The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-05-01

THE BOTTINEAU CoURANT, BOT
many Of them. There are hundreds
Of them here and in the neighborhood.
The hills Of Walls once echoed to the
tramp Of the legions of julius Caes-
ar. Caesar, as every school boy is
aware, conquered and established or
der throughout France fifty years be-
fore the Christian era. The Romans
laid the foundation for the wonderful
system Of roads which now this
country like net work, from the
larger cities to the smallest villages
in the mountain tops. On the east
ern bank Of the Ardeche river a few
miles below Walls, is the site Of a Ro-
man camp occupied by Caesar and
his legions in the later years Of the
Gallo vars. We do not need histories
written in English to tell you Of this
man, for the thoughtful nan who
tramps these hills and valleys, with
their buildings, ancient and modern,
their roads and vineyards, houses and
implements of labor can read in these
the history of more than twenty cen
turtles. If a stone could cry out and
a beam answer it what thrilling tales
would be told of the camps Of Caesar
and the ancient Romans, Of the feu-
dial castles and chateaus, Of injustice
and Of heroism could these mute wit
nesses relate. These castles and cha
teaus are now forever gone, only the
ruins remain to tell of the remote
past and when n clamored up to the
summit and sees the wreck Of ages,
there are thoughts which come and
which cannot find in words a fit ex-
preston. After the reformation this
section was the center of the fierce re-
ligious wars, during which Walls was
taken by seige and the walls and cha
teaus destroyed in 1923 at the same
time the early settlers at jamestown
in Virginia and the Pilgrims Of New
England were establishing civilization
amid the forests Of America. At
Aubenas, south of Walls, we went thru
a Catholic church which has behind
the alter some of the most beautiful
wood carvings in France and probab-
ly many other countries. This church
was built in 1892 during the crusades
from 1866 to 1870 and also saw the
st. Bernard's monastery at this place
At Ruoms we visited the "wall city"
which it is called. Inside Of this wall
ed city is an old church built in the
feudal period S14 to 1877 and is about
1000 years old. They r now repair
ing the church putting in new arches
and pillars. I also have a picture OF
this church and the "walled city"
Beside this church still stands the old
church built in 419. Just think, 1900
years ago, the emblem which is carv-
ed above the entrance door is still
there and is an eagle and a lion. From
here we went up the Ardeche river
about IL kilos to one of the quarries
where the foundation of the "Statue
of Liberty" which we all hope to see
again some day, was built. While
here I picked up some of the same
rock which is used in the statue and
believe me-, I have some souvenirs
that I wont part with for money
From here we took a bus, to WALTON
and while there had the privilege Of
seing the seven Tapestries Of the
Crusades," valued at 1000 each. Then
we started on our trip to the natural
bridge Pont D'Arc as the French call
it) which is 9 Kill from WALTON. This
bridge is 319 feet high from the water
to the top of the bridge. There were
only about Is of the IS that went to
the top. Some climb and not only that
but it is one of the most dangerous
places I have ever walked. I have a
picture of this bridge which I have
sent home so you can all see it. AS a
rare and treasured jewel is treasured
so mother nature has placed the beau
tiful Ardeche Wonderland in La Belle
France and here Uncle Sam has built
a resting place for the soldiers. Here
the soldier finds a Club house with all
the conveniences. Writing material is
furnished free of charge also maya
zines and books are found here. There
are also billiard tables, pianos etc. to
help pass the time for the boys. There
is a beautiful ball room where dancing
is carried on every evening.
In closing I must tell you that I am
feeling fine and have gained % pounds
since entering the army. With my best
regards to you all, I am,
Respectfully yours,
Clifford Anderson, 88th Co..