Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1918-01-16
MAN OF COURAGE
LLOYD GARNER DRAWS PRAISE
FROM FRENCH SUPERIOR
THRU SIEGE OF VERDUN

Lieut. Lloyd Garner, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Levi Garner of Madison and
nephew Of John and Will Mcmahon of
this city, writes home an interesting
letter telling if his experiences lin
France. Mr.. Garner was evidently
through the siege Of Verdun, said to
be one Of the worlds greatest battles.
But these are his own words:
| am now in Paris as my time is
up in the ambulance work. Only
two Of all the Wisconsin boys are
returning to America. They are Mr.
Fay and James Evans. The rest of
us are all considering some branch
Of the United States service. Nc
Murray and Gilmore are already in
training in aviation, and Mr.. Lewis
and ROwley in the transport service
| am trying for a commission in the
field artillery My examination comes
in three days,-on Saturday, Septem-
Der %. If I pass, I will go into an
officers reserve corps school in a
small place not far from Paris, whe1 e
| will be nearly all winter. If [ do
not pass my examination, on account
of my eyes-Which are much better
than they were,-I have decided to
work with the American Red Cross in
establishing hospitals, at a salary of
500 per month and uniform furnish
ed This job is only a contract with
the government for three or four
months and not an enlistment in the
army. SO if l do not pass the exami-
nation l will be home shortly after
Christmas.
To come home now means one of
two things-to be drafted and go into
the trenches as a private, or to join
my old troops and go into the trenches
as an officer.
| have some good letters from diff
ferent officials in Paris and at the
front. Mr.. Haigle just gave me good
letter and following is translation
Of one given me by French officer
whom l was under all summer:
1.-THE American volunteer Garner
came in the 18th section on the 29th
day of April. He is leaving this sec
ton today. During all the time he
has been here he did the best work
which could be done and his car was
kept i'll the best of shape He al
ways proved very high devotion es-
pecially during the Verdun battles of
June, July, and August, 1917, and
showed the greatest courage.-Lieut
d'Halloy."
We all have these. These letters
may have some weight with the army
officials
Just received your letters today
Sure | am glad to know that you are
doing relief work, for you women
who make things for the soldiers
here will never know how much those
articles are appreciated until you once
see the men in the trenches. Those
heavy socks will sure look good to me
this winter.
Paris is much different than it
was when | first arrived in March
Hardly an American could be seen
then. Now one meets an American
on any street he goes, so you see L
have plenty Of friends
Mr.. Haley and Mr. Miner, both
friends Of mine from Madison, have
just arrived and enlisted in the am
bulance service for the duration of
the war. That is the reason am not
enlisting in the ambulance work, for
if l do l must enlist for the duration
of the war with practically no chance
for a commission.
Well | must close and go home for
supper. Keep on addressing me at 81
Rue RaynOuard, Paris, France, and
| will be sure to get the mail Will
telegraph you when | set settled
again.
Just found out that Mr.. Taylor Of
Chicago is returning, so he will mail
this letter from Chicago.
(Note-He mailed it at Liverpool,
as the postmark shOws)