TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BAXTER BULLETIN SEPTEMBER 27, 1918 P. 1
Suppose you have heard of my arrival overseas long before this. We had a very long and tiresome voyage but it was worth while to me for I was taking in all the scenery. Some of the boys were quite seasick for awhile and I happened to be one of them. We came via England. Can’t tell you in writing the exact routing as we are allowed to do so. I have seen quite a bit of England and France. I am in the best of health having a good time, getting plenty to eat, and a good place to sleep and getting a lot of training. I don’t care for that as I do not think we can get too much training. How is everything and everybody around Crane? I saw John Douglas when I first came here but can’t say just where he is now. He is the only I have met that I knew except the ones that I came with. I sure would have let you known when I came through Springfield, but it was against orders to put out any information at all. This is very nice country. It has some fine farms but they are small in size, but raise lots of stuff. They also have some very pretty girls here (are rather sweet cookies) but it is a hell of a job trying to talk to them. I am sure having hard luck for I don’t believe I ever will learn how to talk this language. Sure would like to be down at Bergman on the work train with you but I have got to settle my part of this scrabble before coming back. Do you ever any of my people. I have written to them most every day but can’t hear from them, when you see George tell him to try and write me a few lines.
Grover McVey
NOTES: Grover Cleveland McVey was born in Yellville, Arkansas on June 9, 1891 and died on February 21, 1971 in Boone County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Omaha Cemetery, in Omaha, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas soldier serving in the Saddler Hdq., Co., 129 FA. He departed from New York for France on May 20, 1918 onboard the Saxonia. He was listed as a Private serving in the Supply Co., 129 FA, 35th Division. This letter was written in June to Jim Marshall, a railroad freight conductor running out of Cotter, Arkansas. McVey worked as a brakeman for the Missouri Pacific Railway before the war.(THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN IN JUNE)
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
Suppose you have heard of my arrival overseas long before this. We had a very long and tiresome voyage but it was worth while to me for I was taking in all the scenery. Some of the boys were quite seasick for awhile and I happened to be one of them. We came via England. Can’t tell you in writing the exact routing as we are allowed to do so. I have seen quite a bit of England and France. I am in the best of health having a good time, getting plenty to eat, and a good place to sleep and getting a lot of training. I don’t care for that as I do not think we can get too much training. How is everything and everybody around Crane? I saw John Douglas when I first came here but can’t say just where he is now. He is the only I have met that I knew except the ones that I came with. I sure would have let you known when I came through Springfield, but it was against orders to put out any information at all. This is very nice country. It has some fine farms but they are small in size, but raise lots of stuff. They also have some very pretty girls here (are rather sweet cookies) but it is a hell of a job trying to talk to them. I am sure having hard luck for I don’t believe I ever will learn how to talk this language. Sure would like to be down at Bergman on the work train with you but I have got to settle my part of this scrabble before coming back. Do you ever any of my people. I have written to them most every day but can’t hear from them, when you see George tell him to try and write me a few lines.
Grover McVey
NOTES: Grover Cleveland McVey was born in Yellville, Arkansas on June 9, 1891 and died on February 21, 1971 in Boone County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Omaha Cemetery, in Omaha, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas soldier serving in the Saddler Hdq., Co., 129 FA. He departed from New York for France on May 20, 1918 onboard the Saxonia. He was listed as a Private serving in the Supply Co., 129 FA, 35th Division. This letter was written in June to Jim Marshall, a railroad freight conductor running out of Cotter, Arkansas. McVey worked as a brakeman for the Missouri Pacific Railway before the war.(THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN IN JUNE)
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON