The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-09-19

| joined the army and the climate of
France seems to agree with me even
better than that of the u. S. You
may notice that l refer to the climate
only, in other respects the U. S, is
preferable. | am sure.
Since coming here | have had oc-
casion to see a good bit Of the coun-
try which is very beautiful at this
time of the year. Crops are looking
fine. though in some localities it is a
little dry. II is rather peculiar to see
the peasants living in little villages.
while their land is scattered in small
parcels in the surrounding country.
Their houses are all built of stone and
usually the dwelling rooms and barn
are under the same roof, with doors
leading directly from the stable to the
kitchen or living room. Open fire
places are most common and the fur
nishing and furniture inside are quite
primitive. The floor consists of large
limestone or sandstone slabs, the cell
ing is held by large beams. all win
dows have shutters which are closed
at night. Streets are narrow and
only the main street has sidewalks.
This refers to the little country towns,
with populations of a few hundred up
to 1000 or more.
A good share of the land is used for
vineyards. | had occasion to be at
one of the old country estates a short
time ago and saw the large storage
cellar under the winery with dozens
Of immense casks for wine storage
and aging.
Many of the villages along and be-
hind the battle line are partly or
wholly abandoned by the inhabitants,
though it is surprising to see how
near they remain and till their
ground.
Everything becomes more and more
realistic, though | can't say that | feel
any more excited for it. Only yester-
day, | saw a few airplanes endeavor-
ing to cross the line, while the anti
war craft guns sem up bombs that
burst around the planes and forced
thCil VII A1" uuyo oSD ~ ~
envy plane dropped some large bombs
at night a few hundred yards from
town. Last night I was over to look
at the effects, and it Is actually I'M
believable what the explosive force of
such a bomb is. In soft, very sticky
reddish clay the hole formed by one
of them was between 10 and Is feet
deep and nearly $50 PAGES around.
Jumps of compressed clay over a
cubic yard in size were thrown around
in large numbers. A few occasional
shells now and then only serve to
temper ones feelings and nerves.
They say that * takes only a little
practice to learn how to dodge the
shells if they come too thick. Our
spirit is excellent and | predict that
the "Fritzies' will have to do the
most lodging. Kind greetings
b. A. Berglind.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence A. Davis
lson, Harold, who is with the Engi-
|neer corps in training, and has been
promoted to sergeant and acting as
instructor in gas masks:
Sept. 8, 1918.-Dear Folks: | sure
am glad to hear from you as much
as possible now for | don't think we
will be here much longer. They are
giving us our overseas clothes. ! got
mine today. ! suppose you folks will
be rather surprised to know that |
am now Sergeant Harold b. Davis.
have my stripes on my coat and shirt.
am instructor of the gas masks. |
have put in -four days at the gas
lschool, taking lessons as instructor.
passed the examination Al, and had
to get out before an English major
and six lieutenants and instruct a
class of my own pals-about fifty Of
them, and he called me O. X.
just finished instructins a class
OF thirty men. | am sure feeling fine
and | wish you the same. Tomorrow
is Sunday but we have to work just
the same, giving the men gas lessons.
They have to be able to take the gas
mask from their mask case ard put
it on in six seconds. We sure had
a great time the other night. We
had to 90 out here in the country to
some real trenches about 9 O'Clock and
passed companies all along the
trenches, and hen give the alarm and
put on our masks, when the gas was
shot at us from bursting shells. !
happened to be m~essenge" runner
and there was water and mud in the
trenches so when the gas name along
my lieutenant gave me the message
to take to company headquarters
} about a quarter of a mile down the
trench. | had my gas mask on for
the gas was sure thick and they were
throwing gas shells all around us.
One hit in the trench where my corn,
J pany was. The shells had chlorine