The Elbert County tribune., 1920-04-09
Florence, Italy, March ., 1920.

Dear Folks:
Arrived at this old Italian city from
Rome, yesterday Leaving tomorrow
for Genoa, and from there direct to
Paris and London.
To go back n bit, have been trans
ferred from Scutari, Albania, and am
now stationed at Tirana, Albania, with
new duties. Those of Director of Sup
plies for the Commission TO Albania
work quite broad in scope and there
fore interesting. Requires a great deal
of travelling to keep in touch with the
various units of the commission and to
procure supplies.
Some three weeks ago left Tirana,
Albania, for Elbasan, by horseback, in
company with Colonel Jackson. This
is one day ride over narrow noun
tain trail. (No roads or railroads In
Albania.) Stopped one day at Elbas-
an, then leaving for Koritza, town
three days ride from Elbasan, and
very near the Serbian and Grecian
frontiers.
The first day arrived so far as
Kieuks, little village far up in the
mountains. Had dinner with the
French military mmander-enjoyed
come very good Arabian coffee pre-
pared by his Algerian soldiers. Slept
that night in Il native house. Straw
mats and pillows on the dirt floor
Goats and chickens in one corner, the
wife and daughter in the other, and
the father and sons In the other near
the fireplace
The next day arrived at Pododieks,
town on Lake Okhrida. Lake OlSh
rlda is Il deep water lake lying on the
southern Serbian-Albanian frontier. A
most beautiful sight viewed from the
high mountains ON the Albanian side.
The blue lake with a background of
high snow-covered mountains, the
snow covered mountains being in Ser
bla.
GoritZa is another days ride from
the lake, city of about $4,000 people
of whom about one-fifth speak Eng
lish. From Groitza left for Yalona, u
city across Albania on the Adriatic
Travelled by italian military canton,
The first day arrived by automobile af
the Greek frontier, the second day
spent in crossing northern Greece, and
the evening of the third day arrived al
Alonia. Went on board ship there al
midnight and at sunup next day was in
Durazzo, Albania From there to
headquarters, Triana, where / had
Soiiit Noih " uO, illeIl DICK 10 DuTuZ
20, working all night, boarding an
Italian military boat at sunrise. Two
days in crossing the sea, arriving nj
the port Tainto, n city of some 100000
population, situated on what may be
termed the arch of Italy. A nights
ride from there to Rome on the ex-
press.
Rome, the famous Finished my
work and spent the balance of my
stay in looking around. Have been in
Rome before, so had no trouble in
finding my way about. Visited the
Pantheon, then the great cathedral st.
Peters, then the region of the Palan-
tine and Capitoline Hill, and then the
Forum. Dlned that evening at the res
taurant UIpia which is situated in an
old Roman cellar. After dinner walked
to the Colosseum to view by moon
light and l cannot describe its effect
Its immensity Is awesome and one can
feel, can really feel the 10000 Romans
there in the great balconies; Romans
1000 years dead. From the Colosseum
walked to the Qririnal on which is 10
Gated the Kings Palace and gardens
A most wonderful view of Rome from
there. One place in particular, q foun.
tain plays under great arch formed
by mighty yew trees and in the dis.
tance two domes, one of which is St
Peters
Left Rome the next morning at Z :45
arriving here 40 p. IN. VIII finish
here tonight and leave tomorrow morn
ing for Genoa, where have some work
to do-and then Paris, where / shall
be for month, and while there shall
take n trip to London. Only takes
nine hours from Paris now, and then
back to Albania, thence to Salonica,
Greece; returning to Albania and then
to Bucharest, Roumania for medical
supplies, returning by way of Venice
to pick up goods of various kinds
there.
Must close now as luncheon is ready.
Love to both of you.