Born February 6, 1896, John C Roberts was eldest of six children of Alva Button Roberts and John Taylor Roberts. Both of John’s parents were pastors in The Church of the United Brethren in Christ and the founders of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis.) John and his brother William followed in their parent’s footsteps and became ministers in the United Brethren, while his sister Irene would marry a minister of the church. According to his 1917 draft registration card, John was a teacher and farmer employed by his father. John married Lura Alice Jones on August 12, 1921. In 1922 he graduated from Indiana Central College. In 1930 John and Lura resided in Dayton Ohio where he was a student at Bonebreak Seminary. He would serve as a pastor for a number of congregations in Indiana before his retirement. John died September 9, 1969, and was buried in Elm Ridge Cemetery in Muncie, Indiana. Lura died in 1976 was interred near her husband.
Letter from Jessie Irene Roberts
Mooresville, Ind. July 16, 1918
Dear John,
Mamma said she sent you a card this morning & I sent you a long letter yesterday. I think I will write this letter by installments because I really haven’t anything to say now. There isn’t much happening here now. Farmers are thrashing wheat & cutting grains.
Mama is a great deal better now but of course can’t eat much but soft foods heighten oats, soups, soak bread, scrape mush melon & ice cream & coffee, mashed potatoes, etc. We boiled an old hen Sunday & she ate some soup & mashed potatoes. We had beans, cabbage, cucumbers, chicken, muskmelons, biscuits no cornbread & butter, noodles & slaw & etc. Siri don’t fair so bad. That was Sunday dinner & Mamma said I had to “cut it out” cause she couldn’t keep it up when she took charge, ha ha. I told her we were trying to tantalizer, but she ate more than I thought she could. Her face is awful sore & tender yet & pains her so much. Glenn has taken charge of household affairs as you did. Spends more of his money than he should. He also tells dad “whats what” He’s not afraid anymore. He says if he is going to stay out of the Navy on our account, he is going to take care of us. Poor kid he wants to go so bad but I think his place this year, until he is called. Claude enlisted in the Navy & is now at great Lakes scrubbing ship decks. That is about where Glenn would be. I don’t think he could stand it altho his back doesn’t bother him anymore, he said.
This is an awful day, so dismal & gloomy. It is rained a little off & on all day.
I am not going to take my music lesson tonight because I have only practiced on it about half an hour. She told Olive this morning that I could take it Friday if I could be ready in time. She asked Olive to bring some songs this morning she wanted to see what kind of voice she has.
Olive said she took “Indiana,” “Love my own illegible,” & I believe she was going to sing “Last Rose of Summer.”
Larkin & Lenard Hadley are to report at Martinsville Saturday also Willard Reynolds. I expect that will be hard on Glenn also. Glenn wants us to get settled someplace before winter but dad won’t or can’t do a blame thing. Has he told his intentions to you, (Dad I mean)
I hate to have my $10 stop this fall. Mrs. Jones asked for this place, but Jim said “nothin doing” & then Ann Record had already spoken for it. I expect she will get more than I do. I don’t know. I guess the little I had made this summer has helped some anyway.
This is Aug. This letter was started July 16 – ha ha some letter.
Mother can eat most anything now except something that requires much chewing.
Mother & Glenn wrote you today. Glenn & K didn’t go to the Fort house I told you they were. She had to work. Well by-by love & kisses
Irene
Letter from Alva Roberts
Mooresville, Ind
July 23, 1918
Dear little Boy
I am thoroughly disgusted and awful mad, because it seems you haven’t been getting our mail. I wrote you a long letter a week ago today, telling you about having my teeth taken out (and other things) when I could hardly sit up to do it.
And Irene wrote one a day or two before that when I couldn’t write and I guess you didn’t get it either. In 2 or 3 different letters and one or two cards I have written recently, (and also Irene) told you we received the Company picture, and you are still asking if we got it. I cannot understand it. I’m going to put a special delivery stamp on this. Maybe they will think something important is about to happen and deliver. In the meantime chase them after the others. Did you get the letter asking if you did not need some new sox and also if you ought to send those you have home to be refooted. I have been waiting to hear from you to know if I should get more sox to send you so you could send those home, also you said you needed two more bags and I got the material and ask you how you wanted them made. Whether like the other two, or like the sox bag, and also how large you wanted them, and I have been waiting to hear.
Also don’t you think it would be convenient for you to have your bath robe. I can easily send it. I think we have received your letter is all right. I have received two or three and Glenn one and I think Papa one. About the farm wasn’t it? The mail seems to come this way better than it goes that way. I sent the last two letters I wrote to the new address you sent.
Papa went to Muncie last Friday and hasn’t got back yet. Said he would stay a day or two this week if he saw any business in sight.
The boys are working as usual. I pulled a mess of roasting ears this morning out of the garden. How is that? When I took these snapshots of you and you stood by the illegible bed, in the picture the corn is so little in the Orchard it looks like grass. And passes in Texas, I’ll stay till time for school. Hazel, Irene & I went to the city yesterday. Irene wanted to see Dr. Sluss about a pain in her side. Sluss is in camp in Texas. He joined the Army a year ago. Hazel went to Morrisons get Horizon consignment. She got some glasses cries of bothered her a great deal. That’s been two weeks tomorrow since I had my teeth taken out the roots of illegible wisdom teeth are still in there. He said to come back in two or three days to have them taken out, but they are so sore and swollen yet that I did not go up there yesterday. Besides we didn’t have time Irene wanted to do some shopping. She got two new dresses and some slippers & stockings.
Now I am going to take this up to the post office and put a special delivery stamp on it, and if you don’t getthis one, let me know immediately and I will get it after that illegible Roberts with a red hot poker, and stir him up some. I’d like to know what becomes of the letters anyhow. I always put return on them.
Aunt Nellie wrote she is coming out about August 1st.
Do you get the Carlyle paper I always send it. I am sending one this mail. Goodbye honey. Give my love to all the folks and except the Do you get the Carlyle paper I always send it. I am sending one this now. Goodbye honey. Give my love to all the folks and accept the same yourself, and don’t forget to let me know immediately if you don’t get this. As ever, your Mamma
Letter from Jessie Irene Roberts
Mooresville July 25 1918
Dearest Bruver:-
Well what do you think of this hot weather? It has been fierce for almost 2 weeks. It’s awful hot here at the shop. Not a bit of air, besides they have put a big case in here that takes up almost the whole office. It’s for ties & accessories.
Last Sunday evening Glenn Kathryn & Jim & I went for a ride. We had a nice time really. I never saw such two spoons as Glenn & K. I certainly was surprised & ashamed (too.)
Glenn & K going to the Fort Harrison Sunday & then to Riviside after dinner & then he said they were coming home on the last car. I would like to go too, but three’s a crowd. Got a letter last night from George Pennington. What do you think of that. He wanted to take me someplace Sunday afternoon & night. He said just any place I wanted to go. Jim told me last night that he had told George one day when he was up here, that I was crazy about him. So I told George that I wouldn’t go with him under those impressions. I said that altho I appreciated his invitation, under the the circumstances I could not accept. Ha ha.
Madison Township is going to have a Sunday school picnic in the town park Sunday. Mayor Jewett speaks in the afternoon. Olive also, two big bugs ha ha.
I will say Mamma & I have a new taffeta dress. Silk just think. Hazel had to have her eyes tested, so we took her. I went to see Dr. Sluss about my side (guess I got appendicitis now) & he has been in camp at Texas for a year. Gee my Heart fell clear down in my boots.
Mamma’s dress in that new color, taupe & gray, brown. It has a figuring out some thing like this: ./../. white dots an pink slits. G it is pretty. Mrs. Carlyle is going to make it $5 she charges. The dress was $1.98 a yard. Six yards. Mine is dark green silk, plain, with Georgette crêpe sleeves. Then I bought a black silk taffeta skirt. Mrs. Carlyle is making all of them & cutting & sitting a gingham dress for me. It will all be $14. Could get a nice new dress with that, but if she makes them up nice we should illegible. Mamma isn’t able to sew & I don’t have time.
We got your registered letter this morning, also views by South & package.
I told you about our a little ride Sunday, well I took another one last night. He has been going with a girl & her mother, I told you about our a little ride Sunday, well I took another one last night. He has been going with a girl & her mother, mostly mother I think & they got mad when I came here. (I learned today.) I knew he had been going there, & therefore I wouldn’t go him, but he said yesterday that he had quite, so I went last night. Then this morning they came up here & wanted him to go to the city tonight. He said he would tell them at noon. Then he asked me if I would get mad. I told him to do as he pleased it was none of my business. But if he goes, he need not ask me anymore. They were here again a few minutes ago, so I guess he is going.
As to C.H. I haven’t seen him since the I haven’t seen him since the 4th. ha ha.
(Jim just left now –good By)
Well dad has been away over a week. Expect him back Monday or Tuesday. I don’t know of which else to tell you just now. If I think of some later, I’ll write some more.
Letter from Jessie Irene Roberts
Mooresville Aug 1
Dear Bruver
This is the third letter I have started to you guess I’ll just send them all in one. It begins to look rather sceary about you leaving the US doesn’t it. I wish you could have gotten a furlough before you left, but everyone says, it’s only a matter of a few days with you if you are at Newport News.
Well, I suppose we’ll just have to “trust” and do “our bit”. You ought to see mama and her new silk dress. Gee it’s a peach & she looks like the dear she is.
No dear me we don’t know what we were going to do this winter. Glenn put an ad in the paper & signed illegible Burke’s name to it. He was looking at a place on the Monrovia road, 7 acres, seven room house modern. I wish we could get it, about a mile from town. Giffens haven’t any intention of moving & make dad sore to mention it.
