TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER SEPTEMBER 1, 1917 P. 2
Paris, France, July 20, 1917.
Dear Papa:
I sure was glad to hear from you all. It has been a few days since I last wrote you a letter. Please do not think hard of me for not writing sooner. The weather has been fine over here the last few days. We have moved once since in France I can’t tell where now. I like it fine over here. I am learning to do something in drill. I do not know it all by a long way, but will do my best to learn as soon as I can. It is about time for cotton to start opening I suppose. Papa I hope you have fine crops now. How are all the folks at Waldo coming on fine I hope. Tell them I said hello, and feel fine as I ever did. We take a few hikes now and I sure like them, it makes me feel good. We go up mountains and around. It don’t get dark here till 10 or 11 o’clock p.m. The people sure do their work funny to me. They do not get up till late and work late. There are not many two horse wagons here—one horse is hitched in front of each other and sometimes there are four hitched that way.
The women work in the fields like men and they are streetcar conductors and motormen. There are women working at almost every thing. It is sure hard on them but hope it will be better before long. They sure like to see American soldiers. All things are high over here but you cannot expect anything else. Butter sells for 70 cents a pound. I have not spent much money for anything except for something to eat once in awhile. I will send some money home the next pay day, about $60 or more. We get paid off in French money but can send it by the Y.M.C.A. and they will exchange it. You can do what you like with the money till I get back, if I do. I think I will though. I bought me a wrist watch over here as my other one was broken, it cost 20 Francs or $4.00. There is plenty of wine over here. It is white wine, I have not tasted a drop and don’t intend to, or smoke or gamble. Some of the boys get drunk and get put into the guard house and some get broke gambling. I want to get an honorable discharge, if I don’t get killed. It will sure be fine to have an honorable discharge and I am going to have it. It will be fine too, to get out with a hundred or two dollars, I intend to. Please send me two books more as I said send me one book already. You will have to pay the postage on this. I hope you both will be well when this reaches you. I hope to be home by Christmas time but can’t tell. I will be a honest soldier to my country no matter what turns up. I will close,
Your son,
Sam Hoiser
NOTES: Samuel Hosier was writing to his father. He was born on May 25, 1897 in Indiana. By 1910 his family was living in Columbia County, Arkansas and he grew up in Waldo. He served in Co. K 16th Inf 1st Div. until he was transferred to 15th CAC. He was a private. He died on August 4, 1934 near Texarkana when he drowned trying to rescue a swimmer. He is buried in the Waldo Cemetery, Waldo.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Paris, France, July 20, 1917.
Dear Papa:
I sure was glad to hear from you all. It has been a few days since I last wrote you a letter. Please do not think hard of me for not writing sooner. The weather has been fine over here the last few days. We have moved once since in France I can’t tell where now. I like it fine over here. I am learning to do something in drill. I do not know it all by a long way, but will do my best to learn as soon as I can. It is about time for cotton to start opening I suppose. Papa I hope you have fine crops now. How are all the folks at Waldo coming on fine I hope. Tell them I said hello, and feel fine as I ever did. We take a few hikes now and I sure like them, it makes me feel good. We go up mountains and around. It don’t get dark here till 10 or 11 o’clock p.m. The people sure do their work funny to me. They do not get up till late and work late. There are not many two horse wagons here—one horse is hitched in front of each other and sometimes there are four hitched that way.
The women work in the fields like men and they are streetcar conductors and motormen. There are women working at almost every thing. It is sure hard on them but hope it will be better before long. They sure like to see American soldiers. All things are high over here but you cannot expect anything else. Butter sells for 70 cents a pound. I have not spent much money for anything except for something to eat once in awhile. I will send some money home the next pay day, about $60 or more. We get paid off in French money but can send it by the Y.M.C.A. and they will exchange it. You can do what you like with the money till I get back, if I do. I think I will though. I bought me a wrist watch over here as my other one was broken, it cost 20 Francs or $4.00. There is plenty of wine over here. It is white wine, I have not tasted a drop and don’t intend to, or smoke or gamble. Some of the boys get drunk and get put into the guard house and some get broke gambling. I want to get an honorable discharge, if I don’t get killed. It will sure be fine to have an honorable discharge and I am going to have it. It will be fine too, to get out with a hundred or two dollars, I intend to. Please send me two books more as I said send me one book already. You will have to pay the postage on this. I hope you both will be well when this reaches you. I hope to be home by Christmas time but can’t tell. I will be a honest soldier to my country no matter what turns up. I will close,
Your son,
Sam Hoiser
NOTES: Samuel Hosier was writing to his father. He was born on May 25, 1897 in Indiana. By 1910 his family was living in Columbia County, Arkansas and he grew up in Waldo. He served in Co. K 16th Inf 1st Div. until he was transferred to 15th CAC. He was a private. He died on August 4, 1934 near Texarkana when he drowned trying to rescue a swimmer. He is buried in the Waldo Cemetery, Waldo.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT