TRANSCRIBED FROM THE STAR PROGRESS DECEMBER 27, 1918 P. 2
Paris, Nov. 29, 1918
DEAR MOTHER:
I am going to try and write you at least a part of what I see each day. I landed here this morning, after riding all night, so was very tired and stayed in the hotel all morning, but started out sight-seeing at noon.
I saw a lot of German airplanes of all shapes and sizes, all kind of camoulflauge you could think of, derigible and Zepplins and all kinds of guns from a rifle up to big five and six inch guns. I also saw several tanks from seven tons up and, while I was looking over these, the president of France and the king of England and his two sons came along, so I had a squint at them. Next I crossed the river Seine on a bridge built by Alexander III and saw the Effiel tower which is 300 meters high and believe me that is up in the elements. I visited the chamber of deputies, which is the same as our congress. I went to the Place de Gace, which is a very large round theater used by the American “Y” now for the A.E.F. I passed the Madeline which is a very large building, built in honor of Napoleon’s victories, but I did not go inside, but am going to before I leave Paris, in general, is a very beautiful place, many interesting things, but the most of all she has the pretties girls I ever saw anywhere in my life and they dress so nice. I am collecting pictures of all these places which I’ll surely bring home. I am going to Chateau Thiery tomorrow if nothing happens to prevent. I have ridden my first subway here, believe me they are some fine cars and stations. Will quit for tonight; will continue tomorrow night. Goodnight.
H. S. G.
December 2, 1918
Well I have been so busy sightseeing and running around, I have neglected to write any more so will start again. I have been in several or all the ancient places of any interest. I have visited several churches, among them was Madeline and Notro Dame, which is very old and the ceiling is 117 feet from the floor. I was in the church that was struck by the shell from Big Bertha on good Friday, when so many were killed; the blood is still on the floor where they were struck. I also went into Napoleon I, tomb and several others, but the saddest thing I ever saw are the battle fields near Chateau Thiery. The town is almost entirely blown down and the forests are practically destroyed. I went out to Belleau Woods, where so many of our Marines were lost and judging from the German trenches I think they got away lucky at that. There’s lots of plunder lying on the fields yet. I have a bayonet, helmet, canteen and several other little things left by the Germans that I want to get home with. I have been riding around the city to-day so saw some more beautiful things.
I have seen the wonderful paintings and tapestries you have heard so much about and some of the most beautiful windows in existence today. The buildings are all made of stone or some other substantia material and many of them are centuries old and still in good state of preservation. I forgot to mention that I visited the Presidents home and also their city hall and high courts. I saw one rug in the court that cost over a million francs and took nine years to make, so you can imagine it is very nice. It will take the people about one and a half years to put back the paintings and fine windows that they took away to protect from shell fire of the enemy. Nearly all the windows were made in the thirteenth century. Well I could write to you all night if I undertook to tell you all I have seen here but will wait until I get home as I think I’ll be back to the dear old state soon. I will mail this to you in the ____ as I am going back to Brest tomorrow. You may show the letter to the whole family a I s know and Blench Maude will be glad to know I have seen so many things of interest, will quit now. As ever,
HUGH
NOTES: Hugh Scott Grim was writing his mother, Mrs. W. S. Grim. He was serving in the Navy. He was born on May 12, 1895 in Berryville, Arkansas and died on December 14, 1970. He was described as being of medium height and build with brown eyes and hair. He is buried in the Benton Memorial Park in Rogers, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Paris, Nov. 29, 1918
DEAR MOTHER:
I am going to try and write you at least a part of what I see each day. I landed here this morning, after riding all night, so was very tired and stayed in the hotel all morning, but started out sight-seeing at noon.
I saw a lot of German airplanes of all shapes and sizes, all kind of camoulflauge you could think of, derigible and Zepplins and all kinds of guns from a rifle up to big five and six inch guns. I also saw several tanks from seven tons up and, while I was looking over these, the president of France and the king of England and his two sons came along, so I had a squint at them. Next I crossed the river Seine on a bridge built by Alexander III and saw the Effiel tower which is 300 meters high and believe me that is up in the elements. I visited the chamber of deputies, which is the same as our congress. I went to the Place de Gace, which is a very large round theater used by the American “Y” now for the A.E.F. I passed the Madeline which is a very large building, built in honor of Napoleon’s victories, but I did not go inside, but am going to before I leave Paris, in general, is a very beautiful place, many interesting things, but the most of all she has the pretties girls I ever saw anywhere in my life and they dress so nice. I am collecting pictures of all these places which I’ll surely bring home. I am going to Chateau Thiery tomorrow if nothing happens to prevent. I have ridden my first subway here, believe me they are some fine cars and stations. Will quit for tonight; will continue tomorrow night. Goodnight.
H. S. G.
December 2, 1918
Well I have been so busy sightseeing and running around, I have neglected to write any more so will start again. I have been in several or all the ancient places of any interest. I have visited several churches, among them was Madeline and Notro Dame, which is very old and the ceiling is 117 feet from the floor. I was in the church that was struck by the shell from Big Bertha on good Friday, when so many were killed; the blood is still on the floor where they were struck. I also went into Napoleon I, tomb and several others, but the saddest thing I ever saw are the battle fields near Chateau Thiery. The town is almost entirely blown down and the forests are practically destroyed. I went out to Belleau Woods, where so many of our Marines were lost and judging from the German trenches I think they got away lucky at that. There’s lots of plunder lying on the fields yet. I have a bayonet, helmet, canteen and several other little things left by the Germans that I want to get home with. I have been riding around the city to-day so saw some more beautiful things.
I have seen the wonderful paintings and tapestries you have heard so much about and some of the most beautiful windows in existence today. The buildings are all made of stone or some other substantia material and many of them are centuries old and still in good state of preservation. I forgot to mention that I visited the Presidents home and also their city hall and high courts. I saw one rug in the court that cost over a million francs and took nine years to make, so you can imagine it is very nice. It will take the people about one and a half years to put back the paintings and fine windows that they took away to protect from shell fire of the enemy. Nearly all the windows were made in the thirteenth century. Well I could write to you all night if I undertook to tell you all I have seen here but will wait until I get home as I think I’ll be back to the dear old state soon. I will mail this to you in the ____ as I am going back to Brest tomorrow. You may show the letter to the whole family a I s know and Blench Maude will be glad to know I have seen so many things of interest, will quit now. As ever,
HUGH
NOTES: Hugh Scott Grim was writing his mother, Mrs. W. S. Grim. He was serving in the Navy. He was born on May 12, 1895 in Berryville, Arkansas and died on December 14, 1970. He was described as being of medium height and build with brown eyes and hair. He is buried in the Benton Memorial Park in Rogers, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT