These letters were written by George Matthews to Teckla Schneider of Cincinnati, Ohio.
George Foster Matthews was born February 18, 1900 in Cincinnati, Ohio. George enlisted on
January 19, 1918. He served in the 279 Aero Squadron to July 7, 1918; Squadron B Gerstner
Field Louisiana to September 4, 1918; and Squadron X Ellington Field Texas until his discharge
on July 3,1919. After the war he relocated to Florida where he married Rosalie A
Cherbonneaux on August 16, 1922. George worked as a clerk and later as an assistant
superintendent at the Post Office. He died March 25, 1974 and was buried at Memorial Park
Cemetery in St. Petersburg.
Teckla Schneider was born March 24, 1899. In 1920 she lived with her parents and worked as a
dressmaker. Around 1922 Teckla married Edward Ploughman a druggist and professor at the
University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. They would have three children. She died March
20, 1989.
Ellington Field
October 11th 1918
Dear Teckla
Received your most surprising letter & thought it was Christmas when I saw your name on the back of the envelope.
Now darling that Christmas stuff didn’t make you mad did it, cause I was just kidding illegible. Ha Ha
You say you can’t think of any news to write, I just tell me how much you love me & how good-looking you are etc. and don’t get bashful when you tell me for a little joking now & then won’t hurt.
You say you couldn’t wait no longer to write to me, why letter damaged you could have weight 100 lbs. Now I bet you think I’m trying to kid illegible boxer.
Teck dear I just came out of the hospital where I spent five long days with the Spanish influenza & believe me don’t want it again. For I lost about 15 lbs in five days Teck you know 15 lbs makes a fellow pretty weak. Heres hoping you don’t get the influenza.
Teck we moved over to Ellington Field about a month ago and it sure is someplace only 15 miles from Houston and it is a sweet town and also well populated its got 145,000 population so you see it’s not a Hick town at all.
Letter damaged is 30 miles away & I know you would like to take a swim in the nice saltwater of the Gulf at Silven (Sylvan) Beach Galveston. I know you could swim there as you can hardly go under in salt water.
If you ever see Lew Henkel again give him my best regards & ask him if his arm is broke Ha Ha
I haven’t been up in the air since I left Gerstner field as we are not working on the planes over here for they are in doubt what to do with us leave us here or ship us back.
Teck can you imagine me a telephone operator well I was for about two weeks until I got the flu letter damaged I raise too much caine with the officers because they won’t put me back on the job. I guess I’ll be President of this service soon, Ive already been everything else. Ha Ha
Teck dear I don’t know how on earth to apologize for not having those pictures but I really thought I’d never hear from you again so Teck you know we are quarantine now but as soon as we get out I’ll get them taken without fail.
Well Teck it’s raining like the dickens just add present but down here they call them Texas showers. Did I ever tell you of the cyclones that chased us out of Gerstner, well are the wind blew at the rate of 120 miles an hour for about four hours straight and picks up most every building in the field & left it a total wreck.
Well dear this is about all the news I have all clones for this time hoping I hear from you before next Christmas & that you send me that large picture of yourself. I requested it quite a while ago. With Love & many kisses
From your Friend
George
George F Matthews
Squadron X
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
Ellington Field
October 21st 1918
Dearest Teckla
Received your most welcome letter and sure look every day to see if there is any mail from you.
Ha Ha. I mean about new Hankel well that sure is rich who could the lucky one be. Marge Climber is the only one I can think of. Well I hope him walk anyway. You say it is lonesome since of the amusements are closed down well you wouldn’t be lonesome if I were there I bet you that. I’ll bet it ain’t church you are lonesome about on Sunday either. Ha Ha
Its ashame that party was caught off but I had a date myself one day before I got in the hospital when I tried to get out of camp it was quarantined.
Well I’m not operator no more they change here like the weather & when I came out of the hospital I was put on the wrecking crew which brings back wrecked ships, we get quite a few long trips on this job I don’t have to work unless some plane falls.
So you would like to be an operator or why don’t you try to get it any one can operate a telephone switchboard.
You must be awful busy if you haven’t got any time to get your picture taken, but I’ll let you know that you have letter damaged more time than I do and I’ll at least try to get mine taken as soon as the quarantine is lifted & I want you to do the same. Don’t worry about breaking the camera, I’ll trust you any days. I sure would have liked to have seen you in those male uniforms but I guess I’m out of luck. There is some talk about us going back to Gerstner but in the army you can’t believe anything you hear & only half of what you see so I don’t believe we’ll go back, anyway I hope not.
I don’t care if you write with a feather, I can read anything written by you and more letter damaged.
I think I ought to drink some ink that probably would make me write more. Ha Ha.
Teckla dear it’s the truth that I can’t think of much to write to my dear little girl as I haven’t been to town nor near town since I came out of the hospital so can’t think of any more & I’ll have to close hoping to receive a lovely letter from you soon. PS excuse the writing I was in a hurry.
With lots of hugs & kisses from your friend
George
Squadron X
Ellington Field Texas
Ellington Field
November 13, 1918
Dear Teckla
Received your letter & was glad to here from you as you are the dearest girl on earth. Sell me & Lou are not on doubts but I get more to do than write letters to everyone I know. Ha ha. So I guessed who the will be the bride is, well I ought to be able to guess he has going with her since the year 1901. Ha Ha
Thats too bad your friend lost her sister but we can be glad we ain’t got it for pneumonia sure is the style nowadays for it is developed through the flu. But it sure goes hard to lose someone near to you.
Our quarantine will be listed in about four days and I sure am going to shit for a vaudeville show as the last one I saw was in New Orleans when I came down to Gerstner and I sure I am stuck on a good vaudeville show.
I hope everything opens up in Cincy so you can go out and enjoy yourself because I know what quarantine is, we have had it long enough and Ill sure be glad when it is lifted.
I thought I wouldn’t get no more rides but I managed to bomb illegible yesterday and it sure was an enjoyable one for it was a new plane and a good pilot and he gave me an exciting ride believe me. This field is two times as nice as Gerstner but my ambition wants to go across and now I have given up pumps so Ill have to make the best of it I can.
It’s a shame cops stopped your party but I’m glad of it for my little darling may have caught the flu, and then I would be cheated out of my hugs & kisses and wouldn’t know what to do. Ha Ha.
I just go a letter from Griggs nursery also has cello & he told me that one of my old pals died of the flu and not sure I was sorry to hear that as he was a good friend of mine from Washington PA, he was one of about eight from Washington that I met at Columbus Barracks Ohio.
Talking about resting on Sunday and today was Sunday and we played ball all day against Squadron L which we beat two games, one in the morning and one in the afternoon so you see we had a fine rest, I’m about all in and expect to go to bed soon. Ive gained oh my weight back and today in uniform I weigh 155 ½ so I aint as little as I look.
Teck won’t you do me a favor by getting your picture taken as I sure would like to have one and I’ll be much obliged if you would do that for me. I’ll promise you one of mine within the next three weeks. Now if you like your little soldier boy you’ll at least do that for him. Ha Ha.
Well Teck dear I can’t think of any more only if you see Lou give him my best regards & tell him I wish him all the luck in the world. I’ll close hoping the hear from my darling real soon. Your friend
George
November 16, 1918
Dear Teckla
Received that almost letter of yours when was glad I got what there was of it but I will say there was very little of it and not even a kiss. I bet you like to write letters illegible it must be like Castor oil to you. Yes I was glad to hear the war was over but I guess I’ve got about six months yet to serve for you know they aint going to let them all out until everything is cleared up and I’ll be just one of the unlucky ones they’ll keep, I feel it in my bones.
So they lifted the ban and danced on fountain Square. Well if I would’ve been there I would have done more than justice to Rbt Hidlebergs place and got good and lit up.
Did Lou Henkel get married yet. Let me know when he does.
Teck how is everything up in old Sensi, I don’t know if I’ll come back that is for a long time & if I do it will only be for a short period and then I’ll leave the old town for quite a while.
Did you read about our American ace of aces is from Ohio, he’s from Columbus Ohio.
So the state had one real fellow in it at least.
