Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-02
Grand Ridge and Vincinity


Mother and son reported doing line.
Miss Helen Hibhs was IN over
night guest of Streator friends Friday
night.
MI and Mrs. h. F. Campbell and
family We're recent guests OF Mar
settles relatives.
Miss Ardlc Chatter spent his EaSter
vacation with her parents, Rev. and
Mrs. Chatten at the NJ f. parsonage.
Mrs. Gertrude lock Is staying with
Mrs H. ". Clazier while she IL re-
cuperating from her rccen, operation.
The following letter was recently
received from Lieut.. r. C. Williams
OF this village. who Is now in France,
by his wife and vii be read with in
terest by his many friends. not only
here, but surrounding community.
Dear Lola:
We are still enjoying the chilly hos
pitality OF Marshall he Seas Mansion
as We wait Tor orders. 1t Is getting
very monotonous here and are very
anxious TO leave. | have my gang
working over the other side OF town
across the river Loire which Is about
TWO miles away. We go out at S and
come in TO look for orders at ten and
do the same thing In the afternoon.
We are working near fine old fell
lows house, Every inc no; his yard
produces something and you ought to
see the vegetables and fruit. Also
wine in his cellar With the aid of a
dictionary we talk quite lot. French
is very "difivile" rs they say here.
and | almost despair OF learning any
of ii. An instructor is necessary to
make much progress. There is big
skating rink and cafe near where We
work. but /, runs only on Sunday since
the war. We were down IN cafe
last night when 4 big truck came along
looking for headquarters and 4 hospi.
ing from the coast 70 the front. got
In and took them up here and It was
a Job through the narrow streets.
When got back down town. We took a
little walk across the Lvine and met
a Ford coming back from the front
He drove in the dark, said he got used
TO il hauling ammunition AT the front.
His lights were entirely disconnected.
The last two days here have been just
fine. bright. warm and sunny. II II
stays this way and dries up the mud
every one will be happy They won't
let Ms have our mail sent here, be-
cause they say that any day We will
move to another destination They are
sending discharged officers back thru
here all the time | had 4 comfort.
able bath and did some washing yes.
terday II was quite a relief II | can
only have a reunion with my baggage
! can get real comfortable. The
sights CT the town were interesting at
irsr, but one tires Of them. The poor
dogs work harder here than the horses
do at home. There isn't much TO write
now. only that | am we'll and impa-
tient to get really settled, Every.
thing in the army moves very slowly
but 1t Is everlastingly at 1t and 1t
surely, looks good to see all these big
trucks and American things In these
old towns, lots of streets. car can't
get through There use to be car
line In this town. but II is discontinu.
ed since the war though tracks, troll.
leys and all are left just the same. /,
really makes one almost home sick.
N1he waiting and everything. you see
OTIS CT nice people but can't talk to
them.
Love TO all.
ROGER.
Mrs. c. W. Marley and Miss Opal
Payne went to Peoria on Saturday,
where they were guests over Easter
al the home Of Rev. and Mrs. Arthur
Smith. Rev. Smith was q former pas.
tor OF the Methodist church here
Mr.. and Mrs. David Poundstoue mo.
tored TO Streator Friday afternoon.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Scherer return.
ed to their home at Fort Dodge, Ia,
after visiting relatives here for the
past three weeks.