readington. Bridgeport. Tragically, Ella would pass away at home in Bridgeport from influenza on February 16, 1920.
On March 2, 1924 Frank would marry Florence Johnson in Uintah, Utah. On March 6 they left for Salt Lake City where they caught a train for Los Angeles. In 1930, with their daughter Marion they resided in Riverside California where Frank worked as a mechanic.
Frank would pass away on June 27, 1989 and was buried in Lodi Memorial Park and Cemetery.
Bridgeport, Nebraska May 15 1917
Dearest Friend Ella
I thought I would try and write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and hope this will find you the same. I have not been doing much since I left home just loafing around.
I have been working in the garage for a day or two has wess got anybody to work for him yet? Have you got that garden made yet I would certainly like to be helping make it when are you coming to town or are you ever coming?
Please excuse the spam typing because I have not written on one for so long that I was kindly balled up at firsthhn
well I can’t think of much to write but if you answer this one I will try and write a longer one the next time
I am feeling awful but I hope that you are having a good time
Hoping to hear from you soon so I will close for this time
Your ever loving Friend
Frank L, Brines
Bridgeport Nebraska
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Bridgeport, Nebraska June 3-17
Dearest Friend Ella
I thought I would try and write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and doing fine. I am working on the Dray Line at present. The river bridge just about washed out last week and I have been hauling rock this week to help fix it. I heard that you were in town today sorry I did not get to see you. Are you going to take in the big show the 6&7? They had that lady’s aid program at Redington yet? You are to see me hauling rock I brought what in from the hills yesterday that weighed forty five hundred pounds. Some pebble Ha. Ha.
I took my picture of it on my wagon and I will bet it is a beauty for I had one of those lovely smiles on my face Ha. Ha. I saw my friend from up West in town and had quite a talk with him & his mom. Please excuse this bomb writing for I have not got any pen and I am a poor writer with a pencil and the typewriter is busy. Has Fred come back yet. When you see him tell him not to be so tight with his postage stamps for I share like to get letters. Well I have to haul rock tomorrow so I will close hoping to hear from you soon I remain Alexander your loving friend Frank
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July 6/17
Bridgeport Nebr
Darling Ella:-
I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I got home all right and did not have to walk either. She ran just fine after I got started. I got in town at 8 o’clock and went right to work. I was so sleepy yesterday I could not hardly sit on my wagon and drive. Well I hope you don’t feel like I do. Well I left my team standing on the street and slipped off to write this letter so I will have to cut it pretty short.
How does the rest of the kids feel after their joy ride?
I’ll bet Atta has been a cranky little girl ever since you got home for she was looking pretty cross yesterday morning.
Well I will have to close and get back to my team.
Hoping to hear from you soon I remain as ever
Your loving friend
Frank Brines
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Bridgeport Nebr
July 19-17
Darling Ella:-
I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive I got home about 4:30 Sunday morn feeling fine.
Say Dearie I almost forgot about your birthday dinner last evening so I thought I would send you a little present hoping it will please you
Where are you going to the dance at Watermans? I don’t think I will be out but then you can never tell.
Well I can’t think of much to write so I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon.
Your loving friend
Frank Brines
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August 8-17
Bridgeport Nebr
Dearest Friend:-
Well I got home all right and I’m feeling fine considering everything but I never got home till about 6 o’clock Monday morning.
The Ford just run fine until I got to Marion Duggers then it began to fall along and it took the rest of the time to get home. The roads are full of water all the way. I told you I might have jumped the creek and sure enough I did but she was getting pretty high when I crossed it.
If I had stayed and started early I wouldn’t have gotten home for dinner ha ha.
Are the boys on my team harnessed and ready for me when I got there. Well I sure have been sleepy headed today but have worked all day. Well it is getting about time to go to bed and I can’t think of much to write so I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon.
As ever your loving friend
Frank
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Bridgeport Nebr
Aug 22/17
Dearest Friend
I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know I am still alive. I didn’t know whether you was or not I have not heard from you for so long. Say shall I come and take you to Randalls dance Saturday night. Please let me know as soon as possible.
I expect we will be threshing at Ekbergs so mail me a letter in care of Gus Ekberg and I will get it.
We have been broke down a few days so we have not been doing much threshing.
Well I guess I will have to go to work so I’m hoping to hear from you soon I remain as ever
Your loving friend
Frank
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Bridgeport Nebr
Oct 8-17
Dearest Friend Ella.
Just received your most welcome letter and thought I had a better answer for I have not heard from you for so long I thought you had forgotten I was alive. I just got last Saturday morning. I would have been out Sunday but I drove to Sidney Saturday night and had a breakdown and did not get home till Sunday afternoon and then of course I didn’t have no invite ha ha.
Well I am feeling fine and dandy and hope you are feeling as good or better. I hope you had a good time on your trip I had some time while I was gone. Well I am going again but I hope to be out to see you before I leave. When is the next dance out there? Wow I can’t think of much to write, could say more.
Hoping to hear from you soon and will close for this time. As ever your
Loving Friend Frank
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Bayard Nebr
Oct 21-17
Darling Ella:-
I thought I would write you if you are in so let you know that I am still alive. I am I just as well stayed for the wiener roast last Sunday because the train was six hours late and I never got to Bayard till 1030 that night.
Well have I got to write two letters to you one all the time? I have been looking for a letter from you all week. I went to Bridgeport this morning with a load of shell people and I thought sure I would get a letter but I guess you have lost your pencil again I am driving a dry truck here now so if you happen over this way why just whistle. I saw George Randall and Lester Stecker here this afternoon. Please try and write once even to our three months if you possibly can. Have you got all those spuds picked yet? I heard there would be a dance at Bennishes hall in a week or two if there is try and let me know and I will try and come.
Say you tell Rella that I have got a crow to pick with her for that remark she made. Well I can’t think of much to write. If you want to talk to me anytime call for 63. If they have a dance at Bennishes phone to me and let me know in time so I can figure on getting away to come. There was a big dance here last night but I didn’t go. We’re hoping this finds you all OK and expecting to hear from you soon I’m close for this time.
Your Loving Friend
Frank Brines
c/o EF Sillivan
Bayard Nebr
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Bayard Nebr Nov 6 1917
Darling Ella:-
I thought I had better answer your letters to let you know I am awful sorry to have disappointed you Saturday night. I would have liked to come over for that dance and stayed for Sunday but I could not get a car up here and I didn’t want to come to the dance if I do not stay over Sunday so I thought I would wait till I could come.
I tried to phone you Friday night and couldn’t get Mrs. Gordon so Saturday I tried to get through by Bridgeport and could not. Well I suppose you had a good time anyway if Billy was there.
I was up all night Saturday and Friday nights so I am pretty sleepy tonight yet. Maybe you can tell that by this writing. Well I can’t think of much to write but when I see you I will have more to say then I had to write. Hoping to hear from you soon will close for this time
Remaining as Ever
Your loving friend
Frank
Bayard Nebr.
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Nov 16 1917
Darling Ella
I received your most welcome letter yesterday & was certainly glad to hear from you.
I don’t get much chance to go any place up here I am busy most all the time and it is pretty hard to get any way to go
Well don’t worry I will try to get over for the fourth of july
I am also glad you had a good time at the dance. Well you said wess was coming over this week well I have not saw anything of him yet.
I suppose will be a dance at Bennnishes hall Thanksgiving won’t there?
Do you want to be over here this some town no the Sugar factory is running in full swing now.
I would have liked to of come over to the dance but I just cannot make the hill.
How is Ma and Pa feeling and all the rest of the folks.
Tell aunt Martha that I might come over for Thanksgiving dinner and see what she says to that I have food her so many times this summer
Well I can’t think of much to ride tonight so I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain as ever Your Loving Friend
Frank Brines
Bayard Nebraska
c/o E.F. Sillivan
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Bayard Nebr Nov 20 1917
I just received your letter today and was more than glad to hear from you.
You never said when the dance was going to be at the Bennishes hall.
Well I don’t suppose that I can get over for Thanksgiving because we never stop working up here it is only 11:30 now and I am still on duty. I have to meet the train every night if it don’t come until morning ha ha. Was Pa over here last week if he was I never saw him.
You tell Rella that I have got a bicycle now and I can take her along because it won’t carry three passengers.
Why can’t think of much to write that is of any interest to you. I am having a fine time up here wish you were here too. Well I expect to be in Lincoln for Christmas but I will try and get out to see you before I go if you don’t object which I suppose you will. Well I will have to quit or I won’t get this off for the train. Hoping you are feeling fine and will ans soon
I remain as Ever
Your Loving Friend
Frank Brines
Box 126 Bayard Nebr
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Bayard Nebr
Dec 18-17
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received your most welcome letter today and was most glad to hear from you. I kept waiting for you to write and I thought sure you had forgotten to write you said you had been sick. Well I guess I will quit coming out there every time I come someone gets sick or else they have to go to the hospital ha ha.
Ask Rella how she likes to go with us when we take a lady driver along. I got home that morning at 5:30. I got about halfway home and found a fellow broke down and I had to pull him back to town. The next time you see Arzella to practice a little more I’m driving a Ford so she won’t be bothering me when she is along. Well I guess I won’t get to come over for the oyster supper nor I don’t suppose I will get over for to be Santa Claus again this Xmas. Well hoping to find a Ford in my sock Xmas morning. I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon. As ever your
Loving Friend
# 126 Frank Brines
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Bayard Nebr
Dec 30-17
Dearest Ella:-
I thought I would try to write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and feeling fine. I was off. Sorry that I did not come after you Xmas to go down to Walters but Mae was so sure that if I came down that I would bring you for dinner so she thought if she sent you word, that I would be sure to go after you so of course I have the for her ha ha. Well I didn’t enjoy Xmas very much this year. I received the buttons and pens from you all OK. And thank you very much for them. Well I never found no Ford in my stocking Xmas morning so I guess I won’t do much riding around the rest of the winter. I am still working on the drain line here. I saw Etta in Bridgeport Wednesday did she tell you about it?
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Bayard Nebr
Jan 9-18
Received your most welcome letter a few days ago and was glad to hear from you. Yes it is too bad I did not come for Xmas but I thought I would show Mae that I was not go just because she told you that I would come after you. She thought sure I would go after you if she told you I was coming and she wanted you to be there for dinner so I thought I would let her for herself just once. ha ha.
Well I have not gone to Germany yet so not be so excited. Well it is snowing and blowing to beat the ban tonight. Well I am getting along just fine and hope you are well and happy. You look so pale and sickly from last time I was over there that I was afraid you was sick.
Well I am expecting to go to War some of these days. There’s quite a bunch of boys going from here before long and I would kindly like to go with them.
Well I can’t think of much to ride tonight and it’s only 11 o’clock I had to wait till the kids went to bed so that I could have room to think.
Well hoping to hear from you soon I
Remain as Ever
your loving Friend
Frank Brines
Bayard
# 126 Nebr
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Bayard Nebr
Jan 21-18
Dearest Love:-
Just received your most welcome letter today and will certainly glad to hear from you. Speaking of that furniture and that Negro girl you ought to see her she sure is a daisy.
Do you let everybody read your letters I just part of them? Ha ha well I will come over some Sunday before long. The reason I have not been over before is because there has been so much smallpox around here since about Christmas that I was afraid I might be taken down with it at any time. I have been exposed to it several times so I don’t like to run around March and scattered all over the country. Wow I am getting along just fine and I hope you are the same. You wanted to know why I didn’t finish my letter well there was a half a dozen people trying to find out who I was writing to so I left.
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Scotts Bluff Nebr
2/15/18
Dear Friend:-
Just a line to say I got home all OK. I am in the Bluffs today after a lead. Goodbye ans soon
Frank
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Bayard Nebr
2/23/18
Darling Ella:-
Received your most welcome letter a day or two ago and was glad to hear from you. Too bad you fell down cellar and hurt yourself. Well I have not been doing much lately as things are pretty quiet up here now since the factory has closed down. There is quite a few cases of smallpox in town again. Well I hope you are getting over your fall all right. I am not feeling so very awful good yet. Well I can’t think of much to write this time so I will close for this time hoping you are getting along all right. Please write soon
Your Loving Friend
Frank Brines
# 126 Bayard Nebr
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Bayard Nebr
April 1-18
Dearest Ella:-
I thought I would try and scratch a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and hope you are the same. I have not heard from you for so long I am kindly anxious to hear from you. Well I suppose you are so busy you don’t have time to write. My boss has been quarantined with the smallpox ever since I came back from Bridgeport the last time and I have been so busy that I had almost forgotten that I could write.
If you will let me know I will come over the next time there is a dance at the Bennish hall. This town is dieing off pretty fast and I expect the next time you hear from me it will be from someplace else. Well hoping to hear from you soon
I remain as ever your
loving friend
Frank
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Bayard Nebr
Apr 7-18
Darling Ella:-
You’re most welcome Lottery yesterday and was also glad to hear from you. I suppose you are some cool my arm by this time I guess I will have to come over and go to school a while. Well I am pretty busy now days trying to keep from working. Ha Ha.
Well has Harvey gone to War yet? I guess I will go sometime in May if the word on staff. There is not much to doing here this spring. I might be over some of these fun Sundays if you don’t object to my timing. What do you say. Well I can’t think of much to write this time. So I will quit and get ready for dinner. Hoping to hear from you soon. Your Loving Friend
Frank
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Fort Logan Colo
Co 19. E. Corps June 8-18
Darling Sweetheart
Just received your most welcome letter today and was sure glad to hear from you.
When I wrote to you I did not suppose I would be here when I heard from you but we don’t know anything here until it is all over. I saw the total eclipse of the sun here today it was as dark as night. I don’t suppose you saw it there.
You wanted me to send you a picture of myself I had some made the other day but they were not much good but I will send you one of them maybe you can use it for something.
You are to see this country out here it is hot all day and cold all night. I don’t suppose I will get to see ma. as we new soldiers cannot get a pass from the fort to go to Denver but if I do I will try and get out to see h
Well I cannot think of much to write it is so noisy here in the YMCA that you have to go outside to see what you are thinking about. Well Dear please write often and don’t be worrying because I will be coming home someday and then for the fun.
With Lots of love and Best of wishes I will close for this time
Your Loving Friend
Frank Brines
19th Co E.C. Fort Logan Colo
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Camp Humphreys
June 15-18
Dearest Friend:-
I thought being outside had gotten moved would reach you a few lines to let you know that I am still feeling fine and wish you the same. I am only 20 miles from Washington DC that is quite a little way from home isn’t it. We left Fort Logan and was on the train about 78 hours before we got here and was I tired of riding well I’ll say I was say Ella did I send you one of my pictures I sent a lot of them one day but I don’t remember whether I sent you one or not. This country here is some different from that out there. This camp here is just a new one and it is built right in the woods. So from the looks of things about the first thing we will get to do will be to pull stumps some job. Ha Ha.
We are only about 3 miles from Washingtons old home at Mount Vernon and I am going over some day to look at the place. I have been in the Capitol City already but it is not so large. There is about twenty thousand engineers in this camp now they say it will be six months or longer before we get to go across the Atlantic and the boys are all anxious to go. I wish I could start across today. The more obvious training a present goes through the more she wants to get started for France. We just got here night before last and I was so tired yesterday that I didn’t feel like riding to anybody but I did manage to write to Walter and his wife.
I’ve got such a cold that I hardly feel like doing anything.
We get our mail here twice a day and at Fort Logan we only got it once a day. Well dearest please write often as it is always a pleasure to me to hear from you. Do you remember where we were a year ago tonight? Well I can’t think of much that would do you have interest to you so I’ll close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon Your ever loving friend
Frank B.
Camp AA Humphreys Virginia
Co D 3rd Eng. Regiment
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Camp A.A. Humphreys
Virginia
June 26-18
Have moved again this is my address now General Delivery
Just received your most welcome letter last night and was sure glad to hear from you I have been expecting a letter from you every day for a week those pictures you sent for Logan must’ve got there after I left. I never got them but they will be returned to you are forwarded to me. Say you had better quit making fun of that picture and take it out in the melon patch for a scarecrow. It was an awful poor picture looks like as if I was scared but I was not. I’ll bet that is the first picture of me do you ever saw that I was not grinning. That was quite a little note that Rella wrote on that envelope before she sealed it can you tell her I certainly will remember her. Tell her I will have my buddy write to her she is an awful nice fellow and answer is the description to a tease. Well this is some country here it rained all day yesterday and so far today and mud is 6 feet deep. This is just a new camp here and we have poor surrounding but I think it will be better before long. It was close to 1000 shipped overseas from here last week and I still hope to go before long. We have several YMCA buildings here and a red cross room and I guess anything that a person wants you will find it here.
Well I am glad you write I always get an answer from you first before I do from the folks. I wish I could be at that dance and be there for the fourth but I guess there is no chance but I might be back this fall if I can get a furlough.
What made you ask if I was coming back after the war is over it is one sure thing I am not going to hang around Virginia very long after I get my discharge because I do not like this part of the country at all. About all I have done here is work in the kitchen and say they are just like other people they want to hear dishes rattling. Ha Ha. Well I am having all the fun I can and I hope you are having good times even if I can’t be with you. Well I guess I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. As ever your Loving Friend
Frank
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Camp Humphreys Va
Co M 2nd Eng Tr Regt
July 6-18
My Sweetheart:-
Just received your most welcome letter and was certainly glad to hear from you. Just got that letter and those pictures a day or two ago and those of you girls was fine, well if you didn’t have any better time before us than I did you did not enjoy yourself very much. I stayed in camp most all day. Bunch of us went down to Accotink Bay in the afternoon boating. You asked me what I thought about Bayard well it’s no better than deport and you know about how bad that is. I don’t think very favorable that Mrs. Rhodocker that runs at school but I might be mistaken. I heard Bill was going to be married but I don’t know I don’t hear from him very often he is not much for writing. I got a letter from Walt & Mae that had been on the road nine days yesterday. Well I like the army better every day outside of getting moved around so much. I’ve moved since I wrote to you the last time but I guess I will be in this regimen for a while. It seems like you and Walt and Mae are the only ones that I can get any answer from out there. I write to somebody nearly every day and never get no reply & sure are glad that someone remembered me anyway. I’ve lost all hopes of getting to go to France for the next two or three months at least. Bill was just joking you when he wanted to take you home if you had said yes he would of backed out. Ha Ha. Well I’ll say some cook, but we only have to take turns at it and only a day at a time so it is not bad but I say you work while you are there. I am under quarantine for measles now there is about 40 of us in one Barrick that can’t get outside and I have not got anything to do only read and write and it will probably last a couple of weeks and I will write off and while I have got nothing else to do. It is off of warm here lately and rains every day or two enough to keep it muddy. Mae said her brother in law in Denver and list the other day. How is Mama getting along since she came from the hospital. Well I guess I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. With Love and Best Wishes.
Your Loving Friend Frank L Brines
Co M 2nd E.T.R Camp Humphreys Va
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Camp Humphreys Va
July 11-18
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received your most welcome letter of the sixth and was certainly glad to hear from you.
I am awfully sorry that you have got blood poison. Do you want to be awful careful of it I had it in my hand once and so I know how to feel for you. Yes I got a letter from Walter yesterday and he was telling me about you having a ringworm on your face and him teasing you about it but he didn’t say you had taken blood poisoning with it. Well I don’t know what to think of Bill never done anything like that before. Is Ruth King out there at your place now if she is tell her hello for me and she might write a few lines if she wants to.
I got two letters this morning beside yours and they had both been open by someone by mistake.
Tell grandpa I will write to him one of these days and let him know about the army. Isn’t his first name George I have forgotten but it seems that way. Well I guess I have one or two friends anyway. What do you think. I guess Bill is pretty busy since he did wake up that he don’t have time to write. I have heard from him once since I have been here and a postcard at that.
Well I don’t know anything about how long I will be here but I do know that we are getting an awful lot of good hard drilling every day here lately.
That fellow I was going to have right to Rella was transferred out of my company about two weeks ago and I have not saw him since.
I am quarantining for measles yet but they take us out to ourselves and drill us anyway. Well I can’t think of much to write so I won’t close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. I remain as ever Your Loving Friend Frank
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Camp Humphreys Va
July 15-18
My Darling:-
I received your most welcome letter yesterday afternoon and it was awful glad to hear that your face is getting well so fast. I did not have time to write yesterday so I just answered your letter with a package and hope you get it all OK it was a U.S.A. sofa cushion cover. Well I got out of quarantine yesterday and I am driving a truck today hauling groceries for the camp. There is about a hundred fifty of us hauling junk and from nearby towns all the time day and night.
I’m feeling fine and dandy and hope you are the same or better. I did not go out of camp the 4th so you see I did not have much fun. I expect to go somewhere in a short time but don’t know if it will be a ship ride or just to another camp but we was told we had a ride coming but would not say where to. I hope to Berlin. I would like to visit all day all there. It is some hot. Well I will have to close for now and go to work again. Lots of love and Best Wishes. Your loving Friend
Frank
Please excuse this writing I had to write in a hurry.
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Washington Barracks
Wash D.C.
July 26-18
Dear Sweetheart:-
I just received your most welcome letter and will answer right away while I have got time. I believe I wrote you since I left Humphreys but I wouldn’t say for sure. I have not been transferred to the Searchlight division and don’t know how long I will be here but I don’t think very long about half of the boys that come here to this camp with me I already gone and about 50 more going tonight. I might be gone by Monday night and again I might be here for sometime. We never know till we are ready to go and then we don’t know where we are going. They asked for a bunch this afternoon that wanted to go to France in about 50 of us step dried out and they asked us if we really wanted to go and we all hollers yes and he says all right and turns right around and picked out about 50 or more and took them and says you fellas can go some other time you are too anxious now to go. But I think they are only going to New York now. Don’t you remember where we were 15 June when we were in the drugstore in a long came ma and asked if we were going to the show together I thought you would remember that for it was our second start.
Hey love did you get the cushion top that I sent you. I sent it about a week before I left VA. You are to have it by now I hope you like it. Well I can’t think of much to write so will close hoping to hear from you I remain as ever your loving friend Frank.
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Walter Reed Hospital
Washington D.C.
Aug 10-18
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received your kind letter of the 21st and was sure glad to hear from you. You ain’t the only one that wishes I was there to help you with that watermelon and ice cream and wash dishes. Well I am up and around now and feel fine and dandy. I wrote grandpa a few lines yesterday. Say that cake and candy was just fine and I thank you ever so much for it all.
I got the pictures of Ma and Pa and the boys and they are certainly good of them.
I got a letter from Bill today and he is at camp Dodge Iowa. Well I suppose Fred has gone by this time.
I expect I won’t be here over a couple weeks longer.
The boys over there I’m sure shooting the kaisers playhouse to pieces the paper says a catcher 20,000 Germans yesterday.
The Red Cross nurses sure do treat me nice.
We had a nice rain last night and it is some cooler here today and has been hot here all week. Wednesday it was 114 in the shade. I was asked for heat. I can’t think of anything to ride this morning so I will close hoping this finds you well and happy. Your Loving Soldier Boy
Frank
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Walter Reed Hospital
Washington D.C.
Aug 14-18
My Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received your two most welcome letter today and we’re certainly glad to hear from you. I got your flowers yesterday evening and thank you very much for them. Well my regiment went overseas Monday so this is twice I have got left out. Well I am up and around now and feeling fine.
Say Dearest when did you get the idea that I sent my letters to Mae to take care of no I will tell you how they are taking care of and then you won’t worry. When I get about so many of them I get them all out some Sunday and read them over and then I build a little fire out of them and if anyone can read the ashes they have got me beaten. No I don’t write to her every day but I do write to some of the songs nearly every day and when I do rice to her it is to her and Walt both. As for Ed I guess they don’t really love each other.
I tried to get a furlough but they would not give me one so I am going to try again when I go back to camp. That is some picture I sent home. I’ll say we was pretty happy just stand and if you had heard what I said about the time it was snapped you would be laughing too.
I like it a whole lot better here than in Virginia. Say are you joking about crying yourself to sleep or do you mean it if you do you are better quit it for it will never do no good to worry like that and make yourself sick just for nothing. There is not any used to worry when you don’t hear from me for a few days because it is awful hard to get mail in and out in the army. I heard from Bill today too he is in Iowa yet and says he is a full-fledged soldier now. Well I guess I will close hoping you are feeling better after you get this.
Your ever loving friend Frank
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Washington Barracks
Co E 605 Engineers
Wash. D.C.
August 19, 18
My loving Sweetheart.
Just a few lines let you know I am out of the hospital and back to my company NCL fine. My company was all gone to the rifle range when I get back I have an idea they will go across the water before very long.
I don’t have much to do since I have been to the hospital I am doing light duty now.
I just got back yesterday and hope I don’t go back for a while. Did you get my last letter I wrote to you?
I don’t know how long I will be here may get to go across with the rest of the bunch when they go and I may not but I don’t care so very much if I don’t because I think they’re going to go to Siberia from here and I don’t want to go to that country very much I would rather go to France or Italy.
Well I can’t think I’m very much to write sweetheart so I will close hoping this finds you well and happy. As ever you’re loving sweetheart. Address your next letter to me at Washington Barracks Y.M.C.A. Washington DC
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Washington Barracks
Wash. D.C.
Y.M.C.A.
August 23-18
My Darling:-
Just received your letter of the 16th and was sure glad to hear from you and to know that you are well. Why should I worry if you wear a sweetheart pin so long as you want to. I guess I had not ought to bother anybody else had it.
Glad you are so patriotic and want to do you all you can to help the boys but if you had saw as much as I have how the Red Cross nurses are abused by some of the fellows that they have to take care of you would change your mind about becoming a nurse besides you would have to take a three years training before you could get a good job.
Our company expects to leave about the middle of September and if I don’t get turned down on account of my operation you will probably hear from me in France before long are Russia of course we can’t find out where we will go to over there but we are going that is certain. I’ve been helping in headquarters since I came back from the hospital and fixing our papers and we are taking nothing but the very best of the boys that are here. We are transferring all of foreign descent out of our company that there is nothing down as to where we will start even we expect them back from the rifle range at Annapolis Md about 29 August and we are liable to go right out then. I was just talking to a lieutenant and he says that he don’t know for certain when we will go but that he has orders to get his overseas things ready and he says we may go as soon as I get back and again it might be two or three weeks before we get started. My name is on the list to go in the 650 Engineers Co E Searchlight Division. Gee whiz if you have saved them all it will half to get somebody to help you with them if you keep on saving if I am over there for two or three years. Ha Ha. But I don’t think it’ll be that long. I tried to get a furlough after I get back here but they won’t grant any more except in case of sickness are you are best man at a wedding. Ha Ha. I wish I was there to have gone with you on that wiener roast. But it is all over now so I guess there is no chance no whatever. Sweetie I never got any picture of you except the one of all of you girls. Did you ever hear a grandpa say whether he ever got my letter or not?
Who told you I had another sweetheart in Bridgeport honey I guess they must’ve been joking you for I don’t know anybody around there that would want me for a sweetheart do you? You tell them that they must have an awful sound or opinion of me to think I would go to Bridgeport to hunt for a Sweetie Will you Deary. Well I guess I won’t get to see you before I go over but then I guess we will live over it and they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But I don’t know much about this hard business you know so not knowing I could not say that but let’s hope so. Ha Ha. And about that ice cream social I guess was about our first real beginning was it not. Did you have a good time wading I’ll bet you would have had a lot of fun if I had of come along about that time don’t you think I could’ve had a lot of fun. How is big sis tell her I would send her a real kiss but you don’t dare send sweets in the mail and they are all spoiled where are you stick stamps over them like she does but you can tell her hello for me and that I won’t forget her when I get on the other side. There was five or six fellows deserted us when they found out we were next up for overseas and there will probably be some more go before we get started. When they catch them they will get to serve a little time in the prison. So far I have a good record and I am trying to keep it that way and I think I can at least I can try. Well my loving little darling don’t give up your pleasures just because I am not there try and have a good time and you’ll find it a whole easier for you and I know you will be true to me to the end and I hope you feel that you can trust me the same as I can you for I certainly will be.
Do you remember the little talk we had coming home from the dance that night and the “Ford” was so hot and only had three tires on it. There’s nothing like a Ford for a real joy wagon is there. This country out here it’s full of them. Maybe I won’t see any of them over there and I may be glad to see one of them when I get back home. Ha it’s full of them. Maybe I won’t see any of them “over there” and I may be glad to see one of them when I get back home. Ha.Ha. I have not driven a Ford since I have been in the army and I most sincerely hope if I don’t fall my luck to have to drive one of them here either. Well Lovey tab have just blown and that is 11 o’clock. I don’t suppose you know what tabs are so I will tell you. It is the bugle call for everybody to be in bed and no noise are talking and also means that the guards will let nobody pass through the gates of the poster or fort. I am in the office or I would not get this finished tonight. Dear Little Girlie I guess I have wrote about enough for one letter so I’ll try and quit if I can but I am sort of like you said I am in the notion of writing tonight the first time in a long while and it may be a long time before I take the next spell.
I will close now hoping you will cheer up and enjoy yourself a little more it’s not a whole lot more. Loved one burn this up will you please after you read it?
Good Bye
Your loving Soldier
Frank Brines
Washington Barracks
Y.M.C.A. Wash. D.C.
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Washington Barracks
Co E 605 Engineers
Wash. D.C.
