US Army Hospital No. 26 Lakewood, New Jersey Tuesday morning, April 9th 1918
Dear Folks,
We have reached the end of the first lap of our journey. I'll begin where I left off. Slept like a top my second night on the train after my usual sleepless first night. Reached Philadelphia one-half hour late. Uncle and Floss were at the depot. They both look blooming. Uncle gets younger. We arrived at a depot in north Philadelphia. Took a train to Braod St. Station in town and walked down Chestnut St to Independence Hall, then on to Brown Brothers. Ben was out selling Liberty Bonds, but they got him on the phone and he hurried to the station so I got a glimpse of him before leaving. He looks pleasant, not particularly handsome, thin and sallow. Uncle went back to North Philadelphia with me while Floss went home as it was her day with the Red Cross and she had put in a substitute. They want me to get furlough and spend a day or two with them. Lakewood is only two hours ride from here, but the trains are not very convenient.
They think Joe is on the Atlantic. Ben expects to go any day to the Boston School of Technology to learn ground aviation. The sister has a good position and can support the mother.
We reached here at 6 pm. It is a beautiful spot in the pines. George Gould's country estate is here. I hope to see it during our walks.
Our unit is stationed at an attractive hotel-"The Florence in the Pines." We go for our meals and for official business to an immense hotel, now a military hospital, a block away. There must be several hundred nurses here, and a good many men in uniform. Have seen nothing or our men. I fancy they will not come here.
Had a splendid meals on the train but war rations here I fancy. For supper last night we had a big slice of sausage, fried potatoes, graham bread, tea, and cake. For breakfast cream of wheat, milk, bacon, fried potatoes, graham bread, and coffee. The waiters are privates and some, perhaps all, have been to the front and disabled home suffering shell shock, etc. There are day and night nurses on duty so there must be patients in bed somewhere.
Miss, Samuelson and I have a nice with two beds and last night slept like logs. Have no idea how long we are to be here. Some of the nurses have nee here for some time. We will be sent to New York some day to get our equipment. We are to be measured for our suits. Uncle took John Skelland's address and firm's name. He says it is a well known firm. Although Maggie writes him she never tells him anything. They haven't heard from Hardings for a long time.
Margaret, buy me a Liberty Bond with the hundred due from the bank April 6th, and either a bond or stamps with the check I gave Frances to give to you. You may have the interest from the bank to pay you for you troubles as my secretary!
The roads are good here and I fancy we will have plenty of time to kill by walking. Have just had a shower. I t was the coolest, cleanest railroad journey I ever took.
Well, I seem to have exhausted my supply of news. Address me as at the head of the letter.
Love to all, Jane