Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-01-09
LAWRENCE MONTIGEL
WRITES FROM FRANCE
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deal from the American railroad men.
| stopped the other day at cross
ing and waited for five or ten min
utes for the woman to open the gate.
Finally inquired why the woman
held US SO long and was informed
that when the gateswomen learned
that an American train was coming
! they would close the gates long be
fore the train was due. The Ameri-
can engineers are too speedy.
Another interesting thing is the
telegraph system. a whirl-a-gig out
fit used by the railroads. At the
telegraph offires they use the odd
, system of paper and ticker, the
machine writes out the letters in
stead Of the modern sound system.
Yesterday went to Bordeaux, a
longed for trip. The only flaw was
that had no time to see the sights.
! went by ambulance. taking Lieut..
Col. Lillianthaw to get the boat Eco
lis" at the No l dock. The trip 60
ing down was very cold and rainy.
We arrived about 1870, went TO U.
5. headquarters, and then TO dinner
at the Y. NJ. c. A. The place was
very popular and well patronized.
After dinner we went back across
the big bridge and along the right
bank Of the river. From the point
Of crossing the bridge we travelled
more than FIVE miles and saw moth
cranes. We went 10 U. S. dock No.
/ and there WAS the vessel which was
to soon leave for the States. II was
once one Of the German informed
boats.
We returned to the city and then
went out TO Bean Desert where Base
Hospitals No. Ill. ia. l2l, and %
arc located. Here the troops are
brought up the line until they are
ready to board the boat. This GER
tainly is big camp, having every
thing imaginable in the way of mil
tary work. | returned TO the city
again about $3.50 p. IN. and started
for Come, a distance of about 30
miles, without nights and only the
moonlight to drive by, which wasn't
bad as only the Americans drive after
dark, so didn't have TO stop for any
OK teams and the moonlight made
everything beautiful. We drove to
Libourne, had supper and returned.
Everything went along fine for the
rest of the trip.
II ! stay long enough TO get fur
Tough hope 10 be able TO see Paris
and Nish as they're both in the leave
centre and have great deal of in
terest for me. At Nish the Red
Cross and Y. NJ. c. A. have taken
over large hotel and they furnish
TO men on furlough, room and lodg-
ing free, something which is very
generous. | would have liked TO
have been in Paris when Pres. Will
son came into the city but no doubt
the movies will give US a good pic
turc Of it. Everyone over here has a
great respect for Pres. Wilson and
they are right in that All the cities
and hamlets were decorated with
American and French flags in honor
Of his arrival and visit to France.
They think his coming a wonderful
honor and gift of the American gov
eminent.
We have lots Of rumors travelling
around here about our going home;
the last two are, first, we will be
going homeward in the next few days,
the second is that we have been at
tached TO this base unit. and will
return with them The latter would
mean that we will be here quite a
while or until most of the men have
returned from the front.
Some of the fellows have received
their Christmas boxes. hope | receive
mine soon. BY the time you receive
this, Christmas will be over but hope
you have had happy one and that
| will be with you soon. Write.
Your son and brother,
Wag. l.. f.. Montigel.