Sept 11-18
Dear Sweet Heart:-
Just received your most welcome letter and was awfully glad to hear from you but wouldn’t lots rather see you. It has been pretty chilly here of nights. I am sitting here with an overcoat on now don’t know what I will do when winter comes. I got a letter from my sister Lisco and she says they like Rella just fine, so she will probably have a good school to teach. Well we have not started to go across yet, but we are expecting to go anytime. I thought we would be gone by this time but we never know when we are going to do anything till it is time to do it.
I don’t think this war is going to last very much longer for I can’t see how the Germans can hold out so long. There’s lots of salt here that it won’t last till New Year’s, well I hope not but I’m afraid it will all last longer than that. Are you going to school this winter? I wish I could come and see you before I leave but I guess there is no chance, but I know your love and best wishes go with me at least. How is all of the folks? Have you heard from Harv, where is he at? There is several boys I knew I paired in camp Dodge I a while we’re in Bill’s so he has friends and Co. with him, that is a great help. Well Sweet heart I can’t think of much to write this morning so I will close for this time hoping to be with you in the near future. Good Bye Love.
Your Loving Friend
Frank
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Washington Barracks
Co E 605 Engineers
Wash. D.C.
Sept 13/18
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just now received you’re most welcome letter and also glad to hear from you. I got a letter from Mrs. Carlson today and one from my sister and they say they like the schoolmarm just as much as I do. I guess we will be going before so very much longer. We have been expecting to go for so long that I have begun to think of it as a joke. But I guess we will get to go all right. So I don’t suppose I will get to see you for some time but you have my best wishes. I would like to come home for a short time before going over but there is no chance for me. What will you bet I don’t go across. I’ll bet you I don’t know if there is any chance at all. I would hate to stay in the service and decide when I want to get over there. Say don’t you suppose I will get just a little bit jealous if you write to Bill. Ha. Ha. But don’t let that stop you right to him if you like for a fellow sure likes to get a ladder from some nice looking lady. Ha. Ha. They sure drilling us hard from morning till night. We stand reveille before daylight and drill sometimes as late as 10 o’clock on the search lights. I had some pictures taken the other day but don’t know if they will be any good or not.
Well Dearest I can’t think of much to write so will close hoping to hear from you soon. With all of My Love. Goodbye Honey
Your Loving friend
Frank
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Washington Barracks
Co E 605 Engrs
Wash. D.C.
Sept-16-18
My Loving Sweetheart:-
Just received your most welcome letter and also those pictures you sent me sometime ago. You had the wrong address on them and they had been all over the whole camp before I got them. You had 16th Engineers instead of 605th Engrs and so it went to every company before a dead to me. They were real good of you. That one where you had the hoe puts me in mind of the way the engineers were trained by Camp Humphrey only instead of a hoe we had picks and shovels. I showed them to a friend and he says he bets that is a fine woman and of course I couldn’t say anything but one of the best.
Well we had to turn in our hats today and get our little brown cabs that the soldiers were overseas. We are figuring on moving sometime this week but I don’t know where we will go to embark. But I think to Hoboken New Jersey.
Tell Harve you don’t want to start to gitting ready to go across yet for he probably will never get to go over. At least it will be two or three months and that is a long time to wait after you get ready to go. I am doing guard duty today. Was on duty all last night. I am Corp. of the guard so I don’t have nothing to do only post my release and sit around and wait for someone to call the corporal of the guard. But oh how sweet I am and I have done to stick right with the job. We are guarding I think the most important building in the US it is the army war College all of the War plans and everything of that sort are in it. If it was blown up I am afraid the dutch would soon have the best of us
May be in Hoboken for two or three weeks and we may go to San Francisco and go to Siberia or Italy. We don’t have the least idea where we are going to land and I guess the most of us don’t care so very much. Well I can’t think of very much to write today so I will close for I am most awful sleepy.
Good Bye
Your Loving Sweetheart
Copl. Frank Brines
Co E 605th engrs.
Hoboken
New Jersey
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Camp Merritt
New Jersey
Sept 20-18
My Dear Sweetheart:-
Just a few lines to let you know I am alive but awful sleepy. I got your sweet little letter last evening just before leaving D.C. just got in camp and it sure is some camp I don’t know just how big but it is a large one and lots of boys here ready to leave for France. We may be here tomorrow and we may be here for a week or two but we don’t know when we start over pretty quick though I guess. Well love take good care of yourself till I get back from over there. I don’t suppose you’ll hear from me very often after we leave here but I will write as often as I can you do the same. We are only about an hour and a half flies from New York City. It rained about half of the night and is raining every once in a while again today so it is awful nasty to be out. I got four or five letters just before I left last night but have not heard from any of Walts folks for two weeks. They must be too busy with their sale to write to me. I am also glad you don’t get too busy to write, I have been sorry ever since I have been in the army for not coming out to see you before I left. But dearest I was too rushed to go anywhere. I don’t think I will be here long enough to get an ans. from this but I might you can address it this way if you want to try it Corporal F. B. Co E 605th engrs. Camp Merritt New Jersey. If I don’t get to write before I leave Good Bye honey and my Best Wishes and true Love
Youe Loving friend
Frank
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Sept 24 Dear Sweetheart:- just a line to let you know I am in New York now ready to leave for France. Expecting to load out this afternoon did not have no sleep or rest last night but had a good hike from Camp Merritt to the bay. Please excuse this little note I just happen to have these envelopes and no paper and I can’t get any before leaving. There is sure some big boats around here. You can tell the folks I am on my way the first time you see them. Well sweetheart take good care of yourself and I will do the same. I have been making pretty good time so far in the service nearly 4 mo. and on my way. How is that I have to quit now so goodbye and good luck. I’ll ride as soon as I land if I don’t get spilled in the ocean. So goodbye Honey your true and Loving friend
Cpl. F.B.
____________________________________
Somewhere in France
Oct 27-18
My Loving Friend:-
I’ll try and write you a few lines this evening as I have plenty of time. I got a letter from uncle Marley and aunt Martha a few days ago. It is awful rainy over here about one good day out of 10. But awful pretty girls and lots of them. Tell Rella hello for me and she will know I have not forgotten her. Marley said he had been over two Julefs to a dance and you know how my feet felt when I read that don’t you.
