The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-11-28
Father and Son Both Well known
Here

! From the following CORE spondence
it will be noted that DR.. NJ. L. MARI
formerly of Athens and later of Show
hegan. is at the present time at St
| Petersburg Fla The son, 1t appears
has been surgeon with the Ameri-
( can Expeditionary Forces, but expects
to sail home in the early future
The family moved to Massachusetts
from Skowhegan something like %
years ago 1t is understood that DR.
/ Mari has been very successful in the
practice Of his profession in that state
st. Petersburg, Fla, Nov. s, 1918
| To the Editor OF The IndependentRe
| porter. Skowhegan, Ne.
/ Dear Sir
Knowing that all letters received
from the battle front in France are
most welcome and thinking that pos
sibly one from a young man whose
former acquaintances and school com
panions, many of them still live in
Athens and Skowhegan, would be es-
pecially so. am sending the follow
ing censored letter from my son.
believe his Split is that universally
displayed by our boys and that all OF
them went over there to stamp out
that terrible wrong.
| have been here (St Petersburg)
more than week. having motored
from Boston Saw Mr.. and Mrs. Ken
dali on the street He is an annual
visitor, busy instructing pupils how TO
produce beautiful music from the ia
nous violin The late Charles Ward
used to come here; also his brother
] in-law, Frank Ross d. H. Bartlett
and wife | have seen here in previous
winters.
The weather here at this season is
charming-grape fruit and oranges
have just come to harvest. well
remember the climate OF old Maine
Home of the most happy years of my
life were spent in that state, and
many friendships made there are
! treasured My best wishes are always
for the good of old Somerset's towns
and its people.
DIR M. l.. MARI
The following letter was written to
DR.. Mari by his son. Capt. NJ. w Mari,
who gives his address as A X. c.
Hosp. No 7, A f. F.
Oct 16, 1918
Dear Dad
Your letter was JOY to me but
YOU will not have time to send an
other before I sail for home, unless
can arrange for Pinehurst and so
stay over here until this job Is finish
ed. / should like very much to DO
this | not only want to be in at
the finish, but want to take belliger-
ant part in stamping out this Hun
principle Of living and what they
stand for 1t seems very hard to go
back to Pnehurst and take care OF
people who want rest. OF course
there are many OF them want rest and
can afford 1t, and that Is my work; but
just now 1t is a hard one when there
is so much doing here.
| had a short period up behind the
front lines in the Toul sector But
now | am in a base hospital In the
Toul sector we worked hard, sixteen
hours at the operating table is long
spell, only had one such long one. The
others were shorter, four to twelve
hours and of course mostly at night
as the wounded can only be moved
then Here our work is all during
the day, largely dressing, but they re-
quire a lot OF time.
| have asked twice to be sent up to
the front again but fear | will not get
there. | had much rather be in the
thickest OF the game than in the edge
of 1t though this job is fully as i'm
portant as front line work, possibly
more so.
We have plenty to eat; but it is very
plain and probably it's better for us
Fats and sugar are very small in
amounts, meats, vegetables, and war
bread in plenty,
You will probably leave for Florida
very shortly and you had best go early
to avoid colds. | hope you will find
a place for sister for | feel that she
ought to get out OF the New England
winter and in a warmer climate. Down
with you she would do much better
and you could look after her.
My present plans are to sail for the
States about Nov Both and return
here in May following but may change
them Hope you had good summer,
Take good care OF yourself.
Anectionately
boy"
Address-Capt NJ. W MARI
/ A r G Hospital No 7