La Junta tribune., 1917-08-30
SOLDIER BOYS ON ATLANTIC
Member Of Santa Fe Railroad Reg
tnsent Tells Story Of the Clos.
Ing Days Of Ocean Trip

Friends In La Junta have Just re-
ceived letter from Tracy Barnes,
one Of the Santa Fe railroad boys
OF whose safe arrival in France we
received word early this month. The
letter was written on board the ship
just day or two previous to land
ing In France, and is as follows:
On Board Ship, r. NJ. s. Orduna,
Somewhere on the Atlantic. Aug
ust Sth.
Today we are few days out
from Liverpool and In the midst OF
the submarine zone. Instead OF
being frightened l am rather anx-
ious to see U-boat. The sea has
been rather rough for three days,
and Frank Philhour and Walter
Burrows have been real sick. I. for
some reason or other. survived the
sea sickness. They sure looked pit
iful. expect they wish they
were home rather than where they
are. felt sorry for them, but
Il will do them good. II was not
much compared to what may be In
store for them.
This is our seventeenth day at
sea and we are still two days out
OF Liverpool. The journey has been
uneventful as yet. but no telling
what we may experience before we
land. Today we saw the masts OF
ships that have been sunk-num-
bers OF them. Somewhere off the
coast Of ireland can be seen a ship
on the rocks that was torpedoed.
II was run on the rocks In an effort
to beach her--all evidence OF the
ruin wrought by the grim reaper.
This is nothing. however. to what
We may experience.
would sure like to see some OF
the Colorado sunshine again. 1t has
been very cold at sea. as we were
away up north-I think just south
OF Iceland. Yop can bet II was all
the same like a real winter, too. To-
day we are going south. and 1t Is a
bit warmer.
would ike very much to see
England, but I guess we will only
pass there. II would be very In
teresting country to visit. France
Ii our destination. no we won't tar
ry on the way. think we will
have good quarters and be well
provided for. I understand We are
TO be billeted out among theFrench
people wherever we are located. II
such H. the case ] am going to try
to get q place where there is a nice
girl. / want &C learn French. and
that would be the easiest way ! can
imagine. ! might be lonesome. too.
! am goinE to do my best and see
II I can't find n nice friend.
I hope everybody in Colorado is
In the best OF spirits and enjoying
themselves. hope you did not see
the newspaper report that we were
lost. ! saw u newspaper In Halifax
which stated that the Orduna was
missing. don't suppose anyone
krew what ship we were on. so they
won't be worried over our long
journey. also the newspaper reports.
All of the La Junta lads are 60
ing 10 send n cablegram Just as soon
as we land In France. no that you
will know all IL well. Our letters Will
be long time In reaching their des-
tination. and the letters from home
viii be u long time IN coming. but
that will make them all the bet
ter when We do get them. will
continue this tomorrow. Perhaps wc
VIII land by that time.
To-day. August 9th. We are still
In existence. All are feeling well,
but some are not In the best Of spir.
It's. We are nearing our destinn'
tion and. without mishap. we will
land tomorrow. am glad OF the
fact. too. ms eighteen days on board
ship Is quite awhile to go without
being on land. am getting lazy
as I have not had much exercise In
quite awhile.
Va had an entertainment last
night. the program OF which ] am
enclosing. The entertainment wa'
given In aid OF the Liverpool Sea
mans Orphan Institution. and con
sisted OF solos. auartcttes. piano
and cello solos. given by the pas
scnEers and soldiers on board. Th'
lads did real well. and Il was bettel
than most shows one sccs In BIZ
city. II was = treat for M. as VI
have heard very little music since
We left CHICAGO.
The sea In very calm today. al
most without n rifle. and they ~,
Il IL very good submarine weather
which II rather encouraging. Thil