Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-11-06
A TRIP in THE SOUTH
George Broeren is Sent After a
Deserter and Has a Joy Ride.
Newport, News, Virginia
318th Fire e Guard Co.,

Wtllmar Tribune:
It is one o'clock this afternoon and
just cleaned up for afternoon mess,
and as I'm not on guard today, will |
give you an account OF a very inter |
esting trip>1 had week ago.
l was one of the two dining room
orderlies, and had just to clean up
after noon mess, when I was called
out by the Top Sergeant to get out
and change clothes as fast as posi-
BILE. AS our Company was on guard,
l thought probably one of our guards
had been taken sick. But sure enough
it wasn't. l was told after getting
downstairs and having stripped from
overall-suit to my best that l was to
go with Corporal after prisoner.
We were ready and left Camp about
1870 and left Newport News at 500.
My corporal had the papers and trans
portation, but had my own expense
money. Then we stopped and changed
trains at Richmond at 1880 Monday
evening, and was ready to leave Rich
mond at 500 o'clock.
Richmond surely is quite busy
place, but on account of Influenza,
nearly everything was closed after
supper. Couldn't even get a shave
as the barber shops were closed all
day and evening, and even at Newport
they were closed. So we had to go
without a shave until we got to Athens,
Tennessee.
Our next stop was at Bristol, Va,
| and this sure is large southern city.
| We didn't stay there long, as we ram.
bled on to Petersburg. This is also a
good sized city. On account of it be-
| ing in the early morning, we weren't
able to see so much because the steam
was on in full blast and the windows
of the sleepers had a coat of frost on
them. Oh, yes, we travelled in class!
Uncle Sam footed the bill, and so we
each had a sleeper.
This was our last stop off, and so
went right on headed for Knoxville,
Tenn. and arrived there about noon.
Here the Red Cross gave us apples,
cigarettes, candy, and we also were
permitted to get off for little airing
also.
After leaving Knoxville, we passed
any number of smaller places, and they
prospects for corn, vegetables and
other crops.
We stopped at place named Nor
ristown, and it is one of the neatest
little places I have ever seen. Here
we were treated the best lunches I
have had or ever heard of dished out
by any Red Cross Chapter. Then
again, as the cards stated, the City
was boosting for itself. Most likely
the town was standing all the ex-
pense But just the same, Norris
town surely come out and shows what
kind of an American feeling she has,
as all of the boys in khaki and blue,
including several officers, were invit-
ed over to real little Red Cross
Canteen. Here we got dandy cup of
coffee, sandwiches, all we could eat,
baking-powder biscuits with fruit pre-
serves for filling and a large pear.
Those of us who smoked got cigar
cites or cigars, and each Of us receiv-
ed a post card. I believe I sent you
one, Mr.. Lawson, or how about it?
! All aboard! So after 10 minutes
stop we were on our way again. But
l will always remember that place.
Well, we arrived at Athens, Tenn,
at 6: 90 p. m. Tuesday and having been
more than "a hours on the way we
were a tired bunch. We got things
Strengthened out for an early depart
ure Wednesday morning. We then
went for supper and we each were
given a nice room with two beds. Oh,
we had things. first rate! You bet
we did! However, as the town was
under quarantine, everything was clos
ed after 6 p. m. with the exception of
restaurant and hotel. The "Flu''
has hit some of the places pretty hard
Wednesday morning we were on our
way at 900 a. m. 1t surely had been
a chilly night, but not sign of frost
as that part of Tennessee is rather
high.
Going back we got our regular
good fill at MorristOwn again. l went
over and got the lunches for three OF
us. Our man behaved real we'll, SO
he had the same as we had to eat
Had him cuffed part of the time but
later on we took them off, being that
we were loaded in his presence with
$751;, he didn't care to start any
thing.
After making the same changes as
before with the exception of one OF
two, we began to ramble through the
Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
They began to show up about Wednes
day noon, and finer piece of scenery
have never seen in all my life. One
sees fittle farms dotting the landscape
here and there. The general appear
ance, rolling, curving and up and
downs Of the whole country make the
sight something great! The trees
have also such a beautiful color anG
there are numerous streams winding
turnout the mountains. In all 1t is &
picture of unspeakable beauty.
l wouldn't mind a. bit if I had one
Of those fine farms among the noun
tains They raise good deal of corr
on them
Finally we entered Roanoke, Va.
at about $50 Wednesday p. mf ant
after going out for supper the three O.
US, we had to wait until 100 a. m
Thursday for our train. So, we sa
around in the depot because every
thing was closed here also. Places
| such as restaurants were open afte,
} $3.50 p. m. This is a large Virgini:
/ city and things were in full swing here
! After we were on our way again ant
we arrived at Petersburg at 600 a. m
and arrived at Richmond at 500 a. m
We arrived 80 hours sooner than IVA!
| expected of us, as we were given unit
Friday in which to get back In.
We are still guaranteed here, bu
everything shows signs of betterment
and we have been getting off real cas-.
with the Influenza.
With greetings,
! Geo. A. Brogren.
/, Worry is the mother of sick, nerv
GUS and troubled mentality, it upsets