Hide Article Text (OCR)
SOLDIERS IN LETTERSHOME FOLK TELLBUREAU COUNTABOUT LIFE IN ARMY*KASBEKH.Princeton Young Mail Describes Experiences at Great Lakes Naval Train ini? Station on His ArrivalManlius anlt;l Ottawa Soldiers Tellof Hun Drive.NEWS FROM FRENCH FRONTThe following letter was received by Wm. H. Dabler, of Manlius, from his son, Harry Dabler, who enlisted and is now in France:Somewhere in France,March 2 2, 1918.Dear Dad:—I cant realize yet that we are over here. It seems just asthough we had moved from one station to another in the states. Had a dandy trip over and very little excitement. Found fine weather hero—warm in the day time butcold at nights, heed all the blankets we have. Had a march from pier to camp and by the time we got here our packs weighed about two hundred pounds. Found from some names that w^ere written on desks in the “Y” that Glee Seibel had been in this camp a short time ago, but his outfit left before we got here. Sorry we didn’t get in early in the month and I would have probably run across him. Have only seen tthe portion of town we passed through on our way to camp but it was very interesting. Hope later to get a chance to see more of the towns. What Erwin wrote about the Tail road equipment w'asn’t exaggerated from some of the dinkeys I saw’ in towm, it must be some change for our railroad boys. We are -well located, much better *than I expected to find. There is a Mr. W. S. Wallace from Savanna, 111., in the Y. M. C. A. here but I haven’t seen Tiim as yet.Easter Sunday—We have made our ■first move over here and are located and hard at work. We are all ready for bed when the days work is finished. At that, it isn’t as hard as I expected to find it. We are well cared for, our sleeping quarters are good and also the food. I got some idea of wrhat the rairoads were like from Irwin’s letter but I wasn’t ready for what I saw. The old 1616 that used to pull your train some 20 years ago would be considered a whole lot, over here beside these little ones, which use for fuel, composition pressed into brick shape. No grab irons on the cara, hut some have a small eupolo built on the ends for the brakernen to set hand brakes, the trains seem to be about 30 cars long and about every seven to ten cars one of the hand brake cars are put in. No air brakes on freight trains, but the passenger trains are equipped with air. All of the cars have the old pin and link couplings. Was over to a small tow'n near here last night for a short time. Little narrow streets, stone houses, some thatched with sod and grrass and all very interesting. There is one thing in which they can give us good lessons on and that is in roads, their roads are wronderful and they seem to cover the whole country.Mrs. Raymond Couter was sick with tonsili'tis last week.Robert ^ercer shelled corn lastThursday.Miss Hirrel Hussey spent the latter part of the week visiting inPrinceton.Mrs. Marshal ianib and Mrs. Dean Coulter and son Rolert, visited at Van Orin Wednesday with the former’s sisiter, Mrs. Maggie Baird.W. C. Riley shipped a carload of hogs t Chicago market last Thursday.I)r. G. F. Brown has returned to his home at Colchester after a week’s visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Brown.Mr. and Mrs. Dean Coulter and little son Robert Dean, were entertained Sunday at the home of Mr.and i.irs. Will Riley.Mary Baylis, Eunice Ross and Marion Kasbeer took Sunday dinnerwith Miss Alice Lamb.Miss Kather’ne Riley visited Sunday with Mrs. Fred Hansen.Mrs. Nettie Vickrey is very sick/ - . * ■ 1 ■ » ' “ * f ’ v .**• #with pneumonia at this writing.Mrs. Riley of Princeton, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Erl Rossthis week.A number from this communitywent to Princeton Monday to see the boys leave for Camp Dodge. Emery Splain, one of the young men who used to live here hut is now at Walnut, and Otto Smith from Louisville. 111., who has wcrked the pas* two seasons for Dean Coulter were among the hoys wTho left.BUY LIBERTY BONDSIDOVER.We are happy to say that Dover township has gone over the top in the Li 1 verty Ixan and has secured enough subscriptions to fill the quota of the town’s allotment.At the directors’ meeting of the Berlin Township Mutual Insurance company, held last Saturday. J. B. Allen was elected treasurer to fill the vacancy caused by E. F. Carter’s resignation, *the latter having movedto Fullerton, Neb.The Red Cross auxiliary held a social last Friday evening at the parsonage. The attendance w’as good. Refreshments were served cafeteria style. Also flowers were on sale. The proceeds totaled $3 2.Mrs. Hattie Flint and daughters of Beaver Falls, Wis., are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dean. They areron and was still in the states wdien I left. We are in fine shape and are working hard to get into mischief so don’t worry and write often.Love to all, Harry.Sgt. Harry L. Dabler,4 86th Aero Squadron, A. E. F.Sunday, April 7—Have been spending the day visiting a couple of small towns near here, went down to the French barracks this morning and had a hath, hot dinner at the Y. M. C. A. Two eggs, bread and jam with a cup of chocolate for 2 francs, 50 centum or a little less than 50 cents in our money. This afternoon anotiher lad and myself walked over to another small tow'n for a short stay. The towms are very close together, and there must he a dozen within 8 or 10 miles. I got your letter written March 9, it took a little less than a month getting here. We have had two mail calls and should have another soon. Have only gotten the one letter so far. We have found the rumor not true about being unable to get American tobacco. We find it on sale at the Y.’s and w’e are able to get some most every day, even cheaper than in the states. Got our first pay last week in French money, my pay was an even $60, including foreign service. The Chicago Tribune publish an edition in Paris and we get it every day. We are able to find the important happenings in the states through it. The one thing that I miss is something to read in the evenings. Do wish you w'ould send me some magazines once in a while starting with April number. If we get the chance to subscribe to Liberty Loan on the 10 month installment like we did in the last one I will take out $150 w’orth. Did you receive the allotment I made in February to start March 1. Mr* Sowers did not get to Morrison before I left and Mack told me he expected to get home. He got transferred to another squad-The following letter from Virgil Freeman, who enlisted in the navy, was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Freeman, of Elm Place. Young Freeman is stationed at 'the Great Lakes Naval Training Camp and gives a vivid description of navy camp life:Sunday, April 28, 1918. Dear Mother and Dad: —Well I have lots of time this p. m., so will try and tell you all about myself.I have told you wiiat we did the first couple of days. I will, howr-ever, go over it again.Wednesday April 24—Arrived at camp. 5 o'clock placed immediately in detention. Given bedding, Including 'tick cover, and two blankets also two towels.(Taps)—Bugle, for lights out. 9 o’clock.Thursday, April 2 5—Fp at five o’clock. (Reveille.) Had chow\Shot in the arm and vaccinated in morning: also given uniforms etc., including the following:1 blue -trousers, 1 blue blouse, 1 silk neckerchief, 1 blue cap, I stocking cap, 12 handkerchiefs, 1 pair shoes. 6 pair sox. 1 pair gloves, 2 pair heavy undenvear, 4 pair light underwear, 3 suits white clothes, shoe brush, whisk broom, 1 pea jacket (short overcoat,) buttons, comb, soap, scrub brush, etc., sweater, jack knife, 1 pair rubber hoots, 1 pair swimming trunks, 1 tablet, pencil and pen, envelopes and stationery.We drilled yesterday. Took out insurance Friday, etc.Have fine eats—had pie todf#V.Y. M. C. A. gave me a testament.There is a place to buy cookies, etc. here and it sure is welcome.If you want to come up come to Camp Faragul and call for me and they will send a messenger for me.Don’t buy any neckerchief as I have one.Well will close and—writeVirgil,Co. 88, Bar 844 North, Camp Decatur. Great I^akes, 111.BUY LIBERTY RONDS
Newspaper Details
Princeton Bureau County Tribune
Princeton, Illinois, US
Fri, May 03, 1918
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Vivian W.
USA 29 Mar 2020
Other Publications Near Princeton, Illinois
Princeton Bureau County Record
Princeton Bureau County Republican
Princeton Bureau County Fair Daily
Princeton Bureau County Tribune
