TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS DECEMBER 20, 1918 P. 3
Dear Parents:
At last after many months of waiting the end of the last big war that the world will ever know is in sight--in fact is already here. The fighting is over and now there only remains the wait for the final peace terms to be signed and then the curtain will be forever ring down on Germany as a world power. She thought she was big enough and powerful enough to break all the laws of God and man and get away with it, but she took on one too many when she tackled our Uncle Samuel. And now just look at her, no army, no navy, no colonies, no friends and no nothing. She certainly had it coming to her and she certainly got it. I am only sorry that she didn't get some of the same medicine that she fed France and Belgium.
If I had the brains of Walter Scott or Dickens I would try to describe to you the actions of the populace here when the word was first given that Germany had signed the armistice, but as I haven't I must content myself to say that they were indescribable. The morning of Nov. 11 dawned bright and balmy and if I had been asked to describe a day more suited for the receipt of the worlds greatest news I could not have done so. It seemed to be God appointed a day and nature did her very best to make that day beautiful.
It had been prearranged to run the flags of France and the U. S. to the top of the wireless tower that can be seen from all parts of the town, and when these flags appeared the people acted stunned, and they would look at the flags then look again to be sure that there was no mistake. For more than an hour there was hardly a sound, they didn't know whether to laugh or cry, they couldn't realize that after more than four years of hardships and suffering that the end was really here. Then some one put out a flag and some one else shouted "vive la France," a whistle blew, bells began to ring and cannons to fire. Flags appeared like magic and within another hour the city was covered with them and the streets were full of dancing, shouting people. As the day went on it got worse and by night fall the city was one big joy mad crowd. It was almost dangerous for an American to go on the street, we would be beat in the back, hugged and kissed, have flowers thrown at us and the girls would join hands and dance around us singing the national airs of France and America. Every musical instrument that could make a sound was called into play, pianos that had been silent for four years were uncovered and had the dust wiped from their keys to the strain of Marsellaise. It was a wonderful day and a wonderful night, if I live to be a thousand I'll never forget the scenes that I witnessed, of a noble people freed from war. It was well worth all the sacrifices that I have made and in the words of Webster (I believe) "I thank God that I am an American."
And now I want to go home. Of course I realize that I can't start at once but I can't be ordered back too soon. I came to stay until the war was ended and would have stayed if the war had lasted five years but now that its finished I am anxious to go back and am going at the first opportunity, so you needn't be surprized if I am back before spring also you needn't be surprized if I am not. We have lots of work to do yet and I am willing to stay as long as my work is necessary, but I hope that it won't be necessary for very long.
Best love to all,
Your son,
Howard
NOTES: Howard V. Mullins was born on October 15, 1882 in Tate Springs, Texas and died on January 2, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is buried in the Saint Matthew Cemetery in St. Louis. During the war he was serving with the US Postal Service. He was writing this letter to his in laws Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Fletcher.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear Parents:
At last after many months of waiting the end of the last big war that the world will ever know is in sight--in fact is already here. The fighting is over and now there only remains the wait for the final peace terms to be signed and then the curtain will be forever ring down on Germany as a world power. She thought she was big enough and powerful enough to break all the laws of God and man and get away with it, but she took on one too many when she tackled our Uncle Samuel. And now just look at her, no army, no navy, no colonies, no friends and no nothing. She certainly had it coming to her and she certainly got it. I am only sorry that she didn't get some of the same medicine that she fed France and Belgium.
If I had the brains of Walter Scott or Dickens I would try to describe to you the actions of the populace here when the word was first given that Germany had signed the armistice, but as I haven't I must content myself to say that they were indescribable. The morning of Nov. 11 dawned bright and balmy and if I had been asked to describe a day more suited for the receipt of the worlds greatest news I could not have done so. It seemed to be God appointed a day and nature did her very best to make that day beautiful.
It had been prearranged to run the flags of France and the U. S. to the top of the wireless tower that can be seen from all parts of the town, and when these flags appeared the people acted stunned, and they would look at the flags then look again to be sure that there was no mistake. For more than an hour there was hardly a sound, they didn't know whether to laugh or cry, they couldn't realize that after more than four years of hardships and suffering that the end was really here. Then some one put out a flag and some one else shouted "vive la France," a whistle blew, bells began to ring and cannons to fire. Flags appeared like magic and within another hour the city was covered with them and the streets were full of dancing, shouting people. As the day went on it got worse and by night fall the city was one big joy mad crowd. It was almost dangerous for an American to go on the street, we would be beat in the back, hugged and kissed, have flowers thrown at us and the girls would join hands and dance around us singing the national airs of France and America. Every musical instrument that could make a sound was called into play, pianos that had been silent for four years were uncovered and had the dust wiped from their keys to the strain of Marsellaise. It was a wonderful day and a wonderful night, if I live to be a thousand I'll never forget the scenes that I witnessed, of a noble people freed from war. It was well worth all the sacrifices that I have made and in the words of Webster (I believe) "I thank God that I am an American."
And now I want to go home. Of course I realize that I can't start at once but I can't be ordered back too soon. I came to stay until the war was ended and would have stayed if the war had lasted five years but now that its finished I am anxious to go back and am going at the first opportunity, so you needn't be surprized if I am back before spring also you needn't be surprized if I am not. We have lots of work to do yet and I am willing to stay as long as my work is necessary, but I hope that it won't be necessary for very long.
Best love to all,
Your son,
Howard
NOTES: Howard V. Mullins was born on October 15, 1882 in Tate Springs, Texas and died on January 2, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is buried in the Saint Matthew Cemetery in St. Louis. During the war he was serving with the US Postal Service. He was writing this letter to his in laws Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Fletcher.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD