Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-08-28
He Was Gassed Recently, Lungs
and Eyes as Good as Could be,
But Lucky to Go Through
Hell and Come Out
Alive
DOING AUTO AND
MOTORCYCLE REPAIRING
Met Edward Blomt Recently and
Had Nice Visit With Him, and
Was Very Much Surprised
to See HIM
July 80, 1918
Meyers, France

myers, france
Md Dearest mother.
Just few lines mother to let you
know that / am we'll and happy. al
though my lungs and eyes are not as
good as they could be. But mother
j am one of the lucky boys to go
through hell and come out again. !
Just heard today of Conrad Anton
Bernatz, poor boy, sure paid the
price. am cut up pretty bad, but
don't kick Mother / have not heard
from home for nearly two months, so
please write soon. How is Clara,
Luella and the twins? Tell them all
hello, and also tell dear dear old dad
to be good and drive the dickens ont
OF the oil truck. Have you seen
Jack McAndrews lately? i sure
would like TO read the Public Opon-
ion over once more, By the time you
get this letter l will be married one
year, and l sure don't regret it either.
have lots of news to tell, but / cant
tell you until / get back You can
tell the people back home that / am
repairing autos and motorcycles and
they sure keep me busy. / am re-
Ipairing the INSTRUMENTATION only
They sure are giving great service
over here. l had long talk with
Ed Blount the other day. Sure was
surprised to see him. The first thing
asked about was home and he
didn't know very much. The crops
are all under harvest and the farmers
are sure busy. They cut the grain
with scythes and it takes them a
month of Sundays to cut an acre.
Well mother / guess must close
for this time. Will write more later.
/ remain your true, loving soldier
boy,
Pvt. HENRY w. BLAESS
Co. B. lie supply Train,
Meyers, France.
Another letter was written on Aug.
IL, to his sister, as follows:
My Dearest Sister:
Just received your letter of May
20 and sure was glad to get it.
am now well again, as well as I
ever will be again as long as ] live.
The gas is still working on my heart
and lungs, but am lucky, Clara
II paid the price, but still am lucky
to get out the way | did, l inst
heard that Anton Bernaz died eof
wounds received in action. Poor
boy, / was in his company for a while
until / got a shrapnel in the arm and
leg, and then went to the sd
Division and now 1 am in the 41st,
so you can see where | have been
during my long time in France. |
haven't heard from Elizabeth for
nearly two months, don't know
whether she is alive or dead, SO tell
her to write to this address and II
will reach me alright. Ed Blount
was over to see me yesterday, and
he is the some old Ed Greet his
folks for him and me also.
Talk about cars, trucks and motor
cycles to repair, its all ! do day in
and day out. But soon this old war
will end and then back to the states
forever for me. can't see any pleas
ure in France.
You can tell Jack McAndrews that
/ have got his German roast and he
can have it for Thanksgiving dinner.
You asked me what ! was in the
hospital for. / guess you will know
by the time you have read this let
tier. Well Clara / guess l must close
for this time. With love TO all,
remain
Your loving brother,
Pvt. HENRY w. BLAESS.