Letter No. 19 October 20th Sunday
My dear Family,
Only six days since I last wrote. As I have so little to relate am enclosing my last English mail. Haven't heard from John Skelland for some time, must drop him a card to see what's up.. My last letter acknowledged, I believe, Margaret's of September 20th. Friday I received letters of September 14th and 15th from Margaret, Frances, Alice, Marion Dow, and Mrs. Pearce. Frances, yours No. 1 and 2 have arrived. So glad you are writing every Sunday. The Normal catalog has not arrived but papers are always longer than letters coming through. You have seen many more war relics that I have. I fear I will be returning without a single souvenir. We are too far back and the patients lose every thing in the evacuation Hospitals. Have had a number of things promised me by ex-patients if they ever get back to the front line. (Levia Richards was in high school when I was boarded with them and Marie (Mrs. Minette) was married the first of autumn I was there. I am not in the picture Mr. McGibbon received from his son. Hope the Wilson baby is better. I thought Mrs. C would have a hard time keeping David at home. He seemed so crazy to get into it two years ago.
Yes, Margaret, we are at the junction of the rivers you mentioned. Thanks for buying the Liberty bond. Hope my allotments have arrived.
I'll write Congressman Knutson a card. Am sending William the Stars and Stripes weekly. Do you enjoy it? It is quite popular with the boys here.
The Herald a few evenings ago mentioned the terrible forest fires in northern Minnesota and the wiping off the map of several hometowns. How terrible! Also mentioned T.B. Walker's gift to the city of Minneapolis. How generous he is becoming in his old age. Have they decided on a twelve months session in the Minneapolis schools?
After a few months substituting Lydia will probably be put on the regular staff as Elizabeth Polley was and get the salary due her. With our September pay we received the ten dollar increase.
Mr. Baker did not honor us with a visit.
Yes, all our equipment has arrived but we are four times as large as we were supposed to be when it was purchased. In my ward we have a grey blanket for each bed from the North Star Woolen Mill of Minneapolis. They must be all wool and are so soft and lightweight and have Minn Base Hospital 26 in black letters near the top. Each bed has four good blankets which is sufficient for the majority of patients.
You speak of meeting Mrs. Angst at the luncheon. Her daughter, Alice, speaks German and as charge of one of the hospital barracks for prisoners. Miss Nyquist and Miss Reid have ad colds but are better and Miss Carlson will soon be out of the infirmary. You will have heard of the death of Dr. ---------- of pneumonia. There have been several deaths among the French civilians.
I wonder if letter No 10 reached you. It may have been destroyed by the censor as about that time one I wrote to Mack was returned to me terribly mutilated.
The censorship is becoming more strict and all mail must pass through the hands of the board appointed for that purpose and not be passed by any officer.
When I return home I have visions of myself unpacking my trunk in the backyard and furnishing everything. You will be shocked to hear I have found two 'cooties' on me and they are worse than any Seattle fleas could possibly be. Several patients in the ward have had them and I suppose they crawled from a grey blanket onto my grey sweater which I wear all the time on duty as stoves have not yet been put up in the wards. I suppose we will all have them before the winter is over. A hot bath complete change is the only way to get rid of them and that is only until you gather up new ones.
Have been frivolous this week visiting the village twice principally to buy grapes. They are delicious but much more expensive than in Minneapolis and I paid a franc for one apple. There are several French canteens between here and the village and all do a big business.
The movie had been given in our Red Cross hut and now the hut has been converted into a hospital ward. Too bad as the boys enjoyed it so much but more cot room was needed.
So Herman is anxious to come over? He might try for the navy again. Is Fred exempt?
How much of an increase has been made in railroad fares. Tell Marion Collins her letter must have gone astray. Have heard from Dr. Jane Kennedy since arriving here? Don't believe George has improved.
Much amused at the clippings you are sending in regard to Base 26. It is bed time and I am 'tres fatiue' and the censor must be also if he has had to wade through this after his hard days labor. It will be nearly Thanksgiving when this reaches you. I fancy we will have a turkey. We have already had it once.
Affectionately, Jane.
Received Nov. 12th.