The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-05-24
Corp. D. B. Kirk Writes To A
Friend Here; Tells OF
Voyage To France
YANKS AND FRENCH
GET ALONG WELL
Local Man Tells OF Tri-C Color
Republics Villages,
Centuries Old


the American army in France. re-
ceived in this city from Corporal ID. B.
Kirk, son Of Mrs. w. II. Kirk of East
High street:
I'VE had q quiet trip over, Atlantic
smooth as glass most Of the time and
never O sub. was sighted. Had hopes
Of going to England first In order to
see some of the country. but when
our anchors ratified down to their rest
ing place we found we were In q
French port. An interesting old place
1t was, too, and since I've been over
quite q lot OF France since then, II Is
fairly typical Of French cities. France,
an old country, looks now much as
imagine It must have looked centuries
ago. The streets are narrow and laid
out apparently at the whim OF any
property owner. The buildings are of
stone and every window is shmttered.
The sidewalks are narrow and for that
reason most everyone walks in the
street, which are paved with cobble.
stones. II Is interesting and curious
to one used to modern buildings and
comforts but as O steady diet II would
not appeal to me.
'The port where we landed was our
home for q few days In order to give
the men chance to rest up. Then
we were loaded on trains, regular box
cars with benches In them. and sent
on long trip. II wasn't comfortable,
but II was good chance to see the
country. French villages are all alike
"a cluster OF white stone or plaster
houses with red tiled roofs, and now
cient castle that was In its glory hun.
dreds OF years before. Now and then
we would see patches of German pris.
oners working on the railroad In their
dirty green or gray uniforms. They
had little expression In their faces
and they looked at us as though they
wondered what we were doing there.
In age they ranged from middle.aged
men to boys in their teens, the boys
being the latest captured. They are a
husky lot but they don't look intelli.
gent enough to outguess the Yanks.
It's easy to imagine them being brut.
al enough, though. They look It.
THE French people have been very
glad to see ny and wa are given the
best OF treatment. The soldiers OF the
two countries get along In great shape
even though there Is u good deal OF
dibicnity In understanding one anOth
er. They are the most polite people
ever saw and II keeps you busy try
Ing 10 match them In courtesy. The
people are well dressed Ind well fed
and although you see many In deer
mourning with sorrow written In their
faces, the Huns have not licked then
by q sheluva sight.
Am sorry I cant tell you some In
teresting things we see and hear, bu
censorship regulations are strict ant
for that reason military matters ar,
taboo. One thing In sure II nll tn,
Yanks are as well fed. clothed nnt
housed as we are the folks ut HON.
needn't worry ab0nt that part of them
Sometimes we are uncomfortable an,
we get pretty wet and tired. too. b,l
SO far we have lodged actual hard
ship. Some OF tho men have beer
kicking a bit. but when you analyz,
the complaints they won't hold water
I've been nursing cold. In fact tn,
grip. hut it's better and some decen
weather will make everyone feel bet
ter.
Give my hest to all the boys. Their
never was better crowd on cart
than that crowd at Mt. Vernon and tel
them not 10 worry II we get fe,
5oits al first. They are TO be expec
ed and we'll wind np by putting tn
cleaner on In such fashion that Frit
won't squeak again In century. Bl
Americans have never been licked ~
here they will bs perfectly able I
live up 10 the records OF the past. w
must have a pretty sizable army her
now. hut you folks with your newsp,
pers probably know more about tht
than We do over here.
CORPORAL ID. b. KIRK,
"Hdqr. Co. 5sth Artillery. Gao
"A. p. o. 1873. A. u. r..
France