The Coconino sun., 1918-10-25
CHRIS HULLS TELLS OF
 HIS DUCOUT HOME
Chris, like most of the boys in France, is hungry for news from here. Somewhere in France.
 Sept. 9, 1918.

Somewhere in France.
 Sept. 9, 1918.
 Dear Marie:
 We'll here we are, good way in September, and the last letter I re- ceived from you was written July T so 1t is over two months since heard from you, and 1 must admit that am getting little worried about it. Mail has been distributed twice since we came here, but none for me, ex- cept one, from brother Nick. He is now in training camp in Iowa.
 1 am writing this in a dugout 16 feet under ground, but it looks pretty good at that. Just finished cleaning it out, which was some job. l We have quite a little rain lately, so it is muddy and say, that mud will stick, too, is what mean. We also have stove in our dugout and the smoke must get out any way it can find, so it goes out one entrance way and comes back in again through the other. But then we don't stay down here much. If the weather is good we sleep outside, but it is a nice place to find when it rains. | From here we can see across No Mans Land, and trenches with their wire entanglements, to where Fritz is staying. It is pity to see those little towns laid in ruins, all that re- mains now are piles of stone and a few isolated walls.
 In some of them the church is standing, but in many that also is shot down. The fields are crossed by trenches and barbwire, also shell holes by the millions it seems.
 Any way, there is no use kicking, that only makes matters worse, for a fellow has to make tho best of it, and if we learn how to do that the rest will go all right.
 It is funny that I never heard from Walker, Reno, or Bob Erwin. wrote to him 2 1-2 months ago. Say, Ma rie, when you write, please send me some clippings from the Coconino Sun Cor the Leader); just be great to see what is going on in Flagstaff these days.
 A fellow will never realize how great the struggle is, before he has been over here and has seen what is going on. It is almost beyond be- lieving. Germany is, or always was beaten, but it will take a little time yet to convince her about her defeat. But when that is done, it will be the happiest army on earth which sets sail for the good old U. s. again.
 This country hasn't got any seen cry at all, compared with Arizona. The sun just goes down here, no colors or cloud effects like we used to see. But one thing France has got, and that is soldiers. I don't see yet how they ever have stood four years of this and still know how to smile, but they do it just the same. We'll, it is the soldiers who fight and smile that is going to win this war, but really there is not much to smile about.
 I don't know if you are able to read my letter or not, the writing is so very poor, the only excuse I have to offer for that is that am writing on my knee, with piece of candle for light, and am sitting on my bunk, made of chicken wire. It is getting late and my night to sleep to I'd better come to a close.
 Give my best wishes to mother and Ralph and to the folks in the Park. I guess all are busy and have lots to do. To you I am wishing the best of luck. And don't forget to write.
 Yours forever,
 CHRIS HULLS. Co. D, 342 M. G. Bn.
 A p O. 761. 4. E. F.