Teck we had a small group picture taken uptown last Saturday, there’s about nine of our gang on it but I’ll send do you want in the next letter.
Teck ought to have plenty time to write a nice letter for I have time myself and if I don’t have time I take time some time I have to write half of your letter at noon & half at night to finish & I don’t see why you cant get time.
Just got a letter from a friend of mine in France and it sure makes me feel like I’m lucky to be on this ride so long & never getting across illegible I aint running this army so I have to do what they want & not what I want.
Well Teck dear I’m going to close hoping to hear from you soon & if you do not want to write leave it drop and forget about it, you no I am not compelled to write but I do it because.
Well Teck lots of Love and Kisses from your little Soldier Boy. Lots of them
George
November 25, 1918
Dear Teckla,
Received your most welcome letter and was awfully glad to hear from my Little Lump of Sugar.
Don’t get it in your head that I like Texas for its rotten the sooner I get back to Cincy from here the better.
Sat Teck don’t think I want to go across the pond now for if I wasn’t lucky enough to go across on the War was on, I don’t want to be unlucky enough now for there is nothing to see over there only the battle and thats off now.
Ill share my sympathy with that girlfriend of yours that was engaged to be married for I can’t imagine how she feels.
Teck dear you say I might have been lucky I didn’t get across, well it sure aint my fault that I didn’t for I should’ve tried enough screens to get over and all of them failed. So I was just out of luck.
I’m glad to hear that you think enough of your little friend to write to me every time I send you a letter.
“Teck Darling” I’m only using this paper because it is all I can get hold of a present.
Tonight we have Joe Boggs former actor & comedian who has raked together a company and is performing at our club in about 10 minutes. There’s a quartet in the play and they sure are good as I heard them all day I work with two of them and that’s all the work we do is sing all day.
There is a fellow playing the piano at the present time said I wish you could hear, he’s the best I ever heard, he can play both ragtime & classic and believe me he’s got me wiggling add the presents minutes and I wish you were here to dance this fancy one step he is playing with me.
Sooner I hear from you the happier I feel and don’t delay a day when you get this. I’m sending you a small picture of my gang Ha Ha. How do you like it.
Teck dear my brain is working tonight like yours did the letter before last and I can’t think of any more to write. So I’ll close with a million kisses to you, write soon
George
P.S. what do you think of the picture aint I a dear Ha Ha.
Ellington Field
December 6, 1918
Dearest Friend Teckla,
Received your ever welcome letter & picture and sure was glad to get it. Your picture looks just great , you look even better than an army discharge and you know how I’d like that Ha Ha.
You don’t have to tell me to come and see you when I get back for all do that anyway, and be sure you have a kiss waiting for me when I get there. Ha Ha
So you don’t care what kind of paper I wrote on well I’ll write on —Why-paper.
I am awful sorry to hear your family is having such bad luck with the fluids. Four I had it and know exactly what it is, but I would have liked to had you as a nurse, I know I would have been sick all the time for you know that song, I don’t want to get well. Ha Ha
Well Teck dear I am feeling fine and hope I stay that way so I don’t catch the flu again.
Gee Teck I wish you were here right now, there’s a couple of nuts here from Philly to see a friend of mine and you should hear them play the mandolin, violin & flute. Their simply great, just now their playing “I’m sorry I made you cry” and it sure is fine.
Well Deary Xmas is drawing near and it sure hurts me to think that I won’t be home but as they say it’s all in the game, but I don’t like the game. Ha Ha.
When I do get home the first guy that kids me and cause me a home guard better get a wooden kimono for that is one thing that will make me mad for there is no one that tried any harder than I have to get across and sort of feel ashamed to come around but anyone with common sense knows that it aint what you want in the army its what they want.
Sunday the Enlisted men play the Lieutenants a game of ball and I was elected Captain of the Enlisted Men’s Club and I’ll bet 10 to 1 we did them by 5 runs, we got about 5 fellows on our club that played Minor League Base Ball and with their great Captain they can lick anything even a postage stamp. Ha Ha.
We played the Cadets last Sunday and we beat them but it was a hungry game the score was 0 to 8. Ha Ha
Well honey my brain aint working right tonight and I’ve run out of words so I’m close now while I’m looking at your sweet picture.
Yours as ever
George
P.S. Answer Real Soon
Lots of Love and Kisses from your Loving Soldier Boy
George
Ellington
December 20, 1918
Dear Teckla,
They got me in the hospital with the flu again and from the looks of things they expect to keep me a while.
They brought me up here the 19th and I guess I’ll be here till the 29th. Of course it’s just my luck, because if I hadn’t have gotten sick I could have got one of those 13 day passes that they are giving out over the holidays and came home, that’s if I could’ve gotten the money.
But I guess they would have been glad to send it do you have there darling boy come home again Ha Ha.
Teck dear how is your family getting along, are they still sick
Teck I got a new nurse this time and she sure is a peach, but I’d much rather have you for my nerves. If I did I’d always be sick. Ha Ha.
Say did Lew Henkel ever get married, if you find out let me know.
The Texas Base Ball League is going to start in April and therefore I get my discharge before then, I’m going to practice up and try and horn in, because it’s going to be stronger than in former years and I’ll have too show up good before I even get a chance.
If I can’t horn in on that I’ll probably go out in the oil fields for about six months, and see how I like it but the main thing Teck is a discharge.
Here comes that nurse around taking our temperature now I’ll tell you what it is 5 min from now.
Teck it is just one hundred & one it’s going down, last night it was 102 3/10. If it keeps going down like that I’ll be out by Christmas.
I haven’t received your last letter yet but probably it’s down the tent and I’ll get it’s when I get out of the hospital. All I get to nurish me around here is, Coco for Breakfast, Soup for Dinner and the same for Supper and then we get medicine during the intermission. Ha Ha
Can you blame me for not liking this place. But I can’t afford to lose a little weight as I weighed 160 when they took me in here. Teck Dear you’ll have to excuse the writing because I am writing in bed with no foundation.
They just brought a Victrola into our ward and it makes you feel so much happier especially when they play the Graveyard Blues Ha Ha.
Well close now hoping I hear from my sweetie soon
Your Best Friend
George
With Love & Kisses
Ellington
December 24, 1918
Dearest Teckla,
Rec your always welcome letter and was extra glad to get it when I did four I’m in the hospital again with the flu and a letter from you makes me feel so much better.
I’m glad to hear you are through working overtime as too much work for a girl is not good for her especially when this flu is around.
Teck you want to take good care of your calls as that is the way my flu always starts. I am glad your family is well again. Especially for Xmas for it is not nice to have anyone sick on Xmas cards spoils your whole Xmas.
Teck I guess you are right, the squirrels could get a good seat around our tens for we sure got a bunch of nuts around here. They brought my mail up to me today and I got both your letters or rather your letter & your card and that card was very nice indeed and that little four lines poem in it was nicer still for although it wasn’t long it had a lot of meaning to it and I wish I could’ve gotten the town to get some myself.
But this flu knocked me out of everything for Christmas & the only hope I got now is that I get out by holidays to come home and would have taken it if I could have money from which I am sure I could and I could have come & seen you.
Well it’s too late now so I’m out of the lock & got the flu on top of it so I’ll close thanking you again for remembering me with that beautiful card. I also wish & hope that you and your family have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
Lots of Love & Kisses from
Your friend
George
Camp Ellington
January 6 1919
Dear Teckla
Rec. your most or rather always welcome letter and was glad to hear from you.
I’m awfully glad to hear you are well for anyone that goes to dances is bound to perspire and very apt to catch the flu, and when you dance Teck be sure you put a coat on or something around you so you don’t catch a cold.
Don’t worry Teck about me taking the looks off anybody for me out of the hospital now & feeling great and besides the only thing I ever take the looks off of is your picture which is hanging directly over my bunk. Ha Ha. Teck since I got out of the hospital I’ve Letter damaged
lot of weight and Letter damaged
now up to 160 lbs. Letter damaged
very proud of each Letter damaged
for it makes a fello Letter damaged
look a lot healthier Letter damaged
Gee Teck when you Letter damaged
Working overtime at that candy factory do you want to have sent me about ½ of the factory at least. Ha Ha. You say you allmost got sick of it, well allmost ain’t getting sick so I remember that you still like it.
I certainly wish I could have been there New Years but by the looks of things down here I may not be able to get out by next New Years for they haven’t showed any signs of discharging the men yet.
I was over to Dallas new year night in a big Hudson super top along to a fellow I used to know from Charleston W. VA. He’s going to play ball down here this summer & he brought his car along and we had a very good time, but it didn’t go good with me having just gotten out of the hospital but I knew enough not to go back to the hospital when they get you in there they keep you too long to suit me. Ha Ha.
They had a bunch of pillows dissembling airplane this morning but there were too many so I snuck off and when you sneak off of a detail here you’ve got to hide someplace so we picked out the Knights of Columbus Hall because I have a player piano and a Victrola up
here and all the Letter damaged
sure keep them Letter damaged
motion believe me Letter damaged
I wish you were Letter damaged
Friday nights for Letter damaged
runs dances on the Letter damaged
of each week and Letter damaged
have about 75 or 100 girls from Houston and a swell string band better known as a jass band for they sure are good.
Teck if anyone talks about the sunny south, just tell them I told you that the hydrous frees up down here now & then overnight and that rain is a speciality.
We just got over a cold spell that lasted about two weeks but I guess it will stay warm now for a long time.
How is the weather up there. Teck I wish you could hear some of the arguments that take place in the various tents on a cold morning, but who is going to be the first one up & light the fire. And if all the lazy fellows our tent gets a turkey for you can see them falling out about five minutes late every morning and its fun to see all six of us sneaking into our place in the line. They caught Ed Scott a pal of mine last Saturday & put him on KP that means work in the kitchen Sunday and Id hate to have you here all he called them. What he had to do it and we, or give him the last and he was going to let all of us, but he’s a fellow from Phila & not responsible for what he says. Ha Ha.
Teck if you want to see me have a lot of fun, just mail this for me Letter damaged
don’t want him to Letter damaged
who sent it. Its Letter damaged
discharge & he’s Letter damaged
to go. Ha Ha. Letter damaged
Well Ill close now Letter damaged
hoping this finds you all well
Write Soon
Lots of Love & Kisses from
Your Friend
George
Ellington
January 28 1919
Dear Friend Teckla
Received your most welcome letter and that’s usually very glad to hear from you. So the dances are started at Heidel’s Hall, well that’s nice and I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. But don’t forget when you are leaving that good time to think of me. Ha Ha.
Teck you got me all wrong when you think I have it easy now down here, or we don’t, and if I have to say it myself we got it pretty darn hard.
Teck you forget that we have to eat this army chow and sleep in an army cot, and do you want some bonehead corporal or sergeant tells us, and stay in camp because we are broke, and come back to camp on Monday Morning whether we want to or not. And a lot worse things that make it miserable for a fellow.
And what makes it worse than ever is that I have to sit here today and say we done all those things for one year as it is a year today.
I have one consolation and that is that they can’t keep me another year because I emergency. Will be up before then anyway I hope it is. Ha Ha.
Teck if you help me hope and probably will come true. You say you can take in washing when I get back. Ha Ha. Do you also talk with your hands Ha Ha.
Yes Teck we beat that squadron worse than a drum of beats a drum when we played ball with squadron cage and as you say good players always win especially when there are “gooder at it” Ha Ha
So my little Darling would like to see me, well you don’t want to see me anymore than I do you, and when I do see you, you had better run for I’m going to squeeze you to death Ha Ha That’s if you’ll let me.
We are having fine weather down here now and the only objection I have to it is that the nights turn too cold. Last night I put two blankets over me and by morning I could’ve used 6 of them.
Teck dear you are not the only one writing on Alms & Doepke paper for a fellow in my tent just got a letter from New York and it was exactly the same paper as yours only the addresses of New York & Cincy are exchanged or reversed. Writer was also a girl and we compared pictures, but I finally convinced him that the Cincinnati Girl was the prettiest. He’ll probably argue again tonight but I am ahead of him one mile and arguing especially when it comes to females. Ha Ha.
Well Teck you’ll have to excuse the writing for I broke my fountain pen and can’t do much with a regular pen so I’ll close, hoping to hear from you real soon.
With Lots of Love and Kisses
From
Your Loving Friend
George
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
February 7
Dear Teckla
Received your most welcome letter I’m not sure glad to hear from you. How are you and are you still working as hard as ever, I hope you dont overwork yourself. Ha Ha.
You say I never knew I’d have this hard, well I didnt know it and I aint sorry I enlisted, but I sure would like to get out now for I feel as though I am entitled to be out the same as anyone else.
As far as being broke and going to town is concerned Id rather stay in camp, for I do hate to go in town and see all these fellows that are discharged are there many boys back from France. Are you going to West illegible high School.
Our whole Squadron is confined to the post we’re not standing retreat, which means standing in formation when they play the colors, the reason we didn’t stand it, was that it was payday and all the boys were busy shooting crap.
Teck there is a fellow down here that owns a Buick and tomorrow we are going down to Galveston beach to take a good swim, I wish you could be with me so I could teach you how to swim, that’s if you don’t already know how. I don’t think you do for I’ve never heard you speak of swimming so long as I’ve known you. I’ve got that mean job staring me in the face now, it’s a big washing, and anything I hate is that. So you like that picture virtuous wives, I’m glad you liked it, for pictures like that are worthwhile seeing for they are also a lesson.
Well Teck I’m close now as I’ve got to do that washing and I’ve got quite a bit, so I’ll say goodbye this time, hoping to hear from you real soon.
With lots of Love & Kisses
I Remain
Your Loving Friend
George
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
February 14, 1919
Dear Teckla
Received your most welcome letter and was glad to hear from you.
How are you this time, I hope you are as well as I am for I sure am feeling fine. The only thing I’m sick of is the army and you sure can’t blame me for wanting to get out.
Teck I’m sure now that I am good for about six more months because our commanding officer hinted at it yesterday, when he said that all those that were not out by the end of February were good for six months and I know I will not be out this month for they are only discharging fellows that have affidavits in, to the effect that they either have a job or dependents waiting for them. So I’ll have to stand the gaff that’s all there is to it.
So Teck as a rule I do all my washing on Saturday that’s if I don’t go no place and as far as doing it in a hurry, you are mistaken for it takes me a whole half a day to do it and I want you to understand that it’s done clean Ha Ha. We broil all our cloths in a big clean Ashkan and when they come out of that broiling they need very little washing. Ha Ha.
Say Teck the next time you see Clyde ask him if he’s too lazy to write or if hedon’t want to “which”. Ha ha I guess his arm is broke. Ha Ha.
I guess it’s about time I’m getting my picture taken, so when payday comes around I’ll do that for I really haven’t had one taken alone since I’ve been in this army.
Well Teck I’m about to be transferred to another squadron but don’t let that hinder you from writing to me for if you address it to the squadron ask as you did I’ll be sure to get it. They were going to burst up our squadron to fill up the Barracks and that sure disheartens a fellow for when he gets transferred to the Barracks you are always taking some lucky guys place that has been discharged.
Well Teck I’ll close now hoping to hear from you soon.
With lots of Love and Kisses
I remain
Your Loving Friend George
Squadron X
Ellington Field
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
March 13 1919
Dear Teckla
I received your most welcome letter and was very glad to hear from you. Teck oh excuse you for not writing sooner, but don’t let it happen again. Ha Ha.
I am very glad you have been going to the church regular for that’s what all good people do we have church out here on Sunday morning at the K of C and I’m always on hand except when I’m in town and then I’m too tired and have no one to wake me up so I don’t get up until 12 bells.
I’m very glad your party turned out so nice and I’d be very much obliged if you have one when I get home, I’m glad Letter Damaged thoughtful.
Don’t worry you will not forget how to dance in such a short time.
Teck I’m working on the planes again and getting quite a few rides, I get one almost every day.
The boys are sure raising Cane down here. Last night they had a red flag carrying it around and it sure had a number of followers. The fellow carrying the flag was put in the Guard House.
They cadets on this field sure are getting a roasting and I would not take all the insulting they take for $1000. The cadets are these photos you see with these white headbands and they’re learning to fly and they said that they are the ones that are keeping us here. Of course they are but you can’t blame them for some of them are only a few hours away from commission and you can’t blame them for sticking but they should remember that they are not playing square with us. Of course bad few hours means flying time that they have to put in.
I’ve been keeping a record of the time I’ve had and I counted up to 31 hours and that is sure a long time without coming down. Here’s hoping I never do come down although windows over on our back once while landing. It sure was a funny sensation. I had a sickening ride the other day but it sure was a peach and I’d be willing to get sick again to get another ride like that was.
I guess Lou Henkel is not married yet.
Well Ill close now hoping this finds you in the best of health. Don’t forget to write soon. I remain With Lots of Love and Kisses
Your Loving Friend
George
Squadron F
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
March 22 1919
Dearest Teckla
Received your most welcome letter and was as usual glad to hear from you. How are you by this time you never tell me if you are sick or well.
It sure did surprise me to hear you quit illegible for I thought you was going to marry the place. Ha Ha.
Say Teck what kind of work are you doing are you a sales girl or a milliner.
Teck I imagine you would change your mind about that ride you want, if you would happen to get up with our wild man as we call him, we also call him the Irish Ace for his name is Gallagher and cheese as wild an Irishman as his name. He was an instructor for six months and now he has charge of the radio stage where I work. He has given me quite a few instructions and if I have to say it myself I can fly and ship myself but I can’t stand. The hardest part about flying is that you have to be very careful when you land or you’ll fly right into the ground because the ship is always going faster than you think end it gets to the ground before you have chance that sink. I made eight landings this week and I’m doing fine at least Gallagher says so and what he says is lol for he sure is some flyer. I just heard from Clyde, his letter came with yours and I’m going to answer it after this one. We are having fine weather down here my nose is as red as a beat from working out on the flying shield without a hat. Ha ha.
The only ship I haven’t had a ride in is this big Hanly Paige that carries 11 passengers. And I expect to get one in that soon. I had a good ride in a De Haviland Thursday and the next time he went up he smashed up and killed himself & a passenger. It sure was hard luck but you never can tell when you are going to get it that’s why I won’t drop my insurance ha ha. I have $10,000 worth and I figure they can use it at home if I should get unlucky. But here’s hoping horseshoe never fails.
Is Lew Henkel still a Marine or is he a civilian again. It looks as though we will never get out and I’m beginning to believe I won’t I will be out by September. But I’m hoping for the best.
Well Ill close now hoping to hear from my sweetie soon. I remain your loving friend
George
Squadron F
With Lots of Love & Kisses
George
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
March 30 1919
My Darlingt Teckla
Received your most welcome letter and was more than glad to hear from you. How are you by this time, I’m feeling fine myself and I hope you are the same. I’m laid up with a sore ankle that I derived from yesterday’s ball game which we lost by the score of 10-2 so you see good players don’t always win. It was the first game we lost so far and it sure was a heartbreaker, for we was sure we would beat them and I guess overconfidence is what must for us. Because I know we have the best team.
Teck, I never knew you ever went down the rink or cared about it; don’t worry about dancing on skates for I can’t myself, but I don’t imagine it would take you & I long to learn.
You asked me what I thought of that picture? Well I think it’s a real pretty picture, but I think about it I like that is that wonderful smile. Teck every time I look at that picture I just have to return that smile. Ha Ha.
You must have ate a lot of eggs before you wrote that letter for you were full of yokes Ha Ha.
How do you like that one. It rained hard yesterday so they are not flying today because it is too wet; I have a lot of work to do on my ship but I skipped off to write you these few lines.
There isn’t a chance of getting out as yet and I’m sure there won’t be for quite a while.
Teck those dancers at Inwood haven’t started yet; how very? I hope I’m home before they close down. They have quite a few good dance floors & halls down in Houston but I very seldom ever go into dance & probably you’ll have to teach me a few steps when I come home. So I don’t imagine I know how anymore, although I never was very good at it.
