TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHARP COUNTY RECORD AUGUST 2, 1918 P. 3
It is a great life at Camp Pike. I have been here since June 24th, and haven’t seen a man down here since I came that I ever knew before. By my being late on the day we left Sharp county I missed the train and was sent down the next morning by myself. I was lodged at camp the next night by myself, and had just got in bed, or rather on a pallet, with my bundle that had been issued me for a pillow, when I heard something that sounded as if the camp was tearing to pieces. Then about 300 Kansas boys came in, and I have been with them ever since.
We were in quarantine for fourteen days at first, then moved out in tents, where we stayed a couple of nights. Then we were moved again and have been in quarantine for measles the rest of the time. Some of the boys think it is rather hard to be in quarantine and thought they would leave out for a few hours. And sure enough, they did get out for fifteen days in the guard house on no pay. So you can see one of the best things to do here is not break quarantine.
Things are busy down here. You can look any direction and see men and hear the words “one, two, three, four.” We are glad to get to take a hike, so we can see something new.
I thought while I was at home that I couldn’t wash clothes at all, but I find out down here that I can wash and that I don’t have to have a washboard or washing machine. Just a bucket and a brush is equipment enough.
I wish all my friends success and happiness.
John M. Gilbreath.
Camp Pike, Ark.
NOTES: John Marion Gilbreath was born on April 29, 1894 and died on October 9, 1985. He is buried in the Wiles Cemetery at Ash Flat, Arkansas. His headstone identifies him as a WWI Veteran.
TRANSCRIBED BY JACOB GREEN
It is a great life at Camp Pike. I have been here since June 24th, and haven’t seen a man down here since I came that I ever knew before. By my being late on the day we left Sharp county I missed the train and was sent down the next morning by myself. I was lodged at camp the next night by myself, and had just got in bed, or rather on a pallet, with my bundle that had been issued me for a pillow, when I heard something that sounded as if the camp was tearing to pieces. Then about 300 Kansas boys came in, and I have been with them ever since.
We were in quarantine for fourteen days at first, then moved out in tents, where we stayed a couple of nights. Then we were moved again and have been in quarantine for measles the rest of the time. Some of the boys think it is rather hard to be in quarantine and thought they would leave out for a few hours. And sure enough, they did get out for fifteen days in the guard house on no pay. So you can see one of the best things to do here is not break quarantine.
Things are busy down here. You can look any direction and see men and hear the words “one, two, three, four.” We are glad to get to take a hike, so we can see something new.
I thought while I was at home that I couldn’t wash clothes at all, but I find out down here that I can wash and that I don’t have to have a washboard or washing machine. Just a bucket and a brush is equipment enough.
I wish all my friends success and happiness.
John M. Gilbreath.
Camp Pike, Ark.
NOTES: John Marion Gilbreath was born on April 29, 1894 and died on October 9, 1985. He is buried in the Wiles Cemetery at Ash Flat, Arkansas. His headstone identifies him as a WWI Veteran.
TRANSCRIBED BY JACOB GREEN