I had a very peculiar experience last night. Jim wanted me to go for a ride, & I said I would go for a half an hour. We started on the Plainfield Road. Finally when we turned back he thought he would take a side cut. We went almost to the main road when we came to a creek, that we had the Ford. I told him not to try it because we couldn’t make it but he said yes he could, other people did so and we went. And of course stuck right in the middle of the creek & the more he chugged the deeper we went. He said we would have to be pulled out so he took off his shoes & waited in. He was gone a few minutes & came back & said there weren’t any houses near & he would either have to go someplace & phone or go until he found a house. Well I decided I wasn’t going to stay in the middle of the creek all night, so I pulled off my slippers & socks & waited and too. I told him I was going to start walking home, so out we lit. He said it was about 3 miles, but I don’t think it was over 2 from school house. We had a beautiful time, met about fourty illegible machines of course. When we would meet one we would turn our back & start walking the other way ha ha. Well we finally reached the school house & I told him to go onto the shop & get the truck & I will go home another way, thought I would rather go by myself. I went down all the lighted streets, didn’t care for dark places thank you. It was only 11 tho when I got home I suppose it was about two.
Jim said this morning that he went after Dick & they took the truck & went back after the Maxwell but the more they pulled the deeper it went. Just think there was quicksand there. Text to Jim got so sleepy he couldn’t do a thing so they came home & left at & went back this morning & dug it out. Do you want to time. I guess I was sure
“inniciated” (please spell it for me) never again for me. I can walk anytime without an escort, ha ha.
Just said if it had been him, he would never have left until he got the “da ed” thing out. Sounds like him doesn’t it? It’s funny now, but not then. Mamma didn’t say much, I thought she would give me “Hall Columbia.” I guess you’ll have to do that.
We went to the gilead picnic Sunday. C.H. & I & some more kids went to Bethany after dinner in his Saxon 6.
Mamma Took some pictures but the photographer did a poor job of developing.
Leslie4 is going to work at stenotype commencing tonight $18.something a week. I think Glenn was all in today & didn’t go to work. Everyone has been all in, everywhere. Blame everything on to the Germans, guess they deserve it. We are expecting Aunt Nellie anytime now. She said she was coming, first of August. Mamma is going to try to get her to bring grandma. School commences in a few weeks, Sept. 9. Gee I hate to see it start.
Went to see Dr. sluss about my side & he is in camp at Texas. So I saw Thompson & he gave me some “crude oil & licorich” & then some “Standalax” it’s call oil, castor oil & everything else combined. Oh gee, it’s kill or cure. “Iscabibble which” Don’t like it.
Well right when ever you you get a chance and so we will do the same, no fancy letters, just got all plain ones. See?
Did you get my other letters. I have written several.
I suppose you are reading a lot of War news. Isn’t the code this is the limit? I don’t see how they can think of so many different things.
Well, we are as well as usual. Dad is home now been in Muncie for about a week.
Best wishes for your comfort and success & happiness & health in the next years,
Your ’ittle Sister
Letter from Alva Roberts
Mooresville Ind
July 27, 1918
My dear little boy:
I am not going to answer your letter which I got yesterday because I do not suppose you will receive this. I am just dropping you a line, in case anything else happens and you are still at Hancock.
Papa has a letter here from uncle Charlie here and when she says that Floyd I just returned from his 6th trip over. They had just returned from conveying 12 transports of troops, 30,000 men.
They went away North somewhere. The man who is the guard at night or heavy overcoats and arctic over shoes, and it did not get dark turn on till about 11:30 p.m. and daylight 11:30 a.m.
As they returned they passed over the same spot where the San Diego had been blown up by mine a few hours before. They picked up just ahead of them 12 floating minds. They made the round trip in 18 days.
I am awful sorry about your “shots.” I think they neglected you. It will make you feel so badly “en voyage.” I do not understand why you did not get the “Times” will see Sage in the meantime will send one myself and be sure. The last “People’s Home” just came well send it as soon as I get your address. Just got your clothes. I was sorry you could not cheap nightshirts & pillow. Will send rags & sox as soon as I hear from you. Say how about sending your clothes fitting sweater, helmet & mitts. If you go North I should think you would need them also. If you are in the US and will stay a few months in training, hadn’t I better send you some nice long warm night shirts and your bathrobe? You could get some comfort out of them while you stayed.
Well this is all till I hear from you then I will answer your last period say, honey, did you know that by riding across the stamps you cancel them? If you had written “special delivery” just under the stamps it would’ve been all right. What do you think. It did not get here till 10 o’clock mail, after free delivery. Beryl call Irene up from the shop and she went up to the office and got it. Some “special delivery”- I told Irene I would have demanded the delivery charge. 10 cents that is what that is for messenger fee.
Well – bye-bye
Lots of love, and anxious waiting till we hear from you. All well, Papa still at Muncie
As ever
Mamma.
Letter from Alva Roberts
Mooresville, Ind
July 29, 1918
Dearest Boy,
Got your cards this morning. Got the one you sent from Rocky Mount Sat. morning. Got the special Friday, also the folder. I wrote you a camp Hancock Friday. It may be forwarded to you. Papa got home from Muncie today. He says the local board here is not doing right. That a young preacher in Muncie in your position exactly was placed in fifth class and is in school there.
There is an awful feeling of dread on my mind. I am afraid they were going to send you over. This one will last two or three years yet. They can kill you a half a dozen times and you never were born to die that way.
They all tell me when they issue heavy clothing they are preparing to go across. Mr. Milner says they did and Ralphs case, and he was in New York just three weeks after that before he went over. Bro Tudor says the same about his boy who is now on his way to France. I don’t see how they can use you in the ordinance with no more training than you have. I am afraid they will transfer you. The American casualty list is coming in pretty heavy now. Papa thinks they will tell you if you are going to cross soon. He says they did some of the boys and their parents want to see them. If you find out you are going across in a few weeks, I will come out and see you, teeth or no teeth. I don’t look so bad you can’t notice it much. You see my upper teeth are all there. I had a new dress made so I guess I could come any time.
The Madison Township S. S. Con was held in the park yesterday. Had illegible and church in the morning. Bro Tudor preached, and two patriotic speakers in the afternoon and the Brooklyn band. Basket dinner we all went (Papa was not here) 2S. S., And church in the morning and ate dinner illegible.
But one exercises in the afternoon began, I came home. Glen took Katie to Bethany in the evening. Open sessions down there, Daisy Barr was to preach. Leslie & Irene went with Clarence Hadley and some other young folks in a machine down there after dinner and stay the evening. Rose Watson was at the park. She is mad at you. She said you promised to write and send you a picture but you have not done either. Ha! Ha! Griffins young folks were here, Jim Haymaker was over from the camp in the city.
I will make your bags and get your sox and &c and will send them after I hear from you again (unless I decide to bring them.) Well I guess this is all till I hear from you. I picked about 1000 right tomatoes today. I have lots of cucumbers and cabbage is, beets, potatoes, beans had one massive corn. Aunt Nellie wrote she might be down after 1 Aug. All well as usual. By, bye Sweetheart
Will wait anxiously to hear from you,
Mother.
Letter from Alva Roberts
Mooresville, Ind
July 31, 1918
Dearest Boy,
I received your letters yesterday marked II, III.
I wrote one too Hancock since you left and one to Stuart yesterday so I suppose this should be marked C. I forgot to let her the other two.
I suppose illegible letters going in will be censored if those are going out. Your letter and 7-Up and censored so far, tho I noticed you wrote on one side of paper only. Is that orders. If so it will mean censorship soon. Do you think they will leave you in the ordinance? You do not know enough about it to be much help do you? Wall Street is betting the War will close by Christmas. That is fighting will be over. Lots of things can happen before Christmas even if it does. If we are on the offensive and push on German territory ‘twill be the bloodiest fighting in the ages, and piling the dead five deep as I have been doing will be by to drop in the bucket. And the allies or come in for their casualties, for finding offensive is different from fighting defensive.
I went to the Red Cross yesterday and got you an outfit. Since the War chest arrangement they are not allowed to sell it to individuals but I was supposed to turn them in to the government, who will distribute them. That would be all right if I was sure they would not run out before they got to you. That is the way several of the women think here. They have knit these things and they would like their own boys to be served first, and turn the rest over. She also said that often they would not let the boys keep anything except what the government issued. Some of them even had to send their kits back home. So she said she would let me have those things and if you could not keep them, you could send them back and I can turn them in to the Red Cross again. She did not want me to pay for them till I found out. Glenn said if you didn’t want them to keep them for him. If you can keep this outfit, and go across you can arrange and get a permit and I can send you another outfit anytime. They are khaki colored, a close fitting sleeveless sweater. (Some of the boys wear them next the skin,) a helmet, a pair of kneelets, to slip over the knees, when one has to be out and damp weather. It may save one having rheumatism, and one pair of half hands, and yarn to make another pair which I will try to get done before you go, the ends of the fingers off and a hole at the side for thumb. How old is that top also bottom, so if you happen to put them on upside down, you won’t have to change them then three pairs of socks. I got to go to War, heavy, not to mix things. One is a white pair with red, white, & blue stripe at the top. Mary Hudson knit them. Her first pair. She began them on the 4th of July. I am making your bags today, as soon as I hear from you about it I will send them. (Or bring them.) Do you think they would let me see you if I came over there? Mrs. Glenna Carlisle has a son (Paul Carlisle) in the Navy. They are now guarding the Mississippi. He is captain, has charge of six guns. He is only 21, has been in the service two years. She and her sister had arranged to go see him, but he found out they would not let him see anyone. No one of course is allowed on the boat, and they would not let him off.
But perhaps it is different with you. If you think they are going to ship you over, I would like to take a few thousand of those kisses you sent, firsthand. Say in writing, don’t make your circles quite so plain. Irene noticed it right away, written this way “with.” (The i in the actual letter has a large circle as opposed to a dot.)She said “what does he dot his eyes that way for? If you make a very small circle and very fine, you know I have a reading glass.
