TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHARP COUNTY RECORD APRIL 25, 1919 P. 3
Editor Records:
I am just wondering whether the people of grand old Sharp country would apprectate a few words from one of its citizens or not? If you will be kind enough to permit it I will write a short letter, and tell you of happenings since January the 30th.
January the 30th with six other sergeants and three corporals, I was transferred from Nevers, France, to Allerey, France. At Allerey the U.S. Govenment has erected very large hospital camp. Many of the boys who were brought from the front lines wounded by bullets, shells and that awful thing known as gas were sent here and many pitiful sights I’ve seen in this camp. I can not keep from thinking of the many old mothers whose sons came over to fight for their country. I often think how they would like to know, or just to hear one word from their dear sons.
Friends, please let me say something for the Red Cross nurses. You who have never been in army camps cannot realize the value of our nurses. They do hard work every day and night as well, trying hard to serve the boys. Don’t tell me that they are not sacrificing years of their lives.
Allerey is located in the eastern part of France on the Saone river and in the division of Saone et Loire. This region was once, in the olden times, known as Burgunsy. We are in about two hundred kilometers of Switzerland, and we can see the mountains of that country. I have traveled some in this country, and I wish I could describe the beautiful scenery here. Can you imagine traveling along the public highway of a foreign country and seeing the inhabitants till the soil with ancient implements drawn by oxen? I have seen more oxen in one day here than I ever saw in my whole life before. And can you imagine seeing canals filled with boats drawn by Spanish mules or burros? I have seen women pulling boats loaded heavily with coal, wood or stone up and down the canals. The canals are old, and once were the only means of transportation.
Some women in America complain about not having washing machines and everything modern, but they wash here in cold water, kneeling down by the side of a brook, and washing with a paddle and brush.
I have heard from America six times since leaving there, and you can imagine how glad I am to hear from home. I was in France four months before I received any mail at all. I never had better health in America than I have here. I feel good all the time. I have no idea how long I will remain in France. My best regards are for the Sharp country boys who have been discharged and are at home again, and we know they will not forget the others of us who are still far from home.
Mr. Editor, it is so difficult to send money home if you will send me the Record and be patient I will pay you when I get home. I shall be glad to get the news from Sharp country.
Claude M. Mason
NOTES: Mason was born in 1896 and died on June 30, 1945. He served as a supply Sgt. in 224 M. P. Company. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
Editor Records:
I am just wondering whether the people of grand old Sharp country would apprectate a few words from one of its citizens or not? If you will be kind enough to permit it I will write a short letter, and tell you of happenings since January the 30th.
January the 30th with six other sergeants and three corporals, I was transferred from Nevers, France, to Allerey, France. At Allerey the U.S. Govenment has erected very large hospital camp. Many of the boys who were brought from the front lines wounded by bullets, shells and that awful thing known as gas were sent here and many pitiful sights I’ve seen in this camp. I can not keep from thinking of the many old mothers whose sons came over to fight for their country. I often think how they would like to know, or just to hear one word from their dear sons.
Friends, please let me say something for the Red Cross nurses. You who have never been in army camps cannot realize the value of our nurses. They do hard work every day and night as well, trying hard to serve the boys. Don’t tell me that they are not sacrificing years of their lives.
Allerey is located in the eastern part of France on the Saone river and in the division of Saone et Loire. This region was once, in the olden times, known as Burgunsy. We are in about two hundred kilometers of Switzerland, and we can see the mountains of that country. I have traveled some in this country, and I wish I could describe the beautiful scenery here. Can you imagine traveling along the public highway of a foreign country and seeing the inhabitants till the soil with ancient implements drawn by oxen? I have seen more oxen in one day here than I ever saw in my whole life before. And can you imagine seeing canals filled with boats drawn by Spanish mules or burros? I have seen women pulling boats loaded heavily with coal, wood or stone up and down the canals. The canals are old, and once were the only means of transportation.
Some women in America complain about not having washing machines and everything modern, but they wash here in cold water, kneeling down by the side of a brook, and washing with a paddle and brush.
I have heard from America six times since leaving there, and you can imagine how glad I am to hear from home. I was in France four months before I received any mail at all. I never had better health in America than I have here. I feel good all the time. I have no idea how long I will remain in France. My best regards are for the Sharp country boys who have been discharged and are at home again, and we know they will not forget the others of us who are still far from home.
Mr. Editor, it is so difficult to send money home if you will send me the Record and be patient I will pay you when I get home. I shall be glad to get the news from Sharp country.
Claude M. Mason
NOTES: Mason was born in 1896 and died on June 30, 1945. He served as a supply Sgt. in 224 M. P. Company. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY