5th Letter 'Somewhere' Friday July 5th, 1918
My dear Family,
I wonder where you spent the 'grand and glorious fourth.' We had a most delightful day after a day on and off trains (mostly off) and all night on, we reached our destination about 8 AM and found mail awaiting us. Twelve letters and a pc being my generous share. You certainly are good about writing. A letter each from John Skelland, Miss Worsley, Nellie Pearce, Marion Dow 2, Uncle Henry, and the rest-6 letters- and a pc from you. The latest was dated June 10th and you had just received my letter written as I went on board Monday noon. We sailed on the Tuesday. This morning I received Mother's letter of May 3rd. I suppose it had come on a slower boat. Also letters from Miss Thor and Edith MacKay.
Miss Worsley's letter was per usual. John regretted not seeing me. He had just passed his 50th birthday and expected to be called up for medical examination any day. Evidently he is a few months too young the escape service. I hope he is rejected. Aunt Nellie and Harry are well. Uncle Harry was to visit New York again Friday of the week I left and Floss was passing through to spend the weekend with Ben. The latter is not working so hard and having more privileges.
We are so glad to be here in brand new barracks. They can be made quite home like and so much pleasanter than old stone buildings with their dirt of centuries. We are near a very small village and as you know French villages are not very attractive. However the surrounding country is beautiful and we are within walking distance of a small town. I think walking will be our only recreation. I wish I had the bicycle that is in the attic as they are very expensive here and not many for rent.
I'll describe our quarters after we get completely settled. We are walking to town this afternoon where we hear grass rugs may be obtained cheap, and I'd like a comfortable chair with a back.
We saw a generous display of Stars and Strips along the route yesterday morning and in the village here. About ten AM we witnessed an interesting event-the presentation to this unit of a beautiful flag from the inhabitants of the surrounding country-a Lieutenant Colonel of the French army presenting it. Many inhabitants of the country side and neighboring villages were present. The ceremony was followed by a banquet at the best hotel in a neighboring town and was attended by our chief nurse and head officials. Many health were drunk!
Took a five mile walk last evening. Gathered Bittersweet which looks like goldenrod and is very very fragrant.
Small grain looks good here. The rye is ready for the reaper or cradle I suppose it will be here. The grape outlook is good. Wish they would make grape juice instead of wine as I do not like the latter and our water is so strong with the lime it is necessary to use in it.
Nellie is anxious that I communicate with Gotlieb. It is not likely I shall ever see him. Shall communicate with Ferris if it is permitted.
Now as to your letters---------. Our unit was not in the Sunday Supplement. Believe the knitters were Red Cross workers. We were dressed in our suits, the same as we wore when the group picture was taken. By the way I hear that the latter was in the Minneapolis paper.
Haven't seen James since my arrival here yesterday. The box was delivered several days ago. A sampled the candy several times to be sure it was keeping! And carried a pair of the woolen socks in my coat pocket on the boat in case of being torpedoed.
Sorry Harry Campbell is suffering with sciatica. C.L. was fortunate in having Pres. Brown down. Hope he was appreciated. Uncle seemed to enjoy taking care of the chicks. I believe small quarters are the best as they do not waste their energy running about-it all goes into eggs! They have the small white leghorns and they have more than paid for their board and keep. Floss puts the eggs in something for use in the winter. She now has a fairly good maid.
Glad to hear you were getting rain and hope the crops will be good. To my surprise have seen several patches of Indian Corn and it is higher than at home this time of year. Pleased to learn of Hazel Tustler's marriage. I wonder if Frank has come over. William had a narrow escape. Why should such things happen in the night rather than the day?
Mrs. Henry taught across the hall from me in Little Falls. Haven't seen her since. She was Gertrude Alley from Buffalo.
How well Clear Lake did in the Red Cross. The men here speak very highly of it and the Salvation Army, so do not neglect the latter.
The decorations Mother and Mrs. Pearce will have in the Red Cross! Marion will enjoy Tennessee. I did not meet her friend in New York. Does she return for Mr. Lum's House party next week? Hope you have nice weather for it. I wish you would send copies of the best Kodak pictures from the last film I sent to Mack. Marion Dow 210 Donaldson Bldg. And Mrs. G. P. Flood 821 No Walter Ave. Chicago.
Mack's father is up and about again and her sister well so I fancy she will soon return to Minneapolis.
Friday evening
After lunch Miss Carlson and I walked to a small town 2 ½ miles from here and made three purchases-a large enamel pitcher, pail, and armchair with a reed seat. Paid $3.20 for the latter and it is both good-looking and comfortable. It was a walnut chair originally, but has been repaired with two panels of cheaper wood up and across the back. I expect to unglue it and take it home with me.
Saw more of the village today and find it larger that I thought. It is very near the junction of two rivers. A quaint old church here built on the 17th century.
Some of the girls have gone down to the station where we were told Paris editions of the New York Herald might be obtained at 6 PM. Miss Hogle, A St. B nurse who left New York two weeks before we did was assigned to the B.E.F. and is, we hear today, in England. She is a Canadian. Miss Lee, another St. B. nurse with the A.E.F., was on the train with us yesterday but continued on nearer to the front. The OASFM on the envelops means 'on active service French mail.' Let me know when you receive my letters as I keep track of the days they were written. Have any been censored?
I received Mrs. White's card while at Lakewood and will write her a letter. Do you know where Henry Booy is?
Expect to hear in the next letter that Mother is on Minneapolis.
Affectionately, Jane.
Received in Clear Lake Aug. 6th, 1918