Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-08-12
Letter From Paul NickersOn.

Letter From Paul NickersOn.
Paul E. Nickerson, one of the Web
ster City boys who is with the Rain
bow division at the front in France,
wrote a letter on July 9Th to Leslie
Clifton and his mother, Mrs. l.. S. Cliff
ton, of this city The letter was re-
ceived a day or two ago and is as fol-
lows:
Dear Leslie and Mother: Not over
ten minutes ago l received two letters,
one from each Of you, and they GER
tainly were welcomed, as the last three
or four weeks my mail has fallen off
quite a bit. But l was glad to read
the letters and am answering unusual
ly prompt for me.
To date have kept my good health
and surplus flesh and am as we usual
ly say, rearing to go. We are now
billetcd in farm yard at the edge of
fair sized French town a, d are hav-
ing ideal weather.
Three of us took long walk after
supper and visited an old French
cathedral whose spires we can see
away in a distance from our "home."
1t sure was a wonderful building and
l wish you could see it. dc not know
low old it is, but must date away back
to 1900 or before.
The outside around the ewes is dec
Grated with images carved in stone and
representing the sins Of the world.
In front over the door is the life sized
figure of Christ on the cross. We en-
tered and it was wonderful room.
At one end was the altar, while on the
floor in front were the kneeling stools
for the worshippers and while we were
there the peasants would come in and
hold their solitary prayers.
The walls show their age and have
started to crumble away. They are
covered with initials and dates extend
away back in years. The stained glass
windows are wonderful. have photo
graphs of the cathedral and will try
to carry them back to the states with
me, but the pictures or description will
never explain this place to the folks at
home.
Another thing which I witnessed and
you probably do not see at home is air.
planes doing target practice behind the
lines. One plane drags parachute
target behind, while the other shoots
at it with machine gun. Score is
taken from the number OF punctures
in the target. AT this place the air.
planes were as thick at night as by
day and flew with colored lights on the
wings.
Would like to run across Pat Bate
man over here.
Am still around the supply Office and
taking care Of food and supplies for
the First Battalion which you know
our old pals of Webster City.
5ergt. Beebe is acting battalion serg
cant for the major of this battalion.
The feeding of an outfit is a great
game and keeps fellow busy every
lay. as we eat where ever we are:
And l will say we are eating unusual
~ we'll. We are eating all American
.ood.
The one bad part of being over here
in France is you think daily of your
friends and cannot see and talk tol
hem, and what's more, there are no
letinite dates set ahead.
= Would sure like to take Leslie"
John" and George" on for game of
ennis. Am just feeling right for a
game now. Have not seen tennis
Jacket in France. Boxing is our sport
low and l like to exercise up bit |
Myself
Well, it is almost time to get busy |
N rations SO l will close. Tell my
riends Hello" for me and that l am
ceiling fine.
Take good care of the girls. saving
t least one or two for me- Wishing
ou all kinds of good luck and hoping
hat events will allow me to be with
GU again soon, bid you
Au revoir,
Your far-away friend,
Paul E. Nickerson.
Forty Acres Sold.