The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-03-28
CAPTAIN BRIDGES
TELLS Of FRANCE
LIVELY LETTERS FROM AN oskA-
LoosA SOLDIER.
TRyING7TO LEARN LANGUAGE
Says It Don't Sound Like 1t Looks.
Some Personal Views and Gimp
ses of French Life AS He
Sees 1t.

Captain Earl F. Bridges has written
a number of letters home to relatives
and friends concerning things at the
front The Herald is permitted to
print parts from these communica-
lions as below. Earl says there is lit
tie time or~writing but he grabs an
opportunity in between work.
Il cannot say where | am, what
am doing or give out any other inform
alton when writing home. 1t is a
great nuisance as might tell lot OF
mighty interesting things. think
however that | may safely hint that
am engaged on job similar to what
was doing under G. H. Ralston in
Oskalcosa. back in 1908, but a much
larger scale. Never had so many men
on any job before. 1t is busy enough
and important enough to keep me oc-
cupied and interested. When one job
done there are others like ii waiting
there lis little prospect. OF my get
lgi away from duty.
Things are going 10 pick up shortly,
We think, and IL may start any time
wv am comfortably located for
lie time being. never felt better in
my life. Have all I care to eat of
lod American food and cooking three
times a day. Have good bed close
10 a stove and an orderly to make ii
un shine shoes. etc, laundress who
me nds my clothing flivver and a
diver who was formerly with the
Packard Company. The job keeps me
rio ng much of the time. believe
that | am loosing some of the "form''
orked up while | was at Leaven.
wo,th. | noticed the other day that
ny face became red when lace my
shoes.
When ] first came over here |
fought only of getting to the front
but now from the amount of work
piled up ! doubt if erer get to see
any real action. In way it is disap-
Tointing and in another way sup
posed should be satisfied
Just Like Iowa.
Weather has been perfect for a time.
This is the close of the rainy season.
The country is fine. Reminds one of
Iowa after one goes in few miles
from the coast, except that the trees
are green. Here in the middle of Feb
ruary the thermometer is around so
degrees and it is quite comfortable
oven without an overcoat. Mornings
and nights however, are always cool.
Have seen a lot of old buildings such
rs cathedral. .chatteaux walls, ruins,
etc. The roads in France are wonder
full Drove about &c miles the other
Cay in 80 minutes. Driver had the
flivver wide open and never touched
the trottle all the way The road was
nply one smooth white ribbon with
n occasional easy curve or slight
gaGc The French have had no OPP
portunity for over three years to do
any up-keep. In some places our trucks
have simply ruined the roads as they
are mostly macadam and will not
stand up under heavy traffic. After the
war it is going TO cost millions, they
tell me, TO put the roads back where
they we're, Even now you see old
men with wheelbarrows and rakes
working aIcng the roads filling in the
ld!e hoIS5 with rock, cleaning out
d Ti'age bitches, etc. One also sees
WON an doing the same work
Women In overaIs.
I was in a large industrial plant
the other day and for the first time
saw women working in overalls, busy
at lathes, wheeling barrows, ETC., just
the same as the men.
One thing that has been a great
surprise to me is the fact that the
people have so little idea of sanitation
consequently one frequently sees along
the streets sights that are surprising
and at the same time disgusting.
don't know why they are not all dead
of typhoid or other disease, especially
as there is no water fit to drink ex-
cepting that specially prepared and
sold in bottles. Before we came, l
don't believe it ever occurred to them
that water was made for drinking.
Was in Paris several days when
first came over; went to three shows
and was favorably impressed with the
music which seemed to me more
dainty and prettier than any had
heard before. but not being musician
] am no judge
The city made quite an impression
on me; it is some town. even in war
times. Would like to stick around
%hife" after the present emergency is
over aH9 WIFI if good opportunity
offers.
Cold Comfort
The continental trains in winter
are just like refrigerator cars. Never
got so cold in my life as | did the
night came here from Paris. Spent /
the whole night on the road sitting
in crowded compartment. Could
not sleep as two French officers and ,
a French woman talked in very loud
tones all the time. They seemed to
have lots of fun. which was more
than the rest of us could say. Got in
about 1880. a. m, and went to- the hest
hotel in town for breakfast. II was