The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-08-16
SAM ADAMS, ESQUIRE, AN ABB
BEVILLE SAMMIE, WRITES
BROTHER RALPH ABOUT
FORDS, PIGS AND COUNTRY
WILL COME BACK TELLS
THEM.
July 10, 1918.
Dear Ralph:

July -, -
Dear Ralph:
Well I am here and pretty glad to
get here or anywhere else. I didn't
get seasick and there was nothing ex
citing during the trip, but l was just
naturally glad to see land again. I
thought surely I would be sick all the
way, but outside a slight cold, I am
we'll and alright. We had a pretty
good time, but one gets tired looking
at water all the time. I didn't real
ize, though, how tired I was until
I landed.
This is a pretty country, but I will
take the States for mine. The seem
cry is finer than any I ever saw in the
States, although I never saw much of
it, and the soil is quite productive,
but it does not suit me. 1t seems to
be a great country for grazing. l
don't remember seeing a bare spot
anywhere. Grass covers every inch
of the ground, but there is hardly
any trees. So few that you don't
see any wooden buildings. Every
thing is stone or brick. The fences
are all mostly of stone and even the
pig pens are made of stone. The
newer buildings or some of them, are
made of concrete; most everything
is stone. They also have big, fine
horses and keep them in pretty good
shape. I imagine Uncle John Wilson
would like it here. I haven't seen
very many automobiles here and most
of them are Fords. Don't know
whether they have as many here as
we do in the. States or not. l GER
tainly haven't seen very many. We
have them beat to death on railroads
and most everything else. They
have little box cars not as big as a
good-sized auto truck. They claim
they will carry eight tons but l
don't see how hey can get it on them
I am sure you could not put a bale of
seed cotton in n of them. They
have only four WHEELS to the car and
no air brakes. They couple with a
chain on hooks. 1t is a comical look
ing sight to see a string of them be-
hind a little engine about as big as
the Due West and Donalds engine.
The cigarettes here r bad. Have
tried four or five different kinds and
very kinds is worse than the other.
Think I will quit if l don't find some
better ones. Have lots of Piedmonts
in my barrack bag though, and guess
1 will be fixed alright when I get it.
Will get it in a day o. so, I guess.
I didn't lose anything on my trip
except my raincoat and have found it
now. A fellow took it in place CT his
and I just took his. Mine was a
whole lot the best coat, but l had
my name in it and he hunted me up
and traded back. I was glad he was
the n that got it for lots of them
would never have said anything about
it.
Bob Cheatham and I tried to cable
but could not. Guess you have
cards though by this time telling
you of II arrival. I saw Shuler the
other day on the boat. 1t was the
first and only time I have seen him.
Well, I know lots to write but do
not know whether I can write it or
not. Will write a longer letter when
I have the censor's rules.
I am we'll and alright and will be
back some time. Will try to write
the others in a few days, Aunt Ada,
etc. Guess all of you are we'll and
alright. Write me when you can.
With love to all of you.
Sam Adams.