TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD NOVEMBER 16, 1917 P. 3
Chattanooga, Tenn, 11-9-17
Dear Editor:
If you will allow me a small space in your paper I will tell my friends something of army life. I am one of the U. S. soldiers from the state of Arkansas. I like this life better every day, although the drill work in the trenches is pretty tough. We have to stay in there twenty four hours with mud shoe mouth deep. No sleep and no fire, but such is army life. We have to train in this way that we may know how to act when we get to France.
No need to worry about whether we will have to go to France or not, We will sure have to go, and we may never return, but you can say we died for Old Glory.
We have lots of fun. The boys here call me “Arkansas Kid” because I am about the only Arkansas boy around here. I have been in the army a little over two months. I weighed 125 when I joined. I now weigh 135, so you see the life is agreeing with me. I am coming back to Randolph county about the 20th of this month to see my people and friends before I leave for France. I think we will be in France before spring. Nearly everybody in this company bought a liberty bond. I bought one and made it to my papa. I am also going to take out some insurance.
Well, I will close, hoping all who take the Star Herald will read this, I am your friend,
Erman Mock
Co. E 52nd Inf. Chickamauga Park
NOTES: This letter is written by Erman E. Mock to the editor of the newspaper. Mock was born in Randolph County on August 17, 1896 and died in Detroit, Michigan on May 7, 1961. He is buried in the Johnston Cemetery in Reyno, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. in World War i.
TRANSCRIBED BY WHITNEY MCLAUGHLIN
Chattanooga, Tenn, 11-9-17
Dear Editor:
If you will allow me a small space in your paper I will tell my friends something of army life. I am one of the U. S. soldiers from the state of Arkansas. I like this life better every day, although the drill work in the trenches is pretty tough. We have to stay in there twenty four hours with mud shoe mouth deep. No sleep and no fire, but such is army life. We have to train in this way that we may know how to act when we get to France.
No need to worry about whether we will have to go to France or not, We will sure have to go, and we may never return, but you can say we died for Old Glory.
We have lots of fun. The boys here call me “Arkansas Kid” because I am about the only Arkansas boy around here. I have been in the army a little over two months. I weighed 125 when I joined. I now weigh 135, so you see the life is agreeing with me. I am coming back to Randolph county about the 20th of this month to see my people and friends before I leave for France. I think we will be in France before spring. Nearly everybody in this company bought a liberty bond. I bought one and made it to my papa. I am also going to take out some insurance.
Well, I will close, hoping all who take the Star Herald will read this, I am your friend,
Erman Mock
Co. E 52nd Inf. Chickamauga Park
NOTES: This letter is written by Erman E. Mock to the editor of the newspaper. Mock was born in Randolph County on August 17, 1896 and died in Detroit, Michigan on May 7, 1961. He is buried in the Johnston Cemetery in Reyno, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as a Cpl. in World War i.
TRANSCRIBED BY WHITNEY MCLAUGHLIN