TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEWITT ENTERPRISE DECEMBER 19, 1918 P. 1
Hospital 17, A. E. F. Siberia.
Vladivostok, Nov. 3, 1918,
Mr. J. M. Henderson, Jr., DeWitt Ark.
Dear Mr. Henderson:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and in the game. When I last wrote you, I was planning to go to France very soon, but you know strange things happen in the army, so instead of being in France, I find myself in Siberia. And a strange Siberia it is, too, not at all like the Siberia I had pictured. It is now November and we have had no snow yet, but plenty of ice. To be sure, we are in the southern part of Siberia, but I had really expected it to be much colder, even here. However, I am told it will soon be extremely cold with plenty of snow. I notice the people are beginning to seal or plaster up their windows. All of the people here have very, comfortable houses, but they have few modern conveniences. Their sanitary arrangements are poor; but no more so than in Europe, and not so bad as the rest of Asia it seems to me that one of the worst features is their poor ventilation. In winter they seal their windows up, thus making the house absolutely airtight, except for a small opening that they can open or close at will. They claim that is necessary on account of the extreme cold.
My trip to this place has been an education in itself. I have seen a large part of the Orient and I expect to see much more of it before I return to the good old U. S. A. On our way over, we stopped in Japan for several days. I was in three different cities. The transport stopped in two different ports and I went inland a short ways to another city. Of course, I know that any knowledge of Japan that I may have acquired while there, must undoubtedly be very superficial; but it is a great deal better than reading about the country. I found everything so different from what I had imagined; and I suppose had I stayed there, I would have found things still different from what I now imagine; because I have changed my opinion of Vladivostok several times since landing here only a short time ago. So far I like Siberia (at least the part of it that I have seen) very much. I am told that its beautiful summers almost make up for its severe winters, and I can well believe it, for its Fall is certainly wonderful.
As I said before, it seems presumptuous to be giving one’s impressions and ideas of a country after having spent such a short time here; but it seems that I have been here an age. It seems to be the common opinions of everyone who is in a position to know, that Siberia is a country of wonderful possibilities, and I am sure that is true. There is no question that it has many natural resources at present unthought of which merely wait development. The Russians do not seem to be very progressive; but I think that once they get a start, they will astonish the world. They are just beginning to find themselves, just beginning to grow, and naturally, there will be many “growing pains.” I expect great things of the Russians some day. When, it would be hard to say, for it all depends upon the kind of government they decide to have, provided they decide to have any government at all; and I think there is very little doubt of their eventually getting a stable government and of course the sooner they get it, the better. The Czecho - Slovaks are evidently a great people and they will someday be a great nation for they are showing great wisdom just now it seems.
Well, my dear friend, there are hundreds of things that I should like to talk to you about, but needless to tell you my time is very limited. I am indeed very busy. So busy, in fact, that I have cut my correspondence down to the minimum. I hope you will let me hear from you. Tell me all about your work and your successes. May each month bring you a greater measure of the latter as it is sure to do of the former is the sincere wish of your friend.
Chas. A. Jacobus
NOTES: Charles Alexander Jacobus was a school teacher in Bayou Meto before he joined the medical corps. His brother was Mr. Ed Ax of Bayou Meto. He was born on July 1, 1882 and died on October 10, 1975. He lived at the Albert Pike Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas at the time of his death. After the war he was a civilian employee of the Veterans Administration. After he retired he was an antique dealer in Little Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. In the US Army. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery.
TRANSCRIBED BY CALEIGH PICKARD
Hospital 17, A. E. F. Siberia.
Vladivostok, Nov. 3, 1918,
Mr. J. M. Henderson, Jr., DeWitt Ark.
Dear Mr. Henderson:
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and in the game. When I last wrote you, I was planning to go to France very soon, but you know strange things happen in the army, so instead of being in France, I find myself in Siberia. And a strange Siberia it is, too, not at all like the Siberia I had pictured. It is now November and we have had no snow yet, but plenty of ice. To be sure, we are in the southern part of Siberia, but I had really expected it to be much colder, even here. However, I am told it will soon be extremely cold with plenty of snow. I notice the people are beginning to seal or plaster up their windows. All of the people here have very, comfortable houses, but they have few modern conveniences. Their sanitary arrangements are poor; but no more so than in Europe, and not so bad as the rest of Asia it seems to me that one of the worst features is their poor ventilation. In winter they seal their windows up, thus making the house absolutely airtight, except for a small opening that they can open or close at will. They claim that is necessary on account of the extreme cold.
My trip to this place has been an education in itself. I have seen a large part of the Orient and I expect to see much more of it before I return to the good old U. S. A. On our way over, we stopped in Japan for several days. I was in three different cities. The transport stopped in two different ports and I went inland a short ways to another city. Of course, I know that any knowledge of Japan that I may have acquired while there, must undoubtedly be very superficial; but it is a great deal better than reading about the country. I found everything so different from what I had imagined; and I suppose had I stayed there, I would have found things still different from what I now imagine; because I have changed my opinion of Vladivostok several times since landing here only a short time ago. So far I like Siberia (at least the part of it that I have seen) very much. I am told that its beautiful summers almost make up for its severe winters, and I can well believe it, for its Fall is certainly wonderful.
As I said before, it seems presumptuous to be giving one’s impressions and ideas of a country after having spent such a short time here; but it seems that I have been here an age. It seems to be the common opinions of everyone who is in a position to know, that Siberia is a country of wonderful possibilities, and I am sure that is true. There is no question that it has many natural resources at present unthought of which merely wait development. The Russians do not seem to be very progressive; but I think that once they get a start, they will astonish the world. They are just beginning to find themselves, just beginning to grow, and naturally, there will be many “growing pains.” I expect great things of the Russians some day. When, it would be hard to say, for it all depends upon the kind of government they decide to have, provided they decide to have any government at all; and I think there is very little doubt of their eventually getting a stable government and of course the sooner they get it, the better. The Czecho - Slovaks are evidently a great people and they will someday be a great nation for they are showing great wisdom just now it seems.
Well, my dear friend, there are hundreds of things that I should like to talk to you about, but needless to tell you my time is very limited. I am indeed very busy. So busy, in fact, that I have cut my correspondence down to the minimum. I hope you will let me hear from you. Tell me all about your work and your successes. May each month bring you a greater measure of the latter as it is sure to do of the former is the sincere wish of your friend.
Chas. A. Jacobus
NOTES: Charles Alexander Jacobus was a school teacher in Bayou Meto before he joined the medical corps. His brother was Mr. Ed Ax of Bayou Meto. He was born on July 1, 1882 and died on October 10, 1975. He lived at the Albert Pike Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas at the time of his death. After the war he was a civilian employee of the Veterans Administration. After he retired he was an antique dealer in Little Rock, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Pvt. In the US Army. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery.
TRANSCRIBED BY CALEIGH PICKARD