Weekly journal-miner., 1918-12-18
THOMAS THORPE WRITES FROM
 HIS DUG-OUT
(From Wednesdays Daily.)

of Prescott, and who in the fall of 1917 left this city for Camp Funston to begin his training as member of the national army, has written Phoe nix friends of some of his impressions of army life in France, and because the letter IS most interesting and we'll written, the Journal-Aliner publishes portion of the communication:
 SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE,
 On active service with the U. S., Nov. II, 1918. Medical Detachment, S06th Pioneer Inf, \. E. F., via New York.
 Dear Friends:
 Sitting in my dugout, thinking about the L. s. and my friends at home. I remembered that it has been long time since I wrote you. Over here" one appreciates mail and of course there is only one way to get it and that is, write Today we heard the most welcome news of all and that was "Fini Ia guerre.' The war IS finished, the boys over here are all glad and I am sure the folks at home are just as pleased about it as we are. The thing that won this war IS the pep and push of our troops. l have recently been in dugouts that the Germans have lived in for the past three and half years and they had them fitted up like palaces, carpets on the floors and fine furniture, electric lights. they certainly were comfort able. but they were run out like bunch Of rats and did not have time to take their personal belongings along. They had nice gardens in front. it was very fortunate for us, as we were able to get fresh vegeta- bles and they were a pleasant changS after two months of hard tack and corned Willie One good thing how ever. we get plenty to eat, and so far we have never been real hungry. though on several occasions 1t has been quite a while between meals. The boche cannot understand why We will march over barbed wire en- tanglements and right up to their ma chine guns. but they found out that nothing would stop the Yankees and they were wise to sign the peace as we were on our way to Berlin, and right now WIG are only one hour by airplane from Berlin. This IS a great life if one does not weaken, but if you weaken it is goodbye.
 I have had wonderful luck so far and have been all over France, riding mostly in motor trucks and walking, though at times I have ridden in box cars. It is very interesting along the different battle front and have been fortunate in seeing a good many ot them. I was through the Argonne forest. where there has been some very severe fighting lately and also along all the St. Mihil sector. Being in the medical department one has an opportunity to see and go to places that you could not go otherwise, and of course a medic comes in handy when the big shells come over, but now that 1t Is over with, whilst no doubt we will have to stay here for some time I hope to see the balance of France and part of Grmany, just so we can send souvenirs home I won't kick. The regiment 1 am with is made up of members of the family of George Washington from Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. so the color is pretty dark. There is only one other white ser geant besides myself with them but We have a prettl good time at that, though you would all laugh if you could hear our brand of French but at that We manage to get by During a trip through some dugouts, not so long ago, we found a bunch of wine ard champagne, so we filled up our mess cups and went to 1t. Everyone got enough to wish for more, the boche had overlooked one case. l don't know how it happened.
 Thissis a wonderful country and 1t will not be so very long before all the signs of the recent war will be remov- ed. The French are very industrious and one changes the opinion which he had been given to understand at home. Of course the upper class is inclined to be frivolous and idle, but the great middle class of France is an entirely different proposition. They are very industrious and saving and work from carly morning till late at night A lot of our boys are getting married over here. but I have not seen anyone here that I would care to trade for an Arizona girl that know The French have been charg- ing us about ten prices for things, but a new order came out today stop ping it, so we should worry. We paid $ for a dozen of eggs up front a week ago. but they were worth it at that. I have been in several wonder ful churches and it is crime the way they have been shot up. l saw real baseball last Sunday and 1t made me wish I was back in the states. Three nights ago WIG had an entertainment in the ''Y" tent given by five young ladies from old New York and ii sure was good to see an American girl once more.
 If nothing happens I will be home one of these days and tell you all about it. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
 From Thorpe.
 lst Cl. Med. Dept T.. s. Army