The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1920-01-08
FRANK HAMMOND GETS DRAFT
The following excerpts from a let.
ter recently received from Frank
Washington, d. c.,
Dec. 80, 1919.
Mr.. Edward Bassingwaite,
Oakes. N. Oak.

s~0sssSs9SOsst
Dec. 80, 1919.
Mr.. Edward Bassingwaite,
Oakes, N. Oak.
Dear Friend Ed:
Your letter Of the 18th received, al
so the draft. In reply would like
very much to thank the people Of
Oakes, especially Messrs. Seifert,
Naylor and Nottingham, and all 9TH
ers whose efforts helped to make the
undertaking such success. But mere
words are small reward, especially
when I attempt to put my thanks
into words, as never was much Of
talker, but will say am very CRATE
full to all you people for all you have
done for me and more so for the spir-
it back of it all.
I assure you I am not going to
spend the money foolishly, and as !
am not taken to gambling, l won't
spend it so, but will deposit it at the
bank in my mothers and my names,
so either of us can draw on it in case
Of necessity, as it has always been
a rule with me that what is mine is
also my mothers. As you know, she
still depends on me for support, be-
ing the only boy left, and have been
since father died, although she lives
with my sister until I return, who
helps all she can too.
So you see it will not only benefit
me but also one Of the best old ladies
that ever raised a family.
Yes, 1 am getting along fine again
now. I had setback shortly after
Thanksgiving, when the wound in my
back (Which was apparently nearly
healed) burst open again, 80 wrote
home that I wouldn't be able to get
away for Christmas. But it healed up
fast, SO that it was nearly healed
again just before Christmas, but was
still getting Dakin treatment. The
ward surgeon favored me, however,
by giving me me a five day pass and
took the Dakin tubes out so l could
go home, but / had to have a doctor
dress it every day I was away.
So you can imagine the surprise
when I walked in on mother and
Sis the day before Christmas. Need
less to say had fine time, espec-
tally as it was the first time had
been home in four years.
I didn't mind the trip, as l left
Washington at 7:15 Tuesday evening
in a sleeper and arrived in Canan-
dagua (12 miles south of Palmyra) at
9 o'clock Wednesday morning (two
hours late) then autoed over to Pal
myra in time for a late dinner. Had
quite a number Of visitors. Counted
thirty-three one day so l was pretty
tired by the time l got back to the
hospital Sunday morning just in time
for dressings. Found the ward all
decorated up by the Red Cross, and
Reconstruction ladies, 50 I guess they
had quite a Merry Christmas here at
the hospital.
I found Santa Claus had remem-
bered me also, for my table had a
big basket full Of packages from peo-
pie in and around Oakes, and num-
Der from the War Mothers of North
Dakota.
/. saw my letter to h. Boethling
published some time ago. It was ali
right except that my leg was ampu-
tated above the knee. Have 9-inch
stump. I say am getting along fine,
and studying every day, but that
don't mean I am o. K. yet for have
three more operations to go through
with yet, az they have to go into my
hack aUain and v.onnovo anna v,ooro
bone, then before I can wear q leg
they will have to cut the scar out Of
my hip and re-amputate my stump.
Az each one has to heal before they
can perform the next operation I
don't expect to be out Of here inside
Of year yet, but I will be satisfied
at that il they can fix me up o. K.
But just the same it will seem
mighty good to get back to Oakes.
Wishing you all . Happy and
Prosperous New Year and again
thankinp Won AL