TRANSCRIBED FROM THE NEWPORT DAILY INDEPENDENT OCTOBER 19, 1918 P. 1
“Somewhere in France.
Dear Folks at Home:
I have seen some wonderful sights since I landed in France and some of the prettiest places one can imagine. Over here the people wear black; the boys wear black dresses, and some wear wooden shoes, which make more noise than we do with our hobnails. You just ought to see the trains they have here. When we came to this place I was a second class passenger–some class to my seat. I came through the place where Duke Kelley is working, but did not get to see him. We are stationed in a small town. They put all of us in barns so we could not get homesick, but we keep warm. We have some cool mornings and do not have to drill much. We went out drilling yesterday and was caught in a hail and windstorm. Last week we all were without raincoats, and an old French lady built a fire for us. They treat us fine and always have a smile for us, even the young ladies.
All our boys are doing fine. Owen Pettet was promoted to a sergeant last month. Byron Bursott is as fat as a hog. I am bayonet instructor of the battalion, stay with our company in the morning and go to headquarters in the afternoon. Lieut. Hirsch is with the Headquarter Co. and is looking and doing fine. Lloyd was transferred a few days ago and no telling where he was sent.
Love to all,
Sergeant Ira S. Jones.
NOTE: Ira “Babe” Jones was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Jones of Newport. He has served with the Co. E of the Arkansas National Guard. He was born in Akron, Colorado on August 2, 1897 and died on July 5, 1950. He is buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Jackson County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Sgt. serving in 154th Infantry, 39th Division during World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD
“Somewhere in France.
Dear Folks at Home:
I have seen some wonderful sights since I landed in France and some of the prettiest places one can imagine. Over here the people wear black; the boys wear black dresses, and some wear wooden shoes, which make more noise than we do with our hobnails. You just ought to see the trains they have here. When we came to this place I was a second class passenger–some class to my seat. I came through the place where Duke Kelley is working, but did not get to see him. We are stationed in a small town. They put all of us in barns so we could not get homesick, but we keep warm. We have some cool mornings and do not have to drill much. We went out drilling yesterday and was caught in a hail and windstorm. Last week we all were without raincoats, and an old French lady built a fire for us. They treat us fine and always have a smile for us, even the young ladies.
All our boys are doing fine. Owen Pettet was promoted to a sergeant last month. Byron Bursott is as fat as a hog. I am bayonet instructor of the battalion, stay with our company in the morning and go to headquarters in the afternoon. Lieut. Hirsch is with the Headquarter Co. and is looking and doing fine. Lloyd was transferred a few days ago and no telling where he was sent.
Love to all,
Sergeant Ira S. Jones.
NOTE: Ira “Babe” Jones was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Jones of Newport. He has served with the Co. E of the Arkansas National Guard. He was born in Akron, Colorado on August 2, 1897 and died on July 5, 1950. He is buried in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Jackson County, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Sgt. serving in 154th Infantry, 39th Division during World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY SHANNON SOUTHARD