I have lots of free over here. A fellow can see somethings over here at least. Well I don’t suppose I will eat Xmas dinner with you this year but maybe I will get around for the next one.
I have written to you several times but I’ve never heard from you since I left D.C.
It is a long string of drilling in training and one thing and another before you get on this side. But I guess the trip is worth all of it.
If I had a boat I might roll over some Sunday. Ha. Ha. Well Jerry I can’t think of monster ride tonight so I guess I will close for this time and try and write more next time.
So Bye Bye
Your Loving Friend
Corporal Frank Brines
48 platoon 56 Engrs
A. A. A. Searchlight School
A.P.O. 714
Amer. E.F.
____________________________________
Nov 6-18
Some Where I don’t blame them for calling it No Mans land.
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received a couple letters from you and certainly glad to hear from you. It’s too bad Harve got hurt in the wreck. They have some real wrecks in this country but in a little different form. It rained every day nearly so we have plenty of mud and water here. I guess things are taking a little difference in the line of victory. I don’t get very much news from home about all of the mail I have done was written before I left. So it is rather old before I get it. I don’t suppose Harve will get to go very far for a while till he gets over this trip. Are you folks going to stay in Kings Place next year? Don’t worry about me now coming back from France far I don’t believe I will get married over here or anything like that so expect to be back one of these days within the next 8 or nine years. How about the Spanish flu Mae’s sister said it was bad in Denver. I guess I’ve beat a lot of the boys getting over after all. I got a letter from Walt, he says he has moved up close to town and had sold all of its stock. Spoke about those pictures I sent them home but one and I carry it around for an identification card. Well I can’t think of any more to write all I can write about is the weather and it don’t change much so I don’t have much to write about. Good Bye your loving friend
Frank Brines
48 platoon 56 Engrs
A. A. A. Sections A.P.O. 714 Amer. E.F.
____________________________________
Somewhere in France
Nov 11-18
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received your most welcome letter and certainly glad to hear from you. I got a couple of letters from Walt and Mae saying they had finally gotten my card that I had landed safely. It was the first letter I had had from them since they knew I was over here. Well it is nearly time for Thanksgiving and an awful long way from home. Don’t know how long I will be here or anything about it but from the looks of things now it may not be long but still it is very uncertain what will be pulled off yet. I expect you here more over there about the war than we do here so I won’t say much about it. Oh say the sun is shining again today. Ha. Ha. They have the huns on the run all OK.
I hope we have a good luck to be in good old U.S.A. before next July. Did you get the picture I sent you. If you didn’t I will send you some more. You asked about the pretty girls over here there is plenty of them but not enough to hold me here after they turn me loose.
We have lots of fun over here and plenty to eat so we get along fine and dandy. Well I can’t think of much to right now I’ll tell it to you dearie when I get back. So hoping this finds you fine and dandy will close for this time Good Bye Honey
your loving friend
(Note- bottom of letter has been removed.)
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Laugres France
Nov 29-18
My Darling little Girl:-
As I have not heard from you for a long time will try and write you a few lines today just to say hello.
Are you sure had a real dinner yesterday it being Thanksgiving and so much to be thankful for. The only thing I missed was having Arzella and Rella and the Ford. I don’t suppose you have forgotten about that yet have you. I thought about several times yesterday and had to laugh every time I thought about it. Can you tell her to practice up a little for I’ll be back one of these days and might want her to drive again and I know she don’t want to tear on the fence is down. Ha. Ha.
At present I am in a hospital at Laugres France but nothing serious. I will be going back to my post to my company next week I guess. How is Harve did he get over the rec all right. I suppose he will be coming home before long but I don’t hardly expect to be back much before the Fourth of July but I hope it ain’t half that long. It is still raining but the sun has quit shining. Do you ever write anymore? I haven’t even heard from no one for a month so I guess my mail must be lost. There is lots of old curiosities in this country and some of them are real interesting to go and see.
Well try and have a good time and then some more for me till I get back. Phone is about what you call scarce over here most of the time.
Well I can’t think of much to ride this morning so will ring off for this time hoping to be with you before long. Your Loving Soldier
Cpl. Frank Brines
48 Platoon 56 Engrs.
American Expeditionary Force
A.A.A. Section
A.P.O. 714
____________________________________
France
Dec 7-18
Dear Sweetheart:-
Just received two of your letters and I was certainly glad to hear from you as well as from Rella. I have gotten out of the hospital and then back to my company now. You spoke about it being so warm there, I wish we had some of it here for all we have is rain and mud.
I don’t have any idea when we will get back to the good old U.S.A. but it can’t be too soon to suit me. How do you suppose by now you’ve gotten some of my mail.
I said pretty well in the hospital when I was in there. This is the first now I have heard from you for a month and a half and never heard from waltz folks but once since they knew I was over here.
How is Harve. I hope he is OK again for a no what a hospital is when a fellow is all crippled up. We might be lucky enough to get back for Easter. Here is hoping.
Well just keep waiting I’ll be coming one of these fine days. Yes I guess the war is over at least they say it is so I guess it must be.
Well I can’t think of much to right now but look out when I do get home because I can tell it to you right. Ha. Ha. Good Bye Hoping to be with you soon Your Loving friend
Cpl. Frank Brines
48 Platoon 56 Engrs
A.A. Section
A.P.O. 714
Amer Exp Force
France
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Newport News
Camp Stuart Va
Jan 18-19
My Dearest:-
Well here I am back in the good old U.S.A.
We just got here to camp this morning. I am feeling fine and mighty glad to be back too. We left France the 5th of Jan. and landed the 18th. Monday last then it took us to go over but a lot better trip this time then before I know submarines tease you along the road. I don’t know just how long it will be before I get turned loose I don’t expect within the next two or three weeks.
We expect to be sent from here to Camp Humphreys Va to be mustard out but I don’t know for sure.
I have not heard from you for so long and Dearest that I am most anxious to hear from you. I just telegraph Walt I was back and I am sure he would call you up and tell you so I suppose you will know all about it before you get this letter.
