The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-06
HE is IN FRANCE
Topeka Soldier Is With Our
Troops Abroad.
Writes Interesting Letter to
Folks at Home.
HUGE BUTTERFLIES IN AIR
Reception of Our
Sammies in England.
Touched by Beauty of the
French Maiden.

Private c. r. Madsen, Co. F., 18th
Engineers (railway), q. S. army,
with the expeditionary force, writes
the following interesting letter to
Topeka friend:
Somewhere in France,
Tuesday, Sept. 4. 1917.
Dear Nellie: Suppose you must be
wondering if the submarines got me
so here goes to let you know they
didn't, tho they did have the report
started. from a false source, that our
ship was torpedoed and sunk with all
on board. 1 saw this in an Amo- can
newspaper since we reached France
We did not even see submarine. but
A and B Companies of our regiment,
who were ON another boat, did have
quite a battle with one, but no one
was hurt.
We came by way of England. where
we paraded thru the streets of Lon
don and thru the Royal grou Is, be-
fore their majesties, the king and
queen of England, and we ate our
dinner in Green park. inside the Royal
grounds.
The E glish We're glad to see us ami
gave - a warm welcome, and the
English press gave us quite a write
up in which they called us the Hair
Spring Trigger 18th Engineers"
We had a long. tiresome voyage
coming over and were on the boat
much longer than is required for the
passage in peace times. Oh. yes! Ger
tainly 1 was seasick, but not as badly
as I expected to be.
The French people were simply
| wild with joy when they saw us. and
they could not do enough to express
probation for our assistance in the
war.
We had quite a long trip by rail
after we landed, and we reached our
present position in the night. We are
quartered in quite a large city. and
history to visit these parts. The city
was in German hands early in the
war, and tho we can still hear the
guns booming on the bloodiest field
in history they will never see this city
again unless 1t is as prisoners of war.
We have heard lots of heavy firing
since we came here. bue we are out
of range. 1 have Witnessed a number
of air raids Gone today over the city,
but the German machines are usually
so high they are not visible with the
naked eye and we can only see the
shells from the French batteries
bursting all about them. / really saw
the first one today and it looked like
a butterfly. They always beat a hasty
retreat as soon as they are discovered
and fired upon, so the firing never
lasts very long.
England is a beautiful country and
so is France. 1 really like France the
best for there are many things here
that remind one of our own u. S. A
The French women are very beau
tiful and there are very few homely
ones among them. They have been
very kind, but nice to us, and seem
as glad as any one to have us among
them. Seems our presence here has
put new life into the people I
l sure will have lots to tell if get
back home, but there are certain
things we are not allowed to mention
now. For instance. know perfectly
well right where 1 am, but 1 don't
dare give any one the slightest clue
CT giving you a little poem be-
low which describes pretty well our
travel and entry into this city:
In this distant land with everything new
Where life and lives are of a different hue
"nere eyerything's strange to me and you
Are you lonesome?
When you sat in the train one pitch dark
A passing lantern your only light.
The stiffness broke by the artiiIery fight
Were you lonesome
When the muffled tones of the French
mans band.
And then the 'Marseillaise" so grand.
Were you lonesome?
As up the darkened street Won trod
Murmnring a prayer unto your God,
Realizing you were on foreign sod.
Were you lonesome?
And then at last your chance to sleep,
Into your dreams there did creep.
| A loving face, Oh : so sweet
Were you lonesome?
And now each day as you drill,
A feeling comes just like chill,
To pass away with the battles thrill,
Were you lonesome?
Or. as in your tent you lie each night.
In memorys dream your mind takes flight
And you think of land where all is bright
You're lonesome, darn you, you re
| lonesome. Author unknown.
Now as my time is somewhat linn
tied at present l will have to close
Maybe 1 can do better next time. Will
be glad to hear from you any time. +
Your good old friend, with best wishes
to all, MADSEN.