I think the flat top letters are least conspicuous. I think the flat top letters are least conspicuous, ”be sure and don’t make the lines any heavier.” Also a misspelled word once in a while is not conspicuous, if it is not a conspicuous misspell. I wonder if they would catch on to invisible riding on the plane side of the sheet, with lemon juice that would get dark with heating? But perhaps you could not get hold of a lemon. Well find out all you can, and tell me all you are allowed to tell. I don’t want to know any government secrets, I have any use for them, but just this: 1. Will you be sent across, 2. Will you be sent soon, 3. How soon? 4. Can I see you before you go? 5. Will you be permitted to keep this outfit?
Wouldn’t be anything criminal about answering these questions seems to me. All are well at home. Nelly wrote she would be out soon. Luther’s threshed wheat yesterday. 137 bushels I think on 7 ½ acres. Their oats made about 30 bushels to the acre. Luther has been working quite a bit for other people this summer threshing, bailing hay &c.
When I told Glen where you were he said, “Darn his heart, I wish I was there and he here.” I guess this is all for the present.
I hope you will get this mail all right. I took a few snapshots at the park Sunday. I’ll send you the prints next letter if they are good.
By -bye Sweetheart, maybe they will give you a furlough unless you come home, if you talk to real nice to them.
We all send all kinds of love and kisses. Got your package just a containing clothes brush comb, &c.
With all love
Mother
Letter from Laura Reed
Mooresville Ind.
137 W. Washington St.
(Undated but envelope PM 8/3/1918)
Dear John:
My conscience has been hurting me because I have an answered your letter. Then I received your card today and I got real ashamed of myself so here I come with an apology. I really have been busy and it has been hot-but even at that I should’ve answered on the go. Just came home from a cabinet meeting at Emma Herzog’s. The same cabinet is still in office as Ira’s severe illness and death came just as we should have had an election so Dr. Biddle thot best not to re-elect before fall. I said the same and yet not the same cabinet. Miss Ida and I (Marguerite Hallam too) were the only two who did not resign or move away. I were the only two who did not resign or move away. Marguerite Hallam has gotten interested at last and is writing up more good articles for The Times and taking more interest in at all. Norris is still Pres. by name but-has only been to League once and wants out of it entirely. I think she needs the League as much as the League needs her if she could only see it that way.
We had three illegible young peoples meetings at the Christian friends and M.E. respectively. The crowd increased with each one, and we didn’t have room for the crowd. We dedicated our League service flag that night. It has three stars, yours, Ira’s and Carl Kellars. I think the flag is very pretty even if I did not make it. Not trying to brag but that you might be interested. I don’t know just what size it is but the white is about 9 x 15 so when the red is at it it makes it a nice size flag. I made it all by hand. The big flag in the other room has 25 stars on it now. I hope to make it and it was some job. I’ve been in the city the last three days. Saw Glenn on the car this evening but not to speak to. He was looking all right.
I am still serving at home and keeping busy. Our house is for sale and shine we sell we will move to Indianapolis. Can’t say I want to move but if it seems for the best I won’t object. I want to get work there for this winter.
A woman can almost have her choice I work there now even to delivering ice. Only a little over a week until Old Settlers. It don’t seem possible it has been a year since our big work out. And how much you and I are talked of what you would do this year. That day is so stamped on my memory in so many ways even to the Apple pie we couldn’t sell at the last so put ice cream on it and ate it ourselves. Wish I had some now.
We were talking tonight of our social we had here at my home last year where we served watermelon. We are planning a social for next Friday night or rather evening from six to dark at the town park. Girls to take sandwiches and boys fruit. I wonder if we will have any fruit. (Or boys.)
I read your letter to the League the night of our illegible service. Norris came that night for the first time so I didn’t read the part where he referred to Aera. I thot not as it seems so hard for her to come back to League illegible. My oldest brother enlisted in the YMCA work and sailed for France three weeks ago. We heard this week of his arrival but haven’t heard from him yet. So when you get over there if you ever run up against Richard C. Reed of Iowa just make yourself known. He is a pretty fair brother. On your card you said you expect to be over there before August. You must mean Sept. since you wrote your card July 30 and I hardly think you would be allowed to speed so much.
Maybe I have bothered you enough for one time. Trust you will forgive me for not writing sooner but I promise to do better in the future. Hope this finds you well and enjoying army life. Best wishes
Laura Reed
Letter from Helen Roberts
RR 5, Peru Ind.
August 5, 1918
Dear Friend John R, –
Was mighty glad to receive your letter and card. Thanks for the comp on my letters. I’m sure they do enjoy yours too.
And you’ve moved to Virginia! Well you surely get to see a lot of country. The travel part of a soldiers life must be very interesting and enjoyable, suppose it would And you’ve moved to Virginia! Well you surely get to see a lot of country. The travel part of a soldiers life must be very interesting and enjoyable, suppose it would all be it’s not for those Germans; – but they will surely have to stop at some of these days. “Uncle Sam” must be sending his men East pretty fast now, judging by the number that passed by here on the Wabash railroad. Nearly every day we see them. – Sundays from four and five train loads of 15 to 30 coaches each. Two long trip trains have gone by this evening. They are taking them east from the camps in Minnesota and other places. Some folks say the war will end in six months. We all hope so. Can’t be any too soon to suit me.
This is one of the hottest days I ever saw, and it is so dry and dusty too. Esther my sister-in-law and I went machine riding with father and Edwin this afternoon. The men were trying to find some hogs for sale, and we girls wanted to get cooled off. We went through Rich Valley, Wabash, and the prairies, but neither party found what they were looking for. Attended a patriotic meeting at the M.B. Church in Peru last night. It was fine. I haven’t heard much lately from the other kids from I.C.U. as most of them are “country Jakes”, I suppose they are all busy threshing etc. We threshed last with “My dear Ethel.” That’s so sad that Shiele failed to make good, and was now running an elevator in the city. – Too bad. I suppose Kindreds have moved by this time. Mrs. K said they were going about the first August to Ohio. Mr. Kindred is going to go to the Seminary. If I go back to I.C.U. I’ll miss “my happy home” and my namesake. Got her picture here a while back. She is a dandy. I hope Miss Richie will be there. They say she went away on a three days visit and, while she was gone the professor of modern languages nearly walked himself to death trying to pass the time away and get relief I suppose, -Poor fellow!
Miss Hanger said it was just “no use trying” to enforce college rules “upon us kids”, so long as they were violated more by the faculty. ha ha.
Well I must close or I’ll ruin your eyesight.
Wishing you the best in everything. I am your friend, as ever
Helen
Letter from Beulah (Last name unknown.)
Terre Haute, Ind
Aug 10, 1918
Dear Friend:
I surely had lost track of you. I kept watching the news in the telescope regarding your work I failed to see anything lately. So you are working for Uncle Sam? What branch of the service are you in? Wish I could fight it certainly would be “over there” if possible – when we girls registered down at school and I was asked if I would be willing to do overseas service I said-“Yes but it would be an imposition on the governments to send me across” I almost envy anyone with strength yeah they say it isn’t right to envy so I always express whatever my feelings about the matter is, in lighter terms.
Well, I may teach this year – Doesn’t that sound strange? There are so many calls for teachers and I don’t know what might be best. Mother has been very poorly until the last two weeks and I couldn’t plan for anything – You see I’m the only one at the house now – one brother in service and my younger brother got married and will also be with the colors soon. I am to go as representative from ISU to Lake Geneva Aug 20.
Hope you like the army life and War come back from “over there” when the victory is won.
As Ever
Beulah
Letter from Alva Roberts
Mooresville Ind
Aug 15 1918
Dear Boy
Got your letter V. Also your bundle of letters. I hope you rec’d the bundle I sent all right, and will be able to keep them, though I don’t see for the life of me how are you can never carry that load if there is any marching to be done. Could not that’s all. If you ever need anything in the line of toilet articles or anything else, let me know.
I am very proud of the last letter you wrote. Glad the U.S. is trying to do so much for the army. On the home table legislate is curse out after the war, same as the liquor question. But I am especially proud of the letter because I have a son who can make such a confident of his mother. Reminds me of the time went a little 10 yr oh boy followed his mother upstairs on the question of the origin of life was troubling him and a boy of his old age had felt called upon to enlighten him on a good many things, and he came to his mother to ask if these things were true, and before they concluded their little talk, he had promise to always come to her with difficult problems and to tell her all he heard on these lines, that she might help him correct any wrong impressions he might get.
You did not know it then but you can begin to realize that it was a “red letter” day in my life. I’ve been watching you for ten years, trying to lead you up carefully, cautiously to that very hour, and it was worth it.
Glen went to see Sage last night and he said he was just arranging to send you the paper. He is afraid I will send it myself. Did you get a “Times” just before you left Hancock? Also the Aug Peoples Home? I suppose they will hardly forward papers. Put them in the “Y” likely.
Well I must close. Papa got a basket of apples at Johnson’s last night and I am canning them, also I have some cucumbers to can, picked about a peck of tomatoes this morning. Can can a few of them.
By by- my Dear. We are very anxious about you, because so undecided.
Glen is feeling better, going back to work. Irene feeling better also. Everybody around here on the “burn” somehow, hot one day – cold the next the reason I guess. Give my love to all inquiring friends – Ha Ha and save enough for yourself. Mother
Letter from John Roberts
France Tues Aug 20 no. X
Dearest Mother:
Well, I hereby “sat” me down on my cot with the tent furled and endeavor to see when I’m able to say without talking. Continue in pretty good health, and hope I am getting hardened slowly to camp life.