Well that trip wasn’t such a bad one after all but it sure seems great to be back in the good old U.S.A.
This part of Va. is it better than where I was last summer. Tell Rella hello for me. I wonder if she got the letters I wrote her from over there. Well sweetheart if you want to write to me you can address it to me General Del Camp Humphries Va. for I am almost sure I will be sent there.
Kaiser beat it before I got a chance to get a shot at him. That is the worst of it all but we were on the job and ready to do our part but we never lost out entirely.
Oh say but my feet feel for a good dance.
It seems like a lifetime since I was to a dance.
I guess this is about all for now. So hoping this finds you feeling fine and happy I remain as ever
Your Loving Friend
Frank
____________________________________
Camp Humphreys
Va.
Feb 4-19
Dearest Sweetheart:-
As I just now received your most welcome letter of Jan 31 I will try and answer it.
I am most awful sorry I could not be there to spend Sunday with you but I guess I will be lucky to get back in time for next Xmas. Ha. Ha.
I had begun to think you was not going to write for I wrote you a letter the first thing when I landed the 18 th of Jan and had not heard a word from you. I wrote one again this morning and went up to mail it so I asked for my mailing sure enough there was your letter. But Love I never sent It, for I was jacking you up for not writing but I see that it is the fault of some post office. I also sent you several souvenirs folders of Newport News Va. and several other places. Did you get them.
I don’t know where the paper got the dope on me being in the hospital but I do know that I am just as live as the next one and I have been working every day since I have been in this camp.
I am glad to hear Bill he’s back home again. At present I am running a tractor here in camp grading roads. I don’t know how long they will keep me at it bus I expect for some time for there is lots of work to do and only about a thousand men in this camp now and it has had forty thousand here so you see it has taken some change.
I don’t have the least idea when I will get discharged it might be in a week or so and it might be a couple of months or more. How did Harve like the army. I just love it Ha. Ha. Did you get any letters from me in France at all. I never got a word from anyone after the letter you and Rella wrote.
I guess we are out of luck entirely four officers don’t seem to care if they ever get rid of us for they don’t push our papers through.
Well I guess I have wrote about all the news and everything else I can think of my darling so will close for this time.
With all my love for you,
Frank
Co K 56 Engrs.
Camp Humphreys
Va
Hello to all.
PS. Please excuse the pencil writing for I had no ink for my pen and was in a hurry to get this wrote for the early mail.
Frank
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Camp Humphreys Va.
Feb 14-19
My Own True Sweetheart:-
You’re most welcome letter just arrived and was more than glad to hear from you again I got two of them at once one dated the 6th just a card and your letter of the eleventh.
I think I will leave here about next week sometime for a camp closer to home to be discharged so I think I will be home before very long. I can’t say for sure when but I understand we will leave next Tuesday for Fort Logan Colo but can’t say for I am not sure about it.
It is too bad you can’t hardly wait for my sake and your own pleasure don’t start this way on foot for the mud is pretty deep.
I would certainly love to be there and go to the dance with you. Would not be the greatest thing of the Season Sweetie.
Well let’s hope it will not be long till we meet once more.
These nine months seems like five years to me.
I am going to New York City tonight at 2 o’clock in the morning five of us are ordered out to take 15 prisoners to Fort Jay New York that is right in the city. We expect to be back Sunday.
I can’t think of very much to write tonight my dear little dolly so I guess I will close hoping to see you soon. Your ever Loving Sweetheart
Frank
____________________________________
Camp Humphreys Va.
Co K 56 Engrs
Feb 24-19
My Dearest:-
Will try and write you a few lines tonight while I have nothing to do and oh my I have no lonely I feel tonight. I get so disgusted just sticking around waiting to be transferred. I don’t think it will be long now till I will be started for Fort Logan. I was over to head quarters today and they said there was going to be another bunch of men going there the latter part of this week or the first of next week and said they would try and let me go with them.
I got a whole stack of old mail the other day that had been to France and came back and I got a letter from Rella. When does her school clothes. I told her not to rush it too fast and I would sure be glad to help her all that I possibly could. Ha. Ha.
I’ll bet I can almost guess what you heard Carlson’s say after I went across but don’t forget to tell me when I get home. I sure have lots to tell you and as many questions to ask you when I do get home that is if I ever do. I got your letter asking why I didn’t want you to have one of those pictures. Who won earth ever told you that lovey. Is that some more of Maes talk or not. If you really want one I will have more made I never saw the pictures and I don’t know if they’re any good or not. I had them taken just before we left Washington and told the man if they were going to mail them for me so I never saw them after they were finished but if you want one you shall have it.
Well how is mom is she well.
Well I can’t think of much to write this time but sure will make up for it sweetheart when I get the chance to talk to you.
Hoping to see you before long I will close
Bye Bye for now
Your Loving Friend
Frank
____________________________________
Camp Humphreys Va.
March 1-19
My Dear Dolly:-
Just now received your most welcome letter and was glad to hear from you again.
I have been real awful busy the last week, not working so very much but just teasing the life out of the officers trying to get out of here and I guess it did some good the captain told me today I would get transferred next week but I am not going to figure too strong on his talk because he told me that once before. But if he told me the truth it won’t be long before I will be home.
If you want to answer this letter I think you had better address it to Fort Logan c/o Y.M.C.A.
You surely must think I am an awful masher to fall in love with my own sister-in-law. I always believed you knew me to be different from that. But Dear one we can straighten that out later. I think if I have good luck I will be home before the 15th at least.
I got the pictures of the young gentlemen OK. They sure are a fine young fellows. Ha. Ha.
Tell Harve to make his visit last till I get home I would like the pleasure of meeting him in the ass for talking about that country over there I can tell him what I think of it in a very few words but words will explain the trip we had.
Well sweetheart I can’t think of much to write tonight for the big hopes I have for starting towards home so trusting you will forget about Mae I won’t close hoping to have the greatest pleasure on earth when I do see you again.
Your Loving Sweetheart
Frank
Fort logan
c/o Y.M.C.A.