So Lew Henkel it’s still a Marine, well I thought I guess he’ll be out before I am that is unless he enlisted for four years. Ha Ha.
They are offering fellows down here all kinds of inducements to reenlist for a year but they are not getting very many suckers. I could get the First Class Sergeant rank if I was dim enough to reenlist; but no fish bites twice. Ha Ha and I don’t intend to.
I’ll be frank with you and tell you the truth, “I wouldn’t reenlist if they made me a Captain;” so you’ll see I don’t care much about army life.
How is the weather up there is it warm enough to play ball yet, or are they still ice-skating. They have a new secretary at the K of C in the game of ball we played on the K of C grounds made me acquainted with him, for no more than I went out on the field he called me by name, I looked around & sure enough it was a fellow I played ball against many of time. His name is George Deal. Are you sure they grow & I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him. But it sure feels good to meet a friend when your down here among all these long horns.
Well I’ll close now as it’s about time I’m getting back to work.
With lots of Love & Kisses I remain
As Ever
Your Loving Friend
George
P.S. thanks for the picture
P.S. Excuse the writing
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
April 29 1919
Dear Teckla
Received your letter quite a while ago but as I never got another one for so long I thought I may have forgotten to answer this one, because I was away from camp for a week & a half with the Field Base Ball team, we played Galveston three times, Houston once and Dallas once while away we only won two of these games but they were still all good games such as 3 to 1 and 2 to 0 etc. which is a good score against a Texas League club.
While away I featured by knocking one home run against Galveston & 1 against Dallas.
Teck you sure must be a swell skater. If you like skating I’m awfully sorry it’s going to close.
I guess Inwood will soon be open for dancing, I’m sorry I can’t be with you when they start.
I’m working on De Haviland now and I enjoy riding a lot better now for they are a lot faster than the others they make about 145 miles an hour.
When I received your letter I couldn’t imagine where or who it was from although I did recognize the writing. But it had me guessing for I know someone in Bay City and I thought it was from him.
Teck that little piece of poetry sure was nice on the back of the letter, “Did you make it yourself?” Well I can say the same for you.
I’m going to put in affidavits to try and get out, and asked that don’t work I’m sure six months will be only a part of my time I’ll have to stay in. I say this with regret but I fear I’ll have to do it.
I certainly missed a good year for Ball because if I’d been out at the beginning of the season I could’ve done a good job playing with Houston in the Texas leagues. Now I am out of luck for they got too big a start on me. I had a fine time on the beach in Galveston during my stay there and the swimming was fine because it’s a legible as fireworks down here now.
Teck if you don’t mind I’d like to know where you are working, because I have a friend working where I think you are & if so I want to make you acquainted with her. Well I’m close now with Lots of Love and Kisses from
Your Loving Friend
George
Write Soon
Tell me where you are working
Ellington Field
Houston Texas
6/14/19
Dearest Teckla
Received your letter a couple of days ago but as I was to be discharged I did not answer right away.
If I would have gotten my discharge the 12th I would have been home tomorrow understand we got held up till the 25th, then we are going to be sent to demobilization camp nearest our home. By doing so I got beat out of my five cent a mile fare which I could have saved about $40 on if I would have gotten it. So you can see how the army appreciates our staying in and doing the other fellows work. But when I get out I’ll be more than glad to even give up my bonus if they‘ed ask me to. I guess I’ll go to camp Sherman and I am hoping all the time that I will not be kept there long.
Teck I certainly will excuse you for not writing for I couldn’t expect you to write if you didn’t receive my letter.
We sure are having a lot of fun down here now as all the boys have just as good as stopped working on account of the Raw deals we are getting.
Imagine I even signed my discharge for the 12th already, thank God examined. You can imagine how it felt to be held up. Well Teck I hope you’re having a good time. I’m awful sorry you don’t like your new job. Teck you ought to be like the soldiers if you don’t like a job don’t take it.
Well I’m close now hoping I see you soon. They’ll be no use writing as I’ll probably leave before I get the letter.
With Love and Kisses From
Your Friend
George