The boys in camp are well encouraged over the way the War seems to be going. Are you still in Zelda Germans are doomed. They don’t understand Americans, and will never be able to successfully upload them. I believe if God does not have some reason for a prolonging war, that’s the beginning of the end is at hand. I still retain my opinion as to the time when the war will practically close. I believe the Germans have played their last card. I believe the harder I fight from now on, to just start extent they will shorten their time of grace.
Several of the other fellows are writing letters. One fellow keeps wanting to know what to write. It is pretty hard, and keep the sensor in mind at the same time. We can’t tell movements of the army, arrivals of troops, transports, etc., time of getting paid, receiving rations from the quartermaster, etc.; we can’t even tell any probable movements, such as what time we think we will leave here for another camp, ect. We can’t write civilians in any country but the U.S., and cannot write strangers at home. There are a number of other things we are prohibited from talking about, which I don’t think of just now.
And talking among themselves the fellows usually talk about what they get to eat and what they would like to eat and how they slept and what they like to smoke and how many letters they have written and how much detail work they have been on etc.; often times about particular events that happened in civilian life, such as the time one fellow was half drunk one winter and mistook a snowplow for a street car and try to kick the engineer because he wouldn’t stop; and also about the entertainment, sports, etc., that take place in camp. Considerable time is taken up with washing, shaving, standing in line for mess, standing in line again to wash up the mess kits, etc.
I have not studied much French so far. Have been reading five chapters in the N. Test. A day. Quite a number of fellows read the Bible once in a while, the one couldn’t always suspected from their talking actions. I judge most of the fellows have testaments with them, but I don’t use them. Well, Mezcal has sounded so more later.
Back again. I will write out a little more and then hang up my washing again. I washed out some pieces yesterday afternoon and they did not get dried. It always messed at night heavily, so I took them down and as it was misty and foggy this morning have not yet put them back up. There is a little pool cemented in and said by a spring break close to us. French women come up there every day and do washing for the soldiers. They kneel down in a part of a box, on the cement about 2 feet wide that comes up even with the ground around the pool, did the clothes a piece at a time in the water, so be it, and beat it with a rod paddle. They use accrued kind of self and also use a chunk of something that looks like alum to rub on with the soap. The clothes seem to be clean and white when they get through. I got a pound from the company supply tent, got some water from the big barrel that is still in each day for a washing and shaving, and with additional help of a piece of laundry soap I managed to save the $.62 I would’ve spent. Don’t give me too much credit for the washing, however, because with the exception of a quarter I am carrying for seed, I am broke. Chasing around as we have, our pay this month has not found us yet.
Well I am enclosing a little flower I picked up and a piece of fern grows around here. I have just been detailed to get some wood, so will close when I come back. Back again, we carry wood just a short distance from the large wood pile for our range. Each company is allowed so much today. There are many of the kinds of ferns voice I am enclosing a piece. The girl one to 2 feet high, several of the stocks are leads to a plant.
We are to take a little hike this afternoon, and take a bath in a creek on the way, caring a towel and soap. Love to everyone and many kisses. John
P.S. did not get time to mail this before the hike. We went out about 1.15 and got back just now, 4.30. We washed up in a creek about 3 ½ miles out. It was not large enough to swim. Darren back was about 7 miles. The sun was out this afternoon and it made a pleasant hike.
The weather is nice most of the time, as far as that is concerned. It has not rained, say once in a while it’s fine mist, since I have been here. I hate a few black berries I found along the way on the hike – they are just getting ripe. Also picked up one or two kinds of wildflowers- enclosed.
Well I’ll put this in an envelope and get it down to the orderly tent, before I clean up for mess.
Your lover,
John
Letter from Alva Roberts
Sept. 5, 1918
Dearest Johnnie Boy,
Hello, Honey-bunch does this paper looks familiar? I found it. Ha ha.
I’m so you have arrived? Somewhere in France! Olive said the other day, mamma, the word “France” didn’t used to mean so much did it, but now it seems sort of sacred.
What do you think of that? She’s always making odd expressions but she certainly has the idea. I do hopeyou can get our letters it will not seem so lonesome for either of us, or we can keep the letters on the way and you’ll be getting some every boat, even if they are a month old. Try and let me know as near as possible where you are and what you are doing and how you are situated, and what do you think you are up against, – so to speak –
You know the new draft law, 18 to 45 has passed. All opportunity to volunteer closed. Glen learned the Navy would be open again for a short time soon, and decided to join that, but he got a tip today that there would be a chance at the Marines, for short time only about Sept 15 and he will jump in (literally jump) if there is any show.
Glenn is pretty nice boy. He has been doing his level best to fill your place near as possible to me, and he has done better than I had thought is possible for him or anybody to do, and I love every inch of him, few mothers are blessed with two such boys as I have.
The State Fair is this week, Leslie was off Labor Day. Monday, so we went that day. Stayed in town till noon and saw the Labor Day parade. Saw illegible Franklin from the Heights. She is to a man named Scott. George Perry is in the Navy, and Glenn Percy in the army.
I had paid the premium on your Lafayette policy $19.14 before I got your letter. I wrote two or three letters back and forth to them, and decided it was the thing to do. Will also look after your other policies for you. So don’t worry about them, I received the allotment $25 a few days ago. It was for the month of July. I was surprised it was 25 instead of 15. I did not suppose they would send it.
School begins on Monday. Be sure and get a permit, so I can send you things, you surely must be needing your socks and sweater.
Uncle Luther is trying to get a farm. We may move back to the farm yet this fall. If he can’t get posession till spring he is thinking of moving here in town till spring and work at the steno type.
Fay and Hazel commence work there last week, and Blanche and Lola will be in High School. Glen expects to get his vacation next week.
Well, Honey, I got your love letter, and two others, the first one you wrote, and the one marked VI dated Aug 6.
I got the last two, Thursday, Aug 29, and the first one you wrote telling me about being seasick, on Saturday, August 31. This one has not been censored and was not sealed. I don’t see how it came I did not get an empty envelope. I am awfully proud of that “Love Letter” the first and only lover letter I ever received. How in the world did you ever learn to write one? It actually made me blush to read it, I wondered if I looked so much like “sweet sixteen” as I felt? I was so proud of it, I thought at first I wanted it printed in blue with a gold border, and placed in a frame and hung in a conspicuous place, and then on second thought I wanted to hide it away and not let anyone see it, not even Papa, in fact I didn’t let him see it, and he doesn’t even know I’ve got it, but I read it to the children. Some of these days I am going to answer it.
By the way, I have not received a policy for your War insurance yet. Perhaps I better write the government about it. I will just find out if other people have received theirs yet.
A weasel got in the other night and got 13 of my nice young chickens. He has not been back cents. I keep lights around sense. Yes, green corn is all gone except a little late patch we planted down by the barn. I can several quarts of fruit of all kind very scarce, but garden fair. It was quite dry this July & August year, but has been rainy the last week or more, and quite cool too. All of his knitting you and Glen face cloths, she has two nice ones done for each of you I’m just dying for a chance to send yours. Martin wrote Papa some days ago he would send your books &c as soon as the rush of work was somewhat over.
Winnie, the colt is looking fine. Papa was a conference all week. He will probably write you about it. Shannon was reelected. Well, Honey, it is bedtime, Irene went to the fair again today (Thursday) with a bunch of girls. Leslie is at work. Glen came home tonight, and went down to Katie’s, after supper. Olive is knitting, Papa & Taylor5 are playing rook, in the dining room. I am in the setting room at the desk, writing to my “lover boy”. See us?By, by Sweetheart. No end of love and kisses from all of us, and especially from Mother.
Letter from John Roberts
Sept 6 1918
Dearest Mother
We got our rack parlay set up today. Found out that the Corporal in charge of the job was a $10,000 a year contractor in Chicago. He has charge of a number of kinds of construction work here. Was over to the “Y” tonight. Took another stenography lesson. Afterwards saw five reel “movie” called “Crookie” a good comedy – much better than the ordinary. Found when I got back to the barracks just now there is to be another kind of movie tomorrow morning. A few of us leave early in the morning. I do not yet know where but probably is not so very far. I will probably be engaged in clerical work of some kind. Well right as soon as I learn particulars. You can continue to address mail here if you don’t get word for a few days. Do not know how soon they get letters censored where I am going; they may have for facilities they’re supposed got my letter to Dad no. XV. Well try and write to each one once in a while. Wrote a little letter to Rev. France Night before last. On my list for a requisition for pkg. (I put an air pillow) by the way, our top Sargeant, Sargeant Mountain, just came down to tell me how to pack my stuff. Says I have one of the best assignments going out, and that he will tell me where I’m going after I get started. Military secrets, ha ha. He says I will get an order for my pkg. where I am going. Well, I guess I will pack up, as will not have time in the morning. Much love to all. If you don’t get this let me know and I will write you a letter for an Xmas present, ha ha. A hundred thousand kisses I’ve eaten lots of rice pudding, donuts, molasses etc. the last few days so they ought to be sweet. I have eaten no candy that’s payday is not till coming Monday, but will eat a sack of candy before I send kisses next time. ha ha) and much love from your soldier and much love from your soldier alias “rookie”, John
Letter from John Roberts
Base Section 7 Ordnance Detachment
A.P.O. # 725 American E.F., via New Yor
Fri. Sept 20, 1918.
Dearest Little Mother:
It is evening. I’ve been loafing this afternoon. We had nothing to do this afternoon so I borrowed a two-franc piece and went to town to get a haircut with three of the other ordinance boys.
