Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-12-20
Somewhere In France"

Dear Editor--Some few days ago l wrote
afew words to be printed in your paper,
but owing to lack Of time l am afraid my
letter was finished without telling any.
thing interesting. Tonight have a few
hours ''hang heavy time and will devote
the while, in describing conditions as
we have found him to be in the service.
First, l wish to state that, owing to the
very strict c%ensuring rules. | Am not al
lowed to say anything relative to military
affairs, or concerning other things rela'
tive to the war. This, OF course, is abb
s~olutely necessary since, through this
source, very valuable Information might
be obtained by the enemy. So a fellow
would naturally be careful as to what he
says, eve il there were no censor, j. e.,
most people would.
No doubt. you have received letters
from other boys who are here and who
have described "army life" better than !
can describe it. But. all Of us do not
see things alike and no doubt their
wives'' are very different to ours, being
in a different branch OF service. So l
shall endeavor to give you a few point.
ers" in regards to active and now
! active service" with the Coast Artillery
Brigade"
l believe | am not exaggerating when
| say that this branch Of service is the
most interesting branch Of service in the
army, excepting, perhaps, the Aviation
Service. And | believe it is n of the
most important. 1t is interesting because
it brings m to realize that war requires
brains" In using the large Guns that
are used in this service one must need
all his mathematical knowledge. Indeed
it is entirely by mathematics that our
work" is done. It is an important
branch because Of the important work il
has to perform. So In this war l am
sure you will hear from us and very
often.
The t~wenty.eighth Of this month, I will
have been in the service seven months,
during which time | have een a great
deal Of this old world, and have seen
many interesting scenes. No doubt,
that during the next seven l will have
seen more. But I think | can safely say,
that Of all countries ! have seen and Of all
people | have met, France Is the most
interesting, and the French people the
most courteous.
The portion Of the country through
which we have travelled and IN which
our camp Is located resembles the "tool
hill" region Of Buffer county, Mo-, art
other counties adjoining. The land Il
rolling, and underIain with a very sof
limestone.like rock. (The boys who
smoke make good use Of this stone II
making pipes.) The soil, though not *
fertile a. the soil Of the western part o
Butler county, Is very productive ant
farming Is the chief occupation Of the In
habitants. In one section ofthe country
. through which We passed, fruit growing
seemed to be the chief occupation, and
, thousands Of acres Of land were set Il
J orchards. Apples. peaches, pears
8 grapes ard other fruits were full ripe, a
. the time We came through, and were tn
chief article Of diet for Us for Two OF thre
. days. We ate II for q change having be
come tired Of the English food on on
transport. Z
L Farming here b very much diffeser
In many wsys Than farming In the Ssatsl
{ For instances, extensive farming y not :
b sssn here bus truck farming b th
! main form. Then ~ farming impSe
MEATS ~ vssy much unlike oufS--psi
J Lhspe llke thoss. ~ .ussd scins sevssty
az yVass ~. Thspjov5'ats "weeds'