Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-01

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but you can see- things have not
been kept up like it was before
the war started.
The towns are. crowded, and
narrow streets, and none toe
clean. But, believe me, our camp
is kept clean. If you don't clean
your quarters or make up your
bunk about so each morning
we'll, you can look for a little ex-
ira fatigue or Sunday kitchen po-
lice. They always have plenty OF
help in the kitchen on Sunday.
have been lucky so far, myself.
Talk about your pretty streams
they sure have them here. The
water is clear and cold. We used
TO battle in the stream, but it is
most too cold at present.
We moved last week to differ
ent quarters, but our address is
still Somewhere in France.
We have a fine large Y. nj. C..
A and the Salvation Army located
here, so they furnish us with
quite a little amusement. Have
piano and organ and several ma
chimes to grind out music and
help pass the time. Then we
have a fine ball ground and have
so good games, too.
Besides that it has thrown all
of us Mo. Valley boys together
for the present. Just an even
dozen here now. Think we will
have our pictures taken some of
these days.
Had a letter from Francis Cody
not long ago. He was telling me
all about the country and how
nice everything was. Then he
said he was sorry he wasn't with
US. Bet if he we're here today he
would wish himself back in Homo
lulu, where the flowers bloom the
year round. But at that we would
love to have him with us, or be
with him during the cold weather.
just had big feed of beans
and bread pudding, so feel much
better now. All the boys look
we'll and most of them are get
ting fat. Am considerable heav-
Ter myself than when | left home.
We get all we can eat and plenty
OF sleep, so why not get fat?
Everyone must be in bed and
keep his mouth shut by $3.50, and
get up at 5:45, so you see 'early
to bed and early to rise" is en-
forced with us, and l guess it is a
good thing for most of us.
Our drill is not so strenuous
now as it was all summer. Only
drill six hours day, have the
rest of the time to clean clothes
and equipment. Must always look
clean and neat for retreat, which
is at $3.50. That gives us 21a
hours to do such work in. Most
of the fellows washed their own
all summer. l did myself,
but since it is getting cooler we
hire a washerwoman. They sure
do their work cheap in this
country. What would cost me
75c to have washed in the States
only costs a franc and half, or
about 26 or 81 cents in our mon
ey. So l just put away enough
each pay day for laundry.
Have not seen a stalk of corn
since 1 left U. s. Lots of wheat
and sugar beets and a good many
but mostly wheat. They
thresh their grain with hand ma
chimes or an old tread machine
with a horse. He keeps
and walking trying to get
to the top, but never reaches it.
They unloaded a bunch Of mail
here today, so l am expecting
part of it. Will be just little
if / don't get some.
Am expecting a box or two. We
always feel sorry for the other
fellow when we get letters and he
doesn't, for he goes around with
his head down for day or SO
before he gets back to normal.
Oh, l know, for l have been in the
same fix. When they call out,
Come and get your MALL" there
is one mad rush, and I rush just
as fast as any of them.
You would be surprised at the
number of Iowa boys here in the
10th Infantry. Some from Sioux
City, Onawa, Harlan and all
around us. l believe there are
more Iowa and Oklahoma boys
than any other state. In my squad
of eight men, four of us are from
Iowa-three from Missouri VAL
ley. We are what they call the
signal squad or the Captains
group.
There are no country houses
here. Everyone lives in town and
that is why the towns are so
close together. Most every door
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