TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER INDEX OCTOBER 25, 1918 P. 1
Chicago, Ill. Oct. 22, 1918.
2210 Arlington St., Room 449.
My Dear Sir:
You very probably think that I am a rather ungrateful cur, owing to my almost criminal carelessness in not thanking you for sending me the paper. I am forced to ask you to indulge me in this respect, and I hasten to reassure you that my reticence is, by no means, the manner in which I desire to express how appreciative I am of your kindness. There is nothing in my mind that presents a higher spectre than to read of HOME. Those names so familiar are brought to one's attention, and it remains but to close the eye and stroll back some months to where we were all pursuing our own ambitious ideals, oblivious to such problems as now confront the world. It is inconceivable, almost, for the mind to grasp the many things that have transpired in the past year--I have been in many places and have seen so much activity, strenuous, in a sense, both plus and minus.
So far it seems my jinx keeps pursuing me. Just about the time my mind is made up, reasonably sure that something will happen in my favor, that will transplant me from an "American beauty" to a "Flanders Poppy" along comes the frost of Mr. General December or some other wing cropper and my schemes are knocked into a cocked hat. I had great plans that I would get out for foreign service from Kelly Field with the coming of the fall months, but there came a wave of cold water from Washington in form of travel orders directing me to proceed hence, which ripple so dampened my over-zealous connections that I have just about become unglued at the joints and shall have to stand in the sunny spots of Lee county again to dry my exasperation.
Goodness knows, I have plenty of work here. But I surely think I'm entitled to a red and blue petticoat instead of khaki, if I am to be condemned to this desk rattling and pencil rolling. When I view my work and then survey the task set out for those boys Over There, my part grows exceedingly tame. I cannot do more than envy them, some of whom are "pushing up the daisies" in Flanders and at Chateau Thierry.
I oftimes wonder if there is the same invincibility in my nerves as halted the ambition of the kaiser at Thierry, and if there is the same inflexibility in my spine as cause those lads to go forward in the face of leaden music. Somehow I would just like to see if tremors would play hide-and-go-seek up and down my shirt from my watch pocket around to the cross of my suspenders, if I could look out and spy some few thousand Heinies bound for my particular spot, with fixed bayonets. Probably I shall never know, but I've an idea that I would feel very much like running and until I have an opportunity to demonstrate that my mind is master of my feet, I shall not be satisfied.
I only hope that President Wilson tells Billy to go as straight to hell as I am going to lunch right now, and I shall not swerve to right nor left.
I thank you again for sending the paper.
Very truly,
WARREN G. HOYLE
To Mr. H. M. Jackson, Marianna, Ark.
NOTES: This letter was written by Warren G. Hoyle. He was born in Ozark, Arkansas on February 15, 1894. He registered for the draft in Lee County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Chicago, Ill. Oct. 22, 1918.
2210 Arlington St., Room 449.
My Dear Sir:
You very probably think that I am a rather ungrateful cur, owing to my almost criminal carelessness in not thanking you for sending me the paper. I am forced to ask you to indulge me in this respect, and I hasten to reassure you that my reticence is, by no means, the manner in which I desire to express how appreciative I am of your kindness. There is nothing in my mind that presents a higher spectre than to read of HOME. Those names so familiar are brought to one's attention, and it remains but to close the eye and stroll back some months to where we were all pursuing our own ambitious ideals, oblivious to such problems as now confront the world. It is inconceivable, almost, for the mind to grasp the many things that have transpired in the past year--I have been in many places and have seen so much activity, strenuous, in a sense, both plus and minus.
So far it seems my jinx keeps pursuing me. Just about the time my mind is made up, reasonably sure that something will happen in my favor, that will transplant me from an "American beauty" to a "Flanders Poppy" along comes the frost of Mr. General December or some other wing cropper and my schemes are knocked into a cocked hat. I had great plans that I would get out for foreign service from Kelly Field with the coming of the fall months, but there came a wave of cold water from Washington in form of travel orders directing me to proceed hence, which ripple so dampened my over-zealous connections that I have just about become unglued at the joints and shall have to stand in the sunny spots of Lee county again to dry my exasperation.
Goodness knows, I have plenty of work here. But I surely think I'm entitled to a red and blue petticoat instead of khaki, if I am to be condemned to this desk rattling and pencil rolling. When I view my work and then survey the task set out for those boys Over There, my part grows exceedingly tame. I cannot do more than envy them, some of whom are "pushing up the daisies" in Flanders and at Chateau Thierry.
I oftimes wonder if there is the same invincibility in my nerves as halted the ambition of the kaiser at Thierry, and if there is the same inflexibility in my spine as cause those lads to go forward in the face of leaden music. Somehow I would just like to see if tremors would play hide-and-go-seek up and down my shirt from my watch pocket around to the cross of my suspenders, if I could look out and spy some few thousand Heinies bound for my particular spot, with fixed bayonets. Probably I shall never know, but I've an idea that I would feel very much like running and until I have an opportunity to demonstrate that my mind is master of my feet, I shall not be satisfied.
I only hope that President Wilson tells Billy to go as straight to hell as I am going to lunch right now, and I shall not swerve to right nor left.
I thank you again for sending the paper.
Very truly,
WARREN G. HOYLE
To Mr. H. M. Jackson, Marianna, Ark.
NOTES: This letter was written by Warren G. Hoyle. He was born in Ozark, Arkansas on February 15, 1894. He registered for the draft in Lee County, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD