The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-02-08
LETTERS FROM THE
BOYS In THE CAMP

DUO IN l0E UHWI
From Thursday Daily.
Rev. M. w. Fleckenstein has re-
ceived the following interesting letter
| from Melvin Knoff, now at Kelly Field
with the colors:
Dear Mr.. and Mrs. Fleckenstein: -
Your kind letter received on the 18th
and as this is our afternoon off will
take advantage of my precious spare
| time and answer. I also received the
box of sweets, and how I enjoyed it!
of course shared it with my Bunk
ies,' who enjoyed it as much as did
There is nothing we appreciate more
| than candy when it comes to eats
We all just crave sweets, having ac-
quired a sweet, tooth after going into
the service. Our food is plain but sub
stantial and the only thing that gets
lsweetened is coffee. Once in a great
while we get little jam. Sugar is
one thing we will have to forget about
here.
LIT me describe to you the meals
for an ordinary day in this camp,
breakfast served at seven o'clock in
Guides one pan full of army stew,
two pieces of very good bread, boiled
'spuds' and fair coffee. Dinner serv-
ed at twelve o'clock: fried beef,
mashed spuds, two slices of bread,
sometimes butter, spoonful peas, lots
of gravy, coffee or tea. Supper is
about the same thing, served at five
o'clock. They feed about $50 men at
each kitchen. We sit around on the
ground, Indian style. and eat, as they
have no mess halls here. / only wish
that you could all visit here for a
short time. 1t would take me hours
to describe it all. I hope / have the
opportunity to get home for short
time. Then we could have a pleas
ant visit and I could tell you of the
most interesting events of my young
career.
"Your letters are certainly appre-
ciated. The kindly advice, and OPP
timism 4 theme are great help to
me. l read them both over and over
again. 2IK 1852
at pleases me to hear of the great
work being done by the Red Cross
throughout the country, and were a
civilian to visit our camp he could
plainly see the results of their dona-
lions and labors. In my case l am in
a position to have every comfort, but
think of the thousands in the army
who have not even home, some even
without friends or relatives. l would
gladly give my share to these poor
fellows if I knew them and their sit
uation. g f.R 20
eyes, understand the situation al
our factory, and I pray that the time
is not far off that Iacan take fathers
place there and give himJa rest, Ions
enough so he will never have to work
again.
81 have sent, them some pictures
that I had taken in San Antonio
One of them is for you, and will be
delivered as soon as they arrive there
'I expect to move in few days tt
another part of the camp. Then
from there I will beJsent to my work
certainly am anxious to get into &C
tive training and the uncertainty o
the situation here is getting on m.
nerves, but it will come, and I GER
tainly will remain cheerful until
does.
81 am in the best ofghealth, no
having had a sick day thus far, con
sidering the conditions here, which
only those in camp understand. !.
consider that very good. Must clos
now as have some work to do. Will
certainly write you again when l ge
: settled, and then / surely want t.
E hear from you again. / hope that yo1
are all in good health and remain s.
o during the severe winter Was YER
pleased to hear of the work bein
!, done by Victor, manuel and Walter
We are now in war that, when final
ly settled, will prevent anything Xix
: it again in the future, and the boy
will not have the opportunity of en-
Toying the work done by others as
enjoy their work. God bless them TO
= their work, and some day they wi
!. surely reap the rewards due then
{, With kindest regards to you all l re
u main Your sincere friend, Melvi
knott"
Il Char ,stown, s.. c., January %, 191
5. Dear Father; Received your lette
: of the 18th and was very glad to hea
IS from you and; to know that you ar
all well. just received the box {
IL cookies, cake and candy that mann
i, sent ME, and it did look awfully goo
and tasted mighty fine, but it did M
t. take us boys long to eat then
Many thanks and come again. e
"a the three newspapers that you SCI
me ALSO I read them over and the
4 sent them over to Elmer Nosdahl, {
o he is here with me but in anotht
r. barracks. was glad to get The FRI
At Press, and read what was going on
home.
= Tell Mr. Dempsey and Elsie that
"a have just mailed letter to them.
have just received a letter this aftel
- noon from Elsie and one from Una.
- l was made second class seams
Monday but that does not mean tn
- l go to sea. We may be here lol
- time yet, but my ambition is to trav
- the high seas and fight those subma
- ines. l cannot take the examinatit
sc for a petty officer until ! get on tt
ID high seas. Yes, they take one out
at each hundred. as you asked in yo
H. letter, and / am going to ask for ;
examination as soon as possibl