Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-12-16
A Letter from DR.. w. Hannah.


written to J. B. Hughes and family by
DR.. Ward Hannah, well known Web
ster City physician now in France :
Infrmary st. Anne Bks., A. p. %.
7G7, A. f. f. France, Nov. 1G, 1915
Dear Friends: The worlds war is
over! This has been a week of re-
joicing. Democracy has triumphed
over autocracy. Our own President
Wilson has idealized the issue, and
the world has stepped forward.
Crowds thronged tire city of Nantes
all Monday and Tuesday. French wO-
men would throw their arms around
soldiers and officers necks, kissing
fhein on both cheeks, also" thanking
them for the help we have given. The
end came sooner than had expected.
thought possibly 1t might take the
spring drive. Ny! the attitude has
changed greatly, even during my stay
in France. Both the French and the
British We're pessimistic as to the out
come in June but since the July
drive began, it has been victory upon
victory, until one sometimes wondered
if it could all be true.
Ii fell to my lot to- be stationed in
the service of supplies" know little
if any more of real war than you folks
at home. l have seen many wounded
on tie streets; but do not have any
to care for. could just as well have
been the doctor Of large labOring
factory. Well, all can say is that
I've given good, conscientious service.
We have camp here now Of 1880 SOL
diers, composed of checkers, Office men,
stevedores, railroad men, altogether
people engaged in unloading the ships
and loading the cars; and such a
cargo these ships bring! Everything
from full fledged American locomotives
to tooth picks. For awhile the docks
seemed crowded with rolling Kitchens,
then caterpillar tractors: these latter
nre built similar to the battle tanks
only smaller. and are used for trans
portation only. They planned to drive
them overland hauling trucks also !;
the convoy was to be five miles long !;
but the armistice was signed before
they got started.
l received four letters and two
magazines from the states today, so
I'm in clover. The letters were from
Lura, my mother-in-law, (Minnie) !,
Mr.. j. l.. Peterson and Fred Austin.
1 certainly enjoyed them all; but it
is quite task for me to answer all.
l don't know when I'll get back, as
my work is in the service of supplies"
1t is possible may be among the last.
I'd be glad to go after short visit
in, France and England. I've had no
opportunity to see any of my relatives
in England, although l came through
England when l came over. I've de-
cided Uncle Sam did not bring me
over here for a pleasure trip; but
rather than to go back and not see my
relatives once more in England, I'd be
mustered out in France and pay my
own passage back, as I'm American
through and through, and do not now
think I'll come back to Europe again.
Fact is, that is what all the boys think.
Outside the lives lost and the Grip
ping of our men, the war has been
worth the money cost to the country
in the patriotism it has engendered.
We all think ''Let me back to the
old United States and I'll never COM
plain again.
Give my regards TO all my friends.
My spirit would write to them all, but
The flesh is weak.
God bless you all. A Merry Christ
MAS and Happy New Year.
Ward.