I got one of the best haircuts, and done the quickest, that I ever had. The barber gave two haircuts and a shave in 25 minutes. Next we went around and got a good hot bath. The haircut cost 70 centimes ($.14) and the bath about $.10, towels and soap furnished. Then we chased around to some of the French cafés and drank wine, (light wine) beer and lemonade, I having the monopoly on the lemonade. They put lemonade up in bottles in carbonated water and it tastes pretty good. And then we came back home, – and I still had the 2-f in my pocket. One of the fellows cashed a twenty-dollar check today, was one reason for the blowout. Yesterday I walked a mile and a half out in the country, and in a little side road found a big bunch of blackberries; gallons and gallons of them. I hate all I wanted and brought back over a quart which we ate after supper. If I could only send them to you I could pick enough in two weeks in my spare time for you to put up 50 quarts or more-and no chiggers or briars to climb into neither; too bad, isn’t it? But wait till I get my tame vines to bearing; oh, boy!
Say, I signed one is called a casual payroll, which is a special arrangement for those who have been moved around on payday and thus missed the pay, and will get the $7.50 calls for in a day or two. They will deduct from my regular payroll next month. As it stands now I can probably get a photograph taken next week.
We are having fun weather. It hasn’t rained for several days, except once or twice a night. It is at least as warm it’s not warmer than it is there at this time of year. I’m feeling just as good as I ever felt, was just saying quite a good deal. I will close, as it is getting dark, so I will have light enough to address an envelope. Great big kisses all around, as ever, Johnnie.
Letter from Jessie Irene Roberts
Sept. 31, 1918
Sunday Morning
My Dear John,
I suppose you have received the letters I have sent you since the first of last June. I wrote about two or three weeks ago, since school began.
We have gotten most of your letters, received 3 the other day, including one for dad. I suppose you know Glenn is in military school at Bloomington. But he came home Friday evening & goes back this evening, came after bed clothes. He becomes a soldier October 1. Katheryn gave him a nice kit. He passed the examination.
We are all well. We four little kids are in school. Leslie is taking Lat. II & a Latin IC, a class made up of those since our last year & are making it up. That makes five subjects. I am taking six. Had an awful time to get permission. They told me the state Board of Education would not permit one to take over five subjects. I wanted to take 6 & 7 the second semester. They said I would have to make up that Latin outside, because I didn’t get it last summer. The course is rather steep & believe me it keeps me “humping.” Hist IV (American), Eng. IV, Bot. IV, Com. Arith IV, Geom. III, Lat. II. I don’t mind any of it like I do the Latin. I dropped it after I was sick. I like the teachers fine, Mr. Barts is the principal, about the size of Dixon. Mr. Smith, the Supt. Is much smaller, something on the order of Lenard Hadley, only not red-faced. Miss Burton of Martinsville teaches language, Miss Lamont Eng. & Mrs. Townsend Hist. Miss Anna Kelbem Dom. Science & Smith agriculture. Hadley the 7th and Conch be 8th. Miss Halls has Olive & Julia Hadley Dill, Taylor. Gave Conch your address. Friday, said he would like to write you. Haven’t heard anything said yet of gym except Dixon bought bonds with money before he left. Before liberty lawn Zano. We are assessed $300. The Indiana national caved on a big woman flag for writing $5000, last month. It’s a peach, about 5 x 3 ft. Have it hanging on the house between north parlor window & corner of the house. We will have to put two stars in our service flag now.
I got mamma a pin Friday, with two stars. The only one in town.
A submarine chaser & torpedo boat came through here last Sat on their way to Martinsville on 3 interurban flat cars. They stopped about 15 minutes here, with a band of sailors. We saw them. I have a Sunday school class of infants at the ME Church, & Taylor is vice president of this class.
Several of your seventh graders, freshman now, often speaks of you. We have a cow & mother made 5 lbs of butter in one week.
We kids went to the woods yesterday after leaves for my botany & got some nuts also. We have to classify over 50 kinds of leaves & press them in a mounting book. Some job believe me.
No I am not love sick. Having any body on the string now. Mrs. Richardson told me Jim had some cards printed with my name on & some of his. He was going to give them to me but I have been steering clear since I quit work, so I told her to get them so I could destroy them. He is over there almost every day but I don’t think she has them yet. I think he had his nerve.
My little boy & I have played out also. It’s too much trouble to bring up a baby, don’t try it. He acts about like Taylor would & hasn’t near as much sense.
I stayed a couple of days with Parrie tell her when her mother was visiting before school began. One night, while there we called up Hazel Kinney, Clarence’s cousin. They are on the same line as Hadley’s & when I called Hazel someone there a listen. While they were talking this fellow make so much noise with the receive her that we could hear a thing. She said she knew who it was & they had better quite. I told them if they didn’t we would beat up on them. We supposed that was Clarence. But the next morning Mrs. Hadley called Hazel up & gave her “Jessie” said she wasn’t going to have people telling “lies” about her “boy” & it was her who had been listening. “ha ha” the big baby. They are all mad now. Thank goodness, I didn’t know a woman could be such a big fool. Leslie is awful glad of it, because he says all the boys say Clarence is a big baby.
Well I must quite this foolishness. Irma Lyons is awful sick with Typhoid fever. So many have it. Influenza is going around in the camps as well as among the civilians.
Norma House is teaching at Swearington & Katheryn Anderson at Centenary & Freda Scruggs at Waverly. Mamma wants me to put my bid in next winter & go to the normal next summer. One I make a dandy teacher. Hazel & Faye are working at the Stenotype & rooming at Carpenters. Wednesdays with Evelyn & Denzel & goes to school & Lola comes in a machine with the girl who lives at the Red House, she drives a big 7 National & takes them for $.10 a day. I think Leslie & I will go with them as soon as we move. I think in a few weeks. The children want to go to Swearington school.Well by by. Lots of love & kisses till we see you. Gee I’m anxious for a picture of my soldier boy. Wish I could be one too. Would it be worthwhile to take a nurses course? Kiss the end of your nose for me. Your old Sissie Irene.
Letter from Daisy Heines
Mooresville Indiana
October 5, 1918
Dear Mr. Roberts:
Your sister Irene gave your address and told me to write to you and I am glad of the opportunity to do so. I think you will be glad to hear something about the freshman class are especially the ones who were in the seventh grade when you taught here. Nearly all of the same crowd are going to the M. H. S. I think there are about forty-two of us. We certainly help fill up the assembly.
The other day we had a class meeting and chose Lorie Brown as our president, and our class colors are purple and gold. We will have our first class party Friday, October the eleventh at Richard Taggerts.
I am sending you some pictures of the girls in our class who you know. I took my car to school and took the pictures while there, most of them were taken in Taggart’s Park.
Mr. Taggart has given the school a large flag and the school pupils are to get the staff which will be made of iron. Mr. Barts the principal said that probly it would cost about $50. I think that is a lot to pay for a staff but we wanted to last a long time.
Friday evening we are going to raise the flag and I am going to give a program for high school chorus singing most of the songs. All the people of Mooresville are supposed to be there to see and hear what is going on and also to hear us croak out a few songs.
No about paying for the Flagstaff each people is to give something to help pay for it. Each name of the pupils will be written, by their self, on paper and each class will have a bottle to put the paper in, then they will be put into the flag pole to remain as long as the pole lasts, and asMr. Barts says to show children a hundred years from now, what we did when we went to school.
Sometime soon we are to have an exhibit of farm products and the girls who took the Canon course this summer to bring some of the canned goods to school to the exhibit. This may be on the same day as that of the flag raising as the people can be there to see both happenings in the same day.
This is about all the school gossip that I can think of now. Both mother and father send their best regards to you, all of us will be very glad to hear from you. Hoping that that will be as soon as you possibly can I remain,
Your friend
Daisy Heine.
Letter from John Roberts
Pvt. J.C. Roberts, Ord. Detach.
Base Sect & A.P.O. 735A
Monday Nov 25, 18
Dearest Mother:
We have been having some rain again today. I have not started out on my trip yet, that is, I have not got farther than La Rochelle (Pallice).
Once the car is loaded and started I will be only a few days in the trip. It might be a week before I ride again after I get started.
There is a phonograph in the barracks rattling off “Pack up your troubles in your old kid bag and smile smile smile I am in a large two story barracks here. Each floor holds 150 or 200 fellows. I do not like the camp here as well as where I am stationed. It is more inconvenient from barracks to mess Hall and more scattered in general. It is also rather muddy.
The boys are all thinking about going home of course. I guess everybody wants to go home, except a few officers who are making more money than they ever made in their lives, and some regular army fellows who have to serve two or three years in the army yet anyway.
After supper. The carbide light I was writing by in the barracks gave up the ghost, so I came over to the barracks while ago after I had eaten supper (some kind of meat cake, mashed potatoes, gravy, stewed prunes, bread, coffee)
The American girl attached to the “Y” (each “Y” tries to arrange to have one, to remind the fellows of home) is talking to a fellow a short distance from me. Poor thing she has a hard time “making herself go ‘round.” Ha Ha She has sort of red hair, freckles, and a little turn up nose; but she seems to be appreciated by the fellows.
I am enclosing a money order for $15.00. My extra cash is from convoy trips. Put five dollars in the kids nickel jar as I explained in a former letter, and put the other $10 in the bank, preferably to my account (Ha Ha)
Will try to tell something interesting and make the next letter longer. Much love, from ever your lover,
John.
Letter from John Roberts
Dec 14 1918
Dearest Mother:
I see by my notebook that the last letter I have marked was written December 1. I surely have written one at least since then decide to host cards I sent and for-got to number it. Any way, I am ashamed of myself for letting time get away. I have been no more convoys. I have been working at the Y.M.C.A. I’ve been taking care of the writing room, keep me a clean as possible, and watching Inc., paper, etc. Also change the blackboard signs each day and make painted signs on paper every day or so, such as urging the boys to ride, giving canteen hours, describing entertainment nights, etc. and also do some type writing for French class to be tacked up in the way of rules, etc. I tried to watch some of the little things that one can do and yet no one might think of it, such as fixing a place to keep writing paper and tampons, etc. Also help cut wood for fires, clean up main room for entertainment, straighten up canteen and help in sales when one of the others has to be away (I stear clear of that one possible, as I don’t like to stay behind the counter very long at a time)
I talk to the Negroes last Wednesday night you can’t you can’t get the gist of thought from it much, but I am enclosing the outline.
