TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MOUNTAIN WAVE FEBRUARY 15, 1918 P. 2
Camp Pike, Ark., February 12, 1918.
Editor Wave:
I will write and let the good people of Searcy county know how I am getting along as a soldier.
I have been at Camp Pike ever since the 15th of December and have been under quarantine all the time except three days.
I have been transferred from a training battalion to a trained company. They have had three more months training than I have had. But my officers says I must catch up with them. That will mean lots of hard work for me, but I think any farmer boy can do it. It certainly will make a man out of a boy If he can stand it. We have got to go through all kinds of exercises and drills. It sure makes every muscle in your body work.
I certainly was lucky last Sunday. I worked in the kitchen all day. Every soldier has to take his turn.
I have had my share of digging stumps and now I will get my share of drilling.
We soldiers went to hear ex-President Taft lecture last Saturday night. Everyone seemed to enjoy the lecture.
There is lots of work waiting for the next draft. If any of you boys know me, I would be glad to get the company that you are in and make you a visit—that is, after you get here and get located.
You fellows that are looking for any easy job, I don’t think you will find it in the army. Boys, after you leave home and get acquainted, it is not so bad to be in the army. But being on guard of a rainy night would make you feel homesick. All that I could say to you would be to cheer up.
Farley Cooper,
Co. K, 348th Infantry.
NOTES: Cooper was born on December 30, 1893 and died on August 11, 1975. He is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Marsena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. in the US Army during WWI. He departed the US from New York on the Mauretania on August 27, 1918. His father was Preston D. Cooper and he lived in Snowball, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Camp Pike, Ark., February 12, 1918.
Editor Wave:
I will write and let the good people of Searcy county know how I am getting along as a soldier.
I have been at Camp Pike ever since the 15th of December and have been under quarantine all the time except three days.
I have been transferred from a training battalion to a trained company. They have had three more months training than I have had. But my officers says I must catch up with them. That will mean lots of hard work for me, but I think any farmer boy can do it. It certainly will make a man out of a boy If he can stand it. We have got to go through all kinds of exercises and drills. It sure makes every muscle in your body work.
I certainly was lucky last Sunday. I worked in the kitchen all day. Every soldier has to take his turn.
I have had my share of digging stumps and now I will get my share of drilling.
We soldiers went to hear ex-President Taft lecture last Saturday night. Everyone seemed to enjoy the lecture.
There is lots of work waiting for the next draft. If any of you boys know me, I would be glad to get the company that you are in and make you a visit—that is, after you get here and get located.
You fellows that are looking for any easy job, I don’t think you will find it in the army. Boys, after you leave home and get acquainted, it is not so bad to be in the army. But being on guard of a rainy night would make you feel homesick. All that I could say to you would be to cheer up.
Farley Cooper,
Co. K, 348th Infantry.
NOTES: Cooper was born on December 30, 1893 and died on August 11, 1975. He is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Marsena, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pfc. in the US Army during WWI. He departed the US from New York on the Mauretania on August 27, 1918. His father was Preston D. Cooper and he lived in Snowball, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS