The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1919-01-02

Speaks Of Homer Dalrymple.

We had the pleasure yesterday Of |
reading a letter written in France De
cember Sth by Corpl. James T. Keith |
and addressed to his mother. Mrs.
w. I. Keith, who resides near Linton.
In this letter he speaks of making in-
quiry about Homer Dalrymple, friend
and playmate of his youth, and was
told that he had fallen on the battle
field. Relieving that this letter will he
readers, we are giving it below:
Dear Mother: Am writing you this
evening to let you know that | am
well. have been very i'll. and came
near having influenza. My stomach
was poisoned by gas at the front.
Expect our work is about finished
over here, and the homecoming can
net be so very far in the future.
Am proud to say that | have been in
all the American drives. from the stop
ping Of the Huns ut Chateau Thiery
up to and including the last one on the
Argonne- Meuse front
Have been very fortunate. as l have
come through without wound: and
as ever. My work has been very hard.
Have heen noncOmmisSiOned officer in
charge of one to two machine guns. and
when not actually on the lines, scout
and billeting \. G. o. for company and
division. But have enjoyed my work
nj hlv mi 70, h<, s<.io ~
all my duties.
Now that the censorship of letters is
somewhat relaxed. will try to tell you
something about Homer Dalrymple. 1t
| was late one afternoon. about the Sth
| Of July. l had been relieved in the
town, or village Of Bourches. which is
near Chateau Thiery. where l and six
| other men held one wing of the town.
and the Dutch held the depot.
We all met and billeted ten kilome-
ters behind the lines for rest. 1t was
dark when l was marching through a
small village. when a sentry Of H Com
pany Of the Ninth Infantry halted me-
Who goes there?" Friend an
swered, giving the countersign. Then
questioned him of Homer's where
ahoutS. Some one appeared at win
dow and said: Sorry. Buddy, but he
is dead. Killed when starting over the
top several evenings ago He was
killed about mile east of Bouiche;.
heard the barrage fire and was
cautioned to have the men in readiness
i'll case the Boches cOunter-attacked.
With heavy heart l bid the sentry
good luck and turned for my camp. a
kilometer away. And there, in the lone
some. darkened road, looked up at
the stars-I had felt the first cruel
Stabbing pain of the war-and my
heart Went out to the mother IN Ameri
ca. It didn't seem fair that her son
should be taken in the very beginning
making the supreme sacrifice, giving
his noble yoHng life for the cause III
knew to be right-giving his all tina,
the nation might live. its honor un
i. sullied. and that the people of all na
tions might live to enjoy the freedom
/ the right for which he fought and CAV,
his life. His parents have all the sym
pathy of soldier-and let it be sale
that he has not died in vain.
l thank God for the privilege of see
ing PruSsianism crushed from th
earth. and let us all be equally thank
full. and look forward to lastin,
peace-ald. again to make use Of MI
Lincoln's phrase: That the govern
ment of the people, by the people, TO
the people. shall not Danish from tn
! eartll.''
Write soon. and long letter.
SON.
: cOrpl. james r. Keith,
Company Il, 9TH NJ. &. Batl.,
Am. +. T., Am. T.. q. ITO.