We have three or four more men in our ordinance detachment temporary early at Rochefort. Four more ships came in the last 7 or 8 days, carrying ammunition, artillery, supplies and a few more kinds of stuff for us; so the fellows have been able to keep busy. We were only expecting one or two more ships altogether that had ordinance stuff. I do not expect many more, however, I think they are supplying all the ports till the “race to Berlin” is finished, which was instituted over six weeks ago. You have read about it if you have been getting the “Stars and Stripes”. It will be finished this week or during next period Rochefort was I had last week. The Negro stevedores, on whom the job is rusted here sure I feel proud. After this is over, I think about three, or four, at most, ports will handle American stuff. That ought to be by Jan 1. I will probably not be here long after the port closes. Neither do I think I will be sent farther into the interior. This camp will be open for at least two or three months, but I do not expect to be here longer than two months, in this camp. When I sell, it will probably be from Bordeaux. All movements will be more or less slow, I think, as the government will try to take all precautions against cases of flu, developing on board, and against cases of syphilitic diseases, lice, or other afflictions being carried back or admitted on ship board. It will take some time to get reissues of clothes were necessary also. I am quite sure I will be home before your birthday however, and perhaps by Glen’s.
Up to date, I have received letters A to O inclusive with the exception of H. Also nos. Q,R T and U, and the last on written Nov 22, saying that you had made arrangements with the Red Cross for Xmas pck,, was numbered B on the envelope. It seems to me also that I have received some other letters. I will look over my mail and see what I have missed making a note of if any. [found mor P&S]
The last mail also brought my mail from Virginia Tresslar and Ella Forrester (Former pupils) Have Irene give them my regards and to tell them I will write as soon as possible. It is curious that Beryl should have received the mail from John Calvin in Iowa. She also was the first to get word through to me written after you knew I had landed safely, and I got the 1st picture from her of you that I got in the army (when we were on the truck trip with Roy). It is clear how those things happen. Ha. Ha. However, I was very glad she was alive (and shall I say it?) still interested at the time. I wish that she would run across some good looking fellow, a little older in experience and perhaps years, who would be more susceptible to feminine charm and whose future ambitions didn’t interfere with other important interests. I’m afraid it’s a case where “acquaintanceship” won’t do, and I don’t even care to assume of brotherly attitude as I do not have I will not have rather time to devote to more sisters than I have; -(You may also tell Glenn that, if you wish. Ha) as the army has someone train me to go ahead and do things without considering the other fellows ideas so much, I may be rather independent when I get back. I am just a soft hearted as softheaded as I ever was, but in some ways a little more narrow minded, as it were.
I suppose from the letter so far, you may understand that I received the back mail that went to Iowa. One of the letters contained three razor blades. Thanks. It is the letter that you asked me if I got it. It now seems to me that I have been getting your mail better than you get mine. Did Papa get his “Xmas letter”, describing my trip across and what we did after we got here? Be sure and tell me also if the “Stars and Stripes” is coming to you. It should come every week. I ordered it three months ago. You should have been getting it for at least two months. It was 8 francs for 6 mo. subscription. If you did not get it as long as two months ago, write me and also write them and tell them to send you the back numbers for the two months and counted as the subscription. I would like you to read them, and would also like to keep some of them. I am going to send you a draft copy in case you haven’t gotten any. If I don’t get word in a week or so that you have received some copies from the Stars and Stripes I will also write them. I will not send for anymore pkgs. as I do not expect to be at this address long enough to bother with it. From the time you receive this letter on I would not send anything valuable in the mail. It might go around the world looking for me. Received your Xmas postcards which I much enjoyed.
I have been here four months yesterday. I wouldn’t mind staying the next two months if I could get a service stripe and they would let me chase around over France on my own hook during that time. I am now due for a seven days leave of absence. If I get a chance that looks good I will go sometime in January. We have to go to the “leave area” for the Bordeaux district, I forgot the name of the place just now, but on the way there I expect to hike for Paris and stop a couple of days. Of the thousands in Paris I don’t suppose the 10th have a real military right to be there. It is past the opening time for mass, so I will hang it up for the time being.
Sunday afternoon Dec 15.
Took a bath this morning downtown. Did not have time to go before the bathhouse is open Friday and Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning. Of course we have showers in camp, but the water is cold and the bathhouse rather exposing this cool weather.
When I say cool, I mean rather disagreeable. It is cool enough all the time to see one’s breath, but only once or twice has a big cold enough to freeze the mud for a day or so. It usually is quite a little above freezing but it’s almost continuously cloudy with frogs, mist, and light rains. The sun seldom shines more than an hour a day if at all. I guess “spring” comes sometime in January here.
We had a motion picture machine put in today at the “Y”. Fortunate to get it. The electric lights were finished (that is, the wiring) only yesterday. Previous to that we had a few temporary lights and use candles in the small rooms. We have our 1st picture tonight in connection with the service. Mr. Greaves , relig. “overseer” for the Bordeaux district (the Y.M.C.A. work is divided into seven districts in France) well give a sermon. I met the Gen’l Sec’t’y for this (Bordeaux) district a few days ago. He stays at La Rochelle; was formally a furniture dealer at Indianapolis, – do not remember her name.
Well now try to answer all the questions are suggestions I have received and your letters up to date that I have not answered him particular. I will not try to get them in order.
Written Nov 3 an answer to I wrote at Gievres. This is a large camp. Has ordinance, quartermaster, infantry, and medical and aerial men there. It comprises several thousand acres. The ordinance is only a very small part of the camp. We have three large warehouses one store house, one a concentration house (where stuff is shipped it in, sorted, and sent out right away and small sermons to different parts of France, wherever required) and won a building where salvage stuff was returned, assorted, and were possible repaired. That is where I saw several thousand rifles in a stack that had come back from the front. Romarenten (Romaritin) (I do not have exact spelling) is the nearest large town to Gievres. War’s is not far away. On the part of the letter which was censored out I said that the French off and sidetracked our cars to let their own go past. They may have had good reason, but it exasperated our engineers considerably. In some places the U.S. took entire control of the schedules, etc., but it was not practical everywhere, and as the French authorities always have ideas as to just how the things should be done, and as the American engineers feel that these ideas are often very unprogressive, you can imagine that there would arise some difference of opinion. However, for the most part of France and Americans cooperate exceedingly well, everything considered. Much better, I think, then the English in Americans would.
I will appreciate the Xmas box if I get it of course, and I expect to. But do not worry if it is a long time getting here. We got our 1st government issue of candy a few days ago ½ lb. a piece. Little hard candys wrapped separately in tissue paper in a tin can with removable lid. I think we get this issue every two weeks. In addition they have chocolate (bars) and another kind of hard candy at the “Y”. So we are well supplied. They also have cakes in tissue paper sack. We can get peach and plum jam. There are also “beaucoup” oranges & other fruit at French stands. Prices: oranges, $.10-$.15; lemons, $.05-$.10; apples, $.05-$.10, Spanish oranges (which I take to be pomegranites, being juicy inside with rather bitter partitions running through it, each partition containing many seeds similar to the tomatoes. The seeds are better if Judah, although they are usually eaten. I don’t care much for them.) $.10; bananas, 10 $.15; grapes (white) about $.15 a bunch; hazelnuts, a couple good handfuls for $.10; roasted hot chestnuts, a dozen or fifteen for $.10; also fish which can be eaten raw dried and some other nuts at various prices. In a restaurant one will pay from 2 ½ to 6 francs for a meal. (From about $.50 to a dollar.)
As to flu, I do not know of any cases here now. There have not been over a half dozen or so in this camp. Only two fellows that I know of I’ve died from this camp I since I have been here. Do not remember what the trouble was. I have met several fellows here back from the front. They are classified as casuals and will soon go home. I’ve heard curious tails which are true such as a fellow currying a horse – a large shell exploding-the horses head cut off and cut right through the stomach so that the fore feet and hind feet slide apart and the headless horse spread apart to the ground and the fellow unhurt. I heard one fellow swear up-and-down that he and Conrad saw a ghost on one side of a wall for half an hour one night, moving around; much bigger than a person. I have listened to the recital of being that encounters, scouting parties etc. There is no need for a fellow who has really been at the front to stretch the truth – it is strange enough as it is. The fellows who have been there are usually quiet no readily answer questions about what happened. Some of them sometimes dream about it, and I sort of nightmare style. The way practically all of them seem to feel at the front, was that things were not really happening to oneself, but more to your detached self. One does not have much time to think, as one thing happens after another rapidly one just does the next thing there is to do, and lets it go at that. There was talk in the states that the feeling of predestination was growing; if some “bullet” had your number on it you would get it whether or no. The fellows did talk that way, but that is a long way from predestination. They were simply trying to keep from worrying about themselves. They knew it was useless to try to figure out what was going to happen. If they got through they were lucky; if not, somebody else was lucky. If it was to happen in such a way, it would, whether they worried about it or not.
I have told you that I received the blades O.K. in letter. I also got papers today (Mooresville Times) for the last two weeks in Oct. and first week in Nov. also, I received the times yesterday for the second week in Nov., containing the letter I wrote from La Pallice. The funny paper was in today’s papers. I enjoy it and pass it around.
I am sorry about the Army Ins policy. Now that you have recv’d it the war is over & the chance are it won’t do you any good. Ha. Ha. I expect to continue at least part of it however after the war, on an arrangement the government War made. I will make inquiries about the Y.M.C.A. draft of $10.00. I suppose you have recv’d what are containing money order for $15.00. $5 to be used for the kids nickel box for LS & church donations each Sunday. Also suppose you’ve recv’d pkg of stuff.
I’m glad Glenn had opportunity to visit home. He said that he may leave school after Xmas since the War is closed, & go to the farm. How about it? What does Katheryn work at now?
Do you think he is really in love with her & she with him, or is his sympathy and so on our a misplaced idea of allegiance got the best of him?
I was interested in your account and letter written Sept 10, about what the kids had earned last summer and bought for winter. They did well. You had quite a time with my Red Cross stuff and with the pk for Xmas. You must have fought and lost and won a dozen battles getting them started off. It’s hard work bucking military red tape.
No T -written Nov 14
I am not the only one who did not get a slip on. Some didn’t get any slips to send. We did not get our slips until a few days ago after Oct 15, perhaps 16 or 17. I sent mine out right away. I just returned from convoy I was just starting-forget which. Anyway, was here when slips finally came. Do not know why my letter did not get there in time. I mentioned in the letter you might include money belt. Now I suppose if you got the letter finally, and the pkg. already gone, you will be kicking yourself over 12 states because you didn’t get the money belt in. Do you know and then, that I do not particularly need it, being supplied with a total of nine big pockets and coat and pants, what’s two more in my shirt. Also they can be purchased over here a a good many places. So that is settled; and you won’t have to worry yourself to death over it.
I written Sept. 11-enhancer to first letter from Brest. The part that was scratched out was I suppose that I had cramps and thought it was from the food. About half the company was sick that night & the next, they trying to tell us it was from drinking too much water on the rather hot hike to camp. I told the sergeants they were mistaken, as I know I had taken cross-country runs and drink twice as much water on the way. Later on, it was announced that it had been the food-slight poisoning, probably ptomaine. It was not severe, but very uncomfortable. I assure you. I myself think it was the first meal we ate after landing Dash supper – so they tried to tell us it was the last on board ship. Brest is far from being a “rest camp” but it may have been the best possible under hurry up conditions. I said worse there than any place on land since I’ve been in the army. It was my main “trying-out” place. It was the same for most of the rest.
Yes, you’re a little chicken is out from under his mothers wings; and, sadly, I failed to sprout any other sound. Ha. Ha. However, it has developed sort of a hard shell (like a Baptist, you know) and isn’t in immediate danger of chirping for the first pair of wings at seeds. Ha. Ha.
Well, I am back where I started, and will have to hike for mass. You can see I have been in a hurry from the scribbling. May add a few lines on another sheet later.
Xmas stocking full of Love
John
9 P.M.
Well, here I am after the motion pictures. They were good, I will put on very smoothly for a new machine. They were five or six real shown. Mr. Greaves, the district religious Director made a good talk. We sang a couple songs with the words thrown on the screne. I think the motion pictures will be a great help and keeping the boys in the “Y” and away from cognack (pronounced conyak) and painted creatures down town.
When are the boys and was working here yesterday left this evening for an embarkation point. He was a casual. So I will find plenty to do here at the Y in every way, I imagine. I also got a pretty good “Y” experience.
I hope you have a very happy Xmas, and that all are well and able to begin the new year with big hopes and forceful plans. I wish I could resolve some things and stick by them. Maybe God will help us to obtain our goal someday. His blessings be upon mama, Papa, John, Glen, Irene, Leslie, Olive, and Taylor. Goodnight and Happy New Year.
John.
Letter from Alva Roberts
Mooresville Ind
Dec 18, 1918
Dear Bobs:-
Your books arrived from Montana. (Freight charges $7.02 it cost more than here, then from here there. Ha. Ha.) I do not know whether they are all here or not. All are here that were sent tho, I think. There were no magazines of any sorts in the boxes, and no aluminum ware, nor anything whatever but box and that little wooden box of yours.
I got your money order yesterday also our “alimony” for Sept. and Act. both ($50.) I just wrote a check to Ind. Nat. Life Ins Co for $55.19, to pay for insurance on my life you know. I am sending the government checks to bank by Irene in the morning. It arrived just in time as tomorrow was the last day of grace. I had intended going to town tomorrow if it had not arrived and borrowed money on my liberty bonds to pay for it.
The other on your thousand dollars in the same co. for $15.60 will be due Dec 26, but there are some days of grace, and perhaps the dear Gov. will send me Glen’s spondulix by that time. Ha. Ha. It’s a kind of round robin, I borrowed some of your Gov. money tippy on Glen’s Ins. And will borrow his pay yours. Ha. Ha.
Yes we have been getting the “Stars and Stripes” quite a while I thot I told you. Hi son Glenn one once in a while. He says the boys at Bloomington are crazy to read them. By the way, I went over to Bloomington last Sunday. Left Mooresville at 8:15 A.M. and left Bloomington at 4:10 P.M. I arrived at B- in the morning at 11, and got to Mooresville at night at 6. In order to make connection I left here at daylight, and arrived home good while after dark and was with Glenn less than five hrs. But we had quite a nice time. We just walked around from the time I got there till I left. It is a very nice place. We are expecting him home Saturday. This is Wednesday. I saw Mrs. Watson at Evelyn’s funeral. She said she got your letter and picture and “would not take anything for them.”
Cyrus is home on 30 days (sick leave) but he is not sick she said. Evelyn gave her two babies to her mother. I understand I have not heard what arrangements have been made.
We got a card from aunt Pat saying that they were all going to robs for Christmas dinner. (Rob has moved in town for the winter and has a large house) Aunt Nellie is now at Grandma’s.
I would like to have gone over but cannot.
Papa bought two sows and 10 little pigs. Each sale has five pigs. The salads are black Poland but the little pigs are spotted. He paid $145.00 for them.
Then I had another sale yesterday he bought a lame cow and calf for $90. (cows are out of sight, butter & illegible is $.72) we get about 3 gal a day from her after the calf. The other cow don’t give much, 5 or 6 qts a day she is a Jersey seven or eight years old and I don’t think she is bread. He paid $60 something, that is more than 60 but I forget just how much more. Then he got three yearling heifers at $26 apiece. This is cheaper than calfs have been selling for a while. He got a little illegible and a stack of clover hay, supposed to contain 3 to 5 tons for $45 didn’t know its condition. If it is good it is cheap enough good cover is $20-$25 a ton.
Leslie caught a possum in his trap today. This is the two he has caught. He is saving the hides. Possum hides are worth about $1.50.
Linley’s, over at “Milner’s” House, have the “Flu.” We have not got it yet. We have not had the phone put in yet. They charge $3.50 to have it installed (Did charge $5.) and then 1.50 a month.
Papa don’t like the looks of that installation fee.
Children are practicing pieces for Christmas speak at the school house. They seem to like Norma all right.
We saw in last nights “News” in the Indiana casualty list the first name, in the last mechanic, Fred Williams Button 1715 W. 2nd St., Marion died of accident.
He is a son of the Geo. Button my cousin who lived at Marion when we did. He is the grandson of uncle will button who died at Toledo Ill. last Feb. you remember I went over there, when you were out west. I guess that’s all at present lots of love and kisses merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Letter from John Roberts
Dec 27 1918
Rochefort France
Dearest Mother:
I am sitting back in a chair with several sheets of paper plays on a book of cartoons which restaurant is cigarbox on my lap. I am in the room of one of the secretaries by his little stove fire while he is at breakfast. If I take a notion to get up enough energy, I will clear off his table and ride on it. In the writing room and large room a bunch of negroe prisoners are doing the cleaning up in charge of a Marine guard. I got them started and they won’t run out of work for half an hour when I will get them to cut up some boxes. I would expect me to carry up a bundle of wigs and costumes used for a play Xmas eve, as an accommodation to the chaplain, who wanted them taken to town that he might return them to the costumers; but I cannot find the bundle so it must’ve been sent up. I won’t start telling you what has taken place the last week.
We had very good service’s last Sunday. In the morning we had our first communion service. (The chaplain, Cunkle by name, is a Baptist from Pennsylvania. Mr. Griffith, here the Sect’y in charge is also) I helped in the service, “distributing” the wine. Well I am speaking about services, you will no doubt enjoy the news that I have been officiating out of the piano for most of them. I can’t play, but the rest that attend the services can’t either, so I pound out the alto & soprano and chord with my left hand and saying at the top of my voice to drown the discords and round up the voices that are not quite in time. Can you imagine it? There are three good pianists in camp, but not have interest in religious services.
Tues. Night he knows play was put on by the Marines. It showed some fell I was trying to be said in their bags on Xmas eve, out of respect to being so far from home. One fellow comes in and tries to get them to go to the “Y” and enjoy them selves, but nothing doing. I imagine the folks at home to spend the Xmas eve crying their eyes out, & they are going to try to do like-wise. Then a little old fellow comes in, who after some parleying makes himself known as the Xmas spirit. He throws some powder in the air which makes a gas and everything gets dark, when the back of the barracks room opens and threw a large bay window the mother of one of the boys is sitting at a red cloth selling table knitting and thinking over out loud some of the things called in the last letter from France. Her daughter and the neighbor girl come in, who are sweethearts of two of the boys watching the scene and they tell many wonderful happenings they got from the letters which makes some of the boys rather uncomfortable. For instance, there was a glowing Account of the danger of a Baker’s life, he being continually “under fire”. Then from out of the dark one of the boys would say “On the square, I said I was always over a fire, not under fire.” Anyway the thoughts upper most was the pride in what the boys were doing. Then an old maid, Miss Black comes in taking the Xmas “wet blanket” attitude toward the situation and thus thoroughly disgusts the other women. The boys recognize that they have had the same attitude and when this “glimpse of home” is over, or ashamed of themselves. The play was quite humorous in some parts, and well put on. It required about 215 hrs. For the stage fact a false partition was put in with a 6 foot square removed in the center 2 feet from the floor, and curtained over like the rest of the back of the stage. Behind the curtain, muslin curtains may the aperture it look like a window, and a large sheet being tacked on the wall behind it gives the appearance of a plaster wall, upon which a picture what is hung. To our mobile lights were focused on the picture and she decides the regular lights, which made the room look twice as large. (The automobile lights being atached to the current) When the proper time came all the rest of the lights went out and the curtain in front of the window raise, giving the appearance, almost, of a screen picture of the talked.
I forgot to say that` Mon. Morning I went out with one of the secretaries and the driver of that little cover truck that took us, and got some mistletoe & other stuff. We went about 10 miles into the country, that is, ten miles from here, there being no real “lonesome” country in this part of France. It was raining slightly and muddy and wet everywhere. We finally found a big tree that could be climbed so I climbed up and cut down several bunches of mistletoe. A couple of bunches or a yard in diameter and fine mistletoe. It grows “comme ainsi” as thus drawing of mistletoe in letter. It is in the poplar trees mostly and sure does sap their life. The stems of the mistletoe are just like branches shooting out from the tree limb. We also got some ivy & one or two other kinds of green plants with red berries. I have put some in a little cigar box. I will send it if I can.
The stage looked quite pretty Tues. Night. After the show flashlight was taken of it; will send a picture home it’s good. Some packages were given out by the “Y” after this, to all present. The package contains a can of smoking tobacco, two boxes of cigarettes, two bars of chocolate, and a pkg. of chewing gum. They have the message from the “Folks at home to the boys in France through the Y.M.C.A.
Wed. morning we had a service here at 9:30, and that 10 went over to the hospital and had one there. We sang from pamphlets containing Xmas carols. There were some German sick also there, from the prison camp located here, I suppose. There are two American red cross nurses, what is that song for the first time there. They have the room decorated very nicely. At the close of the service, we distributed a white box to each and the Red Cross had a pair of knit sock with stuff in them for each sick man. Then I went over to the mess hall and got a good dinner, for which menus were printed as for Thanksgiving. Did you get the Thanksgiving menu card? If I can get it in an envelope I will send the Xmas card in this letter. I will mark of the things appearing on the menu that did not appear on the table. I am not sure whether it was Waldorf salad or apple sauce, but it was not both. I hate that the head of the line, at 1 o’clock, as we had to get back to the “Y” early, and I am not a “hand-shaker” neither. From 2 to 4 at the “Y” we served hot chocolate and cakes. The American nurses and some French women who could talk American (don’t say English, because English is a long way from American) and some who could not, did the sewing.
I tried to keep the music going, by keeping some of the fellows singing. One purpose of the party was to let the fellows have a chance to talk to some French women who were on the right kind. I got acquainted with a Madame Laroche and two of her daughters who were present. The daughters talk good American. Madame invited me down to see her husband, who was a pastor here for 25 years preceding the president pastor. He understands very little American, as I found when I went down yesterday after-noon, but he, Madame, am myself managed to enjoy ourselves until the girls came in. They have been fixing up the Xmas tree at the Protestant church, and came in after I had been there about an hour, at 4:30. I had intended to stay only a short while when I went, but they serve the little tea about 530, and it was 630 before I made my apologies for the third and successful time, and started for camp, in time to see the four reels of comedy we went to put on at the “Y”. “It’s a good life if you don’t weaken.” Family is composed of the parents and six children. But they are ‘alf and ‘alf. The oldest, son, is now a chaplain on board the hospital ship “La Fayette” which runs from France to Greece and cares for 1500 wounded. MPs times he is a pastor in Paris. He is 37. I found out a large part of the history of the rest of the family, which I will not take time to repeat. They showed me some pictures of the boys, none of them are at home, and I have a summer place on the sea about 18 miles from here. Reciprocally, I displayed some of my snaps, and accidentally forgot some which I will needs go back after sometime. I am invited to the exodus program for the children this afternoon, and they may think to bring them there. I will go up with the chaplain, who is to make a tour, and two has arranged for some chocolate for the children at the affair. I am surprised to see it is now eleven o’clock, & as I eat early in order to relieve the others in the canteen I will hastily number the pages & beat it.
I mustn’t forget to tell you I got letter “V” written Dec 3, and the next day one with no number written Nov. 27. I worried a little about Glen but decided to stop worrying till I learned that he was really down. Will answer those letters in my next before Sunday. Regards to all and
Best love,
John
Letter from John Roberts
St. Sulpice
Thurs. Feb 13
Dearest Mother:
Arrived here yesterday evening. My car came in this morning about 10.30. I have to wait till it is unloaded and contents check before I can get the receipt signed and returned. I’m ready to start back except for it, but do not think I can get it before time to leave on the 6 o’clock train this evening for Bordeaux, where I will catch a fast express to La Rochelle. Will probably go down at eight in the morning.
This is a large camp here with also a good many ordnance men-about 400. The camp contains several thousand men; I do not know how many. There is a very large railroad yards, and 9several track cranes used for lifting tractors, tanks, and heavy supplies in loading and unloading cars. There are numerous warehouses along the tracks; majority of them belonging to the Quartermaster Corps (foodstuffs, clothing, hay etc) This Camp as one of the largest yards instead of warehouses in France. Of course, the Grievres Camp has it beat a thousand ways.
I saw one portable crane (they run on the track like a locomotive) poorly derailed this afternoon. Another crane at the same size I was trying to list its hind end so the man could swing the rear truck of the unfortunate crane parallel with the tracks. The crane which was doing the listing was locked down to the parallel track on which it rusted and was raising its own wait to some extent pulling the outside ends of the railroad ties partly out of the ground. The unfortunate crane had been hooked up to the track ahead and then trying to help raise its hind legs off the ground and lifted the track a bow shape about ten feet in the air. As I left the third crane was sailing up on on the same track from the rear, with its long, giraffe neck sticking straight out in front. I would like to see half a dozen of those cranes in a fight. They could run back-and-forth strike from side to side, or (to some extent) up and down. They could swing, their hooks, lengthening or shortening the cable, and endeavor to lift or drag each other off the tracks. We ought to add to our list of American sports.
I am enclosing some photographs of Libourne which is a large place but I judge it contains nothing very unusual. I don’t know where St Vincent is-I thought it was a picture of St Mariens when I bought it.
The hotels were full at St Mariens when I got in about 10 o’clock Mon Night so the Ched de Gare Took me to a private house that had a spare bedroom. I was going to leave the next day but my car didn’t get out so I stayed till the next. That morning the Chef he said my car would pull out at 10:30. I thought of taking a passenger train which left at 9:30, but in the trains that contain my car there were some empty passenger coaches, so I decided to go with it. I went out to where my car was about 9:30, leaving a roll I carried on a truck in the station use for baggage. Found my carriage and return just as the 9:30 passenger pulled out, which had some freight on it and which I later learned I’ve been hooked my car at the last minute. My roll containing blanket & shelter half & some personal belongings was gone. I asked two or three Frenchmen (no Americans there) but none had seen it. Ran across one who had lived in the states & knew American. He finally found a man who had put it inside hey covered truck nearby – weather for safekeeping our future reference I don’t know. I took this French man to Chef & found a freight train left for Bordeaux at noon, from where I could get a train to Libourne when my car was to be put in another train. Decided to take it. Ate dinner at hotel with the French man boy who was going on noon train (French brakeman) said he would tell us when he went out to train & didn’t! I missed the train, which left on time for once. Frenchman waited here to stay till evening passenger or Bordeaux (He like to talk to me, & I think he told boy not to tell us ha. ha.) As was standing by track where my train went out, had my Frenchman ask the engineers of another train that was ready to pull out when my train left and where a big train was going. They talked a little & I noticed a switch engine on another truck pulling a few cars. I suppose it was switching cars about yards. But it kept going. I asked the engineer where the train was bound (didn’t wait for Frenchman) answer: Libourne just three cars yet and the train would be past. “Au Revoir” I said and hopped on a little step into a little alcove that happen to be in one of the cars that will shelter the brakeman. Man where I had stayed all night saw my soapbox strap. He ran after the train with it and came up to my car and put it in. Didn’t know what he was up to till I saw it. “Merci Beaucoup” said I and the way he went to train. Must close now and finish later with pencil.
I just addressed envelope & I have decided to finish now. I have decided to leave tomorrow morning, & decided to get a cup of chocolate & cookies at the “Y” or a little pie they’re selling at one place in camp, and maybe eat a bun and some meat substitute for butter I bought in a French store which is wrapped up in some 10 tissue paper in my overcoat pocket in the barracks, for supper. I ate too much dinner. Ha. Ha.
My description of how I got to Libourne is a good sample of the funny and rapid way things happen in the army when they do happen. Add to the railway system, it is all busted up over here, and they make up trains and start out the best way they can. A fellow just has to keep his eyes open & illegible, then lay around for a couple of days waiting for another illegible I came in from Libourne on a passenger. My car went to Bordeaux last night at midnight and came back this morning as the train pulling it down couldn’t stop to switch it off as it went past
The weather was better today than I have seen it for months. Sunshine and warm all day. Here was warm. The ground actually was dry in some places.
I will wear the key stone with the key stone as shown in Stars & Stripes. I am also now entitled to a gold stripe on the sleeve, showing six months in France. The next thing I want to be entitled to is traveling orders home, and a discharge with a big` BUCK Private written on it.
I’m still expecting to be back by your birthday. I might make the 3 months course in French or English Univ., as I have had equivalent of 2 yrs college, but I do not want to stay for it.
Hope you are all well and happy
With all love
John