The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1918-07-18
8 8 8 = = = = = :
SOLDIER BOY LETTERS
From Rollie Dale at Camp Merritt.
New jersey.
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| have received letters from Iowa
saying that there had been mum
Der Of interesting letters. written by
Decatur county boys, and TINS Delng
nv fourth camp that l have Deen IN
since May 18th, it seems probable ne
derived from the experience Thereon.
vent from home to Camp Dodge
to enter service, with the expectation
of getting home at least once Defore
going over, but was there e. Du t,or q
transferred to FIT. Riley, Kansas, IN.
to the ambulance corps. | VIII not
take time and space to explain the
trip in detail, but can assure you
that it was one of excitement anu
"a hours, so naturally the fatigue
was mild. This was at the very
time Of the big tornado that passeqf
through Boone and Other, parts O.
the State the night of the 22nd.
There was lots OF rain in Kansas al
this time also. We found riley,
Kansas, to be a very nice place e
met with number of fine fellows:
and one especially by the name OF
Edwin NJ. Nordheim, from Mime
sofa, We were together the whole
time and when time came for me 70
leave for Pennsylvania, ! 10, douH folI ~
will be glad to know that | found
Bert Kemp in perfect health at
Riley. and as glad to relate the fact
that we had number OF go0d WIS
its, talking over old times. we a.
SO had some pictures tak kemt tog Same
On the morning of June 10th, the
G O. fired about $50 of us fellows
nnon request that we beat it to
Pennsylvania for work. The, ma.
jority of the troops were sad, put
just before we boarded the tr RAJ NV, we
the hearts of many and the games
Started. it wasn't Riley that | hat
cd tn leave, it was Nordheim and he
in turn felt just as bad that he
couldn't go. Our trip was real. pc
ing on board y hours, and exciting
bunch Of men. This eastern country
is great, with the exception OF New
York state. l can't speak good
word for her, but Pennsylvania is
supreme Its picturesque views that
can be seen from the train among
streams is entirely wholesome. |
tunnels that we went through, onl y
that they were very dark. In fact,
it was darker than any night l ever
was out. | bumped my head on the
few few stars. We found Camp Crane
located in the northwest corner OF
Allentown, Pa, and can say that it is
as beautiful as imagination can pic,
ture in the mind of q human.
wasn't there long until saw an
opening at the garage tor DRYING lily E
three days l was detailed there by
the adjutant of the camp. They put
me to driving Ford, but was soon
driving the Dodge and heavy Pack
ard trucks. This kind of . a 1ob
enabled me to see all OF Allentown
and good bit of the country. You ,ou
can leave it to me, l havn the
nerve to ask for better, job. There
were a number of us fellows detail
ed to special work, but there was no
chance for transfer. The morning
of July 9Th, there were 200 OF US
that left for Camp Merritt I'm ~ ao,;1 y.
ments for oversee work, even to our
steel helmet. l wish l had some
pictures to send, but nevertheless
felt that nay letter will describe the
situation quite full l will now re,
late the fact that | am to set a,s sall
to sailors in regard to boating, and
it makes me more than anxious to
get that ride, and | assure you that
will do my bit in France, and also
bring back all the relics and honors
that one can carry.
could write here all afternoon
and not say nothing either and ii
you don't believe it. just ask the
right girl. If Leon is now like most
of the towns that l came through on
my trips she will have to be lo4 3Rfs
good care of her as you can, until
return, remain as ever,
Pvt. Rollie F. Dale.