The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-01-09
JOHN HUxFORD
OF THE NAVY, WRITES OF A
SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF
LONDON.

In a letter from overseas under
date of December IS, John w. Hulk
ford, of the navy, writes his mother,
Mrs. w. X. Huxford, of this city, as
follows:
Dearest Mother: Just returned
from a. five day furlough spent in
London. Had an exceptional time, so
drop you a card. | returned to the
ship at Portland, Eng, to find your
box awaiting me. l hastily opened it
and needless to say / was more than
elated. thank you from the bottom
of my heart. 1t reached me in quite
good time, did it not? The gloves
and pen were very appropriate gifts,
the raisins and dates very Thoughtful.
Gee, but that cake is good, and well
do l know you made it.
Well folks, we left northern Scot
land November 81 and reviewed the
captured German fleet, also the big
gest part of the big grand fleet in the
"scapa flow of the Orkney Islands.
1t was the best naval sight | have
ever witnessed to date. All the Ger
man ships were in bad need of paint.
AS we Unanswered past the grand
fleet their bands played our national
anthem, every American and British
sailor standing at attention. oh, but
it was a sight never to be forgotten.
1t look us about four hours to pass
through them all. 1t took us three
days to come to southernmost Eng
land. Hit some rough weather
through the Irish sea. Our sixth di-
vision of battleships were at Portland
when we arrived. Our mine fleet inn
mediately proceeded to give five day
furlough which we greatly appreci-
ated.
London is a city from start to fin
ish. The people are very hospitable.
admire the English people. They
are great. went to church on Sun
day at one of the Oldest churches in
London. The sermon was very good
and beautiful music. You know /
adore music. Monday we visited
1 w SSiI1tlllSltI ttbDCg. NCht thlou6h /
ii all. You know / lack words to ex-
press my appreciation of that great
place. We had a two horse bus, an
| old English cabman "'Od was from
! Hindiana," a guide and a party OF
about 20 sailors. I sat by the driver
who was well versed in English his
tory. We had an old historian for a
guide through the Abbey. We drove
all over the city taking in the most
important sights. 1t was the best day
/ ever spent. Went all through Lon
don Tower where all the old armor
and jewels are. Saw the gold and
pearled crown and eating utensils of
the king and queen, old dungeons,
head block, Sir Walter Raleigh's
prison and suite. all the old captured
guns of previous wars and SO darn
much | can't put it all on parchment.
Went over to Buckingham palace
where the king and queen hang
out" Oh, you ought to see the
kings bodyguard, all in red coats
and black tasseled hats, mounted on
pretty black horses. l have seen so
many castles, historical sights, mon
uments, guns, aeroplanes, ETC., | feel
as if / were 100 years old. Truth
is, | just "cawn't" remember all the
different eras and dates SO and so
lived in.
Wednesday afternoon left the
| Eagle hut-Y. M. G.. A.-for South
Kensington museums. / just cannot
explain the thousands upon thou
sands of things I saw. Also went
through the Science museum which
is beyond description. During my
spare time / walked about the city
admiring everything. They have a
good sub car system here, much far
Their underground than any of ours.
I took my meals at the Eagle hut,
which is the home of the sailors and
soldiers. Good feed and lots of 1t
for a small sum of money, and a good
bunk for 8 pence. The Y. M. c. A.
and Red Cross people are doing
ders in London for our boys. They
had trucks to meet us at the station,
taking us through the main thor
oughfares to the great hall of Lon
don where we had soffee with sugar
and milk. cake and a big bar of choc-
olate all free, also mattresses and
blankets to sleep upon.
L thank Sis for her part in the
box. 1 wish each and everyone a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year. We start for the states on
Monday, the 18th.