The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, 1918-03-15
From Harry Petree.


Somewhere In France, Feb. 10, 1918.
Dear Folks: am not doing very
much at present; spent the morning
censoring mail, and a few minutes
drilling this afternoon. The day 10
very wet and disagreeable. I am
afraid the rainy season Is starting Of
ter the wonderful weather we have
been having.
will tell you about the big day we J
had here Sunday. The American
cadets met the French "aspirants,"
(cadet flyers and many who have dis
tinguished themselves at the front), IN
a track meet. The affair was on the
main square. used on Saturdays a. q
market place. This is . very large
square bounded by stone wall and
a rim Of trees. In the center IL .
large statute Of some famous French
yclls. A Frenchman hearing II wanted
lent cindcr tract with jumping pits,
etc. Before the events started. two
American teams, one Of officers and
one Of cadets, played . game Of base
ball. There were thousands Of people
lprcsent-French and American cadets,
officers and soldiers, as well ~ most
Of the civilian population. The French
uniforms are very bright, especially
the officers dress uniforms, and many
wore decorations won at the front. 4
don't think the French quite appreciate
base ball. The fierce invectives d.
rccted at the umpire seemed 10 puzzle
them.
After the game the track events
started. The Americans won easily In
the 60 meter dash, q French favorite.
The French were In the better condi-
ton, however, and won the $50 meter,
1900 meter and relay races. The 1900
meter was quite exciting. In the last
lap a Frenchman opened up with q
great sprint and left our man far be.
hind, and We all chcercd him to- the
echo. We won the discus throw. run
ming broad jump and shot put. Low
cry, an s. A. r. from Franklin col
lego. Indiana. a 80 pound aviator l
know Mt Mineola, turned the trick
easily In the shot put. After the 9TH
ers had done their best. he hurled the
weight a full yard beyond their best
efforts, much 10 the astonishment and
admiration Of the French. The pole
vault resulted In q tic between two
Americans and n French champion.
One Of our men. Graham. has done ~
feet i0.2 inches and should have won
easily u he had been In condition.
The French have q good opinion Of
us and II was a good thing we showed
some stuff. The last event was the
boxing. Two Frcnchmen came In and
gave an exhibition which they seemed
to consider boxing, but which looked
TO us more like an exhibition Of fancy
dancing. Then Partisan boxing
professor met an American kid In q
match. The expression Of indignant
surprise that came over the professors
face. when young America tapped him
on the chin was comical. Tho bout was
real lively for the professor. He had
his hands full and seemed to be greatly
relieved when the bou, was over.
The meet. on the. whole. was very
good. and ] thoroughly enjoyed II. II
seemed quite out Of place In this quiet
little town, rs the crowd In size and
noise equalled that attending q college
meet One thing struck me rs funny.
A bunch OF University Of Illinois men
got together and gave . few college
yells. a Frcnchman hearing II. wanted
!. translated.
The Americans are gradually wax
ing the town up. The French like
many OF the American customs and
are coming around to them. The boys
play foot ball and base ball whenever
they can spare the time. and their wild
> cheering can be heard for miles. They
are beginning TO take some interest in
baseball. Yesterday NLincoln's ami
/. vcrsary) quite number come TO sec
: a game between two rival American
: teams.
The American officers, Of course,
lake great interest In the games
The colonel IN charge OF this post at.
tends regularly. In fact n few even