TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LAFAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRAT SEPTEMBER 20, 1918 P. 5
Base Hospital Camp Pike,
Dear Editor:
Not claiming to be a reporter, or anything of the kind, and realizing it takes lots of educational value for that, Uncle Sams only request is lots of physical strength and he will learn you the rest. I feel safe after our physical examination, when out of a company of two hundred and ninety-five, there were more than 80 that could neither read nor write. How glad I was that I could do a little of both. You have heard about the efficient way Uncle Sam has doing things, we realize those thing more each day we live with him, teaching from the very beginning to have lots of life and Yankee pep to everything. Oh, if the people in “civil life” would use the same methods and awaken to the great problems of the day and just say we must do it, they would soon see their loved ones coming home again. The people at home seem to be so busy they have forgotten any one has gone from their mists. When I say people I mean those that work at the shops, mills, stores and offices and residents. I am sorry to say out of 42 letters written home I haven’t received but five and they were from mother. I use this last but not least appeal to the editor to send me the home paper and put my address in the paper also, so that anyone wishing to write it would be highly appreciated. Being in the Base Hospital among some four thousand patients, and seeing the different ones getting letters and packages of delicacies from home makes a fellow feel lost.
The ward I occupy has some very serious operations but meet them successfully. I find patients that have been here for four or five months. I hope to be out in a week more, for if I don’t my company will be gone and I will have to entrain with another.
I suppose the ones that read the morning papers is enjoying the ____ success of the boys “Over There” and am pleased to say that they have a camp here full of the very same kind of material that will be ready to take their place in due time beside the many brave boys who are giving their all to their country.
Instead of hearing the hum and roar of the mills, planer and shops, I hear the cracking of rifles and canon fire out on the range, being a constant thing from morning till night, just in a few days a fellow learns to be a veteran.
Rookies have need for many things. After insurance and alotments are made, his pay will last possibly one trip to town. Such as Razor kits, powder and smoking is really a necessity, any of the good readers desiring to send anything from a smilage book, cigarettes etc, they will be greatfully received at 31st Co, 8th Training Bn, Camp Pike Ark.
Best wishes to all.
Claud Cox.
NOTES: Henry Claude Cox was born on August 18, 1894 at Douglas, Arkansas in Lincoln County. He died on November 8, 1940 at Stamps, Arkansas and is buried in the Lakeside Cemetery at Stamps, Lafayette County. His name is listed as Claude on findagrave.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Base Hospital Camp Pike,
Dear Editor:
Not claiming to be a reporter, or anything of the kind, and realizing it takes lots of educational value for that, Uncle Sams only request is lots of physical strength and he will learn you the rest. I feel safe after our physical examination, when out of a company of two hundred and ninety-five, there were more than 80 that could neither read nor write. How glad I was that I could do a little of both. You have heard about the efficient way Uncle Sam has doing things, we realize those thing more each day we live with him, teaching from the very beginning to have lots of life and Yankee pep to everything. Oh, if the people in “civil life” would use the same methods and awaken to the great problems of the day and just say we must do it, they would soon see their loved ones coming home again. The people at home seem to be so busy they have forgotten any one has gone from their mists. When I say people I mean those that work at the shops, mills, stores and offices and residents. I am sorry to say out of 42 letters written home I haven’t received but five and they were from mother. I use this last but not least appeal to the editor to send me the home paper and put my address in the paper also, so that anyone wishing to write it would be highly appreciated. Being in the Base Hospital among some four thousand patients, and seeing the different ones getting letters and packages of delicacies from home makes a fellow feel lost.
The ward I occupy has some very serious operations but meet them successfully. I find patients that have been here for four or five months. I hope to be out in a week more, for if I don’t my company will be gone and I will have to entrain with another.
I suppose the ones that read the morning papers is enjoying the ____ success of the boys “Over There” and am pleased to say that they have a camp here full of the very same kind of material that will be ready to take their place in due time beside the many brave boys who are giving their all to their country.
Instead of hearing the hum and roar of the mills, planer and shops, I hear the cracking of rifles and canon fire out on the range, being a constant thing from morning till night, just in a few days a fellow learns to be a veteran.
Rookies have need for many things. After insurance and alotments are made, his pay will last possibly one trip to town. Such as Razor kits, powder and smoking is really a necessity, any of the good readers desiring to send anything from a smilage book, cigarettes etc, they will be greatfully received at 31st Co, 8th Training Bn, Camp Pike Ark.
Best wishes to all.
Claud Cox.
NOTES: Henry Claude Cox was born on August 18, 1894 at Douglas, Arkansas in Lincoln County. He died on November 8, 1940 at Stamps, Arkansas and is buried in the Lakeside Cemetery at Stamps, Lafayette County. His name is listed as Claude on findagrave.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT