TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKADELPHIA DAILY NEWS JANUARY 17, 1919 P. 1
December 25, 1918
My Dear Mother:
I know that you all must be having a splendid time there at home with grandmother among you. I trust there has been no worry about me since the receipt of my telegram. Of course I am sorry not to be with you, and notwithstanding the fates have decreed I spend the holidays in the hospital yet so far I have had very little chance to regret being here for we certainly had some Xmas—the Christmas of a bunch of five year old children.
I have often heard that women mature earlier than men, that in fact men really never do mature, the spirit of a boy always remaining deeply imbedded in their nature. After witnessing the events of the past few days I am entirely convinced of the truth of the statement.
The ward in which I am located contains about twenty beds all filled with convalescent patients and we have the very best attention. This is a very pretty room and with the Xmas decorations I think I have never seen any place more attractive—a Christmas tree in the center of the room and all the other yuletide accompaniments.
The men watched with much secret amusement the preparations that are usually made to entertain children. It seemed altogether so rediculous to prepare such an entertainment for men most of whom are over thirty years of age. However the nurses and Red Cross officials seemed to know what they were doing. The men were at least interested in the proceedings and spent many a weary hours watching from their beds.
This morning when the lights went out the shades were lowered and Santa Claus came around and filled our socks, we enjoying the farce to the fullest extent. Candy, fruit, whistles, harps rattlers and noise makers of all kinds were distributed as if the place were an orphan asylum. Then the boy in the man broke loose and believe me it was some sight to see such serious, sober minded men break loose from all restraint and thoroughly enjoy tooting whistles, horns, shaking rattlers playing toy music boxes etc. Of course it isn’t hard for me to be a “kid” because that is really all I am at heart anyway but I think I was the most sober one in the bunch.
Pandemonium reigned all day and has hardly subsided yet.
We had an excellent dinner, and immediately following it real gifts were distributed donated by the people of Washington. I think there must have been several thousand dollars spent for cigars (good ones too), gloves, mufflers, handkerchiefs and every thing one could think of. Quite a wonderful day for a man in bed.
These magnificent, splendid women! I don’t think I ever saw any one else, with the exception of you, who could equal them in my sight. They work all the time with the most radiant smile no matter how hard the task. Some of them are only girls but one can regard them only with veneration and I might add adoration. Whoever could think of them any other way would be no part of a man. They are the living inspiration for that Red Cross poster, “The Greatest Mother in the World.” I think if I ever get able I shall take a life membership in the Red Cross.
Some negro musicians have just come in to serenade us, so with the hope that you have had an enjoyable Christmas I will say good bye.
JOSEPH CALLOWAY, JR.
NOTES: This letter was written by Joseph Calloway, Jr to his mother.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
December 25, 1918
My Dear Mother:
I know that you all must be having a splendid time there at home with grandmother among you. I trust there has been no worry about me since the receipt of my telegram. Of course I am sorry not to be with you, and notwithstanding the fates have decreed I spend the holidays in the hospital yet so far I have had very little chance to regret being here for we certainly had some Xmas—the Christmas of a bunch of five year old children.
I have often heard that women mature earlier than men, that in fact men really never do mature, the spirit of a boy always remaining deeply imbedded in their nature. After witnessing the events of the past few days I am entirely convinced of the truth of the statement.
The ward in which I am located contains about twenty beds all filled with convalescent patients and we have the very best attention. This is a very pretty room and with the Xmas decorations I think I have never seen any place more attractive—a Christmas tree in the center of the room and all the other yuletide accompaniments.
The men watched with much secret amusement the preparations that are usually made to entertain children. It seemed altogether so rediculous to prepare such an entertainment for men most of whom are over thirty years of age. However the nurses and Red Cross officials seemed to know what they were doing. The men were at least interested in the proceedings and spent many a weary hours watching from their beds.
This morning when the lights went out the shades were lowered and Santa Claus came around and filled our socks, we enjoying the farce to the fullest extent. Candy, fruit, whistles, harps rattlers and noise makers of all kinds were distributed as if the place were an orphan asylum. Then the boy in the man broke loose and believe me it was some sight to see such serious, sober minded men break loose from all restraint and thoroughly enjoy tooting whistles, horns, shaking rattlers playing toy music boxes etc. Of course it isn’t hard for me to be a “kid” because that is really all I am at heart anyway but I think I was the most sober one in the bunch.
Pandemonium reigned all day and has hardly subsided yet.
We had an excellent dinner, and immediately following it real gifts were distributed donated by the people of Washington. I think there must have been several thousand dollars spent for cigars (good ones too), gloves, mufflers, handkerchiefs and every thing one could think of. Quite a wonderful day for a man in bed.
These magnificent, splendid women! I don’t think I ever saw any one else, with the exception of you, who could equal them in my sight. They work all the time with the most radiant smile no matter how hard the task. Some of them are only girls but one can regard them only with veneration and I might add adoration. Whoever could think of them any other way would be no part of a man. They are the living inspiration for that Red Cross poster, “The Greatest Mother in the World.” I think if I ever get able I shall take a life membership in the Red Cross.
Some negro musicians have just come in to serenade us, so with the hope that you have had an enjoyable Christmas I will say good bye.
JOSEPH CALLOWAY, JR.
NOTES: This letter was written by Joseph Calloway, Jr to his mother.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON