The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1918-09-20


Joe Betz will be remembered by
Leavenworth people as having lived
here up to some ten years ago, when
the family removed to eastern Wash
ington. Joe's mother is here on a
visit to her daughter, Mrs. Richard
DAILY. The following extracts are
taken from a recent letter to his
mother:
August 4, 1918
Dear Mother:-
1t has been neary two months since
| have had letter from You, and |
have not wrote to you in that time,
either.
| suppose you was surprised to hear
that had been wounded, and worried,
too, but there is nothing to worry
about at all, because I am not wound
ed very badly. 1t is only flesh wound
No bones broken at all. The wound
is in my thigh, on my left leg. 1t is
pretty deep but there is no danger at
all now, only it will take quite while
| for it to heal. l do not think l will
have to go to the front again, but
will not get discharge.
| have been in this hospital about
two weeks, now, and am feeling fine.
We are in fine hospital and we have
the best nurse that could ever be.
Well l hope l get some mail from
you soon. This is all | can write now
so will close.
With love,
Joe.
Address: Pvt. J. C. Betz,
Co. A, 28th Inf.
A. E. F., Via New York.
In a more recent letter Joe writes
Paris, Aug. Is
Dear Mother
have not had any mail from you
yet, but will write again.
am still in the hospital and get
ting along fine. They are giving me
the "sun treatment" now. They do
not put any bandage on the wound,
but thin piece of gauze, and then put
me where the sun shines on the wound.
They have only been doing this for
five days, and the doctors say it is
getting a lot better. l told them !
thot it was getting worse, the way it
hurt. 1t feels like it is drawing to-
gether, and some times sharp pains
run thru it. They said it was just
the skin around the edge forming a
scab. l know it is sure looking a
lot better.
We have some fine nurses here,
one especially is just like a mother
to me. She brings me fruit and candy
every day.
The Red Cross people bring us ice
cream about once week. 1t sure
does taste good
There was a woman in here from
Washington, she is representative
of that state for the wounded. She
told me that the people in Washing
1
ton subscribed money to buy fruit,
candy and cigarettes for the wound
ed boys of Washington. That Is
good of that state She said she was
coming back today or tomorrow and
bring me some fruit and chocolates.
hope she comes today. She said she
was going to write to you.
Well this is all can write now, so
will close, hoping you are all well.
With love
Mrs. Betz:-
l happen to be the doctor who takes
care of Your son, and | thought you
might appreciate just a word. He is
doing nicely now, and we hope for a
very good result. Just case of wait
ing for the wound to heal. Don't
worry.
Lieut.. K. R. Wallace, NJ. c.
The following letter from Arthur
r. Priest, director of the bureau main
tanned by this state in France to
smooth the road of the Washington
boys indicates that they are taking an
interest in the welfare of our boys.
Extracts from the letter to Mrs. Betz,
received a few days ago, follows:
"In walking through the hospitals
/ have found your son Joseph C. Betzt
who was wounded in action last month
From the character of his wound l am
sure that he will not be confined to
the hospital for any great length OF
time. He showed great courage af-
ter receiving his wound by walking
| almost q mile hefnre he gave nn al