The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-08-13
SOLDIERS LETTERS

The following letter has been re-
ceived by DR.. J. B. Davis from M.
w. Kreigh, a former Blackfoot boy
employed at the land office:
Somewhere in France, July 4.
Dear Doc:
sat down to dinner today, a
pretty good dinner too, as dinners go
in the army, and as l looked into my
old coffee cup (the coffee wasn't
steaming,) | could see your face as
it would look if your coffee happened
to be like this was. You see l was
late today. Had to work all morn
ing and didn't get away from said
work until after twelve. By the
time | got to the mess hall the cof-
fee had been cold more than half an
hour Nevertheless, "C'est lie
Guerre," as a Frenchman would say
under such circumstances, and l
drank the contents of the cup with
out batting an eye.
l suppose you know that ever since
the "Yanks" have been along the
battle line, France has become rather
an unhealthy place for the boche
tourists, who are sojourning in
northeastern France. A great many
of these sojourners have been So
journing in Poland and Austria dur
ing the past few years and the
change of climate hasn't agreed with
them at all, in fact many of them will
never return to the fatherland,
whereas if they had remained in the
east all might have been we'll with
them. t'
Turnout France and England,
wherever American troops are bill
leted, our allies are helping us cele-
brate Independence day" Contrast
the attitude of the Britisher of today
under King George V with his atti-
tude in the days of King George III.
Today the British Tommy" is cele-
brating with the "Yank" with all the
good feeling that it is possible to
show and without spark of ami
mostly; and l think it is because we
all have learned to look upon the
day in abroader sense than we ever
did before-as day which marked
the beginning Of new era for man
kind the world over
Before you receive this letter you
will have learned from the papers
about the manner in which the
Yanks are performing over here in
battle. 1t is frequent occurrence
now for them to make an attack, win
every objective an dsend back a
bunch Of prisoners, besides infiicting
severe losses on the enemy without
suffering material losses themselves.
The morale of our troops is fine and
the outlook for an early victory of
sufficient Importance to start Bill
Hohenzollern on the toboggan is very
hopeful.
The place where I am stationed is
on the top of hill overlooking one
of the most picturesque little valleys
l have ever seen. Down the valley
on one side river and a canal wind
their way. Numerous little farms
and gardens are green with growing
vegetables and flowers. The banks
of the river and the canal are beauti-
fully lined with lilies, wild flowers
and vines. Artistically trimmed
hedges line the foot paths on either
side of the canal and tall trees pro-
vide shade for the weary pedestrian
or the loving couples, who 60 out for
stroll of Sunday afternoon. Be-
yond are hills thickly studded with
evergreens which hide the old
walled chateaus situated on many OF
them.
Shortly after arriving in France
| bo1 w IF vi ~ q ~ W.
in which Sabims the Gaul and his
wife stayed in hiding from the Ro.
mans for seven years. 1t is so un.
inviting and so unfit for habitatioI
that I can not imagine modern wo
man, who would be willing to stay
in such place with her husband fol
seven long years; but then womeI
must have been different in those
days which in this case was 76 B. G
The cave is nothing more than g
deep assure in the rock cliffs, where
at some time ages ago spring
washed away the soil and sandstone
and left d Jagged hole about the SIZE
of a doughboy's dugout, and will
| in. A point of rock extends past thu
entrance effectually hiding it from
the gaze of anyone who might harper
to look up from the valley below o.
from the hills beyound. A few hun
: bred feet below is large spring
which is the source of the rive
Marine, and about a kilometer furthe
on is an old mill which is still in use
: and which Is run by water power.
, Not long ago / met Major Henri.
, J. Allen of the Red Cross, who |
, now candidate for governor of Kan
. sas. He is an old friend of mine ant
we had a very pleasant visit to
gether. He had just returned iron
a visit to the front and was enthuse
by the promising outlook of every
, thing in general.
Elsie Janis made her last appear
ance here few days ago before re
turning to the States. There is no
soldier in France, who doesn't low
her because she has brought NOR
good cheer with her jokes and song
and representations than anyone els
, who has visited the American camps
Her mother said to her: ELSIE, 20
are gettin gtougher every day." an
Elsie replied, "There is only one wal
mother, and that is this one, an
I've got to help win it," and there
I no doubt about it, her influence ha
q been far-reaching and productive Q
good results.
You will be surprised, no doub
10 hot k1a