TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MOUNTAIN WAVE JULY 19, 1918 P. 2
Camp Pike, July 11, 1918
Wm. A. Wenrick, Editor Mountain Wave, Marshall, Ark.
Dear Friend:
As promised some time ago, will write you again. We are again in quarantine on account of measles. It will be about fourteen days after the last case before we get free from barracks. People can come and see us, but we can’t get outside of a certain area around the barracks. Of course we are drilled as usual.
I am proud of the record of Company C. we have the reputation of making the highest score of any company that has been on the rifle range here the first time. We also have not had a man in the guard house or on extra duty. it was rumored that we would have left here today had we not been placed in quarantine. Chances are we will leave as soon as the quarantine is raised.
I am getting accustomed to the army life. It’s different indeed to civilian life, but I am glad to do my “bit.” I hope to be at home again as soon as the war is over. All sacrifices will be repaid when German autocracy is stamped out and the boys “come marching home.” It will be a different home coming to all. The married boys here all say that they are going to be better to their wives when they get back home. This should be some consolation to many of the women. By the time we get back we will be first-class housekeepers and can wash, sew, mend, etc.
The men here are realizing the seriousness of the war, and are eager to get into the game and are putting all the “pep” and “snap” possible in everything. One great advantage we have is, that we have a fine bunch of officers.
I want to say a word here in regard to the “Y” it comes as near being a home for the boys as it is possible for them to make it. Any time you can help the “Y” and also the Red Cross it is a patriotic duty to do so. They are both doing a noble work. We were entertained the other evening at the “Y” by a number of Little Rock men, among whom was our dearly beloved Earle W. Hodges. They were dressed up as black-faced comedians. There is always a picture show or an entertainment at the “Y” for the boys every evening. They also have Sunday school and church on Sunday.
In conclusion, I wish to say that next to the home papers, a letter from relatives or friends is most appreciated by the boys.
When it’s all over and I get back home, I will tell you all about all my experiences. They are just beginning now. Who knows, but what my old friend Darwin Watts, or myself, will give the readers of the Wave some thrilling stories of the great war in the future.
With best wishes to you and the Wave, and trusting you may live to do your “bit” and see a universal peace, and with kindest regards to all my friends, I am your soldier boy friend.
WILSE GRAY
Co. C, 4th Training Regt.,
Barracks 102
Camp Pike, Ark.
NOTES: Wilson G. Gray was born at Marshall, Arkansas on August 26, 1890 and died at the Oklahoma Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 13, 1955 of bronchial pneumonia. He enlisted in the military on May 28, 1918 and was discharged on August 2, 1919. He served in Evacuation Hospital Number 27. He had previous military service with Battery B in the Missouri National Guard. He moved to Oklahoma shorter after the war and served as the postmaster of Anadarko, Oklahoma for about 20 years. He is buried in the Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. (THERE IS A CIVILIAN PHOTO OF HIM AS A YOUNG MAN AT FINDAGRAVE.COM)
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH AND PAYTON DHOOGE
Camp Pike, July 11, 1918
Wm. A. Wenrick, Editor Mountain Wave, Marshall, Ark.
Dear Friend:
As promised some time ago, will write you again. We are again in quarantine on account of measles. It will be about fourteen days after the last case before we get free from barracks. People can come and see us, but we can’t get outside of a certain area around the barracks. Of course we are drilled as usual.
I am proud of the record of Company C. we have the reputation of making the highest score of any company that has been on the rifle range here the first time. We also have not had a man in the guard house or on extra duty. it was rumored that we would have left here today had we not been placed in quarantine. Chances are we will leave as soon as the quarantine is raised.
I am getting accustomed to the army life. It’s different indeed to civilian life, but I am glad to do my “bit.” I hope to be at home again as soon as the war is over. All sacrifices will be repaid when German autocracy is stamped out and the boys “come marching home.” It will be a different home coming to all. The married boys here all say that they are going to be better to their wives when they get back home. This should be some consolation to many of the women. By the time we get back we will be first-class housekeepers and can wash, sew, mend, etc.
The men here are realizing the seriousness of the war, and are eager to get into the game and are putting all the “pep” and “snap” possible in everything. One great advantage we have is, that we have a fine bunch of officers.
I want to say a word here in regard to the “Y” it comes as near being a home for the boys as it is possible for them to make it. Any time you can help the “Y” and also the Red Cross it is a patriotic duty to do so. They are both doing a noble work. We were entertained the other evening at the “Y” by a number of Little Rock men, among whom was our dearly beloved Earle W. Hodges. They were dressed up as black-faced comedians. There is always a picture show or an entertainment at the “Y” for the boys every evening. They also have Sunday school and church on Sunday.
In conclusion, I wish to say that next to the home papers, a letter from relatives or friends is most appreciated by the boys.
When it’s all over and I get back home, I will tell you all about all my experiences. They are just beginning now. Who knows, but what my old friend Darwin Watts, or myself, will give the readers of the Wave some thrilling stories of the great war in the future.
With best wishes to you and the Wave, and trusting you may live to do your “bit” and see a universal peace, and with kindest regards to all my friends, I am your soldier boy friend.
WILSE GRAY
Co. C, 4th Training Regt.,
Barracks 102
Camp Pike, Ark.
NOTES: Wilson G. Gray was born at Marshall, Arkansas on August 26, 1890 and died at the Oklahoma Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 13, 1955 of bronchial pneumonia. He enlisted in the military on May 28, 1918 and was discharged on August 2, 1919. He served in Evacuation Hospital Number 27. He had previous military service with Battery B in the Missouri National Guard. He moved to Oklahoma shorter after the war and served as the postmaster of Anadarko, Oklahoma for about 20 years. He is buried in the Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. (THERE IS A CIVILIAN PHOTO OF HIM AS A YOUNG MAN AT FINDAGRAVE.COM)
TRANSCRIBED BY CHLOE SMITH AND PAYTON DHOOGE