TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LAMAR DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 10, 1918 P. 2
U. S. S. Helena
Asiatic Station, via San Francisco, Cal.
August 28, 1918
Dear Uncle:
Your letter received O. K. and was awfully glad to hear from you.
Well, uncle, times are very good with me at present, but could be a whole lot better. Would like awfully well to see you all again, soon, but there are no chances at present. Thought I was going to get to come back to the States this September, but it was all a mistake, would have got to come, but had no relief and haven’t got any yet. They are short of blacksmith on this station, I am the only one on the ship and have been on this ship over 3 years. She is a good old ship, though I tell you it kinder gets a fellow’s goat to see a bunch of men come on board with about three months service and stay on the ship about three or four months then they send them back to the States, and a fellow like me with almost three years service, they still keep out here, but anything goes in time of war you know, but the war will soon be over and my time will be up. I have got 16 months and 9 days to do on my enlistment, I think the war will be over by that time.
I am not bragging any, but I have straightened up since I have been in the Navy, I don’t drink any more and have settled down quite a bit.
So the Lone Bone Hotel closed did she? On account of the war I suppose, not many tourists I guess.
Say uncle, I wish you would send me some Five Brothers smoking tobacco. Haven’t had a good pipe of tobacco since I left the States. We get plenty of tobacco, but it is mostly Bull Durham and cigar tobacco. Sure would be glad if you would send me some papers too. I have a shipmate that gets the Kansas City Post, and he gives them to me when he reads them sometimes and I kinder get a line on what they are doing in the States.
I am sending you under separate cover our Navy and Fleet Review, so you can see what kind of a Navy Uncle Sam has. Will also send you my picture in this letter.
I would like mighty well for you to come to see me, but there will be no chance. I will be home in 12 or 14 months any way. There aint no Hun going to get me, although they had one crack at me and failed, but we sunk them just the same. Give my love to all. Will close for this time. Answer soon.
Your nephew,
Jack Carriger
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
U. S. S. Helena
Asiatic Station, via San Francisco, Cal.
August 28, 1918
Dear Uncle:
Your letter received O. K. and was awfully glad to hear from you.
Well, uncle, times are very good with me at present, but could be a whole lot better. Would like awfully well to see you all again, soon, but there are no chances at present. Thought I was going to get to come back to the States this September, but it was all a mistake, would have got to come, but had no relief and haven’t got any yet. They are short of blacksmith on this station, I am the only one on the ship and have been on this ship over 3 years. She is a good old ship, though I tell you it kinder gets a fellow’s goat to see a bunch of men come on board with about three months service and stay on the ship about three or four months then they send them back to the States, and a fellow like me with almost three years service, they still keep out here, but anything goes in time of war you know, but the war will soon be over and my time will be up. I have got 16 months and 9 days to do on my enlistment, I think the war will be over by that time.
I am not bragging any, but I have straightened up since I have been in the Navy, I don’t drink any more and have settled down quite a bit.
So the Lone Bone Hotel closed did she? On account of the war I suppose, not many tourists I guess.
Say uncle, I wish you would send me some Five Brothers smoking tobacco. Haven’t had a good pipe of tobacco since I left the States. We get plenty of tobacco, but it is mostly Bull Durham and cigar tobacco. Sure would be glad if you would send me some papers too. I have a shipmate that gets the Kansas City Post, and he gives them to me when he reads them sometimes and I kinder get a line on what they are doing in the States.
I am sending you under separate cover our Navy and Fleet Review, so you can see what kind of a Navy Uncle Sam has. Will also send you my picture in this letter.
I would like mighty well for you to come to see me, but there will be no chance. I will be home in 12 or 14 months any way. There aint no Hun going to get me, although they had one crack at me and failed, but we sunk them just the same. Give my love to all. Will close for this time. Answer soon.
Your nephew,
Jack Carriger
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON