Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-07-12
From a Soldier Boy.

HoBoKEN, n. j., June 10, 1917
Dear Home Folks My last message
in dear old Z. S. A. for while! We
are now on our transport. am we'll
satisfied with everything and anxious
to 60. Don't know just when we will
start, but will probably be well on our
way when this reaches you.
Now, dear parents, I am honest with
you and not trying merely to relieve
your anxiety, (Which | am sure is
great because we 60 SO far away J
when tell you that we are both salts
fled to 20 and that we are we'll quar-
tered and cared for. We are both
willing to 60 anywhere our country
needs our service and to serve her
anyway we can. II it means life, III
come again to you and see that your
old days are spent in comfort and
plenty; il it means death, the Lord
will provide and I'm ready to meet
the issue. realize it's r perilous
task but it's no more than ! expected
when enlisted and We are prepared
to meet it with calmness and stern
ness.
My only grief is for you, mother.
wish l could bear your grief, but
since it was Gods plan to make a
mothers heart SO, you must bear it.
Thousands of dear old mothers all the
way over shouted "God Bless you,
Boys! vas they waved their tear. stain
cd handkerchiefs at us. But listen,
mother,it's an unavoidable reality and
you must use great deal Of calmness
and live in hopes. For the war may
be over in short time and We'll be
back and the happy plans had once
laid be pursued and brought to pass.
We are certainly having a great time
and the things we are seeing and the
useful lessons We are learning daily
will be invaluable to us in after years,
il we come back. And please don't
worry until you have q cause to. We
would be perfectly satisfied if we knew
everything was o. X. at home. You
must not think too seriously about us
not being cared for and that we see
no pleasure in this adventurous life,
for the change in scenery, travel, deal
ings, with thousands Of young men,
taking care OF our clothes. ETC., etc.,
etc, ha, ha, furnish ample amusement
and pastime besides being Of value.
And for you, dear old Dad, my heart
goes out In sympathy. had planned
and was working earnestly to the
time when could take the response
bility from your shoulders. Pm sure
1t will be hard for you in your old
days II we boys don't come back but
you too must forget all but the bright
side. 1t won't take me long to finish
my course when l get back and then
I'll be able to give you a lift.
Well, I would like to tell you all
about our trip, but I won't have time
and space. Am sending youa II. II.
map aud have outlined our trip on 1t
since we left home. You have an
idea OF the country we have seen
from the sandy desert OF Arizona to
the black, fertile, aoodplalns Of the
Great Mississippi.
My! We sure saw some pretty
country In Iowa and Illinois. We came
through Chicago at night. Didn't
see much Of 1t. The country back
through that section tor most OF it)
is level ~ . floor. There certainly
couldn't be a better farming regicn
IN the world. Then az we passed on
through Pennsylvania aud New York
We saw some beautiful mountain seem
cry and manufacturing towns. We
certainly enjoyed the trip. All along,
me people gave 10 flowers, oranges,
sW', and everybody had their greet