TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ROGERS DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 17, 1918 P. 1
September 8:
Dear Big Brother and Family:
Failing to hear from you for sometime I’ll just write you one to go on. We are now filling our places at the front so you see; after all, I’ll get to give the Huns a kick in the ribs for the Keller family and being the only one so far that Uncle Sam will let fight, I’ll have to make that kick cover lots of ground.
This is a great life but cannot see how it can last much longer, the way the Allies are going through the German lines.
Yes, we have begun to think about winter as it is cold here at times; haven’t had any warm weather to speak of. Think you people back in the States have all the hot weather.
Talk about battles in the air; that is something that is pulled off every day and we have seen exciting times, believe me. I can’t help but laugh sometimes seeing the fellows run and duck for cover when both planes are over. It is nothing to laugh at as it is serious and I guess the other fellow gets one on me too.
The country is heavy on grapes which are now ripe--that and hops—you see that means wine and beer. All crops seem to be good and all ground that isn’t shot up is cultivated, that meaning lots toward the end of this trouble.
Do you know I rather like some places here in France and believe it would be worth the visiting for awhile in times of peace, when that time comes, to see all improvements in warfare and where fought will be worth several years to come who sees them.
Will have to bring this to a close and write home. Your next letter will have much news or I am fooled.
Your brother,
PAUL
NOTES: Paul Keller, the son of T. J. Keller, was writing to his brother Jay. He was born on October 8, 1895 and died on December 1, 1973. He is buried in the Bentonville Cemetery in Bentonville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Sgt. serving in World War 1. He departed New York, NY on July 15, 1918 onboard the Themistocles. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in 11th Co. 4th Motor Mechanics. He departed St. Nazaire on July 19, 1919 onboard the Rijndam, a voyage of sick and wounded. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on June 19, 1919. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in 4 Merch. Reg. Air S.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
September 8:
Dear Big Brother and Family:
Failing to hear from you for sometime I’ll just write you one to go on. We are now filling our places at the front so you see; after all, I’ll get to give the Huns a kick in the ribs for the Keller family and being the only one so far that Uncle Sam will let fight, I’ll have to make that kick cover lots of ground.
This is a great life but cannot see how it can last much longer, the way the Allies are going through the German lines.
Yes, we have begun to think about winter as it is cold here at times; haven’t had any warm weather to speak of. Think you people back in the States have all the hot weather.
Talk about battles in the air; that is something that is pulled off every day and we have seen exciting times, believe me. I can’t help but laugh sometimes seeing the fellows run and duck for cover when both planes are over. It is nothing to laugh at as it is serious and I guess the other fellow gets one on me too.
The country is heavy on grapes which are now ripe--that and hops—you see that means wine and beer. All crops seem to be good and all ground that isn’t shot up is cultivated, that meaning lots toward the end of this trouble.
Do you know I rather like some places here in France and believe it would be worth the visiting for awhile in times of peace, when that time comes, to see all improvements in warfare and where fought will be worth several years to come who sees them.
Will have to bring this to a close and write home. Your next letter will have much news or I am fooled.
Your brother,
PAUL
NOTES: Paul Keller, the son of T. J. Keller, was writing to his brother Jay. He was born on October 8, 1895 and died on December 1, 1973. He is buried in the Bentonville Cemetery in Bentonville, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Sgt. serving in World War 1. He departed New York, NY on July 15, 1918 onboard the Themistocles. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in 11th Co. 4th Motor Mechanics. He departed St. Nazaire on July 19, 1919 onboard the Rijndam, a voyage of sick and wounded. He arrived in Hoboken, NJ on June 19, 1919. He was listed as a Sgt. serving in 4 Merch. Reg. Air S.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON