TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DEQUEEN BEE MAY 9, 1919 P. 3
Washington May 3, 1919
Mr. L. A. Pearre Dequeen, Ark.
Dear Sir:
Remembering the write-up you gave me when I enlisted. I thought I would write you and tell you that I came out of it the rank that you predicted.
I was at the Great Lakes only one month, when I was made company commander of one hundred men, giving the men the training to fit them for overseas duty.
About Christmas time, by a present, I suppose, I was given a Corporal’s rank, which I still hold. Also proud to say that I hold a marksman rating, which I received while on the rifle range. Great sport on the range. Wasted quite a bit of powder and shot, but still we were preparing to give old Bill what he accomplished.
Sorry to say that I didn’t get over there, but at least I had wonderful training and a real good time if I did go in under age.
Out of the sixty thousand at the Great Lakes, most of the boys were between sixteen and eighteen years of age. So when the influenza started, it killed most of the young boys, for they could not stand it.
During my stay in the Navy, I only saw one boy from De Queen, and that was John Hudson, who at the time, was on one of the lake steamers from Chicago to Buffalo. I suppose most of the boys in De Queen enlisted in the army.
I am now in Washington preparing to enter Annapolis Naval Academy.
I have seen quite a bit of the United States, but I can’t find a place that will match old Arkansas.
Here’s hoping that Sevier county and all of Arkansas will go over the top in the Victory Loan drive.
Give my regards to all. I also want to tell you that you can beat Mr. Hudson in predicting anything.
Yours truly,
George T. Locke
NOTES: George Todd Locke was bornin De Queen, Arkansas on October 21, 1901 and died on August 5, 1887. He is buried in the Redmen Cemetery in De Queen. His military headstone identifies him as a Sea 2 US Navy serving in World War I. He enlisted on August 19, 1918 and was discharged on December 26, 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Washington May 3, 1919
Mr. L. A. Pearre Dequeen, Ark.
Dear Sir:
Remembering the write-up you gave me when I enlisted. I thought I would write you and tell you that I came out of it the rank that you predicted.
I was at the Great Lakes only one month, when I was made company commander of one hundred men, giving the men the training to fit them for overseas duty.
About Christmas time, by a present, I suppose, I was given a Corporal’s rank, which I still hold. Also proud to say that I hold a marksman rating, which I received while on the rifle range. Great sport on the range. Wasted quite a bit of powder and shot, but still we were preparing to give old Bill what he accomplished.
Sorry to say that I didn’t get over there, but at least I had wonderful training and a real good time if I did go in under age.
Out of the sixty thousand at the Great Lakes, most of the boys were between sixteen and eighteen years of age. So when the influenza started, it killed most of the young boys, for they could not stand it.
During my stay in the Navy, I only saw one boy from De Queen, and that was John Hudson, who at the time, was on one of the lake steamers from Chicago to Buffalo. I suppose most of the boys in De Queen enlisted in the army.
I am now in Washington preparing to enter Annapolis Naval Academy.
I have seen quite a bit of the United States, but I can’t find a place that will match old Arkansas.
Here’s hoping that Sevier county and all of Arkansas will go over the top in the Victory Loan drive.
Give my regards to all. I also want to tell you that you can beat Mr. Hudson in predicting anything.
Yours truly,
George T. Locke
NOTES: George Todd Locke was bornin De Queen, Arkansas on October 21, 1901 and died on August 5, 1887. He is buried in the Redmen Cemetery in De Queen. His military headstone identifies him as a Sea 2 US Navy serving in World War I. He enlisted on August 19, 1918 and was discharged on December 26, 1918.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON