Carthage courier. (Carthage, Tenn.) 1913-current, 1918-10-24
/. D. BEAsLRY MEETS OTHERS
OF OUR BOYS IN FRANCE

The following letter received this
week by Mr.. and Mrs. J. z. Beasley
of Riddleton, from their son, !. u.
who has been in France since June
23rd. Adding to the interest of the
letter is the fact that two other
Smith county boys are mentioned:
Dear mother
I've enjoyed the last three weeks
very much. Joe Oliver and / have
been together almost constantly
when not on duty. You can never
imagine how surprised and glad I
was to incidentally meet him in the
Z. NJ. c. A. one night 1t almost
took me off my feet to meet one OF
my best friends so far away from
nome and under such conditions. He
has been out of the hospital for more
than a month and in spite Of a slight
wound he received in action, he now
.ooks as well as / ever saw him.
said goodbye" to him tonight as
ne leaves this city for parts unknown
before l shall have the opportunity
% see him again.
| was equally glad to see another
friend from Smith cOunty-Bridges
Read. Now don't you call me lucky
Bridges is rapidly convalescing from
ais injuries-gass as well as 1.-TWO
bullet wounds. Both relate wonder
ully thrilling experiences and they
lad such hair-breath escapes thai
hey consider themselves lucky tc
ave come out alive. They are the
lind of boys that the Marines are
made of and they have lived up I,
he name apply given them Devil
logs"
/ guess you will be somewhat sur
,rised to know that / have tried fol
officers Training Camp of the
Aviation Corps. ! submitted my ap
,lieatiOn and have been examined
ut | regret to say that | have beer
urned down because of physical dis
ability for that particular service
tut shall try for another branch a.
am earnestly DESTROYS of comba,
service.
| hear from you all as often as
hould expect to, but more letters
would be welcome-you can't write
90 many. / admit that | don't writt
5 often as | might, but I feel a re
traint in writing now that / new
cit before, so no one viii feel offend.
d with me for my hardness. | have
'eceived several letters from MarS
5piva. ] shall write Rebecca soon.
By-the-way-you requested me t.
escribe the city in which we are 10
ated, but you can see why l can dc
hat only in a limited way. | mag
ne it was very beautiful city before
he havoc of war visited it and de
troyed some of it's beauty. OF course
don't mean to say that the city has
Ictually been under fire, but it has
N n h.
luences of war. It's natural beauty
still here tho, river, not quite as
arge as the Cumberland, divides the
,ity. 1t is spanned by a very massive
stone or concrete bridge which looks
IS if it might be centuries old. There
a Chateau over looking the river
which is very interesting historically
loan of Arc is said to have beer
;hristened there. A stair case in it is
said to rank among the
greatest pieces of architective ir
he world. The country roundabout
IS rolling and in the main very fer
lie. One is Immediately impressed
With the good macadam roads which
me finds everywhere. cannot but
RAW the contrast between this
country and our own, which in that
particular, is very marked. In many
aspects we are not so progressive
IS the French people. While in mos
asses we far surpass them. They
ave very odd customs that amuse one
It first, but they seem only natura
fter a while. They drink very little
water, but everybody has his wine
ellar. Strange to say it is very
are that you see one drunk. This Is
-ather rambling and after all tells
cry little about my present home
ut it will be sufficient for the pres
mt to say that the place is interest
ng and is closely identified with
important events of French history.
! was about to forget to remind
you that my subscription for the
Courier has expired and am going tc
esk you to renew it for me. Also
end me numbers since August 1st
Occasionally I get a Tennessear
-hich always enjoy. Send then.
)ften.
l was glad to hear that Happy
ack" was winner again. Was quite
sure he would be
You will please not feel any un-
aasiness about me or any apprehen-
sion as to my safety, for I'm we'll and
all right. / enclose picture of Joe
and me.
With love for all,
I. D. BEASLEY.