The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-01-31
Letter From Frank Gokey.
Quemigny-sur Seine, France,
Monday Afternoon, 2 p. M,
i'll 1010

MONDAY AlCGIuOOij, & y. Ill.,
10Th December, 1918.
Dear Tommy: It is a coincidence
how so many important events happen
at the same time. namely:
/. Austria sued for separate peace.
q Turkey dropped out of the war.
3. Germany signed the armlstlce, and
4. Tommy Thronson wrote letter.
The first event caused the second,
and as a result of both the third was
brought about, and as a result of the
third, President Wilson, King George
and other political chiefs made their
appearance in France. Now what the
hell is going to happen as result OF
the fourth? Are congratulations to be
in order, Tommy? Are you putting
touring car bodies on truck chassis?
Or are you going to start sight-see-
ing anto in the city of Edgerton? l am
waiting patiently for news concerning
the foregoing event. Whaever it may
be, I will not be surprised.
They say, early to bead and early
to rise makes man healthy, wealthy
and wise" | don't know when have
had the chance to go to bed early, but
| sure have arose at all hours. l am
not getting wealthy by any means, but
I sure am healthy, and, Tommy, I've
acquired some wisdom also = wisdom
that I hope no future generations OF
our country will ever be forced to &C
quire in like manner. 1t was hell while
it lasted and it lasted more than hve
straight months for me. This outht
never saw rest camp since the time
we entered the front lines. The armis-
tice came to us as boone. We had
not been out of actual service long
enough to get clothing. l am wearing
the same uniform that we wore when
we left New York. The men were IN
a hell of shape when we marched out
of our position shortly after the armIs-
tice was signed. We completed 29O
mile march since then and are now at
a training camp expecting equipment
every day. / am trying to forget what
has taken place, Tommy. All can
say to sum up the past is that I'VE got
our share.
According to letter received from
Nora recently, Chris is now Somewhere
in France. | am sure he arrived too
late to see action, for which l am
thankful, for it is not an experience to
be envied. | expect by this time you
have been released by the board and
are now free to plan on the future for
your business. bet you were going
around that office at one time wearing
a long face and vacant stare. l don't
blame you, Tommy. know you would
be willing to 60 in spite of the business
butt also know that a man cannot
leave everything without tinge of re-
luctance or sorrow or whatever you
may call it. I know from experience
and l had practically nothing to leave
in the business line. I'll bet your in
terest in the business has increased
hundred per cent. | can imagine what
my feelings would be in like situa-
ton. 1t will be but matter of time
now when the old world will be swing
ing along at the regulation pace and
Ford cars will again excel on the mar
ket. BY the way, Tommy, how about
using the demOnstrotOr tonight, that
is, if there is not too much book work
to be done. Ha-ha! Whom is the laugh
on? i received Red Book today and
Just completed rather sentimental
story. 1t is over FIVE months since |
read story of such nature and you
know it kind of knocked me off my
feet. 1t has affected me so that my
writing ability has decreased. so please
excuse my incoherence in the above
letter.
Well, Tommy, they don't furnish a
Ford or other car for me here but they
do furnish horse and equipment, in
Guiding spurs. The floor of the office
here is of stone and when | walk in
the cank, clank of the spurs across the
floor conveys very military sound.
The king said, "My kingdom for a
horseW I say, "My horse for FordP'
Anyway, / enjoy canter about the
country to the different companies
which are all located within two or
three miles of headquarters. 1t rains
here quite frequently and when people
refer to this country as Sunny France
it causes question to arise IN my
mind. The climate is different than in
the STATES where we live. AlthO the
temperature has been below the freeZ-
ing point, it is not cold here. Just yes
terday the fellows were walking about
without overcoats, sitting around on
the various rocks, eating their Sunday
dinner as on any summer day. The
fields are all green and it rather makes
one think of early spring in Wisconsin.
/ guess when see Wisconsin again it
will be late spring.
Well, Tommy, / must close, and wish
ing you and the other people concerned
in the welfare of the T & T a Merry
Christmas and Prosperous New Year,
remain, Yours truly,
Sergeant-M Major Frank G. Gokey,
Headquarters 1st Battalion,
53rd Infantry, A. E. F.