The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-12-14
FROM The
BOYS IN ARMY CAMP

The following is a letter received by
George M. Palmer:
Somewhere in France" November
IS, 1917
Dear Mr.. Palmer: This being our
day off l don't know of any way IN
which | can spend a better half hour
or so than bv answering the good let
ter which you wrote me. | received
your letter last Tuesday and you sure
sent some good news. Letters are few
and far between over here. | wish that
I could tell you about some OF the
interesting things which are around us
and which occur every day, but we
are allowed to write almost nothing
of interest. There is one thing which
| YOU asked me about that l am allowed
to answer, and that is in regard to the
Y. M. C. A. work Every soldier IN the
c. A. Brigade will back me up when l
say that the "Y' is the life and back
bone of the camp. Wherever we go the
"Y" is always on the job and the fell
lows who are in charge are doing the
biggest thing in their lives by helping
us to feel at home. A day or two after
we arrived at this camp the "Y" gave
big blowout in the shape of a con-
cert. for the Eighth Regiment. The "Y'
brings us fine movies, good singing,
violinists, orchestras. speakers, and in
fact more than we deserve. The bat
terry l am in was uuarantined for three
weeks and the "Y" sent us papers and
two fine speakers and last Friday they
| honored us by the presence of an Eng
| lish violinist, who has played for the
soldiers in France for two years, and
a French madamoiselle who sang and
acted several French and English bal
lads. The "Y'' gave several concerts
at which French orchestra played.
A great French violinist played sever
al evenings at the "Y". There are
many other things which the 'Y" has
been the main feature in. A short time
ago they got up big field day and
hardly a week goes by without a game
I of soccer or a football game. The
"Y' furnishes all the fellows with
writing material and they have three
fairly good huts in which we do our
writing They also furnish reading ma
terial and have the agency for the
! foreign edition of The New York
Herald, Chicago Tribune and London
Mail We are all much indebted to tho
'Y" and it is our best friend. The
fellows are all in fairly good health
although the wet climate causes manv
colds. There is one thing we are all
anxiously waiting for, and that is the
day when we can get in our whack at
the Huns. The Frenchmen are fine
I L. Ia g
leans There are some mighty odd GUS
toms over here and after we have
| finished the Bosches I'll be glad to
see the shores of the U. S. A. and be
satisfied never to leave again.
l can't think of more to write so I'll
close this letter. but 1 promise to be
better about writing if they will only
slack up little on censorship. l am in
! fine health and feel well satisfied with
the army I hope YOU succeed in rails
ing the different funds which you are
working on and l know you will.
hope you are enjoying good health Mr..
! Palmer and l want to thank you for
I the interest you have showed in me AS
/ it has helped me a lot when l felt
! like doing things which, although not
| harmful il done once. might have hurt
me morally and mentally Thanking
you for your good letter, l remain
sincerely your friend, Merrol A.
| Kimble.
+ = + +
Mr. and Mrs w. H. Girvin are in
receipt of the following letter from
their son Lieutenant c. w. Girvin of
| the Dental r O. at Camn Sheridan
Montgomery, Ala.
This is my morning off duty so will
make the most of my opportunity by
writing some letters. 1t is very warm
here today and I've just got up good