Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-10-17
A Letter From Gibraltar.
Gibraltar. Sept. 20, 1918.


Dear Mr.. Snyder:-Can you imagine
me as manager of the Y. M. c. A. res
taurant for u. S. enlisted men only, at
Gibraltar !? After reaching Paris, they
changed my appointment from motor
transportation IN France to assignment
here. OF course | was disappointed,
as my dream was to hear the big guns
in France and get to see dear old Bill.
l wrote and wired him from Paris, ex-
planning my call here.
Well, have had a wonderful expert
ence and have been to many places, in
GLIDING Halifax, Liverpool, lie Havre,
London, Southampton, Paris, Lyons,
Marseilles, etc. Spent a week in Lon
don and two weeks in Paris. Went
from Paris to Marseilles by rail (about
600 miles, and took French merchant
vessel and came here 1000 miles,.
Followed within two miles, the French
and Spanish coast, and the scenery is
most wonderful. Passed Barcelona
about s o'clock one night, and the cleo
trio lights against the rugged, rocky
coast was marvellous sight.
Arrived here on the night of Septem-
Der 9Th and landed next morning. The
view of the wonderful Gibraltar, with
about 10000 souls nestled at its base.
was the realization of my dreams. Ad-
miral Niblack is in charge of our feet
here OF MANY vessels, and we have fire.
quent conferences with him. He has
been OF great assistance TO the "Y" here
There are five American "Y" men here
and one local man. Our work is with
our own forces exclusively. We eat
and sleep at the Y. M. L. A. naval Off
GERS club, and have all the conveniences
OF home, including salt shower and tub
baths and real American eats and cook
ing.
Have baseball field here, enlisted
mems club upon the rock, canteen and
moving picture show across the street
from restaurant, etc. AT our reStau-
rant We have navy cook and baker.
Other employees, including lady cashier,
local folks. Our equipment is modern
and eats Except fresh vegetables from
Spain, as nothing is raised on the Rock
are supplied by our wonderful naval
base stores. Canteen has plenty of
Sweet Caporals, Tuxedo, Bull Durham
and chocolates.
The restaurant building is stone and
was formerly livery stable. We have
it thoroughly sanitary now-white in
side, concrete floors, etc. Now Charlie
Kretzer might think we served baled
hay la Bridgeport, but here is portion
of our menu and the approximate price
in real American money:
Ham or bacon and eggs, SOC.
Steak and eggs, &c.
Steak and onions or potatoes, Soc.
Steak, broled or fried, 44c.
Potatoes, l2c.
Tomatoes, l2c.
Pie, l2c.
Coffee, &c.
We are open from to 9 p. m, and do
a thriving business among the sailors
and non com officers.
Little can be said about Notifications
here, our fleet, subs, ETC., but in my
humble opinion and that of those high
up, next year will certainly wind up this
horrible war.
Haven't heard word from Bill, but
hope he is in good shape, and know he
is very busy. Please send me all the
copies of the Register you have OF dates
from july Is to present time, as have
not received a single copy so far, and,
gee! you know how | feel. My address
now is as below, so please note change.
Tell Jack to write and do so yourself, II
you get the chance. Hope our drug
store crowd is still intact. Give my re-
CARDS to my friends. Best wishes to
you and yours.
Sincerely,
FRANK LINK JOHNSON,
American Y. NJ. c. A. Naval Oficers
Club, Gibraltar.