The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1918-10-31
DR.. SMITH IN FRANCE
ON The DANGER line
Writes Interesting Letter to Pun.
ia Gorda Friend.
FARMERS LIFE IN FRANCE
Trying Experiences in Field Hos
pital Service. - Twenty-four
Hours Under Terrific Bonbard-
ment, He'll on Earth.

Hours Under Terrific Bonbard-
ment, He'll on Earth.
Since DR.. James Archer Smith
left for France last May, his
many friends here have heard
nothing from him until last week,
when W. E. Mobley received from
him a very interesting letter
dated Sep. 22nd. DR.. Smith has
the rank of first lieutenant and&s
serving in the medical corps, Field
Hospital No. 300, Sanitary Train
No. 303.
He begins his letter by speak
ing very kindly of his many
friends here, about whom he keeps
partially informed through the
Punta Gorda Herald, which is
sent to him by his wife. The fol-
lowing extracts from his letter
are of most interest:
Well, | left the states early in
May and was sent over here in
the advance party of my division
and sent to school over here for
medical officers for six weeks.
During that time / visited most
Of the fronts which were then
held by the American, French
and British armies, as well as
many Of the large hospitals.
Made all the trips in cars through
the country and had wonderful
time. The roads over here are
fine. Most of the roads are as
good as the paved streets Of Pun
ia Gorda, so you know that is
going some. Have seen most of
central and northern France and
most of the country is just the
same.
Villages and towns are all alike.
All farmers live in little villages
and have their barns and manure
piles in their front door. A man s
wealth over here is judged by the
size Of the manure pile which he
has in front Of his door and, Of
course, the streets are lined with
them and the odor from them is
anything but pleasant. All French
women work and they certainly
deserve a great deal of credit for
what they are doing.
Saw some very interesting old
towns and Notifications. When ]
was at school, was in town of
5000 people. 1t was on a. hill
600 feet higher than the surround
ing country and around the entire
town was stone wall from 40
to 60 feet high and a moat around
this; so you can expect the de-
fense they could make in the time
it was built, which was about the
14th century. Every place has a
church and they are all very old
and wonderful. All houses made
of stone and have been built for
many years. Every house has it's
wine cellar, and | think they exist
on wine and very seldom
touch water.
In each town they always
have public place in which all
the women do their washing. They
are all made out Of stone and the
women kneel down in little boxes
over the water and scrub their
clothes. Saw in one place an old
Roman bath where Julius Caesar
is supposed to have stayed at one
time. Later on Napoleon used
the same place to execute his
prisoners and you could see where
the bullets entered the wall Just
about the height of a mans heart.
The trains over here are just
about as small as you find running
r carnivals, but they are wonder
sul in getting over the road and |
getting supplies to the front. Pas
'enger coaches open on the side
md each compartment holds a.
'out six people and about four of |
Concluded on last page) !