The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-05-17
FROM BOYS
IN THE ARMY CAMPS

Mrs. F. w. Rath received the fol-
lowing letter from her son, Harold
Rath, now at Cambridge, Mass.
Well, l am going to school at last,
although l had very nice time while
spending my two weeks in detention.
During that time l made use of the
library we had given us will try to
tell you about some of the historic
places which l visited My first place
was to Salem where l saw the house
of Seven Gables, an old historic
whaling town also the famous marine
museum. The next place of interest
historic Boston where I saw the Old
North church where Paul Revere
saw the lanterns hanging. The old
South church, also Cops Hill bury
ing ground. The Old State House and
the scene of Massacre also proved in
teresting. At the place called His
toric Cambridge, Longfellow's home
is still standing. His daughters house
is right near and she is still living
We persuaded her to take us through
the house which was very interest
ing. A little ways from there we came
upon the spot where the old black
smith shop used to stand. Also the
chestnut tree However, the tree is
not standing. It's place was described
in Longfellow's "Village Blacksmith"
There is only marker left. Near the
college is a place which is called
Cambridge Common. Here is where
We find some very old cannons with
wooden bases and wooden wheels.
These were the cannons used by the
Continental army during the seige of
Boston and were made in 1886 so
they are very old. / may also add
saw Bunker Hill monument and many
other places of interest. l will tell
you little about school. We sleep
in the gymnasium yet and will con-
tinue to do so for a week or So We
arise at Sis in the morning dress,
make our bed and scrub the floors.
We then go to breakfast. We eat in
the famous hall you all have heard
about. The hall seats about 1900
jackies. We have clean, white tables
and have cOlored walters to wait on
us. The Jazz band plays every noon
while we eat. At present there are
about 5000 jackies here so you can
consumed every day. The school is
divided into many halls, such as
Pierce Hall, Perkins Hall, Hastings
Hall, Craige Hall, Austin Hall, and
many other halls that have not seen
yet, SO you can imagine the space
Harvard university covers. There is
also Y. M. c. A. hut here which is
certainly good friend to us boys.
We have movies every Thursday
night, and there is always a liberal
supply of magazines and books. The
canteen is open during the day which
is well patronized. Well must say
good bye for this time, hoping to
hear from you soon, / remain your
son, H. F. Rath, l.. E. R., Harvard
Square, Cambridge, Mass. care OF
general delivery.
Henry Zimmerman has received a
letter from his son, Harry Himmel-
man, who recently arrived in France
Harry stated that he had talked with
some German prisoners and they
were of the opinion that the war
would be over this year. Harry says
France is a beautiful country, but
prices for everything are high.
Paul Neff is in receipt of souve-
mir from his son, Lawrence Neff, who
is a member of one of the crews or
a United States ship. 1t is piece O
bomb which was dropped by a Ger
man aviator while making raid or
London. Young Neff was in Londor
at the time of the raid.