TRANSCRIBED FROM THE JUDSONIA ADVANCE SEPTEMBER 18, 1918 P. 1
August 13, 1918.
Mrs. G. W. McCarty,
Judsonia, Ark.
Dear Mamma:
We arrived here yesterday about 10 o’clock and we are in our new home now, but don’t expect to be here long. I could write this tablet full about my trip, but I haven’t got time now, I guess you have gotten my cards which I dropped on the way.
Nearly all the crops in Arkansas looked to be ruined by the drouth, then in Missouri they began to be in better condition, and the farther north and east we came the better they were, until we got to New York where not much crops of any kind are raised; the chief occupation for a living seemed to be dairying.
We came through several large cities, the first place we stopped was at Poplar Bluff, Mo., where we took exercise. The next morning at daybreak we were in St. Louis, then our next stop was some place in Illinois; from there to Indianapolis, Ind., where we took a bath and paraded some on main street. From there we went into Ohio, where we stopped at several of the cities. At Springfield the Red Cross came around and gave us apples, pears, cigarettes, cards and gum. From Ohio we went into Pennsylvania and I think our only stop in the stat was at Erie and only there for a few minutes, but in eastern Pennsylvania and Western New York we came through a large vineyard, for miles and miles along the track all we could see was grape vines, also we came aolng the shore of Lake Erie for some time.
From Pennsylvania we came into New York where we stopped at nearly all the towns and cities. At Rockester we took another bath - that was Sunday morning. We stayed at Rochester for probably an hour, then we came to Syracuse where we only stayed a few mnutes, then to Utica where we paraded for about a half hour and when we got back to the depot there sure was some crowd to see us off. From Utica we went to Novinish where we were received by three or four thousand people, and we stayed there about an hour. It seems that we are a long way from home in only one way.
We do not use ice here for anything. The days are as warm as they are there and the nights are a little cooler. We are only about 15 miles from New York City and if I can I am going up there soon as I can., cause I want to see all the world I can now.
The Red Cross ladies were sure nice to us all the way.
We came along the Hudson River for several miles yesterday, also we came through several tunnels, one seemed like it was a mile or more long. This camp is not near as large as Camp Pike. We don’t know how long we are to be here.
Mamma, wherever I am, don’t you be the least bit worried, because the army has taught me to look out for No. 1., and I will get along all right wherever I am. So don’t worry about me not getting along all right.
All of us Jacksonville boys are still together.
Clo was at the gate when we passed through Judsonia so I had to holler to her, and I saw one of the boys at the depot.
Well, I must close.
Your Son,
James Lankford.
Co. 12 Camp Pike, J. A. R. D.
Oversea Casualty Co.
Camp Merritt, N. J.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
August 13, 1918.
Mrs. G. W. McCarty,
Judsonia, Ark.
Dear Mamma:
We arrived here yesterday about 10 o’clock and we are in our new home now, but don’t expect to be here long. I could write this tablet full about my trip, but I haven’t got time now, I guess you have gotten my cards which I dropped on the way.
Nearly all the crops in Arkansas looked to be ruined by the drouth, then in Missouri they began to be in better condition, and the farther north and east we came the better they were, until we got to New York where not much crops of any kind are raised; the chief occupation for a living seemed to be dairying.
We came through several large cities, the first place we stopped was at Poplar Bluff, Mo., where we took exercise. The next morning at daybreak we were in St. Louis, then our next stop was some place in Illinois; from there to Indianapolis, Ind., where we took a bath and paraded some on main street. From there we went into Ohio, where we stopped at several of the cities. At Springfield the Red Cross came around and gave us apples, pears, cigarettes, cards and gum. From Ohio we went into Pennsylvania and I think our only stop in the stat was at Erie and only there for a few minutes, but in eastern Pennsylvania and Western New York we came through a large vineyard, for miles and miles along the track all we could see was grape vines, also we came aolng the shore of Lake Erie for some time.
From Pennsylvania we came into New York where we stopped at nearly all the towns and cities. At Rockester we took another bath - that was Sunday morning. We stayed at Rochester for probably an hour, then we came to Syracuse where we only stayed a few mnutes, then to Utica where we paraded for about a half hour and when we got back to the depot there sure was some crowd to see us off. From Utica we went to Novinish where we were received by three or four thousand people, and we stayed there about an hour. It seems that we are a long way from home in only one way.
We do not use ice here for anything. The days are as warm as they are there and the nights are a little cooler. We are only about 15 miles from New York City and if I can I am going up there soon as I can., cause I want to see all the world I can now.
The Red Cross ladies were sure nice to us all the way.
We came along the Hudson River for several miles yesterday, also we came through several tunnels, one seemed like it was a mile or more long. This camp is not near as large as Camp Pike. We don’t know how long we are to be here.
Mamma, wherever I am, don’t you be the least bit worried, because the army has taught me to look out for No. 1., and I will get along all right wherever I am. So don’t worry about me not getting along all right.
All of us Jacksonville boys are still together.
Clo was at the gate when we passed through Judsonia so I had to holler to her, and I saw one of the boys at the depot.
Well, I must close.
Your Son,
James Lankford.
Co. 12 Camp Pike, J. A. R. D.
Oversea Casualty Co.
Camp Merritt, N. J.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY