TRANSCRIBED FROM THE GREEN FOREST TRIBUNE JANUARY 4, 1918 P. 2
Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas
December 26, 1917.
Mrs. W. M. Connerly,
Harrison, Arkansas.
When I received my Christmas package from the Red Cross I found your note and was very greatly surprised as I am a native of the State of Arkansas, and formerly lived in Harrison.
My name is Elmer E. Laning. I was born at Denver, in Carroll county. My mother’s people are the Carpenters, and my father is a minister. We lived there during the Spanish-American war and I remember seeing the soldiers march away. I was just a tot of four then.
Shortly after that we moved to Missouri and thence to California. I was educated in the public schools of San Francisco and Saint Ignatius College. I have a married sister living at Omaha, Arkansas.
My father was well acquainted with Dr. Kirby. I understand he has a son who is also a doctor.
Did you know a Mr. Carlton, who formerly taught school at Harrison? He is county judge of Dewey county, Oklahoma. I met him last spring when I came from California. My father at that time was the minister at Taloga, the county seat.
You will pardon my penmanship as I have a part of a cracker box across my knees serving as a writing desk.
As much as we are at war the Christmas spirit prevails among the boys as usual and the most earnest wish is that it will not be long until this thing is settled once for all so that in future times we shall really see peace on earth, good will among its people and the Christ spirit dominant.
Wishing you and yours a most prosperous New Year, I am,
Sincerely,
Corporal E. E. Laning.
Co. F., 11th Engineers, Camp Bowie,
Fort Worth, Texas.
NOTES: Elmer Ellsworth Laning was born in Denver, Arkansas on January 22, 1893 and died on May 25, 1977 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho Falls.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas
December 26, 1917.
Mrs. W. M. Connerly,
Harrison, Arkansas.
When I received my Christmas package from the Red Cross I found your note and was very greatly surprised as I am a native of the State of Arkansas, and formerly lived in Harrison.
My name is Elmer E. Laning. I was born at Denver, in Carroll county. My mother’s people are the Carpenters, and my father is a minister. We lived there during the Spanish-American war and I remember seeing the soldiers march away. I was just a tot of four then.
Shortly after that we moved to Missouri and thence to California. I was educated in the public schools of San Francisco and Saint Ignatius College. I have a married sister living at Omaha, Arkansas.
My father was well acquainted with Dr. Kirby. I understand he has a son who is also a doctor.
Did you know a Mr. Carlton, who formerly taught school at Harrison? He is county judge of Dewey county, Oklahoma. I met him last spring when I came from California. My father at that time was the minister at Taloga, the county seat.
You will pardon my penmanship as I have a part of a cracker box across my knees serving as a writing desk.
As much as we are at war the Christmas spirit prevails among the boys as usual and the most earnest wish is that it will not be long until this thing is settled once for all so that in future times we shall really see peace on earth, good will among its people and the Christ spirit dominant.
Wishing you and yours a most prosperous New Year, I am,
Sincerely,
Corporal E. E. Laning.
Co. F., 11th Engineers, Camp Bowie,
Fort Worth, Texas.
NOTES: Elmer Ellsworth Laning was born in Denver, Arkansas on January 22, 1893 and died on May 25, 1977 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho Falls.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS