Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1918-09-12
Andrew Dempsey's Last Letter
La Vale. Wis.


To the BarabOo News:
I am sending you copy of Andrew
Dempsey's last letter to his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. James Dempsey, written
July Is, 1918, in France. Since this
/. letter came we have the sad news
that he died Aug 10, 1918, from
wounds received in action in France.
His letter is good one and I send it
to you for publication for every one
knew Andrew. He had many friends,
and one Of "Our Boys" who has Civ
en- his life for freedom, home and
righteousness. This comes very close
to our hearts. His name in the casu-
atty list is James A Dempsey.
MRS. A. G. Petit.
July Is, 1918.
From Somewhere in France.
Dear folks at home:
How are you getting along by this
time? | suppose you are working
pretty hard with the crops. Crops
look fine here only it is pretty dry,
and farming is on small scale. The
wheat is just starting to ripen.
[ am in France now, have been here
about three weeksI Everything is
fine around here. The people use us
very good. Can't understand much
they say yet, but can get the mean
ing of what they say by their motions.
Had some fun the other night
Went up town and found a girl that
could talk a little English, so she in
vited me in, and we started to talk,
she is teaching me French and l am
teaching her English. She took my
hat and put it away and time went
pretty fast and before I noticed it was
emily five minutes until taps and |
had quite a time telling her that
wanted my hat and had to double
time for a half mile. just got in be-
fore the report was sent in, so we are
not having such bad time at that,
ct all the Chow I can eat and a fair
place to sleep.
I got your letter the other day, al
so one from Lee, one from Dilla, one
from Raleigh, one from Lodges, and
one from aunt Nellie. Tell all of
them that l am glad to hear from
them, but, cannot answer them right
away. James wanted to know some
thing about the war You people get
more news about the war than | do,
and, besides I am not at liberty to tell
what little I do know 1t would not
get through the censors, if I did.
We had quite a time here the
Fourth of July. The French took a
great interest in the sports. I went
to church that day. They say the
church, the building, is twelve cen
turtles old, SO you can imagine it is
quite interesting. | can't think of
much to write that would interest
you. I was digging toy trenches to-
day. Am going on a hike tomorrow
all day.
1t is pretty warm here now, but was
quite cold when we got here. The
cities surely look old around here.
The buildings are all made of stone,
even the roofs. Houses and barns al
together and large pile Of manure
in the front yard. Dilla said he was
doomed for an operation. How did
he come out of it? I suppose he is
home now, or, by the time you get
this letter, for it takes about three
weeks for mail to cross. Sly is over
here, or his company is. He is about
thirteen miles from here, but I have
MT seen him since we left Funston.
Well, ma, you don't need to worry
about me for [ am as safe here as l
was in the states. Everything is in
teresting to me. | am in a bombing
squad heaving grenades. 1t is lots
of fun just like shooting big fire
crackers. | think I will have to quit
for this time. Will write again soon
if don't get too lazy, or, something
happens. If you want to look me up,
write to the Washington war depart
ment and ask where this number is
2,088,203. This is my identification.
number, and they can tell you exact
ly where | am at all times.
AS ever,
ANDY.