TRANSCRIBED FROM THE WHITE RIVER JOURNAL AUGUST 22, 1918 P. 1
St. Louis, Mo.
Thursday, Aug. 15, 1919.
Mr. Chas. A. Walls.
Des Arc, Ark,
Dear Editor and Friends:
Possibly you friends will enjoy just a word from a home boy. I thought all the while I was at Fayetteville, Ark., for special training I would write you good people to let you know how well I enjoyed army life, tho' for lack of time I neglected to do so.
Though before I go further please allow me to tell you all that the supreme sacrifice of giving our lives would not more than compensate for the hospitality the people of Fayetteville, Ark., alone have shown we boys.
If we should have been granted the privilege of choosing our instructors for class, either military training we could not have cherished the hope of getting better or more loyal instructors than we had.
However, the time arrived when our course was finished, and I can say to the honor of the University and royal patriotic citizens of Arkansas: that the effort put forth in training us boys was a pronounced success.
So the time for departure arrived, and on the eve of the 15th, we marched down the beautiful streets of Fayetteville to entrain for Camp Taylor, Ky. On our arrival at the depot we were met by a throng of Fayetteville's patriotic citizens whom had so royally treated we boys that it was like leaving home anew. However before we left, each and every one were presented a box of most delicious eats. Now would anyone be so unloyal as to say our hearts do not go out to them, too that was only one of the many ties they had been so nice to us.
Upon arriving in St. Louis, Mo this a. m. at 8:30, we learned we would not be able to get a train out until 7 p. m., so the Lieutenant of our Company (and allow me to say here, that he is one of the specimens of men that is seldom found), commanded all out and fall in squad formation, then when properly formed we marched to the Y. M. C. A. buildings for soldiers, and here we were met with every possible feature of hospitality that it is possible for the human mind to conceive.
It being yet early and not yet having had our morning's cup of coffee, we all were at once served with a steeping cup of delicious hot coffee which was only 5 cents each, then it was announced that we might have the privilege of a splash in the most magnificent bathing pool or a shower bath, either we liked, they both being located here in an adjoining building, so most of us chose a splash in the pool, which to say the least of it was enjoyed by all.
Dear editor and friend, I hope you will find space in the columns of your paper for these few remarks, for I wish them to be an appeal to a rather noninterested people in regard to the Y.M.C.A. work. This is my first time to come in personal contact with the work and see what it really meant. The most I could possibly say in its behalf would not do it justice, so on my word and honor allow me to commend the Y.M.C.A. to all who may chance to read these few remark. It is worthy of any consideration that it may receive at your hands.
Well owing to the fact that we were called out from the city of St. Louis before I finished, and am now located at Camp Taylor, Ky., will write you a few more words. This is a beautiful camp with all the accommodations one might wish for.
May write you again some time, good luck and prosperity to all is my wish.
Sincerely yours,
John F. LeFerney.
Hdqrs Co. 11, B.N. F.A.R.D.
Building E. C. Camp Taylor, Ky.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
St. Louis, Mo.
Thursday, Aug. 15, 1919.
Mr. Chas. A. Walls.
Des Arc, Ark,
Dear Editor and Friends:
Possibly you friends will enjoy just a word from a home boy. I thought all the while I was at Fayetteville, Ark., for special training I would write you good people to let you know how well I enjoyed army life, tho' for lack of time I neglected to do so.
Though before I go further please allow me to tell you all that the supreme sacrifice of giving our lives would not more than compensate for the hospitality the people of Fayetteville, Ark., alone have shown we boys.
If we should have been granted the privilege of choosing our instructors for class, either military training we could not have cherished the hope of getting better or more loyal instructors than we had.
However, the time arrived when our course was finished, and I can say to the honor of the University and royal patriotic citizens of Arkansas: that the effort put forth in training us boys was a pronounced success.
So the time for departure arrived, and on the eve of the 15th, we marched down the beautiful streets of Fayetteville to entrain for Camp Taylor, Ky. On our arrival at the depot we were met by a throng of Fayetteville's patriotic citizens whom had so royally treated we boys that it was like leaving home anew. However before we left, each and every one were presented a box of most delicious eats. Now would anyone be so unloyal as to say our hearts do not go out to them, too that was only one of the many ties they had been so nice to us.
Upon arriving in St. Louis, Mo this a. m. at 8:30, we learned we would not be able to get a train out until 7 p. m., so the Lieutenant of our Company (and allow me to say here, that he is one of the specimens of men that is seldom found), commanded all out and fall in squad formation, then when properly formed we marched to the Y. M. C. A. buildings for soldiers, and here we were met with every possible feature of hospitality that it is possible for the human mind to conceive.
It being yet early and not yet having had our morning's cup of coffee, we all were at once served with a steeping cup of delicious hot coffee which was only 5 cents each, then it was announced that we might have the privilege of a splash in the most magnificent bathing pool or a shower bath, either we liked, they both being located here in an adjoining building, so most of us chose a splash in the pool, which to say the least of it was enjoyed by all.
Dear editor and friend, I hope you will find space in the columns of your paper for these few remarks, for I wish them to be an appeal to a rather noninterested people in regard to the Y.M.C.A. work. This is my first time to come in personal contact with the work and see what it really meant. The most I could possibly say in its behalf would not do it justice, so on my word and honor allow me to commend the Y.M.C.A. to all who may chance to read these few remark. It is worthy of any consideration that it may receive at your hands.
Well owing to the fact that we were called out from the city of St. Louis before I finished, and am now located at Camp Taylor, Ky., will write you a few more words. This is a beautiful camp with all the accommodations one might wish for.
May write you again some time, good luck and prosperity to all is my wish.
Sincerely yours,
John F. LeFerney.
Hdqrs Co. 11, B.N. F.A.R.D.
Building E. C. Camp Taylor, Ky.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD