Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-05-09
Letter From Arthur poty
March %, 1913
BarahOna. s, d.


wish, that at times whether we
are sick or not. II certainly is a
shame that they do not send us
our mail oftener, but it can't be
helped. We have to grin and bear
it. Naturally just getting over the
fever am little peevish. We have
not heard a word about being
moved but the best news that we
could get would be to pack up and
leave for the states. You can bet
old Iowa is good enough for me if
ever get back there. Ny head is
hardly steady enough to think
consecutively, let alone to write
sensibly. But felt that must try
and get some worn nome some
how. We have not been paid for
long time but one of the fellows
lent me some spick stamps so will
write by spick mail. Our other
mail does not come much oftener
than once a month. This is the
most secluded place you ever saw
no news from the outside at all.
The navy radio never gets to us
here at all. So We are sort of like
Rip Van Wrinkle.
certainly. spent an enjoyable
day when all the letters and the
papers from home came and we
expect more any day now. I'll
bet you are making garden now or
thinking of it. Don't forget to put
lots of radishes, lettuce, and to-
matoes in for me. We can never
tell the war might be over then.
Oh, say, Mother, want you to
find out Chris jones' address of
his folks and send it to me the
next time you write after this.
1 have seen some very queer
animals up here, an octopus, sea
porcupine, sharks, star fish, lobs-
tiers, chamelions, lizards, tarantu-
las, scorpions, centipedes, and
lots of beautiful fish which the
spicks call by such outlandish
names that l can't write them on
paper. have seen cocoanuts of
all kinds, shapes, and sizes from
the first little appearance until
they drop off the tree. Here they
cost you if you buy them, 2 cents
apiece. Say. Mother, how l do
long for some of your cooking,
that l used to enjoy so much. l
would have given anything for a
quart of cold milk when had the
fever so bad. have not written
for so long, can hardly write
anymore. guess you folks will be
able to figure them out just the
same. l will try and tell you what
a corporal's duties are. He has
charge of a squad Of eight men in
battle and is responsible for them.
He does guard duty at the guard
house and there are three corpor-
ais for each shift of "a hours OF
guard duty. He does eight hours
on watch out of the "a. He is sup
posed to see that his men under
stand their general and special or
ders for the different posts and
instructs them if they do not. He
raises and lowers colors when on
watch and many other things too
numerous toemention. When off
guard he goes to non CONS.
school held by the captain OF the
lieutenant's and learns changes
desired in manual Of arms or drill
or guard OF drill OF signal work.
So you see we have quite a lot
to do. Tell father he might try his
hand at writing a little bit now
and then for l like TO hear from
him. l guess all my girls have for
gotten me, have not heard from
any of them for long time, ex-
cept my best one at home who /
have known for about 90 years.
Mother dear, don't worry about
me and keep on writing and am
sure will get home sometime.
We will all celebrate some be-
lieve me. Best of love to you and
luck with your garden.
Your Son,
Arthur