Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-04-18
LETTERS FROM OVER THERE
Ny Dear Mother:

My Dear Mother:
1 presume that you will be some
what surprised to hear where I am.
Am now in one of the most beau
tiful cities of France; am in the city
of mice" which you will find down
on the Mediterranean sea.
I 1t is we'll toward the Italian side.
| am just on a seven day vacation.
Left MISSY, France last Tuesday
morning arrived here Thursday even
ing late.
had a grand trip here, came
south through Chatillon, Dion, Lyon
and on to Marseilles which is large
port on the sea and then east along
the coast to Nice.
Nice is about thirty miles from the
Italian line and belonged toltaly >at
one time. But in 1870 France -pur-
chased this section.
I did write sooner because want
ed to learn something of this town SO
that l could write more intelligently
Of it. The town has population OF
10000 inhabitants and is one of the
most, if not the most beautiful city
Of the east.
I have room, overlooking the sea,
in large hotel. sleep between
white sheets for the first time in
nine months. Bath next door and
plenty to eat.
SO, you may know just how I feel
now.
The scenery from the time hit
ne coast to this place and on into It
,iy is certainly unsurpassed in Eu-
1pe. The beautiful blue sea on one
side and the typical mountain scene
= and beautiful buildings on the
tier gives a wonderful picture.
Yesterday took the car from here
nd rode over into Italy. The coast
5 lined all the way with towns, and
Tho beautiful flowers, palm trees, cac-
tus and orange and lemon groves
makes this section especially attrac-
tive to one who has always lived fur
her north.
On every available foot of land
hat can be found on the steep slopes,
,ou see the orange and lemon trees
, hanging golden with ripe fruit.
Am enclosing you a few cards
rem here.
AS you pass the border line into
italy the mountains grow higher and
more beautiful. We were not per-
mitted to go far into Italy so send
/ couple views from the first town
''Ventimiglia," Italy. Sam Reno"
: IS the second Italian town.
"Monte-Carlo" and Monaco are
nice coast towns in France through
which-we spent some time yesterday.
These places I saw and the pictures
ire no exaggeration of the beauty
icre.
Am sitting out on the sea in the
american Y. NJ. C. A. writing to you
low.
The shining sun puts a beautiful
crystal glare on the water.
You will notice the Y projecting
into the sea in the large picture l
have sent you. I want to send you
/ map of France later, marking my
entire roue through France and into
,, italy.
Mother, I will write for week on
| what I have seen but I will not say
more this time. I am here for five
days yet and in that time will have
much more to tell you roughly.
Iwant to send a letter to the High
land Recorder if get the time to do
so.
,, am perfectly we'll and happy.
l did not get to go to see Chas.
Had not heard from him when left.
trust that he has fully recovered
| from his trouble before now.
think he will be alright.
I know nothing about when we re-
turn, but from what I can learn we
will not leave Europe for at least
four months yet.
If you all stay we'll, and continue
so fortunate as T have previously
been then we have nothing to worry
lover.
| I feel confident that Chas will be
alright now. realize that it is
trying time for him as it has been
for me.
But when it is finally all over we
will both be better and~more worthy
American citizens than ever before.
1 extend my very best wishes to
one and all. 81.
Prvt. John w. Chew
Mr. II T. Wilson