TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEVADA COUNTY PICAYUNE AUGUST 23, 1917 P. 1
To The Editor Of The Picayune,
Prescott, Ark.,
Dear Editor,
Please publish this letter as I am sure many of my friends are interested in army life or soon will be, since they must shortly wear the O. D. shirt and the Khaki pants.
I have now spent two months in the army and have found many desirable things in army life, though of course army life is very different to the life I used to live while roaming the Iron ore hills of Rosston.
Uncle Sam is good to his men. We are fed well no dainties of course, but good, substantial food. The officers are very kind and patient with us. They spare no effort in trying to teach us the drills and ways of the army.
When you come boys, all you have to do is to obey what you are told, and if you do this you will soon find this life as pleasant as the one you are now living. But woe be to you if you fail to obey.
The chances of advancement now are greater than ever before, so. If you but try you will soon rise out of the ranks. Many of us boys are doing it every day. I am sure there are not as many sad hearts in the army as there are at home. We have everything we could expect, except home and loved ones. We have shows every night, boxing, wrestling, music, a good Y. M. C. A. with a splendid library, all kinds of athletics, all free. You never see a long face here. Everybody meets you with a smile, especially if he has gotten a package from home or a letter from his girl.
All of us realize that death awaits many who are soon to cross the ocean, but we are willing to go, yes anxious to go, and give our lives for Democracy, and I am sure you feel the same way, so come on and go with us, we are a happy, jolly, care-free bunch, and with your help we will show the Kaiser that Old Glory will do her part in carrying freedom to other lands.
I am in the medical department and am glad I chose this department because of the fine chance for promotion, although this branch is the most dangerous branch of the service. If you happen to come into this department and are sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas, very probably I’ll get to see you as I have been given special work here which will keep me busy for the next two or three months.
Would be glad to hear from any of my friends who have been drafted and would like to know about this branch of the service.
My best wishes are always with my friends of Nevada county to whom I owe the credit for me being what I am.
Sincerely,
Lonnie E. Dowd.
NOTES: This letter was written by Lonnie E. Dowd to the editor of the Nevada County Picayune, C. B. Andrews. He was medium height and build and had brown eyes and black hair. He was born on February 23, 1980 and died on November 22, 1963. He is buried in the Galveston Memorial Park at Galveston, Texas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
To The Editor Of The Picayune,
Prescott, Ark.,
Dear Editor,
Please publish this letter as I am sure many of my friends are interested in army life or soon will be, since they must shortly wear the O. D. shirt and the Khaki pants.
I have now spent two months in the army and have found many desirable things in army life, though of course army life is very different to the life I used to live while roaming the Iron ore hills of Rosston.
Uncle Sam is good to his men. We are fed well no dainties of course, but good, substantial food. The officers are very kind and patient with us. They spare no effort in trying to teach us the drills and ways of the army.
When you come boys, all you have to do is to obey what you are told, and if you do this you will soon find this life as pleasant as the one you are now living. But woe be to you if you fail to obey.
The chances of advancement now are greater than ever before, so. If you but try you will soon rise out of the ranks. Many of us boys are doing it every day. I am sure there are not as many sad hearts in the army as there are at home. We have everything we could expect, except home and loved ones. We have shows every night, boxing, wrestling, music, a good Y. M. C. A. with a splendid library, all kinds of athletics, all free. You never see a long face here. Everybody meets you with a smile, especially if he has gotten a package from home or a letter from his girl.
All of us realize that death awaits many who are soon to cross the ocean, but we are willing to go, yes anxious to go, and give our lives for Democracy, and I am sure you feel the same way, so come on and go with us, we are a happy, jolly, care-free bunch, and with your help we will show the Kaiser that Old Glory will do her part in carrying freedom to other lands.
I am in the medical department and am glad I chose this department because of the fine chance for promotion, although this branch is the most dangerous branch of the service. If you happen to come into this department and are sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas, very probably I’ll get to see you as I have been given special work here which will keep me busy for the next two or three months.
Would be glad to hear from any of my friends who have been drafted and would like to know about this branch of the service.
My best wishes are always with my friends of Nevada county to whom I owe the credit for me being what I am.
Sincerely,
Lonnie E. Dowd.
NOTES: This letter was written by Lonnie E. Dowd to the editor of the Nevada County Picayune, C. B. Andrews. He was medium height and build and had brown eyes and black hair. He was born on February 23, 1980 and died on November 22, 1963. He is buried in the Galveston Memorial Park at Galveston, Texas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT