The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-02-13
LIFE AMONG THE
GERMANS IS QUIET
BRoOkINGS DRUGGIST TELLS OF
THEIR HOSPITAL TRAIN
AT THE FRONT
BOYS SLEEPING N BEDS N GERMANY
Not Much Excitement But Still They
Find Things To Do To Pass Away
The Time And Be Contented

The Time And Be C~ontented
Our former druggist, w. E. Franck.
writes the following very interesting
letter to G. F. Thayer of this city, on
corning life with the forces in Ger
many:
Field Hospital, Co. 354, 314th San
itary Train, S9th Division (Army of
Occupation), Bollendorf, Germany,
January 16.-Friend George: Well !
just thought l ought to tell you that
we are now in Germany. Guess that
is not so slow for six months work,
Ell? OF course the English and
French helped a little and if they had
cupying Berlin instead of the country
this side of the Rhine. The boys from
the L. S. were just getting up steam,
hadn't hardly spat on their hands yet
when the kaiser "kameraded' and beat
it to Holland. Guess we learned the
~squareheads a few things, however,
as they treat us like long lost broth
ers,' and fall all over themselves to
do US a favor. They actually seem
glad that we are passing the time
with them. We are living in houses
now and it is real life, as near to be-
ing home as one could get. All have
a big bed and a roo to ourselves,
and the rooms are kept clean and
beds made by the natives so what
more can a fellow want? The people
are pretty hard up and most things
are scarce, especially fats, soap and
cereals, but l guess they have plenty
to eat and if they go just a little hun
cry to remind them of Belgium it will
do them some good.
We had a great trip through France,
Belgium, Luxembourg and this far in
to Germany. And | am hoping that
we keep going. We made several
stops on tbs way so hid p SIC chance
to look the country owe and believe
me | took all in that l had a chance
as this is the last time ! ever expect
to stray so far from where | am &C
quainted. Had a great time in France
trying to 'parley VOC" with the French
but another month here and l will
be able to sling the Dutch like a ma
tive. l went up to my room just be-
fore dinner and here m a fraulin
with a plate of waffles-you know we
are not to fraternalize with the Ger
mans-so | cannot tell you what | did
to those waffles, but they were about
the finest looking waffles that l yer
saw
Well how are things with you and
how did you get by the winter for |
suppose the winter will be over by
the time you get this. Got a letter
from papa the other day saying there
was snow there this winter. We have
been exceptionally lucky so far this
winter the only way we have saw any
snow is for us to go up in The noun
tains. and then it is pretty thin, not at
all like South Dakota. There are a
lot of deer, the kind with horns, In
the mountains around here and if
they don't watch the old man I'll have
me a saddle of venison some of these
fine days y nthe Germans.
There is not a bit Of excitement
here. a game of checkers now and
then to break the monotony and that
is about all. We are not running our
hospital now so have a little time to
ourselves. The mountains are sure
beautiful around here and there are
no charges so why not fill up? Was
all through Little Switzerland in
Luxembourg and hat was sure worth
the trip. There is talk of giving the
boys four or five day trips on the
river Rhine and | guess that won't
be fine. There is some fine things
to see up there even if they are in
Germany. Well I will have to ring off
this for this time, hoping that this
reaches you well and in good spirits.
Best regards to your folks. | am as
ever, your friend, w. E. F..