Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-12-24

I
although / have seen nothing of the
country to speak of. Am sure you
would feel the same way, if you could
but come here Shall have lots of
things to tell you when return.
France, Nov. 8.
Dear Zoe: Am going to try and let
you know that l am well, happy and
contented, considering conditions that
cannot be avoided. After a quiet trip
over the water, we landed near
and am now where you can imagine in
France l enjoyed the trip out here as
though it were one of pleasure, except
for the few inconveniences lacking on
American railroads. We passed
through quaint villages and cities all
OF which seemed unreal in this modern
age We passed matched and sod
rooted houses, beautiful hills and
valleys and the grass everywhere
green and flowers along the wayside.
1t is such a peaceful country with
poor, honest, hard working people that
I wonder at it all.
Ours are the first American soldiers
to be stationed in this village and the
entire population of the town is
strong" for US. They offer us every
sort of help and do everything they
can for us. The first night of our ar
rival several OF the villagers pointed
out different objects and told us what
the French name for them was. They
are at all times polite and obliging,
such uncommon traits in America.
The climate here is much like that
of Oregon, especially Portland. 1t has
rained every day since our arrival.
The snowfall here is light, although
last winter proved unusually severe.
Last night, one of my comrades and
I walked to the top of hill and al
though we are some distance from the
firing line, we could see the flash OF
the large guns and very distinctly
hear the reports which ratified in sue
cession as a bunch of firecrackers.
With little imagination we could al
most feel the earth tremble. I saw
rocket go up distinctly, which was
very similar to sky rocket, that
burst in the air and reminded me of
that part of the "Star Spangled Ban
ner" which says Bombs bursting in
air" as know that the flashes we saw
we're those of an offensive movement
Of the allies.
It is hard to realize that l am in
france and near the theatre of war.
Will have to confess that am anxious
10 get on the firing line. That is the.
great adventure, and l seem to have
40 fear whatever.
l want to bring you over here when
the war is over. want you to see the
buildings of rock resembling gypsum
and the mayor of the village calling
the people forth to read some sort Of
proclamation to them by beating on a
drum as antique as the town itself.
Then there is the old shepherd gath
ering the sheep in the morning to take
them into the hills and then bringing
them safely back at night. When he
nears the village, he blows his horn
for the people to admit the sheep to
their homes. You see they-do things
in the old fashioned way. The grain
is still threshed in the old time man
ner of flaying it with one stick tied
onto another and sifted out on the
ground. Is it wonder that l think
it all dream?
Their railways are as funny as a
crutch, some engines without tenders,
others which resemble the American
engines somewhat, and their passen-
ger coaches are farce You enter
the cars at the side and the conductor
locks you into a compartment, with
others, allowing you room to sit down
but not to move. They do, however,
have good wagon roads, most every
one of which would do credit to any
state.
Well Zoe, / guess this is about ali
I can tell you OF the country for the
present and other things I shall have
to wait to tell you later. l am getting
plenty to eat, good place to sleep and
warm clothing. What more could one
expect? 1 don't expect to see the war
last much longer. There is an end to
human endurance and l think the end
is coming hope SO at least.
Write often and know that l am
well, as ever,
Yours, Sig.
1
Added to Honor Roll.
hot "a hoor