The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-07-10
EARL MALTBY TELLS
Of LIFE IN FRANCE
GIVES GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION
OF AEROPLANE RIDE
Tells of Journey to Home of Joan Of
Arc and Other Interesting Ex-
periences.


ing letter, written by Earl Maltby.
The latter is well known here, being
a graduate of our schools, and his
many friends will read his splendid
letter with extraordinary interest.
Base Hospital No. 81,
American E. F., A. P %. TAT
13 June, 1919
Dear Friend Mr.. Jones:-
l am almost ashamed that / have
not written you during the seven
months l have been over here, but I
determined not to forget you be-
fore l leave. You may be surprised
you probably know, however-that
am still in France, but you may not
be surprised to hear any time that
am home, for we are living with big
hopes and expectations for the near
future. The seventh of this month
| will be seven months that we have
spent over here; the time has passed
fast, but l would not go through the
same experience again for great
deal. l will always remember the
eleventh and the seventeenth of Nov
ember, and the experience we have
passed from then until now. During
that time l have been so busy that I
hardly had time to think of my
friends; until the past two months, to
write a letter to anyone but mother
was almost impossible.
l presume you have talked with
many that have already returned
from France, and have read so much
about the life and experiences of
soldier in the A. E. F. that what 1
would have to tell you would hardly
be new, in fact, can hardly call N.Y.
self a veteran, and therefore have
little right to talk, but l can tell you
what have seen and know about
others, nevertheless. / am in the
medical corps and reached France af-
ter the armistice, consequently have
contributed but little to actual win
ming of the war-much to my disap-
pointment.
France is a wonderful country in
many respects, but the impulse and
the new conception of America that
the conditions over here have inn
pressed upon the minds of the Ameri-
can soldier will be an exerting influ-
ence in the lives of the two million
that are so fortunate as to have lived
and safely returned to the "Grand
u S. A." Many of them now have
/ an appreciation, an interest, an ambi-
tion that they did not have before,
and the curiosity for roaming, the
indebtedness and unsettled minds of
many have been quietened and at
tracted to the thought Of settling
down and beginning in earnest use
full vocation to support a family. This
is very encouraging to the observer
that is deeply interested in America
and the high morals of its people. I
would not take great deal for the
experience | have had the past year.
/ have been fortunate 90 see the
greater part of France and some
parts of England. Three weeks ago
I spent fourteen days travelling
through the central part; spent
eight of the days in and about Nice
and the lest visiting different cities
through and about the territory
southeast of Paris. / spent two days
in Dion and short stop overs in Lyons
and Marseilles. A friend and l also
took trip short distance across
the Italian border, and visited the
popular winter resorts at Monaco and
Monte Carlo; and / must not forget
to tell you that took wonderful
aeroplane trip with the famous
French flier, Maicon. This was an ex-
perience / had wanted ever since
have been here, and was fortunate
enough while in Nice to have that op-
portunity. / will be honest and con-
fess that / felt light after coming
down, for I felt little too conf
dent, / believe, and upon telling the
driver that was not at all afraid, he
began to perform. He took me over
| the sea and then returned over the
city. The most wonderful part of the
ride was a short trip over the noun
tains, the lower part of the Alps. It
was upon returning above the avia-
ton field that / informed him | was
not afraid, and he began his tricks.
We took what are supposed to have
been tail spin, spiral, and dive
before we landed. must say that l
saw the city on all sides of me at the
same time and was about to pick
soft place to light when he straighten-
ed out. We landed safely after which
the aviator took me for another air
ride in his auto form the field to the
city.
Among the first trips and visits
made after my arrival in France were
those through the sections Of Verdun,
st. Mihiel and Mont Sec. These were
fCort;nuad on PAGE Four)