TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SPRINGDALE NEWS SEPTEMBER 23, 1918 P. 3
Camp Mabry, Sept. 12, 1918.
Dear Mama:
I believe I have time to-night to write you a long letter.
The novelty of our new life is wearing off, and some of the boys are dissatisfied, but I believe they would be dissatisfied any where. I am beginning to feel at home, and I know that I am as contented here as I would be anywhere, and while this war is going on and all the other boys are in the army, I am better satisfied in the army than I would be anywhere.
We really only get one hour a day of drilling, and I like to drill.. I also like the classes and laboratory work. We were classified last Tuesday and about the only thing open to me was chassis work and driving. The chassis work is where you work on most any part of the frame of a car and the working parts except the engine. I told them to put me down for driving, three other of the Washington County boys also went in for driving. I think we will get a try out in the morning.
I went up town this afternoon and worked on the camp paper. Will probably have to go to town again tomorrow and work some. I like to go up town now since I have my uniform. I can begin to look like a real soldier. The going to town also relieves the monotony of camp although I can't say it is so very monotunus here. There is something doing all the time. We were put to work yesterday morning scattering dirt in the blacksmith shop It was first filled in with big rocks then dirt was hauled in and scattered over the rocks and smoothed down and then gravel and cement will be put on top. After we had shoveled dirt for about two hours part of us were put to work shoveling coal. The coal was in a car on the switch track down at one side of the drill ground and six of us were assigned to a truck. Three of us shoveled awhile then the other three shoveled. I helped load two loads and unload one.
Rev. Brown happened to know the preacher of the Presbyterian Church here and he wrote him a letter telling him about Lynn and me, and the preacher handed the letter to a friend of his who is head of the electrical department here and he looked us up Tuesday and invited us to come to church Sunday and to take dinner with him. If we can get a pass we will accept his invitation.
I am going to write Brother Brown a letter and thank him for the interest he is taking in me.
We have all kinds of exercises before breakfast, have some deep breathing exercises. Sure feel better than I have in a long time.
We have two Irish sergeants, one is named Pat Maloney, the other is named Kelly, he sure looks Irish. Our first Lieut. has a German name and a German face. The Lieut. of the mess hall also has a German name but I guess they are as loyal Americans as men with American names.
Well I guess I must stop now and get ready for bed.
With love,
Your boy Gene.
NOTES: Eugene Gilmour was born in Mineral Wells, Texas on January 18, 1896 and died in April 1980. Murphy was writing from Austin, Texas to his mother, Mrs. M. Murphy from near Springdale, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Camp Mabry, Sept. 12, 1918.
Dear Mama:
I believe I have time to-night to write you a long letter.
The novelty of our new life is wearing off, and some of the boys are dissatisfied, but I believe they would be dissatisfied any where. I am beginning to feel at home, and I know that I am as contented here as I would be anywhere, and while this war is going on and all the other boys are in the army, I am better satisfied in the army than I would be anywhere.
We really only get one hour a day of drilling, and I like to drill.. I also like the classes and laboratory work. We were classified last Tuesday and about the only thing open to me was chassis work and driving. The chassis work is where you work on most any part of the frame of a car and the working parts except the engine. I told them to put me down for driving, three other of the Washington County boys also went in for driving. I think we will get a try out in the morning.
I went up town this afternoon and worked on the camp paper. Will probably have to go to town again tomorrow and work some. I like to go up town now since I have my uniform. I can begin to look like a real soldier. The going to town also relieves the monotony of camp although I can't say it is so very monotunus here. There is something doing all the time. We were put to work yesterday morning scattering dirt in the blacksmith shop It was first filled in with big rocks then dirt was hauled in and scattered over the rocks and smoothed down and then gravel and cement will be put on top. After we had shoveled dirt for about two hours part of us were put to work shoveling coal. The coal was in a car on the switch track down at one side of the drill ground and six of us were assigned to a truck. Three of us shoveled awhile then the other three shoveled. I helped load two loads and unload one.
Rev. Brown happened to know the preacher of the Presbyterian Church here and he wrote him a letter telling him about Lynn and me, and the preacher handed the letter to a friend of his who is head of the electrical department here and he looked us up Tuesday and invited us to come to church Sunday and to take dinner with him. If we can get a pass we will accept his invitation.
I am going to write Brother Brown a letter and thank him for the interest he is taking in me.
We have all kinds of exercises before breakfast, have some deep breathing exercises. Sure feel better than I have in a long time.
We have two Irish sergeants, one is named Pat Maloney, the other is named Kelly, he sure looks Irish. Our first Lieut. has a German name and a German face. The Lieut. of the mess hall also has a German name but I guess they are as loyal Americans as men with American names.
Well I guess I must stop now and get ready for bed.
With love,
Your boy Gene.
NOTES: Eugene Gilmour was born in Mineral Wells, Texas on January 18, 1896 and died in April 1980. Murphy was writing from Austin, Texas to his mother, Mrs. M. Murphy from near Springdale, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD