Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1917-12-07
Letters from Our Soldier. Boys.


letters from w. E. Webber, with the
expedi.onary forces in France.
Somewhere in France, Nov. 1st.
1T is more or less of problem to
even start letter to anyone, because
there are so few things we can say.
We left Long. Island, N. Y, at
night and our trip was without any ex-
citing incidents. The first few days
out quite a number of the boys were
seasick and there were some rather
funny sights; many times you could see
two fellows with their arms around
each other leaning over the rail and
feeding the fish q regular Christmas
dinner. Ourmeals were very good in
deed, and really enjoyed the trip for
l was not sick for one minute.
There are some very funny sights to
be seen over here. The people, the
homes, fashions and great many of
the utensils and tools, it seems to me,
are a hundred years behind the times,
according to the standards of living in
the U. S.
l cannot tell you anything about
how soon we will get into the actual
fighting line, but guess it will be in the
Spring sometime.
II In order to do away with pensions
after the war, the government gave
each enlisted man the opportunity of
taking out big sum in insurance for a
very small amount: took out $l0,0 900
and it is costing me $3.50 per month,
and this is taken from our pay each
month, but to offset this bit, we get
20 per cent increase in pay for foreign
service.
The allotment made is for SIS per
month and the U. S. will about Dec.
1st commence sending you check for
this amount, and this is what l am
saving out of my salary for you.
If possible wish you would have the
boys send me some smoking tobacco or
cigarettes about once month. Over
here the tobacco is very scarce and
rotten.
Certainly am feeling fine and dandy,
and that is as much as anyone can say.
Please write me rea! often, with all
the. news you can think of. IL 49, ---
From another letter: II often Iwon-
dered why George Hamilton's letters
were so short, but now l understand,
for about all we can say is that we are
we'll.
Haven't had any mail for over three
weeks and for that reason we realize
that we are long way from home"
Next weeks Plain Dealer will con-
tain another interesting letter from
WILL
Following are two letters from Geo.
Hamilton:
Nov. 2.
"I ought to be able to write often
now as am not required to pay post
age as long as l belong to the navy and
am in foreign service.
Went to movie show tonight, first
time I've seen movies since left the
States and it sure seemed good. No
news of interest except what you read
in the papers. Would be glad to re-
ceive copy Of the Times or P. D. each
week. 1 even read the advertisements
in the home papers.
Your letter contained lots of inter
esting news. l think that l receive
all mail that is sent me.
wish could tell the people at home
what l know. bet they would buy
bonds and contribute to the Y. M. c.
A. Tell Archie the Liberty Bond is {
good investment. $50 may save fifty
lives; what better returns could mar
want"
Nov. 8.
II am now on the U. S. S. Panther
blacksmith all the time now. W.
have four blacksmiths on the ship, two
of them are helping and another fel
low. That is. there are only two forges
so they gave them to two of US snc
let the other two fellows act as help
ers or strikers as they are called ir
the navy. We have one oil burning
forge and one coal burning. like the
coal best, its hotter and quicker. The
U. S. S. Panther is repair ship, il
has blacksmith shop, foundry, ma
chine shop, tin shop. coppsrsmith, in
fact they can repair anything what
ever that is needed aboard ship and
that includes nearly everything. We
60 to work at and quit at 11:30, then
start at 1890 and quit at 5 p. m. then
we work after supper from 6 until 1O
p. m. but every other night we get
( off at p. m. for liberty.
Get fine eats now, pie, cake, French
fried potatoes and other things so